Another milestone was achieved at the new Demerara River Bridge on Monday, as one of the twin towers (P-34, south) was crowned with a design inspired by the Cacique Crown of Honour (C.C.H.), Guyana’s second-highest national award
Work advances on national solid waste management, beautification programmes
as President Ali emphasises govt’s commitment to fostering cleaner communities, implementing sustainable waste management solutions
During the meeting, the President, according to information from the Office of the President, outlined plans for new and expanded landfill sites across the country.
He underscored the
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali met with the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, along with technical government staff, to advance Guyana’s national solid waste management and beautification programmes.
government’s commitment to fostering cleaner communities and implementing sustainable waste solutions.
He also highlighted the collaborative roles of the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Ministry of Tourism Industry
and Commerce in this effort, noting that both ministries will support the Local Government Ministry to identify suitable areas to develop green spaces and beautify.
Work under this initiative is expected to
commence before the end of the year.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal; the Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Vanessa Benn; the Minister of Tourism, In -
dustry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues; the Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally; and the Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs.
of
advance Guyana’s national
From vision to reality!
–– soybeans transported by vessel from Tacama facility to processing mill for feed production
LOCALLY harvested soybeans were recently transported by vessel, for the first time, from the Tacama drying and storage facility, located approximately 90 miles up the Berbice River, to a processing mill where it will be converted into poultry feed.
President Dr Irfaan Ali announced the development via a social media post, highlighting the
achievement as a landmark moment in the country’s drive towards agricultural self-sufficiency and value-added production.
In 2021, a collaboration was formed among six local companies and a regional firm to embark on a significant project aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in corn and soya bean production in Guyana.
The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd., Roy-
al Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd., along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and regional markets. Guyana is expected to achieve self-sufficiency in the production of all livestock feed, resulting in a decreased reliance on imports.
This progress is evident
as 12,000 acres of corn and soya was produced in 2024. To become self-sufficient, the government invested significantly in the Tacama, Savannah area [along the Berbice River] where more than 40 kilometres of road have been constructed.
A section of the corn
An 18,000-tonne silo has also been erected and a conveying system consisting of a wharf. This will ensure that corn and soya are effectively transferred onto ships for export markets abroad. Large-scale cultivation efforts started with trials in 2021 on 125 acres, which were successful.
Every year, Guyana imports approximately
US$40 million in livestock feed. Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha had said that this money could be invested in other sectors to further increase the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali met with the Minister
Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, along with technical government staff, to
solid waste management and beautification programmes
and soya field in Tacama, Berbice (Ministry of Agriculture photo)
‘Don’t let the opportunities slide by’
--Education Minister urges youths to embrace learning programmes, skills training --commissions new Foulis/Enmore multipurpose centre
By Naomi Parris MINISTER of Education
Sonia Parag has called on young people across Guyana to seize educational opportunities and avoid falling into unproductive or destructive paths, as she officially opened a new $27 million Foulis/Enmore multipurpose learning centre.
During her remarks at the opening ceremony on Monday, Minister Parag emphasised the government’s commitment to decentralising education and expanding access to resources through the establishment of learning and resource centres in rural and hinterland communities.
“We have rural areas and we have hinterland areas. And if we’re going to have an educated nation, we have to bridge the gaps between the [rural] and the urban areas,” she said, adding: “Not everyone will have equal access if it’s centralised. So,
Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, on Monday, commissioned a learning centre at Foulis/Enmore, where she emphasised the government’s commitment to decentralising education and expanding access to resources through the establishment of learning and resource centres (Ministry of Education photos)
what do you do? You bring the learning centres and the resource centres to the community.”
The newly opened centre is designed not only as a hub for academic learning but also as a space for technology-driven education, teamwork, and personal development.
The minister announced the donation of three tablets to the centre, underlining the role of digital tools in modern education.
“This centre is not just there for you to sit and read books. It is for you to learn through technology. It is for you to learn through group and team effort. It is for you
to learn about the world,”
Minister Parag said, adding:
“It is to give you the opportunity to see different sectors through the world of books [and] technology.”
She warned against the dangers of idleness, crime, and unhealthy habits like vaping, urging young people to take charge of their fu-
tures by making constructive choices.
“A learning centre and resource centre is to give, especially the young people in the neighbourhood, an opportunity to do something other than liming on the corner of the street… other than turning to crime, other than wasting their lives,” she said.
Minister Parag also highlighted the University of Guyana’s ongoing free education initiative, which has already resulted in a significant increase in applications, and encouraged youth to take advantage of such programmes.
“And I say take it. I say, make use of it. Don’t go into adulthood where you don’t know if you’re going to be able to get a job tomorrow, [or] that you can’t rely on something else,” she emphasised.
The minister added: “Make use of the facilities, make use of the opportunities that are being given to you through this government, and make something of your life.”
She further advocated for young people to participate in sports and physical activities, noting that such engagement can help them discover and develop their talents.
The Foulis/Enmore multipurpose learning centre is the latest in a series of government initiatives aimed at empowering youth through access to education, skills development, and holistic growth.
Meanwhile, the facility was hailed as a transformative space for young learners, with Regional Education Officer Keane Adams de -
scribing it as a “haven” for nurturing literacy, research skills, and a lifelong love for reading. She emphasised that the facility offers a “safe and stimulating environment where young minds are guided to dream.”
Adams highlighted the centre's alignment with the Ministry of Education’s national literacy goals, underscoring the government's pledge to deliver quality education to every child.
Adams also called on members of the community to embrace their role in sustaining the space, urging both educators and families to encourage regular visits by students.
She reasoned: “It is a safe and stimulating environment where young minds are guided to dream. I encourage every member of this community to care this facility, to inspire our learners to visit often where these walls lie the foundation for lifelong learning.”
The facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone for literacy development in Region Four, offering students access to resources and a supportive environment designed to enhance their educational journey. Looking ahead, the facility is also expected to expand its offerings to include vocational training and other practical skills aimed at equipping learners and community members with valuable tools for employment and entrepreneurship. As part of this vision, ongoing consultations will continue with residents to identify the specific skills they wish to see introduced.
GuyExpo 2025 to showcase Guyana’s vast economic potential
-create
space for micro and small businesses, networking, collaboration, Minister Rodrigues says
THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, on Monday, officially launched GuyExpo 2025, under the theme, “Transformation Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation”, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
This year’s expo is set for November 13 to 16, 2025, at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown.
Now the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean, GuyExpo largely showcases locally produced goods and services, featuring regional businesses, while also allowing business associates to meet, network and negotiate with international companies, and showcase their skills, talent, and creative works.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues in her remarks at the launch stated that the vision for GuyExpo 2025 is not simply to sustain its legacy, but to reimagine and elevate it, while also ensuring this national tradition remains relevant to the dynamism of our economy, and preserving its core identity.
The essence of GuyExpo, she said, remains unchanged.
According to her, “It is a platform to showcase Guyana's vast economic potential, a meeting place for manufacturers, agro-processors, service providers, consumers and investors.”
The tourism minister not-
ed that GuyExpo is a space where innovation, ingenuity and enterprise converge, and where businesses, both large and small, can present their ideas to a national, regional and global audience.
The fact remains that GuyExpo continues to be a family-friendly event, where learning, networking, cultural expression and entertainment can take place.
Highlighting what lies in store for GuyExpo 2025, the minister underscored that Guyana’s remarkable achievement in food security and sustainability will be a major highlight of the exposition.
She revealed that on entering the expo, patrons will be greeted by a captivating centerpiece, that is, a striking
representation of a breadbasket.
“This powerful symbol reflects Guyana's longstanding reputation as the breadbasket of the Caribbean,” she explained.
Additionally, the ministry plans to introduce several new features designed to strengthen GuyExpo's impact. Most notably is the creation of a dedicated space for businesses and investors to engage in serious conversation about collaboration and expansion.
Noting that Guyana stands at the forefront of opportunity with double-digit growth in the non-oil sector, Minister Rodrigues said that to fully realise this potential, local businesses must initiate conversations with both local
and global partners.
With support from Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), GuyExpo 2025 will feature a strong business to business networking component.
As the event celebrates year 30, the minister said they will take the opportunity to also honour the businesses that have grown alongside GuyExpo, recognising their longevity and unwavering support.
She pointed out that the physical layout of this year’s expo will be undergoing transformation, adding that while the traditional elements of vibrant food courts, the tourism village and the children’s area will remain, these features will be enhanced for greater prominence and impact.
The expo will also serve to highlight the diverse services offered by the ministry, while at the same time, showcasing Guyana’s potential as a leading destination in the region.
Additional lighting, signage and improved directional systems will be introduced as well, to provide better guidance for patrons. This will ensure a smoother, more enjoyable visitor experience.
The minister also announced that they will be collaborating with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), to ensure maximum participation
and visibility for local micro and small businesses.
“Without our exhibitors, our manufacturers, service providers, agro-processors, and sponsors, there would be no expo. Tonight, I make a clarion call to all businesses, large and small, to seize this opportunity,” she implored, adding, “GuyExpo is not matched in terms of expo-
sure. It offers a rare platform to showcase products and services, not only to local consumers, but to international investors and partners.”
Already a few businesses including Banks D.I.H, E-Net, Jumbo Jet Group, Demerara Distillers Limited, and Sunshine Snacks have already pledged their support.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues (Japheth Savory photo)
Blueprint for Global Health Transformation
DR. MAHENDRA Carpen’s passionate speech to the United Nations General Assembly signifies a major shift in healthcare that positions Guyana as a source of hope for developing nations worldwide.
When political will aligns with a strong financial commitment, as shown by Guyana’s impressive 300 per cent increase in health spending from $35 billion to $143 billion over five years, the results speak for themselves.
The statistics are impressive, but the strategy behind them is even more significant. Guyana’s broad approach addresses the dual crises of non-communicable diseases and mental health through systematic growth of infrastructure, workforce development, and evidence-based actions.
Building 12 new hospitals not only marks
progress in infrastructure, but also represents a new way of thinking about healthcare access. As Dr. Carpen pointed out, no other Caribbean nation has achieved such rapid and extensive changes in healthcare infrastructure while also investing in human capital.
Also, the PAHO Hearts initiative shows how international partnerships can benefit local communities. By standardising care protocols for hypertension and diabetes, Guyana tackles the silent epidemic of cardiovascular disease that affects developing nations disproportionately.
This focused approach, along with expanded cancer screening programmes for breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, reflects a deep understanding of preventive healthcare that many wealthier nations struggle to implement.
Perhaps most importantly, Guyana’s mental health decentralisation strategy marks a significant change from outdated institutional care to community-based support. Closing the National Psychiatric Hospital in favour of integrated regional services shows forward-thinking that values dignity and accessibility over mere convenience.
This approach recognises that mental health must be part of comprehensive healthcare delivery, not confined to specialised facilities.
The introduction of telemedicine for remote communities and the $10,000 universal healthcare voucher system further show how creative solutions can break down geographical and economic barriers. These initiatives change healthcare from a privilege of those nearby to a true right of
citizenship.
Dr. Carpen’s UN address effectively reshapes the global health narrative. Instead of placing developing nations in the role of passive aid recipients, Guyana illustrates that smart investment and political will can create models worth emulating internationally.
The country’s healthcare improvements demonstrate that with effective leadership and resource allocation, the burden of non-communicable diseases does not have to fall hardest on those least able to respond.
This achievement warrants global recognition not just as a success story but as a guide for what can happen when healthcare policy rises above political cycles to become a national priority supported by substantial, ongoing investment.
Incredible ignorance [Part II]: Aubrey Norton
I WILL go to court to see if PNC lawyers, Ronald Daniels and Dexter Todd, can actually win a court case, if they can tell the nation that as lawyers, they accept Aubrey Norton’s reasoning on the election results.
You win cases in court by irrefutable evidence. You lose cases in court when you or your client horribly contradicts his/herself. A judge has a right to chase the client and his/her lawyer out of court if he/she tells the judge that he saw John Jones strike a pedestrian with his/her car then tells the judge under questioning that it was not a car but a minibus. No human can confuse a car with a minibus. But Norton comes close to doing so in terms of an analogy
After listening and watching Norton in an interview recently, if as a PNC supporter, PNC hierarchy member and as a decent, right-thinking Guyanese, you accept this man as your leader, then, you need to consult a psychoanalyst.
Here is Norton and judge for yourself. Three times in the interview, Norton said that the election results showed “widespread rejection” of the PPP by the electorate.
More than five times, Norton said in the same interview that the PPP rigged the 2025 poll. Norton went on to add that in South Georgetown and in Region 10, the voters did not choose the PPP.
At one time he said when it comes to rigging, the PPP is unscrupulous. Please remember as my analysis continues below that in my piece yesterday (Monday), I informed readers that in an interview, David Hinds laced his presentation with two contradictory perspectives – the PPP did poorly in the 2025 election and the PPP rigged the election.
You cannot tell the policeman that you
walk a mile to the shopping mall and in the same breath you tell the policeman you ran a mile to the mall. Either you walked or you ran. You cannot rig an election, and the opposition has evidence that you were rejected and did poorly. The two positions are trillions of miles apart. It is impossible to reconcile the two.
Rigging distorts the statistics of an election so you cannot do an analysis of the statistics because the statistics do not exist. So, by what magic, Norton knows that the electorate repudiated the PPP and by what magic Hinds knows the PPP did poorly? Where they got the statistics from?
Here is a commonsensical example. The eligible voters in Backdam Village are 1,000. The polling clerk rigged the voting and gave the purple party, 980 votes. How then would one know if the Purple Party was rejected or did poorly? Science cannot be helpful here because all the eyes can see is 980 ballots for the Purple Party.
In this entire world, will someone ask Norton that if the PPP rigged the 2025 poll why would it shape its rigging to exclude voters from South Georgetown and Region 10, places where Norton said people rejected the PPP?
Norton reads the Kaieteur News, so he must have seen Glen Lall screaming in a front-page article last week that the PPP lost 3,800 votes in 2025 from 2020 in its traditional stronghold of Regions Two, Three and Six. So, what were the riggers doing? Why did they allow this to happen?
There is another question that those who accept that Norton is their leader have to ask him. Why, if as Norton claims, the PPP are unscrupulous riggers, the rigging resulted in
PAC to introduce strict protocols to counter misuse of National Park
THE Protected Areas Commission (PAC) has noted with concern, the recent incidents that occurred on September 28, 2025, when individuals disregarded the rules of the National Park concerning the use of motorcycles and vehicles to traverse pathways designated for families, joggers, and children.
According to a press statement, the PAC said these irresponsible actions by a few members of the public endangered the safety of park users and diminished the purpose of the space.
the PPP gaining three more seats and 9,000 more votes from 2020? Why would unscrupulous riggers not give themselves about 10 more seats and collect about 30,000 more votes from what they got in 2020?
Burnham never perpetuated his electoral fraud by giving himself three more seats and 9,000 more votes from what he got in the last election.
Let’s see what the PNC riggers gave themselves in 1968, 1973, 1980, and 1985. In 1964, the election was free and fair. The PNC got 22 seats and 41 percent of the vote. In the rigged poll of 1968 that increased to 59 percent and 30 seats.
In the next election, in 1973, the rigging
increased the PNC seats to 37 and the percent to 70. In 1980, the rigging increased the PNC seats to 41 and the percent to 78. In 1985, the rigging machine handed the PNC 42 seats and 79 percent.
So, through rigging, the PNC more than doubled its seats of 22 in 1964 to 42 in 1985. Norton and Hinds are fooling people. They lost a free election and are ashamed to admit it. Is this the man that currently heads the PNC?
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.
“The National Park remains an urban space where families relax, exercise, and enjoy the outdoors. It is not a roadway for unauthorised vehicles or a diversion from road work, which is currently ongoing on both Carifesta Avenue and Thomas Road,” the PAC said.
any such reoccurrence of misuse of the National Park.
The Protected Areas Commission assured the public that immediate steps are being taken to prevent
“Members of the public are reminded that the National Park belongs to all Guyanese as a space to promote health and fitness, family relaxation, and sports,” the PAC said.
Guyanese women-led company among four to sign oil contracts next month -
BREAKING barriers in the oil and gas sector is women-led Guyanese company Sispro, which has secured two oil blocks, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat has disclosed.
Sispro is among four companies expected to sign their first Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) with the Guyana Government next month. During an interview on the ‘Starting Point Podcast- the Oil and Gas Edition,’ the minister spoke
about this historic milestone and said: “I'm very proud that it's a Guyanese company, especially our women folks, getting involved in the oil and gas sector.
“It shows that we're expanding the way we think and taking risks and want to be involved in the oil and gas sector is commendable.”
The PSAs have been updated, the minister said, to ensure that there are better benefits for Guyanese and improvements for shallow
water and deep-water development offshore Guyana. He stressed that negotiations had to be conducted with the companies that submitted bids. He explained that the government wanted a unified PSA.
“We wanted a PSA that will be signed by all companies,” Minister Bharrat said, noting that the government wanted to create an agreement that was “world class.”
Already, the government has made contact with the
Minister Bharrat says
companies that secured the oil blocks and looks forward to signing the agreement in October.
“We have already made contact with those companies. They know themselves by now, so we’re looking to sign that agreement in October with those four companies,” the minister said.
Further, he noted that the government may very well have to look at the PSA for near-shore or onshore development if the possibility presents itself in the future.
The minister emphasised that Sispro’s involvement reflects the government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women and
young people in the sector.
Back in 2023, the government closed its first offshore licensing round with six companies bidding on eight of the 14 blocks offshore. Of those, six companies were awarded oil blocks. One of the companies, Sispro Inc., secured two blocks.
There is a minimum of US$10 million for the exploration licence for shallow-water blocks, while in the deep-water blocks, there is a minimum of US$20 million for the exploration licence.
Sispro Inc. was awarded oil blocks S3 and D2; TotalEnergies EP Guyana B.V. in consortium with Qatar En-
ergy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas SDN BHD was awarded S4. Additionally, S5 was awarded to International Group Investment Inc. Liberty Petroleum Corporation and Cybele Energy Limited got the S7 block, while ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited were awarded S8. The S10 block was awarded to International Group Investment Inc. and Delcorp Incorporated, while Watad Energy and Communications Ltd and Arabian Drilling Company won D1.
From left to right: Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Dr Melissa Varswyk and Ayodele Dalgety-Dean of the women-led Guyanese company Sispro
Minister Manickchand engages Sanitation Director on city’s garbage situation
MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, on Monday met with Director of Sanitation at the Mayor and City Council, Walter Narine, on issues regarding waste man -
agement in the capital, Georgetown.
The meeting, according to a press release, was prompted by several complaints and visible evidence regarding the current state of un-cleanliness in the city.
The ministry highlighted that Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore, is currently out of the jurisdiction.
Discussions, however, focused on identifying the challenges associated with waste management and
sanitation, and exploring practical measures to improve the situation.
Minister Manickchand emphasised the government’s priority that communities become beautiful places of residence and dwelling, and was
Demerara River Bridge tower gets its crown
ANOTHER milestone was achieved at the new Demerara River Bridge on Monday, as one of the twin towers (P-34, south) was crowned with a design inspired by the Cacique Crown of Honour (C.C.H.), Guyana’s second-highest national award.
When both towers are completed and illuminated, the crowns will stand as cultural markers of national pride, blending heritage with modern engineering and adding a distinctive signature to the country’s skyline.
During a site visit last Thursday, the Guyana Chronicle observed workers assembling the steel structures that will cap the towers.
Project Manager Patrick Thompson said that the crown’s design was conceptualised by the project’s architects and fabricated overseas.
“In a synopsis, the tower crown has a height of about
a two-storey building, so it’s fairly tall, very strong. It’s a steel structure. It was fabricated in China, but it’s being put together on the ground here in Guyana,” Thompson said.
The new US$260 million bridge, being constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, represents one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in Guyana’s modern history.
Spanning 2.6 kilometres, it will link Region Three
to Region Four, providing round-the-clock, toll-free access.
The four-lane, cable-stayed structure is designed to last 100 years and accommodate vehicles of all sizes, travelling at up to 80 kilometres per hour.
Once operational, it is expected to benefit over 50,000 commuters daily and deliver an estimated $3.5 billion in annual savings by eliminating toll fees and reducing fuel consumption and travel time.
clear that the city must reflect the country’s beauty, warmth and hospitality.
She said there is much room for improvement, and little space for lengthy debates on the issue, noting: “We know what the issues are. Let’s get about
working towards solutions that involve all stakeholders.”
Both parties expressed a commitment to working together to develop sustainable solutions and to restore pride in the city’s appearance.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, on Monday met with Director of Sanitation at the Mayor and City Council, Walter Narine, on issues regarding waste management in the capital, Georgetown
GUYANA’S entrepreneurs are being urged to harness the country’s record economic momentum by building strong local foundations, pursuing international markets and cultivating the resilience needed to seize unprecedented opportunities.
According to a press release, speaking to more than 100 entrepreneurs at GrowthCLUB #41, a quarterly training session hosted by the Action COACH, the Ex-
ecutive Director of the World Trade Centre, Georgetown (WTCG), Wesley Kirton, underscored the centre’s commitment to strengthening micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The session, supported by the WTCG, and DDL Group partners Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) and the Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED), is part of WTCG’s ongoing mission to strengthen micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
‘Build local, think global, lead with resilience’
--WTC Georgetown urges entrepreneurs
(SMEs) through training and global connections.
“This is indisputable testimony to WTC Georgetown’s commitment to partnering with others to assist where possible with the sustainable growth and expansion of micro, small and medium- sized businesses across Guyana,” Kirton said.
He also highlighted the global reach available through the WTC network.
“WTCG belongs to a network of over 300 World Trade Centres with more than one million companies that serve to connect businesses and expand trade globally,” he said, noting: “This is what elevates WTCG to its global status. We are not
just a name; we work with businesses to make connections across the hallway and across the globe. Our work will not just help to grow companies; it will help to expand the economy, spark innovation, make the unimaginable achievable and shape the future.”
He said to the trainees that the formal launch of WTC Georgetown will take place between October 19 and 23, 2025, and will feature seminars and workshops on topics such as trade-show preparation, participation in trade missions, rules of origin, access to financing, and current trends in international trade. Kirton also acknowledged both the challenges
and opportunities that entrepreneurs in Guyana face.
“We are living in a moment where everything seems to be changing -- fast. Technology is evolving; climate challenges are growing; supply chains are shifting; global markets are unpredictable. And at the same time, customers are becoming more conscious. They want quality, they want purpose, they want impact,” he said. Kirton then urged participants to embrace three key principles for success: (1) Build local by anchoring products and services in the needs of communities to which they have access; (2) Think global, because the digital age has removed barriers, enabling a small
business in Linden, Lethem, or Berbice to reach markets across the Caribbean, North America, and beyond; and (3) Lead with resilience as the ability to get back up when things go wrong separates those who make it from those who do not.
Kirton closed his speech with a call to action for Guyana’s entrepreneurs, noting: “As you go through this training, I challenge you to do more than just learn. Decide to build businesses that are smart, sustainable, and ready for the future, because the world needs your ideas. Your customers need your solutions. And Guyana needs your leadership.”
Guyana-born Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent loses licence after ICE arrest
DR . Ian Andre Roberts, who until recently served as Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, has had his licence revoked and is no longer head of the district following his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 26, 2025.
Roberts, described by ICE as a “criminal illegal alien from Guyana,” was taken into custody during a targeted enforcement operation in Iowa, United States. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a loaded handgun, $3,000 in cash, and a fixed-blade hunting knife.
According to ICE Des Moines, Roberts attempted to flee when approached by officers, speeding away before abandoning his vehicle near a wooded area. He was later located with assistance from the State Patrol and taken into custody. Roberts’ arrest has raised serious questions about how he came to lead Iowa’s largest public school district while lacking work
authorisation and having a final order of removal issued by an immigration judge in May 2024. ICE noted that he had been living in the U.S. since 1999, when he entered on a student visa.
He also faces existing charges for weapons possession dating back to February 2020. Federal law prohibits individuals without legal status from possessing firearms and ammunition, and the investigation into how Roberts obtained the handgun is being referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“This suspect was arrested in possession of a loaded weapon in a vehicle provided by Des Moines Public Schools after fleeing federal law enforcement,” said ICE ERO St. Paul Field Office
Director Sam Olson.
“This should be a wakeup call for our communities to the great work that our officers are doing every day to remove public-safety threats. How this illegal alien was
hired without work authorisation, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.”
Roberts had previously stated that he was born to immigrant parents from Guyana and spent much of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York.
Brian Wesley Kirton
Dr Ian Andre Roberts
Top Cop, DCIO Telford meet immigration ranks at CJIA following corruption allegations
COMMISSIONER of Police and Chief Immigration Officer, Clifton Hicken, accompanied by Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO), Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford, visited the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday to meet and engage with immigration ranks stationed at the country’s primary port of entry.
The visit comes in the wake of serious allegations that police ranks at CJIA demanded money from a passenger in exchange for the
release of her lawful items.
CCTV footage and other supporting evidence reportedly confirm the claim. The implicated officers have since been placed under close arrest, while the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) conducts a full investigation into the matter. In response to the allegations, the Government of Guyana has directed that, effective immediately, all law enforcement officers operating at airports and border points nationwide must wear body cameras. The move is intended to enhance trans-
parency and accountability in law enforcement operations, particularly at ports of entry.
Commissioner Hicken reiterated the Guyana Police Force’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning that any officer found guilty of extortion or bribery will face the full force of the law.
“The Guyana Police Force will not condone any acts that undermine public trust. Our ranks are here to serve and protect, not to exploit travellers,” Hicken stated during his engagement with officers.
Authorities also remind-
GTU withdraws contempt proceedings against government officials
THE Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has withdrawn and discontinued its application for warrants of committal and contempt proceedings against several senior government officials and regional executives.
The proceedings, which alleged non-compliance with a High Court judgement delivered by Justice Sandil Kissoon in April 2024, were formally withdrawn on September 19, 2025.
The contempt application had been filed on August 26, 2025, and sought committal orders against Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Regional Executive Officers Donald Gajraj (Region Four), Susanah Saywack (Region Two), Narendra Persaud (Region Six), Sadick Ishmael (Region Five), and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar.
On September 12, 2025, the Attorney General moved to strike out the proceedings, arguing that GTU had failed to comply with mandatory procedures, including personal service of the applications on those cited.
He also contended that the proceedings were statute-barred under Section 16 of the Contempt of Court Act, as they were filed more than a year after the alleged contempt.
Additionally, he submitted that such proceedings could not be instituted against the State without compliance with the State Liability and Proceedings Act.
During that hearing, an oral application was also made for Justice Kissoon to
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, SC
recuse himself on the basis that he had delivered the original judgement in the matter.
Justice Kissoon granted the request and adjourned the matter for reassignment by the Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh. However, before it was reassigned, the Attorney General was served with a notice confirming GTU’s decision to withdraw the case altogether.
The Attorney General appeared in the matter with legal support from King’s Counsel, Darshan Ramdhani; Deputy Solicitor General, Shoshanna Lall; Principal Legal Adviser Ronetta Prince, and State Counsels Omar Hoppie and Ron Austin.
The contempt proceedings stemmed from Justice Kissoon’s April 19, 2024 ruling which declared the GTU strike lawful, finding that the government had failed to engage in proper collective bargaining.
Teachers began a nationwide industrial action for better wages and salaries and other benefits on February 5, 2024. Teachers were on strike, according to the GTU, because the govern-
ed the travelling public that no payments of any kind are required to clear lawful items through CJIA or any other official entry point. Passengers who encounter demands for
money are urged to report such incidents immediately to the nearest police authority.
The visit and subsequent measures reflect the
GTU’s President, Coretta Mc Donald
ment would not meet with the union on several issues, including negotiations on wages, salaries, allowances, and other benefits for teachers.
The strike was eventually called off on March 4, 2024 as a result of court-ordered mediation.
The teachers went on strike despite the fact that the Ministry of Education had satisfied more than half of the 41 proposals made by the GTU for better working conditions in just three years.
Government officials had also challenged the union’s claims by highlighting that discussions were ongoing to satisfy the other requests. Since the requirements for conducting a strike were not satisfied, the government had declared that the strike action was illegal.
A multi-year agreement was eventually reached between the government and GTU.
The government has appealed Justice Kissoon’s ruling which it has deemed erroneous, and the case is currently pending before the Court of Appeal of Guyana.
Force’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Guyana’s ports and restoring public confidence in its immigration and law enforcement services.
Chief Immigration Officer, Clifton Hicken, accompanied by Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO), Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford, visited the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Monday to meet and engage with immigration ranks stationed at the country’s primary port of entry
Bold leadership driving Guyana’s oil, gas prosperity - Minister Bharrat
MINISTER of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has credited “quality and bold leadership” for steering Guyana into what he described as a “golden age” of prosperity fuelled by its burgeoning oil and gas resources. He specifically pointed out President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (retd.) Mark Phillips, and Vice President
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo. Speaking on the Starting Point podcast—the oil and gas edition—Bharrat said, “What we have in Guyana is decisive, strong, visionary leadership by the president, prime minister, and vice president. It calls for quality and bold leadership. And if you look at countries where there are strong leaders—leaders who are not afraid to make
decisions in the interest of their country and people— you find that those are the countries that stand out, as Guyana is right now in the world.”
The minister highlighted that Guyana is “rated as the fastest-growing economy in the world,” a development he insisted did not occur by chance. “This didn’t happen because of the passage of
time, mistake or incidental. It happened because of the strong leadership. It happened because we have managed the economy so well, because we have managed the different sectors so well and used the revenues from the sectors to ensure that we build out a new modern Guyana where all Guyanese can benefit, especially from the oil and gas sector.”
Bharrat underscored the transformative role of the petroleum industry, noting that its impact goes far beyond direct revenues. “Oil and gas bring in quite a lot of revenue into a country and it is not only about the direct revenue that flows from oil and gas. It is about the many benefits that come from investing in the oil and gas sector and we have seen that over the last
‘No Bribes, No
few years, especially with the local content legislation.” Calling the policy one of government’s major accomplishments, he added, “I’d say that was one of our biggest successes in managing the oil and gas sector over the last five years, among many others.”
Approximately 14,000 Guyanese are now directly and indirectly benefitting from jobs and opportunities in the oil and gas industry, a development minister Bharrat attributes to the landmark Local Content Act, enacted in December 2021.
Bharrat said the legislation has reshaped Guyana’s petroleum sector by ensuring citizens are active participants rather than bystanders.
“Today, because of the way in which we have managed the oil and gas sector, our local private sector is playing an integral part in the provision of goods and services to the oil and gas TURN TO PAGE 16
Excuses’ - Police Force issues stern reminder to public
- both giver and receiver of bribes will face the law, Police warn
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a stern reminder to citizens that offering bribes to law enforcement officers is a criminal offence and a grave act that undermines the rule of law, accountability, and the integrity of policing.
The statement follows growing concern over incidents in which individuals have attempted to evade lawful procedures by offering money or “tokens of appreciation” to officers.
According to the GPF, such practices erode public trust in law enforcement and weaken the values of justice and fairness.
“The public must understand that both the giver and the receiver of a bribe are culpable under the law and will face the full consequences of their actions,” the Force stressed.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on corruption, the Police Force highlighted that robust internal mechanisms are in place to investigate and discipline any officer found guilty of soliciting or accepting bribes.
At the same time, citizens are urged to play their part by refusing to engage in bribery and reporting any such incidents immediately. Reports can be made to the Commissioner of Police Secretariat via hotlines 227-1611 ext. 4001, 225-6411, 225-2700, and 600-3019.
The GPF reminded the public that officers are trained from recruitment to serve with
professionalism, impartiality, and integrity. Acts of bribery, whether initiated by officers or citizens, undermine this commitment and the very foundation of justice.
In addition, the Force noted that the Government of Guyana has mandated the use of body cameras by all law enforcement officers stationed at ports of entry to bolster accountability and safeguard the rights of travellers.
“The Guyana Police Force calls on all citizens to respect the law, uphold your integrity, and desist from offering bribes or inducements of any kind,” the statement read. “Together, we must ensure that corruption has no place in our society. Together, we can build a nation founded on integrity, accountability, and justice.”
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, speaks on the Starting Point podcast
Tourism strengthens Guyana’s culture, economy and communities — Minister Rodrigues
GUYANA’S tourism sector continues to transform lives, strengthen culture, and safeguard the environment, according to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, who underscored the vital role of the industry in shaping the nation’s future.
Speaking on World Tourism Day 2025, observed last Saturday under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, the Minister reflected on how the sector has enhanced Guyana’s story, created economic opportunities, and protected the country’s most valuable assets — its people and environment.
“Tourism creates opportunities across every region,” Minister Rodrigues stated. “It provides work for guides,
Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues
hospitality staff, and artisans. It sustains farmers, fishers, and transport providers whose services are essential to the industry.”
She explained that the arrival of visitors circulates income through towns and villages, helping families improve their livelihoods while giving communities a chance to invest in their futures. These benefits, she noted, extend beyond individual employment, shaping how Guyanese value their identity and culture.
“When communities share their languages, crafts, food, and traditions with visitors, they preserve and strengthen them. These exchanges give our cultural practices renewed meaning, ensuring that future generations inherit them with pride,” Rodrigues said. She added that sustainable tourism demonstrates that development can strengthen, rather than erode, culture.
The Minister also emphasised the role of the natural environment, describing Guyana’s forests, rivers, and wildlife as central to both identity and tourism. “Tourism links their protection to meaningful benefits for communities. Visitors seek out these landscapes, and, in so doing, contribute to conservation efforts that safeguard them,” she explained.
Importantly, the sector is also creating new pathways for leadership. Young people are finding careers in tour guiding, hospitality, and entrepreneurship, while women are increasingly taking on leadership roles within their communities and the broader industry. Their contributions, Rodrigues said, bring “resilience, creativity, and pride” to Guyana’s development.
Reaffirming her Ministry’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and transformative tourism sector, Rodrigues pledged: “Together, we will continue to support our people, safeguard our heritage, and protect our environment while sharing with the world the spirit of Guyana. Join us as we Discover Guyana.”
Guyana’s 4th Universal Periodic Review formally adopted at UN Human Rights Council
GUYANA’S Fourth Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) officially concluded on Monday with the formal adoption of the country’s report by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The session marked the end of a process that began in May, when Guyana underwent its interactive dialogue and received 206 recommendations from Member States.
Following months of Cabinet-level consultations, engagements with constitutional agencies, and the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF), Guyana confirmed its support for 146 recommendations, many of which are already in various stages of implementation.
These include commitments to strengthening democratic institutions, expanding access to justice, advancing gender equality, protecting the rights of children, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities, and continuing progress in healthcare, education, housing,
and climate action under the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030. An additional 58 recommendations were noted for further consideration, particularly those requiring constitutional reform, public consultations, or legislative adjustments. Two recommendations were split to better reflect Guyana’s position.
Speaking virtually during the adoption, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and head of the Guyana delegation, Gail Teixeira, expressed appreciation to the 70 Member States that engaged constructively in the review process. She also thanked the Troika members — Belgium, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the
Dominican Republic — as well as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for their technical support.
“Guyana reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the UPR process, which provides a vital platform for transparency, accountability, and dialogue,” Minister Teixeira said. “We remain focused
on working nationally and internationally to overcome challenges, implement our commitments, and advance a rights-based sustainable development agenda for all.”
Delegations and UN agencies commended Guyana’s inclusive approach, particularly its acceptance of recommendations on gender equality, child protection, climate action, and social inclusion.
Civil society representatives also acknowledged significant progress, including the decriminalisation of suicide, improvements to prison conditions, and expanded access to health, education,
water, and housing services.
Guyana highlighted that ongoing reforms — from judicial modernisation to environmental protection and democratic consolidation — are aligned with the accepted recommendations and will continue to be advanced following the September 2025 elections.
The government also recognised the challenges posed by climate vulnerabilities, resource constraints, and global human rights setbacks but reiterated its commitment to international co-operation and technical partnerships to sustain progress.
Bold leadership driving Guyana’s oil, gas prosperity...
companies, because of that Local Content legislation,” he stated.
Bharrat explained that in many countries, international oil companies bring their own suppliers and build ecosystems that exclude locals. Guyana’s law was designed to prevent this, requiring oil companies and subcontractors to give first preference to Guyanese goods, services, and human resources.
As a result, thousands of citizens now work in areas such as logistics, transportation, accommodation, catering, technical support, and administration.
The minister noted that over 7,000 Guyanese are trained and employed directly in the industry, while another 7,000 benefit indirectly through supporting sectors.
Importantly, the law has spurred partnerships between international corporations and local businesses, leading to technology transfer and skills development.
A key feature of the legislation is the Local Content
FROM PAGE 12
Register, maintained by the Local Content Secretariat, which identifies Guyanese nationals and companies qualified to supply goods and services.
This mechanism has strengthened local businesses’ negotiating power with multinational companies.
Government has pledged to continuously review and expand the legislation, including increasing the number of mandated categories for local participation. The Act has been widely praised for giving Guyanese businesses leverage in a sector traditionally dominated by foreign players.
Bharrat’s comments come as ExxonMobil and partners Hess and CNOOC expand production in the Stabroek Block, which has established Guyana as a major force in global energy and the world’s fastest-growing economy. Exxon holds a 45 percent stake, Hess 30 percent, and CNOOC 25 percent in the prolific offshore block.
The delegation which represented Guyana at the UPR Review in May
Gail Teixeira’s video presentation at the UPR adoption
Guyana signs air services agreement with South Africa
GUYANA and South Africa, on Monday, signed an air services agreement to strengthen international co-operation between the two countries.
This agreement, which was signed during the ongoing International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 42nd Assembly, strengthens the existing partnership and reaffirms the commitment of both nations to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
It further aims to expand air service opportunities, promote economic growth, boost trade and tourism, and maintain the highest safety and security standards in air travel, addressing concerns related to aviation security.
Signing the agreement on behalf of South Africa was Barbara Creecy, Minister of Transport, and Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of Guyana.
Alongside the standard articles on Grant of Rights, Designation and Authorisation, Recognition of Certificates and Licenses, Safety, Aviation Security, Principles Governing Operations of Agreed Services, User Charges, Tariffs and others, both parties expressed a keen desire for this agreement to create opportunities for airlines of both countries to expand their air connectivity.
Field said: “Significant efforts were made to reach this agreement, marking a positive step forward. Guyana is forging partnerships and friendships with other countries to promote transformation in its aviation sector.”
According to the post by the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, with the signing of these air services agreements, the target of Guyana becoming an international hub for air connectivity is more within reach.
South Africa has a vibrant aviation sector and is home to South African Airways, which operates to at least 16 destinations within Africa, North
Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (left) and Barbara Creecy, Minister of Transport of South Africa (right) sign the agreement
America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The agreement supple-
ments the more than 50 air services agreements Guyana has established with other ICAO States to develop air connectivity. Guyana and South Africa established diplomatic ties on November 4, 1994.
Helmet violations dominate as GPF records 2,733
road offences last week
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department has reported that a total of 2,733 traffic-related offences were recorded nationwide between Sep-
tember 21 and September 27, 2025, underscoring ongoing challenges with road safety compliance. According to the department’s breakdown, the
top categories of offences included: Speeding – 202 cases, Tinted motor vehicles – 210 cases, Seatbelt violations – 97 cases, driving under the influence – 24 cases,
Failure to wear safety helmets – 271 cases, carrying pillion rider without helmet – 74 cases, Unlighted motor vehicles (front and rear) – 83 cases combined, and Breach of condition of prescribed fitness – 89 cases.
In total, 1,057 specific cases were directly record-
The Traffic Department noted that helmet-related offences alone accounted for 345 cases, reflecting a persistent disregard for safety among motorcyclists and pillion riders
ed under these categories, while additional enforcement pushed the overall tally to 2,733 for the week.
The Traffic Department noted that helmet-related offences alone accounted for 345 cases, reflecting a persistent disregard for safety among motorcyclists and pillion riders.
ROAD SAFETY BEYOND ENFORCEMENT
In addition to enforcement efforts, the Traffic Department engaged in an extensive education and outreach campaign during the reporting period.
School-based lectures were held across 18 institutions in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six, and Nine, as well as in Georgetown. Among the schools visited were Ankerville Primary (Region Six), Wauna Secondary (Region One), La Retraite Primary (Region Three), Lima Sands Primary (Region Two), and Chase Academy in Georgetown.
Meanwhile, community lectures and sensitisation sessions targeted drivers, riders, bar patrons, and construction workers in key areas including Bartica, Alberttown, Ruimveldt, East La Penitence, and at the #56
Village bridge construction site.
The outreach extended further through flyer distribution and walkabouts, with activities along Sheriff Street, Croal Street, Providence Public Road, Heroes Highway, and in several hinterland and riverine communities such as Mahdia, Koberimo, St. Lawrence, Soesdyke, Rupunau, and River’s View.
The figures come as Guyana continues to battle high rates of road accidents, many of which are linked to reckless driving, excessive speeding, drunk driving, and non-compliance with safety measures such as helmet and seatbelt use.
Authorities have stressed that law enforcement alone cannot resolve the problem, emphasising the importance of sustained public education campaigns and partnerships with schools, communities, and civil society groups to change attitudes toward road safety.
The GPF Traffic Department has reaffirmed its commitment to combining robust enforcement with public sensitisation, aiming to reduce accidents, protect lives, and promote safer road use across the country.
School-based lectures were held across 18 institutions in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Six, and Nine, as well as in Georgetown
Police destroy over $409M in cannabis during Berbice operations
Together, the two exercises resulted in the destruction of cannabis valued at more than $409 million.
IN a major crackdown on the illegal drug trade, ranks from the Guyana Police Force’s Narcotics Branch and Regional Division Six destroyed more than $409 million worth of cannabis during two successful eradication exercises carried out on Sunday in the Upper Berbice River
The first exercise took place at Zion, where police uncovered approximately two acres of land prepared for cannabis cultivation. A nearby makeshift camp, measuring about 30 by 20 feet, was also found. The camp contained both a living and kitchen area, along with a drying site where roughly 350 pounds of dried cannabis were stored. The camp and cannabis were destroyed by fire. The value of the drugs destroyed at this site was estimated at $142.8 million.
to the Narcotics Branch for ballistic testing. The camp, dried cannabis, and cultivated plants were all destroyed
on site by fire. The estimated value of the drugs eliminated during this operation stood at $266.3 million.
Later that morning, between 05:00 hrs and 10:20 hrs, officers moved to Kalkuni, where they discovered another two-acre plot containing about 3,000 cannabis plants, ranging in height from two to seven feet. A second camp and drying area, also 30 by 20 feet in size, was located nearby. Inside, ranks found around 650 pounds of dried cannabis, along with two unlicensed 12-gauge shotguns and 19 matching cartridges. The firearms, which bore no visible serial numbers, were seized and transported
Police confirmed that the operations were conducted without incident. Authorities have emphasised that such eradication drives form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the narcotics trade and ensure public safety, particularly in hinterland communities where illegal cultivation often thrives.
Yusuf spurs Regal Legends to inaugural Unification title
By Frederick Halley
A BRILLIANT boundary-studded 111 from skipper Uniss Yusuf spurred Regal Legends Over-50 team to a massive 114run victory over Fisherman Legends when the inaugural Unification Cup three-day tournament, organised by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL), in conjunction with title sponsors Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, climaxed at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda on Sunday.
The win earned the winners a whopping one million dollars and the Trophy Stall sponsored trophy while the runners-up had to settle for $200,000 and a trophy.
The mercurial Yusuf, who, by his standard, was having an indifferent tournament with the bat, found his groove in the final and in the process tore the Fisherman Legends attack apart in a brutal display of ferocious power hitting.
The pugnacious righthander set the tone from the onset, smashing the first delivery of the match for a huge six and, a clear sign of what was in store after he won the toss and opted to take first strike.
Yusuf added 108 for the second wicket with former
Guyana Under-19 player
Troy Gobin (21), who was content on playing second fiddle to his captain.
By the time Yusuf departed at 143 for three in 11th over, after smashing 10 fours and an equal number of sixes, Regal Legends were well on their way to an insurmountable total.
Roy Persaud, with a quickfire undefeated 46, which contained four fours and three sixes and Lloyd Rupall, who struck one four and five sixes in 35 added further impetus with a 62-run fifth wicket partnership as the Fisherman attack wilted under the immense pressure with Regal Legends reached an imposing 232 for six in the allotted 20 overs.
Andrew Chatteroon finished with three for 49.
Fisherman Legends, who created a stir in Saturday’s semi-final with an upset last ball victory over the then unbeaten Parika Defenders, were never up to the task, losing wickets at regular intervals as they bowled out for
a paltry 118 in their 20 overs. Dennis Mangroo hit a top score of 20 while Chattergoon was unbeaten on 19. Stanley Mohabir claimed two for 15, Richard Driffield two for 23 and Yusuf two for 30. Yusuf took home the player of the match award and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize of the category – a Toyota Vitz car, unprecedented in the history of softball in Guyana.
Apart from Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, the other main sponsors on board included Ramesh Sunich’s Trophy Stall which donated all the trophies, General Marine, Price Shopper Variety, Chung’s Global, ARD Youtuber (Danny Persaud), Crown Mining Supplies, Ansy and Amrit Furniture Store, INS Trading, Lakhram Singh Contracting Services, Rajiv Gandhi University, Blue Spring Water, Ofimak Office & Furnishings (Panama) and HL Latino America (Panama).
Nepal stun West...
ner in Sundeep Jora, who launched a blistering counter-attack. Jora bludgeoned the West Indies attack, smashing five sixes and three fours on his way to a career-best 63 off just 39 balls.
Their brilliant 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket rescued Nepal and propelled them to a highly competitive total of 173-6.
In reply, the West Indies’ chase was a disaster from the start. From the get-go, the regional side seemed at sea at the seam and spin bowling barrage from the host.
Their inexperienced batting lineup capitulated under the pressure of the formidable target, slumping to 38-4 after nine overs and never recovering.
The scorecard made for grim reading for Caribbean fans, with only three players, Jason Holder 21, Ackeem Au-
(From back page)
guste 17, and Amir Jangoo 16, managing to reach double figures.
The innings folded for a meagre 83 in just 17.1 overs, much to the delight of a vibrant and cheering Nepali crowd in Sharjah.
Nepal’s bowling attack was clinical. Debutant Mohammad Aadil Alam, a late replacement, was the chief destroyer with a spectacular haul of 4-24, while part-time leg-spinner Kushal Bhurtel redeemed himself with a sharp spell of 3-16.
The victory marks one of the greatest days in Nepali cricket history, a stunning triumph of spirit and skill that has firmly put the Himalayan nation on the global cricketing map.
The teams will now meet for the final match today, with Nepal eyeing a historic series sweep.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Tuesday, September 30, 2025)
India beat Pakistan in thriller to win Asia Cup
INDIA beat Pakistan by five wickets in a tense final to retain the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
It was the third meeting between the rivals at the tournament and success for India earned them a ninth title.
Both sides again refused to shake hands - as they had in the two earlier fractious encounters.
The India players did not reappear for the trophy presentation and Indian cricket board (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, later said the players refused to accept the winner's trophy from Asian Cricket Council president, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, said: "It's one thing that I have never seen in my career,
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
VAAL
08:15 hrs Monkey Puzzle
08:50 hrs Wind Of Grace
09:25 hrs Global Thunder
10:00 hrs Taegan's Champ
10:35 hrs Princess Ilaria
IRISH RACING TIPS CORK
08:45 hrs Tornado Kiss
09:15 hrs Joyful Tidings
09:45 hrs Pickersgill
10:15 hrs Sovereign Banter
10:45 hrs Ridersinthesky
11:15 hrs Purview
11:45 hrs I Am Superman
12:20 hrs Liamo
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
AYR
09:00 hrs Epidavros
09:30 hrs Jeddaal
10:00 hrs Visco Disco
10:30 hrs Quest For Fun
11:00 hrs Dumfries
11:30 hrs Count D'Orsay
England's Woakes retires from international cricket
ENGLAND all-rounder
retaining their crown by mimicking holding a trophy.
"I think what has happened in this tournament is very disappointing," Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, said.
"If they think they disrespected us by not shaking hands, then I say they disrespected cricket.”
India and Pakistan engaged in a four-day military conflict in April following a deadly militant attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir.
that a champion team is denied its trophy. "We took the call on the ground about not taking the trophy."
In the absence of the trophy presentation, India's players instead celebrated
12:05 hrs Young Merlin
BATH
09:22 hrs San Francisco Bay
09:52 hrs Harlington
10:22 hrs On A Vespa
10:52 hrs King Of Speed
11:22 hrs Item
11:52 hrs Star Chorus
12:25 hrs White Island
12:55 hrs On Edge
13:25 hrs Mobaasher
NEWCASTLE
12:00 hrs Hashtagnotions
12:30 hrs Navid
13:00 hrs Hello Goodbye
13:30 hrs Golden Conqueror
14:00 hrs Smartnack
14:30 hrs Tees Grorge
15:00 hrs Penelope Valentine
15:30 hrs Invitorio
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
FINGER LAKES
Race 1 Ava's Uncle Billy
Race 2 Turnupthemusic
Race 3 Kaz Music
Race 4 Emersld Forest
Race 5 Gringotts
Race 6 Flowing River
Race 7.Good As He Gets
Even before that conflict, the cricket teams would only face each other at neutral venues and in worldwide competitions.
Made to bat first, Pakistan started superbly, with Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) putting together an impressive opening stand of 84.
They rallied to 113-1 with 44 balls left in the innings, but the collapse that followed would be dramatic and prove pivotal to the outcome.
With the help of left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (430) and some poor shots, India took the remaining nine wickets for just 33 runs as a shellshocked Pakistan was bundled out for 146 with five deliveries still left in their innings.
India themselves started badly in their reply and lost three wickets in the opening three overs to give Pakistan hope.
But Tilak Varma calmed things down with a fine unbeaten 69, while Shivam Dube (33) and Sanju Samson (24) provided much-needed support as they triumphed with two balls left.
"It is one of the best innings of my life," said Tilak. "It was a bit pressured, but I wanted to stay in and finish the game."
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said: "It is a tough pill to swallow. We couldn't rotate the strike properly, and that is the reason we didn't get the score we wanted. We need to sort out our batting."
(BBC Sport)
Chris Woakes has retired from international cricket following his omission from this winter's Ashes squad.
The 36-year-old played 62 Test matches, 122 oneday internationals and 33 T20s for his country.
Woakes was part of the England team which won the 50-over 2019 World Cup in a thrilling final against New Zealand at Lord's, as well as the T20 World Cup in 2022.
The Warwickshire player made his England debut in a T20 match in 2011 and played his first Test in the final match of the 2013 Ashes series.
Woakes was part of the England side that drew 2-2 in a captivating Test series against India this summer.
He suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder on the first day of the fifth Test and came out to bat with his left arm in a sling on the final day.
England needed 17 runs when Woakes came out at number 11. He did not face a ball but ran four runs before Gus Atkinson was bowled.
Woakes finishes with a Test record of 192 wickets at an average of 29.61 and 2,034 runs at an average of 25.11.
In ODIs, he took 173 wickets and scored 1,524 runs, while he took 31 wickets and scored 147 runs in T20s.
"Playing for England was something I aspired to do since I was a kid dreaming in the back garden, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have lived out those dreams," he wrote on social media.
"Representing England, wearing the Three Lions and sharing the field with teammates over the last 15 years,
many of whom have become lifelong friends, are things I'll look back on with the greatest pride.
"Making my debut in 2011 in Australia seems like yesterday, but time flies when you're having fun.
"Lifting two World Cups and being part of some amazing Ashes series is something I never thought was possible, and those memories and celebrations with my team-mates will stay with me forever.
"I look forward to continuing to play county cricket and exploring more franchise opportunities in the near future."(BBC Sport)
GBBFF president says CAC team represented Guyana well
PRESIDENT of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF), Roger Callender, who led the country’s team to the just concluded Central America and Caribbean Bodybuilding championship said the 12 medals were well deserved.
“That was an outstanding performance by all of the athletes that put in the time, the effort, the discipline, the dedication and represented their country to the highest. We had some athletes that shone beyond expectations and accumulated multiple medals on that day”
Callender said that the team could not attend the CAC in St Lucia had it not been for the assistance of the Guyana Olympic Association and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
“The ministers were
funds to be able to represent Guyana at this year’s CAC. The GOA had no hesitation in assisting us.” Guyana’s seven-member bodybuilding team won 12 medals at the championship held in St Lucia.
Rawle Green collected gold and 2 silver medals in the heavyweight category; Linden Burnett captured a gold and a silver.
Men’s fitness athlete, Romelton Siland, captured a silver and 2 bronze Medals. Also getting up on the podium was Sabita Stephenson for a silver.
sworn in; there was no hesitation. I got a chance to see the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr and the newly appointed Junior Minister in the Ministry, Steven Jacobs, and, within a few minutes into the meeting, they sent a request for us to get the
Men’s Fitness athlete, Anthony Bailey, took home silver and bronze medals. In 2024 when Guyana hosted the event for the second time in 20 years, the athletes captured 27 medals including 11 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze.
Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 69 off 53 balls
Chris Woakes made his England Test debut at the Oval against Australia in 2013
GBBFF president, Roger Callender, at the CAC games
John captures Victor Macedo Memorial Cycle Road Race
LOCAL cycling star Jamaul John put on a cycling spectacular on the country’s roadways on Sunday to take home the 23rd annual Victor Macedo Me -
morial Cycle Road Race organised by Flying Star Cycle Club.
John outrode a strong line-up including Robin Persaud, Curtis Dey, Paul DeNo-
India and Sri Lanka kick off a Women's World Cup with a difference
ON the eve of the tournament opener, the contrasts were subtle but telling in Guwahati. India's training session was light, confident and precise.
Avishkar Salvi, India's bowling coach, tried Rana's offspin grip before she showed him how it's done.
Kranti Goud charged in with rhythm and responded to match-specific challenges. It was a sight of a team that looked settled.
Earlier in the afternoon, Sri Lanka had gone through a more muted, methodical session. They started with catching drills before quickly shifting to the nets. It was not all work and no play, though. Left-arm spinner
Inoka Ranaweera teased the young seamer Malki Madara about getting Hasini Perera lbw, and Sugandika Kumari joked with fellow offspinner Dewmi Vihanga about why her grip was better.
Two teams, two different rhythms. But the bigger picture was clear: this World Cup doesn't begin with undercooked sides trying to find co-
hesion. This begins with teams well-prepared and clear on goals
Since the 2022 editionwhich saw pandemic-hit schedules and limited preparation in the lead-up - the change has been striking. Sri Lanka, who didn't qualify then and hadn't played an ODI in three years, arrive with 31 games under their belt. India have been the busiest, having played 38 since the last edition, including 14 this year.
"We've played more ODI cricket after the last T20 World Cup," India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said. "We have won most of the games. That has definitely given us a lot of confidence to do well in ODI cricket. We now have a lot of experience. This group has played together for so many years. There is a lot more clarity."
And that clarity is evident - not just in numbers, but in body language, in banter, in how batters walk into the nets, and bowlers finish their spells. This World Cup picks up where the teams left off, with momentum already building.
brega and Alexander Leung who finished in that order.
John’s biggest threat came from Leung who led for three laps with John also holding the lead for three laps
in a tightly contested race.
Other winners included Leung for the Juniors and Persaud for Masters over 45.
Carlos Mendonca won the category 4 with Dinesh
Sookhai calling the Juveniles.
The race sponsored by Macedo Transportation Services Ltd pedalled off from Peter Rose Street Queenstown then proceed-
ed along J.B. Latchman Singh Road around the Kitty roundabout, unto Clive Lloyd Drive then unto the Rupert Craig Highway to Mahaicony and back.
Dream realised: Pierre looking to make a mark with West Indies in India
AHMEDABAD, India, (CMC )– For Trinidadian spinner Khary Pierre, the dream that began in his childhood living room, watching West Indies legends like Brian Lara, has finally become a reality.
After a dominant domestic season, the left-arm spinner has received his first call-up to the West Indies Test squad, and for him, the emotion is almost beyond words.
“It’s a great honour, a privilege to represent the West Indies. It’s something I dreamt of when I was young, watching Test cricket. I was really happy. Words can’t explain how I felt at that moment.”
Despite not coming through the youth ranks, Pierre’s hard work and determination over the years are finally bearing fruit.
His selection to the senior team is a direct reward for his exceptional perfor -
mance in the recent West Indies Championship, where he was a standout bowler for the T&T Red Force, claiming a formidable tournament-leading 41 wickets. His recipe for success, however, was surprisingly simple.
“I was just playing my cricket, trying to enjoy it. I think that was the key to my
success this season. I was out there enjoying my cricket and taking the outcome out of it, and giving 110%. I’m a cricketer who will always give 110% when I reach the cricket field. I leave everything on the cricket field, blood, sweat, and tears. I think that was my trademark this season and, you know, it paid off.”
When asked about his philosophy as a spinner, Pierre emphasised consistency and cunning over flashy variations. His goal in the middle is a classic one: to outthink the batsman.
“I would say control, consistency, and just try to stay in front of the batsman as much as possible. I try to use more variations, or just try to outfox the batsman. I think that is the aim of any spinner.”
As he prepares for the potential of making his Test debut on the grand stage of India, Pierre’s focus remains squarely on the team. He arrives with a clear mindset, ready to fill whatever role is required to help the West Indies secure victory.
“I just want to help the team win. Whatever role I have to play in the team, I want to do it to the best of my ability. And I’m gonna go there, I’m gonna give 100%.”
All the winners of Victor Macedo cycle road race
Jamaul john collecting his prize
West Indies spinner Khary Pierre gets ready to bowl in the nets during a practice session in India (Photo: CWI Media)
GCB U-13 Inter-County 40-Over Cricket Tournament
Seecharran’s ton keeps Demerara unbeaten
…Emmanuel grabs 7-12 as Berbice register its first win
By Sean Devers
THE Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) left-handed opener reached the boundary 19 times and cleared it twice in a sublime innings which lasted 101 balls.
Seecharran’s century was the first in the threeyear history of U-13 Inter-County cricket and spearheaded the home team to an imposing 269-6 from 40 overs before skittling out Essequibo for 75 in 27.2 overs.
Seecharran shared in a 72-run opening partnership with Nathaniel Ramkhelwan (17) before Eshwar Tillack dismantled his wicket.
Fayyad Baksh bowled Deshawn Ramnauth (2) to leave Demerara on 85-2 in
the 13th over.
Seecharran and Makai Dowlin added 134 for the third wicket with solid batting before the son of Test player Travis Dowlin was caught and bowled by Wade Ferrier for 45 from 52 balls with three boundaries at 219-3.
Without addition to the score, Nathan Puran was unfortunately run out for a duck before Ferrier removed Seecharran at 233-5.
Jasani Craig (10) fell to Baksh at 158-6 before Mario Singh, who hit two fours in his unbeaten 26, contributed to the winning total.
ing 124-run win over the GCB’s X1
Berbice were given a firm foundation with a 73run first wicket stand between Afraz Ali (32) and Timothy Ramsaywack (23) before being run out.
Jaden Ganpat hit three fours 38 before Gajnabi arrived at number six and lit up the Lusignan Ground.
Gajnabi, who hails from Chesney and is the brother of Guyana and West Indies female player Shabika Gajnabi, played an array of delightful shots, powering Berbice to 253-7 from 40 overs. Berbice’s total benefitted from 49 Extras.
When Essequibo began their reply, only Ferrier and Marcus Thomas, who made 16, reached double figures. Extras contributed 23. Na-
Ferrier 2-20, Baksh 2-29 and Tillack 1-41 were the wicket- takers for the defending Champions, who were dismissed in 27.2 overs.
thaniel Ramkhelwan 3-1, Ashton Collins 3-15, Singh 1-0, Deshawn Ramnauth 1-7, Afraz Khan 1-10, and Craig 1-18 for Demerara, who had beaten Berbice by 55 runs in the first round,
Britton captures three titles at Senior National Table Tennis Championship
remained unbeaten.
At Lusignan, an undefeated 78 from 61 balls with seven fours from Captain Sahid Gajnabi and Fast bowler Adrian Emmanuel’s 7-12 led Berbice to a crush -
Aaron DaCosta took 2-52 for the GCB’s X1, who were blown away for 39 in 22.5 overs.
No batter reached double figures as the pace of Emmanuel, who took a hat-trick, was too hot to handle.
Injury blow for West Indies as Alzarri Joseph ruled out of India Test series
AHMEDABAD, India, (CMC) – In a significant setback for the West Indies cricket team, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against India due to the recurrence of a lower back injury.
The injury concern arose after Joseph reported discomfort, prompting medical scans.
GUYANA and top regional table tennis player Shemar Britton has had a historic sojourn at this year’s Senior National Table Tennis championship.
Britton captured the men’s singles on Sunday after already taking home the men’s doubles and mixed- doubles titles a day earlier at National Gymnasium.
Second place went to Elishaba Johnson with Van Lange Third. In the mix doubles, he teamed up with two time Olympian Chelsea Edghill to successfully defend their mixed- doubles title on Saturday.
Edghill who was a doubt for the competition, came out strong to help Britton defend their crown.
They got first round bye before overcoming Jaden Trotman and Cassidy Singh 3-0 in the quarter finals. They then faced off against
In the men’ singles after the quarter- final stage where Britton beat Travis Lyken, he played a round robin final against 8 other top players and lived up to the hype. He battled the likes of Nigel Brayan, Krystian Sahadeo, Niran Bissu, Elishaba Johnson, Joel Alleyne, Orin Hickerson and Jonathan Van Lange. Britton would emerge victorious playing undefeated against all contenders to take his first title.
Nevaeh Clarkson and Colin France who they dispatched as well in straight sets 3-0 in the semis.
In the final they battled Samara Sukhai and Colin Wong. They won the first and second sets 11-7, 11-4 but the duo of Wong and Sukhai found another gear to claim the third set 11-1 in a strong showing.
Edghill and Britton settle down to comfortable close out the four sets to take the best of five game and the mix doubles title 3-1.
Britton again delivered in the men’s doubles after teaming up with Jonathan Van Lange, the duo clinched the title.
The pair after getting a bye
in the first round they won their quarter finals by beating Jaden Trotman and Travis Lyken in straight sets.
The semifinals saw them battling against Colin Wong and Malachi Moore who they defeated 3-0.
In the ensuing final they were pitted against Elisheba Johnson and Niron Bissu.
They won the first two sets 11-4 and 12-10 but could not hold off Johnson and Bissu who claimed the third to force a fourth set in a best of 5 finals.
However Britton and Van Lange would find their composure to take a tough fourth set 14-12 and the title 3 sets to 1.
The results confirmed a degeneration of a lower back stress fracture that had previously been considered resolved.
To fill the void left by the experienced Joseph, the selectors have turned to pace-bowling all-rounder Jediah Blades.
While uncapped at the Test level, Blades has represented the West Indies in both One-Day and T20 Internationals and will join the squad following the ongoing series against Nepal.
In a further twist, veteran all-rounder Jason Holder was approached to replace Joseph, but declined the call-up. Holder cited a preplanned medical procedure as the reason for his unavailability.
The absence of both Joseph and Holder leaves the West Indies’ pace attack significantly depleted as they prepare to face a formidable Indian batting line-up.
Lomar Seecharran scored the first century in the three-year history of U13 Inter-County cricket (Photos compliments News Room/Avinash Ramzan)
Adrian Emmanuel took 7-12, which included a Hat-Trick
West Indies pacer
Alzarri Joseph
Shemar Britton after his singles win Britton and Edghill
Van Lange and Britton
Yusuf spurs Regal Legends to inaugural Unification title
Guyana Squash Association unveils Hall of Fame
Guyana Squash Association (GSA) celebrated its 60th anniversary on Sunday by making history. It officially launched its Hall of Fame and inducted six legends who shaped the sport's identity.
The gala event brought together multiple generations of athletes and saw former world-ranked professional, Nicolette Fernandes, headline the prestigious inaugural 'Class of 2025' Hall of Fame intake.
Fernandes, the country’s most decorated player, was inducted alongside five other pioneering figures: Ron Hughes, Josephine Whitehead, Mike Watkinson, Carl Ince, and Madhu Wellingkar.
The six names now occupy a permanent, dedicated space on the wall at the National Racket Centre, designed to remind us of the dedication required to reach
the pinnacle of Guyanese squash.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles S. Ramson Jr., was present to applaud the GSA's move. He stated that the Hall of Fame is not just a recognition of legends but a "catalyst to awaken dreams." He urged other national sporting bodies to follow the GSA’s lead in celebrating their icons.
GSA President, David Fernandes, congratulated the inductees on their "stellar contributions," encouraging younger players to use their success as a motivator to excel on the international stage.
The association also used the landmark occasion to establish the Guyana Squash Archival Project (GSAP), a new committee tasked with permanently chronicling and preserving the history and legacy of Guyanese squash.
In a forward-looking address, the GSA reaffirmed its future ambitions, announcing a challenge to move from its current dominant status within the Caribbean to significantly impacting the wider Pan American region, with a core focus on developing its
junior programme. In a special recognition ceremony, long-standing squash administrator and supporter, Dennis Dias, received a special award for his contributions to the community over the past 50 years.
Nepal stun West Indies to claim historic series victory
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) In a result that will send shockwaves through the cricketing world, Nepal humbled the West Indies by a staggering 90 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Ground on Monday, sealing a historic, unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match T20I series.
In a landmark achievement, the Rohit Paudel-led side has become the first-ever associate nation to win a bilateral series against the West Indies in any format, cementing their place in the sport’s record books.
After deciding to take the first strike, Nepal’s innings began on shaky ground.
The early losses of Kushal Bhurtel for two and captain Paudel three to West Indies skipper Akeal Hosein, followed by an unfortunate run-out of Kushal Malla, left the scoreboard reading a precarious
However, from the
a
Opener Aasif Sheikh anchored the innings with immense composure, crafting an unbeaten 68 from 47 deliveries for his eighth T20I half-century. He found the perfect part-
(Turn to page 24)
The victorious Regal Legends players pose with their winnings (Sean Devers photo)
MVP Uniss Yusuf poses with his Toyota Vitz Car
THE
43-3.
brink of collapse,
magnificent fightback ensued.
Carl Ince (left) and Nicolette Fernandes were among the inductees
The Nepal players celebrate