As part of a Cabinet Outreach on Thursday, ministers fanned out across the Soesdyke–Linden Highway and engaged residents on the development priorities for their communities. Joined by advisors and Members of Parliament, ministers met with residents of Waikabra, Ideal Road, Hararuni, Yarakabra North and South, Kuru Kururu, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Laluni, Long Creek, Hill Foot, Swan, Circuit Ville, Kairuni and Dora (OP photos) - CANU Director says as Guyana joins growing list of Caribbean nations to crackdown on emerging drug threats - reaffirms zero-tolerance policy on corruption - ANUG Chairman says as extradition looms; points to parliamentary picks’ lack of competence
CIUG hosts film festival honouring Chinese heritage, global peace
SINCE the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Guyana (CIUG) in 2014, the tertiary institution has been in close association with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Both institutions have shared several celebrations, occasions and activities since then. One such event is the Chinese Film Festival, hosted by the University of Guyana (UG) and the Chinese Embassy.
The festival, which ended on Thursday, promised two days of cultural exploration, thought-provoking films, and a celebration of Chinese heritage and global peace, all
under the theme: ‘Preserving Historical Memory and Upholding World Peace’. This was held in the Education Lecture Theatre, at UG’s Turkeyen Campus.
Some of the films shown included Eight Hundred, My Country My Parents, The Sinking of the Lisbon Marn, Cliff Walkers, and Hundred Regiments Campaign.
The showing of these films was a symbol of preserving historical memory, and upholding world peace.
According to the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, the films were curated carefully to showcase this aspect of history of the Peo-
ple’s Republic of China, their struggle as a country, and the future of peace between China and the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana, Yang Yang said it is hoped that these stories and the themes serve as a bridge connecting Guyanese with the people of China.
Reflecting on the monumental 80th Anniversary of victory in the Chinese Civil War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression the World Anti-fascist War, Ambassador Yang said it lasted for 14 years. It began as a local conflict and soon spread across nations, making it the longest and one of the earliest struggles in the global fight.
From 1931 to Japan's unconditional surrender in 1945, China suffered immense losses, with over 35 million military and civilian casualties, and economic damages totaling US$500 billion.
Under the banner of the United Front Against the Japanese Aggression Initiative, and forged by the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people at home and abroad fought in unity and with bloodshed, completely shattered the Japanese aggressors' plan to conquer China in three months. The Chinese were able to wipe out more than 1.5 million Japanese troops and played a decisive role in the Allied Forces' victory over the Japanese aggressors.
“This hard-won victory was not only vital for China's survival. It came at an immense cost, and increasingly supported allied efforts on other fronts, making it a pivotal contribution to the victory of the world's anti-fascist people,” the Ambassador said.
According to Ambassador Yang, eighty years ago, when peace, justice and freedom rose to their own challenges, people of countries across the world rose up, and together we defeated the forces of fascism, ensuring that justice, light and progress triumphed.
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Guyana Yang Yang
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin (CIUG photos)
Soesdyke-Linden Highway residents get direct answers to questions
- as gov’t ramps up community engagements
COMMUNITIES along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway are set to benefit from housing support, health and agricultural initiatives, and infrastructure development following a series of direct engagements with over a dozen ministers, who also pledged to address community issues.
On Thursday, government ministers reaffirmed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s commitment to inclusive development to hundreds of residents while also listening to their voices.
During separate outreaches, the ministers emphasised that these interactions are vital to ensuring that government policies and programmes remain people-centred and responsive to the needs of citizens.
The series of engagements saw residents raising key issues such as infrastructure upgrades, drainage, waste management, and road safety. Government ministers assured citizens that these matters will be addressed collaboratively through the relevant agencies.
Banakari and Tiger Bone residents were directly engaged on the government’s vision for agricultural and infrastructural development in the region, and across the country, over the next five years
and were assured that they can expect accelerated development in every sector, building on the tremendous progress made from 2020 to 2025.
Within this new term, the government will focus heavily on expanding agriculture, modernising infrastructure, and empowering small-scale farmers.
A key part of the government’s agriculture vision includes bringing an additional 100,000 acres under cultivation over the next five years.
Hundreds of residents will see the building out of state-of-the-art facilities and in agriculture, modern methods, which include the introduction of hydroponics and other modern farming techniques to increase productivity and sustainability.
To support this transition, the government is moving forward with the creation of an interest-free development bank. This initiative will help smallscale farmers access affordable financing to expand their operations, especially those who have struggled to secure funding through traditional financial institutions.
Residents were urged to take full advantage of the opportunities coming their way, as Guyana continues to transform its agricultural sector and rural economy.
Adding to this, in other engagements, such as in Waiakabra, located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, citizens raised key community concerns, including issues related to land ownership documentation, the need for improved recreational spaces, road construction, and speeding trucks posing safety risks to residents.
It was also reported that the tender for the main access road has already been issued, with contract award expected soon through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Additionally, eleven other roads within the community have been identified for upgrades.
In addressing the safety issue, there has been commitment to residents to ensure the police take steps to curb speeding truckers.
On the issue of land ownership, residents were told that this has to be addressed through the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).
A new housing programme for vulnerable communities, which provides grants and other financial support to help families repair or upgrade their homes were related to the residents.
Residents of other communities were also made aware of digitisation
of systems across all other sectors, including the housing ministry.
Residents of Hill Foot, during one of the engagements, raised concerns regarding garbage collection and disposal, poor drainage, among other issues during the rainy season. They also expressed the need for a recreational facility within the area.
They were assured that these issues will be dealt with in collaboration with the relevant ministries.
Further, residents were told that tenders will soon be issued for the second phase of works and a new alignment that will create a faster route to Georgetown, signalling ongoing infrastructural upgrades along the corridor.
Meanwhile, residents of Ideal Road, Waiakabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway were provided guidance and updates on upcoming works to be undertaken in the area.
Additionally, those residing in Kairuni, Linden-Soesdyke Highway presented recommendations to enhance their community.
The government has promised to address those issues.
Residents at the Swan Community Centre were engaged on their development priorities.
Further, those residing in Dora Village wel-
comed the opportunity to share their concerns and access a range of social services, including public assistance, permanent disability benefits, domestic violence support, and childcare services, among others.
Thursday’s outreaches saw engagements with over a dozen communities and formed part of the government’s major effort to continue community engagements and development planning.
The outreaches ran from 14:30 hrs to 17:30 hrs and saw ministers fanning out along the highway corridor to meet residents, listen to their concerns and discus sing the government’s ongoing and future plans for development in the area.
The ministers that were on those outreaches are: Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat; Minister within the Office Of The Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, Minister Of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues; Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn; Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill; Minis -
ter of Housing, Collin Croal; Minister within the Ministry Of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs; Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond; Minister within the Ministry of Local Government And Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai; Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony; Minister of Local Government And Regional Development, Priya Manickchand; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne; Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon; Minister of Public Utilities And Aviation, Deodat Indar; Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall; Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith; Minister of Education, Sonia Parag; Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally; Minister Within The Ministry Of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj; Minister of Human Services And Social Secu rity, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha.
Some scenes from the various outreaches conducted on Thursday by government ministers (Photos: President Irfaan Ali/Facebook)
New York Attorney General Letitia James criminally indicted
NEW York Attorney General Letitia James has been criminally indicted on federal charges by a grand jury.
James, who led a civil-fraud investigation against Trump in 2023, was indicted on charges of bank fraud in Alexandria, Virginia, according to court documents.
Prosecutors accuse James of making false statements to a bank regarding a mortgage loan for a house in Norfolk, Virginia, the documents state. The BBC has contacted James' office for comment.
In a statement, the
US prosecutor assigned to the case, Lindsey Halligan, said "no one is above the law."
"The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public's trust," she said. "The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served."
Trump appointed Halligan, his former personal attorney, to oversee the case after another US prosecutor, Erik Siebert, resigned. Siebert was reportedly ousted after he told the Justice Department, he
had not found sufficient evidence to charge James.
The Justice Department has been investigating James for mortgage fraud, alleging she falsified bank and property records to receive better loan agreements, an administration official told the BBC.
Officials with the Federal Housing Finance Agency accused James of claiming a property in Norfolk, Virginia, as her primary residence in 2023 -- when she was the top New York prosecutor -- to secure a lower interest rate on a loan.
Mortgages for pri -
mary residences typically come with better terms. James said she had made a mistake with the form and later sent an email to the bank stating that it was not her primary residence.
Trump last month called on US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who leads the Justice Department, in a social media post to prosecute his political opponents, including James.
"We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility," he wrote.
James was one of several Trump adversaries named in that post. He also called on Bondi to investigate former FBI Director James Comey, who pleaded not guilty on Wednesday after being charged with making a false statement to Congress.
The Justice Department has also reportedly opened investigations into Trump's ex-national security adviser John Bolton and California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.
In the civil-fraud case brought by James, Trump was found liable of falsifying records to secure better loan deals, leading to a $500m (£375m) fine. The penalty was thrown out by an appeals court, which called the fine excessive, though it upheld that Trump was liable for fraud.
During the case, Trump would frequently attack James outside of the courtroom, accusing her of carrying out a "political witch hunt" against him. James said the courts had ruled that Trump was "not above the law."
(BBC)
New York Attorney General Letitia James
Launch of ‘National Early Warning System’ to serve as ‘national safeguard’
- CANU Director says as Guyana joins growing list of Caribbean nations to crackdown on emerging drug threats
GUYANA has officially launched its National Early Warning System (EWS) adding itself to the growing list of Caribbean nations that are taking firm action against new and emerging drug threats.
The system was created in adherence to global standards and will allow for quick detection and response to new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other evolving drug threats.
The system will unite authorities under a single network and prevent harmful substances from spreading rapidly while reinforcing Guyana’s public health and security systems.
Head of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) James Singh explained that the EWS forms part of Guyana’s larger commitment to public safety by promoting better coordination, scientific integration, and proactive decision-making.
Singh said: “When a new drug or when a new dangerous substance emerges whether it is on the streets, a lab or the hospital, the Early Warning System will ensure that that data is captured, verified and translated into actionable intelligence for all relevant stakeholders. This is not just about a technical development; it is a national safeguard and one that will save lives.”
Law enforcement agencies, health and forensic bodies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, will be able to use the single network to connect in real time and detect emerging drug threats while sharing information and taking preventive action.
Singh also stated: “No single agency can deal with this alone, it takes a coordinated effort. But it is also to enhance public safety and integrate scientific data into policy and operational decisions.”
The system was created with guidance from the Inter-American Drug Abuse Con-
trol Commission (CICAD), a body of the Organization of American States (OAS).
Stakeholders also highlighted the troubling trend of the region’s drug trade evolving rapidly with traditional drugs like cocaine and marijuana remaining in circulation and synthetic and psychoactive drugs surfacing. The latter are usually disguised as herbal mixtures, candy and vaping products.
Powerful opioids such as fentanyl have already caused severe consequences across
OAS nations, including North America, a specialist from CICAD Pernell Clarke noted.
As he underscored the serious nature of these drugs, he highlighted incidents of overdose, toxic events and deaths which reached alarming levels in the US and caused significant issues in Canada.
For Latin America and the Caribbean, these occurrences should serve as serious warnings, especially given the implications of the emerging drug threats, he explained.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Narine Singh hailed the launch as a critical step in protecting public health, given the health risks associated with drugs. He emphasised that drug misuse is not just a medical problem but a social one that is af-
fecting families and communities across the country.
With traditional drugs now frequently combined with synthetic compounds, Dr. Singh said, the dangers are becoming more complex and harder to manage.
Stakeholders present at Guyana’s launch of the National Early Warning System which aims to firm action against new and emerging drug threats
Digital Shift
GUYANA is on the cusp of a sweeping digital transformation. Within weeks, the government will begin the distribution of electronic identification cards, setting in motion a system that promises to redefine how citizens interact with both the state and the private sector.
The initiative, as outlined by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, is not merely about new ID cards, it represents the foundation of a comprehensive strategy to modernise governance, strengthen national security, and create a more efficient service delivery system.
The potential is undeniable. A tamper-proof digital
ID, biometric-based verification, and decentralised service centres could eliminate some of the most frustrating inefficiencies that citizens face daily: long queues for passports, delays in securing health records, and endless trips to Georgetown to access essential services.
Already, the establishment of electronic health records at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the pilot online appointment system at the Festival City Polyclinic point toward a future where patients spend less time waiting and more time receiving care.
The government’s wider agenda is equally ambitious. Plans to digitise ev -
ery government service by mid-2026, create an online passport application portal, and issue e-passports aligned with international aviation standards will not only save time but also enhance Guyana’s global standing.
The appointment of a Chief Technology Officer to oversee the process, backed by the National Data Management Authority, signals a seriousness of intent and an understanding that this transformation requires strong technical leadership.
Yet, as with all revolutions—digital or otherwise— execution will be the true test. The move to a digital society brings with it real challenges.
Data privacy and cybersecurity must be non-negotiable priorities. Citizens need assurance that their personal information will not be misused, mishandled, or compromised.
Too often, governments globally have faltered not in ambition but in implementation, leaving citizens frustrated and distrustful of systems meant to empower them.
Equally important is inclusivity. While digital services offer convenience, Guyana must ensure that no citizen, particularly those in remote hinterland regions or those without reliable internet access, is left behind.
Building service centres in every region is a step in
the right direction, but public education and awareness campaigns must be sustained to build confidence among citizens unfamiliar with technology.
The digital shift also has economic implications. By creating a framework for fintech growth and encouraging wider banking access, the initiative could expand financial inclusion and stimulate private-sector innovation.
But it also places responsibility on regulators to keep pace with technological advances to protect consumers and maintain transparency.
President Ali has framed this transformation as a bold leap into a modern digital economy. If implemented
with care, it has the power to redefine governance and improve the everyday lives of citizens, from faster access to documents to better healthcare delivery.
But if mishandled, it risks becoming another layer of bureaucracy cloaked in modern technology.
Guyana’s digital future is here. The question now is whether it will be a tool of empowerment and efficiency, or whether gaps in planning, security, and inclusivity will limit its potential.
Citizens deserve nothing less than a digital system that is secure, accessible, and truly transformative.
A most merited recognition
Dear Editor,
THERE are myriad reasons why Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s legacy should be tangibly lauded and that the masterpiece of Guyana’s infrastructural achievement should be aptly named: the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge.
This great visionary leader not only served as the President of Guyana from 1997 to 2011, but he also held a number of global leadership positions in the areas of sustainable development, green growth and climate change and performed these with distinction.
In fact, Time Magazine named him as one of their Heroes of the Environment in 2008 and in 2010 he was awarded the United Nations Champion of the Earth award and was asked by the Secretary General to serve
on his High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Financing. These are just a few of the plethora of international accolades he received.
It was during Dr Jagdeo’s tenure as President that he initiated major economic and social reforms which saw Guyana undergoing strong and sustainable socioeconomic growth.
External debts were reduced by more than 50% and the reserves tripled. All the sectors saw unprecedented growth, as the country moved to a high-income country.
Today, having successfully ensured the removal of the cancerous Coalition Government, Guyana is now classified as a high-income country. Guyanese were enjoying a higher standard of living than ever before and Guyanese started to enjoy vacations abroad. Guyanese have much more to
be grateful for to this great statesman and patriot.
His fight for Guyana’s freedom from 2015 to 2020 from the tentacles of the APNU+AFC Coalition was remarkable, and will always be forever indelibly etched in the memory of every freedom-loving Guyanese, both at home and abroad.
The Coalition embarked on the continuation of the PNC’s dictatorial rule as soon as they were sworn in after the 2015 General and Regional Elections, and immediately Dr Jagdeo rose to accept the gauntlet to rid the nation of this scourge.
He had foreseen the destruction of the country under the rechristened PNC and on August 17, 2015, he was sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. The fight had begun in real earnest to save Guyana from another PNC dictatorship; and saved
the country he did.
Moreover, the PPP/C saw the dire need for new leadership to accomplish the Herculean task at hand to slay the Lernaean Hydra which breathed poison across this land. Dr Jagdeo was elected as the General Secretary and as the saying goes-- the rest is history.
He diligently and determinedly spent all his energy on a daily basis to expose the corruption, cronyism, mismanagement, squandermania and the multitudes of egregious wrongdoings the Coalition unleashed on all Guyanese.
His weekly press conferences hammered irretrievable spikes into the coffin of the Coalition, which culminated with the passing of the successful No Confidence Motion in December 2018 and which was upheld by the CCJ as legally valid after lengthy, costly, spurious
and vexatious litigations by the Coalition.
However, this was just the beginning of the battle and the desperation of the Coalition to hold on to the reins of government began to gain momentum.
After an inordinately long delay, General and Regional Elections were held on March 2, 2020 and despite winning a majority, the PPP/C had to endure many attempts by the APNU+AFC to swear in Granger as the President, based on a fraudulent tabulation of Region Four which was rejected again. Again, Dr Jagdeo led the charge to stop these illegalities.
There were many attempts to perpetrate electoral fraud but at each and every turn, Dr Jagdeo ensured the failure of these attempts by seeking local and international interventions as well as legal alternatives.
This man is a true patriot and fighter who is always relentless in his pursuit of good for his people. He is indefatigable and until now he continues to serve our country as the true champion of the people, ensuring that the people are not fooled by false promises as in 2015. It is an open secret that the opposition parties are deathly afraid of his sharp, unmatchable acumen, hence some distasteful and unmeritorious criticisms. His statesmanship, his vision, his love for the Guyanese people and his country is unmatchable; thus, naming the bridge ‘ The Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge,’ is just a small token to honour this great man. A great man must be honoured whilst he is alive, not posthumously.
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
Clear systems in place for efficient management of National Breakfast Programme
Dear Editor,
THE National Breakfast Programme welcomes public scrutiny, as this initiative is funded by the people of Guyana and exists to serve our nation’s children.
However, in responding to recent commentaries, it is important to separate isolated incidents from systemic realities, and to ensure that the facts of how the programme operates are accurately reflected.
The suggestion that all schools along the East Coast are experiencing wide disparities in meals creates an impression that every one of the 31 schools has been inspected and found wanting. This is not a conclusion that is supported by the facts.
While unfortunate incidents may have occurred at one or two schools, it is both inaccurate and unfair to generalise these isolated experiences across the entire corridor. The verification records and field logs maintained by the programme do not reflect widespread disparities as claimed.
Equally troubling is the assertion that caterers submit invoices for individual items such as a pastry cut in half at full price. That claim is wholly untrue, as the modality of the Breakfast Programme supports no such process.
Every caterer is paid a fixed cost per breakfast, inclusive of juice.
Access to payment is strictly dependent on the submission of a fortnightly Dietary Tracker Sheet, stamped and signed by the head teacher of the school.
This sheet certifies the number of meals delivered, the time of delivery, and whether the meals meet the required standard. No tracker, no
payment. It is a system built on verification, not speculation.
At the programme’s relaunch in 2022, a single standardised menu was piloted. The lesson quickly learned was that Guyana’s communities differ in supply cycles, day-to-day availability, and cultural (dietary) preferences. In some areas, staple items could not be procured consistently, and rigid menus risked leaving students dissatisfied or meals undelivered.
To address this, schools now prepare customised menus guided by a master list developed with nutritionists and the Carnegie School of Home Economics and agreed to by the head teacher.
This ensures that meals are nutritious, culturally appropriate, and within the fixed cost per meal, while also taking into account what students will actually eat.
Oversight of the programme is layered and constant. Teachers and head teachers have the authority to accept or reject meals on delivery, with their decision recorded on the tracker sheet.
Head teachers and teachers are also provided with a daily breakfast, serving as a built-in mechanism of tasting and quality control, thereby ensuring that the meals presented to students are identical in quality and content to those received by staff.
On the East Coast, two dedicated field officers visit schools monthly, engage directly with students and staff, and monitor caterer compliance. Caterers’ kitchens are inspected without notice each term, and all caterers must maintain valid Food Handler’s Certificates monitored by sanitary officers.
In addition, every school displays QR codes and hotline numbers so that parents can submit complaints or feedback directly t o the secretariat. At a scale of over 51,000 meals daily, challenges will arise, but the mechanisms are there to identify and address them quickly.
The programme is also one of Guyana’s community-based employment initiatives, supporting more than 388 caterers, 95 percent of whom are women.
Importantly, when the current administration restructured and expanded the programme, it did not discard those who had worked in the earlier 5B pilot for the East Coast, launched under the (previous administration) APNU+AFC government.
Instead, those East Coast caterers were brought forward into the new system, ensuring continuity and fairness, while also opening opportunities through publicly advertised vacancies for new applicants.
This balance has allowed experienced caterers to continue serving, while widening participa-
tion to others, strengthening both livelihoods and community trust.
Since its expansion from 11,000 beneficiaries in 2022 to more than 51,000 today, the National Breakfast Programme has had an undeniable impact on school attendance, classroom concentration, and community
employment. We remain committed to transparency, equity, and accountability, and we welcome constructive feedback that helps us to improve.
In fact, I also warmly invite Ms Shania to list the isolated schools she believes to be affected to our WhatsApp Support Desk at 707-1199,
so that we may directly investigate and address the concerns in the best interest of our students and in the genuineness of our desire to always do better.
Sincerely,
Mahendra Phagwah Coordinator, National Breakfast Programme
Leonard Craig, Mike Mc Cormack, Stabroek News and…
I HAVE thousands and thousands of articles to prove the accusations I have made in my columns since 2020 and decades ago, so I am consistent in my condemnation of the political and social aberrations in Guyana.
I have been a critic of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) for its non-service to Guyana for more than 20 years now, the same amount of years I have exposed the Stabroek News for politicised journalism and unmitigated bias.
On the live call-in programme of the Freddie Kissoon Show two weeks ago, there were many complaints about the shortcomings of the NIS. Co-host, Leonard Craig, undertook to collect the complaints with names and intervene with the NIS. On last Monday’s programme, Craig gave an account of his efforts.
He announced that 25 persons had their matters solved by the NIS with only five remaining to be sorted out. On the show, he read out the names of
those five persons and asked that they contact him on air. One did. Craig is an individual who acted on his own. He has no office. He used his own money in his investigations.
Contrast Craig’s endeavours with the work of the GHRA. This body has an office off Brickdam, and is funded by international donors and Western embassies in Guyana; last year the GHRA got funding from the UK High Commission. No one in Guyana knows what work the GHRA does. No one
complains to the GHRA about their plight.
I lectured at UG for 26 consistent years and in those two and a half decades, UG was the worst university in the world in terms of violation of the rights of students and staff (it probably still is and I will touch on that shortly).
Those students and staff had only one avenue to channel their grievances – the media. For decades, the letter sections of all the four dailies published some heart-breaking stories about crass administra-
tion at UG.
The GHRA never lifted a finger to help those helpless people in all the decades UG was violating their rights.
The GHRA does not investigate human rights violations. If it does, Guyanese do not know.
The GHRA has an intimate relation with the SN, so the SN would publish the GHRA’s track record, but the GHRA never tells Guyana what it has done and is doing in Guyana. It does not make public anything it does -- except issue press releases criticising the government.
The only time this nation hears about the GHRA is when the SN carries its periodic press releases on its front page. What the Leonard Craig NIS effort has exposed is the moral bankruptcy in certain sections of this nation.
Since 1979, there is a private human rights entity right here in Guyana and it does absolutely nothing to help the helpless and the violated. But you do not read or see any chastisement from the people who are obsessed with bad-mouthing an elected, democratic government.
Go to the letter section of the online edition of the SN, and the anti-PPP comments on the letters demonising the government, make you sick. These people before they go to bed at night, look under their beds to see if Irfaan Ali is there. When they wake up in the morning, they look under their bed to see if Irfaan Ali is there.
They have no moral decency to at least pub-
lish one word, just one word on the non-existence of the GHRA. They have no moral threads in their DNA to print at least one paragraph asking the SN how it could give so much coverage to an organisation, which Guyanese do not know about and an organisation that does not do any human rights work in the country.
And of course, it will not stop. The SN bloggers, the SN itself and the GHRA do not recognise that just over a month ago we had an election and the incumbent won and the incumbent won because voters did not think the government was a dictatorship.
Read the comments on the online edition of SN, read the editorials of SN and check the periodic press releases of the GHRA as the months wear on and there will be no recognition that Guyana has a democratic government. It is left on individuals like Craig to do what the GHRA should have been doing. The EU embassy has a new ambassador. When his predecessor arrived in Guyana, a mere six months after he bestowed the embassy’s Human Rights Award on the Stabroek News. Maybe this new envoy will give it again to Stabroek News. And the circus will go on.
DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Dr. Singh welcomes UK’s enhanced £3B financing capacity
- as strong vote of confidence in Guyana’s economy
SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, has welcomed the United Kingdom Export Finance's (UKEF) decision to increase its financing capacity for Guyana from £2.1 billion to £3 billion.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Finance, the minister hailed the significant increase as a powerful signal of the UK’s strong and growing confidence in Guyana’s robust economic trajectory.
This announcement follows a recent high-level meeting between President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and a visiting dele-
gation that included representatives from UKEF and His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jonathan Knott.
The enhanced support from UKEF is expected to assist in ramping up development in priority sectors identified by the Government of Guyana over the next five years. Guyana’s private sector is also expected to benefit from additional financing to expand their operations and form strategic partnership with British companies.
Minister Singh expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Guyana, to the UK Government for
their support over the years, which has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between the two nations, as Guyana continues to accelerate its development and solidify its position as a leading investment hub in the Region.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, has welcomed the United Kingdom Export Finance’s (UKEF) decision to increase its financing capacity for Guyana from £2.1 billion to £3 billion
THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has announced that it is treating the recent allegations of bribery and extortion involving overweight baggage fees for Caribbean Airlines (CAL) passengers with the utmost seriousness.
In an official statement on Thursday, the airport said it is working closely with the airline and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the claims made by a Caribbean Airlines passenger.
CJIA reminded the travelling public that all official payments, including those for overweight baggage, must be made directly to the airline through approved channels, and that an official receipt must
always be issued.
“No payment should ever be made to any individual officer or staff member,” the statement emphasised.
The airport also encouraged passengers to report any instances or suspicions of bribery or corruption immediately to the nearest
police station, CJIA security, or through the following contacts: Email: cjiac@ cjairport-gy.com, or phone: +592-699-9074.
The airport highlighted the positive record of its security unit over the past nine months, noting that the team has recovered and returned numerous items
stance on corruption, we remain focused on transparency, accountability, and service excellence in every aspect of our work.”
The CJIA’s statement follows a recent extortion allegation against police ranks stationed at the airport, which prompted swift action from the Government of Guyana.
to passengers, including 80 laptops, 32 mobile phones, 106 pieces of luggage and carry-ons, 15 travel documents, 30 electronic devices, and cash.
Public Relations Officer Shunza Samuels said the success of the Security Unit demonstrates the airport’s commitment to integrity.
“The success of this Unit is a direct reflection of the professionalism and integrity we uphold,” Samuels stated, adding: “As we reaffirm our zero-tolerance
Effective September 29, 2025, all law enforcement officers assigned to the country’s ports of entry, including airports and border points, are now required to wear body cameras.
The directive was issued in direct response to the CJIA incident. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) confirmed that CCTV footage and other evidence support claims that police ranks demanded money from a passenger to release her lawful items.
The officers implicated
in the alleged extortion have since been placed under close arrest, and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched a full investigation.
The GPF, in its own statement, reiterated a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, warning that any officer found guilty of extortion or bribery will face the full force of the law.
The Force also reminded travellers that no payments are required to clear lawful items through the CJIA or any other port of entry, and urged the public to report any requests for money immediately to police authorities.
CJIA’s latest statement reinforces that position, underscoring the airport’s commitment to transparency, and its cooperation with law enforcement as investigations continue.
The Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, East Bank Demerara
Immigration ranks wearing body cameras
Education Ministry honours 62 schools for compliance excellence
THE Ministry of Education, through its National Education Inspectorate Unit, hosted the inaugural Compliance Award Ceremony on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, in the auditorium of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
The event celebrated 62 schools from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and Georgetown that achieved compliance under the School Leadership and Management (Part One) standards for the 2024–2025 academic year.
These schools were recognised for meeting key criteria in leadership, governance, and accountability in the school environment.
Over the course of the academic year, the Inspectorate Unit conducted visits to 328 schools nationwide.
Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) emerged as the most compliant region, with 63 schools meeting the required standards. A separate ceremony will be held there to acknowledge their remarkable performance.
Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration) Ms. Tiffany Harvey praised the honourees for their commitment to upholding the Ministry’s standards of excellence.
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Education Officer (Inspectorate) Ms. Renita Barnes lauded the dedication of educators and administrators who worked diligently to strengthen their schools’ operational systems.
“This initiative reflects our shared mission of ensuring every school is well-managed, well-led, and focused on results,” Ms. Barnes noted, adding: “We are not only measuring compliance; we are fostering growth and accountability across the education sector.”
Delivering key remarks, Director of NCERD Ms. Oma Ramdin emphasised the broader importance of compliance in advancing national education priorities.
“When schools function efficiently and meet the standards set out by the Ministry, they create a foundation for in-
novation and excellence,” Ms. Ramdin stated, noting: “The progress we are seeing is a testament to what can be achieved through strong leadership and teamwork.”
The following are the schools that were recognised:
REGION THREE:
• L’Aventure Secondary
• La Retraite Primary
• Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary
• La Grange Nursery
• New Annlegt Nursery
• La Parfaite Harmonie Nursery
• La Parfaite Harmonie Primary
• Parika Salem Primary
• Patentia Nursery
• Patentia Primary
• Vergenoegen Nursery
• Versailles Nursery
• Vreed-en-Hoop Nursery
• Bagotville Primary
• Good Fortuin Primary
• La Grange Primary
• Malgre Tout Primary
• Nismes Secondary
• Windsor Forest Primary
• Philadelphia Primary
• Leguan Secondary
• Blankenburg Primary
• Zeelugt Nursery
• Shirley Merle Field-Ridley Nursery
• Hague Primary
• St. Lawrence Primary
REGION FOUR:
• Diamond Nursery
• Diamond #2 Nursery
• Prospect Nursery
• Mon Repos Nursery
• Vryheid’s Lust Nursery
• Lusignan Nursery
• Better Hope Nursery
• Chateau Margot Nursery
• Haslington Nursery
• Nabaclis Nursery
• Vryheid’s Lust South Nursery
• Hope Estate Nursery
• Hope Estate Primary
• Plaisance Primary
• Lusignan Primary
• Montrose Primary
• Company Road Primary
• LBI Primary
• Friendship/Buxton Primary
• Golden Grove Secondary
• LBI Secondary
REGION SIX:
• Goed Bananen Land Nursery
• Rose Hall Estate Primary
GEORGETOWN:
• Turkeyen Nursery
• North Georgetown Primary
REGION TEN:
• South Amelia’s Ward Nursery
• Mackenzie Primary
• Half Mile Nursery
• Amelia’s Ward Primary
• Regma Primary
• One Mile Primary
• Wismar Hill Primary
• Christianburg Primary
• St. Aidan’s Primary
• Pine Street Nursery
• West Watooka Nursery
The Ministry of Education extended congratulations to all the awardees, and reaffirms its commitment to building a
culture of accountability and excellence across Guyana’s education system.
The National Education Inspectorate Unit plays a key role in ensuring quality assurance and continuous improvement within the education sector.
By monitoring and assessing schools’ performance in leadership, management, and teaching standards, it helps strengthen the overall effectiveness of Guyana’s education system, ensuring that every child has access to a safe, well-managed, and high-performing learning environment. (Ministry of Education)
GGI, Recover Guyana, Ministry of Education launch ‘Project FLOW’
- 141 secondary schools, 10 TVET institutions, four special needs schools set to participate in national water purification, sustainability initiative
By Faith Greene
THE Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) has partnered with Recover Guyana and the Min-
istry of Education to launch its signature project, ‘Project FLOW’, a national water purification and sustainability initiative for students across Guyana.
The GGI is a US$100 million investment by the Stabroek Block Co-Venturers, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess
Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, to support capacity development, sustainable economic growth, and build prosperous communities in Guyana beyond investments in the oil-and- gas sector.
This historical project is being launched in 141 secondary schools, 10 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, and four Special Needs Schools across the country.
Project Flow is more than clean water; it is a national movement for health and sustainability, where innovation meets education, and each drop of purified water becomes a promise to students, communities, and Guyana’s future.
In March this year, Recover Guyana, with support from the Education Ministry and the GGI commissioned the pilot water purification system at the West Demerara Secondary School, a project that, within two months of opening, eliminated the use of 10,000 single-use plastic bottles.
A transformative change, the GGI built on that success to implement Project FLOW. It is the aim that by the end of 2029, this project will equip each of its target institutions across each region.
This initiative, according to Socioeconomic Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana, Mrs. Lorna Carlson, is a testament to the creativity of the youth to get out of their classrooms and seeing what is possible.
Project FLOW uses reverse osmosis to remove salts, metals and contaminants out of the purified water before it is stored and passed through a UV light to eliminate bacteria and viruses for an added layer of safety, then cooled and dispensed.
Keeping it fully energy-efficient, each system will be solar-powered, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions.
Regular quality assurance testing will be conducted by the laboratory, which will be GYS 170 standard certified, and in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
Recover Guyana’s co-founder and President, Dr.
Davindra Lalltoo expressed that this is a transformative effort that will touch the lives of over 50,000 students daily, eliminating approximately 25 million plastic water bottles, further aligning Guyana with the global call of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Low-Carbon Development Strategy 2030.
Dr. Lalltoo explained, “Flow will enable significant cost savings for schools; resources that can be redirected towards other high-impact initiatives within schools. Imagine that these schools can now reinvest into classrooms, learning materials, and expansion of student support service.”
“The potential for longterm educational impact is both powerful and promising. Flow will empower students, through their environmental clubs, to maintain and sustain these systems for years to come. By 2030, more than 1,500 students and teachers will be trained in environmental sustainability,” he added.
The project allows for job creation, education, and opportunities. Every installation creates local employment for carpenters, electricians, solar installers, and plumbers, while TVET students will gain handson experiences as interns, preparing them for future careers and skill development.
Continuing, ExxonMobil’s President Allistair Routledge said STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), is something that the Flow Project is founded on, and is fundamental to the future growth and prosperity of Guyana.
“The world is developing in technology. The world's economies are growing on a technological basis, and so, for Guyana to compete; to become a sustainable economy for the future, we need to grow science, technology, education, and maths capability in the country. Continue to enhance the curriculum, give more opportunity for students like those that are here today to be enthused about the possibilities, to be excited about what STEM education has to offer” Routledge declared.
From left: Mrs. Lorna Carlson, Socioeconomic Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana; co-founder and President of Recover Guyana, Dr. Davindra Lalltoo; ACEO Secondary at the Ministry of Education, Sherwyn Blackman; President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Allstair Routledge and GGI partner during the launch of Project FLOW
‘No great hope for WIN without Mohamed’
- ANUG Chairman says as extradition looms; points to parliamentary picks’ lack of competence to serve in the House
WITH We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Leader Azruddin Mohamed facing possible extradition to the United States on serious federal charges, Chairman of A New and United Guyana (ANUG)
Dr. Mark France has
admitted that the party may not survive his removal.
During an appearance on the ‘Freddie Kissoon Show’ on Wednesday, Dr. France opined that WIN is almost built entirely on Mohamed’s money and image.
Dr. France said: “Now, personally, I don't have great hope for WIN functioning without Mr. Mohamed; I don't see it happening. That is my honest opinion.”
A US federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida returned a true bill indictment against prominent sanctioned businessmen, Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin, charging them with multiple counts of wire fraud, gold smuggling and money laundering.
The case, which was entered into the court’s record on October 2, 2025, according to documents seen by the Guyana Chronicle, sketches a trail of gold smuggling and deceit that began in 2017, during the tenure of the APNU+AFC Coalition government, and allegedly ran for seven years, flowing from Georgetown to Miami, and from Dubai to California, through a system designed to evade taxes and enrich the persons behind it.
The indictment cites
several provisions of US law, including 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349, 1343, 1341, 2, 1956(h), 981(a)(1)(C), and 982(a)(1), which cover wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and forfeiture of assets linked to unlawful activity.
Coming out of the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, the WIN political outfit, formed by Azruddin Mohamed, managed to attract supporters of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to wipe them out as the main opposition and gain 16 seats in Guyana’s 65-seat parliament.
Dr. France, however, said the now majority opposition, WIN, has to play “catch up”.
“Because, of the 16 persons that are going to parliament, only three have parliamentary experience; three persons know the basic etiquette of parliament, much less what is it to submit a motion, what is it to be on a committee, what is it to go on the public accounts committee,” he said.
Dr. France also spoke about the WIN party reneging on their agreement signed earlier this year.
Previously, Leader of the WIN party, Azruddin Mohamed denied the claims, and stated that Nandranie Singh, who is the Region Four Representative, is an ANUG representative, and was extracted to take up a seat in Parliament.
But many questions still linger, including
whether the newcomer truly comes under the ANUG umbrella, and whether ANUG was supposed to get more than one seat.
Following the an -
nouncement of WIN’s assignment of the seats, former ANUG executive Althia King had accused WIN of betraying the terms of the agreement
between the two parties.
According to reports, King took to social media and noted that a draft of the proposed legally-binding contract be -
tween WIN and ANUG promised one parliamentary seat if WIN secured at least five seats, and two seats if it won 16 seats.
ANUG Chairman Dr. Mark France during his appearance on Wednesday on the ‘Freddie Kissoon Show’
Amerindian Affairs Ministry embarks on grassroots push for equal development nationwide
THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs states that it is committed to collaborating with Indigenous peoples to continue addressing the challenges their communities face.
The Director-General of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Sonia Latachman, told the ‘Starting Point Programme that her ministry intends to be a “beacon of on-the-ground leadership.”
Elaborating on what that means, Latchman said that the ministry’s leadership, including
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek, will be spending most of their time working on the ground in Amerindian villages and less time in their offices.
The Director General said her ministry will collaborate with community stakeholders to implement plans and policies that will positively impact the lives of indigenous peoples in Guyana during President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s second term Latchman noted that the team has already begun discussions on the rollout of her ministry’s strategy.
“We [have] already planned numerous trips. We’re going to go into the villages. We’re going to help people with various projects,” Latchman said.
“We are here to work for the indigenous peoples of Guyana, and definitely, I know there are a lot of expectations from us,” she noted.
Latchman reflected on the challenges she experienced growing up in Bethany, adding that they shaped her grassroots and inclusive approach.
Bethany has benefitted from $72 million in government support to execute major transformative projects, but so too have all 242 Amerindian villages in Guyana, she said.
“We have seen significant development and transformation taking place…We have done sustainable development…sanitary projects relating to health… We have done projects that will bring in revenue within our village, like guest houses, pontoons, because my village is a logging village,” she explained.
Latchman is also the Vice Chair of the National Toshaos Council
(NTC), and this has given her a front-row seat for the development projects taking place across the hinterland.
“That is what I think is the vision of our President and that is the vision of our Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo as well,” she said.
Latchman said she is committed to working for the Indigenous, Amerindian and hinterland communities and to ensure that no one and no village is left behind.
Latchman said that over the next five years, Guyanese can expect to see massive Amerindian development and more communities benefitting equally from government investments.
“This is about leadership from the grassroots level right up to the top. We will go out and work with you, our Amerindian brothers and sisters, for your development and forward movement,” she promised.
This year’s budget has earmarked a total of $7.2 billion for Amerindian and hinterland development. This sum is designated for various initiatives, including $5 billion for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) and Presidential Grants, which finance economic, agricultural, ecotourism, and infrastructural projects.
Another $1.5 billion will support the Community Service Officer (CSO) programme, benefitting over 2,700 Amerindian youth. Six hundred and fifty million dollars will be spent on advancing land titling and demarcation efforts for Amerindian lands. (DPI)
First Lady, Housing Ministers advance discussions on community enhancement
First Lady Arya Ali, on Wednesday met with Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn, on advancing the Georgetown Urban Development Framework and various communitydevelopment projects
FIRST Lady Arya Ali, on Wednesday met with Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn, to advance discussions on the Georgetown Urban Development Framework and various community-development projects.
According to information from the First Lady’s official Facebook page, the ministry has set an ambitious goal to deliver 40,000 homes over the next five years, emphasising not only housing but also the enhancement of supporting infrastructural and recreational facilities across the country.
In her statement,
the First Lady underscored the role of her office through the National Beautification Project, which will contribute significantly to creating more safe, modern, recreational spaces and improving the visual appeal of communities through scenic revitalisation efforts.
A key part of this collaboration includes an ongoing tree-planting campaign, supported by the Guyana Forestry Commission and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), aimed at fostering greener, healthier living environments for all Guyanese communities.
Gov’t officials fan out across
AS part of a Cabinet Outreach on Thursday, ministers fanned out across the Soesdyke–Linden Highway and of parliament, ministers met with residents of Waikabra, Ideal Road, Hararuni, Yarakabra North and South,
Soesdyke - Linden Highway
and engaged residents on the development priorities for their communities. Joined by advisors and members South, Kuru Kururu, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Laluni, Long Creek, Hill Foot, Swan, Circuit Ville, Kairuni and Dora
Stewartville man remanded for allegedly killing 15-year-old stepson
BALRAM Besses -
sar, called Navin, a 49-year-old labourer of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, has been remanded to prison over the fatal stabbing of his 15-year-old stepson, Sudesh Singh, called Joel.
Bessessar appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate Court before His Worship Magistrate Singh, where the charge was read to him.
Particulars of the charge allege that on October 3, 2025, at the family’s Stewartville home, Bessessar murdered the teen.
He was not required to plead to the capital offence and was remanded to prison until October 10.
Reports indicate that the teen lived with his 35-year-old unemployed mother, Roshanini Surujballi and
Bessessar in the lower flat of a two-storey wooden and concrete building.
According to investigators, the incident stemmed from an argument over a bicycle belonging to Bessessar.
The misunderstanding reportedly began after the teen used the bicycle and caused the chain to slip.
During the altercation, the stepfather allegedly ran into the kitchen, grabbed a cutlass and dealt several chops—about three— to the boy’s neck, causing him to collapse to the ground.
Bessessar then walked to the Leonora Police Station where he confessed to the crime. When the police arrived at the scene, they found Sudesh lying motionless under the house, face up and bleeding
the neck. A cutlass believed to be the murder weapon was recovered near the body.
from
Forty-nine year-old labourer of Stewartville (left) and the late Sudesh Singh
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karate and that is why we are focusing on introducing it to different communities and regions. We have cluster training going on in schools, we have branches in Linden and we have on the East Coast and East Bank we will continue this wide spread initiative; the more youths are involved the more we are able to impact their lives.”
Instructor and IKO Karate Academy official Wong says that they believe the initiative by the President can be a catalyst for the growth of sports at the grass root level.
She says they are pleased with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport’s support as they seek to get into every region.
“He (President Ali) understands the benefit of Martial Arts; he understands the disciplines that come from it and not just the physical and emotional aspect but the mental benefit of Karate.
The main aspect of getting it involved in schools is because we can help them with their cognatic development, the President in his discussion with us was basically highlighting that aspect of it, how can we get the youths more focused, more disciplined, creating well round individuals who can be leaders of our country.”
Wong says that continuous training done with physical education teachers has given them the manpower to execute this massive project.
“It is not an easy task; however, we have found a
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We have created a timetable that our instructors are going to be implementing, that is where the cluster training comes in because of the magnitude of the schools that are interested. We have 48 schools that are involved and in order to touch all, we did clusters.
That means we meet at one particular school and we have our instructors there and we break the schools up into groups and we teach them, that way we are able to touch all the students and give them the attention that is needed,” Wong said.
As of this month, structured cluster karate training was introduced across key regions, including to students from Hope Secondary, Annandale Secondary, Golden Grove Secondary, President’s College, and
Bygeval Secondary in Region 4; Abram Zuil Secondary, Aurora Secondary, Cotton Field Secondary, and Charity Secondary in Region 2; McKenzie High, Linden Foundation Secondary, Harmony Secondary, and New Silver City Secondary in Region 10; and North Ruimveldt Secondary along with other schools in Georgetown.
IKO- Academy Guyana is led by Sensei Jeffrey Wong who is also Vice-President of dojo development for the USA headquartered International Karate Organization.
Wong was part of a team that met with Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports Steven Jacobs this week to provide a update on the roll-out of the Karate in schools programme.
Republic Bank’s Secondary Schools football league launched
THE 2025 edition of the Republic Bank Schools Football League was on Thursday launched at the Bank’s headquarters at New Market Street.
The tournament is set to kick off on Sunday October 19th and features eight of the country’s top footballing teams battling it out until November 30th.
The winning team along with the second-placed side will earn the right to face teams from Suriname, Brazil, Jamaica and Trinidad in the KFC Goodwill International football series set for December.
The competition will also
serve to ready the top teams with ample matches for the December showpiece to be played also at the Ministry of Education ground.
Director of the Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca says that development of talent is dependent on sustained leagues that could properly harness the skills of the youngsters.
“Competition is a key element of sports and more so football; it challenges us, inspires us and bring out the best in each player and more importantly a football league like this is developmental in nature, where each team has the ability to play each other
in a way that foster growth, team work and resilience, we are especially delighted to have Republic Bank again sponsoring this tournament.”
Head of the Unit of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Education Nicholas Fraser told the gathering that the bank has been a strong support of the arts and they commend their continued support for sports.
good thing that is important for talent development.”
Meanwhile Internal Audit Manager at Republic Bank Oral Rose says the bank is elated to support the league for another year.
long after the final whistle is blown.”
This year will see Republic Bank outfitting each team.
The teams were drawn from the Milo Schools knock-out competition.
fending League Champion Chase’s Academic Foundation.
SRKN engineering submits final tender package
to FIFA for technical review to ensure compliance with international design and construction standards and a GFF Technical Evaluation where The GFF’s internal technical team will conduct a detailed review, focusing on design accuracy, cost parameters, sustainability, and functionality. Consultations will also be held with SRKN to clarify and refine any outstanding elements.
Joint planning with Blue Water Shipping where once all feedback has been incorporated, the GFF will meet formally with the management of Blue Water Shipping to finalise the Phase One rollout plan, including timelines, resource commitments, and coordination mechanisms is also a phase the federation plans to go through as they remain in constant communication with Blue Water Shipping and FIFA, and is making every effort to launch the public tender process as soon as possible, with the goal of commencing construction before the end of 2025.
The federation underscores that, once the consultation, review, and due diligence processes are completed, it will move swiftly to
“If we hold a competition for holding a competition’s sake it takes away from all the development that could happen but as you would have noted the way in which this was organised to ensure we have football kept active. It is important to have those children continue practicing to develop their talent so having a competition with that in mind makes it a very
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advance to the construction stage.
GFF President Wayne Forde expressed his appreciation for the continued public enthusiasm surrounding the project, stating:-
“I am deeply moved by the eagerness and optimism shown by the football community and the wider public to see this facility come to fruition. The Blue Water Shipping Stadium is envisioned to be a standard-bearer for sporting infrastructure in Guyana, one that embodies excellence, inclusivity, and national pride.”
He added, “This progress would not have been possible without the steadfast partnership of the Blue Water Shipping management and the continued support of the Government of Guyana. Together, we are not only building a stadium, we are building a sturdy foundation for the growth and development of Guyana’s football.”
The GFF extends its gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their continued trust and patience as we work diligently to deliver a facility that will transform the football landscape of Guyana.
“Last year, we witnessed incredible talent, fierce competition and a lot of heart out on the field; this year I’m sure promises to be just as exciting if not better.
As sports enthusiast myself, I find it truly inspiring to see how this tournament has made an impact reaching beyond Georgetown and into communities across Guyana. Republic Bank’s partnership with the Petra Organisation is more than just about football but giving young people a platform to dream big, work hard and learn values that last
The top 7 teams namely Abram Zuil, Bushlot Secondary, Three Miles Secondary, President’s College, Dolphin Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary and Charlestown Secondary along with de -
The teams will be vying for $300,000, $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 along with trophies and medals for places 1st-4th with all monies going to a programme to be undertaken by the school. Individual awards will go towards the highest goal scorer, best goal keeper and most discipline team.
Auguste gets maiden ODI
call up for Bangladesh tour
(ESPNCRICINFO) - Ackeem Auguste has earned a first call-up to West Indies' ODI squad for the whiteball tour of Bangladesh in the second half of October, as replacement for Evin Lewis who has been ruled out with an injured wrist.
Khary Pierre, who made his Test debut in the first match against India earlier this month in Ahmedabad, has earned a recall to the ODI side as the third spinner alongside Gudakesh Motie and allrounder Roston Chase, while Alick Athanaze has also made a return to the squad after playing his 13th and last ODI in December last year.
"The selection of Ackeem reflects the pathway Cricket West Indies is creating for our emerging players who have shown the qualities to perform at the international level," Head Coach Daren Sammy said in a CWI statement. "He is a player for the future, one who has pro -
gressed from Under-15s to the senior level, and another Academy graduate to feature in an international squad this year."
Also included for both the ODIs and the T20Is is Shamar Joseph, who missed the Test tour of India, along with Alzarri Joseph, because of an injury, the nature of which CWI didn't disclose at the time. Motie is another player who missed the Test tour of India as West Indies wanted to manage his workload in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup early next year.
The Bangladesh series will be the penultimate one of the year for West Indies.
"The squad assembled will strive to maintain a winning mentality and strong team cohesion, essential components for long-term success ahead of the World Cup," Sammy said. "Facing Bangladesh provides another opportunity to earn crucial points in our push for au -
tomatic qualification to the showpiece event."
For the T20Is, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds and Amir Jangoo have been included in the squad. While Jangoo has been picked as the back-up wicketkeeper-batter to captain Shai Hope, it's a continuation of a steady rise for Simmonds, who picked up 13 wickets for Barbados Royals in the recent CPL 2025 and then returned 4 for 15 in only his second T20I, against Nepal last month.
In what CWI called "a concerted effort to provide players with valuable exposure to subcontinent conditions in advance of the series", Motie, Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Auguste and Jangoo will train at the Chennai Super Kings Academy prior to the Bangladesh series.
"With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, it is important for our players to get as much prac-
tice as possible in these conditions, with that tournament being held in India and Sri Lanka," CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said.
"In addition to the important aspect of acclimatisation, the camp will feature skill and tactical training and development specific to those conditions, which is critical to preparing the players ahead of this series as well as next year's World Cup."
The tour of Bangladesh will start with the three ODIs, on October 18, 21 and 23, all in Dhaka, followed by the three T20Is in Chattogram on October 27, 29 and 31.
West Indies T20I squad for tour of Bangladesh: Shai Hope (capt), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Ja-
son Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Ramon Simmonds.
Starc to play first BBL match in 11 seasons
MITCHELL Starc is set to play his first BBL match in 11 seasons in January after signing with the Sydney Sixers but remains adamant that any changes to the competition should not come at the expense of Test cricket.
Starc played six matches in the first season of the BBL back in 2011-12, the same summer he made his Test debut for Australia, including taking two wickets in the final which Sixers won. He played four more games over the next three editions but has not featured since, having long prioritised the international summer with Australia.
But after retiring from T20I cricket this year, Starc will not have any commitments with Australia following the completion of the fifth Ashes Test on January 8. It presents an opportunity for Starc to play upwards of three BBL matches on January 11, 16 and 18, depending on how he has recovered physically after a gruelling five-Test series, as well as the BBL finals if Sixers qualify.
"I've got no cricket scheduled between the fifth Test and the IPL at this stage," Starc said."
An opportunity to play some BBL cricket, I've obviously been a part of the small part of the Sixers throughout the 15 seasons, so it's nice to return to potentially a playing role. Obviously, we've got the five Test matches to focus on, first and foremost. But post that, it's obviously my intention to be available to play some part if called upon."
While Starc was excit -
ed about the possibility of returning to play with the Sixers, he was adamant that Australia's Test summer should remain untouched regarding any future scheduling decisions to do with the BBL which are likely to come amid the privatisation discussions.
"I'm fine with BBL windows," Starc said. "The only view I have on it is the Test cricket schedule is not to be touched. Test cricket is the pinnacle. I don't think Test cricket should make way for T20 cricket at all. Whether it's the BBL, the IPL, anything, the Test summer is the Test summer. I would hate to see that change for domestic cricket.
"So that is not a snipe at anyone. That's just my opinion of Test cricket and where it sits on my priority list. Whether you move the Big Bash into a smaller window and play back-to-back, it's T20 cricket. It's not as physically demanding as Test cricket. I know they've shortened the schedule already. I think that's been a positive impact."
Starc's signing is another significant boost for the BBL in what is expected to be a massive season for the competition. Former India spinner R Aswhin is set to play the whole season for Sydney Thunder and there is a potential that Ashwin, Starc, David Warner, Steven Smith and Pakistan batter Babar Azam (provided the PCB's NOC suspension is overturned) could all play in the same match on January 16 between Sixers and Thunder at the SCG.
Chase believes West Indies can turn things around
(CMC) - West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has admitted that while a string of bad results has seriously dented the confidence of the players, he still believes they can turn things around in the second Test which bowls off on Friday.
The West Indies head into the final Test on a fourmatch losing streak and have not won a Test match since defeating Pakistan in early January.
To make matters worse, their last four Test defeats have come inside three days, having lost the opening Test by an innings and 140 runs before tea on the third day.
Needing a victory to tie the series 1-1, Chase said his troops had the power to change their fortunes.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Thursday, Chase said the team’s batsmen in particular just needed a big score to regain their confidence.
“Obviously we’re down right now, but it has to change at some point, and the change will start from now, but it starts with the belief and the mindset of each and every player and to keep motivating the guys that we can still play some positive cricket and change around our downfall at the moment.
“The guys are lacking confidence but it’s just to get that one score, to get that start and to then kick on from there,” Chase said.
“I just think that once you obviously get that good innings, that 100 or that big 50, that then gives you the confidence to then know that I can actually do it.”
Chase maintained that his players trusted and believed in their abilities and skills to perform at the highest level.
However, the skipper said for that to happen they needed to put the disappointing results of past series out of their minds.
James to miss start of Lakers season
(BBC) - LeBron James has been ruled out for up to four weeks and will miss the start of the NBA season with sciatica, Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed.
James, 40, signed a new contract with the Lakers in June and is set to become the first player to play across 23 separate NBA seasons.
Sciatica is a pain in the sciatic nerve that goes down the lower back and through the leg.
James has not taken part in pre-season and missed the defeats against the Golden State Warriors and the Phoe-
nix Suns earlier this month because of the glute nerve irritation.
The American is expected to be sidelined for all five of the Lakers' games in October, including the season-opener against Golden State.
James, the NBA's alltime leading scorer, has never previously missed the start of the season in his 22-year career. His tally of 1,562 regular-season appearances is just 50 short of breaking former Boston Celtics star Robert Parish's NBA record.
The four-time NBA
Lara collects lifetime achievement award
“I think everyone is confident, but when we got out there we didn’t start well as a batting unit and the pressure is on and it’s for us to soak up that pressure as batters and still find a way to score and put back the pressure onto the Indian bowlers, so I just think that is the biggest challenge for us.
“I don’t think that we’re not confident, I just think that we need to get that start and kick on and we’ll be fine. I think the key is to stay in the present and not think too far ahead or too far back,” Chase said.
“You have to play each delivery on merit and play what you see, not what you think.
I think that led to my downfall in the last game… so it’s just to stay positive at the crease and always look to score. Even though it’s Test cricket I don’t think you can just go out there looking to survive.”
CMC – Cricket legend Brian Lara was honoured with a lifetime achievement award during the 2025 CEAT Cricket Rating Awards on Tuesday.
Tyre manufacturers CEAT devised the cricket rating system in 1995, and Lara
champion featured in 70 of the Lakers' 82 games last term and played on 71 occasions in the year before.
won the CEAT Cricketer of the Year award one year later.
The 56-year-old Lara, who holds the world record for the highest individual Test match score of 400 not out, was presented with the award by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar. In a post on social media, CEAT praised Lara for his outstanding career.
“Some careers set records; a few set horizons.
“Tonight, we honour Brian Lara with the CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award – a salute to craft, charisma, and a legacy that continues to guide how greatness is imagined,” the CEAT post said.
Former Indian leg-spinner, BS Chandrasekhar also received a lifetime achievement award.
English star batsman Joe Root won CEAT’s International Cricketer of the Year award, with his countryman Harry Brook copping the men’s Test Batsman of the Year award in a year which has seen him scoring over 500 runs at the Test level at an average of 53.90.
The Test Bowler of the
Year award went to Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya.
The top One-Day International (ODI) awards went to the Kiwi pair of Matt Henry (ODI Bowler of the Year) and batting star Kane Williamson (ODI Batsman of the Year).
The T20 International Bowler of the Year award went to Indian leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy, with Indian teammate Sanju Samson getting the honours as the top T20 International Batsman of the Year.
In other awards, South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma received an award for his exemplary leadership in leading the Proteas to a World Test Championship title win over Australia in June, while Indian stalwart Rohit Sharma received a special memento for leading his country to the International Cricket Council Champions Trophy earlier this year.
The Indian pair of Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma won the respective Women’s International Batter and Bowler of the Year awards.
Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game and finished sixth in Most Valuable Player vote.
The Lakers qualified for the play-offs in 202425 but lost 4-1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
Brian Lara (right) poses with his CEAT Lifetime Achievement Award which was presented to him by Indian legend, Sunil Gavaskar (centre)
LeBron James began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003
LABA/Nigel Hinds Senior League final...
VV Royals douse Flames 62-53
LED by the cool-headed national guard Yannick with a game-high 21 points, National Club Champions Victory Valley Royals coasted to a 62-53 triumph over Block 22 Flames last Sunday night to win the Linden Amateur Basketball Association’s (LABA) Nigel Hinds Senior League title.
The final was set for Saturday but overnight rains pushed the event to the Sunday and the Royals, despite the absence of veterans Harold Adams and Orlando Glasgow, proved too strong for the Flames.
The top-ranked Royals stamped their authority early with a 14-8 lead when the first quarter ended.
Led by Tappin, his brother Kobe who gave admirable support with 16 points and the steady input from Vibert Benjamin in the middle, the Royals would take a 36-18 lead, outscoring their opponents, 22-10, to end the first half in the driving seat.
The Royals would continue their control of the proceedings in the third quarter as they led 50-33.
A final run by the Flames, where they held sway in the final stanza by a 22-12 run, could not prevent the Royals taking honours, 62-53.
By virtue of the win, the Royals earned themselves $400,000.
The Most Valuable Player cash incentive of $40,000, compliments of the Brusches Basketball Foundation, was won by Yannick Tappin.
The Flames valiant attempt hinged on the efforts of Jonathan Clark with 21 points, Shemar Savoury with 16 and Shawn Cameron added eight.
The Flames collected $200,000 for placing second.
Amelia’s Ward Jets defeated Central Mackenzie Kings, 68-52, for third place and walked away with $100,000. Kings took home $50,000 for fourth position, all compliments of Nigel
Hinds, whose total sponsorship was $850,000 for this year’s LABA Senior League Championship in Linden. President of the LABA Ms Dawn McCammon-Barker commented at the presen-
tation, saying, “Congratulations to all the trans which participated in this year’s league. It was a challenging year but we got through with the grace of God.”
She added “This tournament was sponsored by Nigel Hinds our sponsor from last year, who came back on board to give us prize monies to the sum of $750,000. We asked for $200,000 and he doubled it to $400,000 for the first prize.”
However, the LABA top official told the crowd gathered for the presentation that, “We have to pull up our socks where discipline is concerned.”
THE Guyana Chess Federation's (GCF) Grand Prix series kicked off last weekend with a record-breaking turnout. Sponsored by I-CEE and held at the David Rose Special School, the event attracted over 50 participants—the largest number ever for a Grand Prix tournament. After four intense rounds, Keron Sandiford, a former Junior
Chess Champion, leads with four points in the open category, while reigning Women’s Chess Champion, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi leads with four points in the female category. In the open category, Kyle Couchman, Jaden Taylor, and Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber are all on 3.5 points. Shiv Nandalall,
Alex Ubaldo-Singh, Ethan Lee, and Joshua Gopaul follow closely with three points each. Kishan Puran, Micaiah Enoe, Kim Shing Chong, and Gilbert Williams are on 2.5 points.
In the Female Division, Treskolé Archibald, WCM Sasha Shariff, Chelsea Harrison, and Angelina Yhap follow with three points each. Girls’ Under-12 Chess Cham-
pion, Kataleya Sam, and WCM Jessica Callender, a former Women’s Champion, are both on 2.5 points. Ciel Clement, Natoya Boodhoo, and newcomer Madison Spencer are on two points each. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has launched its qualifying process for the 2026 Chess Olympiad with a major tournament. This event is the first in a series, with points awarded to the top 10 finishers in each competition. A player's cumulative
Fruta
from Sandra Johnson in the 47th; as Jupiter and Akiliah Blucher teamed up to stifle the league’s most prolific scorers. As such, at the end of 60 minutes, the GDF had to settle for a 5-0 win rather than their usual teen hauls. Prior to that game, it was the Shinelle Pearson show at the NTC, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) forward steered her team to an 18-0 drubbing of Den Amstel FC. Pearson found the back of the
score across all qualifying tournaments will ultimately determine their place on the Olympiad Team. This inaugural Grand Prix has attracted a record number of talented participants, setting the stage for a highly competitive and challenging journey to secure a national spot.
Cash prizes totalling $100,000 will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category. The tournament continues on Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October
net in the sixth, 12th, 14th, 31st, 43rd, 53rd and 57th minutes.
Amanda McKenzie notched a hat-trick in the 18th, 25th and 40th, while Whitney King had a similar achievement in the 28th, 44th and 45th minutes.
Alleia Alleyne (27th), Ashanti Smith (36th) and Leandra Henrito (53rd) all added their names to the scoresheet, while two own goals on the part of Den Am-
12, with the remaining four rounds. The top eight boards of the open category and top four of the female category are live-streamed on lichess. org by John Lee, FIDE Arbiter and Technical Director of the GCF. Full results and pairings can be viewed on ChessResults.com.
The GCF thanks its sponsor, I-CEE, for its continued support of chess in Guyana and the David Rose Special School for providing the venue.
FROM PAGE 31
stel boosted their tallies.
The nail-biting women’s football action will continue tonight with another doubleheader at the Providence venue. At 18:00hrs Western Tigers will go toe to toe with Ann’s Grove United FC, while at 19:30hrs, Monedderlust and River’s View FC will match skills.
The teams in the Women’s Division-One League are competing for a historic $1M grand prize.
Champions Victory Valley Royals celebrate after winning the LABA Nigel Hinds League in Linden
GFF Blue Water Shipping Durban Park Stadium… SRKN engineering submits final tender package
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday announced that SRKN Engineering has officially submitted the final package of bid documents, drawings and related materials for Phase One of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium Project.
This submission represents a major milestone in the realisation of one of the most significant infrastructural projects in Guyana’s sporting history, marking another decisive step toward delivering a state-of-the-art national football facility that will serve both elite and community-level football.
The public tender process for the project will be launched locally and internationally, in strict alignment with FIFA Forward Regulations and procurement guidelines. This approach ensures a transparent, competitive, and globally compliant process, reflecting the GFF’s commitment to governance and quality assurance in football development.
Phase 1 of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium Project will include the construction of two mini-pitches located along the Hadfield Street boundary, installation of perimeter fencing, and foundational and supporting
Women’s Division-One League…
infrastructural works, and other key facilities required to operationalise the two mini-pitches, which will be utilised for grassroots football development, community futsal tournaments and
Fruta limits GDF; Police enjoy scoring spree
THOUGH, in the grand scheme of things, it still ended in a loss for the Tucville- based outfit, Fruta Conquerors Football Club’s Women showcased magnificent defensive tactics on Wednesday night, limiting the usual flow of goals for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women FC when the Women’s Division-One League continued.
Fruta Conquerors’ defensive masterclass came in the second fixture at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Centre, (NTC)at Providence, on Wednesday. Missing their usual goalkeeper, Karen Jupiter was promoted to the goal’s custodian. Her stature may have cost them the first strike, when the GDF’s Sherrilyn Kingston’s shot from the
half-way mark sailed over Jupiter’s head into the topright corner of the net in the eighth minute.
Glendy Lewis netted a double in the 14th and 23rd, supported by a 24th minute strike off the boots of Shenessa Cornelius for GDF’s 4-0 score at the half.
However, in the second segment, GDF was allowed only one goal which came TURN TO PAGE 30
FIFA Football for schools (F4S) programme.
These initial works will establish the foundation upon which the full stadium complex will be built, creating new opportunities for youth
and community engagement, while laying the groundwork for a modern national football home.
Following the submission of the final tender documents, the project will advance through several important stages, including a FIFA Review where the complete package, including all architectural and engineering drawings will be submitted TURN TO PAGE 27
IKO Karate Academy Guyana to roll out schools programme
push to develop sports in schools has piloted yet another initiative being rolled out this month within several regions.
This new initiative will see Karate being introduced in schools across the country.
This goal of the project is to strengthen discipline, focus, and respect among students while laying the foundation for inter-school karate competitions as well as national and international tournaments.
The initiative will be spearheaded by IKO Karate Academy Guyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and is the brainchild of President Ali.
Technical official Aliya Wong says that they are developing a larger and more solid base of athletes in the sport of karate.
“We feel the sport of karate can grow even more than it is. Right now, globally the sport of karate is moving from a more traditional point of view to sport Karate where other incentives are given to athletes, so they can earn as
they train. They are being compensated for their talent
PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s
SRKN’s design of the GFF Blue Water Shipping Durban Park Stadium
KO Academy Guyana Head Sensei Jeffrey Wong meeting with Ministrs within the Ministry Of Culture Youth & Sport Steven Jacobs
IKO Karate Academy Guyana to roll out schools programme
Republic Bank Guyana CEO Dr. Toussant Boyce handing over a ceremonial cheque to Petra Organisation Troy Peters, flanked by Petra Director Troy Mendonca, Head of the Unit of Allied Arts Nicholas Fraser on the right and Republic Bank Official Oral Rose and MoE Official Eon De Viera on the left
IKO Academy Guyana Meeting with President Irfaan Ali and Minister Charles Ramson Jr
