Alfred Bhulai shares his experience in attempting to
from Friday’s
Sufficient grounds exist to disqualify disqualif
Commissioner of Information from Office - Int’l Lawyer -Int’lLawyer
...as curtains were drawn on protest against lack of information
International Lawyer, Melinda Janki said there is enough grounds for the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information, Charles Ramson SC, to be disqualifiedfromoffice.
Janki, though not physically in Guyana, supported a picket exercise on Friday outside the Commissioner’s East Street, Georgetown office where a number of citizens gathered to share their experience in attempting to access information.
Janki’s testimonial was read by activist, Sherlina Nageer as the lawyer is currently in Malta, participating in the
Commonwealth Law Conference. In building the foundation for her presentation, Janki pointed out that the principle of public access to information is enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana Specifically, Article 146 guarantees citizens the right to receive information withoutinterference.
ItisJanki’sviewthatthe Access to Information Act (2011) is “unconstitutional andshouldbestruckdown”.
Activist, Sherlina Nageer reads a statement to protestors on behalf of International Lawyer, Melinda Janki
Sheexplained,“althoughthe Actclaimsthatitspurposeis toincreasetransparencyand accountability,itsprovisions seem to be based on the outdated and dangerous premisethatpublicaccessto information is something that is the gift of the government.Thisiswrong.”
On the other hand, Janki pointedoutthatitistheduty of all public servants, starting with the president andministers,andextending to holders of every public office, to ensure that the public is in tune with their
actions. In fact, she argues that this is the only way citizens can ensure these office holders act within the confinesofthelaw
As it relates to Ramson, the lawyer explained that he is expected to be independentoftheexecutive and impartial in discharging his duties. “He must also be seen to be independent and impartial.Butthereisreason to doubt the independence and impartiality of Mr Charles Ramson Sr.,” she urged.
Janki pointed out that
Auditor General (AG) Anand Goolsarran said his attempt to access information also failed
Ramson was the AttorneyGeneral of Guyana under a p r e v i o u s P P P / C administration.“Assuch,he was the Government’s principal legal adviser He was,andmaystillbe,loyalto thePPP/C.Hemayevenbea member of the PPP/C party
Thecommissioner’ssonisa ministerinthecurrentPPP/C Government.Whichfatheris going to act against the wishes of a government which has the power to determine the success of his son’s political ambitions?
That question taints every
d e c i s i o n t h a t t h e commissioner makes and undermines public trust in thisimportantpublicoffice,” Jankireasoned.
The lawyer therefore said,“Thesepoliticalfactors constitutesufficientgrounds based on principle to disqualify Charles Ramson Sr fromremaininginoffice, irrespective of how he performshisfunctions.”
In her submission, she noted that even if the commissioner fails to do the honourablethingandresign, then President Irfaan Ali
must act as a responsible headofstateandremovehim or provide the public with a statement setting out his reasons for his refusal to do so.
According to Janki, “Throughout his tenure this C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information has obstructed c
s’ acc
o i n f o r m a t i o n H i s communications have been discourteous and petulant. He has lost the trust of the peopleheisobligedtoserve. His record speaks for itself andhasnowresultedinlong overduepublicprotests.”
“In my view the commissioner has acted irrationally, unreasonably and contrary to the spirit of the law and the constitution and this constitutes separate and additional grounds for hisremoval,”sheadded.
Gatekeeperofsecrecy
Meanwhile,Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram who organisedthethreeweeksof protest shared that all eight attempts made by him to access information from the commissionerhasfailed. Rammaderequeststothe OfficefortheClyde&Co
Continued on page 3
Scenes
picket, outside the Office of the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson
Court bars GRA
from seizing Mohameds luxury vehicles
until substantive matter is heard
High Court Judge Gino Persaud on Friday afternoon upheld an injunction he had granted the previous week, barringtheGuyanaRevenue Authority (GRA) from seizing several luxury vehicles belonging to businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
Last Saturday, Justice Persaud issued the interim injunction pending a response from GRA in relation to a legal challenge brought by Mohamed. The Revenue Authority is going after the luxury vehicles claiming that the Mohameds failedtopayover$1.2billion for those vehicles. The injunction came after agents of the GRAand the Guyana Police Force (GPF) visited Mohamed’s residence to seize the vehicles but were forced to retreat when Team Mohamed’s supporters surrounded the premises in protest.
Justice Persaud had grantedtheGRAtimetofile their response to the injunction Arguments on whether the interim order should remain in place until the conclusion of the substantive matter began Fridaymorning.
Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon, representing Azruddin and Hannah Mohamed, explained that arguments before Justice Persaud lasted for over two hours. He was accompanied by attorney-at-law Damien DaSilva, while Sanjeev Datadin, Robin Stoby, Jason Moore, and others appeared fortheGRA.
According to Dhurjon, after hearing submissions and asking probing
questions, Justice Persaud adjourned the matter to 3:30 pm. When the hearing resumed,thejudgedelivered adetailedruling,concluding that the balance of justice required the preservation of thestatusquo.Thismeansno vehicleseizuresshouldoccur until the substantive issue is fullyheardanddetermined.
“We are very pleased withthat.Webelievethatthis isacasewherejusticehasnot beendelayednordenied.We thank His Honour for the extraordinary effort he would have made to see to the conclusion of our injunctionapplicationwithin six days, and we return to court in these matters on the 15th of May,” Dhurjon stated. At that hearing, the courtisexpectedtoconsider the arguments from both sidesonthecoreissuesofthe case.
Inastatement,thecourt’s registrar outlined that Friday’s decision is not the finalrulingonthematter “It is not a final ruling on the meritsofthetwocaseswhich willbeheardanddetermined at a later date. I emphasise that today I have not made anyfindingsoffactinrespect ofthemeritsofthecases,asI am not required to do so at this interim stage An interiminjunctionisanorder made for the duration of the litigation to protect a party’s rightspendingafinaljudicial determination.Itisnotafinal resolution,”itwasexplained.
Azruddin Mohamed, for hispart,hasclaimedthatthe People’s Progressive Party governmentisbehindGRA’s move to seize his vehicles. Hehasallegedthatitis Continued on page 23
Mother’s final words before saving son in Berbice River boat mishap “YOU CAN’T DIE WITH ME”
A 30-year-old woman died by drowning Friday morning, after the boat she was traveling in capsized near De Veldt Village, leaving her trapped underwater The woman has been identified as Kayandra Lindie.
Themotheroftwo,along with her five-year-old son was reportedly on their way back to her home in East Canje, Berbice, to prepare forworkaftervisitingoneof her brothers in the Berbice Riverwhentragedystruck.
In an interview with Kaieteur News, Kesseon
Lindie, the deceased woman’s older brother, explained that the boat she was in reportedly struck a submerged log, causing it to overturnandquicklytookin water Amid the chaos, Lindie who was the last person in the boat became trappedinside.
“She was the last person in the boat and she push out the boy (the son) out of the window,butshedidn’tmake it to come out,” the older LindietoldKaieteurNews.
The five-year-old boy reportedly told relatives that his mother told him, “You
can’t die with me,” as she pushedhimoutoftheboat.
The boat incide
Aldwayne Denhart, the boat captain and five other passengers.Theboatcaptain reportedlytoldpolicethathe departed Sand Hills Village en route to NewAmsterdam with five adults and two childrenaboard.
“While navigating near De Veldt Village, DenHart reported feeling an impact
near the engine, after which he lost control of the vessel, causingittocapsize,”police saidinitsreport.
Nearby residents renderedassistanceandwere abletorescuethepassengers. However, Lindie was found unresponsive Emergency services transported Lindie, along with three others, to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The other three passengers remain
under observation in the Accident and Emergency (A&E)Department.
Meanwhile, Lindie’s brother described her to be, “astraightupperson.Iknow shelovesherchildren;sheis allforherchildrenthem.She worked hard to maintain her children.”
Another relative also said, “She had a contagious laughandaknackfortelling funny stories, she brought joy to everyone around Always organising fun activities and finding happinessinthelittlethings. She’s always there for everyone during the hard times.”
SufficientgroundsexisttodisqualifyCommissioner...
Frompage2
report on the 2016 oil
contract, the Escrow arrangements and payments frompublicfunds,detailson the GOAL programme’s agreementsandfinances,the government’s payment of Exxon’s taxes, and the performance of the commissioner’sownoffice.
According to him, “Every single one of those requests has been ignored, dismissed, or buried under a pile of verbosity, ego, and c o n t e m p t T h e commissioner has never providedasinglesubstantive answer-notone.Andhehas never once acknowledged that he is answerable to the people of Guyana, not to his formercabinetcolleagues.”
Instead, Ram said the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information has chosen to attack those who seek transparency
Recently, the attorney saidhereceivedaletterfrom Ramson which opened “Where ignorance is a bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise” Ram said this was not just arrogant, but offensive, puerileanddisgraceful.
Consequently,thelawyer argued, “Charles Ramson has long ceased to be a commissioner He has becomeawall,gatekeeperof secrecy,asymbolofdefiance againstpublicaccountability and the truth is this: he will not resign out of principle. He will only go when he is tooembarrassedtostay And
thatiswhywearehere.”
Nottheend
Although Friday’s protestendedthreeweeksof demonstration outside the commissioner’s office, the fight for free access to informationwillcontinue.
Ram explained that the next step will be to write PresidentIrfaanAli,seeking a meeting to discuss their concerns.
Beyond that, the lawyer ispreparedtotakethematter to court and inform the regional and international community He said these bodieshavebeenmisledand liedtobytheGovernmentof Guyana about the workings oftheAccesstoInformation Act.
In addition to Melinda
Janki and Christopher Ram, other stakeholders also shared their experience in attempting to access information through the commissioner’s office including former Auditor General (AG) Anand Goolsarran, Alfred Bhulai and Member of Parliament (MP)GaneshMahipaul.
Kayandra Lindie
Kayandra Lindie, after she was taken out of the capsized boat
Justice Gino Persaud Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed
Kaieteur News
24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Guyana, China, Cuba
More and more, the evidence is that China is under siege. The US under the aggressive captaincy of President Trump first lashed at China with tariffs that were intended to slowdown and shake it up. The latest US strike against China involves Chinese built ships with some heavy tariffs proposed. Aside from the economic impacts, which will definitely be severe, the actions of theTrumpWhite House put Guyana in a precarious place. So far, the positions of the PPPC Government have aligned one way Whatever has to be done to side with the US will be done, so as not to incur its wrath. Regardless of longstanding relationships, and favored friendships, the government has made its decisionclear WhatevertheUSwants,thatiswhatwillbe forGuyana,lock,stock,andbarrel.
Guyana is learning how to run with the big powers, though we have significant doubts about the direction taken. ThepracticeofthePPPCGovernmentnowistofall in line with whatever pleases the US. It is doubtful if the government of President Ali is putting up a spirited resistance behind closed doors. It has surrendered that muchtotheUS,anddoingtheproverbial,viz.,puttingallof its eggs in one basket. The government is seemingly hanging onto the skirts of the US in the hope of being carried to glory The next five years loom rather menacingly in the local environment, and with the last five asprecedent,manyGuyanesearenotoptimisticaboutwhat could be in store. But with the backing of the new US government,thePPPCGovernmentisofthethinkingthatit can do no wrong, is home free to carry on even worse than before.
Guyana has been given as good a guarantee as could be obtainedanywhere. Itisonethatpromisestoneutralizeany threat from Venezuela, one that is worth humiliating surrendertoUSwishes.
The fate of long-serving and long faithful Cuban medical professionals is up in the air The governments of TrinidadandTobago,Jamaicaand,morerecently,Antigua, have all made their position clear to the US. It is leave Cuban doctors alone, they are not going anywhere, their roletoovital,theirservicetooneededandwellproven. We atthispaperbelievethatthePPPCGovernmentshouldhave madethatitspositionfromtheinception. Instead,therehas been what is nothing but 'weasel language' from the government, in the craven efforts of its leaders to curry favor with the US. When the health of Guyanese could be impacted, the nation's healthcare system itself is left in an undesirable place, government leaders are quibbling, playingtheirusualwordgames. Politicalgamesandgames for power more than word games are what Guyanese standbyandunbelievinglyobserve.
The US juggernaut must be appeased at all costs, regardlessofthelocalsacrificesthathavetobemade. In the instance of China, it has made many investments inGuyana,withchainsofevidencepresentininfrastructure works, and loans made. Not too long ago, a leading government figure was about how much China has been a solid partner for Guyana, and one that is held in considerable esteem. Apparently, somebody has changed that song, leading to the PPPC Government having a change of heart. Now, the anthem of the Government of Guyana can be summed in one line that makes the rounds. Guyana is one with the US, and all for the US. China went from good friend to Guyana to bad company for this countrytokeepalmostovernight. Thereisthespectacleof Guyana'sheadofstatealmostonhandsandkneesbeforethe UShopingforsomeexemptionwithChinese-builtships. If theUSissuch“agreatfriend”toGuyana,thenthiscountry should not be jeopardized in this manner Friends of the kind that President Ali was so effusive about, do not put theirfriendsinsuchanunhealthyposition.
ItisobviousthatGuyanaisnowslavishlyattachedtoall thingsAmerica. ThismayservetheambitionsofthePPPC Government leadership well, but as to the interests of this country,that'saproblembrewing.
Poll: Guyanese back Guyana against Venezuelan Intimidation
Dear Editor,
Anongoingsurveybeing conducted by this writer, Dr Vishnu Bisram for NACTA, in Guyana on contemporary i s s u e s h a s f o u n d overwhelmingly support among Guyanese for oil production in Guyanese waters and condemn the Venezuelan aggression againstExxonMobil.
The Venezuelan navy intercepted and tried to stop an Exxon floating vessel in Guyana's exclusive economic zone in February andthreatenedthecrew
The Guyana government condemned Venezuelan u n p r o v o k e d a n d unwarranted action against Exxon.
Also, the international community, including USA Secretary of State Marco Rubio and France, Germany, Canada, UK, CARICOM nations, among others, condemned Venezuelan intimidatory tactics against Exxon that has been
exploring, drilling, and producing oil in offshore Guyana waters And a meeting by G7 Foreign Ministers in Ottawa in March also condemned Venezuelan threatening behavior against the Exxon floatingvesselandGuyana.
They all urged restraint byVenezuela, appealing to it to cease and desist from its threatening actions and to respect the judicial undertaking of the World Court where the border controversy case is being addressed A ruling is expected by 2026. In a visit to Guyana late last month, Secretary Rubio issued a stern warning to Venezuelan rulerNicolasMaduroagainst any plan to attack Guyana or disrupt Exxon operations in Guyana'seconomiczone.
According to the survey that polled 630 Guyanese
adults to reflect the
demographics of the population, everyone, including left wingers, is
verypleasedwiththesupport extended to Guyana by USA ontheborderissue.
And Guyanese express gratitude for the publicly announced support by P r e s i d e n t T r u m p Administrationandthefrank comments of Secretary Rubio on Venezuelan threats, intimidatory tactics, and military aggression against Exxon and Guyana on the border controversy
G u y a n e s e d e s c r i b e Venezuela government's intercepting the Exxon vessel in Guyana waters as a n ' u n w a r r a n t e d ' provocation, defying World Court advisories that lead to escalation of tensions in the region. They all stand with Exxon on oil production in Guyanawaters.
In the poll, Guyanese views of America is very positive. Guyanese say relations with USA is very i m p o r t a n t t o t h e m personally, as most of them have family members in
America, and to Guyana in general as it provides an umbrella against any attack fromVenezuela.
Every Guyanese supports closer relations with Washington They would like to see Guyana strengthen ties withAmerica and even to have a pact and linkage with USA for defense cooperation and protection againstVenezuela and to bolster regional security Respondentsinpoll are also pleased that President Ali is working closely with USA on the border controversy and on globalissues.
Voters' expressed overwhelming approval of how President IrfaanAli has been handling relations with VenezuelaandAmerica.
The survey, conducted by this writer, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, was analyzed at 95% Confidence Level and hasamarginoferrorof4%.
Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
The right to vote is only one of several considerations in ensuring free and fair elections
Dear Editor,
The recent letter by VincentAlexander (in which he relied on the constitution to demonstrate the absolute
necessity of verified residency in constituencybasedelections)andmyown contribution (where I joined the call for Article 159(2)(c) to be properly interpreted,
thereby establishing residency as a qualification for all elections) point the direction of bringing order and good sense to Guyana's electorallaws.
Editor, let me address another related matter in the hope of furthering this restoration process. In so doing, I admit that my impressions on this matter
are based mostly on newspaper reports I therefore support the call by SN in its editorial of 31 March, titled “Public access
to court records” , a recommendationImyself,as a citizen, made directly in a lettertotheChancellorofthe Judiciary in September 2020.
My impressions are these. Our local courts (and the PPPin its political attack on the Opposition, which we can rightly ignore) speak of voter enfranchisement as the solitary goal of an electoral process Statements therefore such as “This will disenfranchise voters” and, its accusatory version, “This i s a n a t t e m p t t o disenfranchise voters” are conveyed with such absolute finality that one can sense a shutting down of the thought process.
I beg to differ Voter enfranchisement is only one ofseveralcriticalgoalsofthe electoralprocess.IfIwereto choose a more overarching or foundational goal, my choice would be the need to accurately reflect the democratic will of the electorate. Such a higherlevel goal encompasses the requirement that, yes, all thoseeligibletovotemustbe a b l e t o ( t h a t i s , enfranchisement) But crucially,italsodemands (Continue on page 6)
We must reject this system of patronage
Dear Editor,
In a democratic society, diverse voices and opinions are tolerated, and no single group holds unchecked power or engages in state capture.
Unfortunately, in Guyana, state institutions have been weaponized to silence critics and suppress dissent particularly those challenging the ruling regime on issues of good governance.
The allocation of government contracts, mining licenses, and trading permits reveals a clear pattern of preferential treatment for certain groups.
As an African (Afro Guyanese), I have not overlooked this systemic injusticeinmyanalysis.
The ruling regime vehemently defends its record, insisting that good g o v e r n a n c e i s t h e cornerstone of its leadership while dismissing claims of discrimination as either delusionalormalicious.
Yet the reality starkly c o n t r a d i c t s t h i s narrative—there is a welldocumented litany of discriminatory and unjust practices under the current administration. Surreptitious evidence reveals that scores of Guyanese affiliated with
opposition parties face systematic harassment and even outright blackmail. To maintain the illusion of inclusivity, the regime strategically parades a handful of non-traditional supporters, using them as props to mask its entrenched bias.
Moving forward, we must critically assess our progress as a nation and as distinct racial and social groups.The disparities faced b y m a r g i n a l i z e d communities are undeniable anddemandurgentattention.
No citizen should ever be forced to swear loyalty to a rulingpartyasaprecondition
for accessing basic services orrights.
In a true democracy, benefits and opportunities must be universal not contingent on political allegiance.
Yet in Guyana, it is evident that some privileges are reserved only for those alignedwiththePPP/C.
This politicization of developmental benefits and public goods undermines democratic principles and fosters an environment of autocraticcontrol.
Such practices erode trust in governance, deepen divisions,andweakenthe (Continue on page 6)
It is unjust to restrict the freedom of Indigenous people based on assumptions
Dear Editor,
As I continue my work meeting with Indigenous communitiesacrossGuyana, my most recent visit was to Batavia, located along the upper Cuyuni River in Region 7, was on March 29, 2025, at the request of Mr BrianWilson.
Sadly, the story in Batavia echoed that of many other villages—limited job opportunities, high cost of living, and children unable to attend school due to the
l a c k o f s p e e d b o a t transportation.Withnoother alternative, students are forced to paddle for nearly two hours to get to school. This is unacceptable in a modern, resource-rich economy
Batavia is also home to a stone quarry operated by an East Indian national, which occupies approximately 10.5% of the village land.
Villagers have raised
concerns about poor working conditions and i n a d e q u a t e w a g e s Moreover, they are alarmed by reports that another company may soon begin operations, potentially taking up an equivalent amountofland.
This would be in direct violation of the Indigenous Peoples Act, which stipulates that only up to 10.5%ofvillagelandmaybe leasedtooutsiders.
I was informed that the quarry provides the village council with a fixed annual payment of $30 million, which is used for village needs. However, this figure does not reflect the actual
volume or value of stone produced and sold. Villagers are not aware of the daily production capacity or revenues generated by the quarry, raising concerns about transparency and accountability There is a clear need for improved communication between the company and the village residents.
As I travel across our countryandwitnessthelevel of poverty in Indigenous communities many of which are recognized as l o c a l g o v e r n m e n t authorities—I also see the increasing migration of IndigenouspeopletoRegion 4andotherareasinsearchof betteropportunities.
When asked why they leave,theanswerisoftenthe same: there are simply no jobs available in their villages This migration hinders the sustainable development of Indigenous communities.
There also appears to be alongstandingsystemicland discrimination against Indigenous people. While village councils may hold authority over vast tracts of land,individualresidentsare not allowed to hold transport, or leases for the land their homes or businesses occupy In contrast, people in almost all non-Indigenous local government areas are able to access such legal land tenure.
When I raised this issue with some Indigenous representatives, I was surprised by their response. There is a prevailing belief
that Indigenous people may lack the financial literacy to manage land ownership responsibly
The concern is that, if granted transport or lease, they may use it as collateral to secure loans, and if they default, banks could repossess the property and sellittooutsiders.
This, in turn, could lead to demographic shifts, cultural dilution, and the erosion of Indigenous identity.
As a result, Indigenous residents often leave their communities to seek land and opportunities in other regions where they can legally own or lease property, access loans, and startbusinesses.
Ironically, the policy meant to protect their lands is contributing to the underdevelopment of their villages.
To foster meaningful development in Indigenous communities, it is time to amend the laws to allow Indigenous people to have ownership of the land their homes or businesses are on. We must also address and move beyond the fear of cultural change. It is unjust to restrict the freedom of Indigenous people based on assumptions about their capabilities or concerns about integration with other races. Let us empower our Indigenous citizens, not restrictthem.
Sincerely, Michael Carrington
V i c e C h a i r m a n , Alliance For Change (AFC)
Govt. $10B injection to NIS will please seniors
Dear Editor,
I am writing concerning the announcement by His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of a “one-off cash grant” to be paid out by the NIS to persons who have attained theageof60yearsbeforethe end of 2024 and have made NIS contributions between 500and749;justshortofthe number for a lifetime pension.
This matter has been a niggling sore that many G u y a n e s e w o r k e r s , especially sugar workers, hadwiththeNISfordecades. Therefore, this policy measure,insuchaconsistent and integrated manner, illustrates that His Excellencyiscommittedtoa transformational agency that will have a positive impact on the lives of the people who toiled for Guyana; the workingclass.
I am very happy, especially for those sugar workers, who have been suffering for years to secure closure to their case with the NIS because of poor record keepingonmanyfronts.
Some may want to call it all sorts of names, but one is always greater than zero (1>0) Significant achievements take time, effort, and money, and rather than seek to focus on the negative,wemustswitchour minds to reflect on the positives emanating from
thisannouncement. Itmeans that 20,000 to 25,000 seniors,whothroughnofault of their own, were being deniedNISbenefitsforyears because some entity either deliberately did not declare all of their contributions or NISfailedtoenforcethelaw Well, the good news is that manyoftheseseniorcitizens are now in a position to collect something greater thanzero.
Myeldersalwayssay,“A bird in the hand is always betterthantwointhebush”.
Talk is cheap, but to convert words into action is
what His Excellency has done and for that, he must be givenfullcredit.
There are many needs in thenation.
Therefore, diverting G$10 billion, which can be used for other critical developmental purposes, cannot be easy So well done Your Excellency; this is an exceptional government policy that is designed to empower, satisfy, and bring closure to some cases that have been sitting at NIS for years, some as long as tenyearsold.
(Continue on page 6)
Pres. Ali announce $2B fertiliser subsidy to support farmers
DPI - Farmers are set to benefit from a $2 billion fertiliser subsidy as part of the government's ongoing efforts to support the agriculturesector.
President Dr. Mohamed
Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a community engagement at theHydronieMarketTarmac inParika,RegionThree.
The president noted that the funds will be transferred within the coming days to ensure that every acre of farmlandreceivesonebagof fertiliser
“We are going to transfer within the coming days, that $2 billion in fertilizer subsidy to ensure that for every single acre of agriculture, we are going to give one bag of fertiliser,” PresidentAlisaid.
The head of state reminded the audience that just a few weeks ago, government transferred $2.7 billion directly to rice farmers to ensure they would receive at least $4,000 per bag when international market prices collapsed.
“Point to one other country that would have intervened in such a way when the market prices collapsed,”hesaid Since taking office, the PPP/c Administration has implemented a number of m e a s u r e s a i m e d a t enhancing productivity and reducing input costs for farmers, in keeping with its broader food security agenda
“This has been our efforts continuously since
wecameintooffice.Andthat iswhy,myfriends,whenyou lookatthenumbers,between 2020 and March 2025, almost 2 million tonnes of rice was exported from Guyana valued at more than US$1billion,”heasserted.
He continued, “And that, my friends, is as a result of our commitment to the rice farmers.”
President Ali also highlighted the hardships rice farmers faced under the p r e v i o u s c o a l a t i o n administration.
“The same government that promised $9,000 per bag, instead of giving that when the banks were taken a
machinery, they were told that rice is private business,” heremindedtheaudience.
The President noted that
one of the first actions taken by the government upon assuming office in 2020 was to engage commercial banks to reschedule the loans of ricefarmers.
“We asked them to help our rice farmers to recapitalise our rice farmers,”hesaid.
In addition to these efforts, the government has
The president noted that the funds will be transferred within the coming days to ensure that every acre of farmland receives one bag of fertiliser.
invested billions of dollars in drainage and irrigation workstosupportfarmers.
T h e P r e s i d e n t highlighted that two excavators have already been assigned to Hubu and RubyinRegionThree “But we are not contented with that. I have asked the Minister of Agriculture to deploy two
more excavators to these communities, so that we can ramp up the hours that will be given to farmers, so that wecanincreaseproduction,” President Ali further announced.
Hefurtherstatedthattwo mobile pumps will also be procured by the end of the year to enhance support for farmersinthearea.
The right to vote is only one...
From page 4
that the process must meet the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, legitimacy, and security Clearly,whatdoesitmatterif all are enfranchised to vote, but elections can be manipulated by the stuffing of ballot boxes and widespread acts of multiple voting?
Or,touseourmostrecent election court case as an illustration: how accurately can the will of the people be reflected when all are enfranchised, but allowed to vote anywhere they want outsideoftheirconstituencies inconstituencyelections?
It is not news that constitutional interpretation is replete with instances that require the balancing of s e v e r a l s a c r o s a n c t requirements, which often
pull in different directions. Our local courts must appreciate that no solitary goalexistsortrumps,despite howloftyitmaysound.
The challenge therefore t h e c o u r t s m u s t philos
phically and intellectually accept is to findthebalanceamongthese sacred ideals, using the constitution for guidance Anything less produces bad law
As such, the court's interrogation must not stop with the declaration that the
right to vote is sacred. What issacredistherighttovotein afairandfreeelectionwhose results reflect the will of thoseeligibletovote.
Thejudicialprocessmust give weight to all these elements.
I believe that should our courts fully rise to these challenges in interpreting our laws, then good sense and order would prevail in our electoral and other jurisprudence.
Sincerely, Sherwood Lowe
We must reject this system...
From page 4
veryfoundationsofafairandinclusivesociety Wemustreject this system of patronage and demand equal treatment for all Guyanese, regardless of political affiliation. Democracy cannot thrive where rights are conditional, and justice is selective.
Lelon Saul
Govt. $10B injection to NIS will...
From page 5
While I acknowledge that NIS can do a better job at takingstepstoimplementthe findings of the many actuarial reports, improve their record-keeping infrastructure, and increase t h e i r e n
h i s announcement by His Excellency can be classified as delightful news that will bringgladnessandhappiness to many seniors who have served their country with honour This is a positive policy step towards bringing regularity to a situation that has been irregularforaverylongtime, so well-done President MohamedIrfaanAli. Sasenarine Singh
Guyana’s oil continues to shine as Hess’ top seller
Guyana’s crude continues to take the spotlight in American oil major Hess Corporation’sportfolio.
Accordingtothecompany’s2024Annual Report, Guyana’s crude is Hess’ top-selling crude for 2024, fetching the highest average priceamongallitsglobaloperations.
Crude oil from Guyana averaged US$80.04perbarrel,maintainingtheleadin the company’s portfolio despite a marginal dipfromUS$80.72in2023andUS$89.72in 2022. When excluding hedging, a strategy used to stabilise prices, Guyana’s oil still stood out with an average of US$80.04, outperformingbarrelsfromtheUnitedStates andMalaysia.
This performance aligns with Hess’s third-quarterestimatesreleasedlatelastyear, which identified Guyana as the company’s most valuable crude source during the first ninemonthsof2024,sellingatUS$82.18per barrel. That report showed Guyana ahead of Hess’s US production in North Dakota (US$72.11)andoffshore(US$75.07),aswell asMalaysianoutput(US$77.76).
Guyana’scontinueddominanceinHess’s global oil portfolio reflects the exceptional productivityoftheStabroekBlock,wherethe companyholdsa30percentstake.
That block is operated by American oil giant ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, which holds a 45% interest and a third partner, CNOOC,whichholds25%interest.
The Stabroek Block, located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6.6 million acres and is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrelsofoil.ProductionbeganinDecember
Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess
2019,followingadiscoveryin2015.
Currently, three Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, the LizaDestiny,LizaUnity,andProsperity,are inproduction,withanotherFPSOexpectedto comeonstreamlaterthisyear
The three active FPSOs collectively producearound650,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd).
Meanwhile,Hessisstillinthemidstofan acquisitionbyUSenergygiantChevron,ina US$53 billion deal approved by Hess shareholders,butisfacingarbitrationincourt tocomeupinMay.
ExxonMobil and CNOOC filed for arbitration at the International Chamber of CommerceinParis,arguingthattheyhavea rightoffirstrefusaloverHess’stake.Despite this, Hess expressed confidence that the mergerwouldproceedasplanned.
Home Affairs Minister criticizes GFS lack of planning during Linden protests
MinisterofHomeAffairs RobesonBennhascriticized the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) for its inadequate action planning during recent protests in Linden, Region10.
The minister’s remarks come in the wake of tense protests in Linden, triggered on Tuesday morning after residentsoftheminingtown took to the streets in anger The situation quickly escalated into chaos, with protestors setting tyres on fire and blocking the Mackenzie-WismarBridge.
Speaking at the opening of the Guyana Fire Service SeniorOfficers’Conference, held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex on Thursday, Minister Benn said the Fire Service was unable to respond to the situation, which saw burning tyres blocking key roadways and bridges.
“The confidence, the support, the courage amongst that body of men –supportingeachother,giving each other courage to deal with the issues – has to be
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn
there,” Benn stated. “I say again that sometimes, when we should be in a joint operation, as at Linden the otherday,weshyawayfrom aproperapproachtomaking a situation not degenerate to whatitbecame.”
Referring directly to the GFS’s response, he continued, “When the persons lit the fires on the road, there were hardly anybody (firefighters) around, only those who lit the fire. And if we were ready, we could have gone and put it out before it got
any worse We have to understand why we could allow them to get behind us on the bridge and light the bridgesonfire,andwewere retreatedsomewhere.”
M i n i s t e r B e n n emphasized the importance ofstrategicpreparednessand accountability in emergency response. He called for the development and discussion of after-action reports to improvefutureoperations.
“The reason we have after-action reports is to discernwhatmayhavegone wrongandtosuggest–along with those who are working withusontheground–how wecoulddoitbetterthenext time,” he said. “Mistakes will happen... but it is about mitigating, to reduce, make minimal the question of mistakes rising to the level where it gets things get completelyoutofcontrol.”
He added, “After-action reports must be discussed with the leading members and the unit members who wereinvolved.”
TheHomeAffairs
Continued on page 23
Mashing an ants’ nest
The People's Progressive Party Civic has always believed in its own myth. It has fashioned a story for itself, not unlike those old colonial scripts that once imposed a logic on illogical lives.
The story is one of inevitability, a belief that power belongs to them by virtue of their electoral dominance. But a party that begins to believe too fully in its own mythology risks losingthethreadofthestory
And that is what is happeningnow
In the face of a new and l a r g e l y u n d e f i n e d p h e n o m e n o n t h e emergence of AzMo and the curious solidarity shown to him by sections of the population—the ruling party is floundering. They do not understand it, and what they do not understand, they dismiss They see the support as theatrical, contrived,stage-managedby dark forces hoping to destabilize their rule. But this is misreading the moment. Worse, it is misreadingthepeople.
The PPPC has stopped listening. Power has made them tone-deaf. Detached from the rhythms of daily life, they no longer walk the streets they claim to represent. They do not stand in the parlors of the rural poor, nor linger at the corner shops where the talk is real and unfiltered. They rely instead on meetings held under large tents where people come from all over with a litany of problems – a
reflection of a system of government that is dysfunctional.ThePPPChas lost the ear for nuance, the feelformood.Insuchastate, the signs of discontent become invisible to them, or worse,appearonlyasthreats conjuredbyenemies.
But the people, in all their ordinariness, are not without perception Even those mocked as lumpen possess a street wisdom that cannot be discounted. These are not citizens who pore over constitutional texts or recite legalese But they know when a man is being hounded.Theyknow whena family is being harassed. They know when advantage is being taken. And they do notlikeit.
AzMo may never enter the political ring—indeed, it may be fanciful to imagine him doing so. But in a strange, almost paradoxical way, the government has made him into a political figure. Not through policy, not through rhetoric, but through persecution. The more the State targets him, the more they sharpen his silhouette against the political sky. He becomes less a man and more a symbol of injustice, of State overreach, of a government unmoored from moral restraint.
That,perhaps,iswhatthe PPPC fails to grasp. The people are not necessarily rallying to AzMo because they see in him a future president or even a reformer They are not gathering around him out of ideology
Dem Boys Seh...
Their presence is more primal, more emotional: they see a wrong, and they arereacting.Theymaynever write a letter to the editor They may never speak in public forums. But when a man is being dragged through the mud, something inthemrecoils.Thatrecoilis what the government underestimates.
In believing that this solidarity is manipulated or orchestrated,therulingparty is insulting the intelligence of the electorate. It is a dangerous assumption People who are poor are not stupid. People who lack a university degree are not blind In fact, their experience often sharpens their sense of justice, makes it instinctive. They know when a man is being set up. They know when a government is trying too hard to destroy someone. Andtheybegintoask:why? Why this man? Why his family? Why the persistent public humiliation? When these questions arise—and theyarearising—sotoodoes a subtle shift in the public mood. Empathy grows and anger simmers Doubt begins to eat away at certainty And in a polarized electorate, even a sliver of doubtcanbeseismic.
The PPPC may feel secure, cushioned by numbers, intoxicated by majorities. But public mood is not static. It is not tethered to one election cycle. It changes with stories, with symbols, with moments that touch the conscience of a
Some people getting bail like is Thanksgiving Sale
Dem boys seh if you tief two plantain and a bottle of liquor, yuh better prepare fuh spend two months in jail. Court gon tell you straight — “No bail. You is a flight risk. Plus,liquorexpensivethesedays.”
But if yuh roll up in court wid three robberycharges,twoillegalgunpossession, andonefuhdischargingafirearminapublic place somehow, yuh walking out whistlinglikeyuhgoingfuhSundaylunch.
Dem boys seh this system got split personality One man get charge fuh cuss a police and end up on remand, while another man get charge fuh shoot up a whole block andhedehoutonbail.
Is like de court got two doors — one fuh small man who forget to pay he parking ticket,andanotheronefuhbig-timecriminal widlawyerponspeeddial.
Dem boys know a man who get remanded fuh loitering. LOITERING! He seh he was just standing up by the corner waiting fuh he lil cousin. Judge seh, “You got history.” What history? The man ain't
people. And the constant targeting of AzMo, far from breaking him, is humanizing him in the eyes of many They do not necessarily love him. But they see what is being done to him, and they donotlikeit.
In this way, the ruling party may be stirring up an ants' nest. It is a dangerous game, this belief that the peoplearepawns.
That their reactions can be managed, their feelings manipulated. History, even in this small republic, has shown otherwise. The ants,
once disturbed, do not always return quietly to the mound.
It would be wise, then, for the PPPC to step back—notoutoffear,butout of wisdom. To listen. To watch.To walk again among the people, barefoot if necessary They must stop seeing threats where there are only signs, and stop chasing ghosts while real resentments simmer The man they fear may not be a savior, but the sympathy he generates could be the spark thatlightsawiderfire.
In a land where every wound is recent, and every injustice still stings, the people remember And they donottakekindlytothesight of a man—any man—being brokenbeforetheireyes. (The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
evengotaFacebookpage!
But then you got fellas wid more pending charges than GT&T got dropped calls Robbery under arms, assault, possession of ammo, whole rap sheet long like East Coast Road. And still — bail granted.Demboysstartfuhwonderifbailis something yuh does get based on seriousness of crime or seriousness of connections.
Andwhendemcomeoutponbail?Back ponderoadlikeispart-timewukdemdoing. Two days later, de same face pon CCTV snatching pensioner bag, or sticking up a shop.Sodemboyssehistimefuhask—bail isfuhwhoreally?Fuhdemanwhoneedone more chance, or fuh de man who got ten chances and still using dem fuh mek people lifemiserable?
Dem boys seh de law should be like coconut water — same taste fuh everybody But right now, some people getting Moët whileotherssuckingpipe. Talk half, leff half.
Relax, fellow Guyanese
Ghalee Khan to face the court for murder next week - police
MurdersuspectGhaleeKhanwillfacethe courtnextweektoansweramurderchargefor shooting his ex-girlfriend Marissa Beete at herhome,policesourcessay Kaieteur News understands that Khan underwent surgery and is recovering at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC) where he remains a patient under policeguard.
Khan,UnitedStates(US)drugtrafficking convict, reportedly shot and killed his ex-
girlfriend before shooting himself at the woman’s West Demerara home, Tuesday evening.
Reportsarethatthe30-year-oldvictim,an employee of the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSport,wasshotinherheadatherLot706 Recht-Door-Zee,WestBankDemerarahome.
Theshootingoccurredbetween18:15and 19:00hrs,policesaid.
Khan,a47-year-oldsecuritypersonnel
Continued on page 22
Dead: Marissa Beete (Facebook photo)
U.S. drug trafficking convict, Ghalee Khan
Govt. in talks with GuySuCo to revive private cane farming in Reg. 3
-Pres.Ali
Talks are currently ongoing between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Ministry ofAgriculture to revive private farmingofsugarcaneinRegionThree.
During a recent outreach to Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, PresidentIrfaanAlitoldresidentsthathehas asked GuySuco to present him with a plan thatcouldbeimplementedtoassistfarmersto preparetheirlandsforprivatefarming.
“Theeconomythatwearebuilding.You know, in this community, issues that you are facedwithisthatwhentheestates,whenthe sugarindustry,tookahit,youhadnocapital investment to go back in your private cane farming.AmInotright?”
He explained that he was aware that the investments made in preparation of the land tosupplycanefromtheseprivatefarmstothe millwerelost,butnowthegovernmenthasto find a formula and that is where the AgricultureMinistryandGuySucocomein.
“In getting back to private cane farming, we have to ensure that we build a sector in whichtheyarepaidafairpricefortheircane sothattheycanbesuccessful.Thatiswhatwe are working on when we talk about building outopportunityatthecommunitylevel.”
The government has been pumping billionsofdollarsintowhateconomistssayis adyingsugarindustry
InDecember2020,justthreemonthsafter the sugar corporationwas allocatedsome $3 billion, the government returned to the National Assembly requesting an additional
$4billion.
President Irfaan Ali
While the previous $3 billion was to recapitalise the three estates closed by the former APNU+AFC Government at Rose Hall,Skeldon,andEnmore,the$4billionwas requested to support the recapitalisation of the three operating estates at Blairmont, AlbionandUitvlugt.
Up against intense scrutiny from the APNU+AFC parliamentary opposition, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told the National Assembly that because of the neglect the three operating estates were subjected critical capital works had become necessary
In January of 2022 the Kaieteur News reported that in Budget 2022, the PPP government set aside a whopping $6 billion for GuySuCo to be used to enhance field operations and packaging capabilities, with the hope of reviving the sector, which continues to record yearly decreasing productionrates.
InDecemberofthesameyearthe Continued on page 23
Rented car stolen from Belle West home
A23-year-oldmanisathiswitsend,after he discovered a vehicle that he rented was stolen from in front of his home located at Belle West, Number Two Canal, West Bank Demerara(WBD).
Theincidentoccurredbetween20:30hon Thursdayand05:30honFriday
Hermant Ramrattan related that the vehicle with registration number PSS 355 is valuedat$1million. Hestatedthatatabout 20:30honThursdayheparkedthevehiclein frontofhishome,howeveruponwakingupat 05:30honFriday;hemadethediscoverythat thevehiclewasstolen.
Asaresultofthetheft,Ramrattanlosthis driver’slicense,Identification(ID)Cardand twobankcards.
“Itaffectmebadbecauseit’sthefirsttime
The vehicle that was stolen
somebodydidsomethinglikethistomeandI am studying, how I will get back the car,” Ramrattansaid.
Thematterwasreportedtopolice.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showing the thief driving away with the stolen vehicle.
Opposition calls for full NIS pension for persons with 500 contributions and above
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has described the$10BinjectionintotheNational Insurance Scheme (NIS) by the Government of Guyana (GoG), to facilitate a one-off payment to individuals who fail to meet 750 contributions, as an elections gimmick.
During an Opposition press conference on Friday, PNCR Member of Parliament (MP), Ganesh Mahipaul addressed the issue and proposed an alternative where persons with as little as 500 contributions would benefit from theirfullpension.
He said, “The PPP’s sporadic, inadequate, or one-off measures will do little to ease the cost of living, ensure food security, eradicate poverty, raise living standards, and guarantee a high quality of life its recent announcementsonentitlementsare purely desperate moves as it caves in to widespread public frustration and opposition pressure in an electionyear.”
On Thursday, President Irfaan Aliinalivebroadcasttothenation announcedthatseniorcitizenswho have not qualified for NIS pension will be receiving a one-off cash grant between $250,000 and
...saysone-offpaymentprovidesnosecurity
$650,000.
The Department of Public Information(DPI)reportedthatthe programme caters to elderly citizens who have attained the age of 60 on or before December 31, 2024, but did not meet the 750 requirements to access NIS pension.
Senior citizens who have made between500and749contributions will receive the following one-off payments:500to549contributions –
$260,000; 550 to 599 contributions – $390,000; 600 to 699 contributions – $520,000 and persons who made 700 to 749 contributions–$650,000.
Mahipaul at the press conferenceexplainedthatitwasnot unlikelyfortheGoGtoreturntothe National Assembly f
a Supplementary Budget to provide r
announcement, along with the recent decision to finance the first eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) subjects for studentssittingtheexamsfromthis year
Meanwhile,whenaskedbythis newspaper for an alternative to the one-offpaymentannouncedbythe President, Mahipaul explained, “We are thinking along the line of havingaproratedsum,adjustments to the law of course for it to be permitted, and to move in a direction of having a comprehensive study done to understand how is it that you can get the maximum benefits to the
people who deserve it really and truly.”
Inasubsequentinteractionwith Kaieteur News, the MP told this newspaper that persons who have contributed over 500 payments to the organization should be entitled toafullNISpension.
Additionally, he suggested as a “fairer alternative” that persons with less than 350 contributions receive 85% of total contributions asagrant,orfullNISpensionuntil age the age of 65. For individuals with between 400 to 485 contributions, Mahipaul suggested that these persons be paid 80% of their contributions or full NIS pensionuntil65.
He was keen to note that there are Guyanese who may have contributedalotmorethantheoneoffpaymentthatwillbedistributed in keeping with the President’s announcement.
Mahipaul also pointed out that in some instances individuals who failedtomeetthethresholdarenot responsible since their employers couldhavefailedtomakepayments totheNIS,althoughmakingsalary deductions; while others may have
administrative issues such as incorrectlyspeltnames. It was reported on Friday that Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram criticised government’shandoutofaone-off grant to pensioners who have not met the required number of contributions
To put the announcement into context, Ram in a letter to this newspaper said, “This sounds substantial until one realises it amounts to just $84.80 per day whenspreadacrosstheaverage8.4year pension term (from age 60 to theaveragepensioner’sageof68.4 years).”
Henotedtoo:“Thosewith550599contributionsreceive$390,000 ($127.20 daily for the rest of their expectedlives)-thosewith600-699 contributions receive $520,000 ($169.60 daily for the rest of their expectedlives)thosewith700-749 contributions receive $650,000 ($212.00 daily for the rest of their expectedlives).”
Ram said the pensioners who will benefit from the grants would have dedicated over a decade to formal employment, dutifully making their NIS contributions, and now being “awarded what can only be described as a pittance in return.
PNCR MP, Ganesh Mahipaul
‘Don’t
beat prisoners’
MinisterofHomeAffairs RobesonBennurgedofficers oftheGuyanaPrisonService (GPS) on Friday to adopt a m o r e h u m a n e a n d rehabilitative approach to prison management, calling forsystemicreform.
The Minister made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Prison Service’s Chief Officers’Conference,heldat the Guyana National Racket Centre, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. The two-day conference will bring together senior officers and stakeholders to assess accomplishments, address ongoingchallenges,andplan strategically for the year ahead.
In his address, Minister Benn raised concerns about prisoner abuse by staff and calledforashifttoward“soft approaches” in managing inmates. “We have to pay more attention to the soft approaches from the criminal aspect, we have to have an understanding. You have a massive opportunity tounderstandtheculture,the behavior, why they did what they did, and what opportunity,andwhatresults are there to help them to be
- Min. Benn tells officers
…calls for systemic reform of Prison Service
better,”hesaid.
“It’s not simply having them locked up, treating them bad, cussing them, beatingthemnowandagain, allowing them to fight between themselves,” the Ministeradded. He cautioned officers against using unnecessary and excessive force on inmates. “Don’t beat them.
Don’t create situations which move to the point whereyouhavetouseforce.
Ifyouhavetouseforce,usea force continuum. Use baton if you have to, use appropriately Pepper spray, taser…ifafirearmhastobe used,[fire]intheairoratthe legs,”heinstructed.
Minister Benn also addressedtheissueofsexual assault in prisons, urging staff to take such matters seriously “We don’t want prisoners assaulted, [or to face] sexual assault. We’ve got to be aware in that circumstance that there could be sexual assaults.
There could even be consensual relations, but they’ve got to be managed and restrict it so it doesn’t pose questions of what is proper in the environment. But we can’t have it knowingly… and that it is a joke,”hesaidfirmly
“Wecan’tbeacceptingof it…thisiswhyyourjobisso significant, special, tedious, toxic. But it requires a new sense of purpose and awareness, and vision of where we want to go as a people. We can’t continue thewaywe’resupposedtodo it,”MinisterBenncontinued.
The Minister also expressedconcernoverbasic conditions within the prison system, pointing to gaps in healthcare, nutrition, and record-keeping “Our statisticsthatweshouldlook at should talk about the number of escapes, attempted escapes, deaths and injuries in prison. What isthemedicalhelpthatis
Continued on page 18
US-based Guyanese designer accuses
Govt.
of stealing fashion concept
United States based Guyanese fashion designer Marrisa Wilson has accused the Government of Guyana of using her intellectual propertywithoutconsentfor its upcoming Origins: GuyanaFashionFestival.
The designer made the allegation in a recent Instagram post. “I’m going to share with you all something that is deeply upsetting surrounding my work…. three years ago, I pitched a proposal to the Guyanese Minister of Tourism, Oneidge Walrond, a fashion runway show to celebrate Guyanese culture, grow the local fashion industry, and bring tourism to the country,” Wilson wrote.
The designer said after weeks of engagement and a formalproposalsubmittedto the festival’s event director, she received no further communication,onlytolater see her ideas and likeness used in the government’s project.
She explained that the organising director reached out to her team, informing them that they would like to take them on as the creative and production team and support with educational efforts.
“Overseveralweeks,we shared ideas, brand materials-including videos andimagesofmywork.Asa followup,heaskedforafull proposal We delivered Then we never heard from him again. Now, we see the government is using our ideas, language, and even photosandvideosofmeand my work to legitimise this event.Withoutourapproval. Without our participation. Andwithoutcompensation,” shedisclosed.
“They are using my brand and my name to suggest credibility, garner press and gain sponsors, while ignoring every aspect of the proposal and strategy that would actually make an impact for the Guyanese people,”shesaid.
Wilsonmadeitclearthat she does not support the Origins fashion festival and demanded that all materials in relation to her be taken downimmediately
Meanwhile, on Friday afternoon,MinisterWalrond
responded rejecting Wilson’sclaimsasfalse.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce rejects the false claims being made by Marrisa Wilson New York and supported by known political activists that the
…Min.Walrondrefutesallegations, saysconceptwaslocallydeveloped
work and achievement are outstanding. However, she said, “it is therefore disappointing that someone of Guyanese roots, who had an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the industry here, quickly chose togopublicwithdistortions, exaggerations, and lies in response to our effort to includeherandherteam.”
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Waldron
ORIGINS: Guyana Fashion Festival represents her ideas and not those of the Government of Guyana and those persons assembled to deliverthislandmarkevent,” theministerstated.
“The 2022 proposal referredtoinherpostwillbe shared on my page. There was nothing original about that proposal,” Minister Waldronsaid.
According to Waldron, Wilson and her team were contactedbyarepresentative ofAlexGraham’steaminthe UnitedStates. Shedisclosed that Graham is serving as event director of the inauguralevent.
“Mr Graham met virtually with Marrisa Wilson and her team on March 13, 2025. In that meeting, the goals of the ORIGINS Guyana Fashion Festival were first shared and there was a meeting of minds on the goals and on a general approach about how Marissa, her Brand, and her Teamcouldparticipate,”she added.
The minister said that Wilson’s team provided a video that was shown at the festivallaunchonMarch26, but internal discussions regarding her broader participation were still ongoing.
She noted that the proposal by Wilson covered some areas that are being handled by other Guyanese fashion creatives “So internal discussions were still ongoing regarding the scope of Marrisa’s participation. It is during these deliberations that Marissa responded with the erroneous and mischievous video that has now been reposted by several others,” MinisterWaldronsaid. Further, the minister acknowledged that Wilson’s
practitioners and event organisers assembled by the ministry to develop the government’s investment in support of Guyana’s fashion industry
Minister Waldron maintained that the Origins Fashion Festival was developed by a team of Guyanes
“It is unfortunate that MarissaWilsonandherteam have chosen this route and thereby denied themselves the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking event, for and on behalf of our creative professionals and aspirants alike,” she noted.
The Origins: Guyana Fashion Festival is scheduledforMay
Marissa Wilson, United States based Guyanese fashion designer
Fire at Amelia’s Ward, flames remain active in isolated zone
Alarge fire which erupted at a wastedumpatWaaldijkSawmillin Amelia’s Ward, Linden, continues to burn within an isolated area, the Ministry of Home Affairs said Friday
On Wednesday, firefighters battled the flames which engulfed the waste dump of the sawmill at Amelia’s Ward The Regional Democratic Council has activated its Regional Disaster Preparedness and Response Protocol to mobilise all available support. The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has also been informed and will work closely with the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and other relevant authorities to monitor the situation and assess whether external assistanceisneeded.
While the situation remains active, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS)confirmedthattheblazehad been successfully contained and is nolongerspreading.
The fire prompted a swift response from the fire service. Through coordinated efforts, firefightershavemanagedtoisolate theflamestoagullylocatedbehind thesawmill,amovethatauthorities believehasplayedacrucialrolein preventing further damage to nearby residential and industrial areas.
“While the flames remain activewithintheisolatedzone,fire crews are monitoring the situation closely and working toward full extinguishment. The origin of the fire remains under investigation,” theministryrelayed.
Residents are advised to stay clear of the area while emergency operations continue. Authorities have assured that further updates will be provided as more details becomeavailable.
“TheMinistryofHomeAffairs and the Guyana Fire Service extends sincere thanks and appreciation to all supporting agencies, including Bosai, the Regional Administration, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, and the many civilians who are assisting in responseefforts.Yourcommitment andcoordinationhavebeencritical in containing this incident and protecting lives and property,” the ministrysaidinitsstatement.
Meanwhile, Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon said Friday, that basedoninformationavailable,the blaze does not appear to be deliberate as the area had existing environmentalconcerns.
The Linden Town Council had previously issued warnings to sawmill operators regarding improper waste disposal practices. The council was concerned about waste being dumped into a gully estimatedatsome200feetindepth, which over time had effectively become a large pit filled with flammablewoodenmaterials.
“So,afteraperiodtheheatand thetemperaturewouldhaveignited as far as we were told by the representatives of the Guyana Fire Service,andtodate,personsinthe vicinity had recognised it was not d e l i b e r a t e b u t m o r e environmental.”
“This is a very unfortunate matter,” Solomon stated, highlightingtheongoingriskposed by the fire. He called for broader support and assistance as firefightingeffortscontinue.
The fire at Waaldijk Sawmill in Amelia’s Ward
Police reissue bulletin for twins wanted for murder, other crimes
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) on Friday issued a second wanted bulletin for “notorious” twin brothers KellonandKevinFredricks, in relation to a series of armedrobberiesandmurder
Theirlastknownaddress waslistedasOnderneeming, Sandpit, Region Two and Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.
Kevin and Kellon are wantedforaseriesofarmed
robberies committed betweenDecember2023and January 2024. The police stated that the brothers committed the offences in Region Seven in theArimu, Sandhill, Oku and Aranka communities They also
...warns public “suspects are armed and extremely dangerous”
committed offences in Sandpit,RegionTwo. In addition, Kellon is alsowantedforthemurderof
ZaheerSheriffandDonovan Washington. “Please be advised these suspects are armed and extremely
dangerous,” the police cautionedintheirrelease.
According to reports, on the morning of March 3,
2024, Bartica Businessman, Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff, 50, and a former national athlete who worked with him, Donovan Washington, 26, were murdered by banditswhilereturningfrom Arimu Backdam, Cuyuni River,RegionSeven.
Mohammed owned a land dredge in the backdam. Hehadreportedlystartedhis dayearlywithprayersatthe Masjid in Bartica before leavingwithWashingtonfor Arimu Backdam on anATV (four-wheel bike). They had gone in there to wash down (aprocessofseparatinggold from mats placed in a sluice box to trap the precious metal) and bring out production(thegold).
According to police reports, they left with 102 ounces of raw gold worth some $37 million, but at around10:00hoursthatday, theywerebothshotdeadand the gold stolen. The dead businessman’s General Manager (GM), Joel Stephen, 39, told police that
MohammedandWashington were killed some five minutes after leaving camp. Herecalledhearing“several loud explosions which he suspected to be gunshots”, policesaid.
Stephen reportedly followedthedirectionsofthe sounds,andafterwalkingfor 500metersawayfromcamp, he found his boss and Washington dead in the trail withvisiblegunshotwounds totheirbodies.
Not only did he discover that the gold they were carrying was gone, but Mohammed’s two licensed guns, a .32 pistol and a 12gauge shotgun, were stolen. Police had reported that investigators learnt that the businessman and his worker were attacked by two maskedmenonaredATV Since then, five individuals have been charged in connection with the murder The police had issued bulletins since last year for Kellon and Romain Henry
‘Don’t beat prisoners’
Frompage14
required? What are the shortfalls in terms of the requirement?Hasthedietimproved?Idon’tbelievethediet hasimproved,”hestated.
AnotherconcernraisedbytheMinisterwasthenumber ofprisonofficerstraffickingillegaldrugsintothefacilities. Heemphasisedthatsuchdrugsusedintheprisonservicesare detrimental to prisoners’development. “I applaud the fact that we get the ganja—it didn’t go into the prison. I don’t knowhowmuchofitremainsandwentintotheprisonstill. But why is it happening? How much remains in the prison system? Because I know men smoking ganja in the prison. Wedon’twantdrugsintheprison,”hesaid.“Theonlydrugs we want in the prison are those that could be medicinally giventoprisonersaspartoftheirtreatment.”
Minister Benn also emphasised the importance of adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), noting thatmanyproblemsintheprisonstemfromfailuretofollow establishedprotocols.
Echoing the Minister’s concerns, Director of Prisons NicklonElliotunderscoredtheneedforanurgentreviewof thesystem.“Whenyoulookatalloftheincidentsthatoccur duringtheperiod,itisbecauseofthelackofenforcementof those SOPs and regulations,” Elliot said. He noted that the conference was a vital platform to correct systemic issues andrestoreaccountabilityandprofessionalismintheprison service.
Dead businessman,
Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff (left) and Donovan Washington
Kevin Fredricks
Kellon Fredricks
Hairdresser on $75k bail for allegedly stealing from Mercy Hospital
A 24-year-old hairdresser was placed on $75,000 bail on Friday when she appeared at theGeorgetownMagistrates'Courttoanswer toalarcenycharge.
The accused, Toni Parris, of Lot 13 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty where she pleaded not guilty tothecharge.
ItwasallegedthatonNovember27,2024 at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Parris who wasaclerkstole$643,060incash.
Parris'sattorney,toldthecourtthatonthe day in question her client placed all monies into the designated vault, which is required after each transaction. She also told the court that the area where Parris worked has securitycameras.
The prosecution objected to bail due to
Defendant Toni Parris at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court postings bail
the serious nature of the offence. Further, on the day in question 16 patients conducted businessandthedefendantdidnotsubmitthe requiredfinancialdocuments.
The attorney said too that the security camera was not working at the time of the incident neither was it positioned to the defendant'sworkstation.
The matter was adjourned until May 9, 2025.
Man dies after logging truck topples in Mabura
One man was confirmed dead on Friday afternoon after a logging truck he was traveling in toppled along the Mabura Road in Region 10. Commander of Region 10, Assistant Commissioner Kurleigh Simon, confirmed the fatality in a brief interview with Kaieteur News. “The truck toppled comingdownthehill,”hestated.According to Simon, the Guyana Police Force received
informationabouttheincidentaround14:00 hrs. While details were still emerging, he noted that ranks were gathering the necessary information which will soon be provided.
While investigations continue, the identity of the deceased has not yet been released, and it remains unclear what may havecausedthetrucktooverturn.
60contractorsbidtoconstruct Hope-likecanalinRegion3
Sixty companies have expressed their interest in constructing the Hope-like canal structure in Region Three, a project which is being executed through the Ministry of Agriculture.
This is according to the information provided during the latest opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender AdministrationBoard(NPTAB)office.
According to NPTAB, the list of bidders are: Strategy & Development Consulting Inc, Fiuze & Safraz Construction Services, MVR Construction,MorrisJeffreyEnterprise,Cedar Engineering,D&RConstruction&Machinery Rental, A&E Construction, Supplies & Services, BK International Inc, Diamond Construction, Zeebo & Sons, S. Maraj Contracting Services, Fyuse Hoosain ConstructionInc,GuyGenInc,AbramsGeneral Contracting Services Inc, A&S General Store, Adamantium Holdings, STP Investments Inc, Bhowan Trucking & Construction Service, H Ramballi General Construction, Ameer's Enterprises, Kingston Strategic Inc, Epcot EnterpriseInc,HRSInvestment&LogisticsInc, Benchmark Construction,AJM Enterprise, Z&J Enterprise Inc, SAAS Procurement & Contracting Services, SP Engineering & Construction Services, HKC Machineries, S H Advance Contracting Services, S Jagmohan Construction & General Supplies Inc, Nyox, Roopan Ramotar Investment, and FDInvestments Applied Services, J&R General ConstructionServices,SafrazsahabahGeneral Construction & Hardware Supplies, S Triple J's Enterprise, K&S Peetum Construction, J's Construction & Engineering Services, Two Brothers Construction & Logistics Inc, S.
Venezuelan, Colombian nationals busted with over 5kg of cocaine - CANU
A Venezuelan and Colombian were on Friday caught with 5.536 kilograms of cocaine while on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
AccordingtotheCustomsAnti-Narcotics Unit(CANU),officersactingoninformation,
Caimraj Construction Service, Pro Business, Synchro Tech, Khemraj Nauth Inc, Quality Deliverer, Well Built Construction Services, R&N Construction Services, VS Group Inc, Legend Enterprise, Rans Contracting & Supplies, Colin Talbot Contracting Services, Compass Industrial Services, Buddy's Construction, M.K Hoosein Contracting, JJ Mining & Construction, Persaud Engineering & Hydraulic Services, SHVAC Mechanical Inc, Crown Road Drainage Contractors, and Gaico Construction & GeneralServicesInc.alsosubmittedbids.
This newspaper had reported that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), an agency under the Ministry of Agriculture,willbeexecutingtheproject.
TheconstructionofthecanalwillbeatBLine,CanalsPolder,WestBankofDemerara. In its tender document the agency noted that theprojectisforasix-monthperiod.
Of the responsibilities the selected contractor would be tasked with, NDIA explained that the contractor will be tasked with the construction of earthen canal and adjoining embankment to lines and levels, as stated in the Standards and Specification documentprovidedbytheNationalDrainage andIrrigationAuthority
The contractor is to take all necessary precautions when constructing the canal's embankmentandpreservethematerialbelow and beyond the lines of excavation in the soundestpossiblecondition.
This publication understands that when completed,thecanalissettoservemorethan 9,800 acres of farmland providing irrigation channel for Canal No.1 and neighbouring communities.
conducted an intelligence operation on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, where they interceptedtheduo.
A search revealed that they were in possessionofthecocaine. Investigationsareongoing.
Sophia man remanded for attempted murder
A29-year-old construction worker was on Friday remanded to prison for an attempt to commit murdercharge.
Septon Barton of Plum Park, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
He was not required to plea to the charge which alleged that on April 8, 2025, at Plum Park, South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he attemptedtomurderRogerVyfhius.
The defense was led by Attorney-at-law Domnick Bess, who told the court that his client Barton, and the victim had an ongoing issuesincelastyear ItwasnotedthatVyfhius threatened Barton several times prior to the April 8 incident which resulted in police reports.
However, the attorney told the court that on the day in question the victim attacked his client with a knife. The duo fought after whichBartonmadeareporttothepolice.
Further, the court was told that Barton admitted to the crime during a video interviewwithpolice.
Barton is scheduled to return to court on April25,2025.
The prosecution objected to bail on the ground that the defendant went into Vyfhius’ yard and stabbed him several times. He is currently hospitalized after undergoing surgery
The cocaine that was found.
Remanded: Septon Barton
WANTED VACANCY
Press man to operate offset printing machine in Campbellville. Call: 621-5140. Employment on cruise Boat! Jobs for manager, receptionist, clerk, restaurant helpers, housekeeper, cook & assistants. Call: 757-8231.
Wanted! Workers for packaging pasta and chowmein. $4,600 /day: $5,400/ night. Workers paid weekly. Call: 611-7839 (GTT)/ 637-0983 (digi).
Cook & Cleaner, must know to cook English & Indian dishes, preferably from Land Of Cannan. Contact: 624-1473 / 223-9888.
Farm workers wanted for Highway location preferable from Interior. Contact : 655-0471 / 673- 7652. Excavator Operator & Cook to work in the interior. Call : 695-6401.
Wanted Experienced Carpenters and Mason with tools at RJD Construction GY. Call: 614-7669
VEHICLES FOR SALE
One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.
Leyland DAF truck for sale. Contact: 676-6165 / 693-9843
TOURS
Suriname Tours- Easter weekend tour to Suriname. WhatsApp/ Call: 639-2663 / 673-2348 for more info.
Overnight boat cruise to Bartica Regatta. All inclusive of room & food on board. Call to book: 7578231.
SERVICES
Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.
Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.
Ghalee Khan to face the court...
From page 11 attached to the Integrated Security Service, is hospitalised in a serious condition, nursing an alleged selfinflicted gunshot wound to the head.
month. Call: 6403861.
One (1) painter needed. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.
One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2. Call: 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com
Kitchen assistant needed. For more info Call: 676-5534 / 618-3696.
Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 645-8443.
Males & Females to work at a wash bay in Campbellville, 8am-5pm. Shift available 10am-7pm. Call: 604-1980/ 669-4676.
Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Sales Representatives. Tel# 226-2621.
Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Factory Workers. Tel# 226-2621.
Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Jr. Accountant. Tel# 226-2621.
Vacancy exists for bodywork men & Arc welder. Call: 7169989.
One skilled Driver to make purchases in G/Town. Contact: 701-4000.
Desk staff, Receptionist, Supervisor, Room Attendant @ 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.
Security officers $5,000 per day for Georgetown / west side, age 20-60 years old. Contact : 685-4398.
Vacancy for Sewing machine operator, 1 Surger & 1 cleaner for garment factory. Call : 672-5175.
Vacancy for a domestic maid and a handy man. Call: 6534537.
Cashier, $33,000 weekly, 6 days per week. Contact : 617-2822. Located in Vreen en hoop(Supermarket).
Pastry Maker, Roti Cook & Cashies, send applications to Roti Hut, 18 North Road Bourda. Call 227-4949 ext 1137 / 656-7686.
Truck driver needed @ Ganshyam Mahase & Mahase Lumber Supply, 35 or older, Must speak Spanish & English with Valid license. Call : 617-9656 / 617-6665.
One Female clerk$170,000. 5 days a week. Tele : 671-5700.
One receptionist $40,000 weekly, 5 days of work. Tele : 617-5700.
FOR SALE
For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918
One well equipped mobile food truck. Facilities for cooking, washing, freezing, music & lighting, etc. Call: 227-1813.
Two female nurses$200,000 monthly.Tele : 617-5700.
One driver, must have atleast eight years of driving experience, $260,000 monthly.Tele : 617-5700.
One experience cook, $180,000 monthly & one domestic $150,000, 5 days a week. Tele : 617-5700.
Two experienced farmers to work on a farm, $260,000 Tele : 617-5700.
One handyman / Gardener, $190,000 monthly.Tele : 617-5700.
One male office assistant. $35,000 weekly plus motorcycle allowance, must have a motorcycle. Tele : 6175700.
LAND FOR SALE
Roadside Heroes Highway Land for Sale, Garden of Eden 3.8 or 6 acres. Contact : 621-1139 / 712-4020
TO LET
Space for business/ Bond 7000,488 SQ , 4 unit apartment @ US 2300. Contact : 722-8237
“Initial investigations revealed that the now-deceased woman and the suspect shared a romantic relationship for the past two (2) years. However, the relationship ended due to a misunderstanding (it is unclear what the misunderstanding was about),” police said in a statement.
According to the statement, at about 16:15hrs. Marissa was at home with her 62-year-old mother, Jennifer Vaughn, when she received a call from the suspect, who told her that he wanted to speak with her.
Despite her mother’s rebuke, Marissa opened the door and invited the suspect into the house.
“The 62-year-old woman stated that she got up and went to the back of the house, giving the suspect and her daughter privacy.
Sometime after, the woman said she heard her daughter
call out ‘mommy’, followed by a loud explosion. The woman said she immediately rushed to the living room, where she saw her daughter (Marissa) in a slouched-over position on the ground and what appeared to be blood coming from her head.”
Police said that at that time, Ghalee was seen standing with what appeared to be a gun over the victim’s head.
The 62-year-old woman said she ran and held on to the suspect, who fired another shot in an unknown direction.
The suspect pushed Vaughn to the floor, after which he turned the gun and shot himself once in the head.
Both Khan and Beete were taken to the West Demerara Hospital where the woman succumbed to her injuries and Khan was transferred to a city hospital for treatment where he is currently undergoing surgery.
“His condition is considered serious,” police said while noting that Beete’s body was checked for any marks of violence, and one bullet-like wound was seen above her right eye.
The body was later es-
corted to the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, where it awaits a postmortem examination.
Police said that they recovered the firearm, along with three (3) live rounds of ammunition at the scene of the crime.
“The scene was checked for anything of evidential significance, and items were taken for forensic analysis. Several persons were questioned as investigations continue,” police said.
In 2023, Khan, a businessman was re-sentenced to an 18-month term some two years after he was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug trafficking and skipping bail. After serving the 18month sentence, he was deported to Guyana. Khan and Danvor Griffith were in November 2008 jointly charged with drug trafficking and Khan was granted US$200,000 bail. However, he fled the United States and came to Guyana.
An arrest warrant was issued for him after he failed to appear in a New York court. While in Guyana, Khan established several businesses including a security firm.
VACANCY
2 bedroom apartment at C Field Sophia. Couples only, $65,000 per
Govt. in talks with GuySuCo...
Frompage12
Ministry of Agriculture secured an additional $3 billion to provide resources for operational expenses at the Guyana Sugar Corporation(GuySuCo)and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).
Of the sum approved, a total of $1 billion was injected into advancing works at GuySuCo, while the remaining $2 billion
went towards advancing NDIA’s operations Mustapha had explained that the money would be spent on rehabilitating critical areas in the factories, while enhancing and expanding cultivation inthecanefields
In the 2025 budget
GuySuco received a whopping $ 13 3 billion for what the finance minister said was for the “continued revitalisation
ofthesugarindustry.”
The minister told the National Assembly that, “in 2025, an additional 3,068 hectares of land will be converted to supportmechanisation
Key investments will be made to acquire additionalfieldequipment,
n
rast
cture, and construct over 17 kilometres of all-weather roadsacrosstheindustry”
Home Affairs Minister criticizes GFS...
Frompage8
minister also addressed issues related to equipment, proper leadership, and preparedness among firefighters, noting that the frontlinerespondersmustbe properly uniformed and supported.
“I want to say again to theGuyanaFireServiceand its men and women – the lower ranks – you are not expendable,”Bennstressed.
“The reason we provide you with the equipment, the helmets, all the other things weprovideyouwith,andthe training, the opportunity to relate to other fire service, and why we are concerned and engaged with you, is
because we want to make sure we pass on to you for whatisadifficultdangerous job and that you are risk awareandriskaverse,”Benn said.
The minister said that firefighters must me properlymanagedon-siteso that there will be no case of lossoflife.
“Ifwehavethetoolsto do the job, we must do the job efficaciously and with careforthewelfareofthose goingintoaction.”
Benn further expressed frustration over reports that firefighters were seen withoutproperuniformsand lackedbasicsupplies. “I don’t want to go on
the fire scene and to see the leading persons don’t have proper uniform, not prepared, confused as the rest walking around with bottles of water, they had to drinktheirownwater,when the men going into the fire don’t have water supply or catering which I said they mustbeprovided,”hesaid.
The two-day Senior Officers’ Conference is expected to focus on evaluating the strategic direction of the GFS, addressing emergency response challenges, a n d d e v e l o p i n g solutions to enhance t h e s e r v i c e ’ s effectiveness
Court bars GRAfrom seizing Mohameds...
Frompage3 politically motivated, stemming from PPP fears that he may contest the upcomingelections.
“They said they come to seizethevehicles,soIdon’t know all of a sudden you come to seize the vehicles. Theyshouldhaveseizedthe first day they arrived in the country,”Mohamedsaid.
Hedisclosedthathewill bemakingpublicstatements in the near future to show that officials of the PPP government were aware of thevehiclesevenbeforethey wereimported.
Mohamed added, “But beforeIreleasedtheposton Facebook what Bharrat is talking about… that’s a lie. The reason I released that postisbecauseamonthprior to that Jagdeo and Nandlall toldmethattheyarecoming toseizethevehiclesifIdon’t release a statement that I’m notrunningforoffice,sothis ispolitical.”
He insisted that he has
evidence proving the vehicles were legally approved.
“Wearenotgivingupthe vehicles because the vehicles were approved, everythingwentthroughthe legalprocessatGRAsowhy seize the vehicles now four yearsafter.”
However, GRA has maintained that they have irrefutable evidence against the Mohameds to show that the vehicles were imported into the country through the remigrant scheme and that t h e y m a d e f a l s e declarations. TheAuthority saidthattheirassessmenton the vehicles have revealed that the Mohameds owe GRA over $1.2 billion in taxesforthevehicles.
DetailsrevealedbyGRA areasfollows:
• One 2020 Ferrari PAD 5000 in the name of Hana Mohamed, with additional taxes of $479,743, 489 for breach of the re-migrant requirements,
• One 2023 Land Rover Range Rover PAC 9000 in the name of Leslie Khan, with additional taxes of $61,485,982 for breach of there-migrantrequirements,
• One 2023 Rolls Royce PAE 5000 in the name of
$320,064,246 for breach of there-migrantrequirements,
•One2020Lamborghini Roadster PZZ 4000 titled to Azruddin Mohamed, with
$371,775,168 for false declarationofvalue.
• One 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 4000
$24,641,272 for false declarationofvalue
• One 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser PAB 3000
$24,641,272 for false declarationofvalue.
‘Hell on earth’ as Gaza hospital supplies running out - Red Cross
GENEVA, April 11
(Reuters) - The president of the Red Cross described the humanitarian situation in Gaza on Friday as "hell on earth" and warned that its field hospital will run out of supplieswithintwoweeks.
"We are now finding ourselves in a situation that I have to describe as hell on earth ...People don't have access to water, electricity, food, in many parts," Mirjana Spoljaric told Reuters at the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross inGeneva.
No new humanitarian supplies have entered the Palestinian enclave since Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks on March 2, as talksstalledonthenextstage of a now broken truce. Israel resumed its military assault
onMarch18.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 25,000 aid trucks had entered Gaza inthe42daysoftheceasefire and that Hamas had used the aid to rebuild its war machine, an allegation whichthegrouphasdenied.
Spoljaric said supplies wererunningcriticallylow
"For six weeks, nothing has come in, so we will, in a couple of weeks' time, run out of supplies that we need to keep the hospital going," she said. The World Health Organization said supplies of antibiotics and blood bags were dwindling fast. Twenty-two out of 36 hospitals in the enclave are only minimally functional, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn told reporters in Geneva via videolinkinJerusalem. The Red Cross president
Palestinians make their way with belongings as they flee areas in the eastern part of Gaza City, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders, in Gaza City, April 11, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
alsoraisedconcernaboutthe safety of humanitarian operations."It is extremely dangerousforthepopulation to move, but it's especially
also dangerous for us to operate,"Spoljaricsaid.
In March, the bodies of 15 emergency and aid workers, including eight
members of the Palestinian Red Crescent, were found buried in a mass grave in southernGaza.
The U N and Red
Crescent accused Israeli forcesofkillingthem.
The Israeli military said on Monday that an initial investigation showed that theincidentoccurred"dueto a sense of threat" after it said it had identified six Hamas militantsinthevicinity
Spoljaric called for an immediate ceasefire in order to release the remaining hostages held by Hamas and
t o a d d r e s s g r a v e humanitarianissuesinGaza.
Israel began its military campaigninGazainOctober 2023 after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took some 250 hostages on a raid into Israel, accordingtoIsraelitallies.
Since then, more than 50,800 Palestinians have been killed and much of the territory has been reduced to rubble.
US judge finds that Columbia University activist in solidarity with Palestine can be deported
JENA, La. (AP)
Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be kicked out of the U S as a national securityrisk,animmigration judge in Louisiana found Friday during a hearing over the legality of deporting the activist who participated in p r o - P a l e s t i n i a n demonstrations.
The government's contention that Khalil's presence in the United States posed “potentially serious foreign policy consequences” was enough to satisfy requirements for hisdeportation,Immigration JudgeJameeE.Comanssaid attheconclusionofahearing in Jena. Comans said the g o v e r n m e n t h a d “established by clear and convincing evidence that he isremovable.”
Lawyers for Khalil said they plan to keep fighting. The judge gave them until April 23 to seek a waiver. Meanwhile, a federal judge in New Jersey temporarily barredKhalil'sdeportation.
Addressing the judge at theendofthehearing,Khalil mentioned that she said at a
hearing earlier in the week that “there's nothing more important to this court than due process rights and fundamentalfairness.”
“Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of theseprincipleswerepresent today or in this whole process,” he added. “Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject toacharadeofdueprocess,a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a w e a p o n i z a t i o n o f immigration law to suppress dissent,” Van Der Hout said inastatement.
Khalil, a legal U S resident, was detained by federal immigration agents
on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment, the first arrest under President Donald
T r u m p ' s p r o m i s e d crackdown on students who joined campus protests againstthewarinGaza.
Within a day, he was flown across the country and taken to an immigration detention center in Jena, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a U.S. citizen who is due to give birthsoon.
Khalil's lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to crack down on free speech protected by the U S Constitution.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited a rarely used statute to justify Khalil's deportation, which gives him power to deport those who pose “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the UnitedStates.”
At Friday's hearing, Van Der Hout told the judge that t h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s submissions to the court prove the attempt to deport
his client “has nothing to do withforeignpolicy.”
Earlier this week, Comans challenged the government to share proof that Khalil should be expelled from the country for his role in campus protests against Israel and the war in Gaza. She said if evidence does not support his removal, she would “terminate the case on Friday.”
On Friday, Justice Departmentattorneyssaidin papers filed in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, that Comans would not have the authority to immediately free Khalil. They said an immigration judge could determineifKhalilissubject to deportation and then conduct a bail hearing afterwardifitisfoundthathe is not.Khalil isn't accused of breakinganylawsduringthe protests at Columbia. The government, however, has said that noncitizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country for expressing views that the administration considers to be antisemitic and “pro-
Hamas,” referring to the Palestinian militant group thatattackedIsraelonOct.7, 2023.
Khalil, a 30-year-old internationalaffairsgraduate student, had served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University who tookoveracampuslawnlast spring to protest Israel's militarycampaigninGaza.
The university brought police in to dismantle the encampment after a small group of protesters seized an administration building Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and wasn't among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations.
But images of his maskless face at protests, along with his willingness to share his name with reporters, have made him an object of scorn among those who saw the protesters and theirdemandsasantisemitic.
The White House accused Khalil of “siding with terrorists,” but has yet to cite anysupportfortheclaim.
Federal judges in New
York and New Jersey have ordered the government not to deport Khalil while his caseplaysoutincourt.
T h e T r u m p administration has said it is taking at least $400 million infederalfundingawayfrom research programs at Columbia and its medical center to punish it for not doingenoughtofightwhatit considers to be antisemitism oncampus.
Some Jewish students and faculty complained about being harassed during the demonstrations or ostracized because of their faith or their support of Israel.
Immigration authorities have cracked down on other critics of Israel on college campuses, arresting a Georgetown University scholar who had spoken out on social media about the Israel-Gaza war, canceling the student visas of some protesters and deporting a Brown University professor who they said had attended the Lebanon funeral of a leader of Hezbollah, another militant group that has foughtwithIsrael.
Mahmoud Khalil (APPhoto/Ted Shaffrey, File)
Parris impresses again as CCC secure 5-wicket win over Jamaica Scorpions
(SportsMax) - The Combined Campuses and Colleges ended their 2025 West Indies Championship seasononahighbysecuring a five-wicket win over the Jamaica Scorpions on day threeattheSirFrankWorrell Memorial Ground in St AugustineonFriday
The Scorpions, who
endeddaytwowithasecond innings lead of 12 runs, endedupposting342allout in 75.2 overs, leaving the CCC needing 149 for victory Scorpions captain John Campbell, who retired hurt on 33 onThursday, returned to the crease to make a top score of 104 off 112 balls
including14foursandasix.
This was Campbell’s thirdcenturyoftheseason.
Peat Salmon also providedsomegoodsupport forhisskipperwith35.
Larry Edward added to his overnight three wickets with two more on Friday to finish with 5-86 from 22 overs while Chemar Holder
ended with 3-79 from 14 overs.
CCCthenreached153-5 inthe39thovertosecurethe win Shaqkere Parris followed up his 112 in the first innings with 85* off 87 ballsincludingsixfoursand fivesixes.
Marquino Mindley and Peat Salmon took two
Saturday April 12, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Youshouldenjoytheintense energy of today, Aries. The mud is finally beginning to clearaway Exposethetruthin every issue and get ready for the gremlins that may be unearthed.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Todaymarksthebeginningof a new cycle for you, Taurus. Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly The time is right foryoutoact.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Take a cold shower to jumpstart yourself today, Gemini. It'sfineifyoulazearoundabit in the morning, but by evening, you should be working at full capacity. You will be called into action whetheryouwanttobeornot.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Today may start out sluggish foryou,Cancer,butbytheend of the day the energy will move fast and furious. Your thoughts will be buzzing around your head like bees aroundahive.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Enjoythecalmmorning,Leo, because things are going to getcrazierandmoreenergetic as the day goes on. Emotions willrunhigh,andpeoplewill be more opinionated than usual.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
You will experience an intense amount of energy today,Virgo.Yourdreamstate willbemoreactivethanusual, and you will find that people aredrawntoyoulikemothsto light.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
It's time to get up and get moving, Libra You have tremendous ideas and vision forthefuture.Youhaveallthe informationyouneed.Nowall youhavetodoisact.Stepupto the plate and hit one over the fence.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Theearlypartofthedaymight find you sluggish and indecisive, Scorpio, but later youshouldbepsychedupand ready to go. Today marks the beginning of a new period in which you should set your ideasinmotion.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Today's energies will get progressively more intense as the day goes on In the morning, you may be in an easygoing, dreamy state, Sagittarius.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
For the past several weeks you've felt like you've been dragging your heels, Capricorn Decisions may have been hard to make and people may have seemed wishy-washy.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The morning might find you sitting like a stick in the mud, Aquarius. People might begettingdownonyoufornot contributing, but tell them to bepatient.Youwillberaringto gobynightfall.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)
Things are moving your way, Pisces.As the day progresses, you will find that the energy intensifies.Conflictsmayarise nearsundown,butdon'tworry aboutittoomuch.
wickets, each, for the Scorpions Summarized scores: Jamaica Scorpions 133 all out in 36.2 overs (Kirk McKenzie 31, Jaden Edmund5-59,LarryEdward 3-6) & 342 all out in 75.2 overs (John Campbell 104, Javelle Glenn 86, Peat Salmon35,LarryEdward586,ChemarHolder3-79)
Combined Campuses & Colleges 327 all out in 86.3 overs (Shaqkere Parris 112, Johann Jeremiah 69, Larry Edward 44, Abhijai Mansingh5-91,PeatSalmon 2-74, Brad Barnes 2-78) & 153-5 in 38 3 overs (Shaqkere Parris 85*, Marquino Mindley 2-30, PeatSalmon2-55).
Record wicket-taker Anderson to be knighted
(BBCSport)-England’s all-timeleadingTestwickettaker James Anderson is to be given a knighthood for servicestocricket.
Anderson, 42, retired from Test cricket last summer with 704 wickets, making him the most successfulpacebowlerinthe format.
December 2002 before his TestdebutinMay2003.
He made his first appearance for England in a one-day international
Anderson went on to play 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and19T20internationalsfor E
international career which spannedovertwodecades.
The Lancashire player has been given the knighthood in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignationhonourslist-the only sportsperson to be givenanaward.
England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson said it was “a really well-deserved honour” for an “England legend” who has “given so muchtooursport”.
“Jimmy’s career has b e e n m a r k e d b y extraordinary achievements, not least in winning the Ashes four times and becoming England’s alltime leading wicket-taker,” headded.
“Hisskill,determination, and sportsmanship have inspired millions of cricketers and fans alike, in England and around the world.
“This is fitting recognition for a true world greatwhohasgivensomuch to the game on and off the field.”
Anderson’s decision to retirefrominternationalduty came after England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes decided they want to build an attack forthefuture.
He was given an emotional farewell in the firstTestagainstWestIndies at Lord’s last July and then immediately joined the
James Anderson played 188 Tests for England between 2003 and 2024
Englandbackroomteamasa fast-bowlingmentor
He no longer has a formal coaching role with Englandandcouldstillwork with the squad during the summer,althoughhesaidhis priority is to continue his playing career for Lancashire.
Andersonhasnotplayed since he retired from international cricket but has signed a deal to play for the Red Rose county this summer Burnley-born Anderson said at the start of the month he was not ruling out playing for up to three more years. Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, said they were “incredibly proud”ofAnderson.
“His contribution to the game of cricket, spanning across three decades, has
been immense and he is extremely deserving of this honour,” he added on the clubwebsite.
“His knighthood is t e s t a m e n t t o t h e commitmentanddedication he has shown to England and to Lancashire, and he has always represented the game of cricket with distinction throughout his career.”
Anderson is currently outwithacalfinjurypicked up during pre-season training which has ruled him out of the first block of County Championship matches.
He made his Lancashire debut in white-ball cricket in 2000, before making his red-ball debut in 2002 He has taken 1,114 first-class wickets,358inListAcricket and41inT20s.
National 9-Ball Pool championship cues off today
Ahistoricmoment has arrived for cue sports in Guyana as the Fireball
Cinnamon Whiskey National 9-Ball Pool Championship cues off today, marking the official launch of the first-ever national edition of the tournament by the Cue Sports Association of Guyana(CSAGInc.).
Hailed as the most significant cue sports event in the nation’s history, this championship aims to elevate the status of local poolbyshowcasingafasterpaced, more electrifying style of play With national rankings and over $600,000 incashprizesontheline,the tournamentpromisesintense competition and thrilling matchupsthroughout.
The action will unfold
across three premier venues includingSunilandSonPool Bar, Embassy American Style Sports Bar, and Suraj Sports Bar, culminating in a grandfinalesetforMay4.
The tournament will employ a doubleeliminationformat,ensuring thatonlythemostconsistent andskilledplayersmakeitto thefinalstages.Withover60 matches on the schedule, each game will carry valuable ranking points, establishing an official leaderboardforthefirsttime inGuyanesepoolhistory
“This tournament representsaturningpointfor cuesportsinGuyana,”saida spokespersonforCSAGInc.
“It’s not just about competition it’s about building a culture, recognizing talent, and creatingafutureforthesport inthiscountry.”
Thestakesarehigh,with a champion’s purse of $200,000 The runner-up will take home $150,000, while third and fourth-place finishers will collect $75,000each.
Those finishing in fifth througheighthpositionswill also receive $25,000 apiece, u n d e r s c o r i n g t h e c h a m p i o n s h i p ’ s commitment to rewarding excellenceacrosstheboard.
Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey headlines the tournament as the official titlesponsor,bringingafiery flairtotheevent.
Additional support comes from Web-Source Guyana, Global Imaging Services, Andy’s Auto Spares,MandyMangru,and the participating host venues.
Who will rise? Who will fall?....
Frompage32 quarter final stage both teams, equal to the task ahead, will be looking to come out victorious. After that, Bush Lot Secondary
willfaceoffwithtitle-bound
Chase’s Academic Foundationinmatch#46. The third clash between President’s College and West Ruimveldt is a must-
see;bothsidesarerelatively youngbuthavebeenpacking a good punch in the competition so far, while in the final quarterfinal fixture Waramuri Secondary will
take on Charlestown
Secondary,anothermatchup thatcouldgoeitherway.
To witness the action live, gates open at 11:30 hours; see which teams will
advance and who will go home.
The 2025 Milo/Massy U18 Championship is made p o s
h sponsorship from Milo and
Massy Distribution, with support from MVP Sports,
approved by the Ministry of Education.
Quarterfinal showdowns set in Milo/Massy U18 Football C/ship… Who will rise? Who will fall?
The stage is set for an electrifying quarterfinal showdown as the top eight teams gear up for battle in the 2025 Milo/Massy Secondary Schools Under18 Football Championship. The prestigious tournament, now in its 11th edition, is organised by the Petra
Organisation, Guyana’s leading grassroots football body, promises high-stakes action as teams fight for a placeinthefinalfour After four rounds of
Foundation look well on
course to retain their title. With three convincing victories from four games, Chase’s have been clinical and consistent. Led by their sensational captain Bryan Wharton, who has already netted a remarkable 14 goals;includingahat-trick,a four-goal haul, and another
treble, Chase’s remain the teamtobeat. Theirclosestchallengers include Dolphin Secondary, a perennial contender who continue to impress with disciplined performances and standout displays from midfield general Jomal Williams, who has scored severalkeygoalsthroughout the tournament Other notable quarterfinalists include President’s College, the surprise package of the competition after their impressive win over Santa Rosa S
weekend, and Three Mile Secondary, Bush Lot
Secondary, Charlestown Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary, and Waramuri TopSecondary,allofwhom have played some eyecatchingfootball.
Thetournamenthasbeen a showcase of individual brilliance. In addition to WhartonandWilliams,other standout scorers include Daren Williams, Queancy Fraser, and Devon Chance, all of whom have recorded hat-tricks Meanwhile, Kymani Sandy and Isaiah Ifill both bagged four-goal hauls, lighting up the competition with moments of magic, from unstoppable
free kicks to ice-cool penalties and masterful assists.
With the Round of 16 nowconcluded,alleyesturn to the quarterfinals, which will take place tomorrow (Sunday) at the Ministry of Education Ground, beginning at 12:00 noon. Gates open from 11:30AM, and fans are encouraged to come early and witness the excitementfirsthand. Tomorrow’s matchups are expected to be pulsating action Three Mile Secondary and Dolphin Secondarywillopenthe (Continuedonpage31)
Three Mile Secondary and Dolphin Secondary will open the quarter final stage this season
Guyanese golfers Hussain, Arjune Arjune to attend 2025 T&T Invitational
Two of Guyana’s top golfers, Aleem Hussain and Monnaf Arjune, are set to represent Guyana and the Westside Golf Course at the prestigious Tobago Hospitality & Tourism Institute(THTI)TheTasteof Tobago Golf Classic Tournament.
breathtaking views and challenging layout, will providetheperfectbackdrop for this international showdown.
Guyanese golfers have shown competitiveness in regional tournaments over the years, but the top prize has remained elusive a trend that Guyana Golf
Association (GGA)
President Aleem Hussain is determinedtochange.
“Traditionally,Guyanese have not
great opportunities to play highlevel golf, but with the renewed emphasis that our Ministries of Education, Sport, and Tourism have placedonthepromotionand development of golf and its playersinthepastfewyears, we firmly believe our future is bright, especially at the junior levels,” Hussain stated.
Guyana has made significant strides in
expandinggolfaccessacross the country, notably increasing the number of students taking golf as their Physical Education elective forCSECexaminations. With thousands of students now gaining exposuretothesportthrough secondary schools, Hussain is confident that it is only a matter of time before Guyanese golfers claim more accolades on the regionalstage.
Theeventwillbeheldat the Magdalena Grand Golf and Beach Resort inTobago fromApril12–13. The tournament will see 72 golfers from 6 countries competing for top honors and fabulous prizes in an elite two-man Stableford scoringformat.
The Magdalena Grand Beach Golf Course, r e n o w n e d f o r i t s
Guyanese golfers Monnaf Arjune (left) and Aleem Hussain (right) will represent Guyana at the annual Trinidadian invitational
2025CWIRegional4-DayChampionshipsRound7… Paul misses century as Red Force trail by 122 runs …Red
All-rounderKeemoPaul narrowly missed a ton but the Guyana Harpy Eagles still had their talons sinked intotheTrinidadandTobago RedForce,whotrailby122runs going into an allimportant final day at the Queen’sParkOval.
The champs were eventually bowled out for 463 in their second innings, after the pair of Kevin Sinclair (35) and Keemo Paul (93), resumed their innings on the morning of thethirdday Paul was the catalyst of the batting, ensuring the lower-order likes of Ashmead Nedd (22) and the veteran Veerasammy Permaul,whoscoredhisfirst
fifty of the season, a wellconstructed 52 not out from 94 balls with four boundaries, help stretch the leadasfaraspossible.
Raymond Perez (82), Kevlon Anderson (51), Tevin Imlach (33) and KemolSavory(32)gavethe Eagles a huge boost on the finalscore.
RedForcespinnerKhary Pierrie toiled for his 4 wicketswhichcost119runs, while Joshua James (2-78), Jyd Goolie (2-39) and a wicket each from pacer ShannonGabrielandspinner Bryan Charles, headlined a tough outing for the home team Stumps on the penultimate day saw the home team Red Force take
Forcetrailby122runs
theirsecondinningsscoreto 101-2, after Amir Jangoo kept his team in the game with a 96-ball 50 featuring 10 fours. Opener Cephas Cooper will look to resume on his score of 26* (5x4) withCharles(1*)athisside, asthetwolooktodothehard workonthefinalday
Fast-bowler Ronaldo
Alimohamed(1-24)andoffspinnerKevinSinclair(1-7), landed two quick blows during the final session of Day 3, which resulted in the dismissals of opener Kamil Pooran (7) and the huge wicket of the set-looking Jangoo.
Action on the final day bowls off from 10:00h (C.R)
Amir Jangoo stroked a classy fifty to keep the Red Force in the game
After four rounds of intense competition, Chase’sAcademic Foundation look well on course to retain the title
