“Our customers must leave with part of the Guyanese aroma and taste” – owner of DatzDeli
No tolerance for threats to our territorial integrity – Pres Ali
Govt to deliver $100k cash grant cheques to shut-ins – Jagdeo
50 persons now certified in Early Childhood Development
Missing Berbice father and son still not found – Men could not swim, but son tried to save father
Pedal cyclist killed in Soesdyke-Linden Highway accident
Trump 'offended' by Zelenskyy not wearing a suit in White House
“Shades of Brown” back for second season
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
March 3 – 04:00hrs - 05:30hrs.
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times –05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily
night, interrupted by sunshine in the late afternoon. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.
High Tide: 06:42h and 19:00h reaching maximum heights of 2.63 metres and 2.62 metres.
Low Tide: 12:34h reaching a minimum height of 0.57 metre.
No tolerance for threats to our territorial integrity – Pres Ali
– after Venezuelan Navy vessel encroaches in EEZ, approaches Exxon FPSO
President and Commander-in-Chief
Dr Irfaan Ali has condemned Venezuela’s actions, after one of its naval vessels entered Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on Saturday morning, in close proximity to an ExxonMobil vessel. The President declared that Guyana will not tolerate any threats to its territorial integrity.
At approximately 07:00h on Saturday, a Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached a tanker near the Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel producing oil in the Stabroek Block.
And in a circulated recording, purportedly a radio broadcast exchange between the Venezuelan vessel and the captain of the Liza Destiny FPSO, the Venezuelan vessel could be heard asking a number of questions including their coordinates and country of origin. While the captain answered some questions, he refused to answer other enquiries, such as how many people were on board.
In a national broadcast on Saturday morning, President Dr Irfaan Ali condemned the actions of the Venezuelan navy and further revealed that in the disturbing message the vessel broadcasted to the Prosperity FPSO, the vessel was heard claiming that the waters were in dispute… despite the waters being in the Stabroek block off Guyana’s coast.
“Based on visible markings, the patrol vessel was identified as ABV Guaiquerí PO-11 (IMO 4695542), a Venezuelan coast guard vessel. Our assets and FPSO Prosperity, are operating lawfully, within Guyana’s exclusive economic zone. The patrol vessel transmitted a radio message, declaring that the FPSO was operating in what it termed, disputed international waters, before continuing its south-western direction towards other FPSO’s,” President Ali said.
“Both the tanker and the FPSO Prosperity are operating lawfully within Guyana’s exclusive economic zone… Let me be unequivocal, Guyana’s maritime boundaries are recognised under international law, and this incursion is a matter of grave concern. However, I assure you that my Government is not acting precipitously. We are engaging this situation with the seriousness it requires.”
President Ali made it clear that the Government has already informed Guyana’s bilateral partners such as the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), France, the Regional Security Service (RSS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
who have responded favourably.
He also explained that the parliamentary opposition has also been updated about this development. Additionally, the defence board, comprising the President, members of his cabinet and heads of the joint services, also met on Saturday.
“We’ve already summoned the Venezuelan Ambassador. The Minister of Foreign Affairs would have summoned him to his office, registering our strong protest over this matter. Additionally, I’ve already advised our embassy in Caracas to lodge a formal protest to the Venezuelan Government. I’m pleased to communicate that we have reached out to all our international partners.”
“We’ll continue engaging of other international partners, to ensure Guyana’s sovereignty and rights under international law are upheld… I can assure you that our international partners stand
resolute and ready in support of Guyana and in ensuring that our sovereignty and territorial integrity is respected and honoured,” President Ali said.
Briefing
The President also met Opposition Leader and People’s National Congress/ Reform (PNC/R) leader Aubrey Norton, during which Norton was briefed on the situation and assured of the steps being taken.
President Ali was accompanied at that meeting by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugh Todd and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, while Norton was accompanied by Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton, and retired Diplomat Ronald Austin Sr.
Meanwhile, the opposition’s Alliance For Change (AFC) issued a statement in which it threw its support behind the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)
Government’s handling of the Venezuela vessel’s incursion in Guyana’s waters.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the area where the Liza offshore well, and the supporting vessels and infrastructure lie, are well within Guyana’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.”
“Just a few short days ago, our soldiers were ambushed, and today, the navy patrol boat was used to intimidate and threaten those on the Liza Prosperity. This lawless and reckless behaviour must be called out for what it is. It will be confronted,” the AFC said in its statement.
The party further said that it stands in solidarity with the Government and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), going on to call on every Guyanese to “stand ready to engage and defend against any attempt to violate our sovereignty.”
President Dr Irfaan Ali summoned the Defence Board for a meeting on Saturday morning
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Dealing with Maduro
The news that a Venezuelan coast guard patrol vessel –identified as ABV Guaiquerí PO-11 (IMO 4695542)invaded our internationally defined Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Atlantic to hail a tanker and FPSO, and announce to them that they were operating in “disputed international waters”, marks another increasingly dangerous ratcheting up of Venezuelan hostilities directed towards us. This suggests that the recent attack on our soldiers on patrol in the Cuyuni River border by Sindicatos Bandits might not have been a maverick action but one directed from behind the scenes by the Venezuelan state, which has maintained relations with a number of these gangs in their Roraima state that borders us.
Back in 2021, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Decree had issued a decree purporting to establish “a new maritime territory of Venezuela called ‘Territory for the development of the Atlantic Façade'”, encompassing Guyana’s territorial waters, EEZ and continental shelf, as well as its land territory west of the Essequibo River. While we had denounced the announcement and lodged a diplomatic protest, not long after, a Venezuelan vessel had invaded our EEZ and Contiguous Zone and proceeded to intercept, board and commandeer two Guyanese fishing vessels and detain its crew.
Venezuela has recently announced that it was preparing to elect a governor of Essequibo, which it had “annexed” through legislation approved by its legislators, and it would appear recapitulating history by pushing their envelope once again. In 2021 Exxon had been announcing regular massive oil reserve discoveries, even as American sanctions were squeezing their economy. This time, Exxon had announced the eight project Longtail, which will add 250,000 bpd oil and 1 bcfd of gas by 2030. The new Trump US has also just reimposed oil sanctions by not renewing the license issued by the Biden administration to Chevron to pump and ship the 240,000 bbd of oil to the US and kept their economy afloat and stable over the past few years.
Our government had already alerted its allies and the international community of the Sindicatios incursion, and has once again done the same with the latest outrage by an official arm of the Venezuelan state. We have described over the years the hybrid, non-kinetic war waged by Venezuela in pursuit of expropriating Essequibo, which was settled as our territory through the 1899 treaty they had signed. This war shows all signs of going not only kinetic, but ballistic.
We commend President Ali on his forthright statement following the latest Venezuelan outrage: “We will summon the Venezuelan Ambassador immediately to register our strong protest over this matter. Additionally, through our own Ambassador in Caracas, we will lodge a formal protest with the Venezuelan Government.
At the regional level, I have already alerted the Chair of CARICOM, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados, and the principal interlocutor of the Argyle Agreement, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to register our concern that this incursion constitutes a breach of the Argyle Agreement as well as the precautionary orders issued by the International Court of Justice.
Later today, we will formally advise the International Court of Justice of this incident. We will also bring this matter to the immediate attention of the Secretaries-General of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States, and CARICOM. Additionally, we will engage other international partners to ensure that Guyana’s sovereignty and rights under international law are upheld.”
But it is our considered option that we will have to expedite, broaden and deepen the moves we have already initiated to bolster our security forces so that they can, at a minimum, demonstrate to Venezuela that we will not be a walkover. Ultimately it will be up to us to defend our birthright. However, our allies, especially the US has been quite forthcoming in offering us support in all areas – materiel, training and collaboration.
The recent invasion of Maduro’s navy into our waters must not be only addressed by announcements that peter out and are revived when the next provocation arrives. Let us draw a line on this outrage and resolve to facilitate the removal of Maduro who has proven time and again that he is a destabilizing force in the Caribbean – with implications further afield.
I unequivocally reject Alexander's proposition that Guyana is
Dear Editor,
I recently had to respond to a presentation made by Vincent Alexander at a pre-session for civil society relating to Guyana’s Universal Periodic Review, to be conducted by the UN Human Rights Council in May.
Mr Alexander listed a number of human rights issues in Guyana, all of which were saturated with fabrications and barefaced lies. Because of space, my column was a limited response to only a few of those lies.
Since then, Alexander’s response has been widely published in several newspapers. He essentially repeated those same lies. I have, therefore, no option but to reiterate that his presentation in Geneva was a total barefaced compendium of lies and more lies.
Let me address upfront the “apartheid” issue, because most of what he said was in support of this proposition.
In his widely-published response, Alexander denied deeming Guyana an “apartheid” state, which he contends others have done with justification. He confessed he only stated that Guyana is “akin” to an apartheid state. Need I say more? His confession is self-evidentiary.
Guyana is not an apartheid state, nor is it “akin” to an “apartheid” state. Alexander and several like him have repeatedly made false assertions that Guyana is an “apartheid” state or “akin” to an apartheid state. He used both terms: “apartheid” and “akin to an apartheid” state, in his presenta-
akin to an apartheid state
tion in Geneva. Whichever way – “apartheid” or “akin to an apartheid” state – I unequivocally reject his proposition.
Whether it is “apartheid” or “akin to an apartheid” state, he was portraying a false narrative based on baldfaced, barefaced, ugly lies. There is no “ands, ifs or buts” about it.
While not naming Mocha-Arcadia in his presentation, he made a blanket statement that AfroGuyanese were forcefully removed from lands they have occupied. As an example, Alexander spoke of AfroGuyanese residents in one community whose properties were forcefully dismantled from land which they had occupied for more than thirty years.
Alexander’s story was: the Government’s pretext was that it was constructing a highway and the land was in the way. He said that there was no highway ever planned, or that has been constructed, where the land was located. He further alleged that the Government gave others – clearly giving the impression that these others were of a different ethnic descent – land in the same area.
He never once mentioned that the specific land he was referring to was land on which the residents had been squatting. He also never mentioned that the residents were given notice as far back as 2008; that the Government offered the relevant residents other reasonable transported land at no cost for relocation, and offered financial compensa-
tion far above the appraised value for any property they had on the land; that most of the residents accepted the Government’s offer and that only a small group, under pressure from the PNC and other groups closely linked to the PNC, refused to negotiate unless the Government started the negotiation accepting that the small group must be given land where they chose, and US$1M (G$200M) each.
Both what Alexander spoke of and the information he deliberately omitted were either baldfaced, barefaced, ugly lies or an attempt to give a narrative that falls into the category of lies and more lies.
The highway, which he claimed while in Geneva was never constructed, is one that he himself has driven on, I am certain, many times. The Heroes’ Highway is a spanking new, beautiful highway that thousands have been driving on.
I am grateful that in his letter he confessed that the road has actually been completed, therefore rendering his “pretext” argument non-existent. But he insists still that the specific lands were never in the way of the highway. The reserve land on the sides on the highway is not occupied by other people whom Alexander alleged were given land by the Government.
Both his allegationsthat no highway was constructed in the area where the specific lands are located, and that others were given land in the same area - are barefaced, ugly lies.
The relevant land became a matter that was addressed by the judiciary, and
the court ruled that the residents were squatting, and therefore had no legal right. The court not only dismissed the demand from the residents on the basis that they were squatting, but ordered them to pay G$2M each. Since then, the leader of the PNC asserted they gave “good advice” to the residents. But the residents today have been abandoned by Mr. Alexander’s party or any of those associated with the “good advice”. It is the President and the Government that have offered the same remedies that the vast majority of the residents had previously agreed to and accepted.
One of the many false allegations made in Geneva by Mr. Alexander was that promotion in the public service is not “merit-based”, but was conducted with “presidential instructions”.
He made no mention that Guyana’s constitution provides for various service commissions; like the Public Service Commission, the Teaching Service Commission, the Judicial Service Commission and the Police Service Commission. In supporting his contention that “merit-based” promotion has been abandoned in Guyana, he cited the example of police officers being prosecuted for crimes as a pretext not to promote them.
I cited in my column that I know of only one example of a police officer who was charged, together with his wife, with a number of criminal charges involved with bank deposits of $800M.
The second annual National Ramadan Village has been opened on Thursday, February 27, on the lawns of the MYO in Georgetown
Venezuela’s Naval vessel in Guyana’s waters US warns Maduro regime of “consequences”
if Venezuela further provokes Guyana
– OAS says Venezuela in violation of international law – Caricom warns Venezuela to urgently remove vessel
In the wake of the appearance of a Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), condemnation has flown from Guyana’s allies, including the United States (US) which has warned Venezuela that it will face “consequences” if it further provokes Guyana.
According to the US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs statement, they condemned the threat to both ExxonMobil and Guyana.
The Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached a tanker near the Prosperity Floating
Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel producing oil in the Stabroek Block.
“Venezuelan naval vessels threatening ExxonMobil’s floating production, storage and offloading unit is unacceptable and a clear violation of Guyana’s internationally-recognised maritime territory,” the social media post from the US State Department said.
The US authorities went on to say, “Further provocation will result in consequences for the Maduro regime. The United States reaffirms its support for Guyana’s territorial integrity and the 1899 arbitral award.”
Meanwhile, a statement was also issued by the General Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (OAS), in which they unequivocally condemned the actions of the Venezuelan naval vessels and noted that the Spanish speaking nation is in violation of international law.
“These acts of intimidation constitute a clear violation of international law, undermine regional stability and threaten the principles of peaceful coexistence between nations. The OAS reiterates its strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” the OAS said.
“The Venezuelan re-
I unequivocally reject...
I mentioned that this officer was promoted to Assistant Police Commissioner long before he was charged. He never made clear that he was referring only to the period when Paul Slowe was the Chair of the Police Service Commission. In any case, the matters I was addressing were the two things he stated in Geneva: first, that promotions were not “merit-based”, and second, that the Government was prosecuting police officers as a pretext not to promote them.
He raised the issue of recent police promotions by the Police Service Commission, something that happened after my column was published. But his observation about the ethnic breakdown of the senior officers’ promotion is instructive. He clearly insinuated the promotions reflected ethnic discrimination. By his own observation, his proposition is that these officers were not promoted based on merit. He used my figures, which show that the
vast majority of persons employed in the military, police or public service are AfroGuyanese, to justify why being of another ethnic group is evidence that a person was not promoted based on merit. This is racist and divisive talk. I reject it.
I totally reject Alexander’s assertion that the hierarchy in any of the services – police, army, public service, teaching and the judiciary – are “now disproportionately, and in some instances absolutely, dominated by Indo-Guyanese”. This is another of his ugly fabrication and baldfaced lies.
In terms of AfroGuyanese being engaged in businesses and as contractors, there have never been more Afro-Guyanese-owned businesses, more AfroGuyanese contractors ever in Guyana.
Here is a truth that Alexander and his ilk cannot escape: in 2025, the number of Afro-Guyanese who have started businesses, have ac-
cess to contracts, house lots, scholarships, etc. are far, far more than in 2020 or ever before.
There is another fact that Alexander and his ilk have to deal with: the number of big Afro-Guyanese contractors today exceed by far what existed at any other time in our history. In addition, not a single new Afro-Guyanese contractor emerged between 2015 and 2020, when his party was in government.
I will address other matters that Mr. Alexander is guilty of falsehoods during his presentation in Geneva at another time. For now, I posit that Alexander has further shown that he is willing to use false narratives to achieve the objective of sowing ethnic division in our country. I completely and unequivocally reject his proposition that Guyana is an “apartheid” state, or is “akin to an apartheid” state.
Yours sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy
gime must immediately stop all aggressive manoeuvrers that may escalate tensions in the region. The General Secretariat urges the Venezuelan regime to respect the ongoing international legal processes, including the resolution of the territorial dispute before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).”
According to the OAS, any attempt to use coercion or force to modify established borders is unacceptable. The organisation further noted that such actions are contrary to the fundamental principles of the OAS Charter and international law in general.
“We call on the international community to remain vigilant and to defend the rule of law and regional security,” the OAS Secretariat further said.
During a broadcast to the nation on Saturday, President Dr Irfaan Ali had condemned this recent act of aggression by Venezuela, noting that Guyana has already activated a diplomatic response by informing bilateral partners, including the US, as well as key regional and international bodies.
Ex Presidents Condemnation also came from a group of former Latin American Presidents- known as the Liberty and Democracy Group, who slammed Venezuela for its “unacceptable violation” of Guyana’s sovereignty and international law.
“The President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali, has clearly underscored the gravity of this situation and reaffirmed his com-
mitment to defending his country’s territorial integrity. Guyana has acted in accordance with international mechanisms, while Nicolás Maduro’s regime continues to disregard the rules that guarantee peace and stability in the region.”
“Respect for legitimately recognised borders is a fundamental principle of the global order. There is no justification for attempting to impose force over the sovereignty of a nation. The Liberty and Democracy Group calls on the international community to uphold Guyana’s sovereignty,” the group said.
According to the group, it is important that Guyana’s territory is not usurped by “Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship, which seeks to seize the energy wealth of a growing nation with the potential to become a global model for development.”
The members of the group include former presidents of Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico; former Governor of Puerto Rico, and former Prime Minister of Spain.
The latest provocation from Venezuela comes amidst its claims of more than twothirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region and a portion of its EEZ where an excess of 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels have been discovered over the past nearly 10 years.
Earlier this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali had held discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where they discussed, among other things, Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela.
The US State Department had confirmed that during their call, Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the US’s unwavering support for Guyana’s territorial integrity in the face of escalating tensions with Venezuela.
This came in response to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s announcement on January 7, 2025, that there would be an election of a “Governor of Guayana Esequiba,” a move condemned by the Guyanese Government as a direct violation of the Argyle Agreement signed in December 2023.
No tolerance for threats...
A statement was also forthcoming from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), which expressed strong condemnation of Venezuela’s actions and noted that such acts must not be allowed to continue “with impunity”.
“The Chamber urges all nations and international organisations to reject these threats to the region’s security and stability. Venezuela’s rejection of this long-established international boundary—which was determined by the 1899 Arbitral Award— is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).”
“This continuous escalation of aggressions and threats by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, only serves to destroy the peace enjoyed in the region. The GCCI will support the Government of Guyana in any measures taken to protect the country’s
sovereign territory,” GCCI said.
The business chamber also noted the importance of citizens maintaining a unified front in not only condemning Venezuela, but also rejecting any narrative that aim to infringe on Guyana’s sovereignty.
GDF
Additionally, the GDF in a statement on the incident also assured that they were monitoring the situations, and that protocols have been established. They also noted that they are working in conjunction with their bilateral partners.
“The GDF remains vigilant in monitoring all activities within our maritime domain, and reiterates its commitment to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana. Our security protocols remain in place, and we continue to coordi-
nate, mobilise and deploy the relevant resources to ensure a measured and appropriate response to developments in our waters,” the GDF said.
“The GDF, in collaboration with our partners, continues to assess the security implications of this development, and remains proactive in maintaining the stability of our maritime space. The security and well-being of our nation remain our utmost priority, and we reaffirm our dedication to the defence of Guyana’s air, land and sea domain.”
The incident in the EEZ comes just after leaders in CARICOM condemned plans by Venezuela to hold elections for a Governor in the Essequibo Region in April. Venezuela has illegally claimed Essequibo as theirs and even though the case is presently before the ICJ, it has engaged in a series of provocative moves.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio
ABEHAVIOURAL CHANGES IN ELDERLY DOGS
s dogs age, their senses begin to diminish. Hearing and vision deteriorate, and they become more reliant on their sense of smell. This sensory decline can contribute to changes in behavior, such as increased startle responses to unexpected stimuli or a tendency to stay closer to familiar surroundings.
Additionally, cognitive decline, similar to dementia in humans, can affect elderly dogs. This condition, known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), can manifest in various ways, including disorientation, changes in sleep patterns, and altered interactions with family members. A dog with CCD may seem confused, wander aimlessly, or fail to recognize familiar people and places.
You will notice that the elderly dog is less curious and not willing (with or without the caregiver) to be adventurous or even showing any desire to go for walks or otherwise accompany the caregiver in any adventure (e.g. hunting) –
that in his/her youth were the high points of the dog’s day. The elderly dog restricts itself to its own desired scope of mobility. He/she is less playful. They become imprisoned (self-imposed) in a fixed routine which does not call for much movement.
Here are some realities that you will face with your elderly dogs:
• They sleep a lot.
• They exhibit a fixation with their own habits (when
purposeless inconsistences (for example, defecating/ urinating where they lie) may be a reflection of their unwillingness to waste energy, or even an on-coming, pathophysiological change which should evoke the caregiver’s concern.
In other words, the elderly dogs are just simply intolerant of changes (imposed upon them by the caregiver), unless they approve of an intervention which makes them more comfortable.
• They become forgetful. This is not analogous to unwillingness. He/she just simply has forgotten to perform
to urinate; when to defecate, when to give the caregiver the signal for the latter to present food. (N.B.: Elderly dogs do not need to be fed more than once a day – at a time preferable to the dog).
In other words, they do not wish for any changes in their daily routine. Not too much variability of any sort; and if they exhibit variations in their erstwhile behavioural patterns, please do not interpret these unusual caprices as their desire to irritate you. These whimsical seemingly
a usual task – like bringing in the newspaper. Of course, if it is raining, his/her inactivity is just a plain unwillingness, in a commonsensical way, not to get wet).
• They exhibit crankiness, intolerance and irritability for seemingly no reason at all.
• They become hyperanxious. They bark more frequently to any perceived change in their immediate environment. This latter behaviour can result in the elderly dog not getting the sleep that is needed.
The caregiver might wish, upon observation of this development, to reduce the external stimuli and stressors whenever and wherever possible.
It's crucial for caregivers to provide a supportive and accommodating environment for their aging pets. This
daily), to provide feed and water and to walk the animal. In addition, you may request visits from your veterinarian to ascertain that the animal is in good health. Dogs, elderly or not, always fare better in their own homes. It is for this reason (as an aside), that even after surgery, I advocate that,
might involve making simple modifications around the home, such as adding nonslip mats to floors, providing orthopedic beds, and ensuring easy access to food, water, and bathroom areas.
post-surgery, the dog awakes from the anesthetic at home, in the presence of its family, instead of being kept overnight in the vet’s facility/hospital until the next day.
Next week, we shall discuss the physical changes that occur, in the elderly dog.
I caution caregivers against placing their pets in shelters/ boarding facilities if they are traveling overseas. There are many reasons for this –not lastly the geriatric dog’s inability and/or unwillingness to accommodate the new changes. It is better to have someone visit your home (even if only once or twice
‘Slow Down and Stay Safe’: Police urge caution on roads
Law enforcement officials are urging drivers to remain vigilant, warning that reckless driving – particularly speeding – continues to pose a major risk to public safety, despite declining road accidents across several regions.
During the most recent episode of Road Safety and You, hosted by Mr Earl
Lambert, senior traffic officers emphasised the need for responsible road use, highlighting the dangers of high-speed driving, congestion issues at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and the importance of patience and cooperation among motorists.
During his time on the floor, Inspector Tullaram Roop, of Vigilance Police
Station, who is the Inspector in charge of traffic on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), and Commander of Regional Division 4C, made it clear that excessive speed remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes, even as accident rates show a downward trend.
“First, I must say road safety is not the police’s
Pedal cyclist killed in SoesdykeLinden Highway accident
Atragic accident on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway has claimed the life of 32-year-old pedal cyclist, Keron DeFreitas, of Lot 2 Ideal Road, SoesdykeLinden Highway.
The fatal collision occurred around 18:45h on Friday, at Hill Foot, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and involved a motor lorry and bicycle.
Police reports indicate that motor lorry #GAD 5947, driven by 67-year-old Ovid
Spencer of Liliendaal, attempted to pass the cyclist, DeFreitas when the left side front portion of the vehicle collided with him.
The impact caused DeFreitas to fall onto the roadway, where he was tragically crushed by the lorry’s left-side front wheel.
Eyewitnesses rushed to DeFreitas’ aid, and he was transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre by public-spirited citizens. However, a doctor later pro-
nounced him dead.
The driver of the lorry has since been taken into custody and is assisting police with their investigation. A Notice of Intended Prosecution has been served to him, as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal accident.
Police continue to urge both motorists and cyclists to exercise caution on the roads to prevent further tragedies.
business, it’s everyone’s business,” Roop stated. “And road safety time is that you must do the right thing.” He explained that vigilance is necessary at all times, warning that failure to follow the rules can lead to devastating consequences.
Sergeant Keevin Glasgow, the Subordinate Officer in charge of traffic at Wales Police Station in Regional Division 3 (Essequibo Islands -West Demerara), reinforced the message that speed continues to be a problem in certain areas, despite a decrease in accidents.
“When I look at accidents, we would have identified some black spots where accidents are prone to happen [in Region Three],” Glasgow explained. “And we do something, we try to choke those areas. What do I mean? Maintain a police presence in those areas and use it as a deterrent.”
On the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, where road construction is ongoing, Sergeant Ronald Payne from Regional Division 4B, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who is the Subordinate Officer in charge of the Highway Patrol Base on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, explained that officers are working diligently to manage the safety risks associated with high-speed driving in an area with heavy vehicle movement.
“From January, or should I say, the last time to now, we would have had a decrease in road accidents,” Payne noted. “My team and I would normally go out every day and lecture to driv-
ers, to companies. We would do regular enforcement, not just in one area, but in the entire Linden-Soesdyke Highway that comes under my command.”
Along the East Bank and East Coast corridors, traffic congestion remains a major issue, particularly at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, where impatient drivers contribute to the daily chaos. Sergeant Glasgow noted that one of the biggest problems at the bridge is the number of motorists who refuse to join the proper traffic lines, instead attempting to cut in at the last moment, creating further delays.
“Well, I would have seen the complaint. However, like I said the last time I was here, there’s a roundabout just at the Harbour Bridge, and traffic, the southbound traffic, there’s four lanes proceeding south,” Glasgow explained. “Now, there are some persons that don’t want to come and join the line and want to, as we would say, borderline. However, we have a system in place for that, we have three motorcyclists who are there, criss-crossing to mitigate against that.”
“Sometimes when the bridge opens, it takes a lit-
tle while before it locks, or sometimes there’s a spill or a vehicle breaks down on the bridge… and you know these drivers, they tend to get confrontational with the police, not knowing what is causing the build-up or the delay in traffic.”
With the weekend upon us, officers reminded drivers to avoid unnecessary risks, plan their journeys in advance, and obey all road safety regulations.
Sergeant Payne urged drivers to adopt safer practices and follow the Five Cs of Road Safety—Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Common Sense, and Caution. He noted that many accidents could be prevented if road users simply exercised patience and respect for others on the road.
“We are working, and we are seeing progress, but safety is not just about enforcement. It’s about personal responsibility,” Payne said. “If everyone plays their part—drivers, pedestrians, and police—then we can keep these numbers going down.”
As police continue their enforcement efforts, they are calling on all road users to do their part in making the roads safer.
Sergeants Ronald Payne and Keevin Glasgow, Sergeant Peter John of Sparendaam Police Station, Subordinate Officer in charge of traffic in Regional Division 4C; Sergeant Dawson of Providence Police Station’s Traffic Department in Regional Division 4B, and Inspector Tullaram Roop discussing traffic initiatives on the ‘Road Safety and You’ programme
New…
…politics
Did you see the tongue-lashing Trump delivered to Zelenskyy?? It warmed the cockles of your Eyewitness’s (cold) heart!! Ahhh…that’s how we natives were treated for centuries by the Europeans – and this was payback time!! Not that Trump’s doing this for us – God, no!! – it’s just that he’s got the same contempt for Zelenskyy!! And we shouldn’t forget it!!
For the longest while, under the veneer of liberalism that was born at the fag end of slavery, the Europeans/ Americans convinced us they were the epitome of human civilization!!
Heck!! Hadn’t they freed their “African slaves”whom they’d dragged across the Atlantic to labour for free – out of the goodness of their heart? Forget all that stuff and nonsense Eric Williams wrote about slavery being restrictive to their new economic circumstances!!
Our salvation depended on imitating them to the “T”! And boy, did we ever!! In our Parliament, it used to be all “Honourable this” or “Honourable that” - with some bowing and kowtowing to the Speaker and his mace!!
So, what do we tell our MPs when they resort to the cuss- down our Parliament has now normalised?? That they’re ahead of the declining liberal curve now represented by Trump?? What next?? Trump brandishing a dildo?? So, what’s really going on?? Your Eyewitness believes it all boils down to “Cometh the hour, cometh the leaders”!! Bob Dylan prophesied, “The times are a’ changin’” way back in 1964…but seems that now they’ve ACTUALLY changed!!
“Come Senators, Congressmen, Please heed the call/ Don't stand in the doorway// Don't block up the hall/ For he that gets hurt/ Will be he who has stalled/ The battle outside raging/ Will soon shake your windows/ And rattle your walls/ For the times they are a-changin'”!!
So, what are we to expect?? Trump’s simply clearing the European deck so that he can focus on China, which isn’t only creeping up – but is actually about to leap ahead!!
Trump knows you don’t fight a war on two fronts, especially when one of the fronts – the European one with Russia – is simply the result of inertia!! Folks forget that Russia is Slavic – from the word “Slave” – and their battle is to gain acceptance by the white world – somewhat like us – but which Europe has never conceded. They’re now being treated a little more favourably vis-a-vis the Ukrainians – who’re incidentally also Slavs!! – by Trump and America, and it’s possible this might loosen up their ties with China!! A two for one by Trump, no??
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and assume what’s good for America is good for us. The lesson for us is: if Trump could treat Zelenskyy like that, imagine how he’ll react to our leaders acting uppity!!
…on Cuba
Did you get the memo from Trump on all those Cuban doctors - who’ve been coming down to Guyana for decades, and evidently to most of the developing world? There’s an incredible 600,000 of them in an era when the developed countries can’t even train nurses – and have to poach ours!! But your Eyewitness is confused about the Yanks’ assertions that these doctors are, in essence, being “pimped” by the Cuban state.
Does our Government pay a fee to the Cuban Govt?? The doctors gotta turn in their earnings to the Cuban Govt at the end of their shift in foreign climes?? The Yanks say they’re beaten and abused –like pimps do when their girls are shorting them!!
Another angle mentioned about their “abuse” is that they’re forced to work for lower salaries than the native doctors in countries where they toil.
Now, your Eyewitness doesn’t know about other pimp countries, but, here in Guyana, the Cuban doctors earn MORE than their local colleagues – AND they get housing!!
…Venezuelan aggressions
When bullies are bullied, they turn their humiliation on bullying those weaker than themselves!! And so we see that, as Trump dropped a lash on Mad Maduro by cancelling Chevron’s licence, he’s sent a ship into the Stabroek Block.
Three perish in fiery Essequibo Coast crash
Three men lost their lives in a tragic accident along the Perth Public Road, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Friday evening.
The deceased have been identified as 28-yearold Reion Alphonso of Charity Housing Scheme, 62-year-old Leon Marks of Dartmouth, and 18-yearold Devanand Bernard, of Onderneeming Sand Pit.
The fatal crash, which occurred at around 18:45h, involved motorcycle CN 6561, owned and driven by Leon Marks, another motorcycle, whose ID number is yet unknown, owned and driven by Davenand Bernard; pillion rider Reion Alphonso, and a motor car, HB 7377.
According to police, enquires disclosed that the driver of the motor car, 69-year-old Ezekiel Stanuel of Dartmouth Village, Essequibo Coast, alleged that he was proceeding north along the public road, when a motorcycle proceeding in the opposite direction, was approaching at a fast rate with a very loud bike sound and a bright light, causing his visibility to be
reduced.
Another motorcycle was said to be proceeding behind the said motorcar, heading in the same direction
The driver of the motorcar said he slowed down and stopped, and that was when the motorcycle behind him then overtook him and collided with the other motorcycle that was proceeding in the opposite direction.
A loud impact and an explosion occurred with both motorcycles, which were then engulfed in flames.
The pillion rider of the motorcycle with unknown ID was flung onto the wind shield of the motor car and then onto the road way, along with the other two motorcyclists.
The fiery eruption resulted in Alphonso and Bernard sustaining severe burns about their bodies. Marks was pulled from the scene by a resident in an attempt to save him, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
Their bodies were transported to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital, where Marks and Bernard were pronounced dead on arrival.
Govt to deliver $100k cash grant cheques to shut-ins – Jagdeo
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is encouraging shut-ins not to stand in long lines at the cash grant distribution centres countrywide, assuring that the Government will put systems in place to have the cheques delivered to them.
During his weekly press conference last Thursday, Jagdeo addressed this and other issues surrounding the cash grant distribution exercise stating that, “the shut-ins, I believe should not even come out. We’ll get it to them eventually.”
Alphonso was picked up in unconscious state and transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.
Their bodies have since been taken to the Suddie Mortuary, awaiting post mortem examinations.
Both motorcycles and car were escorted to the Anna Regina Police where they
were lodged in order to be examined by a licensing and certifying officer.
The driver of the motorcar was arrested and taken to Anna Regina Police
Station where he was subject to a breathalyser test which revealed that he had 5 and 8 micrograms respectively of alcohol in his system. He was then placed into custody assisting with investigation.
Checks were made for CCTV footage but were futile, further investigation in progress.
The motorcycles were burnt and mangled after being engulfed in flames following the fatal collision
Devanand Bernard, one of the dead motorcyclists The car that was involved in the accident
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Say no to scatological polemics
We are enmeshed in another round of polemics; this time, albeit, expressed in highly scatological terms that putatively seek to push political action towards the arc of “justice” in Guyana. There is nothing wrong, and in fact everything right, about this (save for the scatology), since this might help make the outcome “variable sum”, rather than “zero sum”.
When the political philosopher John Rawls declared: “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions as truth is of every system of thought”, it was because justice goes to the content of political action. Justice is paramount. However, what is disputed in Guyana are the nature of the vehicles in this push for “justice”, and the modus operandi of the players.
But what about the need for “truth” in the system of thought that is deployed to struggle for justice in social institutions? The ideology? Today, liberalism - which had swept the field as our ideology of choice by “all the sides” after our socialist experiments - appears to be in utter disarray, as illustrated by US President Trump’s “might is right” orientation.
However, I believe that liberalism’s stance on “truth and reason”, in the variant dubbed “deliberative liberalism”, still offers us a practical approach towards a viable democratic process that can deliver “justice” in our social institutions.
As in science, deliberative liberalism holds that truth is to be found through reason; but the “truth” unearthed is never held as if it is the “TRUTH”. It is always held provisionally, with the acceptance that it may be overturned based on some new evidence. The outcomes of deliberative liberalism are indeterminate and are based on empirical practice.
I recommend this approach to those who would enter the ongoing discussion on justice in the distribution of the national patrimony. However, only “public reasons” should be proffered in such deliberations; never assertions rising solely on faith or dogma. This requirement would obviously place burdens on some groups, but such burdensomeness itself would be evaluated by reason for its “degree of burdensomeness” caused by arbitrariness etc.
If scatology, for instance, is an aspect of some group’s identity, as has been asserted, then this should be withheld from the public realm, since it does not further rational discourse.
When VP Vance pointedly responded to “President Zelenskyy”, he was implicitly chiding the latter for breaking protocol in the Oval Office by addressing him as “JD”.
Moving to the substantive content of the assertions behind the scatology, there is the contention, for instance, that the PPP discriminates against African Guyanese in its development programme. There is nothing wrong about this in a democracy: we have suggested that governments should issue “Ethnic Impact Statements” on their various projects, which are backed by data. That such data is available is shown by various assertions, most recently by James Bond, and earlier on housing by PM Phillips. But the Opposition must also present credible data to back up their claims, and not simply make incendiary statements punctuated by scatological miasma.
One hurdle that must be overcome is the insistence by some that individuals from competing groups cannot speak to “their” ethnic concerns. We have thankfully gone past the old dogma of not even mentioning such concerns. It is contended that the major parties – the PPP and PNC – that define themselves as “multi-ethnic” are dominated by one or the other major ethnic group (PPP – Indian Guyanese; PNC – African Guyanese) and cannot speak authentically for the “other”, even though they have members or officers from that group.
There is the concern of “tokenism” and “window dressing” that ostensibly brought down the scatological fire and brimstone from one quarter. Presently, such concerns should be expected, sans scatology, and we have suggested that each party accept the institution of “ethnic caucuses” to address them. As in the US Democratic party, these ethnic caucuses must meet separately, and present to the party executive their suggestions on issues affecting their ethnic group.
We will have to be prepared to deliberate with each other at every available forum: Newspapers’ letter pages, community meetings, town hall meetings, call-in talk shows, books etc. But we have to respect each other as citizens, and abjure the sterility of polemics, especially those laced with scatology. Where has that ever produced a new idea?
As an aside from my experience in Parliament, I would propose Parliamentary Committees, rather than the Procrustean floor of Parliament, be used more frequently for settling our political differences.
Govt to deliver $100k cash grant...
While acknowledging some issues with the processes nationwide, the Vice President emphasised that the majority of beneficiaries have had positive experiences.
Dr Jagdeo commended the efficiency of staff at distribution points. He noted that while the process is generally running smoothly, a small number of recipients have faced challenges in receiving their checks.
These issues, he explained, are often the result of simple human errors, such as checks being sent to the wrong location or delays in the sorting process.
“We just tend to focus on all of the people, the complainants. What about the tens of thousands? For every one person who has a problem, you have 200 others who went through the process and got it done well. And this is something, it’s this obsession, and it’s part of the confusion too, because
these are highlighted by the opposition. Highlighted by the opposition. Now, if people have a problem, we have to fix it. That’s why we said we actually send people on the ground,” he pointed out.
“Wherever there is incompetence, wherever there is callousness, we should fix it But I can’t deny the hard work that hundreds of Guyanese are putting in, to get this out to our people, get the checks out to our people,” VP Jagdeo said.
One of the more widespread rumours that has caused unnecessary panic among recipients is the belief that the cheques are only valid for three days. This misinformation has led many to rush to the banks, eager to cash in their checks before they expire.
As a result, some individuals have been reportedly discounting their cheques, offering to cash them for a smaller sum, with a portion of the money going to the middleman- something
Government has warned against.
“They’ve been spreading the rumours everywhere, APNU (A Partnership for National Unity) and others, only three days the check is valid for… people believe that they got to get rid of this check in three days’ time, or else they would lose the money. How can that be helpful? Because now it puts people in panic. They’re all going immediately to the banks to get the money, a significant number of people until today,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice President also addressed the opposition’s concerns about the photo verification process.
“If we don’t take the picture to verify that the person who’s receiving the check was the one registered, they’re looking for a case where a wrong person collects a check, and then they would complain about that. It’s not belittling. It’s just the verification process,” he assured.
Ravi Dev
50 persons now certified in Early Childhood Development
…as Human Services Ministry grants graduates
$100,000 each to launch home care services
Some fifty individuals, comprising one male and forty-nine females, graduated from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s, Early Childhood Development Course on Friday, marking a significant step in expanding quality childcare across Guyana.
The graduates, hailing from Regions Two to 10, completed a comprehensive programme focused on cultivating an understanding of early childhood development, fostering positive developmental outcomes, and implementing age-appropriate stimulation techniques for children aged zero to three.
The Early Childhood Development Course is designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to provide quality care and stimulation to young chil-
dren, contributing to their healthy development.
According to a release from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, this initiative aims to expand
access to quality early childhood care within community settings.
However, it must be noted that once these individuals establish their “home-based
care” services, officers from the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) will visit the homes once a month to conduct necessary inspections.
Strengthening environmental protection through leadership & innovation
Over the past few years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Guyana has undergone significant transformation under the leadership of Executive Director Kemraj Parsram. Since assuming office in 2021, Parsram has been at the forefront of enhancing the Agency’s capacity: ensuring the efficient and effective environmental regulation of development activities, and addressing critical challenges in the oil and gas sector while maintaining a focus on the livelihoods of Guyanese citizens.
Parsram’s journey with the EPA spans decades, he having started his career with the Agency in the 1990s. His extensive experience and dedication to environmental sustainability have shaped his leadership approach, ensuring that development in Guyana occurs in harmony with environmental safeguards.
Recognizing the need for strong Guyanese leadership, Parsram returned to the Agency to strengthen its regulatory framework and enhance its capacity to protect and ensure sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.
The EPA has faced numerous challenges, particularly in the face of our booming oil and gas industry. The rapid rate of development in this sector has required the Agency to adapt quickly, expanding its technical capacity and ensuring that environmental safeguards are strictly enforced.
A key hurdle was to build expertise in oil spill management, radiation monitoring, and chemical storage oversight. To address this, the agency focused on capacity-building, leveraging international best practices, and strengthening investigative capabilities to monitor offshore and onshore developments effectively.
Parsram has highlighted that while the oil and gas sector garners significant attention, a balance has had to be struck between economic development and environmental protection in the Agency’s work in regulating small businesses and community-level industries: from furniture manufacturing to spray painting operations. Rather than imposing abrupt shutdowns, the Agency has worked closely with business owners to improve compliance, while ensuring that livelihoods are sustained. Despite challenges, the EPA has made remarkable progress in several areas, one of the most significant being increasing staff capacity and structuring teams according to various sectors. To complement this, the Agency has introduced a specialised training programme aimed at equipping staff with both fundamental and advanced skills required to execute their mandate effectively.
Another major achievement has been the enhancement of environmental permits, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The Agency has incorporated financial assurance measures such as the recent $2 billion company guarantee to ensure that environmental liabilities are adequately covered. These measures were developed on the basis of extensive research and collaboration with international organizations, reinforcing the agency’s regulatory strength.
Additionally, the EPA has embraced technology to improve environmental monitoring and decision-making. The implementation of remote monitoring systems has enabled real-time data collection, enhancing the agency’s ability to track environmental impacts and enforce regulations. This science-based approach to decision-making ensures that regulatory measures are informed by accurate, datadriven insights.
EPA’s Remote Monitoring Room
Addressing concerns about the Agency’s ability to manage the oil and gas sector, Parsram has reaffirmed that the EPA has continuously evolved to meet regulatory expectations. He acknowledged that while the Agency developed and issued its first oil permit in 2017, it has since made significant strides. By learning from global best practices and improving the permit, the EPA has strengthened its regulatory framework to better oversee the sector.
Importantly, the Agency has encouraged staff to pursue continuous learning, and has also provided necessary training to ensure the core competencies of staff, and the knowledge and expertise needed to regulate the sector effectively.
While acknowledging past challenges, Parsram has emphasised that the Agency is committed to refining its regulatory processes and aligning them with both national laws and international best practices.
As the country’s chief environmental regulator, the EPA is tasked with enforcement actions to ensure compliance. The Agency has actively taken legal action against violators, although these cases are often not widely publicized.
Parsram has noted that enforcement extends beyond litigation, as the EPA also works proactively with businesses to achieve compliance before resorting to punitive action. This balanced approach ensures that regulatory measures are both effective and fair.
With a solid foundation in place, the EPA continues to strengthen its role as Guyana’s leading environmental authority. Moving forward, the Agency aims to build on its achievements by further enhancing staff expertise, leveraging technology, and refining its regulatory strategies.
The Agency’s mandate remains the same: to promote, facilitate, and coordinate effective environmental management and protection and the sustainable use of the country’s natural resources.
Under Parsram’s leadership, the EPA has demonstrated resilience and adaptability in the face of rapid development. Through strategic planning, capacity building, and an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, the Agency is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the future, while safeguarding Guyana’s environment for generations to come.
Human Service and Social Security Minister Dr Vindya Persaud (centre) standing alongside some of the graduates
– Guyanese actress addresses sexual abuse through locally-produced TV series
episode prior to release of the series, in order to meticulously craft just a few minutes of a fun and engaging television experience.
Skilfully using the screen as a medium to communicate on prevalent issues, local theatre practitioner Anastacia ShakoVan Tull is addressing key societal matters, such as sexual abuse, through her ongoing second season of the television series “Shades of Brown”.
that the show was initially spawned from her personal experiences of racism, which have led her to explore these themes on- screen.
that I didn’t see before. It’s just to get our culture on screen,” she explained.
those themes…Also deal with the loss of a loved one, and how does somebody snap their life back after a breakup,” she explained.
The show debuted early in January 2025, and has since received enormous feedback, with praise coming for its high production value and the acting, particularly the new Guyanese talents introduced.
The 28-year-old creator of Anniemated Productions, ShakoVan Tull, and her team spent up to some six hours on each
First launched in January 2023, “Shades of Brown”, now in its second season, delves into the complexities of racism through the lenses of Anastacia Shako-Van Tull- a New Amsterdam-born actress known as ‘Ann3ie’, who is the writer, director, producer, and lead actress playing the central role of Victoria in the series.
In an interview with The Evening News, Annie explained
“‘Shades of Brown’ really started as a way to get Guyanese people on-screen. We have a booming theatre industry and I’m a screen junkie, as I like to call myself. I just wanted Guyanese people to also have films and TV shows. Not that we didn’t have them before, but I guess (that) for younger people, (it is good to have) something that had a story that could represent the climate in the country, and also to bring about a way to display our culture in a way
She disclosed that the focus this season moves beyond being solely on racism and addresses more mature themes, such as sexual assault, which she believes can systematically occur in various places.
“We discussed some more mature themes. Though it still has the inter-racial couple in it, it’s not just about racism this season; it’s more about things dealing with sexual assault, whether it be in the church, in the workplace, or at home. We tried to open up
“It has a lot of things to love. There’s also comedy as well. I think this season we hit pretty hard,” she said. The show, like a melting pot of diverse themes, aims to make a significant impact; and, so far, she has been receiving substantial support for this initiative, to the extent that she has expressed hope of having this show publicized on major platforms.
Director of Anniemated Productions, Anastacia Shako-Van Tull, and another member of the cast
If anyone resident in or visiting Manhattan, New York, should crave a good Guyanese curry: whether chicken, goat, or any other type, DatzDeli - located at 69 Clinton Street, LES (Lower East Side), and Times Square, New York - is the most highly recommended place to go to satisfy that craving.
The only Guyanese restaurant in Manhattan, DatzDeli is located in one of the busiest cities in the United States, traversed by millions from around the world on any given day. The first DatzDeli was opened at 190-01 Hollis Avenue, NY in December 2022; the first outlet was operated at Clinton Street, LES, in October 2023; and
the third restaurant was opened at Times Square on February 25, 2025. The DatzDeli restaurants are
owned and operated by Joshua Dat, a businessman born to Guyanese parents in the United States. The name DatzDeli is
derived from the family’s name “Dat”, in honour of Joshua’s father Ganesh Dat, who left Guyana for the USA 40 years ago. Joshua’s mother Sunita migrated to the USA 52 years ago. Joshua, now 32 years old, has been saving finances since he was 17 years old with intention to open his own line of restaurants.
“I started the DatzDeli franchise to honour my father Ganesh, who has always been a hard worker and an excellent cook. He helped contribute to the success of others, and gave his time to them; but was never truly appreciated,” the young man told Guyana Times.
Joshua, who wanted to enhance his cooking skills by working with his father side-by-side to create a unique and special brand - one that is close to the family’s heart - disclosed, “I didn’t know, nor expected, that our business would have blossomed into a striving franchise… It gives me nothing but happiness, satisfaction and joy to see my dad’s skills in full effect.”
Informing this publication that all the members of the Datt family: father, mother, siblings, and an uncle, are involved in the operation of this franchise, with assistance coming from other members of staff, Joshua disclosed that DatzDeli has created one of New York’s most viral sandwiches, called the ‘Datmacpatty’. He said there are variations to this very mouth-watering delicacy, but the most famous one is the ‘Oxtail Datmacpatty.’
“We cut open a butter flap bread then add beef, chicken, or veggie patty along with some home-made baked macaroni and cheese, topped with some shredded oxtail and gravy…,” he explained. “That is the famous dish that has made the Deli popular.” He added that jerk chicken can also be stuffed inside a Datmacpatty.
Joshua has also said that, apart from this signature dish, the most spicy and flavourful curries can be bought at all the
DatzDeli outlets. The products that cater to the everyday demands are mostly bought from various vendors, including Guyanese vendors.
Asked what level of support the DatzDeli restaurants command, Joshua responded: “The support from the public is what makes DatzDeli who we are. We’re so blessed to have such a great community and followers. Our biggest supporter is the public. We are so grateful for each and every one of our customers (and) followers. This journey has been such a joyous and wonderful feeling to encounter with life. We have people that come from all over the world to try our famous oxtail patty.”
He also disclosed that operating a business in Manhattan is overwhelming because there is abundant opportunity to provide a service to the huge numbers of tourists and locals.
“With the city location, it’s easier for people that travel from all over the world to come to our restaurant; where they can be served with the highest standard, the (tastiest) meals, and more so they get a chance to smell the Guyanese aroma - the spices, the curry, the masala, the pepper…,” he detailed.
“Our customers MUST leave here with a part of the Guyanese culture; and
that is our intention from the inception,” he disclosed.
Joshua explained that those who come to experience the city life have in DatzDeli a place to grab something authentic, because the restaurant is opened until 01:00h daily.
“Although fairly new in the food industry, we have never been stereotyped or discriminated(against)…I must say that all our customers are treated fairly, and we have received it back fairly. The only debate would be whether it’s chicken curry or curry chicken,” he grinned.
Joshua has disclosed that the family is already involved in talks to expand the DatzDeli franchise to Florida very soon.
“Florida, get ready; because we are coming!” the ecstatic young businessman has said.
Joshua Dat is expressing sincerest gratitude to his mother Sunita, father Ganesh, brothers Bobby and Josiah, sisters Jenny and Theresa, his uncle Nandram, and all the members of staff for the immense support they have given to the DatzDeli restaurants and him over the years.
This businessman has said that although no member of the Dat family has ever returned to visit Guyana since migrating to the USA, they are all looking forward to making that visit this year.
“Shades of...
“As it pertains to having the show being screened to a wide audience, I am very willing and open to that. Whoever wants to do that, give me a call. But yeah, it would be nice - but I don’t think they usually do weekly episodes inside of a cinema - but if we’re the first to do it, hey, I say my production team should go for it,” she disclosed.
She disclosed that she has even hosted a grand top-tier level premiere for the show, wherein the cast and media house dignitaries sat together to watch the first two episodes.
Envisioning the show contributing to the broader conversation about love and unity for Guyana in the long term, she has said, “Well, it was to show that love should not have a colour in it. And I think it’s a very old lesson, but I think we do need a reminder.”
Her hope is that, after watching the show, the Guyanese people can engage in deep self-introspection. “I don’t write shows to tell people what to think. I write shows so that people can see a situation, see themselves; and then, from what they see, they
can make their own decisions after that,” she explained.
“So, they could look at somebody; maybe I wrote them to be good, but they (audience) probably got something bad from that. So, it’s not to say that, because of this show, you need to go and date every other race. No! It’s really just to look at it, examine our behaviour, and then you make a choice afterwards,” she explained.
Adding that this approach aligns with the overarching “One Guyana” Initiative, she declared, “I think that feeds into the whole “One Guyana” thing. Because, though we are all from different backgrounds, there is still one linear Guyanese culture; there’s still something that we can all relate to, regardless of our skin colour.”
Released in January 2025, the show features 15 Guyanese actors. It is currently available for viewing on Anniemated Production’s social media pages, as well as on TVG Channel 28, What’s Happening Guyana, and other media platforms weekly on Wednesday.
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50 persons now certified in...
The graduation was held at the Ministry’s head office, where the inaugural “homebased care” initiative was also launched.
Under this initiative, each graduate received a $100,000 grant, totalling $5 million in ministerial investment, to establish independent, home-based childcare services.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, congratulated all the graduates and encouraged them to continue striving for upward mobility.
“Don’t stop here,” she encouraged. “Continue investing in your academic journey, and you will build lives that are deeply meaningful to yourselves, and create lasting positive change within your communities.”
A few of the graduates shared their gratitude to the
Ministry for allowing them to improve themselves, access the necessary resources to launch their own businesses, and go forward in this grand venture.
One graduate, Cindy Europe, from Region Five, plans to open her own nightcare service. She shared that she was between a series of jobs while studying, before becoming a graduate.
“I’m really happy I finished the course, even though it was tough. I was between jobs while I was studying, but it taught me that you have to work hard to get what you want. I’m going to use the grant to start my own night-care service. There are lots of daycares, but not many places that offer childcare at night,” Europe said.
Another graduate, and mother, Cianna Persaud, from Bartica, Region Seven,
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was eager to take part in the course so that she could make a difference within society.
“It is a pleasure to be part of any initiative that establishes a strong foundation for children. As a mother of three, this is particularly important to me. The $100,000 grant provided by the Ministry of Human Services will be a valuable start for many of us who wish to open our own day and night care centres,” Persaud noted.
Meanwhile, a young mother of four, Gory Charles, expressed that she is beyond grateful for the opportunity to help other young mothers like herself, who work hard during the evening to provide for their families.
It was not an easy road for Charles, but she was committed to completing the programme.
"The course presented some challenges. There were days when I felt like quitting and was brought to tears. Balancing the demands of being a mother of four made it particularly difficult. However, the programme also contributed to my personal growth as a parent. It helped me better understand my children, their developmental stages, and their learning styles. This programme will enable me to establish a night-care service. Due to my daytime employment, a night-care facility will allow me to provide crucial support to young mothers working night shifts," the young mother explained. These are not just graduates; they are pioneers. They are mothers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, ready to make a tangible difference.
Gory Charles, one of the graduates
500 Essequibo residents gain home ownership through ‘Dream Realised’ housing
– over 20 persons benefitted from steel and cement subsidy
More than 500 residents of Region
Two are now one step closer to home ownership, following the Ministry of Housing and Water’s "Dream Realised" event, held over two days at the Ministry’s Regional office in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The initiative, which concluded on Saturday, saw the allocation of house lots, the processing of ownership documents, and discussions on housing regularisation and relocation.
In addition to these allocations, twenty-two families from villages across the Essequibo Coast received vouchers for cement and steel, to support the construction of their new homes and, in some cases, to facilitate extensions.
The event primarily benefited allottees of the Onderneeming Housing Scheme-Phase IV, where approximately 500 house lots were allocated under the low, moderate, and middle-income categories.
Speaking to residents at the housing drive, Minister of Housing and Water,
Collin Croal, stated that, the allocation is part of the Government’s commitment to reducing the backlog of housing applications and improving access to land ownership in the region.
On the first day of the event, more than 150 allottees in the Onderneeming Housing Scheme successfully completed the processing of their Agreements of Sale, while nearly the same number signed for their Certificate of Title.
Minister Croal assured residents that those who signed for their titles, will receive them before the end of the year, as mandated by President Dr Irfaan Ali.
He noted that the Government has already invested billions into the development of two major housing schemes in Region Two, with approximately $700 million spent on infrastructure works in the Onderneeming area alone.
The Ministry has also acquired additional land from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to facilitate new housing development in the region.
"Persons who signed
for their Titles will receive them before the year end. This is a commitment by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali, and the Government has invested billions of dollars for major infrastructural development in Onderneeming," he mentioned.
Minister Croal also emphasised that all lands allocated during the event will be accessible before the end of the year, with beneficiaries given the opportunity to sign their Agreements of Sale and begin their home ownership journey.
He further highlighted that the Government remains committed to housing development under the One Guyana vision, and has been making strategic investments in the sector.
Also present at the occasion was Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues who outlined the Government's ongoing efforts to make home ownership more affordable and accessible. She highlighted key policy initiatives, including negotiations with commercial banks that led to reduced interest rates over the last four years.
She also pointed to the
introduction of programmes such as the steel and cement subsidy, which assist individuals in beginning the construction of their homes, as well as the increase in the mortgage interest relief ceiling to $30 million.
"If you get a mortgage from the bank, all of the interest you pay on that mortgage can be claimed back at the end of the year from the GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) as tax-deductible," she explained, emphasising the Government’s deliberate policies to support families in acquiring homes.
Rodrigues further stated that the Government remains committed to delivering real results beyond its manifesto promises. She revealed that the housing programme aims to allocate approximately 25,000 new house lots this year as part of its five-year target of 50,000 allocations.
"We have done a careful examination of the demand in all ten regions and have developed a plan, led by His Excellency, to comprehensively address the housing backlog in nine of the ten administrative regions. Residents in these re-
gions can expect their house lots in the coming year," she said.
For Region Two, the Minister confirmed that allocations during the ‘Dream Realised’ event included lands at Onderneeming, Track A, and two new areas, Lots 7 and 8.
Approximately 200 beneficiaries were also invited to sign their Agreements of Sale and Certificates of Title.
"This new area is an excellent location because it is already surrounded by developed housing schemes," Minister Rodrigues added, congratulating allottees on this journey.
Beyond land allocations, the event also featured key discussions on housing infrastructure and water service expansion.
Residents were briefed on the upcoming commissioning of a new water treatment plant in Onderneeming, which is expected to improve access to potable water for new and existing residents.
Additionally, new service connections for the recently allocated house lots will commence in the coming weeks.
Beneficiaries of the steel and cement subsidy, as well as house lot allocations, have expressed their gratitude to the Government, particularly the Ministry of Housing and Water, for the initiative.
Many acknowledged that the assistance will significantly ease their financial burden and accelerate their journey toward home ownership.
Throughout the event, attendees had the opportunity to engage with representatives from commercial banks and Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to discuss financing options and utility services for their new homes.
Also present at the distribution exercise were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Water, Bishram Kuppen; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Denise King-Tudor; the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Madanlall Ramraj; Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva; and Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit.
Residents at the distribution exercise
Minister Susan Rodrigues speaking at the gathering on Friday
Minister of Housing and Water engaging residents at the Distribution exercise
Missing Berbice father and son still not found
– Men could not swim, but son tried to save father
The father and son who have been missing since Friday afternoon and are feared drowned, could not swim. This was revealed by family members of the missing men.
Those missing and feared drowned are 63-yearold Rajindra Singh and his 24-year-old son, Reekesh Singh both of Number Three Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice (WBB), Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).
The incident occurred in the vicinity of Everton, East Bank Berbice (EBB), Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) at about 15:30h on Friday.
The wife, and mother, of the two, Hematite Singh. told this publication that despite her husband being a pensioner and her son a security guard attached to Blairmont Sugar Estate, they would go hunting for iguanas to sell.
They were among a crew of five that left on Saturday morning from a sluice at Blairmont to hunt.
The group crossed the Berbice River in their 15foot vessel, and on the eastern side of the river they were successful in capturing
one iguana, then decided to cross the river again to continue their hunting on the western bank of the river.
The crew consisted of the Singhs, the boat captain –Sarju Persaud called ‘Popo’ aged 48, Mahatma Dhanraj called ‘Romio’ 37, a cane harvester both of Number Four Settlement Blairmont, along with Dhanraj’s little son, Mark.
According to the boat captain, the rough waves caused some water to wash into the boat, which was a little larger that a canoe. This caused Dhanraj to jump out and the boat became unbalanced then capsized.
Persaud said the older Singh was close to him in the water and he tried to assist him but had to let go due to the strong current.
He said he noticed from the corner of his eye that the younger Singh had almost made it to shore and focused on saving himself. When we got to shore the younger Singh was not there, nor was his father.
The boat captain said he was told by Dhanraj that the son “heard his father hollering and went back to help him and he went down too.”
Meanwhile, both the captain and Dhanraj have been released from police custody.
The Coast Guard and police assisted with the search but have since been unable to recover the two men.
Villagers also combed the area on Saturday but they too have not been able to locate the missing men.
The search continues.
Around the World OIL NEWS
Iraq invites global oil firms for talks on Kurdistan contracts
Iraq's Ministry of Oil said on Saturday it had invited global foreign companies operating under the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR) umbrella, along with firms contracted by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), to a meeting in Baghdad on March 4.
The talks are set to address issues related to existing contracts and seek agreements that align with international best practices for oilfield development while safeguarding national interests, the ministry said in a statement.
The Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Natural Resources is also expected to attend the discussions, which come amid ongoing efforts to streamline oil operations between Baghdad and Erbil.
Eight international oil firms operating in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region said they would not resume oil exports through Turkey's Ceyhan on Friday despite an announcement from Baghdad that the restart was imminent.
The government said on Friday it would announce a resumption in the coming hours, with an initial amount of 185,000 barrels per day (bpd) exported through state oil marketer SOMO and that quantity gradually increasing.
The Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), which represents 60% of production from the region, said later no formal contact had been made for clarity on commercial agreements and guarantees of payment for past and future exports. (Reuters)
Cheers outside No 10 for Zelenskyy – as Starmer tells him, 'You have full support of UK'
The Ukrainian president's meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, made for a sharp contrast to the extraordinary shouting match that ensued in his White House meeting with Donald Trump and JD Vance the day before.
Referring to cheering crowds gathered outside Downing Street, the prime minister told Zelenskyy: "You have the full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take."
He added the UK has an "absolute" and "unwavering" determination to achieve "what we both want to achieve, which is... a last-
ing peace for Ukraine based on sovereignty and security".
Zelenskyy thanked Starmer and the people of the UK for their support since the start of the war.
Zelenskyy arrived for talks with Starmer at his Downing Street office before a summit of European leaders that the Ukrainian president will attend on Sunday to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.
Other European leaders also issued messages of support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine after his meeting with Trump, highlighting differences between traditional allies the United States and Europe over the war since Trump returned to office.
Jamaican Government urged to 'fully decolonise' with bill to ditch King Charles
Many Jamaicans want their country to ditch King Charles as head of state but a bill presented by the government to do just that has frustrated some critics of the monarchy, who believe the change should go further to slash colonial ties.
The Jamaican bill – which could be debated in parliament as early as this month or next – would have to be ratified in a referendum if passed.
Before that, some critics – including the opposition People's National Party (PNP) - are raising objections to how a future president would be selected, what his or her role would be, and which court should be Jamaica's final court of appeal.
Steven Golding, head of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, founded more than a century ago by Jamaican civil rights leader Marcus Garvey, said the group and others had long advocated for the removal of "the last vestiges of the colonial umbilical cord".
But he added: "We must make sure that it's not a cosmetic surgery being done... we don't want to swap having a British monarch... to having a titular president. I would like to see an executive president, directly elected by the people."
According to the government's bill, Charles' representative in Jamaica – the governor general – would be replaced by a president nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the oppo-
sition leader.
If the two could not agree on a candidate, the opposition leader could recommend a name, and if that were not accepted, the prime minister could choose a nominee who would then be elected with a simple parliamentary majority.
Donna Scott-Mottley, a spokesperson on justice for the PNP, said removing Charles would be the "final birth of a true nation" but the
way the president would be chosen under the bill "compromised everything".
"If you (PM) wanted your right-hand man to become president, you simply do the nomination," Scott-Mottley told Reuters.
Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has also voiced opposition, saying the president would be a "puppet of the prime minister".
The government did not reply to a request for comment on the criticism.
Longstanding calls by some Jamaicans to abolish the monarchy picked up steam after Barbados, another former colony in the Caribbean, removed the late Queen Elizabeth as head of state in 2021.
A survey by pollster Don Anderson in 2022 showed 56% of people in Jamaica wanted the monarch removed, up from 40% a decade earlier.
Jamaica gained independence in 1962 but – like 13 other former British colonies – it still retains the British monarch as its head of state.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
Israel and Hamas split over extension
Hamas said on Saturday that it rejected Israel's "formulation" of extending the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, on the day the first stage of the deal was set to expire.
The group's spokesperson Hazem Qassem also told AlAraby TV there were no current talks for a second ceasefire phase in Gaza with the group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was
due to hold consultations with security chiefs and ministers on Friday, after an Israeli delegation returned from Cairo with no agreement on extending the Gaza ceasefire, two Israeli officials said.
A Hamas official confirmed that Israel had sought to extend the 42-day truce agreed as a first stage in the ceasefire agreement through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins this weekend.
But he said Hamas want-
ed to move on to negotiations over the second stage, opening the way to a permanent end to the war.
"We are committed to the agreement," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Egyptian and Qatari mediators asked for some time over the next few days to resolve the impasse over the ceasefire, the officials said.
The agreement reached last month halted 15 months of fighting, allowing the ex-
change of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees and was meant to lead to subsequent talks to build on the truce.
There is however, no sign of agreement, either among or between Israelis and Palestinians, or between Western and Arab governments, over Gaza's future. That uncertainty is complicating efforts to negotiate a lasting resolution. (Source: Reuters)
Trump 'offended' by Zelenskyy not wearing a suit in White House
Volodymyr Zelenskyy was advised to wear a suit to the White House and Donald Trump was offended when he didn't, according to reports.
Ahead of the historic meeting, the Ukrainian president was advised by Trump's team to ditch his usual military-style clothing for something more formal, Axios reports.
However, he didn't, instead opting to wear all black.
This irritated Mr Trump ahead of what quickly became a car crash of a meeting, according to two sources who spoke to Axios. Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands, it was Mr Zelenskyy's outfit
that seemed to set the meeting off on a bad footing.
As Mr Trump shook Mr Zelenskyy's hand at the entrance to the West Wing, he said: "He is all dressed up today."
Then, during the disastrous press conference, Brian Glenn, who is the chief White House correspondent for rightwing website Real America's Voice, asked Mr Zelenskyy why he doesn't wear a suit, and accused him of having a lack of respect for America.
"I will wear a costume when this war is finished," the Ukrainian leader responded. "Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better. Maybe something cheaper."
In Ukrainian, the word "kostium" - pronounced "cos-
tume" - means "suit".
Mr Glenn later issued a statement saying: "President Zelenskyy has worn the green jumpsuit (or something similar) on every occasion when meeting other world leaders, dressed respectfully for the occasion.
"For him, once again, to enter the highest office in the most powerful nation in the world, dressed as he did, reflects his inner disrespect for not only our country, the president and the US citizens that have made it possible for Ukraine to survive as long as they have to this point. (Financially speaking)."
Mr Zelenskyy, who was elected in 2019, is often seen wearing olive green jumpers, emblazoned with the
Ukrainian trident, alongside combat boots.
It is a signal to the world that his country is still at war. It reflects his solidarity with the armed forces and those fighting on the frontline. The casual attire serves also serves as a reminder that Ukraine is an active battlefield.
While Mr Zelenskyy did wear suits before the war, reflecting his role as head of state. He has stated he will not return to doing so until the war has ended.
In December, he wore a similar outfit for the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, as well as for his meeting with then President-elect Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. (Source: Sky News)
King Charles III speaking with Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, as he received him in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace in London on Saturday September 17, 2022
Keir Starmer meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on March 1, 2025
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
GEMINI (MAY 21June 20)
Keeping busy and spreading love, peace and gratitude are the best ways to use pentup energy. Be true to yourself, follow your heart and do something physical.
Change may be necessary if you are hesitating. Dig deep, consider what brings you joy and head toward the door that offers peace of mind. Sometimes, solitude is the best remedy.
Distance yourself from anyone trying to lure you down the wrong path. Lend a helping hand and to say no to indulgence and greed. When in doubt, take a pass and spare yourself some grief.
CANCER
(June 21July 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)
Stop, think and look for alternatives. Welcome all who want to participate in your plans. Extra work will help build the confidence and respect necessary to reach your goal.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19) LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
PISCES
(Feb. 20Mar. 20)
Consider your options. Someone will try to lure you into something that you can’t afford. Learning the hard way will set you back or make you look bad. Say no to dubious offers.
Be willing to put time and effort into worthwhile relationships and helping the people you love. Donating your time, effort and skills will show your dedication, love and respect.
It’s OK to show off if you have something you want to promote or someone you want to impress. Broaden your horizons by sharing your thoughts and engaging in talks that promote partnerships.
Get out, participate, socialize and enjoy what life brings. Let your creativity lead the way. Focus on building a solid base, and you’ll thrive.
Someone will present false information. Refrain from participating in something that can put you in harm’s way. Be patient and willing to move forward alone or with those who share your financial concerns.
Put your time, effort and money into something that will make a difference. Be part of the solution, and you’ll gain the respect and the support you need to make a difference.
Keep your eye on money, negotiations and expanding and securing your interests. A positive change at home will lower your overhead and reduce stress.
Channel your energy wisely. Set a budget and a strategy to help you reach your objective. Make mobility, health and diet a priority. Call the shots instead of taking orders.
ARIES
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
Pickles
AQUARIUS
CAPRICORN
Guyana Cricket Board’s AGM/General Elections for 2025…
Incumbent President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, has had his mandate renewed during the Annual General Meeting of that body, hosted on Saturday afternoon at the GCB cricket facility at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara.
Having not even been opposed, Singh’s slate has been unanimously elected for another four years at the helm of the body responsible for administration of the affairs of cricket in Guyana.
The Executive membership of the Guyana Cricket Board is now as follows:
President: Bissoondyal Singh Vice-Presidents: Deleep Singh and Dr. Cecil Beharry
Secretary: Ronald Williams
Assistant Secretary: Davteerth Anandjit
Treasurer: Dr Brian Sukhai Assistant Treasurer: Vicky Bharosay
Competition Committee
Chairman: Shaun Massiah, Marketing Manager: Rabindranauth Saywack
Public Relations
Officer: Edwin Seeraj
Trustees: Mirenda
Cornelius and Zaleena Anderson.
After these elections, President Bissoondyal Singh openly reflected on the state of the GCB when he was first elected President, and highlighted the work the Executive Committee had done in that time.
“We’ve travelled a far distance. When I was elected to office in 2021, there was no funds actually; the Guyana Cricket Board account had 4000 Guyana dollars and there was a private company running the operations. So,
Bissoondyal Singh returns unopposed as President
it was a real tedious task to get funding, human resources. Essequibo Board had problems with elections for a long time, the whole place was in a state of disrepair, so most of the time for the first two years was to reconstruct the cricket structure and put it back in place; and we’ve successfully done that and managed to reinstate all the inter-county, cause they had abolished the inter-county,” Singh detailed.
“We brought some technology, improved our Public Relations Department, and start live- streaming all our important tournaments and so on. These were not easy tasks, it was tedious, in the night also. During that period, we recognized the world was moving ahead with the shorter version of the game; so, after hard work, [we got] a company to sponsor the T20,” he further detailed.
“We’re on the verge now of signing on to another company: that when we see that revenue comes up, we’ll get a part of that revenue,” he announced.
“When I got into office, they had no Guyanese in the West Indies team. For the male
and the female, they had only two. We manage to now have 7 Guyanese in both versions, the red ball and white ball, and we have 5 females in the senior West Indies team, and there’s still lot’s more work to be done,” Singh declared.
Further, Singh revealed that the Board has already achieved the goals set out in the initial 5-year strategic plan, and are likely to plan ahead for another 5 years, with women’s cricket being in focus.
“The reason it was five years is that we have an extra year. Because prior it was two years’ tenure in office, (but) the County Boards decide that we need four years. So, you still have a year to be implemented, but most of it already implemented. We probably will need to set up another 5 years’ strategic plan, because we’ve already achieved what we’re supposed to achieve in 5 years in 4 years,” he shared.
In regard to plans for the
new tenure, Singh added, “So, we need to sit down as quickly as possible. And as we discussed in this meeting, there’s a new idea: we’re going to now set up a Women’s Strategic Development Committee to come up with programmes and plans to fix female cricket across the country, and that’s going to be done ASAP.”
The new auditors of the Guyana Cricket Board are the audit firm PKF Barcellos Narine and Company.
Luis Kumar: From photographer to race car driver
itive racing by entering the go-karting scene. In his first race, he finished second, an impressive feat for a rookie.
He was in contention for the championship in his debut season, but mechanical setbacks in the final round cost him the title.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, karting events became limited, and Luis never returned to the category.
Driving motorsport forward with GMR&SC
Luis was invited to serve on the GMR&SC Executive Committee in 2023, and he focused on promoting the sport using his expertise in media and marketing. His mission was clear: to modernise and grow Guyana’s motorsport scene.
same concept: ringing excitement, engagement, and a fresh approach to racing.
for cars being fuelled by movies like Fast and Furious and video games like Need for Speed and Gran Turismo, he combined his passion for racing with his media and creative background to launch Boost High Octane, a platform dedicated to showcasing Guyana’s motorsport culture. And by 2019, Boost High Octane had become one of the most reputable content producers on the local motorsport scene.
In 2019, Luis took his first step into compet-
His key contributions include making GMR&SC marketable and attractive for brands, and launching the Women in Motorsport arm of GMR&SC, which has seen consistent growth and increased female participation in races.
Modernising GMR&SC’s regulations to accommodate GT3 cars is something the club is working hard to achieve, and in this regard, the Vitz Cup is being introduced. This affordable spec racing series would allow new drivers and enthusiasts to enter competitive racing.
Debut as a race car driver: the 2025 Vitz Cup Luis is shifting from being organizer to being competitor in the 2025 Vitz Cup and Rookie Class. This represents a pivotal moment in his motorsports journey as he prepares to drive for a championship season.
One of biggest inspirations for Luis is Ken Block, the motorsports legend and founder of Hoonigan. Having met Ken in Barbados in 2016, Luis is a firm admirer of how Block has turned motorsports into entertainment. Boost High Octane Racing Team’s brand is built around the
Building a racing team
Luis’s venture into racing wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of his friends and family members.
Interestingly, many of his closest friends come from a cricketing background, but together they would embark on a new sporting journey in racing under the Boost High Octane Racing Team.
Luis is extending deepest gratitude to his core team: Vishal Saywack, Dave Prashad, and Shazed Khan, whose support would be instrumental as he takes on the track in 2025. As a team, they are preparing to leave their mark on Guyana’s motorsport history.
Luis Kumar’s journey into the exciting world of motorsports has just begun. He has gone from photography to karting; from marketing expert to GMR&SC executive; and now he is preparing to have his grand entrance in motorsports as a race car driver. His passion, dedication, and vision for motorsport in Guyana continue to inspire the next generation of racers, proving that dreams can become reality with hard work and determination.
Bissoondyal Singh has been re-elected GCB President
A look at the new GCB Executive
From left are Dave, Luis & Vishal with the Toyota Vitz
Luis Kumar
From the hospital bed to a football scholarship in Brazil is unbelievable –
Raydon Krammer, the young defender from Kamarang
The 18-yearold Raydon Krammer from Warawatta, Kamarang Village, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), being seriously ill in 2022, was advised to take a break from football for at least two years. He completely ignored that advice, and today he holds two Most Valuable Player (MVP) titles.
The young defender’s outstanding performance in the 5th Annual KFC Goodwill International Football Tournament has secured him a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to receive in Brazil training that would hone his skills and competence in the world’s most popular sport -- soccer.
Krammer’s elevation is a testament to hard work, discipline, and resilience both on and off the field.
His football career has not been an easy path, having encountered prob lems, both mental and physical, that led to him fearing he would no longer be able to play the game that he so loved, due to ill ness. He recalled being se riously ill, back in 2022, as his school team was prepar ing to travel to Georgetown to participate in the KFC tournament.
Having led the D.C. Caesar-Fox Secondary (Waramadong) to victory in the 2022 KFC tournament, and Chase’s Academy to another such championship in 2024, he has proven that perseverance and making the right decisions lead to greatness.
As he arrives in Brazil for training, he carries not just his personal dreams, but also the pride and hopes of his community.
“The selection for training in Brazil came as a surprise to me, but leading up to that, I worked really hard. When I heard I was selected, I was very happy…I couldn’t believe it,” young Krammer told Guyana Times Sport in a telephone conversation.
With the expectation that this opportunity would provide him with the necessary exposure to develop himself into a top-tier footballer, Krammer has said, “I want to experience the Brazilian style of playing football; because, as you know, they are one of the greatest teams in the world…I am upbeat and excited to start this new journey. I am very good in the air, and (am) also good at long balls and free kicks, so I expecting to enhance those skills…”
But as this talented young man embarks on a journey to make history, one has to ask how it all started. Born on June 15, 2006 in Kamarang, he started to kick football at the age of three, while attending the Kamarang Primary School. As he grew older, and while attending the D.C. Caesar-Fox Secondary School, his passion for the game intensified.
“I chose football because it is one of the most played sports in my community. It helps to build my confidence and also to strengthen my skills in the departments I am weak in…it also helps me to reduce stress…,” he disclosed.
His dream is to emulate his role model Christiano Ronaldo, who, like he is doing now, had struggled financially. He says that, like Ronaldo, his one goal is to become one of the best footballers in the world.
“He is my role model…apart from being one of the best in the world, he has assisted and continues to help a lot of people, especially children and the less fortunate…One day, I would like to be (like) him, to give back to my community and country…He is my football icon,” Krammer, the product of Kamarang, has said.
Determined to pursue his dream, Krammer migrated to Georgetown after writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, and got enrolled at Chase’s Academic Foundation, where he is presently preparing to write the
Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
Moving to Georgetown mean he had to adopt a different lifestyle, as he had no family members to turn to; but being ready for the challenge and a new beginning, he was able to rent a small apartment with the financial backing of his parents.
He diligently pursued his studies while playing high-quality football. Balancing studies and training, he explained, was a walk in the park for him, although it takes a lot of discipline, perseverance and commitment.
“Balancing study and training (was) not hard. Once you make up your mind to the game, it comes in automatic. I would wake up and study from 4:00h to 5:00h daily, and then start training from 5:00h–5:30h…,” he explained.
“Same thing in the afternoons: I go to classes all day, and around 16:30h- 17:00h, I attend training… It is not hard to balance the two; you just have to make up your mind,” he detailed.
Reflecting on his most competitive match, Krammer detailed that despite playing against scores of local teams, both in his village and in Georgetown, and teams from Suriname and Trinidad, he would rate the clash with the Jamaican team is 2023 as perhaps the toughest.
“The Jamaicans were swift. They were more skillful than us because the standard of football in that country is higher than us; so, it was competitive,” he recalled.
Nevertheless, he related that, once there is team effort, any competitor can be conquered, no matter the circumstance.
“Playing as a team is very important… if you don’t play as a team, there will be a lot of conflicts and inhouse fighting. Playing as a team is all about the camaraderie and love among the players. We tend to push each other, whether (in) theory or practical. We motivate and encourage each other to be the best we can be, and that can erase all fears of competition,” he explained.
As obtains in any sport, players often get nervous and anxious; and for Krammer, it is no different.
“I remember my first match, when I was part of my home team playing in the Open Male competition in my village. I was so nervous and so scared at that time. I was 14, and playing with some big boys and men; but it was a learning process… After some time into the game, my anxiety went away; and so is the same in my other matches: the nervousness, fear, everything gradually disappears. After all my games, I feel accomplished knowing that I have played my best,” he disclosed.
“I couldn’t breathe properly, and I was in the hospital for a week on sa line and other medica tions. And it was that time the doctor told me that I won’t be able to play football for the next one and half year or two years…I insisted that I must play. I was the captain, and I felt as if I was letting down my team; so, I had to play,” he reminisced. He believes that his decision to play was God’s way of telling him that better days were ahead. He emerged from that tournament as the adjudged MVP. In fact, his team was unbeatable in the competition, and ended the tournament without conceding a single goal to any challenger.
“I couldn’t have wished for anything more, other than winning that tournament and beating the Trinidadians in the finals…From the hospital bed to winning the tournament was indeed magical,” he declared.
Despite all his success thus far, he is not certain about the future, but remains optimistic of playing professional football in Europe or Brazil.
“In another few years, I see myself playing for an international team…I would love to play professional football in Europe or in Brazil…I would be so happy if that becomes a reality… it will not only make my family proud, but also my community and Guyana as a whole,” he declared.
In taking that dream a step closer to reality, the young man intends to capitalize on every minute of training in Brazil.
“It is time for me to impress the trainers and do my best…put my best foot forward, and at the same time have some fun doing it,” he confided.
He confessed that it would not have been possible for him to undertake the trip to Brazil without the influence of the Petra Organization, sponsors of the trip, and more so his school, Chase’s Academic Foundation. Moreover, he is expressing deep gratitude to his family for believing in him and his potential. He says he remains indebted to the abovenamed for giving him the opportunity to better his skills.
His advice to other young footballers is to keep working hard and keep praying for what they want to accomplish in life.
“Your dreams will come true… It won’t come right away, but once you keep working and pushing yourself, you are going to make it someday. I have waited so long for this opportunity, and it is finally here. I was patient, and with God’s guidance, everything is possible,” the young Krammer has said.
Further, he has disclosed that, apart from playing football, he loves reading, playing volleyball, exploring nature, and helping his parents in the farm whenever he visits. His favourite colour is dark blue, and if he can have pepperpot and cassava bread three times a day, his culinary dreams would have come true.
A word to all the secret admirers out there: Raydon Krammer, the young defender from Kamarang Village, has already been taken.
Raydon Krammer receiving his MVP award from Talent Scout Narada Wilson
Raydon Krammer has begun his stint in Brazil
Raydon Krammer prior to his departure for Brazil
Raydon Krammer in action
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