Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 23-09-2025

‘Not just physical structures but real transformation’

--Figueira explains how mega- development projects will lay the foundation for inclusive, long-term growth; --expresses confidence in Ali-led administration, says gov’t goes ‘beyond rhetoric’

GUYANA is on the cusp of a significant transformation that could reshape the nation into a leading diversified industrial hub in the Caribbean region, according to former Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Figueira pointed to the massive scale of infrastructural and industrial projects underway, from deep water harbour, additional major bridges and highways to energy and manufacturing plants.

“These projects are not going to be merely physical structures; they represent platforms for real transformation,” he said.

Still, the path requires careful management, the former parliamentarian said, noting that “industrialisation is not automatic,” but it requires governance that is transparent, inclusive, and strategic.

“If our development is to be transformative, we must ensure that industrial growth uplifts communities across every region,” he said as he commended President Dr. Irfaan Ali for recognising this and committing his govern-

ment to have a community approach all across this country and to be all-inclusive in these efforts.

As Guyana pushes ahead with several mega-projects that are aimed at laying the foundation for a diversified and prosperous economy,

Figueira highlighted that

the greatest opportunities for long-term growth lie in several sectors, not just one.

While moving on to highlighting the advantages of leveraging the nation’s energy potential to power agriculture and manufacturing, Figueira said, “Cheap and reliable energy, particularly from our natural gas and renewables, can and will lower production costs, making Guyanese agriculture more competitive and manufacturing more viable.”

Using energy to drive agro-processing, fertilisers, food exports, and light to heavy scale manufacturing will position Guyana as a “major regional supplier.”

In his inaugural address, just after taking the oath of office to mark the beginning of his second term, President Ali announced that the first six weeks of his second term will see the groundwork being laid for a sweeping range of infrastructural and economic projects aimed at accelerating national development, job creation, and regional integration.

The major projects include: Construction of a brand-new Berbice River

Bridge, Development of a bridge across the Corentyne River in collaboration with Suriname, Establishment of a second gas-to-energy plant in Region Six, Creation of an Economic Zone in Berbice, Construction of a deep-water harbour, Expansion of the Demerara Harbour, Development of a national digital backbone under the Digital Guyana Project, and Planning for fertiliser and natural gas plants to position Guyana as an industrial powerhouse in the region.

Figueira expressed much optimism regarding the large slate of opportunities that lie within these mega-projects that President Ali will execute.

He said: “What excites me is the real possibilities of these things for my country can now be a reality in our lifetime and we have a president and government that is beyond the rhetoric. They are committed to making what we hoped and dream for. Guyana is actually going to come into existence.”

For instance, the Corentyne Bridge will physically

link Guyana to Suriname and, by extension, South America, Figueira said, noting that this is not just a bridge but a gateway to cross-border trade and commerce, logistics hubs, and new supply chains that can provide new potential markets for Guyanese products and services, tourism and much more.

On the other hand, Figueira said that a domestic fertiliser plant means local farmers will gain access to cheaper, locally produced inputs, making Guyanese agricultural exports more competitive.

“These projects excite me because they will reduce structural bottlenecks due to the high costs of transport and inputs that have historically constrained our development. When executed well, they will be significant game changers,” he explained.

‘SHARED PROSPERITY’

Figueira emphasised that there must be “shared prosperity” throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, where every household, whether in Linden, Lethem,

Essequibo, or Georgetown, can tangibly feel the benefits of growth.

On that note, he pointed out that is what President Ali has set forth to do.

While highlighting the ambitious projects to propel the country’s economic future, President Ali had also said that development is meaningless if it does not touch people’s lives. To this end, he assured the gathering and all those listening that equal emphasis will be placed on advancing personal wealth and financial security.

“We will reduce taxes, raise disposable incomes, and continue direct cash grants. We will build prosperity in every family and home… Over the next five years, we will bring more families closer to the dream of home ownership, because owning your own home is not a luxury; it is a foundation of dignity and security. We will strengthen financial inclusion so that every small entrepreneur, whether in farming, commerce, or innovation, has the access and support to start, grow, and thrive.”

He vowed to confront the cost of living head-on, intervening where necessary to ensure that Guyanese are guarded from global trends.

The nation’s youth will benefit from broader access to skills training programmes and the guarantee of free education at all levels. Housing will be made more affordable, and investment will be directed towards developing new sports infrastructure.

“Guyana is poised for transformation, but the real measure of success will not be in building skyscrapers or oil revenues; it will be whether ordinary Guyanese families can live better, healthier, and more secure lives in an industrialised nation that truly belongs. It is the latter I strongly believe his Excellency is committed to, and with his team now and in the future, it will be realised,” Figueira said.

Guyana’s oil output to hit 1.5M bpd

–– as ExxonMobil’s Hammerhead project gets green light

GUYANA’S march toward becoming a top global oil producer has taken another leap, with ExxonMobil, on Monday, announcing a final investment decision (FID) for the US$6.8 billion Hammerhead development, its seventh project in the Stabroek Block.

Scheduled for startup in 2029, Hammerhead will add 150,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to national output, pushing total production capacity across the block to an unprecedented 1.5 million bopd.

The Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that it has granted approval for the Hammerhead Field Development Plan (FDP) and issued the Petroleum Production Licence (PPL), making way for what will be one of the largest offshore expansions in the country’s history.

President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, Dan Ammann, hailed the milestone as proof of the company’s long-term partnership with Guyana.

“We continue to set a new standard in Guyana –advancing an impressive seventh project just 10 years

after first discovery,” Ammann said.

“In collaboration with the people and government of Guyana, we’ve helped build a thriving new oil-andgas industry in the country that is creating jobs, supplier opportunities, profits and follow-on investments.”

The Hammerhead project will utilise a Very Large

Crude Carrier (VLCC) conversion FPSO being built by Japanese contractor MODEC and will be developed with 18 wells, 10 production and eight injections. Over its lifespan, Hammerhead is expected to yield 445 million barrels of oil.

NEW LICENCE

CONDITIONS

Government stressed that the licence goes further than previous agreements by tightening environmental and operational safeguards.

It is aligned with the new Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Act 2025, features stronger manage -

ment of production levels, and sets new conditions on off-specification fluid discharges. Importantly, associated gas from Hammerhead must be transferred to the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) pipeline network.

“These enhancements reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to responsible resource man-

agement and sustainable development,” the ministry noted.

Hammerhead raises total committed investments across seven sanctioned projects in the Stabroek Block to more than US$60 billion.

To date, Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund has received over US$7.8 billion in oil revenues since first production in 2019. ExxonMobil and its contractors have also spent US$2.9 billion with Guyanese suppliers; while employing more than 6,200 nationals, 70 percent of the workforce tied to block operations.

Current output stands at 650,000 bopd, with the recent startup of the ONE GUYANA FPSO expected to push that to 900,000 bopd by year-end. Production from Uaru (2026) and Whiptail (2027) will follow, before Hammerhead comes online in 2029.

Hammerhead, discovered in 2018 in the southwestern portion of the Stabroek Block, is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited with a 45 percent stake, alongside Hess (30 per cent) and CNOOC (25 per cent).

Guyana, Oman sign Air Services agreement to boost connectivity

GUYANA and Oman have signed a historic Air Services Agreement, opening the door for greater air connectivity and trade between the two nations. The agreement was signed on Monday during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 42nd Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

Representing Oman was Eng. Nayef Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority, while Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, signed on behalf of Guyana. The agreement covers

and

that the deal would provide new opportunities for airlines to expand their route networks and improve

competitive air transport services.

Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Field welcomed the signing, noting that such agreements support President Irfaan Ali’s vision of Guyana becoming a hub for international air connectivity. He highlighted the ongoing development of a modern Terminal B at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport as a major step toward realising this goal.

Although there are currently no direct flights between Guyana and Oman, the agreement establishes market access for airlines to consider new services. Oman Air, the country’s flagship carrier, already

operates across Africa, the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, with service to more than 37 destinations worldwide. The agreement could pave the way for the airline to explore Guyana as part of its future expansion. Guyana has now signed more than 50 Air Services Agreements with other ICAO member states, reinforcing its strategy to expand global connectivity. Officials said this latest accord with Oman reflects not only shared economic interests but also the strong diplomatic relationship established between the two nations since 1996.

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field signed on behalf of Guyana while representing Oman was Eng. Nayef Ali Al Abri, Chairman of the Oman Civil Aviation Authority

Guyana, Suriname explore stronger agricultural collaboration

AGRICULTURE

Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, recently held discussions with Suriname’s First Gentleman, H.E. Glenn Geerlings, aimed at fostering closer co-operation between the two countries in advancing their agriculture sectors.

During the Monday meeting, Minister Mustapha highlighted Guyana’s significant strides over the past five years in expanding its agri-

cultural industry. He pointed to key investments in both traditional and emerging crops, agro-processing initiatives, and aquaculture projects, emphasising the country’s readiness to partner with Suriname on initiatives that target youths and other critical stakeholders.

H.E. Geerlings acknowledged Suriname’s successes in agriculture but noted that there is potential for further

development. He expressed interest in replicating some of Guyana’s successful agricultural programmes in Suriname to boost productivity and innovation.

Both officials committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue through appropriate channels to strengthen bilateral relations and explore collaborative projects that can advance the agriculture sectors in both countries.

THAG engages Minister Rodrigues to boost tourism, hospitality sector

&

on Monday, met with the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, in a bid to foster collaboration and align strategic priorities for the country’s tourism sector.

During the meeting, dis-

cussions centred on Minister Rodrigues’ initiatives aimed at advancing tourism and hospitality in Guyana.

THAG shared key sectoral issues and proposals, exploring potential partnerships to support the Ministry’s plans and promote broader industry development.

THAG expressed satisfaction with the inaugural engagement, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening public-private partnerships,

facilitating constructive dialogue, and advancing advocacy efforts to ensure the sustainable growth of Guyana’s tourism and hospitality industry.

The meeting marks an important step in fostering co-operation between the government and private stakeholders as the nation seeks to enhance its tourism offerings and strengthen economic opportunities within the sector.

THE Tourism

Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) Executive Team,

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, interacts with Suriname’s First Gentleman, H.E. Glenn Geerlings, with information that can foster closer co-operation between the two countries in advancing their agriculture sectors

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues (centre), flanked by THAG Executive Team after the meeting

‘Any civic-minded person would act’ Election fraud trial… –– Shuman defends intervention in 2020 Region Four tabulation

LIBERTY and Justice Party (LJP) leader and 2020 presidential candidate, Lenox Shuman told the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday that his intervention during the disputed Region Four vote tabulation and verification at the Ashmin’s Building was driven by a duty to safeguard the electorate’s will in the face of attempted fraud.

Pressed by defence attorney Nigel Hughes on what authority gave him the power to pick up documents and intervene in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s process, Shuman replied: “The attempted fraud by the accused. To safeguard the electorate’s franchise.”

The accused Shuman referred to is Enrique Livan, who was GECOM’s IT officer at the time, and is now one of nine defendants facing multiple electoral fraud charges.

During the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the Ashmin’s Building served as GECOM’s Command Centre, and housed the Office of the Returning Officer for Region Four.

When Hughes asked whether that authority came from “the Constitution of Guyana, RoPA [Representation of the People Act],” Shuman conceded, “Nowhere that I can read.”

But he insisted, “It is what any civic-minded person would do. Any civic-minded person would intervene when they see something is going wrong.”

Hughes then suggested that such conduct amounted to assuming a “God-given power.” Shuman replied, “I can’t say,” maintaining that his actions were not driven by personal authority but by concern for the electoral process.

The exchange came as Hughes cross-examined

Shuman over his testimony that GECOM staffer Livan was engaged in suspicious activity during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Shuman told the court that during the elections he reported to then Senior Superintendent of Police and Commander of Regional Division Four ‘A0’ Edgar Thomas that “something seemed off” about Livan, though he admitted he could not recall his exact words after five years.

“The complaint was that Mr. Livan was engaged in an activity outside of the tabulation room that was not in line with the instructions left by the then Chief Elections Officer Mr. [Keith] Lowenfield,” Shuman testified. Hughes pressed him on whether this amounted to a criminal complaint. Shuman answered, “It was not a criminal complaint; it was a complaint.”

“So, you made a complaint to the police but it was not a criminal complaint?” Hughes asked.

“Correct,” Shuman responded.

The defence lawyer further questioned why Shuman entered a GECOM-controlled room and handled a pile of documents.

Shuman denied interfering with Statements of Poll (SoPs), stating, “I said a pile of documents, not SoPs,” and insisted he could not confirm whether they belonged to GECOM.

He admitted he “did not have the authority” to do so, but rejected Hughes’ suggestion that he acted out of entitlement as a presidential candidate.

Hughes then remarked, “You used to call them Nosey Parkers in the olden days.”

“I wouldn’t know that,” Shuman shot back.

The term Nosey Park-

er is an informal expression that refers to a person who is excessively curious about other people’s affairs.

Earlier in his testimony, Shuman recounted that when he arrived at the Ashmin’s Building on March 3, 2020, he observed repeated errors as Livan projected Region Four figures on a spreadsheet that did not match the SoPs held by political parties.

Shuman said objections were raised, but Livan— claiming fatigue—halted the process, left the room, and was later found in another area with the same laptop connected to a flash drive and printer. On the screen, Shuman said he saw what appeared to be a “pre-populated” spreadsheet of results before Livan quickly closed it.

The trial, which concerns allegations of efforts to manipulate Region

Four’s results during the 2020 elections, continues today before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty. Those facing charges include Carol Smith-Joseph of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Health Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government Volda Lawrence, former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, and former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

Also charged are former GECOM employees Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller.

Collectively, they face 19 charges and are represented by a robust defence team.

The defence team includes lawyers Nigel

Hughes, Dexter Todd, Darren Wade, Ronald Daniels, and Eusi Anderson. Due to the charges arising from the same set of circumstances, the matters have been consolidated. Each defendant has pleaded not guilty to the charges and secured their release by posting significant cash bail.

The prosecution, led by King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani, argued that each defendant played a “critical role” in the deliberate effort to inflate votes for the APNU+AFC and reduce votes for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

In the weeks that followed the contentious March 2, 2020, vote, Guyana’s judiciary was inundated with multiple applications and appeals filed by various political actors over the electoral process.

The saga lasted five months before a national recount, led by GECOM and a delegation from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), confirmed the PPP/C’s victory and ultimately led to the swearing-in of President Dr. Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020.

The recount confirmed that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes against the APNU+AFC coalition’s 217,920.

The initial elections results, announced by former CEO Lowenfield, claimed an APNU+AFC victory.

The APNU+AFC coalition received 171,825 votes, while the PPP/C received 166,343 votes, according to Lowenfield’s election report.

Following the PPP/C’s return to office in August 2020, criminal charges were filed against the defendants.

GECOM made the decision to terminate the contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo in August 2021, after the allegations of fraud came to light.

Volda Lawrence

Clairmont Mingo

Carol Smith-Joseph Keith Lowenfield

Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty

Roxanne Myers

Enrique Livan (NCN photo)

Lenox Shuman

Indigenous languages in the digital age

THE launch of My Lokono Journey, a new animated series developed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, could not have come at a more critical time.

As Guyana celebrates Amerindian Heritage Month 2025 under the theme, “Igniting Unity, Celebrating Progress and Advancing Our Culture,” this initiative represents both a cultural milestone and a bold act of preservation in the face of looming loss.

The Arawak, or Lokono, language is among the most endangered in Guyana. Once widely spoken across coastal and hinterland communities, it is now at risk of disappearing as elders pass on and younger generations grow up immersed in a world dominated by English, Creole, and the pervasive influence of global social media.

As Alister Charlie, Regional Coordinator at the ministry, rightly noted: “If the Amerindian language is not preserved now, it may be lost forever.”

This warning is not unique to Guyana: UNESCO estimates that one Indigenous language disappears every two weeks worldwide, with 40 percent of the world’s 7,000 languages at risk of extinction.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Guyana supports, affirms the right of Indigenous communities to preserve, revitalise, and transmit their languages. By introducing an engaging, animated tool that blends oral tradition with modern technology, Guyana is putting words into action.

The concept behind My Lokono Journey, grandparents teaching children basic greetings and terms in Arawak, strikes at the heart of cultural continuity. It recognises that language is not just a tool of communication but a vessel of history, identity, and worldview. Losing a language means losing

centuries of knowledge, traditions, and ways of interpreting the world that are irreplaceable.

Importantly, this effort should not be seen as relevant only to Indigenous Guyanese. As Charlie pointed out, language preservation is a national responsibility.

Amerindian languages are part of Guyana’s broader cultural fabric, shaping place names, oral histories and even aspects of our national identity.

Just as we celebrate Creole as part of who we are, so too must we embrace Arawak, Carib, Wapishana, and other Indigenous tongues as living expressions of our collective heritage.

The government’s investment in language preservation is commendable.

Pilot projects such as this animated series should be supported by broader programmes in schools, teacher training, and the integration of Indigenous languages into curricula.

Digital storytelling can reach today’s youth, but community-based language revitalisation—through cultural camps, recordings of elders, and integration into daily use—will determine whether these languages thrive or fade.

My Lokono Journey is a step in the right direction: short, accessible, and designed for modern platforms where attention spans are fleeting. If it resonates, it can be expanded to include other Indigenous languages, each facing the same pressures of modernisation and neglect.

As we celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month, we should remember that unity and progress must be built on cultural survival.

Reviving the Arawak language is not only about honouring the past, it is also about ensuring that future generations inherit a Guyana where Indigenous voices are not silent, but vibrant, living, and heard.

Dr. Martin Pertab is new CH&PA CEO

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has officially appointed Dr. Martin Pertab as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing to the agency a wealth of expertise in economics, finance, and public policy.

Dr. Pertab was welcomed to the post with a presentation of a special token from Director of Operations, Mrs. Denise King-Tudor, along with other senior officials of the agency.

With an accomplished career spanning more than a decade in both technical and leadership roles, Dr.

Pertab is no stranger to the housing and public service sectors. He began as a Financial Analyst at the Ministry of Housing and Water in 2010 before serving as Housing Economist at the Ministry of Communities between 2016 and 2018. In 2020, he was appointed Senior Petroleum Economist at the Ministry of Natural Resources, where he provided technical advice on Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector. More recently, from 2022 to 2025, he served as Director of the Local Content Secretariat, a pivotal role in ensuring Guyanese benefit equitably from the

petroleum industry.

Academically, Dr. Pertab holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Cienfuegos, Cuba; a Master of Science in Economics from New Mexico State University in the United States; and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

The CH&PA said it looks forward to Dr. Pertab’s stewardship as it advances its mandate to deliver affordable housing and foster sustainable community development across Guyana.

Dr. Martin Pertab was welcomed to the post with a presentation of a special token from Director of Operations, Mrs. Denise King-Tudor, along with other senior officials of the agency

Stabroek News versus the EU Observer Mission

UNLESS you are ignorant and utterly beyond redemption, then with a sane mind you can see right here how the Stabroek News (SN) has contradicted the EU Observer Mission (EUOM) on the role of incumbency.

The EUOM and the Carter Center have cited the advantage the ruling party enjoyed during the election through public spending.

Now I am going to juxtapose what the EUOM concluded and the direct words the SN wrote denying the advantage the PPP had in the election. It is important for every Guyanese, wherever you are, that you read this juxtaposition I offer below. In reading this, you get a better understanding of what politics is and the confused and bizarre world of interactions in Guyana.

Here is the EUOM: “An undue advantage of incumbency distorted the level playing field…After the elections were announced, the President and his administration inaugurated a large number of public projects such as hospitals, schools, police stations and major transportation projects…. Several new or expanded social programmes were launched before September 1. Among other benefits the President announced an unprecedented mass promotion and bonuses for more than 2800, the timing of which raised alarm.”

Here is the Stabroek News, Sep. 22): “This was, however no landslide. The country’s oil wealth might have deluded the PPP….It is a sobering result when one considers that the PPP/C government has absorbed billions of US$ in oil revenues and spent it excessively on major projects, handouts, education and health vouchers, the cash grant, free passage on bridges, distribution of 50,000 house lots and all manner of promotions, concerts and festivals all of which were geared precisely to win it another term. One should also not forget its claim that it created over 50,000 jobs in five years. Yet, for all of this, for all of the untold and unreported expenditure it was only able to accrue 9,162 more votes.”

Somebody has to be right here and someone has to be wrong here. The EUOM was pellucid; incumbency gave the PPP an advantage. The SN was pellucid; incumbency did not help the PPP. Let’s spend the rest of the space on political theory to argue that there is no such thing as “election advantage of an incumbency.” I advise readers to note the words of the EUOM. They stress “public spending.”

This is where the Carter Center went badly wrong. This is where the political and cultural climate you come from determines how you see different cultures of the world. The Carter Center researchers have never witnessed public spending during an American election because in a super-capitalist state like the USA, the private sector is responsible for development. This is an American ideology. The state in the US does not engage in public spending as compared to post-colonial societies where the ideology is for the state to be the driver of development.

It is the same in Europe. During an election, there isn’t widespread state funding. In post-colonial countries, public spending on a large scale is ideological normalcy. So public spending on hundreds of areas goes on whether there is an election or not. It is unrealistic to tell an incumbent that once an election is announced, public spending must stop. That does not happen in any country. The stoppage of state-funded projects during election time is a fiction. It cannot be found in political theory. What happens to day-care centre and medical clinics that the rural folks depend on? Should they stop because there is an election?

The incumbents in Western capitalist societies do not stop spending during an election season. Their spending hardly focuses on development projects but on defence projects. There hasn’t been an election in any Western country where defence spending ceases till after the election. The incumbent in Western capitalist nations uses incumbency to their advantage but it takes a different form. They use anti-immigration and Cold War tactics to get an electoral advantage.

In European elections, the incumbents have used the Ukrainian War and support for Israel to win votes. They have outdone each other in their campaigns to prove who will offer more military aid to Ukraine and who will be more confrontational with Russia. It has happened in many European elections since the Ukrainian war and Gaza invasion began. Why is this not the use of incumbency to win votes? Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris milked Ukraine and Gaza to try to win reelection.

Finally, the outgoing EU Ambassador implored the Guyana Government to implement the EUOM recommendations. I hope the ambassador, when he goes back home, will advise EU countries to

Government, cane farmers collaborate to revitalise 35,000 acres on Corentyne Coast

AGRICULTURE Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, and Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, on Monday, engaged cane farmers from the Corentyne Coast to advance government’s plan to fully utilise 35,000 acres of farmland for increased agricultural production.

The initiative follows directives by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who last week met with farmers from the Upper Corentyne at the Skeldon Estate. During that meeting, the President underscored the need for government investments in infrastructure to be matched by tangible increases in productivity.

Minister Mustapha told farmers that the government is supporting a return to cane cultivation, while also encouraging diversification into citrus and coconut production.

“We have a number of farmers who have indicated interest in returning to cane cultivation, while others expressed interest in cultivating citrus and coconuts. We’ve

implement the UN findings that genocide is occurring in Gaza. Every EU country, Britain, Canada, the US, and Australia do not accept that genocide has occurred and is occurring in Gaza.

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.

already begun mapping out the area for soil testing and have engaged the Private Sector to construct a juice plant so that the citrus being planted there can be processed into juices,” the Minister explained.

The effort aims to breathe new life into Guyana’s sugar industry while simultaneously diversifying the agricultural base on the Corentyne Coast. Government officials noted that citrus and coconut cultivation will not only strengthen food security but also open new avenues for agro-processing and exports.

The engagement with farmers is part of the administration’s broader strategy to modernise agriculture, maximise land use, and link production directly to value-added opportunities.

By integrating private sector partnerships—such as the planned juice plant— the initiative is expected to generate jobs, strengthen rural economies, and deliver measurable returns on state investment.

New Demerara River Bridge clears first set of critical load tests

THE new Demerara River Bridge, which is set to transform daily travel for more than 50,000 commuters, recently underwent a series of successful load tests and, according to project manager Patrick Thompson, the results “were better than design requirements.”

Load testing commenced last Monday on the new Demerara River Bridge, one of Guyana’s most ambitious infrastructural projects.

The series of tests designed to verify the bridge’s structural integrity began, and according to Thompson, the testing followed strict international standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

“The tests done so far were very successful. The results were better than the design requirements,” Thomas told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment on Monday. Thompson told the Guyana Chronicle that

not every bridge is built the same, and thus, the load testing, conducted by China Railway Construction Corporation, involves applying controlled loads to a bridge to measure responses, ensuring that the bridge can handle expected service loads without unacceptable deformation or damage.

“So, they developed a model in the ‘lab’ of what the conditions of the bridge are, and then they came out here to replicate that model. The model that was developed

in the ‘lab’ produced some outputs; outputs regarding the stress that is supposed to be realised when the bridge is tested, the displacement, the strain, and the stiffness,” he said, adding, “So today (Monday), we are out here trying to see if when we load the actual bridge with the same conditions as were developed by the model… whether we would have the same results as was modelled or whether those results would be less or more.”

The load testing followed

have to use 16 trucks as opposed to the five used on Monday. Guyana’s transportation infrastructure will be further boosted when the bridge is officially opened to the public.

With the bridge now entering its final stages of preparation, the President reiterated confidence that the long-awaited structure will be opened to the public well before September ends.

specific guidelines and was conducted with five trucks, each weighing 40 tonnes. However, for other parts of the bridge, the load testing will differ, he said.

For the main cable-stayed bridge, the contractor will

The US$260 million bridge being constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited will have a lifespan of 100 years, and offer toll-free access.

The new bridge features four lanes, and stretches 2.6 kilometres, linking Nandy Park on the East Bank Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank Demerara.

More than 50,000 daily commuters are expected to benefit from the new tollfree bridge, resulting in an estimated $3.5 billion in annual savings.

It will operate aroundthe-clock and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour.

Over 100 bills passed in Twelfth Parliament

- as Guyana advanced an aggressive legislative agenda

By Shamar Meusa

OVER the past five years, Guyana’s legislative landscape has seen a rapid transformation with the presentation and passage of over 100 bills.

This legislative agenda has been pushed since the assumption of office by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in 2020, all aimed at promoting modernisation.

Prior to the dissolution of the Twelfth Parliament this year, approximately eight bills were passed, one such was the critical Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Bill, which brought the implementation of prevention, restorative and compensatory measures in relation to oil spill incidents. That bill, it was noted, came at a critical period in the country’s economic history and is vital to safeguarding Guyana’s ecosystem from the effects of oil spills.

Also passed in 2025 were two bills to improve regional co-operation on the criminal justice system and crime prevention, the Regional Security System and CARICOM Arrest Warrant Bills.

However, in 2024, some 21 bills were passed in the national assembly, one such critical bill was the Open Data Bill, which was hailed as the cornerstone of the PPP/C administration’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and responsible management of public data.

That bill was further described as a critical component in the government’s legislative agenda aimed at modernising governance and leveraging data to improve the lives of citizens. It mandates public agencies to make non-sensitive data accessible to the public, which fosters greater accountability and

transparency across government institutions. At the end of 2023, it was reported that just around 78 bills were passed in the National Assembly.

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, at that time, noted that what the government has been engaged in is bringing a number of pieces of legislation that are transformational and modernising the legal framework of the country.

Notable ones included the Digital Identity Card Bill and the Planning and Development Single Window System Bill, all critical parts of the move towards modernisation of various sectors to bring in new technology and new service systems.

Guyana has been at the forefront of transformative legal reform addressing the country’s rapid economic growth and changes.

The Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, had said that if changes in the legal sector are not made, then the country will be moving apace while the legal system is left behind.

Project Manager Patrick Thompson

The Demerara River Bridge

Over 400 homes to be built at Hauraruni for young professionals

THE government is intensifying its push to meet housing demands with a new housing development site earmarked at Hauraruni, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The area has been selected to facilitate the construction of homes targeted at young professionals, as part of a broader strategy to meet the demand for housing.

During a site visit on Sunday, Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, highlighted the growing challenge of land availability within the region. He noted that traditional housing areas in region four on the East Coast and East Bank have reached their limits.

“This area has been identified for the construction of young professional-type houses and the point here is that everybody has been asking for land in region four. And there is only so much land that has been available; we have already reached the point of conservancy,” Croal told reporters.

The current phase of the

project at Hauraruni includes the development of over 400 homes. Significant progress has already been made, with extensive land preparation works completed. Internal roads have been laid out, with loam already in place and contractors now progressing to the crush and run phase.

This stage is being managed by four contractors, with the overall infrastructure works valued at $1.4 billion.

“This week the project team will be going out for expression of interest for persons to respond for construction. We are not looking locally alone; we are going

further afield, because we want to first of all maximise those contractors we have logically for the construction of the houses and then bring in others who will be able to keep at our price,” he explained.

Minister Croal indicated that the project is part of the government's core housing mandate for the current term, with a strong emphasis on accelerating the delivery of homes to meet national targets.

“We are currently going through in-house on how we will be able to that; identification of land is an important

GraceKennedy Financial Group launches GK ONE Mobile App in Guyana

GRACEKENNEDY Financial Group (GKFG) has officially launched its GK ONE Mobile App in Guyana, marking the first regional expansion of the platform following its successful debut in Jamaica.

The app offers a convenient and secure way for customers to receive Western Union money transfers directly into their Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) accounts or any commercial bank account in the country.

Available for download on both Google Play and the iOS App Store, GK ONE allows users to register and start receiving money transfers from the comfort of their homes. Steven Whittingham, CEO of GraceKennedy Financial Group, expressed enthusiasm about the launch:

"The success of GK ONE in Jamaica has been truly remarkable, transforming how our customers receive and manage their money transfers, as well as their other financial obligations.

Bringing this innovation to Guyana is a natural step for us, as we continue to expand our digital solutions

across the region. Guyana is the second market we are launching in, and we are confident that GK ONE will deliver the same level of convenience and reliability that our Jamaican customers have come to trust."

The GK ONE app al -

lows Guyanese customers to receive Western Union transfers from anywhere in the world and easily transfer funds to any commercial bank account or MMG wallet.

Troy Williams, GraceKennedy Money Services (GKMS) Guyana Country Manager, highlighted the app’s impact: "The introduction of GK

ONE represents a significant milestone in our mission to provide Guyanese customers with smarter, faster, and safer ways to manage their money. We are proud to offer this innovative solution and the convenience it gives to our customers in Guyana."

For more information, visit GKMS Guyana or contact the Customer Care Centre at 592 227-5141. Customers can download the GK ONE App by scanning the QR code provided on the official website.

--as gov’t continues to address housing demands

Significant progress has already been made, with extensive land preparation works completed. Internal roads have been laid out, with loam already in place and contractors now progressing to the crush and run phase

aspect to achieve that objective and the shift and the movement to Soesdyke highway is one such engagement; we are also looking at other areas for future development for housing.” The Ministry is also opening up opportunities to international builders to maintain competitive pricing and enhance construction capacity.

The government is looking to construct 30,000 new homes within the next five years; this project is expected

to be among several to meet this demand.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali had previously stated that it will build on the country’s already thriving momentum, creating some 150,000 jobs and pumping over $450 billion into the economy.

“We are calculating at a minimum of 30,000 new homes being constructed in the next five years. That is delivering in a country of Guyana, 16 homes per day in the next five years,” the

president said last month at opening of the 2025 International Building Expo. There he had explained the government will adapt its policies to ensure incentives, making the process of landownership to building homes much easier for families. There are just about 80,000 applications in the system to be processed; the government will be required to develop 20,000 acres of land, an investment of more than $420 billion.

Housing Minister, Collin Croal, speaks with reporters

PSC commends Local Content success, calls for expanded opportunities

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has welcomed recent remarks by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, on the successes of Guyana’s Local Content Act, while urging continued expansion of opportunities for local businesses in the oil and gas sector.

Minister Bharrat recently highlighted the Act’s transformative impact, citing new data from ExxonMobil Guyana which reported a record G$87 billion spent with 1,800 local vendors in the first half of 2025. Since 2015, ExxonMobil has spent more than G$600 billion with Guyanese companies, reflecting the significant growth of local capacity to meet industry demands.

The PSC also applauded ExxonMobil’s milestone of commencing in-country fabrication services at the Vreeden-Hoop Shore Base Inc. (VEHSI), calling it a major step in strengthening Guy-

ana’s industrial capabilities.

Workforce development has also seen notable progress, with 70 percent of ExxonMobil Guyana’s staff now comprising Guyanese nationals—over 6,200 in total—including 1,800 offshore workers. One in three of these employees is

a woman. To date, Guyanese workers have benefitted from more than 370,000 hours of technical, professional, and safety training. The PSC reaffirmed its active collaboration with the Local Content Secretariat to expand the first schedule of the legislation by identifying additional services

and areas where Guyanese businesses can play a greater role. This, the Commission noted, would further increase opportunities for nationals to benefit directly from the country’s energy wealth.

“While the Act has already delivered remarkable gains, the expanded skills, services, and investments by Guyanese businesses provide a strong basis for updating the first schedule,” the PSC stated, adding that amendments should close loopholes, widen opportunities, and ensure Guyanese continue to capture greater value from the sector.

The Commission pledged to work alongside the Ministry of Natural Resources, ExxonMobil Guyana, and other stakeholders to strengthen the framework for local content, describing it as vital to ensuring all Guyanese citizens benefit from the nation’s resource-driven transformation.

CARICOM to champion regional priorities at 80th UN General Assembly

THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is set to play an active role at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for 20–29 September 2025 in New York, where leaders and officials will advance the Region’s agenda on climate action, sustainable development, peacebuilding, and global health.

The CARICOM Secretariat’s delegation will be led by Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, alongside Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Ms. Elizabeth Solomon.

Their participation underscores the Community’s continued commitment to multilateral diplomacy and global partnerships.

Heads of Government are expected to address the General Debate between 23–27 September, with Suriname delivering the lead statement on behalf of the Community.

Ahead of the General Debate, CARICOM will join the High-Level Meeting convened by the President of the UNGA to mark the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations, as well as the

High-Level Event on the Multilateral Support System hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto.

Secretary-General Barnett will also play a central role in several engagements, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNCTAD

and CARICOM, a High-Level Meeting on Haiti, the First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy, and discussions on climate mobility, non-communicable diseases, and mental health.

CARICOM’s leadership on Haiti will be a prominent feature during high-level week. On September 22, ASG Solomon will lead the Community’s interventions at a roundtable discussion titled “Making the Case for Haiti” and represent the region at other events, including the

Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards.

The Community’s foreign policy coordination will also be reinforced through a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings. CARICOM Foreign Ministers are slated to attend the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, the EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers Meeting, and hold talks with Nordic counterparts from Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.

Additionally, CARICOM Foreign Ministers will convene the 24th Special Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) on September 22 in New York. According to ASG Solomon, the meeting provides “a very important opportunity” for Foreign Ministers to deliberate on pressing foreign policy matters and upcoming international engagements. Through these engagements, CARICOM aims to amplify its collective voice on issues critical to the region, ensuring that small states remain central to global conversations on peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

Self-reflection, unity key message at Navratri Satsang

––– as Minister McCoy highlights important pillars of national developments

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, last evening joined devotees at the Shri Satya Mandir in Grove, East Bank Demerara, for Navratri Satsang, where he encouraged Guyanese to embrace self-reflection and spiritual renewal as essential elements of national development.

Last evening marked the first of nine days of Navratri, an observance of the Hindu faith honouring the goddess, Durga.

Addressing the gathering, Minister McCoy said the Navratri season offers an opportunity for “self-reflection and spiritual cleaning of the body," and that it also lends to "the removal of hate, greed, lust and replacing it with love, contentment, respect and harmony.”

He noted that such inner work strengthens both individuals and society.

The Minister highlighted the universal values embedded in Hinduism, observing that “the values and principles of Hindu-

ism, like other religious teachings, promote tolerance, understanding and unity.”

He urged citizens of all faiths to “build a society with lasting bonds to multiculturalism and interfaith harmony as we work towards the construction of a sustainable society and future all together.”

McCoy reminded the devotees that national growth must go beyond infrastructure and material gains.

He said: “Our development as a society must not only be about huge buildings, other infrastructure and materialist gains. But also a highly respectful, tolerant society with each of us playing supporting roles to the less fortunate, persons living with disabilities, and everyone who desires our shoulders, compassion, love and understanding.”

He concluded that such an approach is “the formula for lasting peace and unity, and the example for the rest of the world.”

China: fear or FOMO?

ALL investment strategies have the potential for profit and loss, your or clients’ capital may be at risk.

Harsh lockdowns, regulatory clampdowns and real estate woes have heightened concerns about the direction of change in the world’s second largest economy.

Questions persist about the role of the Chinese state, the progress of its economic reforms and its perceived challenge to the geopolitical order. All have added to the fear factor.

But change and disruption bring opportunities as well as risks. The former can easily be overlooked by those making broad-brush statements in a short-term market.

There, the picture can be muddied by a host of factors more to do with politics, perspective and sentiment than economic fundamentals.

Look at it this way: China has proved itself far more innovative than many believed was possible. The size of its markets and the scale of its ambitions provide formidable advantages, and the combination of a dynamic entrepreneurial culture and bold top-down policies are helping to deliver a number of world-leading companies.

Add in low valuations, low correlations with global equities and inefficiencies that offer scope for alpha, and China’s fundamentals continue to excite. The question therefore is whether fear of China’s challenges should be balanced against ‘FOMO’: fear of missing out on the longterm opportunities it offers.

THE STORY SO FAR

With growth slowing, policy risks rising and geopolitical challenges likely to continue, the risk-adjusted return on investment in China has changed markedly in recent years.

But no other country presents us with such radical change on such a large scale. The world-leading companies forging that change give us a glimpse of what the future will look like.

The reasons are worth recapping:

Now the number two economy in the world, China has contributed more to global growth in the last decade than the entire G7 combined.

China’s stock markets are the second largest in the world. There are over 6,000 listed companies with almost 3,000 new companies emerging on China’s A-share indices in the last decade.

According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, China’s global technological lead now extends to 37 out of 44 critical sectors, spanning robotics, energy, the environment, advanced materials and key quantum technologies.

China now has more 5G base stations than the rest of the world put together and more than 60 per cent of the world’s total 5G users. Despite its carbon intensity, China has more renewable-energy capacity than the next seven countries put together, leads global

electric vehicle (EV), solar- and wind-supply chains, and is pioneering efficient energy use, though rapidly expanding ‘smart city’ digital infrastructure.

A list of China’s achievements could go on. And yet its rapid growth in global economic and political importance hasn’t been matched by a similar shift in importance to investors.

So what are they afraid of?

SLOWING THE PACE

After the fastest and most widespread economic transformation in global history, an inevitable change of gear is underway. China has grown GDP by an average of more than nine per cent a year since 1978. It shouldn’t be a surprise that this has had to slow down. Its investment-led growth model is being increasingly challenged by the economic, social and environmental imbalances that accompanied its rise.

The previous solution to economic problems was to increase investment spending. But excessive investment spending is now the problem. China’s leaders must find new drivers of growth while addressing the negative legacies of the old ones. They need to boost domestic consumption – arguably the regime’s biggest challenge yet.

For a smooth transition, serious structural and institutional reforms are needed. But these bring political challenges. The recent picture is blurred by the effects of the Covid pandemic, but China’s economy is slowing on the back of declining labour-force growth, diminishing returns to investment, and slowing productivity increases.

In 2023, a lack of consumer confidence,

disappointing private-sector spending and domestic property woes combined with a weaker external trading environment to disappoint those focused on short-term GDP figures. Against that backdrop, and the echoing chatter of weak sentiment, determining what’s cyclical and what’s structural change isn’t easy.

Now the great export powerhouse is increasingly looking inwards, the dynamics of its domestic economy are critical to its next stage of development. This is an important shift, but a growing focus on national security via self-reliance will feed the narrative of a more adversarial relationship with its main global competitor.

But it also provides a tailwind of government support for cutting-edge industries, such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and green technology: sectors that are critical to global challenges in coming decades.

DON’T GET DISTRACTED

Chinese equity-market returns have little historical correlation with China’s GDP growth trends. A focus on the big picture can distract investors from the specifics that matter to companies and returns over time.

We believe generating capital returns

requires us to invest in disruptive and secular trends that play out over years or decades, not by trading share prices against other fund managers over months or quarters.

Thankfully, there are plenty of Chinese companies involved in long-term structural growth themes that are largely independent of what happens to the macro environment.

Take AI for example, which one think tank expects to account for 26 per cent of Chinese GDP by 2030 (it was 0.4 per cent in 2022). Access to oceans of data and the ingenuity of its companies, put China in a strong position to exploit AI’s business-boosting potential.

China is already the world’s top industrial robot manufacturer. In semiconductors it is producing 30 times more chips than it did 20 years ago. We also see companies making impressive strides in sectors such as smart manufacturing, the industrial internet and smart cities.

These kinds of industries serve to keep the country globally competitive and increasingly self-reliant. Their progress marches on, largely unaffected by China’s macroeconomic gear change. This is what continues to excite us.

What’s clear is that as aggregate growth slows to something more normal, investors will have to become more discerning about differences across Chinese provinces, themes, sectors and companies. Active management will matter more.

China’s stock indices stand out for the disconnect between GDP growth and equity returns

REGULATION’S ROLE

The view of increased regulation in China as a power grab against private companies has helped sour foreign investor sentiment. But to Beijing, a state-centric, mixed economic model avoids the periodic crises of a capital-dominated society, achieving sustainable growth and social stability.

Meanwhile, fears that the recently appointed politburo marked a shift to the left have, so far, proved misguided. Recent months have seen an inflection point in the state’s dealings with entrepreneurs. Policy consultant Trivium China goes so far as to call it “Beijing’s most concerted effort ever to support the private sector”.

This aligns with our own interpretation, guided by conversations with business founders. They point to last October’s Party Congress and the installation of Li Qiang as premier as a portent of better execution of policy, as well as greater clarity and certainty about regulation.

Despite geopolitical tensions, we shouldn’t forget that economic prosperity remains the linchpin of CCP legitimacy, and private enterprise is critical to this. Why? Because the private sector makes up 60 per cent of GDP, 70 per cent of tech innovation and 80 per cent of urban employment.

So, while regulatory uncertainty has provided an uncomfortable backdrop, and the backlash of recent years will take time for

business and consumer confidence to recover from, the balance between innovation and regulation is returning. Recent years may have marked a tough cyclical downswing, not a structural shift.

The state and the market are both vital to China’s long-term development. But because of the country’s unique system, the two will sometimes get out of balance. We should expect periods of volatility as regulatory norms adjust.

But we can also expect continued pragmatism and a willingness to roll back policies that don’t help China’s long-term goals.

PRIVATE PIONEERS

Opportunities flourish where top-down policymaking aligns with bottom-up innovation in a market as vast as China’s. Whether in digitisation, automation, climate solutions or elsewhere, China is producing an increasing number of world-leading companies.

To meet Xi’s target of “moderately prosperous GDP per capita by 2035,” its economy must grow by up to 4.5 per cent a year. You can’t do that with a declining population and zero innovation. And state-owned enterprises aren’t known for their creativity.

For all the challenges and frustrations of recent years, well-executed government policy has created areas of excitement. Renewable energy is one. With China a net importer of oil and gas, national security concerns incentivise heavy investment in renewables. Decarbonisation is China’s strategic opportunity to deliver comprehensive industrial and technological leadership.

EVs became a priority in China’s FiveYear plan way back in 2001. Now China is the global leader. Ford’s CEO Jim Farley calls it “a new world order”: across China, 6.8 million EVs were sold last year alone. That’s over 60 per cent of the total sold globally, dwarfing the 980,000 sold in the US. If Chinese EV maker BYD is correct and EVs make up 90 per cent of all new cars sold in China in five years’ time, then China is on the path to being the first major economy to make the EV transition.

The speed of change is almost frightening. In 1990, China had just five million cars on the road. Today it has 320 million, and accounts for almost 50 per cent of the world’s EVs. Investors must ask themselves whether they can afford to ignore the shift to next-generation technologies that Chinese firms are spearheading in these vital industries of the future.

GEOPOLITICS MEETS ECONOMICS

While change in China provides investors with opportunities at company level, discussion of economic fundamentals has been drowned out by the noise of geopolitical arguments at times.

The US-China relationship is critical, challenging, and one whose ebb and flow in coming decades will have wide-reaching implications.

To date, it is Chinese companies that have been discounted most on geopolitical concerns, though greater east-west ‘decoupling’ could have far wider ramifications for global portfolios. Any alienation that fractures global supply chains would likely deliver mutual stagflation. Accelerated global warming would be another obvious consequence given China’s leading role in clean energy. While Taiwan remains a potential flashpoint, there are good reasons for both sides to keep tensions in check.

Some of these strains arise from China’s new growth-related self-confidence. Expectations that development would bring democracy may have passed, but flawed analogies between China and other

Home Affairs Ministry honours long-serving public servants, Shelton Daniels and Alvin Fredericks

THE Ministry of Home Affairs, on Friday, September 19, celebrated the retirement of two distinguished public servants, Mr. Shelton Daniels and Mr. Alvin Fredericks, who together dedicated over 60 years of service to the people of Guyana.

Mr. Daniels, who served approximately 37 years in the public sector, began his career as a temporary clerk at the Ministry of Education before moving through several other ministries, including Finance, Trade, Tourism & Industry, Culture & Sports, Labour, and Social Protection.

He concluded his career at the Ministry of Home Affairs, where he retired as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer.

Mr. Fredericks con -

tributed 25 years of service, beginning with the Guyana National Service before working at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), where he retired as Crop Attendant. His expertise and commitment led to his re-employment at the institution, where he continued to provide vital support.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Andre Ally, commended the retirees for their exceptional service, noting, “Your decades of service have helped shape not just the Ministry of Home Affairs, but the public service at large. You have laid strong foundations on which future generations can build.”

Principal Personnel Officer, Ms. Eureka Duncan, echoed these sentiments, highlighting their

Reflecting on his career, Mr. Daniels expressed pride in his contributions and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting youth develop -

ment. “While I may be retiring, my interest in supporting at-risk youths and strengthening public service will continue,” he said.

Mr. Fredericks also expressed gratitude for the recognition, describ-

ing his work in the public service as more than a career, but a calling. “I am happy to have contributed to the development of the Ministry and to continue offering my support where needed,” he remarked.

The Ministry of Home Affairs extended its best wishes to both men, emphasising that their legacies of service, leadership, and mentorship will continue to inspire future generations of public servants.

China: fear or ...

countries persist.

China’s economy defies analogy. The past four decades of growth are unprecedented in human history. Now it must reconcile competing goals: accessing global markets while preventing creative destruction in its unique system. Xi’s ‘common prosperity’ will therefore be delivered in a uniquely Chinese way, harnessing the benefits of free-market capitalism, while seeking to mitigate its excesses and inequalities.

Recently we’ve seen government willingness to trade high growth for sustainable growth. Increased regulation has swung the pendulum back to greater state control. When applied to the private sector, this discourages businesses in certain sectors from getting too big, too profitable or too market-dominant, all in the cause of avoiding inequality and instability. This has been unhelpful to assessing the long-term potential for a number of businesses.

But government intervention is also about supporting sectors critical to future growth, prosperity and stability. Despite

the recent tilt towards the state, a slowing economy will only remind the Party of the importance of an innovating private sector to their policy goals. The rebalancing of policy in support of private companies bodes well for businesses previously caught in the regulators’ crosshairs.

But China has proved that authoritarian systems can innovate. Chinese school kids understand ‘made in China’ through the lens of how their country’s invention of the compass, paper and gunpowder transformed navigation, communication and warfare.

More recently, many Chinese believe that achievements in poverty reduction, massive infrastructure investment – and now emergence as a tech innovator –have come about because of, not despite, authoritarian government. Meanwhile, national rejuvenation is driving a more assertive China on the world stage.

CHINA IN THE WORLD

Despite our western perspectives on China’s geopolitical challenges, we must recognise that the People’s Republic is not on a track that terminates in our kind of

politics or economics. This means that, for governments in Africa, Central Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, China’s rise gives them an alternative to either assimilation to the west or autarkic isolation.

Countries that need investment, technology and market access do not always want to absorb western values. The coming decades will therefore see a more self-confident China reaching out and shaping the world. Whether it’s attempted interventions in the Middle East and growing payment for its oil in renminbi, Brazil’s President Lula visiting China and talking up their relationship, or the assertive tone of the recent BRICS conference in South Africa, we need to understand China’s changing role in the world.

While many commentators are eager to depict these new global dynamics in black-and-white terms, such over-simplification risks distracting investors from assessing opportunities on their own merits in the day-to-day, complex and nuanced world in which Chinese companies – and investment managers – do business.

LOOKING AHEAD

Through all this uncertainty, we must recognise that change and disruption are important drivers of opportunity. Only China presents us with such radical change on such a large scale. It has nurtured some extraordinary companies, that help provide a lens into the future.

We can’t ignore what they are showing us, as my colleague Qian Zhang has described in her article ‘Conversations with Shanghai: opportunities in the A-share market’ (bailliegifford com/shanghai).

Yes, China has its long-term challenges: a declining population is unhelpful to growth. ‘Common prosperity’, Xi Jinping’s core idea, means that efforts to distribute wealth are needed to ensure greater equality. Regulation will come and go. Valid worries about the state’s role, as well as the wider geopolitical challenges, are unlikely to disappear. Macro discussions will continue to dominate shortterm news bulletins.

Meanwhile, the forces unleashed by technological innovation will only accelerate. Renewable energy costs will continue to fall, battery chemistry will improve, factories will become more automated and Gen Z youth will become the main consumer cohort. In all these areas, China increasingly gives us a glimpse of what’s to come.

Long-term investors like to spend their time in the future, where the expanded global role of China is all but certain. Steering between fear and FOMO starts with a nuanced view of what China is trying to achieve. Wariness of unpredictable change in a rising nation is understandable. But it shouldn’t distract us from the opportunities we could miss if fear isn’t kept in check.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Andre Ally, commended the retirees for their exceptional service mentorship and dedication as examples of true public service.

PANCAP equips regional clinicians with motivational interviewing skills to boost HIV response

THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) has successfully concluded a landmark Motivational Interviewing (MI) training programme at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, aimed at strengthening the Caribbean’s response to HIV.

Held from September 17 to 19, the intensive training equipped regional healthcare providers with advanced MI techniques, a patient-centred communication approach proven to enhance engagement, adherence, and retention in HIV prevention and treatment programmes.

Building on the success of a previous learning journey to Amsterdam earlier this year, the programme offered participants an indepth exploration of MI, including strategies for engaging challenging patients, eliciting change talk, and developing concrete behaviour-change plans. The curriculum combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on demonstrations and role-playing exercises, allowing participants to immediately apply their skills in clinical and community settings.

“This training represents a transformative step in our regional HIV response,” said Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit (PCU). “By equipping healthcare providers with motivational interviewing skills, we are fostering deeper trust between clinicians and patients. This approach will improve adherence to PrEP and treatment and em-

power individuals to take ownership of their health, bringing us closer to achieving the 95-95-95 targets and ending AIDS as a public health threat in the Caribbean.”

Participants also received updates on the latest scientific evidence and global guidelines, ensuring they leave with both technical knowledge and advanced communication skills to deliver cutting-edge care.

Dr. Emanuelson noted that the training would have a ripple effect across the region: “We have now empowered a core group of champions who will return to their countries not just to practise these skills but to cascade them, strengthening the entire health system’s response.”

Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony, Knowledge Management Coordinator at the PCU, highlighted the strategic significance of the initia -

tive: “The proficiency our clinicians demonstrated in integrating MI into consultations will create ripple effects across health systems. This is about building a more compassionate and effective HIV response that leaves no one behind.”

The training aligns with PANCAP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional capacity and advance progress toward the 95-95-95 targets, while supporting the upcoming Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2026–2030, which emphasises innovation, health system integration, and community-led solutions.

PANCAP expressed its gratitude to the faculty and staff of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the Pan-American Health Organization, and The Global Fund for making the programme possible.

Group photograph of participants at the recently concluded training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA

Man killed in Soesdyke-Linden Highway crash, two injured

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday at Hill Foot, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, which claimed the life of a motorcar driver and left two others injured.

According to police reports, Latchman was driving west along the highway when he noticed two bright white lights approaching at high speed in his lane.

He said he applied brakes and swerved left in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the motorcar still slammed into the right-side front portion of his lorry.

The accident happened at around 02:00 hours and involved motorcar PLL 7365 and motor lorry GAE 5944, driven by 61-year-old Sewarran Latchman of Sand Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

The driver of the car, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was pronounced dead at the scene. Two passengers who were in the vehicle at the time sustained injuries and were rushed to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where they received medical treatment.

Investigators are continuing their probe into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The aftermath of the accident that happened at around 02:00 hours on Sunday and involved motorcar PLL 7365 and motor lorry GAE 5944

Bavuma out of Pakistan Tests...

(From page 21)

important leader and batter for us in the Test side, and his presence on and off the field will be missed. At the same time, the majority of the Test squad have experience of playing in the subcontinent and understand the demands that come with it, so I'm confident they will embrace the challenge."

"Quinton's return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us," Conrad continued. "When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.

Barring Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis, the all-format players selected for the Test series will be rested for the white-ball series - three T20Is and three ODIs. David Miller will captain the T20I side while the in-form Matthew Breetzke will stand-in as skipper for the ODI series. For the one-off T20I against Namibia on October 11, Donovan Ferreira has been named captain.

"Matthew [Breetzke] has really come into his own in the 50-over space and has lead SA A and the Warriors in this format before, and I have no doubt he'll captain the ODI side with that same character and composure which he brings to his game," Conrad said.

"During the T20I series against England, I was impressed by Donovan's maturity, his understanding of the game, and the way he connects with the younger players in the squad. His appointment as captain for the T20I against Namibia presents an exciting challenge, one that I believe will only enhance his development as a cricketer."

Ferreira has also received his maiden ODI call-up, as has Sinethemba Qeshile. Rivaldo Moonsamy, meanwhile, has been named in the squad for the Namibia fixture.

The Test squad will attend a two-day camp in Pretoria on October 5 and 6 before heading to Lahore on October 7. The first Test will commence on October 12.

Test squad vs Pakistan: Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza,Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj*, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne

*Second Test only T20I squad vs Pakistan: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuandre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams

ODI squad vs Pakistan: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuandre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile

T20I squad vs Namibia: Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams. (Cricbuzz)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday, September 23, 2025)

Rovman Powell-22 sixes

How many dismissals the Royals Quinton de Kock effected? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Balance and depth key to Australia's World Cup defence

SKIPPER Alyssa Healy believes Australia is in an excellent position heading into the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. Defending champions Australia will be eyeing an unprecedented eighth World Cup crown, with captain Alyssa Healy confident that the blend of fresh energy and proven experience in the squad can deliver once again on the biggest stage.

"Our group is incredibly well-balanced with plenty of youth to compliment the more experienced players and while for some it’ll be their first ODI World Cup, they’ve all had exposure to major tournaments and high-pressure series," Healy wrote in her column for the ICC.

The two-time World Cup winner is also geared up to go against rivals India in their own base as they aim to secure another ICC crown.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be over here in India finalising our prepa -

rations for the World Cup. It’s a great place to play and somewhere we’re all reasonably familiar with."

Healy reflected on how the players prepared over the last few months before landing in India.

“I think we’re in a great spot as a team; we’ve had some valuable time together as a group across multiple camps over the winter and I think everyone has enjoyed the chance to tailor their

preparation through the Australia A series and domestic cricket in England.”

The men and women of the @IndianCricketTeam combine to call on fans to be part of history at Women's Cricket World Cup 2025! Full #CWC25 schedule and tickets available at: <a href="https://tickets.cricketworldcup.com/explore/c/ icc-cricket-world-cup" target="_blank">https://tickets.cricketworldcup.com/ explore/c/icc-cricket-worldcup</a>

Healy herself has enjoyed crucial game time after returning from injury earlier this year. Since her return, Healy has taken part in three T20s and as many 50-over games against India A and subsequently, resumed captaincy duties in Australia’s 2-1 ODI series win against India last week.

“For me personally, having the opportunity to play that ‘A’ series at home was huge; getting through six games of cricket in a short

space of time was a big tick for me after coming back from injury,” she said.

Australia is also boosted by the return of Sophie Molineux, who makes her comeback from knee surgery, and the skipper believes her presence adds even more quality to an already deep squad.

The 27-year-old left-arm spinner is an effective asset in the ODI lineup, striking 23 times in just 13 games, but suffered an untimely knee injury last December. Healy was thrilled to have her back in the side.

“We’re especially thrilled to have Sophie Molineux back in the squad having overcome knee surgery earlier this year. She’s had a rough run with injuries, so it’ll be great to see her back in the green and gold throughout the World Cup.”

The tournament will see Australia play in both India and Sri Lanka, with a series against the hosts serving as the perfect lead-up to the campaign.

GB fail to win gold for first time in 20 years

ners of Olympic silver last year - finished two-tenths of a second off the podium.

GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland failed to win a gold medal at a World Athletics Championships for the first time in 22 years, as they secured their joint-lowest overall return since 2005.

GB ended the nine-day competition with a total of five medals, level with their 2019 tally in Doha, while they last won fewer 20 years ago in Helsinki, where they finished with three.

Great Britain head coach Paula Dunn told BBC Sport that the aim for Tokyo was to win five to eight medals, but no target was set for a medal table finish.

The 64-strong British squad finished 21st in the medal table.

The team's fortunes were summed up in the event which provided their final medal opportunity in Japan, as the women's 4x100m relay quartet - win-

That confirmed Great Britain would fail to win a relay medal, of any colour, for the first time since Paris in 2003.

That was also the last occasion they finished without a gold.

It comes after the team equalled their best haul of 10 medals to finish seventh at the previous World Championships two years ago.

On that occasion, they brought home two gold medals, three silvers, and five bronze from Budapest. They also achieved GB's best return at an Olympics for 40 years with 10 athletics medals at Paris 2024.

Reflecting on the championships, Dunn said: "Definitely a mixed bag. Five medals, which is good and I'm pleased to see, and some missed opportunities.

"So, it's time for us to go back, sit down with the coaches and athletes, re -

flect, and do a review and see how we move forward.”

In Tokyo, Jake Wightman ended GB's medal wait on Day Five with men's 1500m silver, before Amy Hunt claimed her first global individual medal with silver in the women's 200m.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson shared bronze in a dramatic heptathlon finale on Saturday.

Georgia Hunter Bell led Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson to a British medal double in the women's 800m final, however, their bid for a stunning onetwo was spoiled by Kenya's

Lilian Odira in Tokyo.

There was some misfortune among the disappointment, with defending 1500m champion Josh Kerr, Olympic and world 400m silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith, and 2024 world indoor pole vault champion Molly Caudery each suffering injuries.

Elsewhere, marathon runner Emile Cairess could not complete the men's marathon, which took place amid high temperatures and stifling humidity.

Despite relay medals supplying five of GB's 10 athletics medals at last summer's Games, there was no success here, with the men's 4x100m quartet failing to get the baton round in their heat.

Tokyo ended a run of five successive years with a global championships, although World Athletics will hold its inaugural Ultimate Championships next year to fill the gap before the World Championships in Beijing in 2027. (BBC Sport)

The visitors were in sublime form over the three ODIs, beating out India by a 2-1 margin. It was a rollercoaster of a series with Australia sealing the series opener with a clinical chase and India fighting back to level the series in the second game.

The final ODI saw a runfest on display. Australia posted their joint-highest ODI tally of 412 on the board, while India rode on a strong start from Smriti Madhana, but eventually fell short by 43 runs.

While most of Australia's group games will be played in India, they'll play at least two matches in Sri Lanka in this stage. Despite the fact that Australia hadn't played at the venue in almost nine years, Healy was confident of her team's ability to adapt and deliver.

“As a team we’ve not played in Sri Lanka since 2016, but plenty of our group have had experience

there over the years with various development tours. It’ll be nice to get back there and hopefully have some success in our matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.”

The defending champions know the challenge that lies ahead in a tournament where every side gets to face each other at least once.

“It’s going to be a cracking tournament this year but what I love most about ODI World Cups is being able to play every side, knowing that you have to beat every team in the World to lift that trophy makes them tough to win.

“We know we have to play consistently throughout and each and every game is important. Our group is looking forward to that challenge and can’t wait to get going!”

Australia begins its Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 campaign on October 1 against neighbouring rivals, New Zealand, in Indore.

Bavuma out of Pakistan Tests; De Kock reverses ODI retirement

Quinton de Kock had retired from the ODI format after a prolific 2023 World Cup in India

AIDEN Markram will be at the helm as South Africa kick-start defence of their World Test Championship mace with a two-match series in Pakistan next month. Regular skipper Temba Bavuma misses out as he continues to recover from a grade two left calf strain that he suffered on the recent tour of England.

For the limited-overs

leg of the tour, South Africa will have the services of Quinton de Kock, who has reversed his ODI retirement.

The wicket-keeper had announced his retirement from 50-over cricket after the 2023 World Cup and hasn't featured in a T20I since last year's T20 World Cup final in Barbabos.

The Test squad sees the return of Simon Harmerhis first recall to the national side since March 2023. He is joined by fellow spinners Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayan. Keshav Maharaj, meanwhile, has been picked only for the second Test as he completes his rehabilitation for a left groin strain.

"Naturally, we are disappointed not to have Temba available," South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said. "He has been such an

(Turn to page 21)

Australia captain Alyssa Healy

Great Britain head coach Paula Dunn

Saints and Old Fort capture several titles

SAINTS and Old Fort Hockey Clubs each took a handful of titles on Sunday, when the Guyana Hockey Board concluded action in their senior Top 4 Series at the National Junior Hockey Tournament played at the National Gymnasium.

The youth tourna -

ment, sponsored by Sunshine Snacks and Igloo Ice Cream, saw Old Fort delivering a title win in the girls Under-17 category. They needed a penalty shoot-out to see off the challenge from Saints Sensations, 3-2, after it ended tied in regulation time 1-1.

The Under-17 boys also

needed a shootout to determine the winner after another tie, Saints Sigmsa would win it 2-0 in the shoot-out over GCC Outlaws.

The U-21 class saw Saints Hockey Club again emerging winners after getting past GCC Spartans 1-0l with a Charlia Webb goal.

In the Boys U-21, Old Fort stopped Saints Boys 6-2, Old Fort’s Yannick Norton hit a hat-trick with a double from Shaquon Favorite to seal the victory.

Fayed Mohammed and Jabari Lovell scored for Saints team in the lost.

In the Top 4 competition, Saints women edged

GBTI GCC 5-2.

Rebecca Ferreira scored the opener to give GCC the lead before Saints scored 4 unanswered goals to overtake GCC 4-1.

Kalyra Scott registered a pair of goals with Clayza Bobb and Charlia Webb also getting on the score sheet in a period of play

where Saints dominated in offense and defence. Ferreira again scored for GCC to make it 4-2 before Bobb scored her second to end the contest 5-2.

In the Top 4 men finals Old Fort edged Saints 2-1 in the penalty shoot out after their game ended 3-3 in normal time.

How an unopposed new BCCI administration took shape around Mithun Manhas

AFTER filing their nominations on Sunday afternoon, all the incoming office-bearers of the Board of Control for

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Race 7 Anointed Of God

Cricket in India (BCCI) flew, en masse, to Ahmedabad, the new unofficial headquarters of Indian cricket.

Word is that a meeting-cum-get-together had been planned for Sunday night at a five-star hotel in the city. "There is no formal agenda as such; it will just be an informal meeting," a source revealed.

Among those who left for Ahmedabad were newly selected president-designate Mithun Manhas, treasurer-elect Raghuram Bhat, secretary Devajit Saikia, joint secretary-elect Prabhtej Bhatia, and IPL chairman Arun Singh Dhumal, among others.

It is evident that Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary and current chair of the International Cricket Council (ICC), is expected to play host.

The gathering will be the third in less than 24 hours. The first was held on Saturday evening at a Delhi hotel, attended by current officials, a few former ones, select BCCI members, and some 'seniors'. After that meeting, the group proceeded to a second engagement - an audience with a senior Central minister, who congratulated them and wished them well for their stint. That meeting lasted about 30 minutes late Saturday night. The third gathering is scheduled for Sunday night.

There have been varying accounts of how Manhas (45)

Karnataka would not be ideal.

That left only Manhas and Jaydev Shah in contention. Manhas was picked because there was a feeling that Jammu and Kashmir has not had much representation in the BCCI.

"His cricketing background has helped," Rajeev Shukla said of Manhas's choice.

Once Manhas' name was finalised for the top post, Shah was chosen as the lone representative from the general body to the Apex Council.

was chosen, with many describing his selection for the top post as coming out of nowhere. The general belief is that BCCI members wanted a former player as president, but among the AGM attendees, only a handful qualified for that criterion - Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Raghuram Bhatt, Jaydev Shah, and Manhas. For the record, Saikia is also a former first-class cricketer from Assam.

Ganguly and Harbhajan, both with more than 100 Tests to their name, were not considered because of their multiple commercial commitments or commentary contracts. Bhat (67), who played two Tests in the 1980s, was ruled out as he comes from the same state as outgoing president Roger Binny. It was felt that having two successive presidents from

The second version suggests that there was little debate over Manhas' appointment - it was simply a decision. Whatever the truth, the fact remains that Manhas is the biggest gainer from the reshuffle, along with Bhat. The major losers are Rohan Gauns Dessai, the outgoing joint secretary, and Avishek Dalmiya. Dessai was overlooked after his panel lost the recent Goa Cricket Association election. Dalmiya's exclusion, however, is somewhat surprising. He was a member of the IPL Governing Council from the general body. The position has now been given to Mamon Majumdar of Mizoram.

"There has traditionally been a system of distributing posts among different regions. The North-East had to be represented in the BCCI, which is why Majumdar was picked for the IPL Governing Council. With Dhumal retained, there was no scope to accommodate

Dalmiya," said a source familiar with the developments. There were also discussions about Delhi's Rohan Jaitley, son of former BCCI strongman Arun Jaitley, but the consensus was that his turn will come. He will have to wait, he was told. This has been a rare show of unity among the BCCI mandarins. Never before has Indian cricket appeared so tightly knit and strongly aligned. For the third consecutive time since 2019, when Jay Shah first became secretary, there will be no contest for any BCCI post. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is understood to have played a crucial role in forging this unity, along with Jay Shah. All office-bearers will be elected unopposed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai on Sunday.

Office-bearers-elect

President: Mithun Manhas (J&K)

Vice-president: Rajeev Shukla (UP)

Secretary: Devajit Saikia (Assam)

Joint secretary: Prabhtej Singh Bhatia (Chhattisgarh)

Treasurer: Raghuram Bhat (Karnataka)

IPL chairman: Arun Singh

Dhumal (HP)

IPL GC member: Mamon Majumdar (Mizoram)

Apex Council Member: Jaydev Shah (Saurashtra) (Cricbuzz)

U-17 Girls champions Old Fort

U-17 Boys champions Saints receiving their prize

U-21 boys champions Old Fort collecting their trophy

Mithun Manhas and other office bearers will be elected unopposed

Tokyo 2025: Fraser-Pryce ends brilliant career with 4x100m silver

SHELLY-Ann Fraser-Pryce took silver in what is expected to be the final race of her career as Jamaica’s women finished second in the 4x100m relay on the final day of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.

The quartet of Fraser-Pryce, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, and Jonielle Smith clocked 41.79 seconds for the silver behind the USA, which won gold in 41.75. Germany was third with 41.87.

Jamaica's 4x100m women's team of (from left) Jonielle Smith, Tina Clayton, Tia Clayton, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrate after claiming silver at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, September 21, 2025 (Photo: Garfield Robinso)

With the victory, the USA’s Melissa Jefferson-Wooden became only the second woman to win a world sprint treble, matching Fraser-Pryce’s achievement from the 2013 world championships in Moscow by adding to the 100m and 200m titles that she bagged in Tokyo.

Fraser-Pryce brought the curtain down on an incredible 17-year career. She went into the race with three Olympic gold medals and 10 world titles, and a total of 25 Olympic and world medals to her name. She made sure she signed off with one more, leading off

the Jamaican team and handing over to Tia, who passed the baton to her sister Tina, with Smith taking the team home on anchor.

The silver brought Jamaica’s medal tally to 10 at the Tokyo world championships – one gold, six silver and three bronze. (Jamaica Observer)

Guyana’s referees pass FIFA fitness test with high success rate

THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has announced a significant boost for local refereeing after its annual FIFA Nomination Fitness Test saw a high success rate among match officials.

The assessment, held at the National Track and Field Centre, is a crucial step for officials hoping to be included on the international list for 2026.

A total of 21 officials took part, including six referees, 14 assistant referees, and one futsal referee.

The results were encouraging, with four referees and eight assistant referees successfully meeting the fitness standards.

This represents a 62% success rate, a notable improvement on previous years. The lone futsal referee also passed his assessment.

All of Guyana’s current FIFA-accredited officials— referee Shavin Greene, assistant referees Kleon Lindey, Brandon Cyrus, and Denesha Isaacs, and futsal referee Colin Abel— have completed the

Republic Bank renews CPL...

estimated at US$225.4m in 2024, the partnership with the region’s leading financial institution creates many synergies that benefits both organisations and the region.

Richard S. Sammy, Group Vice-President, Republic Financial Holdings Limited and Vice President, Republic Bank Limited, shared “We are absolutely thrilled to renew our partnership with the Caribbean Premier League for another three years.

Since 2016, we’ve been deeply committed to investing in the development of cricket

across the region, and this renewed commitment is a testament to our belief in the power of the sport to bring people together and inspire a new generation of regional talent to shine brightly on a world stage. This partnership is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a shared vision to enable a top-tier cricket experience for fans while providing digital-first banking solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Caribbean people.”

Republic Bank CPL CEO Pete Russell had this to say, “We are delighted to welcome

Foot injury rules Pant out of Test series against West Indies

NEW DELHI, India, (CMC )– India’s wicketkeeper/ batsman Rishabh Pant will miss next month’s two Test series against West Indies with a fractured left foot.

Pant suffered the injury during the tour of England in July, and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

He is expected to be replaced by Dhruv Jurel for the West Indies series.

India will play the first Test of the series in Ahmedabad from October 2, while the second Test is scheduled to begin on October 10 in Delhi.

The 27-year-old Pant, who served as India’s vice-captain in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England this year, fractured his foot while attempting a reverse sweep against Chris Woakes on the opening day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

He was subsequently replaced by N. Jagadeesan in the squad for the final Test at

the Oval.

It was learnt that Pant has been undergoing strength and conditioning, and is awaiting further updates from the BCCI medical team before he can resume batting and keeping.

Jurel, who is currently in Lucknow playing against Australia ‘A’, kept wicket in the final two Tests of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Jagadeesan, who opened in the first match against

Australia ‘A’, as well as swapped keeping duties with Jurel, could be the back-up in case the selectors opt for a second specialist wicketkeeper for the West Indies series. India’s selection meeting for the series is scheduled for September 24, where the Ajit Agarkar-led panel will pick 15 players, which is two fewer than the squad for the New Zealand Tests last October, the last home series India played.

test, ensuring they remain eligible for international appointments.

With these impressive results, the GFF is optimistic that more of its officials will be nominated for the international list, further raising Guyana’s regional and international football profile.

The GFF Refereeing Department has congratulated all participants, and offered its best wishes to the successful candidates as they progress through the nomination process.

(From back page)

back Republic Bank as the Title Sponsor and Official Bank of the Caribbean Premier League. They have been a phenomenal partner of the tournament and their involvement ensures three more years of investment into putting together what is one of the world’s great cricket leagues.

“My personal thanks go out to the Republic Bank Board and Executive team in believing in the value that the CPL brings to the region and for continuing the journey with us for the next three years.”

Nigar Sultana to take a break after Women's World Cup

BANGLADESH skipper, Nigar Sultana, said, on Monday, that she will take a break after the World Cup to manage her workload. Sazzad Ahmed, Bangladesh Cricket Board's women's wing chief selector, told Cricbuzz that Sultana will not take part in the forthcoming National Cricket League, scheduled after the World Cup, as she wants to work on her fitness and address injury concerns.

"She will not take part in the NCL after the World Cup as she wants to work on her fitness as well as make sure she recovers from her fitness," Sazzad said.

Cricbuzz understands that she is dealing with knee and thumb issues. Her request to skip the NCL raised a few eyebrows, as it suggested she may not be entering the global tournament fully fit. During the pre-World Cup press conference, Sultana clarified her stance.

"Every player deals with lot of things and for me that is the same and I always try to overcome everything and

keep myself fit enough because I feel batting is an important area and after keeping for 50 overs if I think about scoring big I need to keep myself fit," Sultana said.

"And to make that happen you need to take some decision and recently I have taken some decision that makes me feel more fitter."

"The reason behind it (taking break from cricket after World Cup) is that I am playing continuous cricket for the last six months. I think it is high time for players to understand work load - like how much I should play so that I can make myself available for next international series and can give [a good] performance. That is the reason I am taking this decision," she added.

"Ultimately my first priority is national duty and if I cannot make myself fit for that it will be harmful for the team," she said.

Sultana is expected to work with a personal trainer during her break from competitive cricket. She also downplayed concerns about Bangladesh not having

played international cricket in the past six months and their losses against Under-15 boys in preparation.

While other international teams managed to play against each other, Bangladesh had to settle for matches against Under-15 boys in the Challenge Cup, organised by the BCB as part of the team's World Cup preparation.

"The tournament that you mention against Under-15 boys - there the full national team did not play because a lot of players came from outside while different opportunities were created for some other cricketers. The players who have played could not perform up to the mark and it affected the players.

"You are talking about standards. If you play cricket on a regular basis, you can understand the graph of standard because we are playing a series and after that for three to four months we are not playing anything. To maintain that [standard] we need to play more international cricket as it would be better for us," she said. (Cricbuzz)

Rishabh Pant fractured his left foot in the fourth Test against Englandw

BOTSWANA has declared a public holiday to celebrate the country's victory in the men's 4x400 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the first African nation to win the event.

President Duma Boko hailed the gold medal as a "historic African win", in an Online address praising the team for their performance.

He announced Monday, 29 September, as a holiday to celebrate the achievement, a day ahead of the country's Independence Day.

On Sunday, Botswana's team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi edged out the US, the winners of the last 10 world titles, in a rain-drenched

race. South Africa took third position.

"I'll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana's natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our World Champion athletes," the president said, speaking from New York where he is attending the UN General Assembly. He described the moment as "electric", adding that Bo-

Botswana declares public holiday

‒ after 'historic' athletics gold medal

tswana's performance spoke to its rising stature on the global stage.

The southern African nation finished fifth overall in the championship's medal standings, behind the US, Kenya, the Netherlands, and Canada, their best ever return after taking two golds, one silver, and a bronze.

Last year, Botswana cel-

Unification Cup softball extravaganza launching

set for today

By Frederick Halley

PLANS are moving apace for the staging of this weekend’s historic Unification Cup softball extravaganza, with the launching and draw set for 16:00 hrs today at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) pavilion, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The tournament, which is set to culminate at the world-famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda on Sunday following the men’s preliminary round matches on Friday and Saturday, is being staged in conjunction with the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc, Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, Office of the President, Vice-president, Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport.

The women, comprising of six teams, will go into action on Thursday.

Leading officials from all the above-mentioned entities are expected to be in attendance at today’s launching.

At last year’s launching of the second edition of the Vice-president three-day softball extravaganza, GSCL’s Tournament Director made the announcement that the entity will stage the Unification tournament in 2025.

Ramsingh disclosed that “instead of three independent tournaments, there will be one tournament with the champions in the respective categories walking away

with three titles.”

The Unification Tournament is another innovative move by the GSCL to further grow the beautiful game of softball cricket in Guyana.

According to GSCL’s President Ian John, the teams for all the categories have been finalized. The Open All Stars will feature Regal All Stars, Speedboat, Name Brand, Ariel Guyana Knight Riders, Hyde Park All Stars, Eatan X1 All Stars, Team Double V and Tourism Guyana.

The Masters Over-40 comprises Regal Masters, Ariel Masters, Mahaica Avengers, Hibernia Strikers, Super Strikers and Essequibo X1.

The six teams battling in the Over-50 Legends are Regal Legends, Jai Hind Legends, Parika Defenders, Fisherman, New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Legends and Trophy Stall Legends.

The women’s category features 4R Lioness, Rising Stars, Arrowhead Strikers, Elite, Number 64 Knight Riders and Invaders.

The tournament will be played in the usual three men’s categories – Open All Stars, Masters Over-40 and Legends Over-50 over 20 overs, while the women will compete in 15-over affairs.

The winners of all three men’s categories will take home a whopping one million dollars, while the women’s winners will cart of $400,000.

In addition, the Most Valuable Player

Managing Director of Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, Mahendra Anil Hardyal receives sponsorship cheque from Dayris Arauz of HL Latinoamerica Furnishings, Panama

in the Legends category will drive away with a motor car, while those in the Open and Masters Over-40 are guaranteed motorcycles. The MVP for the women’s category will take home three-piece living room suite.

Apart from Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, the other main sponsors on board include Ramesh Sunich’s Trophy Stall which will once again donate all the trophies and medals, General Marine, Price Shopper Variety, Chung’s Global, ARD Youtuber (Danny Persaud), Crown Mining Supplies, Ansy and Amrit Furniture Store, INS Trading, Ofimak Office & Furnishings (Panama), HL Latinoamerica Furnishings (Panama) and May’s Shopping Centre (Panama).

ebrated another historic milestone as Tebogo won the nation's first Olympic gold medal with his victory in the men's 200m in Paris.

His triumph, which also marked the first time an African athlete had won the event, became a national sensation, with tens of thousands of people celebrating him at the National Stadium in the capital,

after he returned to the country.

The government declared a half-day holiday allowing citizens to "pause and celebrate him", in what then-President Mokgweetsi Masisi described as a "most unique… manner that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic". (BBC Sport)

Republic Bank renews CPL title sponsorship

THE Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Republic Bank Limited have announced the continuation of their groundbreaking partnership. The new threeyear agreement sees Republic Bank continue as Title Sponsor and Official Bank of the Republic Bank CPL, as well continuing the commitment to both the WCPL, and their expanding grassroots cricket investment via the highly successful RBL Five for Fun programme aimed at inspiring the next generation of cricketers.

This highly successful collaboration first started in 2016, when Republic Bank was the Official Banking Partner, and grew significantly in 2023 when the bank became Title Sponsor for the first time.

Republic Bank is the largest financial institution in the English-speaking Caribbean, and the partnership with CPL, the largest regional sporting event, has been a game changing one for cricket fans around the region. With innovative fan-first marketing & promotional

strategies, Republic Bank has helped the League to drive deeper engagement with fans and communities, while funding innovation and deepening the tournament’s Caribbean identity.

The next three years promise more excitement as the Republic Bank CPL continues to grow and spread joy across the region.

Both Republic Bank and CPL are deeply committed to both regional economic development and the development of Caribbean talent. With the tournament driving a significant economic impact,

(Turn to page 23)

Gaborone,

Botswana's men's 4x400 metres team celebrate their victory over the United States, the winners of the 10 last 10 world titles

Republic Bank CPL CEO Pete Russell