Kaieteur News

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Ineventofanoilspill…

set up claims

compensateforlossoflivelihoods

...goldprojecttopushcompany’sannualproductionbeyondhalfmillionouncesmark

Outrage over ECD traffic

...hundreds stranded on road for hours r …as govt. rushes to fix collapsing bridge

Man shot dead for $40K, gold chain in Albouystown

Businessman dies

jam aftersetonfireby Venezuelanwoman ‘Melly Mel’ blames govt. for detention in U.S. …vows to continue advocacy with greater passion

Social media activist, Melissa Atwell-Holder
Coast Demerara after government closed
section of the Railway Embankment between Coldingen and Strathspey to repair a collapsing bridge.
Chandradeo Kumar Singh

Outrage over ECD traffic jam

Residents of the Upper East CoastDemeraraareattheirwitsend followingthreedaysoftrafficjams, aftergovernmentclosedasectionof theRailwayEmbankmenttobuilda newbridgetoconnectStrathspeyto Coldingen, after the previous one, whichhadbeeninastateofdisrepair since last year, collapsed late last week

The ensuing chaos caused hundreds of residents, including school children who depend on public transportation, to be left strandedontheroadwaysforhours. Many were forced to return home. The troubles for residents started on March 27, 2025, when the Strathspey Bridge along the Railway Embankment began sinking further, which forced the authorities to allow only light vehiculartraffic.

However, the situation took a turn for the worse when the entire bridge collapsed, halting all traffic alongtheColdingenandStrathspey carriageway An advisory was sent out from the Ministry of Public Works, stating that the bridge will be closed for approximately 70-90 days to facilitate reconstruction of thenewStrathspeyconcretebridge. As a result of this major inconvenience,allvehiclesarenow forced to divert onto the main

The current state of the Strathspey Bridge

accessroad.

Tuesday’s traffic jam started fromasfarasHope,totheeast,and stretchedtoAnnadale,Lusignanto the west, on both carriageways on the East Coast Demerara Public Road. It was the same situation Mondaynight.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works, in a statement,

revealed plans to implement emergency measures to ease the congestion “To mitigate the disruption,thecontractor,H.Nauth &Sons,hasbeenengagedtoinstall precast concrete slabs that will serve as a temporary bridge deck. These emergency works are being expedited, and the bridge is expected to be reopened for use

within the next 48 hours,” the Ministrysaid.

Additionally,theMinistrysaidit will begin immediate repairs to the Bladen Hall School Road and the Coldingen Road to improve traffic flow and minimise disruptions during this period “The Ministry urgesallmotoristsandcommutersto remain patient and exercise caution

Congestion at the Coldingen turn

when using the alternative routes

Further updates will be provided as theemergencyworksprogress,”the Ministrystated DISGUSTAND FRUSTRATION

On Tuesday, this publication spoke to commuters and drivers whostronglyexpressedtheir Continued on page 21

Cost of living up, since oil production

…Exxon defends ‘lopsided contract’ as globally competitive

Sources: ExxonMobil, Guyana Ministry of Natural Resources, Global Energy Monitor, Energy Information Administration Graphic: Lou Robinson, CNN

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

It was one of the most spectacularoildiscoveriesof recent decades By 2019, Exxonanditspartners,USoil company Hess and ChinaheadquarteredCNOOC,had started producing the fossil fuel.Theynowpumparound 650,000 barrels of oil a day, with plans to more than doublethisto1.3millionby 2027.

Guyana now has the world’s highest expected oil production growth through 2035

This country sandwiched by Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname has been hailed as a climate champion for the lush, wellpreserved forests that carpet nearly 90% of its land. It is on the path to becoming a petrostateatthesametimeas theimpactsofthefossilfueldriven climate crisis escalate.

While the government

says environmental protectionandanoilindustry

cangohandinhandandthat low-income countries must be allowed to exploit their own resources, critics say it is a dangerous path in a

warming world, and the benefits may ultimately skew toward Exxon, not Guyana.

S i n c e E x x o n ’ s transformative discovery, Guyana’s government has tightlyembracedoilasaroute to prosperity In December 2019, then-President David Granger said in a speech, “Petroleumresourceswillbe utilized to provide the good life for all Every Guyanesewillbenefit.”

It’s a narrative that has continued under the current President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali,whosaysnewoilwealth willallowGuyanatodevelop better infrastructure, healthcare and climate adaptation.

Oil’s economic impact has already been enormous The country, of around 820,000 people, is now the

world’s fastest expanding economy Its GDP grew more than 33% in 2023 and morethan40%in2024.

Critics, however, accuse thecountryofsquanderingits climate leadership by throwingitslotinwithfossil fuels, especially given Guyana’shugevulnerability to climate change. Sea level rise could claim its capital, Georgetown, by 2030, accordingtooneassessment.

“You have a government that is reckless about what is goingtohappentoGuyana,” said Melinda Janki, an international lawyer in Guyana who is handling several lawsuits against Exxon. It is pursuing “a supposed course of development that is actually backward and destructive,” shetoldCNN.

And while plenty of

Guyanese people welcome thenewoilindustry,somesay Guyana’s startling economic statisticsdonotreflectarealworld prosperity for ordinary people, many of whom are struggling with t h e h i g h e r p r i c e s accompanyingtheoilboom. Inflation rose 6.6% in 2023, with prices of some foods shooting up much more rapidly

“Since the oil extraction began in Guyana, we have noticedthatourcostofliving has gone sky high,” said Wintress White, of Red Thread, a non-profit that focuses on improving living conditions for Guyanese women. “The money is not trickling down to the masses,”shetoldCNN.

CNNcontactedPresident Ali,theMinistryofNatural Continuedonpage22

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

PPP hooliganism

It could be said with authority that the PPPis showing its true colors. It is that red rage that shows itself during peaceful interaction with villagers in parts of Guyana. To some degree that red rage is an extension of the party General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo's Thursday afternoon brawlsthathecallspressconferences. Whatreareditsugly head in Lima Sands and Letter Kenny possessed all the signsoforchestratedpoliticalbrawls.

By the present standard, the only ones allowed to turn upacrossGuyanaarethoseinPPPred. Otherswhodareto do so, whether for reasons political or philanthropical, are subjectedtoabarrageofobjectionandhostility Guyanese are seeing the old PPP finally showing its new face. It is onedeformedbyangerandhate,afacethattriestomaskits desperation. The PPP's face exhibited at Lima Sands and LetterKennyisthefaceoffear.

The ruling party has had every opportunity to manifest that it was about clean governance. It failed on most occasions, and Guyanese are fed up, with some of the party's old faithful being among the disgruntled. This is distressing to the party's leadership. Instead of seizing opportunities to clean up its act and showing Guyanese what it can deliver, there is the belief in the PPP hierarchy that the remedy is to shout down those who want better for citizens. PPP leaders have been poor students of history The more that the poor and needy are oppressed, the more they will resent those responsible and find them objectionable.

Frequently, the point made by this publication is change ways for the better, and citizens will change their disgusted attitudes directed at the ruling party Efforts to show the PPP the error of its ways have been met with leadership foulness, which in turn fuels the hooliganism of its more reckless supports to new lows. PPPsupporters on social media have converted it to a warzone. Guyanese were able to see this for themselves in the PPP hooligan squadron coming out in force in Lima Sands and Letter Kenny When that is the standard of the governing party, thenthelevelofdiscourseandexchangeinthiscountryjust collapsedintotheouthouse.

The leadership becomes walking examples of the vulgarandoutrageous,withriotoussupportersfollowingin theirsinistershadow

Foralongtime,therulingpartyhasmanagedtokeepits hooliganism a secret, with the blame for street mayhem easily transferred to others. The veil has now been pulled back, so its secret is out in the open. In the manner of any longhiddencrime,thereisamixtureofsurpriseandhorror at many levels in Guyanese society The time for disbelief is over, when the hooliganism displayed in one county is repeated in another Time will tell how far and how low, i.e.,howmuchlikeamaddenedmobitspeoplewillbe. The year is still young, but the ugliness and grimness of elections in Guyana are as old as crime itself. Like most Guyanese,wehopethatthebaselinehasnotbeenset,from which matters could flare into the unknown and the uncontrolled.

Questions that arise include: how much more of the same hooliganism from the PPP can Guyanese expect? Willsuchbeworse,meaningadescentintosharpviolence, considering the desperation of the party leadership? Will the national law enforcement apparatus stir from its slumberandspringintoaction,bearinginmindthatthelaw should be applied without fear and favor to all? The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been a study in disinterest and noninvolvement, as though it has been muzzled and ordered to be on a go-slow due to who is involved. We wonderthatiftheshoesofthehooliganswereonthefeetof others,iftheGPFwouldhavebeensoindifferent. Thelast thing that the GPF, if it still has regard for its own professionalism, would want is to be seen as condoning political hooliganism from the PPP, Guyana's governing party When hooliganism is resorted to, it provides evidencethatthePPPhasrunoutofroomandoptions.

I am not a thief, academic nor otherwise, but an honest and decent citizen

Dear Editor, I write in response to Councillor De Armas' missive “The goal is to protect the most vulnerable ...,” published March 31, 2025, in Kaieteur News Instead of presenting empirical data to counter my arguments, Councillor De Armas resorts to an ad hominem attack to silence me and, even worse, questions my integrity The

record will show that I am not a thief, academic or otherwise, but an honest and decentcitizen.

I maintain that many ratepayers in Georgetown are deeply indebted to the Municipality and City Council (M&CC), and it is crucial for the municipality to address their concerns. It is evident that Councillor De Armasandhiscolleaguesare largely indifferent to their

struggles, as they are disconnected from reality They seem to benefit from the situation while ignoring the suffering of those facing economichardship.

I want to reassure the ratepayers of Georgetown who are facing economic challengesthattheCouncilis committed to finding solutions to your problems, a

indications suggest that the Central Government is determined to prevent the M&CC from addressing these issues, and Councillor De Armas appears to be acting as an instrument of this plan Even more troubling, he resorts to personal attacks and tries to judge his opponents by his ownstandards.

Lelon Saul Lt Col (Ret'd)

The continued persecution of Winston Jordan is a threat to national unity and progress

Dear Editor,

The resurrection of another misconduct charge against Mr Winston Jordan, using a different vesting order but the same flawed legal rationale, is nothing short of persecution by prosecution.

This coming on the heels of decisive ruling by the Chief Justice (ag) that dismissedsimilarchargesfor lack of evidence, is not just an act of prosecutorial misconductandoverreach,it is a calculated attempt to embarrass, vilify and degrade a former public servant who has offered yeoman service to his country

This new summons is an abuse of the justice system, and once again exposes the fact that the Director of P u b l i c P r o s e c u t i o n continues to be complicit in what is clearly a partisan political agenda. When our courtshavespokensoclearly

on this matter and yet SOCU and the DPP find new ways to repackage the same old case to harrass a citizen of this country, then it is pellucid that this is no longer about la

victimization.

Let us be clear, this type of conduct by organisations and officers responsible for upholding the law with fairness and integrity carries consequences far beyond one man or one political party It sends a clear message to any Guyanese who aspires to serve this country: you are only safe if youalignpolitically!

This is a crying shame because in a multi-racial, multi- ethnic society, justice must not only be done, but it mustalsobeseentobedonefairly, impartially and without political malice This type of attitude by the PPPAdministrationisaclear and present danger to the

social cohesion we so desperately need at a time when we face existential threats, both within and without.

It is disgusting that President Ali appears to be content to sit at the helm of a government that prefers to waste precious national energy on political vendettas while our villages and communities remain underserved, the cost of living continues to be unbearable, health care is in crisis, a belligerent neighbour grows more emboldened by the day, parliamentary democracy is on life support, our roads are a hazard to life and limb and the education system is all butcollapsed.

Mr Jordan is a senior citizen with health challenges, what is your intention Irfaan, to harass himtodeath?!!

Let every government beware,whenrulerstwistthe

law to shackle opponents, the gallows they build for othersmayonedaybeartheir name. If we as a nation are serious about national development, we must also be serious about healing political wounds, restoring trust in our institutions and ensuring that justice is used asashieldforourpeople,not as a sword against political opponents. Either stop this senseless prosecution since theCourtshavealreadyruled on this issue and found no evidence of wrongdoing on Mr Jordan's part, or President Ali must grant an unconditional pardon to former Minister Jordan as a means and method of ending this vicious cycle of government and punishment thatwillruinourcountryand its future. It is within the power of the Guyanese peopletodemandthis!

Sincerely Amanza Walton Desir, MP.

What Guyanese want in 2025 is simple: a responsible, trustworthy, caring, and responsive government

Dear Editor, What Guyanese want in 2 0 2 5 i s s i m p l e : a responsible, trustworthy, caring, and responsive government one that governs with equity, transparency, and a firm commitment to the rule of law The public's growing sympathy for figures like the Mohammed's isn't blind loyalty—itreflectsahunger for alternatives and widespread dissatisfaction with how this country is beingmanaged. After nearly three decades leading Parliament and Cabinet, the PPP

government appears increasingly disconnected from the lived realities of working-class Guyanese —

whether they be AfroGuyanese, Indo-Guyanese, Amerindian, Chinese, mixed-race, women, men, or youth. This disconnection is glaring in the government's handling of the recent teachers' strike, where the call for fairness was met not with humility or dialogue, butwithhostility It's evident in the u n r e s o l v e d g r i e f surrounding the Mahdia dormitory tragedy a failure of state protection under the current Minister's watch. It is evident in how the government mishandled cries of teachers for better wages and working conditions. It shows in the visibly deteriorating infrastructure, where poorly

constructed roads remain the norm, and in the sugar belt strate

communities economically

n economically empowered Crime continues to be high and driving insecurity, reckless driving is left unchecked, and whispers persist about the use of state agencies to discredit perceivedpoliticalthreats.

Ask any ten people in those crowds and I'll bet you all ten will say the same thing: they want a government that listens, serves all citizens fairly, and doesn't treat service delivery like a reward for political allegiance This country doesn't need another selectively administered

promise or another expensive project that enriches a few — like the Berbice Bridge deal, the failed Skeldon sugar factory, or the natural gas pipeline poised to repeat the same mistakes.

Guyanese remember the PPP promised to renegotiate the Exxon deal, but instead, the government turned around and began paying the company's taxes – imagine that!

This generation is not easilyswayedbystatemedia spin. We remember the PPP likelylostthe2012elections, definitively lost in 2015, and may well have lost again in 2020 but for foreign interference,diplomatic (Continue on page 6)

Ramson's refusal to give straightforward answers to citizens and organisations is a flagrant breach of the essence of democratic governance

Dear Editor, Democracy, Decency and true Independence remain chameleon words and concepts. Look around the world and they are interpreted and executed differently by Leaders and people.

Justice, poor consolation, but it’s all the family can hope for

What is worrisome is that in spite of Friday's noon protest in front of Mr R a m s o n ' s a n d t h e Commission's purported office, he has not budged. Some citizens on both sides of our political divide still have some faith in the promises of the President, Dr IrfaanAli.

We therefore look forward to him taking appropriate action to put an end to this demolition of a democratic edifice. If the well-intentioned President fails to use his authority to rein-in errant officials,

Thisissueofthequestion of Democracy, Decency and Independence can consume volumes. For the moment, a functioning democracy suggests that except for sensitive security issues, citizens, but in particular the representatives of the people in Parliament are entitled to answers from legitimate and reasonable questions. In our a r r a n g e m e n t s , t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information headed by Charles Ramson Snr, is an agency established to provide this information to membersofthepublic. The stubborn and arrogant refusal to give straightforward answers to citizens and organisations is a flagrant breach of the essence of democratic governance.

history will not judge him kindly In a small but extremely fortunate society, such as ours, the President and all of us must know that people in charge of importantpublicpolicymust possess the final qualities of gravitasandnotdemonstrate bombast.

Dear Editor, this is the mighty problem we face in Guyana and people everywhere, young and old, cannot afford the luxury of silence. As a youngster, the old folks said “silence gives consent,” and “the little things mean a lot.” Speak by joining courageous men and women on Friday noon, at East Street between Quamina and Middle Streets.

Stop politicizing Hindu religious events

Dear Editor,

Iwishtoexpressmydeep concern over the increasing trendofgovernmentofficials using Hindu religious events as platforms for political campaigning and partisan attacks This blatant politicization was evident during the recent Maha Shivraatri observances at Cove and John, where President Irfaan Ali turned what should have been a solemn and sacred occasion into an opportunity to discuss election rigging and economic issues. Similarly, Attorney General Anil Nandlall did the same at the EnmoreMandirrecently This is not an isolated incident. In 2015, during a Diwali motorcade in East Canje, former Finance Minister Ashni Singh attemptedtousethestagefor politicalpurposes,anactthat wasmetwithresistancefrom Charrandas Persaud, who sought to prevent the

politicizationofthereligious e

demonstrate a worrying

exploitedforpoliticalgain. H

as Shivratri, Navratri, and Diwali hold profound spiritual significance. They are meant to be moments of devotion, reflection, and community togetherness, not stages for political grandstanding. It is deeply disrespectful for politicians to attend these events, not to honorthereligiousoccasion, but to promote their political agendaandlaunchattackson the opposition. Such actions undermine the sanctity of these religious gatherings and create unnecessary d i v i s i o n s w i t h i n communities that should be united in faith and tradition. Religious spaces should remain neutral and focused o n t h e i r t r u e

Dear Editor "I don't want to hear no sorry" says mother of sevenyear-old Jeremiah Gustave who lost his long battle for life. Sheisdarnedright. No sorryonlyjusticeforherson. This was a heart-break from the start Two delinquents firing shots in a community and innocent Jeremiah was the damaging

Dear Editor,

p u r p o s e s p i r i t u a l upliftment and devotion to thedivine.

I call on all political leaders to show respect for Hindu religious traditions and to refrain from using mandirs and religious events as campaign platforms. If they truly wish to engage with the Hindu community, let it be in a manner that upholds the dignity and sanctity of our faith, not one that reduces it to a tool for politicalmaneuvering.

Sincerely,

In my decades of political activism, I have never contacted any international organisations or foreign governments to raise political issues in my country I have no problem with anyone who has done that. In fact, I have no doubt suchhasitsbenefits.

Iholddeeplytothebelief that it is the ordinary and sufferingmassesofacountry that are in the majority that have the ultimate power to changetheirgovernment.

I believe in people's power to confront tyranny a n d b r i n g d o w n dictatorships The foreign policy of first world governments, in my estimation, does nothing to better the lives of the suffering masses of poor countries with the wealth of oil and other resources. Geopolitics couldn't care less about the little boys and girls that have to face the daily horrors of rape and abuse.

What these foreign powers do is to manipulate our political leaders to

outcome. For several long months he fought for his life at times giving hope for a recovery. Alas, this was not tobe.Afamilytornbyuntold grief and pain not of their making. Society ought to be outragedbythisincidentand its outcome. The family, particularly the mother must be commended for the fortitude and strength displayed in the face of such heartache.

All the family can hope for now is justice would not be denied It is poor consolation but it is the only take away from this terrible, terrible tragedy My condolences to the family RestpeacefullyJeremiah.

Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed

A losing game

influencetheircountriesown economic benefits. When it comes to black countries with wealth, the majority live in squalor beleaguered byviolenceandpoverty

Guyana is a multicultural society where Africans are fighting to be counted as citizens in their own land. That is of the least interest to foreign powers whose major role is to get their lion share from our oil wealth Guyana has a corrupt government that the US Foreign Secretary wants to see remain. Exxon wants the weakest and most unpopularAfrican Guyanese opposition leader to face the electorate knowing full well that is the only way the PPP at its weakest will return to rule after this year's general elections.

The UK's Foreign Secretary, a Blackman of Guyanese parentage, appears to be enamoured withJagdeoandthePPP

M e a n w h i l e , o u r politicians in Guyana are in talks about coalescing and finding the right presidential candidate.

The talks seem stuck at Norton taking us into the elections. They must tell the massesthetruthaboutwhois influencing the direction of an electoral loss for the opposition. They must tell the Guyanese people why ouroppositionpoliticiansare most silent in the face of an apparent confabulation that will emerge into certain defeat.

I am confused as to the talks and where they are at presently AFC leader, Nigel Hughes says one thing to the press and the talks are heading in the opposite direction. As it is now, I see us playing a losing game. Who played a part in ensuring that Dr Terrence Campbell, the only hope we have, at the helm of a coalition, to bring certain d e f e a t t o t h e P P P government, is not even up fordebateorconsideration?

It is time the masses open their eyes and rise up and demand our politicians do what's best to save Guyana.

Sincerely

Domestic abuse reports warrant more serious police action

Dear Editor,

I often see reports of women being killed by their spouses, the police are

determined to solve domestic violence, but despite their efforts, many women don't support the police. I'd like to share a story told by a senior superintendentofficer There was a driver of a regional chairman of west Demerara who used to hit his wife. She wouldgotothepolicestation every fortnight, and the police would act and arrest him.

However, the woman would return the very next day to the station and plead for her husband's release, saying he was intoxicated anddidn"tknowwhathewas doing. Their children also wantedhimbackhome.This

went on for several fortnights, so one day when She came,the policetold her to sit on the bench until next morning That same fortnight, a new police officer took over the station. His name was Eustace De Abreu5020AKthefox.

One thing

Dear Editor.

Hesawthewomanonthe bench and asked, "what is this woman doing here?" the sergeant replied "that woman is only wasting our time,sir

H e r m a n w o u l d domestically abuse her, and by morning, she'll come back and plead for him to be letgo.

Thishasbeenhappening for months." DeAbreu then ordered the sergeant to bring the man in while they took a full statement from the woman Upon the man's arrival, the police arrested him and sent the woman home.Thenextmorning,the chairman couldn't find his driver, so he went to his house. This was when he learned that the police had lockeduphisdriver

The chairman then told the woman "Lets got to the station:”

In those days the regional chairman was like Mr Burnham sons, the corporal then informed the chairman about what happened The chairman then asked for Mr DeAbreu

who also explained what transpired.

The corporal then informed the chairman that there isn't anything he can do-the driver had to go to court, as the magistrate would decide on further action.

Thewifethendecidedto tellthecorporalthat"|liedon my husband. He isn't a bad man. I was only trying to frighten him." The police then took the statement from her and charged her for public mischief or false accusations.

The police later released the driver The wife was sent to the La Penitence police station on Saturday afternoon, appeared in court on Monday, was fined $10, andsentaway I was told that the wife never went back to the station to report her husband again, he either stopped abusing her or she was being abused in silence, but Mr Eustace DeAbreu tried to fix domesticabuse.

Sincerely, Frank DeAbreu

I have against Pres. Ali

Govt. to spend $13.9M more on Bartica Stelling project

Afterspendingover$500 million thus far, the government through the Ministry of Public Works will be spending $13 9 million more on the Bartica Ferry Stelling rehabilitation project, this time to upgrade itsAdministrativeBuilding.

This is according to an invitation for bids issued by the ministry through its Transport and Harbours Department which stated that bids are expected to open onApril 24, 2025 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB)office.

had said that the project was expected to be completed at theendofMarchthisyear

This newspaper reported that works on the Bartica Stellingbeganin2017,when the first phase was awarded toCourtneyBennContracting Services Limited. According toreports,thefirstphasewas completed in October 2018.

The first phase entailed the demolition of the southern section of the stelling. That section was reconstructed with support piles made of g r e e n h e a r t f o r t h e substructure.

drawbridge.

It is unclear what works took place after then, but in 2021 during a visit to the BarticaandLeguanstellings, Minister Edghill had expressed disappointment with the pace of work ongoingatthosefacilities.

The minister was quoted in a Department of Public Information (DPI) article as saying that the projects which his government inherited from the previous administration were at a stage of failure and riddled with poor performance and delays.

The one outstanding blemish on the President rather impressive first term report card. His Excellency President IrfaanAli has had quite an impressive list of achievements inhisfirsttermasPresidentofourRepublic. The ongoing social and economic development in the areas of housing, education,health,agriculture,transformative mega projects, poverty alleviation are radically changing the landscape of our country Forhisuntiringeffortsheshouldbe given the appropriate kudos. However there seems to be one outstanding blemish in his action or lack thereof and that is in the appointment of our substantial Chancellor andChiefJustice.

Madame Justice Edwards-Cummings and Madame Justice George-Wiltshire have acted above and beyond the statutory time to evaluatewhethertheyshouldbeconfirmedin their acting positions. I humbly suggest that our esteem President do act on the nobleness and fairness of his character and rectify this one blemish and appoint the Judges before theendofhisfirstterm.

Yours respectfully, Reggie Bhagwandin,

What Guyanese want in 2025 is simple...

From page 4 pressure,andbigoilinterests.That'sarguably threelossesinarow

Irepeatevenlouder,whatGuyanesewant in 2025 is simple: a responsible, trustworthy,

caring, and responsive government — one that governs with equity, transparency, and a firmcommitmenttotheruleoflaw

Sincerely,

The admin building houses staff who manage the affairsofthestellingandalso includes other offices. This publication had reported that the rehabilitation of the Region Seven stelling has been under construction for abouteightyears.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill during the Consideration of Estimates and Expenditure for his ministry in February

T h e p h a s e n o w accommodates commercial c o n c e s s i o n s a n d a modernised passenger waitingarea.

It was reported in January2019thatthesecond phase of the contract was also awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited.

This phase entailed the extension of the northern section of the stelling, as a way to accommodate the

After that contractor failedtocompletetheworks, thePublicWorksthensought another contractor for the project via public tendering. Backin2023,a$553million contract was awarded to K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies to completethestellingproject.

The stelling was being upgraded to ensure the safe use by commuters and boat operators.

Illegalgun,ammofoundduringarrest ofsuspectindomesticviolencecase

A man was arrested by police on Monday evening after officers discovered an

investigating a domestic violence report made against him.

Police said the report against Navindra Singh of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was made by MelindaRichardson.

“The police proceeded to Bath Settlement in company of Melinda Richardson. Upon arrival, Melinda led the ranks to the residence of the suspect, Navindra Singh but he was not present,” policesaidinthereport.

Ranks then patrolled

Super Value Street where Richardson identified Singh who was sitting in front of a supermarket He was approached and arrested for usingthreateninglanguage.

During a search, police discovered a black 38 revolver and five live rounds of 38 ammunitions in Singh's pants waist The police related that the suspect was shown the firearm, ammunition, was told of the offense, and cautioned. He was escorted to the FortWellington Police Station. The firearm and ammunition were marked, s

dged Additionally, police then proceeded with Singh to his residence on Water Street,

Bath Settlement. A search was conducted at the man's house where three live 12gauge cartridges were d i s c o v e r e d i n h i s refrigerator A search of a cupboard also revealed a sock containing twelve live rounds of 38 caliber ammunition.

Police then took p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e ammunition and informed Singh of the offense committed. Singh was cautioned and admitted ownership of the items. The ammunition was properly marked,sealed,andstoredas evidence. He was placed in custody at Fort Wellington Police Station while investigationscontinues.

The rehabilitated Bartica Ferry Stelling in Region Seven. (Photo courtesy, Ewrin Ward/ Facebook)

…vows to continue advocacy with greater passion

Social media activist Melissa Atwell-Holder has vowed to continue her advocacy despite failed efforts by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Governmenttosilenceher

Atwellhasfingeredthecurrent administration for her arrest and detention in the United States by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE).

More than two weeks ago, members of the immigration enforcement agency arrested Atwell-Holder at her New York home, after which she was later transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. She remained there until her release last Friday, following her virtual appearance before US immigration judge Francis Mwangi and a US$7,500 bond.

InherfirstFacebookpostsince her release, Atwell-Holder said, “Was the government of Guyana involved in my detention? The answer is YES! They were deeply involved.”

Sheexplained,“HowdoIknow

this? The personal information which was revealed through politicaloperativessuchas‘Critics’ in Guyana, could not have been known unless there was someone ontheinsideoftheUSbureaucracy feeding this information to a lobbyingfirm,whichinturnpassed thatinformationtoPPPsources.No one in Guyana could have known soquicklythatIwasbeingdetained andtakentoICEofficeatthathour inthemorning.”

Atwell-Holder said no one could have known her US identification numbers unless they were leaked from the inside and passedtoalobbyingfirm.“Noone couldhaveknownIoverstayedmy visa by two days before marriage unlessitcamefromtheinside.The PPP activists who called ICE specifically refer to the two-day overstay, which was the loophole identifiedbythelobbyingfirm;this is coordination at the highest level,”Atwell-Holderadded.

Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairsAnil Nandlall had sworn that the government played

no role in Atwell-Holder’s arrest. The government has been accused of levelling complaints against Atwell-Holder’s ongoing allegations of corruption by the administration.

Further, Atwell-Holder contended that it was PPP operatives who reported her marriage more than 25 times, claimingitwasabusinesswedding. “They tried everything and failed until a lobbying firm that comes at the expense of taxpayers, found a loopholeandusedtheirconnection on behalf of the Guyana government,”shesaid.

She explained that her detention and court appearance officially destroyed the narrative that she was tied to criminals or criminal activities “The US Government swept their systems ten times over; all stones were overturned, and there is nothing. I have a clean bill of health; I am a law-abidinghumanrightsactivist,” shestated.

“The work has now started,” she asserted, emphasising that she

is now in a position to expose the PPP G o v e r n m e n t ’ s corruption on a global level. During her court appearance, AtwellHolder’s lawyer Joyce Boothhadtoldthecourt that her client entered the US in 2022 and has been married to a US citizen,PaulHolder,for thepasttwoyears.

“Your honour, my clientismarriedtoaUS citizen, there is an approved I1-30, and thereisalsoapendingI485inthesystem,soshe iseligibletoadjust,”the lawyer said. She noted that the I485 has been pending since September 2023. She added that Atwell-Holder attended an interview last year and has been awaitingapprovaloftheI-485.

The Department of Homeland Security told the court that there were no other charges against Atwell-Holder To this end, the

judge enquired, given thatAtwellHolderismarriedtoaUScitizen,if shewouldnotgetawaiverfromthe overstaycharge. Hethenaskedforthelawyerto submit a copy of the I-485, a copy oftheapprovedI1-30,aswellasthe birth certificate of Paul Holder These documents are to be submitted to the court byApril 18, 2025.

Social media activist, Melissa Atwell-Holder

When silence speaks louder than words

The United States has spoken Reacting to the conviction of Marine Le Pen in a French court for embezzlement and her subsequent ban from runningforpublicoffice,the U S State Department issued a statement that can only be described as both lofty and unequivocal "Exclusion of people from the political process is particularly concerning given the aggressive and corrupt 'lawfare' waged against President Trump hereintheUnitedStates.We supporttherightofeveryone to offer their views in the public square, agree or disagree."

This is a powerful declaration. It presents the U S government as a stalwartdefenderofpolitical participation, standing against any effort to block individualsfromengagingin the democratic process. The words suggest an adherence to principle, a commitment totherightofallpeopletobe part of political life, free from undue obstruction or intimidation.

But as one examines this lofty pronouncement, the starkness of its selective application becomes impossible to ignore In Guyana, where the ruling People's Progressive Party Civic(PPPC)hasopenlyand systematically sought to stifle political challengers, the same U S State Departmentthatnowdecries the exclusion of candidates in France and Venezuela has remaineddeafeninglysilent.

For months, Guyana has been the stage for troubling

political developments. The ruling party has made it abundantly clear that it will "deal with" any opposing parties and individuals seeking to enter the political fray

One individual, who has yet to formally declare an intentiontocontestelections but has merely been meeting with groups across the country, has already faced w

S

governmenthaveengagedin acts of intimidation, some of them bordering on violence. These actions have gone b e y o n d m e r e heckling they constitute directattemptstosilenceand discourageparticipation.

The PPPC's strongholds, treated as political fortresses, have been used to prevent potential candidates from engaging with communities. What we are witnessing is not just political maneuvering; it is a direct assault on both freedom of expression and freedomofassembly

The government has threatened to weaponize state advertisements, wielding them as leverage against media entities. Each week the media is subject to tantrums. And there is the strange coincidence of a tax agency suddenly auditing someone perceived as a politicalrival.

A n d y e t , f r o m Washington, no statement has come. Not a word from the U.S. State Department, the same entity that stood up for democracy inVenezuela, the same institution now voicing concern about

Dem Boys Seh...

M a r i n e L e P e n ' s disqualification in France. Silence! It is an omission as glaring as it is telling. Nor has anything been heard as yet from the Organization of

A m e r i c a n S t a t e s , CATICOM, the Carter Center, the Commonwealth, the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union

One cannot help but ask: why does the U.S. State Department's staunch opposition to political exclusion not extend to Guyana? Why does its aversion to “aggressive and corrupt lawfare” falter when it comes to an emerging political movement within a smallSouthAmericanstate?

It is worth recalling that only recently, Marco Rubio, a senior U.S. Senator and an a r d e n t c r i t i c o f authoritarianism, visited Guyana His presence signified the importance Washington places on its relationship with the country, especially given Guyana's burgeoning oil wealth and strategic location Yet, in all the discussions and diplomatic overtures, was there any rebuke of the PPPC's increasingly blatant suppression of political competition?Notahint.

The United States has long positioned itself as a global champion of democracy It has, at times, placed itself at odds with powerful states in defense of the principle that all people should be free to participate in the political process. But democracydoesnotfunction selectively It cannot be

Big bus nah gan come back!

People calling fuh de big bus fuh come back. Imagine dat! Dem same big metal dinosaurs wah used to terrorize de streets, belching smoke like dragon an breaking down in de middle of de road just when yuh late fuh work. But some people seh bring dem back—an dem serioustoo!

De first reason? To rescue parents from de madness called school drop-off. Every morning, parents tun Formula 1 drivers, weaving through traffic like dem in Grand Prix. But imagine big, luxury school buses fuh de fancy secondary school pickney dem! Parents could finally retire from de morning battle an sip dem coffee in peace. De only problem? When de bus bruk down in de hot sun, de same pickney wah parents dress up neat, gon be sweating an wondering if dem shoulda tek de regular minibusinstead.

But de big bus ain't just fuh school pickney Dem boys seh Diamond an Parfaite Harmony need dem too! Taxi fare

championed in France while ignored in Guyana. It cannot be invoked in Venezuela but silencedinGeorgetown.

The events unfolding in Guyana demand scrutiny If Washington is committed to ensuring that all individuals have the right to political participation, then it must extend that principle beyond the borders of Europe and North America. The U.S. should make it clear that it opposes intimidation, that it s t a n d s a g a i n s t t h e weaponization of state institutions to undermine democratic participation,

and that it will not turn a blind eye to efforts to rig the political process through fearandcoercion.

If the U S State Department truly believes what it has stated—that "we supporttherightofeveryone to offer their views in the public square, agree or disagree" then it must apply that conviction consistently Otherwise, its words ring hollow, a convenient platitude deployed when politically expedient but discarded when inconvenient The situation in Guyana is not

justaGuyaneseconcern;itis a test of international democratic integrity The world is watching. And so far, Washington's silence is speaking louder than its words.

(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.)

climbing faster than price fuh coking oil, and minibus drivers feel dem is action movie stuntmen. So big bus sound like a dream affordable, safe, an most importantly,nosuddenovertakingfuhscare yuh half to death. But dem boys ask one question—yuh ever see big bus dodge pothole? If one drop in, dat bus might disappear!

An is not just de pothole problem. We need special road fuh de big bus. Dedicated lanes.Butguesswah?Delandfuhbuilddat done give away long time. Businessmen grab up all de roadside space along dem newhighways,sonolightrail,nobuslanes, notevenspacefuhadonkeycart. So what gon happen? Guyana building more roads fuh more cars. Soon, dem gon have to build road through people house. When dat fail, donkey cart gon be de only option left. But don't worry—at least donkeycartdon'tbrukdownindemiddleof deroad.Well…nottoooften. Talk half. Leff half

H@RD TRUTHS

What did Pres. Ali just do?

What did Guyana's President Irfaan Ali just do?

Much meaning could be attachedtothe“differentand preferential treatment” for the US that was announced by Pres.Ali, which begs this question: how much did he giveaway under the banner of“differentandpreferential treatment? DidPres.Alijust hand the whole of Guyana over to the USA, while affixing the cool label of

“different and preferential treatment”toit?

T h e C o a l i t i o n government handed over virtually all of the oil to Exxon for free, but did President Ali and the PPP Governmentoutdo its rivals, by giving away all of Guyana, with the economy of those four fateful words?

I predict that they will come back to haunt this country R e m e m b e r M a n i l a

Remember I said so in March2025.

There should be no Guyanese who doesn't know where I stand with the big Chinese State presence here. My own preference, as often stated publicly, is that if Guyana has to do business with a superpower, then America is the one. But there are limits, as in quid pro quos. More than one. Wealreadyhaveamostone-

sided deal with Exxon. This country cannot afford another one with America. Incidentally, a deal with Exxon is tantamount to an ironclad deal with America. Guyana gets next to nothing from Exxon. So, the quite reasonable question is whether Pres Ali's “different and preferential treatment” amounts to an abandonment of this country's sovereignty A totalabandonment.

Some Guyanese are alreadygoingbeyondtheUS warships floating in a reassuring cordon in Guyana's waters, and US warplanes hopping about in Guyana's airspace The news of a military base from Pres. Ali is being waited upon with bated breath. I can read the wording of that thickandsweetOfficeofthe President script to sell to Guyanese. The right people withtherightskillsarethere, and look at the people to whom they have to sell it. There is no easier, softer sell thanGuyanese. Nohurdleat all. Not even a whimper Now, that's a nation rejoicing in having the opportunity to extend “different and preferential treatment” to a special friend. The PNC and AFC just went down the tubes, and so did Guyanese. I am still studying Nicolas M a d u r o a n d t h e Venezuelans, who had their lunchbox taken away rather abruptly Venezuela's suddenly empty lunchbox is Guyana's free lunch. Or so Pres. Ali in his wisdom believes, with VP Jagdeo nodding approvingly Just give this some time, and all willbeclearer I now go farther afield.

Forget about changing the dynamics of the hemisphere/region America wants to be here, and it will be. In whatever form and substance Numbers and ordnances galore. A military base is now no longer a remote possibility, a backburner consideration. Relative to all this, I had made my positions clear and public. Here is my holdup: what is Guyana getting in return, other than a Big Brother to stand for it against Venezuelan hostility and Maduro's belligerence, creeping bellicosity? There has to be more for Guyana, and in recognizable form. Should I interfere with this era of good feeling and mention the name Exxon, and a few dimes more? If not, then my thinking would bejustifiedastowhetherthis “different and preferential treatment” is not one of those historical stickups for which world powers are noted,andatwhichthegood oleUSAisnoslouch.

A 3 4

Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, was granted bail on Tuesday for allegedly harbouring two menwantedbypolice

W h e n I h e a r “preferential treatment” for the US, I detect rather belatedly that I made a mistake. Guyana is now st more than the 51 State, or a satellite state, of America. Thanks to Pres. Ali and the PPP Government, Guyana has just reentered the provinceofabonafideslave state. Whether a pact or treaty (or not), there is no ratification process here Nor any stumbling block in the way of this daring and daunting commitment from Pres.Ali. It's over Guyana has surrendered its right to be a country controlling its own destiny I think that President Ali has failed to

T h e d e f e n d a n t , Sharmalenie Neeranjan appeared before Magistrate TamiekaClarkeattheCharity Magistrate's Court She was charged with accessory after the fact committed on public justice She denied the charge which alleged that she harboured brothers Kellon Fredericks and Kevin Fredericks, who are wanted foraseriesofarmedrobberies on numerous supermarkets across the region, as well as murder. Neeranjan was granted $300,000 bail. She is expected to return to court on

grasp the entirety of what he signedonto,relinquished. To take this to its logical conclusion, the same could besaidforthevicepresident, the attorney general, and the whole ragtag band of them. The Opposition has been positioning itself as a longstanding friend of the US. ThePPPjustoutranand outflanked it: trust Ali and Jagdeo, for they are the betterfriends. Thebesttobe found anywhere on the planet. Docile. Doglike. Dumping ground and devil may care with the destiny of generations of Guyanese And all for the warmth of American assurances about retention of power, but rebranded as “preferential treatment” to guarantee security in the face of Venezuelan aggression. Be assured, my fellow Guyanese, that American guarantees do not come free of charge. Simply put, it is how business is conducted byothermeans. Ortoreturn toExcellencyAliandropein President Routledge (Alistair,isthereanotherone here?), it is the nature of capitalism in all of its finer points. The Coalition did it, now the PPP does it again. Guyana peddled by its politicians from hand to hand. Guyana repeatedly sold up the river for a pittance. I wonder who will provide Guyana with a paddle when it's most needed ( T h e v i e w s expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

April17,2025

Kaieteur News reported in February 2024, that 21year-old Kevin Fredricks and K

of Onderneeming Sand Pit, EssequiboCoastandTuschen East Bank Essequibo (EBE) committed robbery in Sand Hill Backdam, Cuyuni River and Windsor Castle on the Essequibo Coast Kellon Fredricks is also one of two suspects fingered in theApril 2024 murder of Bartica Gold Miner, Zaheer Mohammed Sherriff and his worker DonovanWashington

Sharmalenie Neeranjan

Canadian mining company bets big on Guyana to be its next growth engine

...gold project to push company’s annual production beyond half million ounces mark

Louis-Pierre Gignac, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of G Mining Ventures (GMIN), a Canadian mining company operating in Guyana, recentlystatedthatthefirm’s nextphaseofgrowthwillbe driven by the “world-class” Oko West gold project located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

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

“Our next phase of growth will be driven by OkoWestinGuyana,alarge scalehigh-gradeprojectthat was acquired through the transformational merger…” Gignac said. He added that the strong economics outlined in the project’s Preliminary Economic

Assessment (PEA) that was com

ar solidifies the Oko West as one of the top development projectsglobally

The CEO said, “Once in production,itissettopropel GMIN above the 500,000 ounces per year mark.” The Oko West Project is

currently considered an “advanced-stageexploration project”, and is expected to produce 353,000 ounces of gold annually from both

open pit and underground mining The project is projected to recover 4 5 millionouncesofgoldover

Continuedonpage22

An aerial view of the Oko West project

ExxonMpromisestosetupclaims processtocompensateforlossoflivelihood

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has committed to establishing a claims process and livelihood remediation programmeintheeventofanylarge-scaleoil spill which may occur at its seventh project, Hammerhead.

Hammerhead will produce approximately150,000to180,000barrelsof oil per day (bpd) according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The project is expected to commence by 2029,pendingregulatoryapproval.

According to a study conducted by the company’s consultant, Environmental ResourcesManagement(ERM),EMGLwill establishaclaimsprocessand,dependingon

the magnitude of the oil spill, a livelihood remediationprogramme.

It was explained that the purpose of the claims process would be “to provide compensationasappropriateforassetlosses” whilethelivelihoodremediationprogramme would aim to “restore the welfare and livelihoodsofaffectedpersonstonolessthan pre-impactconditions.”

ExxonMobil noted that both processes wouldbetransparent,fair,andconductedina timelymanner TheoperatoroftheStabroek Block also explained that the company, in consultationwiththeGovernmentofGuyana and other jurisdictions- as required- would establish the designated geographic zones

associated with the claims. Further, it explained that this system would also apply to the livelihood remediation processes, commensurate with the magnitude of the impactsofthespill.

“Eligiblepersonswouldbecompensated as appropriate based on the magnitude of potential project-related impacts they individually experienced, either in regard to humanhealthorasaresultofeconomicloss,” theoilgiantnoted.

Importantly, the company said it would establish committees to determine who is eligible for compensation, their entitlement and what assistance should be offered to personswhoselivelihoodisaffected.

“It is anticipated that EMGL would establish steering committees, working groups, and stakeholder engagementspecific entities to determine eligible stakeholders, standard entitlements, and eligibility criteria for further livelihood compensation and assistance,” the EIA states

The company said it would “consider” establishing an independent implementation entityassoonasreasonablypracticableafter thespill,toassistintheprocessoflivelihood remediation planning while the initial compensationeffortsareongoing.

Furthermore, the EIA explained that depending on the extent of losses, livelihood remediation efforts may potentially range from early support initiatives-withinthefirstyear-totransition support (typically from one to two years after impact), to longer-term support, as defined by the duration of potential spill impacts

OILSPILLRISK

According to the EIA an oil spill that occurs at the seventh project has a 70 per cent probabilityofhittingtheshorelinesof RegionOne

According to the document, “The spill modeling evaluated a range of possible trajectoriesandratesoftravelforanoilslick from each of the two above-referenced lossof-well-control scenarios.” It noted that

President, EMGL, Alistair Routledge

severalfactorscouldreducetheseverityofan oil spill in the Project Development Area (PDA).Theseincludethelocationofthespill, prevailingcurrentsandclimate.

The study said modeling predicted that surfaceoilwouldgenerallytraveltowardthe northwest in all scenarios during both modeled seasons -June through November, and December through May It stated, “For theMaximumWCD(WorstCaseDischarge) scenario,themodelpredicteda5-10percent probabilityofoilcontactingtheRegionOne coast during the June to November season. The minimum time to reach the shoreline predictedbythemodelwasfiveto15days.”

Meanwhile, regarding the December to May season, it was explained, “The model predictedprobabilitiesof5-20percentand 5-70 per cent of oil reaching the coast of Region Two and Region One, respectively Themodeledminimumtimeforoiltoreach the shoreline for this scenario is five to 15 days for Region Two and 1 to 10 days for RegionOne ”

A different model for the June to November season for the Most Credible WCDshowedtheprobabilityofoilreaching theRegionOneshorelineisfiveto10percent withthemodeledminimumtimeoffiveto15 days.

For the December to May season for the MostCredibleWCD,theprobabilityofoil Continued on page 15

Mayor prepared to defend position on waiving interest on taxes in court

City Mayor Alfred Mentore has indicated that he is ready to defend his position on waiving the interestonratesandtaxesfor property owners in Georgetown, should the matterbetakentothecourt.

In an invited comment with this publication, Mentore said that he is seeking legal advice on the way forward. “I am talking to my lawyers on the matter andlookingatoptions,what othermethodsintermsofthe Acttoassisttaxpayersbutif themattergoestocourtIam prepared to defend the decision,”Mentoresaid.

Last week, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag issued a warning to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) over its move to implementwhatshedeemed a n “ u n l a w f u l a n d

ExxonM promises tosetup...

Frompage14 reachingtheshorelineranges from five to 20 per cent for Region Two, and five to 70 percentforRegionOne.The modeled minimum time for oil to reach the shoreline is five to 15 days for Region Two and one to 10 days for RegionOne

Exxon explained that the five to 15-day travel time for oilwouldallowampletimefor mobilisation of spill response resourcestofurtherreducethe risk of oil reaching the shoreline. However, if an oil spill were to hit Guyana’s shorelines, protected areas and coastal habitats could be impacted.

These include the Shell Beach Protected Area in Region One, mangroves and even coastal communities where Indigenous tribes dependonfishingintheocean, andotherecosystemservices

unauthorised” financial regulation to waive interest on outstanding rates and taxes owed by property

ownersinthecity

In a letter sent to the council, Minister Parag noted that it came to her

attention that the Mayor alongwiththeAPNU+AFCaligned councillors have unlawfully passed and are

now seeking to implement a purported financial regulation which will allow for the waiver of interest on rates and taxes owed by propertyownersinthecity

TheLocalGovernment

Continuedonpage23

City Mayor, Alfred Mentore

Harry Narine to pay Didco $1.7B over failure to secure best price for property

The High Court has ordered that Didco Trading Company be paid over $1.7 billion by Harry Narine, a receiver, who was appointed to assist the company in payingoffitsdebt,butfailed to secure the best price for oneofitsproperties.

Justice Navindra Singh ordered Narine to pay the sumof$1,729,300,000.00to Didco and Mr Deonarine Singh for the property Justice Singh also ordered that Narine pays prescribed costs in the sum of $11,996,500.0.

The ruling is based on a case filed by Didco Trading Limited and Singh against Narine, who was appointed receiver of Didco after the company failed to pay an installment on a loan to the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry(GBTI).

Courtdocumentsseenby this newspaper showed that Narine had sold a wharf facilitytoDemeraraBoating Inc.onJuly20,2021,forUS $10 million or GYD $2.1 50,000,000.

However, Didco contended that the property wassoldforavaluefarbelow itsworth.

Through the law firm of Boston and Boston, the company and its principal argued that the receiver did not exercise due skill and care to obtain the best price reasonablyobtainableforthe property and therefore did notactingoodfaithand/orin a commercially reasonable manner.

Duringthetrial,thecourt took into consideration the evidence of Denroy Livan, an expert in the field of propertyvaluation.

Livan testified that in May 2021, he inspected the property and prepared a valuation report. He told the courtthatthemarketvalueof the property at the time of

assessment was GYD $2.1 billion.

U n d e r c r o s s examination, however, Mr Livan revealed that he did not value the wharf. He accepted too that his report was void of a method or explanation as to how he arrived at the value of the property; he failed to apply the cost approach in conductingthevaluation.

In contrast, property valuation expert, David Patterson,gaveabreakdown of the valuation process and determined that the property was worth $3.150, 000,000 asofJune30,2022.

Patterson testified that themarketvalueincreasedto over $3.8 billion by the end of that year Patterson’s evidence adequately explained the methods he usedtoarriveatthevaluation oftheproperty

In their filing before the court,theclaimants,Didcoet al, relied on the valuation of Patterson as a true reflection of the market value of the property

In his determination, Justice Singh accepted Patterson’s valuation, and the court further accepted the valuation as being a currentmarketvaluationfor July 2021, despite the fact that the valuation was done in2022

Further, the court determined that Narine sold Didco’spropertyoverwhich he controlled as the receiver and in so doing, “did not exercisedueskillandcareto obtain the best price reasonablyobtainableforthe property and did not act in goodfaith.”

In the circumstances, the court found the defendant is liabletotheclaimantsforthe difference between the price thatthepropertywassoldfor and the market value at the dateofthesale.

Man59,chopped,thrownintrenchduringrowwithneighbour

…suspect on the run

A 59-year-old man was on Sunday chopped in the palm of his left hand, then thrown into a trench by his neighbour during an argument at La Retraite, West Bank Demerara (WBD).Theinjuredmanhas b e e n i d e n t i f i e d a s Nandkishore Persaud, a father of two. The incident occurred between 14:30 and 15:00hrs. A relative of the victim explained that he is well-knownintheareaandit

Man

iscommonforhimtopassby his neighbor's house on his waytotheshop.

“Maybe some years back they had some story, so everydayhepassingtogoto shop she cursing at him, cursingathim,buthedoesn't take her on, he drinks the rum, but she drinks it more,” therelativerelated.

On the day of the incident, Persaud was at his neighbor's house when the w

shot dead

neighboring property began shouting insults at him over thefence.

“So, the neighbour sent him home, so he then went home (he lives next door) so he go and sit down on the neighbour fridge outside and she cursing so he probably answered her and she ran out and she chuck him,sowhenshechuckhim, hechuckedherback.”

The relative claimed that the suspect then armed herself with a cutlass and fired a chop at Persaud in his leftpalm.

for

Kaieteur News, “So now when she chopped him, he held unto the cutlass, the blade he held unto to it, so she can't chop him again and she pushed him overboard with the cutlass and every otherthing.”

Persaud was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he received six stitches on his hand, and was later sent home. The matter was reported to the Wales Police Station Searches are ongoing for the suspect.

$40,000, gold chain in Albousytown

Outrage over ECD traffic...

Frompage2

“If you really care about people,youwouldn'twakeup one morning and decide that, look, I'm gonna close off a main bridge like that and affect thousands of people Yes, the bridge collapsed, or is collapsing, you have two options

You can either create a bypass bridge, at least, to facilitatelighttrafficsolotsof the cars and so on, could go there, or try and, you know, repair the bridge, fix it up in such a way that people can use it and it wouldn't, inconvenience people for 70 days ” The businessman added

disgust and frustration over the traffic jam and described howitwillaffecttheirday-today schedules. They all shared a common concern about the government's failure to maintain crucial infrastructure before it deteriorated to this extent. The inconvenience is forcing students, workers, and other commuters to leave earlier to reach their destinations on time Kaieteur News caught up with a businessman in the traffic jam at Enmore who expressedhisfrustrationover thesituation “ T h e s e g u y s a r e visionless, and they are very selfish All that this government is trying here now with is to fulfill manifesto promises.” The businessman questioned whether the government is really concerned and cares about citizens, as they often claim.

that such inconvenience will also affect school children travelling “You know, you can't do these things at this juncture. You know people are going to work and children going to school, you havetonsoftruckstraversing theroadeveryday.Youknow it's madness. You know it's really, really, really madness goingoninthisplace ” The businessman said, in additiontothetrafficbuildup, “You got some men driving crazy on the road- vehicles breaking down in the middle of the road is all kinds of foolishness ” Saying that he hasbecomefedupwithlifein Guyana, the businessman stated: “You know, it's very difficulttoliveinthiscountry now, not just because of the costoflivingandthepolitics,

it's just the sheer stupidity of the administration and everything in this place I have never seen such chaos yet and you're telling me for 70 days people gotta go t h r o u g h t h i s , ” t h e businessman said before suckinghisteeth.

THREE HOURS IN LINE

A resident from Ann's Grove said that he was in the buildup from his village to Coldingen for over three hours,makinghimlateforan important meeting at his job

He added that he would normally use the Railway Embankment and would arriveatworkwithinanhour

“I left home from since 7 o'clock Three hours now I waiting here in dis line I feel some notification should be

giventothepublicintermsof these breakage of the bridges ”

A father, who is also a businessman, told this publication that the traffic congestion is significantly impacting his business, leading to reduced staff productivity “This traffic congestion is affecting me a lot, a whole lot, in terms of getting workers to work on time ” He added that his family's life will see a drastic change in their morning routine since they have to start preparing earlier than usual “My daughter will havetoleaveextraearlynow, normally she would leave at 6:30hrs,butthebusdriversay he will have to leave earlier So, she will have to prepare and leave around 5:00 hrs

Because of this, we had to change our whole morning routine,”thefathersaid A Paradise Village resident who travelled to Buxton for work, spent four hours in traffic. She told Kaieteur News that she was aware that the bridge was broken and thought that by leaving an hour earlier, she would be able to evade the trafficjam.However,shedid notarriveatworkontime.

“I think that the public and private employees shouldbegivenaconcession during the reconstruction of the bridges. It is unfair that you have meet to work for 8 o' clock and you are receivinglettersforreaching to work late as a result of the congestion,” the woman said.

The victim after he sustained a chop wound and was thrown into the trench (screenshot from video)
Nandkishore Persaud
Shot dead, Chandradeo Kumar Singh
Singh was sitting on this fridge enjoying a game of cards when Bandits attacked.

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Cost of living up, since oil production...

From page 3 Resources, and the Ministry of Finance for comment but received no response.

Guyana, a former Dutch then British colony, which gainedindependencein1966, is one of only a handful of countries that are a “carbon sink,” meaning it stores more planet-heating pollution than it produces. This is due to its

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vast rainforest; trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow

The country has protected its biodiversity when othershavedestroyedtheirs, President Ali said in a BBC interview last year. In 2009, the country signed an agreement with Norway, which promised Guyana more than $250 million to preserve its 18.5 million hectares, or nearly46millionacres,offorests.

Ali insists the country can balance climate leadership and fossil fuel exploitation.Thenewoilwealthwill allowGuyanatodevelop,including building climate adaptations such as sea walls, he said.

He has also pointed to the continued failures of wealthy countries, already grown rich on their own fossilfuels,tohelppoorercountrieswithclimatefinance.

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

“Thatforeignmoneyand that sudden rush of opportunities,combinedwithvery limited manpower and government capacities, does often result in a lot of corruption,” said Michael Ross, a political science professor at UCLA.

RosspointedtoGuyana’s neighborVenezuela,wherea largeoilwindfallledtoadramatic decline in government accountability and an increase in authoritarianism. The oil has also upped tensions between the two countries, with Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro laying

claimtotheoil-richEssequibo regionofGuyana.

Newly wealthy countries also find themselves suddenlyinteractingwithforeign companies“whoseowninfrastructure and access to information just dwarfs anything that’s happening in the country,” Ross said.

Critics say this power imbalance is clear in the 2016 contract Guyana signed with Exxon.Undertheagreement, Exxon can recoup up to 75% of its investment from profits untilcostsarerecovered.The remainder is split 50% betweenExxonandpartnersand 50% to the government, whichalsotakesa2%royalty

“It was a bad deal,” Ali saidintheBBCinterview,but he has rejected the idea of unilaterally changing the agreement,whichwassigned by the previous government. Hesaysthenextcontractwith Exxon will be on different terms.

An Exxon spokesperson said the contract is “globally competitive for countries at a similar stage of exploration,” adding that Guyana is averaging $1 billion a year in “oil profits” and $6.2 billion had been paid into its natural resource fund.

Exxon has also faced a number of lawsuits over its potential environmental impact, many filed by Melinda Janki, a Guyanese internationallawyer,whodraftedthe country’sEnvironmentalProtectionActbackinthe1990s.

AbigvictoryforGuyana’s peopleandenvironmentcame in 2023, when the court ruled Exxonshouldhaveunlimited liability for the costs of any oil spill. Exxon has since appealed the ruling and has

posted a $2 billion guarantee whileitawaitstheappealoutcome.

Exxon said this commitmentsupplements“itsrobust balance sheets … and the insurancepoliciestheyalready had in place.”

Janki says this isn’t enough. Offshore oil spills can be extremely expensive to deal with, the 2010 DeepwaterHorizonspillcost nearly$70billiontocleanup.

The push and pull between those who say oil offers Guyana a brighter future and those who fear the industry’s impact will continue.

Exxon said it has had a positive impact on the country,includingemployingmore than 6,200 people, investing more than $2 billion with local Guyanese businesses since 2015 and spending morethan$43milliononcommunity projects.

But Red Thread’s Wintress White says people are struggling with sky-high rents and food prices that have doubled or tripled in some cases.

“The reality here is that the oil is not a blessing, it’s a curse and it’s only polluting our environment,” she said.

Janki believes Guyana can move swiftly to renewables. It is a country of sunshine,windandriversfor small-scale hydropower, she said. She fears the country’s rush for oil has come much toolateandwilltrapthecountry into an industry without a long future.

\“It’s too late to do oil … the only people who are going to make money from this areExxonandtheoilcompanies,”shesaid.(CNN)

Canadian mining company bets big...

From page 12

12.7 years, according to its PEA released in September 2024.

However,GMINisadvancing workswithafocusonextending the mine life and assessing underground mining potential for the project.

The Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement (ESIA) for Oko West were submitted to the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November 2024. Earlierthisyear,GMIN receivedanInterimEnvironmentalPermitfortheproject, pavingthewayforearlyconstruction activities and the companyhasadvancepermitting efforts toward securing the full Environmental LicencefromtheEPA.

InMarch,GMINinitiated early works at Oko West, including site preparation for a barge landing on the Cuyuni Riverandtheconstructionof apermanentcamptosupport future development. The company is also expected to

executeworksonmainaccess and internal roads, airstrip, permanentcampfacility,water and sewage treatment plants and power generation andcommunicationtower

Last year, a 49,000 meter definition drilling program wascompletedtosupportthe feasibility study It was disclosed that the company has allocated an US$8millionexplorationbudget for 2025 to expand the mineralresourceestimate,explore underground mineralisationinBlocks5and 6, and identify additional deposits across its land package.

In anticipation of making a full construction decision for the project in the second half of 2025, Gignac stated that the company has budgetedUS$200MtoUS$240M to advance the project.

“The Oko West project in Guyana is clearly our next growthenginethatwillallow GMIN’sproductionprofileto reach 500,000 ounces,” he noted.

He added that the feasibility study remains on track for completion this month, and the company will also present an updated Mineral Resources Estimate (MRE) andamaidenmineralreserve for the project.

“Withaninterimenvironmentalpermitinhand,we’ve already initiated early construction, which is progressingnicely

We are targeting to complete the barge landing, access road upgrades, permanent camp facility and construction support infrastructure, allowing us to ramp up the workforce during the course of the year,” Gignac said noting that the company hopes to complete all of this workbytheendof2025.

Moreover, in September 2024, the company reported apositivePEAwhichoutlined anafter-taxNetPresentValue (NPV) of $1.4 billion, an InternalRateofReturn(IRR)of 21%,andapaybackperiodof 3.8 years using a base gold priceofUS$1,950perounce.

Suriname

CCTV footage helps capture driver who crashed into GPL Pole

Police on Monday identified a suspect through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, who had attempted to flee the scene after crashing into a Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) utility pole atAtlantic Ville,EastCoastDemerara(ECD).

Vendor robbed of motorcycle by armed bandits

A 3 5 - y e a r - o l d

confectioneryvendorwason Monday robbed by two unidentifiable males of his redandblackXRmotorcycle with registration number CP 2332,valued$495,000.

The victim has been identified as Peter Waldron, a resident of lot 6 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

The robbery reportedly occurred around 23:50h on Norton Street, Lodge between Chapel and Victor Streets.

Investigations revealed that the victim typically sells hisgoodsinfrontofhisyard, located on the southern side of the street. He operates from a wooden stall facing north, with his red and black XRmotorcycleparkedtothe eastofthestall,facingsouth.

“The driver fled the scene with the vehicle.Thankfully,withthehelpofthe Guyana Police Force we were able to review CCTV footage of the area, which led to the apprehension of the

According to a press release by the power company, the services of some 5,000 customers were disrupted along theeastcoast.

drivertoday(Monday)”GPLsaidinthe statement.The driver is expected to be chargedwiththeoffenseandwouldpay for the damages caused. The electricity cooperation continues to implore drivers to exercise caution on the roadways to prevent incidents of such nature.

Man arrested with suspected fake money

A 26-year-old man was arrested by police on Tuesday, after he was caught with $180,000 in suspected forged Guyana currencynotes.

T r i s t a n S a p h a n Franklyn, a resident of Friendship Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was taken into custody after Althea Peters, a 44-year-old

c u s t o m e r s e r v i c e s representativeandcashierat Banks DIH made a report to theStabroekpoliceoutpost.

She reported that a customer, who identified himself as Tristan Saphan Franklyn, came to her workplace to purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

The woman told ranks that Franklyn paid her $80,000 all consisting of $5000dollarnotes.

“She collected the money and, on checking it, she observed that it appearedfake.

She handed over the moneytoapolicerankatthe Stabroek outpost after which she identified Franklyn to the police and

he was arrested,” police said.

Following his arrest, ranks searched a black haversack in Franklyn's possession and found

$180,000, consisting of $5000 dollar notes, all suspected to be forged Police then escorted him to

Brickdam Police Station, where he was placed in custody

The suspected forged currency notes were placed in an evidence bag, marked, sealed and lodged to be taken to the forensic laboratory for analysis Investigationsareongoing.

The armed suspect, who was the pillion rider, fired a shot in the victim's direction before both suspects fled westwardonthemotorcycle.

T h e s c e n e w a s processed, but no spent shell casings were found. Police said that closed circuit television (CCTV) footages in the area may provide further information No arrests have yet been made. Investigationsareongoing.

On the day of the incident, the victim was reportedly sittinginfrontofhisstallona freezer, also facing north, w h e n t w o s u s p e c t s approached him from the west. According to police, the suspects were, “wearing surgical face masks, one of whom was armed with a gun.” Further, one of the suspects pulled out a darkcolored firearm from his pants and pointed it at Waldron, demanding that he hand over the motorcycle key When the victim hesitated, the second suspect searched him, retrieved the key from his right pant pocket, and then proceeded to escape on the motorcycle.

Mayor prepared to defend position on...

Frompage15

Minister who in her letter urged the council to “cease and desist” from such unlawful actions, noted that the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana, “expressly and exclusively” vests the authority to make financial regulations in the Minister “Section 146(1) of theAct is unambiguous That power lies with the Minister, not with you ” Parag said adding that “Section 146 (1) states: The Minister may makefinancialregulationsfor controlling and managing financial business of councils ” According to the Minister, the legislation goes on to outline the scope including matters related to accounting, borrowing, tendering and the receipt of revenue Parag noted that “Subsidiary legislation by its nature must be made by the authority designated by statute You are not the authority designated by statute Any attempts to do otherwise are ultra vires and legallyvoid ” In response to the letter, Mentore,citedSection146(1) of the Municipal and District CouncilsAct, Chapter 28:01 He noted while the letter grants the Minister the authority to make financial regulations for controlling and managing the financial

business of councils, it must be noted that there has been a misapplication of this section inyourcorrespondence

Further, he said the City Council has not enacted any new financial regulations or by-laws in relation to the waiver of interest accrued on outstanding taxes Rather, the decision was made as part of ourongoingeffortstoaddress the financial hardship being experienced by many property-owners/rate payers in the city whom are struggling with the burden of accumulated interest on outstanding rates,” Mentore said, adding that the decision was taken after thorough deliberations, feedback and appeal by citizens and in full compliance with the established financial proceduresoftheCity

Additionally, he noted that the City Council's authority to take such steps is not limited by Section 146(1) of the Municipal and District Councils Act Mentore explained that the decision to grant relief to propertyowners is a part of the C o u n c i l ' s b r o a d e r responsibility to ensure the well-beingofourconstituents and to ensure that vital municipal services continue to be funded in a manner that takes into account the financial challenges faced by ourresidents.

The pole that was damaged
The vehicle that was involved in the accident

Putin begins biggest Russian military call-up in years

(BBC NEWS) President Vladimir Putin has called up 160,000 men aged 18-30, Russia's highest number of conscripts since 2011, as the country moves to expand the sizeofitsmilitary

The spring call-up for a year's military service came several months after Putin said Russia should increase theoverallsizeofitsmilitary toalmost2.39millionandits numberofactiveservicemen to1.5million. That is a rise of 180,000 over the coming three years. Vice Adm Vladimir Tsimlyansky said the new conscripts would not be sent to fight in Ukraine for what

Housewiferemandedforcocainepossession

A 59-year-old housewife was onTuesday remanded to prison for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The defendant identified as Shameena Budhu of Sand R o a d , G o o d H o p e , EssequiboCoast,appearedat the Suddie Magistrate's Court before Magistrate TamiekaClarke.

She was arrested on March 30, 2025, at the said address and was charged for possession of 2.03 grams of cocaine.

Budhu pleaded not guilty tothecharge.

Theprosecutionobjected to bail and as a result, Budhu was remanded until her next court appearance scheduled forApril17,2025.

Massive layoffs begin at top US health agency

(BBC NEWS) Hundreds of federal health workers early on Tuesday learned their jobs had been cut, with many turned away at their office building doors, as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plunged ahead on a mass restructuring Health

Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr announced last week that 10,000 employees would be let go and, with voluntary departures, the department would reduce its staffing ranksfrom80,000to60,000

Tuesday's layoffs includedseveraltopofficials, and swept through agencies that oversee the country's food and drug safety as well as those that fight disease

President Donald Trump has worked since inauguration day with adviser Elon Musk toslashthefederalpayroll

TheWhiteHousesaidlast week that it planned to cut 3,500 full-time employees at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 2,400 workers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The administration has said it is cutting 1,200 employees from the National Institutes of Health, as well Health workers began hearing as early as 5:00 EDT (10:00 BST) on Tuesday that they were being dismissed Well before sunrise, Preston Burt, a communications specialist with the CDC's Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice for 10 years, received an email saying that he, along with his entire division, was laid off The division had hundreds of employees who worked with 33 states, primarily helping local health departments

gather environmental health data and providing the public with information about hazards such as mercury and radon poisoning

Two weeks ago, Burt and other division staff took part in an exercise to evaluate how to respond to a nuclear or radiological incident

All those staff membershavebeenletgo,he said "Now if there's a nucleardisaster,whoarethey going to call on as experts?"

heasked

While Burt was not shocked by the firing, others learnedtheyhadbeenlaidoff whentheyshoweduptotheir offices and were unable to scan their badges to enter Employees waited in long lines outside to access the buildings during the confusion and chaos HHS is a department with a $1 8 trillion(£1 39trillion)budget that oversees 13 agencies, including the CDC, the FDA and the Centers for Medicare &MedicaidServices

The top officials laid off in the restructuring included the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Jeanne Marrazzo She succeeded Anthony Fauci in directing the agency that had led the USfightagainstCovid-19. Marrazzo - and several otherdirectors-werenotified that they were being reassigned to HHS's Indian Health Service division in other locations, according to mediareports

They were asked to decide by Wednesday whether they planned to accept the new roles The administrationalsofiredFDA staffwhowereinvolvedinthe government's response to birdflu,accordingtoReuters

Russia calls its "special military operation" However, there have been reports of conscripts being killed in fighting in Russia's border regions, and they were sent to fight in Ukraine in the early months of the full-scalewar

The current draft, which takes place between April and July, comes despite US attempts to forge a ceasefire inthewar

There was no let-up in the violence on Tuesday, with Ukraine saying that a Russian attack on a power facilityinthesoutherncityof Kherson had left 45,000 people without electricity

Although Russia has turned down a full US-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine, it says it did agree to stop attacking Ukraine's energy facilities.

Outbreaks of the avian flu have caused egg prices to skyrocket, while cases in cows and humans have sparked concern among publichealthofficials

The cuts also come as the USisbattlingoneoftheworst measles outbreaks in a decade In a post on X, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who is still one of the more powerful members of theHouseofRepresentatives, said the administration's plans would "directly harm our most vulnerable communities and make Americasicker"."Iwillwork with my colleagues in Congress to fight back againsttheseshortsightedand irresponsible cuts," she said As a part of Kennedy's broaderrestructuring,HHSis also consolidating its 28 agency divisions into 15 new ones, including a new Administration for a Healthy America, to help carry out Kennedy's Make America HealthyAgainagenda

In announcing the changes, Kennedy, said HHS was "inefficient as a whole" and that the cuts would remove "bureaucratic sprawl" Inastatement,HHS has said the cuts will save taxpayers an estimated $18b peryear HHShasmadecutsto publichealthfunding,too Last month, the administration announceditwaspullingback $11b in Covid-19-era funding that states and local health departments were using for other purposes, including mentalhealthandaddictionas well as infectious disease outbreaks like measles and birdflu Washington,DC,and 23 states on Tuesday sued the US government for slashing thefunding

period in 2024. Since the start of last year, the pool of young men available for the draft has been increased by raising the maximum age from27to30.

Aswellascall-upnotices delivered by post, Russia's young men will be receiving notifications on the state services website Gosuslugi.

In Moscow there were reports that call-ups had already been sent out on 1 April via the mos.ru city website. Increasing numbers of Russians are trying to avoid the army by taking on "alternative

The true number could be more than double. Putin has scaled up the size of the military three times since he ordered troops to capture Ukraine in February 2022. Russia's defence ministry linked the December 2023 increase in the size of the militaryto "growing threats" fromboththewarinUkraine and the "ongoing expansion ofNato".

Inanapparentattemptto deny Moscow had broken the terms of that deal, Russian officials said they hadtoldPutinthatUkrainian drones had carried out attacks with little sign of a break Russia calls up conscripts in the spring and autumn,butthelatestdraftof 160,000 young men is 10,000 higher than the same

service". But human rights lawyer Timofey Vaskin warned on independent Russian media that every new call-up since the start of thewarhadbecomealottery: "Authorities are coming up with new forms of refilling the army." Quite apart from its twice-yearly draft, Russia has also called up large numbers of men as contract soldiers and recruited thousands of soldiers from North Korea. Moscow has had to respond to extensive losses in Ukraine, with more than 100,000 verified by the BBC and Mediazona as soldiers killed in Ukraine.

Nato has expanded to includeFinlandandSweden, as a direct result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finland has Nato's longest border with Russia, at 1,343km (834 miles) and Prime MinisterPetteriOrposaidon Tuesday that his country would join other states neighbouring Russia in pulling out of the Ottawa convention banning antipersonnelmines. Poland and the Baltic statesmadesimilardecisions two weeks ago because of the military threat from Russia Orpo said the decision to resume using anti-personnel mines was basedonmilitaryadvice,and that the people of Finland had nothing to worry about. The government in Helsinki also said defence spending

Businessman dies after set on fire by Venezuelan woman

K a i e t e u r N e w s confirmed on Tuesday that 36-year-oldFrederickJunior Stanford, a businessman from Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has died from the injuries he sustained after being set on fire by a Venezuelan woman onMarch9,2025.

Commander of Regional Division #7, Superintendent Dion Moore, confirmed the death, stating that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation informed him that Stanford passed away sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

He had been receiving treatment at the hospital sincetheattack.

The suspect, Veronica Rondon Alfaro, a 30-yearold woman from San Felix/El Dorado, Venezuela, is accused of setting Stanford on fire at Mango Landing Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Region7.

Investigations revealed that Stanford andAlfaro had been in an intimate relationshipforthepastyear, living together at Mango Landing.

According to reports, on

thenightoftheattack,Alfaro had left Stanford's business place and went to a nearby shop owned by another Venezuelan national. There, she and the shop owner consumed alcohol At around23:00hrs,thewoman returned to Stanford's business, which was closed, and knocked on the door

The businessman reportedly toldher,"Gobackwhereyou went.”

Subsequently, the businessman opened the door, as Alfaro allegedly rushed in with a one-liter Coca-Cola bottle containing gasoline, and threw it on him. A scuffle ensued between the two, and Alfaro then reportedly lit a lighter, setting both herself and Stanford on fire Public-

spirited citizens intervened, quickly transporting the victim and the suspect to the Eteringbang Police Station. They were then medevaced to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) via a Guyana Defence Force aircraft for medicaltreatment.

Stanford remained hospitalised until his death, while Alfaro was initially charged with attempted murder Sheappearedbefore Magistrate Rabindranaught Singh at the Kamarang Magistrate's Court on March 13, 2025, where she was remandedtoprison.Alfarois scheduled to return to court on June 17, 2025. However, following Standford's death, her charge will be upgraded toamoreseriousoffense.

Dead: Businessman Frederick Junior Stanford
Remanded: Veronica Rondon Alfaro
Shameena Budhu

Man found with head smashed died from haemorrhagic shock, fractured skull

An autopsy conducted on the body of 24-year-old Tameshwar Mangru, also known as 'Brian,' revealed that he died from shock and haemorrhage caused by multiple skull fractures and brainlacerations.

Mangru was found

Sunday morning at

Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder Public Road with a smashed head and other injuries, succumbed to the injuries consistent with a motor vehicle accident

Police reported that the post moretem examination was conducted by Government

s c a t t e r e d o n t h e

Lesbeholden, Black Bush PolderPublicRoad.

Thevictimwascladina pairofblacklongpantsanda blackjersey.“Thebodywas examined for further marks of violence, and it was observed that his left hand appeared to be broken, a woundontheleftofhisneck area and bruises on his left hand,”policereported.

Mangru's body was picked up and taken to the MibicuriHospital,wherehe was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later taken to Ramoo's Funeral Parlour, where he was identified by a relative

Pathologist Dr V Brijmohan at the Bailey's Funeral Parlour in West Berbice This publication reportedthatMangrulosthis life on Saturday evening, after he was run over by a vehicle. Police reported that ataround00:58honSunday, ranks ventured to the scene, where they saw Mangru lying motionless, with a crushed head and what appeared to be brain matter

Tameshwar Mangru, also known as 'Brian'

Further examination at the funeral parlour found two circularpuncturewoundson theleftofMangru'sneckand shoulder “The body also displayedinjuriesconsistent with being run over by a vehicle,” the police report stated.Severalpersonsinthe area were contacted and questioned about the incident.However,nouseful information was obtained. Ranks also canvassed the area for any closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that may have captured footage,butnonewasfound.

Wednesday April 02, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Don'tbesurprisedifsomeone rubsyouthewrongwaytoday, Aries It'slikelythatpressurehas been building in other people's mindsforquitesometime

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

It'spossiblethatyou'verelied on your imagination to pull you out of tough situations lately, Taurus. When the real world begins to get you down,youcanalwaysturnto yourfantasyworld.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Relaxandsettledowntoday, Gemini. Take some time to enjoy where you are and the peoplearoundyou.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You may be faced with a difficult choice today in a particular area of your life, Cancer It's likely the dilemmastemsfromadesire.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Todayabubbleofconfusion clouds your reality, making it difficult to decide what to do next,Leo Becarefulthatyou don'ttieyourstomachinknots from the tension created by yourmentalconfusion

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Try not to be too swayed by your emotions today, Virgo. You might get in trouble if you get carried away with a drama that doesn't pertain to you in any way. Your connection to other people's feelings could draw you into amaelstrom.

Guyana Fire Service cops Inter Ministries/Govt. Agencies Domino trophy

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) e m e r g e d victorious in the Department of Public Communications Inter Ministries/Government

A g e n c i e s D o m i n o Competition,heldlastFriday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Parking Lot, lifting the Office of the Prime MinisterDominotrophy

Team Guyana Fire Service triumphant in the Department of Public Communications Inter –Ministries Domino competition.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Don't doubt yourself today, Libra.You should be feeling quite strong, although inadequacy could sneak into thepicture.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

You'reatacreativehighpoint right now, so make sure to nurture this side of your being,Scorpio.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You're apt to be in a good mood today, Sagittarius.The roller coaster of feelings you've been on is finally coming to a stable platform. Getofftherideandenjoythe comfortofsolidground.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

It's important to be more sensitive toward other people's feelings today, Capricorn You may feel more vulnerable than usual. Youshoulddowhatyoucanto keepfrombecomingavictim.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You're likely to be very aware of things going on around you today, and you may internalize the opinions of others, Aquarius Be careful about opening yourselfupsomuch.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

You may be working on a largeprojectthatdrawson your creative energy, Pisces In terms of longterm goals and dreams, this sort ofprojectisrightup youralley

GFS secured the coveted trophy by tallying 47 games in the final, outplaying the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), which finished with 44 games, and the Guyana Geology and Mining Corporation(GGMC),which totaled40games.

Ms. Tricia Leander was the standout performer for Team GFS, recording an impressive 12 games and delivering a double love in thefinals,afeatthatplayeda crucial role in securing the championshiptitle.

T h e I n t e rMinistries/Government dominocompetitionwasalso coordinated by renowned sports organiser James "Uprising" Lewis, who ensur

executionoftheevent. Following the domino tournament, anticipation is building for the upcoming 11-a-side, 6-overs knockout

encouraged to reach out to JamesLewisat628-1656for

participation.

The GFS

ory highlights the growing enthusiasm for domino

showcasing not only the competitive spirit but also fosteringcamaraderieamong ministries and public service departments.

Szeplaki wins LGC/ STP Investments Inc. Golf tournament

Golfer Joseph Szeplaki was crowned winner of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC)/ STP Investments Inc TournamentheldonSaturday March 30, 2025 at their East Coast Demerara (ECD)basedCourse.

Szeplaki delivered a

stellar performance, finishing with a gross score of81,playingoffahandicap of16tofinishwithanoverall winning Net score of 65.

Anthony Scarce, who secured second place had a Net score of 66 with a gross 93 and a 27 handicap,

followed by third place Kishan Bacchus who ended with a net score of 67 (gross 85,handicap18).

Scarce was also awarded the Nearest-to-the-Pin prize, whileIanGouveiatookhome the Longest Drive award with veteran golfer Mike

Mangal earning the Best Gross title. There were also notableperformancesfroma string of local veterans includingTroyCadoganwith a Gross of 93 (Net 69, handicap 24) and Brian Hackett Gross 87 (Net 69, handicap18)

STP Investment Inc

Project Manager David Harinarine expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “Congratulations to all the players for their participation and to the winnersfortheiroutstanding performances A special thank you to the Lusignan Gol

impeccable organization. I am delighted to announce thatwewillbebacknextyear to support this incredible eventonceagain.”

LGC President Anasha Ally extended her gratitude to the tournament's sponsor, saying, “A heartfelt thank you to STP Investment Inc. for their unwavering support of the sport Their sponsorshipplaysavitalrole in fostering the growth of golf in Guyana. We also appreciate all the players, organizers and volunteers who contributed to making

(left) copped first place.

thiseventasuccess.” T

n t concludedwithacelebratory prize-giving ceremony, reinforcing STP Investment Inc 's commitment to developinggolfinGuyana. The results

the tournamentareasfollows: 1st Joseph Szeplaki- Gross 81,HC16,Net65 2ndAnthony Scarce - Gross 93,HC27,Net66 3rd Kishan Bacchus - Gross 85,HC18,Net67 Nearest to pin- Anthony Scarce LongestDrive-IanGouveia BestGross-MikeMangal

GBAYouth,Junior&Under-16

BoxingTournamentsetforSaturday at'SixHead'LewisGyminAlbouystown

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will conduct a Youth, Junior & U n d e r - 1 6 B o x i n g Tournament on Saturday at theAndrew'SixHead'Lewis GyminAlbouystown.

Theone-daycompetition will include boxers participating in different weightdivisionsintheYouth (17–18years),Junior(15–16 years), and U-16 (13–14 years)agegroups.

Although a number of prominent gyms have c o n f i r m e d t h e i r participation, such as the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force, Bailey, Rose Hall Jammers, the Forgotten Youth Foundation, Vegenoegen,

New Amsterdam Boxing Academy, and Pace & Power, the Pocket Rocket team's comeback is eagerly awaited. They are expected to field approximately 10 pugilists across several age categoriesanddivisions.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle said, “This muchawaited event will highlight the skill and commitment of young boxers around Guyana, nurturing the next generation of champions. It is a major investment in the future of boxing in Guyana, and the GBA understands how important it is to give young athletes the chance to honetheirabilities,compete, and lay the groundwork for futuresuccess.”

He added, “This event is essentialfordiscoveringand developing future talent. It enables us to evaluate the growth of our young boxers and provide them the opportunity to succeed on a nationalandevenworldwide level.”

“The future of boxing in Guyana depends critically on investing in our young people.

In addition to giving these young athletes a competitiveoutlet,thisevent helps them develop selfdiscipline, teamwork, and a love for the game. Ninvalle added, "We think this event willserveasalaunchingpad formanyoutstandingboxers todogreatthings.”

Joseph Szeplaki
“Easily one of the

SportsMax - Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has blasted the decision to remove Rovman Powell at captain of the West Indies T20I team, describing it as “one of the worst decisions evermade.”

During a quarterly press conference held by Cricket West Indies(CWI)onMondaymorning,

Legendary Jamaican sprinter

Usain Bolt with his father, father

Wellesley Bolt and mother

worst decisions ever

it was announced that Powell had been removed as skipper of the regionalteamintheshortestformat and replaced by current One-Day Internationalcaptain,ShaiHope.

CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombesaidthemovewasmade on the advice of head coach Daren Sammy, who said the appointment “signalsaprogressiveshiftforWest

Indies cricket, given his success withthe50-overteaminthelast18 months "Bravo, a former West Indies captain himself, has blasted the move, issuing a scathing response directed at Cricket West Indiesonsocialmedia.

“Once again you guys prove to thepeopleoftheCaribbeanandthe cricket world that the injustices

Jamaica'sMinisterofSport

ExtendsCondolencestoBoltFamily

SportsMax - Jamaica's Minister of Culture,Gender,EntertainmentandSport,the hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, offered her condolences to the family of legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt following the passing of his father, Wellesley Bolt, who passed away after a prolonged battle with illness.Grange, in a statement issued late on Monday,offeredsomeextremelykindwords about the late Bolt, describing him as “the strength of his family” as well as “an exceptionalandpassionatefather.”

“I offer my sincerest condolences to Jennifer,UsainandtherestoftheBoltfamily on the passing of Wellesley, or Gideon as he was so affectionately called by friends and neighborsinTrelawny,”shesaid.

“IfoundMr Bolttobeanexceptionaland

passionate father who was invested in the success of his family He was the strength of his family Every success that Usain has achieved can be attributed to the confidence given to him by his ever-supportive mother andfather,”sheadded.

Grangewentontoencouragethefamilyto becomfortedmymemoriesofhimduringthis difficulttime.“Itisgoingtobeadifficulttime, but I encourage them to be comforted by the memoryofaverygoodfather.”

“Nothingbeatstheunconditionalloveofa supportive family Wellesley and his wife Jennifer were the picture of a loving and supportivefamilywhowerealwaystherefor their son, Usain. They were Usain's chief motivator, chief cheerleader, source of constantsupport,andstability,”shesaid.

Queen's College Alumni Terry Harte handing over the Badminton Gear to Nikolas Pollard, a student of QC alongside QC Alumni Dr. Mahendar Sharma and Marcellos Bhagwandin.

The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) recently lauded the efforts of Mr Terry Harte, a Queen's College Alumni following his heart-felt donation of Badminton gear to the QC Badminton Academy

TheSchool'sAcademywererecipientsof Racquets and Grips, courtesy of Mr Harte a former student of Queen's College who now residesintheUSA.Harte,aNationalLevel3 UmpireintheUSAandalsoaQCalumniwho left the institution in 1973 to attend the

UniversityofMissouri,hasalsotaughtatthe WestDemeraraSecondaryforabriefperiod.

Followingthedonations,whichwereheld at the National Gymnasium recently, the GBA hailed Mr Harte for adding to the development of the Association and by extensionthesportofBadminton.

The GBA has also been on a mission to bring the sport as well as the introductory stagesofcoachingtoanumberofschoolsand institutions, as they seek to further grow the sportforthefuture.

made!”

towards players continues!” he said.“As a former player and a fan ofWestIndiescricket,thisiseasily one of the worst decisions ever made,”Bravoadded.

Powell took over leadership of the West Indies' T20I side in May 2023, and led them to home series wins against India, England and SouthAfricaduringhistenure.

“Rovman Powell took over captaincy when our T20 team was ranked in the ninth spot and was able to move us up to third in the rankings and this is how you guys repayhim?”Bravocontinued.

“The bad treatment towards players,whenwillitstop?Thisisso sad on all levels…make it make sense!”

Caribbean teams falter in final round opening contests of Concacaf Women's U-17 Qualifiers

SportsMax - Caribbean sides Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti,andBermudawillhave to play catch-up in the final round of the Concacaf Women's Under-17

Qualifiers as they suffered defeats in their opening matchesonMonday Haiti was heavily beaten by Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago fell to the United

States, and Bermuda was outclassed by Mexico as the region's representatives struggled to make an early impact.

The tournament, which

Bermuda and Mexico in action.

kicked off with GroupAand GroupCfixtures,alsosawEl Salvador and Honduras play to a draw in one of the more competitive encounters of theday

In GroupA, Haiti had no response to Costa Rica, who asserted their dominance with an 8-0 victory at the Mini Estadio de la Federación Mexicana de FútbolinMexico.

Costa Rica wasted little time in taking control, with VeronicaSolanoopeningthe

Trinidad and Tobago fell to the United States.

(Photo: Concacaf Media)

scoring in the 19th minute. Lucia Paniagua then struck twice in quick succession (19th and 27th) with two well-placedleft-footedshots.

The floodgates remained open as Costa Rica added two more goals before halftime. Fabiana Arguello (45+2)andPaniagua(45+4), who completed her first-half hat-trickandgaveLasTicasa commanding 5-0 lead at the break.

The second half saw further misery for Haiti as Raquel Recio (61st), Nubia Medina (71st), and Alisha Lindo (84th) added to Costa Rica's tally, sealing an emphaticwin.

Meanwhile, Bermuda alsoenduredatoughevening against a rampant Mexican side in a 5-0 defeat at the samevenue.

Citlalli Reyes (15th) and JoselynSolis(16th)scoredin quick succession as the host went on the charge. The second half saw a similar pattern, as Anaiya Miyazato (50th) and Valeria Vázquez (52nd) extended Mexico's lead.MiaVillalpando(90+8) rounded off the scoring in stoppage time, capping off a dominant display by El Tricolor Over in Group C, El Salvador and Honduras played out a 1-1 stalemateat

the Ato Boldon Stadium in TrinidadandTobago.

ElSalvadortookanearly lead when Maya Buerger (13th) found the back of the net from close range However, Honduras responded in the second half as Jazlyn Sanchez (61st) equalized with a well-placed headerfromaset-piece.

In the feature contest, host nation Trinidad and Tobago held off the United States for much of the first halfbutultimatelyfelltoa30defeat.

The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute, when Ashlyn Anderson pounced onalooseballinsidethebox and flicked home a clever finish.

The United States doubled their advantage in the 78th minute, as Micayla Johnson executed an acrobatic right-footed finish fromcloserange.

In the final moments, Chloe Sadler (90th) sealed the win with a precise rightfooted strike into the bottom leftcorner

Withopeningdefeats,the Caribbeanteamswillneedto regroup quickly if they hope to stay in contention for a spotattheWorldCup.

Haiti in action against Costa Rica.
(Photo: Concacaf Media)
(Photo: Concacaf Media)

ExcitingrestartoftheEastBankFootballAssociationBoys'U14League

The East Bank

F o o t b a l l

Association (EBFA) Boys' U14 League made a thrilling return this past weekend, kicking off with an electrifying doubleheader at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) NationalTrainingCentre.

Fans were treated to intense matchups, spectacular goals, and standout performances as young talents showcased theirskillsonthefield.

In the opening match, HerstellingRaidersfacedoff against Swan FC in a highenergyencounter

The match saw end-toend action, but it was Herstelling Raiders who emerged victorious, securingallthreepointswith acommanding3-0win.

Thestarofthegamewas the versatile 12-year-old Wayshawn Forde, who delivered a sensational performance by netting his second hat-trick of the season.

Forde found the back of thenetinthe26th,57th,and 68th minutes, cementing his position as the tournament's second-highestgoalscorer

Despitealatesurgefrom Swan FC in the final 15 minutes, the Herstelling defenceheldfirm,ensuringa cleansheet.

The second match featured league leaders

Timehri United taking on Kuru Kuru FC, in what turned out to be a dominant displayofattackingfootball.

Timehri United wasted no time asserting their authority, dismantling Kuru

Timehri United scorers (pictured) fired 12 past Kuru Kuru FC in a dominant display.

Patentia restricts Yarrowkabra to lift GOAPC Inter-Secondary School's Tapeball title

The Georgetown Office Assistant Promotion Committee (GOAPC) wrapped up its first 2025 Inter-Secondary School eight-a-side Tapeball Cricket Competition on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, where Patentia Secondary School clinchedthefirst2025titlewithadeserving four-run victory over Yarrowkabra Secondaryinthefinal.

Atournamentquicklybecomingastaple on the GOAPC calendar, the competition was expertly coordinated by the indefatigable James "Uprising" Lewis. In thetitleclash,PatentiaSecondarytookfirst strikeandpostedacompetitivetotal.

Skipper Kevin Mahase led from the front,playingacaptain'sknockof19runsto steadytheinnings,guidinghissideto62-3in their allotted four overs. Robin Scott also played a crucial hand, chipping in with a well-paced 17. The pick of the bowlers for Yarrowkabra was Jadon Birch, who bagged

KuruFCwitha12-0victory Tournament-leading goal scorer Nyron Barrow led the charge, scoring an impressivefivegoals.

Additional goals came from Quan Taylor (2), Jeremiah Stuart, Lamar Kelly, and Omarian Cozier,

sealingaresoundingwinfor TimehriUnited. With the competition heating up, anticipation

scheduled to continue Saturday at the GFF

twokeywicketsforjustthreeruns,keeping Patentia'stotalunder70.

In reply,Yarrowkabra found themselves behind the required rate and ultimately ran out of deliveries, finishing on 58-4. With that,Patentiasecuredafour-runtriumphand liftedthecovetedchampionshiptrophy

At the closing ceremony, 13-year-old JadonBirchwasnamedBestBowlerforhis stellar performance in the final. Birch, the youngest player in the tournament, showcased immense potential throughout. Meanwhile,theBestBatsmanawardwentto LeonJamesofYarrowkabraSecondary,who also took home the MVP honours for his outstanding all-round performance in the competition.

Theeventwasmadepossiblethroughthe generoussponsorshipoftheNationalSports Commission,theMinistryofCulture,Youth &Sports,andPrem'sElectricalofAlexander Street,Bourda.

Centre, starting from 10:00AM.

Fans, coaches, and football enthusiasts are encouraged to come out and support these young stars as they battle for supremacy in the EBFA Boys' U14 League.

Wayshawn Forde

Harpy Eagles faces toughest challenge yet, as battle versus star-studded Hurricanes bowls off today

Defending4-Daychamps Guyana Harpy Eagles will

faceoffagainstwhatcouldbe their toughest challenge this

season when they face the internationally-studded Leeward Island Hurricanes todayasthe6thRoundofthe R

resumes today across the Caribbean.

Due to injuries and duties,theEagleswillplaya tweakedXIasthestillyoung speedprospectinIsaiThorne makes a return to the setup having played a few rounds. Anothersurpriseinclusionis the tall left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, who was strangely not included in the previous rounds, having ended last season as the leading wicket-taker but couldmakeaquickimpactin thefinalgames.

Thorne, along with Ronaldo Alimohamed, Guyana's best pacer this season, coupled with Nial Smith who will be keen on finishingoffhisseasonwitha few more scalps should be enough to stave off a

battingorder Hurricanes skipper Rakheem Cornwall will fancyhisteam'schanceswith the bat, especially with highly-ranked Test prospect Jewel Andrew and current West Indies middle-order TestbatsmanJustinGreaves, both stroking tons in the last game where they thrashed CCC by a massive 373-run deficit.

Leewards will also be banking on West Indies Test players like opener Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, skipper Cornwall who has tons of experienceinallformatsand USA-born middle-order

batsman Karima Gore, who has been on a quiet run-fest with four fifties under his belt,includingoneinthelast game.

Jahamar Hamilton who has played one Test for the West Indies has also been in goodtouchwithafewfifties this season, including an 81 and93.

Guyana will also want much from their captain Tevin Imlach, the team's leading run-scorer and another young player currently involved in the Windies Test setup, offspinner Richie Looknauth who had one amazing game thisseasonreturnsinplaceof a departing Gudakesh Motie who has international obligations.

West Indies all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, former Test spinner and leading wickettaker in 1st class cricket, Veerasammy Permaul along

The Leeward Island Hurricanes could prove to be a stern test for the Guyana side.

with another ex-West Indies all-rounder in Keemo Paul, will have their work cut out for them in the respective departments, versus their most formidable batting opponentsyet.

Former Eagles Captain Kevlon Anderson, is also among the leading runscorers this season and will needtoplaytheX-Factorrole in the middle-order along with vice-captain Kemol Savory who is due a bog score after maintaining his rank this season as one of Guyana'sleadingrun-getters.

Openers Matthew Nandu and Raymond Perez have been decent but will need to show their full potential in this game versus arguably one of the better bowling teamsinthetournament,with an arsenal of Test bowlers incoming.

The Hurricanes will be keenonunleashingtheirpace

duo of Oshane Thomas, another former Windies speed-man and current spearhead of the attack, Alzarri Joseph Joseph bagged9wicketsaloneinthe last game whileThomas had second innings 5-fer alongside Cornwall, one of the leading wicket-takers with19scalpstodate,adding moreweightontheshoulders ofchamps'batsmen.

Harpy Eagles currently lead the Championship after five rounds with 102 6 points, edging out second placeTrinidad&TobagoRed Force (101 points) while today's opponents the Leeward Islands Hurricanes look to add to their tally of 79.6 while possibly jumping from the current third place spot.

The first ball is expected to bowl off from 10:00h at Warner Park, St Kitts (CliftonRoss)

Abram Zuil sweeps Essequibo leg of Jagan's Memorial Windball Competition

The Essequibo leg of the Janet and Cheddi Jagan Memorial Windball Cricket competitionwrappedupover theweekendatZorgGround, with Abram Zuil Secondary sweeping both the Boys' and Girls' titles. The tournament,

Zuilbattedfirstandpostedan imposing 73 runs without loss.StarbatterFeliciaCarter was the standout performer, smashing an unbeaten halfcentury (50 runs), which included seven sixes. She was well supported by Deeroya Morris, who

organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport (MCYS) in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), concluded in thrilling fashion.

Abram Zuil Secondary has been making waves across the nation, and this time, they cemented their dominancebyclinchingboth championships.

In the Girls' final,Abram

remainednotouton10.

Aurora Secondary, needing 74 to win, started theirchasepositivelybutfell shortat67-2.Despitevaliant effortsfromAckeelaStephen (24) and Orianna Gibson (15), Aurora couldn't overcome Abram Zuil's disciplined bowling attack, losingbysevenruns.

Over in the Boys' divisional final, Abram Zuil

triumph once again

dominated play, this time with a commanding 25-run victory Afterbeingsentinto bat, they quickly got off to a strong start, with Eron Benjamin leading the charge with27runs.

Jeremiah Innis contributed a crucial 19 as AbramZuilposted73-4.

Inresponse,AnnaRegina Multilateral struggled against an inspired bowling attack. Lester Noel was the

chief destroyer, wreaking havoc with figures of 3-1, as AnnaReginafalteredto48-5. Darius Pearson (19) and ManavSamlall(10)werethe only batters to reach double figures, but their efforts weren't enough to challenge AbramZuil'stotal.

Meanwhile, in the lone Georgetown fixture, New Central High faced off against St Rose's High. St Rose'sbattedfirstandposted a competitive 76-0, with Sarah Persaud (42) and Jada

Persaud (16) leading the charge.

However, New Central High's Aaliyah produced a match-winningperformance, smashingablistering48runs to guide her team to victory Finishing on 80-1, New Central secured a dominant nine-wicketwin.

With the competition delivering exciting cricket action, Abram Zuil's clean sweepfurtherhighlightstheir growing dominance in schoolWindballcricket.

Abram Zuil Girls Team wins Essequibo leg of the Janet Jagan's Memorial Windball tourney.
Abram Zuil Boys Cricket team seal 25-run victory over Anna Regina to lift the Essequibo title.

Sports

Rovman Powell
Winner Joseph Szeplaki (4th from left) flanked by fellow winners following the end of the LGC/ STPInvestments Inc. Golf tournament.
Defending 4-Day champs Guyana Harpy Eagles will face off against what could be their toughest challenge this season.

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