- outlines ambitious 5-year growth plan at Nappi Heritage Day celebrations - says land titling remains top priority; education, health, agriculture, tourism will get major boost
Minister of Housing, the Hon Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry, the Hon Vanessa Benn, on Sunday visited the Yarrowkabra Homestead Project and the Silica City housing development, located on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, to get a first-hand view of the progress of the works being done. At Yarrowkabra, 25 out of 200 prefabricated houses have been completed and the ministry is looking to incorporate the construction of shade houses into the project. Regarding, the much-anticipated Silica City, the ministry plans to construct modern houses to meet the growing interest of the Guyanese Diaspora in the second phase. In phase one, 110 houses are set to be completed soon (Ministry of Housing photos)
Durability, sustainability guaranteed with prefab, modern houses at Yarrowkabra Modern condos, townhouses at Silica City to meet diaspora demand in second phase
- 110 houses in phase one nearing completion Education Minister calls for ‘weekly status reports’ from Region Seven contractors with outstanding projects - Minister Croal says shade houses to be included in homestead project
Durability, sustainability guaranteed with prefab, modern houses at Yarrowkabra
- Minister Croal says shade houses to be included in homestead project
By Naomi Parris
SETTING the stage for a new model of sustainable living, construction works on 200 houses and complementing infrastructure are taking shape at the Yarrowkabra homestead project along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Speaking to reporters during a site visit on Sunday, Housing Minister Collin Croal stated that the project, which has seen 25 houses being completed thus far, will soon see the construction of shade houses, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture.
DuraVilla Homes is constructing the houses in batches of 25, with units being priced at $6.5 million. It will target single women, promoting economic empowerment and sustainable living.
Edward Pillay, Operations Manager at DuraVilla Homes, outlined the step-by-step construction process behind the modern prefabricated houses now taking shape.
According to Pillay, each superstructure begins with the installation of a base plate anchored into a concrete foundation.
Prefabricated timber wall panels, manufactured offsite, are then transported to the location for assembly.
These panels come pre-fitted with both external and internal conduits for elec-
conventional methods, with dedicated teams assigned to specific tasks to ensure smooth and efficient workflow.
Silverballi hardwood is currently being used for the ceilings, with the company also exploring other local hardwoods for future builds. To keep the project on schedule, the construc-
trical wiring, while roof plates and gable panels are added as construction progresses.
Although the main structure is prefabricated, the roofing is built using
tion process is divided into carefully planned stages, allowing work to proceed in manageable, sequential phases.
“We break down the sequence into small se -
quences. So, if one team is putting on rafters and sheet, that is all they're doing. So, their target is two days, and they come and they do this every day, as long as they come to work. So that has been, I think, one of the key things with getting this whole project running,” Pillay explained while speaking to reporters.
He explained further that the operation is designed to complete two houses per day by breaking down the construction into sequences. Each sequence is calculated to be finished in two days, resulting in a two-month or six-week timeline for one house. The production line includes stages from the factory to the sawmill, with raw materials being bought and harvested. The goal is to optimise the process to finish three or four houses daily by adjusting the sequences and possibly adding superstructures.
Meanwhile, Duravilla’s managing director, Rafeek Khan highlighted the effi-
ciency and high standards of factory-built housing components, describing them as a key innovation in the construction of the modern, prefabricated houses.
He highlighted that the superstructure, including walls and frames, can be completed in as little as one week, thanks to precision manufacturing techniques that eliminate the need for nails. This approach not
only speeds up assembly but also enhances the overall strength and durability of the buildings. The timber used in the process is thoroughly seasoned, and carefully graded to eliminate common defects such as knots and rot, ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of each home. Khan noted that this method of construction often results in houses that are more durable than tra-
The timber used in the process is thoroughly seasoned and carefully graded to eliminate common defects such as knots and rot, ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of each house
ditional concrete buildings. In addition to its technical advantages, the system supports Guyana’s wider economic goals.
“This is not just for Duravilla homes, but for our country, nationally, for us to recognise what the government has endorsed with these types of homes, is that it helps promote locally-made manufactured homes, which helps to add to the gross GDP of the country, and, of course, helping a forestry sector,” Khan said.
An aerial view of the Yarrowkabra homestead project (Housing Ministry photos)
The project has seen 25 houses being completed this far
Government’s commitment to Amerindian development is unwavering – PM Phillips
- outlines ambitious 5-year growth plan at Nappi Heritage Day celebrations - says land titling remains top priority; education, health, agriculture, tourism will get major boost
PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to Amerindian development while honouring their role as Guyana’s First Peoples0 and custodians of the nation’s biodiversity.
Prime Minister Phillips made these remarks while addressing the Heritage Day celebrations in Nappi Village, Region Nine, on Saturday.
The Prime Minister outlined the government’s ambitious fiveyear development plan for Amerindian communities, announcing the revitalisation and continuation of the Amerindian land titling programme. He stated that this ini -
tiative will remain a key focus.
He stated that the government also intends to construct new schools and dormitories to guarantee that every child in the hinterland has access to secondary education. He further mentioned that the telemedicine centres will be equipped to provide modern health services through expanded ICT connectivity.
Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of the Community Service Officers (CSO) programme.
"We made a promise when we went to election that we will focus during the next five years on retraining, upskilling, empowering, and increasing the stipend for CSOs,"
he said.
On economic development, Prime Minister Phillips pointed to agriculture, agro-processing, and tourism as growth sectors, noting: “Job creation, especially in agriculture and agro-processing, remains important for us, and we will work with your villages, including Nappi, to develop village-level tourism.”
The Prime Minister also emphasised the government’s wider commitment to developing sustainable village economies, mentioning opportunities in eco-enterprises, cage culture fish farming, solar energy distribution, carbon credit revenues, and community empowerment.
“We decided that 26.5
per cent of the money earned from the carbon credit sale every year will be shared out to all our villages; the whole aim is to help you develop in a democratic manner whatever product or facility you decide,”he said.
Infrastructure development remains central to these plans, according to PM Phillips, noting that the government is targetting the construction of approximately 2,500 kilometres of hinterland roads over the next five years.
He also reminded of the removal of taxes on all-terrain vehicles and outboard engines to support hinterland transportation and business growth.
Turning his attention to digital literacy, he posited that connectivity will also be expanded, with a target to train 7,500 hinterland residents, through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning programme and other scholarships by 2030.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Phillips spoke of the important link between the preservation of Amerindian cultural
heritage, national identity, and cohesion under the ‘One Guyana’ vision, noting that the protection of indigenous languages and traditions will advance national unity.
“Once we preserve the languages and the culture of our Amerindian Peoples, that itself will help us to forge ahead in a more cohesive manner, under the banner of One Guyana- as One People, One Nation, One
Destiny.”
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to praise Regional Chairman Derek Thomas for his dedicated service to Region Nine, and reiterated the Government’s intention to spend considerable time in hinterland communities over the next five years, and to further its people-centred approach to governance. (OPM)
PM Phillips delivering remarks at the Nappi Heritage Day celebrations
Scenes from Nappi Heritage Day which was held on Saturday (OPM photos)
Four major Western nations recognise Palestinian state, to fury of Israel
BRITAIN, Canada, Australia and Portugal all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, prompting a furious response from Israel.
The decision by four nations from the West, which has traditionally allied with Israel, aligned them with more than 140 other countries also backing Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the occupied territories.
Britain's decision carried particular symbolism given its major role in Israel's creation as a modern nation in the aftermath of World War Two.
"Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine," said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
"The man-made humanitarian crisis in Gaza reaches new depths. The Israeli government's relentless and increasing bombardment of Gaza, the offensive of recent weeks, the starvation and devastation are utterly intolerable."
Other nations, including France, are expected to follow suit this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move.
Displaced Palestinians, fleeing northern Gaza due to an Israeli military operation, move southward, using a vehicle packed with personal belongings, after Israeli forces ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate to the south, in the central Gaza Strip, September 21, 2025 (REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)
"I have a clear message to those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism," he said, referring to Palestinian militant group Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
"And I have another message for you: It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River."
The Hamas-led attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel's ensuing campaign in Gaza has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to local health authorities, spread famine, demolished most buildings and displaced most of the populationoften multiple times.
PALESTINIANS WELCOME RECOGNITION
"It is a human duty of every respectful and free human being in the world to support Palestinians during the ordeal they are
going through and Britain's role now comes within this," said Sharaf Al Tarda, a Palestinian resident of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Hamas welcomed the move but said it must be accompanied by "practical measures" to end the war in Gaza and prevent Israel from annexing the West Bank.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said recognition would help pave the way for the "State of Palestine to live side by side with the State of Israel in security, peace, and good neighbourliness".
Starmer wrote to Abbas to confirm Britain’s decision, noting that London had backed a Jewish homeland in 1917 while also pledging to protect the rights of non-Jewish communities.
Western governments have been under pressure from many in their parties and populations angry at the ever-rising death toll in Gaza, images of starving children and their states' inability to rein in Israel, even continuing to provide arms.
Londoners voiced
Palestinian state, but President Donald Trump has previously made clear he opposes such a move.
Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would propose that the cabinet apply sovereignty in another Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, the West Bank. That would represent de facto annexation of land seized in a 1967 war.
BRITAIN PLAYED A KEY HISTORIC ROLE
mixed reactions on Sunday.
"A whole lot needs to happen, and peace needs to come to that region," said 56-year-old charity director Michael Angus. "This is the first step in actually acknowledging that those people have a right to have somewhere to call home."
Announcing his country's decision, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said it would empower those seeking peaceful co-existence and the end of Hamas. "This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it," he added.
Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel said this recognition was a "fundamental line of Portuguese foreign policy".
Speaking to reporters at the headquarters of Portugal's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, he said: "Portugal advocates the two-state solution as the only path to a just and lasting peace...a ceasefire is urgent."
The United States, Israel's closest ally, did not comment immediately on the decision by three of its allies to recognise a
British troops captured Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire in 1917, and in 1922 the League of Nations awarded Britain an international mandate to administer Palestine during the post-war deal-making that redrew the map of the Middle East.
Mandy Damari, the British mother of released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, told Reuters on Sunday that Starmer was "under a two-state delusion" given that the Gaza Strip's government was still Hamas whose mission was to destroy Israel.
"He is rewarding Hamas for the 7th October barbaric and savage attack on Israel when the hostages are still not back, the war is not over and Hamas are still in power in Gaza."
Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, watched on his phone as Starmer announced Britain's recognition of a Palestinian state.
At the London headquarters of the mission, which may now be upgraded to an embassy, there were smiles and embraces.
"Today is a moment when the UK Prime Minister and the British government, on behalf of their people, stand and say: 'We must correct history, we must right the wrongs'," Zomlot said. (Reuters)
Maduro offers to engage in direct talks with Trump envoy Grenell
VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro offered to engage in direct talks with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump days after the first U.S. strike on a boat from the South American country that Trump says was carrying drug traffickers.
In a letter to Trump that was viewed by Reuters on Saturday and published by Venezuela on Sunday, Maduro rejected U.S. claims that Venezuela played a big role in drug trafficking, noting that just five per cent of drugs produced in Colombia are shipped through Venezuela - of which he said 70 per cent were neutralised and destroyed by Venezuelan authorities.
"President, I hope that together we can defeat the falsehoods that have sullied our relationship, which must be historic and peaceful," Maduro wrote in the letter. "These and other issues will always be open for a direct and frank conversation with your special envoy (Richard Grenell) to overcome media noise and fake news."
He noted that Grenell had helped quickly resolve earlier allegations that Venezuela was refusing to take back migrants, adding, "To date, this channel has functioned flawlessly."
Twice-weekly deportation flights moving illegal migrants to Venezuela from the U.S. have continued uninterrupted despite the U.S. strikes, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Maduro's letter was dated September 6, four days after a U.S. strike on a vessel that the Trump administration has claimed, without evidence, was carrying drug traffickers. The strike killed 11 people who Trump said were members of the Tren de Aragua gang and engaged in drug trafficking.
After publishing the let-
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro prepares to leave at the end of a press conference, days after he said Venezuela would deploy military, police and civilian defences at 284 “battlefront” locations across the country, amid heightened tensions with the U.S., in Caracas, Venezuela, September 15, 2025 (REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez)
ter on Sunday, the Venezuelan government confirmed it was given to an intermediary on September 6.
The White House had no immediate comment.
Trump doubled down, opens new tab on his pressure campaign on Saturday, warning in a post on his Truth Social platform that Venezuela must accept the return of all prisoners whom he said Venezuela had forced into the U.S., or else pay an "incalculable" price.
Trump on Friday announced at least the third strike, opens new tab against alleged drug vessels from Venezuela amid a large U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean that includes seven warships, a nuclear-powered submarine and F-35 stealth fighters.
The strike killed "3 male narcoterrorists aboard the vessel," Trump said, without providing evidence.
The Venezuelan government, which says it has deployed tens of thousands of troops to fight drug trafficking and defend the country, has said none of the people killed in the first strike belonged to Tren de Aragua. It also denies accusations of links between high-ranking Venezuelan authorities and drug gangs.
Trump.
"This is the most egregious instance of disinformation against our nation, intended to justify an escalation to armed conflict that would inflict catastrophic damage across the entire continent," he wrote in his letter to Trump.
Trump's administration appears divided on Venezuela, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spearheading the pressure campaign against Maduro, while Grenell, who served as acting director of national intelligence during Trump's first term, and others pushing diplomacy.
Maduro has repeatedly alleged the U.S. is hoping to drive him from power. Trump this week denied he was interested in regime change, but Washington last month doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups.
Maduro reiterated his denial in his letter to
In his letter, Maduro said he had and would continue to communicate with Grenell, who helped organise the deportation flights, some directly to Caracas and others via Honduras.
The administration official said more than 8,000 Venezuelans have been removed from the U.S. with the flights to date. Reuters was unable to verify the numbers.
Grenell also worked with the Maduro regime to secure the release of seven U.S. citizens, including an Air Force veteran Joe St. Clair released in May whose family said he had been wrongly detained in Venezuela since November 2024.
Grenell was not immediately available to comment.
"Maduro is clearly making overtures," said Geoff Ramsey, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank. "The question for the White House is, how do they get a victory here? Maduro is not going to want to deliver his head on the silver platter to the Venezuelan opposition or to the Americans."
Ramsey said the U.S.
buildup was aimed at encouraging the opposition to overthrow Maduro, but that strategy had been tried unsuccessfully for over decades.
Henry Ziemer, associate fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Trump had a clear aversion to entanglements, but more targeted strikes were likely.
"I don't think Trump wants a war, and Maduro certainly doesn't want a war," Ziemer said. "But the more assets you put in the region ... the more opportunities there are for miscalculation. The risk is that we end up in a position where both Maduro and Trump feel as if they cannot back down."
(Reuters)
More than boundaries and wickets
CRICKET has always been more than just a sport in Guyana. It’s a cultural phenomenon, a unifying force, and a source of pride for the nation. The ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in Guyana is not just another cricket tournament; it’s a powerful vehicle for fostering unity and eradicating divisiveness in the country.
In a diverse nation such as Guyana, where different ethnic and cultural communities coexist, cricket has long been a common ground where people of all backgrounds come together to celebrate
their shared passion.
The CPL, with its star-studded line-ups and electrifying atmosphere, has taken this unity to new heights. It has transcended boundaries, both real and imagined, bringing people from all walks of life under the same banner of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
First and foremost, the CPL serves as a source of entertainment that transcends age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Families gather around their televisions, radios, or head to the stadium to witness the action-packed matches.
The thrill of the game, the magnificent strokes, and the nail-biting finishes provide joy and excitement to millions of Guyanese, allowing them to momentarily escape from their daily struggles and challenges.
But the CPL’s impact goes beyond entertainment: it brings economic benefits to the country as well. The tournament creates jobs, boosts local businesses, and enhances tourism. It fosters a sense of pride among Guyanese, who see their country as a vibrant host for a global sporting event.
Moreover, the CPL
plays a pivotal role in strengthening national identity and unity. Guyanese from all backgrounds proudly rally behind their local team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors.
This shared support for a common cause, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic status, is a testament to the power of sports in breaking down divisive barriers. It promotes a sense of belonging and inclusivity, reaffirming that Guyana’s strength lies in its diversity, and promoting President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision of “One Guyana.”
The tournament’s success also brings forth
inspiring local talent, encouraging aspiring young cricketers from all backgrounds to pursue their dreams. It is a testament to the fact that sports can serve as a catalyst for social change by providing opportunities for talent to rise above socio-economic challenges.
In a world often divided along various lines, the CPL in Guyana reminds us of the unifying power of sports.
Cricket becomes the language spoken by all, transcending the barriers of language, ethnicity, and religion. The CPL creates a space where people can cele-
brate their shared love for the game and, by extension, their love for their nation.
Cricket, in Guyana, is more than a sport; it is a symbol of hope, unity, and pride. The CPL magnifies this symbolism, showcasing the best of Guyanese hospitality and sportsmanship to the world. It reminds us that in a world often marred by divisiveness, there are still avenues where people can come together, irrespective of their differences.
Guyanese celebrate not just the wickets and boundaries but also the sense of togetherness and belonging it brings.
Mahipaul and DeFrance: The remains of the day
THE dream of high political status has been a continuous thread running through the history of this country and sadly the political cemetery of Guyana since 1964 has occupied vast territory that continues to expand.
For many that dream never saw the light of day. At the 1964 election, apart from the big three – PPP, PNC and United Force – four other parties contested. They were the Justice Party of Bal Ram Singh Rai, a former PPP minister; Guyana United Muslim Party; Peace, Equality and Prosperity Party and the National Labour Front.
Every election since 1964 has seen a proliferation of small political parties headed by people who dreamt of having a large name in politics. Political parties expanded exponentially at the first free and fair elections in 1992 after decades of rigged elections since 1968.
Many prominent citizens entered the electoral ring since 1992 in search of that political dream. None has ever made it except a handful that ended up with one seat and faded with subsequent elections.
The 2020 elections saw the biggest entry into the political arena outside of the big two PPP and PNC. Each election from 1992 saw some very prominent names hoping to make it big on the political stage.
Pegasus owner, Robert Badal; former PPP big wig, Ralph Ramkarran and well-known literary personality, Ruel Johnson made a pitch for political real estate in 2020. The result was only one made it to parliament, Lenox Shuman of the Amerindian Party.
Some political dreamers subsumed themselves under the umbrella of the PNC, the largest party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Some big names fell under that tent, including Keith Scott, brother-inlaw of Walter Rodney and Drs. Clive Thomas and Rupert Roopnaraine. You look at the political graveyard at the moment and it is becoming longer than the Essequibo. Two names are making the rounds –Ganesh Mahipaul of the PNC and Dr. Mark DeFrance of ANUG.
Can they end up where dozens of large political figures have been consigned to since 1964?
The most conspicuous name in the PNC in 2025 after the diminution of Ubraj Narine and Roysdale Forde and the exodus of Amanza Walton-Desir was Mahipaul. There were hardly any developing circumstances that could have intervened to stop him from being named as the PNC’s PM candidate.
In an unexpected move, Juretha Fernandes of the AFC defected to the PNC and was instantly assigned the PM slot. It made no sense politically since she came over just weeks before the election and ironically was less known in Amerindian circles than Mahipaul himself. To obfuscate the embarrassment to Mahipaul, all PNC campaign billboard featured the triumvirate – Norton, Fernandes, and Mahipaul – but was there really a triumvirate.
It turned out there wasn’t, and the billboard thing was a colossal deception. After the elections, Terrence Campbell, a complete newcomer to Guyana’s politics was made parliamentary head
of the APNU. Where does Mahipaul go from here? He would tell you that he isn’t going anywhere but parliament can be a rowdy place sometimes (well, most of the time) and Ganesh will have to endure some overbearing taunts on his demotion.
Finally, the medical doctor, Mark DeFrance, current head of ANUG, if ANUG still exists. Since DeFrance is a medical doctor, he will have to do a post-mortem on ANUG. DeFrance dissolved ANUG under WIN for the 2025 elections knowing full well that he had a rich guide to learn from. There is PNC-Reform, PPP-Civic and APNU+AFC. DeFrance does not understand simple politics. It should have been WIN+ANUG.
He was the second big name on the WIN bandwagon because of the national status of ANUG. But Azruddin Mohamed had other thoughts. Can one imagine a political novice like Mohamed outsmarted the more experienced DeFrance. He was not given a parliamentary seat.
Mohamed was laughing at DeFrance behind his back during the campaign. DeFrance and Mohamed signed a legal document to give ANUG two parliamentary seats if WIN got six seats and three seats if WIN got more than six seats.
But that legal agreement may not hold up in court because there is no entity named WIN+ANUG and ANUG dissolved itself under WIN in papers submitted to GECOM. DeFrance told me this week that the lady that WIN chose from ANUG to sit in parliament will address parliament as an ANUG parliamen-
tarian.
DeFrance is ignorant of the Representation of The People’s Act. She cannot sit in parliament as an ANUG representative. She comes under WIN and was selected by WIN. If she only says she represents ANUG in par-
liament, the Speaker will warn her, and WIN may remove her. DeFrance thinks he can still salvage ANUG. He is dreaming. He knows AFC died when it merged with the APNU and ANUG died when it stupidly removed its identity and became part
of WIN.
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.
President Ali’s political demeanour is catalytic
THERE is an aspect of President Ali’s politics that is analysed only with half metrics. Most commentators give due recognition to the President’s street-level politics which has endeared new followers to him personally, and to his party, generally speaking. This aspect of his politics ubiquitously flows, without fail, from the lips and pen of almost all commentators. It’s an inescapable feature of his presidency, which many believed had a positive impact on the 2025 elections results.
However, there are less analysed aspects of his affability, that is to say, the origins and effect on the body politic. In terms of the origins, there are two overriding considerations.
Foresight: the analyst should seek to understand whether President Ali had the foresight to envision that a new and more interactive or animated style of presidential interaction is a necessary introit to
arrest and reverse the stagnant -- or declining in many respects -- polling numbers of his party. Personality: is it that this highly interactive output is simply ingrained in his personality and he was simply the man for these times, and it is mere political fortuity that his personality happens to dovetail with one of the greatest political needs of his party in this epoch? In my view, the two are mutually inclusive. If we look at President Ali’s ministerial career which was the political forerunner to his presidency, from reasoned recall, he certainly did not capture the attention of the nation as the affable people person who grounded with the common man. Maybe this quality was known to those very close to him, but had not seeped out into the national consciousness. Or perhaps, the party’s leadership structure and the political role he was asked to play acted as a curtailing effect on these innate qualities. Perhaps, upon
becoming Numero Uno, there were no tabs on him and his true personality was unfurled. Or could it be that he has an adaptable utility personality that stood behind a direct, purposefully engineered political strategy that transformed him into the voter magnet he eventually became?
Whichever way it is sliced or diced, the effect of his personality is a defined transformation in representative politics in Guyana. President Ali’s first term raised the political bar for politicians of all stripes, shades and estate. He is now the standard bearer for interactive, representative politics.
The Guyanese population have loudly signalled that they want their representatives to be personable, interactive, in their faces, upclose and personal. The parties that were able to read the tea leaves and responded appropriately got positive results at the just concluded General and Regional Elections. The WIN party leader
copycatted this strategy -- not that he lacked some charm of his own -- and came away with handsome results. The party slowest to respond to this heightened political thirst in the population was APNU; the results were congruent. This reality probably set in after the elections.
We heard Terrence Campbell, APNU’s lead in the 13th parliament, acknowledge this failing and iterating that he will be leading his parliamentary colleag ues into every corner of the country. APNU is yet to demonstrate that it has a candidate that can transfer political charm and
charisma in a manner receptive to the population or, will this trait be engineered and cultivated over time? Simply showing up in communities, though necessary - - and a minimum requirement -- does not seem to be sufficient to woo new people to political parties.
Essentially, President Ali has changed the political culture. Every political representative at all levels is now under pressure to interact with his/her constituency. This is the beginning of the end of desktop, office-based politics. No longer should activists be allowed to hide behind party lists. Once extracted at whatever level -- national, regional or local government -- they each have to interact with their communities and deliver services.
In fact, the President and his party apparatus now have the onus, going forward, to select candidates foremost for their community activism. Representatives hiding behind party lists while fetching around nasty attitudes, disruptive demeanours and power-drunk deportments will severely diminish the effectiveness of entire lists. Political
inclusion, training, sifting and simply laying down the law to adherents is now a necessity for political survivability.
This is more of a rigid requirement in the ruling PPP/C, that it will be in any other party, simply because the PPP/C is in power and the President is the trendsetter. The PPP/C will have to find the political will to bench those who exhibit crude, ill-mannered and tactless interaction with their communities, or those who choose to be representatives in absentia. The PPP/C must engineer this throughout its ranks or risk losing future political capital. We perhaps should even be entering the territory of annual political performance appraisals. Successive or consistent failure should trigger some form of penalty from simple reprimand all the way up to demotion, recall or revocation.
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.
Modern condos, townhouses at Silica City to meet diaspora demand in second phase
- 110 houses in phase one nearing completion
By Naomi Parris
PLANS for the second phase of Silica City, along the Soesdyke-Linden highway are now taking shape, with a specific focus on creating modern housing options. This upcoming phase is being designed to include condominiums and townhouses, offering a distinct alternative to the homes currently under construction in the first phase.
According to Housing Minister Collin Croal, the ministry’s project team is actively working on infrastructural designs to support this next phase, which is expected to meet the demand of the Guyanese Diaspora, with many expressing strong interest in returning home. Many have outlined their preferences for a specific type of modern, well-planned community, a demand the government aims to meet through this new stage of development.
“There are other aspects of Silica City, when we say phase one, this is just for the houses. We have a phase two which will focus on the diaspora. Currently, the project team is doing the design to prepare for the infrastructural work, so that phase two will target the diaspora,” Croal told reporters on Sunday during a site visit.
Meanwhile, construction
under phase one continues with 110 homes in various stages of completion. The current phase features four architectural designs, and allocation of the houses has already begun. Soon, selected beneficiaries will be able to sign agreements of sale as part of the final processing stage.
“You know the construction of houses play a major role in fulfilling our targets at this period, so it therefore means we have to do more strengthening at our project department, in terms of the unit, so we have infrastructure focus, and you have the construction of housing units,” Croal explained.
Croal noted that elevated home designs have been particularly popular, though they require additional time to construct. Overall demand for the project remains high, prompting the ministry to conduct ongoing assessments and planning to keep construction timelines on track.
Final preparations are expected to wrap up, allowing for full implementation of the remaining components of phase one.
Meanwhile, Minister Vanessa Benn emphasised that the Ministry of Housing has consistently aimed to improve the quality of life for citizens. As she reflects on the strong work already done over the years, she is now
focused on expanding the ministry’s approach.
“The ministry of housing has always talked about how we have a space to improve the lives of our people and so my intent is while we look at the work that they have been doing so well over the years, how do we broaden that scope?”
She highlighted the importance of incorporating environmental sustainability into housing developments, particularly by integrating green spaces into residential areas. Minister Benn also pointed to the potential for deeper collaboration with the forestry sector, suggesting the use of lesser-known
wood species in construction.
“How do we look at the greening of spaces in which the houses are being constructed, how do we look at a more kind of comprehensive linkage with the forestry sector for instance, how do we use the lesser wood species in the construction.”
Rather than relying solely on traditional types such as kabukalli and greenheart, Minister Benn proposed using a wider variety of local woods, many of which are both visually appealing and underutilised. This, she said, could not only showcase Guyana’s unique natural resources, but also create more jobs in forestry, and other
related industries.
Back in August 2024, the government partnered with the University of Miami to complete the comprehensive plan for Silica City. It was during the building expo when the master plan for the city was unveiled, showcasing all the cutting-edge technologies and other amenities it will have.
The city will represent a significant step forward in Guyana’s developmental strategy for a sustainable and climate-smart future. It is set to emerge as the most desirable area for ecologically conscious living.
Recreational parks, community centres, buildings,
an electrical system, and multi-specialty healthcare will all be part of the city, creating an atmosphere that improves enjoyment, productivity and well-being.
There are 75 flat housing units and 35 elevated ones. The flat houses are priced between $25,200,603 and $25,290,178, while the elevated ones cost approximately $33,980,153 to $34,450,145.
Once completed, Silica City will be outfitted with the newest energy-saving technologies for wastewater management, energy management and water conservation.
Housing Ministers Collin Croal and Vanessa Benn on Sunday conducted a site visit at Silica City, where works are progressing on the first phase of the project. The houses are at various stages of construction (Naomi Parris photo)
Newly appointed Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn (second from left) alongside Senior Housing Minister Collin Croal during a tour of one of the flat housing units at Silica City (Naomi Parris photo)
‘Ride Along GY’ promotes eco-friendly tourism with launch of Bicycle Rental and Riding School
By Faith Greene PROMOTING
eco-friendly tourism, healthy lifestyles and safe, family-oriented recreation in Guyana, Ride Along GY officially launched its new Bicycle Rental and Training Service, on Sunday, at the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown.
Offering accessible and diverse cycling options, this Ride Along GY initiative seeks to enrich the visitor experience at
the Botanical Gardens, encourage physical activity and foster a culture of sustainable leisure.
Cherry-Ann Greene, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ride Along GY, expressed that this remarkable project was birthed from wanting more for the community, and to have a safe space that allows parents to bring their children out of the house and embrace nature.
“I'm thankful to everyone who has been here on
the journey with me that we have come this far, that I can actually have a space in the gardens for people to ride,” she said.
With this eco-friendly product launch, Greene has also launched a fleet of bicycles, each with a unique name. Among them are the Pepper Pot, My Eldorado, Victoria Lily, River Fleet, the Macaw, the Harpy Eagle, and the 1966 special.
Ride Along, over the last four years, has had a number of successes such
as receiving the award for Best Tour, Most Innovative Business and Best Tour Guide in 2022. Commending Ms Cherry-Ann for her bold vision, passion for tourism, and steadfast commitment to bringing
drigues said.
Addressing the gathering, she underscored that tourism is much broader than hotels; it encompasses experiences, tours, entertainment, cultural encounters and the ways in which visitors move
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues with Ride Along GY’s CEO, Cherry-Ann Greene. Minister Rodrigues says that the CEO’s dedication is a perfect example of how individual creativity and perseverance can add significant value to Guyana’s growing tourism landscape, noting that over the years, the company has consistently demonstrated innovation
her idea to life, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues said that the CEO’s dedication is a perfect example of how individual creativity and perseverance can add significant value to Guyana’s growing tourism landscape, and noted that over the years, Ride Along GY has consistently demonstrated innovation.
She remarked that as a country, Guyana has made tremendous strides in the tourism sector over the last few years. “We have seen the expansion of our room stock, improvements in the quality of our accommodation and a rise in investment interests,” Minister Ro -
and interact within our communities.
Whether our visitors come to Guyana for leisure, for business or for a combination of both, they must be able to engage with the richness of our country, the minister alluded, adding that our framew ork must offer opportunities for visitors to explore our natural beauty, participate in recreational activities and enjoy authentic site visits.
Sharing what she would like to bring to the sector, Minister Rodrigues stated that these experiences must be consistent, predictable, affordable, accessible and of a high standard.
“This is how we en-
sure repeat visitors and build the reputation of Destination Guyana. It is also how we will support small businesses and innovative businesses like Ride Along GY to ensure that they have a constant customer base in which they can provide services.
“Of course, their businesses will be profitable, and they will be encouraged to expand and to come up with new ideas on how we can improve the experiences that we provide to our visitors here to Guyana,” the minister said.
The minister later revealed that in the future, she intends to place strong emphasis on developing the range of tourism experiences available in Guyana. This, she noted, will involve fostering stronger synergies and better networking among hotels, tour operators, guides and service providers.
Amerindian Affairs Ministry launches animated series aimed at preserving, teaching the Arawak/ Lokono language
CONTINUING the celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month 2025 under the theme, ‘Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress and Advancing Our Culture’, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has launched an exciting, new animated series that aims to teach the basics of the Arawak/ Lokono language.
Alister Charlie, Regional Coordinator at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs shared that the preservation of Amerindian languages is pivotal, especially at this time, and for this generation.
He explained that sometime later, if the Amerindian language is not preserved, we will lose it.
“So, I see this as an important aspect in celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month. It is one of the rights of the Indigenous Peoples to preserve their language in accordance with the United Nations Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples, in keeping with that,” Charlie said.
He emphasised that it is just as important for other Guyanese, as it is for the Indigenous Peoples to preserve these languages.
He went on to share the reasoning behind the Arawak/ Lokono language being chosen for this series.
“We have seen where the Arawaks have settled in those villages and communities much closer to the coast, and somewhat the language is dying, and the older
ones who know the language are now passing and leaving the younger generation,” he said.
Acknowledging that we live in the digital age now, with social media influences, Charlie said that many are forgetting (primarily) the Arawak language.
Charlie stated that the government has invested in language preservation, and said they are working to revive the Arawak language.
He said that the Arawaks are one of the early settlers in Guyana, and we are working towards the revitalisation of that language.
The animated series titled, ‘My Lokono Journey’, is an educational programme that not only promotes the Arawak language, but will engage its listening audience, who will learn greetings in the Arawak language, among other terms. The series is 60 seconds long, and will have several episodes.
He disclosed, “The animation will have that featured. It’s an interaction with the grandparents and the children who have adopted a coastal or the city life now adopting the Arawak life. So, they will have to adopt at the same time. Our listeners through social media and other platforms will have the basic understanding through the animated series. So, it's sort of an educational drive in promoting the Arawak language.”
While it is a pilot, feedback will be gathered for them to devel-
op the series and see how it will resonate with its audience.
Continuing the celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month 2025 under the theme, ‘Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress and Advancing Our Culture’, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has launched an exciting, new animated series that aims to teach the basics of the Arawak/ Lokono language
Education Minister calls for ‘weekly status reports’ from Region Seven contractors with outstanding projects
TO ensure school projects are completed in a timely manner, contractors in Region Seven, who have outstanding projects under the Ministry of Education will now be required to submit weekly status reports until their respective projects have been completed.
This firm call for updates came from Minister of Education, Sonia Parag.
She, alongside Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai, on Saturday, led an inspection team to the region where they visited several projects that are being executed under the ministry.
“We want to keep track of the percentage of works, and we also want to have visuals of what is happening on the ground,” Minister Parag asserted.
The team’s first visit was to the Three Mile Secondary School Dormitory. This dormitory is scheduled to be finished in December. With the project slightly behind schedule, Minister Parag instructed the contractor to extend working hours and double the manpower to get the job done.
According to the MoE, the contractor has agreed to the minister’s requests and committed to meeting the current deadline, despite significant challenges in getting sufficient construction materials into the community.
The Three Mile Dormitory was previously a single building that accommodated male and female students. With this new project, the existing building is being renovated, while
a new facility is being constructed for female students.
The ministers also visited the secondary school dormitory in Bartica, a project that will feature three separate buildings. One of these buildings will be handed over on Wednesday, the ministry said.
It added that this project is approximately 70 per cent complete, with an expected October month-end completion deadline.
Progress on a similar project in Karrau is also behind schedule, owing to difficulties in sourcing construction materials.
Both ministers have emphasised the need for contractors to spare no effort to ensure that all projects are completed within the stipulated deadlines.
“We are dealing with children, so we have to work,” Minister Parag noted. She emphasised that these investments are critical to the government’s plan to expand hinterland education and ensure that every child has access to a sound secondary education, regardless of the region they are from.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Minister Sukhai, who reaffirmed that the government, "would like to see that all the contracts we have awarded are completed in a timely manner.”
In the coming weeks, Minister Parag and her team, which includes Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar and Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, will be visiting similar projects across the country.
Education Minister, Sonia Parag, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai, and other officials in Region Seven (Photo: MoE/ Facebook
Onderneeming $1.2B road development project…
Minister Ramraj warns contactors only quality work will be accepted
MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ricky Ramraj on Friday last led a site visit to the $1.2 billion road development project in the Onderneeming Squatting Area (Hill Top) Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
The project spans 10,641 metres across eleven lots.
The minister, who was accompanied by public works engineer Jumma Mohamed, the ministry’s Clerk of Work Ishvar Kawal, Mayor Devin Mohan, and the Annandale/Riverstown NDC Vice-Chairman Kevin Lowe, emphasised the importance of quality and accountability on the
job site.
Minister Ramraj cautioned the contractors to strictly adhere to the required standards, stressing that shortcuts and substandard work will not be tolerated. He also urged them to ensure timely delivery of the works, reminding that the success of the project lies in both durability and completion within the set schedule.
He met with contractors at the site, and inspection of the works was done. Contractors were given stern warnings before the minister reaffirmed that the PPP/C Government is investing heavily in infrastructure to uplift communities and improve lives.
The minister emphasised to the contractors that they must play their part by delivering value for every dollar spent.
Meanwhile, Lowe said that the area needed the road rehabilitation, and as such the request was made from the NDC level.
He said that he is on the ground and will continue to monitor the progress of the works being done by the contractors.
The official added that so far, the work is satisfactory. He also used the opportunity to thank the government for the work being done in the Onderneeming community.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Madanlall Ricky Ramraj (right) inspects ongoing road works at Onderneeming
Project R.E.A.D launched to target children with learning disorders
By Michel Outridge
THE Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central (RCGC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for youths between the ages of 18 to 35 years old with a mandate to provide services to the
session, which was a twopart event.
Smith told the Guyana Chronicle that the first session was an interactive engagement with the children that included reading and drafting letters of the alphabet, while session two focused on basic mathemat-
community through volunteering initiatives, partnered with several NGOs to launch the Read Every Day and Discover (R.E.A.D) Project at the East Ruimveldt Children Learning Centre on Sunday.
According to Mark Smith, International Service Director for the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, they aim to foster leadership responsibly, citizenship, high ethical standards in business and ultimately a better lifestyle for youths in Guyana.
He said the primary goal of Project R.E.A.D is to promote literacy and learning among children, with a special focus on those living with dyslexia and dyscalculia.
Smith added that through this project, the club and its partners aim to create an inclusive and encouraging environment where children can discover the joy of reading, while accessing tools and strategies that support their unique learning needs.
“We believe that raising awareness and providing opportunities for children with these challenges is vital to their academic success and overall development,” he said.
At the learning centre, children from that East Ruimveldt area turned up to have the classroom-like
College and The Bishops’ High School and it was all boots on the ground on Sunday to ensure that the event was smooth and successful.
Smith said the joint partnership saw more than 30 volunteers, who are members of the various clubs coming together for the community-led project to promote learning among children with certain disabilities.
“I am very excited to see this project through. We started at 10am and will conclude the event at 12:45pm and it is my first such initiative and project, so it is in my best interest to have the best result,” Smith contended.
leadership skills, and aid in personal and professional development.
He pointed out that they also focus on finding innovative solutions to the physical and social challenges faced by communities and promoting better relationships among all people.
Balram disclosed that a Rotaract Club is sponsored
by a Rotary Club and is a programme of Rotary International, adopted by the Board in 1968. Rotary and Rotaract members collaborate globally, working side by side to take action through service and create meaningful change in communities.
He stated that the Rotaract Club of Georgetown
Central is a local chapter of Rotaract, based in Georgetown, Guyana. “We are a diverse group of young professionals committed to making a positive impact in our community through service projects, professional development and networking opportunities,” he said.
ics learning. He related that RCGC has 42 members, some of whom were part of Sunday’s launch. At the end of the sessions, backpacks
The East Ruimveldt Children Learning Centre was established in 2017 with assistance from the community, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken and other persons, who pooled their monies to transform the area which was once a dumpsite into a place for children to gather for educational purposes.
The facility is the brainchild of resident, Melissa
with school supplies were distributed to the participants.
Smith said they catered for 40 children from the community and its environs, and the snacks, lunch and cold beverages organised for the children, were garnered through donations from the corporate community in Guyana and other donors.
He explained that the RCCG partnered with the Leo Club of Georgetown Central, South Ruimveldt, Interact Club of Queen’s
Cush.
Meanwhile, President of RCCG, Harrinarine Balram, told the Guyana Chronicle that Rotaract is a global community of young adults who are dedicated to service, leadership, and professional development.
He added that Rotaract clubs bring together people, starting at 18 years of age, to exchange ideas and engage in service projects.
Balram stated that they provide opportunities for the enhancement of knowledge and skills to develop
Some of the learning aids that were in place for Sunday’s interactive sessions with the children
Backpacks with school supplies that were distributed to the children who showed up for the activity on Sunday
Boy, 16, identified as main suspect in fatal stabbing of tourist guide at Annai
THE police are investigating the alleged murder of 21-yearold John Elliot, a tourist guide at Atta Lodge, and who resided at Surama Village, North Rupununi, which occurred at about 01:30hrs on Sunday.
According to the police, the victim was stabbed during a confrontation with three male suspects at an
Amerindian Heritage celebration at Annai Village, North Rupununi, and he subsequently died.
The main suspect is a 16-year-old school drop-out (name
withheld) along with 20-year-old Ronaldo Williams and his brother, 18-year-old Orlando Williams, all of Annai Village.
The incident was witnessed by a female police rank who was present at the celebration. The rank, who is stationed at the Annai Police Station, reportedly positively identified the 16-year-old suspect as the person who stabbed Elliot to his chest and has provided a detailed state-
ment of the incident.
The 16-year-old suspect who was later found at the home of the two other suspects was arrested and escorted to the Annai Police Station, where he was placed into custody.
According to the police, the suspect when questioned in the presence of his mother, denied any involvement and stated that it was Orlando who had stabbed the victim.
At about 14:00hrs
today, the body of the deceased was examined at the Annai District Hospital and two stab wounds were observed to the left side of his chest and the right side of the rib area.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be performed on the remains of the deceased on September 22, 2025. Efforts are being made to apprehend the two other suspects, the police said.
Further investigations are ongoing.
Tourist guide John Elliot, who was fatally stabbed at an Amerindian Heritage celebration at Annai, Region Nine, on Sunday (Photo: John Elliot/Facebook)
September
Abhishek smashes 74 off 39 as India ease past Pakistan
(ESPNCRICINFO) - For about 10 overs, Pakistan threatened what has become rare in recent years, a memorable cricketing contest against India, but ran out of gas against the depth of India's bowling. Still, 171 was the highest total Pakistan have ever posted batting first against India, but it ended up as all their defences against India have: in defeat, this time with seven balls to spare.
Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill crushed the total without ever looking in trouble, starting with a six first ball and adding 105 for the first wicket in just 59 balls, making sure the middle order didn't have too much to do when scoring became difficult against the older ball. Gill scored 47 off 28, and Abhishek, who had dropped Sahibzada Farhan in the first over of the match, carried on to 74 off 39, and left India just 49 to get off 46 when he was dismissed.
Farhan went on to score a fifty to promise a contest but it felt like he had to play out
of his skin to get there. He was also culpable in Pakistan's slowdown, adding just 7 off 11 after reaching fifty as Pakistan went 39 legal deliveries without a boundary.
Even though the chase appeared a walk in the park, the simmering tensions between the sides rose to the surface on the odd occasion.
India's batters appeared to be extra mindful of reassuring each other as the players from the two sides engaged with each other for the first time in more than one-and-a-half matches.
India remained the cooler of the sides: Farhan wielded his bat like a gun after reaching fifty, Abhishek blew kisses after reaching his. The celebrations were indicative of the effort taken to reach the respective milestones.
BUMRAH'S COSTLIEST POWERPLAY
Pakistan protected the struggling Saim Ayub from opening the innings, and it worked with Fakhar Zaman getting off to a flier, after which Farhan carried on.
Pakistan raced away to their best powerplay against India, scoring 55 for 1. Jasprit Bumrah bowled three overs in the first six for the third straight match, and registered his costliest T20I powerplay: 34 runs.
Pakistan get over middle-overs muddle… just about
Coming into this match, the only teams in this Asia Cup slower than Pakistan in the middle overs were Oman
and UAE. Pakistan had gone at under a run a ball, but this time they managed to hit three four sixes in overs 8-10, off Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel. The fourth six brought up Farhan's half-century.
Having done the hard work, Pakistan slumped. The slide began against Shivam Dube, whose progress as a sixth bowler through this tournament will satisfy India immensely. Dube
didn't provide the batters any pace, stayed away from their swinging arc, and took out both Ayub and Farhan after they had put on 72 for the second wicket. The quality of Varun and Kuldeep then shone through, as they tied Pakistan down despite taking just one wicket between them. Faheem Ashraf's unbeaten 20 off 8 added respectability to the score, but it always looked light.
ABHISHEK,
GILL BLITZ THROUGH
It began looking even lighter when Abhishek hooked the first ball of the chase for a six. Gill and Abhishek laced the bowling, making full use of the new ball and whatever pace Shaheen Shah Afridi provided them. India's 69 for 0 was the best powerplay of this Asia Cup, and India's best against Pakistan.
Ashraf provided Pakistan the breakthrough with a ball that seamed in to bowl Gill immediately after he had taken treatment for cramps. Suryakumar Yadav then fell for a duck, but Abhishek kept striking the ball cleanly, taking down Abrar Ahmed, potentially Pakistan's most threatening bowler. Even though Abrar finally got his wicket, Abhishek took him for 32 off 12 balls including four sixes.
TILAK LABOURS THROUGH THE LAST MILE
India experienced a brief slowdown similar to Pakistan's as Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma struggled to come to terms with the old ball not coming onto the bat. Samson managed just 13 off 17, but Tilak saw India through with sixes off Rauf and Afridi in the 18th and 19th overs.
Abhishek kept clearing the infield while Gill kept finding the gaps, and all the while they made sure they stood together whenever a confrontation threatened to materialise. It eventually came to a head with Abhishek and Rauf in each other's face after Gill pulled the latter for a four.
Cox's maiden fifty seals England six-wicket win, and series
(ESPNCRICINFO) - Jordan Cox has spent the past 10 months desperate for another chance at international cricket, and grasped this end-of-season opportunity. He cracked 55 off 35 balls at a sold-out Malahide, setting up another comfortable England win to seal this series, 2-0, after their spinners restricted Ireland to 154.
Named in squads across formats last Summer, Cox's first five England innings revealed an apparent vulnerability against the short ball, and brought him just 37 runs. He was on the cusp of a Test debut in New Zealand last November when he fractured his thumb in the nets, and later sought help from a psychologist to help him get over the disappointment of being ruled out of the series.
But he has thrived for Essex this year - he has hit three hundreds in the
County Championship and one in the Blast - and was a late addition to this squad after he was named MVP in the Hundred. Handed his chance in Dublin, with Oval Invincibles team-mate Sam Curran absent on best-man duties at a friend's wedding,
Cox produced his first convincing knock in an England shirt.
Cox's partnerships of 57 and 49 with Phil Salt and Tom Banton, respectively, removed any sense of jeopardy from England's chase after Curtis Campher's
stunning early catch - diving full-stretch to his right at short extra cover - removed Jos Buttler for a second-ball duck. Cox batted through discomfort after jarring his knee while taking a catch; his only frustration was that he could not quite take En-
gland home himself.
Instead, it was Banton who calmly knocked the winning single into the leg side to seal a six-wicket win, with 17 balls unused and duly finishing unbeaten on 37. The singular blemish for England was a second unconvincing white-ball debut of the month for Sonny Baker, whose first four overs in T20Is cost 52 runs.
COX STEPS UP
Cox has had dreadful luck with injuries. He had not played since the Hundred final due to a minor rib injury, and felt soreness in his knee after taking a catch at midwicket early in Ireland's innings. He then jarred it on the soft outfield while taking a second, and spent the last two overs off the field receiving treatment.
But after Friday's rain cost him another chance to play for England, he resolved to bat through the
pain. "There wasn't a chance that I wasn't going to bat, because I might have had to wait another two years," Cox said. He hit four sixes, including two pick-ups over backward square leg, in his 31-ball half-century.
The key, he said, was pretending that he was wearing Oval Invincibles teal instead of England red. "I was just like, 'Come on, this is just franchise cricket, and I'm playing for the Oval, so just enjoy it and have a bit of fun.' That's what I do when I'm there. Why not try it everywhere?"
Cox looks set to miss the cut when England name their Ashes squad next week, but hopes to be involved in their whiteball tour to New Zealand next month: "I'd love to play for England, whatever that is ... My goal, and what I want to achieve in my career, is [to be] in an England shirt."
Abhishek Sharma hit three fours and two sixes in the powerplay on Sep 21, 2025 (AFP/Getty Images)
Jordan Cox's maiden England fifty drove their run-chase (PA Photos/Getty Images)
Police arrest Ann’s Grove
GUYANA Police Force’s Neron Barrow and company put in a fabulous effort on Saturday evening as they trounced Ann's Grove United 6-nil to improve their standing in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite league at the National Training Centre in Providence.
The ever-dependable
Barrow showed his worth, proving decisive in front of goal to give the men in blue the advantage after they were handed the lead by Nicholas McArthur in the 9th minute of play.
Barrow scored his first in the 33rd minute to make 2-nil going into the break before coming back after the resumption to record his sec-
ond in the 51st minute.
A Carl Griffith 61st minute strike would extend their lead to 4-nil before goals from Ryan Hackett and Jemar Harrigan comfortably completed the 6-nil victory.
Meanwhile, Monedderlust achieved a special win against Fruta Conquerors.
Monedderlust, which has made strides this year with a
RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour team congratulates three members on
national senior contracts
Members and management of the Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour First Division team have expressed congratulations to three of their team mates on being selected on the Guyana Cricket Board list of contracted players for the next year.
The players named after the draft were Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair and Slyus Tyndall and members of the team under the leadership of former national player Clinton Pestano expressed happiness at the selection of their mates.
Anderson, who recently became the third Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club member to play test cricket is a solid middle order batsman, who in 2025 was the leading run scorer for Guyana in the regional first class set up with 573 runs at an average of 71.63.
He also bowls off spinner and brisk medium pacer
and is also a useful wicket keeper.
Junior Sinclair, who has represented Guyana at the regional fifty overs level and in the Caribbean Premier League is an allrounder who opens the batting for his club, bowls off spin and is an outstanding fielder.
Sinclair recently scored 207 not out for the Rose Hall Town Namilco team versus Police in the Berbice Cricket Board two days first division tournament.
He was also among the wickets with two four wickets haul against Police and Port Mourant.
Slyus Tyndall is a brisk fast bowler who has represented Guyana at the junior level with some success and was recently named in the Guyana senior squad. In the one match, he played against the Police first division team, he ended with four wickets for twenty-five runs in a fiery spell at the Area H Ground in
the BCB Tournament.
The RHTYSC wishes the trio of players all the best and would like to urge them to uphold their high standards.
The team is very proud of our record of producing a total of 127 players for our county, Guyana and the West Indies since 1994. A total of ten players have gone on to play at the international level and we are confident of producing more in the near future. The club would also like to congratulate Shemaine Campbelle, Kelvon Anderson, Sheneeta Grimmond and Shabaki Gajnabi for being part of the Amazon Warriors team for the ongoing Caribbean Premier League tournaments.
The club wishes our players and their respective teams all the best.
We share the success of our players with Namilco Thunderbolt Flour brand as they are the root of our success.
much-improved showing in the league, took a notable win against former powerhouses Fruta Conquerors.
Monedderlust’s Arlyn Brown got them off the mark with a goal in the 8th minute of play before coming to the fore once again in the 34th to double the lead, 2-nil.
Fruta’s Simeon Lovell managed to secure a consola-
tion goal in the 54th, pulling back the lead, but to no avail as Monedderlst held onto the 2-1 lead for the narrow victory.
The league continues this evening with another double header, defending champions Guyana Defence Force Meeting Mainstay Gold Star and Western Tigers play Santos FC.
Verstappen wins in Azerbaijan ahead of Russell
and Sainz
(Formula 1) - Max Verstappen claimed a lights-to-flag victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, while Lando Norris closed the gap to title rival Oscar Piastri to 25 points after the Drivers' Championship leader crashed out on the opening lap.
Verstappen was never headed on the streets of Baku, leading all 51 laps and winning by over 14 seconds from Mercedes' George Russell and Carlos Sainz, who claimed his first podium for Williams, having just lost out on pole position.
Kimi Antonelli narrowly missed out on the final step of the podium, having run well all day, but was well clear of a fierce battle for fifth, which was headed by Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson, who claimed a career-best result.
Yuki Tsunoda finished sixth after applying intense late pressure, but in the process claimed his best result for Red Bull, while Norris finished seventh – the same position the McLaren driver started having struggled to make any progress through the sole pit stop sequence.
The Briton, who slumped to as low as ninth at one stage, was unable to pass Tsunoda on the final lap, and only reduced Piastri's lead in the title race by six points.
This was after the Australian suffered a disastrous opening lap, jumping the lights and then activating anti-stall from P9 before crashing out at Turn 5, having dropped to the back of the field.
Lewis Hamilton led teammate Charles Leclerc on a difficult day for Ferrari after both started down the order, as the second Racing Bulls of Isack Hadjar completed the top 10.
Gabriel Bortoleto's Kick
Sauber was best of the rest, followed by Ollie Bearman and Alex Albon, the Williams driver slapped with a 10-second penalty for a collision with Franco Colapinto, midrace.
Esteban Ocon, who started last after the rear wing on his Haas was found to be illegal post-Qualifying, finished P14 from Fernando Alonso, the Aston Martin driver handed a penalty for jumping the start. The order was completed by Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and the two Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto, with Piastri the only retirement.
ON November 2, all eyes will be on the South Dakota Circuit as Guyana’s racing legend Mark Vieira is set to headline the Caribbean Clash of Champions with his newest weapon, a Porsche GT3.
For over a decade, Vieira thrilled fans in his iconic 20B rotary-powered Mazda RX-8, a machine that brought him countless victories and championships, solidifying his status as a racing legend. But as competitors locally and across the Caribbean continue to upgrade, Vieira knows it is time to raise the stakes. The Porsche GT3, his fifth race car and by far the
most expensive and ambitious, is eagerly awaited as it marks the fulfillment of a long-held dream.
The arrival of the Porsche GT3, currently en route from Europe, is eagerly anticipated. Once it lands in Guyana, Vieira will commence testing at the South Dakota Circuit, where he and his team of Porsche GT3 engineers will fine-tune it for the ultimate showdown.
This will not just be another car; it will be a machine built for dominance. Vieira will set his sights on challenging the Group 4 lap record set by Vishok Persaud’s KTM. This ambitious
goal will truly test the capabilities of his new Porsche GT3. Fans can anticipate an electrifying race day. With raw speed, precision engineering, and Vieira’s unmatched driving skill, one thing is certain; he will put on a show that will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. The real suspense will be this: Who, if anyone, will stop Mark Vieira and his Porsche GT3 on November 2?
One thing is certain also, the Caribbean Clash of Champions will be elevated to new heights with Vieira behind the wheel of his Porsche GT3.
Guyana Police Force’s Neron Barrow after leading his side to victory
Max Verstappen on the top step
Mark Vieira set to unleash Porsche GT3 at South Dakota
TKR take 5th title with first win in a final against the ‘Warriors’ in Guyana
By Sean Devers
TRINBAGO Knight Riders, playing in their sixth final, beat the Guyana Amazon Warriors by three wickets last night at Providence in a low-scoring but entertaining final of the Republic Bank CPL T20 tournament to claim their fifth title.
This is the third time the two have been involved in a final. TKR won in 2018 at the Brian Lara Academy before the Warriors won in 2023 at Providence.
Iftikhar Ahmed topscored with 30, which included three fours and a six.
Ahmed featured in a 43run sixth-wicket stand with Dwaine Pretorius, whose 25 included a four and two sixes.
Ben McDermott scored 28 with three fours and a six, but no other batter reached 15, as the Warriors used up 58 ‘dot balls’ in 130-8 in 20
overs.
Saurabh Netravalkar (325) and Akeal Hosein (2-26) were the main wicket-takers, but all the TKR bowlers had frugal spells.
TKR reached 133-7 with 12 balls to spare, as four batters scored 20s, and the Manof-the-Match Akeal Hosein finished the game with a six and a four in an unbeaten 16.
Skipper Imran Tahir had 3-34 to end 23 scalps, the most in the tournament.
Shamar Joseph and Dwaine Pretorius had two wickets each.
When TKR began their chase, needing 6.5 runs per over to lift their first title in the Warriors’ backyard, Romario Shepherd conceded 22 in the second over as Colin Munroe caressed him for three boundaries. Shepherd's bowling has regressed and bowled nine wides in the over, one of which beat the Keeper and went for five wides.
Munroe (23) edged Pretorius to the Keeper at 33-1 in the fourth over. When Nicholas Pooran (1) provided Pretorius with another wicket six runs later, the crowd was back on its feet and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic.
The 50 came up in 49 balls before Darren Bravo (11) was lbw to Imran Tahir at 62-3.
Pacer, Joseph removed Sunil Narine (22) at 89-4 with 43 needed from 43, and the well-set Hales at the crease.
Pollard hit Tahir for three consecutive sixes, and the fans started walking out on their team.
The 46-year-old Tahir bowled Pollard (22) and Andre Russell (0) at 114-6 to be on a hat-trick.
Hales (26) was caught and bowled by Joseph at 116-7, and the pendulum was swinging back in the Warriors’ favour.
However, Hosein (16) finished the contest by dumping Motie for a six and a four. With him was Keacy Carty on one.
Earlier, in 11 matches in this edition of the CPL, the Warriors had reached 40 in any of their opening stands.
Last night was no different.
The Warriors elected to bat on a good track, and Quinton Sampson (0) was struck on his gloves by a Russell bouncer in the first over.
The analytical planning for Sampson worked perfectly. Pollard went to short leg as Russell bowled another short ball.
Sampson fended as a diving Pollard completed the catch to leave the Warriors on 3-1.
McDermott pulled Russell for four, and thumped Hosein for a couple of fours and a humongous six in an over which leaked 16 runs.
The sea of green-and-red in the stands erupted into a tsunami.
With the score on 41 in the fifth over, left-arm pacer Netravalkar dismissed McDermott.
The 50 came from 44 balls, and when Hosien bowled Hope, the tournament’s leading scorer (491) for 12 at 53-3, the ‘Trini’ contingent in the partisan capacity crowd were waving their national flags and dancing to the pulsating rhythm of the Tassa drums.
Usman Tariq bowled Moin Ali (10) at 59-4 in the 11th over, and the Warriors were in shambles.
With Hope suffering a rare failure, it was up to Guyana’s most talked-about cricketer, Shimron Hetmyer, to step up. But the left-handed Berbician, with just three double-figure scores, including three ducks, struggled to get the ball away.
Hetmyer fell to Hosein for four from 13 balls after trying to hit a six, and was caught at long-on to leave the Warriors on 65-5, and silence the crowd that included President Dr. Irfaan Ali and several members of his Cabinet.
Pretorius and Ahmed orchestrated ‘Operation Rebuild’ against a disciplined TKR bowling attack.
The Warriors brought up 100 from 102 balls as TKR tightened the screws on the Warriors in their eighth final with a single title to show for it.
Netravalkar broke the 43-run stand by removing Pretorius, who hit a four and six in 25, as the Warriors slumped to 108-6.
Netravalkar removed Ahmed (30) when taken at long-off by the 38-year-old Pollard, who held his 400th catch and fourth for the night. Shepherd (12) was run out off the last ball of the 20th over.
Akeal Hosein of Trinbago Knight Riders celebrate winning the Men's 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Final match 34 between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders at Guyana National Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Providence, Guyana. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)
Shamar Joseph (R) of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrates the dismissal of Sunil Narine (L) of Trinbago Knight Riders during the Men's 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League Final match 34 between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders at Guyana National Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Providence, Guyana. (Photo by Randy Brooks/CPL T20 via Getty Images)
Mark Vieira's GT3 Porsche
TKR celebrate their 5th title after beating the Warriors in final at Providence
