– says “violent breaches” occurred in APNU/AFC land agreements
All eligible persons will get cash grants now that budget passed – VP – says cheques that were cut could not have been distributed without budget
APNU/AFC giveaway of land in 2020 largest in Guyana’s history – AG
– says “violent breaches” occurred in APNU/AFC land agreements
N18:26h reaching a minimum height of 1.03 metres.
oting that “violent breaches” of land agreements occurred in the dying days of the former APNU/AFC (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change) Government, Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC., has described these land giveaways as the worst in Guyana’s history.
Nandlall was at the time on the ‘One on One’ programme, during which he addressed the land transaction controversies that have been making the rounds. According to the AG, there is no other case in Guyana’s history where so much land was given away for so little, than after the APNU/AFC Government fell to a No Confidence Motion (NCM) in 2019.
“Each of those agreements of sale, spoke to a deposit of 50 per cent upon the signing of the agreement. Less than 10 per cent of the purchase price was received in (most) of the transactions. The balance of the purchase price was supposed to be paid within a prescribed time-frame, stipulated in every agreement, other than two.”
“That time-frame was breached and the balance not paid. And even more egregious, was the fact that in some cases, not a cent was paid. Not a cent. I distinctly remember two transactions of 30 acres each. Not a cent was paid and the title was vested. I want to pause there and ask the population, if they know in Guyana’s history of any bigger giveaway of land than what I just described?” the AG said.
According to Nandlall, the free-handed giveaway of land to persons close to APNU/AFC that he just described was a reference to Ogle alone. However, similar land giveaways happened in Enmore, Providence, Linden and Wales. To compound the issue, Nandlall pointed out that none of these lands were publicly advertised.
“We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of acres of land. This fellow is speaking about transparency and processes… there was no evidence whatsoever in relation to these transactions and all the others to which I’ve made reference,
of any process whatsoev er, inviting the public to bid for these lands. None. Up to now we do not know and we can’t find any evidence, how these persons knew the land was available.”
Nandlall also made it clear that while Attorneyat-Law and Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes may try to distance himself from the former coalition Government, he remains irrevocably tied to APNU/AFC politically.
“There’s a constant and very deliberate attempt by (Hughes) to distance himself from that Government. The Alliance For Change was the major coalition partner in that Government. And he is the leader of the Alliance For Change. So that Government is his Government.”
“We were able to put out there, irrefutable evidence of dozens of transactions, entered into by Nigel Hughes’ Government, in relation to land transactions, at that very location, in proximity to ExxonMobil. And we were able to estab-
lish that the $30 million per acre purchase price was the one that his Government determined.”
Recently, Hughes has 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.
But after being exposed, Hughes had subsequently admitted via social media 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 named Simon Munroe.
Despite the records showing that the provisional lease was granted to him on October 24, 2019 during that caretaker period, Hughes had maintained that he did nothing wrong. Meanwhile, there had also been reports of other instances whereby Hughes represented clients to purchase state lands at low costs.
President Bharrat 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.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC
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Trump’s bluntness shatters the Liberal World Order
US President Donald Trump’s return to the centre stage of world politics has reignited discussions about his peculiar political behaviour. While the subject may feel numbing to some, Trump continues to dictate the global information agenda, underscoring two key realities about the modern world. First, the US’ central role remains undeniable, no matter how much others might wish for a multipolar order. Second, Trump’s approach –pushing boundaries both literally and figuratively – has proven to be an effective way of achieving goals in today’s climate.
At the core of Trump’s political behaviour is a rejection of hypocrisy and duplicity, replaced instead with bluntness and rudeness. He insists on getting what he wants, and disregards counterarguments, often repeating the same demands relentlessly. Trump does not pretend to treat other nations as equals to the United States, nor does he hide this belief. In his worldview, international equality does not exist.
The situation with China is slightly different, because of the sheer size of its economy and trade volume; but even there, Trump’s mercantilist instincts dominate.
Trump’s approach is aligned with the 2018 US National Security Strategy, adopted during his first term: which officially recognized modern international relations as a competition between great powers. This acknowledgment in effect elevates certain nations above others – a concept that had previously been acknowledged informally, but had rarely been stated outrightly.
What sets Trump apart is his focus on results rather than ideals. He doesn’t aim to prove himself right; he simply wants to achieve his objectives. This approach is often manifested in his willingness to speak disrespectfully about other countries and leaders. While such behaviour shocks some, it’s clear that Trump’s disregard for diplomatic etiquette reflects a broader trend: the US shift from acting as a “benign hegemon” to a more self-interested, transactional power. Response from other nations – like Denmark, Canada, Germany and others - illustrates this shift. Realization is dawning that if the US abandons its liberal “benign” posture and fully embraces a raw hegemonic approach, resistance would be nearly impossible.
Trump’s appeal stems not only from fear, but also from his fundamental rejection of what can be termed “post-hypocrisy.” In traditional politics and diplomacy, hypocrisy has always existed as a tool to smooth over conflicts and enable dialogue. However, in recent decades, it has evolved into the very essence of politics. The culture of silence and the obsessive smoothing of rough edges have made it nearly impossible to articulate or address real contradictions.
In the modern Western framework, issues are no longer framed as competing interests, but as a clash between “right” (embodied by the Western model) and “wrong” (those who deviate from it). This absolutist approach leaves no room for compromise. What is deemed “right” must prevail, not through persuasion but force.
Triumph of post-liberalism has turned international discourse into a confusing puzzle, where terms lose their meaning and words become disconnected from substance. In this context, Trump’s bluntness acts as a reset button. By stripping away the pretence, he forces discussions to be focused on tangible interests rather than vague value-based rhetoric. His preference for reducing complex issues to material terms may oversimplify the world’s intricacies, but it also makes conversations more concrete and, paradoxically, more meaningful.
Trump’s rise has not changed his character; everyone knew about his peculiarities long before his political ascent. What has changed is the world’s reaction: the fireworks that once caused consternation are now met with resignation, if not acceptance. This shift reflects a combination of fear and adaptation. Many countries recognize the sheer power of the US and the futility of resisting its demands when backed by Trump’s unrelenting forcefulness.
America’s transformation under Trump mirrors broader changes in global politics. The absolutization of hypocrisy, particularly in the West, had created an environment in which meaningful dialogue had become almost impossible. Trump’s return to bluntness and directness, while unsettling, offers a more honest reflection of international realities, and exposes the contradictions and tensions that post-liberalism tried to bury under layers of rhetorical finesse. (Excerpted from Fyodor A. Lukyanov; Russia in Global Affairs)
A
As the US Supreme Court girds for Trump cases, can it be an 'effective firewall'?
By John Kruzel
President Donald Trump's sweeping assertions of executive power during his first weeks back in office appear headed toward U.S. Supreme Court showdowns, but it remains an open question whether or how much the justices might act to check his authority.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump's views of presidential authority appear far less restrained than those of his White House predecessors, according to legal scholars, citing actions such as seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, withholding funding appropriated by Congress and removing heads of independent federal agencies.
"The unifying theme is an extreme view of presidential power unlike anything we have seen before," said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California Berkeley School of Law.
Trump prevailed in three major cases last year at the Supreme Court, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three justices – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett –he appointed during his first term as president. The court has moved U.S. law steadily rightward with Trump's picks on the bench.
"The Trump administration is gambling that the court won't be an effective firewall, and the administration has decent odds on its side," Harvard Law Professor Mark Tushnet said.
Trump's actions have prompted dozens of lawsuits now proceeding through low-
er courts. They involve challenges to actions such as his hardline steps on immigration, federal workforce protections, the legal status of an entity created by Trump and led by billionaire Elon Musk dedicated to slashing the U.S. government and his moves to restrict transgender rights.
The Supreme Court could be called upon in the coming weeks or months to act in a challenge to Trump's policies, depending on how quickly appeals move through the lower courts.
Some of the plaintiffs have accused Trump of usurping the authority of Congress, as set out in the U.S. Constitution.
While Trump's fellow Republicans who control Congress have offered scant resistance, these actions by Trump may be vulnerable to being declared invalid by the judiciary, according to University of Illinois Chicago law professor Steve Schwinn.
Schwinn cited Trump's efforts to unilaterally shut down federal government agencies – which are created, funded and given authority by Congress – and his attempt to cut off federal spending appropriated by U.S. lawmakers.
"These efforts most clearly encroach on congressional authority, and are least obviously supportable by the president's Article II powers," Schwinn said, referring to the Constitution's language delineating presidential authority.
Federal judges acted to halt Trump's attempt to freeze federal grants, loans and other financial
assistance even after the White House's Office of Management and Budget rescinded its wide-ranging directive announcing the funding freeze.
Lower courts have blocked for an indefinite period Trump's attempt to narrow birthright citizenship. Trump had directed U.S. agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of children born in the United States if neither their mother nor father is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Democratic-led states and other plaintiffs have argued that Trump's order violates a right enshrined in the Constitution's 14th Amendment that provides that anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
The consensus among scholars interviewed by Reuters was that the Supreme Court likely would invalidate Trump's birthright citizenship action if the case reaches the justices.
"I think that Trump will lose," said John Yoo, who served as a Justice Department lawyer under Republican former President George W. Bush and is now a professor at UC Berkeley School of Law.
Some scholars were less certain, predicting that at least some of the conservative justices might be open to narrowing the Supreme Court's 1898 decision in a case called United States v. Wong Kim Ark.
That ruling long has been understood to mean that children born in the United States to non-citizen parents are entitled to American citizenship.
Trump's Justice Department has argued that the court's ruling was narrower, applying to children whose parents had a "permanent domicile and residence in the United States." Cornell Law School professor Gautam Hans said, "I would hope that the Supreme Court would cleanly and categorically stop the birthright citizenship executive order, but I have learned better than to have confidence in this court."
Hans said his view is that Trump's actions in his first weeks in office pose a constitutional crisis representing "the greatest threat to American democracy since the Civil War" of 18611865, when states that allowed slavery rebelled.
"I feel a bit foolish in making such a sweeping claim, but I cannot think of another more dire moment," Hans said.
Among the court's actions cheered by conservatives in recent years were its 2022 decisions to roll back abortion rights and expand gun rights, its 2023 ruling to reject race-conscious collegiate admissions and various actions curbing federal regulatory agencies.
The most consequential of Trump's three victories at the court last year was a ruling authored by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts that embraced Trump's request for immunity after he was indicted on federal criminal charges involving his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
performer at the Chinese Cultural Experience event, held at the Amazonia Mall last Sunday
All eligible persons will get cash grants now that budget passed – VP
–
says cheques
Lauding the work done by the Ministry of Finance not only on the budget but also the $100,000 cash grant, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has assured that now that the budget has been passed, the cash will be available to ensure that the cash grant cheques can be distributed smoothly.
During his latest press conference, the Vice President gave assurances that all eligible persons will receive their cash grants now that the budget has passed. He explained that the budget was essential for delivering the remaining cheques, which would have to be encashed.
“For the five regions, we didn’t have the money until yesterday. Yesterday the budget was appropriated for every Region except One, Four, Seven, Eight, Nine. And now only yesterday, now that the money is appropriated, we now have the resources to make the cheques available.”
“So even if the cheques were cut, you could not deliver or get them en-cashed. Because the resources would
that were cut could not have been distributed without budget
not be available. So now we have the resources for all the regions. And people are gonna get their money,” Jagdeo further said.
According to Jagdeo, the cash grant process, likely a reference to the verification exercise, is ongoing. Further, he made it clear that they have a responsibility to ensure that all checks and balances are followed, least the process be tainted with any allegations.
“Its ongoing. Every day its ongoing, but it takes time. It has to be done diligently and
people will get their money. We’re not going to rush to do it. It’s not your money or my money. It’s the taxpayer’s money and it has to be done properly. Verification and everything else.”
“You let them cut cheques for 10 people and they’re not eligible. The same (Glenn Lall) and others will come up and say, PPP (People’s Progressive Party) corruption. And APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) would jump on it. We’ll do it, everybody will get their money and it will
be done diligently,” the Vice President added.
During the second day of the budget estimates, Prime Minister retired Brigadier Mark Phillips had accounted for the $40 billion appropriated for the cash grant, of which $30 billion will be disseminated to the 300,000 additional citizens aged 18 and older. He had also revealed that so far 121,000 persons have re-
As the US Supreme Court girds for...
It was the first time the court recognized any degree of presidential immunity from prosecution. The ruling gave former presidents broad immunity for official acts taken in office.
Some judges in lower courts have voiced alarm over Trump's vision of his authority.
"It has become ever more apparent that to our president the rule of law is but an impediment to his policy goals," Seattle-based U.S. District Judge John Coughenour said in issuing a nationwide injunction against Trump on birthright citizenship on Thursday. "The rule of law is, according to him, something to navigate around or simply ignore, whether that be for political or personal gain."
Trump's administration has filed a notice, opens new tab to appeal Coughenour's decision.
Scholars said Trump could prevail in some of the disputes over his executive orders that could reach the Supreme Court.
A former member of the National Labour Relations Board has argued in a lawsuit that in firing her Trump violated a federal law that allows a president to oust a board member only for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office, and no other cause.
The dispute could give the Supreme Court a chance to reassess its own 1935 precedent that has limited a president's ability to fire certain agency heads. Some of the justices have signalled a willingness to rein in or perhaps overturn that ruling, in a case called Humphrey's Executor v. United States.
Yoo said that Trump's first weeks back in office showed him exercising a broad conception of executive power, "one that draws on precedents from times of crisis and emergency in American history." For instance, Trump declared a national emergency, opens new tab concerning illegal immigration along the U.S.Mexican border, though critics have questioned whether emergency circumstances
genuinely exist warranting the move.
"In those periods, presidential power expands – this was the very purpose that the Framers understood to be the purpose of a single
FROM PAGE 4
chief executive," Yoo added, referring to the 18th century authors of the Constitution.
"The question is whether the United States is truly facing emergency circumstances."
(Reuters excerpt)
ceived their cash grant, with cheques cut for over 300,000 still awaiting the grant.
“The people of Guyana are thankful for their $100,000… and we will continue the money in this year’s budget. We will continue and we envisage that some 600,000 Guyanese will receive their payment,” Phillips had said.
The PPP/C Government’s $100,000 Cash Grant Initiative was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in October and every Guyanese citizen 18 years old and over will receive the payout.
To date, senior citizens along with Ministry staff, teachers, members of the Disciplined Service and some communities in the hinterland have received their grants.
It had been announced a few days ago by Finance Secretary Sukrishnalall Pasha that the Ministry is preparing the schedules for the distribution of the $100,000 one-off cash grant for Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Ten would be published within a week’s time Pasha had also said that the Ministry was simultaneously working on completing the verification process for persons who have already registered.
This effort has seen tremendous results, especially against the backdrop of the relatively small team undertaking this initiative. In fact, within one month, the Ministry has been able to verify over 240,000 persons.
Cash grant distribution in progress
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
If you choose to keep your canine companion animal outdoors, please consider the following:
Akennel is required. A puppy can be placed outside from as early as six weeks. However, for several reasons, I would strongly suggest that the newly acquired pup be kept indoors until it is 3-4 months old, eating well and is strong and active. The kennel must be functional. Here are some further considerations to guide you in its construction.
(1)Elevation of the Floor:
All along the coast and in Georgetown the water table is relatively high. Therefore, moisture can seep through the floor of the kennel, if it touches the ground. Some old concrete hollow bricks will suffice to elevate the kennel. In fact, many dogs enjoy resting under the kennel on a cool surface, especially on hot days.
(2)Size: Please ensure that the kennel is at least twice the length, width, and height of the expected size of the adult dog. The space will facilitate adequate air flow, comfort of movement and gives the dog a secure permanent home.
(3)Shade: It is imperative that a locked dog in the kennel is not subject to the intense heat of the tropics, which can lead to heat stress and death.
Situate the kennel in a cool, shaded place. “Cool” does not mean heavy breezes. The selected location must also protect the animal from rain, which may enter from all directions and
soak the kennel and the locked-in dog. Placing the kennel under a tree with
ed on an outdoor “dog house”, do not encourage your dog to come indoors
a large canopy makes good sense, with shade cover all day.
(4)Sanitation: The kennel must be built to facilitate easy cleaning. Cleaning, of course, does not mean dousing with some nice smelling disinfectant on the floor and walls of the kennel. These surfaces need to be physically brushed with a recommended disinfectant. I have always advocated that the roof be detachable so that the physical cleaning exercise is easily managed.
(5)Periods of time indoors: Once you have decid-
for lengthy periods of time. Owners may wish to bring the dogs inside on cold and/ or rainy nights and during those festive occasions when they are traumatized by the noise of fireworks and squibs. We live five degrees away from the equator and no night is that cold, and your kennel would have been built to protect your ward from rain incursion.
N.B. AS PREVIOUSLY ADVISED; CATS HAVE TO BE KEPT INDOORS. THEY WILL GO OUTSIDE WHEN THEY SO DESIRE! MORE ON FELINE ACQUISITION/ ADOPTION NEXT WEEK.
REMINDER ALERT: The Danger of Feeding Your Pets with Chocolates on Valentine’s Day
As you extend even greater love to your pets on February 14, 2025, please remember that chocolates are toxic to pets. They contain theobromine and caffeine which can be lethal to dogs and cats They cause severe health condition such as pancreatitis, heart ailments, vomiting, diarrhoea, all of wish QAand may lead to eventual death.
Please enjoy your day without the calamity of a sick animal caused by your exuberance to give him/her a chocolate treat.
‘Don’t panic’ – US-based Guyanese attorney to illegal immigrants
…says pay “your taxes”, cooperate with ICE, seek legal advice
The thousands of undocumented Guyanese immigrants who are living in the United States (US) are urged not to panic but rather consult a licensed immigration attorney if they are uncertain about their next steps.
This was according to US-based Guyanese Immigration Attorney, Vrinda Jagan, who has fought and continues to fight for the rights of immigrants, not only Guyanese.
Jagan, who is the granddaughter of Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan, has been practicing immigration law since 2013. She opened her first office in Queens, New York, and focuses on assisting with family-based sponsorship, waivers for fraud or inadmissibility issues and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) cases/ domestic violence cases.
In addition, the law firm has assisted clients in becoming naturalised US citizens, and has assisted survivors of domestic violence obtain not only freedom in the US, but independence from their abusers.
Undocumented Guyanese
However, regarding the issue of undocumented Guyanese, she urged them not to heed rumours or social media posts, as they can create unnecessary panic and be misleading.
“There are a lot of people around that call themselves consultants that are not licensed to give advice and file fraudulent paperwork. These filings have repercussions and when people are desperate, they will hold on to any morsel of hope, even if it’s not based on actual law. My advice has been and continues to be, speak to
a licensed attorney in good standing with knowledge in immigration law, whether it be my firm or another one, do your homework and research,” she told Guyana Times in an interview.
When asked whether Guyanese paying their taxes are at risk of being deported, Jagan stated that the tax payers have nothing to worry about. “If you already have a tax ID and have been paying taxes, then continue to do so. Most people do want to and try to do the right thing, i.e. working hard and paying their taxes.”
She added that those who have no evidence to show
that after working in the US for years, they have not paid any taxes to the federal Government, then they are more likely at risk of being deported. This, she added, will only happen if they are being arrested by agents of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In cases of illegal immigrants being detained by ICE or law enforcement, they should show photo identification, preferably state or city issued.
“You should ask if you are free to leave and if not, then assert your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. If you are detained, never sign anything without speaking to a lawyer. I really do not want people living in fear, all we can do as a law office is try to ease fear and help people if they need us,” she explained.
When asked whether or not she is aware of Guyanese being detained and are facing deportation, she replied, “Whether I am aware of any Guyanese whose been arrested and facing removal is not going to help anyone to remain calm... if you have not committed a crime and are paying your taxes, then, don’t panic, you have nothing to worry about.”
“I always tell those with no legal options to stay out of trouble, small criminal issues can land you in depor-
tation, and stay away from the borders,” Jagan further stated while noting that every case is unique when it comes to undocumented people getting their status in order with US immigration laws.
“Every case is unique. All I can say is reach out to a qualified and seasoned immigration attorney to see if you do qualify for something. I receive a lot of calls, and I can offer guidance on the phone especially when people do not have options.”
Further, the attorney when prompted about whether legal immigrants can get into trouble for keeping illegal relatives, she stated, “I don’t believe that family members are at risk of being penalised for having their undocumented relatives stay with them. If a family member were to break the law in some other way, then perhaps there would be grounds for them to get into trouble.”
To date, over 8000 illegal immigrants were arrested with some being deported to the Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia, India and other nations. Thousands are being held at detention facilities awaiting deportation.
Meanwhile, since opening its doors 13 years ago, the Jagan Law Firm continues to offer honest legal advice with no strings attached. To this day, it still offers free consultations and review paperwork free of charge.
The firm has grown from its first office in Queens, to now having two other New York offices available in Brooklyn and Schenectady. There are also two satellite “sister” offices in Guyana under the name Jagan Consulting Firm, Inc, one in Berbice and one in Georgetown.
US-based Guyanese immigration attorney Vrinda Jagan
Vrinda Jagan and her legal team at the Brooklyn office
The bestlaid plans…
…of
Government and spies
So, what’s all this brouhaha about Trump sending in that South African trillionaire Musk to shut down USAID operation? Wasn’t USAID a case of “name and nature” being as one – the US sending “aid” to lift up the poor and helpless overseas?? Imagine, they sent millions of tents to house refugees in Africa, the Middle East, and wherever wars displaced folks, when they had 771,800 homeless in America!! Yes…they even had them counted, but thought more about those “furriners”!! Your Eyewitness gets all choked up when he thinks about this level of sacrifice for our fellow man; and sometimes even a tear is squeezed out!!
So, back to the shuttering of USAID by the US under Trump. If the truth be told, USAID wasn’t all about helping their fellows: men, women and children. Turns out it was part of the American effort to win the hearts and minds of people across the world away from those dastardly Ruskie Commies. They had a good yarn to spin as to how the Yanks were keeping us barefooted and pregnant down on the farm while scooping off all our raw materials, which they used to live high off the hog!!
But even though USAID showed the Yanks cared by handing out medicines, tents and food etc., there were times when the Ruskies – and their proxies – got too big for their britches, and had to be disciplined. Initially, this was the responsibility of the CIA – which had been formed after WWII. Like here in Guyana, where Cheddi just refused to accept that he shouldn’t cosy up to the Ruskies, and the CIA had to burn half of Georgetown on Black Friday in 1962 to get his attention!!
Not surprisingly, it didn’t take too long for them to be dubbed the “Ugly Americans” …which rubbed off on their fellow countrymen!! Something had to be done. Answer?? JFK launched USAID in 1961 to dole out aid – but to also provide cover for doing what the CIA did, but more “kinder and gentler”!! For instance, they didn’t do any “wet jobs” - assassinations; that was farmed out to Israel’s Mossad!! So we see USAID workers doing vaccinations in Pakistan providing the intel – and cover –for taking out Osama Bin laden!!
But the standard modus operandi of USAID was “civil society organizations” being formed and funded where the US wanted regime change/ adjustment!! So, in much of Eastern Europe, after the USSR collapsed and new governments were formed, the “colour revolutions” were fostered by pro-Western, USAID-funded organizations!!
Right here in our ole Mudland, didn’t we see the “Blue Caps” and “Vote like a Boss” political campaigns launched before the 2015 elections, when we had regime change?? La luta continua!!
…of politicians and the poor
Your Eyewitness read with great interest the fate of those squatters of Mocha, who took the Govt. to court for millions of dollars in compensation – for smashing and removing their shacks!! Now, your Eyewitness was very interested in this case, not least because he sees these Venezuelans squatting all over the country in unsightly shacks, which would be multiplied exponentially after Trump deports their 600,000 cohorts. Would they be having the same right to sue the Government??
Well, now we know, ‘NO!!’ Our most esteemed Chief Justice ruled, most commonsensically, that the squatters didn’t acquire any prescriptive or other rights – so they were TRESPASSERS when the owner, the Govt., showed up. And that when they were offered land by the said Govt. to relocate, but refused on advice of the Opposition, they duly lost corn and husk!! The lesson seems to be that, once again, the advice of the Opposition can prove fatal.
What was their advice on voting in the coming elections??
…for love and land
Seems every time your Eyewitness opens his newspaper – yes, Dear Reader, he still reads “paper” newspapers – he’s swamped with stories about land. Soon we’ll hear the cry: “Land, land everywhere – but not an acre to buy”!!
Guyana passport, visa applications jump
– Guyana
Consul General suggests Guyanese nationals return for visits or permanent relocation; Guyana an increasingly attractive destination for international visitors
The Guyana Consulate in New York has processed nearly 10,000 passport applications and issued over 100 visitor visas in 2024, reflecting a growing interest in travel to Guyana.
In a recent interview, the Guyana Consul General, Michael Brotherson, revealed that the consulate processed 8,955 Guyanese passport applications in 2022, 9,078 in 2023, and 9,996 in 2024, showing a steady increase in demand.
Brotherson noted that this trend highlights a rising desire among Guyanese nationals to return home, whether for visits or permanent relocation.
“So, there’s a trend there, the stats, reserves and so on, I’m always going to notice there’s an upward trajectory, an upward trend of more applications, and I believe, in a broader sense, it speaks to, in a broad sense, it speaks to what is happen-
tain an Emergency Travel Certificate, allowing them a one-way trip back to Guyana, highlighting that the consulate assists with reporting lost passports to the police and provides documentation to facilitate travel.
ing in Guyana, you know, it speaks to the interest, it speaks to the desire to get home,” he posited.
“One can reasonably assume that Guyana is becoming more and more attractive, as if we’re aware of persons, for whatever reason, want to go there, not only in terms of our nationals, going back and requiring
the services of passports,” Brotherson said.
Similarly, visa issuance has also surged. In 2022, the consulate issued 29 visitor visas from applicants of 14 different countries. That number increased to 72 visas from 20 countries in 2023 and jumped to 125 visas from 30 countries in 2024.
This growth, Brotherson highlighted, suggests that Guyana is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for international visitors.
Additionally, the Consul General outlined the procedures for Guyanese nationals who lose their passports. He explained that those in urgent situations can ob-
“We have what you call an emergency travel certificate, and again, the requirements are for that, you have to prove your Guyanese citizenship. Of course, your birth certificate is usually a good way of proving that; some persons have copies of their own passports and so on. So you come into us, we give you a letter, because the laws require you to account for every passport that you’ve been issued… When we give the travel certificate, it is usually, the airlines usually use that for a one-stop, generally, travel home, so in other words, you can’t use a travel certificate to go to multiple countries, and it’s surrendered at port of entry in Georgetown,” he added. Furthermore, regarding passport renewal, individuals with an old Guyanese passport can apply for a new one without requiring additional proof of citizenship. However, older hardcover passports issued over 20 years ago may require a birth certificate for renewal. Moreover, Brotherson clarified that diplomatic passport holders still require a visa, unless Guyana has a visa waiver agreement with their country.
Employment visas, on the other hand, are issued by Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
While the consulate can issue visitor visas for work-related travel, individuals seeking employment in Guyana must apply through the proper channels in Georgetown.
New passport
About four days ago, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO) Stephen Telford, revealed that Guyana will soon introduce new, modern passports with a ten-year validity. According to Telford, works are ongoing to upgrade the existing travel document to include modern features, in alignment with international standards.
At the moment, the passports have a lifespan of five years but according to the DCIO, the new documents will now be valid for ten years.
Guyana Consul General to New York, Michael Brotherson
US-Venezuelan rapprochement?
In 1972, the staunch anticommunist US President Richard Nixon flew to Mao’s communist China after twenty-five years of no contact between the two nations, because he wanted to counterpoise the latter country against its arch rival Russia. Nixon could make that move because his impeccable anti-communist reputation precluded any domestic sandbagging for being “soft” on China – as, for instance, the liberal JFK would have been.
In examining US Pres Trump’s strategy towards Venezuela – which should be of paramount interest because of Maduro’s ongoing hybrid war against us – we have to consider the possibility that he might attempt to “pull off a Nixon” vis-a-vis that country. It is still very early in the day, but there are already some signs of such a rapprochement developing. We must consider our options towards such an eventuality.
In early January, before the inauguration of either Trump or Maduro, there were welcome signs that regime change might be in the air for Venezuela, after President Biden entertained Opposition Candidate Edmundo Gonzalez at the White House as the “Presidentelect” of Venezuela. Pres Trump and his hardline anti-Maduro Secretary of State Rubio must have taken into consideration the inability of Gonzalez to even return to Venezuela with an entourage of Latin American ex-presidents to give him legitimacy.
Then there were the less-than-stellar protests organized by Marìa Corrina Machado before and on the day of Maduro’s inauguration. She had to stage a purported “momentary” detention to gain attention of the foreign media. Trump would remember that his all-out backing of Juan Guaido as the President of Venezuela ended ineffectually and ignominiously after the 2018 elections. The latter had to be flown to Florida from Colombia in 2023, after being ejected from an international conference discussing the upcoming Venezuelan elections. He has since been living there quite luxuriously.
Among the entities funded by USAID that displayed the “incredible level of waste and corruption” in USAID complained of by Elon Musk was the post-2019 Venezuelan Opposition, where hundreds of millions were siphoned off from the US$1B+ expended.
Trump, however, sent his envoy Richard Grenell to Caracas on a special mission: to meet Maduro directly to negotiate the release of six Americans who had been imprisoned for allegedly planning to assassinate the Venezuelan President. Trump himself announced Grenell’s success, and added that Venezuela had “agreed to receive all Venezuelans camped in the United States under an irregular immigration status.”
This must have already been negotiated. While Grenell said, “The only reward for Maduro was my presence: the first senior US official to visit the country in years,” that was certainly not the case. Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab boasted, “If President Donald Trump’s special envoy comes to discuss diplomatic issues and requests an audience with the president – who ended up receiving him in the office of the Miraflores Palace – what does that imply in formal, diplomatic, public and communication terms?”
He crowed that this left the Opposition in a “bad light”. Maria Machado, conceded that Grenell’s meeting with Maduro was “a terrible look, but it is what it is.”
As one foreign policy expert explained, “Since 2019, Washington recognised Juan Guaidó and then the 2015 National Assembly as legitimate representatives of Venezuela. Recognition is a matter of practical engagement. The US maintains relations with governments that it does not consider legitimate — such as Iran, North Korea, and Russia under Putin. Diplomatic recognition is distinct from political approval.”
While strategic one- upmanship might have been Nixon’s rationale for breaking the ice with China, there are several inducements for Trump. If he concedes that the stick of regime change - even if successful, as in Iraq - might be messy, then he may try the carrot.
We must note that the licence to Chevron, to ship a quarter of Venezuela’s oil production to the US, was automatically rolled over under Trump, who had said only a month earlier that the US did not need Venezuelan oil. But the latter can be leveraged against Canada’s protests against Trump’s 25% tariffs, since both are heavy crude, needed to produce diesel.
If Trump were to extend licences to other US and EU oil companies, this might squeeze out both China and Russia, which would also further the US strategic interests while increasing its influence over the Maduro regime. Expansion of the economy should facilitate the absorption of Venezuelan deportees. We should also expect less sabre-rattling from Maduro with Trump’s propensity to manners “uppity” leaders, like we saw recently with Colombia’s Petro.
Bail refused for alleged car mirror thief
Bail was refused for 43-year-old Carl Kato of Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD), after he failed to provide a stable address during his court appearance on Monday.
Kato was charged in December with simple larceny and is being accused of stealing a $60,000 mirror from a Toyota Premio belonging to Crystal Hall, who is a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The incident reportedly occurred on December 7 at Brickdam, Georgetown.
During his first court appearance, the prosecution objected to bail, citing that
there was video evidence of the alleged theft and the fact that Hall is a serving member of the GPF.
However, on Monday, Kato appeared virtually before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. During the hearing, Kato’s mother and sister appeared in court to provide an address for him after the one he initially gave was deemed insufficient.
His sister stated that he could stay with her upon release, but Kato later suggested he might stay with his mother. However, the addresses provided were inconsistent with the lot num-
Charged: Carl Kato
ber he had given for his mother’s address before.
When questioned by Magistrate McGusty further, he explained that he had recently moved into a
place with multiple rooms, similar to a hotel. Due to his inability to provide a fixed address, Magistrate McGusty denied bail, and Kato was remanded to prison until his next court appearance on March 19, 2025.
Kato is no stranger to the law. In May 2012, he was charged with the theft of a car mirror and was placed on $15,000 bail after pleading not guilty before Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton.
In that case, he was accused of stealing a rear-view mirror valued at $15,000 from Raphael Rose on May 27 of the same year.
Ravi Dev
ased on true stories of her beloved pet cat Rascal, 30-yearold Soma Persaud has debuted a children’s book on the feline’s adventures around her home community of Kingston in Georgetown, Guyana, where she was born and raised.
In an interview with Guyana Times, Soma - now living in Hamburg, Germany, where she migrated after getting married in 2022 - reminisced on having had to leave her cherished cats Rascal and Bengali in Guyana, and of struggling to adjust to her new life, at times even feeling depressed. Passionate about creative writing since her
high school years, Soma said, she decided to channel her emotions into writing the book “Rascal the Cat”. She
disclosed that she had begun writing this book while living in Guyana, but had later set it aside. However, nostalgia for home and her cats reignited her desire to revisit the project.
“During my first two years in Germany, life was very hard for me. I struggled a lot with the language barrier, the food, the culture, and everything to the point where I would sometimes feel depressed. I remember my German teacher making fun of my Guyanese accent and saying it would be hard for others to understand me. I also ended up passing the same German exam (and) being among the few who did,” she detailed.
“I also struggled a lot to find a job with my language barrier. It was around this time I used to miss Guyana, and especially my cats Rascal and Bengali that I left behind. I always regret now not bring ing them with me. During that time, I decided to do what was best for me and channel all my thoughts into writing. From that day on, I decided to write more and more as a way of an escape. Writing was a way to express what you could not say aloud,” Soma explained.
and he truly did a tremendous job," the young author expressed.
Thereafter, Soma started searching for a publisher. "I emailed a lot of publishers, but didn't get any response," she noted. Determined not to let her dream die, she decided to take the self-publishing route. "I basically watched lots of YouTube videos and learned a lot about Amazon KDP, Ingram Spark, and about self-publishing," she explained. It took her roughly four months to complete the entire process, and she is overjoyed at finally being able to realise her dream.
Soma recalled always wanting to pursue a career in writing since her time
Noting that many of the adventures in the book are based on true stories, Soma said, "Rascal truly was an adventurous cat, and he is very popular in Kingston. He will always visit the neighbours and go on long walks on his own, and return days later. You can say he is an independent cat and chooses not to stay home, unlike my other cat Bengali."
Writing the book was pretty easy, Soma reminisced, but it was challenging to find an illustrator.
"I did not have a clue about publishing, writing, illustrator, or anything. I then decided to research online, and found an illustrator on Fiverr. At first, I was a bit skeptical, but then decided to risk it and send a message. It turned out to be the best decision. My illustrator and I worked together to create my first book,
Richard Ishmael Secondary School. "English was one of my favourite subjects. It always brings me joy when writing; I always wanted a career in writing, but back then I didn't know how to go around doing that, so I just ended up dropping that idea and started to look for a job," she explained.
Soma says her book, a great read for both children and cat lovers, teaches about patience, love, friendship. "It would give you that warm fuzzy feeling that an animal lover and all kids will enjoy," she expressed. The book is currently available on Amazon Kindle, and a paperback edition is also available. Soma says she is working on getting the book more accessible in Guyana.
Although she currently has a day job, Soma says, she would continue to explore her passion for creative writing, and would endeavour to publish a second book, based on the adventures of her other cat, Bengali.
Soma Persaud displaying her book
FEBRUARY 9, 2025 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Although Annan Baichu, popularly known as ‘KenRock,’ migrated to the United States about 30 years ago, he has continued to promote his Caribbean culture in a predominantly Western society.
Born in Unity Village on the East Coast of Demerara on August 15, 1985, and later taking up residence in Georgetown, he migrated to the USA with the Baichu family while still in primary school, and spent 24 years of his life in Brooklyn, New York. He now resides in Florida
with his girlfriend and his two children, aged 21 and 15. Although domiciled in a foreign land, Baichu disclosed, he has never forgotten his Guyanese roots, and at a young age, he began singing Chutney – a genre of music that is universal across the Caribbean.
Popularly known for his tunes “She Gone Away” and “Carry Me Away”, he has produced more than 20 other songs, and has done collaborations over the years with such musical icons as Terry Gajraj of ‘Guyana Baboo’ fame and with The Hitman, Shatta Youth, Anil Sing and Amrita Harrynarine, among others.
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Annan Baichu, popularly known as ‘KenRock’
Aishalton village benefits from WiFiGY launch
The Office of the Prime Minister, through its facilitating agency the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), has significantly expanded digital access in the remote Village of Aishalton, Region Nine, through the strategic launch of the WiFiGY programme.
In a social media presen-
tation, the Prime Minister’s Office noted that building upon a remarkable achievement from the previous year, when NDMA successfully connected 57 villages in the region with high-speed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) internet, the Aishalton project further demonstrates the Government's commitment to technological democratisation.
The programme, it said, goes beyond mere connectivity, by incorporating a robust 2025 Cybersecurity and e-Services Awareness Campaign that provides critical training in digital literacy and online safety.
Speaking at the launch,
a representative from the Ministry of Education, Ms Natasha (only name given) noted that before the launch, information was mainly available via Brazilian TV; now the residents can be more aware about local information and topical Guyanese events and happenings.
In addition, she said that instead of “two weeks trek” to the Masakanari Village school, she can have Zoom meetings with staff, and
can discuss issues relating to the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and teacher training, among others.
Aishalton Toshao, Timothy Williams, said the village has seen many great improvements in local communication with the introduction of its high-speed internet, facilitated by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Medex at the Aishalton District Hospital, Jemuel
Buckley, said that the programme has helped with the continued education of medical staff, as for the first time they were able to attend online.
This initiative, the Office of the Prime Minister noted, represents a critical step in the Government's comprehensive Digital Inclusion Agenda, designed to bridge technological gaps and empower communities in the most underserved regions.
From Page 23
He credits those collaborations with definitely advancing his singing career and enabling him to craft a name for himself in the music industry.
Baichu disclosed that he chose to sing Chutney because he believes it resonates deeply with Indo-Guyanese culture and, more importantly, embodies a vibrant energy loved by all Caribbean people. Under his musical name ‘KenRock’, he has performed at several events in and out of Guyana, and he says his most memorable performance was at Jamzone Summer Break in 2012.
Reminiscing that the atmosphere and vibes at that event were overwhelming, he dubbed that experience as the one that made him connect with his Guyanese brothers and sisters, and has vowed to do more to promote the Chutney art form, which he says needs a push from the authorities here in Guyana.
“We all are Guyanese performers…we all want to see this type of music rise to the top; but this cannot happen without the support of those in authority and the fans back home,” Kenrock has said.
Contending that the Culture Ministry has to lead the charge in promoting more Guyanese music at events, Kenrock has said, “Over the years, I see they are trying to do that, but we need more… Invite those Guyanese artistes who reside abroad! Let them come and perform…!
Give them that exposure!”
He has advised that because Chutney music is sometimes associated with the culture of rum-drinking and vulgarity, emerging artistes should be mindful of this perception, and strive to avoid reinforcing it while they persistently endeavour to elevate the art form of Chutney to new heights.
“There will be challenges and high points… You just have to stay focused, stay real, and produce songs that are pleasing to the ears…,” he has advised.
Baichu also has his own YouTube cooking channel, which features Guyanese foods and delicacies, and is currently involved in the construction business; thus, he rarely finds time to perform, due to his demanding workload. However, he disclosed that he dedicates time in the evenings to making music, and when he’s off from work, he focuses on his cooking channel.
Declaring that he hopes to one day return to Guyana with his family, Baichu has said, “I imagine returning to Guyana, swinging in a hammock and doing the things I love - swimming, fishing, and even cooking.”
Baichu has also disclosed that he enjoys eating hot fried bora with dried fish and hot paratha roti; and when he is not making music, the melodious voice of Indian singer Kumar Sanu booms through his speaker boxes.
Overseas interest in cash grant prompts reiteration
“Distribution of the cash grant is done at home” – Guyana Consul General to overseas Guyanese
The Consul General of Guyana to New York, Michael Brotherson, has reiterated that the distribution of the Government’s $100,000 cash grant is being conducted exclusively in Guyana.
This confirmation comes as overseas-based Guyanese inquire about the possibility of receiving their payments through the consulate.
Brotherson clarified that registration and distribution of the grant must take place in Guyana.
"It has been clearly announced that registration for the cash grant is done at home, and concomitantly, distribution of the cash grant is done at home," he stated.
He further noted that there have been no policy changes allowing for overseas disbursement.
Applicants are required to present an active Guyanese passport or a Guyana identification card to be eligible for the grant. The Government has set up numerous registration sites across the coun-
try to facilitate the process.
Brotherson has urged overseas-based Guyanese to stay alert, and properly informed, given Government decides to put other distribution systems in place.
“Based on what I know from Guyana, they said you have to go in Guyana to be registered. The registration is pretty simple…We have been making strides, and I have to thank my principals in Georgetown for the support that they've given. The Foreign Minister is very
keen on us here, not least His Excellency the President,” he added.
The disbursement of funds would commence soon following the recent passage of Guyana’s $1.138 trillion budget, which allocates over $40 billion to support this initiative.
Some 271,000 individuals have been registered this year, with 242,000 already verified.
In 2024, approximately 390,000 citizens were registered and verified, with substantial completion of disbursements in regions one, seven, eight, and nine.
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has assured the public that all eligible Guyanese would receive the cash grant and emphasised the Government’s commitment to ensuring an efficient and transparent process.
The distribution schedule is expected to be published in a week’s time ensuring that the remaining recipients in regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East
Berbice-Corentyne), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) receive their funds in a timely manner.
The Government’s $100,000 Cash Grant Initiative was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in October and every resident Guyanese citizen 18 years old and over will receive the payout.
Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated that the initial distribution process of the $100,000 one-off cash grant is expected to see about 300,000 Guyanese receiving their cash grants before the end of 2024, while the remainder of persons should receive theirs this year.
To date, senior citizens, along with Ministry staff, teachers, members of the Disciplined Service and some communities in the hinterland have received their grants.
Guyana Consul General to New York, Michael Brotherson
$8.3B upgraded Eccles Landfill Site Road to open soon – Croal
Construction works to widen and upgrade the Eccles Landfill Site Road, also known as ‘Dumpsite Road’ on the East Bank of Demerara (ECD), has been completed, with only a few finishing touches remaining.
The $8.3 billion project saw the widening of a section of the road, from EBD Public Road to the Windsor Estate access road, into four lanes. The project was divided into six lots.
Back in December, Housing Minister Collin Croal had told the Guyana Times that the works to widen the road into four lanes had been completed with just the construction of a bridge remaining at the western end, connecting to the East Bank public road.
On Saturday, Croal revealed the bridge is now completed and final touches are all that remains are final touches.
“In all six lots, the road work is completed. In fact, four of the six is 100 per cent
[completed]. The last lot –Lot Six which is closer to the East Bank public road, the
road is complete and all that is left [to do] is the road markings and putting in the guard rails… And at Lot One, which is closer to Windsor Road, the road is completed and all that is left to do is [installing] the guard rails and [do] the road markings,” he explained to this newspaper.
Government had previously widened the Windsor Estate access road into four lanes and so now works are being done to widen the turn from the Eccles Landfill Site Road onto the Windsor Road to match the expansion works.
“But [these additional works are] not affecting anything,” Minister Croal assured, adding that persons will get “…full usage [of the Landfill Site Road] very short-
ly.”
When opened, the newly expanded Eccles Landfill Site Road will provide an alternative route, connecting the East Bank Public Road to the Heroes Highway at the Eccles Roundabout or Jaguar Roundabout.
Works had been done several years ago to widen Eccles Landfill Site Road from the Windsor Road to the Heroes Highway, to the tune of $1.2 billion. Those works were done by the Public Works Ministry.
The expansion of the other section of the road was undertaken by the Housing Minister in keeping with the transformation of Guyana’s infrastructural landscape.
Markings being done at the western end of the newly expanded Eccles Landfill Site Road on the East Bank of Demerara
Guyana, US fortify security cooperation
Guyana and the United States (US) continue to deepen their strategic partnership, bolstering Guyana’s national defence capabilities.
A Department of Public Information news release noted that through sustained and robust cooperation, the two nations reaffirm their dedication to mutual prosperity across key sectors including defence and economic development.
This thriving partnership has garnered stellar commendations, most recent-
ly, from Foreign Secretary Robert M. Persaud, it stated.
During a reception dinner celebrating the National Defence Institute’s first cohort of graduates on Friday. The foreign secretary took to the stage and lauded the collaboration.
Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, Heads of Guyana’s defence agencies and representatives from William J. Perry Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, were some of the attendees at the reception.
Recently, Guyana’s National Defence Institute in partnership with the William J. Perry Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, graduated 40 ranks and officers from the Joint Services.
This comprehensive course provided graduates with critical knowledge and specialised training, enhancing their ability to safeguard Guyana’s national sovereignty against threats such as drug trafficking, transnational crime, and illegal migration, as well as the concerning rhetoric emanating
from Venezuela.
According to Secretary Persaud, “This collaborative effort exemplifies the strong partnership between the Governments of the United States and Guyana. Our relationship is characterised by mutual respect and a shared vision for a secure and prosperous Western Hemisphere.”
He expressed Guyana’s eagerness to collaborate with the US on future training and knowledge-sharing initiatives to strengthen the nation’s security capabilities.
In the same breath, he stressed the critical need to bridge the gap between policy development and implementation to effectively address evolving threats.
“Security and defence are fundamental pillars of national prosperity,” Secretary Persaud asserted. “As policymakers, we must create synergies in policy formulation, adopting a holistic and inclusive approach to address security threats and challenges, always prioritising our national interests.”
As Guyana continues to experience rapid eco-
nomic development, the Government demonstrates its unwavering political will to safeguard democracy by implementing effective and adaptable policies, prioritising the development of a professional security apparatus and building strong regional partnerships. Beyond defence and intelligence cooperation, the two countries’ robust relationship extensively spans across diverse sectors, including democracy, trade, investment, economic development, energy, capacity building, and education.
Foreign Secretary Robert M Persaud and US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot (DPI)
Bandits invade 3 homes in pre-dawn robbery
Adaring early Saturday morning robbery in ‘A’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, has left three families reeling after bandits targeted their homes.
The victims, who suspect they were sprayed with a sleep-inducing substance, only became aware of the break-in when a relative was awakened by suspicious noises.
One of the homeowners who gave his name only as ‘Jano”, told Guyana Times the incident took place around 2:00h., with at least three armed intruders sneaking into the properties.
Two of the houses—belonging to a man and his parents—were in the same yard, while the third, a neighbour’s home, was located next door.
The homeowner recounted that the perpetrators gained access by unscrewing light bulbs, jumping the fence, and forcing open locked doors.
In his home, where he resided with his wife and three-year-old son, the thieves made off with a generator valued at $70,000, a working bag containing important documents, a wallet with approximately $150,000 in cash, and cell phones.
The suspects then entered the parents’ home, where three individuals were asleep.
There, they ransacked wardrobes, emptied purses, and stole an estimated $180,000 in jewellery, $340,000 in cash, and two cell phones valued at approximately $70,000 com-
bined. They also took two bicycles that were in the yard.
The victims were reportedly unaware of the intrusion until the homeowner’s sister, who lived with her parent, was startled by someone attempting to break into her bedroom.
“My sister heard someone shaking her door. She called out for my mom, but no one responded. She called louder, and that’s when the intruder ran off,” the homeowner explained. Upon checking outside, the woman spotted two men dressed in all black, jumping over the front fence.
At the neighbouring property, it was reported that a young girl woke up to find one of the bandits inside her bedroom. Terrified, she pleaded with him not to harm her. The thief, in response, stole a laptop and a music system but left without inflicting any physical harm.
The victims believe the robbers used a sleep-inducing spray, as no one in the three homes woke up despite the intruder’s forcing entry and ransacking the premises.
“For them to hit three houses within a short time and open locked doors with-
out making much noise—it’s suspicious. I definitely believe we were sprayed. Also, my sister said after they left, she was shaking my parents for some time to alert them of what happened, and they were not waking up. It was after some time they woke up and my father came and called for me. When I woke up, I saw my door was wide open,” the homeowner stated.
The homeowner said that immediately after, they called Police from Brickdam and Turkeyen stations in Georgetown and they responded to the scene.
They reportedly took photographs of footprints left in the yard and along the escape route. Investigators suspect the thieves used bicycles to flee the area, as two were reportedly stolen.
Although Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage captured three suspects dressed in black, their faces were obscured due to poor lighting and blind spots in the camera angles. The victims are still trying to recover additional footage.
Authorities are urging residents in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. An investigation is ongoing.
Businessman granted $300,000 bail pending appeal of assault conviction
Jairam Bissessar, the 37-year-old operator of Jagdesh Duck Curry Restaurant & Bar, has been granted bail in the sum of $300,000, as he awaits the hearing and determination of his appeal.
The decision was handed down by the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana on Friday after an urgent application was filed on his behalf.
Bissessar was convicted and sentenced in absentia to one month imprisonment for assaulting Police Corporal Hakim Atkins on January 2.
The incident took place at Lima Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, where Atkins, attached to the AntiCrime Patrol Divisional Headquarters in Anna Regina, was reportedly carrying out his duties when the altercation occurred.
The case was heard on January 21, at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke. Due to Bissessar’s absence, an ex-parte trial was conducted, and he was found guilty of the charge of assaulting a peace officer, and sentenced to one month of imprisonment.
Following the conviction, Bissessar’s legal team, led by attorneys Bernard Da Silva and Abiola Lowe, swiftly moved to secure his
release, filing a Fixed Date Application – Urgent with Notice on January 31, 2025.
Supporting affidavits were submitted by Mala Bissessar on behalf of the applicant and by Ramesh Chattergoon in defence on Friday. The matter was heard before Justices D. Younge and Z. Ally-Seepaul at the Supreme Court, where arguments were presented by both sides.
After reviewing the submissions, the court granted bail in the amount of $300,000, imposing strict conditions. As per the court’s order, Bissessar must surrender his passport and all other travel documents to
the Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court, SubRegistry, Essequibo to ensure he does not leave the jurisdiction while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. The court explicitly warned that failure to comply with these conditions could result in contempt of court proceedings, which may lead to additional imprisonment or confiscation of assets.
With his bail now secured, Bissessar’s legal team is expected to move forward with the appeal process, which could determine whether his conviction stands or is overturned in the coming weeks.
Jairam Bissessar
President meets local food catering consortium
President Dr Irfaan Ali met with Guyanese Achieving Together Enterprises (GATE), a food catering consortium, at State House on February 6.
The consortium, comprising 17 local companies, highlighted their achievements to date, and their vision for future development and expansion over the next two years.
An Office of the President release stat -
ed that giving his support to the proposals, the President also expressed optimism about the future development of the consortium.
The discussions led to a verbal agreement for the formation of a catering and restaurant association.
Head of the Local Content Secretariat, Mr Martin Pertab, was also at the meeting
GOGEC, Ernst & Young host oneday oil and gas industry workshop
The Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), in collaboration with Ernst & Young (EY), successfully hosted a one-day workshop focused on key aspects of the Oil and Gas Industry.
The event held January 30, provided an engaging and educational experience for students from Queen's College, The Bishop’s High School, and St Stanislaus College.
Fifth and sixth-form students, accompanied by a representative teacher from each school, participated in interactive sessions covering sustainability in the oil and gas industry, a day in the life on a rig, and financial literacy.
According to a GOGEC
press release, the topics were carefully selected to give students practical insights into the sector’s operations and broader economic impact.
Key highlights of the workshop included sustainability in Oil and Gas, where industry experts discussed the importance of environmental responsibility, renewable energy integration, and best practices for a sustainable future in the sector.
Also highlighted was a Day in the Life on a Rig, where students gained firsthand knowledge about offshore operations, safety protocols, and the different roles available within the industry.
Financial Literacy was also a key highlight, as EY
professionals guided students through financial planning, investment strategies, and the economic opportunities linked to the oil and gas sector.
GOGEC emphasised the
Chamber’s commitment to equipping young minds with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in Guyana’s rapidly expanding energy sector.
The workshop is an es-
sential platform for students to explore career paths, understand the importance of sustainability, and develop financial awareness—all of which are crucial as Guyana continues to grow as an
oil-producing nation.
The collaboration between GOGEC and EY reflects a shared vision of educating and empowering the next generation of industry leaders, the news release noted.
By engaging students at an early stage, the initiative aims to build a pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s energy landscape.
The workshop concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, ask questions, and gain deeper insights into potential career opportunities within the oil and gas sector.
Guyana Energy Conference presents UG with exhibition tickets, complimentary passes
The Guyana Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo (GECSCE) recently presented the University of Guyana (UG) with 50 exhibition tickets and 20 complimentary delegate passes, to be used by the institution’s students and lecturers.
A UG press release stated that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Conference (GEC), Kiana Wilburg, presented the tickets and complimentary passes to the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor
Paloma Mohamed Martin, on Wednesday, February 5, at the Office of the ViceChancellor, UG’s Turkeyen Campus.
In brief remarks, Chairman of the GEC, Anthony J. Whyte, underscored the importance of this effort, stating that it is critical for the next generation to be given a front-row seat to Guyana’s development trajectory and the key players within that sphere.
“I believe it is our duty to ensure our youths have a place at this event, to not only learn
as much as they can about Guyana’s oil and gas industry, but to also interact with some of the world’s leading conglomerates across 26 industries. These engagements can go a long way in helping our youths have a better understanding of the career path they may wish to take,” said Whyte.
The Chairman added, “I look forward to welcoming the UG cohort to what will be the largest and most dynamic conference in our history; may they take advantage of the learning opportunities that
await them come February 18th to 21st, 2025.”
Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Martin expressed her appreciation to the GEC for the tickets and complimentary passes, noting that students and lecturers are eager to participate in the event.
The GEC team thanks UG in advance for its participation in the region’s premier event. We remain committed to ensuring our platform is a source of inspiration and guidance for our future leaders.
The GECSCE is an annual event that brings together industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders, to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in the energy and supply chain sectors.
Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference, Kiana Wilburg, presenting tickets and complimentary passes to Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prof Paloma Mohamed Martin
EMT Phebe Scott recalls the moments of the horrific Lusignan truck accident
Superheroes don’t always wear capes or masks. In Guyana there are superheroes who carry medical kits, rushing head-first into the most dan-
dent scene on the Lusignan Public Road.
Upon arrival, the devastation was overwhelming. While Pyle attended to another victim in a nearby ve-
gerous situations; those who doesn’t just answer the call of duty but step up when every second matters.
These heroes are emergency medical technicians (EMT): Phebe Scott and Lynsia Pyle, who saved the life of a truck driver who was pinned to his truck during an accident on February 6,2025; one of the most dreadful days witnessed on the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Their work has been called extraordinary.
Speaking to EMT Phebe Scott, one of the heroes who undertook the task, this publication got a first-hand account of the situation that transpired, as Phebe and Lynsia faced an unimaginable scene—a mangled truck crushed against a house, its driver pinned inside, bleeding profusely.
In that moment, with a life hanging in the balance, they didn’t hesitate, acting immediately, with their training in mind.
At exactly 11:23 h, February 6, Scott and Pyle were dispatched to the acci-
hicle, Scott rushed to the truck.
The truck driver, who was later identified as 28-year-old Atash Singh, had lost control of his truck and collided with a car and a house, causing severe damages to both properties. Singh did not fare well either. He suffered severe injuries to the right side of his face and a laceration to his right arm, while the driver of the car, 31-year-old Jameela Kelvin, sustained abrasions about the body, and shoulder pains.
At the site, a group of bystanders tried to help the trapped driver, but his condition was deteriorating: blood streaming down his head and his spine dangerously unstable. The sight alone
of the accident was enough to convince anyone that survival was unlikely.
But Scott and Pyle saw hope amidst the catastrophe.
At the accident scene, their training kicked in, but this moment required more than just medical knowledge.
It demanded urgency, resolve, and an unbreakable spirit.
“So, I just went quick into action. I didn’t think of how I was going to get there. I told the guys, ‘Can you just hold me up when we get up there?’ Because I had the C-collar. That is something that will hold your head in place to secure your spine. So, I just went up. I put the C-collar on him, and I was making sure he was awake,” Scott recalled.
The scene was thick with tension, however Scott revealed that she and Pyle kept their eyes on the goal: to ensure that the persons were removed safely from the situation.
Blood loss was the team’s biggest enemy during the scene—blood was spilling fast, and if Scott, who was on top of the truck, didn’t stop it, the injured truck driver would not make it.
“There was no fear in me. The only thing is that I cannot remember exactly what I was feeling, I just saw that he was up there and he was bleeding out, and I’m like, listen, I have to save him before he loses any more blood,” she relayed.
“He was bleeding from his face because he had an avulsion. So, his entire skin was up. You could have seen his ear was like-... his head... was torn, you can see his bone, and you can see the blood just spreading out from there. So, yes, I had to stop the bleeding because bleeding trumps anything— because blood is... oxygenated blood coming out.”
knew that her job wasn’t just to save him physically—it was to keep his mind strong. Fear and panic could be just as deadly.
Despite the chaos, Scott
“I was talking to him, giving him encouraging words telling him, ‘Listen, I got you. I’m going to stay here with you until we got this.’”
As the responders worked to free him, the injured man pleaded with Scott to never leave his side.
“They stopped the truck from pinning him down, however he was making comments like ‘I feel like I’m going to die.’” she revealed.
“In response to his remarks – I was like, ‘No, listen to me. You need to stay alive. You have your family that is waiting for you, and I am going to stay with you.,” she said.
Even after they pulled him from the wreckage and laid him on
the ground, his eyes searched for her. He still needed her presence, her reassurance.
And she never left.
“We took him to the ambulance, and I was trying to keep him conscious because he was trying to sleep. So, from Lusignan to Georgetown, I had to be talking to him. I was giving him encouraging words so that he could stay conscious until he got to the hospital...So, I had to stop the bleeding and stabilise his spine,” she recalled.
Scott was not alone in this rescue, she acknowledges the bravery of her colleague, Lynsia Pyle, who played an equally critical role.
“Lynsia was very helpful, because when we got on the scene, there was another occupant in the vehicle. So, Lynsia stabilised that patient before coming to help me. She was the one passing the bandages, and the one giving me the oxygen to put on the guy’s face. Also, she was helping to hold my foot so that I don’t fall because she was kind of pushing the truck out, the steel out, so that he could come out.”
As they worked in unison, something powerful unfolded.
For Scott, this moment meant more than just another day on the job. It was deeply personal.
“It brought a lot of emotions because it took me back to the time when I wasn’t able to get that kind of care, or my then-boyfriend didn’t get that kind of care.”
In 2017, Scott was in a tragic accident herself, she suffered a broken femur and a shattered knee. Her then-boyfriend, who was with her, never regained consciousness.
She believes that if EMTs had been present to stabilise her boyfriend’s neck, or provide immediate care, things might have turned out differently. That belief fuels her, every time she responds to a call.
Iwokrama launches new publication, board game to inspire conservation
– Showcases creativity and talent among hinterland wildlife clubs
The Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development (Iwokrama) together with its community partners, the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) and the ExxonMobil Foundation, has launched a new publication, “Conservation Canvases: Hand-Painted Banners from the North Rupununi Wildlife Club Festival”, and a forest-themed board game, ‘Wildlife Wonders’, at an event at Annai, North Rupununi in January 2025.
The idea originated from a very successful 2023 Wildlife Club Festival at Annai where each club created a banner for the “Parade of Banners” held during the opening ceremony.
In a press release, the Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) noted that the banners demonstrated exceptional talent and creativity, and to celebrate their significance, each club developed a story to accompany the banners, resulting in the creation of this unique publication.
The Wildlife Wonders game is similar to the traditional Snakes and Ladders but uses a forest theme and includes several key bio-
diversity species found in Guyana’s forests.
The intention of these conservation initiatives is to showcase the work of the youth from the communities of the North Rupununi and inspire a deep sense of conservation in these young people, which it is expected will imbue communities both in the hinterland and on the coast.
For more than 20 years wildlife club members have become leaders in several areas including village leadership, managers, researchers, tourism experts, rangers, and much more.
The Foundation funds several other projects in the North Rupununi that align with the Low Carbon Development Strategy
(LCDS) 2030, including support for 17 wildlife clubs (approx. 400 children), forestry research, the Makushi Research Unit and Radio Paiwomak, the first community-owned radio station.
A coastal programme led by Environmental Management Consultants (EMC) Inc and the EMC Foundation, covers areas such as species conservation, sustainable livelihoods in tourism, ecosystem restoration and management and environmental education and awareness.
The Iwokrama International Centre was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the
$8.3B upgraded Eccles...
FROM PAGE 31
Previously, the Housing Minister had explained that this $8.3 billion road widening project aligns with the Government’s broader objective of crucial connector roads to the East Bank thoroughfare, ensuring greater traffic flow and enhanced connectivity throughout Guyana.
“Well, that road is intertwined in terms of the massive plan as a result of where we’re placing the [new Demerara River] bridge. You know, the [Eccles Landfill Site Road or] Industrial Road has always existed. But the reason why we have to widen that is because of the volume of traffic that is flowing. So, if you’re coming from the East Bank, it’s one of the main access points.”
“Then when the Ogle to Eccles Four-Lane Road is
complete, you’ll be able to connect and come all the way to the East Bank without having to turn because you’ll meet the Eccles roundabout and then go to the main road. The [new] Demerara Harbour Bridge is landing at Nandy Park. Following that, there are a number of connecting roads that will be done. And one of where it will flow into will be the Eccles Industrial Road,” Croal had stated back in September.
In April 2022, the $2.3 billion four-lane Ecclesto-Mandela Highway was opened, thus providing an alternate route to bring relief from the heavy traffic on the EBD during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
The project, which was executed by the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority
(CH&PA), represents the construction of the country’s first fully concreted fourlane highway, with dual carriageways of two lanes each and joint reinforced concrete pavement.
Late 2023, the Eccles to Diamond four-lane road was commissioned and named the Heroes Highway, in honour of the five Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers who died days before in a horrific helicopter crash.
This four-lane road project is a result of efforts by the President Dr Irfaan Aliled Government to ease traffic congestion on the East Bank, which not only leads to the country’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) – but also fields traffic coming from West Demerara.
Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest.
The IIC collaborates with the Government of Guyana, the Commonwealth and other international partners and donors to develop new approaches and forest management models to enable countries with rainforests to market their ecosystem services whilst carefully managing their resources through innovative and creative conservation practices.
In more recent years, the Centre has received support from corporate partners such as Exxon Mobil (Guyana) Limited who has funded the
of this Programme.
Iwokrama brings together 20 local communities (ap-
development of its Science Programme and continues to provide an annual contribution to the implementation
proximately 7,000 people) who are shareholders and participants in the IIC’s sustainable timber, tourism, re-
search operations and forest management activities through complex co-management and benefit sharing arrangements, and scientists and researchers engaged in ground breaking research into the impacts of climate change on the forest and measuring the scope and value of its ecosystem services It also brings a portfolio of sustainably managed and certified business models, using innovative governance systems, which include participation of the private and public sectors and the local communities, earning income from the forest and its natural assets, while employing international social, environmental and economic best practice.
Banner book publication, ‘Conservation Canvases’
Game and banner book display
Children playing forest-themed board game, ‘Wildlife Wonders’
A section of the completed four-lane Landfill Site Road at Eccles, East Bank Demerara
Son breaks down in tears as mother of 5 presented by MoM with new home
A13-year-old boy
could not contain his emotions, and broke down in tears after entering his new home for the first time on Saturday.
The house, built under the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative, was handed over Saturday afternoon to 31-year-old Shelly Doodnauth, a single mother of five.
After a simple ceremony, Doodnauth received the keys to her new, three-bedroom home.
She too was initially in tears when she entered her new home, which is fully furnished, with modern amenities, and situat -
ed in Mont Sinai, popularity referred to as Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).
The project commenced before the start of the year but for Doodnauth, it seemed a long time ago for her and her five children ages 13, 10, 8, 7 and 3 years.
Their previous living conditions were in a very terrible state, and as a Government part-time worker, Doodnauth had no means of executing the needed repairs to their previous home.
“It was an old house. When me and me chil -
dren sleeping inside, rain does wet we in we head. Sometimes we don’t get no sleep. The whole back wall was damaged and I didn’t have anybody to help me. So I go to Region office and ask for help and they follow up. I was sleeping a morning and they came and told me that they come to break down my house to give me a new house.” Doodnauth recalled for this publication.
Finally, as she and her children could now move into their new home, her
13-year-old son could not hold back his tears, and had to be consoled. His sisters, on the other hand, were screaming with joy and jumping on the beds.
In recounting the period during which she was waiting on the completion of the building, and for it to be handed over to her, Doodnauth said those were the most difficult days of her life as she had nowhere to live.
“From when the house break down I didn’t have anywhere to go. I was sleeping on people landing with my children, sleeping at people bottom house – it wasn’t easy, but I feel nice that I get my own home and that everybody come together to help me with a home for me and my children. I thank God for it,” the woman said in gratitude.
Project donors include Kascon Engineering, Trim Contracting; Professional Engineering, Homeline Inc, Sookraj Industries, and JR Engineering Solutions.
Govt continues to strengthen national security amidst emerging challenges
To safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty, the Government is proactively taking steps to bolster its security sector against emerging threats.
As the nation confronts threats to its territorial integrity, including renewed claims to the Essequibo Region by Venezuela, and an increase in transnational organised crime, the Government is allocating resources and making significant investments to protect the country’s safety.
Minister of Home Affairs
Caption: Evin Lewis and Rashid Khan were teammates at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots last season
Robeson Benn asserted the notion that Guyana must remain focused on heightening its security forces and ensuring they are equipped to address the multifaceted challenges facing the country’s defence system.
He presented this sentiment while addressing participants at a reception celebrating the National Defence Institute’s first cohort of graduates on Friday evening.
He explained that while the country is experiencing unprecedented economic growth due to oil and gas reserves, an increased number
of threats and issues arise.
Currently, Guyana is experiencing a population deficit while facing the ever-present territorial threat posed by the country’s western neighbour.
During these times, the
Government is engaging in ongoing efforts to form strategic international partnerships with powerful countries, focusing heavily on initiatives like joint military exercises, intelligence sharing and resource develop-
ment.
Minister Benn expressed confidence in Guyana’s strong partnerships with countries like the United States (US), noting the collaboration’s vitality in addressing geopolitical vulnerabilities.
The Minister further launched a call to action to Guyanese, highlighting the role all citizens play in strengthening Guyana’s presence across its national territory.
He urged community policing groups, particularly those in vulnerable hinterland regions, to assist the joint services with information gathering and work towards a Guyana free of territorial disputes.
“We have to have a clear awareness of the challenge we have, we have to have a clear awareness of our responses to this challenge,
and we have to read and think and work with the professors and others who have expertise and interests, of course, in the matter to make sure that we could all work together in the first instance to have our sovereignty protected,” he said passionately.
He continued “So take our mutual interest to have a continued win-win situation, and that we work together to increase peace in Guyana, increase wealth and benefit for our people…and to hand over a better life and a better country to the next generation of Guyanese.”
Minister Benn reaffirmed that the Government’s vision of One Guyana is not only one characterised by economic growth and abundant oil resources but one where security is a priority and key cornerstone.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn
Shelly Doodnauth and her five children in their new home
It was a joyful occasion for the children
The new home in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam
Human Services Ministry spearheads nationwide Family Violence Act Campaign
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has reaffirmed its commitment to combating violence within the education system, through a comprehensive two-day Family Violence Act training conducted in 25 secondary schools across Guyana.
This impactful initiative, executed from January 3031, targeted Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine, and 10, reaching 1,704 students (720 males and 984 females).
Spearheaded by the Ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit (SODVPU), in collaboration with the Family Enhancement
Upcoming Caricom Heads of Government Meeting to assess rapidly-changing global landscape
Caricom SecretaryGeneral, Dr Carla Barnett, said that Heads of Government will assess challenges arising in the rapidly changing global context when they meet in Barbados from 1921 February 2025 for the 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference.
In a message ahead of the Meeting, Dr Barnett stated that the Community will seek to devise solutions that advance regional integration and economic and social development.
The Secretary-General said that Caricom Chair, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, will lead discussions on the progress being made on areas critical to our survival and growth, such as climate change, food and nutrition security, transportation and the free movement of Caricom nationals in the Region.
She noted that the theme of the meeting, “Strength in Unity: Forging Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development,” reflects Caricom’s awareness that its gains were under threat.
Services Section (FESS) and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), the campaign educated the students on the new Family Violence legislation that was passed last year.
The act affords protection in cases involving domestic violence by the granting of a protection order, to provide the police with powers of arrest where a domestic violence offence occurs, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Additionally, the effects of critical issues such as youth violence, bullying, and harmful social norms prevalent in school environments were also discussed with the students.
CPA Hotline, the Imatter App, the Survivors’ Advocate Programme, and direct reporting mechanisms at the Ministry’s various locations.
According to the DPI, the Hon Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, commended the collaborative efforts across departments, emphasising the critical need for this campaign to address the pervasive issue of bullying and violence within schools.
Husbands, Head of the SODVPU, emphasised the campaign’s strategic approach, stating, “This initiative builds upon our successful primary school outreach last November and signifies a sustained, long-term commitment to fostering safe and supportive learning environments.”
Dr Husbands further announced the campaign’s expansion into tertiary institutions and technical institutes, underscoring the Ministry’s dedication to reaching all levels of education.
Caricom’s response, she added, requires coordination, collaboration, and partnerships.
“This focus reflects our awareness that gains in economic integration, foreign policy coordination, and human and social development are under threat from climate change, crime and violence, and increasing global instability.”
Heads of Government will welcome distinguished guests, including UN Secretary-General H.E. António Guterres and European Commission President, H.E. Ursula von der Leyen.
There will also be exchanges with representatives from civil society, labour, the private sector, and youth, whose perspectives are vital for the Region’s economic stability and prosperity, the Secretary-General said.
“Our objective will be to ensure that, as we plan, our actions are strategic, meaningful and beneficial to all the citizens of the Caribbean Community,” Dr Barnett stated.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) report stated that participating secondary institutions included Vergenoegen, Zeeburg, L’Aventure, Westminster, Diamond, Tutorial Academy, North Georgetown, Cummings Lodge, Plaisance, Buxton, Mahaicony, Fort Wellington, Rosignol, Lower Corentyne, Canje Secondary, Black Bush, Bartica, Three Miles, St Ignatius, Aishalton, Christianburg, Wisburg, New Silver City, and Linden Foundation. Students from the Mahaicony Technical Institute also participated.
The campaign went beyond simply identifying problems. It focused on empowering students with practical strategies for conflict resolution, raising awareness of the devastating consequences of bullying, and providing comprehensive information about available support services.
Students were educated on how to access resources such as the 914 Hotline,
“This campaign is intended to ensure that our students are aware of our services within the Ministry and how they can utilise the reporting services to get to any one of the agencies, notably 914,” Minister Persaud stated.
She said the campaign’s scope extends beyond the immediate issues of bullying and violence, focusing on equipping both perpetrators and victims with constructive conflict resolution skills.
“The campaign, on a deeper level, speaks to the impact of violence. It speaks to both the perpetrator and the victim. We need to ensure that young people do not see the resolution of conflict in a violent way,” the Minister stated.
This work is further strengthened by the Ministry’s foundational programme, developed through the Spotlight Initiative, which saw persons from within the Ministry being trained to aid in the cessation of violence.
It targeted the age group of 13 to 25 and included stakeholders who are also working to end violence within the country.
Meanwhile, Dr Cona
Over the past few years, the report noted, the Ministry through its various departments has been going into schools to educate students on the devastating effects of bullying and violence.
SODVPU aims to engage over 5,000 students in the coming months through this ongoing sensitisation programme.
This proactive campaign reflects the Ministry’s broader strategy of implementing impactful programmes and policies to mitigate violence across all segments of Guyanese society.
By empowering youth with knowledge and providing access to vital resources, the Ministry is laying the foundation for safer schools and communities, ultimately contributing to a significant reduction in domestic violence and other forms of interpersonal aggression.
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security recognises that investing in the empowerment of young people is essential to creating a more secure and harmonious future for Guyana.
Caricom Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett
Nations School of Technology graduates City and Guilds welders
Nations School of Technology graduated 27 welders from the City and Guilds Level 1 MMA Welding Course on February 7, 2025.
help them identify and develop the skills they need to thrive. City and Guilds understands the life changing link between skills development, social mobility, prosperity and success.
Nations School of Technology partnered with City and Guilds to deliver work-based learning programmes that build competency, to better support prospects for people, organisations and wider society.
It noted that Nations School of Technology is appreciative of the partnership with Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer of TGY Industrial for their support in this initiative.
According to the release, for more than 140 years, City and Guilds has worked with people, organisations and economies, to
In a press release, the institution noted that His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, had granted 3,000 scholarships to this programme in his presentation at the Nations School of Technology's launch event held May 18, 2024. The programme is funded through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) initiative, which has already graduated over 25,000 people throughout the country.
SWAT officers granted $200,000 bail in case alleging cannabis possession
Two police officers attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit were granted bail on Friday after appearing before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, following their arrest for alleged possession of 748.4 grams of suspected cannabis.
Lance Corporals Kevin Thompson and Dwayne Perry were arrested on January 14, 2025, after police intercepted a Toyota Axio at the intersection of Camp and New Market Streets, Georgetown.
During a search, law enforcement officers reportedly discovered a black travelling bag containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis, along with plastic wraps, a digital scale, and a bag sealer.
The vehicle, owned by Diana Persaud of North Road, Lacytown, had been rented from Elite Auto Rentals by Stacy Hodge, a 40-year-old businesswoman and the reputed wife of Thompson.
Hodge told investigators she had last used the car on January 10 before handing the keys to Thompson, who requested a vehicle for personal use.
Both officers were arrested and placed under close arrest as the investigation continued.
However, defence attorneys argued in court that the substance found had not been officially tested to confirm whether it was cannabis, raising doubts about the validity of the charges.
Thompson was repre-
sented by Attorney Dexter Todd. Todd pleaded for bail, highlighting his 15 years of service in the police force and his ongoing employment, though under close arrest.
He argued that there was no definitive proof that the substance found was cannabis, and questioned why no test had been conducted.
Thomas also suggested that his client was being unfairly targeted by a senior officer with a personal vendetta.
Perry, represented by Attorney Domnick Bess, also requested bail, asserting that his client was merely a passenger in the vehicle and had no connection to the black bag found in the back seat.
Bess argued that surveillance footage could confirm that Perry did not possess
any bag and had only been picked up moments before the vehicle was stopped.
The prosecution contended that the substance was known to the defendants and that a request for testing had been made.
However, Magistrate McGusty raised concerns over the lack of evidence, questioning why no tests had been conducted, despite the suspects being in custody.
The prosecution requested three weeks to address the issue.
Given the incomplete prosecution file and the uncertainty surrounding the alleged narcotics, the Magistrate granted bail at $200,000 each.
The next hearing is scheduled for February 28, 2025.
"We are thrilled to be here at the graduation of 27 Guyanese welders through the partnership with GOAL and the Government of Guyana. As an educational institution we want to see more of our graduates progressing through their careers into the mining, agriculture, construction and oil and gas sectors and know that the International Accreditation provided by a City and Guilds certificate will greatly help our students improve their employability and quality of life for themselves and their families. We look forward to the end of 2025 when we will have celebrated the graduations of over 1,000 weld-
ers in levels 1,2 and 3 of the City and Guilds welding programme," Liam O'Toole, Director of Nations School of Technology, stated.
Nations School of Technology continues to offer courses through City and Guilds in Carpentry, Masonry, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, AC and Refrigeration and Engineering.
The Level 2 Engineering programme will commence in first quarter of 2025 and
will include classes on hydraulics and electrical installation and testing.
Of particular interest is the commencement of the Cell Phone Repair course commencing at the end of February, 2025.
Interested people should contact nations via info@nations.gy for more information on how to benefit from the GOAL scholarship, as well as the Engineering and other courses on offer.
MoM to expand with $700M
– 52 houses to be built
The Men on Mission (MoM) programme is to expand its reach and impact across Guyana with a budgetary allocation of $700 million this year.
Of this sum, $395 million will be used to build 52 houses for vulnerable individuals nationwide.
This forms part of the $12.1 billion budget approved for the Office of the President by the Committee of Supply on Monday following a thorough review.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira explained MoM’s objectives and emphasised the programme’s positive influence on society.
“It is a rather innovative
thing…It is a way of mobilising men to get involved with campaigns to do with gender equality, domestic violence and helping to change perceptions and create healthier relationships between people,” she highlighted.
Minister Teixeira said the budgetary allocation will allow the programme to reach every man across the country and change people’s lives for the better.
“The 2025 programme is focusing again on the objectives of community engagements, mentorship programmes, awareness programmes [and] support programmes,” she stated.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release,
The Men on Mission built homes for 50 persons in 2024, providing solitude and comfort to the previously hopeless.
Hundreds of persons were also given housing assistance and thousands were engaged in educational and motivational talks geared at empowering men to be compassionate, healthy and functional leaders in society.
The 2025 funding will allow MoM to expand these services and reach more communities.
The overall budget for the Office of the President will also support various initiatives, including those spearheaded by First Lady Arya Ali.
Front from left: Marcia James (Nations Internal Verifier), Pam O'Toole (Nations Director), Elizabeth Adrian (Assistant Lecturer), Aalim Speede (Lecturer), Zestnealia Kennedy (HSSE Manager) and Liam O'Toole (Director of Nations School of Technology), pictured with the first 27 welders of 173 who so far have completed the programme since its commencement October 28, 2024
Zestnealia Kennedy (TGY HSSE Manager) Left and Niaomi Mclennon (graduate)
Lance Corporals Kevin Thompson and Dwayne Perry
Works started on Reg 6 Hope Canal replica; Nos 66-to-Canje embankment completed – Mustapha
Works have started on at least one Hope canal replica in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha also revealing to residents that an embankment in the region stretching from No. 66 village to Canje has also been completed.
During an event where he distributed heavy duty equipment to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in the region, the Agriculture Minister also spoke of the ambitious Hope-like canal project.
“We’ve already started, in Region Six, the massive Hope-like canal, where we are building two Hope-
like canals at Manchester/ Lancaster, 51/52. We have already built an embankment from no. 66 to Canje, so that we can keep away the backland water (from coming) in to the drainage system of the cultivation area and the housing area.”
“So, we have those high-level canals that will drain the water directly from the backlands, right in to the Atlantic. So those stresses that use to be placed on the drainage system, will not be there when we have a heavy downpour of rain,” Mustapha said.
Minister Mustapha also noted that an embankment, spanning nearly 90 kilometres from Mahaica to Ithaca,
is currently under construction. The project aims to prevent water from encroaching on the backlands and to protect farmland and residential properties.
“Part of that contract has already been awarded. And we are building a number of Hope-like canals. Places like Cottage, Dantzig, right here at Abary. High level canals that would drain the water from the backland, right onto the Atlantic. So that your cultivation and housing area would not have those problems,” he stated.
According to Mustapha, they are also looking at the construction of a Hope Canallike replica in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). Additionally, construction has started on at least one of the Hope canals earmarked for Region Six.
“We’re also looking at Region Three, a place you call Beeline, to do another Hope-like canal there. So you can see the massive integrated comprehensive drainage system that we are talking about. So, you’ll see very shortly, works will commence in this area,” Mustapha explained.
“Region Six has started. Within a matter of weeks, you’ll see already contractors have already been mobilised to take their machines there
from the back, to start the work. And the cost for these, the investment, is massive. Its approximately $23 billion which will be invested in this massive, mega project to drain our country.”
The Hope Canal, or Northern Relief Channel, which is located at Hope/ Dochfour, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is a multi-component channel that allows excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to be drained into the Atlantic Ocean via an eightdoor sluice, so as to avoid overflowing and possible flooding.
That canal, which cost some $3.6 billion, was conceptualised under the then Bharrat Jagdeo-led People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, and was constructed following the 2005 floods.
At the time, excessive rainfall, compounded by a breach in the embankment, had resulted in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) experiencing massive flooding, causing significant damage to agricultural and residential areas.
After several delays, the Hope Canal project became operational in 2016. Noting its climate mitigation benefits, the Government wants the project replicated in other regions.
As far back as 2021, President Ali had said the Hope Canal was instrumental in preventing massive flooding along the ECD during the unprecedented May-June floods. Moreover, he had announced that similar infrastructure would be constructed in other regions to curb devastating floods. These include Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Commuters struggle with fare hikes and overcrowding; UMU calls for action
Public transportation woes continue to mount as commuters express frustration over unpredictable fare hikes and overcrowded minibuses, particularly during peak hours.
Many travellers fear they will not be able to afford rising fares, while others lament the lack of enforcement against operators who arbitrarily increase prices and choose their passengers.
Eon Andrews, President of the United Minibus Union (UMU), addressed these concerns on a recent televised Traffic and You programme, acknowledging the ongoing struggles within the sector.
“We had increase…. but these were minimal increases because as much as you want to have increases for these buses because operation costs are very high, you have to take into consideration the ability of the travelling public to pay, and they cannot. So, we were advocating at the time if the Government, any Government of the day, could give some subsidies,” he stated.
The problem, commuters say, is exacerbated in the afternoons when buses become scarce, and those available often overload with passengers while simultaneously hiking fares. Many complain that bus drivers select pas-
sengers based on their destinations, prioritising routes that yield higher earnings.
However, Andrew said the union has made advances in the past to regulate the industry, including attempts by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce to enforce a Code of Conduct for drivers and passengers.
Additionally, the police traffic department, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ron Clarke has provided training on safe driving, customer service, and legal responsibilities. However, enforcement remains a challenge.
“But what I want people to know is that the United Minibus Union own no buses. We are like the buses’ representative, but you’ll be surprised to know that there’s only a small percentage of these buses are members of the Union, but they enjoy anything that comes along, you know, they believe in a free lunch,” Andrews explained.
He revealed that previous initiatives, such as requiring drivers to complete training programmes before obtaining licences, had largely fallen by the wayside after COVID-19 disrupted operations.
“But COVID would have come and it stopped and it never came up again. But what we find happening as
I sit here, people are calling all the time complaining. I know they’re under a lot of pressure. But what I have to let them know that the union advises, they work along with our other colleagues, the Road Safety Council, police, you know, but we do not have the power to enforce”.
Many commuters are also unaware of their rights when it comes to fare structures. According to traffic officials, minibuses are legally required to display fare charts, yet many fail to do so. Some commuters have been urged to report overcharging incidents, but police say they rarely receive formal complaints.
ASP Clarke who was also on the programme emphasised that without official reports, law enforcement is
limited in what actions they can take.
“I understand the frustration, but we need people to come forward. If no formal complaint is made, we cannot take action against those who exploit passengers,” he said.
He encouraged commuters to use their smartphones to document fare violations, overcrowding, and other infractions, stating that such evidence could help bring offenders to justice.
Despite these calls to action however, the problem persists.
Overcrowding, reckless driving, and fare exploitation remain major issues across multiple bus routes, including the heavily trafficked Route 42, 44, 31, and Route 32.
Calls for stronger
Governmental intervention continue to grow. Andrews has urged authorities to consider subsidies for public transportation, which could help mitigate fare hikes.
“Bus operators are facing high operational costs, and in many cases, they pass that burden onto passengers. If the Government provided some level of subsidy, it could stabilise fares and reduce the financial strain on commuters,” he suggested.
For now, commuters are left to navigate an unpredictable system where pricing and service depend more on driver discretion than regulation. Until stricter enforcement is put in place, they remain at the mercy of an industry that, for many, is their only means of transportation.
The Hope Canal that was built
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
The 44 route minibus park
President of the United Minibus Union Eon Andrews Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ron Clarke
Around the World OIL NEWS
Lula pushes mega-oil project as Brazil prepares to host COP30
Magnitude 7.6 earthquake in the Caribbean trigger tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has occurred 129 miles southwest of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, according to the USGS.
The earthquake took place at 6.23 p.m. Eastern Time Saturday, the USGS reported.
Brazil's president this week amped up pressure for a major oil project to go ahead at the mouth of the Amazon River, despite criticism from environmentalists as the country prepares to host UN climate talks in November.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, 79, aspires to make Brazil a leader in the fight against global warming, but has fiercely defended oil exploration as key to the growth of Latin America's biggest economy.
"We want oil because it will be around for a long time," Lula said Wednesday, arguing that the windfall from the black gold should be used "to finance the energy transition, which will be very expensive."
He was speaking as Brazil's environmental protection agency IBAMA, an autonomous public body, is mulling whether to grant state-owned oil giant Petrobras an exploration license in an offshore area known as the Equatorial Margin.
That maritime area extends over 350,000 square kilometers (135,000 square miles) across northern Brazil and lies some 500 kilometers (310 miles) from the mouth of the Amazon River.
Petrobras estimates the potential reserves in the basin at 10 billion barrels.
Brazil's proven reserves amounted to 15.9 billion barrels in 2023, according to the government.
However, the project has been highly criticized, given that fossil fuels such as oil are the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global warming. (Excerpted from France 24)
Based on all available data, there is a tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents could be a hazard along coasts, beaches, in harbors and in coastal waters.
According to the US
National Tsunami Warning Center, the earliest estimated time that hazardous sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents may begin in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is 8.48 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday.
The generation of tsunami waves has not yet been
confirmed, and the NTWC is monitoring to evaluate the tsunami threat.
Residents in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are advised to move out of the water, off the beach and away from harbors, marinas, bays and inlets and not go to shore to observe the tsunami.
All 10 onboard Alaska plane confirmed dead in crash
Crews are still working to recover the bodies of 10 people killed in a plane crash in Alaska, officials have said.
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said the investigation into the crash was in its "early stages" and it was too soon to tell what caused it.
The Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, operated by regional operator Bering Air, was travelling from Unalakleet to Nome on Thursday when it lost radar contact.
Nine passengers and a pilot were on board the plane when it came down in Norton Sound about 34 miles (55km) south-east of Nome, a city of about 3,500 on Alaska's west coast.
Among the dead were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, two employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
They had travelled to Unalakleet to carry out maintenance work on a water plant, the non-profit organisation said on Friday.
Ms Homendy said that
nine investigators are on the scene, backed up by specialists in Washington DC. "Recovery efforts are still
under way, with the priority being victim recovery," she said during a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska's largest
city. "I would like to take a moment and expend our deepest condolences to people who lost loved ones in this tragedy," she said.
Ms Homendy said recovery workers were dealing with deteriorating weather conditions and that the wreckage had landed on an ice floe which is moving at a rate of five miles a day.
In a statement, Bering Air, which operates commercial and charter flights, expressed its condolences and said it would be cooperating with the investigation into the crash. (BBC)
African leaders call for direct talks with rebels to resolve Congo conflict
Leaders at an unprecedented joint summit of Eastern and Southern African blocs aimed at defusing the crisis in Eastern Congo urged all parties to hold direct talks, including with Rwanda-backed rebels whose advance has fanned fears of a wider war.
In late January, the M23 rebels captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - the worst escalation of fighting in more than a decade that has left thousands dead. Despite announcing a unilateral ceasefire, they have continued to march south towards the city of Bukavu.
"We must resist the temptation to think that we can somehow shoot or bombard our way to a solution," said
Kenyan President William Ruto at the opening ceremony for the summit, which was attended by eight heads of state, including Rwanda's Paul Kagame. Congo's Felix Tshisekedi joined via video link.
Kinshasa has repeatedly refused to talk directly to the M23, and there was no immediate response from the Congolese delegation to the joint communique from the summit in Dar es Salaam.
The first-ever summit of both Eastern and Southern African blocs reflects the continent's deep concern over the crisis and the standoff between Congo and neighbouring Rwanda, which denies allegations it is fuelling the conflict with its own troops and weapons.
The two groupings have,
so far, been broadly divided over the conflict, with the eastern bloc closer to Rwanda's call for dialogue and southern countries backing Congo and angry over the deaths of peacekeepers, experts and diplomats said.
Leaders called for the withdrawal of "uninvited foreign armed forces from the territory of the DRC" and emphasised their commitment to safeguarding Congolese sovereignty. They also agreed to merge the two existing peace processes and to consider bringing in additional facilitators from other parts of the continent. They urged the two blocs' defence chiefs to meet within five days to "provide technical direction on immediate and unconditional ceasefire". (Reuters)
The US Coast Guard released this photo of the wreckage
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame attended a joint summit by delegates from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) to discuss the conflict in eastern Congo, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, February 8, 2025 (Reuters/Emmanuel Herman)
PICKLES
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)
CANCER
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)
Bide your time; refrain from letting anger overwhelm you. Keeping the peace is easier if you are physically active. Choose self-improvement over criticizing others.
Share your enthusiasm, and you’ll gain support. Refuse to let last-minute changes alter your mood or plans. Adjust to whatever unfolds and move forward with a smile and a positive attitude.
You can think big, but be realistic about putting your time, effort and cash on the line. Focus on pulling your own weight instead of buying into someone else’s plot.
Refuse to let laziness set in when action is necessary. Change begins with you; if you aren’t happy with your lifestyle or situation, do something. Show compassion and kindness.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)
Relax, give yourself a chance to think matters through and devise a plan. You’ll discover something about who you are and what you can do if you put your best foot forward.
Changing your environment will give you a new perspective. Participate in events offering insight into what’s possible and achievable. Use your imagination and make things happen.
An open mind will help infuse exciting prospects. Social events, communication and time spent with people who stimulate your mind will encourage you to stop procrastinating. Don’t waste pent-up energy.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19) LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
PISCES
(Feb. 20Mar. 20)
Dig in and do something that requires concentration and energy. Challenge yourself to a fitness regime that entails top performance. Your happiness depends on yourself, not on outside acceptance.
Remove limitations before you start something new. Let go of what’s holding you back; it will be uplifting. Align yourself with those who share your mindset.
People in the know who are moving in a direction that intrigues you will draw your interest. Attend a function that allows you to interact with movers, shakers and motivators.
Broaden your horizons and explore what’s available in your community. Express your feelings. An honest approach to friendship and love will help clarify the possibilities.
Participate in something that interests you. Sharing experiences and dreams will prompt you to plan and give you something to look forward to. Be bold and make the first move.
ARIES
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
AQUARIUS
MI Cape Town crush Sunrisers to claim maiden SA20 title
Rashid Khan’s MI Cape Town have been crowned the new champions of the SA20, after they denied Aiden Markram’s Sunrisers Eastern Cape a three-peat, and decimated them for the third time this season in front of a packed crowd at the Wanderers.
After opting to bat, MICT felt at home - all of their top five batters play for Lions at the Wanderers –and they sent the ball flying over the boundaries in the Highveld. The rarefied air suited their style of play: despite losing wickets, MICT kept attacking, and posted 181 for 8 on the back of electric cameos. Three of their batters passed 30, and all of them struck at 150 or above.
Dewald Brevis truly brought the crowd alive with his 18-ball 38. Brevis, 21, capped the season as its rising star. MICT’s older stars Trent Boult and Kagiso Rabada then wrecked Sunrisers’ chase by sharing six wickets between them. Boult, in particular, hooped the new ball both ways in the powerplay, and ended with 4-0-9-2.
Rashid and George Linde, the left-arm fingerspinner, then ramped up the pressure in the middle overs, before Rabada wrapped up victory, with the Sunrisers folding for 105 in 18.4 overs.
MI have now ticked off title wins in every franchise T20 tournament they’ve been part of. IPL: check.
CLT20 (now defunct): check. WPL: check. MLC: check. ILT20: check. SA20: check.
Rickelton fires opening salvo
Ryan Rickelton threw the first punch at Marco Jansen, the best bowler of the competition, taking him for 29 off nine balls at an eye-popping strike rate of 322.22. When Jansen pitched it up, Rickelton pumped him over his head, and when he shortened his lengths, Rickelton used the rarefied air of the Highveld to his advantage and hooked him away over the leg side. However, when Craig Overton took pace off, Rickelton couldn’t manufacture his own pace, and ended up chipping a catch to mid-off.
Rassie van der Dussen also showed attacking intent on the occasions he manufactured swinging room, but his execution wasn’t as good as Rickelton’s. Van der Dussen made 23 off 25 balls before Liam Dawson had him stumped in the ninth over. By then Reeza Hendricks had also fallen to Richard Gleeson for a duck.
Brevis intervention
When it seemed like Sunrisers had seized control, Brevis intervened and put MICT back on track for a tall total. He walloped Dawson for back-to-back sixes down the ground, and proceeded to line up Andile Simelane, who had replaced the injured Ottneil Baartman. Playing only
his second SA20 game, Simelane wilted under pressure and leaked 14 in the only over he bowled.
Brevis then brought the roof down at the Wanderers when he launched a one-handed six off a slower variation from Overton in the 15th over.
Linde, who had been promoted to No.5 to counter Dawson’s leftarm fingerspin, also did his job, hitting him for two sixes. When he attempted another six, he failed to clear long-off.
After having been taken to the clean -
ers in the early exchanges, Jansen bounced back to cut Brevis’s innings short. Markram didn’t want to risk Similane at the death, and hence decided to take matters into his own hands in the 17th over. Though he got rid of Connor Esterhuizen, the batter had already done the damage with a sequence of 6, 6, 4 in an 18-run over.
Delano Potgieter and Rabada then ensured MICT breached 180.
MICT’s bowling masterclass
That total looked a whole lot bigger when Boult, especially, made Sunrisers’ batters look silly in the powerplay. After softening David Bedingham with inswingers, Rabada made the incision by having the batter chipping a catch to short cover for 5.
Boult got his first wicket of the evening when he drew a leading edge from Jordan Hermann, who scored a single, and had the scarcely believable powerplay figures of 3-0-4-1 before he returned at the death to trick Tristan Subbs with a slower variation.
Tom Abell briefly countered MICT’s strikes, before Linde had him stumped for 30 off 25 balls. Linde continued to keep it tight with his captain Rashid, who pinned Tony de Zorzi lbw for 26 in a boundaryless spell during which Sunrisers went without a boundary for 45 balls. Dawson ended the drought when he sent a thick outside-edge flying to the boundary off Rabada, but the quick sunk the Sunrisers’ lower order with his nifty variations.
From finishing bottom of the table in the first two seasons of the SA20, MICT clinched their first title on Saturday and celebrated under firework-filled skies. (ESPNCricinfo)
MI Cape Town have been crowned champions
Dewald Brevis hit 38 off 18 balls
Connor Esterhuizen top-scored for MI Cape Town
Phillips’s 72-ball hundred flips the script as New Zealand beat Pakistan
broke a threatening stand with Kane
Ablistering onslaught from Glenn Phillips in the final six overs of the first innings helped New Zealand ease to a crushing win over Pakistan in the first ODI of the tri-series in Lahore.
The visitors posted 330, thanks to Phillips’s
toss and opted to bat on what looked a dry, flat surface at the newly built Gaddafi Stadium, but they immediately ran into headwinds. Afridi continued his ODI wicket-taking form with one in his first over, inducing Will
two in five deliveries pegged New Zealand back sharply. Afridi again proved the partnership breaker, tossing up another gentle edge from Williamson that Rizwan comfortably pouched.
The two-paced nature of the wicket went on to do for Tom Latham, who found the ball stopping on him as he chipped it up to midwicket. In Mitchell and Phillips though, New Zealand’s two most potent late-overs bludgeoners were at the crease, and they went on to prove it over the next hour. Mitchell picked off the Pakistan spin ners whenever their lengths dropped short. Each of his five sixes came against spin, but it also proved to be his downfall. A harmless full toss from Abrar was clipped straight into midwicket’s arms, and Mitchell’s disbe lief was writ large on his face as he walked away 19 short of a hundred.
Pakistan came out to bat, because Babar Azam was opening alongside Fakhar. The noise was for Babar, but it was Fakhar who sprung out of the traps, helping Pakistan to a brisk start in the Powerplay.
Babar’s start to opening - the first time he has done so since 2015 – was inauspicious, as he flicked a harmless delivery from Michael Bracewell straight into midwicket’s hands.
flected in the activity of the crowd, which streamed towards the exits.
Tayyab Tahir and Agha tried to keep it going, building up a tidy little partnership, but even moments of brilliance went New Zealand’s way, when Bracewell took a stunning catch diving to his right to send a disbelieving Tahir back to the pavilion. Thereafter, it appeared both sides were going through the motions, New
72-
Glenn Phillips brought up his maiden ODI hundred off just 72 balls
ball century, with 98 runs coming in the final six overs.
Pakistan could never quite muster a convincing re sponse, with all hopes pinned on a flying start from Zaman. However, when Phillips - who could seeming ly do no wrong - trapped him in front for a 69-ball 84, their resistance melted away, and New Zealand’s task became something of a cakewalk.
To make Pakistan’s evening worse, Haris Rauf picked up an injury which prevented him from batting, and New Zealand won by 78 runs.
New Zealand’s innings appeared a struggle until the 44th over, with Pakistan taking regular wickets, even if half-centuries from Williamson and Mitchell kept them ing along. On a flat wicket, Pakistan’s bowlers had done a stellar job of restricting New Zealand’s scoring rate, with Shaheen Shah and Naseem Shah ing for five wickets.
That’s how it seemed anyway, until Phillips let loose and ripped apart Pakistan’s bowlers at the very end. He scored his last 77 runs in 32 balls as New Zealand took momentum with them into the dinner break.
New Zealand won the
Young into a prod that got a nick through to the keeper.
With Williamson largely subdued in the opening powerplay, run scoring came largely through a belligerent cameo from Rachin Ravindra. A couple of bound-
But for Pakistan, that was the reprieve before the storm. Phillips had been se date until the 42nd over, nudg ing it around for 29 off 43; but when Salman Agha was pumped back over his head for a six, there were signs he was awakening. Agha was dispatched for another pair of sixes in his following over, but it was when the fast bowlers returned that the beast was truly unleashed.
A nudge off Naseem in the 47th over brought Phillips his half-century, but he wasn’t nearly done yet. He launched Afridi over deep midwicket, and then scooped him above short third for
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Will Young, 0.4 ov), 2-39 (Rachin Ravindra, 7.4 ov), 3-134 (Kane Williamson, 26.2 ov), 4-135 (Tom Latham, 27.1 ov), 5-200 (Daryl Mitchell, 37.5 ov), 6-254 (Michael Bracewell, 45.4 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Shaheen Shah Afridi
10-0-88-3
Naseem Shah 10-0-70-0
Abrar Ahmed 10-0-41-2
Haris Rauf 6.2-0-23-1
Khushdil Shah 9-0-66-0
Salman Agha 4.4-0-31-0
Pakistan (T: 331 runs from 50 ovs)
Fakhar Zaman lbw b Phillips 84
Babar Azam c Phillips b Bracewell 10
Kamran Ghulam c Young b Santner 18
Mohammad Rizwan (c)† lbw b Santner 3
Salman Agha c Mitchell b Bracewell 40
Tayyab Tahir c Bracewell
b Henry 30
Khushdil Shah st †Latham b Santner 15
Shaheen Shah Afridi c sub (NG Smith)
b Henry 10
Naseem Shah c †Latham
b Henry 13
Abrar Ahmed not out 23
Haris Rauf absent hurt -
Extras (w 6) 6
Total 47.5 Ov (RR: 5.26) 252
Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Babar Azam, 9.6 ov), 2-103 (Kamran Ghulam, 18.6 ov), 3-117 (Mohammad Rizwan, 22.1 ov), 4-119 (Fakhar Zaman, 23.4 ov), 5-172 (Tayyab Tahir, 33.1 ov), 6-205 (Khushdil Shah, 38.4 ov), 7-205 (Salman Agha, 39.1 ov), 8-222 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 43.4 ov), 9-252 (Naseem Shah, 47.5 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Matt Henry 9.5-0-53-3
Will O’Rourke 6-0-46-0
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Williamson’s wicket
Mitchell Santner struck two quick blows
Fakhar Zaman’s quick fifty led Pakistan’s chase
CONCACAF U17 Qualifiers… Junior Jags pull off 1-1 draw against T&T
Guyana’s National Under-17 team the Junior Jaguars got their CONCACAF U17 Qualifiers campaign off to a positive start on Friday night, when they held out for a 1-1 draw against rivals Trinidad and Tobago at the Estadio Nacional De Costa Rica.
Head Coach Marco Bonofiglio opted for a starting XI that included Captain Shaquan
David and Goalkeeper Tejpal Nijjar, plus Joshua Morris, Michael Joseph, Tamer Unver, Mikel Mills, Quancey Fraser, Dakarai Drakes, Jaden Harris, Luke Langevine and Max Robinson.
Guyana were the first to strike, in the 33rd minute, when Quancey Fraser’s corner kick was fumbled by the Trinidadian goalkeeper, and Joshua Morris got hold
of the loose ball and tapped it into the nets for Guyana’s goal.
Guyana held on to the lead for the remainder of the first half.
The twin-island republic were able to level things early in the second half, when Philip Nelson capitalised on a blunder in Guyana’s defense to send a shot past Guyana’s keeper Nijjar into the right corner of the net in the 54th minute.
VMFA, SBM Offshore launch 2nd year of Girls Development Program
The Vurlon Mills
Football Academy (VMFA) and SBM
Offshore Guyana have successfully launched the second year of the Girls in Football Development programme: on Saturday, November 29, 2024 at the Saint Stanislaus Ground on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.
This programme is designed to empower young girls by exposing them to a range of potential career paths, mentorship, and other positive benefits derived from participating in football; and to instill confidence and ambition in the participants, equipping them with skills necessary to succeed in any endeavour they choose to pursue.
First year of the programme had seen 52 participants from 14 schools completing in a programme running for 12 months and involving females between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Weekly football training sessions and several valuable life skills and mentoring sessions were held by the Ministry of Education throughout the year.
Additionally, a ‘Kickin’ Conversations’ mentorship session with female SBM Offshore Guyana employees was conducted. Visits to tertiary institutions and to the Georgetown Technical Institute (Jill of All Trades) and Carnegie School of Home Economics had also been con-
ducted. As a result, a 70% increase in the number of girls being selected to represent their respective schools in the Under 14 and Under 15 competitions was recorded.
Some of those girls were selected to represent their clubs in the National Women’s League. Five girls were included in the Guyana Women’s National U17 Team that represented Guyana at the Inter-Guiana Games, and seven girls were also included as part of the provisional squad at the under 15 level for the Concacaf U15 Tournament.
This programme would, for the second year, build on this momentum by expanding its reach to additional schools in Region 4 and establishing a satellite programme in Region 3.
Moreover, development of coaches through coaching education, increasing the number of life skill sessions and facilitators, increasing visits to tertiary institutions and increasing the level of awareness of scholarship opportunities are on the cards.
VMFA Founder Mr Vurlon Mills has said, “This project continues to have a significant impact on the girls involved by providing them with the opportunity to learn and develop both their football skills and important life skills.
As we venture into the second year, we will continue
Great goalkeeping followed on both sides of the pitch to ensure the scores remain locked at full time.
Guyana’s national U17 Head Coach Marco Bonofiglio was seemingly pleased with the drawn result.
“First point in Guyana history, first goal in Guyana history, first tie in Guyana
history, tonight we made history, extremely happy,” the coach shared in a social media post disseminated by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
Guyana’s next game in the Qualifiers will be played on Tuesday, February 11, against Sint Maarten at 18:00hrs local time. Guyana is in Group B
of the qualifiers alongside hosts Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten.
The CONCACAF Qualifiers comprise eight groups, with the winner of each group securing a spot in the FIFA U17 Men’s World Cup, scheduled for Qatar in November 2025.
to enhance their skill level, introduce the game to participants who never played before or who are now learning the game, and will continue to develop the participants’ football skills, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
“I must say thank you to SBM Offshore Guyana for their commitment to the VMFA and this programme, providing an opportunity for personal and football development for girls.”
Ms. Gwenetta Fordyce, Sustainability Lead at SBM Offshore Guyana, has said, “SBM Offshore Guyana is delighted to continue supporting the Vurlon Mills Football Academy through the Girls in Football Development programme. Over the past year, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact this initiative has had on young women, fostering growth through mentorship and skill development. We are proud to remain part of this journey, and look forward to seeing the continued positive impact and progress this programme brings to its participants.”
The VMFA is hereby expressing sincerest gratitude to SBM Offshore Guyana, the Ministry of Education, and the coaches and parents for their invaluable contribution in making this programme a success and changing the lives of many young women.
Guyana to host historic 3x3 Quest tournament …A
Tfirst for the English-speaking Caribbean
he Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) will make history with the hosting of the first-ever FIBA 3x3 Quest in the Englishspeaking Caribbean on April 5–6 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
This landmark event will bring to Guyana elite 3x3 basketball teams from across the world, with the winning team securing a coveted spot in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour, the pinnacle of the sport.
The two-day tournament will showcase the fast-paced, high-intensity nature of 3x3 basketball, widely regarded as the most electrifying and accessible format of the game.
The event will feature teams representing cities from Sweden, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Ecuador, Canada, the USA, England, Grenada, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and Jamaica, making it one of the biggest international showcases of 3x3 basketball ever held in Guyana.
The FIBA 3x3 Quest is an official qualification tournament that provides a direct pathway to the FIBA 3x3 World Tour, the highest level of 3x3 competition globally.
Teams competing in the Quest will battle not only for a share of the US$8,000 prize pool — $5,000 for the champions, $2,000 for the runners-up, and $1,000 for third place — but also for the ultimate opportunity to test their skills against the world’s best on the World Tour circuit.
The GBF has said that significance of the quest cannot be overstated, as it allows teams from the Americas and the Caribbean a rare chance to qualify for the World Tour without having to travel long distances to Europe or Asia. Moreover, because many elite teams in the region often face logistical and financial challenges in seeking qualification opportunities, Guyana’s hosting of this event is a game-changer for 3x3 basketball development in the hemisphere.
Guyana’s selection to host this event is a testament to the GBF’s commitment to
growing 3x3 basketball.
General Secretary of the GBF, Patrick Haynes, who also serves on the FIBA 3x3 Commission and is President of the Central American and Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CONCENCABA), was instrumental in securing the rights to host this historic event. His leadership has positioned Guyana as an emerging hub for 3x3 basketball in the Americas.
Supporting Haynes in this signal achievement is GBF Vice President and 3x3 Organiser Rawle Toney, who has been at the forefront of pushing for 3x3 development in the country over the years with the Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic.
Not only would the tournament bring to Guyana some of the best 3x3 players in the world, but it would also expose local talent to the highest levels of competition. 3x3 basketball has gained tremendous popularity worldwide, especially after its inclusion in the Olympic Games. The format, played on a half-court with a 12-second shot clock, is designed to be fast, physical, and entertaining, making it the perfect fit for urban and grassroots basketball growth.
Guyana’s hosting of the Quest places the country as a future battleground for elite 3x3 basketball in the Caribbean and the Americas. The country’s central location and commitment to develop ing the sport provide a strong foundation for future high-profile tournaments, fur ther solidifying its reputation on the internation al basketball map.
The 3x3 Quest would also serve as a ma jor boost to Guyana’s sports tourism sector. With teams from over a dozen countries set to compete, the event will bring athletes, offi cials and fans to Guyana,
stimulating economic activity in the hospitality, transportation, and entertainment industries.
The GBF has assured that all participating teams will have their uniforms, accommodation, and ground transportation covered, making it easier for the best teams to attend and compete at the highest level.
By attracting international players and basketball fans, the tournament will spotlight Guyana as a premier destination for sports events, further enhancing its global profile.
The GBF has expressed its excitement, not only at hosting this groundbreaking event, but also in giving teams from Guyana and the wider Caribbean opportunity to compete on the biggest stage.
With the Quest now on the regional calendar, Caribbean teams have an unprecedented chance to earn their way to the top of the 3x3 world, fuelling greater participation and investment in the sport.
Guyana’s 3x3 Quest will not only crown a champion, but also pave the way for a new era of elite competition in the region. The GBF ed that with the world watching, Guyana is ready to take centre stage in the global 3x3 basketball movement.
The young ladies were all smiles at the launch of VMFA and SBM Offshore Guyana’s Girls in Football Development programme
Organiser Rawle Toney
West Indies Championships…
Harpy Eagles hold nerve to trump CCC
Athe Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE) sealing an 8-wicket win against the Combined Campuses and Colleges
when their second- round West Indies Championships clash came to an end on Saturday afternoon.
It was a turnaround to savour for the hosts at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara, with rebuilding which began on Day 3 featuring Tevin Imlach and Ronaldo Alimohamed on Friday morning. Thereafter, Harpy Eagles bowlers were fired up in the second innings, sending their opponents to close of play with 3 wickets already down.
The carnage continued on Saturday morning, when Damel Evelyn and Andre Bailey resumed CCC’s innings at 32-3. Shamar Joseph was the first to strike on the day, disturbing Andre Bailey’s stumps for 5 off 8 deliveries. Evelyn, however, went on to build a 63-run partnership with Shaqkere Parris, which was broken by Veerasammy Permaul.
Already the highest scorer for his team in the innings, Evelyn (48 off 129 balls) fell 2 short of a half century when he was castled by Permaul. Parris held on for the next best score of 39 from 90 deliveries; but
Permaul would again rain on his parade.
With one batter unable to come out to the crease, CCC’s last resistance was Avinash Mahabirsingh, who hit an almost run-a-ball 16.
Permaul ended with a 4- wicket haul (4-41 from 23.3 overs) while Joseph and Alimohamed each claimed 2 wickets to rout the CCC for 132 in 48.3 overs.
With their first innings lead of 32, CCC left the Harpy Eagles needing 165 for victory, and Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s injury and subsequent inability to bat saw Raymond Perez getting things going alongside Matthew Nandu.
However, Perez went for just 2 runs, resulting in Nandu and Imlach combining for a 147-run partnership.
Imlach hit a sparkling 80 off 125 balls before getting out LBW, while Nandu ended unbeaten on 69 from 138 deliveries.
Reflecting on the events of the match, Captain Tevin Imlach described his team as a fighting one. “It was a bit of ups-and-downs. Obviously, the first innings we didn’t put ourselves in
the best position with the ball and we also kind of shot ourselves in the foot early up with the bat; but, you know, it’s a fighting team. That’s what Championshipwinning teams usually do; they fight and they came back,” Imlach told this publication.
“Happy to see the guys in good spirits still, cause a loss like this would, you know, put a bit of doubt in the camp. So, it’s happy to see the men gain some confidence from this game,” the captain further said.
“We gave ourselves a chance; we got close to their
score in the first innings by fighting. So, we knew we’re here with a chance. We have the quality bowlers to get them out, it’s just a matter of getting that done, and obviously we have the batting unit to get the runs, regardless of what it is,” he shared as he further divulged on their fighting effort.
With two wins in two rounds, the Harpy Eagles will next turn their attention to the West Indies Academy, whom they will take on in a day/ night pink-ball game beginning on Wednesday, February 12. That match is scheduled to bowl off at 13:00hrs each day.
nother captain’s knock from Tevin Imlach and support from Matthew Nandu saw
Guyana Harpy Eagles dug themselves out of a hole to pull off an 8-wicket win
Kevlon Anderson hit the winning runs for GHE
Akeem Jordan took one of only two
wickets for CCC
Matthew Nandu hit an unbeaten half–century
Tevin Imlach hit another captain’s knock to take his team to safety
trump CCC
Dover to continue as Golden Jaguars interim Head Coach
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on Saturday afternoon revealed that experienced campaigner Wayne Dover would continue to serve as interim Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Football Team, the Golden Jaguars, for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers window in March, as the Golden Jaguars face Guatemala in a crucial home-and-away series to advance to the Gold Cup in June 2025. According to the GFF, since announcing the vacancy for the Head Coach position in December, the Federation has received over 200 applications from candidates both regionally and internationally. Given the exceptional quality of applicants, the Federation is committed to a thorough selection process, and will finalize its decision by the end of March, with an official announcement to follow.
As the Golden Jaguars prepare for their Gold Cup qualification, the Federation remains focused on ensuring the best possible leadership for the national team, both in the immediate campaigns slated for 2025 and the longterm development of Guyana’s football.
In October of 2024, the GFF announced that it had parted ways with renowned Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz, who had been coming off of a less-than-stellar CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) League A debut with the national team. Dover has since acted as interim Head Coach for a home-and-away series against Barbados, which punched Guyana’s ticket to the Gold Cup Qualifiers next month.
