…as strike kills nine of Gaza doctor’s children, hospital says
Guyana’s depletion policy was crafted to suit global supply and demand-Jagdeo
79 killed in Israeli airstrikes in 24 hours -saysGovt.long-termpoliciesaren’tdeterminedbyday-to-daychanges
Heavy rainfall causes massive flooding at Kwakwani
30% stakeholder staggering US$4B in Wales Gas project completion date moved to second quarter of 2026 House approves $28.7B to facilitate mobilization, advance payments for GPL power system upgrades profits for 2024
Hess Guyana records -Financials
…CEO says “we believe it would unlock
Lamp Island Kwakwani underwater
30% stakeholder Hess Guyana records staggering US$4B in profits for 2024
H e s s G u y a n a Exploration Limited, a 30% shareholder in the prolific Stabroek Block recorded a staggering US$4B in profits for2024.
This is according to the company’s financials filed with the local registry Chartered Accountant and
A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w, Christopher Ram recently conductedananalysisofthe company’s financial performance for last year which showed a massive 68.5%returnoncapital.
Ram explained, “A key
measure of financial performanceisthereturnon capital,measuredbyincome divided by average capital employed. Given that the profit before and after tax is the same (GY$ 877 34 billion), and the average of the 2023 and 2024 year-end
e q u i t y f i g u r e s i s
GY$1,280.714 million, the return on capital employed toHessstandsatastaggering 68.5%.”
“This means the company generated nearly 69 cents in operating profit for every dollar of equity capital deployed – an extraordinary return by globaloilindustrystandards. Such a result confirms that HESS Guyana’s operations intheStabroekBlockarenot only profitable, but exceptionally so, raising important questions about how much value is being retained by Guyana itself in t h i s c o n t r a c t u a l relationship,” the Chartered Accountantadded.
It is important to note that in 2024, Guyana only received US$2.6B in profits and royalty payments. The 2016 Petroleum Agreement stipulates that the country should receive 50% of profits and an additional 2% royalty on all oil produced and sold. This therefore raises questions regarding the formula being used to calculate Guyana’sshareofrevenue fromitsresources.
Notably, Hess was the first of the three Stabroek block partners to file audited financial statements ExxonMobil GuyanaLimited(EMGL), the operator of the block holds 45% share, while CNOOC clenches the remaining 25% stake in thebasin.
According to Hess’ financials, the company’s revenue was derived from the sale of 40 million
barrels of crude oil in 2024, compared with 19 million barrelsin2023
Ram pointed out that the sale of Guyana’s oil to a marketingsubsidiaryofHess Corporation resulted in an increase in revenue by 58%, from GY$73803 billion in 2023toGY$1,16551billion in2024
T h e C h a r t e r e d Accountant also pointed out that the cost of sales as a percentage of revenue fell from 11% to 8%, while Depreciation, Depletion and Amortisation accounted for 15% in 2024, up slightly from 14% in 2023. Gross margin reached 77%, up from75%.
Meanwhile, “General andAdministrativeexpenses remained steady at 1% of revenue. Due to rounding, Operating Income was
GY$880 5 billion before financing costs of GY$3.16 billion, leaving Net Income before tax of GY$877.34 billion an increase of GY$351.10 billion or 67% over2023.”
Ram was keen to note that while the statement shows a tax expense of exactly 25% of pre-tax income,thecompanyinfact did not make any such paymenttoGuyana.
The Lawyer explained, “Article 15.4 of the 2016 Stabroek Agreement clearly states that the Government of Guyana, not the contractor, pays the income taxliabilityusingtheState’s share of profit oil. Yet Hess describesthisasaportionof “grossproduction,”separate from cost oil and profit oil, being used to “satisfy” the tax This is not only
- Financials
misleading,itisfalse.There isnothirdallocation.Thetax i s p a i d f r o m t h e Government’sshare,exactly asagreed.”
GY$1,791,314 at year-end 2024,anincreaseofGY$465 billionfromtheprioryear
The financials indicate that significant additions included the purchases of Liza Destiny and Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs),aswellasincreases in material and supplies of over US$100 million in
Shifting his attention to the company’s assets, Ram highlighted the substantial growth recorded last year with total assets increasing b y 3 5 % t o r e a c h
Hess 2024 financials (Source: Christopher Ram)
Kaieteur News
Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.
Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456
Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Police – government not responsible
Guyana'sAttorneyGeneral,AnilNandlall,SC,hasallthe thunderofapuncturedballoon,andalsoitspersuasivepower According to the AG, the PPPC Government is not responsiblefortheactionsoftheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF) inthecaseofthedeathof11-year-oldAdriannaYounge No responsibilityforwhatwasinitiatedbytheGPF,noneforwhat has surrounded the embattled law enforcement entity since WeagreewiththeAGuptoapoint,forthereisn'tthebelief thatthegovernmentpassedorderstotheGPFtooperateasit did,throughoutthiswholedeplorablesituation Butmembers ofthenation'stopprotectiveagencydidn'tcometothestate that it is, without some powerful sense that the government has their back, when they violate the standards of good policingthroughtheiractions
Whencorruptioninitsmanyforms,anditsfrequency,has reachedthestageofanationalnorm,someintheGPF,inturn, convincethemselvesthattheypossessenoughofficialsecrets that give them immunity to conduct themselves as they do Whensomuchthatisunlawfulislefttogoabegging,leavesa trailofdistrustbehindthatwillnotgoaway,thenitcouldbe thesittinggovernmentiseitherblindorimpotenttostopthe rot ItiseithertheGPFhasbecomeagovernmentofitself,and makes its own laws as it goes along, without fear of interference,oranyanxietiesovercorrectionandpunishment
TheAGhasbeeningovernmentandhiscommandingrole longenoughtoappreciatethattheGPFisnotanisland,thatas thisconstitutionalinstitutiongoes,sothegovernmentofthe dayisseen TheGPFhasbeentamperedwith,manipulated thiswayandthat,andmadetolooklikeastoogefunctioning notinaccordancewiththelawandorganizationalprocedures, buttojumptothedictatesofpoliticalmasters Thehistoryof this country is that the GPF has been misused to violate the freedoms and rights of citizens, by one government after another Ithasbeenmadeintoatoolbydifferentgovernments tocheatcitizensofthejustprocessestheyareowed Policies fail, morale suffers, systems collapse, when a culture of lawlessnessbecomestheguidingelementofanyagency,state ofprivate.
Police ranks and police officers are not mindless robots. Thegoodcopsareappalled,butcontinuetogiveoftheirbest, while hoping for change. The so-called bad cops are aggressive,resourcefulinseekingoutopportunitiestoenrich themselves,whilethwartingthecourseofjustice Whenthe roadblock to nab drunk drivers is removed due to political interference,thedirtycopstakenote Whenthehugewhitecollarcrimesinvolvingthepoliticallyconnectedarecovered up,thegoodcopsareoverwhelmed,losetheirspark
Whenhigh-profilemurdersareallowedtogrowcold,due tothereachoftheperps,thensomebodysomewherehassome connectionto,someresponsibilityfor,thefrighteningstateof theGPF AnditisnottheGPFitself,buthandsbiggerthanit that have commandeered it towards where and how it is From their history, from GPF longstanding practices, Guyaneseknowwhoisresponsible,thetentaclesthatwrap aroundit,andsuckthelifeoutofit.
When advancement is arranged to reward those, the undeserving Who can be counted upon to be 'cooperative', thenresponsibilityfortheiractionsstartsthere Whenclean cops are denied promotion, or put out to pasture, then inevitably those with less regard for internal standards and professionalethicsaretheonesthatgarnerpoliticalapproval, andrisetothetop Theywilldowhateverhastobedone,then workhardertoconcealtheirtracks
Nogovernmentcansaythatithasdoneitsduty,hasno responsibility, and is content to be a bystander in such circumstances When the government of the day owns the mechanisms that stifle ethical cops and incentivize questionable ones, then it is laughable that the AG finds comfortintheporousdefenseofnoresponsibility Worse,he insultscitizenswithhis'don't-look-at-the-PPPCGovernment defense’
Essequibo is Guyana's
DearEditor,
Nicolás Maduro's reckless attempt to stage elections in Guyana's sovereign Essequibo region is not only illegal. It is delusional.
The International Court of Justice has already issued a clear directive: Venezuela has no claim. Yet, Maduro
continues his charade, clinging to a fantasy that defiesbothfactandlaw The global community, regional leaders, and every serious international institution recognise what history and justice have consistently affirmed: Essequibo is Guyanese.
This move is not just
baseless. It is dangerous. It undermines international law, provokes regional instability, and insults the intelligence of both nations.
Maduro's posturing seems bentonportrayinghisfailure to be a transformational leader
Butletusbeclear: ToMaduro:Essequibois
notyours.Itneverwas,andit neverwill.
Totheworld:Standfirm. EssequiboispartofGuyana, fullstop. Maduro's delusion must be met with resolve, resistance, and rebuke since heisdetachedfromreality
Sincerely, Dr.MarcelHutson.
Deeply troubling to see how taxpayers money being handled
DearEditor,
OnFriday,May23,2025, the National Assembly approved $57.5 billion in supplementary funding for the Government to expend on projects under what they have termed an “Expanded WorkProgram.”
Many have expressed disappointment in the Government's return to the National Assembly for additional funds, just under
three months after the approvalofthe$1.38trillion national budget on February 3,2025.
Duringtheconsideration of the supplementary appropriation,mycolleague, Ms. Volda Lawrence, MP, questioned the matter of overdraft Instead of responding appropriately, Dr AshniSingh,inadisplay ofapparentfrustration, (Continueonpage5)
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox
PPP/C giving the Indigenous Peoples their deserved place in Guyana
DearEditor,
I am very delighted that Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, AG, heralded the “Unmatched Amerindian benefits (thus far that prove living) evidence of PPP/C's commitment to Indigenous rights.” It is obvious, but sometimes the obvious can be ignored when not flaunted. So, before I write anything, let me prove my case with just a simple, singleexample. For this, I go back to the beginning of the year, when the Government of Guyana allocated a whopping $7.2 billion in the 2025 National
Budget to further enhance development across all our Amerindian communities. Couched in this financial commitment were plans to promote growth in areas s
Frompage4 failed to provide an answer. Sadly,wealsowitnessedthe Speaker's continued inaction; he once again failed to reprimand Dr Singh.Inmyview,thisisnot parliamentary democracy, but parliamentary bullyism anddictatorship.
As we examined the funding requests and asked critical questions, the Prime Minister w
ely unprepared In many instances, he had no information to share and instead committed to laying itoverlater Imustpointout that Mr Phillips has been usingthisphraseforthepast three years, yet he has consistently failed to lay before the National Assembly the contract and relevant documents relating to the sluggish Gas-toEnergyProject.Accordingto Mr Phillips,thatprojectnow appearstobeindeeptrouble andislikelytobecompleted by the second quarter of 2026.
Another area of concern for the Opposition is the additional $3 billion sought by the Prime Minister's Office. Editor, it is worth noting the figures provided during questioning regarding the number of personsregisteredperregion for the $100,000 cash grant. Here is the comparison between the numbers given by Mr Mark Phillips and GECOM's official 2020 voterslist:
Region 1: Registered –20,811|GECOM–18,952
Region 2: Registered –33,193|GECOM–37,979
Region 8: Registered –8,215|GECOM–7,431
Region 9: Registered –18,651|GECOM–17,771
Region10:Registered–29,850|GECOM–33,808
A close examination shows clear inflation in Regions 1 and 7 when compared to the voters' list.
W
e Venezuelans who registered through GECOM's continuous registration, yet were not on the 2020 list granted access to the $100,000 cash grant? While some discrepancies may be explained by migration or deaths, the inflation is still troubling. Mr Phillips was also asked how shut-in individuals would be accommodated. Again, his responses were unhelpful. He was clearly unprepared but,oncemore,wasallowed tospeakwithoutchallenge. It is deeply troubling to see how taxpayer money is being handled by this administration.Irecallwhen Mr Phillips was asked in December 2024 by Ms Lawren
administrative costs were included in the initial $30.5
consideration of the $3 billion,weweresurprisingly informedthatadministrative costs were indeed charged against the $61 billion utilized for transportation andotherexpenses.Wewere told that $1 billion of that amount covered operational costs, this was a clear
misguidance or a lack of
y a n d trustworthiness from the Governmentside.
Editor, I conclude by
Governmentisusingitsslim one-seat majority to do as it
transparencytothepeopleof Guyana As renowned columnist Mr GHK Lall rightly said, “The PPP Government is treating budget supplements like credit cards,” (VillageVoice News, May 22, 2025). They simplydon'tcare.
Yourssincerely,
AnnetteFerguson,MP
unfolding, and here is a classicexample. I refer to what I was aware of long before President Dr. Irfaan Ali rightfullyboastedofthe“… significant strides in education development across Guyana's hinterland regions (by) emphasising a transformative journey that has empowered local communities (therein). This deals with the fact that “… over 83 per cent of teachers across hinterland regions have been trained” This pieceofdetailwasconveyed at the recent National T
Conference a few days ago.
The inner details show that “As of December 2024, 83 percentofallteachersacross Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine were fully trained, a significant increase from less than 43 per cent in 2020.”
As President Ali noted, this is something to be very proud of, as indeed we cannot underestimate the role of teacher training and capacitybuildinginanypart oftheworld.
This kind of thing however is not automatic. It is by careful planning and commitment, and I am compelledtoheapaccolades on the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the insight that facilitated this transformation. Without the politicalwilltoempowerthe Hinterla
e educationally, this type of achievement, still ongoing, willnothavebeenrealised.
May I indulge readers a bit more, as I ask that they reflect on the following, regarding the said budget consideration and catering fortheIndigenouspeoplesof
Amerindian Development
Fund and Presidential Grants; $1.5 billion to continue the Community Service Officers (CSO) programme; $650 million for advancing land titling activities; and $93 million for the hinterland scholarshipprograms.
Getting back to Anil Nandlall now, he had no choice but to state the obvious, that is, via the PPP/C, massive benefits have redounded to the Indigenous peoples in Guyana, as the Government of the day continues to safeguard their rights, enhance their quality of life, and ensure that they feel 'equally''full-fledged' (Continueonpage6)
Region
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Rampant misuse of trade plates and lawlessness in vehicle registration
DearEditor,
I write to bring attention to a troubling and persistent issue that undermines the rule of law in Guyana—the
c o n t i n u e d u s e o f unregistered vehicles to
escort regional and international celebrities Thisisablatantdisregardof legal requirements This
privilege, seemingly reserved for a select few, standsinstarkcontrasttothe strictenforcementappliedto ordinarycitizens.
To further illustrate the extent of this malpractice, I reference a recent public comment that succinctly describes the lawful restrictions surrounding tradeplates: "A trade plate should
onlybeusedfrom6AMto6 PM Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays from 6 AM to 12PM.Itisstrictlyintended for vehicle transfers—from the port to an auto dealer, fromadealertoahome,toa mechanicalworkshop,orfor finalregistration.Itmustnot be used for transporting persons or conducting business However, we observe vehicles bearing trade plates being driven for months or years before finally being registered, often by auto dealers who exploit the loophole In Guyana,itseemsthathaving wealth and connections allows one to disregard the lawentirely."
This systemic disregard for vehicle registration laws
is more than just a technical oversight—it is a symbol of entrenched privilege, where
selective and immunity is
connected Such blatant lawlessness would never be tolerated among the average citizen, who faces harsh penalties for even minor infractions.
I urge the relevant authorities, including the Guyana Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Home
A
regulations equitably and ho
accountable. The continued failure to address this issue erodes public trust and reinforces the perception thatlawsonlyapplytothose
withoutinfluence. Guyana must move beyondacultureofselective enforcement and ensure that all individuals—regardless
Frompage5
of status—comply with the nation'slegalframework.
I call upon fellow citizens to demand transparency and fairness in
governance, for lawlessness thrives where silence prevails.
Sincerely, HemrajVishaulKissoon
giving the Indigenous...
Guyanese. I really like how the AG emphasized, that undertheaegisofthePPP/C, Amerindians have a huge Constitutional 'edge.' What isthis?Itisabouthow,inthe Constitution “The state can make a decision and in doing so, can 'discriminate positively' in favour of Amerindians.(Andnotethis as) No other ethnic group in this country enjoys that specialright.”
In exemplifying this,
MinisterNandlalldelineated that “… if anyone goes to court and says, 'Look, this lawisdiscriminatoryagainst my ethnic group because it only allows Amerindians to benefit,' the judge can hold up the Constitution and say, 'But the Constitution authorises positive discrimination in favour of Amerindians.'”Andthus“… thatthisiswhy,forexample, the Amerindian community —asanethnicbloc—isthe only ethnic group in the
country benefiting from the Low Carbon Development S t r a t e g y ( L C D S ) programme.” It cannot get anybetterthanthis.
My little prediction is that in time to come, many coastal citizens will gravitate towards the Hinterland, and I think it is abouttime.
The region is not just exotic; it is now being well equipped
Yourstruly,
HargeshB.Singh
PPP/C
Guyana's depletion policy was crafted to suit global supply and demand
- says Govt. long-term policies aren't determined by day-to-day changes
Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday told the media that Guyana's depletion policy was crafted to suit the global supply and demand.
Jagdeo made the statementathisweeklypress conference held at Freedom House, Georgetown He made it clear that long-term policies are not determined byday-to-daychanges.
Kaieteur News asked the Vice President whether it is considering putting a depletion policy in place to existing frameworks to manage and strengthen the oil sector, thereby ensuring maximum benefits for citizens.
“Should we have a depletion policy now… you don't determine policies of a long-termnatureonthebasis ofdailyoccurrencesinanoil and gas market which is known for its volatility, and so when I saw that comment coming from Jordan [Winston Jordon- former Finance Minister] I wonder if he really understood policy,”Jagdeosaid.
Former Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in a May 5, 2025 article captioned, 'Govt should hedge, implement depletion policyinfaceofdroppingoil prices – Jordan' published in the Stabroek News said that with unpredictable oil prices and the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) projections of lowering prices for crude this year the government's 'drill baby drill' policy is flawed and a depletionstrategyisneeded.
In the article, Jordan opinedthatitisnottoolateto implement a depletion policy “The more FPSOs [Floating Production and Storage and Offloading vessels] ExxonMobil brings on, it is with these additional costs,” Jordan told Stabroek News.
“And if you are now extractingmoreandmoreoil and at a less and less price, it will take longer to pay back Exxon's [operational] costs. And in that, our dream of getting a better profit share willbelikewhatBobMarley said, 'a fleeting illusion,'” Stabroek News quoted Jordanassaying.
Jordan said that he has listened to the government and especially Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo thatthepolicyistoextractas much oil as possible as the timeframe for fossils is dwindling and operational
costsarelowestnow However, Jagdeo a formerPresidentandfinance minister said that the type of policy that Jordan spoke about would have to be alteredasoilpricesfluctuate.
“The depletion policy that we have now was carefully calibrated to take account of what's happening globally, with the demand forandthesupplyofcrudeto the global market. Now the overarching agreement to go to more sustainable sources of energy will cause a major reduction in demand for fossil fuel related supplies. Intheshorttermthismaynot be so but in the longer term this will happen. We've already seen evidence of this taking place in the transport sector,” Jagdeo assured reporters.
He noted that the three largest sources of carbon emissions are burning fossil fuel for power generation, using fossil fuel for transportation and the land d e g r a d a t i o n a n d deforestation When combined they account for nearly over 90% of all emissions. Citing that the transportation industry is headed towards electric vehicles,Jagdeoaddedthata depletion policy has to also take that environment into account.
“I don't see anybody talking about that as the driving factor behind a depletion policy, because if you don't get your crude out of the ground, and transfer it or monetize it, or your gas out and monetize it, and invest or save your financial resources to be utilized for the prosperity of the country quickly you run the risk of being stranded…your crude being stranded in the ground because,there'sseveralother countries that are competing with you and never being able to monetize it if that future happens faster than wethink,”theVPstated. Jagdeo noted that the future is a decarbonized one while stating that the government is more focused on getting the crude out of thegroundasfastaspossible and transforming it into financialresources.
Given his statement that Guyana has a depletion policy in place, Kaieteur News attempted to seek clarity from him about the policy Messages were sent to both Jagdeo and Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat seeking a
copyofthepolicy However, uptopresstime,noresponse wasreceived. Meanwhile, in August 2022, this publication reported that since assuming office, the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has taken the decision to not make use of the InterAmerican Development Bank's depletion policy guidelines for oil resources initsentirety
Vice President, Bharrat
Jagdeo and President, Irfaan Ali have argued that they want ExxonMobil and partners to accelerate oil production in the Stabroek Block. Both have articulated to the citizenry that Guyana has a short window within which it can get the most bucksforitsoilbarrelsasthe world will look to rely more onrenewableenergysources to a significant degree by 2050.
Industry stakeholders have however disagreed
with this approach, stating that Guyana's sweet, light, crude will be needed beyond 2050, and therefore, authorities would do well to implement a depletion policy to pace itself. Local activists have also argued that Guyana should have a policy in place to give itself breathing space to build the
capacities to manage the sector; otherwise, the risks
Vice President, Bharrat
economic loss as well as environmentaldamage.
The government has disagreed with the foregoing arguments, contending that its approach is in the best interestofthecountry
Jagdeo
BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!
In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.
MONDAY – MAY 19, 2025
PPP leaders and the press
Leadersandagentsofthe PPPC Government love to proclaim the 'return of democracy' in Guyana, but thrive through operating in secrecy
In true democracies, government leaders look at independent press professionals as assets, as filtersthatworkintwoways. One is to pursue the vital issues of the nation in a dogged manner, so, two, there is ventilation of the positives and negatives as theyoccur
A vibrant press is an organofdemocracy,onethat is welcomed. Although the State media, for obvious reasons, could find itself handcuffed, the independent sections of private media have a duty to bridge the gaps between policies and practices. In other words, what government leaders promise will actually bear fruit Leaders, who are secure in the forthrightness of their own standards and actions, do not fear the independent media and the fullest freedoms for the press. Theyencourageitby their own examples and by the messages they send to
theirloyalistsanddefenders.
TUESDAY –MAY 20, 2025 Selling dreams to the Toshaos
The annual Toshaos conference is being held earlierthanusual,itisagood indi
governmentisgearingupfor elections not too far from September This week, from the President right down to the most junior ministerKwame McCoy will make their way to the Arthur ChungConferenceCentreto sell dreams
e Amerindianleaders.
The Toshaos are aware
thatHinterlandresourcesare being exploited without adequaterewardsflowingto indigenous communities Mining activities have ravaged the environment, leaving scars that are not only visible on the land but alsointhecommunities.
Indigenous peoples face the harsh consequences of s
, deforestation, and polluted water sources, which severelyimpacttheirwayof life.
Mining, despite its promise of economic advancement,hasunleashed a slew of social problems uponthesecommunities.
The surge in alcohol abuse, prostitution, and sexual abuse has eroded social relations, while the mass migration of young peopletothegoldfieldsdue to a lack of economic opportunities threatens the continuity of these communities.
Indigenous communities witness the plunder of their forestsbytimbercompanies, who often depart without off
compensation or sustainable alternatives The more resources are extracted, the poorer the indigenous communities.
WEDNESDAY – MAY 21,
2025 Venezuela: The regional bully
"Venezuelahasprovedto be nothing but a regional bully The 1899 Arbitral Award was the basis of the tri-junction point which fixed the boundaries for Guyana, Venezuela, and Brazil In this exercise, Caracas lost territory to Brazil but has never once contested the legitimacy of theAward with Brasilia.Yet it has done so with the smaller state of Guyana," Leader of the Opposition, AubreyNorton.
(November6,2023)
UMDC calls for greater transparency, inclusion, and respect in future NTC conferences
With this year's National Toshaos' Council (NTC) Conference concluding on May23,theUpperMazaruni District Council (UMDC) has issued a call for greater transparency, inclusion, and respectinallfutureplanning oftheconferences.
E x t e n d i n g i t s appreciation to the National Toshaos Council and the Government for convening the 2025 NTC Conference, the UMDC said as the fiveday conference concluded therewereseveralissuesthat hindered full and fair participation of Indigenous leaders.
The Council in a statement on Friday stated that there was an issue with thecirculationoftheagenda.
“This year, like 2024, the conference agenda was shared just hours before the start of the conference, which limited our ability to prepare or contribute
meaningfully,” they highlighted.
AccordingtotheUMDC, there was a restriction on observers' access “In previous years, Indigenous
Peoples – including technical support staff –
were welcomed as observers This year, UMDC's support team was denied entry despite visible
space being available in the observer section. While we understand the need for improved structures and mechanisms of the conference,thetransparency behind the accreditation process was lacking,” they highlighted.
“Toshaos space to speak freely:TheUMDCisdeeply concernedthatToshaoswere repeatedly instructed not to “repeat” points made by other Toshaos, even when those issues affect multiple villages. At the same time, we witnessed government Ministersspeakingatlength, often repeating points, even those already made by other
ministers This is our meeting. Indigenous leaders deserve equal respect and freedomofexpression,”was anotherconcernraised.
The Upper Mazaruni District Council calls for a dedicated day for Toshaos
without government presence. They related that this safe space would allow leaders to interact and learn directly from each other, including possible solutions to shared issues. Noting that itallowsthemtodevelopreal camaraderie and discuss mattersopenly Additionally, they stated that there should be independent media access.
“We also express concern over the restriction of independent media from observing the conference. Public accountability and transparency should be embraced,”theyexpressed. While raising these concerns, the UMDC also m a d e s e v e r a l recommendations that the NTC can take into consideration for future conferences. These include the early distribution of the agenda,atleasttwoweeksin advance.Further,theUMDC wantstheNTCorganisersto
clearly communicate
observer registration procedures before the
conference, while calling on the body to create a formal process for registered independent media to attend andreportrespectfullyonthe proceedings.
“Adjust the speaking time to reflect better village representation, i.e., regions with a higher number of villages need to be given more time than those with fewer villages, based on the number of villages within a region to reflect the village presentation.
Distribute proposed resolutions to all Toshaos well before the conference. If resolutions are distributed at the NTCC, then Toshaos
shouldbeallowedtotakethe resolutions back to our villages for feedback from our people, especially if the resolutionsneedtheinputof our people, ” they recommended.
Notably, the District Councilsaidthattheone-day sessiondedicatedtoToshaos only,caneitherbebeforethe official start of the NTC Conference, or a designated full day within the five-day schedule.
“UMDC respectfully highlights these concerns andsharesrecommendations as a contribution to making the NTC Conference stronger, fairer, and more reflective of the Indigenous Peoples it was created to serve. Toshaos are elected leaders. We deserve space –not limits – to speak, listen, and shape our collective future,”thereleasestated.
This publication had reported that before the commencementofthisyear's conference, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), had called on Toshaos attending the NTC conference to fight for their rights and needs and also urged the government to respect the autonomy of the f o r u m , e n s u r i n g transparency and inclusion inalldiscussions.
Six of the eight Toshaos of the Upper Mazaruni District, Region Seven. (Photo courtesy, Upper Mazaruni District Council)
Guyana's mysterious Oil Depletion Policy
In the face of concerns over declining oil prices, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeocontinuestoofferthe Guyanese people hollow assurances wrapped in economic jargon and political evasion. His latest defense of the government's a p p r o a c h t o o i l production—particularly its secretive depletion policy—exposes a troubling level of recklessness in the stewardship of the country's mostvaluableasset.
The absence of a written depletion policy is not a minor oversight It is a catastrophic dereliction of duty Thedepletionpolicyof a resource-rich nation is its l o n g - t e r m compass guiding how much of a finite natural resource is extracted, when, and under what conditions, to maximize economic, social, and environmental returns. For Guyana not to have a written and publicly available depletion policy is to admit that the nation is developing its most consequential resource with ablindfoldon.
Worse still is Jagdeo's claim that this so-called policy has been “carefully calibrated ” By whom, exactly?ExxonMobilandits partners? Foreign consultants on loan from oil majors? If a calibration processdidinfacttakeplace, why is it not public?Why is Parliament not involved? Why is there no White Paper?
I n d e m o c r a t i c governance, transparency is notaluxury.Yethereweare, years into production, with billions in oil revenues
flowing, and the public remainsinthedarkaboutthe rules—or lack thereof—that governthedepletionoftheir petroleumresources.
When asked about the policyatapressconference, he scoffed at the idea that depletion policy should respond to “short-term movements”inoilprices.He mockingly suggested that it would be foolish to revise policy every time prices movefromUS$80toUS$90 ordroppedtoUS$60.Thisis a d e l i b e r a t e mischaracterization of what depletionpolicyentails.
Thenotionthatacountry should not adjust its depletion policy based on short-term price movements isagrossoversimplification. While it is true that sound policyshouldnotbereactive or erratic, a well-crafted depletion strategy must includebuilt-inflexibilityto respond to significant price fluctuations whether upward or downward. To suggest otherwise is to ignore the basic economics of extractive industries, where timing production to market conditions can dramatically influence
Nooneisadvocatingfor dailyorevenquarterlyshifts inproductionstrategy What critics are rightly calling for is a clear, transparent, and adaptable framework that allows for dynamic management of production based on long-term price trends, fiscal n
considera
ions, and intergenerational equity.
Dem Boys Seh...
This is standard practice in serious, resource-rich countries. Norway has done it Chile has done it Botswana has done it Guyana, it seems, has handed the keys to Exxon andwalkedaway
The argument Jagdeo once floated—that Guyana must pump as much oil as fast as possible to capitalize on high prices before the world transitions to renewables has aged poorly It was flawed from the start, grounded in an exaggerated narrative about an imminent end to fossil fuel demand. But now, with the U.S. under a Trump administration that is actively reversing climate commitments and global demand for oil holding steady, the rationale collapses under its own weight. The world's largest economy is no longer on a c l e a r p a t h t o decarbonization The socalled “window of opportunity” for oil exports is not closing as fast as Jagdeo claimed, if it is closingatall.
Moreover, the recent 20% plunge in Brent crude prices from US$82 per barrel in mid-January to US$66.25 by May 19—is a sobering reminder of the volatility that characterizes globaloilmarkets.Thisprice drop has profound implications for Guyana's earnings.
Exxon can choose to store oil or delay sales of its take of oil. Guyana cannot. Wesellwhentheypump,and we take the price the market offers. Without a depletion policy that gives the State
De Vee Pee cooking without a recipe
Demboyssehisonethingfuhcookin'in yuh kitchen and another fuh runnin' a countryoilsector Andrightnow,deVeePee looklikehebakingbreadwithheeyesclosed and no flour measurement. De man seh he gotadepletionpolicy—carefullycalibrated, mind yuh—but not a soul ever see it. Not evendeParliament.
Dewholethingreminddemboysofdat auntiewhosehshegotaspecialstewrecipe but never write it down. Every time she cook, it come out different—sometimes sweet,sometimessalt,andsometimesitbun dewholebottomofdepot.Butshestillseh, “Don't worry, is de same recipe.” That is exactlyhowdeVeePeehandlingdisoilting.
Imagine if yuh go to a bank and de managertellyuh,“Wegotasavingsplanfor yuh, but we cyan show yuh de details. Just trust we.” Yuh woulda walk out deh faster
authority over production volumes based on pricing, we are price-takers in the mostvulnerablesense.
Thissituationisnotonly bad economics it is immoral Guyana's oil belongs not just to this generationbuttofutureones. A depletion policy is not merely a technocratic exercise It is a moral contractbetweenthepresent and the future. It should be crafted through public debate,groundedinlaw,and accountabletoParliament.It should balance immediate fiscal needs with long-term national development goals, including environmental sustainability and economic diversification.
Instead, we have a
governmentthathasallowed an oil consortium to dictate productionlevels.Thisisthe clearest path yet to Guyana squandering its one shot at transformativewealth.
C o u n t r i e s l i k e
Venezuela, Nigeria, and Angola offer sobering cautionary tales of squanderedresourcewealth. Guyanahasachancetochart a different path—but only if it confronts the truth about how little control, it currently has over its oil sector Any casual dismissal of the question about Guyana's depletion policy is notjustapolicyfailure.Itis failure of leadership. And it is surrender to the oil companies who seemingly dictate the levels of production.
Guyana deserves better The people of Guyana deserve more than vague claims of “careful calibration.” They deserve a policy written, debated, transparent,andenforceable. Anythinglessisabetrayalof thenationalinterest.Andfor that,thegovernmentmustbe heldtoaccount.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
than a 100 meters sprinter! But de Vee Pee want we trust he word like he is de oil whisperer
De prices done drop 20% from $82 to $66 in five months.Twenty percent is not a sneeze—it's a full-blown flu! But dat don't seemtoworrydeVeePee.Whyworry! Is likedrivin'throughrainandrefusetoturnon wipersbecauseyuhdon'twanttochangede view Demboyssehadepletionpolicyain't just fuh now—it's fuh we pickney and dem pickney pickney But de government treating it like a party invite—only de oil company get one, and de rest of we deh outsidewaitin'. Guyana, wake up! Is we oil. We need a real plan, not invisible ink and slick talk. Right now, Exxon holding de pen, and we paperblank. Talkhalf.Leffhalf
David Granger surfacing, sighting
House approves $28.7B to facilitate mobilization, advance payments for GPL power system upgrades
The National Assembly has approved $28 7B to facilitate mobilization, and advance interim payments for the contracts recently signed to upgrade and expand the distribution network for the Guyana PowerandLight(GPL).
During the 104th Sitting of the 12th Parliament on Friday Prime Minister (Ret'd) Brigadier Mark Phillips told the House that last year the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) tendered
f o r E n g i n
e r i n g , P r o c u r e m e n t a n d Construction (EPC) plus finance for the upgrade projects However, it received only EPC bids,
financing.
“On April 4th, 2025, we hadthroughtheGovernment of Guyana signed two contracts for major power system upgrades
l i n g US$422.2 million, or GYD $90.9 billion. The projects included in these EPC contracts will deliver reliable, affordable and cleaner electricity services forthe300-megawattnatural gas power plant located in Wales.The requested sum of $28.7 billion is to facilitate mobilization, advance
payment and interim payments projected to December 2025, in accordance with the signed EPCcontracts,”heclarified.
For further clarity the Prime Minister offered the disaggregation saying that the project will be done in three lots Lot One, in Region Four, will consist of the construction of an approximate total of 35.19 kilometer of double circuit, 2 3 0 K V o v e r h e a d transmission line between Goedverwagting substation on the East Coast of
Demerara and Eastern Bank oftheMahaicaRiver
This will be followed by the construction of an approximate total of 84.7 kilometers of double circuit, 69 Kv transmission line, which will interconnect with sixsubstationslocatedonthe East Coast of Demerara, whichincludestheLineBay, Good Hope, La Bonne Intention, Enmore, Sophia and Victoria. This contract wasawardedtoPowerChina forUS$147,966,250.
Lot Two will be conducted in Region Five, which will see the c o n s t
u c t i o n o f approximately 78 395 kilometer of double circuit, 2 3 0 K v o v e r h e a d transmission line between EasternBankoftheMahaica River and Eastern Bank of
C
n s t r u c t
n o f approximately six kilometer of double circuit, 69 kV
transmission line to interconnect with two substations located in the WestCoastBerbice.
These are a, “69 Kv line bay, Columbia substation and at Trafalgar, 230/69 Kv substation, (it will also) upgrade Onverwagt substation capacity and the supply and installation of 15 MVR complete capacitor bank at Columbia with substation expansions. To
t h e t u n e o f U S $ 156,538,005, and that contract was awarded to Kalpataru,”hesaid.
Furthermore, Lot Three, Region Six, will consist of the construction of approximately t 27 37 kilometer of double circuit, 2 3 0 K v o v e r h e a d transmission line between Eastern Bank of the Berbice River and Williamsburg station.
This will entail the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f
approximately 67 16 kilometer of double circuit, 69 Kv transmission line to interconnect with three substations located in Corentyne Berbice, Williamsburg 230/69 Kv substation, Number 53 69/13.8 Kv substation and (Continued on page 54)
Kesh Nandlall, Head of the Executive Management Committee of the Guyana Power & Light (GPL), Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Deodat Indar and Prime Minister (ret'd) Brigadier Mark Phillips during the contract signing at the Office of the Prime Minister
OMAIDIGSDEEPER
…CEO
says
Canadian mining firm Omai Gold Mines Corp. has launchedanewdeepdrilling initiativeatitsflagshipOmai GoldProjectinGuyana.
Omai holds a 100% interest in the gold project, which encompasses two gold deposits: the shearhosted Wenot Deposit and theadjacentintrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit The project is located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)
In a recent announcement the company said, “drilling has commenced on a deep hole that is planned to initially drill across the Gilt Creek gold deposit, then to continue to drill in order to test the adjacent Wenot gold deposit at a vertical depth of approximately1,100m.”
The programme marks a significant step in the company's efforts to expand its resource base and extend
“we believe
the life of the historic gold camp The drill hole, is expected to reach depths between 1,800 and 2,000 metres. It will first intersect the Gilt Creek gold deposit before extending downward to test for deep gold mineralization at Wenot, located approximately 600 metres below the currently definedresource.
& C E O , commented, “Our 2025 goal is to more fully realize the expansion potential of the gold resources at Omai, with a vision towards a multidecademinelife.”
“We believe that we are on the path to maximizing the value of this large, twodeposit gold project with the current resource expansion drill program at Wenot…By testing the Wenot deposit at muchgreaterdepthswehope
it would unlock further value for all stakeholders”
tofurtherunveiltheblue-sky expansion potential of the Omai property, which we believewouldunlockfurther value for all stakeholders,” sheadded.
Blue-sky expansion is a termoftenusedinthemining industry to describe the potential for significant, yet currently unproven, upside inaproject.
Gilt Creek is a high-
grade, intrusion-hosted orogenic gold deposit located 500 metres north of Wenot. Its current mineral resource estimate (MRE) includes1.15millionounces of indicated gold at an average grade of and 665,000 ounces inferred Themajorityofthisresource lies between 300 and 600 metres depth, with earlier drilling revealing gold
mineralization as deep as 967 metres Notably, the results from its first Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Wenot Project revealed that the project is slated to yield over 142,000 ounces of gold annuallyovera13-yearmine life. At its peak, production is anticipated to soar to 184,000 ounces in a single year, with a total estimated production of 1,840,000 ounces of payable gold Wenot, a 2.5-kilometre-long shear-hosted gold deposit, holds an estimated 834,000 ounces of indicated gold and 1.61millionouncesinferred. The latest drill campaign, which now surpasses 29,000 metres across 46 holes, has already extended the deposit's mineralization down to approximately 550 metres The company is currently updating its MRE
for Wenot, incorporating results from the 2024–2025 drilling campaign. This will be followed by a revised PEA, anticipated later this year.The deep drilling aims to meet several key objectives, like contributing to mine planning and metallurgicalstudiesforGilt Creek, further delineating the lateral extent of that deposit, and testing for the p r e s e n c e o f g o l d mineralization well below known depths at Wenot. If successful, the results could support underground mining scenarios and accelerate access to deeper zones from the planned Gilt Creek undergroundoperation.
Omai Gold continues to drill with two active rigs and remains well-financed, reporting a cash position of approximately C$29 million asofMarch31,2025.
Omai gold property in Guyana
79 killed in Israeli airstrikes in 24 hours
…as strike kills nine of Gaza doctor's children, hospital says
BBC - An Israeli air strike on Gaza hit the home ofadoctorandkillednineof her 10 children, the hospital where she works in the city ofKhanYounissays.
Nasser hospital said one of Dr. Alaa al-Najjar's children and her husband wereinjured,butsurvived.
GraemeGroom,aBritish surgeon working in the hospitalwhooperatedonher surviving 11-year-old boy, told the BBC it was "unbearably cruel" that his mother, who spent years caring for children as a paediatrician, could lose almostallherowninasingle missilestrike.
Israel's military said its aircrafthadstruck"anumber of suspects" in KhanYounis on Friday, and "the claim regarding harm to uninvolvedciviliansisunder review".
A video shared by the director of the Hamas-run health ministry and verified by the BBC showed small burnedbodiesliftedfromthe rubble of a strike in Khan Younis.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its "aircraft struck a number of suspectswhowereidentified operating from a structure adjacenttoIDFtroopsinthe areaofKhanYounis".
"TheKhanYounisareais a dangerous war zone Beforebeginningoperations there, the IDF evacuated civilians from this area for their own safety," the Israeli militarysaid.
Inageneralstatementon Saturday,theIDFsaidithad struckmorethan100targets across Gaza over the past day
The health ministry said at least 79 people had been killed by the Israeli military over the 24 hour-period leading up to about midday onSaturday
Dr Muneer Alboursh, director of the health ministry, said on X that the al-Najjars'familyhousewas hit minutes after Dr alNajjar's husband Hamdi had returned home after driving hiswifetowork.
Dr Alboursh said the eldest of Dr al-Najjar's childrenwasaged12.
Mr Groom said the children's father was "very badly injured", in a video posted on the Instagram account of another British surgeon working at Nasser hospital,VictoriaRose.
HetoldtheBBCthatthe father had a "penetrating injurytohishead".
He said he had asked aboutthefather,alsoadoctor atthehospital,andhadbeen toldhehad"nopoliticaland no military connections and doesn'tseemtobeprominent onsocialmedia".
He described it as an "unimaginable"situationfor Dr Alaaal-Najjar
Mr Groom said the surviving 11-year-old boy, Adam,was"quitesmall"for hisage.
"His left arm was just about hanging off, he was covered in fragment injuries and he had several substantial lacerations," he toldtheBBC.
"Since both his parents aredoctors,heseemedtobe among the privileged group withinGaza,butaswelifted himontotheoperatingtable, he felt much younger than 11."
"Our little boy could survive, but we don't know abouthisfather,"headded.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency,saidonTelegramon Friday afternoon that his teams had recovered eight bodies and several injured from the al-Najjar house nearapetrolstationinKhan Younis.
The hospital initially posted on Facebook that eight children had been killed, then two hours later updatedthatnumbertonine.
Another doctor, Youssef Abu al-Rish, said in a statement posted by the health ministry that he had arrivedtotheoperatingroom to find Dr al-Najjar waiting for information about her surviving son and tried to consoleher
In an interview recorded by AFP news agency, relative Youssef al-Najjar said: "Enough! Have mercy on us! We plead to all countries, the international community, the people,
Hamas, and all factions to havemercyonus.
"We are exhausted from the displacement and the hunger,enough!"
O n F r i d a y, U N Secretary-General António Guterres warned that people in Gaza were enduring what maybe"thecruellestphase" of the war, and denounced Israel's blockade on humanitarianaidimposedin March.
Israel partially lifted the blockade earlier this week. Israeli military body Cogat said83moretruckscarrying flour, food, medical equipment pharmaceutical drugs entered Gaza on Friday.
The UN has repeatedly said the amount of aid entering is nowhere near enoughfortheterritory's2.1 million people - saying between 500 to 600 trucks a day are needed - and has called for Israel to allow in muchmore.
The limited amount of food that trickled into Gaza this week sparked chaotic scenes, with armed looters attacking an aid convoy and Palestinians crowding outside bakeries in a desperate attempt to obtain bread.
A U N - b a c k e d assessment this month said Gaza's population was at "criticalrisk"offamine.
PeopleinGazahavetold the BBC they have no food, and malnourished mothers are unable to breastfeed babies.
Chronic shortages of water are also worsening as desalination and hygiene plants are running out of fuel, and Israel's expanding military offensive causes newwavesofdisplacement.
Israel has said the blockadewasintendedtoput
pressureonHamastorelease the hostages still held in Gaza.
Israel has accused Hamas of stealing supplies, whichthegrouphasdenied.
Israellaunchedamilitary campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's crossborder attack on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 othersweretakenhostage. At least 53,901 people, including at least 16,500 children,havebeenkilledin Gaza since then, according to the territory's health
Civil defence teams carry a body after the strike in KhanYounis (Reuters)
Heavy rainfall causes massive flooding at Kwakwani
Heavy rainfall
causesmassive flooding at Kwakwani
Heavy rains have caused massive flooding at Waterfront and Lamp Island, Kwakwani, Region Ten.
The floods have halted ongoing roadworks in the area and affected at least some20homes.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the Kwakwani Disaster Preparedness Committeea committee set up by the N e
(NDC) is monitoring the situation.
Itisunclearthenumber of residents affected by the flood.
Last year, flood waters almost covered houses in theareaandresidentshadto beevacuated.
The situation this year has not escalated to that point but residents say the waterisrisingquickly
Residents told Kaieteur News that evacuation would normally begin when the Civil Defence Commission(CDC)travels to the location to conduct assessments and setup shelters.
Up to press-time, residents said there was no signoftheCDCinthearea.
Meanwhile, residents fear that the flood waters will continue to rise severely affecting those whooccupyLampIsland.
One Resident, Jocelyn, who has been living at Kwakwani for many years, in a Facebook post said, “According to the Map of Guyana,theareasoccupied by residents along the banks of the river are swamplands.”
Themansaidthatwhen theCDCvisitedKwakwani in the 1990s under the leadership of Major General (Ret'd) Joseph Singh to assess flooding in the community he told residents that they are living in a swamp area and theyneedtorelocate.
“ O n e r e s i d e n t responded,welikeithere,” he recalled while adding that Singh had responded, “If you must live here, I recommendyoubuildyour house on a raft since the floodingwillgetworse.
He noted too that bauxite operations were previously located at the “Old Plant Site Area” in Kwakwani because of massiveflooding.
Wales Gas project completion date moved to second quarter of 2026
T
he government's promise to slash electricity bills by 50% through the US$2 billion Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project has been furtherdelayed,withthenew completiondeadlinenowset for the second quarter of 2026.
Prime Minister (Ret'd)
Brigadier Mark Phillips estimated that the project would be completed in the second quarter of 2026, insteadofthefirstquarteras previously disclosed earlier this year He made the announcement during the
consideration of the $57billion supplementary budget,whichwasapproved bytheCommitteeofSupply onFridaynight.
T h e d i s c u s s i o n
surrounded a $28 billion allocation for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to enhance the transmission system up to Corentyne
Given that the Prime Minister indicated this componentisexpectedtobe completed within a year, Opposition Member of Parliament David Patterson
inquired about the completion date of the broader GTE project since the upgrade is critical to distributing electricity generatedbyGTE.
In response, the Prime Ministerstated,“Thegas-toenergy project is slated for completion during the secondquarterof2026,tobe on the safe side.” When
asked about the current completionpercentageofthe project, the Prime Minister saidhewasnotinpossession ofthatinformation.
TheGTEproject,located atWalesontheWestBankof Demerara, includes a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt powerplant.Naturalgaswill be transported from the
offshore Stabroek Block's Liza oilfield via a 12-inch pipelinetothesite,where50 millioncubicfeetofgaswill be converted to electricity daily
The project is being executed by a joint venture between CH4 (Texas) and Lindsayca (Puerto Rico)
The companies, hired in 2022, are constructing the
plant and NGL facility at a costofUS$759million.
The GTE project was initially slated for completion by the end of 2025.However,inFebruary, Head of the GTE Taskforce Winston Brassington noted that while the contract set a second quarter 2025 deadline, a more realistic targetwouldbethefirsthalf of2026.
Brassington had disclosed that the pipeline component constructed by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has already been completed and is currently filled with nitrogen as it awaits
connection to the remaining infrastructure. Notably, the finalcostofthetwoplantsis yet to be determined, due to ongoing disputes with the Lindsayca/CH4 joint venture.
Still, Brassington assured that the project will deliver more reliable and affordable electricity to Guyana, with a projected selling cost of US$0.12 per kilowatt-hourdownfromthe current US$0.24 to $0.30. Earlier this year, Cabinet approved a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Guyana Power and Gas Inc. (GPGI) and GPLat a rate of US$0.05perkilowatt-hour
An artist's impression of the GTE project
Lamp Island Kwakwani underwater
Our featuredbeauty thisweekisdelegate numberfiveoftheMiss GuyanaCultureQueen2025 pageant,KelisJohnson. Kelis proudlyserveasanaviationagent,a rolethathassparkedherloveforthe travelindustryanddeepenedher appreciationforglobalconnections.The aspiringaccountanthasalwaysbeendrawn tostructure,strategy,andgrowthqualities thataccountingembodies.Sheisactively workingtowardbuildingacareerthat blendsherpassionforanalyticsaswellas adventure. Herfavouritequoteis “She remembered who she was and the game changed.” – Lalah Delia.
Kelis Johnson
A Dangerous Game: Venezuela's Election Gambit over Guyana's Essequibo
BySirRonaldSanders
On May 25, a day before Guyana commemorates
i t s 5 9 t h y e a r o f
independence, the government of Nicolás Maduro says it intends to stage elections in Guyana's Essequibo region This territory, comprising nearly two-thirds of Guyana, lies
entirely within its internationally recognised borders.
T h i s i s n o t a demonstrationofdemocratic governance,butapolitically charged act that challenges established international legalnorms.
It represents a serious escalation in Venezuela's posturetowardtheterritorial controversy—onethatraises profound concerns about adherence to the rule of law andrespectfortheauthority oftheInternationalCourtof Justice(ICJ).
Essequibo has been a settled part of Guyana since thearbitralawardof1899,a legally binding decision rendered by an international tribunalcomprisingthechief justices of Russia, Britain, and the United States—the latter nominated by Venezuelaitself.
Venezuela not only participated in the proceedings, but also hailed the award as a diplomatic success, ratifying it in its national congress and
benefitingfromitsexpanded territory,includingaccessto the mouth of the Orinoco River
For over 60 years, the boundary was recognised andrespected.
Then,in1962,Venezuela submittedamemorandumto the United Nations challenging the award, and in 1966, on the eve of Guyana's independence, the two countries signed the GenevaAgreement.
This agreement
providedforaseriesofsteps to resolve the controversy, including
y granting the UN SecretaryGeneral the authority to choose a final means of settlement should all others fail.
In 2018, following decades of inconclusive dialogue, the secretarygeneralreferredthematterto theICJ—consistentwithhis authority under the Geneva Agreement.
Guyana then initiated proceedings at the court, requesting a ruling that the 1899 award is valid and legallybinding. Venezuela initially objected to the court's jurisdiction and declined to participateinthecase.
While it later filed written submissions, it has refused to accept the court's binding authority and continues to disregard its interim measures, most recently an order issued on May 1, 2025, which states:
“Pending a final decision in the case, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela shall refrain from conducting elections, or preparing to conduct elections, in the territory in dispute, which the Co-operative Republic of Guyana currently administers and over which itexercisescontrol.”
Desp
a
directive, Venezuela's National Electoral Council hasannouncedplanstoelect eight deputies and a governorforEssequibo.Yet, no details have been provided about voter registration,pollingstations, o
arrangements unsurprisin g, given that Venezuela has n
administrative presence in the region of Essequibo or anypartofGuyana.
To justify this act, the Maduro government cites a 2023 domestic referendum, whic
ated, conducted, and supervised without independent oversight Based on the outcome of that unilateral process, the government now claims the authority to incorporate the Essequibo region into Venezuelan territory
Actingonthisassertion, the National Assembly enacted the “Organic Law for the Defense of Guayana Esequiba,” which purports toformalisethecreationofa newVenezuelanstate.
The law proposes that,
pending the so-called installation of elected officials,theterritorywillbe administered from the town of Tumeremo in Bolívar State, within Venezuela's existingborders.
T h i s r a i s e s a fundamental question: how can a state conduct election in a territory it does not control?
The answer is: it cannot, unless through occupation. Any attempt to enforce this plan would require Venezuelatoenterandassert authority over sovereign Guyanese territory—an act that would violate not only the ICJ's order but also the United Nations Charter and the Charter of the Organisation of American States, both of which prohibit the threat or use of force to resolve territorial disputes.
Thislatestmoveappears tobedrivenlessbyenduring patrioticsentimentandmore by geopolitical and economic calculations. The Essequibo region is rich in natural resources gold, timber, freshwater, and oil—which have grown in strategic importance, especially against the backdrop of Venezuela's deepening economic and politicalcrisis.
These considerations, ratherthanlegalmerit,seem to be shaping Venezuela's recentactions.
Meanwhile, tensions on the ground are rising
Guyana's defence authorities have reported crossborder provocations by Venezuelan forces, and the government has warned that participation in the May 25 vote could constitute a criminal offence under national law.
N e a r l y 1 0 0 , 0 0 0
Venezuelan nationals now reside in Guyana—many of whomfledhardshipathome. These already dislocated people should not be drawn intoamanufacturedconflict that endangers their safety andstability
The international community must view this development with the seriousnessitwarrants.
The ICJ is the agreed mechanism for resolving thislong-standingdispute. Its jurisdiction must be respected, and its orders implemented.
Any attempt to bypass the Court through unilateral acts erodes the international system for p e a c e f u l d i s p u t e settlement and threatens regionalstability
Caribbeannations,Latin American neighbours, and global partners who uphold international law must send a clear message: borders cannot be redrawn by domestic decree, and no state is exempt from legal accountability
Guyana and Venezuela are bound by geography. Neither can relocate; both must find a path to coexistence
B u t p e a c e f u l coexistencecannotbebuilt on unilateral actions or threats It must be grounded in law, mutual respect, and diplomacy
The parties should await the ICJ's ruling and on that basis, strive to build a collaborative relationship from which both nations canbenefit
The path to peace is through diplomacy and the ruleoflaw
That path must not be forsaken.
(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda'sAmbassador totheUSandtheOAS.
He is also the Dean of the Ambassadors of the WesternHemisphereGroup accreditedtotheU.S. The views expressed are entirelyhisown.
Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com)
Elections held outside t he bounds of jurisdiction do not confer legitimacy; they invite conflict
SirRonaldSanders
I've been wondering lately how many Guyanese businesses, from the small shops in Stabroek Market to our growing oil and gas giants,aretrulyreadyforthe AI revolution Because make no mistake, it's here, and those who embrace it quicklyaregoingtooutpace those that hesitate, not by a little, but by a significant margin.
AI isn't some distant, futuristic thing reserved for Silicon Valley or billiondollar corporations It's already here. It's being used every day by organizations around the world to cut costs, speed up operations, improve decision-making, and create better customer experiences.
At its core, AI means using computer systems to do things that normally require human intelligence, likeunderstandinglanguage, recognizing patterns, or making decisions based on data.Butwhatreallymatters isn't what AI does by itself. It's how it helps people do more,dobetter,anddofaster withfewerresources.
Here in Guyana, businesses in every sector, from retail to our growing tourism industry, can take advantage of AI. Tools like ChatGPT and other large languagemodelsarealready helping teams write reports, editdocuments,draftemails, brainstorm campaigns, and
Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in
Why Guyana's Businesses Must Embrace AI to Stay Competitive and Profitable
summarize research. These are tools that save time and increase productivity, right now They're available to every business willing to explorehowAIcanworkfor them. Buttotrulyunlockvalue, companiesneedtogodeeper than surface-level adoption. They need to connect AI directly to their company's data and systems. With the help of APIs, digital links
b e t w e e n s o f t w a r e programmes,AIcanbeused to respond automatically to customer inquiries, sort and a n a l y z e fi n a n c i a l transactions, detect trends, or even flag potential problems before they arise.
When implemented strategically, AI becomes a multiplier of your workforce'seffectiveness. Thisisespeciallycritical in the Guyanese context
M a n y b u s i n e s s e s , particularly in our booming sectors,oftenstruggletofind enough skilled workers or face challenges with high
recruitment costs. In addition to filling those labour gaps, AI can also e m p o w e r e x i s t i n g companies to achieve far morewithless,meaningless pressure to constantly importskilledlabourathigh cost and more focus on building sustainable, techenabled teams right here at home It's a way to grow withoutgrowingbloated.
Customer service is one a r e a w h e r e t h i s transformation is already making waves We've all experienced the frustration of a slow response or a miscommunicated request AI can classify requests,
suggest personalized answers,
instantly, 24/7. That means faster resolution times, fewer errors, and customers who feel understood and supported,evenifit's2AM. Inacompetitivemarket,that kindofservicebuildsloyalty anddrivesrepeatbusiness.
In our high-growth industries like oil, gas, and mining, AI is proving essential These sectors producemassiveamountsof data, on equipment health, safety, logistics, and production efficiency Globally, companies are already using AI to predict breakdowns, optimize energy use, and improve safety According to the WorldEconomicForum,AIpowered predictive maintenance has saved millions in downtime and extended the life of expensive equipment. If companies abroad are doing this, we should be doing it too, before we're left behind inourownmarketplace.
And we can't ignore agriculture, a foundational pillarofoureconomy From rice farmers in Essequibo to our sugar estates, AI helps
predict yields, monitor soil health,anddetectpestsearly For a country like Guyana, with a strong agricultural backbone, this could dramatically improve food security and increase exports.
To be clear, adoptingAI can'tjustbeaprojecthanded off to the “tech guy.” This isn't about installing a new appandcallingitinnovation. Every Guyanese business, no matter the size, needs a holistic AI strategy That means understanding how AI fits into your goals, your business model, your industry, and your customers' expectations It meansaligningAIwithyour finances, your workforce, and your understanding of what your business must do to stay relevant in today's
climate.
A good AI strategy should also consider ethics and data privacy If you're going to use AI to analyze customer behaviour or financial patterns, you need tohaveaplanforprotecting thatdata.Youneedtoensure transparency, fairness, and accountability, because trust is a currency, and once it's lost,it'shardtoregain.
Iwon'tpretendthisisall easy Changeneveris.Some mightthinkAIisonlyforbig budgets, but many entryl e v e l A I t o o l s a r e surprisinglyaffordable,even free, to start experimenting with It will take time, leadership, and some trial and error You'll probably need to leverage the expertise of an experienced consultant who can help to
upskill your team, rethink your workflows, and guide in the investment of new systems. But doing nothing isfarriskier
Global companies enteringGuyanaarealready AI-enabled If we don't evolve, we'll lose ground We'll lose customers And we'll lose opportunities, but with the right mindset, AI can help leaders build businesses that are faster, more resilient, more efficient, and yes, more profitable So this is more than a call to innovate. It's a call to lead. The future is already here, and those who embrace AI with vision and responsibility will be the oneswhothrive.Thosewho don't? They'll be playing catch-upinaracethatmoves fastereveryday
Although ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has recovered over US$34B of Guyana’s oil to pay for the assets that currently produce oil and even fund projects thatarestilltocomeonstream,Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has said thattheseassetsdonotbelongtothe state.
The VP made this clear during hispressconferenceonThursdayat Freedom House, in response to a question from Kaieteur News. The leader was asked who the owners areoftheassetsthathavebeenpaid forusingUS$34Bofthiscountry’s oil.
To this end, he explained, “So firstofall,theassetsstillbelongto the company. They don’t change ownership from the company. But, sotheseassetsarestillworking,so what happens is that if you pay off withtheassets,thenyouhavemore money left now to distribute as profits.”
Jagdeo said that the country does not become the owner of the assets after the costs have been recovered,butstillstandstobenefit fromanincreasedshareofprofitsas aresult.
“So now we will have more money to distribute as profit, because we paid off of the assets. They are off our books. So, what happens is the government’s share of revenue skyrockets, which will happen in future years So, the assets ownership don’t change, it’s just the composition of the distribution, or the share, the proportion of the revenue set aside fordistribution,togovernmentand the investor, as profit, their share goesup,”thechiefpolicymakerfor thesectorinformed.
He pointed out that Guyana currently pays 75% towards cost recovery while the remaining 25% is shared with the operator as profits,withthecountrygainingan additional2%inroyalty
As the value of the cost bank declines, he reasoned that the country will experience a higher flow of revenue, although the ratio willremainthesameforcalculating profits.
Jagdeo previously told reporters that Exxon is free to sell the assets paid for by Guyana to handle costs related to an oil spill, as the country is not a co-owner of theinfrastructure.
Subsequently, former head of the Environmental Protection
Table showing the Stabroek Block projects that could have been paid off by Guyana with ring-fencing
Agency(EPA),Dr VincentAdams, in a scathing response, argued that theVP’sexplanationwasillogical.
Dr Adamssaid,“Heneedtogo read the (oil) contract. They have gottoturnoverallofthoseassetsto us, free of charge, and now he talking ‘well, we would freeze the assets and sell it.’It’s the stupidest thingIhaveeverheard.”
Furthermore, he believes, “Exxonseesthatthisgovernmentis reckless and spineless and weak and they are taking advantage of them”.
Assetsandthe2016PSA Article 20 of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) specify terms related to ‘Rights to Assets’ state that upon expiry or termination of the Agreement, the Contractor shall deliver to the Minister, free of charge, in good orderandcondition,(fairwearand tearexcept)allinstallations,works, pipelines, pumps, casings, tubings, engines and other equipment, machinery or assets of a fixed or permanentnatureconstructed,used or employed by the Contractor or theOperatorintheContractArea.
It goes on to state that this also applies to any fixed assets relating to Petroleum Operations outside the Contract Area and movable assets owned by the Contractor or Operator and used or employed in connection with Petroleum Operations and located in Guyana for which costs have been fully recovered.
In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of ExxonMobil striking oil offshore Guyana in the prolific Stabroek Block, Hunter Farris, the oil giant’s Senior Vice President for Deepwater at ExxonMobil Upstream Company, inhisaddress,underscoredthepace at which Exxon was able to move
itsoperationsinGuyana.
Farrislikenedthepacetoarace car He said, “Like a race car that blazesfromzeroto60injustafew seconds, Guyana’s oil industry has rampedup–andrampedupsafely, I’ll add – from zero barrels to 650,000 per day in the five-and-ahalfyearssincewestarted.”
He added, “That’s really fast. And it’s not stopping anytime soon.”
The Stabroek Block, located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6 6 million acres and is estimated to hold 11 6 billion barrelsofoil.ExxonMobilGuyana Limited(EMGL)istheoperatorof theStabroekBlock,holdinga45% interest.Theotherco-venturersare Hess,whichholdsa30%stakeand CNOOCwitha25%interest.
Farrissaidthatitishardtowrap one’s head around the pace of change. He noted that risk paid off when oil was struck offshore Guyana on May 10, 2015 He noted, “It marked a world-class oil discovery, perhaps the most significantoilfindanywhereonthe planetingenerations.”
By December 2019, the company commenced oil productionoffshoreGuyana.Farris outlinedthattheshorttimeframeof less than five years moving from
The Liza Unity FPSO (Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading vessel) began production in 2022.
discovery to production is nearly unheard of in the oil and gas industry
“On most deepwater developments, it typically takes twice as long to safely extract the first commercial barrels, and that assumes all goes well.We did it in halfthenormaltime.Thegrowthin production from Guyana’s waters has been just as rapid,” the Senior VicePresidentstated.
Currently, three Floating Production,StorageandOffloading (FPSO) vessels, the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity, are in production.ThethreeactiveFPSOs collectively produce over 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from three developments: Liza Phase 1, LizaPhase2andPayara.
The oil companies have embarkedonanaggressivedrilling campaign in the Stabroek Block with three more approved developments to come onstream: Yellowtail, Uaru and Whiptail projects.Thisyear,Exxon’slargest deep-water project to date in Guyana, Yellowtail, will commenceoilproduction.
Notably, Exxon has already made applications for approval for a seventh and eighth development, namelyHammerheadandLongtail.
Moreover, Farris reiterated Exxon’splantohit1.3millionbpd by 2027. “Or close to 500 million barrels per year That daily figure
should climb to 1.7 million barrels by2030.AllofthismakesGuyana oneofthelargestoilproducersper capitaintheworld,”headded.
The Exxon official noted that today, Guyana is considered a majorglobalenergyplayerwiththe world’s fastest-growing economy He underscored that the historic findcontinuestoreshapetheworld ofenergyjustasittransformsdaily life for many of the country’s 800,000 citizens. “The journey is justbeginning–we’reproudofthe past decade and excited to keep building Guyana’s energy future together,”headded.
Moreover, Exxon’s Senior VP noted that Guyana’s emergence on the world stage is not just economic, but also pointed to Guyana securing a seat on the UnitedNationsSecurityCouncilin 2023andisplayingagrowingrole inglobalenergysecurity
“Itscargoesofoilhaveshipped toLatinAmerica,theU.S.,Europe, and even countries in the Pacific Rim.Consideringtheglobaltumult of the past few years since the pandemic, that’s saying something,”Farrissaid.
Moreover, as a new decade begins, Farris highlighted that the partnership between Guyana and E x x o n M o b i l h a s b e e n extraordinarily successful and oftenexhilarating.
“The next 10 years and more should be just as exciting and fruitful. In the real-time story of Guyana’s progress and prosperity, the next chapter will cover our partnership, figuring ways to develop Guyana’s natural gas deposits. Gas development might beafurthercatalystforbuildingup 21st-centuryGuyana;thecountry’s gasdiscoveriescouldmakeGuyana a critical source of regional development,”Farrisadded.
In accordance with the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that was signed by the previousAPNU+AFC government with Exxon, the oil companies are allowedtorecover75%ofthe
Continued on page 25
VicePresident,BharratJagdeo
Frompage24
revenues generated from the Stabroek Block That 75% is considered cost oil. The remaining 25%isconsideredprofitoil,which is shared 50/50 between Guyana and the oil companies, equating to 12.5%oftheoperation’sprofits.
Earlierthisyear,VicePresident BharratJagdeotoldReutersthatthe ExxonMobil-led consortium operating offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block has recovered a whopping US$33.9 billion by the endofJanuaryfromGuyana’soil.
…police probing similar explosion at GPL Substation
Twoloudexplosionsduringthe wee hours of Saturday sent shockwaves across the communitiesinthevicinityofEast Ruimveldt.
Manyturnedtosocialmediato post about what they heard and to enquireaboutwhathadhappened.
Onecitizenposted,“Somebody please wake up Travis (Chase), Whatthehellwasthatexplosion?”. Another said, “Wuh was duh explosionIjusthear?”
Both explosions occurred at approximately 40 minutes after midnight - one at the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost, which blewthebackgateandthesecondat theGuyanaPowerandLight(GPL) Substation located at Mandela Avenue, not too far away from the policeoutpost.
Security cameras mounted on buildingsclosetothepoliceoutpost at Vlissengen Square and East Front Road captured the moment the gate at the police outpost was blownoff.
“A loud explosion originating from the southern side of the outpost rocked the compound,” police said in a statement, before adding that “a police rank (identified as a female) on duty at the time heard two distinct blasts, followed by debris impacting nearbyrooftops.”
The female rank was not injured. She stepped outside to see what had happened and observed that the southern wall of the outpost’s concrete fence had been significantlydamaged.
An alarm was raised, and other ranks of the GPF subsequently arrived and found out that the outpost’smetalgate,locatedonthe southern side, was completely blownaway “ And other parts of the outpost sustained structural damage,”policesaid.
Meanwhile,policesaidthatthe GPL Substation along Mandela Avenuewasalsodamaged.
“The second site under investigationistheGPLSubstation alongMandelaAvenue,whichalso experienced suspicious damage
aroundthesametimeframe,”Police stated.
Aninvestigationwaslaunched. Early Saturday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur News that an “improvised explosivedevice”mighthavebeen behind the blast at the East RuimveldtPoliceOutpost.
“Police have recovered a quantity of bolts and nuts, along with debris of a shattered hard plastic container from the scene(debrissuspectedtobecomponents of the improvised explosive device),”theCrimeChiefsaid.
He also noted that efforts are
ongoing to identify the perpetrator(s) who threw the explosive device into East Ruimveldt Police Station’s compoundonSaturdaymorning.
Meanwhile,inasecondupdate, theForcesaid,“Severalpersonsof interesthavebeencontactedbythe GuyanaPoliceForceinconnection with the recent explosions at the EastRuimveldtPoliceOutpostand theGuyanaPowerandLight(GPL) SubstationatMandelaAvenue”
“These individuals are actively working with investigators as the probe continues to gain momentum,” the statement continued.
Police also disclosed that investigators have spoken with eyewitnesses in the vicinity of the GPL Substation, stating that they haveprovidedvaluableaccounts.
Forensic teams are actively analyzing all available evidence, thestatementadded.
MONDAY
‘Troublingflawsinoilspilllaw’ — Chris Ram says: Clause 21 renders parent company guarantee invalid — Exxon can cite Stability Clause in PSA to dodge responsibilities
A thorough analysis of the newly passed Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Law by prominent Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram, has unearthed deeply troubling flaws that could potentially leave Guyana at the mercyofpetroleumcompanies.
In his two-part column on the law, published by the Stabroek News,theAttorneydelvedintothe specifics of the legislation, approvedwithoutthesupportofthe Parliamentary opposition on May 16.
Ram explained, “At first glance,theunsuspectingreaderand observer may believe that the law set out in the 56-page, 39-clause Bill, arranged over eleven parts fromPreliminarytoMiscellaneous, isprogressanddevelopment.They wouldbedangerouslymistaken.”
Beyond the technical jargon and smooth veneer lies a troubling reality that this legislation may weaken the very protections it
Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram
purportstostrengthen,accordingto him.
In his 155th column, ‘Every Man,WomanandChildinGuyana Must Become Oil-Minded’, Ram highlights a “particularly galling” selloutwhichreversestheneedfor unlimited protection from an oil spill.TheAttorneyexplained,“The oil giant (ExxonMobil) has operated for years, knowing it neededunlimitedliabilitycoverage – that was the deal from the start. Justice Kissoon insisted on the enforcement of existing obligations Clause 22, in plain terms,removedthatobligationand placed it on a motley group of illdefined entities known as the responsible party In contrast, Clause 21 can be read to render a parent company’s guarantee invalid.”
Clause 21 states, “An indemnification or any like agreement shall be invalid for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party underthisAct.”Thismeansthatthe company operating or the “responsible party” shall pay costs associated with a spill rather than transfer this liability to its parent company
Pursuing the Bill through Parliament,accordingtoRam,was e
ther egregious abandonment of the nationalinterest”.
Gov’tappointedBoards
Meanwhile, the Attorney shifted his readers’attention to the boards mandated by the law Ram said, “The legislation creates at least five major bodies: the Civil Defence Commission (as the “Competent National Authority”), itssix-memberGoverningBoard,a National Oil Spill Committee with over 20 agency representatives, ad hoc Oil Spill Incident Boards of Inquiry,andaNationalEmergency OperationsCentre.”
Hewaskeentonotethat95%of allthesepositionsaretobedirectly appointedbytheMinister,withthe remaining 5% being ex-officio appointmentsofofficialswhowere politicallyappointed.
The Attorney believes this creates a system where political
loyalty takes precedence over technical expertise. He therefore
mocked, “This legislative masterpiece is worthy of a special case study at Harvard Business School un
Organisational Dysfunction: A Masterclass in Bureaucratic Architecture’. He added that the maze of institutions, all operating under vague mandates with unclear lines of authority, virtually guarantees bureaucratic paralysis when swift action is needed. Ram reasoned, “Ratherthanstreamliningresponse capability, the Bill spreads functions and responsibilities across multiple layers of bureaucracy, creating enough regulatory confusion to allow oil companies to operate with even greaterabandon.Atthesametime, appointees can always point to some oth
being responsibleforenforcement.When a spill occurs, who exactly is in charge?”
OilSpillLawand theStabilityClause
In his 156th Column, the Attorney digs deeper into the law, pointing to a series of other flaws. For instance, Ram noted that Clause 10 of the Bill requires oil companies (the “responsible party”)tosubmittheircontingency plans, which must align with or be incorporated into the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan He, however, reminded that the 2016 Agreement has its own provisions dealing with environmental disasters,includingoilspills.
Ram argued that the Law conspicuously avoids directly addressinghowitinteractswiththe existing 2016 Petroleum Agreement between Guyana and the ExxonMobil consortium, particularly the Agreement’s powerful stability clause inArticle 32.
Hewarned,“Oilcompanieswill therefore have two obligations and two options They can point to either the Agreement or the Bill, whichever is more favourable, while taxpayers fund the oversight system.”
TheProsecutionPuzzle
The Lawyer pointed out that
another feature of the Law is the bewildering array of offencesfrom failing to submit plans to refusing to respond to spills - with penalties ranging from fines to mandatorythree-yearprisonterms. RamwaskeentonotethattheLaw stillfailsremarkablytospecifywho willbringthesecriminalchargesor which courts will hear them Accordingtohim,“Thelegislation simply states that responsible parties “commit an offence” and “shall be liable on summary conviction” or “on conviction on indictment,” leaving prosecutors, defendants, and courts to guess whether the Director of Public Prosecutions,theCDC,theEPAor someotherauthorityhasthepower toinitiateproceedings.”
Following a four-hour-long debate at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal, Georgetown, last Friday, the government, with its one-seat majority, managed to push the Bill through despite calls from the oppositionfortheBilltobesentto the Special Select Committee for refining.
Leading the debate on the opposition side, Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, Shurwayne Holder, pointed to the fact that the newlawprotectsthe‘parent’ofoil companies from costs associated withaspill.HecitedPartVI(6)of the new law, which addresses liability or what he described as “thebackboneofPPP’sdeceit.”He quotedClause17oftheLaw,which states,“Aresponsiblepartyisliable for all damages caused by an oil spillincident,removalandremoval costs, and restoration of environment as far as practicable, andforanycostsarisingtherefrom orconnectedtherewith.”
Holder pointed out that while this section sounds brilliant, the government waged war in and out ofthecourtroomagainstthepeople of Guyana for an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee With elections now nearing, the Opposition MP said the government seems to have awakened from their slumber to champion full liability coverage. However, this is no more than a “hoax”.
Holder explained that the law establishes that the “responsible party” has full responsibility for any spill, even as he went on to describe who the responsible party is. “In the case of the oil rigs, the responsibleparty,asestablishedby thisbillonpage9,istheoperatorof the facility or the holder of the explorationandproductionlicence. Inotherwords,Mr Speaker,itisthe subsidiary of Exxon, a “Limited Liability Company” formerly called EEPGL, renamed ExxonMobilGuyana.Itisalimited Liability Company with no real assetsexceptthoseinitspossession thatarealreadyownedbyGuyana Continued on page 26
Frompage25 throughthepetroleumcontract.”
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, addressed concerns previously raisedbytheOppositionMPswith regard to liability and the timeline tomakeaclaim.Heexplainedthat the broad term ‘responsible party’ includes any person owning, operatingorcharteringavessel;for offshore or onshore facilities, it includestheoperatorsorlicensees; and even for abandoned or decommissioned facilities or vessels,itincludesthosewhowere responsible immediately prior to abandonmentordecommissioning. As such, Nandlall argued, “These arenotordinaryprovisions,butwe madesureweinsertedthemthereto ensure that there is a catchment of liabilityandliabilityisnoteludedin aquickway.”
AnotherannuallyheldNational Toshaos Council (NTC) meets today, but the Government of Guyanahasnotyetfullyaddressed concerns about “wrongfully” taking lands from the Jawalla IndigenouspeopleofRegionSeven andgivingthemtominers.
The issue of titled and traditional lands being allegedly stolen using the wrong map was reportedly raised at the last NTC meetinginGeorgetown.
Since then, there have been no seriouseffortsbythegovernmentto address the concerns, the village councilhascontended.
During a recent visit to the village, Jawalla’s Toshao, Veron Henry, told Kaieteur News that letters were even written to President Irfaan Ali and Vice PresidentBharratJagdeo.
“We have written to our presidentandvicepresident,butwe have, up until now, not seen the government take any actions to defendourrights”,Henrysaid.
Gold mining is currently ongoing on the lands, threatening not only their livelihoods but also pollutingtheirmainwater sources, specifically the Suwai Creek, a
tributaryofSawa.
Jawallaresidentsnotedthatthe Ministry of Natural Resources recentlysteppedinandsuspendeda mininglicencegrantedtoaforeign company for mining operations at Anaraputa, North Rupununi, Region Nine, after a public outcry byseveralcommunitiesthere.
The villages had raised concerns over the lack of an Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA)forminingoperations.
Jawalla residents were hoping that the government would have taken similar steps for the mining operations taking place on their lands, since they, too, have raised concerns. However, to date, their concerns seem to have fallen on deaf ears as they are being thrown off their property by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). They have even been blockedfromaccessingfarmlands, burial grounds and homes by gold miners,whonowclaimlegalrights overthelands.
One of the affected villagers is JamesMoore,a62-year-oldfarmer whohashishomeandeightfarms.
He has since received letters (eviction notices) to leave the property, but he is unwilling to do so,since,accordingtohim,theland has belonged to Jawalla since the early1900s.Hesaidhisportionwas handeddowntohimbyhisfather
“It is my birthplace since in 1962, my father told me I am leavingyouwithourlands,”hetold KaieteurNewsviaaninterpreter
“HowIgonleavemycropsand get away like an animal?” he questioned,addingthathistroubles startedlastSeptember
Itwashisfirstencounterwithan evictionnotice.Herecalledthathe was approached with a letter requesting that he “move out” within three days. Moore has not obeyedandhassincepreventedthe miners from taking over his property.
Despite his resistance, he is fearful for his life as some miners wouldwalkaroundwithshotguns.
To verify his story, Moore, the villagers and members of the villagecounciltookKaieteurNews andanothermediahousetoanarea where the miners are working and encroachingontheirtitledlands.
Upon their arrival, it was quite evident that villagers were indeed
occupying the land before the minerscame.
There was a landing that was erected by the village, and not too far away was a burial ground Anotherelderofthevillageshowed Kaieteur News the area where she grewupwithherparents.
Where once covered with farmlandsandnaturalvegetationis now replaced with wide-open spaces with huge cavities (open mining pits). Burnt trees and those damagedbyminingactivitieswere seenalmosteverywhere. Openpits were filled with stagnant and murky waters, perfect breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. The destruction of the environmentwasnotall.Themedia was in for a surprise because, as they got closer to James Moore’s property,theygotafirst-handlook athowtheminerstreatvillagersas they attempted to walk through whattheycalltheirownland.
Workers and the general manager of a mining operation thereblockedourpaths.
Riskinghisownsafety,Moore, a few villagers and a reporter with another media entity forced their waythrough,whileKaieteurNews and the remaining villagers caused a distraction. The general manager argued that there was another way thatMoorecouldhaveaccessedthe property and maintained that his boss has all the legal rights to dictate who can pass through the landsbecauseheownsit.
Kaieteur News even joined the argument, stating that although they might have legal permits for the lands and might have helped construct a section of the access road, there is no part of the constitution that prohibits citizens fromusingtheroadstoaccessother properties.
The miners were not buying it andaccusedusoftrespassing,even threatening that we could put ourselves in harm’s way if there wasasecuritypresenceinthearea.
Whentheylearntthatthemedia were present, the miners began explaining that there are robberies taking place in the area, and they have to take security measures because we can be one of the robbers.
We accepted our defeat and turned back. The police came and reportedlytookstatementsfromthe
minersandevenfromthevillagers whoaccompaniedthemediatothe lands. Unfortunately for the few villagersandtheotherreporterwho managedtoslipthroughunnoticed, they could not return the way they came. Instead, they had to trek for hoursthroughdensejungletomake itbacktoariver
Luckily, they were able to get footage and photos of Moore’s propertyandtheminingoperations taking place next to his home and farms The reporter related that those operations were indeed polluting the Suwai creek, one of the main water sources for the peopleofJawalla.
Toshao Veron Henry told the media, “We therefore demand that the relevant agencies of the Government of Guyana immediately revoke the order to remove Mr James Moore and his family from their home and to revoke all mining permits granted inside our titled lands according to ourcurrentmap.”
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is reportedly using a different map to hand out mining permits than the onethevillagershave.
According to the Jawalla village council, the errant GGMC map states that Jawalla’s boundary falls‘onemileaboveApiopai’,but the Jawalla title description reads ‘onemilebelowApiopai’.
According to the Amerindian Lands Commission (ALC) Report, Jawalla’stitlerequestwasrecorded as:‘FromEmoiCreekintheKukui to the eastern boundary of the present District up the Mazaruni anddowntheMazarunitoonemile belowApiapaiSettlement.’
Refusal to address Jawalla’s concerns has led to the village refusing demarcation because it is currently seeking legal recognition ofcollectiveterritoryasopposedto individual,piecemealtitles.
TUESDAY
‘Don’tSignThatBill” -Int’llawyertellsPres.Alioil spillbillviolatesGuyana’s constitution,international obligations - urges him to withhold assent
recently passed Oil
Preparedness, Response and R e s p o n s i b i l i t y b i l l i s unconstitutional and violates Guyana’s international legal obligations, International Lawyer, MelindaJankihassaid.
Janki is among a number of Guyanese who have identified flawsinthebill,whichwaspassed intheNationalAssemblylastweek. She documented her concerns in a lettertoPresidentIrfaanAliurging him to withhold his assent to the bill,untilthoseflawsarecorrected.
Following a four-hour-long debate at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal, Georgetown, last Friday, the government, with its one-seat majority, managed to push the Bill through despite calls from the oppositionfortheBilltobesentto the Special Select Committee for refining.Leadingthedebateonthe opposition side, Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, Shurwayne Holder, pointed to the fact that the newlawprotectsthe‘parent’ofoil companies from costs associated withaspill.HecitedPartVI(6)of the new law, which addresses liability or what he described as “thebackboneofPPP’sdeceit.”He quotedClause17oftheLaw,which states,“Aresponsiblepartyisliable for all damages caused by an oil spillincident,removalandremoval costs, and restoration of environment as far as practicable, andforanycostsarisingtherefrom or connected therewith ” Holder pointed out that while this section sounds brilliant, the government waged war in and out of the courtroom against the people of Guyana for an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee With elections now nearing, the Opposition MP said the government seems to have awakened from their slumber to champion full liability coverage. However, this is no more than a “hoax”.
Contrarytoint’lobligations In her letter to President Ali, Jankisaid:“TheBillwaspassedin the National Assembly on Friday 16 May It will be sent to you for yourassentasPresidenttoenableit tobecomelawunderArticle170of the Constitution You must withhold your assent because the BilliscontrarytoGuyana’s Continued on page 38
Villagers protest for return of their titled lands
Unwrapping Gift - Clinic
Ghosting is an unhealthful socialpracticeor pattern of ending a personal relationship or friendship with someone suddenly and
without explanation,
withdrawing from all
communication More specifically,inthecontextof this article, ghosting is a relatively new colloquial dating term that refers to abruptly cutting off contact with someone without giving that person any warningorexplanation.You may have met him, and she showed contagious interest in you Alternatively, you havemether,andtheburstof connectionislikeabreathof fresh air However, within weeks, if not days, the i n d i v i d u a l s e v e r s connection. You may have been blocked, and messages
or calls have gone unanswered Without
closure, this passiveaggressive behaviour has impacted your sense of self, leadingyoutointernalisethe hurt or become aggressive towardothers.
So,whathappened?
People who ghost focus on avoiding their emotional discomfort and do not think abouthowitmakestheother person feel The lack of socialconnectionstopeople metonlineorinpersonatan event also means fewer social consequences to dropping out of someone's life. The more it happens to themselves or their friends, the more people become desensitised to it and the more likely they are to do it tosomeoneelse.
Lookingthroughthelens
of a coward, passive withdrawal from dating seems like the easiest and nicestroute…untilitisdone toyou.Itisallthefaultofthe toxicdatingculturewehave created.Furthermore,Ithink thatiswhatwearealltelling ourselves.Ididghostuntilit wasdonetome.Yes,ithurts.
P e r s o n s w h o experienced trauma and are now struggling with abandonment wounds,
betrayal wounds, and rejection wounds are the ones that are hit hardest by ghosting. Throughout their childhood and adolescence,
Towardsabetterlifewithyourpsychologist
Have you ever ghosted someone? Ghosting:
they were not blessed with healthy relationship styles either with their parents, caregivers, or others in influentialauthority Now,as adults, they have not addressed the impact of that trauma, which has altered their thinking, feelings and behaviour towards themselvesandothers.
As they enter adulthood withitspsychosocialneedto establish and sustain close relationships with friends, family and romantic partners. They either ghost othersbecauseitwasdoneto themorgetghosted.
Socialrejectionactivates the same pain pathways in thebrainasphysicalpain.In fact, you cannot reduce the emotional pain of rejection with a pain medication like Tylenol However, in addition to this biological link between rejection and pain, some specific factors about ghosting contribute to psychological distress, which can trigger poor mental health or personality depending on age, gender andculture.
Ghosting gives you no cue how to react. It creates the ultimate scenario of ambiguity Should you be worried?
Whatiftheyarehurtand lying in a hospital bed somewhere? Should you be upset? They may be busy andwillcallyouatanytime. You do not know how to react because you do not know what has happened Staying connected to others is so important to our survival that our brain has evolved to have a social monitoring system (SMS) t h a t m o n i t o r s t h e environmentforcuessothat we know how to respond in socialsituations.Socialcues allow us to regulate our behaviour accordingly, but ghosting deprives you of these usual cues and can create a sense of emotional dysregulation where you feeloutofcontrol.
Oneofthemostinsidious aspects of ghosting is that it does not just cause you to question the validity of the relationship you had; it causes you to question yourself. Why didn't I see this coming? How could I havebeensuchapoorjudge of character? What did I do to cause this? How do I
Why do people ghost?
protectmyselffromthisever happeningagain?
The truth is that in today's society, you cannot protect yourself from ghosting.
This self-questioning
results from basic psychological systems that areinplacetomonitorone's socialstandingandrelaythat information back to the person via feelings of selfworth and self-esteem. When a rejection occurs, yourself-esteemcandrop.It is meant to be a signal that yoursocialbelongingislow. If you have been through multipleghostingsorifyour self-esteem is already low, you are likely to experience the rejection as even more painful, and it may take you longertogetoveritaspeople with lower self-esteem have less natural opioid (painkiller)releasedintothebrain after rejection when compared to those whose self-esteemishigher
Ghosting is the ultimate useofthesilenttreatment,a tactic that mental health professionals have often viewed as a form of emotional cruelty It renders you powerless and leaves you with no opportunity to askquestionsorbeprovided with information that would help you emotionally processtheexperience.
It silences you and prevents you from expressing your emotions and being heard, which is important for maintaining self-esteem.
tactic that can leave psychological bruises and scars.
Working Through Your
Emotion After Being Ghosted
The grief cycle may not run that exact course, but being ghosted often triggers afloodofrangingemotions. Thoughtsof'notonlydidthe person not want to date me, butIwasnotevendeserving of an explanation' can make someone feel dehumanised anddevalued.
It is often more painful when a relationship marries abit,buttheghostedperson canfeelthiswayifitisanew connection.Itcantakesome time to work through the pain, but with acceptance,
thepersonbeingghostedcan moveon.
To gain closure in a situationwhereyoufeelyou have been ghosted. It can send a message by saying, "Hey, I have not heard from you in a while. I am unsure what happened, but I do not want to continue pursuing this. My time is valuable, andIdonotwanttoopenthis door. Best of luck with things."Whiletheghostmay not respond, it can help provideclosure.
Alternatives to Ghosting Someone
Avoiding the easy route of ghosting someone will benefit both parties. When ending a relationship, the bestthingyoucandoistreat the other person as you wouldliketobetreated.
'Hey, you seem like a great catch, but I do not feel it works between us. I respect your time and just wanted to be honest. Warm regardsandtakecare.'
Or, 'hi—it has been cool
getting to know you, but I havedecidedtotakeabreak fromdatinganddonotwant to waste your time or be dishonest. Best of luck with everything.'
Thesemessagesareshort and honest and end with a signalthatyoudonotwantto have a long and drawn-out conversation. You may get an adverse or hurt reaction from the other person, but it is far better to exit the relationship after explaining thantoghostcompletely.
By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst
Guyanese businessman launches new transportation service app: 592 Rides
In a time when G u y a n a i s experiencing rapid infrastructuralandeconomic change, one entrepreneur is takingagrassrootsapproach to transform how people move across the country Gilbert Carrington, founder of Guyana Social Enterprise (GSE), is spearheading an ambitious initiative in creatinganapp592Rides,a ride-share service designed toofferaffordable,safe,and reliable transportation while generatingemployment.
Carrington explained that his journey began when he moved to the United States where he earned advanced degrees in International Relations
and Communications
Management from Howard University in Washington, D C His time at Howard was
The logo for the 592 app
firsthand how technology was revolutionizing transportation and creating economicopportunities.
It was during these reflectivedrivesthattheidea for592Rideswasborn.
Launched under the umbrellaofGSE,Carrington foundedin2020,592Rides. Heexplained,“It’snotjusta ride-shareapp—itisasocial enterprise with a mission. The platform is built specifically for the Guyanese context, taking i n t o a c c o u n t t h e geographical, cultural, and economic realities of the nation. By prioritizing local drivers and focusing on customer experience, 592 Rides aims to create a trusted, community-first alternative to foreignowned transportation services ”
Yet,thejourneytobuild
This partnership has done more than finance the app—it has expanded its horizons. Plans are already in motion to launch the service in India under the name 91 Rides, using the same technological foundation developed in Guyana. 592 Rides is also laying the groundwork for sustainable innovation Carringtonexplainedthathis teamiscurrentlyengagedin discussions with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) to introduce an ElectricVehicle(EV)fleetin Guyana. “This initiative, if successful, would make 592 Rides the first app-based service in the country to manage a green fleet, reducing emissions and setting new standards for
transportation sector,” he
Carringtonhascommittedin achieving his dreams in providing efficient transportation services. As
theappnearscompletionand expansion plans accelerate, 592 Rides is “more than a transportationsolution,itisa movement,” he said. To add that The App can now be downloadedonThePlayand Appstores.
Businessman:
formative, particularly the influence ofthen-President Cheeks,whourgedstudentsto forgetheirownpathsthrough entrepreneurship Taking that advice to heart, Carrington went on to
e s t a b l i s h s e v e r a l successful ventures in the U S , including Braids Inc ,apopularnaturalhair salon in Washington, D C , which thrived for over25years,andAntilles Spa, a luxury wellness concepthousedincustombuiltcommercialspaces While his businesses flourished, Carrington still wantedtoserveanduplifthis community in Guyana. In 2015,Carringtonbecamean Uber driver, initially a practical decision, one that allowed him to support his sonthroughhighschooland college, but it soon evolved into a deeper realization. Drivingthroughthecitystreets of D C , interacting with passengers from all walks of life, Carrington saw
592 Rides has been anything but easy Initial fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign, failed to attract the level of support Carrington had hoped for But salvation came from an unexpected source
While hosting a guest at Carri’s Bed & Breakfast, a property he owns in Guyana, Carrington shared his vision for 592
Rides That guest, Niranjan Prasad, a businessman from India exploring spice trading opportunities in Guyana, w a s i m m e d i a t e l y intrigued,hesaid Thetwo discussed the project in depth,andwhatbeganasa casual conversation turnedintoapartnership
“Prasadsawpotentialnot onlyintheapp’scommercial viability but also in its social impact,andagreedtoprovide the necessary funding to begin development, ” Carrigntonexplained
said. Although the project hasfacednearlytwoyearsof delays and what Carrington describes as “perceived political interference,” he remainsundeterred.Forhim, the vision of a cleaner, smarter Guyana is worth everychallenge.
Carrington explained what sets 592 Rides apart from other transportation services “It not just its technology or international reach,butitscommitmentto people.
The platform promises flexible employment for drivers, many of whom struggle with limited job opportunities, and safer, moreefficienttransportation options for commuters acrossthecountry,”hesaid.
His story is one of resilience and reinvention. From corporate boardrooms in Washington, D C to backseat conversations in Uber rides, and now to the
Gilbert Carrington
GNBS Invites Public inputs in Draft LPG Standards
In Guyana, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, also known as cooking gas, are widely available and are a common
energy source for households and businesses. To guarantee the safety of consumers and distributors alike, it is crucial to ensure that these cylinders are
stored, handled and transportedinasafemanner
Likew is e, s imilar precautions must be applied to compressed gas cylinders used for gases such as oxygen and nitrogen under highpressure.
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), through the Technical Committee (TC) 29 - Gas Cylinders, recently commenced the review of
three National Standards relating to gas cylinders and regulators, which are intended to be made compulsory Thesestandards areGYS264-Specification fortheStorage,handlingand transportation of LPG
cylinders,GYS 453Specification for the Storage, handling and transport of steel
c o m p r e s s e d g a s cylinders,and GYS 523Specification for Low pressure regulators for use with Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG). Inkeepingwith international and regional standards development best practices, key standards development stages are being followed.The process
c o m m e n c e d w i t h stakeholders' proposals
indicating the importance of revising the standards, followedbyapprovalforthe next steps to be taken.After approval, the Technical Committee, comprising critical public and private sector stakeholders, was established to review the standards Having been reviewedbytheCommittee, thestandardsarecurrentlyat theEnquiryStage,wherethe GNBS invites the public to review and submit comments, which would be considered for inclusion by the Committee before the standards are finalised. The draft
available on the GNBS' website:
https://gnbsgy.org/stand ardisation/standards-forpublic-comments/ where
they can be read to facilitate public inputs. Additionally, to garner comments on the draft Standards from as many stakeholders as possible, GNBS will host two public consultation sessions. The first of these sessions will be on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00h at theGuyanaNationalBureau of Standards (GNBS) Head Office, National Exhibition C e n t r e , S o p h i a , Georgetown,andthesecond sessionwillbeheldvirtually onTuesday,June03,2025,at 10:00hviaMicrosoftTeams.
Thelinktothevirtualsession can be accessed on the GNBS website on the "Standards for Public C o m m e n t s " p a g e Stakeholderscanalsousethe following meeting ID and passcode: Meeting ID: 241 653 277 673 4, Passcode: M y 2 o T 7 3 N G N B S encourages stakeholders to participate in the public consultation sessions, especially recognising the intention to make the Standardscompulsory Written comments can also be submitted to the
GNBS via the email public.comments@gnbsgy.o rg by June 13, 2025 Comments received will be addressed and used to produce the Final Draft Standardswhichwillbesent to the National Standards Council (NSC) for approval asNationalStandards.Once approved,theStandardswill be published, and they are subject to review every five (5) years For further information, contact the Standardisation Department of the GNBS on 2190064/66/67Ext2013.
Frompage26 international legal obligations and is unconstitutional.” The lawyer pointed out that the drafter of the Bill clearly had no idea about Guyana’s international law obligations “The Bill at best contains meaningless references to internationallawanddoesnotmeet the requirements of international law for Guyana to act with due diligence and to take steps to preventtransboundaryharm.”
She noted that Article 149J of the Constitution requires the State to take “reasonable legislative
measures” to protect the environment including preventing pollution and ecological degradation. However, Janki said the bill attempts to: (i) lower or remove altogether (through the doctrine of implied repeal) the environmental protection and environmental rules and standards set out in the Environmental Protection Act or made under the authority of that act; (ii) to remove or make redundant the system of environmental management to protecttheenvironment.
Additionally, she said the Bill lacks the precautionary principle which was described by Justice Winston Anderson, the future PresidentoftheCaribbeanCourtof Justice, as follows: “Precaution is emerging as a bedrock principle in Caribbean law relating to resource exploitation.Thecleareststatement oftheprincipleistobefoundinthe 1996EnvironmentalProtectionAct ofGuyana.”
Jankisaidtoothatthebillgives the executive the power to forego obtaining financial assurance such as the unlimited uncapped parent
company guarantee which ExxonMobil Guyana Ltd Is currently required by law to provide in order to protect Guyana fromfinancialliabilityasaresultof Exxon’s petroleum operations “TheEnvironmentalProtectionAct isthebaseline.UnderArticle149J the State may improve environmental protection but the State cannot reduce environmental protection.TheBillisthereforenot a reasonable legislative measure, violates Article 149J and is offensive to the Constitution,” JankitoldPresidentAli.
Protectingforeigncompanies
She said too that the Bill also seeks to protect foreign oil companies at the expense of Guyana. “The BP Macondo well blowout in 2010 cost BP over US$65 billion, or around US$95billion in today’s money Guyana’s revenue from oil for the whole of 2024 is reported as being US$2 57billion It would take Guyana more than 35 years of current income to pay for a
Macondo type spill if the ‘responsible party’did not pay and iftherewasnoeffectiveandreadily enforceable unlimited uncapped parent company guarantee as is
currently required by law,” Janki warned.
SheremindedPresidentAlithat JusticeSandilKissoonhadwarned in2023intheCollinsandWhytev EPA, ExxonMobil and AttorneyGeneral case that if there is an oil spill, “…the consequences will be devastatingnotonlytothecitizens ofthislandandtheenvironmentbut to inhabitants of neighbouring states and territories as well.” He further warned that in the absence of the unlimited uncapped parent company, “then the potential consequences are elevated and borders on catastrophic ” “This massive potential liability as a result of harm to neighbouring sovereign states and their economies is well illustrated in ExxonMobil’s maps, Janki said, notingthatasiscommonandpublic knowledge deep water drilling is a verydangerousexercise.
According to the lawyer, ExxonMobil has admitted to using faulty equipment (the gas processor) and to operating above the limits set in its environmental impact assessments thereby increasing the danger to Guyana financially and environmentally “All MPs who voted for this Bill should now be required to provide ‘financial assurance’ to cover the increased financial risk to Guyana asaresultoftheirrecklessapproval of this Bill. Should you decide to assent to this Bill, the people of Guyana will be entitled to demand that you also provide ‘financial assurance’to them,” Janki told the President.
Constitutionalbreach
Turning her attention toArticle 36oftheconstitution,Jankisaidthe oil spill Bill offends this article, which states that, “The well-being of the nation depends upon
EnvironmentalProtectionAct.You have failed in both offices to do your duty towards the citizens of this country,” Janki told the President in her letter “If you decidetoapprovethisassaultonthe Constitutionandtogiveyourassent totheBill,pleaseprovidemewitha written statement of your reasons fordoingso.Pleaseincludeinyour writtenstatementanexplanationof how you believe you have complied with Article 149J and withyourconstitutionaldutyunder Article39(1)oftheConstitutionto be guided by Article 36 of the Constitution. Please also explain howthisBillcomplieswithArticle 65.”
She also warned: “Please note that although as President you are the “supreme executive authority” you do not have any power as Presidentexceptwhatthelawgives youforthesolepurposeofserving Guyana and the people of Guyana. You are subject to the rule of law
preserving clean air, fertile soils, purewaterandtherichdiversityof plants, animals and ecosystem.” If there is an oil spill are you and the MPs going to put fish back in the water for our fisherfolk? Are you going to walk into a store and buy replacement sperm whales, marine turtles and other endangered animals? How will you restore Guyana’snaturalcapital?Moneyis not a substitute for life. It is impossible to be guided byArticle 36andapprovethisBill.”
Thebill,sheaddedalsooffends Article65Constitutionwhichgives Parliamentthepowertomakelaws for the peace, order and good government of Guyana “Parliament consists of the MPs in the National Assembly and the President, which is you. Even the widest and most generous interpretation of this Bill cannot bringitwithinthemeaningof‘good government’.This Bill is unlawful andtotheextentthatyouandyour governmentattempttobringitinto lawortreatitaslawyouareacting outside of your constitutional powers.” JanksaidtheBillisanact of recklessness towards Guyana and a humiliating capitulation to theoilindustrybythosewhovoted for it. “As is common and public knowledge the world over, it is the purpose of the oil industry to transfer as much value as possible to their shareholders. They do that bygettingoilandgasasfastandas cheaply as governments allow them, and by leaving the host countrytopayforallharmcaused.”
Janki said it is therefore the job of theexecutiveandthelegislatureto protect Guyana from such exploitation and both have failed. “You are doubly culpable as President and as the minister with responsibility under the
brakes but was unable to avoid the collision.
“Thedriverandoccupantofthe car, as well as the driver and passengers of the minibus, all received injuries The minibus driverandpassengerswereassisted by public-spirited citizens and conveyed to Linden Hospital Complex,wheretheywereallseen and examined by Doctors on duty, and kept for ‘observation’,” police said.
However, Ramin and Carter were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex by police where they were both pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have been taken to the Linden Hospital Complex Mortuary, awaiting postmortemexaminations.
Investigations into the accident areongoing.
WEDNESDAY
When you use public power, your actionsanddecisionsaresubjectto judicial review There is no ‘prerogative’ which allows you to escape the scrutiny of the courts. The Courts have a duty to uphold theruleoflawandcanstrikedown your decisions and action if you exercisepublicpowerunlawfully.I have written to you in the past and n o t r e c e i v e d a n y acknowledgement, let alone a reply Suchdiscourtesyisanaffront tothedignityofyouroffice.Ilook forward to hearing from you,” the letterconcluded.
TwodeadinSoesdykeLindenHighwaysmash-up
Two men died on Monday morning after the car they were travelling in collided with a minibus in the vicinity of Adventure, along the SoesdykeLindenHighway
Dead are 40-year-old Kowmalram Ramin of West Coast Berbice (WCB), the driver of the car and 29-year-old Fitzgerald Authur Carter of Rosignol, WCB, thelonepassenger
Severalpersonswereinjuredin theaccident.
Reports are that the accident occurredataround05:10hrs.
Police in a statement said that theaccidentinvolvedacarbearing registration number PLL 6554 which was owned by Ramin and a minibus with registration number BAE1526ownedanddrivenby32year-old Immanuel Dorris, of CentralAmelia’sWard,Linden.
Dorris reportedly told investigators that he observed the speeding car (going south) approach a section of the road that is under construction He told investigators that the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to skate into the path of the minibus (goingnorth).
Dorris said that he applied
OilSpillLawcancelsHigh Court’sdecisionforunlimited protection-Dr.Adams …says lack of representation for fisherfolk, other affected parties on Board alarming
The recent passage of the Oil P o l l u t i o n P r e v e n t i o n , Preparedness, Response and ResponsibilityBill2025represents a cancellation of the High Court’s decision for unlimited protection against the costs associated with suchadisaster
This is according to former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams. In a letter to the editor on Tuesday, the petroleum andenvironmentalengineershared hisviewsonthelegislationthatwas approvedinParliamentonMay16.
Notably, the Bill was passed in theNationalAssembly2yearsand 13 days after a landmark ruling by the High Court’s Justice Sandil Kissoon on May 3, 2023. In his ruling,theJudgeorderedtheEPAto issueanoticetotheoperatorofthe Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its parent company, to ensure full protectionisprovidedtothestatein theeventofanoilspill.
Thenewlaw,however,protects the ‘parent’ of petroleum companies operating in Guyana Notably, Clause 21 makes it clear that there shall be “no transfer of liability” It states, “An indemnification or any like agreement shall be invalid for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party underthisact.”
To this end, Dr Adams described the new law as an “alltime brazen scam perpetrated by thePPPCtocancelJudgeKissoon’s Decision”. Furthermore, he noted thatsincethebilldoesnotintendto provide unlimited liability coverage,astoutedbygovernment, Continued on page 39
The wreckage of the accident on the SoesdykeLinden Highway
Frompage38
the administration has refused to withdraw its ongoing appeal of JusticeKissoon’sorder
“What we are sadly witnessing inbrightdaylight,isthebetrayalof, and unrelenting assault on the democracy of Guyana via the PPPC’s [Peoples Progressive Party] skin-of-the-teeth single seat majorityemasculatingthejudiciary by fiat of the party’s Putinesque authoritarianism way, as they overthrow court decisions they don’t like,” the former Executive DirectoroftheEPAargued.
In explaining the intricacies of how the law protects the oil companiesratherthanGuyana,Dr Adams pointed out that major companies(parent),suchasExxon, insulate themselves from liability throughthecreationofsubsidiaries (child)- in this case, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited. In this manner, theparentcompanyisnotrequired to sign documents, leaving the limited liability company on the hook for any associated responsibilities.
With National Elections fast approaching, the former EPAhead believesthegovernmentcraftedthe Bill to avoid facing the wrath of Guyanese for attempting to water downtheprotectionorderedbythe Court.
It,however,failedinitsattempt since the law clearly states that the “responsible party” (RP) - in this case, EMGL- will be liable for all damages.Tothisend,heexplained, “That is an obvious no brainer, exceptmeaninglessiftheRPhasno meanstocoveraspillasinthecase of EMGL, and would declare bankruptcy leaving (the) Parent Company Exxon to walk away scotch free while Guyana is left holdingthebagforbillionsthatwill empty our oil coffers and many timesmore.Thisistheexactreason why a Parent Company Guarantee was enshrined into law by the Coalition.”
Lackofrepresentation
Meanwhile,Dr Adamsflagged the lack of representation of affected parties on the proposed Incident Board that will be tasked with determining claims following anoilspill.
He pointed out that the legislationmakesprovisionforone representative each from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the EPA, and Exxon as the RP It, however, makes no mention of representation for the affected parties (AP) such as small fisherfolk.
Dr Adams said this is a demonstration of “blatant bias and unfairness”towardstheAP Healso believestherewouldbeaconflictof interest in allowing Exxon to determineitsownliability
Furthermore, Dr Adams argued, “In the event of the AP’s dissatisfaction with the Board’s determination, it may choose to
seek legal redress, but good luck with a small fisherfolk going up againstbehemothExxonincourts! And to boot, expressions such as “coverageasfaraspracticable”and “reasonable and legitimate” are weasellywordstostackthedeckin Exxon’sfavour.”
Chairman Komal Singh …says Guyana has too many opportunities for people to still claim poverty
Outgoing Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Komal Singh, onTuesday issued a bold challenge to Guyanese who say they are living in poverty, arguing that the country offers ample opportunities for those willingtowork.
Singh was speaking at the PSC’s 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) as he concluded histwo-yeartermasChairman.
During his remarks, he urged unity and optimism about the country’s future. “There is a big future ahead of Guyana. Let us all work collectively as a team As Guyanese, this country has a wonderful opportunity that we shouldallcapitalizeon,”hesaid.
Addressingtheissueofpoverty, Singh pointed to the growing economy and dismissed claims from some quarters that people havenowayout.“Icanunderstand people living in poverty if there is no opportunity In a country where there is an abundance of opportunity, I’m challenging anybodyouttherepubliclywhotell me they’re living in poverty come to me; I’ll take you out of poverty within one to six months,” Singh boldly stated citing that he knows theAGMisbeingairedlive.
He noted, however, that personal effort and discipline are key “You cannot come out of poverty if within you, you don’t wanttocomeoutofpoverty,”Singh
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Komal Singh
He said this country’s interaction with Guyana would extend beyond gas. “Our business with Guyana and our interest with Guyanaisnotjustgas.Theyarenot asadvancedwiththeproductionof gas, as they are with oil. So, our business with Guyana has to do with providing technical service support to the energy industry there Several of our State companies are involved in Guyana atthistimeandinvolvedinbidding for contracts of providing services…technical,administrative (services),insomecases,”hesaid.
Suriname and Guyana in the comingmonths,toseesomeofthe work we have tendered for,” he said.
said. He added that those seeking help must be willing to work six days a week and commit to changingtheirmindset.
“There is a wonderful opportunity ahead of us in this country Let us all work towards building our goals, reaching our goals, improving our family lives for the betterment of all in this country,”heconcluded.
THURSDAY
T&TseeksoildealwithGuyana …also eyes providing technical service support to energy industry
(Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has written to Guyana’s Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat expressing the desire to collaborate on energy matters.
Moonilal disclosed this to members of the media in Trinidad andTobagoonTuesdayfollowinga tour of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Penal-Debe South Campus, the Trinidad Express reported He was responding to statements by Vice President BharratJagdeothatGuyanadidnot have sufficient gas production to export. Moonilal said while he did not have one-on-one discussions with either Guyana’s president Irfaan Ali or Jagdeo, he was expecting a response from the natural resources minister of Guyana.
He said initiatives were also being undertaken for collaboration in Suriname and Grenada However, he said with an election approaching in Suriname, it was “prudent to wait a few days more before making that type of initiative” Moonilal said that Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar had outlined a vision for TrinidadandTobagotobecome“an energyhuboftheCaribbeanandreemerging as a major and the leading energy player in the Caribbean”.
Asked if he was disappointed, Moonilalsaid:“No,theydon’thave the production of gas at this time thatwillhelpus.Thatiswhywe’ve haddiscussionsovertheyears,and we will now intensify those discussions…as well in Suriname, becausethereisanongoinginterest in a pipeline from Suriname to Trinidad, that can also connect to Guyana, if and when Guyana produces the quantum of gas that will be for both their domestic consumption and for export in the region, primarily Trinidad and Tobago ” He said the ministry would also have discussions with theGuyaneseprivatesector.
Youngwrong
Moonilal said that former energy minister Stuart Young was wrong,astherewasamodeltorun pipelines outside of Venezuelan waters “Throughout the world, pipelinesarerunthroughwater,on land It is quite common with international, commercial arrangementsandinternationallaw to run a pipeline through other territorial waters belonging to several countries and on land; in fact, there are pipelines that run through Eastern Europe, Western Europe everywhere That is a normal commercial and international negotiation process,” headded.
MoonilalsaidthatTrinidadand Tobago would be strongly represented at the gas symposium inJune,wheremattersofthefuller participation of the energy sector from Trinidad in Suriname would be raised. “What I found startling when I became minister was that while the private sector has been able to position themselves and their own work to Guyana and Suriname, the government itself really didn’t have much of a footprint Trinidad and Tobago government doesn’t have a footprint. It is really the private sector—and they have done so by their own work, their lobbying, their networking, their legal work, their commercial negotiations withoutthehelpofthegovernment. And if we are to be the energy hub oftheCaribbean,wemustalsohave a significant presence as a governmentinthosecountries.And I’mhappytosaythatthereareState enterprisesnowthatwe’reworking with to get a bigger role in
He stated that unlike the previous administration, his negotiations would be much more transparent, much more open, and much more end-result focused Addressing the matter of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery, he said he was awaiting technical reports before holding a tour “We are putting together a team to do a quick assessment technical assessment of the state of the refinery at this minute. We know what the refinery was in 2018, and certainly 2015. But we would like togetatechnicalreportnowonthe mothballing process, and what is called tracking reports on the refinery Then, we will be in a position to tour It would make the tour much more useful when we haveastatusreportfromatechnical committee. That should be set up anydaynow,”hesaid.
Gov’tdistancesselffromactions ofpoliceinAdriana’scase - says not responsible for the actions of Police Force
In the wake of public outrage over the handling of 11-year-old Adriana Younge’s death, the Government of Guyana has distanceditselffromtheoperations oftheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF). This is according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Nandlall, SC Nandlall made the statement on Sunday,duringalivediscussionon theCaribbeanTeaprogrammeaired onsocialmedia,alongsideattorney, Dr Vivian Williams Esq., senior journalist,DenisChabrol,andSaint Vincent and the Grenadines media specialist,KendolMorgan.
During the programme, Nandlallstatedthatthegovernment isnotresponsiblefortheactionsof thepoliceforceinthiscase,noting that the GPF is an independent body “Government is always put on a back foot in these situations. Our government, or no government, should defend that which is indefensible. We are not defending the police force. We are dealing with a situation as a government,” Nandlall said He emphasised that the police operate independently and are not under directcontrolofthegovernmentor eventheMinisterofHomeAffairs.
“Even the subject minister is prohibited under the Police Act from giving day-to-day directions on operational matters, or giving directions, period, on operational matters in the police force,” he stated.
Nandlall further clarified that the GPF functions under the command of Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, while the governmentislimitedtoproviding Continued on page 40
Frompage39 policy direction.“This tendencyto hold government responsible for theactionsofthepoliceforceisnot correct The police force is an independent organisation, and that’s why the promotion process andeverythingelseisdonethrough an independent process, the Police ServiceCommission,etc.”
The GPF has come under intense scrutiny following its handling of Adriana Younge’s disappearance and subsequent death. One of the most criticised actions was the early release of an inaccurate statement claiming Adrianahadbeenabducted;aclaim thatwaslaterprovenfalse.
When pressed about potential government intervention to investigate possible lapses in the police’s handling of the case, Nandlall reiterated the government’s limited role in such matters.
“AsIsaid,wearenotdirecting, neither are we responsible for the investigation We are obviously government, and in charge of the apparatus of government, and we havetoensurethatthereislawand ordermaintainedinthesociety,”he said.
Professor Williams, questioning the AG, asked, “Isn’t the police force a part of the apparatus of government?” to which Nandlall responded, “Yes, yes, as so many other state agencies. So, we’re taking it one step at a time We have an investigation that is ongoing, and thatinvestigationwehavetoallow to be concluded; that’s the immediate thing at hand Then there are other processes that will have to unfold. One may include, obviously, a review of the entire situation, because you have multimillion dollars of properties that havebeendestroyed.”
He elaborated further,” When youareatthelevelofgovernment, you have to look at the panoramic view of the situation. Properties have been destroyed all over the country If those people decide to sue the state, who will be held responsible?So,whotriggeredall these events that seem to have developed a life of their own, some of them geographically far removed from the locus in question, some completely unrelated but leading to dire consequences, including damage and loss to property, assault and battery,andwoundingofinnocent citizens and then you have the police force itself and the way it conducted this. So, there’s a lot of examination that will have to be done.”
Internationalassistance andcontinuedgrief
IneffortstoassisttheGPFwith its investigationonAdriana’s case, and provide comfort to the family, thegovernmentannouncedonMay 8, the hiring of retired Royal
CanadianMountedPolice(RCMP) investigator, Leonard McCoshen, to probe Adriana’s death. This announcement was met with disappointment by the child’s family,whohadcalledforabroader international investigative team ratherthanasingleindividual. Additionally, public calls have intensified for the removal of Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, who was appointed by the currentadministration.
President Irfaan Ali has maintainedthatthegovernmenthas doneitsbestinaddressingthecase. Nonetheless, mistrust in the police has grown, with the public and the family demanding transparency andjustice.
Adriana Younge was reported missing around 13:30 hrs onApril 23 during a family outing at the DoubleDayHotelatTuschen,East Bank Essequibo Her body was discovered nearly 20 hours later in the swimming pool and was retrieved by her father, Subrian Younge.
Despite the involvement of three foreign pathologists who determined thatAdriana died from drowning, her family remains sceptical.
Onemonthhaspassedsinceher death, and the family has yet to receive Adriana’s preliminary autopsy report, even after meeting with the Commissioner of Police. In response, the family, alongside theirattorney,DrDexterTodd,has committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding Adriana’s death, with or without government’s support. The family has arranged forAdriana’s body to be flown to the United States for a secondautopsy
NewCourtofAppeal judgesswornin
President Irfaan Ali administered the Oath of Office to fiveofthesevennewjudgesofthe CourtofAppealattheOfficeofthe PresidentonWednesday
Those who took the oath of office on Wednesday were: Justices:Jo-AnnBarlow,Navindra Singh, Nareshwar Harnanan, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Dr JoycelinKyte-Thomas.
Justices Damone Younge and Rafiq Khan, SC, the other two judges, will be sworn in at a later date.
In remarks, President Ali emphasisedthattheappointmentof these judges reflects his government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Guyana’s judicial framework.Healsonotedthatthese appointmentscomeatatimewhen thedemandforefficientandtimely appellate review is greater than ever “The efficacy of any legal system is closely tied to the timeliness with which it dispenses justice In this regard, the expansionofthecomplementofthe appellatejudgesisbothtimelyand necessary,” the Guyanese leader stated.
“Itwillfacilitatemoreefficient management of the appellate caseload and allow for a speedier resolution of matters, thereby enhancingpublicconfidenceinthe judicialprocess.”
PresidentAli congratulated the newly appointed judges, of whom are mostly women. He reminded them that their ascension to the bench of the Court of Appeal represents one of the highest honoursthatcanbeconferredupon
mention of an unlimited parent company guarantee to shield Guyanafrombearingtheburdenof the costs of any oil spill, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has defendedthecontroversiallaw
During his weekly press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, the chief policymaker for the sector responded to concerns raised this week by several persons regarding the lack of comprehensive coverageintheeventofanoilspill. Some stakeholders even argued that the Bill was passed to undo a HighCourtrulingforunlimitedoil spillprotection.
Heexplainedthatwhilecritics interpret Clause 21 to mean that parent companies will be shielded from liabilities under the Act, this was not the case. Clause 21 states, “An indemnification or any like agreement shall be invalid for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party underthisact.”
a member of the legal profession. However, the president remarked that with such distinction comes a heightened responsibility as he explained that it demands the utmost diligence, impartiality, and fidelitytotheconstitutionandlaws ofthecountry
“Asjusticesofappeal,youwill be called upon to be arbiters in manymattersoflegalsignificance. Your pronouncements will shape jurisprudence, guide future adjudication, and influence the manner in which justice is experienced and upheld in our republic,”thepresidentsaid.
He charged the judges to exemplify the highest standards of judicial decorum and ethical behaviour “You’re expected to bring to your office scrupulous attention to detail, objectivity, impartiality, and an assailable integrity Scrupulousness is essential in appellate work, where carefulexaminationoffactsandthe preciseinterpretationofthelaware paramount,” the president added.
The head of state urged the judges to“Letyourtenureontheappellate benchbemarkedbyacommitment totheidealsofjustice,fairnessand equity Let your service bring honour to the court and inspire confidenceintheadministrationof justice.”(AdaptedfromDPI)
Although the recently passed Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Bill makes no
To this end, Jagdeo explained, “So they are saying this indemnification is invalid, so the indemnification from the parent guarantee in the past is invalid. If you read the whole sentence, it says, “for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party under the act”. It definesthis.Soifyouaretheparty responsible for the spill, you can’t go and sign an agreement or say, I have an agreement with someone else and transfer that liability You’reresponsibleforit.Youcan’t transfer the liability Has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the parent guarantee, that indemnification.”
Furthermore, theVPpointed to Clause27ofthelaw,whichmakes it clear that evidence of financial assurance shall be provided to the satisfaction of the competent nationalauthority Accordingto27 (1)ofthelaw,“Aresponsibleparty shall maintain and provide evidence of financial assurance to the satisfaction of the Competent NationalAuthority.”
Meanwhile, 27 (2) goes on to say,“Financialassuranceshallbein accordance with the Petroleum Activities Act and the EnvironmentalProtectionAct.”
To this end, Jagdeo argued that the Environmental Protection Act requires the licenced operator to take full responsibility for liabilities under the Act He explained, “If your assets can’t meet those liabilities, you have to now give me a document which shows that you can cover all the liabilities from the parent company.”
It is important to note that the VP made no mention of an unlimited parent company guarantee but rather a “document” from the parent company In large operationssuchasoilproduction, Continued on page 41
President IrfaanAli is flanked by the new Justices ofAppeal
Frompage40 giant corporations such as Exxon Mobil create limited liabilitycompanies(child)to operate in the host country This, therefore, requires the childcompanytosignoffon contracts, protecting the assets and resources of the parent company in the process.
Recognising this
loophole, the former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams, inserted a provision
into the Development Permits for Exxon The
Permits required an unlimited parent company
guarantee (a signed document by Exxon Mobil Corporation) assuring that the giant would handle all
costs that the limited companyfailstocover Itwouldalsobeapposite to note that the Government
of Guyana (GoG) has appealed a ruling by High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kisson,forExxontoprovide an unlimitedguaranteefrom theparentcompanytosatisfy all costs. Moreover, it was after the May 3, 2023 ruling that government modified the previously issued permits, including a new provisiontoreversetheneed f o r a n “ u n l i m i t e d guarantee”.
It was reported that Condition 14 3 of the Yellowtail Permit states, “Theaboveindividuallyora combinationshallatleastbe guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably crediblecosts,expenses,and liabilitiesthatmayarisefrom any breaches of this permit. Liabilities are considered to includecostsassociatedwith responding to an incident, clean-up and remediation
and monitoring The estimationisnotexpectedto address unidentifiable or inestimablecostswhichmay be associated with compensation for loss and ongoing damage to other
parties,andwhichareableto be pursued through civil action.” The Liza One, Liza Two and Payara Permits weremodifiedtofeaturethis newprovisionintroducedby the People’s Progressive Party(PPP)regime. The first two Permits for the Liza One and Liza Two oil projects were approved by the previous Coalition government, while the third project, Payara, was approved by the PPP government. These Permits did not previously feature this provision After this change was exposed by Kaieteur News, Jagdeo defendedtheinsertionofthe new requirement that forces citizens to fight for oil spill compensationinCourt.
Oilministersaystax-free ridetoExxoncan’t change …but accepts that it’s criminal to have an agreement with zero tax
Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat, while addressing the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference on Wednesday, accepted that it is “criminal” to give ExxonMobil a tax-free ride for its operations in Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek (oil)Block.
However, according to the oil minister, the deal cannot be changed, but Guyanese can look forward to better fiscal terms in new oil agreements for other blocks During his presentation at the conference presently being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Georgetown, Bharrat noted that many Guyanese would ask him why his government is not changing the bad deal that it hadcriticisedinthepast.
“I have been to a lot of communitiesandpeoplesay, whywedon’tchangeit…soI will explain why we don’t
change it”, Bharrat told the Indigenousleadersattending the conference. In making hiscasewhythegovernment cannot change the oil c o n t r a c t t h a t h a s shortchanged Guyana, Bharrat said, “You have to understand the term renegotiationmeans,thatthe two-partygottocometothe tableandagreeonnewterms and conditions is not the government saying, oh we want this we want that.” He thenshiftedalltheblameon the previous coalition administration that signed it backinJune2016.
Hethenwentontorepeat that his PPP/C government hadonlypromisedtochange future oil deals and not the Stabroekdeal-aclaimthatis still being questioned today because there is a recorded video suggesting that changingthedealwasoneof t
p
y’s c
o m i s e s w
n i n
pposition General SecretaryofthePartyandthe country’sVice-presidentwas recorded criticising the then government for selling out Guyana’s patrimony before promisingthat“wewilllook backatthedeal”.
Bharrat, however, in his address on Wednesday, said that the promise was to only change future oil deals. “So, when we took over government (in 2020), we said that we are going to change the fiscal regime or the benefits that come to a countryinfutureagreements that we sign, because in Guyanawaters,itisnotonly theStabroekblock,thereare many other blocks The Stabroek block is just one block”,Bharratclaimed.
“There is the Kaieteur, thereistheCanje,thereisthe Orinduik,Kanuku,Roraima, Berbice, Demerara and many other blocks, but only because we are producing fromtheStabroekblockthat one is highlighted all the time, there are many other blocks,” Bharrat continued.
Theoilministerthenwenton to point out the differences between the fiscal terms of the lopsided Stabroek Block contract with the ones the government has included in its new agreements that it plans to sign for other oil blocks.
“ A n d w h a t a r e differences in the old agreement It has two percent royalty that come to Guyana that is what the APNU+AFC signed,” Bharrat said before adding, “The one that we will sign with new operators, it says ten percent of royalty must cometoGuyana,anincrease of 8 percent, so additional benefitsforus.”
Criminalcontract
Bharrat then described the tax-free ride granted to ExxonMobilintheStabroek
B l o c k C o n t r a c t a s “criminal”. “…And in the oldagreementandyougotto listen to this because this is almost criminal that the APNU+AFC sat down with these oil companies and put in that agreement zer0 percent tax…imagine that”, Guyana’s oil minister told the Toshaos “In the new agreement, we say oil companies must pay 10 percent tax. It’s criminal to doanagreementandputzero percent tax,” Bharrat added. He said that if Guyana wantedabetteroildeal,then it should have ensured it got one when the coalition signed the contract in 2016.
“And yet the same people, they even come in the Parliament and say yall got to change it, why didn’t you negotiateatthatpointintime and ensure you had a proper agreement, that is what they should have done,” he
argued. It should be noted that the government has managed to make some minorchangestothecurrent Stabroek Block deal like taking control of Guyana’s decommissioning fund- a fund that was held by ExxonMobil-butisrefusing to engage the American oil giant on ringfencing and taxes.
Top U S oil producer ExxonMobil(XOM.N),and Hess (HES N), will meet face-to-face on Monday in a court hearing to determine the fate of Chevron’s (CVX.N),$53billiondealto buyHessandwithitaprized stake in Guyana’s prolific oilfields.
The planned acquisition, announced in October 2023, is one of the oil industry’s biggest deals in years. It is key to Chevron CEO Mike Wirth’s strategy of improvingtheoilcompany’s performance Exxon and C h i n a ’ s C N O O C (600938.SS),opensnewtab, Hess’ partners in Guyana, filed arbitration disputes early last year, which have delayed the deal’s closing and caused Chevron to miss out on increased output and revenue.
Hess’ most attractive assetisits30percentstakein the Stabroek Block off the coastofGuyana,operatedby Exxon.Guyanaisoneofthe world’s fastest-growing oil producers and the Stabroek
Block is estimated to hold more than 11 billion barrels ofoilequivalent.
Exxon and CNOOC claim that they have a contractual right of first refusal to purchase Hess’ stakeintheGuyanafield.
Chevron and Hess argue the clause does not apply to the sale of the whole company If they lose the arbitration and are unable to agree on an acceptable resolution with Exxon and CNOOC, the acquisition would fail, according to the termsofthedeal.
A t h r e e - m e m b e r arbitrationtribunalunderthe International Chamber of Commerce will analyse the dispute in a confidential hearing that starts on MondayinLondon.
The joint operating agreement in the Stabroek Block between Hess, Exxon and CNOOC is governed by UK law, according to a source familiar with the terms.
By the time the hearing kicks off, Hess, Exxon and CNOOC should have already submitted in writing themajorityofthetestimony thatwillbeconsideredbythe tribunal, according to four international arbitration attorneys who are familiar withtheICC’sprocedures.
Aspokesperson for Hess pointed to a previous filing that said the company expects a decision after the hearing in the third quarter, w h i l e a n E x x o n spokesperson referred back topreviouspubliccomments about the case. Chevron and CNOOC did not respond to requestsforcomment.
Priortothehearing,the Continuedonpage42
Exxon CEO Darren Woods Hess CEO John Hess
Chevron CEO Michael Wirth
The Stabroek Block
From page 41 companies may submit documents and written statements from witnesses or experts they have called on to support their claims in thedispute.
This phase is typically the longest portion of arbitration proceedings, often taking a year, said William Kirtley, managing partner at Aceris Law, a boutique internationalarbitrationlawfirm.
The average ICC arbitration case takes over two years to reach a resolution from the time proceedings are initiated, according to the court’s annual report.
Hess, Chevron and Exxon have saidtheyexpectaresolutionintheir dispute by the third quarter of this year, which would be about 18 months after Exxon and CNOOC initiatedarbitrationproceedings.
“This is relatively fast for an ICC arbitration, especially when consideringthesizeofthedispute,” Kirtleysaid.(Reuters)
$57B supplementary budget approved
The Committee of Supply on Fridaynightapproved$57.5billion moretosupportfourstateagencies, just three months after passing this year’snationalbudget.
The financial paper valued at $57,492,615,275 was approved for the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM); the Ministry of Public Works; Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry of Housing andWater The supplementary budget increases the government’s spending power to massive $1,439,492,615,275.
In a statement Friday evening, the Ministry of Finance said the supplementary appropriation was successfully piloted by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr AshniSingh.
Included in the supplementary provision for OPM is $29.5 billion. Of that sum, $28.8 billion will go towardssupportingtheupgradeand expansionofelectricitydistribution networks. This will complement and support the 300 MW Natural Gas Power Plant currently under construction In addition, $738 million is allocated for the expansion of coverage to 17 previously unserved communities, even as the government has provided solar panels to a large number of hinterland communities thatarenotincloseproximitytothe nationalgrid.
Under OPM’s current programme, $7 8 billion was approved to support, upgrade and maintain approximately 157 km of existing distribution network to address the immediate needs of citizens. This will boost GPL’s capacity to provide reliable
electricityservicestocustomers.
According to the finance ministry, as of May 21, 2025, 617,398citizenshaveregisteredfor the cash grant across the country with 602,927 cheques having already been cut and 96 percent distributed. It is projected that an additional 12,000 persons will be registeredbytheendofJune.
In addition, an amount of $1.5 billion has been allocated for the continuationofhinterlandroadsfor improved connectivity to the hinterland from the coast under the Ministry of Public Works, along with $1 4 billion for farm-tomarket roads in various areas, to support the growth and expansion of the agriculture sector Additionally, the housing ministry received $12 billion more to facilitate an expanded housing programme.
In total, the sum of
$11,017,456,275 for current estimates was approved and $46,475,159,000 for capital estimates.
House passes motion against Venezuela’s plan to hold unlawful elections in Essequibo …Opposition walks out, calls motion weak
The National Assembly on Fridayapprovedamotionopposing Venezuela’s plan to hold regional elections including electing a representative for a new state referred to as “Guayana Esequiba” –Guyana’sEssequiboregion.
The motion was tabled by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd. While the motion received full support from the government’s Members of Parliament (MPs), Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton made it clear that the Opposition will not support a motion that excludes its input. Nortonlabeledthemotionweak.
Minister Todd, who opened the debates, outlined Venezuela’s provocation despite signing the
ArgyleAgreement back in 2023, in the presence of regional and international interlocutors where Guyana and Venezuela committed to refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from the territorial controversy betweenthetwostates.
The minister also outlined Venezuela’s repeated violation of two sets of provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the first in December 2023, explicitly instructing Venezuelanottoalterthestatusquo in the region, where Guyana has controlovertheEssequiboregion.
Earlier this year, Guyana returned to the ICJ for provisional measures to restrain Venezuela from holding the elections. The courtsubsequentlyhandeddownits order on May 1, 2025. In the order, the court reaffirmed previous provisional measures and prohibited Venezuela from taking any action in relation to the con
r, Venezuela is still moving ahead withtheelections.
Minister Todd stated government’s intelligence to date indicates there is no physical activity taking place in any of communities close to the border which suggests preparation for elections in Guyana’s Essequibo territory He however made it clear, “it is important for Venezuela to understand that Guyana will not be bullied, threatened or intimidated to surrender any portion of our patrimony.”
He added, “We remain committed to international law and the peaceful resolution of this matter through the international court process and we call upon Venezuela to comply with the courts legally binding orders and to refrain from actions that would destabilise this region and violate Guyana’sterritorialintegrity.”
Following Minister Todd’s presentation, Norton made his presentation He condemned Venezuela’s action and violations
of the ICJ’s orders and also expressed the Opposition’s support for the ICJ process and stated that he is confident that Guyana will succeed at the ICJ, upholding its right to the Essequibo region, which was conclusively settled in the 1899 Arbitral Award, with the Essequibo region forming part of Guyana’s 83,000 square kilometers.
However, Norton made it clear that that is the extent the Opposition’s support on the matter as he called out the government for lack of inclusivity and patriotism. “Therefore, not obligated to support this motion since it is your government that breached our trust andoperatedarbitrarily.”
“The greatest enemy this country has is the Government of Guyana…Iamsayingtoyouinthis House now that you are not inclusive and you do not deserve thesupport,”Nortonadded.
Deputy Speaker, Dr. Asha Kissoon for her part, expressed dissatisfaction with the Opposition leader’s presentation. Kissoon also labeled it as “shameful” stating, “clearly, what we have seen is a classic case of them mistaking the word parliament as a synonym for circus, the performances were not evenentertaining.”
Kissoon added, “How could we stand here before this Honourable House and play politics at a time like this, when in two days, Venezuela wants to take part of our territory? How dare they stand before this Honourable House and try to get political gains and mileage through something as importantasthis?”
The deputy speaker urged the international community not to listen to the “nonsense and the divisionthathasbeenpushedbythe Opposition, but to continue supporting us on this issue with Venezuela.”
Similarly,AttorneyGeneraland Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC also responded to the opposition leader He explained
that historically Guyanese political actors have been united when it comes to the border controversy, adding that Norton has now broken thattradition.
Nandlall said, “The history of this country will now record unfortunately that leader of the opposition and leader of the People’s National Congress has broken an immaculate record on thismatter.”
Closing the debates, Minister Todd said that Norton’s speech is embarrassing “He does not deserve to be the leader of the Opposition. It is embarrassing… And he’s embarrassing us in front of President Maduro. That’s his best friend now He’s going to become President Maduro’s best friend. Because he’s condemning usforstandingup.”
For their part in a statement, the Alliance For Change (AFC) in a joint parliamentary action with APNU reiterated their support for Guyana’s sovereignty and territorialintegrity
However, the combined Opposition said it was forced to withhold support for a motion broughtbythegovernmentbecause it lacked clear and decisive action on how Guyana will counter the threatsposedbyVenezuela.
“We note that the government’s motion failed to condemn outright the elections proposed by Venezuela on May 25 – the eve of our independence celebration,” the statementsaid.
The AFC also expressed disappointment that several recommendations on this issue presented to the government over the last three years have fallen on deafears.
“At no time in our history has the imperative for national unity been more vital. For this is not merely a contest over territory—it is a test of our maturity as a people, our fortitude as a nation, and our capacity to rise above partisanship in the defense of sovereignty,” it wasstated.
TheProboscisMonkeyis also called the Monyet Belanda Monkey, which means the long nosed Monkey
It belongs to the OldWorld classification. In the Egyptian Culture, they were worshippedasaveryunique animal and believed to be specialtothegods.
Description
The long nose if this monkey is a very distinct featurethatseparatesitfrom all other species. In fact, when people first noticed it, theydidn’teventhinkitwas a monkey due to the look of it.Themaleshaveanosethat isevenlargerthanthatofthe females.
Itisbelievedthatalarger nose is going to attract females.The nose can be up to7incheslong.
Themalescanbeupto56 pounds with the females barely about 20 This differenceislargerthanwith any other primates in terms of their size. They have a reddish-brown colouring and the limbs are gray in colour Thesemonkeyshave averylargestomachtoo.
Distribution
The Island of Borneo is the known location of the Proboscis Monkey They live in the lower elevations oftheforestsandaroundthe swamplands.Theyarefound in the Danau Sentarum NationalParkwheretheyare well protected from poachers They are well spreadoutintheirhabitat.
Behaviour
The warning calls of the Proboscis Monkey are very loud. It is believed that the large nose allows for the soundstobebolderthanthat of other Monkeys.They can live in groups that range from10to30.Themonkeys don’talwaysstayinthesame group though They can move from one to the next
fromoneislandtothenext.It also offers them a place to cooloffandforhavingsome fun playing around. They havebeenseenwalkinginan upright position along the trailsintheforest.Theydoso inasinglefile.
The males create harems within the cultures This allows the males to have several females for socializingandmating.They alsohelpwiththecareofthe youngoffspring.
Diet/Feeding
The Proboscis Monkey doesn’t eat more than other monkeysbutitdoeslooklike it. That is due to their body shapeinthestomachregion. They consume mangrove shootsandleaves.Theyalso consumesmallinsects.
Reproduction
frequently This is very different from most other groupsofmonkeyspecies. They are able to swim verywellevenindeepwater This allows them to move
Femalesaretheonesthat initiate mating, and it can occur during any period of the year They will typically do so only when there is plenty of food. The young
arebornabout160daysafter mating occurs. They have a bluishcolouringtotheirface at birth but it will soon turn pinkish.Themaleswillhave toleavethegroupwhenthey are about 1 ½ years of age. The females though are able toremainfortheirentirelife if they would like to. The Proboscis Monkey has a short life span in the wild of about 13 years. In captivity, theymayliveupto30years.
Conservation
The extensive loss of vegetation has led to a steep decline in the number of Proboscis Monkeys in the wild. Today, there are only about 1,000 of them that remain.
As a result, they are strictly protected by the government of Borneo There are stiff penalties for those that kill them. Still, some poaching does occur and it is hard to track down those responsible for such efforts.
Proboscis monkey in Kota Kinabalu.
Graduation Day
The sun was shining brightly over Maplewood School.Itwasaveryspecial day—GraduationDay!
Daniel was finishing kindergarten, and he couldn't stop smiling He wore a tiny cap that kept slippingtooneside.Hehad practiced his graduation song all week and even learned to sit still (mostly) duringrehearsals.
Emily, on the other hand, was finishing fifth grade her last year in elementaryschool.Shehad grown so much over the years and was now one of the big kids everyone looked up to She had written a short speech to thank her teachers and friends.
At home that morning, their mom helped Daniel buttonuphisshirt.
“Are you excited, Daniel?”sheasked.
“Yes! But I'm a little nervous,” he whispered “What if I forget the words tothesong?”
Emily leaned over and gave him a gentle hug “Don'tworry Justsmileand have fun. That's what I'm doingtoo.”
She had laid out her favourite dress the night before and wore a sparkly bracelet her grandma had given her She even styled her hair with a special blue clipthatmatchedherschool colours.
Dad packed the camera and made sure there was enough memory for pictures and videos. Their grandparents were coming too, along with Aunt Lily and Uncle Mark. Everyone wantedtocheerthemon.
AtSchool
The school gym was decoratedwithballoonsand banners.Abigsignread:
“Congratulations, Graduates!”
The kindergarteners sat
The clock
inaneatrow,swingingtheir feet, while the fifth graders sat behind them looking proudbutalittleemotional.
Daniel's teacher, Miss Harper, called each kindergartener to the stage. When Daniel's name was called, he walked up carefully, holding his paper diploma with both hands. Everyoneclapped.
Then came the song. Daniel sang with all his heart,loudandclear: ? “We've learned our letters, we've learned to share, Now off to first grade, withloveandcare!”?
His eyes searched the crowd until he spotted his familywavingandsmiling. He waved back so hard his capnearlyflewoff.
After the kindergarten ceremony, it was time for the fifth grade graduation. Emily felt butterflies in her stomach as the principal gaveaspeechabouthowthe fifthgraderswerereadyfor middleschool.
Then Emily was called to the stage to give her speech.
1. Firstly, paint your shells using pastel acrylic paint.You can create an ombre effect by blending 2 colours together
2. Create dotted patterns using acrylic paint and cotton buds.
3. Stick the shells onto a mini canvas in the shape of a butterfly. Place a turret shell in the middle for the butterfly's body
There's a neat little clock In the school-room stands, It points to the time With its two little hands
It is never late to do its work, And always does it with gusto; It tells when we're to start, And when to stop and go
And may we, like that little cloc Keep a face clean and bright, With hands ever ready To do what is always right.
teachers who helped us grow We started this journey as little kids, and now we're ready for something new I'll never forget the friends I made here and the memories we'veshared…”
When she finished, the audience clapped loudly. Even some of the teachers had happy tears in their eyes.
Afterwards, special awards were given out Danielgotashinymedalfor being a “Super Helper” in class He couldn't stop lookingatit.
Emily received an “Outstanding Reader” certificate and a friendship award signed by all her classmates.
TheCelebration
Oncetheceremonywas over, families gathered outside. There were hugs, photos, and lots of proud smiles.
Theirgrandparentsgave them cards with sweet messages and stickers inside Aunt Lily brought balloonsthatsaid“YouDid It!” and Uncle Mark brought cupcakes with Daniel and Emily's names writteninicing.
Back at home, their parents had prepared a smallbackyardparty There were decorations, snacks, lemonade, and a playlist of alltheirfavouritesongs.
Daniel played tag with hiscousins,stillwearinghis medal “Look! I'm a graduate!” he shouted joyfully
Emily sat at a picnic table with her friends from school, giggling and taking sillyselfies.Theypromised stay in touch, even ough some would be ing to different middle schools.
“Let's make a time capsule!” one of them said. They each wrote down a favouritememoryfrom (Continuedonpage54)
The principles that we mentioned last week would help you to independently createasolidfoundationfor your life, with full confidence that you are on the correct path to the fulfilment of your life purpose, and able to contributeyourutmosttothe development of our nation. You will need to consider eachofthem,andensurethat your character is aligned to them.
We deal this week with four of those that will prove to best guide your life:Fairness–asenseofjustice;
a proper balance of
conflicting interests achieved by subordinating one's own feelings, prejudicesanddesiresinthe interest of the good of
others, which would eventually lead to your own good. The idea of this is universal,andoutofthisour wholeconceptofjusticeand equality is developed. One can see evidence of even young children having this sense of fairness, although there are vast differences in how it is defined and achieved Honesty –dealing in truth in every
Self-improvement is a lifetime effort of every human being, and the means by which we can make the biggest contribution to our own and our country's progress.
BINOX
aspect of life, fairness and straightforwardness of conduct in all situations; uprightness of character; adherence to a standard of what is right and proper This would require the subjecting of your own desires and what you may sometimesfeelwouldenrich your life to the dictates of your conscience, which alwaystellsyouwhatistruly right when you sincerely searchforwhatisright.
Integrity–theabilityand willingnesstoliveaccording to the values that one has adopted as his mode of
The finished puzzle should be filled with Xs and Os Horizontally and vertically, there should never be a continuous run of the same
behaviour, firm adherence to acodeofmoralvaluesthatone has decided on beforehand, andthequalityorstateofbeing completelyundividedinone's actions and desires, while living according to these values. Whenoneliveswith integrity, he/she will also gaintherespectofallothers.
Human dignity – the qualityorstateofbeingseen by others as a human being upholding proper values Thisinvolvesactinginsucha way as to be honoured or esteemed by others, sincerity in the manner one deals with others, and being straightforwardinappearance
Make a serious attempt to consider how each of these is included in your own personality, and taking steps to make any adjustment to improve on them.
Please keep on with this effort at selfimprovement by checking the next issue for the other principles.
symbollongerthan2.Thereare an equal number of Xs and Os in each row and column. All rows are unique. All columns areunique,too.
New York Post - A formermaleescortisfurious at being identified in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sextrafficking trial — angrily denying that he ever had a “freak-off”withtherapper’s ex,CassieVentura.
Vin Armani was identified by Ventura as one of those paid to take part in disturbing sex sessions, with his photo among those shown during Combs’high-profiletrial. But the former Vegas
‘Damaged my reputation’
escort who starred in the Showtime reality TV show “Gigolos” — insists it isacaseofmistakenidentity, whilerippingprosecutorsfor not contacting him for his sideofthestory
Vin from Gigolos
Season 3, photographed by Joshua Caine for Showtime
Vin Armani starred in a Showtime reality TV show called “Gigolos” that followed the lives of five male escorts in Las Vegas from2011to2016.
Showtime
“This has sucked for me that my name has been broughtintothis,”hetoldthe DailyMail.
insisted.
Jurors at bombshell D i d d y t r i a l l e a r n disgustingwayhelikeshis burgers as ex-employees testify
Armani admits he “hung out with literally hundreds of celebrities on a regular basis,” but never in one of thenow-notorious “freak-offs” central to the caseagainstCombs.
“Had any attorney or authority ever contacted me, this fact would have been plain for them to see,”hesaid Armani who wrote a 2011 book about his profession, “Tao of the Gigolo” said he was angryafterhavingstarteda new life in tech and crypto following a move to Saipan, a small island in thePacific
the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, where Diddy was caught on video viciously beat
draggingVentura
“I have never had an interaction with Diddy and/or Cassie that included — or where I witnessed — violence, illegal drugs, contracting for sexual services/acts (prostitution), or the transportation of any person from anywhere to anywhere whatsoever,” he
Kim Kardashian graduates law school after 6 years
NBC news - Kim Kardashian graduated from law school after six years of legal training, which included taking three “baby bar”examsand5,184hoursofstudies.
KimKardashianattendsthe2025Vanity Fair OscarAfter PartyArrivals on March 3, 2025 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the PerformingArtsinBeverlyHills,California.
Robert Smith/Patrick McMullan via GettyImages
KimKardashianattendsthe2025Vanity Fair OscarAfter PartyArrivals on March 3, 2025 at Wallis Annenberg Center for the PerformingArtsinBeverlyHills,California.
KimKardashianisdonekeepingupwith herstudies.Afterall,“TheKardashians”star announced May 21 that she has graduated from law school after six years of legal training And to mark her academic milestone,shethrewasmallcommencement ceremony with family and friends includingsisterKhloeKardashian,kidsSaint West,9,ChicagoWest,7,andPsalmWest,6, as well as pal Van Jones — complete with placesettingsmadefromheroldstudynotes.
“All of you guys have been on this
journey with me,” Kardashian began in her speech, which was shared on Instagram Stories. “It did start with Van and I. Well, it startedwiththeTwittervideothatIsawthat popped up.” The 44-year-old explained she was“dumbfounded”bythestateofthelegal systematthetime,soshestartedlookinginto criminal justice reform. That led to her enrollinginafour-yearapprenticeshipwitha SanFranciscolawfirmandtakingthe“baby bar”exam—whichsignifiesthecompletion of the first year of study for students taking unaccredited law classes — three times beforepassingitin2021.
ShealsotooktheMultistateProfessional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) in March, accordingtomultipleoutlets,acrucialstepin becomingalicensedlawyer
“That’s a total of 5,184 hours of legal study,”shenoted.“That’stimeshecarvedout while raising four children, running businesses, filming television shows and showing up in courtrooms to advocate for others.”Needlesstosay,Kardashian’sloved oneshavebeenmovedbyherdetermination tofollowinherlatedadRobertKardashian’s footstepsintoacareerinlaw
“Thiswasyearsandyearsinthemaking,” Khloe Kardashian gushed in her own InstagramStoryvideo.“Thiswasjustsucha coolaccomplishmentandI’msoproud.This wasreallyinspiringandmotivating.”
The Good American co-founder added, “Sohappyforher.”
However, Kardashian’s legal journey isn’t over quite yet. In order to become a practicing attorney, she’ll still need to pass the California Bar Exam, which is given everyyearinFebruaryandJuly,pertheState BarofCalifornia.
He is furious that a since-deleted TMZ story identified him as “Jules,” the sex worker involved in an infamous 2016 night at
“ThisTMZ bulls–tand the lack of professionalism or competence from the prosecution has damaged my reputation, ” he complained.
Combs, 55, is accused of using his fame, fortune andmanybusinessestorun
a racketeering scheme in which he controlledVentura over the course of their 10year, on-again-off-again relationship, using violence and threats, forcing her and others into unprotected sex and drug-fueled “freak-off” sexmarathons.
He faces life in prison if convicted Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges
A London judge has released Chris Brown on bail in the amount of $6.7 milliononWednesday(May 21), according to Reuters. The “Forever” singer also hastosurrenderhispassport when not traveling for his upcoming Breezy Bowl XX TourinNorthAmericanand Europe, which is scheduled tokickoffJune8.
According to the news agency, the singer — who hasnotyetenteredaplea— was ordered to pay $5.4 million to start, with an additional $1.3 million due insevendays.Themusician, whowasarrestedMay15,is duetokickoffBreezyBowl XXinJune.
Billboard has reached outtoBrown’srepaswellas tour promoter Live Nation forcomment.
The two-time Grammy winnerwasarrestedonMay 15 while at his hotel in Manchester for what officials told The Independent was “suspicion of grievous bodily harm” tiedtoanallegedassaultthat happened at a nightclub in February2023.Accordingto Reuters, prosecutors claim thatBrownisresponsiblefor an“unprovokedattack”with a tequila bottle on music
Chris Brown attends theAmiri Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 18, 2024 in Paris. Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
promoterAbrahamDiaw
The Associated Press alsoreportedthatafriendof Brown’s and fellow musician OmololuAkinlolu — whose stage name is HoodyBaby — was also charged Saturday (May 17) with causing grievous bodilyharmwithintentover theallegedattackonDiaw Brown was initially deniedbailduringaLondon court hearing on Friday (May 16). The judge at that hearing remanded the R&B
star into custody, with the singer at the time set to remain behind bars until his next hearing, which would have been June 13, a decision that put his tour — which will also feature SummerWalkerandBryson Tiller—injeopardy
Hisnextcourtdateisset for June 20 at Southwark Crown Court in London. That date is currently bookended by two shows: June19inCardiff,U.K.,and June21inLondon.
Former reality TV star VinArmani, who was incorrectly identified as an escort in a court trial involving Sean ‘Diddy’Combs and Cassie Ventura
Cassie Ventura and Sean Diddy Comb
Popularshoesbrand‘Bata’makesreturntoGuyana
The popular shoe brand
that Bata’s return is a homecomingforabrandthat many people loved and appreciated. He added that by the end of 2025, the company is looking forward
toopeninganadditionalfour stores across Guyana—- in New Amsterdam, Linden, BarticaandLethem.
“Bata was established in 1894 an
distinction of being the largestfootwearcompanyin the world. Its re-entry into theGuyanesemarketevokes a sense of nostalgia among individuals who grew up
Cumberbatchsaid. Headdedthat“Weaimto launch an addition of four storesinGuyanabytheend
Guyana’s market; the brand opened its first store on Fridayonthesecondfloorof theGiftlandMall,EastCoast Demerara.
Duringtheceremony,the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Bata Francis Cumberbatch highlighted
Francis Cumberbatch
Some of the shoes being sold at ‘Bata’in Giftland Mall
By Allyiah Allicock
“Teaching has always been a passion of mine, but I’ve also had an undying passion in beauty and self-care since I can remember.”
Those are the words of budding entrepreneur, Sheniza BrowneWalters, a primary school teacher who is the proud owner of a small business, ‘Golden Aura Beauty Studio.’
Shetold The Waterfalls “Ihave desiredtoownabeautystudiosince I was in school. After graduating fromschoolandIstartedworking,I lostsightofmydream.Butin2024, I took the time to reflect, pray, and find my way to what I actually enjoy.”
Browne-Waltersinanexclusive interview with this publication revealed that ‘Golden Aura Beauty Studio’ was officially launched on March 4, 2025, as a birthday present The 25-year-old entrepreneur said that the business was launched after she completed an eyelash course in February of thatyear
Sheexplainedherinterestinthe businessstemsforaconstantdesire to explore her creativity particularly in the areas of beauty, andfashion.
“I am patient, gentle, and a perfectionist who enjoys helping othersfeelsbeautiful.Ialsowanted to make beauty services more accessible, as many people from our community drive to Georgetownforthem.”
She told this publication that her faith played a major role in her entrepreneurialefforts.
“I become closer to God and through prayer and meditation; she found her answer in Golden Aura Beauty Studio. It’s more than simply a business; it’s a part of my spiritualjourney. It’swhereImake
Primary School teacher fulfills childhood dream of owning beauty business
s feel beau while becoming t woman God ha created me to be. I b e l i e v e i n uplifting others, whether through c l a s s r o o m education or by providing beauty therapies that make
s o m e o n e f e e confident and radiant,” sheexpressed.
She noted Golden Aura which is more than just a side business; it focuses on beauty, relaxation, and luxury They specialize in eyelash extensions (cluster and individual) and facials, with more services comingsoon.
Browne-Walters disclosed that the journey has seen both the negatives and positives sides. She explained that some of the challenges she faced related to building a clientele: She noted that recruiting clients beyond friends andfamilywastricky
Apart from that, she mentioned there were challenges in areas like supply and equipment costs of quality materials and tools which had put some sort of a strain on her initialbudget.
Another she said has to do with time management, “trying to balance bookings, administrative work, and marketing on my own waschallenging.”
Questioned how she managed to overcome some of these hurdles, she pointed out that she did networking and promotions to increase her client base She revealed that she collaborated with a local salon called “Blush Beauty Salon and Nail Bar” who promoted to her clients. “I promoted a giveaway for a free lash set, and I intend to implement referral discounts.”
She also took a smart purchasing approach which she reinvested her early income in essentialsupplies,andwiththetime aspect, she started a business journaltohelpstayontrack.
Relaying the positive side of things, she expressed that since her opening,thesupporthasbeenreally incredible. “Initially, I questioned whether or not individuals would support me. However, I reminded myself to believe and be confident, and received encouragement from friendsandfamily,”sheshared.
“My first clients were family and friends, and they helped spread the word. Clients have been referred by local businesses, and I have a consistent social media following.Everyweek,newclients come in through word-of-mouth recommendations or social media.
My support system has been a true blessing,”sherelated.
Notably, she mentioned that the encouragement from family and friends has given her the confidence to move forward and focus on building her skills and clientele.
Looking forward the exciting things ahead, she intends to grow Golden Aura Beauty Studio into a full-service spa that provides professional skincare treatments. Ultimately, the entrepreneur said she would like to have a second location in Georgetown for all of the potential clientele who enjoy herwork.
“I also want to come up with opportunitiesforemployment,”she notedwasalsoimportanttoher.
In addition to the Golden Aura Beauty Studio, Browne-Walters is
also the proud owner of a picnic event planning business called ‘Picnic Delight’ which she started last year While young people continue to come up with innovativewaysinintroducingnew services to the public, BrowneWalters thinks that there are more ways in which relevant authorities and stakeholders can help boost smallbusinesseslocally
With that being said, our featuredentrepreneurisoftheview thatyoungentrepreneursbringnew ideas, development, and energy into the business world. “We help generate jobs and motivate others to strive for their dreams. We also demonstratethatyoudonothaveto wait until you are older to have an impact, you can begin now and growasyougo,”shestated.
She suggested, “To help small businesses, I believe more support should be provided through training, funding, and marketing. Many small business owners and inspiring owners have the talent and passion but require assistance in areas such as marketing, customer service, and financial management.”
Additionally, she stated access to small business grants or lowinterest loans would also help a lot, especially for startups. “Finally, promotingcampaignsandfeaturing small businesses in the media can help encourage people to support their own communities. With the right support, small businesses can grow,”sheindicated.
For the persons interested in Sheniza Browne-Walters’ beauty services, you can contact her business on Instagram and Tik Tok @goldenaura.25 or via telephone number (592) 603-1238. Also if you are interested in contacting ‘Picnic Delight’, visit their pages on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok.
Beauty Studio.
Young Entrepreneur, Sheniza Browne-Walters
Serving her fraternity with unyielding commitment…
Accomplished attorney, former law lecturer and super mom,
Marcella Elizabeth Thompson
Attorney-at-law, Attorney-at-law
Thompson
What may seem easily attainable for some,canfeelentirelyoutofreachforothers. Too often, people abandon their goals and dreams, believing they are too difficult or distant to achieve. However, this week’s ‘Special Person,’ Marcella Elizabeth Thompson (née Hinds) has proved what can be achieved through dedication and strategic work.
Thompson, mother of seven, lawyer, formerlecturer,educationspecialist,hasbuilt a career and a life that defies those boundaries An innovator in child development, Thompson’s story is one of unyielding commitment, boundless service, andvisionshapedbyherGuyaneseroots.
Born on October 17, 1980, at St. Joseph MercyHospitalinGeorgetown,Thompsonis the fifth of seven children of Denzil and Elizabeth Hinds. Her childhood was etched with the values of community, honesty, and resilience—virtues sown by parents who were themselves models of service: her father, a former surveyor turned priest, and her mother, a former teacher turned magistrate.
Growing up in Campbellville, Kitty, and Thompson embraced her “town girl” identity but never lost touch with the humility of her upbringing. “Being from a large family, we learned to share and make sacrifices. We learned through conflict to love and draw strengthfromeachother,”sherecalls.
She shared with The Waterfalls, “When I was11yearsold,Iwasselectedtorun3000m, 1500m and 800m at school sports—can you imagine! It would be the first time I was running at sports. My father came to the sports and coached me through every race. I won my races…but the best part?When I got home,Ilearnedthatmymothersentmyfather to school to stop me from running the races because she didn’t think my feeble form couldenduretherigor.”
“ItwasthroughexperienceslikethisthatI took the most valuable lessons from my parents. Through their lives and how they parented us, they instilled in my siblings and I, the importance of honesty, diligence, persistenceandhardwork,“thelawyersaid.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Thompson’s experience in her academic
is a ‘Special Person’
journey is a testament to determination over circumstance. She detailed when others had doubted her during her academic life However,sheflawlesslyrosetothetop.
“I went to Stella Marris Primary I don’t think that my teachers expected much from me. So when it came time to write Common E
y ‘homeschooled’me for that exam. She kept mehometogettheworkdoneandsentmeout to school when I needed a break from her ‘homeschool’ rigor I did well on the exam and was offered a place at the prestigious President’sCollege(PC).”
In those days, it really was unrivaled as the best secondary school in Guyana,” she said. When, Thompson began attending the boarding school, she was deemed as one of the lowest ranked students. Determined to change her narrative, Thompson began “burningthemidnightoil.”
She eventually graduated as the class valedictorian. “That was sweet reward for mysacrifices,”shesaid.
After leaving high school, she attended the University of Guyana to study law Even duringthatperiod,shewastestedwithdoubts due to the fact that the programme was quite difficult.
Nevertheless, she rose to the top once more. She graduated from the University of Guyana (UG) with a distinction in law, earning the Pro-Chancellor’s Medal for best graduatinglawstudentin2002.
“I recall having a discussion with a colleague about the impossibility of a law student graduating from UG passing with distinction, because the programme is so
rigorous and challenging. It was not very common in that time,” Thompson recalled.
A few weeks later, she awoke to thehumblingrealitythatshewasnot onlygraduatingatthetopofherlaw class, but she earned a distinction inlaw
“That taught me that regardless of the hardship and challenges that I may experience,Ireallycanriseto the top of my field with hard work, commitment and dedication.”
Her success carried her to Hugh Wooding Law School and then to the hallowed halls of the UniversityofCambridge,whereshe earned her Master of Laws on a Commonwealth Scholarship—- one of only two West Indians in her cohort.
LEGALADVOCACY
As a lawyer, she began her professional career by teaching law at UG andofferinglegalaidservicestounderserved communities through the Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic. This dual role ignited a passion forempowerment.
“It was gratifying for me to see students that I was tutoring and mentoring in some of the most challenging subjects like Constitutional Law—students who didn’t think they could make it through a course or the programme—return gleeful that they had passed.
They just needed to be shown how to use
Attorney-at-law, Marcella Thompson and her seven children
recently graduated from Chairs Bible College
what was available to them,” she reflects on herstudentsandclients,”shesaid.
Her journey would eventually lead her to the High Commission of Canada to Guyana, where as a Development Officer, she led the $20 million Education for Employment programme.
Here, she aligned vocational education with Caribbean labour market needs, helping designprogrammesthatofferednotjustskills butbringtransformativehope.
She reflected on how much she had achieved in her mid-twenties stating, “Then in my mid-twenties, I did not recognize how uncommon it was for a female lawyer in her twenties to be a university lecturer and legal aid lawyer, perhaps because I enjoyed both experiencessomuch.“
‘SUPER MOM’
The pandemic became an unexpected catalyst for her next bold leap. As a mother deeply immersed in education reform, she chose to homeschool her seven children—Patrick Jr (21), Mirella (17), Manuella(11),twinsPiersonandPreston(8), andtwinsMiquellaandPayson(5).
“I needed to test the hypothesis of what wouldhappenifwedidn’ttrytofitchildrenin a learning box but allowed them to explore naturally, make learning fun and interesting, and allow them to glean the information that wasmostintriguingtothem.
And I had sufficient “test subjects” with my own children at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels, she said. The results were astonishing. Freed from rigid structure, her children thrived, showcasing the creative and analytical thinking she had long championed.
The lawyer expressed that as a single mother of seven, she sees herself as not as a working mother but rather as a mother who works. “My role as mother to the children is irreplaceable. I learned to work hard when I was at work, and to leave the work at the officewhengoinghometomyfamily The Continued on page 53
Marcella
Marcella
25 Influential Women Leaders Award celebrates a legacy of empowerment in Guyana
The 25 Influential Women Leaders Award (25IWLA) hosted itsSixthAnnualAwardsCeremony, bringing together nearly 400 distinguished guests for an evening thatcelebratedcourage,leadership, and service. The event held on Saturday,May17,wasanchoredby the powerful theme, “Women’s Rights Strongest Alliance. Most Influential Women.” The phrase served both as a tribute to women’s ongoing contributions and a rallyingcryforcontinuedunityand advocacy
Now in its sixth year, the 25IWLA continues to highlight women who are shaping Guyana’s future across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The 2025 cohort features twenty-five pioneering women recognised for their innovation, advocacy, leadership, and unwavering dedication to community upliftment.
Among the honourees were Abbigale Loncke-Watson, Avia Maria Lindie,Ayodele Roache, Dr Carla Cassiano, Colleen Prince, Devica Kamini Uditram, Francina Lanferman-Duncan, Hebron Edwards, Jasmaine Payne, Mahadevi Doobay-Girdhary, Martina McDonald-Johnson, Melissa Dow-Richardson, Mendy Angele Nicholson, Naudya Hoosein, Nazima Raghubir, Reisa Roberts, Romela Sahadeo, Dr Sadhana Samtani-Sultan, Safina Lutchman, Savina Sukhnandan, Sophia Dolphin, Tamana Safraj, Tessa Fernandes, Vanessa Williams,andVidyaKetwaroo.
Michelle A Nicholas, Cofounder of the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The NICO Consulting, captured the spirit of the evening in her welcome address, “When
women unite, we don’t just change the conversation, we change the world Tonight, we celebrate twenty-five remarkable women who lead not from a position of authority but from a place of authenticservice.”
In a moment of reflection, Nicholas called for a moment of silence to honour women and girls whose lives have been cut short, “She reminded the audience that their absence does not diminish their impact, and that we must continue this work in their memory and in solidarity with those still surviving.”
Her remarks served as a reminder of the deeper meaning behind the awards the recognition of both seen and unseen struggles andtriumphs.
Co-Founder and Managing Director of Cerulean Inc., Ms. Lyndell Danzie-Black, issued a stirring charge to the 2025 honourees, calling on them to lead with integrity and nurture others, “Mothers of daughters and sons to
continue telling your children that ‘they can’, like my mother did, because this is an investment in your generations. Be part of a tribe ofsupportforsomeone.”
“She also charged the awardees to be authentic and true to whom they are, in a world of too much pretence,”Danzie-Blackadded. Her message reinforced a central tenet of the 25IWLA ethos: authenticity as a catalyst for inclusive, purpose-driven leadership.
Adding a global lens to the evening, Retired Judge Lyndon D. Williams of Mount Vernon, New York,offeredakeynoteaddressthat underscored the essential role of women in tackling today’s greatest challenges.
He noted that “The honourees aretorchbearersforthefuture.Each representsthestoryofperseverance and dreams that refused to be deferred. The world desperately needs more women leaders, not merely for balance, but because women bring perspectives vital to
The 25 Influential Women Leaders Awardees along with the organizers and sponsors of the event.
solving the complex challenges of ourtime.”
For the sixth consecutive year, ExxonMobil Guyana returned as the exclusive sponsor of the event. Representing the company, Natalia Brasse, Acquisitions Supervisor, stated, “By investing in sustainable skills for women, we help unlock potential across business, science, the arts, and community enhancement. Tonight celebrates not only individual achievements but also the incredible power of support and solidarity among women.”
Similarly, Ivan Gaviria, Chief ofOperationsattheInter-American Development Bank, which served as the event’s Prestige Sponsor, highlightedtheglobaldevelopment case for investing in women. He noted that “Empowering women is not just a matter of equity it’s a catalyst for sustaina
e development. We are inspired by how these women leaders are shapingamoreinclusivefutureand transforming communities across
Serving her fraternity with unyielding commitment…
From page 52 drivingforcebehindmyworklifebalancehas beenmybeliefandtrustinGod.”
“IbelieveIwascalledtobeamotherfirst. God’s first instruction to be fruitful and multiply was an appointment to be a parent before any work was given. I see myself as a steward of the family that He has blessed me with. He has told me how; he wants me to stewardthemandIamfaithfultohonourHim with my obedience. That takes the “balance” out of my hands, and has made my life fulfilling, rewarding and enriched,” she proudlysaid. “Youcan’tdothatbecauseyou are a woman. You can’t do that because you are a mother You can’t do that because that’s nothowwedoitinGuyana.Youcan’tdothat because you are Guyanese and Guyanese don’t influence other countries, the region or the world. You can’t do that because it’s not justpossible.”
Moreover, she noted that the homeschool experiment deepened her understanding of educational disparities and the mental health
needsofunderservedyouth.
“It becomes evident to me that it is not justaneducationissue,butasocio-economic, mental health issue. Children need to be taught to trust their intuition if they are to be innovators. And a myriad of factors inhibits this. And this is where I would like to focus going forward—developing creative ways to holistically engage children in the process of learning and developing to become meaningful con
communities,”Thompsonexplained.
FAITH
Now enrolled at Charis Bible College in Colorado, Thompson is preparing to merge her educational insights with storytelling throughfilmandproductionaimingtodesign children’s programmes that make learning magnetic. “I plan to use the techniques that thefilmandproductionindustryusestodraw childrenandyouthintoaloveforlearningand education,”shesaid.
This week’s Special Person envisions working with educators and institutions to
Guyana.”
Representing the 2025 cohort, Savina Sukhnandan reflected on the significance of being seen and supported:”Thank you for seeing us. Thank you for walking with us andthankyouforremindingusthat influence begins not with a platform, but with a purpose driven heart,”shesaid.
A special moment in the ceremony was the announcement of Nazima Raghubir as the 2025 Wo
collaboration with SBM Offshore Guyana, the event’s presenting sponsor Though she was unable to attend the ceremony, her impactful work in media and community advocacy continues to define the essence of transformative leadership.
Since its founding in 2019, the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award has recognised 150 women whose contributions stretch across sectorsandborders.Thisyear’s Continued on page 54
In the photo, Marcella Thompson (at left) along with her brother Denzil Hinds (also a lawyer) and her mother, Elizabeth Hinds, at her bar admission.
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25 Influential Women Leaders Award celebrates...
From page 53 selection process was guided by a thoughtful panel of judges: Malkia Idal, Kofi Sansculotte, Lila Kirton, and Arti Cameron, who helped shape yet another inspiring cohort.
The success of the 2025 ceremony was made possible
From page 44 school and put it in a jar to open when they were older.
As the sun began to set, Mom called everyone together. She had one last surprise—a special slideshow of photos from the school year. There were pictures of Daniel's first day of school, Emily's science fair project, field trips, art shows, and fun
by a wide array of sponsors and supporters, including AGM Inc., Gulf Valve, Piping & Control Inc., FullWorks Industrial Park, M&T Bank, Banks DIH Ltd., Republic Bank Ltd., Technip FMC, Massy Stores Guyana Inc., Sexual Assault and Family Education (SAFEGuyana)
Inc., Kofi Sansculotte, Joseph D. Roberto, SLB, One Communications, Tropical Construction Solutions, and Morgan’s Learning Centre.
Additional support was provided by PAS Cargo Inc., CAMEX Restaurants Inc., and Jai Signs.
Graduation Day...
times with friends. Everyone watched quietly, smiling at the memories. Finally, Mom raised a toast with lemonade.
“To Daniel and Emily— our wonderful graduates. We are so proud of who you are and all the amazing things you will do.”
They clinked glasses, and Daniel looked up at Emily.
“Next year, I'll be a big first
grader,” he said.
“And I'll be a middle schooler,” Emily added.
They both smiled. Growing up was a big adventure— but with each other by their side, it didn't feel scary at all.
That night, Daniel fell asleep with his medal still around his neck, dreaming of first grade. Emily placed her awards on her shelf and
Gratitude was also extended to the event’s volunteers, including students from the University of Guyana, the 25IWLA Event Management Team, and all contributors who played a role in the seamless execution of this powerful gathering.
looked out the window at the stars, ready for whatever came next.
The End!
Follow-Up Questions:
What helped Daniel feel less nervous about his graduation song? What did Emily talk about in her graduation speech? How did the family celebrate Daniel and Emily's big day?
Popular shoes brand ‘Bata’ makes return to Guyana...
From page 49 of 2025. As we look to the next decade, we have set an ambitious goal to expand our presence across the Englishspeaking Caribbean and the Dominican Republic. Our aim is to enter new markets and serve a diverse customer base by opening an additional 84 stores in the region over the next decade.”
Cumberbatch noted that the reintroduction of Bata to the region is truly iconic; highlighting that opening the
Guyana store has been a long-cherished dream that has finally come to fruition. It embodies the culmination of countless hours of hard work, unwavering dedication and a steadfast belief in the Guyanese potential.
He said that the company aims to ensure that Guyana is recognized for its diverse offerings, exceptional service and unique shopping experiences; they aspire to provide a carefully curated selection of shoes that reflect excep-
tional craftsmanship while creating a destination that uplifts the community.
The CEO clearly stated that the company understands the challenges they will face but their commitment to growth remains strong, which is driven by their passion for delivering quality products and exceptional customer service.
Cumberbatch went on to give special thanks to his support system, who were the ones that made the launch
possible. “I’d like to take a moment to recognize everyone involved in our construction team, who have been working every day of the week. Our financial partners Republic Bank, Roy Beepat, the Chairman of Giftland Mall and his team, our IT staff and a heartfelt thanks to our franchise holder for their ongoing support and believing in us as a franchise to bring Bata back to Guyana. Finally, I want to thank God for bringing this day to fruition.”
House approves $28.7B to facilitate mobilization...
From page 11 the supply and installation of 15 MVR complete capacity bank at Number 53. That contract was awarded to Power China, and carries a price tag of a total of US$170,715,611.
Kaieteur News reported on April 5, that Power China and Indian firm Kalpataru signed contracts worth some US$422 million (GUY $90 bil-
lion) for the extension of transmission lines for Guyana Power and Light (GPL Inc).
During a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister’s boardroom, the head of GPL’s executive management committee, Kesh Nandlall, said it is no secret that Guyana has the fastestgrowing economy in the world. He said GPL’s role is
of paramount importance in supporting the energy needs of the country.
“The Government of Ireland has invested in the gasto-energy project, which aims to deliver an additional 300 megawatts to the national grid in the first phase, followed by another 300 megawatts second phase. The primary challenge for GPL will be to
ensure that the delivery of the power is delivered to the various regions across the country. Addressing this challenge necessitates the construction of infrastructure for the transmission and distribution. We are here because we have started that process, and I would like to let you know that this project that we are going to sign today is the largest ever investment for GPL in infrastructure development in a one-time investment,” Nandlall said. He disclosed that there are three lots for the projects in the eastern corridor of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). Lot One was awarded to Power China in the sum of USD $256.7 million, while contracts for the other two lots were won by Kalpataru for USD $156.5 million.
Nandlall explained, “These lots include 155 kilometers of 230 double circuit transmission line, 167 kilometers of 69 Kv double circuit transmission line, the construction of five new substations and the upgrade of one substation at Kingston. The 230 Kv transmission line will interconnect with the Goedverwagting substation that is now being constructed under the GTE project, to a new substation to be constructed in Williamsburg, East Berbice.”
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DPI - President
Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Friday reiterated the call for theVenezuelan Government to respect Guyana’s internationally recognised borders.
Guyana’s borders were established by the 1899 Arbitral Award which indefinitely settled the land boundary between Guyana (British Guiana then) and Venezuela.
The head of state was at the time delivering the feature address at the commissioning of the $1.2 billionwatertreatmentplant i n R e d V i l l a g e , Onderneeming,RegionTwo onFriday
While asserting Guyana’s longstanding peaceful posture, President Aliwarnedthatanyattempts
to violate its territorial sovereignty would not be tolerated.
“Weloveyou,thepeople of Venezuela, as our neighbours,” the president said.
He said, “But do not makethemistaketocrossthe fence. Don’t cross the fence.”
The president stressed that Guyana’s peacefulness should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Wearepeacefulpeople, but we are not weak people. We are strongly united, and our bodies are sealed together in unity Our blood flows together in one constantbeat,ononeheart,” hedeclared.
He emphasised the nationalmotto,‘OnePeople, OneNation,OneDestiny,’as
the nation’s commitment to unityanddignity
The president also reminded that thousands of Venezuelans have been welcomed across Guyana’s borders in recent years, but made it clear that this hospitality does not compromise the country’s territorialrights.
“To our Venezuelan brothers and sisters who are welcome within the borders of our world-class country, youhavearightandadutyto honour [and] to respect the laws of Guyana.You have a duty not to do anything that would dishonour the 83,000 square miles of our power,” theGuyanesepresidentsaid.
P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s comments come amid Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region,
President Ali to Venezuela: “We are peaceful - not weak” Escapé Book Club hosts first health & wellness retreat
TheEscapé(Es-capay)BookClubis promoting health and wellness as part of its agenda with it first annual health and wellness retreat heldlastmonth.
According to the book club’s Founder, Sameerah Mohamed-Ferouz , the retreat is designed to help members recharge, reconnect, and refocus, the two-day experience struck the perfect balance between relaxation, learning, and joyfulbonding.
She related that the activity was held in last weekendofApril.
“Theweekendkickedoff in a cozy conference room with coffee, warm smiles, and fun ice breakers that set the tone for the days ahead. We transformed a peaceful
retreat space into a vibrant sanctuary of wellness, reflection, and sisterhood,” Mohamed-Ferouzstated.
According to the
Founder, as part of the activities matching Escapé retreat shirts were handed outearlyintheday,instantly creatingasenseofunityand excitement among the group.
“The morning sessions focused on personal development, goal-setting, and sustainability sparking meaningful dialogue and motivation
After a relaxed group lunch in the city, members participated in a calming nature-based activity centered on bird watching and environmental awareness a serene, grounding experience that connected everyone to the natural world, ” she explained.
Although a visit to the park had been planned for games and outdoor fun, a change of weather kept the group indoors, where the laughter and bonding continuedseamlessly
Ondaytwooftheretreat, the group had a warm breakfast and plenty of coffee, followed by a creative craft session that encouragedmindfulnessand self-expression.
Thatdayprogressedwith a mix of empowering,
interactive workshops covering topics such as nutrition, hygiene, personality insights, and communication.
“One of the retreat’s most memorable and impactful moments came during the mental health session, where members opened up about emotional wellness and explored tools for self-care in a deeply
supportive setting, ” Mohamed-Ferouzsaid.
Toclosetheretreat,each member received a thoughtfully curated goodie bag — filled with wellness
items and tokens to remember the weekend by
The final gratitude circle broughtheartfeltreflections, shared laughter, and emotional connection as membersexpressedwhatthe retreatmeanttothem.
According to the
Founder, the first annual Escapé health & wellness retreatwasmorethanjusta weekendescape itwasa joyful celebration of selfcare, sisterhood, and the transformative power of womensupportingwomen Withglowingfeedbackand cherished memories, the
stage is set for a tradition that’s just getting started
The Escapé Book Club, created in June 2021 by Mohamed-Ferouz an American born to Guyanese parents after she migrated here and sought means to socialize and learn about the culture
Theclubcurrentlyhasnine members and is accepting new members for July 2025
EscapéBookClubcan be reachedviaitsFacebook page.
despite a pending court case that is currently before the International Court of Justice(ICJ).
The head of state’s remarks were met with strong applause from residents gathered at the commissioningceremonyin RegionTwo,anareahesaid is a special place in his life andleadership.
Commander in Chief of theArmed Forces, Dr. Mohamed IrfaanAli flaunting the GoldenArrow Head Friday evening
Scenes from the Escapé Book club first health and wellness annual retreat
Literary Coven GY Book Club Founder is Influential Women Leaders awardee
Twenty-nine-year-old
Devica Uditram founder of ‘The Literary Coven GY Book Club’ is a one of the recipients of this year’s 25 Influential Women Leaders Award.
Uditram, an Economic and FinancialAnalyst at the Ministry of Finance shared with The Waterfalls her literary journey which contributed to her being awardee.
The book club Founder explained that her passion for helping others develop theirreadingandvocabulary skills began at the age of 12 while she was a student at The Bishops’ High School. Her passion drove her to volunteer at the National Library’s Children’s Reading Circle, to assist children of primary school age develop their reading and vocabulary skills. After volunteering her time and efforts it then became a cherishedroutineforher
“Thestartofthisjourney was rocky, however, just three months into my volunteering, my father passed away As a child, it was quite difficult to adjust to a new normal,” Uditram said.
reading. Uditram added that readers,writers,andauthors are more connected than ever, and she wanted to foster that same sense of connectionhereinGuyana.
“Book clubs are rare in Guyana,andIfelttheneedto bridge the gap, bringing together those who share a deep love for books. I toyed with the idea of creating the Book Club three months before its actual formation, andIamproudofwhatithas turned out to be,” Uditram toldTheWaterfalls.
The founder of the book club explained that the club’s initial aim was to targetanyonefromageof18 and above, however, all applicants were female and as a result, the club quickly grewintoasisterhoodanda close-knit group of passionate young women who not only bonded over books but also formed strong, supportive friendships.
open virtual book club in honoroftheUnitedNations’
Goal 4 (Quality Education).
She added that “despite my loss, I remained committed to my work and dedicatedthenextfiveyears at the National Library, leavingin2012. Overthose five years, I interacted with about 200 students who showed tremendous improvement in their literacyskills.”
Uditram said that volunteeringatsuchanearly agealsosparkedagreatdeal ofpersonalgrowthforher
She also told The Waterfalls that her love and appreciation for books was cultivated by her late father, whowasanavidreader.His influence on her love for books was profound, and throughhimshedevelopeda lifelongpassionforreading.
The Literary Coven GY BookClub
Uditram told this magazinethatasaresult,on January 2024, she created her Book Club with online communities such as BookTok on TikTok and Bookstagram on Instagram. She mentioned that reading hasseenaglobalresurgence, and more people are discovering or rediscovering their joy of
“Each member plays a vitalroleinthesuccessofthe club. Whether it is through unique perspectives, incredible ideas, or simply s h o w i n g u p w i t h enthusiasm, each member helps shape the dynamic of the group. To make our discussions more exciting, we regularly host engaging activities such as themed meetings,goonpicnics,play games, create crafts and artwork and much more,” thefoundersaid.
Uditram noted that her book club is more than a community for book enthusiasts, she said it is a space where members can escape,relaxandrejuvenate for a few hours while engaging in meaningful discussions.
“The Book Club has further given me a platform to advance my community service. In May 2024, the club donated over 1,000 menstrual hygiene products to TheAvyanna Foundation to support their efforts to eradicate period poverty in Guyana Additionally, in August, I organized a Book Donation drive, collecting over 600 books and educational materials which were donated to various organizations, including the National Library and the Mahaica Children’s Home, while the majority of the books were sent to the Rupununi for further distribution to Indigenous children,”Uditramsaid.
She further stated that “InMarch2025,Ihostedan
50th observance of International Women’s Day Participants read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, a powerful novel thathighlightstheresilience and courage of women during World War II. The book served as a foundation for meaningful discussions about the historical and contemporary roles of women in society and the enduring fight for gender equality.”
The 29-year-old explained that journey has been rewarding, to see her small community grow into something big and well recognized. She added that sheisfilledwithexcitement toseewhatistocomeforher book club as it continues to grow and create stronger bonds She is optimistic aboutcreatingandexecuting morecharitableactivitiesfor theupliftmentofcitizens.
“I also hope to continue fostering even more meaningful connections among readers in Guyana. With a passion for promoting literacy, I envision hosting more interactive events with readers and local authors, bothvirtualandin-person,to further strengthen the sense
of community and encourage ongoing conversations around literature,” she told The Waterfalls.
Uditram mentioned that her work aligns with the United Nations’Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is an urgent callforaction.Itrequiresthe unified efforts of all countries, particularly the SDG Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG
These underscores her commitment to create positive change and ensuring her efforts contribute to a more equitable, prosperous and sustainablefutureforpeople andtheplanet.
Awards
The founder of the book club on May 17, 2025, was one of the awardees to receive the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award Uditram was awarded and honouredforher17yearsof unwavering dedication to community development in Guyana. The 25 Influential Women Leaders Award is one that celebrates Guyanese women who continuetobreakboundaries in their communities, workplaces,andsectors.
The awardee noted that she was also named an honoreeforthe30Under30 ChangemakersAwardwhich is an award that honours emerging leaders of Caribbean heritage for their commitment and active engagement in all walks of life. Uditram said that the ceremony will take place next month in Washington, D.C.
Uditram said that receiving the 25 Influential WomenLeadersAwardisan incrediblymeaningful.
“My goal is to inspire others, especially young women, to step into leadership roles, creating a ripple effect of change that empowers individuals to be the epitome of positive change themselves,” she said.
Influential Women Leaders
Devica Uditram founder of ‘The Literary Coven GYBook Club’with her award
The
Award that was given to Devica Uditram
The Literary Coven GYBook Club’makes a donation of books to the National Library
Forde eyes series-levelling win after record-breaking knock
SportsMax - West Indies all-rounder Matthew Forde is hoping to back up his record-breaking knock w i t h a n o t h e r b i g performance in Sunday’s finalODIagainstIreland,as thevisitorslooktosquarethe three-matchseriesandleave Dublinonahigh.
Ireland lead the series 10followinga124-runwinin the first ODI, while the secondmatchonFridaywas abandoned due to rain after Forde’s explosive half-
century helped West Indies postadaunting352-8.
The 23-year-old
Barbadian made headlines by smashing a blistering 50 off just 16 balls, as he equalled the record for the fastest ODI half-century set by South African AB de Villiers in 2015. He was eventually dismissed for 58 from 19 deliveries, laced with eight sixes and two fours.
“I didn’t even know abouttherecorduntilIcame
off the field. The guys were teasing me, saying I could’vebrokenitifIdidn’t trytodinkthepreviousball. Butforme,itwasjustabout scoring runs at that point. I didn’t have any of that in mind,buttocomeawaywith 5 0 a n d t o m a k e history—yeah, that’s a big plus,”Fordesaid.
Forde’sknockcameafter Keacy Carty’s composed 102 anchored the innings, with Shai Hope (49) also chipping in Forde
dominated a brisk 68-run seventh-wicket stand with JustinGreaves,whowasleft unbeatenon44.
Having made 38 in the series opener, Forde continuesasolidrunofform carried over from the West IndiesChampionship,where he tallied 396 runs and 15 wickets.
Forde credited a shift in mindset and focused preparation for his recent performances.
“I changed my mindset and approach to being a bit more dominant at the crease soIcanreallyhaveanimpact withthebat.
Sunday May 25, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
If you're experiencing emotional upheaval, Aries, you may take heart in knowingthatotherpeopleare going through their own emotional turmoil as well. Youwillknowthatyouaren't alone in your quest for emotionalstability.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may feel like someone's giving you the third degree, Taurus.You sense that you're being accused of something and that you need to defend yourfeelingsandactions.Try nottofallintothistrap.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Today may be filled with "I told you so!" You could find fault with others who haven't dealt with the truth of a situation. Be careful about accusingsomeoneofthevery thing that you're guilty of, Gemini.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Mostofthetimeyoudealwith the facts, Cancer Facts are things you can grasp, categorize, and make rational senseof.Unfortunately
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
It will be hard to deal with emotional issues that arise.A strong misleading force is feedingtheillusionthatthings are fine when they really aren't. Stop pretending that everythingisgoingwell,Leo.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Don't automatically assume that people are going to understandyourneeds,Virgo. Your emotions may be powerfultoday,andyoucould endupscaringpeople.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
You're in a difficult position. Thingsaren'texactlywhatthey seem, Libra. Your emotions run the show today, and you mayjumpfromoneextremeto the other There's a good chance that much of what you experience is based on misinformation.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
When faced with an emotionally intense situation, you're likely to flee, Scorpio. You'dratherchangethesubject
lighthearted.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
With your psychic abilities, you'reliabletoshedsomelight onissuesinwhichthetruthhas beenunclearforquiteawhile, Sagittarius. You can use your sensitivitytocuttotheheartof thematterandexposethetruth.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Control issues in your home areapttobeofconcerntoday, Capricorn. Be careful about fe
situation.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You may feel nostalgic as you look through photo albums, rearrange furniture, and remember past times, Aquarius Your mind will touchonemotionaleventsthat you may not have fully dealt withatthetimetheyhappened.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
You could be operating based on an assumption that's only a partial representation of the truth. In your effort to think aboutonlythegoodsideofthe situation,Pisces,
that area. I was trying to executemyshotswide,andit just came together well today (Friday),” Forde noted.
Forde was full of praise for teammate Keacy Carty on his second ODI century, which he viewed as a “very important knock” after the team lost two early wickets inthepowerplay
“Keacy’s really stamped his authority in ODI cricket this year He’s also a very big, important part for us in
I did a lot of work back home and trusted my technique,whichisabigpart of where I am at now I also liketobeaconfidentplayer, soallofthatisreallypaying off,”Fordeshared.
He also pointed out that the short-ball and wide deliveries on Friday suited hispreparation.
“In previous matches, theguysbowledmewide,so I did quite a bit of work on
that top order, so I must say kudos to him; it was well played,”hesaid.
D e s p i t e t h e disappointment of not getting a result, Forde remains optimistic about West Indies’ chances in Sunday’sdecider “We were looking forward to defending that 350.Unfortunately,wecan’t control the weather, but the key now is to bounce back. We’ll come out firing in the finalgame.
AnnualGUMDACBadmintonTournamentofftogoodstart
Participants take a photo at the opening of the event.
The Guyana Badminton
Association’s Annual GUMDAC Tournament kickedoffonFridayevening at the National Gymnasium, as players and fans alike gathered to witness the commencement of the competition. Withasenseof anticipation in the air, the courts came alive with the sound of shuttlecocks and the energy of the competitors. Asthematches unfolded, attendees were treated to displays of skill andstrategy In her opening remarks the Vice-President of the GBA,Mrs.AyananaWatson w e l c o m e d a l l t h e participants, coaches and spectators. She expressed herthankstothesponsorMr Darrell Carpenay of GUMDAC who made the eventpossible,thisbeingthe eleventhyearsponsoringthe tournament. Sheextendeda warm welcome and thanked the members of the Demerara Badminton Club
and the Berbice Badminton Club for their participation. She wished the players best of luck and reminded all to playhard,playfairandhave fun.
Also participating are Yonex Badminton Club and theBadmintonAcademy
The categories being competed were Men’s Doubles (MD), Women Doubles (WD), Mixed Doubles(XD).
Day 1 Matches – May 23rd,2025
1 M D – Vi s h a l Gopaul/RuelRambirichevs. V e e r e n d r a Bhagwandin/Jason Stephney 21-11, 19-21, 2118
2 WD – Shivannie Persaud/Anna Perreira vs. H a r s h i n i Muralidharan/Gabrielle Felix21-11,21-11
3 M D – J o e l Rambiriche/Caleb Tan vs. Percival Chester/Shane Birkett21-14,21-8
4 MD - Akili Haynes/Tyrese Jeffrey vs. Nathan Mohanlall/Liam Brummell21-3,21-5
1. XD QF –Wen Yuan Chen/Asiyah Eastman vs. J o a n a t h a n Debidin/Leshaunte Berkley 22-20,21-18
2. MD –Grandison Robinson/Troxley Cutting vs. Colin Bowry/Jahiem Carmichael21-16,23-21
3. MD – Anthony Stephens/Farid Khan vs
William Holder/Raah Russell16-21,21-14,21-16
4 MD – Marlon Chung/Jaurel Hendricks vs. Gavin Cao/Shi cao 21-12, 21-15
1 X D – F r a n k Waddell/Anjaneysa Godette vs Caleb Tan/Harshini Muralidharan 15-21, 21-17, 21-8
1 M D – N k o s i Beaton/Wen Yuan Chen vs. Caleb Tan/Joel Rambiriche 21-5,21-7
2 M D – F r a n k Waddell/Joanathan Debidin vs. Nikolas Pollard/Avinash Ramnarine21-6,21-7
3. WD – Priyanna Ramdhani/Mishka Beharry v s . A s i y a h Eastman/Leshaunte Berkley 21-6,21-8
1. WD – Priyanna Ramdhani/Mishka Beharry
v s H a r s h i n i Muralidharan/Gabrielle Felix21-6,21-9
2 WD – Shivannie Persaud/Anna Perreira vs. Asiyah Eastman/Leshaunte Berkley21-12,24-22
1 Nkosi Beaton/Wen Yuan Chen vs. Grandison Robinson/Troxley Cutting 21-7,21-19
2 MD QF – Chet Bowling/Dan Tan vs Marlon Chung/Jaurel Hendricks21-16,21-17
1 MD QF– Akili Haynes/Tyrese Jeffrey vs. Anthony Stephens/Farid Khan21-8,21-14
2 MD QF - Frank Waddell/Joanathan Debidin vs Vishal Gopaul/Ruel Rambiriche21-10,21-15
The tournament continued and concluded yesterday,Saturday,May24, 2025 at the National Gymnasium with the semifinals and finals matchesbeingplayed.
QC’s first-ever Golf Club officially launched.
QC becomes latest school to integrate Golf as part of its extra curricular
athletes from across the country and showcase the growing talent pool being developedinGuyana.
Widely regarded as one of the top secondary institutionsinGuyana,QCis now part of the nationwide golfdevelopmentmovement
Queen’s College ( Q C ) h a s officially joined the ranks of schools embracing the fastest growing sport in the country – golf. The school hasformeditsfirst-evergolf clubandissettocompeteat the 3rd Annual National Junior Golf Championship, scheduled for June 27th at the Nexgen Golf Academy, WoolfordAvenue.
Minister of Education,
Hon. Priya Manickchand, welcomed the school’s involvement in the programme,stating:“Weare proudtoseeinstitutionslike Queen’s College embracing golf and giving students access to a new and enriching sporting experience.
Ourgoalistoensurethat every learner in Guyana is exposedtoatleastonesport, and golf offers an excellent platform for developing
discipline, focus, and character Thisismorethana game; it’s a gateway to opportunity.”
Through strategic partnerships with Nexgen Golf Academy and the Guyana Golf Association (GGA), the Ministry of Education continues to expand access to sports in schoolsnationwide.
The upcoming National JuniorGolfChampionshipis expected to attract student-
Chase, Headley & Worrell...
Frompage61
manytimes,forthefirsttime during my first “away” tour from Guyana – 1971 WI Under19 Series in Jamaica.
Whenever our WI subsequently played at Sabina Park, he was always in our dressing room, lending valuable advice “ATLAS” was a great Ambassador for WI cricket. George Headley died, aged 74,inNovember1983.
FrankWorrell–Fatherof Modern-DayWiCricket
My first knowledge of Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell, one of the famous “Three W’s” – plus Clyde WalcottandEvertonWeekes–started as a seven-year-old in primaryschool
Wealllistened,wayafter midnight every night, to the “live” radio broadcasts comingfromAustralia–WI
Tour of Australia 1960/1961, otherwise knownasthefirstever“Tied Test”series.
Worrell’s cricketing stats arestillastounding Hemade hisTestdebutatQueen’sPark Oval, T&T, v MCC, in February1948,justmissinga century; 97 and 28 no, in a draw Worrell played 51 Tests, 3,860 runs, nine centuries, H/S 261, average 49 48 208 First Class games, 15,025 runs, 39 centuries, H/S 308, average 54.24, plus 69 Test wickets
at38.72runsperwicket,and 349 First Class wickets at 28.98runsperwicket. WI could do with such a fantastically gifted, wonderfully productive cricketer, in any format, right now! “The Thinker” and “Nelson Mandela” of WI cricket,FrankWorrellbecame the FIRST Black man to captainWIMen’sTestCricket team for a FULLTest series; that same 1960/1961 Australian tour; later for the 1963UKtourtoo “Graceful, poised and dignified”, Worrell’s cricketing common sense, man-management skills and understanding of team-mates, and Caribbean peopleatlarge,madehimthe ideal candidate to bring WI cricket into modernity, with aggression, intention and enterprise
So exceptionally good was the cricket played in Australia 1960/1961 between Australia and WI, and so respected were the tourists, that, despite just losingthefive-Testseries;21; WI were celebrated, garlanded and motorcaded to Melbourne Airport for departure.
If Australia 1960/1961 highlighted modern WI cricketing skills, 1963’s WI tourtoUKsolidifiedWorrell and WI into world slayers, with abilities, arrogance, elegance and team spirit
seldom seen since, perhaps only in Clive Lloyd’s and Viv Richards’ reigns as WI captains.
BeatingEngland3-1,and givingus,thenextgeneration, inspiration, were, arguably, thebestWIsquadofalltime, householdnamesfrom1960s to 1980s: Frank Worrell (captain), Conrad Hunte, Easton Mc Morris, Seymour Nurse, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon,GarySobers,David Allan (wicket-keeper), Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Afred Valentine, Deryck Murray (wicket-keeper), Joey Carew, Willie Rodriguez, Lester King, Lance Gibbs andRohanKanhai.
Frank Worrell died in 1967, aged just 43, from leukemia Many who had played with him, or followed hisguidancefortheirlivesand cricketing exploits, spoke of Worrell’s diplomacy, verve and appreciation of the value ofWIcrickettotheCaribbean, something that, somehow, does not seem to matter universallyanymore
Roston Chase is the latest incarnation of WI captaincy that started with Karl Nunes, through great captains like Frank Worrell, Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards. Chase could try to roll them all into massive thoughts of inspiration. Good luck to him. Cheers. Enjoy!
that has introduced thousands of students to the sportinrecentyears.
The club will benefit from coaching provided by Aleem Hussain, a former
Queen’sCollegestudentand currently the country’s top golfcoach.
Hussain, who heads the Nexgen Golf Academy and t h e G u y a n a G o l f Association,isknownforhis unique teaching method, which promises to teach beginners how to strike a golfballeffectivelyinunder 15minutes.
Students and athletes from around the world have praised his innovative
approachtocoaching.
Queen’s College becomes the latest addition to a growing list of se
integrating golf into their extracurricular and physical educationprogrammes.
The national initiative has led to hundreds of students choosing golf as
Education elective, further boostingthesport’spresence intheeducationsystem.
Abiola Jackman returns home after historic Gold at AMBC Elite Championships
AbiolaJackmanreturned homeafteretchinghername in Guyana’s boxing history books by becoming the first boxer Guyanese, male or female, to win a gold medal at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) EliteChampionships.
The historic moment came on Thursday evening in Ecuador, where she delivered a commanding performance in the finals of the Women’s 81kg division, beating Ecuador’s Daniela Espana in front of a home
crowd, Jackman displayed poise, precision, and relentlessaggression. Jackman was met at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri by Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalleamongothers. She informed Ninvalle that she was dedicating the gold medal to Guyana of its 59th IndependenceAnniversary Shehaddominatedevery round of the bout, with the judges unanimously awarding her the victory,
except for Alexander Parra, whoscoredthefirstroundin favourofEspana.Therestof thecontestwasallJackman, who outboxed and outmuscled her opponent to claimthegoldmedalinstyle.
Jackman, who was also namedBestFemaleBoxerat this year’s Caribbean Boxing Championships in St Lucia, is riding an extraordinarywaveofform. Her victory adds to her growing legacy and makes her only the second Guyanese to medal at the
Dedicates medal as gift to Guyana and 59th Independence
A M B C E l i t e Championships.
The first was Desmond Amsterdam, who secured a bronze in 2022 after a semifinal finish; an achievement that also made him the first Guyanese amateur boxer to receive prize money under the International Boxing Association’s revised paymentstructure.
Ninvalle was earlier lavish in his praise for Jackman’s performance and itswiderimplicationsforthe sport in Guyana, especially amongwomen.
“This is a monumental moment not only forAbiola but for all of Guyanese boxing,” he stated. “We are extremely proud of her achievement.Itgoestoshow that with hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities, our boxers can rise to any occasion and makethecountryproud.”
N
underscoredtheGBA’slongstanding commitment to gender equality in the sport, notingthecrucialroleplayed bysistersAbiolaandAlesha Jackman in paving the way for the next generation of femalefighters.
“We’ve always been strategic in ensuring equal opportunity for our female boxers,” he emphasised
“AbiolaandAleshaJackman have led by example, and Abiola’s gold medal is the fruitofthatvisionandeffort.
Abiola’s dedication to training, her discipline, and her willingness to represent G u y a n a a t e v e r y opportunity, it’s all coming together now on the internationalstage.”
“We know the kind of effort she puts in behind the scenes,” he said “She always shows up ready to compete.Toseeherexcelat
one of the most prestigious tournaments in the
Americas, it’s truly fulfilling.”
Lookingahead,Ninvalle reaffirmed the GBA’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and giving bothmaleandfemaleboxers the platform they need to succeed on the international stage.
“We remain focused on our mission to provide exposure and development forouryoung,emerging,and eliteboxers,”hestated.
According to Ninvalle, “Jackman’ssuccessisn’tjust about her. It’s a spark, an inspiration to others. We believe her gold medal will motivate not just other female fighters, but all boxers in Guyana, to stay focused, work hard, and believethattheytoowillget their moment in the spotlight.”
Independence Cup Softball Cricket on tomorrow at
Whim Ground in Region 6
The Whim Community Centre Ground in Region 6 will come alive tomorrow Monday26thMayfrom9am as softball players will get into action in the inaugural Independence Cup Softball Cricket.
According to the organisers the one-day tournament will be played basedonaone-gameknockout format and each innings will consist of 10 overs, round arm and wrist bowling, and will see both male and female cricketers takingthefield.
Accordingtotherelease, there will be lots of side attractionsduringthedayfor fans. While there will be bar-b-que on sale, a wellstocked beverage bar, and music to entertain the spectators.
Several teams have already shown their interest in participating in the oneday tournament that is organized in celebrating G u y a n a ’ s 5 9 t h IndependenceAnniversary
K.T Fabrication are on board with sponsorship for the event Ms Tiffany LaRose of R S Sports
Ms. Tiffany LaRose of R.S. Sports collects sponsorship from Managing Director of K.T Fabrication Mr. Thomas.
the sponsorship from Managing Director of
Thomas.
Chase, Headley & Worrell
By: Colin Croft –
F o r m e r G u y a n a , Lancashire CCC & WI
InternationalCricketer Barbados’ off-spinning all-rounder Roston Lamar Chase,whodebutedinTests, v India, in July 2016, but who has NOT played a Test match for West Indies since March2023,vSouthAfrica, h a s b e e n n a m e d , controversially so, as NEW captain of WI Men’s Test Cricketteams.
Chase’s WI Test career could only be described as industrious: 49Tests: 2265 runs,H/S137no,avg.26.33, plus 85 wickets, BBI/BBM 8-60; avg. 46.00 runs per wicket. On statistics only, Chase is easily WI’s best presentall-rounder
It might be sacrilegious to mention Chase, and seriouslysignificantpastWI captains George Headley and Frank Worrell, in the same breath. Headley and Worrell had put WI into cricket’s stratosphere, leadingself-discoveries,and renaissance, with purpose andpersonality
For the record, though, again, THE FIRST BLACK
MAN EVER appointed to captain WI Men’s Test Cricket team WAS NOT Barbadian / Jamaican Frank Worrell. So many places and people STILLhave this stated incoherently and incorrectly
That unique honour; FIRST BLACK MAN EVER to be appointed captain of WI Men’s Test Cricket team; went to Jamaican George Headley. Neither Artificial Intelligence,Chap-GPT,nor supposedly intelligent, illinformed, deluded cricket scribes or historians, can changethat!
When MCC/England toured WI in 1947/1948, HeadleywasoneofthreeWI captains used, something of a compromise, since there had been calls for him to captain for all four Tests. T&T’s Gerry Gomez and Barbados’ John Goddard; both Caucasians; were the othertwo.
Unfortunately, after leadingWIinthat1stTest–drawn at Kensington Oval, Barbados – Headley had serious back injury problems. Hence, Goddard
captained WI, successfully, vEngland,andsubsequently continued as captain, to India in 1948/1949 and Englandin1950.
However,realcricketing history had already been made. George Alphonso Headley had become the FIRST EVER BLACK WEST INDIES MEN’S TEST CRICKET TEAM CAPTAIN.
George Headley – Atlas oftheWestIndies!
“MASSA” George Headley, described as “ATLAS” and “BLACK Don Bradman” , with reference to that greatest of Australianbatters,isalways included in ALL-West IndiesMen’steams.
Like “Atlas” , the mythical Greek figure who was supposed to have held up the sky, Headley always held WI teams’ batting returns in his hands Whenever Headley failed, which was very seldom, so didWI!
George Headley played 22 Tests; 2190 runs, 10 centuries, H/S 205, average 60.83, and 103 First Class games; 9921 runs, 33 centuries, H/S 344, average 69.86.
Crucially, Headley missed cricket fully during WWII;1939–1945;anddid not play Test cricket again until1948,wellafterWWII hadended.
Many present-day WI front-line batsmen’s batting averages are less than 50% ofHeadley’sexcellence,but that is another story for another time. WI cricket has become desperately poor, despite all incoming CWI administrations’ loud utterances of intended improvements.
Morethan25yearshave passed since WI are/were supposed to have “turned a corner.” One must believe that that corner must be like walking, circumnavigating theearth. Itneverends!
WestIndies1stEverTest Series
Born on 30 May 1909, George Headley just missed selection for WI’s first ever Test series; three Tests v England in 1928; the WI touring squad captained by J a m a i c a n w i c k e tkeeper/batter Karl Nunes. 19-year-old Headley was deemed to be “too young to be able to withstand the difficulties of such an arduouscrickettour.”
Headley, aged 20 +, debuted for WI in the next series; 1929/1930; in the Caribbean, v MCC. At KensingtonOval,Barbados; Test No. 1; Headley scored 21 and 176; the first West Indian to make a century on Test debut, in that drawn Test. Whatabrilliantstart! ImetGeorgeHeadley (Continuedonpage)
Colin Everton Croft
Roston Chase
Captain.
George Headley
Sir Frank Worrell.
Historic Stage of Champions launched: Guyana to host first Pro-Card Bodybuilding showdown
T h e G u y a n a Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) has officially launched the sixth edition of the Stage of Champions, set to make history as Guyana’s firstever pro-card qualifying event, scheduled for June 7 at the National Cultural Centre(NCC). At a press conference held Friday at the Camille Academy,GBBFFPresident Roger Callender unveiled w h a t h e c a l l e d a “groundbreaking” step for localbodybuilding,bringing together some of the most elite physiques from across
the Caribbean and beyond, all aiming to secure professional status in the sport.
AthletesfromSuriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, and several other nations have already confirmed their participation.WithIFPBand
CAC-certified judges, including international officials, the event promises world-class transparency andprofessionalism.
“This is history in the making,” said Callender “StageofChampionsisnow apro-qualifier Athleteswho win here will leave as professionals, ready to take ontheglobalstage.”
Guyana, which only had two pro-card athletes in nearlytwodecadesago,now boasts multiple pro athletes, and this event could be the launchpad for even more localstars.
This event is a golden opportunity for local strongmen. With prize money including $600,000 GYD (approx. US$3,000) for the overall bodybuilding champion, and $300,000 GYD for the Men’s Physique champion, the stakes are higher than ever Meanwhileinthetraditional bodybuilding categories, winners will receive
$200,000 (1st), $100,000 (2nd), and $60,000 (3rd), acrossweightclasses:Under 154lbs,164lbs,176lbs,and over177lbs.
President Callender urged Guyanese athletes to begin preparations now, e m p h a s i z i n g t h a t sponsorships and logistics should be finalized early “Don’t wait. This is your time. Prepare now and just focus on competing,” he said.
Thelaunchalsofeatured a significant new addition: the introduction of a kids’ fitness showcase, aimed at inspiring the next generation While not a competitive event, the display will highlight the importance of health and wellness education from a young age, a core value supported by the Camille Academy and endorsed by theGBBFF
“We’re not just building athletes, we’re building citizens,” said Callender “Bodybuilding promotes self-confidence, discipline, and pride, traits we want in ouryouth.”
Camille’s representative Adam echoed this sentiment, stating, “We’re proudtopartnerwithasport that mirrors our values of excellence and consistency
This is about investing in peopleandthefutureofthis country.”
This event is heavily backed by both corporate s p o n s o r s a n d t h
government. Key sponsors include Twins, Fitness Ex
Technology, Cactus Auto, Riaz Computers, Beef Iron Wine, UGC Inc., and more. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has also thrown its full support behindtheevent.
Anticipation Builds With the event now officially launched, the question on everyone’s mind:WillthefirstGuyanahostedprocardgotoalocal athlete or will it be claimed byaregionalrival?
TheStageofChampions EditionSixissettobeginat 7:00 PM on June 7, with tickets priced at $5,000 GYD. The night promises high drama, intense competition, and possibly, the crowning of a new Caribbean bodybuilding star Be there Witness history as Guyana rises to theproranks.
Independence Draughts Competition billed for today May 25th
The National Draughts Association in conjunction with the Transport Sports Club would be holding its Annual Independence Draughts Competition today, Sunday May 25th 2025 at the Transport Sports Club pavilion.
The games would be contested on the International 10x10 boards. Prizes would be awarded to the top four players. The games would be played on a round robin system. Entrancefeesis$1000perplayerinclusiveof a snack. Starting time is 10.00 am sharp. Players are asked to be early for the registration. So far Attorney at Law Mr
Gentle Elias has contributed to the event, while Transport Sports Club has pledged theirsupportwithsponsorship.
Alsotoday,TransportSportsClubwould beholdingaMemorialDayofotheractivities including Billiards and King Dominoes for the late Vice President of the Club, Mr KenrickFraser
Mr Fraserwasanardentfanofboththese games. Billiards would start at 1.00 pm and the King Dominoes would start after to culminate the day’s activities. Draughts players countrywide and Transport Sports clubmembersareaskedtotakenote.
Hakeem ‘The Dream’ Olajuwon meets GDF basketball coach Brian Carter
Gu y a n a ’ s basketball scene may be on the cusp of another golden age following the recent visit of NBAHallofFamerandtwotime champion Hakeem ‘TheDream’Olajuwon.
Standing seven feet
tall and towering in
legacy, Olajuwon’s engagement with key stakeholders in the local basketball community last w e e k h a s i g n i t e d memories of a pivotal turning point in Guyanese hoops history, one that occurred more than five decades ago according to information provided by Statistician Charwayne Walker
The only other NBA Hall of Famer to grace Guyana’s shores was none other than Boston Celtics legend Larry Siegfried, whose visit in May 1974 is still etched in the nation’s sportingfolklore
Siegfried, a five-time NBAchampion, conducted several coaching clinics that forever altered the trajectory of the sport in thecountry
His influence was immediate and profound, coming just after Guyana secured a memorable international series victory over Barbados under the
lights at the iconic Parade Ground.
There was no Sports Hall at that time But following Siegfried’s visit, basketball in Guyana shifted into overdrive, inspiring a generation of players, coaches, and administrators
That visit, according to renowned statistician Charwayne Walker, was a “watershed moment” in Guyanesesport
Now,historymaybe poisedtorepeatitself.
Olajuwon’s arrival comes at a time when Guyana is experiencing exponential growth in both sporting infrastructure and international participation
Unlike 1974, today’s basketballfraternitybenefits from improved facilities, growing youth engagement, and a surge of regional and internationalexposure.
The hope is that Olajuwon’s visit serves as a catalyst for continued development; much like Siegfried’sdidover50years ago.
Among those present during the recent engagement were local basketball figures including Mike Brusche and other stalwartsofthegame.
The moment carried added emotional weight
given the absence of late pioneer Hewley Henry, whose contribution to Guyanese basketball is still celebrated.
Back in 1974, it was under the stewardship of Joseph ‘Reds’Perreira, then President of the Guyana Basketball Association, that Siegfried’s groundbreaking
visittookplace.
As Guyana’s basketball ecosystem evolves, the echoesofthepastnowserve as inspiration for the future. From Parade Ground to the modern courts of today, the dream lives on, and with Olajuwon’s blessing, the sportmayjustbeenteringits nextgreatera.
NBAchampion and Hall of Famer, Hakeem Olajuwon (center) share moment with GDF Basketball Coach Brian Carter (left) and Charwayne Walker during his recent visit.
In photo: Boston Celtics legend Larry Siegfried discussing fundamentals with former national captain Mike Brusche 1974.
New GBBFF President, Roger Callender (second from left) eager to be part of this historic Pro-card event. In photo is GBBFF Head, along with sponsor representatives of the June’s Stage of Champions Bodybuilding event.
GBAPresident and Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle (left) with Abiola Jackman, Coach Lennox Daniels and Doctor Marissa Parris, GBAFirst Vice President on Jackman’s arrival at theAirport.
