Kaieteur News

ExxonMobil CEO boasts of record earnings despite lower oil prices

Darren Woods, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)ofAmericanoilgiant,ExxonMobilrecentlyboasted of the company’s record performance in 2024, despite the declineinoilprices.

InaSECfilingonMonday,Woodstoldshareholdersof the Fortune 500 Company that in 2024, ExxonMobil outperformedotherintegratedoilcompanies(IOCs)across theboardwithUS$33.7billionofearnings,$55.0billionof cash flow from operations, and $12.1 billion of structural costsavings,ascomparedto2019.

According toWoods, “The past year provided the best look yet at the power of our transformed Company...our earnings were the third highest in the past decade, even as oil prices softened and chemical margins remained at bottom-of-cycleconditions.”

He also highlighted that growth in cash flow from the company’s operations were 8 percentage points above Exxon’s nearest competitor, underscoring the improvements over the past five years. Furthermore, over US$125Bwasdistributedtoshareholdersduringtheperiod. Brent crude oil prices averaged just over US$82 per barrelin2023.ItfelltoaroundUS$80in2024accordingto Statista.

While the company boasted of its increased cash flow over the past five years, it would be important to note that Guyana commenced production activities in 2019, five yearsago.

Some analysts believe that the turnaround of the company’s finances is linked to the startup of petroleum activitiesintheSouthAmericannation,especiallyduetothe favourabletermsextendedtotheoilgiantinthesweetheart dealwithGuyana.

AsattheendofMarch2025,Guyanareceivedatotalof US$6,655,222,302inrevenuefromtheoffshorepetroleum operations. Guyanese have long argued that the country shouldreceiveagreatershareoftherevenuegeneratedfrom itsresources.

According to the 2016 Production SharingAgreement (PSA) Guyana receives 2% of oil produced sold in the StabroekBlock.Italsoreceivesaprofitshareequivalentto 12.5% after ExxonMobil deducts 75% monthly towards expensesandtakesanother12.5%asitsprofit.

In 2025, although Guyana’s daily production is expected to climb, the country will see a decrease in earnings from the sector, as a result of a projected 10.9% declineinoilprice.ThiswasexplainedbyFinanceMinister, Dr Ashni Singh during the presentation of this year’s Budget.

Hesaid,“Oilpricescontractedby2.3percenttoaverage US$80.7perbarrelin2024,primarilyduetoslowingglobal demand,particularlyinChina.”

TheMinisterwaskeentonotethatthistrendisexpected to continue this year as “crude oil prices are forecasted to declinebyafurther10.9percenttoUS$71.9perbarrel,with globalsupplyexpectedtoexceeddemand.”

Withoilpriceslikelytodipfurthersoon,largelydriven by new measures announced by U.S President, Donald Trump,Guyanesecontinuetoworryandexpressfrustration over government’s refusal to engage the company for a morebalancedagreement.

Govt. pumps US$100 million into banking system to address foreign exchange shortage

Governmenthasinjected a further US$100M into the banking system to address foreign currency shortages, the Ministry of Finance said onMonday

According to the ministry, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, along with Central Bank GovernorDr GobindGanga, on Monday afternoon met with the Chief Executive

O

f commercialbankstodiscuss recent developments in the banking system specifically in relation to the market for foreignexchange.

Atthemeeting,notewas taken of the continued availability of adequate levels of foreign currency in the financial system as a whole to meet ongoing demand, despite occasional timing differences “These timing differences have resulted in some delays being encountered in the settlement of orders for foreign currency from time to time at some commercial banks,” the ministry’s statementsaid.

According to the ministry in order to ensure that pending requests for foreigncurrencyaremetina

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo (centre) and Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh (left), along with Central Bank Governor Dr. Gobind Ganga on Monday met with the Chief Executive Officers and other representatives of commercial banks.

timely manner, the decision was taken that a sum of US$100 million will be injectedintothemarketwith immediat

ffect and distributed across all commercial banks “This injection will provide immediate relief to the system in meeting pending demandforforeigncurrency, while the temporary timing mismatches unwind themselves. Meanwhile,the Governmentremainsclosely engaged with the private sector including the commercial banks in the interest of ensuring that the marketcontinuestofunction efficiently,” the statement concluded.

Just over a week ago Jagdeo had announced that the Bank of Guyana had injected another US$35M intothelocalbankingsystem to address foreign currency shortage in Guyana. At his press conference on March 27, 2025, he said that intervention was the second time in nine months that the government was forced to inject millions of US dollars to smooth out the market.

Last year June, the government said it injected US$80M to stabilise the market “We study the market,westudythebalance thatisinallthebanksandwe only address mismatch between revenue flow of

currency and demand for currency,” Jagdeo had told the news conference He added, “As I said before we havethecapabilityofputting as much foreign currency intothebankingsystemasis needed to meet legitimate demands.”

However, according to theVicePresident,whilehis government can pump foreign currency in the local market, it will do so in a measured way “…because we don’t want to cause an appreciation of the currency ifyouputtoomuchmoneyat once you cause an appreciation of the currency andthatcouldultimately

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GoldmanSachslowers2026 oilpriceforecastsagain

(Reuters) Goldman Sachs revised down its

ce forecastsagainforBrentand WTI crude in 2026, citing increasedrecessionrisksand the possibility of higher-

PEC+ supply In a note datedApril 6, the bank cut its 2026 average price forecast by US$4 for Brent to US$58 a barrel and WTI to US$55. The Wall Street brokerage initially trimmed on Friday its 2026 average price forecastforBrentto$62and

for WTI to $59, and warned that the new estimates could befurtherreduced.

Goldman Sachs now expects oil demand to grow by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd)in2025,downfromits previousforecastof600,000 bpd, and to increase by 400,000 bpd in 2026. The bankattributesthereduction in demand growth to the negative influence of a weaker GDP, which outweighs support from a weaker dollar and lower oil prices.

“Oil prices would likely exceed our forecast if the Administration were to reverse tariffs sharply and deliverareassuringmessage to markets, consumers, and businesses,”Goldmansaid.

Oil prices slid on Monday, deepening last week’s losses, as escalating trade tensions between the United States and China stoked fears of a recession that would reduce demand for crude. China on Friday struckbackattheU.Stariffs imposed by President

DonaldTrumpwithaslewof counter-measures including extra levies of 34% on all U.S. goods and export curbs on some rare-earths. Brent crude was trading around US$63 87 a barrel, as of 0321 GMT on Friday, while WTIwasatUS$60.38.

“While the uncertainty around compliance and OPEC8+ production is very large,westillassumethatthe four months of OPEC8+ crude increases will total around 0 7-0 8 mb/d,” the bankadded.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Exxon Mobil, Darren Woods

Kaieteur News

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Healthy beginnings

On Monday Guyana joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Health Day under the theme 'Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.”

This year's observances kicked off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health, the World Health Organisation said. The campaign, titled Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women's longer-term health and well-being.

Health is perhaps the most important issue in our lives. Everyone cherishes good health. World Health Day (WHD) is celebrated on April 7th every year to raise awareness on the causes and consequences of diseases and therespectivecures.

World Health Day is observed by governments, NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and various health organizations in many countries. The aim is to highlight supportforbetterhealthcareservicesaroundtheworldand for countries to achieve universal health care coverage” by 2030 as part of their Sustainable Development Goals World Health Day is the birth anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO), which was founded in 1948. Each year, the WHO selects a theme that focuses on a priority area of public health concern in the world. World Health Day was celebrated this year under the theme “universalhealthcoverage”toalertpeoplethatatleasthalf of the world's population, especially those in the developing countries, do not presently have access to essentialhealthcareservices.

Ordinary people can observe this day by informing themselves on health issues that may affect them or their families. World Health Day targets all the health issues for which several programs are organized yearly by the WHO andotherrelatedhealthorganizationsatvariousplaceslike schools, colleges and other institutions. Since its creation, World Health Day has focused on serious health issues including chickenpox, polio, smallpox, tuberculosis, leprosy, high blood pressure, diabetes etc., which are prevalent in many developing countries. It has played a significant role in making people understand the importance of having good health and how diseases could shorten lives. Its obvious goal is to make the world a healthyplaceinwhichtolive.

On World Health Day, people take time out from their busy schedules to bring attention to the numerous health conditions that affect people all over the world. They do this through activism, gallery exhibitions and lectures and to make others aware that health care is a fundamental humanrightsissue.

One of the goals of theWorld Health Day is to increase life expectancy by promoting healthier eating and living habits. It is commemorated to make the world free from a wide range of diseases caused by parasites and to protect people from vector-borne diseases, especially for families living in areas where these diseases are transmitted by vectors,andtravellerstocountrieswheretheyposeahealth threat.The objective is to make it easier for people to have better access to public health care in order to enhance their lifewithoutsufferingfinancialhardship

In Guyana, World Health Day is celebrated in various waysallaimedatprovidingcitizenswithanopportunityto focus attention on the prevention and control of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases People are reminded that hypertension is a silent killer that can affect anyone. In addition to the general public, other participantsofWorldHealthDayinGuyanaincludehealth care providers and policymakers, who help to bring awareness to the importance of World Health Day In a message to mark the occasion, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony focused his attention on maternal and neonatal health and survival. She spokeabouttheachievementofhis governmentandareastheyhavepriopristised.

Guyanese deserve an opposition that works for them, not for its own survival or aggrandizement

Dear Editor,

As a sitting member of the opposition and a committed servant of the people of Guyana, I feel compelled to speak to this very important issue and express my deep concern regarding the trajectory of the ongoing "negotiations"

within the political "coalition."

What should have been a transformative moment, a coming together of minds, ideas and forces to offer the Guyanese people a credible, unitedalternativehasinstead deteriorated into a contest marked by distrust, egoism,

selfishnessandanabsenceof politicalmaturity

Too often, these engagements have strayed from the foundational tenets of negotiation: mutual respect, trust, principled c o m p r o m i s e , a n d a collective sense of purpose. What I observe, regrettably, isnotacoalitioninpursuitof national advancement, but f a c t i o n s v y i n g f o r dominance, guided less by strategic foresight and more by historically rooted grievances, personal ambitions, and perceived entitlements, and division of the hopeful electoral victory

cake. In such an atmosphere, progress becomes elusive andunityadistantideal. The parties involved must be honest with themselves: neither side has the inalienable right to bully, marginalise, or dictate terms to the other in a fullsome way, if the aim is to really have a chance at partnership. The strength of any political coalition lies not in coercion or superiority but in c o l l a b o r a t i o n , understanding, and shared vision for the country in all sectorsandultimatelyforthe people When political discourse is reduced to

public posturing and private maneuvering, they alienate not only each other but the very people they claim to represent. Moreover,theabsenceof a truly inclusive approach hasweakenedthe efforts.Iftheypartiesare to build a genuine "big tent" coalition, they must create space for voices beyond the immediate circles They must demonstrate to the public that their alliance is not merely transactional or opportunistic but rooted in a sincere desire to build a nationalmovementcapable

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If Guyana is ever to realise its true potential, devolution of power must become a reality

Dear Editor,

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) regime can allocate all the money it wants to regional and local democratic councils, but until the autonomy of these authoritiesistrulyrespected, a s

Constitution of Guyana, we aregoingnowhere.

The 1980 Constitution, which established a regional

Councils (RDCs), made clear that Parliament could enact laws to grant these councilsautonomy,allowing them to raise their own revenues and manage their affairs independently But today, that promise remains largely unfulfilled Fortyfive years later, while towns an

(NDCs) are empowered to make laws, establish their

own police systems, and raise revenue for their operations, the RDCs are still subjugated to the whims ofthenationalgovernment.

This centralisation of power undermines the entire purpose of regional governance.Decisionsabout the regions' management, funding, and agendas are dictated from the top down, leaving regions to languish under the political direction of the ruling party. And woe to those regions that fall out of favour with the government.

This deprivation of genuine autonomy has been disastrous for the people in the regions It fosters division, deepens inequities, a n d p r e v e n t s l o c a l communities from taking o w n e r s h i p o f t h e i r development. When citizens are denied the ability to shape their own futures, they

He said the ministry has placed significant emphasis on training and the continuous professional development of healthcare providers Through local and international collaborations, doctors, midwives, and nurses have received comprehensive training in prenatal care, safe delivery practices, and postnatal support via Continued Medical Education (CMEs) and specialised programmes. Noteworthy achievements, according to the minister include the training of 187 midwives between 2020 and 2024. Currently, an additional 123 midwives are undergoing training and are scheduled to graduate from the Ministry's Midwifery Programme in May of this year It is said that the health of a nation has some bearing on the wealth of a nation. It is also saidthatahealthynationhaspeople,whoforthemostpart,are ingoodphysicalandmentalhealththatmakethemcapableof producing at a high level. The health problems facing the nation can easily be changed or improved not only by government intervention, but also by the citizens taking responsibilityfortheirhealthdisorders.Andsomeoftheseare obesity,highbloodpressureanddiabetes.Thereseemstobea reluctance of many to take their medical condition seriously In general, most Guyanese tend to view the curing of their illnesstobetheresponsibilityofdoctorsandnursesinsteadof their own.The old saying that prevention is better that cure is stilltrue.

lose the intrinsic benefits of local governance unity, purpose, and shared responsibility Instead of forging harmonious, selfsustaining communities, this system breeds frustration and dependency The regional and local systems were meant to empower people by devolving power, giving them the tools to governthemselvesandmake decisions based on local needs and desires. These governments should be the second and third tiers of authority, interacting directly with citizens to understand their issues and co-create solutions This closer connection leads to greater accountability, improved governance, and more responsive decisionmaking.These are the pillars of a healthy democracy, yet wearebeingdeniedthem.

For decades, the People's National Congress (PNC), People's Progressive Party (PPP), and A Partnership for NationalUnity+Alliancefor Change (APNU+AFC) have all been complicit in failing tooperationalisetheregional system While each g o v e r n m e n t b e a r s responsibility, none has fully honoured the constitutional promise of devolved power Theresult?Asystemstymied bycentralisedcontrol,where local governments lack the necessary autonomy to fully utilise their human and physical resources for development.What's needed now is not just more funding f r o m t h e n a t i o n a l government, but legislative reform that genuinely empowers the regional and local governments Each region and NDC should be granted the authority to

establish its own security systems, raise revenue based on local resources and services, and implement measures that promote economic growth and social stability

This would not only give them the independence they need but also spark healthy competition and cooperation between them, fostering interdependence a key d r i v e r o f n a t i o n a l development. Moreover, these councils and their peoplemustnolongerfeelas if their access to resources and investment is tied to politicalloyaltytothecentral government.

No region should be penalisedordeprivedsimply becauseitdidnotsupportthe party in office. The current system, where government resources and opportunities are often allocated based on political allegiance, is a betrayal of the very principles of democracy It keeps the regions and NDCs divided, hinders progress, and stifles the growth of the nation as a whole. If Guyana is ever to realise its true potential, devolution of power must become a reality not a political talking point. It's time to honour the Constitution's vision, empower our second a n d t h i r d t i e r o f governments, and let them becomeactiveparticipantsin the governance of their own futures. The failure to do so will only perpetuate a cycle of dependency and division, leaving us trapped in a system that serves only the political elites at the top. Until those change, we remainstuck.

Sincerely

Lincoln Lewis

President, PPP Government must heed Hajji's call for NIS to pay benefits to those being robbed

Dear Editor:

I would like to applaud Hajji Roshan Khan, a great admirer and supporter of the President, for his stirring plea to the President, Minister of Finance and the Government to fix lingering problems of poor people unable to get their NIS benefitpayments.See“Open Letter to the President- NIS and the $10B,” KN, April 5, 2025).

Ohers such as prominent Attorney Cristopher Ram and I have written similar appeals to the President on this vexing NIS matter whereourpeoplecontinueto be robbed of their benefits because the Government refuses to take real action at NIS. So far, the President – a man with a kind heart and who cries at funerals, the Minister of Finance and Cabinet, are deaf to the cries

of the people on this NIS matter That's not a workingclass position, especially in this election season. The rigging party and dead meat party are also silent on this issue so NIS victims have no friends there. The PPP would not like it if someone mobilises the NIS victims to bedeaftothecallsofthePPP to vote for them. I know a group is mobilising an NIS protest and I certainly would be in the picket line, as the Government has ignored the many letters we wrote. A caring Government does not wait for people to picket before solving problems You govern justly as a first resort The Government should know that people who highlight problems are not all haters. Civil society folks highlight problems which a wise government would reach out to solve,

GECOM,

Dear Editor,

I am shocked that some 'suspects' and I should say, the 'usual ones' are querying whether or not 'residency at the time of voting' is a prerequisite for voting in Guyana. I am also shocked that 'biased reporters are asking about 'proof of address' (as though a 'proof of address' equates to 'residency at any time'). As readers can fathom, I am involving myself in this discussion as it hovers around a ruling from Acting Chief Justice, Roxane George. AsIgatherfromthe news, “Even as the High Court of Guyana dismissed the application by PNCR Chief Scrutineer Carol Smith-Joseph's, challenging the eligibility criteria for voter registration, Madame Roxanne George's) ruling that there is no residency

such as those holding protests for Freedom of Information.

ThejobofGovernmentis to solve problems when people cry to them. If they don't,youvotethemout.The PPPhas accomplished much and probably deserves reelection, but gets a big fat “F” grade on this matter of NIS having incomplete records, failing in their statutoryduty, and using that as a basis to deny benefits to people who actually made enough contributions. It is in the Cabinet's power to pay people such as my 91-year old cousin whom the NIS said has 740 contributions, but they are missing a year's contribution. He will not takeaone-timepayout,ashe knows he has made enough contributions to deserve a regularpension.Butitseems the Government is bent on

robbing the poor people of their benefits as they have appealedtheZainulcasethat Attorney Christopher Ram won. That poor man had records to show he worked but NIS refused his pension. Hetookthemtocourtandthe courtruledagainstNISbutto avoid paying this poor man waiting 14 years for his b e n e f i t s , t h e NIS/Government side appealed Shame on the Government! So right now he gets nothing. It would be niceforthePPPtoexplainon the campaign trail why an appeal was filed under their watch.Thelabourunionsare also silent on this matter One labour leader writes mostly to support PNC politics than on these real labourproblems.

Here are some excerpts fromHajjiKhan'sletter:“illtreat our hardworking

citizens, ” “I do not understand why the N.I.S always seems hell-bent on making people's lives miserable;” “The N.I.S gets richer because many in waiting, hoping and begging have died. It was always the opinion of the people of this country that the N.I.S was pressuring and delaying people, hoping they would just die;” “It would appear that the intention is not to give a pension but to give a one-off cash grant which, in my opinion, is still short of reality;” “Mrs. Umawattie Singh, a pavement vendor now very ill and in her twilight years, cries daily as she feels as though N.I.S deceived her;” “It would appear that the laws were created to emasculate, denigrate and destroy people. Your government, your cabinet definitely has

thepowertochangethislaw, honourable ladies and gentlemen.”

IcallonthePresidentand Government, don't shoot yourselves in the foot by your continued belligerence, r e c a l c i t r a n c e , a n d heartlessness in solving this NISproblemofpeoplebeing denied benefits due to the failures of NIS to do its statutorydutyinmaintaining proper records. You will not win the appeal Justice Damone Younge gave a well-reasoned decision in the Zainul case Mr President, ignore those who are giving you bad advice, anddotherightthingatNIS! Pay pensions to those missing a few contributions due to NIS having incompleterecords.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall Civil SocietyAdvocate

please accommodate me - I want to vote

requirementforcitizenstobe registered or to vote in the country's general elections, (yet) Smith-Joseph has instructed her lawyers to appeal (the) Acting Chief Justice Roxane George's ruling to dismiss the address verificationcase.”

'First things first' is that Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, umpteen times disambiguated whatever 'supposed ambiguity' inhered in the Constitution regarding this issue Also, to me, there was no cause for fussing, and this was confirmed by Justice George, who in handing down her decision, emphatically affirmed “ that verification of an applicant'sphysicalpresence at a listed address is not a prerequisite for voter registration, as stated in A r ticle 15 9 of the constitution, which dates

backto1980.”

Just for some fun, I can arrangeforanaddressandits verification, and I can also arrange for my presence there at the time of any visit by any GECOM officer So maybe, this is a point to be 'cleared up' and should be expunged all together As a matter of fact, non-resident citizen voting is normal world-wide Almost universally, citizens, for some time now, have been voting

citizenship' while not residing in the country of the election. (Please note, that I voted while in Guyana, as I was on holiday when my adopted country held elections).

According to my quick check, as of 2020, a total of 141 countries have granted non-residents such as

emigrants or expatriates the right to non-resident citizen

v o t i n g I n t o d a y ' s technologically advanced world, there is no 'humbug'

r e g a r d i n g l e g a l i t y, authenticity, or availability overthismatter Irepeatthatit is quite normal for 'voting in person' at diplomatic missions or other physical locations, by post, or online These allow non-resident citizens to vote transparently, freelyandfairly I call on 'fair-minded' Guyanesetorecallhowprior to 1980, LFS Burnham, as it was later confirmed, 'rigged up people and addresses', and counted so many votes for his PNC, that they had numbers exceeding actual people registered. Nobody challengedhimashewasthe 'stooge' of some strange foreignforceswhowantedto have him in power This

issue is still hot in many circles and I invite people to goandreaduponit.

Now back to our issue here, and I repeat, that I have the Constitutional Right to exercise my highest franchise, that is, to vote, no matter where I am and what addressIproffered.Thecrux of the matter is that I can be identified and authenticated as a, that is, 'one' real person, and as a citizen I must not be impeded in my right to 'cast myballot.'

So, on this note, I am asking that the Government of Guyana and GECOM facilitate all those who want to vote in all elections in Guyana. The citizens from what I can feel is that they want to vote. They have registered Yes, they are living as residents, citizens, students etc in far off countries-South America,

the Caribbean, North AmericaandEuropeetc.,but they can't just return home foravotingexercise.

I ask why do we have embassies and consulates? W h y d o w e h a v e technology? Why can't we arrange for observers to oversee the voting of the Guyanese Diaspora? So, I am for championing 'distant' voting for all Guyanese. I also suggest that the countingbedoneattheplace of voting if in person, or in the domain where it was done in terms of mailing or on-line. I ask again that the e n t i r e d i a s p o r a b e accommodated for all elections henceforth. I really donotmindbeingaliaisonin this cause. PS. Let the AG address this on his next “IssuesintheNews.”

Yours truly, RaymondAnderson.

Guyana Is Bleeding Money Under The PPP

Dear Editor,

Recentdisclosuresonthe receipt of revenues from Guyana's oil (KN; April 05/25) show that Guyana received US$605.5 million, inclusiveofUS$84.1million in royalty payments. These payments relate to the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. However, the PPP's disregard for the nation'scallforrenegotiating continues to cost Guyanese billions of US dollars annually

The DNC's calculations show that based on royalty payments of US$84 2 million, Guyana had to forego a total of US$256.6 million (G$53 4 billion),

million in foregone income taxes and US$126.2 million inroyaltypaymentsbasedon a renegotiated 5 per cent royalty rate. These amounts will very likely exceed US$1.2billionbyyear'send, while the PPP continues to punish Guyana's poor and financially insufficient families with often inadequate, squalor conditions in many homes and communities, with poor water supply and woefully i

d

qua

ary facilities. Many have been living in these conditions going back to the early 1900s.

TheDemocraticNational Congresscontinues (Continue on page 9)

Guyanese deserve an opposition that...

From page 4 ofgoverningresponsiblyand inclusively

This moment demands a level of maturity and s t a t e s m a n s h i p t h a t transcends party lines and personal legacies. It requires leaders who are willing to relinquish self-interest in favor of national interest who recognize what is needed to further the development of our people andcountry

Let me be frank and direct in saying what some may not want to accept and that is, the ruling party enjoys many advantages, p o p u l a r l e a d e r s h i p nationally, considerable financial and institutional resources, and command

over influential platforms, including large sections of themedia.Tochallengesuch an apparatus, the only viable pathisrealunitygroundedin credibility, coherence, and clarity of purpose. Without that, the opposition will continue to falter and, in doing so, betray the very citizens who want to offer bettermentineveryregard.

The call, therefore, must be for a consensus candidate either from the PNCR or one whoenjoystheconfidenceof the said party in concert with its partners in my humble view One who can or is perceived to transcend factional loyalties and embodies a genuine commitment to national renewal. Such a figure must

be selected not through backroom deals or public ultimatums but through an inclusive, transparent process that reflects the will ofthecollectivebodyandthe aspirations of the Guyanese people.

I say this not out of cynicism, but out of being pragmatic and honest. Some still are hopeful that the parties can still rise above this moment of dysfunction. Hope that they can conduct themselves with the dignity and purpose that leadership demands. Hope that they can placecountrybeforeselfand position.

Guyana deserves better

The people of this country, resilient, patient, and everhopeful, deserve an

opposition that works for them,notforitsownsurvival oraggrandizement.

History will judge all involved not by their press releases or political maneuverings, but by those involvedhavingtheabilityto come together, to rise to the occasion,readyandprepared to be in the big league and to offer a vision of governance rooted in service, integrity, sleflessnessandunity

T h e t i m e f o r gamesmanship has passed. The time for leadership is now

Theluxuryofthislimited time behooves genuine and selflessleadership.

Yours respectfully, H o n . J e r m a i n e Figueira.MP

Opposition may either boycott elections, participate under duress - David Hinds

- OVER GECOM’S UNPREPAREDNESS TO DELIVER FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

The unpreparedness of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to host free and fair elections may cause the political opposition to either boycott the upcoming general and regional polls or participate underduress.

This is according to coleader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr David Hinds, who said on Monday that there could benodivisionamongparties onthematter

According to Dr Hinds, GECOM’s Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, has r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e Commission could be ready for the much-anticipated elections by September 2025. If that information is correct, Hinds told journalists at his party’s weekly press conference, “Then we can assume that

the body has formally or informally apprised the President of this proposed timetable.Itshouldbenoted that the Vice President has repeatedly floated November as the likely monthfortheelection.”

He stressed that whether the elections are held in SeptemberorNovember,the electionsbodyhasverylittle time to ensure the elections arefreeandfair

Thepartyisadamantthat theminimumrequirementof implementing biometrics will produce a voters’ list that requires the true size of the electorate. However, it also believes that GECOM has now run out of time to have the mechanisms in place by September or November.

Itisagainstthisbackdrop that the WPA believes that while the Commission may

bereadytomeetthestatutory deadline to conduct the elections, it is not ready to conduct a free and fair election.

“GECOM’s failure to meet the latter standard is due to a combination of delayingtacticsonthepartof amajorityofthecommission and the capture of the organisation’s machinery by thePPP TheWPA,therefore, declares that it has lost all confidence in GECOM to deliver free and fair elections,” Dr Hinds told reporters.

Hinds, a political scientist, stressed that the situation is a travesty Guyanacannotafford,asina situation where there have been consecutive elections challenged by both sides of the political divide, “GECOM’s stubbornness and downright disregard for

the recommendations of the opposition and several observer organisations smacks of official conspiracy to deliver fraudulentelections.”

Therefore, the WPA is convincedthat“thePPPwill doanythingtomanufacturea victory at the election.” The party begs to question why GECOM is prepared to take what it deems as a colossal risk? As well as “Why is GECOM’s chair prepared to risk her credibility by presiding over the most barefaced seizure of the electoralprocess?”

Dr Hinds stressed that unless the international community intervenes, or there is mass action by the citizens of Guyana, “the opposition would be forced toeitherboycotttheelection orparticipateunderduress.”

He said that while both options are dangerous, his party’s instinctive response would be to go the route of boycottingtheelections.For thistobeimpactful,hesaidit will have to be accepted by all of the opposition parties toensurethattheplansofthe PPParedisrupted.

“The opposition cannot be divided on this matter,” Dr Hinds argued. While the question may arise of the logic behind participating in an election that a party contends is rigged against

them, the obvious reason is thatnon-participationwillbe relinquishing the entire governmenttothePPP

“WPA

contention. For the record, ourpartyboycottedthe1980 election because we were convinced it would be rigged, but in 1985 we participatedintheelectionof that year although we thoughtitwouldbesimilarly fraudulent,” he further explained.

The opposition parties andotherorganisationshave made repeated calls for the implementation of biometricsandthescrubbing of the voters list in the past fewmonths.However,these calls were always met with reasons of why they could notbeaccommodated.

Only on Thursday last, the Guyana Trade Union Congress(GTUC)saidithad writtentheGuyanaElections Commission (GECOM), the Government of Guyana, as wellasinternationalpartners on electoral reform ahead of the2025elections.

Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, said the current voterslistremainsinaccurate with 738,484 names on the preliminary list This is despite the country’s population being estimated at approximately 750,000 to 780,000.

“This discrepancy highlights the urgent need forelectoralreform.Boththe Organisation of American States and CARICOM have called for comprehensive voters registration and campaign finance reform, but these recommendations are yet to be implemented. GECOM is tasked with ensuring a credible voters’ role and overseeing fair elections,” Lewis told the media.

He told the media, “We have written… (on) those two areas, the EU, we have written Carter Center Our position is very clear The trade union movement has foughtforoneman,onevote in this country.” Lewis said there are reports of irregular voters registration, “such as a significant surge in registration at a single address in Ogle raises seriousconcern.”

Man accused of raping school girl is a notorious sex offender - relatives say

The45-year-oldmanwhoallegedlyraped a 15-year-old schoolgirl whom he offered to take to school, reportedly told her, “People dothingsthatarebad,butitactuallyhelps them.”

The alleged rape occurred on Friday, between 11:00h and 13:00h at Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD) According to information received, the victim had left her home around 10:50hrs to sit an examination atschool.Whileawaitingabus,shestruggled to find transportation. At that point, the suspect, driving a private car, stopped and offeredheraride,claiminghewasheadedin the same direction.The victim did not know themanpersonally,thoughhewasfamiliarto her family As the suspect was driving, he informedthevictimthatheneededtostopby hisfarmtocheckonhischickens.Thefarm, located in a remote area, is said to be surrounded by dense bushes, with a muddy road leading into it. The young girl, who becameskeptical,reportedlytoldthesuspect todropheroffattheheadofSupply,andshe wouldtakeabus,butthemaninsistedthatshe gowithhim.

Upon arriving at the farm, the suspect stopped at a gate and drove further into the property Hethenexitedthevehicletocheck onthechickens,leavingthevictiminthefront

seat. Upon his return, the suspect then allegedlyrapedtheteen.

The suspect then allegedly offered the child $60,000 to ‘duck the matter.’ Kaieteur News understands that the victim took the money but did not speak. According to information gathered, the suspect reportedly triedtoconvincetheteenthathisheinousacts were normal The alleged rapist has reportedly been giving ‘life advices’ to the victim,inanattempttodistractherfromwhat hedid.

Upon dropping her off at a location near her school, the suspect reportedly told the victim that he wanted to see her again on Monday,April7,2025.The15-year-oldgirl, whowaslefttraumatised,wenttoschooland confidedinafriendandadriverwhousually picks her up in the morning to take her to school.Shethenwenthomeandrecalledthe harrowingdetailsofherrapetohermother

This publication understands that the suspectisknowntothefamily Accordingto relatives,theyhaveheardthathehasahistory of committing such acts. The family is demandingjusticeasinvestigationscontinue. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect has been arrested. The money that was allegedly given to the teen is lodged at the station.

Dr. David Hinds, Co-leader of the

AI machines at the gate

Thecallcenterwasonce the second chance for the school-leaverwhonevergot past CXC. It was the soft cushion for the young mother trying to piece her life back together It was a foothold for the young man who refused to steal but couldn'tfindanythingtodo.

The plan was for call centers to be established at Tushen, Enmore, Linden, the Corentyne and on the Essequibo Coast. The plan, hatched in 2015, was to establishcallcentersinthese areastoabsorbthebattalions of unemployed young people who lacked opportunities. This was the grand plan of the PPPC administration that was contained in its 2015 electionmanifesto.

It was not a misplaced plan. Donald Ramotar, the then presidential candidate ofthePPPC,hadavisionfor reducingunemploymentand itinvolvedtheestablishment of call centers. This is why the PPPC's 2015 election manifesto promised centers across the country five thousandjobs,scatteredlike seeds along the coast, with the promise that something mightgrow

That was not a reckless plan. It had precedent: a Mexican firm had already spun 6,000 jobs doing

Business Processing Outsourcing(BPO)fromthe air and a dial tone. Another company on the Corentyne proved that even Berbice couldhumwithopportunity

Call centers came and created thousands of jobs. But now things are going quietwithintheBPOsector

The silence of a closed call center is not like that of

an abandoned house it doesn't groan or whisper It sits heavy, like swallowed regret.Onebyone,thelights are going out in Guyana's BPO industry, and the countrywillfeelit.

But if Ramotar's plan was a seed, the soil was always difficult The problem with call centers w a s n e v e r t h e i r necessity they were needed. The problem was never whether Guyanese could do the work of course, they could. No one doubts that a people who thrive in Brooklyn's businesses and New York's health system can manage a headsetandashift.

The problem lay in everything else: in waking up early, in the tedium of showingupeveryday,inthe stubbornness of youthful ambition that believes it deserves better, right away The tragedy wasn't that the work was beneath anyone. The tragedy was that the patience to endure it wore thin.

But now, the tragedy is something deeper The tragedy is that the jobs t h e m s e l v e s a r e vanishing—not because of us,butbecauseofsomething colder The machines are coming.

Call center jobs, like many others that gave modest employment to the averagemanandwoman,are going the way of the typewriter, the elevator operator, the milkman Artificial Intelligence is here—not a storm, but a rising tide Slowly, methodically, AI is asking the questions humans once asked and providing the

Dem Boys Seh...

answers humans once gave. Companiesthatonceneeded 400 agents now need ten engineers and an algorithm. And we are left standing on the shore, wondering when the water will reach our ankles.

This is not a uniquely Guyanesestory Itisaglobal one.Buthere,whereasingle job feeds a household of five,thepaincutsdeeper We willnotfeelitonlyintheloss of income, but in the swelling frustrations of youth. In the eyes of a boy who thought he had finally found something, only to be toldthatthemachinedoesit better Inthetightmouthsof parents who watch their children idle again. In the communities that go quiet, not from peace, but from pause And yet, there are lessons to be salvaged from this wreck. We often say youngpeoplemustbegiven opportunities and rightly so. But less often do we say what they must give in return: their discipline, their time,theirbest.Noindustry, not even a fragile one, can survive in the face of casual absenteeism, chronic lateness and high staff turnover No workforce can bestrongwhenittreatswork as a favor Our work ethic must improve—not because foreigners demand it, but becauseitistheonlywayto buildsomethingenduring.

But let's be fair: what good is a sermon on punctuality when the clock has been unplugged? Preaching about hard work to someone whose job has just been made extinct by a machineisalittleliketelling thedrownedtoswimharder The system has shifted, the

Vending gone wild!

Dem boys seh Guyana ah turn one big open-airmarket,whereeveryman,woman, andpickneywithacart,avan,oracaravan feel like dey get automatic rights to set up shopwhereverdeyheartdesire.Pavement? Roadside?Middleahderoad?Noproblem! Onceyuhhavesomethingtosell—whether itbephonecase,coldjuice,ormeat–yuhis a certified entrepreneur, and de whole ah Guyanaisyuhbusinessplaza.

Once upon a time, vending was a humble hustle—a man with a tray ah peanutsorawomanwithabasketahplums walkingandselling.Butnow?Oh,gosh!Is big-style business! Trucks park up pon de pavementlike dem own de place, caravans sprout up overnight like jumbie umbrella, and mini-stalls line de roads so thick yuh would swear Guyana get a sudden populationboom.

Dem boys seh if this trend continue, soonwegonhavetrafficjamscausednotby

jobs are gone, and the government cannot bring them back not with subsidies, not with slogans, notwithschemes.

Wemustthinkanew.The question now is what lies beyond the BPO. What do wedowithouryouth,whose greatestresourceistimeand energy, now that the phones no longer ring? We cannot resuscitate the call centers, but perhaps we can teach coding, design, and digital skills. Perhaps we can build small factories again, or

grow food for export

Perhaps we can rediscover craft, or culture, or care work.Andperhaps—though itfeelsquainttosayso—we can return to the basics. To discipline.Toshowingupon time. To learning that every job, no matter how humble, has something to teach Because the future is coming,andifwearetomeet it without fear, we must bring more than complaints. We must bring the best of ourselves.

Machineswillnotmourn

thelossofthousandsofjobs.

But we must. And having mourned, we must moveforward, upward, whatever directionlifestilloffers.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Govt. pumps US$100 million into banking system

Frompage3 leadtotheDutchdisease,it's bad for the agriculture sector, it's bad for manufacturing',Jagdeosaid. Only recently businessmen complainedthattheshortage iscausingdisruptionintheir

trade and has resulted in goods to be exported being spoilt. They called on the governmentandlocalbanking systemtocomecleanandsay “whatisreallygoingonwiththe availabilityofforeigncurrency inGuyana”.

The businessmen who spoke to this newspaper had alsoclaimedthatdespitethe injection of millions by the government previously, it haddonenothingtoalleviate the shortage of foreign currencyinthecountry

Question for the PPP, from a longtime supporter

DearEditor,

As a longtime supporter of the PPP, please allow me toaskaquestionofthem. Howcomeapartythathas been in power for so long, couldbethisincompetent? Thankyou, ChitrakhaPersaud

Guyana Is Bleeding Money Under...

Frompage6 tourgeourpeopletoworkto a common political solution this year It is unacceptable that our poor, our children, should punish under the slavish and unyielding yoke ofaPPPadministrationwhich it seems is now afraid of

losing and taken to bullying on the national stage We weremadetounderstandthat thePPPhaveaverybigbribe toofferus Letusnotgiveup our treasure chest for the PPP's pennies, or if possible takeourmoneyandstillvote foranewgovernment.Some countries and communities have put up animals, even inanimate objects as c a n d i d a t e s (https://enwikipediaorg/wiki/No n-human electoral candidate) Wecandobetter YoursFaithfully, CraigSylvester

cars,butbyvendorsarguingoverwhogetto sell fry fish in front ah de police station. ImaginepullinguptoParliamentandseeing a man grilling chicken in de courtyard because,hey,"businessmustrun!"

Butwaitnah—isthishowwebuildinga modernnation?Whererulesandordertake abackseatto"mekadollarbyanymeans"? Where sidewalks become storefronts and highways turn into shopping aisles? Don't get me wrong—hustle hard, eat a food, all ah dat. But when every man and he dog decide dey own de streets, what we really building?Progress…orpurechaos?

Dem boys seh if Guyana really want to move forward, we can't just let everybody do what dem want, where dem want. Otherwise, soon we gon have a vendor selling doubles in yuh driveway… and charging yuh rent fuh de privilege. Think aboutdat. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

Anopenaccounting,apublicappealtoBharratJagdeo

This rises above an open letter to a nationalleader Today,Ipenapublicappeal toabrother,BharratJagdeo. Thetitlesthathe has held, the ones he holds now, plus the honours,Imomentarilyholdthemtotheside. Mr Jagdeo speaks of hate, who are haters, who is hateful. To the PPP He means himself.

Clearly, a clever schemer of peerless proportions is on the march. He is a victim. Fouled and besmirched. In this thankless quest,thisgiftfrommetohim,Iexhorthimto joinmeintheself-examination.

Ofhimself. Ofhispubliclife,andwhatit has done to the simple and naive. Via what has been the result in this agitated environment.

MybrotherBharrat,whenamanlivesin darkness, and that is all that he has known, prosperedfrom,thenthereisnolightinhim. Heknowswhatissaidabouttherelationship betweenlightandtruth.Whenoneisdim,the other suffers; when one is suppressed, then the twin gasps for breath. Light and truth, think of that, Bharrat. Then, there is that other consideration, association. When a man,aleader,apublicauthority,hasnolove in him, it is then that hate, the hateful, and who he declares to be hateful encircles him, takescontrolofhim. Whenalovelesslifeis lived, what is left, if not poison? So, he claimstoseehateandhatersandthehatefulin others.

Thecleverschemer,thevictimpretender, is what the diplomatic corps, the crowd of foreigners, observes in him, chuckles over their cocktails and dinners. They can be

mirthful,fortheyarethebeneficiariesofhis practices,timewornandmeritless. Without a doubt, there are haters and the hate-filled. He knows who they are, just as wellasIdo.Jagdeoknowswellwhotheyare not, even better than I do. The brave daughters of Guyana (Bulkan, DeaneHughes,Janki,Radzik[twoofthem],White, and others) struggle for access to information, for the truths relative to the business of Guyanese. The big business involving big money and the potentially big dangers that could devastate communities, evendestroythefabricofthiscountry When womenfightforrelief,duetolegitimatefears oversafety,that'snothate,Mr Bharrat. That is care.About country About people. The poor and powerless. Thefrightened and the frailofspirit. Ifadvocacyforthosesegments of Guyanese society embodies hate, then BharratJagdeohasfallensolowandsohard that he is beyond salvaging. Not for a man who delights at engaging in the savaging.

Consider

Itcallsforanextraordinarilycruelmanto take advantage of simple folks, trusting people, worried citizens. You are that man, brotherJagdeo,andthathurtsmetosay,butI must, because it is built on the truths of circumstances. You are that leader who knowstheweaknessesofGuyanesetribes,so youplaytothose. Ipromisedthatthiswillbe person-to-person, and from that I will not shrink. IsaywhatIthink. Youtelllisteners about hate and haters, who are hateful and filled with hate for the PPP, which means what it means, subject to one interpretation

only WhenGuyanese who don't care about moneyandprominence,orprestigeandbeing near to you, Bharrat, ask and ask repeatedly about business documents, about the management of their wealth, and about prudence with their inheritance, who would be so vile, could be so scheming, as to categorize such efforts as that of haters and thehateful?

The pity of it all is that hate is all that Jagdeo has mostly known. So, that hate is whathastwistedyou,drivenyou,myfellow humanbeingintothissnarling,quarrelsome, infantile presence. Harsh words, but I must saywhatIthink,whatIassess,whatIbelieve ofmyownaccord.

For my fellow Guyanese of every stripe andstanding,Ihaveonequestion. Whohas beenquickestwiththelibelweapon,theState ad weapon? There is one more: who have beentheworstoftheworst,withtheslander weapon in their futile attempts at assassination from the shadows? Bharrat knowswhotheyare,cherishthem. Isaythat they know who to trust for their protection. Who is the real hater now, when this is the reality of Guyana, as enormously possible fromoneBharratJagdeo? Slandertosilence; smeartoscareawayfrompursuingtruthsthat Jagdeofears. TheschoolsthatBharratwent toareunknowntome,untouchedtoo. When aleaderstandsby,Ithinkapprovingly,while his companions revile, the hate of exposure spillsoutofhisownears,perfumeshispores. Whenmyfriend,mycomrade,myneighbor, isaboutsuchhatefulness,thenasaleader,asa man,therewillbedistancingfromhimorher There will be condemningand discarding of them. Not for the show of it, but for the seriousness with which such wrongdoings are abhorred. Bharrat Jagdeo has been how hehasbeen:amansoconsumedbyhishates

Linden

that he has allowed them to command h i s v e r y existence.

Stand against his failures and farces, standfortruthandfacts,andstandforalittle light, and he distorts that into hate. The clever schemer exhibiting how much of a trickyoperatorhecanbe.

Why not give the other way a try, my brother? Let a little love in your heart, Bharrat. Let some clean light grace your existence Let quiet light replace questionable,sketchypoliticaltruths,banish the hates that torment your soul. When Bharrat Jagdeo talks about hate, I behold a man to be pitied. One who endeavors to transferhisfarces,hisguilt,toothers. There is a better way, brother Bharrat, and it is not onethatmakestheunhappyanddisillusioned of Guyana see the world like the Ancient Mariner

Againstthem. Shakingtheirspirit. Face thelight,speaktotruth,andbothwillsetyou free. Takeitfromme,theydo.

Forevenwhenthereisreal,deephate,the majestyofhonestyandintegrityisvictorious. No need to resort to rants and spurious schemes. Allofthathasbeenovercome. All thepower,allthemoney,intheworlddoesn't matter Find some peace inside, Bharrat Jagdeo,mybrother

Leave self-love alone. Be about genuine love and care, and when those are present, therewillbenospaceinyourheartforhate,or toseethatrevulsion,thatevilinothers. Try it. Start today Be well. My gift to thee, brotherBharrat.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflecttheopinionsofthisnewspaper.)

erupts after youth shot dead by cop ...claimsgunaccidentallywentoff

Lindenersareoutragedafterapoliceman allegedly shot and killed a young man MondayafternoonatOneMile,Wismar The shooting occurred in the vicinity of the One Mile Primary School. Dead is 23-year-old Ronaldo Peters Kaieteur News was told that Peterswhowasworkingasalaboureronaroad construction project in the town was on the road at One Mile when a minibus pulled up alongside him. A policeman, known to some residentscameoutthevehicle,shotPetersand then dumped his body into the minibus The youngmanwastakentothehospitalwherehe was pronounced dead Up to late last night a crowd had gathered outside a police station wherethepolicemanwasbeingheld Residents were overheard urging eyewitnesses to give statementstothepolice

Leaders in Linden are outraged over the killing of the young man with some of them already calling for a thorough investigation.

RegionalViceChairmanMarkGoringwrote onhisFacebookpage:” Thepoliceshotand killed23yearsRonaldoPetersthisafternoon in the vicinity of One Mile Primary school. We demand a thorough and independent investigationintothisincident.”

Butinastatementlastnightpolicegavea completely different account of the incident. Accordingtothepolice,atabout17:30hrsa Police Sergeant from Wismar Police Station reported that he received information that

Peters who was wanted for questioning in relationtoareportofanallegedrapeofchild under 16 yrs which occurred sometime between1stDecember2024and31stJanuary 2025 was seen at Shabba bar in One mile, Wismar,Linden.Asaresult,theSergeantand a party of ranks went to that location. The Sergeant was armed with a 9mm service pistol,andanotherrankwasarmedwitha.38 service revolver. These ranks were fully dressedinuniform,policesaid. Accordingto the police on arrival at One Mile Wismar Linden,PeterswasseenatShabashop.

Uponseeingtheranks,Peters,itisalleged begantorunandattemptedtojumpanearby fence,policereported.Itisfurtherallegedby the Sergeant that he managed to pull off Peters from the fence and in the process of subduinghim,hisservicepistol,whichwasin hisrighthand,wentoffandPeterswashit.

He was immediately escorted to the Mackenzie Public Hospital. However, he succumbedwhilereceivingtreatment.

Peters’ body was examined, and one circular wound was seen on his lower right abdomen The body was taken to the Pensioners Mortuary awaiting postmortem. Investigations are ongoing. The Sergeant is presently under close arrest and has been escorted to TSU, while the police Office for Professional Responsibility has commenced aninvestigation.

Govt. to spend $6.6 billion to rehabilitate roads in Regions

The Ministry of PublicWorkswill s p e n d approximately$6.6billionto rehabilitate and construct a number of roads across RegionsOneandNine.

In an advertisement for bids, the Public Works Ministry stated that these workshavebeendividedinto a total of 37 lots, with lots 1 to 21 scheduled for Region Nine,whilelots22to37are setforRegionOne.

According to the document,worksforRegion Nine’sprojectsareestimated to cost $3,717,145,637, according to the engineer’s figure.

Some of the villages identified for internal road works are Shea, Maruranau, Achiwib, Rupertee, Massara, Kwatamang, Tabatinga, St Ignatius, LethemandMoco-Moco.

Of these projects, some ofthemajorcontractswould include the rehabilitation of internal roads at Maruranau whichisestimatedat$228.9 million, rehabilitation of internal roads at Massara Village for $203.6 million, the rehabilitation of Old CulvertCityroadnetworkat Lethem for an estimated $241 million, rehabilitation of Culvert City Road to Moco-Moco bridge for $271.8 million, and from Moco-Moco bridge to the

1 & 9

Primary School road for $222.5million. Additionally, there is a contractfortherehabilitation of Sun Parakeet Street and Church Street at Tabatinga for $225.6 million. As it relates to Region One, the Ministry stated that the road works there are estimated to c o s

$2,946,836,038.

In Region One, communities in Moruca, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma and Mathews Ridge will have their roads upgraded. Someoftheprojectsinclude

the reha

on/ construction of Acquero main access road at Moruca for an estimated $200 1 million, rehabilitation of Kwebanna to Kumaka road (phase three) for $200 1 million, and Kumaka to Kwebanna Hill road (phase two)for$217million.

At Mabaruma, the Ministry is seeking contractors for the rehabilitationofThomasHill road for $200 1 million, rehabilitation of Khan Hill Southroadfor$274million, White Water Creek road for an estimated $200 million, and the rehabilitation of the main access road at Matthews Ridge for $371,843,378.

This publication understandsthatinexecuting its hinterland road

One of the hinterland roads being constructed to concrete surface in Monkey Mountain, Region Eight. (Photo Courtesy, President Irfaan Ali/ Facebook) Ali/ Facebook)

programme last year, the M i n i s t r y s p e n t approximately $6 4 billion to upgrade these structures to asphaltic concrete surfaces,makingthemmore durable.

Presenting this year’s budget,SeniorMinisterwith responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, had mentioned that in 2025, interventions to enhance hinterland access will continue in areas such as Central Rupununi, Hosororo, Issano, Karisparu and Monkey Mountain, at a sumof$9billion.

Thief breaks in car, steals bag with $700k in Bel Air

Athiefwascaught on closed circuit

t e l e v i s i o n (CCTV) footage early Saturday morning, breaking into a vehicle and stealing a haversack containing some $700,000inBarimaAvenue, Bel Air, Georgetown. The incident occurred at 02:38 hrs.

Duringaninterviewwith Kaieteur News on Monday, the caretaker of the apartment building at Lot 108 Barima Avenue, said manyresidentsintheBelAir community have been frequently complaining abouttheircarsbeingbroken into.

According to CCTV footage seen by this publication, the suspect was observed approaching the vehicle,thenlookingintothe back window with a flashlight. He then pointed thelightintothewindscreen of the vehicle, in search of valuables. Helaterscannedthe

Screen grabs form the CCTV footage showing the thief committing the crime

ensuring no one was around to witness his crime. The manthenbroketherightrear window,pushedhishandsin andopenedthevehicle. Hewentintothecar,took out the haversack which contained the money and madegoodhisescape.

Businessman charged with money laundering

The 43-year-old owner of GaGo Gold was granted $1.7MbailonMondaywhen he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courttoanswertochargesof moneylaundering.

Sebastiao De Oliveira Moura, of Lot 19 Albert Street, Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty He was charged with five counts of money laundering He was not required to plead It is alleged that on February 7, 2024,atGeorgetown,Moura allegedly acquired US$6,057, equivalent to GYD1.2M.Itisalsoalleged that on the same day at the s a i d a d d r e s s , t h e businessman acquired 4018 15 pennyweight of melted gold, valued $80M, as well as $81M in cash and 3 5 grams of diamond, valued$500,000. Thefinalchargealleged Continued on page 16

Sebastiao

De Oliveira Moura

Jail time for persons failing to report sexual crimes against children, vulnerable adults

ByShaniaWilliams

Under the newly proposed Sexual Offences Amendment Bill 2024,personswhoareawareofany

sexual assault act committed on a child or vulnerable adult is now mandatedtosubmitawrittenreport topoliceandiftheyfailtodosocan face substantial fine or two years

imprisonment. Thesechangeswereannounced aspartofaseriesofamendmentsto the Sexual Offences Act, which were outlined on Monday during

the Symposium of the ‘Asking for It’ exhibition at the Umana Yana. Theamendmentsaimtostrengthen the protection of victims, particularlyvulnerablegroupssuch

Attorney-at-law Kim Kyte-Thomas during her presentation

as minors, and to enhance the prosecution and sentencing of offenders.Theyalsointroduce measures for monitoring sexual offenders, improve the procedures for investigating and reporting sexual offenses, a

enforcement and the judiciary are better equipped to handle thesesensitivecases.

Attorney -at-law Kim Kyte-Thomas presented one of the key changes, which focuses on Section 86Aof the Act, titled “Duty to Report OffencesAgainstChildrenand Vulnerable Adults ” This section mandates that officers working with children or vulnerable adults must provide a written report to the police if they reasonably suspect that an offense has occurred. In cases where no police station is nearby, the report should be submitted to the Toshao in charge of the nearestAmerindianvillage.

Apenaltywillbeenforced for those who fail to comply with this reporting requirement. Those who do notsubmitawrittenreportwill face a fine of $250,000 or imprisonment for up to two years upon summary conviction Kyte-Thomas explained, “We looking at Sunday School teachers we lookingatanybody Onceyou are dealing with children and vulnerable adults, you are not the police but you have suspicion and some children mayrelatesometimestothose people so they are now mandated.”

Another prominent amendment stipulates that if a victim dies while the accused is still on trial, the case can continue, provided that sufficient evidence has been gathered by the prosecution. Further changes to the bill include clarifying the roles of individuals in positions of trust. Under the amendment, positions of trust now encompass the accused as Toshaos and caregivers who may be responsible for vulnerableindividuals.

Anothersignificant Continued on page 16

Over 259 vehicles captured speeding

More than 259 speeding violations were captured on day one of government’s Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) a new a u t o m a t e d t r a ff i c enforcementinitiative.

Inastatementpolicesaid within hours of going live, thesystemcapturedavehicle with license plate PAJ 4671 traveling at 152km/h in the EastCoastarea.TheGuyana Police Force has since sought a summons to prosecute the registered owner, Leon Kyte Alongside the speeding violation, high-resolution images generated by the system flagged additional concerns, including an obscured ID mark (number plate) and prohibition of tintedglass.

Thesummonswillcause theownertoappearonadate andtimeatamagistratecourt of the district, the statement added.

TheSRISusesintelligent

software and advanced camera technology to automatically detect traffic violations such as speeding, improper license plate display, and unsafe vehicle modifications. The cameras used in the system are approvedandcertifiedbythe Guyana National Bureau of Standards(GNBS),ensuring accuracy and reliability in enforcement. his initiative forms part of the Government of G u y a n a ’s b r o a d e r commitment to building safer, smarter, and more sustainable communities through digital innovation andmoderninfrastructure.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce is urging all motorists to observe posted speed limits, ensuretheirlicenseplatesare clearly visible, and maintain vehicles in compliance with national safety standards

The goal of the SRIS is protecting lives, promoting accountability, and creating

…one clocking 152kM as Govt. rolls out automated traffic initiative

saferroadsforallGuyanese. “While tickets are only automatically issued for speeding, the system can also detect other infractions. In these cases, a summons may be issued for the offending vehicle to be

Sex offender database to be implemented in Guyana

ByShaniaWilliams

For the first time in its history, Guyana is set to introduce a national sex offenderdatabaseaspartofa suite of proposed amendments to the Sexual OffencesAct.

This was revealed by Attorney-at-Law Kim KyteThomas during her presentation at the ‘Asking forIt’exhibitionsymposium held at the Umana Yana wheretheamendmentswere discussed The primary objective of the new database is to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable adults who may be in close proximity to sexualoffenders.

The initiative is part of the broader Sexual Offences Amendment Bill 2024, which seeks to address and improve the country’s response to sexual offenses. Kyte-Thomasexplainedthat the amendment aims to first establish a national sex offenders database She elaborated, saying, “The amendment outlines the r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r maintaining, securing, and restricting access to the database. It also imposes penalties for unauthorised distribution of information and mandates that offenders must register upon conviction and comply with reporting requirements duringtheirsentence.” The database will apply

toallcitizensofGuyanawho have been convicted of an enterable offense, both within the country and abroad. However, it will not apply to children or individuals with a mental disability

The responsibility for establishing and managing the database will fall under t h e o ff i c e o f t h e Commissioner of Police Kyte-Thomas clarified that everyone will be eligible to access the database by submitting a written application to the commissioner of police aboutaspecificsexoffender Sheexplained,”Youmakean application because you believe that let us say Tom Jones is moving in next to you, you have children and youhavevulnerablepersons, so you make an application toseeifTomJonesisonthe register.”

In addition to the database, the reporting duties under the Sex Offenders Act will also be enforced According to Kyte-Thomas, the court will issue an order upon conviction, requiring offenders to register and reporttothepolice.Thisisto ensure that all sex offenders are on the sex offender’s database. “So this will be a courtorder,soit’snotacase whereyousayyoudon’tfeel like, it will be a court order Thatcourtorderwillthenbe served to the commissioner

ofpolicewhohastocarryout hisrequisiterole.Justbefore the person is discharged the policewillsendsomebodyto theprisonandtakedownthe informationsotheycantrack who these offenders are,” Kyte-Thomasexplained.”

The goal of these measures is to monitor sexual offenders effectively, asKyte-Thomaspointedout thattherearemanyoffenders in Guyana that the public is unawareof.Shecommended thenewamendment,stating, “This is one of the most modernactsweneedherein Guyana.”

Minister of Human ServicesandSocialSecurity, Dr Vindyha Persaud, also shared her support for the initiative in an interview with reporters. “I think it would be a very progressive piece of legislation once it emerges from the consultation phase and the finaldraftiscompleted,”she said “But it is very important for me to say that the existing 2010 Sexual OffencesAct is very robust, verymodernforitstime,and even now surpasses any other piece of legislation in thispartoftheworld.”

When asked about the t i m e l i n e f o r t h e implementation of the new act, Persaud was unable to provide an exact date However, she emphasised that numerous consultations had taken place before the amendmentwasdrafted.

all vehicle owners to review and update their contact and ownership records without delaytoavoidcomplications orpotentialcharges.Updates can be made quickly and easily using the new GRA “Padna” app, which allows userstomanagetheirvehicle details from their mobile devices.

presented to the police for inspection and possible charges,” the police stated. “Thissystemisaboutsaving lives and changing the culture of recklessness on ourroads,”saidTrafficChief MahendraSingh.

“Too many lives are lost due to speeding and dangerousdriving.We’renot waiting for tragedy to strike—SRIS allows us to take action before it does. We’reurgingeveryroaduser to take this seriously ” According to the police, vehicle owners are legally responsibleforanyviolation captured by SRIS, even if they were not the driver at the time. It is critical that all registration information on file with the Guyana RevenueAuthority(GRA)is accurateanduptodate.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce and the GRA are calling on

Government last week announced the launch of what it described as a cutting-edge automated speed ticketing system as part of stepped up efforts toward enhancing road safetyandreducingspeeding incidents nationwide. The state-of-the-art system, powered by advanced speed cameras and radar speed signs connected to cloudbased infrastructure, will detect and ticket speeding

violations, ensuring seamless and fair enforcement of traffic laws, the Department of Public Information had said in a statement.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “As our country expands and embraces new infrastructure, we must also adoptadvancedtechnologies that enhance safety and

m, combined with real-time traffic monitoring, represents a critical step forward in ensuring compliancewithtrafficlaws, reducing accidents, and ultimatelysavinglives.”

This system is fully

automated and autonomous, ensuring impartial and consistent enforcement. No manual intervention is possible, making it impossible for offenders to manipulate or bypass fines. Allviolationsmusteitherbe paidorcontestedincourt.To enhance convenience, the government has partnered with MMG to enable direct payment of fines via its platform Additionally, violations will soon be accessible in the GRA’s “Padna” app, allowing drivers to easily check and processpaymentsonline.

Speeding has become a majorcauseofroadfatalities inGuyana,andwiththerapid expansion of highways and road networks, ensuring compliancewithtrafficlaws hasneverbeenmorecrucial, the DPI statement read Government had also promised to launch a nationwidepublicawareness campaign to educate drivers on how the system works, what to expect, and how to comply Theintroductionof the system is coming at a time when the Guyana Police Force continues to struggle manage the roadways here This newspaper reported recently that there were 19 road deaths between January 1, andMarch5,2025,ofthese, 13 were occurred within a mere one-week span. Last year, amendments were madetoMotorVehicles,and Road Traffic Act to bring about the utilisation of 24hour surveillance cameras onmajorroadwaysintolaw

Albouystown electrician on bail for possession of unlicensed firearm

An electrician from Albouystown wasplacedon$150,000bailonMonday when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to a possession of an unlicensed firearm charge.

The defendant, Gavin Newman, pleaded not guilty when he appeared beforeSeniorMagistrateFabayoAzore.

The prosecution told the court that on April 4, 2025, at Hill Street, Albouysttown, police officers stopped thedefendantandconductedasearchin hiscarandfoundanunlicensedpistol.

Newman’s attorney told the court that the police heard gunshots coming from the direction of a funeral on Hill Street. He said ranks stopped his client ataconnectedstreet.Whenasearchwas conducted, however, nothing was found. He said the gun was found elsewhere.

Magistrate Azore granted bail and thematterwasadjourneduntilMay27, 2025.

Defendant Gavin Newman at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court posting bail

One of the vehicles that was captured speeding on Monday

Strategic interventions in healthcare help reduce maternal deaths over past 5 years -

Health Minister

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

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One Female clerk$170,000. 5 days a week. Tele : 671-5700.

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Health worker, businesswoman charged for assaulting each other guilty.

A health worker and a businesswoman were placed on bail on Monday for allegedly assaulting each other. The defendants, Marcelle Abraham and 32year-old Azola Austin, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who read the charges.

Austin pleaded not guilty, while Abraham pleaded

Austin was charged with assaulting Abraham on March 9, 2025 at Farm Sophia, Georgetown. Meanwhile, on the same day at the said address, Abraham assaulted Austin.

Abraham told the court that they have an ongoing issue, and Austin is a tenant in her apartment. She said that on the day in question, Austin

ran into her at the doorway and a confrontation ensued.

The prosecution had no objections to bail and told the court that what was shared by Abraham were the facts of the incident.

Magistrate Azore released Austin on self-bail, and Abraham was fined $10,000 for the assault charge. The matter was adjourned until April 14, 2025.

Strategic interventions in healthcare...

From page 15 health personnel who do not comply with protocols and guidelines to ensure that the errant is held accountable, Dr. Cummings said.

“As Guyana boasts a decentralised healthcare system, it is necessary and an imperative for the Regional Hospitals and healthcare workers be guided by the Package of Publicly Guaranteed health services. Routine

tests for Antenatal Care Services should be carried out at upgraded labs.

In addition, there should be better coordination and communication between the Regional Hospitals and the Only Referral Hospital – the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation especially when it comes to High-Risk Pregnancies,” Dr. Cummings said.

“On this World Health Day 2025, it is the wish that the immunization successes of the Maternal and Child Health Department be continued and sustained.

Urgent priority must be given to ensure that the inequities and inequalities in health are narrowed, and the lives of our mothers and infants are not only saved but are allowed to thrive and be transformed in the future.”

Businessman charged with money...

757-

Vacancy for Elderly Caregiver @ Republic Park. Please Call or WhatsApp: 656-1875/ 233-5160/6096952.

Two experienced farmers to work on a farm, $260,000 Tele : 671-5700.

Security officers $5,000 per day for Georgetown / west side, age 20-60 years old. Contact : 685-4398.

One receptionist $40,000 weekly, 5 days of work. Tele : 671-5700.

From page 11 that on or between January 1 and February 29, 2024, at the said address, Moura converted or transferred $255.6M, having reason to believe that the said amount, in whole or in part, derived directly from proceeds of crime. The businessman was represented by attorney-atlaw Latchmie Rahamat, who told the court that in February 2024, the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) raided her client’s place of business and seized over $160M in cash and gold, which have not yet been returned to him.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Two female nurses$200,000 monthly.Tele : 671-5700.

One driver, must have atleast eight years of driving experience, $260,000 monthly.Tele : 671-5700.

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Spacious botton flat apartment, 40ft X 12ft in Mon Repos, ECD. Single person over 30 years, $55,000. Call: 234-0965/ 728-4053 7am7pm.

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She added that on April 3, 2025, Chief Justice Roxane George heard that due to the charges against Moura, he is no longer allowed to do business since the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) refuses to renew his gold licence. Rahamat said the Chief Justice, after hearing the case, passed an order in the High Court instructing SOCU to return all the properties that belong to Moura on the said day.

Attorney Rahamat later revealed that since February 2024, SOCU has been conducting their investigations to prove that her client is in-

deed involved in money laundering, and he was not charged until less that 24hrs after the order was passed by the Chief Justice. Moura was in police custody for 48 hours in 2024, after which he was released on $1M station bail. Meanwhile, the prosecution requested substantial bail given the nature of the charges. They also agreed with the argument presented by the attorney. Magistrate McGusty, after hearing the argument, granted Moura $350,000 bail on each of the five charges, totaling $1.7 M. The matter was adjourned until April 22, 2025.

Jail time for persons failing to report...

From page 12

change allows witnesses to provide evidence via pre-recorded testimony. The amendment specifies that a special measures direction may enable a witness to give evidence through audiovisual links or pre-recorded materials. However, severe penalties are set for anyone who transmits, distributes, or reproduces such evidence without lawful excuse. Offenders could face fines of up to $300,000 or three years in prison.

The amendments also include updates to Section 58(1) of the Sexual Offences Act, which now permits the use of interpreters for vulner-

able adult witnesses who are unable to speak in court. Kyte Thomas explained, “Right now children can be cross examined by an interpreter because sometime a child may not say he touched my vagina, the child use another word. We have extended this protection to include vulnerable adults witness because it’s the same situations. Sometimes some of the persons can relate only to the person they live with. Once the judge is satisfied and says that it’s necessary to have the interpreter come with them so they can explain to the juries exactly what the person is saying.”

In addition, Section 80

introduces an amendment regarding previous allegations of sexual offenses. Under this change, defence attorneys will not be allowed to crossexamine a witness about prior allegations of false accusations unless the court grants prior permission, and only if the defence can provide evidence suggesting the allegations were false.

Furthermore, the bill proposes amendments to Section 2 of the principal Act to clarify key definitions, including terms such as “caregiver,” “police station,” “registered sex offender,” “vulnerable adults,” and others, to ensure greater clarity in the legal process.

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Bold, unified labour action needed in Caribbean-PM Phillips

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips called for bold, unified action to strengthen labour

resilience across the Caribbean.

Speaking at the opening of the 13th Caribbean MinistersofLabourMeeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, on Monday he emphasised the need for strategic and coordinated approaches to

address the region’s

evolving workforce challenges.

The high-level forum

convened CARICOM

Labour Ministers, representatives from the

International Labour Organization (ILO), and otherkeystakeholdersunder thetheme:“DecentWorkfor Resilience: Securing the Future of the Caribbean Labour.”

Inhisaddress,thePrime Minister identified critical labourissuessuchasclimate change, informal work, digitaldisruption,andsocial protection, urging decisive action to safeguard the Caribbean’s workforce, a press release from his office said. “The challenges we face as a region are mounting.

From climate instability to shifting global labour

trends, from digital disruptions to growing informal economies our

r e s p o n s e m u s t b e coordinated, deliberate, and bold.”

Hestressedthenecessity of a holistic approach, underscoringtheimportance of sustainable enterprise

d e v e l o p m e n t , entrepreneurship,androbust social protections. Labour resilience, he noted, goes

beyond job creation it requires fortified social, economic,andlegalsystems that empower workers t h r o u g h o u t t h e i r employmentjourney.

As a case study in managing economic transformation with equity, Guyana’s national development was presented. Deliberate policies have ensured broadly shared benefitsinsectorssuchasoil and gas, agriculture, construction, and ecotourism.

Guyana’s long-standing commitment to the ILO was reaffirmed, with the Prime Minister highlighting that the country has ratified 47 Conventions and one Protocol since joining in 1966.

Workplace standards have improved through over 10,000 inspections conducted in the past four years, benefiting more than 60,000 employees Labour services have also been decentralised and digitised to improve accessibility for workers in rural and hinterlandcommunities.

He outlined ongoing efforts to formalise work, including collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority to simplify registration, incentivise compliance, and expand access to social security protections such as the National Insurance Scheme

He also emphasised the needforregionalstrategies

“As this sector continues to expand, regional strategies are needed to formalise gig w o r k , s t r e n g t h e n protections, and ensure that the future of work includes everyone whether behind a desk, a wheel, or a screen

Emerging biological hazards and post-pandemic vulnerabilities have made occupational safety and health increasingly critical, particularly in high-risk industries.

Prime Minister Phillips framed this issue as both a legal duty and an essential pillarofresilience.

“In the Caribbean, improving occupational safetymustbeseenasalegal duty as well as a pillar of resilience.

Our economies depend on sectors where exposure risksarehigh.

That’s why best practices regular safety assessments, emergency response planning, mental health support, and strong safety cultures must become standard across the region.”

He noted that Guyana is m o d e r n i s i n g i t s Occupational Safety and HealthActwithILOsupport and enhancing inspection capacity tailored to the oil andgasindustry

He underscored the potential of coordinated frameworkstomeetregional workforce needs while safeguardingworkers’rights and promoting integration.

“Amodern,inclusivelabour migration system will ben

n filling gaps, protecting rights, and supportingeconomicgrowth t h r o u g h s h a r e d responsibility…. when done right, it can address labour shortages and deepen regional integration while increasingproductivity.”

Guyana’s Local Content Policy was cited as a model for equitable development, ensuring the benefits of

workers have also been s

h

h mechanisms such as the Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee on Migrants

Significant investments in human capital development have been prioritised. More t h a n 1 3 , 0 0 0 individuals—62% of them women have received trainingthroughtheBoardof IndustrialTraining,andover 30,000 tertiary scholarships havebeenawardedunderthe GOALinitiative.

Reaffirming Guyana’s c o m m

MinisterPhillipshighlighted the country’s development strategy under its LCDS 203

H

economicgrowtharewidely shared.

Efforts to enhance protections for migrant

stressedthatajusttransition to a low-carbon economy mustensurethatworkersand communities are not left behind.

“Ajusttransitionmeans shifting toward a sustainable, low-carbon economy without leaving workers or communities behind. In Guyana, these principles are at the heart of our development strategy.” Heurgedtheregion’sleaders to embrace a unified vision for economicexpansion and inclusive growth, stressing thatthedecisionsmadeatthe forumwouldshapethelives of millions across the Caribbean. “Our vision is one of economic expansion and inclusive growth where every citizen has a fair shot atprosperity I urge us all to see this meeting as a call to action. Thedecisionswemakehere will shape the lives of millions across the Caribbean.”

Prime Minister, Mark Phillips and Labour Ministers across the Caribbean and other officials of

Gaza air strikes follow heaviest rocket fire by Hamas in months

(BBC NEWS) Israel has carried out fresh air strikes onGazaafterPrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered retaliation for one of the heaviest barrages of rocket-fire by Hamas in months.

The Israeli military said about half of the 10 rockets which were fired from Gaza late on Sunday landed inside Israel, while the remainder were shot down. One person was wounded by falling debris,Israelimedicssaid.

Netanyahu issued the instruction for a "strong response" while on his way to Washington, where he is due to hold talks with US PresidentDonaldTrump.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said on Monday morning that at least 56 Palestinians had been killed there by Israel overtheprevious24hours.

A Palestinian journalist

was killed and nine others wounded when an air strike hitatentusedbylocalmedia in Khan Younis, southern G

s Government Media Office

Journalists Syndicate (PJS) said. Reuters news agency said footage showed people tryingtoputoutablazeinthe tent which it said was inside the compound of Nasser hospital.

The dead journalist was identified by the PJS as

PalestineTodayTV

In a joint statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet intelligence agencysaidtheyhadstrucka "Hamas terrorist who operates under the guise of a journalist and owns a press company".

They said the man, Hassan Eslaih, had

Israeli strikes hit Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, from where the military said rockets had been fired

participated in the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel which triggeredthewar

The PJS said it "strongly condemned, in the harshest terms, this appalling massacre". It called on the UN to take action to stop Israel from "targeting the entire Palestinian people, includingjournalists".

Nasser, which is the largest hospital still functioning in Gaza, has been struck multiple times by the IDF since the war began.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using hospitals as covert bases and for storing weapons, which thegroupdenies.

Earlier, the IDF said it had hit the launcher which fired the rockets at Israel, after ordering residents in several districts of Deir alBalah in central Gaza to evacuate. Issuing the order, IDF Arabic spokesman Lt Col Avichay Adraee warned that Israel would "launch a severe strike on any area from which rockets are fired".Hamassaiditfiredthe rockets in response to Israeli "massacres of civilians in Gaza", Reuters news agency reported. Footage from the

Israeli city of Ashkelon showed flashes in the sky as sirens wailed and an explosion at the bottom of a block of flats during the rocket attack on Sunday night.

The rate and scale of Hamas' rocket attacks sharply dropped after the first few months of the war, as Israel intensively targeted its arsenals and launchers.

But the group still intermittently fires at Israel, inasignthatitstillpossesses capabilities Israeli air strikes continued overnight following the attack on the rocket launchers, with the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reporting that sites in north, central and southGazawerehit.

Meanwhile, French

President Emmanuel Macron held talks in Cairo on Monday with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah alSisi and Jordan's King Abdullah II as part of efforts totrytorestoreaceasefire.

A t a j o i n t n e w s conference, Macron said both he and Sisi "condemn the resumption of Israeli

strikes on Gaza". He also said Hamas must not be part of any future government in Gaza, and that the internationally backed Palestinian AuthorityHamas's political rivalshouldtakecharge.

Netanyahu said the Gaza war and Israel's efforts to secure the release of the 59 hostages still being held by Hamas would be on the agenda of his talks with PresidentTrumpattheWhite HouseonMonday Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza last month, blaming Hamas forrejectingaUSproposalto extend a ceasefire which had begun in January Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of abandoning the original deal which both sides had agreed to. The war was triggered by Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken back to Gaza as hostages. More than 50,750 Palestinianshavebeenkilled in the Israeli offensive since then, according to the Hamas-runhealthministry

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

One man rule Guyana

Citizens are increasingly questioning whether Guyana is a democracy. And they are correct. It is not even a benevolent autocracy.

It is a theatre of obedience— a place where civil service is reduced to servility, and governance becomes guesswork.

Institutions do not function. They defer. They stall. They wait for signals, for whispers, for the nod of one man. And so, a country slows, not abruptly, but imperceptibly at first.

Files pile up, ideas die unborn, andinnovation is stifled by fear of contradiction. Everything that needs more than one mind to flourish—science, education, justice — begins to shrink. The nation, like a body denied circulation, becomes anaemic.

West Indies Women fall to Pakistan in warm-up ahead of ICC World Cup Qualifiers

SportsMax - The West Indies Women suffered a five-wicket defeat to Pakistanintheirfinalwarmup match ahead of the ICC Women’sCricketWorldCup Qualifier, as the Caribbean side failed to defend a modest total of 188 at the Sunrise Sports Club on Monday

Despite a resilient unbeaten 68 from middleorderbatterShabikaGajnabi

and a solid 41-run contribution from Jannillea Glasgow, the West Indies innings never fully gained momentum and closed at 188-8 from their allotted 50 overs.Pakistanchaseddown the target with 23 balls to spare, continuing their impressiveformaheadofthe qualifiers. Batting first after winning the toss, the West Indies were quickly in trouble at 16-3 after losing

openers Rashada Williams (5) and Qiana Joseph (1) cheaply, along with Zaida James (6). Veteran Stafanie Taylor tried to rebuild but wasdismissedfor17,andthe slide continued with Mandy Mangru falling for six soon after At 36-5, the innings looked in jeopardy until Gajnabi and Glasgow combined for a 70-run partnership that brought some respectability to the

total. Gajnabi’s 68 off 77 balls included seven boundaries, while Glasgow played a fluent knock of 41 from50deliveries.

Pakistan’s bowling was ledbyleft-armspinnerSadia Iqbal, who was miserly and incisive, finishing with 3-21 fromher10overs.Shefound good support from Nashra Sandhu, who claimed 2-47, while Fatima Sana, Diana Baig, and Rameen Shamim eachtookonewicket.

Tuesday April 08, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

A group you're associated withbuthavebeenneglecting may be on your mind today Youmightwanttofulfillyour obligations to it. You could also consider completing a long-termprojectthatwasput onholdoverthepastweek

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Money may be coming your way through a contract of some kind. This is a positive development. Make sure you read every word in the documentbeforeyoucommit toanything.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Are you sometimes afraid of appearing silly in front of people, Gemini? The fear of failing in the eyes of others might be holding you back fromrealprogress.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You usually like to think of yourself as being a scientific, logical person, Cancer, but todayyoumaythinkmorelike a mystic. Your intuition is moreactivethanusual.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Social invitations or opportunitiestoparticipatein group activities should come your way for a few weeks, Leo. Your phone could ring off the hook. Relations with others should be warm, friendly,andcongenial.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

ou're thinking about your future career development, Virgo, and you aren't happy with your current situation. Advancement is on your mind.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today is a good day to take time out for the small, sensual pleasures, Libra. Perhaps this isadayfordessert,particularly chocolateorcheesecake.Don't forget about the pleasures that naturecanbring.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Sometimealonewithaspecial person is definitely called for today, Scorpio The social whirl of recent weeks has put you in touch with a lot of old friends and enabled you to makenewones.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

The possibility of moving out of your neighborhood may have occurred to you before, Sagittarius, but events today mighthaveyoufinallymaking upyourmindtodoit.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Todayyoumightbepleasantly surprised to realize that you're in far better financial shape than you thought. You could discover a hidden talent for money management that you didn'tthinkyouhad.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Today you might decide to sequester yourself at home, catch your breath, get your thoughts together, and recall the events of the past several days.Youwillalsoplanforthe future,Aquarius.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Taking care of chores around the house might bring some homematterstoyourattention that need to be taken care of, Pisces.Perhapsthereareafew minorrepairstomake,

Pakistan crossed the line comfortablyat192-5.

This result marked Pakistan’s second win in as many warm-up matches, following their dominant victory over Thailand last week. They will now head intotheICCWomen’sWorld Cup Qualifier brimming with confidence, set to face Ireland in the tournament openeronApril9.

In reply, Pakistan showed no signs of panic in their chase Vice-captain Muneeba Ali anchored the innings with a composed 87 from 113 balls, well supported by Natalia Parvaiz,whostrokeda53off just 60 deliveries. The pair sharedakeypartnershipthat effectively took the game awayfromtheWestIndies.

Gull Feroza chipped in with a handy 28 to ensure

West Indies Rugby announces Men’s & Women’s...

Frompage24 Caribbean talent and spirit ontheinternationalstage. West Indies Rugby would like to thank all participating unions, sponsors,andsupportersfor t h e i r u n w a v e r i n g commitment to the sport. This tournament presents a valuable development opportunity for our athletes andachancetorepresentthe regionwithpride.

The top two teams from theQualifierwilladvanceto the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, joining alreadyqualified sides Australia, England, India, Ne

Zealand, South Africa, and SriLanka.

Meanwhile, the West Indies,whofaceScotlandon the same day, will need to regroup quickly, especially in their top order, which struggledagainstdisciplined bowling.

West Indies Rugby announces Men’s & Women’s squads for 2025 Tropical 7s

Tampa, Florida –April2025–West Indies Rugby has officially announced the

selected Men’s and Women’s squads set to compete at the highly anticipated Tropical 7s

Rugby Tournament, scheduled for April 18–19, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, USA.

This year’s tournament will feature elite youth and seniortalentfromacrossthe globe, andWestIndiesRugbyis proud to field two dynamic teams composed of top players representing the Caribbean region and diaspora. With a mixture of regional senior players and rookie players to the Elite Levelof7’srugby

Men’sTeamRoster

Barbados: Daniel RamsayBermuda:Hadleigh Tucker,JahnikoFrancis

Guyana: Godfrey Broomes, Lionel Holder,

Owen Adonis Jamaica:

M

C

o, RonaldeniFraser(Captain) Trinidad & Tobago: Jerrell Vincent, Shaydon

Delaney (FL) USA (Guyana): Tyrese Prescod (Lindenwood), Vallon Adams (NY) Reserves: Kyan Cherwayko Women’s Team Roster Bermuda: Corrie Cross, Najee PittClarke Guyana: Carrin CarterJamaica:AniyaSmith (FL), Mercedes Coles (CAN), Morgan Brown (FL), Naomi Dodd (USA), VeronicaBlair(Captain,NJ)

Saint Lucia: Mary R

Lucia/Guyana: Renetta

Reynolds Trinidad & Tobago:LeahKintiba(ViceCaptain) Reserve: Nathalia Cadiz (T&T) Management &Staff

Tour Managers: Dellon Durrant (SVG), Jonathan KeithCassidy(BER) Medical Team: Jeron

Physiotherapist Coaching Staff: Wayne

The teams will arrive in Florida for pre-tournament training sessions fromApril 13thto16th,andarelooking forwardtoshowcasing (Continuedonpage23)

Pantor (TT/SVG), Jerome Poon Tip (TT), Assistant Coach:ChantelJohn(SLU)

2025 Cricket Association (GCA) First-Division 50-over final…

Jaikarran, Barnwell bat DCC to emphatic ‘title win over GCC -

GCC lose by 100 runs

Athumping 100run win by the D e m e r a r a Cricket Club (DCC) over arch rivals Georgetown CricketClub(GCC),helped them capture their first

Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) FirstD i v i s i o n 5 0 - o v e r Championship.

DCC posted what seemed like a lowish score of227alloutin44.5oversat the Bourda Ground, led by Brandon Jaikaran who carried his team with a dogged knock of 53 off 92 balls.

Veteran all-rounder and

DCC skipper Christopher Barnwell bruised the bowlingforhis43notoutoff 28 balls, finding help from national youth players Jonathan Van Lange (39), andSachinSingh(31).

Seasoned spinner Devon Lord led GCC’s bowling with returns of 4-27, bagging three of his victims in one over, as Yeudistir Persaud (230) and Krsna Singh (13 3 ) c h i p p e d i n reasonably. With the foundation set for a good win at home, DCC had other plans marching into their

opponents’ turf, knocking themoverforjust127inside 30overs.

Thebowlingchargewas led by Ezekiel Wilson who grabbed 3-20, while Daniel Mootoo (2-22) and fastbowler Van Lange (2-25) along with senior national spinner Steven Sankar (229) helped give their team a title which has eluded them morethanadecade.

Only national allrounder Thaddeus Lovell triedtokeepthingstogether withhisinningsof47,asdid other contributions from Navindra Persaud (26) and DeonarineSeegobin(12).

DCC stormed to the 2025 GCA1st Division title after trouncing GCC at home.

DCC captain Chris Barnwell played an amazing game to help his team clinch the finals.

40 Guyanese certified following completion of

Match Commissioners Workshop

Th e G u y a n a F

o n (GFF), in partnership with Concacaf, has successfully concludeditstwo-dayMatch Commissioners Workshop, certifying 40 participants from across the country to serveinthispivotalrole.The

workshop was held onApril 5th and 6th at the National Training Centre (NTC), Providence, and marks another significant step in the Federation’s ongoing effortstostrengthenfootball administration and competition management at all levels. A GFF release

disclosed that, “Participants from Bartic

, Upper Demerara, East Coast Demerara, Berbice, and several other districts were among those trained, reflecting the GFF’s commitment to developing football capacity in all regions. The newly certified

Match Commissioners are now equipped with the knowledge and tools required to oversee matches withgreaterprofessionalism and efficiency, ensuring adherencetoregulationsand promoting the values of integrity, fairness, and respectacrossthegame.

Importantly, the workshop also emphasised the inclusion of women in football leadership and operations, with several female participants among those certified This move aligns with the GFF’s strategic vision of creating more opportunities for women both on and off the field Thepresenceofwomen in match oversight roles not only strengthens the administrationofthesportbut

also signals a shift toward more inclusive and representative football managementinGuyana Their participation lays the groundwork for future generations of women in footballtoaspiretoinfluential positionsinthegame.”Many participants expressed gratitude to the Federation for its investment in human capacity, stating that the workshopnotonlydeepened their understanding of competition protocols but also inspired them to aim higher “We’re grateful for the opportunity,” Alden Marslowe, President of the BarticaFootballAssociation shared.

Olston Thurman of the Upper Demerara Football Association also expressed

deep appreciation, noting, “We now feel more confident and prepared to contribute meaningfully to local football. One day, I hope to serve as a Match CommissionerataConcacaf tournament or even the World Cup—but for now, I look forward to gaining moreexperienceonthelocal andregionallevel.”

The GFF views the successfulcompletionofthis workshop as a foundational move in professionalizing matchoperationsinGuyana. With a stronger pool of trained officials now in place, the standard and quality of matches are expected to improve significantly across the country’s football calendar, thereleasenoted.

Georgetown will clash with the lads from the East Coast as action in the

ongoing DCB U19 tournament heats up with two mouth-watering matchessetfortoday

Over at Transport Ground, East Coast will have their hands filled

against a formidable Georgetown team when actioncontinuestoday East Bank and Upper Demerara will lock horns at Farm Ground as teams look to capitalize on this

w e e k e n d ’ s p a s t performances.

WestDemerarapowered to a mind-boggling 311-run win over Upper Demerara duringSunday’sround,after Sachin Balgobin smashed a record 214 not out off 103 balls, with 21 fours and 12 sixes.

National youth opener Parmeshwar Ram scored an even 50 off 35 deliveries (8x4 1x6) as WDCAsurged to336-2in30overs.

Upper Demerara suffered tremendously in

bothdepartments,butitwas thedramaticbattingcollapse which left them all out for a measly 25 inside 10 overs, was arguably the poorest performance in the tournament.

The WDCA pair of pacers Kelvin Raymond (512) and Patrice Fraser (410), never let the opposition batsmen out of their clutches, as they rewarded themagicalperformancesof BalgobinandRam.

Rain unfortunately washed out the battle

betweenEastCoastandEast Bank at Better Hope Ground.

OnApril 9, Georgetown play Upper Demerara at Transport, while West Demerara battle East Bank at Meten-Meer-Zorg Ground.

FixturesforApril11will feature West Demerara versus Georgetown at Meten-Meer-Zorg and East Coast tackling Upper Demerara at Transport Ground with all games set for9:30hbowlofftime.

SportsMax-Canadaand Costa Rica both confirmed spots in the 2025 FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup in Morocco later this year after the completion of thefinalroundofmatchesin the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship overtheweekend.

Canada confirmed their qualification as Group B winners thanks to a 3-2 win over Puerto Rico in a top of thetableclashattheEstadio Nacional in Managua,

NicaraguaonSunday Giselle Falcón gave Puerto Rico the lead in the 45’ through a finish to the near post from inside the penaltyarea.

Canada equalized through Joelle Bader in the 45+5’, who scored with a left footed hit from outside thebox.

Falcónsecuredherbrace in the 57’to restore the lead for Puerto Rico with a right footedlong-rangestrike.

Canada tied the

proceedingsagaininthe71’, with Olivia Chisholm finding the back of the net with a finish from outside thebox.

Kaylee Hunter secured the comeback and the victory for The Reds in the 74’, capitalizing on a delivery over the defense withafinishtothenearpost.

Costa Rica’s 9-1 hammering of Bermuda on Saturday puts them through as the best second-placed team ahead of the Puerto

Ricans.Bothteamsendedon six points but Costa Rica finished with a goal differenceof12comparedto PuertoRico’seight.

Canada and Costa Rica will now represent the region alongside the USA andMexicointheUnder-17 World Cup set for October 17-November8. The USA and Mexico confirmed their spots on Saturday with wins over El Salvador and Haiti, respectively

Patrice Fraser and Kelvin Raymond ran through the opposition this past weekend.

Carolina takes One Guyana 3x3 Quest title back

to Puerto Rico

Guyana’s Harold Adams goes for a block against Bermuda.

-Guyana’steamRenegadesfinishedfifth

Puerto Rico’s Bryan Colon receives the tournament’s MVP award from Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Kashif Muhammad.

Withtheworldwatching through the lens of Guyana, the English-Speaking Caribbean took center stage on April 5–6 as 3x3 basketball blazed through the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The inaugural One Guyana3x3Questdelivered unforgettable action, showcasing the region’s talent and toughness in true streetballstyle.

Intheend,itwasCarolina

fromPuertoRicowhostolethe spotlight,andtheUSD$5,000 prize, going a perfect 7–0 to punchtheirtickettotheFIBA 3x3 World Tour stop in Edmonton, Canada this August Ranked 14th globally, Carolina didn’t just win, they dominated, ending the two-day event on Sunday withanunblemishedruninthe tournament Theirfinalsclash withtheDominicanRepublic was all business. With ice in

their veins and buckets on repeat,Carolinashutthedoor 21–15.

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) Bryan Colon was untouchable as he formed an alliance with Antonio Ralat, Gary Diaz, andNathanielButtle.

The squad’s only sub-21 showingwasan18–14group stagegrindagainstSKNSugar BoyzfromSt.KittsandNevis, while the other games all

Region 6 Canje NA Jagans Memorial Windball Cricket tourney contested

Play in the MCYS, NSC Janet & Cheddi Jagan Memorial Schools

Boys and Girls Windball Cricket continued in Berbice (Region 6) at the Berbice High School ground, New Amsterdam.

In boys’ action, New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) after been invited to take first strike made 46-3, Donavan Newland hit 25, while Ravindra Persaud took 2-5 for host Berbice High School who replied with 48-2 with Balram Chappelleleadingthevictorywith27. Canje Secondary scored 27-5, Anthony

finished at 21 points The Dominican Republic, who earnedUSD$2,000fortheir runner-up finish, were warriors in their own right. They rolled through the group stage unbeaten, then knocked out SKN Sugar Boyz (St Kitts and Nevis) and stunned the world 11thranked Team Lausanne (Switzerland) with back-toback 21–15 wins before running into the Carolina buzzsaw

Lausanne, one of the tournament favourites, found themselves on the wrong end of a St. Lucian ambush, settling for fourth Elite Blazers defeated the Swiss men 15 – 13 Meanwhile, local pride was alive in the Renegades, Guyana’s lone squad to make the knockout round. Travis Belgrave, Dominic Vincente, Harold Adams, and Nikkoli Smith bullied their way past Bermuda (20–10), St. Lucia

(15–12), and Quarters United from Trinidad & Tobago(18–16),fallingonly to Lausanne in the group stage (21–15) In the quarters, Renegades clashed with the rugged Maloney Pacers out of Trinidad and Tobago The showdown between Boyd and Vincente lituptheSportsHall,butthe Pacers,ledbyAhkeelBoyd, ChikeAugustine,MoribaDe

seasoned,winning21–14.

Carolina ended the Pacers’ run in the semis, dealing another 21–15 knockout with the kind of rhythm and chemistry only

Grenada’s last-minute withdrawal,19teamsfrom16 countries turned up and showedout,provingthatthe Caribbean belongs in the global3x3spotlight.

AccordingtotheGuyana

BasketballFederation,while the tournament received rave reviews, there was some constructive criticism, itwasallaimedatimproving theefficiencyandexecutionof futureeditions

The GBF tha

tournament’s primary sponsor, the Government of G

Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, headed by MinisterCharlesRamsonJr Additional thanks went to the Guyana Olympic Association, KP Thomas Construction, Shi-Oil, Slingerz Family/Slingerz Entertainment, Ramnaresh Sarwan, SuperBet, Lennox Scott (Scotty’s Smoke House), SQ Apparel, and RoyalInternationalHotel.

The GBF praised the work done by Edge Sports Management for their excellent job handling the tournament’s social media pagesandpresence.

New Amsterdam Multilateral School girls team take a photo. (ASTP)

Perscuelmade12. RavindraPersaud3-4and Akash Sooklall 2-2 led the bowling for Berbice High School who responded with 28-6. Shameer Ali 2-3 and Sahid Ali 2-9 weretheoutstandingbowlers.

The Girls department - Berbice High School rattled up 43-5 with Asmeetha Ramrup 15 and Venice Felix 11. Mandy Crawfordtook2-8forCanjeSecondarywho strolledto48-1,PavenaPersaudmade17.

And Canje Secondary scored 36-2 with Julia Taylor 16 New Amsterdam Multilateralacedthechasewith37-1off4.4 oversasAlleyiaGrantledwith21notout.

- Guyana’s team Renegades finished fifth

The West Indies lost openers Rashada Williams (5) and Qiana Joseph (1) cheaply. (CWI Media)

- GCC lose by 100 runs Parmeshwar Ram continues to shine with bat and ball.

Easy! Puerto Rico’s Carolina dominated the One Guyana 3x3 Quest.