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Wednesday 9th September, 2026 PRICE

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No.1081901

Guyana marks aviation milestone with ICAO panel appointment 15 PAGE

Gov’t aims to add 57MW power from GtE to national grid 03 PAGE

—as ‘first fire’ testing on turbines set for December

Qatar, Guyana vow to strengthen ties during President Ali’s Doha visit 02 PAGE

His Highness (HH) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali held an official talks session at the Amiri Diwan Tuesday morning (OP photo)

Puruni Bridge construction begins, completion targeted for December –– crossing to improve movement of heavy-duty equipment and support expanding mining activity

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President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali on Tuesday evening attended a special celebration of Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary - the Diamond Jubilee-hosted by Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Shadood, and the Guyana Embassy in Doha. The President witnessed the launch of UMAMI, a proud Guyanese line of products, in the Qatari market, another important step in expanding the global reach and recognition of Brand Guyana (OP photo)

Development Bank to open new financing avenues for Indigenous entrepreneurs –– Minister Brown-Shadeek says –– urges Indigenous communities to tap new financing opportunities for larger-scale investments 21 PAGE

Mohameds’ contempt case against Guyana assumes 14 ‘Guyanese Critic’ no longer 09 presidency of Amazon clashes with extradition hearing health commission PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Qatar, Guyana vow to strengthen ties during President Ali’s Doha visit

HIS Highness (HH) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, and His Excellency (HE) Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, held an official talks session at the Amiri Diwan Tuesday morning. At the outset of the session, HH the Amir welcomed HE the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the accompanying delegation, wishing the relations between the two countries further development and growth. HH the Amir expressed his hope that the visit would contribute to broadening the prospects for joint co-operation in a manner that serves the interests of both countries. For his part, HE the President of Guyana expressed his thanks and appreciation to HH the Amir for the warm reception and generous hospitality, affirming his country’s keenness to strengthen co-operation relations and advance them toward further

During the session, the two sides discussed relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop them, particularly in the investment fields, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest development and growth. During the session, the two sides discussed relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop

them, particularly in the investment fields, in addition to discussing a number of topics of mutual interest. HH the Amir and HE the

President of Guyana also held a bilateral meeting, during which they exchanged views on the most prominent current issues and developments.

The session was attended by Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Chief of the Amiri Diwan; HE Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for

Energy Affairs; Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as a number of ministers and senior officials. On the side of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the session was attended by Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Safraaz Ahmad Shadood, Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar; Marcia Mezan Sharma, Director of Presidential Affairs at the Office of the President; George Andrew Hallaq, as well as other members of the official delegation. HH the Amir hosted a luncheon in honour of HE Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and the accompanying delegation. During Tuesday, HE the President of Guyana arrived at the Amiri Diwan, where an official reception ceremony was held for His Excellency.

From setbacks to success: Lavern Carryl’s 38-Year Journey in Education - a teacher’s journey of faith and perseverance

Retired Patentia Secondary School Headteacher, Lavern Carryl BORN in Region One and raised in the close-knit community of Leguan, Lavern Carryl’s journey through life and education has been shaped by perseverance, sacrifice and an unshakeable faith. Thirty-eight years after entering the classroom as a young Acting Teacher, Carryl is preparing to retire from a profession that became far more than a job. Along the way, she taught at every major level of Guyana’s education system, helped train and support other educators, raised a family and overcame personal setbacks that might easily have discouraged someone else. But her story did not begin with success. In 1988, while attending Leguan Secondary School, Carryl sat three CXC subjects and passed none. The disappointment was painful. She left school ashamed of the results, but she refused to allow that moment to define the rest of her life. Instead, she made a de-

Lavern Carryl (extreme right) with her husband attending her daughters call to the Bar along with her next daughter

cision that would become a recurring theme throughout her journey: she would keep going. Soon afterwards, Carryl moved to Georgetown in search of work while waiting to hear from the Ministry of Education about an application she had submitted to become a teacher. In the meantime, she found employment as a Sales Clerk at Twins Pharmacy. The salary was modest, but Carryl believed firmly in the value of honest work. “There is dignity in labour,” she would often say, words she lived by. Rather than remain at home without employment, she worked diligently, using what she earned to help support her ailing father and younger siblings in Leguan. Then, on September 8, 1988, the call she had been waiting for finally came. Carryl was appointed an Acting Teacher at the Shirley Merle Field Ridley Nursery School on the West Bank of Demerara. For her family, it was a

blessing. But the new opportunity came with challenges of its own. Each day involved a demanding journey from La Penitence to Phoenix Park, including ferry crossings and long commutes. On some days, rain soaked her before she reached the school, and she would spend hours at work still wet from the journey. Yet she continued and the difficult commute was simply another obstacle to overcome, nevertheless, when Carryl received her first salary, she sent much of it home to help her younger siblings. It was an act that reflected both her generosity and her strong sense of responsibility towards her family. Before long, however, helping her siblings became more than a voluntary gesture. Her father died when Carryl was just 17 years old, leaving her to assume an even greater responsibility for the household. Her mother had died years earlier, when Carryl was only six.

Educator Lavern Carryl at Patentia Primary in 1999

At an age when many young people were still trying to determine the direction of their own lives, Carryl suddenly found herself helping to lead and support her siblings. Following her father ’s death, she was transferred back to Leguan, where she began teaching at Kingston Nursery School and could be closer to her family. Returning home brought emotional comfort, but it did not necessarily make life easier. Every day, she walked approximately two miles to work and another two miles home. Still, she pressed forward. Her determination would again be tested when she sought admission to the Cyril Potter College of Education. There were several attempts at the required examinations. Illness and periods of hospitalisation interrupted her progress, while Mathematics proved to be another formidable challenge. Not passing the subject initially meant that she received provisional acceptance to the college.

Lavern Carryl (centre standing) when she graduated from CPCE

But Carryl was not prepared to surrender and eventually, she passed. By 1995, she had graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education with her Trained Teachers’ Certificate, another significant milestone in a journey that had already required years of persistence. The decades that followed took her through virtually every level of Guyana’s education system. Carryl taught at nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, gaining experience across the profession and contributing beyond the walls of the classrooms in which she worked. She facilitated literacy workshops, contributed to the development of a Six-Year Transition Curriculum and supported teachers in communities across Guyana. Her work was recognised in 2002 when she was named Teacher of the Quarter. She continued investing in her own education as well, graduating from the University

of Guyana in 2006. She later completed an Advanced Graduate Diploma in Educational Management and Supervision and pursued several additional leadership courses. For Carryl, however, education was never simply about collecting qualifications or advancing professionally. It was about service. That commitment would eventually bring her back to Region Three, the region where her teaching career had begun. In 2022, after St George’s High School was destroyed by fire, Carryl received her final posting at Patentia Secondary School. There was a sense of coming full circle. Years earlier, she had travelled through Region Three as a young teacher, enduring rain, ferry crossings and exhausting commutes on her way to work. Throughout her career, she had quietly hoped that she might eventually end her professional journey in the same region where it had started.

TURN TO PAGE 4

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Gov’t aims to add 57MW power from GtE to national grid —as ‘first fire’ testing on turbines set for December

Tuesday’s walkthrough was led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar

Minister Indar disclosed that the immediate goal is to get 57 megawatts from the first turbine into the grid following the ‘first fire’ test

WITH a target “first fire” date of December 4 for testing its turbines, the Government’s flagship gas-to-energy project is being pushed as an urgent response to Guyana’s growing electricity demand, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, has said. Speaking during a Tuesday walkthrough of Phase One of the project, Minister Indar said the initial phase is designed to deliver 300 megawatts of power to the national grid, a major boost aimed at stabilising supply amid soaring demand driven by El Niño conditions. The site is already outfitted with bullet tanks, foundations, hot water and dry water tanks, four gas turbines and two steam turbines. A substation is also being constructed to step up power from 13,800 volts to 69,000 volts, forming a crucial link between the new generating capacity and the wider grid. The immediate goal is to get 57 megawatts from

several major components now installed and critical infrastructure progressing across key areas of the facility.

the first turbine into the grid following the “first fire” test. “So, we are trying to get 57 megawatts into the grid. One of the first turbines is trying to get that. That entails the setting up of a natural gas liquefaction plant, a sludge catcher … and piping that gas into the turbine so that they can start generating power,” he explained. The Minister further disclosed that approximately 1,300 workers are currently on site as part of an “allhands-on-deck” operation involving Siemens Energy, Lindsayca and Engineers India Limited (EIL). “There are 1,300 workers on this site right now, and they’re working to get us to first fire, which is sometime around December 4, to have the first fire, meaning that gas will come through and start the fire for testing of the first turbine before they put it online and give it to the Government,” he added. As the largest investment in electricity generation in Guyana’s history, the Wales gas-to-energy project is ex-

pected to double national generation capacity, improve reliability, reduce fuel imports, stabilise energy costs and support a 50 per cent reduction in consumer electricity tariffs. Lower energy costs are expected to provide financial relief for households while improving industrial and commercial competitiveness across the economy. Once completed, the gas-to-energy project is expected to deliver approximately 600 MW of generation capacity. Tuesday’s walkthrough was led by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips. The Ministry’s Director General, Alfonso De Armas, and a Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) team led by Kesh Nandlall, Team Leader of GPL’s Executive Management Committee, were also on the ground. Following a briefing and site inspection, Prime Minister Phillips noted that, since his last inspection in June, works had advanced substantially, with

DISTRIBUTION LINES Minister Indar stressed that the urgency is being driven by a sharp spike in electricity use, as households and businesses increase consumption to cope with higher temperatures. He noted that demand is surging at particular times of the day and is expected to remain elevated from September through February. “The grid needs the power,” he emphasised. According to Indar, recent blackouts are not merely the result of generation shortfalls but are also being caused by transmission lines being pushed beyond their design capacity due to rapid housing and commercial expansion. He cited a case where a line designed to carry eight megawatts was carrying

10.1 megawatts, placing intense stress on conductors and transformers and triggering system trips. In another incident, four transformers caught fire in a separate area after being overloaded. Similar patterns are emerging across multiple “massive clusters of development”, particularly along the coast, where distribution lines are coming under sustained strain. To tackle these vulnerabilities, Indar said the Government has been working since last year on a significant transmission and distribution build-out, including the construction of about 425 kilometres of new lines. These additional lines are intended to split the power load, reduce pressure on individual circuits and improve reliability as more communities and new housing schemes come on stream. However, he acknowledged that building out such infrastructure cannot keep pace with the speed at which

demand is rising, making the timely completion of the gas-to-energy project even more critical. The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), on Monday, told reporters that the country currently has sufficient generation capacity to meet electricity demand, but the overloaded distribution network is contributing to power outages being experienced by customers across the country. Notably, GPL has been investing approximately US$800 million in new transmission and distribution infrastructure. Head of the power company’s Engineering and Projects Department, Ryan Ross, explained that the investment programme includes new 230-kilovolt transmission lines, additional substations, new 69-kilovolt transmission infrastructure and approximately 350 kilometres of medium-voltage distribution network. The expansion is also aimed at replacing critical elements of infrastructure dating back to the 1970s.

Once completed, the gas-to-energy project is expected to deliver approximately 600 MW of generation capacity (Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation photos)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Doctor helps avert fire at GPHC maternity unit while safeguarding patient

A POTENTIALLY serious fire at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) maternity unit was brought under control after a doctor and colleague quickly extinguished flames from an electrical fan, before helping to evacuate a patient in active labour as smoke spread through the building. The incident occurred on the night of August 29 while Dr Christopher Lakish was attending to a patient in the labour room. Dr Lakish was alerted to the smell of smoke coming from a nearby nurses’ room. When a nurse opened the door, flames were discovered coming from the outer covering of a fan. Recognising that the fire was still manageable, Dr Lakish retrieved a fire extinguisher and assisted by Dr Malachi Browne, extin-

guished the flames before they could spread. He also disconnected the fan from its electrical outlet. As smoke began to spread, however, the situation required the immediate attention of patients and staff. Dr Lakish returned to his patient and helped evacuate her from the building. He was subsequently instructed to prepare the patient for an emergency Caesarean section. The incident highlighted the importance of rapid response and emergency preparedness in a hospital environment, where a fire can quickly endanger patients who may have limited mobility and require continuous medical care. For Dr Lakish, the response was part of his professional responsibility to protect patients and colleagues during an unexpected emer-

Dr Christopher Lakish gency. Born and raised in West Demerara, Region Three, Dr Lakish was inspired by his mother’s determination to provide a better future for her children. Her encouragement, he said, taught him to “dream big” and strive for his full potential.

He spent seven years studying medicine at Victoria de Girón in Havana, Cuba, before joining GPHC in December 2025. He currently serves as a rotating General Medical Officer, gaining experience in different areas of the hospital while pursuing his longer-term ambition of

becoming a neurosurgeon. “Each day I’m motivated by the challenge of learning a new skill, disease or treatment plan,” Dr Lakish said. “But at the centre, I’m motivated each day to do my part in helping even one person.” His experience at GPHC, he said, has reinforced his understanding that healthcare extends beyond the treatment of illness. “Being a healthcare professional isn’t only about what happens at the bedside. It’s also about taking responsibility and looking out for the people around you,” he said. Outside of medicine, Dr Lakish spends time with his wife and family and enjoys drawing, reading, anime and going to the gym. He also hopes to one day create his own manga or comic book. The August 29 incident has become one of the mo-

ments he is most proud of since joining GPHC, not simply because the fire was extinguished, but because the response involved protecting a patient at a critical moment. The episode also underscored the importance of teamwork among healthcare workers, particularly during emergencies when the safety of patients and staff depends on swift and coordinated action. Dr Lakish said he hopes to continue developing as a doctor who is dependable, compassionate and prepared to take responsibility when circumstances demand it. His actions, together with those of Dr Browne and the maternity team, demonstrated how preparedness, teamwork and decisive action can help protect patients and limit the impact of an emergency inside a healthcare facility.

From setbacks to success: Lavern Carryl’s 38-Year Journey... FROM PAGE 2

In the end, that is exactly what happened. Carryl views it as providence. Yet, despite the many professional accomplishments that

marked her career, she maintains that one of her greatest legacies was built outside the classroom. For 25 years, she was married to the late Francis Augus-

tus Carryl, a Labour Consultant and community leader. Together, they raised two daughters, Tammy, a university lecturer with a Master’s Degree in Special Education, and Frances, a lawyer and university lecturer with a Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Law. They also fostered a son, Naresh Samuel, who is now an entrepreneur, husband and father living in the United States. Today, Carryl has embraced another cherished role: grandmother. She is the grandmother of Majesty, the newest member

of a family whose story, like her own, has been shaped by education, opportunity and perseverance. After serving at 10 schools and dedicating nearly four decades to the profession, Carryl is now preparing to retire. “I have given the best years of my life to nurturing young minds, and now it’s time to pass the baton,” she says. It is a simple statement, but behind it lies 38 years of classrooms, lesson plans, examinations, professional development, long journeys and

countless young lives touched along the way. Her story is also a reminder that success rarely follows a straight path; there were failed examinations, illness, family responsibilities, financial struggles, long walks and rainsoaked journeys to work. There was grief at a young age and the enormous responsibility of helping to care for younger siblings. But through each chapter, Carryl continued moving forward. Day after day. Ferry after ferry. Examination after examination. Placement after placement. Challenge after challenge. She kept going, even when there was no guarantee that things would work out as she hoped. For young Guyanese, Car-

ryl’s journey offers lessons in patience, resilience, generosity and the value of remaining faithful to one's purpose. From a teenager who left school disappointed after failing three CXC subjects to an educator whose career spanned 38 years and every major level of the education system, her life demonstrates that a difficult beginning does not have to determine the ending. As she steps away from the classroom, Lavern Carryl leaves behind more than a professional record. She leaves a story of purpose. A story of responsibility. And, above all, a story of a woman who decided, time and again, that no matter how difficult the journey became, she would keep going.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Puruni Bridge construction begins, completion targeted for December - crossing to improve movement of heavy-duty equipment and support expanding mining activity

CONSTRUCTION has commenced on the new Puruni River Crossing Bridge in Region Seven, with completion targeted for December 2026, as Government moves to improve access through one of the region’s major mining and logging areas. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, during the ceremonial turning of the sod at Puruni Landing, said the 360-foot bridge is expected to significantly ease the difficulties currently faced by miners and loggers who depend on the existing pontoon service to cross the river. According to the Minister, the pontoon has become increasingly inadequate due to the growing volume of traffic and the weight of equipment being transported through the area. He said miners and loggers have frequently complained about spending hours waiting to cross the river. “The pontoon now is basically being rendered irrelevant due to the weight limit [and] the volume of traffic,” Bharrat said. The new bridge will have a weight capacity of 100 tonnes and will be constructed above the highest level reached during heavy rainfall, allowing for more reliable movement across the river. Bharrat said the bridge will also be toll-free, in keeping with the Government’s policy of providing free crossings at major river bridges. As such, he urged miners, loggers and other users to adhere strictly to the weight limit and to use the facility responsibly to ensure its longevity. Added to this, the minister noted that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), together with the company involved in the project, will monitor access to the bridge, while weight stations will be established to check trucks travelling in both directions. “We too will be establishing weight stations where we will be checking the weight of trucks coming in and going out to ensure that there is adherence,” he added.

The initial cost of the bridge is expected to exceed US$10 million and will be fully funded by the private investor developing the Toroparu mining project, at no cost to the Government or people of Guyana. Bharrat said the wider development will also include the construction of a new access road designed particularly for heavy-duty equipment. At the same time, efforts are being made to maintain access through the existing Puruni Landing, which serves as a business district. He explained that several Guyanese have invested in permanent structures and businesses in the existing landing area, and maintaining access is intended to ensure that those businesses continue to benefit from increased economic activity and traffic generated by the

The sod was turned for the construction of a bridge at Puruni, Region Seven new bridge. The bridge forms part of a wider investment involving the development of a mine at an estimated cost of almost US$800 million. According to Bharrat, the mine construction phase is expected to create approximately 1,500 jobs, while between 400 and 500 Guyanese could be employed on a permanent basis once construction is completed. The Minister said Gov-

ernment is also pressing the investor to maximise opportunities for Guyanese businesses and workers throughout the project, including through the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers. He said the Ministry of Natural Resources and the GGMC will monitor compliance with the Government’s policy of ensuring that Guyanese benefit from investments in the sector.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Power Means Responsibility

GUYANA’s rapid transformation presents enormous opportunities for the country, but an equally enormous responsibility on those entrusted with the management of the nation’s public resources. As government spending grows, infrastructure programmes proliferate and public institutions assume increasingly complex roles, so must the systems of accountability, transparency and administrative efficiency. Against this background, the meeting on Monday by Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo with ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers, accounting officers and other senior public officials is of considerable importance. The message was timely and necessary. Public resources must be used responsibly. The law and regulations must be followed, and those who violate them must be held accountable. That is the crux of good governance. The meeting was aimed at strengthening management at ministries, regions and semi-autonomous agencies, particularly in the areas of procurement, government payment systems, compliance and the dissemination of information to the public. These are not simply administrative issues. They go right to the quality of government people experience and to the confidence the public has in state institutions. The positions of Permanent Secretaries, Regional Executive Officers and accounting officers are positions of tremendous responsibility. They are the managers of public funds in their respective institutions and are at the core of the process of translating budgetary allocations and government policies into tangible programmes and services. While a government can announce ambitious policies and Parliament can sanction huge funds, development can be delivered successfully only when the administrative machinery of the State works in an efficient, honest and rule-bound manner. This is particularly important for present-day Guyana. The country is experiencing a development of unprecedented magnitude with major investments in roads, bridges, housing, health, education, energy, agriculture, security and hinterland development.

The scale and pace of this transformation require more robust systems of monitoring and management. More money for development can never mean less scrutiny over the way that money is spent. In contrast, more public spending requires more vigilance. The government’s continuing shift to digital governance is a major opportunity to beef up just that kind of oversight. Guyana has already begun modernizing its approach to advertising public procurement opportunities through the Government Procurement Opportunities website which centralizes Invitations to Tender, Requests for Proposals and other procurement notices, making information more accessible to contractors, suppliers and the wider public. The country is also moving toward a more complete electronic procurement architecture. Recently announced plans include an integrated system with a digital bill register, end-to-end electronic tender lifecycle and an e-marketplace. Such systems can increase traceability, automate compliance checks, flag potential risks and give managers better information for oversight. This is the way in which modern government must go. Paper-heavy administrative systems have resulted in unnecessary delays for too long, records have been fragmented and tracking transactions has been difficult. Digitalization, if properly implemented, may establish an auditable trail from the planning of a project through procurement, implementation and payment. But technology is no substitute for integrity. But whatever the sophistication of a computer system, it cannot make up for an official who deliberately ignores regulations, fails to exercise proper oversight or seeks to circumvent established procedures. Digital instruments can reinforce accountability, but accountability ultimately rests with those who hold power. This is why the focus vice-president Jagdeo puts on the duties of the Permanent Secretaries, the Regional Executive Officers and other accounting officers is particularly important. Power means responsibility. Compliance cannot be seen as an inconvenience or

bureaucratic barrier to implementation by public officials. Procurement laws, financial regulations and internal controls have been established to protect public funds and ensure decisions are made fairly, transparently and in the best interests of the country. The effects of poor management are not limited to accounting papers. Each delayed project impacts communities waiting for improved roads, schools, health facilities or other services. Contractors and suppliers may suffer the effects of inefficient payment systems. Any procurement failure can damage public confidence. Every failure to communicate can generate frustration and uncertainty for citizens. So, efficiency and accountability are not conflicting aims. They bunch together like glue. In fact, one of the most positive aspects of the government’s current modernization agenda is the recognition that better management has to ultimately deliver a better experience for citizens. The wider Digital Guyana programme has been built around improving access to government services, reducing the bureaucracy and making public institutions more responsive. Government plans have included integrated digital platforms and citizen-focused services, electronic identification and systems to track the performance of agencies and programmes. The goal should be simple: citizens should not be subjected to needless bureaucratic hoops to get services they’re entitled to. The government’s renewed emphasis on compliance also, importantly, complements Guyana’s existing institutional framework for financial oversight. The Auditor General looks into the receipt, expenditure and control of public monies, while the Public Accounts Committee examines audited accounts and the appropriation of funds approved by the National Assembly. But strong institutions function best when accountability starts at home, within the agencies themselves. There should be no need for an outside audit to uncover all the flaws years later. Ministries, regions and agencies need to

develop a culture in which problems are identified early, regulations are consistently followed and corrective action is taken promptly. Here we see even more the importance of the Vice-President’s intervention. The warning that breaches and violations will have consequences sends an important signal across the public sector. Accountability cannot be a principle voiced only in speeches or policy documents. It must be proven in action. We should support those who are good at managing public resources. We need to acknowledge those who improve systems. Those who see faults in themselves must be helped to conquer them. But we cannot tolerate willful violations and irresponsible management. Guyana is building not just roads, bridges, hospitals and schools. It also has to continue building institutions that can handle a more prosperous and complex economy. Physical infrastructure of development is as important as the infrastructure of governance. So, Vice-President Jagdeo’s meeting is more than just a routine gathering of senior officials. It highlights a fundamental principle that must remain the foundation of Guyana’s development: development must be accompanied by discipline, investment must be paired with oversight, and public resources must always be managed in the public interest. A major pathway to a more efficient and citizen-centric State is the PPP/C Government’s commitment to using modern technology to improve service delivery. But its success will depend on the consistent implementation, strong leadership and a public service culture that understands the import of its responsibility. Guyana’s future will not be determined by the resources it has or the projects it undertakes. How wisely, transparently and efficiently the country manages what belongs to its people will also play a part. And as Guyana sets sail on this extraordinary trajectory of national development, accountability must be firmly at the very heart of that journey.

EU-backed HealthNext project steps up biomedical capacity building in Guyana

TWO biomedical experts from France recently visited Guyana as part of an EU-funded initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s management and maintenance of medical equipment, while building the technical capacity needed to support an expanding healthcare system. The mission, held from August 31 to September 4 under the HealthNext Guyana project, was implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Ministry of Health and focused on health technology management, including the maintenance, servicing and lifecycle management of medical equipment.

During their visit, the experts toured health facilities and held discussions with Ministry of Health officials, biomedical personnel and representatives of the University of Guyana to assess existing capabilities and identify areas where additional training and institutional support are needed. A key component of the mission was a two-day working session on September 3 and 4, which brought together biomedical maintenance personnel from Georgetown, Region Three and Region Five. The sessions provided an opportunity for technicians to share experiences, discuss challenges encountered in

maintaining medical equipment and identify opportunities for further training to strengthen the delivery of biomedical services. The emphasis on equipment management comes as Guyana undertakes a major expansion of its health infrastructure, with new and upgraded hospitals and increasingly sophisticated diagnostic and treatment equipment being introduced across the country. HealthNext is intended to help ensure that the human and institutional capacity required to operate and maintain those investments develops alongside the infrastructure. The broader Guyana HealthNext: Training, Re-

search and Development project is funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France from 2026 to 2028. The initiative has a budget of approximately €3.9 million and forms part of wider European support for Guyana’s health-sector development. HealthNext has three principal areas of focus: strengthening specialised healthcare, improving health technology management and biomedical maintenance, and developing clinical and academic research capacity. The project also seeks to expand training opportunities for doctors, nurses and hospital administrators, strengthen existing clinical

training programmes and support the development of specialised services, including oncology and organ transplantation. The organ transplantation component is being advanced separately through an EU-funded partnership involving the Donation and Transplantation Institute, the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency and other regional and international partners. The initiative is aimed at establishing a sustainable national organ donation and transplantation system. For biomedical services specifically, the French mission highlighted the impor-

tance of looking beyond the acquisition of medical equipment to its entire lifecycle—from procurement and installation to maintenance, spare parts, technical skills and eventual replacement. Expertise France has identified stronger governance, equipment lifecycle management, maintenance systems and biomedical training as key elements of the HealthNext programme. The initiative is being implemented against the backdrop of significant investment in Guyana’s health sector, including the construction and modernisation of hospitals and efforts to expand specialised care.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Three reasons the AFC disappeared in September 2025

FROM time to time, communication with readers has taken two forms. One is that they would point out to me that there are interpretations of things that I have not done. The other is persons would disagree with some of my angles with the advice that I missed some nuances. Recently, I was told that I did not do a column on why the AFC was devastated in the 2025 poll, and a diaspora academic indicated to me that he wants to know if I think that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan were not given heartfelt embrace by the Mulatto/Creole founding leadership of the AFC. I now deal with the AFC’s terrible electoral repudiation and will follow that up with class antagonism in the AFC that undermined Nagamotoo and Ramjattan. The AFC was wiped out at the 2025 national election for three reasons. I will list them in order of importance. The AFC should not have contested the 2025 poll because the AFC was a niche that came and went, and a niche cannot be reproduced. It comes only once. I campaigned for the AFC in 2011 and 2015. What I saw was Guyanese in substantial numbers putting their faith in the AFC to transform Guyana. People thought only a brand new third party could move Guyana away from its old political culture. The people wanted a break from the traditional parties. The AFC was seen as a dream that the Guyanese people wanted to see become real. The national chagrin was deep and wide as the AFC settled into power. I think there was a real and genuine hatred for the AFC after 2016. This explains its devastation at the 2018 local government

elections. Guyanese hated the AFC after 2016, and this explains why one of its influential founders, David Patterson, was ousted in 2016 as general secretary, beaten by someone who was not really seen as a big wig in the AFC. Space would not allow for further elaboration but though it is impossible to say how many votes the AFC got in 2020, I doubt if it has contested on its own in 2020, the AFC would have gotten even one seat. The AFC’s time came and went and the party had died a natural death. To think it could win even a seat in 2025 was madness on the part of its leader. The second reason is class rejection by the working people of the AFC after 2016. Though founded by quintessential members of the Mulatto/Creole class (MCC), the AFC got its parliamentary seats in 2005, 2011 and 2015 from working-class voters. In Guyana the middle class third parties cannot survive only on the votes of the middle class. This explains why ANUG was rejected in 2020. The WIN voters did not vote for the WIN party in 2025 but Azruddin Mohamed. They didn’t think of WIN as a middle-class party. AFC got serious dents to its credibility because voters saw it as an elitist party that hid its true nature before 2015. Two incidents damaged AFC permanently. One was the MCC leaders asking Dr. Rachel Thomas, a non-AFC personality, in May 2015 if she would accept the portfolio of the Ministry of the Environment. All second-tier leaders, without exception, became insanely depressed by that decision. And those second-tier leaders afterwards never gave their total energy.

The second incident came to the public’s attention after the AFC has lost power. AFC’s foundation member, Trevor Williams, told the nation that Cathy Hughes, his friend and party comrade, refused to give him the cell number of Minister Volda Lawrence. With that kind of atrocious behaviour, why the AFC expect Guyanese to vote for it in 2025? Finally, the AFC was mashed up by the electorate in 2025 because of the presence of Nigel Hughes. Perhaps the most self-destructive politician in Guyanese history, Hughes’ time was long gone and it was a colossal act of chauvinism on his part to think he as leader of the AFC could resuscitate the AFC. Hughes had everything going for him from 2005 onwards. His support among Guyanese was multi-racial and youthbased. Guyanese saw Hughes as a huge

departure from the traditional politicians. He further embedded himself in the psyche of the nation when he resigned as AFC chairman in 2016, actually saying that the PNC had smothered the AFC. He threw away that golden egg when he disgraced himself over the asinity of 34, was the majority of 65 in Guyana’s parliament. From there on, he abandoned his multi-racial image and joined the bandwagon of Rickford Burke, Mark Benschop and David Hinds. Before 2025, he had resigned from politics twice. When he resurfaced in 2025, Guyanese saw it in comical terms. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited

President Ali’s Region 10 outreach successful, takes development to people

Dear Editor,

THE recent two-day Cabinet outreach led by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali across Region 10 represents a powerful demonstration of the PPP/C government’s commitment and determination to take development, decision-making and public services directly to the people across the length and breadth of Guyana. Rather than governing from their offices in Georgetown, the President and his Cabinet fanned out across Region 10 which included Linden, the Mines, the Upper Demerara Villages- Muritaro, Malali and Great Falls, 47 miles, 58 miles, Mabura, Ituni, Kwakwani and the Upper Berbice River villages. The outreach also built on the government’s earlier Region 10 engagement led by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, where hundreds of residents raised matters involving housing, land regularisation, infrastructure development, contracts, sport facilities, housing allocation, NIS, old age pension and social assistance among other issues. The significance of President Ali’s visit goes beyond the physical presence of Cabinet, he outlined the next phase of development for Region 10, especially the connectivity to Northern Brazil where he emphasised on • economic diversification; • agriculture and agro-processing; • housing and community development; • small and medium-sized businesses; • tourism; • infrastructure and transportation; • youth and women’s economic empowerment; • improved public services;

• investment and job creation; and • stronger connectivity between Linden, the hinterland and the wider national economy. In Coomacka, President Ali spoke directly about transforming Linden and Region 10 into a stronger productive base, while stressing that development must be interconnected rather than treated as isolated projects and all have to work together to achieve this objective. His vision is particularly important for a region whose economy has historically been heavily associated with bauxite and mining. One of the most significant announcements coming out of the outreach is the proposal to establish two dedicated business districts in Linden—one on Wismar shore and the other on Mackenzie shore. President Ali said the facilities are intended to bring businesses together in organised commercial spaces while providing opportunities for training, support and access to financing. Another major element of the President’s vision is the transformation of Linden into a hub for food production and agro-processing. President Ali went on to outline plans to expand poultry production, major swine production, cold-storage facilities and other value-added activities. He also pointed to financing opportunities through the Guyana Development Bank. This is particularly significant because it connects Region 10 to Guyana’s wider objective of reducing dependence on imported food while creating new economic opportunities outside the traditional mining sector. Addressing residents of Victory Valley and surrounding areas, President Ali said that if residents believe they have already witnessed transformation in Linden, they have not yet seen the scale of transformation that

lies ahead. He also highlighted substantial government spending and improvements in health, education, social protection, agriculture and infrastructure in Region 10. According to figures presented during the outreach, government investments included more than $6.7 billion in education, over $20 billion in health, nearly $13 billion in social protection and almost $10 billion in agriculture, alongside extensive public works and housing initiatives, where over the last five years over $120 billion was expended in Region 10. A particularly important aspect of the president’s new economic vision is the emphasis on young people and women development. The region possesses a large pool of young people with skills and ambition. What is needed is an economic environment capable of converting those skills into business ownership, employment and wealth creation. President Ali also pointed to major transportation and connectivity initiatives, including improvements to roads and broader corridors linking Linden with other parts of Guyana, the hinterland and regional markets. The strongest political and administrative message from the outreach is the direct contact between government and the people. I witnessed how the citizens were so pleased to interact with His Excellency President Ali, his ministers, government officials and the technical staff. During the engagement, some of the issues that were raised were dealt with on the spot and the other issues will be addressed. However, two of the main concerns raised during the outreach were water and electricity, where some areas were not getting adequate water supply, and suggestions and plans were made to address the water issue and the other issue of steady power outage especially on

the Wismar shore. However, the Honourable Minister Indar had publicly addressed this present issue of the present power consumption being utilised and the mechanism being put in place to satisfy the present and future projected energy consumption. However, the constant power outage on the Wismar shore has more to do with the condition of its transmission and distribution network and that will have to be addressed. The government will be looking forward for the support of the residents on the Wismar shore in addressing this problem. Please do not allow those negative political elements who cannot help you fool or misguide you as it relates to this issue. They do not care about you, only your support for them, if they were caring, they would not have voted down the Amaila Falls Hydro project which would have supplied 165 MW of power to the grid around 2017. I must say that all the meetings with President Ali and his Cabinet were very successful, even the last meeting held at Christiansburg with the Honourable Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who grew up in that area, and the Honourable Charles Ramson. That meeting was well attended. Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank all our local leaders who helped to make this outreach successful. Let’s work together to build a better life for all of us. Long live His Excellency President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, Honourable Prime Minister Mark Phillips, ministers and all Guyanese. God bless Guyana. Sincerely, Andrew Forsythe - PPP Regional Coordinator, Region 10

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

UG law professor Courtney Abel earns major regional honour PROFESSOR Justice (Ret’d) Courtney A. Abel, Head of the Department of Law at the University of Guyana (UG), has received another major regional honour, earning the 2026 Organisation of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) Award for Distinguished Service to the Legal Profession and the Judiciary. The award, which recognises Professor Abel's significant contribution to the legal profession and judicial development across the Commonwealth Caribbean, was presented virtually during the OCCBA Retreat on July 25, following his selec-

tion by the organisation's 16-member bar associations and its Executive Council. The latest recognition comes months after Professor Abel received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Caribbean Lawyers (SOCAL), giving the distinguished legal scholar two major regional honours in 2026. The OCCBA award recognises his contributions to the legal profession throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean, particularly his service to the Judiciary of Belize and his work with regional legal organisations, including OCCBA and the Organisation of Eastern

Professor Justice (Ret’d) Courtney A. Abel, Head of the Department of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana, is pictured at a previous award presentation. He was recently recognised with the 2026 OCCBA Award for Distinguished Service to the Legal Profession and the Judiciary

Caribbean States (OECS) Bar Association. Professor Abel, a Professor of Law (Legal Practice) in the Faculty of Social Sciences at UG, said the recognition was particularly meaningful because it came from the organised legal profession of the Commonwealth Caribbean. “Receiving the OCCBA Award was deeply moving because it came from what I regard as my professional family: the organised Bars of the Commonwealth Caribbean,” he said. Throughout his career, Professor Abel has been involved in efforts to strengthen bar associations, safeguard the independence of the legal profession and judiciary, support regional institutions and promote a stronger collective voice for Caribbean lawyers. Reflecting on those efforts, he described them as part of a broader movement towards greater Ca-

ribbean self-determination and “Caribbean self-authorship”. Professor Abel's legal career has spanned private practice, judicial service, regional Bar leadership and academia. He previously served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Belize and has held leadership positions in several regional legal organisations, including the OECS Bar Association and the Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Association. Those experiences, he said, have shaped his understanding of the relationship between the law and the societies in which it operates. “The most important lesson is that law cannot properly be understood apart from the society whose life it orders,” Professor Abel said. He noted that his years in legal practice demonstrated the direct impact of the law on people's lives, while his judicial service reinforced the importance of humility and responsibility in exercising judicial authority. At the University of Guyana, Professor Abel has brought that broad professional experience into the classroom, where he is helping to prepare a new generation of legal professionals. He said his approach to legal education extends beyond teaching students the rules and principles of law. “I want students to understand who they are, the society in which those rules operate, the histories which produced them, and the responsibility they inherit for improving them,” he said.

Professor Abel believes legal education should help develop “thoughtful, ethical, critical and imaginative lawyers” capable of contributing meaningfully to the future development of Caribbean law. The OCCBA recognition came shortly before he assumed the position of Head of the Department of Law at UG, adding another chapter to his continuing contribution to legal education and the legal profession. Despite receiving two major regional honours this year, Professor Abel said he does not regard the awards as the culmination of his professional journey. Instead, he sees them as reinforcing his responsibility to continue serving and contributing to those who will follow. “An award should not become a chair in which one sits. At its best, it becomes another place from which one is called to serve,” he said. For the veteran legal scholar, the greatest satisfaction lies not in the recognition itself, but in the contribution made to the profession and future generations. “The greatest reward is not recognition. It is the quiet knowledge that one tried to leave the road a little clearer for those who must travel it next,” Professor Abel said. The University of Guyana congratulated Professor Justice (Ret’d) Courtney A. Abel on the latest achievement, recognising his continued contribution to law, justice and legal education in Guyana and across the wider Commonwealth Caribbean.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Mohameds’ contempt case against ‘Guyanese Critic’ no longer clashes with extradition hearing

Nazar Mohamed and his son, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, at the High Court on Tuesday

THE contempt case involving Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, his father, businessman Nazar Mohamed, and social media personality Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as the “Guyanese Critic,” has been adjourned to November. The move removes an immediate clash with the extradition proceedings being fought by both Mohameds. The contempt proceedings concern orders made in a defamation case brought by the Mohameds against Rodrigues and his media company, They Break News Inc. In July 2024, Justice Nigel Niles, sitting in the Demerara High Court, entered default judgement against Rodrigues and the company and awarded the Mohameds a combined $52 million in damages over broadcasts made about them.

Justice Niles also imposed a permanent injunction restricting Rodrigues and the company from repeating, publishing or otherwise disseminating the statements that were the subject of the defamation case, as well as similar material concerning the Mohameds. It is alleged breaches of those restrictions that subsequently brought Rodrigues before the court on contempt proceedings. Rodrigues has challenged the judgement and injunction at different stages of the judicial system. His challenges were unsuccessful before Justice Niles, the Full Court and the Court of Appeal, leaving the injunction intact. He has since taken the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), seeking redress. However, no stay has been granted by the re-

Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as the ‘Guyanese Critic’

gional court, allowing Justice Niles to proceed with the contempt proceedings. The latest development came Tuesday when the contempt proceedings were called before Justice Niles. The court was informed that Rodrigues was unwell and had been taken to hospital on Monday. His attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, had contacted the court and requested an adjournment on the basis of his client’s illness. Justice Niles granted the request but cautioned that any further health-related inability to attend court would have to be supported by a medical certificate. The judge also indicated that he wanted the nearly two-year-old matter concluded and fixed November 23 at 9 a.m. for its continuation. Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson, appearing for

Justice Nigel Niles

the Mohameds, meanwhile told the court that Rodrigues appeared to have reduced his alleged breaches of the orders. Anderson described this as an “abatement of infractions,” explaining that Rodrigues had, to some extent, complied with the restrictions on certain publications and words concerning the Mohameds. With the contempt hearing now set for November, it is no longer competing for court time with the extradition proceedings being heard by Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The extradition hearing was scheduled for four days this week— Monday through Thursday—but Tuesday’s proceedings could not go ahead because the High Court matter took precedence. The extradition proceedings will also not

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman

be heard Wednesday, September 9, as Chief Magistrate Latchman is scheduled to attend a meeting. Further proceedings are expected on Thursday, September 10, when Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine, head of the Special Branch Unit, is expected to continue giving evidence under cross-examination. The Mohameds are resisting a U.S. request for their extradition to face an 11-count federal indictment in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. U.S. prosecutors accused the father and son of participating in a multi-year scheme involving the export of Guyanese gold through falsified customs declarations and the reuse of government export seals. The alleged scheme, according to the indictment, resulted in more

than US$50 million in taxes and royalties being evaded. Azruddin Mohamed also faced an allegation that he avoided more than US$1 million in Guyanese taxes in connection with the importation of a Lamborghini. The indictment contained charges and allegations relating to wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy and customs offences. The Mohameds have denied the allegations and have mounted a series of legal challenges to the extradition process in Guyana, most of which have been unsuccessful. Both men remain on $150,000 bail each pending the continuation of the extradition hearing, with conditions requiring them to surrender their passports and report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Cattle farmers, gov’t strengthen preparedness ahead of El Niño

WATER conservation, feed storage and coordinated information-sharing are among the key measures being pursued as cattle farmers and the government intensify preparations for a potentially prolonged El Niño-induced dry season expected to place significant pressure on Guyana’s livestock industry. Cattle farmers are working with the Ministry of Agriculture and other state agencies to develop strategies aimed at protecting livestock, preserving feed supplies and cushioning the wider meat industry against the anticipated effects of drought. The preparations were among issues discussed at a recent El Niño prepared-

ness forum hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Guyana Hydrometeorological Service (Hydromet). Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Veterinarian and representative of the West Berbice Cattle Farmers Association, Dr Nardeo Bassoodeo, said sustained collaboration between farmers and the government would be crucial as the country prepares for the uncertain conditions associated with El Niño. He explained that prolonged drought could have far-reaching consequences, affecting the health and survival of cattle, the availability of pasture and feed,

Dr. Nardeo Bassoodeo, Veterinarian and representative of the West Berbice Cattle Farmers Association

and potentially the price of meat on the local market. According to Dr Bassoodeo, the central objective is to ensure that farmers are prepared before conditions worsen. “For the El Niño that is

coming up, we know that this is going to be a long drought,” he said, noting that while weather systems can provide projections, it is difficult to determine exactly when the full effects will be felt. He stressed the importance of two-way communication between livestock farmers and the authorities. “The Government of Guyana and, as Guyanese, have to ensure that the government hears our needs and what our suggestions are, and we also hear what they are doing on their part,” Dr Bassoodeo said. Hydromet has projected that dry conditions could extend into the first quarter of 2027, prompting increased preparations across the agriculture sector. Although the anticipated drought could be among the longest experienced by the country, Dr Bassoodeo said Guyana has dealt with prolonged dry spells before and already has systems that can be activated to respond to natural hazards. Having experienced previous El Niño events since 2008, he said the current focus is on activating existing mechanisms early and strengthening coordination between farmers, extension officers and government agencies. “The government has a set of systems that are activated during a certain

period of time,” he explained, adding that similar mechanisms are employed in responding to floods, droughts and other natural disasters. “What we are doing here is minimising the impact of El Niño,” he said. A key component of the preparedness effort, he noted, is strengthening the exchange of information through agricultural extension programmes across the country. By ensuring farmers know which agencies and officials are responsible for various aspects of the response, authorities hope to establish a smoother flow of information and allow preventative measures to be implemented before conditions become critical. Water conservation is expected to be among the most important strategies for livestock farmers during the dry season. However, Dr Bassoodeo cautioned that simply providing pools of water for animals could create additional risks. He explained that weakened cattle could become trapped in muddy areas surrounding water sources, potentially resulting in injuries or death. “They may not die of the drought, but they can die of getting stuck,” he said, highlighting the need for carefully planned and safe watering systems. Maintaining pasture and securing adequate supplies of animal feed will also be critical, as prolonged dry conditions could severely affect grass production. “The drought is one because we know that we are not going to have enough water. But is our pasture going to get enough water? We are not going to have proper pasture,” Dr Bassoodeo said. To address the potential shortage of feed, farmers and the government are

exploring plans to bale and store straw from the current rice crop for use as livestock feed during the drought. “We are going to start baling the straw from the current rice crop to store it so that we can also give it to animals as feed,” he said. Some farmers already own balers, while the government also has equipment available, creating an opportunity for a coordinated effort to increase feed reserves ahead of the dry season. Dr Bassoodeo said preparations are also extending beyond immediate water and feed concerns, with farmers and authorities examining broader strategies to minimise potential disruptions to the livestock and meat industries. These discussions include whether cattle fattening programmes should continue at the same pace and whether increased poultry production may be necessary should beef supplies decline. The consequences of failing to adequately prepare, he warned, could eventually be felt by consumers. “During this period of time, when you are having these types of effects, it can also have an effect on the price of meat in the market. The commodity price will also spike,” Dr Bassoodeo said. With the prospect of a prolonged dry season ahead, he said the ongoing collaboration between farmers and government agencies will be essential in ensuring that livestock producers are equipped with the information, resources and practical systems needed to withstand the effects of El Niño and reduce the impact on Guyana’s agricultural sector and consumers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Minister Manickchand engages Region Five REO on 2027 budget priorities MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, alongside Permanent Secretary Miguel Choo-Kang met with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five, Mary Samaroo, to discuss areas of consideration in the development of the regional budget and priorities ahead of the new year. During the engagement, Minister Manickchand urged the REO to look at her region with new eyes and to think critically about what

can be changed, improved and introduced to make a meaningful difference in communities. She was urged to use the budget process as an opportunity to think boldly about the needs of residents and identify investments that can transform communities and improve the everyday lives of the people they serve. Tu e s d a y ' s m e e t i n g served as the first of a series of engagements Minister Manickchand will hold with REOs across all ten administrative regions.

During the engagement, Minister Manickchand urged the REO to look at her region with new eyes and to think critically about what can be changed, improved and introduced to make a meaningful difference in communities

Bumbury drives development with new livelihood investments

RESIDENTS of Bumbury Village in Region One are benefiting from new investments to strengthen livelihoods, expand skills development and improve household welfare, with a sewing centre and craft shop among the latest initiatives undertaken in the community. Speaking with the Department of Information (DPI) on Tuesday, Toshao John Hernandez said the sewing centre, valued at approximately $5 million, was established for residents, particularly young people, to develop practical skills and pursue income-generating activities. The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) also provided an additional $2 million in assistance to furnish the facility. The community has also invested in a craft shop, creating another avenue for residents to develop and market locally produced items. It will also preserve indigenous culture and traditions. Toshao Hernandez said these initiatives form part of a broader development agenda being advanced in Bumbury, with support from government programmes and community-based investments. He said, “We don’t want our ancestors’ culture to die away.” He explained that cultural preservation remains a priority, noting that young girls in the community are currently

Toshao John Hernandez- Bumbury Village (Region One) being taught Amerindian dances as part of preparations for heritage activities. Alongside these economic and cultural developments, the community has also seen improvements in basic infrastructure. Toshao Hernandez said 20 streetlights were installed using funding from the Presidential Grant, enhancing safety and visibility for residents. The village has also benefited from a housing initiative financed through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), with approximately $12 million invested to renovate 56 houses, directly benefiting 56 families. For the current year, Bumbury received approximately $7.5 million in LCDS funding, which the toshao said is being expended to advance projects that respond

to residents’ needs. The village leader said the community’s development has been particularly significant since he assumed the post of toshao in 2020, pointing to the range of initiatives undertaken during his tenure. Bumbury, which has approximately 300 residents, continues to benefit from government interventions, including support for community facilities and initiatives designed to improve livelihoods and access to opportunities. The community chief said the community’s selection to host this year’s Village Day, on the 12th of September 2026, is also a source of pride for residents and provides an opportunity to showcase Bumbury’s culture, achievements and ongoing development. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Home Affairs Ministry demands retraction over claims about Juvenile Holding Centre

THE Ministry of Home Affairs has demanded an immediate retraction and correction of statements made in a recent media report concerning the Juvenile Holding Centre, describing the information as inaccurate and calling

for a public apology from Member of Parliament Coretta McDonald. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said the comments were made by McDonald during a news report broadcast by 9Newsbreak on Monday,

September 7, and that it was necessary to correct what it described as several inaccuracies and place the relevant facts before the public. The Ministry first clarified the role of the Juvenile Holding Centre, stressing that it accommodates chil-

dren who are in conflict with the law and have been remanded there by an order of the court. It said children are not placed at, or referred to, the facility by the Childcare and Protection Agency. According to the Min-

The Juvenile Holding Centre istry, the Centre operates tifiable. under established security It stressed that children and supervisory protocols who come into contact with intended to protect juve- the juvenile justice sysniles, staff and the wider tem are entitled to statutory public. protections regarding their Juveniles remanded to identity, privacy and dignity. the facility are not permitted As a result, the Ministry to leave without the appro- said it would not publicly priate authorisation and comment on, confirm or supervision, while access to deny the identity, placement and departure from the Cen- or circumstances of any tre are strictly controlled, individual juvenile who is, the Ministry said. or may be, involved in the The Ministry also reject- juvenile justice system. ed any suggestion that the “The publication or disfacility operates outside the semination of information framework established for concerning a juvenile must the treatment and protection be approached with the of children within the juve- highest degree of care,” the nile justice system. Ministry said, particularly It said the Juvenile where such information Holding Centre is guided could directly or indirectly by the Juvenile Justice Act identify a child or reveal his 2018 and Guyana's interna- or her involvement in the tional obligations relating juvenile justice system. to the rights and welfare The Ministry strongof children, including the ly condemned what it deUnited Nations Convention scribed as the dissemination on the Rights of the Child. of unverified or inaccurate The Centre, it said, plac- information about the Jues emphasis on the custody, venile Holding Centre and rehabilitation, education, juveniles within the justice health and welfare of juve- system. niles in its care. It warned that such stateThe Ministry further out- ments could mislead the lined a range of programmes public and undermine safeavailable to juveniles at the guards established to protect facility as part of efforts to children. support rehabilitation and The Ministry urged meeventual reintegration into dia organisations and public society. officials commenting on These include prepa- matters involving juveniles ration for the Caribbean to exercise responsibility Secondary Education Certif- and due diligence and to icate (CSEC), literacy pro- verify information with the grammes, technical and vo- relevant authorities before cational training, life-skills publication or disseminaprogrammes and structured tion. recreational activities such Against that backas football and chess. ground, the Ministry called Juveniles also have ac- for the immediate retraction cess to trauma-informed and correction of the statetherapeutic intervention ments it considers inaccuprovided by a qualified rate and requested a public psychologist, as well as apology from McDonald. psychosocial support from The Ministry said it certified social workers, the remains committed to the Ministry said. proper administration of A major concern for the the juvenile justice sysMinistry, however, was the tem and to protecting the public disclosure of infor- rights, welfare, privacy mation relating to individual and dignity of every child juveniles in circumstances who comes into contact that could make them iden- with it.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

41 Region 10 residents graduate as Community Health Workers

F O R T Y- O N E n e w ly trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) have graduated in Region 10, strengthening the pool of frontline health personnel available to provide basic healthcare, promote disease prevention and connect residents with the wider public health system. Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, attended the recent graduation ceremony while on a visit to the region, where he congratulated the graduates on successfully completing their training. The new CHWs have undergone training designed to equip them with the knowledge and practical skills required to provide essential health services within their communities. In addressing the graduates, Anthony underscored the importance of their role in Guyana’s primary healthcare system, particularly in communities where CHWs often serve as the first point of contact between residents and formal

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony (seated at centre), flanked by officials and the forty-one newly trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) that graduated in Region 10 health services. He said the Government’s efforts to modernise and expand health infrastructure must be matched by investment in a competent and adequately trained workforce capable of deliv-

ering quality care. The Minister urged the graduates to continue developing their knowledge and skills, noting that the healthcare sector is constantly evolving and requires workers to pursue

ongoing learning and professional development. Beyond basic healthcare delivery, the graduates will be expected to contribute to health promotion and disease prevention, maternal and child health, patient

monitoring and the promotion of healthier lifestyles. They will also be responsible for identifying residents who may require further medical attention and helping to connect them with appropriate

health facilities and services. Anthony urged the new CHWs to apply the knowledge gained during their training in their respective communities and workplaces, while carrying out their responsibilities with professionalism, empathy and respect. The graduation forms part of the Ministry of Health’s wider efforts to strengthen human resources for health and expand access to primary healthcare, particularly for people living outside the main urban centres. The Ministry said the continued training of frontline health workers is intended to ensure that citizens across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions can access essential healthcare services closer to home. The initiative comes as the Government continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure while placing greater emphasis on strengthening the human resources needed to operate facilities and deliver services to communities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Guyana assumes presidency of Amazon health commission

GUYANA on Tuesday assumed the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Special Commission on Health in the Amazon (CESAM), taking over from Ecuador and pledging to strengthen regional co-operation in tackling the major health challenges affecting countries across the Amazon region. The handover took place during the 8th Extraordinary Meeting of CESAM, which was held virtually and brought together representatives of Member Countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO). Guyana was represented by Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, while Ecuador was represented by Undersecretary for Health Surveillance, Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Public Health, María José Mena, along with other Ecuadorian officials. Administrative Director of the ACTO Permanent Secretariat, Edith Paredes, also participated in the meeting. Dr Anthony, upon assuming the presidency, thanked Ecuador for its stewardship and stressed

The handover took place during the 8th Extraordinary Meeting of CESAM, which was held virtually and brought together representatives of Member Countries of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)

that the countries of the Amazon share many health challenges that require greater co-operation, the exchange of experiences and the effective use of regional capacities. One of Guyana's immediate priorities will be to operationalise CESAM's three permanent sub-commissions and ensure the active participa-

tion of Member Countries in advancing their respective work programmes. The sub-commissions focus on Digital Health, Environment and Gender Equity; Priority and Emerging Diseases; and Intercultural Health and Traditional Medicine. Guyana will also continue the Commission's existing work plan while proposing new initiatives

for consideration during its tenure. Dr Anthony highlighted Suriname's experience in eliminating malaria as an important opportunity for strengthening co-operation among Amazonian countries and advancing regional efforts against the disease. The meeting also reviewed Ecuador's tenure as Pro Tempore President, during which progress was made in reactivating and consolidating CESAM, developing its work plan and establishing the three permanent sub-commissions. Among the initiatives advanced during Ecuador's presidency were discussions on the Strategic Plan for Comprehensive Health in the Amazon, efforts to address communicable diseases including malaria, and the development of a proposal to incorporate a health module into the Amazon Regional Observatory (ARO). The proposed health

module is intended to strengthen the availability and exchange of regional information to support health-related decision-making across Amazonian countries. A roadmap presented at Tuesday's meeting outlines the next steps, with CESAM expected to establish criteria and conditions for the exchange and availability of information, while Member Countries designate technical focal points to advance the process. ACTO Administrative Director Edith Paredes commended Ecuador for its work and underscored the importance of maintaining continuity in the regional health agenda. She noted that many of the challenges facing the Amazon require coordinated responses because of the region's vast distances, difficulties in accessing health services, the effects of climate change, emerging and re-emerging diseases, and the particular needs

of Indigenous Peoples and local and traditional communities. Paredes said Guyana was assuming leadership of a fully operational CESAM with an established foundation on which to build but stressed that maintaining the momentum achieved and translating the Commission's work into concrete results for Amazonian populations would be critical. As part of the next steps, Guyana proposed using the participation of Member Countries in the Pan American Health Organization's Directing Council meeting at the end of September as an opportunity to convene an in-person CESAM meeting. The proposed meeting would allow representatives to advance discussions on the Commission's work plan and determine the next actions for strengthening regional co-operation on health across the Amazon.

Guyana marks aviation milestone with ICAO panel appointment

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

- Dr Sulaman named representative on ICAO Air Transport Panel

GUYANA has achieved a significant milestone with its appointment to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Regulation Panel (ATRP), further highlighting the country’s role in global aviation. This appointment, effective July 28th, 2026, underscores Guyana’s growing leadership and active role in shaping international air transport. The Panel brings together qualified technical

ana’s representative on the Air Transport Regulation Panel. Dr Sulaman is known for his regional involvement in the CARICOM Technical Negotiating Team on Air Services; his role as Chairman of the Special Committee on Transport of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and his role as an ICAO Global Ambassador. Guyana will no doubt contribute meaningfully to the ATRP’s work. This appointment aligns

Deputy GCAA Director General, Dr. Saheed Sulaman experts who help the ICAO create, update, and improve policies for the economic and legal regulation of international air transport. Director General, Lt. Col. (Ret’d) Egbert Field said, “Guyana’s appointment to the ATRP is another step in the right direction. Our request to join this Panel dates to 2019, but ICAO ATRP now sees it as appropriate to appoint us. This is therefore a pivotal opportunity for us to make a greater contribution to global air transport regulation. In this role, Guyana can advocate for policies and contribute to innovative, collaborative solutions that strengthen connectivity and aviation development worldwide.” Dr. Saheed Sulaman, Deputy Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is the appointed official and Guy-

with the vision of His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whose 10-Pillar National Aviation Policy aims to position Guyana as a premier regional aviation hub and to advance connectivity across the region. Guyana’s new role on the ICAO ATRP will certainly help advance the connectivity agenda. Deodat Indar, Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, said “These accomplishments are the sum total and impact of the hard work of the Government and what we are doing. The achievements in development within the aviation sector in Guyana are outstanding; across the entire aviation ecosystem, there is growth. Our representation at the regional and global level is not accidental but the result of diligent, targeted effort, vision and leadership. In this regard, we are relentless in our pursuits.”

This development underscores the nation’s

commitment to advancing international air transport

and highlights the national and global significance of

Guyana’s growing aviation leadership.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

China puts carbon to work

CAN carbon dioxide be used to provide heating? In May this year, China’s first geothermal heating project utilising supercritical carbon dioxide technology began operation in Zhengzhou, central China’s Henan province. The system combines a 2,500-meter-deep geothermal well, a fully enclosed circulation loop, and a new heat-transfer medium. In this process, supercritical carbon dioxide acts as an “energy carrier,” bringing heat from deep underground to the surface and providing a clean heat source for centralised heating. When most people think of carbon dioxide, they often associate it with the greenhouse effect and global warming. Yet carbon dioxide also holds considerable value as a resource, with a wide range of industrial applications. As China approaches its 2030 carbon peaking target, the way it views and utilises carbon dioxide has become a vivid example of the country’s green development strategy. So, what else can carbon dioxide do? It can generate electricity. In May this year, the second generating unit of the “Carbon One” project was successfully connected to the grid and began generating power, marking the completion of the world’s first demonstration project of

Photo shows a carbon dioxide energy storage demonstration project in Wuhu, east China’s Anhui province (Photo/Xiao Benxiang)

waste-heat power generation using supercritical carbon dioxide. Its thermal-to-electric conversion efficiency is 75 percent higher than that of conventional steam power generation. It can serve as a chemical feedstock. At the petrochemical industrial park in Xuwei New Area, Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu province, carbon dioxide is converted into polyether polyols. These are used in automotive composite foams, adhesives, water-based synthetic leather, and coatings. It can even be used to make food. After successfully synthesising starch from carbon dioxide in the laboratory, the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has gone a step further, carrying out another seemingly “magical” feat: turning carbon dioxide into sugar. From a “carbon burden” to a “carbon resource,” and

Carbon dioxide is injected to enhance oil recovery at Shengli Oilfield in Dongying, east China’s Shandong province (Photo/Liu Zhifeng)

from a troublesome greenhouse gas to a promising production input, the efforts to maximise the value of carbon reflect China’s growing capacity for innovation and its evolving approach to development. These green practices of turning waste into wealth and “turning carbon into gold” offer an excellent lens through which to understand China’s green and low-carbon transition. Technological innovation is a key driver of green development. By using energy conservation and carbon reduction to drive development, China is turning to innovation to create new opportunities and inject fresh momentum into its economy. At the Aonan Oilfield CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) demonstration base, part of oil production plant No. 7 of Daqing Oilfield in northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, liquid carbon dioxide is continu-

ously injected underground through high-pressure pipelines for CO2-enhanced oil recovery. The approach not only boosts oil recovery but also enables geological storage of carbon dioxide. By the end of 2025, Jilin Oilfield, located in Songyuan, northeast China’s Jilin province, had cumulatively stored 3.61 million tons of carbon dioxide underground, equivalent to the carbon absorbed by more than 30 million trees. Focusing on such areas as the efficient use of clean energy, advanced energy storage, and carbon asset management, China is pooling resources to make breakthroughs in a range of original and cutting-edge technologies, further strengthening the foundations for its green transition. Reducing emissions does not mean reducing productivity; rather, it means using emissions reduction to spur innovation across industries. Cutting carbon is not simply

about making a “subtraction.” It is about achieving higher-quality growth with lower resource consumption. At a cement company in Jiangsu province, energy conservation and carbon reduction have become a core source of competitiveness. Electricity generated from waste heat in exhaust gases meets more than 73 percent of the electricity needs of clinker production. Compared with 2020, China’s cement industry cut carbon dioxide emissions per 10,000 yuan ($1,486) of value added by 15.8 percent in 2025. Green and low-carbon upgrading is creating new opportunities and opening up new space for growth. China’s experience shows that striking the right balance between development and emissions reduction, achieving both environmental protection and economic growth, both carbon reduction and greater efficiency, and sharing both opportunities and bene-

fits, can greatly unleash the internal driving force for the low-carbon transition. On a broader scale, China is deepening the sharing of low-carbon technologies and practical cooperation on ecological protection with countries around the world, demonstrating its commitment to working together for the common good. In Nauru, a photovoltaic project built by a Chinese company can generate enough electricity to meet the country’s needs. In Ethiopia, a ring road in Addis Ababa constructed by a Chinese company uses renewable energy facilities throughout the project area and recycling rainwater systems, effectively reducing energy and resource consumption. As China works toward its carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, its efforts to advance the green transition will continue unabated. Recently, China issued an action plan for carbon peaking during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), laying out a detailed roadmap for the country’s green transition over the next five years. Through its actions toward the “dual carbon” goals, China will once again demonstrate its wisdom of harmony and coexistence and its commitment to delivering on its promises. (By Wang Ke - People’s Daily Online)

China unveils five-year plan to promote SME development CHINA has issued a plan to promote high-quality development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the 2026-2030 period, setting targets for business growth, innovation and the development environment. By 2030, China's SMEs are expected to achieve growth in both quality and scale, with per capita operating revenue of major SMEs posting cumulative growth of around 15 percent over the five-year period, according to the plan, which was jointly issued by 10 government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The plan describes SMEs as an important force in driving innovation, creating jobs

and improving people's livelihoods. It calls for efforts to improve systems for cultivating high-quality enterprises and providing public services, strengthen the legal and policy framework, and ensure better access to factors of production and a more supportive development environment. SMEs contribute roughly 70 percent of China's technological innovation, 60 percent of its gross domestic product, and 80 percent of its urban employment, according to an OECD report on SME financing. SMEs' innovation capacity will be notably enhanced, with average annual growth in internal research and development expenditure by major industrial SMEs targeted at

over 8 percent and the number of "little giant" firms expected to reach 22,000 by 2030, according to the plan. "Little giant" firms refer to the novel elites of SMEs that are engaged in manufacturing, specialise in a niche market and boast cutting-edge technologies. The plan calls for continued improvements to the SME service system and an increase in the number of cooperation zones for Chinese and foreign SMEs to 50 by 2030. By then, the development environment for SMEs is expected to improve further, with a sound long-term mechanism for resolving payment arrears owed to SMEs largely in place and access to diversified financing further broadened.

The plan sets out seven key tasks, including keeping businesses and employment stable, strengthening enterprise cultivation, accelerating digital, intelligent and green development, promoting coordinated and integrated development, improving the supply of production factors, strengthening the SME service system, and enhancing legal and policy safeguards. It further specifies measures that include helping SMEs develop trademark and brand strategies, and launching the second phase of a national SME development fund, among others. "SMEs face strategic opportunities, as well as risks and challenges, as a new round of sci-tech revolution and indus-

trial transformation gathers pace and competition among major countries grows more complex and intense," said an MIIT official. The official said that, in response to new circumstances, China needs to step up policy support, strengthen reform and innovation measures, boost SMEs' internal drivers of growth, and reinforce the foundations of the real economy. The plan is expected to open up more pathways for SME transformation and upgrading, said Ma Yuan, deputy director of the Institute for Enterprise Research under the Development Research Center of the State Council. Supporting SME development is among the priorities of China's 15th Five-Year

Plan (2026-2030), which calls for promoting the growth of SMEs that use specialised and sophisticated technologies to produce novel and unique products, reducing computing costs for SMEs, and strengthening services to support their digital and intelligent transformation. This year's government work report also pledged stronger support for SMEs undergoing digital and intelligent transformation. China made notable progress in SME development during the 14th FiveYear Plan period (20212025), with more than 63 million SMEs operating nationwide by the end of 2025, accounting for over 95 percent of all business entities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Public Works Ministry steps up removal of derelict vehicles removing their vehicles before seized property can be reclaimed. Owners whose property has been removed by the

The Ministry of Public Works noted that road shoulders are not designated storage areas and must remain clear to ensure the safe movement of traffic and access along the roadways

THE Ministry of Public Works has intensified its efforts to remove derelict vehicles from road shoulders, with enforcement activity recently targeting Grove, East Bank Demerara, as part of ongoing measures to keep roadways clear and improve safety for motorists and other road users. The Ministry said several derelict vehicles have already been removed from road shoulders in the Grove area, while removal notices continue to be issued to owners of vehicles found occupying the spaces. It reminded the public that road shoulders are not designated storage areas and must remain clear to ensure

the safe movement of traffic and access along the roadway. According to the Ministry, owners who fail to comply with removal notices will face enforcement action, with the authorities stepping in to remove vehicles that remain on the road shoulders. The Ministry also warned that property belonging to owners who repeatedly relocate derelict vehicles from one location to another or continue to disregard removal notices may be seized. It stressed that the intention is not to permanently withhold owners’ property, but said owners will be required to settle the costs incurred by the Ministry for

Ministry must therefore visit the Ministry to pay the outstanding removal costs before the items can be uplifted. The Ministry urged ve-

hicle owners to comply with removal notices and avoid using public road shoulders as storage spaces and it thanked members of

the public for their co-operation and support as enforcement efforts continue to keep roadways clear and safe.

Full operations underway at new Housing Ministry – CH&PA headquarters

THE Ministry of Housing–Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has commenced full operations from its new headquarters at Plantation Houston, East Bank Demerara, marking a major step in the consolidation of the agency’s services and efforts to improve efficiency and public access. Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn, engaged management and staff at the new facility recently as operations got fully underway. They were joined by Permanent Secretary, Bishram Kuppen and Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Dr

Martin Pertab, as the Ministry and Authority continue efforts to ensure efficient service delivery and greater comfort and convenience for members of the public conducting business at the new headquarters. The move to Plantation Houston represents the culmination of a phased transition from the Ministry’s long-standing operations at Brickdam and other annexes in Georgetown. Several key departments began relocating to the new headquarters in recent days, including the Community Development Department, the Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, and the Human Re-

sources Department. Services previously offered at the Camp Street Annex were also transferred to the new facility as part of the broader consolidation of operations. The transition has also seen services relating to Certificates of Title and Transports moved to the Houston headquarters, while persons seeking assistance with informal settlements, regularisation, relocation and other community development matters are now being directed to the new location. The modern headquarters was constructed to accommodate the CH&PA’s expanding operations and growing staff complement, while bringing departments

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Minister of Housing, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry, Vanessa Benn, engaged management and staff at the new facility recently as operations got fully underway

and services closer together under one roof. Earlier assessments of the project indicated that the facility was designed to accommodate approximately 400 staff members and provide significantly improved working conditions for employees and a more comfortable, user-friendly environment for members of the public. The building also includes extensive parking facilities, with space for more than 100 vehicles. The relocation is expected to reduce the inconve-

nience previously faced by members of the public who had to visit different offices and annexes across Georgetown to access various housing and planning-related services. The CH&PA, which was established in 1948 under the Housing Act to address the housing needs of Guyanese, remains the principal agency responsible for implementing housing and settlement development programmes and carrying out planning functions under the purview of the Ministry of Housing. The commencement of

full operations at the Plantation Houston headquarters comes as the Ministry and CH&PA continue to manage an expanding range of housing, land development, planning and community-related services amid Guyana’s rapid growth and development. With staff now operating from the new facility, the Ministry said the focus will be on ensuring that the transition translates into improved efficiency, better coordination among departments and enhanced service delivery for the public.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

CH&PA moves to remove unauthorised shipping containers at Herstelling

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has launched enforcement action against the unauthorised storage of more than 45 shipping containers on a residential property at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, citing breaches of planning regulations and concerns over public safety. Officers from the Authority’s Enforcement Department discovered the containers during

a visit to Parcel 1614, Plot B, Herstelling, over the weekend. No one was present at the property at the time of the inspection. According to the CH&PA, the storage of the containers was unauthorised and contravened the approved use of the property, which is designated for single-family residential purposes. The Authority also raised concerns about the manner

in which the containers were stacked, noting that they pose a potential safety risk to nearby residents and properties. A Notice of Contravention has since been served on the property, directing that all storage activities cease immediately and that the shipping containers be removed within this week. The CH&PA reminded property owners and occupiers that all developments and changes in land use must com-

ply with the relevant planning requirements and receive the necessary approvals. The Authority said it will continue to actively monitor housing schemes and take enforcement action against unauthorised developments and activities that breach planning regulations or violate the approved use of residential lands. The CH&PA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of residential

A Notice of Contravention has since been served on the property, directing that all storage activities cease immediately and that the shipping containers be removed within this week

communities while ensuring orderly and sustainable devel-

opment across the country’s housing schemes.

COVID-19 cases at Moruca Hospital site contained - Village Council says

THE Ministry of Health’s Project Execution Unit (PEU) says 13 COVID-19 cases identified among workers at the construction site of the new Moruca hospital have been contained, following concerns raised by the Santa Rosa Village Council over the movement of workers and compliance with health protocols. The confirmed cases involved 11 Chinese workers and two Guyanese workers, according to an update issued by the PEU following engagement with the contractor, supervisory consultant and the Ministry of Health’s Disease and Surveillance Department. The contractor has reported that no additional cases have been recorded at the construction site since the 13 cases were identified. The PEU said it responded to the concerns by directing the contractor to strengthen containment measures, including establishing dedicated quarantine arrangements, restricting contact between infected and non-infected workers, and ensuring that affected workers remained in quarantine until they were formally cleared by health authorities. Documentation and photographic evidence subsequently submitted by the contractor reportedly confirmed the implementation of infection-control measures at the site. These included designated isolation areas, physical distancing, daily ventilation and disinfection, mandatory mask use, hand sanitisers, health screening of workers and continued coordination with the Kumaka District Hospital. The PEU said workers diagnosed with COVID-19 were not released from quarantine at the contractor’s discretion. Their release was subject to formal clearance from a health professional, with the procedure verified by supervisory consultants stationed at the site. Supporting clearance documentation received from

the Kumaka District Hospital confirmed that the affected workers had completed the required isolation and recovery period and had no signs or symptoms requiring continued isolation or exclusion from the workplace. The workers were subsequently cleared to return to work after satisfying the applicable health requirements. As part of the ongoing prevention and control measures, the contractor has designated Tang Jian as its focal point for communication with the Kumaka District Hospital and the Santa Rosa Village Council. The PEU said, based on the containment measures implemented and the health clearance documentation received, it is satisfied that the immediate risk associated with the identified cases has been appropriately managed under the direction of health authorities. H o w e v e r, t h e U n i t stressed that vigilance must be maintained at the construction site, with the contractor and supervisory consultant instructed to immediately report and manage any new suspected or confirmed cases in accordance with Ministry of Health protocols. The PEU also assured residents that it remains committed to ensuring that construction of the new Moruca hospital does not compromise the health and safety of the surrounding community. It thanked the Santa Rosa Village Council for raising its concerns and encouraged continued engagement so that any issues involving the project or the conduct of the workforce can be promptly investigated and addressed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Guyana Together marks third anniversary with 250 organisational endorsers - Campaign says growing support reflects calls for greater inclusion, workplace protection

GUYANA Together, the campaign which has been advocating greater acceptance and reduced stigma and prejudice against LGBT people, is marking its third anniversary with 250 businesses, civic organisations and other groups having endorsed its call for a more inclusive Guyana. The campaign, launched in September 2023 by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Black Entrepreneurs Association, Guyana Press Association and SASOD Guyana according to a press release, said the milestone reflects growing support from organisations across a wide range of sectors.

Among those represented are businesses and organisations in the energy, legal, food, entertainment, media, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and hospitality sectors. The campaign’s third anniversary comes as endorsing organisations reiterate calls for equality, respect, protection against discrimination and the repeal of laws that criminalise same-sex intimacy. Youth Focal Point of the Guyanese Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP), Shane Thomas, said the 250-organisation milestone demonstrates that people from different sections of Guyanese society can sup-

Founder and Managing Director of Wanderlust Adventures GY Inc., Roselyn Sewcharran

Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services Inc. (GOGSS), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer

Scotty’s Smoke House Executive Chef and Co-Proprietor, Lennox Scott

port a fairer country. He said, particularly as Guyana observes Amerindian Heritage Month, there is an appreciation of the importance of respecting the dignity, identity and rights of every person and community. Thomas said no one should be treated as a criminal or denied the opportunity to make a living because of their sexual orientation or who they love. The campaign’s release further noted that it has also received support from businesses in the country’s expanding tourism and hospitality sector. Adding to this, Founder and Managing Director of Wanderlust Adventures GY Inc., Roselyn Sewcharran, said Guyana’s diversity is among the country’s greatest strengths and stressed the importance of treating everyone with dignity, respect and fairness. She said as Guyana’s tourism industry continues to grow and welcomes visitors from around the world, it is important to foster workplaces and communities where people feel safe, respected and welcomed.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Scotty’s Smoke House Executive Chef and Co-Proprietor Lennox Scott, who said everyone working in his restaurant should be treated fairly and with respect. Scott said his business supports stronger workplace protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Additionally, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Oil and Gas Support Services Inc. (GOGSS), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, said an inclusive workplace is important to ensuring that Guyana can attract and retain the strongest and most talented workforce as the oil and gas sector expands. Guyana Together said the support is also reflected in recent polling, which found that 53.9 per cent of Guyanese support repeal of the colonial-era law criminalising same-sex intimacy, while 72 per cent support workplace protections for LGBT people. The campaign also highlighted collaboration with organisations including the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Guyana Public Service Union, Clerical and Commercial Workers Union, Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Guyana and Rotary Club of Georgetown. Over its three years, it was stated that Guyana Together has produced five videos featuring Guyanese sharing personal stories of acceptance and support for LGBT relatives and friends. The campaign said it intends to build on the 250 endorsements by translating the support into actions and changes that can benefit LGBT people in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Development Bank to open new financing avenues for Indigenous entrepreneurs - Minister Browne-Shadeek says

- urges Indigenous communities to tap new financing opportunities for larger-scale investments THE establishment of the Guyana Development Bank is expected to open new avenues for Indigenous entrepreneurs to access financing and undertake larger-scale investments, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah BrowneShadeek, has said. The Minister made these remarks while on a recent episode of the Starting Point podcast, during which she described the Development Bank as a potential game changer for indigenous communities, noting that it will provide an avenue for financing that was previously unavailable to many persons in the hinterland. She said Indigenous people should take advantage of the opportunity to move beyond smaller-scale initiatives and explore investments capable of generating sustainable returns and creating employment within their communities. “We now can borrow coming from having no avenue to now we can borrow $3 million,” the Minister said, while encouraging Indigenous communities to carefully consider how they can use the financing to build sustainable enterprises. Browne-Shadeek said President Dr Irfaan Ali has been encouraging Indigenous people to organise themselves into groups to access financing and undertake larger projects that can generate meaningful

returns. Among the areas identified for investment is transportation, particularly in hinterland communities where access to reliable transport remains critical. She pointed to Region Eight, where all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are among the main modes of transportation because of the distances and terrain involved. Boat services and other forms of transportation also remain important to communities, creating opportunities for young people to establish businesses while providing essential services to residents. The Minister also referenced the potential for investments in tunnel houses and other productive ventures, urging young people to carefully assess the opportunities available and make informed investment decisions. Browne-Shadeek further indicated that Indigenous communities are not being left behind as Guyana’s economy continues to expand, pointing to the range of support already available through the Amerindian Development Fund, the Low Carbon Development Strategy and other government programmes. She said the availability of Development Bank financing will now add another avenue through which Indigenous entrepreneurs can pursue larger investments and contribute to economic activity in their communities.

The Minister encouraged young Indigenous entrepreneurs to “make the best out of this opportunity”, as she highlighted the importance of using the new financing avenue strategically to build sustainable businesses and generate longterm benefits for their communities.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne-Shadeek

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, September 9, 2026

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

ENGLISH RACING TIPS CARLISLE 09:12 hrs Orfilia 09:42 hrs State Of Gold 10:12 hrs Lord Byron 10:47 hrs Cotai Starlight 11:17 hrs Dream Forever 11:47 hrs Epidavros 12:17 hrs Sandy Craic REDCAR 08:21 hrs Benbeccula 08:51 hrs Hatamoto 09:21 hrs Al Jolson 09:51 hrs Thunder Wonder 10:21 hrs Chesneys Charm 10:54 hrs Sweet Kiss 11:24 hrs Night Emperor 11:54 hrs Pisanello KEMPTON 12:00 hrs Mmmbop 12:30 hrs Sea Bravr 13:00 hrs Longlai 13:30 hrs Lex Victoria 14:00 hrs Yimmna 14:30 hrs Musical Soldier 15:00 hrs Minerality 15:30 hrs Bintaryana IRISH RACING TIPS CORK 11:10 hrs Fighting Tears 11:40 hrs Marco Polo 12:10 hrs Gerrit's Gem 12:45 hrs Haven 13:15 hrs Green Kite 13:45 hrs Enigma Code 14:15 hrs Sherekiya SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS FAIRVIEW 08:25 hrs Too Late My Mate 09:00 hrs New Day 09:35 hrs Night In Japan 10:10 hrs Mio Destino 10:45 hrs Truly Magical AMERICAN RACING TIPS KENTUCKY DOWNS Race 1 Sea Isle City Race 2 Bold Speaker Race 3 Rose Tuler Race 4 Remember The Time Race 5 Catch The Breeze Race 6 Eat Hay Day Race 7 Titan Ready

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Trophy Stall honours GAW star Hetmyer for CPL century TROPHY Stall honoured Guyana Amazon Warriors star batsman Shimron Hetmyer with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his scintillating century scored in his 100th T20

match. Presenting the award to Hetmyer was Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, who joined in celebrating a memorable milestone for one of Guyana’s finest cricketing talents.

“A hundred in your 100th T20; now that’s a milestone worth remembering!” a release from the company said before adding, “Congratulations, Shimron!”

Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall presents the award to Hetmyer

Bonofiglio ready for Golden Jaguars CONCACAF Nations League campaign NEWLY promoted Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars Marco Bonofiglio, says the side is well equipped for their 2026-2027 CONCACAF Nations League Campaign. The Head Coach, who will later this month have his first test as the nation’s senior men’s Head Coach is optimistic of his side’s continued performance. Guyana will firstly come up against Puerto Rico on September 24th and Cayman Island on the 27th, and then they will again go back into action on October 1st and fourth, both times against Dominica. The Toronto-based coach is expected to name his squad in the coming weeks with the unit scheduled to assemble for camp on September 20 in Dominica, where they will be joined by the overseas contingent. ‘I’m here for a couple of weeks, and being able to look at the domestic players and the domestic league, I think it is a very important piece of the puzzle as we close down on choosing our final roster. Tight now, it is not a complete set but should be set in about another 10-14 days and that is why I’m here taking a look at the domestic players.” He said they expect the squad to be in good shape, as most of the players are in season playing for their respective teams locally and abroad. Bonofiglio noted that they respected their oppositions

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Marco Bonofiglio

but believes in an aggressive style of play, which he demonstrated with the youth teams. “We want to set the standard high; it is a high bar that we have placed. You look at our opponents; we respect all of them. They are good teams. You look at Puerto Rico; it is probably the highest-ranked opponent that we have, and we all respect them. They have had some good results recently with a new coach, Dominica: We have played them, and they are no easy test for us either. Cayman Island is in there as well, and they have been improving along their pathway as well, so it is not an easy affair at all, but when we look at our past and our pathway, we have been coming along and on a pretty good trajectory right now, so we want to keep that going, keep the positive mentality, and have the right mindset.” Bonofiglio has been a regular at the GFF Elite

League as he continues to assess players for national duty and keep an eye on not just the present but the future of this team. ‘You want to have those core players that are part of the program and have been part of the program? You want to understand the future of what’s coming and having young players that are coming up the pathway as well, and we want to be able to incorporate them into the squad and see how they react under training circumstances and probably even get some minutes in matches, as you have seen in the last campaign and the last camps that we have had. We had some younger players enter the field; they like Brayan Wharton and Walker Shabazz… We are looking to continue that.” The Italian-Canadian Bonofiglio has served Guyana for several years, leading the National Under-17 team and as assistant coach to the Golden Jaguars.

Elite League Season 8

Slingerz and GDF top standings after opening rounds DEFENDING Elite League champions Slingerz and the Guyana Defence Force Football Clubs are tied for the lead

at the top of the standings after the first rounds of matches in the Guyana Football Federation Elite League Season 8.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Wednesday September 9, 2026) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (a) GAW won by 7 wickets (b) Mohammad Nabi (GAW) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which are the first two teams to have qualified for the CPL 2026 play-offs? (2) Who has struck the fastest century in CPL history? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GDF and Slingerz have two wins apiece after their opening games, with both teams boasting six points. GDF have a one-goal advantage in goal difference over Slingerz. In the last set of matches over the weekend Slingerz gave debutants Campton FC a stern test at the GFF National Training Center. Curtez Kellman scored for Slingerz in the 38th minute for the lone goal of the first half as Camptown showed fight, but errors from the champions saw them not building on the advantage in the first half. The second half saw a more determined Slingerz effort; they stepped up their attack and found success.

Yusifu Kargbo gave them their second goal in the 72nd minute, followed shortly afterwards by a brace from Bryan Wharton, extending their lead in the 83rd and 86th minutes. Meanwhile, a Colin Nelson goal broke the deadlock between the Guyana Defence Force FC and Western Tigers FC as they walked away with a needle victory. On Saturday Police FC came from behind to outmaneuver Fruta Conquerors 2-1 in their encounter. Monedderlust also defeated Den Amstel 2-1 after goals from Rayon Rose and Delwin Fraser. The action resumes this coming weekend with double headers on Saturday and Sunday.

Slingerz, Curtez Kellman, and Bryan Wharton

Singh, Vieira and Hassan lead Speed Fest classes DEVESH Singh, Matthew Vieira and David Hassan led the way in their respective classes as the 2026 Speed Fest Track Day produced close competition across the Vitz Cup and motorcycle categories on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit. Singh dominated the Vitz Cup B Class, finishing with 65 points from the three races. Mikkely Rahaman was second on 43 points, while Shemroy Ramsingh completed the top three with 38. In the Vitz Cup A Class, Stefan Jeffrey secured the class lead with 53 points. Zachary Persaud and Ryan Ramoutar both finished on 40 points, with Persaud taking second place on the classification. Paul Jiwanram was fourth with 35 points,

followed by Ryan Ramoutar with 22 and Azaad Hassan with 16. The motorcycle categories also produced strong performances. Kevin Persaud topped the Open Class Bikes with 65 points, winning two of the three races and finishing second in the other. Alain Hopkinson was second with 50 points, while Maurice Menezes placed third with 37. Matthew Vieira matched Persaud’s 65-point total to take the 600cc Bikes class. Elan Rahaman finished second with 43 points, followed by Jerry Da Silva on 37. Adrian Mohar recorded 20 points to finish fourth. In the Street Bikes class, David Hassan was the clear leader with 65 points after

winning all three races. Salim Azeez was second with 50 points, while Elwin Chase finished third with 37. Christopher Bridgmohan placed fourth with 26 points, followed by Alestair Mendonca on 20. Fitzpatrick Augustus and Jerome Jones both finished on 11 points. The results underline the competitiveness across the classes, with several riders and drivers separated by only a few points. The three-race format also provided competitors with opportunities to recover from an early setback and challenge for overall class honours. The Speed Fest Track Day formed part of the 2026 racing calendar, with competitors earning points toward their respective class championships.

Patrick Prashad takes NTFGL Tour #2 crown in PromoTech, Danny’s Auto Sales final UNDER bright sunshine and against a backdrop of lush greens and manicured fairways, Patrick Prashad produced a commanding performance to capture the National Turf Golf League (NTFGL) Tour #2 title when the competition concluded on Sunday. The finale, sponsored by PromoTech and Danny’s Auto Sales, provided an exciting conclusion to the tour, with golfers battling for valuable points as the competition went down to the wire. The course was in excellent condition, setting the stage for a day of quality golf, close finishes and spirited competition among the players. Prashad was the man of the moment, carding an impressive net 67 to secure first place on the day and collect eight points. His performance also saw him finish at the top of the overall Tour #2 standings with 24 points, earning him the championship title. Arnold Deo, returning to action, made an immediate impact with a solid net 69 to

secure second place and five points. Deo also captured the front nine, earning two points for his effort. The battle for the remaining positions was closely contested. Pantanjilee Persaud secured third place and three points, while Ian Gouveia finished fourth after winning the back-nine tiebreaker, earning four points. Anand Persaud completed the top five and collected one point after winning a tiebreaker against Joseph Szeplaki. Both players finished with a net 74, but Szeplaki was unable to hold his position after a difficult finish on the 18th hole, where he carded a seven. When the final scores were tallied, Prashad emerged as the clear winner of Tour #2 with 24 points. Per Persaud finished second overall with 22 points, followed by Anand Persaud on 19 points. Danny secured fourth place with 18 points, while Pops rounded out the top five with 17 points. A total of 16 players received points during the tour, reflecting the com-

petitive nature of the series and the strong participation throughout the competition. There was also a club tournament held on Saturday, this saw Patrick Prashad claiming first place with a Net of 67 and Best Gross 79. Arnold Deo and Ian Gouveia copped second and third place respectively with Net scores of 69 and 73. Arnold Deo bagged the longest drive while Mahin Harry took the prize of nearest to pin. The NTFGL expressed sincere appreciation to PromoTech and Danny’s Auto Sales for their sponsorship and continued support of the event. Their contribution helped make the finale a successful one, as players enjoyed a competitive day of golf in an atmosphere filled with excitement, camaraderie and sportsmanship. With the final round completed and the standings settled, it was Patrick Prashad who had the last word, finishing the Tour #2 campaign at the summit and walking away as the NTFGL champion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Goal Sports Scholarship is a game changer - Athlete Commission Chair Edghill OLYMPIAN and Chair o f t h e c o u n t r y ’ s A t hlete’s Commission, Chelsea Edghill, says the Goal Sports Scholarship program provides a tremendous opportunity for the nation’s athletes from an educational standpoint. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) last week launched their groundbreaking scholarship with the goals of strengthening sports in Guyana through education. Chelsea Edghill, a 2-time Olympian and multiple-time national table tennis champion who has always been the lookout for opportunities for local athletes, believes this will have a major impact on athletes on and off the field. “Athletes transitioning to having opportunities for education is a really good one, and I think the goal program really helps tremendously with that, especially for athletes that are thinking about getting into the sporting field. They don’t want to be coaches, but there are other things available; they are coaching programs under the goal. It is good to have options and open your horizon to what might be possible.” The program is the first for Guyana; it will offer a variety of certificates and master’s courses intended to drive sports growth in scope and substance. The program is offering free certificates to Guyanese in nutrition and dietetics, bodybuilding, and sport facilities management with master’s degrees, including sports journalism, athletics coaching, coaching, and sports psychology, among other courses. Edghill has long had an

Chair of the Athletes Commission, Olympian Chelsea Edghill

excellent balance between education and play. She started to play while attending Bishop High School, moved onto Lindenwood University, where she played while successfully completing her bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and then played professionally in Europe for a few years. Edghill, then completing her postgraduate certificate in International Sports Management at the University of London, says that her education has aided her growth in her sport. She told the Guyana Chronicle that before the launch of the Goal scholarship last week, she applied and was accepted to the prestigious Loughborough University in England, where she will read for a master’s in sports analysis and AI while preparing to represent Guyana at the next Olympic Games. Provide you can excel in the classroom and on the court. She says you can excel in the classroom and on the court and will continue to encourage athletes to take the educational opportunities

which can have a lasting effect on the country’s athletes, especially after their playing days. “What is out there is immense; there are so many things with technology and work that are being done in sport and athlete development around the world that I have been fortunate enough to experience. It is really good to have that education to understand what it means and what they are doing. When I played internationally or when I competed in Europe, it was one of those things where you saw them doing certain exercises or doing certain tests in preparation for competition, and you were trying to figure out what it was they were doing.” She says that understanding the science behind the sport can go a long way in helping athletes to go from good to elite athletes and encourage locals to apply to further their education using the GOAL program. The application process for the Goal Sports scholarship commenced on September 4th and concludes on September 18th.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Powerlifter Tyrell forgoes world championship campaign working on recovering from minor injuries RECORD-BREAKING National Powerlifter Dominic Tyrell says that minor injuries have caused him to step away from competition for the rest of the 2026 season. The Guyanese was seeking to compete in the Swiss National Championships, which would have qualified him to represent Guyana for a place at the world championships. However, recovery from minor injuries have forced him to call off that plan, with Tyrell adding, “The plan is to not compete or take part in competition for the rest of the year to prioritise recovery because I compete for most of this year, (I am) not 100 percent healthy, so the aim is just to get back healthy. It has affected a lot of my plans because the original aim was to use the Swiss national to qualify for the world championships next year in Brazil, but now because of

Dominic Tyrell

these injuries, I won’t be able to qualify myself for those world championships. I would have to wait until at least 2028 to compete.’

He said once his recovery goes well, he can examine the option of competing next year internationally. “I may have a chance at

competing internationally next year, but that depends very much on how my health goes from here on out, and it is very likely I don’t com-

pete at all internationally until 2028. The goal is to be healthy; that is the main goal. Everything else is secondary. As fast as possible, I can be

healthy. The only goal I have is to be able to train 100 percent healthy.” Tyrrell had a record-breaking showing in July, capturing a bronze medal on his way to breaking two national records in the Silent Worker Power Series’ International “Prime Time” team event in Switzerland. He set a new National Record in the 83 kg class before concluding with a 340 kg (750lb) deadlift. The lift secured a total of 785 kg (1,731lb), establishing a second national record by improving his previous Guyana total record by 10 kg. At the 2024 IPF World Men’s Classic Open Championships in Lithuania, he claimed bronze in the deadlift and placed sixth overall. While in the World Classic Open Championships in Germany in 2025, he finished ninth in the men’s 83 kg division.

Mars delivers endgame masterclass to stay perfect – Mechanical engineer moves to 4/4 after ending Sandiford’s unbeaten run THE battle of perfect records lived up to its billing on Monday night, as returning national player and mechanical engineer Davion Mars defeated national player and sports coach Keron Sandiford to remain the only player with a perfect score after four rounds of the Pegasus Weekly Chess League. Both players entered the highly anticipated encounter on 3/3, knowing that something had to give. For much of the game, however, very little separated them. Playing with the white pieces, Mars entered an Exchange Variation of the French Defence against Sandiford. The position remained remarkably balanced as the game progressed, with neither player able to establish a decisive advantage. That changed deep into the endgame. On move 39, Sandiford

agreed to what appeared to be a routine exchange of rooks, simplifying the position into a pawn ending. It proved to be the moment Mars had been waiting for. Deeper post-game analysis showed that the exchange transformed the previously balanced position into a winning pawn ending for Mars, whose advantage climbed to approximately +4.9. Mars needed only four more moves to demonstrate the point before Sandiford resigned. The victory moved Mars to a perfect 4/4, one full point clear of the field with three rounds remaining. Mars, however, was still examining what he could have done better. “Annoyed by the missing 37.Rxf7, which was winning on the spot, but I am satisfied with the fact that at no point in the game Black had any initiative,” Mars

said during the post-game analysis. It was also revealed afterward that both players had prepared diligently for the encounter, adding another layer to a match that had been building since both emerged from Round Three with perfect records. McKay holds third as Reece, Oyeyipo climb While the top-board showdown commanded much of the attention, several other results reshaped the standings. Artist and business owner Ryan Oniel McKay defeated WCM Jessica Callender, moving to 3 points and retaining third place behind Mars and Sandiford. Odinnie Nehezie Reece climbed one position into fourth after defeating the tournament’s youngest player, Sachin Beharry. Reece now sits on 2.5 points. Oluwadare Oyeyipo also moved up one position after

defeating Martin Poon, joining Reece on 2.5 points and occupying fifth place. Veteran player and banker Raymond Sookdeo moved two positions to seventh after receiving a forfeit win, while entrepreneur Jaden Taylor continued his climb with victory over Owen Mickle, moving two places into eighth. Annastaysha Marcano also registered her first point of the season following a forfeit win over Juliana Persaud. After four rounds, Mars leads on 4 points, followed by Sandiford and McKay on 3. Reece and Oyeyipo sit on 2.5, while Callender, Sookdeo and Taylor each have 2 points. League pauses for Chess Olympiad With three rounds remaining, the Pegasus Weekly Chess League will now pause until October 5, as organiser FM Anthony

Davion Mars

Drayton and two League participants prepare to represent Guyana at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. The Olympiad runs from September 14–29, after which the League will return for the closing three rounds

of its inaugural season. Round Four therefore leaves the championship with a clear target at the top. Four games played. Four victories. And, for now, Davion Mars remains perfect.

Quentin Sampson is bowled by Shadab Khan last night for 12 as the Warriors lost their first match of the CPL

Alzarri Joseph at times clocked 145 km and picked up 4-41 to help the Falcons (Sachin Persaud photos)

Republic Bank CPL T20 at the Providence Stadium…

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons break GAW’s 6-match winning streak By Sean Devers

ON a good track at Providence last night, another capacity crowd watched as West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph captured 4-41 to bowl the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons to a convincing 65-run victory, breaking the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ six-match winning streak. Set 183 to win after the Falcons’ last three overs cost 60 runs, the Warriors were bowled out for 117 in 14.2 overs. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Karima Gore and Evin Lewis added 31 in 3.4 overs before Gore, who hit four boundaries, including a six off Dwaine Pretorius in

his 23, was removed by Khary Pierre. Lewis hit sixes off Pierre and Mohammad Nabi in consecutive overs to reach 50 in the seventh over. However, with the score at 55 in the eighth over, 47-yearold Warriors skipper leggie Imran Tahir trapped Lewis lbw for 22. The South African veteran celebrated with trademark arms open wide as he ran towards another vocal crowd. Amir Jangoo and Hasan Nawaz brought up the century at the end of the fourteenth over, but Nabi broke the 47run stand when he dismissed Jangoo for 27 from 30 at 103-3. Nawaz fell to Shamar Joseph for 36 with three fours

and two sixes at 120-4 in the 17th over, and someone needed to step on the gas. Skipper Moeen Ali clobbered Romario Shepherd for a couple of sixes before he was caught at short third off the fifth ball of the 18th over, which cost 15 runs. Nineteen runs came off the penultimate over from Joseph, with Fabian Allen hitting a six and Shadab Khan finding the boundary before Allen missed one, but it went for four leg-byes. Khan launched a brutal assault on Shepherd, dumping him for three consecutive sixes before finishing off the over, which leaked 26 runs, with a boundary. Khan finished unbeaten on 30 from nine balls with two

fours and three sixes, while Allen hit a six in his 11 as the pair added 46 from 16 balls to silence the partisan crowd. The two Berbician pacers conceded 60 runs in the last three overs. Shepherd took 1-51 from his four overs, while Joseph got 1-40 from his four overs. Nabi (1-23) and Tahir (121) were the best bowlers for the Warriors, who began their chase in an ultra-aggressive fashion. Gurbaz hit Alzarri Joseph for two sixes in the first over before Jayden Seales was hammered for a six and a four in the second over by 21-yearold Mavindra Dindyal. The flag-waving fans danced to the pulsating rhythms from the music sys-

Man-of-the-match Shadab Khan (2-19) after making 30 from 9 balls, adding 46 from balls with Fabian Allen

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tem and the Tassa drummers as they found their voices again. But the pumped-up Joseph, who clocked 145 km, removed both openers after the 50 came in 5.1 overs. Joseph also removed Shai Hope for a duck, but at 54-3 inside five overs, the Warriors were still ahead of the game. However, the Warriors suffered a colossal collapse, losing the next six wickets for 45 runs. Shimron Hetmyer, who scored 111 in his 100th CPL game and followed it up with an unbeaten 30, again flattered to deceive. After being dropped off Joseph’s bowling, first ball, looking to clear the infield, the left-hander fell to Joshua

James for four on 59-4. After Hetmyer’s demise for his second consecutive single-digit score, only Nabi, who was last out for 23, showed fight. Joseph received support from James, Khan and Sufyan Moqim, who took two wickets to bowl their team into the top two. The Warriors already qualified for the play-offs in Barbados. Gurbaz and Nabi, who were scheduled to depart last Sunday night, will now leave in time for Afghanistan’s opening T20 game against India next Sunday. The Warriors face St. Lucia Kings today at 7 PM before rounding off the home games on Friday against the TKR.

The crowd left the stadium disappointed

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026