Guyana Times - Saturday, February 8, 2025

Hughes admits to buying State land from man with no

WHAT'S INSIDE:

IDB Lab partners with 19Labs to launch drone-delivered medical aid in Guyana Hairdresser among 4 slapped with armed robbery charges

Inter-agency investigation into cooking gas cylinders ongoing Magistrate defers ruling on SOCU’s request for access to more of Brutus's bank records 40 persons graduate from National Defense Institute programme Berbice

Collin Croal, and Minister within the Ministry, Susan Rodrigues,

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, February 8 –00:30h-02:00h and Saturday, February 8 – 01:30h-03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, February 8 –11:40h-13:10h and Saturday, February 8 – 12:55h-14:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY

Light to thundery showers are expected throughout the day and at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 11:56h a maximum height of 2.22 metres.

Low Tide: 18:16h reaching a minimum height of 0.99 metre.

“Completely false” – Pres Ali slams Terrence Campbell’s PM candidacy claim

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has denied approaching Church’s Chicken franchise owner, Terrence Campbell, to be the prime ministerial candidate for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Campbell claimed, “You may find it hard to believe that I was the first person Irfaan Ali approached to be his prime ministerial candidate.”

According to President Ali in a response via his social media page on Friday, “This is completely false. I never approached Terrence Campbell to be a prime ministerial candidate for me or the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”

The Head of State admitted that he did have many discussions on political matter with the businessman in past but never offered him any positions. The PPP/C had selected former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, as the PM Candidate to run alongside Ali at the 2020 elections and he is currently holding that post.

“During our time in opposition, I stated to him and others that the PPP/C is the only national party and that our policies are pro-people and pro-Guyana. At no time did I make an offer for him to be a prime ministerial candidate.”

Campbell’s claim on

Thursday came after he was, once again, called out by Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo over his duplicitous positions and criticisms of the PPP/C Government.

However, President Ali noted in this post on Friday that VP Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the PPP, does not attack anyone but merely speaks about the facts.

“[Jagdeo] responds factually and politically to statements and issues. It seems that there is a belief among some in the country that they can attack the PPP and its leadership without expecting a response,” the Head of State asserted.

In the past, Jagdeo and Campbell have had public clashes on various issues.

Campbell, who has been vocal in his criticisms of the Government, particularly concerning the management of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), has recently been at the centre of a controversary where he was given over a $100 million tax writeoff by the Guyana Revenue

Authority (GRA). Campbell’s tax information was leaked to the media, exposing a tax waiver granted to him by GRA to the tune of $138, 835, 578.

During his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said that Campbell is “looking for relevance” with his constant criticisms of the PPP/C Administration.

“Nobody knows who he is and they don’t care too much about him. He’s a big tax evader… This was a guy under APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) that was allowed to evade all these taxes and keep people’s VAT money that they paid, for himself. That’s crooked behaviour; that’s corrupt behaviour,” the VP stated.

According to the leaked GRA document, Campbell wrote a letter of request to GRA on September 11, 2020 asking for a waiver of penalty/ interest allegedly “accrued on the late submission of returns and late payments principal taxes, respectively.”

Previously, the businessman had accused the

Government of leaking the documents of his $138 million tax write-off. But while the waiver was granted on September 25, 2020, VP Jagdeo insisted last week that the current administration, which took office in

August 2020, was unaware of the write-off. Nevertheless, Campbell has since threatened legal action over the leaked documents while GRA has promised an investigation into the release of the documents.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Church’s Chicken owner, Terrence Campbell

Editor: Tusika Martin

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Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Transformative solution & healthcare

The intersection of innovation and healthcare has once again proven to be a game-changer, as IDB Lab, the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), collaborates with 19Labs to introduce drone technology for medical supply delivery in Guyana’s hinterland. This pioneering initiative marks a significant breakthrough in addressing healthcare access challenges faced by remote communities, setting a precedent for scalable and sustainable healthcare solutions across the region.

The introduction of drone technology into the country’s expanding telemedicine and digital health network presents a transformative solution to these challenges.

By utilising a cost-effective long-range two-way drone delivery system, this initiative would improve supply chain efficiency and ensure timely and reliable access to essential medications.

This pilot programme is expected to benefit over 20,000 residents served by 15 telemedicine centres in some of the most remote communities. It would not only facilitate the timely transport of medical supplies, but also reduce the need for excessive stockpiling, thereby minimizing wastage and optimizing healthcare resource allocation. In an era where technology is reshaping industries, Guyana’s healthcare sector is now poised to embrace modern logistics solutions that prioritize efficiency and sustainability.

The collaboration between IDB Lab and 19Labs is not new to Latin America. 19Labs has been at the forefront of rural healthcare transformation across the region, and its partnership with Guyana’s Ministry of Health has already established telemedicine services that connect regional hospitals to remote health facilities. This new drone initiative serves as a critical enhancement to these efforts, as it ensures not only connectivity between patients and healthcare professionals, but also the physical delivery of lifesaving medications and critical medical supplies.

According to CEO of IDB Lab, Irene Arias Hofman, this project represents “a monumental leap forward” in the commitment to innovation and excellence. By integrating drone technology into healthcare logistics, IDB Lab aims to establish a new standard for accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability in healthcare delivery. The initiative further underscores the organization’s dedication to addressing the healthcare disparities faced by underserved communities, while also reinforcing its leadership in driving progress in health innovation.

CEO and Founder of 19Labs, Ram Fish, emphasised the urgent need for such technology in rural healthcare. He pointed out that no existing provider offers a cost-effective, long-range, two-way drone system capable of exceeding 100 kilometres safely. After a year of rigorous development, the launch of this solution in Guyana in early 2025 marks a milestone, not just for the country, but for rural healthcare worldwide.

Beyond its immediate impact on healthcare accessibility, this initiative would foster local employment and skills development. The project is set to create training opportunities for drone operators, technicians, and community coordinators, equipping local professionals with expertise in drone logistics. This, in turn, would help develop a scalable business model that can be replicated in other regions, ensuring that the benefits of this technology extend beyond Guyana’s borders.

The success of this pilot project would play an important role in guiding the nationwide expansion of drone-assisted healthcare services. Should it prove effective, it would serve as a model for similar programs across Latin America and the Caribbean, demonstrating how innovation can bridge healthcare gaps and improve the quality of life in remote and underserved communities.

By leveraging technology, expertise, and strategic partnerships, Guyana is embracing a future in which no community is left behind due to geographical constraints. This is the dawn of a new era in healthcare logistics, one in which technology ensures that distance no longer determines access to medical care.

Guyana stands on the brink of this healthcare revolution, and as such, it is imperative for stakeholders — from policymakers to local communities — to support and champion these advancements. The integration of drone technology into the healthcare system is about saving lives, nurturing sustainability, and ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has equitable access to essential healthcare services.

Difference between digital fingerprintcapturing & biometrics at polling place

Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is particularly concerned about the grossly misleading headline article titled “No law preventing GECOM from employing digital fingerprinting at elections – but Chairman says time to introduce system too short”, which was published on Friday, 7th February, 2025 and attributed to the GECOM Chairman, Justice Claudette Singh.

The headline is a total misrepresentation of the Chairman’s stated position on this very sensitive matter, and therefore carries potential to generate far-reaching consequences that include, but are not limited to, causing distrust and confusion among stakeholders.

In this regard, it is necessary for GECOM to clarify the Chairman’s position.

It must be categorically stated that the Chairman’s articulation was specifically in relation to digital fin-

gerprint-capture during registration, and not elections. Registration and election are two separate processes, and although connected, should not be confused with each other. In fact, while one process is the initiating and complementary phase to the other, there are distinctly separate laws guiding registration and elections.

Specifically, the Chairman stated that, “in outlining my position on the matter of digital fingerprint-capture, I had mentioned that Section 9(1A) of the National Registration Act, as amended by Act 14 of 2005, empowers the Commission to determine, from time-to-time, procedures for the acquisition and electronic processing of data. In this regard, I did say that it is obvious therefore that there is nothing in the law or otherwise preventing the introduction of a system where such fingerprints are taken digitally, since it is the Commission that is empowered to deter-

mine such procedures.”

Universal health voucher

It is therefore against this backdrop that it must be emphatically stated that the Commission stands by its decision: that introduction of Biometrics at the place of poll requires legislative provisions, and the consideration is only for capture of digital fingerprints during the registration process.

Having considered all the complexities, the Chairman suggested that since digital fingerprint-capture is something new for GECOM, it would be necessary for the Commission to hire a suitable technical consultant to advise on the way forward, to ensure that all of the bases are covered and that it is done in a comprehensive manner.

In summing up her position, Justice Singh advised that conceptualizing a project for digital fingerprint-capture during voter registration should not be carried

out simultaneously with preparations for the upcoming elections, due to logistical challenges, technical considerations, political and social acceptance issues, together with costs.

She explained that introducing a new technology like digital fingerprint-capture during the election preparations would add another layer of complexity that could strain resources and personnel.

In view of the foregoing, the Commission is encouraging media practitioners to ensure that they always seek clarity on issues, and verify information in order to avoid publication of misinformation and disinformation, as these can have damaging consequences on individuals and organizations, as well as cause public distrust and confusion.

Sincerely,

Yolanda Ward Public Relations Officer Guyana Elections Commission

Lest he becomes too overambitious

Dear Editor,

It's election season, and the chances of the Opposition making any headway in bringing about a change of government is very slim. So, there is a concerted effort to again forge some semblance of "A coalition" of forces in order to see if they can make a change. That process of coalescing has already begun, albeit in a very subtle way.

First in the list of strategies is that former PNC member Simona Broomes has formed her own party and will be contesting the next general election. This, from surface value, is a supposed breakaway from the

PNC; but who will vote for her? From which voting pool can her votes be sourced?

The logical answer is that she can draw voters only from the disenchanted list of the PNC, which in itself is not a good thing. Election watchers see this as a plan hatched by ‘the lying lawyer’ to force Norton to give up his position as the presidential candidate of any arrangement leading up to a coalition.

This is pellucid, so the wranglings intensify within the main Opposition and its potential coalition partner. Norton is sticking to his position: that the presiden-

tial candidate must come from his party, while the wily Nigel Hughes is working towards Norton wiping that concept off his mind. So, while they jostle for power in the potential coalition, the incumbent PPP/C looms greater and stronger.

Now, here is where the name Azharuddin Mohamed comes in. The Opposition have opined that their present attempts to bring about an electoral change would not work, so there is strong encouragement to Mr Mohamed to enter the political race. The developer billionaire-now-turned-philanthropist is the candidate

they are counting on to remove the PPP/C. While this is a good gesture, Mr Mohamed must consider some pertinent facts, and I have listed them below:

1. In the first place, running a country is not a game of photo opportunities; it is facing hardcore economic challenges and making futuristic plans and goals to move a Third World country such as ours forward.

2. Who would comprise that cadre of trained and experienced persons that would make his team contest?

Performers participating in the annual Chinese Lunar New Year Chingay Parade in Singapore (AFP)

Norton admits to snubbing Minister on Constitutional appointment correspondences

…says Gail Teixeira ‘below his level’

Opposition Leader

Aubrey Norton has defended bypassing the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Ministry in corresponding on matters of constitutional appointments.

Minister Gail Teixeira has raised the issue that whenever she writes to the Leader of the Opposition, he would instead respond directly to the Office of the President, resulting in a breakdown in communication.

pointments, he will respond directly to the President and/ or through an emissary,” Teixeira recently explained to the National Assembly.

“I would like to ask the Honourable Member that, as I am asked by the President to write the Leader of the Opposition, that he also provides me with his responses or correspondence, instead of always disregarding my correspondence and treating me as if I am too much beneath him for him to respond,” she had added.

person identified to relate to Gail Texeira on these matters and that I, Aubrey Norton, as Leader of the Opposition, will engage the President,” Norton told reporters. “The Office of the President and Teixeira have picked up the practice of Teixeira writing straight to me. I’ve been around long enough to know that I shouldn’t accept that,” he contended.

The most recent breakdown was relating to the opposition’s nominees for the Local Government Commission. While Teixeira’s Ministry had written the Opposition Leader requesting the submission of his nominees, Norton responded, but sent his letter to the Office of the President.

“Mr Norton has a habit of not recognising me as

the person who writes him on behalf of the President. So, any correspondence sent to him on constitutional ap-

Asked to comment on the issue during his press conference today, Norton indicated that Teixeira is not on his level and therefore, he prefers to communicate directly with the Office of the President.

“When I became Leader

of the Opposition, the President and I engaged.

After the President engaged me, he then had a letter sent by Gail Teixeira. I then said in a letter to the President and to Gail Teixeira that Roysdale Forde will be the

According to Norton, “if she continues to write me and I will continue to not respond to her and respond directly to the President, because she says she writes on behalf of the President. So, I assume that with she writing on behalf of the President, I would want somebody writing on my behalf and engaging at her level.”

40 persons graduate from National Defence Institute programme

and graduates

the five-day

Forty students graduated from the fiveday National Defence Institute (NDI) programme, which gave the participants training to upgrade them to participate more effectively in Guyana’s national defence.

The training was conducted by the William J. Perry Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies in conjunction with the National Defence Institute (Guyana). Participants came from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); the Guyana Police Force (GPF); the Guyana Fire Service (GFS); the Guyana Prison Service (GPS); the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); and the Office of the President.

The GDF had the largest representation, with 20 students.

The programme, which was held from February 3 to 7, focused on a wide range of topics including civil military relations, maritime security, crisis management, emerging technology and critical infrastructure, human rights, and, procurement, among other topics.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony was Director of the NDI, Dr Randolph Persaud, who expressed the benefits of these exercises for students that were granted in the programme.

He explained that the students were given a case study with a simulated amount of $600 million, which they had to spend over a three-year period for procurement. They were required to make decisions based on strategic objectives, international geopolitical calculations, domestic requirements, border issues, and Guyana’s national security strategy.

According to him, the students performed very well on projects like these.

“It was very thoroughly done and, most importantly, it was data-driven. It was based upon the available mock data in this instance, but these are basically simulations. We also covered crisis decision-making during the week. We covered human rights. We did things like human security, small arms and light weapons

Lest he becomes...

3. Mr. Mohamed should be aware that the people who are praising him now are the same people who were vilifying him just the other day before the international community.

4. You would recall that the Mohameds are the contractors who were earmarked to build the shore base facility at Vreed-enHoop. This plan fell through due to the Opposition's vehement claims that the Mohameds were linked to the PPP and were in the business of money-laundering. This information was passed to the US authorities, who immediately placed sanctions on that family. I say no more!

5. The Mohameds had to withdraw from that multi-million-dollar project all because of Opposition's accusations and intense pressure. So, to turn again and praise a man that they so disparagingly spoke

about should be a warning to the Mohameds that they are in for another round of being used, just like "The two Little Indians" in the Coalition.

The point is, Mr Mohamed must never forget that he is still viewed as "An Indian", who should never get into power, but let them use that power he has to cause the Indian block of voters to make a crossover and bring the PPP down.

That concept was hatched in 2011, and met its full manifestation in 2015. However, and most importantly, Guyana was all the poorer because of that union of sorts, because the PNC took full control and created havoc in the economy. This Mr. Mohamed should take keen note of, lest he becomes overambitious and is lured into that trap.

Respectfully submitted

Neil Adams

for liberation. We did strategic thought. We did command and control. We did capabilities, defence planning, and a range of other topics.”

He added that the comprehensiveness of the programme was remarkable, in which most lectures were followed by engaging real life scenarios.

“It was quite comprehensive. There were lectures followed by tabletop exercises based upon scenarios that students were given. I’m happy to report that the students did extremely well.”

In fact, he highlighted that on all days of the programme the attendance rate was very high.

“The attendance rate was high, and the quality of questions that came from them impressed the visiting faculty and, of course, the leadership of the National Defence Institute. So, all in all, this being the first batch of students through the Perry Centre NDI programme, I think it’s been an overwhelming success.”

According to him, students attained an array of benefits from this certification programme.

The course director was Dr David Spencer. The other Perry Centre faculty include Professors Celina Realuyo, Col (Ret′d) Glyne Grannum (Barbados), and Dr Román D. Ortiz.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira

The lecturers

of

National Defence Institute (NDI) programme

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

Page Foundation

(1) Mark stacked blocks to make a series of patterns. Study it carefully and then answer the questions (a) (i) and (ii).

(i) Shade to show Fig 3 of the pattern above.

(ii) How many blocks will be stacked to form Fig 5?

(i) The table below shows a different pattern. Complete it by filling in the blank boxes.

(ii) Using the table above, determine how many arrows will there be in figure 10?

(2) The picture below shows Shurlan's savings over a perioc of time.

(a) How much money did Shurlan save in total?

(b) If Shurlan changed one of his $2 000 notes into $50 notes, how many $50 notes will he get?

(c) Shurlan used $4 000 of his savings to pay for 3 shirts and 1 pair of pants. If the pants cost $1 600, how much did he pay for 1 shirt?

(3) Uncle Rabbie purchased 10 bunches of plantain a $1 500 per bunch. He then sold them for $2 000 per bunch.

(i) How much did he pay for the 10 bunches of plantain?

(ii) What was his profit when he sold all the plantains?

(4) Study the shape below and then answer the questions that follow.

(a) Find the length of x.

(ii) Calculate the perimeter of the shape.

(iii) Calculate the area of B.

(iv) The area of A is twice the area of B. Express as a ratio, the area of A to B.

By Gelett BurGess

I never saw a Purple Cow, I never hope to see one, But I can tell you, anyhow, I’d rather see than be one!

WORD

(b)

(a)

The picture below shows Shurlan's savings over a perioc of time.

Hughes admits to buying State land from man with no title

…sees nothing wrong with getting lease approval during APNU/AFC caretaker mode

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, has admitted that he secured 50 acres of leased lands located on the left side of the Essequibo River from an individual who did not have documentation of ownership for the land.

During his press conference on Thursday, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that Hughes had benefitted from 75 acres of land under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

Hughes had subsequently admitted via a social media post to purchasing 50 acres of land on the left bank of the Essequibo River and below the mouth of the Groete Creek from an individual name Simon Munroe.

However, Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC, later revealed that there is no record at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to prove that the individual ever had the lease for the land – something which Hughes, a lawyer by profession, confirmed during his party’s press conference on Friday.

“I purchased 50 acres of land from [Munroe] on the left bank of the Essequibo River for the sum of two million dollars. At the time of the acquisition, he had not yet acquired his lease. He had been in occupation and he had been waiting on Guyana Lands and Surveys,” he stated.

When asked, Hughes could not say how long the individual had been occupying the land and why he never obtained the lease document.

“I couldn’t say how long he was there but I certainly went there and inspected it, and saw he was occupying it… He said he’d been frustrated. He’d been waiting and waiting and he had not gotten [the lease]. And if I recall correctly, he either wanted to migrate or some relative of him wanted to migrate and he need the money [hence his decision to sell the land]...,” the AFC leader said.

“Whether he was squatter or not, I won’t know. Whether he was squatting is really irrelevant to the process because at the end of the day, I still had to go to the Guyana Lands and Surveys. I had to apply to them and they went through the process… We paid the inspec-

tion fee, they went out to inspect so you may want to ask them what they found when they went to inspect,” the politician noted.

Hughes went on to dismiss claims that he received the land during the period when the Coalition Government was in a caretaker mode after falling to a No Confidence Motion (NCM) in December 2018.

Nothing wrong

Despite the records showing that the provisional lease was granted to him on October 24, 2019 during that caretaker period, Hughes maintains that he did nothing wrong.

“2016, 30th January is when I went to pay for the inspection fee. There was no caretaker Government then. That is when the process started – 30th January, 2016. That is two years, almost three years, before the

No Confidence vote. The process, the inspection conducted by the Guyana Lands and Surveys, the survey – all those things happened long before… There was no suggestion that this transaction was anything other than an above-board transaction,” he contended.

Recently, the AFC Leader had come in for heavy criticisms after calling for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government to halt all land deals amid allegations of corruption at the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) in the Housing and Water Ministry.

Vice President (VP) Jagdeo has already called out Hughes for his “duplicity,” reminding that he benefited from large tracts of land during the Coalition’s caretaker mode. “We’re not in a caretaker mode. We’re a Government vested with full powers until the elections and he wants us to pause on any transactions…,” the Vice President countered.

Meanwhile, there had also been reports of other instances whereby Hughes represented clients to purchase state lands at low costs.

For instance, VP Jagdeo had revealed that just before the March 2020 elections but after the No-Confidence Motion, Hughes’s client – a Trinidadian company – had secured 25 acres of land at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited

(NICIL) at $26 million per acre. At the time, other lands in the area were being sold at $30 million per acre.

Additionally, the Vice President revealed that the same Trinidadian company had also secured another 10 acres of land at $10 million per acre at Earl’s Court, La Bonne Intention (LBI), ECD – a transaction for which Hughes was listed as the Company Secretary and a Director.

Hughes explained that his law firm – Hughes, Fields and Stoby – acts as the local registered office for overseas based clients that are establishing businesses in Guyana and also offers corporate secretarial services.

“Our law firm provides that [service] for several companies both domestic and international, and quiet often, I am named as the Company Secretary. Similarly, in the Directorship of Companies…

So, there are several companies on which several lawyers, and certainly myself, sit on the company. The important thing about the company is not the Company Secretary or the Director, it’s who owns the company… [and] who are the shareholders... I am not a shareholder of any company that has been awarded any lands in Ogle, in Earl’s Court or anywhere else,” he asserted.

Moreover, the AFC Leader went onto explain that he has never been a part of any of the negotiations to determine the purchase price for any lands, stating that this is usually between the shareholders/investors and the Government.

Hughes further stated that he welcomes any investigation into his acquisition of the lands near the Essequibo River as well as his role in the land deals on ECD.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

AFC Leader Nigel Hughes

Ending…

…improving the world?

Seismic shock has been expressed here in Mudland at what is seen as Trump’s moves to evidently shutter USAID and its programs, which span the globe on its US$27 billion budget. Our reporting was almost hysterical: “The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has programs in Guyana that focus on health, economic growth, and democracy and governance. Health: Improving public health systems, Increasing access to comprehensive care, Improving HIV prevention services, and Improving supply chain management for drugs and other supplies. Economic growth: Supporting the private sector, and Increasing investments in nontraditional exports. Democracy and Governance: Improving institutions and systems, Improving rule of law, Improving political competition, Improving consensus building, and Improving civil society.”

And for good measure, that “USAID also has a project that aims to reduce youth violence by providing job and civic opportunities to at-risk youth”. Whew!! With such an expansive range of activities there doesn’t appear to be much left for the Government to do!! Did the average Tom, Dick or Harrylall realize the Yanks were doing all of this for us?? And imagine this being customized and replicated in so many other countries. God bless America!! The White Man’s burden never ends!!

So, what’s really going on?? Is it an outward expression of Trump’s domestic rejection of the Statue of Liberty’s articulation of America’s willingness to help the poor of the world by welcoming them into their country, if necessary?? So, is the rest of the world to remain sick, poor and ruled by vicious dictators?? Oh tempora! Oh Mores!!

But truth be told, USAID not-so-incidentally fronted regime change activities!!

Well, from the job description Trump gave to Elon Musk, the Sherrif of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), you’d think they’re just streamlining USAID. However, from the Embassy’s announcement to the locals, being “assisted” implied more than a recalibrating: “We ask that you cease activities under your award, and do not incur any additional costs at this time. All foreign assistance funding is currently under review as part of a broader evaluation of foreign assistance programs. As such, all activities related to this award must be paused until further notice.”

Since then, we’ve learnt that of the 9000 USAID employees worldwide, just 294 of them gonna be retained, and new ones rehired. So, from where your Eyewitness sits, it looks like Trump and his Sherriff of DOGE doesn’t intend to ABOLISH USAID, but rather rehouse and rebrand it. In tune with this was Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that he’s the acting administrator of USAID – which possibly signifies it might be subsumed into State.

It’s becoming clearer and clearer that we’re looking at a more focused approach in the US’ relationship with the world!!

…poverty??

It’s been almost two years since the World Bank bumped us up into the elevated ranks of the “High Income Country”. Imagine that!! But that illustrates the truism that you can’t believe everything you read, you gotta make sure your also read the fine print in the footnotes!! And what’s in those footnotes?? Just that most of our “growth in income” comes from the oil revenues that’re lumped in our Gross National Product and divided by the number of our residents!!

So, of course, that figure’s increasing explosively; you’re dividing an exponentially increasing number (oil revenues) by a stagnant number – our evidently fixed population!! But the fact of the matter is that the oil revenues aren’t REALLY divvied up and passed on to the citizenry as income!! No siree Bob!! 84% goes into ExxonMobil’s, Hess’s and CNOOC’s bank accounts, and the 16% remainder is spent by the Govt on infrastructural projects to create a growing economy!! So, sure, incomes are rising – but nowhere near real life high-flyers like Singapore!!

…Haiti’s misery?

One of the saddest cutbacks announced by the new Trump Administration is in its commitment to the funding of the security forces that’s being assembled to take back Haiti from the gangs holding it hostage!! How long, Jah??

High Court dismisses Mocha squatters’ case, rejects claim for over $200M in damages

…Opposition

MP’s evidence rejected; claimants ordered to pay AG, CH&PA, GuySuCo $2M in costs

Chief Justice Roxane

George, SC, on Friday dismissed claims brought by squatters who had taken up residence at Cane View/Mocha, East Bank Demerara against the Government following the demolition of their homes in January 2023. Represented by attorneys Mark Gordon, Shenika Simpson, Roxane Allen and Lucretia George, the displaced squatters had sought more than $200 million in damages, declarations of ownership of parcels of land, and compensation for alleged breaches of constitutional rights.

In a virtual handing down of her decision on Friday, Justice George ruled that the applicants had failed to substantiate their claims for prescriptive titles, property damage, and constitutional violations; and she awarded costs against the applicants in the total sum of $1 million, payable by June 30, 2025.

Failed claims

The applicants’ primary contention was that they had acquired prescriptive titles to Lots 11 and 16 of Cane View through longterm occupation; but the Chief Justice found that the evidence they presented was insufficient, and was lacking in key details.

“Neither Ms. Allen, nor Mr. Gordon, nor any of the other applicants have provided a description of their respective lots, such as to reveal their dimensions and exact location,” Justice George has ruled.

The court also noted that, despite assertions of long-term residency, neither Gordon nor Allen had produced definitive survey data, maps, or photographs that clearly identified the specific parcels they claimed to own.

Further, in highlighting inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the applicants, Justice George observed that “the photos produced by Ms. Allen do not clearly identify exactly which of the structures was hers.” And she added that the photographs of the fence provided by Mr. Gordon

“The applicants would have become trespassers after being asked to remove from the lands to which they had no title and to which they did not lay claim by any action or proceedings. They refused to move, and the owner or its agents would have been entitled to remove them,” – Justice Roxane George, SC

“cast doubt on whether the evidence is credible.”

Speculative

The applicants had sought more than $200 million in compensation for damage to property and personal losses. Gordon’s claim had amounted to $189,637,031, while Allen had sought $25 million for the land and $30 million for her home. However, the court found these figures to be speculative and unsupported by credible evidence.

“There is no evidence he (valuator) ever observed anything about which he reported,” Justice George noted in reference to valuation reports relied upon by the applicants; which, without independent verification, were based solely on their oral accounts.

Allen’s claims for lost income from farming, a sum in excess of $12.9 million, were dismissed because of the absence of concrete evidence. The court found that reports by the applicants’ experts were vague, and failed to establish the basis for the sums claimed.

“The report is based on hearsay,” the Chief Justice remarked about one valuation report, which she emphasized is lacking in specifics about crop yield or size of land being cultivated.

During the trial, Opposition Member of Parliament, Nima N. FlueBess testified also but this evidence was also rejected by the court.

Constitutional breach rejected

The applicants had argued that their constitutional rights to property and protection against cruel and inhumane treatment had been violated by the demolition of their homes; but the court dismissed those claims as unfounded.

“Having considered the evidence in totality, the claims to breaches of the constitution are found to be unformal,” Justice George ruled.

Further, she emphasized that the matter is essentially a private law dispute over property damage, rather than a constitutional matter.

The applicants had named the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as a respondent, but the court found no basis for this.

“The submissions in relation to GuySuCo are confusing, to say the least,” Justice George stated, as she questioned why the entity was included when no re-

liefs were sought against it.

In dismissing in their entirety the claims made against GuySuCo, the court noted that that company had ceased being titleholder of the land following a 2017 vesting order.

Dispute

The dispute goes back to January 2023, when the Housing and Water Ministry demolished seven homes in Mocha Arcadia to facilitate the construction of a fourlane highway from Eccles to Great Diamond.

Residents had been engaged in relocation discussions with Government since 2021, and Government had offered alternative

house lots, compensation for existing properties, and move-in-ready housing options. While many residents had accepted these offers, some, including the applicants, had refused to vacate the land.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that notices had been distributed in the area and published in national newspapers, advising residents to remove their belongings by November 2022.

Despite those warnings, the applicants had remained defiant, leading to the demolition exercise being conducted in January 2023.

The court heard that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) had engaged in discussions with the residents, including the applicants, about their relocation options.

“The fact that the Central Housing & Planning Authority did not accede to the demand of the applicants to remain does not mean that they were not

given a hearing,” Justice George has said.

Costs In dismissing the cases, the court has ordered the applicants to pay costs of $250,000 to Attorney General Anil Nandlall and to the Central Housing and Planning Authority, and $500,000 to GuySuCo.

Chief Justice Roxane George, SC

Hairdresser among 4 slapped with armed robbery charges

Afemale hairdresser is among four persons charged with armed robbery on the Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). The quartet was charged Friday, for robbery committed on a Corentyne businessman a week prior.

The four were on Friday remanded to prison when they appeared at the Albion Magistrate Court before Magistrate Michelle Matthias.

Eon Clarke called ‘Driver’, 33, a carpenter of #2 Village, East Canje Berbice; Michael Embrack called ‘Duckman’, 40, a mason of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme East Canje; Faraud Khan called ‘Dada’, 22, a labourer of Fyrish Village Corentyne Berbice, and ⁠Dianne Mahase, 36, a hairdresser and nail technician of Canefield, East Canje Berbice, were not required to plea to the indictable charge.

It is alleged that on January 31, they robbed Ravindra Somai called ‘Buxton’ a 31-year-old businessman of King Street, Belvedere of two gold chains value $360,000 and other articles with a total value of $790,000.

The four are also accused of robbing Kenny Teekadharry a 41-year-old lorry driver also of King Street Belvedere of one silver

chain value value $85,000 and other articles with a total value of $205,000.

They are also accused of robbing 18-year-old Hemant Khan a tint technician of Long Dam Fyrish Village, Corentyne of one car key value $3000.

The charges were laid under section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) act chapter 8:01.

One of the victim’s phones

was allegedly found at the hairdresser’s home during a search by police.

During Friday's hearing, Embrack told the court that Mahase had nothing to do with the robbery.

Khan was the only of the four with legal representation. Attorney-at-law, Rodwell Jagmohan, told the court that the prosecution is depending on the caution statement, and he asked that

it not be used against Khan during the trial. On account of that, he pleaded with the court to grant bail to Khan.

However, Magistrate Mathias said the accused were not required to plea, and the matter might be going to the High Court. Hence, she refused bail to the quartet.

Police prosecutor, Sergeant Mark Stephens, told the court that the file

is incomplete, and asked for four weeks, noting that upon completion, the file will have to be sent back to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) before it will become available to the prosecution.

The Magistrate ordered that the accused return to court on February 25, when the police will be expected to provide a progress report.

It had been reported that two gunmen attacked and robbed Somai called ‘Buxton’, a 31-year-old businessman from Belvedere, Corentyne, at his home. According to the police, the two were masked and armed with handguns, who arrived at the home on a black and red XR motorcycle.

The gunmen rode up the businessman’s tint shop, which he operates at his home, and pointed the guns at him and his workers. After robbing them, the bandits escaped on the motorcycle.

Michael Embrack Dianna Mahase

Faraud Khan Eon Clarke

Human Services Ministry updates ERC on new Family Violence Act

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through its Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SO&DVPU), on Friday concluded a comprehensive sensitisation session with members of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

Held at the ERC boardroom, the session focused on the recently enacted Family Violence Act of 2024 and the Sexual Offences Act of 2010, equipping ERC members with the legal expertise necessary to effectively address reports of violence.

The session provided indepth analysis of the Family Violence Act of 2024, highlighting its advancements over the previous Domestic Violence Act of 1996.

Allizen Welch-Critchlow, legal pro bono manager, emphasised the session’s focus on the legal intricacies of both acts, underscoring the importance of educating essential agencies and institutions on these critical legal frameworks.

“The legal aspect of this training was seen as a very important one to incorporate into the knowledge of the ERC members. It is always important for institutions to understand the laws geared towards protecting survivors

from sexual offences as well as family violence offences,” stated Welch-Critchlow.

Building upon previous sensitisation efforts initiated in November, which primarily addressed GenderBased Violence, this session broadened its scope.

Prevention and Education Officer of the

staff gained a thorough understanding of these laws and the proper procedures for reporting incidents of violence to the relevant authorities,” Camacho affirmed.

Moreover, discussions covered the legislation’s expanded scope, including protections for unmarried cohabitating couples and same-sex couples, thus extending coverage to the LGBTQI+ community.

Furthermore, the session detailed the Sexual Offences Act of 2010, encompassing key aspects such as evidence collection, bail procedures, sentencing guidelines, and the investigative process for sexual offences.

SO&DVPU Kwame Gilhuis, explained, “Violence extends beyond gender to include ethnicity. This training with the ERC specifically addressed the intersection of ethnicity and gender-based violence.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the ERC Gomin Camacho, expressed gratitude for the training, recognising its vital role in capacity building.

“This training on the Family Violence Act and Sexual Offences Act is invaluable for the ERC. Our

Crucially, the ERC members were informed about the Ministry’s various reporting mechanisms, including the 914 Hotline, the iMatter App, and the Survivors’ Advocate Programme, facilitating accessible and confidential reporting for survivors of violence.

This initiative reinforces the Ministry’s dedication to educating key agencies and institutions on this landmark legislation, strengthening the collective response to violence and ensuring access to justice for survivors.

IDB Lab partners with 19Labs to launch drone-delivered medical aid in Guyana

IDB Lab, the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is partnering with 19Labs to pilot the use of drone technology for delivering critical medical supplies to some of Guyana's remote hinterland communities.

19Labs is a global pioneer in transforming rural healthcare through innovative telemedicine and digital health solutions.

This initiative enhances the country's expanding telemedicine and digital health network by providing a cost-effective, long-range, two-way drone-delivery system that can transport medical supplies in remote and geographically isolated re-

gions.

The pilot is expected to benefit over 20,000 residents served by 15 telemedicine centers in most remote communities. By combining drone delivery with telemedicine, the initiative will enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce stockpiling of medical supplies and associated waste, while ensuring that communities have regular and emergency access to medications.

The success of this pilot will guide the nationwide expansion of drone technology as a valuable complement to telemedicine services.

19Labs is a pioneer in transforming rural healthcare solutions across Latin America. Through its part-

nership with Guyana’s Ministry of Health, the company has introduced telemedicine services to connect regional hospitals to remote health facilities. The new drone program will enhance these efforts by ensuring timely and reliable delivery of medical supplies and blood samples for lab testing, improving access to care, and reducing transportation time and costs.

“This project represents a monumental leap forward in our commitment to innovation and excellence. By integrating cutting-edge drone technology, we are not only enhancing healthcare delivery in remote regions but also setting a new standard for accessibility and efficiency,” said Irene Arias Hofman, CEO of IDB Lab. “This initiative underscores our dedication to addressing the healthcare challenges faced by underserved communities and reinforces our role in driving progress in health innovation.”

19Labs’ drone delivery solution goes beyond existing systems by offering sus-

tainable, extensible, and long-term solutions for rural healthcare logistics. “Our work in Latin America has shown an urgent need for drone delivery solutions for remote areas. No provider offers a cost-effective, longrange, two-way drone system for deliveries exceeding 100 kilometers safely.

After a year of development, we are proud to launch our solution in Guyana in early 2025,” said Ram Fish, CEO and Founder of 19Labs.

The project will create training and local job opportunities for drone operators, technicians, and community coordinators. It includes the development of a scalable business model for replication in other regions.

The partnership between IDB Lab and 19Labs exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can transform healthcare systems and set a precedent for sustainable, scalable healthcare solutions across the globe. (www.iadb.org)

High Court dismisses Mocha...

These costs are to be paid on or before June 30, 2025. This applies to both cases and as such the court cost will be $2 million.

Justice George has acknowledged that the demolition had caused losses, but she emphasized that the applicants had become trespassers once they were asked to vacate the land but had refused to do so.

“The applicants would have become trespassers after being asked to remove from the lands which they had no title to and to which they did not lay claim by any

action or proceedings. They refused to move, and the owner or its agents would have been entitled to remove them,” she ruled.

Open to assistance

Despite their having been defeated legally, the court noted, Government has indicated that it is still willing to assist these applicants.

“It is for the applicants to decide if they are willing to respectfully engage, so that offer of assistance will be effective,” Justice George has said.

Government was represented by Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP; Deputy Solicitor General Shoshanna V. Lall; and State Counsel Shania S. Persaud, Mohanie Sudama and Marnice Hestick. The CH&PA was represented by Darshan Ramdhani, KC, and by Arudranauth Gossai; while GuySuCo was represented by Kamal Ramkarran and Rafiq Khan, SC. The applicants were represented by attorneys Vivian M. Williams and Lyndon Amsterdam.

File photo: The demolition exercise in progress in January 2023

Guyana extradites fugitive wanted in Canada for attempted murder

Guyana has extradited Harry Narine Rajkumar to Canada, marking the first-ever extradition between the two nations.

The Home Affairs Ministry confirmed that Rajkumar was sent back to Canada on Thursday to face multiple criminal charges.

Rajkumar was wanted in Canada on serious charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault under the Canadian Criminal Code, specifically within the Ottawa jurisdiction. Authorities had been tracking him since May 2019 after he fled Canadian law enforcement. His capture was made possible through an INTERPOL Red Notice and efforts by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Following his arrest, Rajkumar was remanded to prison and later waived his right to an extradition hearing, opting to return to Canada voluntarily. His extradition was formalised before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The prosecution team, led by Assistant Director of Public

Prosecutions at the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers, Lisa Cave along with Ormella Gladstone, Treaty Officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs, and sergeant Stephan Hinds from the Major Crimes Unit, along with other law enforcement officials.

Last month, the Government announced that it has extradited Parmanand Singh, a citizen of Guyana, to the United States of America

(USA).

Singh was wanted in the US in connection with a vehicular fatality, and the Home Affairs Ministry had said that he waived his right to an extradition hearing and consented to return to the USA to address judicial matters related to a fatal vehicular incident.

In September 2024, the Guyana Government received a formal extradition request for Singh from the US Government. Acting on this request, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn signalled Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty to initiate legal proceedings required for the extradition.

Parmanand Singh was accused of operating a white 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe while his blood-alcohol level exceeded the lawful limit, leading to impaired faculties. He collided head-on with a black Nissan after driving the wrong way, resulting in the death of Sérgio Gadelha.

Police in Florida had reported that Gadelha died shortly after 23:00h on January 23, 2021, along

North University Drive, near Northwest 42 Place.

“Gadelha suffered multiple blunt force trauma injuries resulting in his death,” Sunrise Officer Thomas Nelson wrote in his 2021 arrest report.

A toxicology report revealed that Singh had also consumed fentanyl, cocaine, tramadol, opiates, and marijuana, police had said.

On January 3, 2025, Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty committed Singh to custody for extradition.

“This successful extradition underscores Guyana’s commitment to international cooperation, and its resolve to ensure that justice is served across borders,” the Home Affairs Ministry had said.

A Florida-based news agency, local10.com had reported in January that Singh was at the main jail in Fort Lauderdale without bond. He is facing eight charges: two counts of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) causing death, vehicular homicide, two counts of DUI with damage, two counts of reckless driving, and driving with a suspended licence.

Berbice man on bail for deadly crash

Curtis Cort of Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice (Region Six: East Berbice-Corentyne) was on Wednesday placed on $500,000 bail following his arraignment before Fort Wellington Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, to which he pleaded not guilty as charged.

The magistrate has also ordered the 21-year-old Cort to return to court on February 27, and to report to the Sisters Police Station once per month until the comple-

GDF private on $1M bail for causing fatal accident

Private Shemika Herman of the Guyana Defence Force was on Wednesday placed on $1M bail following her arraignment before Fort Wellington Magistrate Ravindra Mohabir on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, to which she pleaded not guilty as charged.

Her case has been adjourned to February 27, and a condition attached to her bail is that she must report to the Kitty Police Station once per month until determination of the charge against her.

This 30-year-old resi-

dent of Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice (Region Five: (Mahaica-Berbice) is alleged to have driven motor car PAC 2353 in a manner dangerous to the public on July 29, 2024, resulting in 36-year-old Kanrade Lawrence Bacchus of Number 29 Village, West Coast Berbice losing his life.

The police have said that Herman was proceeding in an easterly direction along the northern side of the Number 29 Village public road when she ran her vehicle over Bacchus, who was lying on the northern drive lane there-

of; but instead of stopping to render Bacchus assistance, she fled the scene, leaving him critically injured.

Public-spirited citizens later discovered his body lying on the roadway and rushed him to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police subsequently launched a search for both the driver and vehicle involved in this incident; but, that same morning, Herman presented herself at the Fort Wellington Police Station with the vehicle and was arrested.

tion of his trial.

Recap Curtis Cort was driving motor car PAE 3462 along the Armadale Public Road on the West Coast of Berbice (Region Five: Mahaica-Berbice) on August 29, 2024 when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a left bend and it ended up in the path of PAG 3611, which was being driven by 31-year-old Jose Teixeira of Portuguese Quarters in Port Mourant, Corentyne, and was proceeding in the opposite direction. In the collision that resulted, 9-year-old Avenash Charam of Alness Village, Corentyne sustained a fractured right leg, Teixeira sustained fractures to his right ribs, and three other passengers in his vehicle sustained various injuries.

All of the persons involved in the collision were rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where the doctor who examined them referred Charam, who was in a stable condition, to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital while the others were treated and sent away.

Charam subsequently died while receiving medical treatment.

Extradited to Canada: Harry Narine Rajkumar

Deceased: Avenash Charam Curtis Cort

Deceased: Kanrade Lawrence Bacchus Shemika Herman

Linden Town Council to manage Blue Lake security

– as former managing company, GIACC, loses court case against NICIL

Authorities at the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) will soon manage the security and access to the Linden Blue Lake, one of the region’s largest tourist attractions.

The change in management was revealed by Linden Mayor Sharma Solomon during this month’s statutory meeting.

According to the Mayor, the area was once managed by the Guyana Initiative Against Climate Change (GIACC), as a result of which a security checkpoint was established within the parameters of the location.

However, Solomon revealed that as a result of GIACC recently losing its legal battle for the area against state-owned com-

pany, NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited), the area is currently without security.

“The Blue Lake, we have a new arrangement at Blue Lake; the persons who were actually managing the facility, which was before the courts, have lost the case. However, we used the Blue Lake and that is why there was an area that we dump refuse. Now the point is, there is no safe security at the Blue Lake. It was maintained by the persons who lost the court case.”

On this point the Mayor revealed that with no security, the area has been left vulnerable, noting that persons are known to indiscriminately dump garbage in the area; a problem which au-

thorities have been battling for some time now.

He added that they have also been incidents where industrial operators were seen extracting materials from the area, such as sand and laterite.

“So, I’m giving you what was said, because what you have when you don’t have the security, is the indiscriminate use of the facility in terms of persons, not only to use it, but to dump materials and also to extract materials- because people are moving sand and laterite from the area also. So, because you had that security checkpoint there, that was taken care of by the individual who lost the case; it restricted a lot of abuse of the site.”

Given that the council

uses a part of the facility to dispose of the town’s waste, several persons who are responsible for maintaining the area have requested help from the council to provide security for the area. In this regard the council made a decision to deploy security personnel at the location.

“So they’re sayingthey’re asking the council- if the council can support the maintenance of the security as much as those who are also using it. So, I’ll ask if the committee, one of the committees – especially for environmental committee that’s our use of the facility: for the environmental purpose of our dump site –can look at this issue of how that location is being main-

tained, managed in terms of a security representative or personnel there.”

Meanwhile, in a bid to better manage the town’s waste the LM&TC, is currently engaging with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to scope out a new suitable area to establish a dumpsite. The town council had previously explained that the area should not have been designated as a dumpsite, given its close proximity to the lake.

While stakeholders consult on the establishment of a new dumpsite, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Bauxite company BOSAI Limited, to manage the waste at the area.

In October 2021, it was revealed that 200 square metres (m²) of land within the vicinity of the lake, which was being used by the council for the disposal of waste, was at maximum capacity, which subsequently resulted in garbage being dumped onto the side of the access road.

Following several complaints from residents, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry had awarded a $10 million contract to clear the access road leading to the Kara Kara dumpsite, which was overflowing with solid waste, negatively impacting the tourism potential of the Kara Kara Blue Lake and its environs.

ACTO members approve Paramaribo Declaration, reinforce commitment to the Amazon

The Foreign Affairs Ministers and high-level representatives of the States Parties of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT) approved the Paramaribo Declaration, a key document reaffirming the commitment of Amazonian countries to regional cooperation for the protection and sustainable development of the Amazon.

As part of the 15th Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO), held in Suriname on February 3, representatives from the eight member countries emphasized the urgency of strengthening a common agenda for biodiversity conservation, climate action, and the protection of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is an intergovernmental organization formed by the eight Amazonian countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, which signed the Amazon Cooperation Treaty (ACT) on July 1978, becoming the only socio-environmental block in Latin America.

The meeting, attended by high-ranking regional authorities, was presided over by Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albert Ramdin, who highlighted the need for closer cooperation among Amazonian countries to tackle the environmental and social challenges affecting the biome.

The Secretary General of ACTO, Martin von Hildebrand, emphasized the importance of consolidating this cooperation to translate commitments into concrete and coordinated actions.

“We are the General Secretariat, but ACTO is the countries. It is with you that

we must build the present and the future,” he stated.

He also highlighted the need to move towards a shared Amazonian vision, stressing that “this is key because it allows us to develop a common strategy to overcome poverty, reduce inequality, and promote sustainable economic alternatives.”

The Paramaribo Declaration underscores the importance of advancing the implementation of the agreements set forth in the Belém Declaration (August 2023) and previous resolutions adopted by ACTO.

In this regard, the min-

isters reaffirmed their commitment to intensify efforts to keep global temperature rise below 2°C and to continue promoting mitigation and climate adaptation strategies.

Additionally, the countries urged developed nations to fulfil their commitments regarding technology and financial transfers to enhance climate resilience in the Amazon region.

A key aspect of the Declaration is the recognition of the fundamental role of Indigenous Peoples in the conservation of the Amazon. The need to ensure non-interference in their way of

life, particularly for those in voluntary isolation, was reaffirmed in alignment with ILO Convention 169.

Likewise, the document highlights the leadership of Amazonian women in protecting the biome, their role in the fight against climate change, and their contributions to biodiversity.

A call was made to strengthen their participation in environmental and sustainable development policies.

The ministers agreed to enhance regional cooperation in the fight against deforestation, illegal mining, and wildlife trafficking. The Declaration acknowledges that addressing the climate crisis and biodiversity loss requires joint actions, including capacity building and knowledge exchange among member countries.

In light of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30), to be held in November 2025 in Belém, Brazil, ACTO committed to having a strong presence at the event.

The Declaration mandates the Permanent Secretariat to establish an ACTO Pavilion and organize side events to showcase the

Amazon region’s efforts in the global climate agenda.

The countries also expressed their support for Brazil as the COP 30 Presidency and encouraged all parties to achieve significant progress in the key pillars of the international climate regime: mitigation, adaptation, financing, technology, and capacity building.

The Paramaribo Declaration calls for the prompt activation of ACTO’s Eight Special Commissions at the ministerial level, aiming to strengthen regional coordination and public policy articulation on key issues for the Amazon.

Furthermore, the ministers welcomed Colombia’s invitation to host the 5th Summit of Presidents of ACTO Member Countries, scheduled for August 2025. With this Declaration, ACTO member countries reinforce their commitment to sustainable development, the protection of the Amazon biome, and the well-being of its communities.

The 15th Ministerial Meeting in Paramaribo marks a renewed drive for regional cooperation and sets the stage for a strong presence at COP 30.

Linden's Blue Lake

The Foreign Affairs Ministers and high-level representatives of the States Parties of ACTO (Feb 3, 2025)

Magistrate defers ruling on SOCU’s request for access to more of Brutus's bank records

Chief Magistrate (act-

ing) Faith McGusty has deferred her ruling on an application made by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to have access to more bank records belonging to former Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus.

Chief Magistrate (Ag) Faith McGusty was set to rule on SOCU’s request for access to former Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus and contractor Corwin Nicholson’s bank records on Friday. Nicholson was jointly charged alongside Brutus in a high-profile financial crime case.

However, defence attorney Domnick Bess, who was granted time to submit

a written response, filed his counter-application.

In that application, Bess challenged SOCU’s application by referencing legal precedents, Barker v. Wilson and Williams v. William among others. He argued that in these cases, the Magistrates did not grant similar requests since the concept of a banker’s book originates from the 1800s and may not encompass modern banking records.

Bess contended that SOCU’s request was overly broad and that the documents sought did not align with the traditional definition of a banker’s book under the Evidence Act.

In response, Brathwaite maintained that contemporary banking records, includ-

ing transaction statements, are integral to routine banking operations and should be accessible under the law. In his application, he also requested statements from bank tellers. He reiterated the importance of these records to SOCU’s investigation.

Bess, however, on Friday, made another submission to support his case during the proceeding, and a furious SOCU Prosecutor David Brathwaite seemed disappointed that the submission was made on the day of the ruling.

As such, Prosecutor Brathwaite requested additional time to review the application and provide a response. Businessman Asif Zafarally, Latoya Brummel,

CARIFORUM, UK reaffirm commitment to implement Economic Partnership Agreement

from left, front) and Mr Paul Whittingham, Head of Trade for Development, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom (6th from right, front), with participants of the meeting

The Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (CARIFORUM), and the United Kingdom (UK), have reaffirmed their commitment to fully implementing and ratifying the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2021.

A communique issued after the inaugural meeting of the CARIFORUMUK Technical SubCommittee on Development Cooperation (TSCDC) from January 30-31 in Georgetown, Guyana, notes that officials from both sides discussed areas of mutual interest such as leveraging market access offers, tariff commitments, enhancing trade in goods and services, and initiating regular tourism services dialogue.

The meeting, held at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters, also reviewed recent UK trade policy developments affecting the Agreement, the Communique states.

Recognising the EPA’s importance to their economic and development partnership, the parties discussed high-priority market access challenges as well as what

needs to be done to ensure the objectives of the agreement can be achieved.

In noting the EPA’s potential to increase trade and investment, it was agreed that they would prioritise actions to overcome the obstacles hindering CARIFORUM States from effectively entering the UK market. The parties also addressed the UK's market access concerns in CARIFORUM States, according to the Communique.

CARIFORUM and UK officials examined the EPA's role as a development-focused Agreement, with the UK reaffirming its commitment to financial assistance, aligned with CARIFORUM’s priorities

They also highlighted the significant milestones since the Agreement's provisional application in 2021. These include operationalisation of Joint Institutions such as the Joint CARIFORUMUK Council, the Special Committee on Services, and the Technical SubCommittee on Development Cooperation.

The CARIFORUM-UK EPA is a roll-over agreement from the CARIFORUM-EU

EPA as it replicates all relevant sections of the existing EPA with necessary technical and administrative changes to make the agreement operable in a CARIFORUM-UK context.

The EPA is of economic importance to Guyana’s private sector considering that the UK is Guyana’s largest trading partner in Europe, and sixth largest trading partner overall.

It accounts for 2.1 per cent of imports, 8.8 per cent of all exports, and is an important market for sugar, rice and rum exports. At the regional level, the UK is the largest trading partner for CARIFORUM. It absorbs 25 per cent of exports from the region.

The meeting, chaired by the UK, was attended by representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, The Bahamas, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the UK, and Northern Ireland. Haiti attended as an observer.

and Sergeant Kevin George were also required to appear in court on Friday.

Attorney Everton SinghLammy, representing businessman Asif Zafarally, informed the court that they have made requests to SOCU for the disclosure of several materials including statements from several persons including Brutus’s motherin-law Patricia Thomas.

The prosecution indicated that they do not have some of these statements, since these persons never made themselves available for questioning. He also stated that some of the requested items did not exist, based on their investigations.

Lammy, in response asked if Brathwaite would make the disclosure, to which he said yes as long as they were available. Lammy went on to state that if SOCU does not have in its possession these statements and materials, “only a fool” will charge someone without

having sufficient evidence or records against them. He then advised SOCU to check again.

An index of statements that the prosecution was directed to submit on Friday was also submitted.

The Magistrate advised the prosecution to make every effort to obtain and provide the materials where possible. Given these developments, the matter has been adjourned to February 28, giving SOCU time to respond to the defence’s submissions.

Nicholson, Zafarally, Brummel, and George are also required to appear in court on that date.

SOCU is requesting a banker’s book order to access Brutus’ financial records at Demerara Bank, and bank records for Nicholson. Brutus was initially charged in October 2024 with 30 offences, including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretences, misconduct in public office, liability

of officials, and larceny by a public official.

He was placed on bail totaling $6.2 million after his appearance in the court of a Georgetown Magistrate; but in November 2024, Brutus faced an additional 201 charges relating to liability of an official, thereby bringing to 231 the total number of charges he faces.

The court has imposed an additional $10.05 million in bail, bringing the cumulative bail amount to $16.25 million.

Additionally, in December 2024, Brutus was accused of attempting to leave Guyana via Brazil, in violation of a court order prohibiting him from leaving the jurisdiction. His legal team has denied these allegations, asserting that he had no intention of fleeing and was merely travelling for personal reasons.

In a related matter, Brutus has filed a $400 million lawsuit against SOCU and several senior members of the Guyana Popice Force (GPF), alleging misconduct and malfeasance in public office. This lawsuit, filed in November 2024, claims that the charges against him are baseless and constitute an abuse of power.

These charges stem from an investigation done by the GPF’s white-collar arm, the SOCU, into alleged financial crimes involving hundreds of millions of dollars linked to the GPF. Brutus has denied all the allegations he faces.

Earlier this week, Brutus was fired from the GPF.

Inter-agency investigation into cooking gas cylinders ongoing

In light of several incidents involving cooking gas cylinders, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Guyana Fire Service (GFS), Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), and the Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department have met three times to date, to investigate the incidents involving cooking gas cylinders.

As part of the most recent meeting, the group examined interim reports from the respective agencies and agreed to conduct further detailed investigations at the retailer and consumer levels, including matters related to transportation, storage, and use of the cylinders.

According to a statement from the EPA on Friday, each of the incidents will be further reviewed separately to determine the most probable causes, which will help to identify what measures

should be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The GNBS and CCAC, in accordance with their respective mandates, are leading the next phase of the investigations, with support from GFS, EPA, GEA, and OSH Department.

As part of the investigation, the agencies have recognised the importance of sensitising the public on the safe transportation, handling, storage, installation, and use of cooking gas cylinders. They will continue their respective information and awareness campaigns, targeting all stakeholders.

Officials from the EPA, GEA, GFS and GNBS, had met Friday, January 24, 2025, to coordinate efforts aimed at reviewing the recent series of suspected cooking gas cylinder-related explosions across the country.

In a media release, the EPA had noted that at the meeting, discussions focused on sharing findings, and actions taken by the re-

spective agencies, with the aim of identifying key strategic actions and engagement of the various stakeholders.

It was agreed at the meeting that, for immediate first steps, all agencies involved will continue their inspections and investigations of the various facilities and components, in keeping with their respective mandates. In addition, the agencies agreed to share their respective reports, findings and recommendations. It was also agreed that following the review of the respective inspections, investigations and recommendations, a report would be prepared with an appropriate action plan, inclusive of safety measures for suppliers of the products, vendors and consumers.

This meeting came one day after Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told this publication at his press conference, that the regulatory bodies of the State need to immediately look into these incidents.

CARIFORUM Director-General Ms Alexis Downes-Amsterdam (5th

Former Assistant Police Commissioner Calvin Brutus

Contractor Corwin Nicholson

Around the World OIL NEWS

Oil set for third straight weekly decline amid tariff concerns

Alaska authorities search for missing small plane

US authorities are looking for a small plane carrying 10 people that has been reported missing in the state of Alaska.

Oil prices moved up on Friday after new sanctions were imposed on Iran's crude exports but were hurt by U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed trade war on China and threats of tariffs on other countries.

Brent crude futures were up 33 cents, or 0.44 at $74.62 a barrel at 11:57 a.m. CST (1757 GMT), but were poised to fall more than 2% this week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 28 cents, or also 0.4%, at $70.89 a barrel.

Reports of planned tariffs from the Trump administration reined in gains due to the sanctions, said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC.

"We're just trying to make our way through the sanctions/ non-sanctions, tariff talk from the White House," Kilduff said.

WTI has been left close to $70 a barrel, which seems to be the bottom of the trading range, Kilduff said.

"I don't know if oil prices are low enough for the president, but we'll see," he said.

The U.S. Treasury said on Thursday it was imposing new sanctions on a few individuals and tankers helping to ship millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil per year to China, in an incremental move to increase pressure on Tehran.

"The imposition of tariffs and the pauses should be bullish for the oil market because it adds uncertainty, said Michael Haigh, global head of commodities research at Societe Generale.

“But you haven't seen this response because of demand concerns. Tariffs and tit for tat responses from nations, it hurts global GDP ... and oil demand."

"Downside pressure has stemmed from the news flow around tariffs, with concerns over a potential trade war fuelling fears of weakening oil demand," analysts at BMI said in a note on Friday. (Excerpted from Reuters)

Exports from Latin America and the Caribbean grew amid uncertainty

The value of exports from Latin America and the Caribbean grew by an estimated 4.1 percent in 2024, recovering from a 1.6 percent decline in 2023, according to the latest edition of Trade Trends Estimates for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The report attributes the export growth to higher shipment volumes, as prices stagnated. While the trade outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean has improved significantly over the past year, with the region’s exports exiting a contractionary phase, the report cautions that there are still no signs of sustained growth.

This increase was large-

ly due to an export recovery in South America, where volumes surged. Exports also rebounded in the Caribbean, while growth in Mexico accelerated slightly, bolstered by higher prices. Exports from Central America stagnated.

Although the trade outlook has improved considerably, there are still no signs that the region has returned to a path of sustained trade growth.

The uncertainty currently surrounding global economic growth poses a risk to real demand. Commodity prices are expected to continue on a downward trend, amid an increasingly volatile global environment.

(Excerpted from Caribbean News Global)

The US Coast Guard for the Alaska region said a Cessna Caravan craft was 12 miles (19km) offshore on a flight from Unalakleet to Nome when "its position was lost".

The two cities are some 146 miles from each other across the Norton Sound, an

inlet of the Bering Sea on Alaska's western coast.

Search and rescue crews "are working to get to the last known coordinates" of the flight, state officials said in a statement.

Officials said they had been notified of an "overdue" aircraft operated by the airline Bering Air at 16:00 local time on Thursday (01:00 GMT).

The 10 people on board comprised nine passengers and a pilot, the update from

the Alaska Department of Public Safety said. There was no information immediately available about who was on board.

The volunteer fire department in the landing city Nome said the pilot had told air traffic controllers that "he intended to enter a holding pattern while waiting for the runway to be cleared".

Giving information about its search and rescue mission, the coastguard said a plane had been sent to

search for the last known positions of the missing craft.

The search plane - which includes specialised equipment to locate objects and people with no visible conditions - will fly in a grid pattern over the water and shoreline.

The Alaska State Troopers said they were working with Alaska Air National Guard to support the coastguard's efforts. (BBC)

China lashes out at US 'coercion' as Panama declines to renew agreement

China on Friday lashed out at what it called U.S. “coercion” after Panama declined to renew a key infrastructure agreement with Beijing following Washington’s threat to take back the Panama Canal.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a briefing that China “firmly opposes the U.S. smearing and undermining the Belt and Road cooperation through means of pressure and coercion.”

The Belt and Road Initiative is President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign police drive to bind China closer to countries in the re-

gion and beyond by building roads, railways, airports, power plants and other infrastructure. The program has completed some major projects but also raised concerns about debt and environmental impact.

Panama’s decision to walk away from it was seen as a concession to the U.S. over the canal after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Panamanian leader José Raúl Mulino on Sunday that Panama must immediately reduce what President Donald Trump says is Chinese influence over the canal area or face potential retaliation from

Children's bodies a 'battleground' in Haiti as sexual violence surges, UNICEF

Sexual violence against children in Haiti has surged in the last year and their bodies have been turned into "battlegrounds," UNICEF warned on Friday.

Describing the increase between 2023-2024 as "staggering," the spokesperson for the United Nations agency for children, James Elder, told reporters at the Palais des Nations in Geneva that armed groups have inflicted "unimaginable horrors on children" in the Caribbean country.

Powerful gangs, armed with weapons largely trafficked from the United States, have united in Haiti's capital Port-auPrince under a common alliance. They control 85% of the city, according to the U.N. Elder, who recently returned from a visit to Haiti, told reporters about a 16-year-old girl who was abducted by armed men and extensively beaten, drugged and raped. She was later released and found shelter in

warns

a UNICEF-supported safe house.

Amid surging violence and what the U.N. describes as "rampant sexual violence," more than 100 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti's capital on Thursday to reinforce a security mission.

Its future has been in limbo since the U.S. froze $13 million in funding on Tuesday, before passing a waiver to unlock a separate batch of funds.

The security mission, approved by the U.N. Security Council but not led by the U.N., has struggled to make headway in fighting gangs as its numbers remain far under target.

More than a million people, over half of them children, are displaced within Haiti due to ongoing violence, according to U.N. data. Extreme poverty has also pushed children into gangs, with up to half of all armed groups made up of minors, "some as young as eight years old," Elder said.

(Reuters)

the United States.

Lin said the Belt and Road Initiative has brought “active participation” from over 150 countries and that it has brought “fruitful results” to Panama and China, but gave no examples.

“We hope Panama will bear in mind the general picture of bilateral relationship and the long-term interests of both peoples, resist external interference, and make the right decision,” Lin said.

Mulino has rejected pressure from the new U.S. government to discuss ownership of a waterway that is vital to global trade.

Despite that, some believe Panama may be open to a compromise under which canal operations on both sides are taken away from the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports company, which was given a 25-year no-bid extension to run them. An audit into the suitability of that extension is already underway and could lead to a rebidding process. A drop in water levels in the canal due to drought has slowed transit through the canal, raising further complaints from Trump, although the delays appear to have nothing to do with China. (ABC News)

River near Buenos Aires turns bright red after suspected leak of industrial dye

Asmall river in greater Buenos Aires was dyed a deep and worrying shade of red on Thursday after what is thought to have been a leak of dye from a nearby factory.

The violent hue of the Sarandí, which runs through the municipality of Avellaneda, six miles (9.6km) south of the Argentinian capital, alarmed local residents, who have long complained about industrial pollution in the area.

A local paper, La Verdad, reported residents saying that a “nauseating” smell was coming off the water, and that they suspected the culprit was a nearby tannery.

One resident, María Ducomls, said the river looked like “a bloody stream” and that the incident was the latest in a series of similar episodes. “You don’t need to be an inspector to realise just how polluted the poor Sarandí creek is,” she told Agence FrancePresse.

Ducomls, 52, said her family had been woken by

“the stench” on Thursday morning, adding that no one had offered an explanation for the continuing pollution, despite all the complaints.

The red waters, she said, were only the most recent example of the pollution of the Sarandí. “We’ve seen it bluish, greenish, pink and purplish, with a slick of grease on the surface that looks like oil,” Ducomls added.

The regional environment department said it was investigating the apparent leak. “On the morning of Thursday 6 February, we received a report that the waters of the Sarandí canal had been dyed red,” it said in a statement.

“Our mobile analysis laboratory was sent to the area and two litres of water were taken as samples for basic chemical analysis and liquid chromatography in order to determine what organic substance was responsible for the discoloration. It is thought to be some kind of organic colouring.”

An AFP journalist said the colour of the waters had faded by late on Thursday afternoon. (The Guardian)

Go over every detail and change whatever is necessary. Take care of matters personally and be secretive regarding your choices. Emotional spending will set you back.

Concentrate on what matters most to you and clear a path forward. Getting personal papers in order will ease your mind. It’s up to you to create opportunities.

Approach every issue openly and honestly. Decisiveness will help you gain trust, and proof that you know what you are doing and saying is accurate will seal the deal. Put your emotions on the shelf and do your best.

Think before you act. Emotions will surface quickly and require restraint if you want to avoid trouble. Avoid hasty decisions and unnecessary changes. Pay attention to your health and emotional well-being.

Pay attention to detail; research, learn and be creative with the information you gather. Attend a reunion or function that will bring back memories or prompt you to revisit a pastime that brings you joy.

Experience is golden. A change will spark your imagination and encourage you. Heading to a destination you’ve never been to and participating in something that intrigues you will encourage new friendships.

Refuse to let someone’s angst or emotional madness affect your plans. Look at the big picture; consider how others react and socialize with those who share your sentiments.

Let your creativity take over your life. Get together with people who spark your imagination and encourage you to pursue your dreams. Travel and physical endeavors will help put things in perspective.

Stick to what and who you know and trust. Refuse to fold under pressure just to keep the peace. Find common ground and incentives to ensure that equality prevails.

Emotional manipulation is apparent. Look for solutions instead of getting bogged down in what-ifs. Refuse to jeopardize your health or risk damaging a meaningful relationship.

When one door closes, another opens. Refrain from laboring over what’s ending when embracing new beginnings will optimize your chance to advance. Talk less and do more.

Stick close to home. Venturing out will lead to tempting offers. Choose to concentrate on health, diet and exercise, not on indulgent behavior. Refuse to let an emotional situation take control.

ARCHIE

12 secondary schools compete in 2025 Guyana Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix

The 2025 edition of the Guyana Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix was held on Friday, February 7, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and students of 12 secondary schools that competed in this thrilling engineering and creativity challenge were tasked with designing and building their own model cars powered by a mousetrap engine.

Organized by SBM Offshore with support of the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the event provided students with opportunity to showcase their engineering, creativity, and innovation skills in competition in three categories: Acceleration, Advanced, and Innovation and Creativity.

Each team battled for the prestigious first prize on offer in their respective categories, among which were a cash award of $350,000 to support the development of their school’s science laboratory, and a trip to Monaco to

compete in the international meet.

Abram Zuil Secondary on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) were adjudged winners in the Acceleration category. Their car was driven the farthest in the shortest amount of time, their innovative design thus outranking the competition and demonstrating their engineering prowess.

St. Roses High claimed top spot in the Advanced category with their impres-

sive car not only racing along the track, but autonomously reversing to the starting line after completing the course. Their success highlighted students’ advanced engineering and programming skills.

Paramakatoi Secondary, a first-time competitor and the only hinterland school in the competition, were adjudged winners in the Innovation and Creativity category. Their car was built with an indigenous material that is traditionally used

Quarterfinal matches in Mashramani Street Football Championships on tonight

Quarterfinal matches in the Mashramani Street Football Championships are expected to produce some enthralling contests at the National Park Tarmac in Georgetown from 20:00hrs (8pm) tonight, when eight top teams in Guyana battle to advance in this seventh annual competition.

Joint winners of the recent Georgetown vs The Rest tournament, Taliban, would kick off proceedings with a match against the Pouderoyenbased West Demerara team Showstoppers, before former champs Bent Street tackle current defending champs Stabroek Ballers. Goal is Money would play against relative newcomers Ztekk, a team that has recently been in excellent form; while Back Circle B, who shared the Georgetown vs The Rest title with Taliban, would come up against formidable street football side North East in a match that pulls the curtains

Plate Playoffs will be introduced tonight with the top four teams from the Roundof-16 seeking to advance to face the four losing quarterfinalists next week. The games are expected to kick off at 8pm with Broad Street taking on Albouystown, followed by Festival City battling Laing Avenue.

Top three finishers in the Plate Playoffs would split a total purse of $100,000, while each would be rewarded with a case of Magnum.

Winner of the tournament would pocket 500,000;

on the quarterfinal events.

Four teams would advance to next Saturday’s semifinals, while the grand finale and third-place playoff would also be held next Saturday at the same venue. Excitement continues in one of Guyana’s signature calendar street football tournaments over the last seven years.

second-placed team would pocket 300,000, third-placed team would get $200,000 and fourth-placed team would get $100,000. Trophies would be given to teams placing first to third, while the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament would get $50,000 and a trophy.

to craft arrows for hunting and fishing. With the plant material being both lightweight and strong, the car had a unique advantage in showcasing those students’ creativity and resourcefulness.

This year’s event marked the third edition of the Guyana Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix, which continues to grow in both popularity and participation. With the competition being open to all secondary schools in Guyana

and with registration being conducted online, an accessible platform was created for young minds to engage in practical science and engineering projects.

The competition highlighted the importance of fostering creativity, problem-solving and teamwork among students, and underscored the role of corporate and governmental partnerships in providing valuable learning opportunities for the next generation of innovators and engineers.

KFC fuels VMFA U8, U10 Challenge Series

The Vurlon Mills Football Academy Inc. is teaming up with KFC Guyana to conduct the KFC U8 and U10 Challenge Series, slated for March 1, 2025 at the Saint Stanislaus Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.

The KFC U8 and U10 Challenge Series presents a unique opportunity to introduce young footballers to organized football. A total of 16 teams from various clubs and schools would be participating with the VMFA in a round-robin tournamentstyle day of football in which the action kicks off at 08:00 hours.

“We believe that not enough attention is placed on this age group in Guyana. This is the age group that youths should be exposed to in an organized environment, organized training, coaching, and tournament. This age group has tremendous talent, and they are often missed because of the lack of atten-

tion. VMFA will continue to focus on these age groups,” Vurlon Mills, Founder and Director of the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, shared during launch of the series on Thursday.

And Sadia Strand, Director of Marketing at KFC Guyana, shared, “It’s an honour to be partnering with Mr. Vurlon Mills and the Vurlon Mills Football Academy. Children are not only given the opportunity to learn football, but they are also learning social skills, a lot about teamwork, and how to develop as individuals. We are very excited for the Under 8 and Under 10 Challenge Series.”

The Vurlon Mills Football Academy is expressing deep gratitude to KFC Guyana for their unwavering support, which is “enabling us to continue to coordinate and create an enabling environment for youths to develop their football skills and be rounded sports men and women”.

accurately ad efficiently. Qualification Requirements: At least 5 CSEC subject at grades 1-3 of which must include Principles of Accounts— (1 year working experience). Skill Profile: Strong Customer Service, Proficiency with point of sales (POS) system, Attention to detail, Accurate

Scenes from the 2025 Guyana Monaco Mousetrap Car Grand Prix

A look at the Taliban outfit

The Back Circle ‘B’ team

The VMFA U8, U10 Challenge Series being launched

West Indies Championships…

Imlach, Alimohamed dig GHE out of hole

…Bowlers fight back late in day

A fighting century from Captain Tevin Imlach and a belligerent half-century from Ronaldo Alimohamed rescued the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) on Friday afternoon, enabling them to recover from an early collapse in their second-round clash with the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) in the West Indies Championships.

The Harpy Eagles resumed day 3 on 166-6 with Imlach and Richie Looknauth at the crease pursuing 375 posted by CCC in their first innings.

Looknauth was able to add just 3 runs to his overnight score of 21 before falling to Ojay Shields’ bowling for 24 off 57 balls. Imlach, however, converted his 58 into an unbeaten 126 off 239 deliveries, punctuated by 12 boundaries.

While Imlach crafted his captain’s knock, Alimohamed offered great and entertaining support by dispatching the CCC bowlers to all parts of the ground for a quickfire 77 off 66 balls.

Alimohamed hit 4 fours and 7 sixes before falling to Abhijai Mansingh’s bowling, which ushered in tailenders Shamar Joseph and Veerasammy Permaul, who added 13 and 11 runs respectively to bring the Harpy Eagles up to 343 all out in 87.3 overs.

Shields and Akeem Jordan each ended with a

4-wicket haul. While Shields took 4- 86 from 20 overs, Jordan snared 4-68 from 23.3 overs. Mansingh and Avinash Mahabirsingh accounted for the remaining wickets. As such, CCC went into the second innings with a 32-run lead.

Guyana Harpy Eagles bowlers look intent on eking out a result today, final day of the match, having sent the CCC into close of play with three men down. Shamar Joseph struck first, when he rocked the stumps of Captain Johann Jeremiah for 4 from 6 balls in the very first over of the innings. Three overs later, Sadique

PAHF U21 Junior Challenge….

Henry attempted the reverse sweep against Veerasammy Permaul, and was sent back to the dugout via LBW decision after scoring just 1 run.

As light faded at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, Kevin Sinclair served up a beauty of an arm ball to Demario Richards, and it disturbed his stumps for 11 off 27 deliveries.

Bad light eventually stopped play with the visitors on 32-3 off 13 overs. CCC will head into day 4 today with a 64- run lead and 7 wickets in hand. Joseph, Permaul and Sinclair each have one wicket, conceding

Short prep time a major challenge for team – Coach Fernandes

The Guyana Boys’ Under-21 Hockey Team has been under intense preparation for the upcoming 2025 PAHF Junior Challenge, to be staged in Bridgetown, Barbados from 8th March 2025. Head Coach Robert Fernandes is confident that the team would qualify to participate in the Junior Pan American Games.

The single pool in the Boys competition features Brazil, Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Guatemala, and Venezuela.

The Guyanese boys are slated to face Guatemala in their opening match, before they face Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela, and Brazil. They complete the pool round against Barbados.

Guyana Times Sport was able to get an exclusive interview with Head Coach Robert Fernandes at a training session, and he indicated that his team’s chances are good.

He disclosed that, over

the next few weeks, the focus would be on unifying the team to play at a higher level.

Fernandes said, “Well, this tournament is actually a qualifying tournament for the Junior Pan Ams. So, the top five teams, actually the top six teams, are there at this tournament. And I think our chances are very good against the six teams that will be at the tournament.

“We had our first practice match against a senior selection on Sunday; and despite our shortcomings, we were able to be very confident. So, I think over the next few weeks, as we galvanize the team, we will be able to compete at a much higher level,” he explained.

With the team given only eight weeks for preparation, as Fernandes expounded, cohesiveness within the team is the biggest challenge.

“I think our biggest challenge is the short time frame. Normally, when we prepare for these tournaments, we

prepare one year in advance, and so on.

This time around, we have eight weeks to try and get the boys ready as a team,” he detailed.

“I think the individuals…are probably as good, or even better than, some of our previous underground players; but the challenge right now is just getting them to play together as one, rather than a collection of the three boys.” Fernandes said. Final selection for squads is expected to be completed by Sunday, 9th February. The team will continue to train at the GCC ground, Bourda, during the week, and at the Providence Stadium on weekends.

(Omar McKenzie)

SCOREBOARD

4

11

15

19

13, 13 and 1 run respective-

The fourth and final day of the West Indies Championships Round 2 action will start at 10:00hrs today.

LGC set to host 2025 DEMLIFE Golf Tournament

The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) would be hosting the highly anticipated DEMLIFE Golf Tournament today: Saturday, February 8, 2025, continuing its tradition of competitive excellence and camaraderie in the sport.

Sponsored by the Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society (DEMLIFE), this annual event promises thrilling contestation on the club’s meticulously maintained course among some of the country’s finest golfers, who would all be vying for top honours. A medal play format over 18 holes obtains, with play set to commence at 12:30hrs.

Competitive structure and prizes

Participants will compete for several prestigious accolades, among which are: Best Net in each flight; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards; Overall Best Gross score, and Special skill-based prizes for “Nearest to the Flag” on Hole #4 and “Longest Drive” on Hole #5.

Defending champion in the 2023 edition, Mike Mangal, secured victory in the 0-16 handicap flight by posting an impressive Gross 79, Net 71 off a Handicap 8. With the field expected to be as competitive as ever, this year’s tournament is set to deliver an exciting showcase of talent and precision.

Tournament logistics and player guidelines

As part of the standard tournament protocol, all participants are required

to check in with the LGC Manager to collect their scorecards and complete payment of tournament fees. Players must then proceed to their designated tee boxes in preparation for the 12:30pm shotgun start, which would be signalled by a horn or siren.

Following completion of the tournament, an awards presentation ceremony would be held at approximately 5:30 pm, wherein winners would be formally recognized for their achievements. According to the

LGC, the DEMLIFE Golf Tournament is a testament to the enduring partnership between Lusignan Golf Club and Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society.

The LGC is extending its appreciation to Demerara Mutual for its unwavering support of local golf, and looks forward to another successful staging of this tournament.

Golf enthusiasts and supporters are invited to witness an afternoon of premier golfing action as competitors strive for excellence on the greens.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) were able to take 3 crucial wickets before close of play

Head Coach Robert Fernandes

Dem Life Marketing Assistants Jason Khan and Farena Boyce handing over the sponsorship cheque to LGC Captain, Ayube Subhan

ly.