President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his CARICOM counterparts on Friday attended the Brazil–Caribbean Summit 2025 with President Luis Inacio ‘Lula’ Da Silva at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília (Office of the President)
Guyana joins regional partners in Brazil to advance co-operation
–– through discussions on food insecurity, climate crisis, improved connectivity
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his CARICOM counterparts, on Friday, attended the Brazil–Caribbean Summit 2025 with President Luis Inacio ‘Lula’ Da Silva at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília.
In a post on his official
X (formerly Twitter) page, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said: “We are holding the Brazil-Caribbean Summit here in Brazil. This meeting is bringing together 16 countries and will allow us to come closer together and strengthen our partner-
ship. Our common goals are to tackle food insecurity, climate crisis and improve connectivity.”
He said that the regional stakeholders were gathered to strengthen dialogue and promote integrated actions for the benefit of all.
Over $10B to boost infrastructural development in Region Ten
--through 700 contracts geared at transforming communities, creating jobs, enhancing financial security among thousands of residents
--Vice-President Jagdeo urges Lindeners to position themselves to capitalise on vast opportunities being created
OVER $10 billion has been earmarked to boost infrastructural development in Region Ten, promising to transform communities, create jobs, and bring financial security to thousands of residents.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill joined Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo at the Watooka Guest House in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Friday for the signing of more than 700 contracts under this initiative.
Dr. Jagdeo has appealed to persons, particularly young people in Linden, to position themselves in order make the most of new opportunities being created in key industries across Guyana.
During a community outreach on Friday, he emphasised the critical developments in areas such as health, security, agriculture and hospitality, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive development through targetted investment and training initiatives.
Soon, Guyana will have 12 new hotels coming on stream, and while the government is building out this world-class tourism sector, Dr. Jagdeo was keen to point out the need for human capital.
He said: “Those 12 hotels will need 6,000 people to work in them. And I'm not talking about waiters alone or waitresses; I'm talking about chefs, managers, a whole range of managers, event managers, etcetera, that [will] pay a lot of money.”
The government, Dr. Jagdeo said, is not just creating the job opportunities, but also training persons to tap into those opportunities.
He reminded of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), where thousands have access to tertiary education, and are pursuing studies at various
levels.
“If you do a GOAL scholarship now on event management, you could easily land a job in one of those hotels that is being built,” the Vice-President said.
SMART AGRICULTURE
Shifting his attention to agriculture, Dr. Jagdeo outlined the government’s strategic plans to enhance the sector and further engage the country’s youth.
He pointed to investments being made in drone technology to promote ‘smart’ agriculture; this could see youths being trained in advanced technology to delivery fertiliser to rice fields.
There are also opportunities in livestock rearing and aquaculture.
“Our plans for agriculture; ‘smart’ agriculture, many of you can find a career in that,” he said adding:
“The future of agriculture would look very different. When people think of agriculture, they think of going into the farmlands, etcetera. It's ‘smart’ agriculture; it's marketing. It's processing, etc... And we have laid out the plan. So, as young people, you have to think along
this line,” the Vice-President said.
DIGITAL SOCIETY
Guyana is pursuing a digital society, embracing the use of technology in sectors like security, and with investments being made to build out a robust command centre, there will be a need
for skilled and trained technical personnel.
“Now we need people trained in cyber security; we need them to be trained in financial intermediation, how to run apps that are financial in nature,” Dr. Jagdeo said, adding: “All of this, young people, is an opportunity.”
The aim is to create a
new generation of leaders; providing all the tools necessary for prosperity.
Dr. Jagdeo said: “There will be lots of opportunity for you to self-create jobs, or to also benefit from jobs that the government has… We want to groom people to take over leadership positions in the country, too.”
The Vice-President fur-
ther defended the government’s part-time employment programme, describing it as a valuable stepping stone that enables participants to uplift themselves and transition i nto more stable, long-term opportunities.
He said: “Many of them have started studying; many have moved over to more permanent jobs, because that was the start that they needed… We don't intend to do that to throw people out the programme, but we want to encourage them to study and move on to bigger things in life. That's how we work.”
From advance health infrastructure to biometrics, Dr. Jagdeo stressed that there are vast opportunities in Guyana, and youths need to plan for their future.
He said: “You need to plan for the future yourselves, like how we plan the future of Guyana, the infrastructure and everything else; you need to know what's going to happen, so you can plan your own future.”
A section of Friday’s gathering
Police destroy over $21M worth of dried cannabis, plants at Yarrowkabra Backdam
A TEAM of Police ranks on Friday found and destroyed two separate cannabis farms at Yarrowkabra Backdam.
According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the farms measured two acres and one acre, respectively.
The two-acre farm contained about 4,500 cannabis plants ranging from three feet to five feet in height.
A makeshift camp and a barrel containing about 140lbs dried cannabis were found at the camp.
The one-acre farm contained about 1,500 cannabis
plants, ranging from one to two feet in height.
Both farms, along with the dried cannabis and plants, were destroyed by fire.
The estimated street value of the narcotics destroyed by the team is approximately $21,083,664.
‘All sectors ripe with opportunities for investment’ –– Finance Minister tells Jamaican Export & Investment Mission
By Feona Morrison
GUYANA is brimming with investment opportunities across multiple sectors, driven by strategic infrastructural projects and ambitious social and economic development plans.
This was declared by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Friday—the second day of the Jamaican Export and Investment Mission meeting held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
“We want to expand the economic space in which anybody doing business in Guyana is operating,” Minister Singh said, emphasising that the government’s focus on infrastructure, transport, energy, and social infrastructure will unlock significant growth potential.
Transport infrastructure, Dr Singh stressed, is a key priority for the government.
Projects underway will not only improve connectivity with neighbouring countries Brazil and Suriname, but also enhance links between regions within Guyana.
“[This is about] growing linkages to open up new communities, connect communities within Guyana, and to open up new productive land for agricultural purposes…,” he explained.
The minister highlighted ongoing improvements to port and maritime infrastructure, which aim to boost shipping links across the region and globally. These developments are expected to enhance trade and economic integration, positioning Guyana as a regional hub.
Minister Singh outlined ambitious plans in the energy sector, focusing on a new gas-to-energy project that will generate 300 megawatts of gas-powered electricity.
According to him, this project is set to reduce electricity costs for consumers by up to 50 per cent, enabling a “quantum shift” in the competitiveness of industrial and manufacturing activities.
“We’ve historically been exporters and producers of primary commodities,” Singh said.
“With more competitive electricity prices, we will be able to do more manufacturing and more industrial-type energy-intensive activities.”
Singh revealed that this initial pipeline is just the beginning.
He explained that a sec-
ond pipeline, expected within five years, will supply even more gas to fuel electricity generation for heavy industries such as alumina production, as well as fertiliser manufacturing, which is critical for agricultural growth.
Recognising the rapid economic growth’s demand on the labour market, Singh underscored heavy investments in education and healthcare to ensure that Guyanese can fully participate in the economy.
“We’re building 12 new regional hospitals, including a specialised maternal and paediatric-care hospital.
One of those hospitals will be a teaching hospital to train more doctors,” Singh noted.
SKILLED PROFESSIONALS
Dr Singh explained that there is a high demand for skilled professionals across all sectors, including healthcare, engineering, and technical trades such as welding.
Singh also pointed to Guyana’s attractive fiscal framework designed to lure
private investment, with numerous international brand hotels and projects currently under construction.
The minister informed the gathering that Guyana has introduced local content legislation that mandates foreign companies to source a minimum percentage of goods and services from Guyanese suppliers.
This, he noted, has created business opportunities for local companies and encouraged joint ventures with international firms.
While traditional sectors such as rice remain strong— with Guyana producing record exports to Jamaica— Singh highlighted ongoing efforts to diversify agriculture through collaboration with Brazilian counterparts.
Utilising Brazilian technology, Guyana is scaling up corn and soybean production, both important for food and feed.
“We have essentially the same climatic conditions and soil types in some regions of Guyana [as Brazil],” he added, noting that this partnership allows us to become self-sufficient domestically
and increase exports.
Economic growth has triggered a construction surge, Singh reported. The government’s commitment to provide 50,000 house lots has spurred unprecedented residential construction, while commercial and industrial development is also booming.
“This has triggered a demand for construction materials. We have issued new quarry licences. We have new quarries producing… etc.,” Dr Singh said.
Minister Singh urged mission participants to engage actively with their private-sector counterparts, emphasising the potential returns from business-to-business partnerships.
“An investment in Guyana is an investment in a prosperous medium- and long-term future,” he stated.
“This growth is going to continue. You’re going to see continued rapid expansion in the economy, which will generate continued demand for every category of goods and services for a very long time.”
He also stressed Guyana’s commitment to regional prosperity, underscoring the importance of mutual growth with neighbours.
SHARING GUYANA’S PROSPERITY
“We want to be surrounded by neighbours who are doing well, and we take that mutual obligation seriously.”
Closing his remarks, Singh reaffirmed Guyana’s openness to investments and partnerships.
He expressed the government’s readiness to support and facilitate investments in Guyana, encouraging participants to take advantage of the opportunities available.
“There literally isn’t a sector that isn’t ripe with opportunities in Guyana,” he stated.
Jamaica and Guyana have enjoyed a long-standing and constructive bilateral relationship, rooted in decades of regional co-operation. Their ties date back to July 1973, when both nations became signatories to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, laying the foundation for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and deeper regional integration.
In more recent years, efforts to strengthen collaboration were renewed with the reactivation of the Guyana-Jamaica Joint Commission in 2018.
“Our President, Dr Irfaan Ali has said publicly that Guyana’s prosperity must contribute to the well-being of the entire region,” Singh added
Members of the Jamaican Export and Investment Mission led by Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator Aubyn Hill (Delano Williams photo)
Accomplishments
IN a political climate increasingly marked by noise and distractions, it is refreshing, indeed, necessary, that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is choosing to campaign on substance: its record of governance, transformative development and vision for Guyana’s future.
Attempts by opposition voices to suppress this discourse speak more to their own insecurities than any legitimate concern for democratic decorum.
At a recent press conference, PPP General Secretary and Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo offered a firm rebuttal to those who accuse the government of politicising development.
According to Dr Jagdeo, the very idea that a ruling party should not campaign on its achievements is not only absurd but deeply anti-democratic. Governance and campaigning are not mutually exclusive, especially not when progress is visible, measurable and
life-changing for the average citizen.
Critics who reduce infrastructural development to routine functions—or worse, question its relevance with cynical catchphrases such as, “you can’t eat roads,” ignore the economic logic and social benefits of capital investments.
As Dr Jagdeo rightly noted, under the APNU+AFC administration, capital spending was stifled in favour of recurrent expenditure. The result? A nation stagnating under the weight of shortsighted financial planning and a bloated bureaucracy.
Today, under PPP/C leadership, the narrative has changed. Guyana is undergoing a transformation that is not cosmetic, but structural.
From the expansion of road networks such as the Heroes Highway to the opening of regional health facilities such as the Diamond Hospital, the government is delivering real value to its people.
These aren’t vanity projects; they are vital arteries of economic activity and social mobility. Less time spent in traffic and more land opened up for development means lower costs, increased productivity and greater opportunities for citizens. These are tangible benefits that can be quantified—and felt.
What’s more, the shift in public sentiment is evident. President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has aptly noted the growing number of former APNU+AFC officials now publicly endorsing the PPP/C.
From former Vice President Sydney Allicock to MPs and regional leaders, the exodus from the opposition signals a powerful truth: the PPP/C’s agenda of progress is attracting support across party lines.
Importantly, these endorsements are not opportunistic. As President Ali has stated, they come from a place of conviction—a shared belief in a unified vision for national development. In contrast, the APNU+AFC
continues to flounder without a coherent policy platform, fixated more on political power than on governance.
Their record during the 2020 elections, marred by attempts to derail the democratic process, remains a stark reminder of the type of politics Guyana cannot afford to revisit.
In the lead-up to the 2025 General and Regional Elections, voters will have a clear choice -- regression or progress.
On one hand stands a party with a proven record of infrastructural expansion, economic growth and democratic renewal. On the other stands a fractured opposition with little more than slogans and stalled ideas.
The PPP/C has every right to campaign on its accomplishments—and every reason to be proud of them. The people of Guyana deserve a government that not only builds roads but understands where they lead. And right now, all roads point toward progress.
Education levels have the strongest association with poverty reduction
Dear Editor,
THE OGGN (Oil and Gas Governance Network) said the claim that moderate poverty rate between 2019 and 2024 has been reduced by one half does not find support from the United Nations’ SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) on Guyana (SN: 6/10/25).
OGGN quoted UN poverty rates between 2017 and 2022 that averaged 44.5 per cent per annum. Two points are noted here. First, these rates suggest that there has not been any significant reduction of poverty during this six-year period.
Second, the UN figures do not seem to be based on any recent poverty survey; instead, it says that the poverty rates were estimates. What was their source?
The statement that Guyana’s “last poverty assessment was undertaken nearly 20 years ago” is incorrect. The most recent poverty survey, the Household Budget, and Living Conditions Survey (HBLCS), was completed in 2019, six years ago.
The purpose of HBLCS was to combine income and expenditure data with living conditions information and to update the items in the “consumption basket,” as well as assign weights to them based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Currently, the results of HBLCS are not accessible.
In the absence of HBLCS data, the World Bank’s 2019 data on poverty can be used as a reference, although their results differ from those of other agencies.
For instance, the second HIES (Household Income and Expenditure Survey) of I2006, which is considered comprehensive, had reported a poverty rate of 36.1 per cent, whereas the World Bank’s rate for that same year was 60.9 per cent.
Various pre-1992 poverty studies conducted by IFAD, IDB, SIMAP, UNDP, PAHO, and the World Bank also show differences in poverty rates. These variations arise because different agencies utilise different methods and assign different weights to the items (food and non-food) in the “consumption basket.”
Guyana recognises that education is a powerful tool for poverty reduction. According to The World Bank, “among the determinants of poverty, education levels appear to have the strongest association with poverty status... completing secondary education was associated with a significant decline in poverty rates.” (Gampat, 2020).
The United Nations indicates that Guyana is on track to achieve the fourth Sustainable Development Goal, “Quality Education,” by 2030.
Guyana has extended free public education to the tertiary level and all government training programmes by BIT (Board of Industrial Training) and TVET (Technical Vocational Educational Training).
Over the last five years, more than 35,000 scholarships were awarded. Guyanese students have outperformed CARICOM students at the CSEC and CAPE exams. Tertiary education and training are now accessible to those previously unable to reach them.
Thousands of people living below the revised World Bank poverty line of $6.85 per person per day are expected to rise above it soon. Over the next three years, improvements in education, health, jobs, nutrition, water, and sanitation will significantly reduce poverty beyond 24 per cent. Regarding remittances, they contribute to Guyana’s GDP and serve multiple purposes, including reducing poverty, renovating, or building houses, buying house lots, covering medical expenses, starting small businesses, paying off debts, handling emergencies, acquiring ICT products, and purchasing durable consumer goods. It may not be accurate, therefore, to assume a direct correlation between high remittances and a perception of high poverty rates. For instance, the interior region which has the highest poverty rate (WB 2019: 65.5 per cent) also has the lowest level of remittances.
Sincerely, Dr. Tara Singh
High Court orders forfeiture of $10M from businessman in fraud, money laundering case
HIGH Court Judge Justice Peter Hugh, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, ordered the forfeiture of $10,000,000 from businessman Naitram Outar, also known as ‘Sweetman’, for his involvement in fraud, bribery, and money laundering activities.
According to a press release from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the court ruled that the currency being seized was tainted property and the proceeds of crime.
The SOCU was directed to confiscate the sum, and pay it into the Consolidated Fund pursuant to Section 82 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, Cap. 10:11. This, according to the Unit, has since been done.
The case originated from a search conducted on July 15, 2024 by SOCU officers and members of the Guyana Police Force at Outar’s property in Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
Release Rodney’s name and let him rest
Dear Editor,
SOME 45 years ago on June 13, Guyana’s foremost academic was literally blown to bits
Dr. Walter Rodney devoted his political activity in Guyana to confronting the Burnham dictatorship- then squatting in office by rigged elections – stating: “We cannot claim to be a politically enfranchised people. We cannot claim to have chosen our own national government.”
He continuously urged a multiracial class mobilisation as perhaps the most potent form of struggle against the then regime, stating: “When African and Indian workers move together, the local exploiting class will have a very short lease of life.”
A 2014 COI into his death finally concluded that then Prime Minister Burnham, “knew of the plan and was part of the conspiracy to assassinate Dr. Walter Rodney.”
But what has become of the party of which he founded?
Where is the WPA today?
Around this very period, five years ago, the recount totals would have confirmed that the APNU+AFC Coalition, of which the WPA was part of, lost that election and tried to rig it.
After both international and local observers began to unearth the fraud in Mingo’s fraudulent Region Four declarations, WPA leader Dr. David Hinds - in a Kaieteur News article - publicly called for the ballot boxes to be destroyed, and to “scrap this election.”
In 2022, Dr. Hinds said he was “claiming Burnham” - and who didn’t like it “can go to Hell”.
In 2023, Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye and others made a deluge of racially charged remarks against Indo-Guyanese at a WPA-PNC
During the search, officers found and seized $10 million in Guyanese currency after Outar failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing such a large sum of money. This discovery prompted an immediate money laundering investigation.
Further investigation revealed that in May 2024, Outar conspired with another businessman to facilitate a corrupt land sale transaction involving two
acres of land at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, valued at G$50 million.
Outar was responsible for orchestrating the arrangement at a fee of G$40 million, while the remaining G$10 million was designated as a kickback for the illicit deal.
“SOCU continues to investigate other individuals suspected to be involved in this extensive corruption scheme,” the Unit said.
Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, Head of SOCU, has issued a stern warning to those attempting to corrupt the system, emphasising that SOCU’s enforcement efforts will relentlessly pursue and prosecute offenders.
The court’s decision to confiscate the G$10 million was supported by SOCU’s legal team, represented by Attorney-at-Law and Prosecutor David Brathwaite.
rally. Several Indo-Guyanese PNC leaders strongly condemned the remarks- for which he deemed them “slave-catchers”.
Early 2025, Hinds publicly labelled Afro-Guyanese supporting the PPP as “lickbamzy Africans”. Aubrey Norton, PNC leader said he could not control what Hinds says nor does.
More recently, PNC Region Four Chairman Seeram defected to the PPP. Hinds dubbed him an “ingrate” and postulated that he was mere “ethnic window dressing” during his time in the PNC.
Hinds was defended by his now WPAPNC Coalition partner Aubrey Norton, who viewed Hinds’ remarks as “passionately” put. Further, Norton said, “There is no way we will condemn David...He has a right to express his views.”
One must seriously ask, if Rodney’s own party would deem him a “lick-bamzy” for his positions today.
One must seriously ask, if Rodney’s own party would term him a “slave-catcher” for his positions today.
My only clue on what Dr. Rodney himself would’ve said, is taken from his speech at a 1976 street meeting, where he said: “No ordinary Afro-Guyanese, no ordinary Indo-Guyanese can today afford to be misled by the myth of race. Time and time again it has been our undoing.”
Nearly five decades later and his perennial words still reverberate.
People’s Power - No dictator.
Disband the WPA- or formally rebrand it to the ethno-fascist caricature it has now become.
Release Rodney’s name and let him rest.
Yours faithfully, Nikhil Sankar.
Naitram Outar
‘Baby Skello’ should not have been denied bail
I HAVE written a daily column for decades now, so we are talking about dozens of thousands of columns.
In those mountains of opinions, I have asserted my right to criticise magistrates and judges. I have penned my opinion of Magistrate Judy Lutchman several times. I took the Magistrate to the Judicial Service Commission.
I cannot recall the many times I have disagreed with this lady’s decisions, some of which were completely unacceptable. I am writing once again about my feelings about this magistrate. Baby Skello’s lyrics scandalising the religion of Hinduism is one that I called for his prosecution.
He has been charged, and I can no longer comment on his case, but I would raise my voice if he
is jailed. He should not be imprisoned, and he should be made to apologise in court.
The denial of bail by Magistrate Lutchman for a Calypso that insulted one of Guyana’s religions cannot and should not be accepted by this nation.
This is going too far; this magistrate’s decision is flawed. You do not remand an accused for what Baby Skello is accused of. But what about context? In using context, we see how the magistrate’s decision is wrong. Tacuma Ogunseye was recorded as urging the security forces to turn its guns on the government.
Mr. Ogunseye of the WPA was advocating the violent removal of an elected government, and he openly put a racial interpretation to his advocacy. He exclaimed that African Guyanese have
the guns, so they should use it against an Indian government.
Mr. Ogunseye was granted bail for such an alleged horrendous abuse of the criminal laws of Guyana.
Mr. Ogunseye has a colleague in the WPA, Kidackie Amsterdam. As the host of a social media programme, Mr. Amsterdam allowed a caller to threaten the lives of ministers of the government, and on being charged, he was granted bail. Surely these two cases compel the observer to disagree with the denial of bail for Baby Skello.
David Hinds comes into the picture. Hinds has gone beyond Baby Skello. I saw a social media clip in which he insulted Indians and their religion, and implied it was the Hindu religion that resulted in the kidnap and
murder of a child. He was subtly referring to Adriana Younge.
Rickford Burke is wanted, so he cannot return to Guyana without facing the courts. But why is David Hinds allowed, day in, day out to use inflammatory linguistics for which no country would show tolerance? The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) did the right thing; it charged Baby Skello.
I think Baby Skello went too far. Free speech has limitations; it carries responsibilities. But where is the ERC when David Hinds is carrying on? The latest target of Hinds is Hindu priest and former Mayor, Ubraj Narine.
The entire country knows Mr. Narine is no supporter of the government, so why did Hinds target him? Hinds answered the question: He is Indian.
Is the ERC monitoring social media? Social media has achieved influence
among people that have gone far beyond the mainstream media. On social media, there are outpourings that are far more scandalous than what Baby Skello composed.
Do you know I saw a Facebook posting by the father of Adriana Younge, in which he was criticising the President and, in my opinion, words in that clip could be interpreted as threats against the President?
I would urge citizens to get hold of that video of Subryan Younge, the father of Adriana Younge, and review it. I stress again, in my opinion, there were words that could be interpreted as a threat to the President.
I don’t believe anyone in a modern democracy should threaten the Head of State/ government, even if it is the father of Adriana Younge. Not because Mr. Younge lost his daughter that should bestow on him the use of unrestrained language. If the authorities missed that vid-
eo, it is there to be viewed.
Too many extremists get away with criminal advocacies on social media, and it continues on a daily basis in this country. What Baby Skello did cannot and should not be accepted, but he is young and maybe did not know better. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, however.
I believe to stem the tide, the ERC did the right thing in prosecuting him. It will prevent others from a similar embarkation. Baby Skello should not have been denied bail. That was going too, too far. Not in Guyana when you see what horrible allegations people before the courts get bail for.
I hope Skello is released today.
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
Discussions to construct bridge linking Guyana, Suriname at advanced stage
–– Dr Singh says; points to emphasis on boosting regional connectivity
By Feona Morrison
SENIOR Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, has announced that discussions to construct a bridge linking Guyana and Suriname are at an advanced stage and are expected to resume once Suriname’s newly elected government is settled.
Speaking on the second day of the Jamaican Export and Investment Mission at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown on Friday, Dr. Singh revealed that while actual construction has not yet begun, plans remain firmly on the agenda.
“We’re building a bridge to Suriname,” he told attendees, adding: “We haven’t started the bridge, but we had an advanced stage of discussions with our Surinamese counterparts. And of course, Suriname has had an election recently, so once they are settled over there, we will resume our discussions.”
The proposed bridge is part of a broader regional infrastructure vision aimed at improving cross-border connectivity between Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil.
Dr. Singh emphasised that the government is working on transport infrastructure over the next five years that will enable seamless road travel from Georgetown to Paramaribo or Brazil.
“This opens up all sorts of possibilities…,” he added, underscoring the economic and social potential of enhanced regional integration through modern infrastructure.
The Guyana-Suriname bridge, once completed, is expected to be a key link in fostering stronger ties among South American and Caribbean nations, boosting trade flows and unlocking untapped tourism opportunities.
The bridge, which will span approximately 3.1 kilometres, is set to connect Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname, with a landing point on Long Island in the Corentyne River. Plans are underway to transform
Brazil, opening up new opportunities for commerce and cross-border collaboration.
“We recognise that, historically, one of the biggest impediments to our competitiveness has been the smallness of our economy. If you are producing something for only 800,000 persons, you are doing it in the absence of any real economies of scale—certainly compared to if you are doing it for eight or 80 million people,” the finance minister reasoned.
He noted that the government aims to expand the economic space for anyone conducting business in Guyana, emphasising the clear advantages of improved transport connectivity with both Brazil and Suriname.
Long Island into a vibrant commercial hub and tourist hotspot.
The envisioned duty-free zone will feature significant infrastructural developments, including hotels, recreational parks, shopping malls, farmers’ markets, and a variety of entertainment venues.
Last month, Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, announced that the sod-turning ceremony to officially launch construction of the Corentyne River bridge would take place in a matter of weeks. He made the statement during the official opening of the Guyana office of GuySure Aggregate and Sand Inc., a subsidiary of Suriname’s state-owned company, Grassalco.
Dr Singh also provided an update on the ongoing construction of the Linden-Lethem Highway, noting that Phase One is progressing smoothly, with dozens of bridges already completed.
BOOSTING ECONOMIC ACTVITIES
With the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government placing more emphasis on hemispheric connections, the highway is expected to significantly boost trade and economic activities between Guyana and
In April of this year, the government commissioned more than $7.7 billion in bridges between Lethem in Region Nine and Linden in Region 10, drastically improving connectivity and paving the way for economic growth in the areas.
A total of 45 bridges were constructed as part of the transformative Kurupukari to Lethem and Mabura Hill to Kurupukari projects. Together, these projects have provided a link between Northern Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean through Port Georgetown.
Further, the Linden to Lethem road-link has greatly reduced travel time for commuters and unlocked opportunities, including agriculture and tourism.
Emphasising that “transport infrastructure is a big priority” for the government, Minister Singh highlighted the numerous projects currently underway.
He noted that these developments will not only strengthen the national economy but also pave the way for the creation of new communities and agricultural lands.
Minister Singh highlighted that enhancements to port and maritime infrastructure are currently in progress, aimed at strengthening shipping connections both within the region and on a global scale.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh (Delano Williams photo)
An artist's impression of the Corentyne River Bridge
Works at Vriesland, Laurentia Catherina on track for November completion
APPROXIMATELY 400 families recently allocated house lots in Vriesland and Laurentia Catherina eagerly participated in a site visit and virtual tour of the developing housing schemes with Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues and technical staff of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Friday.
These areas are part of the expansive Wales Housing Development in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), which is already undergoing
major infrastructural transformation. The tour provided allottees with a first-hand look at the ongoing works and updates on the progress being made towards the establishment of their future communities.
The Wales Housing Development is divided into four sections: Laurentia Catherina, Vriesland, Lorenzo, and Viva La Force, each with different blocks or phases. A total of $10.4 billion has been allocated for initial infrastructure works at Phases I and II of the areas. Allottees of the section the Minister visited received
their lands in 2024 and 2025.
In April 2025, contracts were awarded for Vriesland and Laurentia Catherina, which have about 1,300 residential lots. The works were awarded to 14 contractors, with completion scheduled for November 2025.
Minister Rodrigues emphasised that this immediate rollout of infrastructure is a new and significant shift, noting that in the past, allottees had to wait until the following year’s national budget for infrastructure funding to be approved.
Minister Rodrigues assured allottees that once in-
frastructure works are finalised, they will be individually contacted to identify their lots. They can also look forward to signing their Agreements of Sale, and processing their Certificates of Title.
The housing schemes are being designed by the CH&PA with long-term sustainability in mind. They include designated zones for commercial activity, recreational areas, ‘green’ spaces, and essential public services such as schools, health cen-
tres, police outposts, and fire stations.
The minister encouraged families to start planning their home construction, and to take advantage of the ministry’s Steel and Cement Housing Subsidy Programme, which offers support for starting foundations. She also urged those seeking mortgage financing to engage early with financial institutions.
In keeping with the ministry’s commitment
to transparency and public engagement, allottees had the opportunity to ask questions and receive direct responses from Minister Rodrigues during the tour.
Now that families know the locations of their lands, Minister Rodrigues also encouraged them to visit the areas at their convenience to stay updated on the progress of development. (Ministry of Housing and Water)
Approximately 400 families recently allocated house lots in Vriesland and Laurentia Catherina eagerly participated in a site visit and virtual tour of the developing housing schemes with Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues and technical staff of the CH&PA on Friday
Lethem energy supply surpasses demand, unlocks new economic potential
RESIDENTS of Lethem and surrounding communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) are now benefitting from a reliable and sustainable electricity supply that exceeds current demand.
The development follows significant government investment in integrated renewable and hybrid energy infrastructure.
The combined power generation capacity in the Lethem grid, which serves
communities including St. Ignatius, Kumu, and Moco Moco, has reached 5.7 megawatts (MW).
This includes 2.2 MW from hydropower at the Kumu and Moco Moco Falls, a 1MW solar farm in Lethem, and 2.5 MW from diesel generators. Peak electricity demand in the area currently stands at approximately 2.1MW, leaving a surplus of 3.6MW available to support continued development and future population growth.
The 1MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in Lethem, commissioned in August 2022 at a cost of $490.46M, has generated more than 3,594 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy, as of June 11, 2025. This output has resulted in fuel savings equivalent to 5,877 drums of diesel, and avoided carbon dioxide emissions totalling 2,875 tonnes. The project alone has significantly contributed to both economic and environmental
benefits for the region.
To further decarbonise the town, the government constructed a 0.7 MW hydropower plant at Moco Moco and a 1.5 MW hydropower plant at Kumu. These facilities, built at a combined cost of G$2.679 billion, have further strengthened the Region’s clean-energy backbone. The hydropower plants and the solar PV farm will
supply the electricity needs of approximately 7,000 residents in Lethem and its environs, ensuring a substantial share of renewable energy generation under favourable hydrological and solar conditions.
The availability of surplus energy has already begun transforming everyday life and economic activity in Region Nine. Residents and
businesses are now experiencing improved reliability in power supply, while key public services such as health centres and schools are benefitting from stable and continuous electricity.
The surplus also provides scope for new industries and income-generating ventures, particularly
See page 12
Residents of Lethem and surrounding communities in Region Nine are now benefitting from a reliable and sustainable electricity supply that exceeds current demand
Gov’t advancing bold, people-centred agenda, inclusion across every region
–– Dr. Mangar tells UN Forum
THE Government of Guyana has been and continues to pursue programmes and policies to ensure access to key services for all Guyanese, including Indigenous persons living with disabilities.
This was according to Dr. Ariane Mangar, Director of
Disability and Rehabilitation Services at the Ministry of Health, during her address to the 18th Session of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with disabilities.
Dr. Mangar noted that under the President, Dr. Irfaan
Ali’s administration, the government is advancing a bold people-centred agenda and inclusion across every region, school and household.
She added: “For the first time, the disability needs assessment was conducted, and this was led by the National Commission on Disability, and it would have
gathered comprehensive data for persons with disabilities in our remote and hinterland region.”
With this, Dr. Mangar noted that their voices are shaping national policy, guiding the placement of rehabilitation staff, assistive devices, and outreach services, even as special education officers are being trained for regional deployment.
Additionally, new schools are being built in remote areas, and children are receiving assistive devices in their own communities.
“How is this possible? Through climate action, through our Low Carbon Development Strategy, 15 per cent of Guyana’s carbon credit revenues are being reinvested in indigenous communities, bringing electricity, powering health posts and providing rehab equipment and technology in classrooms,” she highlighted.
Giving an example, Dr. Mangar noted that a young girl from a remote region who was once isolated by hearing loss, now thrives in school thanks to the government’s free hearing aid pro-
gramme and is able to attend school and hear her peers and teachers.
Dr. Mangar was part of the delegation led by First Lady Arya Ali. The team also included Ganesh Singh, Programme Manager, Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, and Ravin Singh, Director of Projects, Policy
& Public Affairs, Office of the First Lady. The conference was held from June 10-12 under the theme ‘Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the Second World Summit for Social Development’.
Lethem energy supply surpasses demand...
From page 11 in small-scale manufacturing and tourism.
The energy transformation unfolding in Lethem is part of a wider national strategy to decentralise and diversify Guyana’s power generation mix, especially in hinterland regions. These efforts fall under the Government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which aims to promote sustainable economic growth through increased use of renewable energy.
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who has portfolio responsibility for energy, emphasised the transformative impact of reliable power on rural development. “This energy surplus represents more than just kilowatts—it represents opportunity.”
He further stated that, “When communities have reliable, clean energy that exceeds their immediate needs, they can dream bigger. They
can establish cottage industries, enhance their agricultural processing capabilities, and create sustainable livelihoods that were previously impossible. This is how we build prosperity from the ground up in our hinterland communities.”
Residents of Region Nine more broadly are also benefitting under the Government’s expanded hinterland electrification programme with the distribution of over 30,000 Solar PV Home Energy Systems to hinterland and riverine communities across all 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana. This initiative has resulted in the installation of a combined 4.8 MW of solar PV capacity, significantly boosting renewable energy access in remote areas.
Building on this momentum, the Government has launched a second round to distribute an additional 7,230 Solar Home Energy Systems to households in remote communities during
2025. This will bring the total to over 37,000 systems distributed over a three-year period, contributing to 99% of the hinterland population—approximately 144,900 persons—having access to solar PV by the end of 2025. With the success seen in Region Nine, similar renewable energy systems are being implemented in other hinterland communities. In this regard, Prime Minister Phillips recently announced that the Government has allocated more than $800m to roll out additional solar mini-grids and retrofit renewable systems in Amerindian and remote villages, aiming to replicate the development gains seen in clean energy across Guyana.
Lethem’s energy surplus marks a turning point for residents, providing not only improved living standards but also a platform for long-term economic empowerment in the hinterland.
Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ariane Mangar
Quarry investments driving economic growth, community development in Region Seven
--Dr. Ramsaroop highlights after visit to three operations producing collectively 2.4M tonnes of aggregate annually
CHIEF Investment Officer of the Government of Guyana and Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop has emphasised the enormous economic and social impact of three significant quarry investments in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).
According to information on Go-Invest’s Facebook page, Dr. Ramsaroop, along with a team from the agency, conducted a monitoring visit to three major quarry operations in Region Seven: Black Jaguar Investment Group Inc., EKAA HRIM, and York Investment Inc.
These are three of the 12 quarry investments facilitated by the agency over the past five years, Go-Invest said.
Notably, among these three operations, one is a local investment, one is a foreign direct investment, and one is a joint venture between a local and foreign company.
“These strategic investments play a pivotal role in sustaining the momentum of Guyana’s infrastructure revolution—one of the cornerstones of national development under President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s administration,” Go-Invest said.
Over the past five years, Guyana has accelerated its transformation into a regional economic leader, with strong quarry output serving as a key enabler.
Collectively, the three operations produce approximately 2.4 million tonnes of aggregate annually, supplying vital raw materials for the
construction of roads, bridges, housing developments, and energy projects across the country.
These are multimillion-dollar undertakings that reflect strong investor confidence in Guyana’s stable, pro-growth environment, Go-Invest said.
“In addition to their economic impact, the quarry sites contribute significantly to inclusive growth by creating employment opportunities in surrounding communities. Local residents are being trained and upskilled in technical roles, with knowledge transfer and capacity building integrated into daily operations. This approach is fostering a more resilient and empowered workforce in ru-
ral regions,” the agency said.
Go-Invest quoted Dr. Ramsaroop as saying: “Quarrying is not just about extraction—it is about nation-building. These operations embody the kind of transformative investment that drives both economic growth and community development.”
Operating in a capital-intensive and highly regulated industry, these quarries reflect Guyana’s capacity to support complex industrial ventures that meet international standards in logistics, environmental stewardship, and operational scale, the agency said.
Go-Invest added: “The Agency will continue conducting nationwide moni -
to ensure
parency, provide support, and align with the country’s
toring visits
trans-
broader development agenda. These field engagements are essential to strengthening investor partnerships and advancing Guyana’s Vision 2030.”
Chief Investment Officer of the Government of Guyana and Head of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop has emphasised the enormous economic and social impact of three significant quarry investments in Region Seven
Guyana deepens security ties with France through special-operations training
GUYANA’S efforts to strengthen national and regional security received a boost on Friday with the conclusion of a Special Operations Course delivered by French Special Operations experts to local law enforcement officers.
The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who lauded the initiative as a major step forward in the country’s fight against trans-
national organised crime. The training, which focused on intelligence gathering and practical operational techniques, brought together key security agencies from across Guyana. Also present at the event
were Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), Mr. James Singh, and Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency, Colonel Sheldon Howell.
The course is part of a growing security partnership between Guyana and French authorities based in Martinique and French Guiana (Cayenne). This collaboration has already produced tangible outcomes, including major drug busts and improved coordination in counter-narcotics operations.
Minister Benn praised the participants for their dedication and extended sincere appreciation to the French trainers, noting that their expertise was invaluable in boosting Guyana’s law enforcement capabilities.
“This partnership is a clear demonstration of our shared commitment to regional security and to dismantling the networks that
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn
threaten our societies,” the Minister said.
The special operations training represents a continuing investment in cross-border co-operation aimed at addressing com-
plex security challenges, particularly those posed by narcotics trafficking and organised crime networks operating in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Back-up energy-storage system arrives for gas-to-energy project
––
engineered to ensure uninterrupted energy delivery in the event of turbine failure, LNDCH4 Guyana says
LNDCH4 Guyana has announced the arrival of the Backup Battery Storage System (BESS), which landed at the John Fernandes wharf on Friday.
According to a press re-
lease from the company, the BESS forms a critical part of the power plant’s emergency support system, and is engineered to ensure uninterrupted energy delivery in the event of turbine failure.
“The inclusion of this advanced battery system reinforces LNDCH4’s commitment to delivering a reliable power solution for Guyana,” the company said.
With a total capacity of 30 megawatts (MW), the system was shipped in 22 containers, which comprise battery racks, six inverters, auxiliary transformers, and a fully-integrated Power Distribution Center (PDC) shelter.
It also includes an Energy Management System (EMS), Battery Management System (BMS), Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), fire suppression system, and HVAC units to ensure optimal performance and safety under all conditions.
“Designed to respond instantaneously, the BESS provides critical backup power to protect the integrity of the electrical grid, and maintain operational stability in unexpected scenarios,” the company said.
This latest delivery joins the growing list of critical
LNDCH4 Guyana announced the arrival of BESS Friday at the John Fernandes wharf
Regional hospitals are ‘fruits of years of work,’ not an election gimmick
–– Dr. Jagdeo says, highlights strides in health sector
AS the opposition continues its obsession with race-baiting and “short-sighted” economic philosophies, People’s Progressive Party (PPP/ C ) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has outlined the significant strides the government is making in healthcare delivery.
During a press conference at Freedom House, on Thursday, Dr. Jagdeo shed light on the government’s unwavering commitment to development.
One of the most landmark achievements for the PPP, in its current tenure, was the recent opening of the Diamond Regional Hospital, the first of several state-of-theart regional hospitals set to be completed in the coming months.
He said: “…A lot of people would say we are opening these hospitals because of the elections. But they represent several years of work and the decision to build these hospitals took place three, four years ago when the feasibility studies were done and we had to raise the money and everything and award the contracts.
“So, this is the fruit of several years of work and we’re happy that they are being open before the elections because they’re consistent with our promise to work towards delivering world-class healthcare for our people, and we’re closer to that goal in the five years and we have to account for that stewardship.”
The health infrastructure
push also includes the construction of two European Standard, state-of-the-art hospitals at Ogle and in New Amsterdam.
He highlighted that the Bartica Hospital and the West Demerara Hospital will also be rebuilt and the government is spending at least $30 million to upgrade Linden’s hospital.
In spite of the narratives by “nitpickers” and “gripers,” the General Secretary, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice President pointed out that the development of the health sector goes beyond brick and mortar.
“There’s a comprehensive plan,” he said.
Massive investments in medical personnel training and recruitment, both local and international, strategic partnerships with top-tier international hospital chains and increased availability of medical supplies, drastic improvements of the conditions
compared to the APNU+AFC era were highlighted by the Vice President, as just some of the measures taken that are aimed at improving access to healthcare.
“We don’t differentiate on the level of care or where the hospitals are built. We got to bring access to all of our people, whether they live in the hinterland or on the coast,” the Vice President firmly stated.
With a slew of new health centres having been built and several new hospitals on the horizon, Guyana’s medical landscape has seen a sweeping transformation.
The Diamond Regional Hospital is the first of six new health facilities that will be commissioned in a wider programme that is being pursued by the Government of Guyana to improve healthcare delivery.
Others are being built at Enmore, Lima Sands, Lethem, Bath, Number 75 Village and Kato.
Back-up energy storage ...
From page 14
components already received for the project, including two state-ofthe-art gas turbines, each capable of generating 45MW of electricity.
The arrival of the BESS marks significant progress of the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project, and highlights LNDCH4’s commitment to Guyana, the company said.
Country manager Humberto Lopez stated: “This shipment demonstrates our
continued commitment to the highest standard of operational excellence.”
As a key component of Guyana’s landmark Gas-to-Energy (GtE) initiative, the BESS will enhance the project’s efficiency and reliability, helping to stabilise the national grid, reduce carbon emissions, and support the delivery of affordable electricity to homes and businesses across the country.
“LNDCH4 continues
to meet international standards in quality, health, safety, environment, and innovation.
With our team working on-site around the clock, focused on meeting international quality standards, and the arrival of the BESS, the project moves one step closer to completion, ensuring Guyana’s transition to a more modern, energy-secure future,” the company related.
PPP/C General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo
Region Seven’s work-study programme not in jeopardy
–– Local Gov’t Ministry says, refutes mischievous claims by online page, ‘Credible Sources’
THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has unequivocally rejected recent false reports circulated by a social media page called ‘Credible Sources’, which alleged that students in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have been informed there is no funding available for the annual 2025 work-study programme.
According to a press release from the ministry, these claims are completely false and are not supported by any factual information from the Ministry of Local Government or the Region Seven Department of Education.
The ministry confirmed that the work-study pro-
gramme in Region Seven is proceeding as planned.
“There has been no cancellation or suspension of the programme due to financial constraints of any kind. In fact, preparations are actively underway to ensure that all eligible students, including those from Bartica Secondary, Three Miles Secondary, and D.C. Caesar Fox Secondary, have the opportunity to benefit from valuable workplace exposure and professional development during the upcoming work-study period,” the Local Government Ministry said.
This annual initiative, the ministry affirmed, remains a priority for the government as part of its broader effort to bridge the gap between secondary education and the world of work, and to equip students with practical skills and experiences that enhance their future employability.
“We are deeply concerned about the distress caused to students and parents by this irresponsible and mischievous dissemination of misinformation.
The Ministry of Local Government urges the public to rely solely on official channels for accurate updates and to disregard speculative or anonymous reports,” the ministry said in its release.
GYSBI, Muneshwers reach out to families of Mahdia fire victims
-- distribute cash, care hampers
GUYANA Shore Base Inc.
(GYSBI), in partnership with its parent company, Muneshwers Limited, on Wednesday, June 11, journeyed to the villages of Karisparu, Chenapau, and Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) to personally meet with the families of the 20 students who tragically lost their lives in the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory fire in May 2023.
According to a press release, as part of the initiative, the companies distrib-
uted financial support along with specially prepared care hampers to 18 affected families.
The outreach was deeply emotional, not only for the families, but also for the seven-member GYSBI team who undertook the journey to deliver words of comfort and solidarity on behalf of the company.
Chairman of the GYSBI Board of Directors, Mr. Robin Muneshwer, who spearheaded the initiative, in an invited comment said that while nothing can re-
place the precious lives lost, the gesture was intended to offer some solace and reaffirm that the families are not alone in their grief.
“There is no price that can ever be placed on the life of a loved one, especially a child. What we have brought is not meant to compensate, but to show that there are still those who care.
This horrible tragedy evoked the rawest, most human responses in us all such as compassion, and a desire to reach out. Our gesture
today is simply a reflection of those emotions,” Mr. Muneshwer said.
He added that as a member of the Guyanese business community, GYSBI felt a moral responsibility to stand with the affected families and offer support that many believed was long overdue.
At each stop, members of the visiting team offered quiet prayers, shared words of comfort, and personally presented the donations.
GYSBI’s Public Relations Manager, Ms. Go -
matie Gangadin, reflecting on the emotional weight of the visit said, “Nothing can prepare you for the silence of a grieving parent. We didn’t come with solutions, because really there are none, but with open hearts and quiet presence, simply to say, you are not alone.”
The 20 victims of the fire were Subrina John, Belnisa Evans, Loreen Evans, Bibi Rita Jeffrey, Lisa Roberts, Tracil Thomas, Delecia Edwards, Lorita Williams, Natalie Bellarmine, Arianna Edwards,
Cleoma Simon, Martha Dandrade, Mary Dandrade, Omerfia Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, Sherlyn Bellarmine, Eulander Carter, Andrea Roberts, Sherana Daniels with the youngest being five-year-old Adanye Jerome.
This gesture reflects the company's commitment to nurturing a culture of compassion and social responsibility throughout Guyana while it continues to grow and cement its place within the oil and gas industry.
Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI), in partnership with its parent company, Muneshwers Limited, on Wednesday, June 11, journeyed to the villages of Karisparu, Chenapau, and Mahdia in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) to personally meet with the families of the 20 students who tragically lost their lives in the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory fire in May 2023
150 Bartica families move closer to home ownership
--over 9,000 house lots allocated nationwide within first half of this year, Minister Croal says
SOME 150 more residents of Bartica in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are one step closer to becoming homeowners.
On Friday, the residents received their house lots at Tract ‘Bar’, and Five Miles South Housing Schemes.
Reshma Ally said she felt empowered by just knowing that she is the owner of her own property, and, soon, she
hopes she will no longer have to pay $60,000 in rent every month.
“It feels good to get this after waiting for so long. I feel happy that I can leave something for my children,” she stated.
It was also a significant moment for Mala Benny, who applied for her land some 17 years ago.
Benny, a mother of two
sons, said, “This is the first time I’ll own something like this. I feel good, because now I know they can get something, since I am living on somebody else’s land.”
Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal led the housing drive at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.
He said the land allocation exercise underscored the government’s aim of ensur-
ing homeownership reaches every administrative region.
Bartica now has three housing developments: Five Miles, Five Miles Extension, and Block CH&PA.
Some $2.5 billion is being invested to complete the first phase of infrastructure works in these three developments, with completion expected by November of this year.
Bartica received an allocation of 437 lots in the last five years, compared to just 18 lots that were allocated by the previous government during their five years in office.
Minister Croal noted that the PPP/C administration has distributed over 9,000 house lots, nationwide, in the first six months of this year. That number exceeds the 7,534
lots that were allocated by the previous government between 2015 and 2020.
A total of 104 people who were allocated land at Block CH&PA in Region Seven will also be signing their Agreements of Sale to begin the process of registering their titles. This means they will be able to uplift their titles in the coming months. (DPI)
Some 150 more residents of Bartica in Region Seven are one step closer to becoming homeowners
‘Norton
enjoys our full confidence’
--Mahipaul says APNU behind its leader for presidential candidate, maintains their offers to the AFC were ‘reasonable’
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has maintained that even if a coalition was to be formed ahead of the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, their pick for presidential candidate would be Aubrey Norton.
In light of the continued exchange between APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC) over the reason for the failed coalition talks, executive member of the PNCR, Ganesh Mahipaul, during a press conference on Friday, said that his party was “reasonable” in its offers to the former coalition partner now led by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.
Mahipaul said: “I believe
that we, from the APNU side, we have offered AFC, what the majority of persons consider to be reasonable offers, and if they don't see it as reasonable, they, of course, would have had to pen their counter offers. We did not find favour with their counter offers, and we maintain that our offers were very reasonable in the discussions and negotiations.”
Although the PNCR remains the dominant opposition political force, reports regarding the coalition’s negotiations paint the picture that the AFC attempted to strong-arm its way.
News reports have highlighted that during the early stages of the negotiation, the AFC demanded an over-
whelming majority of the Cabinet appointments including the Office of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General, in addition to being made the Representative of the List.
The AFC pushed aggressively for 65 per cent of the Cabinet appointments. In response, the APNU rejected this power grab attempt, maintaining its seniority.
Adding to the contradictions, AFC Leader Hughes, on Tuesday, publicly claimed that “at no point has the AFC demanded the presidency, nor have we insisted that our nominee must lead any coalition.”
But it was later revealed, in one of the documents, that the AFC subtly lobbied
against APNU Chairman and PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton.
It was reported that the AFC said, in a document, that it does not consider the leader of APNU the “strongest and most attractive or marketable choice” for the coalition presidential candidate.
APNU and AFC held office between 2015 and 2020 as a coalition and were engaged in talks to resurrect the alliance ahead of this year’s elections.
But earlier this year, when the coalition’s future was hanging in the balance with early talks labelled as being on “life support,” Hughes seemingly rejected Norton as the presidential candidate.
“Absolutely not,” Hughes
had promptly responded when asked whether Norton was identified as the presidential candidate.
However, Norton had previously emphasised that the PNCR, as the largest party in the coalition, is entitled to the presidential candidacy and would not relinquish this role to a smaller party, and to put it frank, not to “anybody who just fly off of a tree top.”
At the PNCR’s 22nd Biennial Delegates Congress, a resolution was passed maintaining that Norton shall be the party’s presidential candidate for the next general and regional elections, and only he could decide whether someone else should be the candidate and who that person should be.
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
CHESTER
08:35 hrs
Chairmanfourtimes
09:10 hrs Moonstone Boy
09:45 hrs Grey Cuban
10:20 hrs Milford
10:55 hrs Lagoon Nebula
11:30 hrs Hyperfocus
12:05 hrs Amancio
SANDOWN
08:30 hrs Watching Stars
09:05 hrs Urban Lion
09:40 hrs Star Of Mehmas
10:15 hrs Cosi Bello
10:50 hrs Bull Run
11:25 hrs Previse
12:00 hrs Blast The Dream
12:35 hrs Road To Wembley
YORK
08:50 hrs Havana Pusey
09:25 hrs Saratoga Gold
10:00 hrs Alsafib
10:35 hrs Double Rush
11:10 hrs Stellar Sunrise
11:45 hrs Classic Encounter
12:20 hrs Musical Touch
IRISH RACING TIPS
DOWNPATRICK
08:40 hrs Kenisa Sport
09:15 hrs Hills Of Glory
09:50 hrs Rose Of Kalanisi
10:25 hrs River Vale
11:00 hrs Aleish Lass
11:35 hrs General Hubble
12:10 hrs Kamikaz Du Plesis
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
SCOTTSVILLE
08:05 hrs Star In Motion
08:40 hrs Captain’s Christy
09:15 hrs Give Me Everything
09:50 hrs Cape Eagle
10:25 hrs Rosh Kedesh
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
BELMONT
Race 1 Farm House
Race 2 Disco Star
Race 3 Fuligni
Race 4 Kushan Bridge
Race 5 Down The Line
YBG launches 18th National’s Schools Basketball festival
THE Youth Basketball Guyana organisation on Friday launched another edition of their famed National Schools Basketball Festival set to run off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall later this month.
The NSBF which will field all the winners of the nationwide regional tournament converging for a week of high intensity action at the U14, U16 and U18 levels along with a girls category.
Co-director of YBG Wayne ‘Chris’ Bowman told the students gathered for the launch that the majority of players currently playing senior basketball has come out of their program which shows the competition success.
“For nearly two decades, the NSBF has been a beacon of hope and development for youth at the grass roots and school level across Guyana, over 80 per cent of the current national basketball players emerge from this very tournament, a statistic that speaks volumes about its value and enduring legacy,’ Bowman said.
According to the YBG executive, the tournament has stood the test of time because, “We pursued youth development with purpose, our success if built over the past several years on developing a progressive school aged basketball programme where student athletes across Guyana can be given the opportunity to play.”
Nicholas Fraser, head of the unit of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Education says that they have fully support Youth Basketball Guyana initiative said, “It’s a testament to the amount of time that Bowman and his team has put to this particular tournament, we have noted that from this tournament. We have been able to see a lot of basketball player come out of it, we have been able to see an inter Guiana games teams being selected and a number of tournaments have benefitted from this tournament.”
Assistant Director of sport Melissa Dow-Richardson encouraged the youths to make full use of the state-of-the-art facility, stating that, “Sport has become a revolutionary force, I say this not only in my capacity as deputy director of sports but as a former student of basketball, this facility means a great deal to me because when I wasn’t at school I was here, I was training and preparing not just for sports but for my life, my future.”
Edward B Beharry company Brand Manager Malisa Jeffers said, “We believe in the power of sports to uplift, empower and inspire and YBG has consistently showed his commitment to developing not just athletes but future leader, our support goes beyond branding and visibility, it’s an investment in the youth of Guyana. We are proud to contribute to a platform that encourages discipline, team work and excellence on and off the court.”
Major sponsors, KFC, through their Marketing Assistant Charmaine Farnum says the company is thrilled to support the schools tournaments.
She said, “Bring together talented youth people, encourages team work while also promoting a healthy active lifestyle, at KFC we believe in investing in the future and what better way than empowering our youth through sports, basketball teaches valuable skills such as discipline, perseverance and sportsmanship which is essential for both on and off the court.”
This year’s tournament will be sponsored by KFC Guyana, the National Sports Commission, Edward B. Beharry and company limited and other partners.
The organisers also announced that they will honour former national player and coach Dave Causeway by naming the female trophy after him.
The competition tips off Sunday June 29th at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
(ESPNCRICINFO) - South Africa can dare to dream. With Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma playing the most significant innings of their careers, the latter while carrying a hamstring injury, they closed with 69 runs of claiming the World Test Championship, which would be the finest hour for a cricket nation steeped in history but short on silverware.
The second-wicket pair combined to add 143 in 38 overs of wonderfully controlled batting, a partnership that will go down in South Africa folklore barring extraordinary events on the fourth morning, with Markram reaching his eighth Test century from 156 deliveries in the closing moments of the day.
They repelled everything Australia threw at them on a pitch that, with the sun out for most of the day, was at its friendliest for batting in the Test.
The way Australia’s last-wicket pair of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood had earlier been able to add 59 in 22 overs had foretold what was to come.
Still, Australia felt favourites when they set about defending 282.
Despite the early loss of Ryan Rickleton,
edging a very full delivery from Starc which was confirmed by the third umpire, there was a notable urgency to South Africa’s batting.
In the first innings it took until the 20th over to reach 30 (and cost them three wickets) whereas this time they were 47 for 1 after 10.
Starc struck again to have Wiaan Mulder caught low at cover, but then came a vital moment when Bavuma, on 2, edged to Steven Smith at first slip.
Smith was stood so close - he was wearing a helmet as the carry off the surface continued to die - and the chance burst through his hands, leaving him with a compound dislocation of his right little finger.
The agony was clear on his face as he immediately left the field. By the end of the day, it was likely shared by his team-mates.
Shortly before tea, Bavuma joined the injury list when he picked up a hamstring injury but he defied the pain, mixing hobbling between the wickets with some crisp stroke-play.
It was going to take much more than a tweaked muscle to stop Bavuma.
There was, however, a question to be asked as to whether Australia could have squeezed an injured batter hard in the field.
Guyanese Dr Pilgrim is new RADO Chair
• From Page 36
“Our relationships with our respective governments and National Olympic Committees will be of paramount importance. We need to develop more human resources with respect to anti-doping within our region.
“While the Caribbean RADO has done a lot as an organisation, our goal now is to build greater capacity in each of our 18 member countries,” Dr Pilgrim said.
“We would love to see at least one dedicated full-time staffer assigned to anti-doping programmes in each country. Increasing funding will also be a priority for our organisation, following the establishment of our marketing committee.”
The other members of the new Executive Committee have been elected unopposed.
Werleman now holds the role of vicechair, while former vice-chair Adrian Lorde of Barbados, along with T&T’s Rheeza Grant return as Directors.
The newest member of the Executive Committee is Mitchell de Palm of Bonaire, who also heads the Marketing Committee.
He says ensuring the sustainability of the organisation will be an area of focus.
“Revenue generation will be one of the major things on our agenda.
“The primary task right now is assessing our previous efforts, building on those efforts, while exploring new approaches to securing funding for future endeavours. These initiatives will then benefit all of our member territories,” de Palm said.
The closest Bavuma came to a mistake was when he top-edged Nathan Lyon towards deep square leg on 43 but Sam Konstas, on as a substitute, couldn’t quite make enough ground with a full-length dive that left him with a mouthful of grass.
Meanwhile, Markram was all but faultless. He kept the scoreboard ticking - Australia sent down just three maidens in 56 overs - alongside a selection of handsome boundaries, none better than the back-cut off Starc which bisected deep third and deep point with precision and left the bowler waving his arms in frustration.
He would then move to 97 with the sweetest of straight drives against Hazlewood.
As the close neared, and it appeared he may have to wait for the morning, his crowning moment arrived with a whip through the leg side.
Pat Cummins went through all the options at his disposal, but nothing could conjure the moment to create an opening.
Lyon caused some problems out of the rough and came very close on a few occasions while Travis Head’s first delivery ragged sharply at Markram. They will need a miracle today.
The Caribbean RADO AGM was held on June 8, capping off an intense weekend that included a Member Country Capacity Building Training Workshop on the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS), which was facilitated by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
As the Caribbean RADO plans for its next strategic cycle 2026-2030, Member Country Representatives also engaged in an in-depth Strategic Planning Workshop under the guidance of Jane Rumble, Chief Executive of United Kingdom (UK) Anti-Doping on June 7.
There was also a joint celebratory dinner with hosts National Anti-Doping Commission (NADC) of Barbados, marking key milestones for both organisations.
The Caribbean RADO celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 12, while NADC Barbados celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year.
The Virgin Islands has been chosen as the hosts of the 2026 AGM, which will be held in St. Thomas.
Aiden Markram brought up his eighth Test century • ICC/Getty Images
One Guyana Basketball Premier League Playoffs
Final four tip off at Sports Hall
THE One Guyana Basketball Premier League continues this weekend with semifinal playoff action at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Today, the Wor-manville Pacesetters who won their quarter-final round against Mambas, will be looking to continue their winning ways against Kwakwani Untouchables.
Untouchables, who were one of the top teams in their conference regular, got past Georgetown Masters to reach the semifinals.
Then later, the University of Guyana Trojans who won their best-of-three series against Amelia’s Ward Jets will battle the best team coming out of Linden, in Victory Valley Royals.
Royal earlier in the playoff showed class to axe Plaisance Guardians to advance to the semifinals in their best-of-three playoff series.
The playoff sees the top eight teams from the Jaguars and Harpy Eagles conference battling in best-of-three clashes in each conference with the best teams in both conferences battling for the One Guyana Basketball title.
The two games are the first one in bestof-three series between the teams. The next set of games are set for Sunday at the Cliff
season featured 22 teams evenly split in the Jaguars and Harpy Eagles conference drawn from all across
Olympian Edghill represents Guyana at IOC’s Athletes’ Forum in Switzerland
• From Page 36
One of the key mandates of the event is to upskill athlete representatives and inspire them with best practices and new ideas to take home.
Edghill said, it was very informative, adding, “‘The goal of the forum is to one give us the athletes commission an update as to what has been happening at the international level of the IOC Athletes Commission and then to show us new things they would have implemented that will benefit us and educate us on our rights, the different things that are available to us and the resources available to us and showing us ways how we can apply for these grants and gain access to these resources.”
The former national champion says her concentration was on finding new ways to support local athletes.
“The focus of my participation at the international athlete’s forum was to gain perspective on different things that are
happening at other athletes commission in terms of their best practices and the things we can implement in Guyana and also to gain new ideas on how best we can represent our athletes and the thing we can do to help them achieve their true potential and advocate for the things they want and to keep their needs at the forefront of what is it we do as a commission.”
Apart from the general sessions attended by all participants, representatives had the chance to attend sessions on Anti-doping, Mental health and athlete well-being, prevention of competition manipulation, Social media workshop and athletes commission administration.
Special guest at this year’s forum were Tennis legend Rafael Nadal and two-time Olympic champion and 22-time Grand Slam winner and NBA champions Pau Gasol.
The first IOC International Athletes’ Forum was held in 2002.
Sammy ‘not totally’ surprised by Pooran’s retirement
has admitted that he is not totally surprised by the recent decision by T20 superstar Nicholas Pooran to retire from international cricket at the age of 29.
In fact, Sammy said he expects more players to follow in Pooran’s footsteps as they chase the lucrative contracts on offer from franchise cricket.
Sammy, who is currently on tour in Ireland with the regional team, said he had a hunch that Pooran was going to retire from international cricket before his announcement.
“Nicholas sent me a text message, and so I did have a conversation with his agent as well. When we first spoke about the UK [United Kingdom] tour and the conversation I had with him, I did ask him, ‘Are you unavailable for the UK tour only, or indefinite?’ And from that response, I just knew I had to start preparing for the worst case,” Sammy said.
“Ideally, a talent like that I would love to have him in the team, but I don’t control nor could I control anybody’s careers… I wished him well, he wished the team well.
“It is [about] trying to move on now from planning a gameplan without Nicholas Pooran. With a World Cup coming ahead, I respect the fact that he told us early enough so we have more time to plan without him,” he added.
Sammy also made the bold prediction that other West Indies players would retire early in their careers.
“I’m pretty sure more will follow in that mood, in that direction. That’s the way T20
cricket is now and especially coming from the West Indies, with the challenges that we face trying to keep our players motivated to play for the crest, so I wouldn’t be surprised.
“You saw everybody talk about Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, these guys who’ve retired. It’s out of our control,” Sammy pointed out.
Anderson Sport Hall. The league is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission.
The league’s regular
the country battling for bragging rights, a million dollars and the coveted national club league trophy.
CMC – WEST Indies head coach Daren Sammy
WEST Indies head coach Daren Sammy
Slingerz, Western Tigers and GDF in action at NTC
ACTION returns tonight at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre at Providence in season seven of the Elite League.
The first matchup, set for 18 hours 30, is a top-of-the table clash.
It sees Western Tigers, who are second on the points table after six wins, a draw and a loss in eight outings, batling the Guyana Police Force who are third on the list.
Police boast a record of five wins, two draws and a loss, also in the same number of matches this season.
Next league leader, Slingerz FC, who have been flawless this season after eight games, will take to the field aganist defending champions the Guyana Defence Force at 21:00hrs.
Slingerz, who finished season six of the league as runners up have been even more phenomenal this season, playing undefeated against most of the league teams.
While the champs have had their worst season in the past couple of seasons with two losses, one draw and four wins, which places them fourth on the points table behind Slingerz, Western Tigers and Police after seven games, one fewer than the top three teams.
The league features 90 games over a sixmonth period with top sides in season seven of the Elite League collecting G$2,000,000 (two million dollars) and being awarded an automatic qualifying spot at the CONCACAF/Caribbean Shield Championships.
The second-placed team will collect $1,200,000, third-placed $800,000 and the fourth-placed, 500,000.
The league is sponsored by Guyana Beverage Inc through their Turbo brand, BACIF, Blue Water Shipping and Namilco.
Singh, JAPARTS step up to support Lusignan Golf Club
IN support of the Lusignan Golf Club during the relentless rainy season, Chief Executive Officer of JAPARTS, Terry Singh, has loaned a tractor to the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) for a period of five weeks.
This generous contribution comes at a time when the club is battling persistent rainfall and trying to keep the course in playable condition.
LGC President Anasha Ally expressed deep appreciation on behalf of the club and its membership. “On behalf of the club and its members, I’m very grateful for the help that JAPARTS and Terry Singh have given to the club,” Ally stated. “The rainfall has been relentless and keeping the course in fairly good condition has been a challenge over the past two months. We couldn’t do it without the help of Terry Singh and some members of the club, including Patanjilee Persaud, Dino Bissessar, Pandit Ravi, and Manager Vishal Changur and ground staff.”
The provision of the tractor is not merely a convenience—it is essential. During the rainy season, course maintenance becomes particularly challenging as water accumulation and rapid grass growth demand immediate attention. Without the proper machinery, such upkeep would be both time-consuming and costly. The tractor allows the LGC grounds team to respond promptly, helping to prevent deterioration of the playing surface
and preserving the safety and enjoyment of members and visitors.
“To rent a tractor of this kind for five weeks would typically cost the club well over two million dollars,” President Ally added. “When we have the corporate community and well-wishers who support the club in such a generous manner, it helps LGC a lot and the club is extremely grateful.”
CEO Terry Singh’s commitment to the development of sports and community initiatives is evident in this act of generosity.
Braithwaite backed by SI&C for UK rifle meet as top Guyana marksman aims for Bisley glory this July
GUYANESE leading rifleman, Lennox Braithwaite, in his quest to aim at the targets at the 156th Target Rifle Imperial Meeting in England this year, has received tangible support from longtime supporter, Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc (SI&C).
Braithwaite informed that over the last twelve years, SI&C and Managing Director, Mr. Harold Hopkinson has been supporting his endeavours in rifle shooting.
“I’m so grateful for the assistance given to me and will always seek to make Mr. and Mrs. Hopkinson and SI&C and by extension Guyana, proud.”
The 156th Target Rifle Imperial Meeting is set to shoot off from July 18 and will conclude on the 26th at the National Shooting Centre, Bisley.
Three other Guyanese will also be attending: Fullbore vice-captain Leo Romalho, Mahendra Persaud, and Ryan Sampson.
His support underscores the critical role the private sector can play in sustaining recreational infrastructure, especially during times of environmental strain.
The Lusignan Golf Club, continues to thrive, thanks to the support of stakeholders like JAPARTS, alongside the assistance of dedicated club members and the leadership of the executive committee and grounds superintendent Deno Bissessar
The LGC looks forward to a continued partnership with Japarts in future as well as with the wider corporate community.
GFF Elite League
156th Target Rifle Imperial Meeting
Slingerz FC
Terry Singh and the tractor
Mrs. Roxanne Hopkinson of Secure Innovation and Concepts Inc., hands over sponsorship to Lennox Braithwaite
Chelsea Edghill represented Guyana over the past week at the International Athletes’ Forum in Switzerland
Guyana’s Edghill at IOC Athletes’ summit
GUYANESE Olympian Chelsea Edghill represented Guyana over the past week at the International Athletes’ Forum in Switzerland.
The event, which concluded on Thursday, was organised by International Olympic committee Athletes’ Commission and Guyana was represented at the event by Olympian and chair of Guyana Athletes Commission Edghill.
The International Athletes’ Forum
is held over three days every two years, bringing together more than 350 athletes to discuss in person the issues that are most important to athletes. The mission of the forum is to give athlete representatives from each international federation, National Olympic committee and Continental Association and Organising Committee a physical platform so that they can exchange ideas and take solutions back to their respective athlete communities. • Continues on Page 34
New Chairperson of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO), Dr Karen Pilgrim (centre) with members of the Executive Committee
Guyanese Dr Pilgrim is new RADO Chair
(CMC) - DR Karen Pilgrim is the new chairperson of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO), becoming the first female to hold the position in the organisation’s history.
Dr Pilgrim, the current member country representative for Guyana, was elected unopposed during the recent Annual General Meeting held in Barbados over the weekend.
The retired veterinarian and former vice-president of the Guyana Olympic
Association previously held the role of Director on the Caribbean RADO Executive Committee.
Dr Pilgrim takes over the position previously held by Aruba’s Patrick Werleman, who led the Caribbean RADO from 2019 to 2025.
As she takes the helm of the organisation, she believes that partnerships will be instrumental over the next three years. • Continues on Page 33