oil boom’
IsDB and IDB sign pact to give Guyana and Suriname US$1B in loans over next five years targeting transportation, energy, education, health
‘KFC decoy’ in
...femaleaccompliceboughtchickenasVenezuelan suspectsscoutedgasstationbeforeexplosion
in Parika markets’ bomb plot’
....Hamasdecries‘treacherousescalation’ …digitalboostsmallbusinesses, schoolsandhomes Huawei launches eKit in Guyana CDB urges decisive Elderly man killed in frenzied bee attack
action on high debt in Caribbean
Lennox Luke
DanielAlexander Ramirez Peodomo
Dr.MuhammadAlJasser,Chairmanofthe IslamicDevelopmentBank(IsDB)Group,H.E.
Mr.IlanGoldfajn,PresidentoftheInter-American DevelopmentBank,andMr.JamesP.Scriven, CEOofIDBInvest,renewedthepartnership betweentheinstitutionsthroughanew MemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU). partnership
‘Big
banks eye oil boom’
IsDB and IDB sign pact to lend Guyana and Suriname US$1B over next five years
target transportation, energy, education, health sectors
T h e I s l a m i c Development Bank (IsDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) have renewed their strategic partnership, pledging US$1 billion over thenextfiveyearstosupport development projects in GuyanaandSuriname
T h e r e n e w e d collaboration will focus on advancing inclusive and sustainable development in
both countries, with investments focused on key s e c t o r s , s u c h a s
committed to empowering our member countries and fostering partnerships that advance sustainable development.
T h i s r e n e w e d engagement with the IDB Group allows us to jointly deliver transformative projects that will enhance livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and promote shar
SurinameandGuyana,”said IsDB President H E Dr MuhammadAlJasser "We are joining forces
transportation,energy,urban development, education, rural development, health, and resilience, the IDB said in a statement on Wednesday “At the Islamic Development Bank, we are
w i t h t h e I s l a m i c Development Bank to unlock new co-financing opportunitiesinGuyanaand Suriname, as well as cooperation with other member countries, to build
resilience, foster inclusive growth, and improve lives,” said IDB Group President IlanGoldfajn.
Beyond Suriname and Guyana, the partnership
s u p p o r t s b r o a d e r
collaboration in common member countries and IDB member countries with significant Muslim populations, the release stated.TheMoUalsoaimsto deepencooperationbetween the two institutions in areas that promote inclusive growth, including trade and investment, as well as sustainable transportation solutions that enhance regional connectivity and climateresilience.
The institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to knowledge sharing and delivering impactful development solutions, as well as strengthening cooperation among Latin America and the Caribbean, Gulf States, andotherstakeholders.
Meanwhile, the renewed agreement comes at a time when both Guyana and Suriname are drawing growing international attention as emerging oil producers.
Guyana is already pumping over 600,000 barrelsofoilperday,making it the world's fastestgrowing economy in recent years.
Suriname,meanwhile,is preparing to move toward first oil, expected by 2028,
with recent discoveries by major international oil companies.
With the oil sector set to transform both economies, analysts note that multilateral development banks such as the IDB and IsDB are positioning themselves to play a larger r o l e i n f i n a n c i n g infrastructure and public sector reforms linked to oildrivengrowth.
The MoU, while framed as a development initiative, also provides a platform for expanded lending and cofinancing in high-value sectors.
In Guyana, the IDB is already one of the largest m
ilat
enders, supporting projects in energy, agriculture, and digital infrastructure Suriname, meanwhile, has benefited from IsDB and IDBassistanceinhealthand education but is expected to require significant new investment as oil revenues begintoflow
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram while commenting Guyana's growing debt recently told this newspaper the Guyana Government lacks a clear borrowing policy and reliance on a “misleading” debt-to-GDP ratio are troubling.
“Asignificant portion of GDP around 60% does not belongtoGuyana,whileany debt incurred certainly does,”hesaid.
“We are using oil as a reason for increasing our debt, both in absolute and relative terms. There is no long-term economic planning.”
Guyana's total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt stood at US$5.993 billion at the end of 2024, up from about
US$4.5billionayearearlier. External PPG debt loans from multilateral, bilateral, and other foreign creditors was roughly US$2.2 billion, while domestic PPG debt reached approximately US$3.7billion.
Debtservicingcostsalso climbed to US$196 1 million in 2024, up from US$177.5 million the year before. Of that, US$124 9 millionwenttoexternaldebt serviceandUS$71.2million to domestic obligations Government officials, however,frequentlypointto Guyana's declining debt-toGDP ratio, down from 47.4% in 2020 to 24.3% in 2024, as evidence that debt levelsremainwithinprudent limits and that the country has room to borrow for strategicprojects.
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is the leading source of financing and knowledge for improving lives in Latin America and theCaribbean. It comprises the IDB, which works with the region's public sector and enables the private sector; IDB Invest, which directly supports private companies and projects; and IDB Lab, which spurs entrepreneurial innovation.
Meanwhile, the IsDB, rated AAA by the major ratingagenciesoftheworld, isthepioneeringmultilateral developmentbank(MDB)of the Global South that has been working for over 50 yearstoimprovethelivesof the people and communities it serves by delivering impactatscale.
TheBankbringstogether 57MemberCountriesacross fourcontinents,touchingthe lives of nearly 1 of 5 people worldwide.
Officials of the two banks during their meeting
Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, H.E. Mr. Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank, and Mr. James P. Scriven, CEO of IDB Invest, renewed the partnership between the institutions through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Miner accuses GGMC 18yearsandcounting!
of defying court orders
…blockingaccesstogold-richlandsnear5.4M-ouncedeposit
ByRenaySambach
Local miner Wallace Daniels has accused the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) of deliberately stalling the approval of his mining permit for more than 18 years,despiterepeatedcourt rulingsinhisfavour,adelay whichheclaimshascosthim access to land sitting on the fringes of a 5 4-millionouncegolddeposit.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Daniels said his case has gone through the courts several times, yet the orders of Magistrate Allan Wilson andtheHighCourtcontinue to be ignored by GGMC.
“This is a process that usuallytakebetweenthreeor seven months, this one has taken2007to2025,18years and despite going through the court process several times, the judgment of the court the magistrate's court
the supreme court has still beenblatantlyignoredbythe Guyana Geology and Mines Commission,”helamented.
Daniels, a surveyor and cartographer by profession, explained that around 2005, he was employed by ETK Inc.tocompileadigitalmap and data for properties the company had acquired. He said that after an auction by GGMC, ETK purchased several additional properties, and once the auction was over, GGMC opened the process to the public for anyone interested in applying for remaining parcels.
“Withtheauctionsbeing overIobservedanumberof properties small ones, little edges, that were not occupied, that were not appliedfor,werenotlistedas properties of anyone, and I applied for those properties, thelastofthemIappliedfor wasin2012,”Danielssaid.
He explained that the current dispute involves some of those small parcels heappliedforoveradecade ago. “These little properties that I applied for, that were not listed as owned by anyone, that were open, that Iappliedfor,itturnsoutthat a f t e r w a r d s , o t h e r people feel like they wantedthoseproperties,and that is what this issue is all about,”hestated.
Danielssaidthatafterhe applied, a notice was
Elderly man killed in frenzied bee attack ...stung
to death while cleaning land
A 67-year-old man died on Wednesday after he was attacked by bees at Enterprise backlands, East CoastDemerara.
Police said they are investigating the incident which occurred between 09:30 and 10:45 hours involving Lennox Luke, called 'Mikey' of Kitty, Georgetown,alongwithSelwynDean, a29-year-oldconstructionworkeralso fromKitty Reports state that Luke had accompaniedDeantoassistincleaning upanderectingafenceonaplotofland ownedbyDeanatEnterprise.
“While work was ongoing, a large swarm of bees emerged and attacked the two men. In an attempt to escape, Selwyn ran forward, and Luke ran backwards and fell to the ground, wherehewasattackedbytheswarmof bees.Selwynranawayaftersustaining a few bee stings,” the police release stated.
PolicesaidtheEMTwascontacted,
and along with NARI personnel, arrivedand'smoked'thearea.Withthe assistance of public-spirited citizens, Luke was escorted in an unconscious statetotheEnmoreRegionalHospital. After receiving treatment at about 11:20hrs,hewaspronounceddead.
Marks were seen on his back, forearm, and the back of his head. His body is at the Jerricks Funeral Home, awaitingPME.
The scene was photographed and statementsweretakenasinvestigations continue.
Luke'sdeathcomesaweekafteran almost similar incident occurred at Surat Drive, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, when a swarm of bees descendedonagroupofroadworkers, killing one man and leaving another fightingforhislife.
Twenty-nine-year-old Winston Semple,acontractorofPrinceWilliam Street, Plaisance, was killed last Wednesday, while 40-year-old
published giving the public an opportunity to object. However, there were no objectionsatthattime.
The property at the center of the saga is parallel to the Puruni River in the Toroparu Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), locatednearpropertyowned by theAlphonso family and nearpropertiescontrolledby ETKInc.acompany,owned by Canadian company Aris MiningCorporation.
Back in 2012, GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison had invited Daniels to a meeting attended by Andron Alphonsoandhislawyersin an effort to mediate after Alphonso claimed he would haveappliedforthelandthat Daniels applied for, had he known the land was available However, that mediationfailed.
In February 2016, Alphonso formally objected
Glendon Simpson of Non Pareil was hospitalisedincriticalcondition.
According to police, Semple, Simpson, and other workmen were engagedinroadconstructionwhenthe bees attacked without warning, stinging the men repeatedly Publicspiritedresidentsrushedtotheiraidand transported them to the Enmore Regional Hospital, where Semple was pronounceddeadonarrival.
HisbodywastakentotheMemorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaitedapost-mortemexamination.
to Daniels being granted Prospecting Permits Medium Scale (PPMS), arguing that his river claims extended300feetinland.
Notably,Alphonso owns river claims filed in 2009, covers 34 claims along the Puruni River one mile upstreamand300feetinland on both sides Daniels' application, however, was for land 300 feet north and southoftheriver,adjacentto Alphonso'sclaims.
While the matter remained unresolved, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat issued a retroactive order on May 3, 2023, closing the disputed areafromDecember6,2012 one day before Daniels' application.
A tribunal chaired by MagistrateAllanWilsonhad found Daniels' actions were neither illegal nor injurious to Alphonso. On May 20, 2024, Magistrate Wilson ruled that GGMC “ought to grant and approve the application of Mr Wallace Edgar Daniels dated 7th December2012.”
The tribunal later ruled that under Guyana's mining laws, river claims cannot legally include the 300 feet inland from the low-water mark, striking down Alphonso's argument and nullifying the ministerial order
However,GGMCtodate has not abide to the magistrate's ruling and had moved to the high court twice in 2024 seeking a judicial review of the tribunal's decision but was dismissedonbothoccasions.
“The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission has totally ignored the court order,”Danielsstated.
B e c a u s e o f t h e Commission's inaction, he said his operations have
suffered, with equipment and fuel seized or disappearing. “Within that four day period 60 drums of diesel disappear now that is whatwehavebeensubjectto and similar things over the years. What we are asking foriswhathavebeengranted twicealready,”hesaid.
Daniels explained that hisapplicationwasaccepted and processed, and a notice of publication appeared in theOfficialGazette.Hesaid GGMC's internal records also reflect this. “You apply foritanditisinvestigatedto be determined that it is availableitisthenthatthere is a first publication in the official gazette…the public isnotifiedthatthisisapplied for and if you have any objection, you can file an application, nothing was filed…is it then published again that this is now the propertyofWallaceDaniels, thathasneverbeendone,”he explained.
Henotedthatthesecond publication, which finalises the process, has never been issuedtothisday
Projectproximity
The disputed lands sit near the massive Toroparu Gold Project, owned by Canadian company Aris Mining through its subsidiary, ETK Inc. The project,boasting5.4million ounces in gold resources, is among Guyana's largest miningdevelopments. Notably, during a recent visit to the Toroparu area, KaieteurNewsobservedthat Daniels' team must use ETK's access road to reach thearea,whichiscontrolled by two gated checkpoints. Atthegates,namesaretaken as well as photos of the vehicle and in some instancesphonecallshaveto be made before persons are (Continuedonpage8)
Lennox Luke
GGMCCommissioner, Newell Dennison
(From left) Michelle Abrams, Wallace Daniels, Owen Caesar
KaieteurNews
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
EDITORIAL
Cancer awareness
Asthecurtainsdrawonthemonthsetasidefor heightening our collective awareness of cancer, we in this country must pause and urgentlytakestockofwherewestandinthisgrimbattle. Cancerisnoordinaryenemy Itdoesnotdiscriminate. It creeps into brain or breast, colon or lung, prostate or cervix, with the same cruel certainty The PanAmerican Health Organization (PAHO) reminds us plainly: cancers areoneoftheleadingcausesofdeathintheRegionofthe Americas.
Preventive measure, adjusting our lifestyle, adopting healthy habits can avert around 40 per cent of cancers. Even more stark: about one-third of cancers are diagnosable at early stages through screening and detectionprogrammes.
The message is laid bare: prevention, early detection, treatment,thesemustformthepillarsofourresponse.And yet,hereathome,wearefloundering.Accordingtoreports fromtheMinistryofHealthCancerRegistry,casessurged by 38 per cent in 2023 compared with 2022. Deaths jumped from 443 in 2022 to 612 in 2023. Screening for breast, prostate, cervix and colorectal cancers is happening, but seemingly too late, too infrequently The pattern emerges: people wait until symptoms shout at them;diagnosisarrivesattooadvancedastage;treatment becomes more a desperate scramble than a sure path to cure.
Therealitiesareunpalatable.Thecostofcancercareis staggering: tests in the tens of thousands; chemotherapy cycles tallying hundreds of thousands; radiation regimes demandingrepeated,distressingvisitsandmountingbills. The here-and-now scenario is this: for the well-heeled, options exist—treatment abroad, access to private care. For the less fortunate, it is an ordeal by fire: agonising, drawn-out, often silent. Too many are dying. Too many watchtheslowdeclinewithinfourbarewalls.
Thegovernmenthasmadesomemoves.TheMinistry ofHealthhassetasidefundsandintroducedvouchersfor screeningandtesting. Thesearewelcomesteps,butthey are far from enough. Yes, prevention and early detection are cheaper than end-stage treatment, but the initial hurdles, the cost, the travel, the fear, the stigma are still towering The structure is too weak The effort insufficient.
We cannot continue to treat cancer as though it were justanotherillness. ThedatafromPAHOshowthatinthe Region of the Americas, death and disability from malignant neoplasms amount to over 1.4 million deaths. The burden is rising even as some countries manage to reduce age-standardised mortality, simply because populationgrowthandageingincreasethesheernumbers. HereinGuyana,theriseisalreadyinstarkdetail.Wemust demandhigherpriority,sharperfocus,andmoreurgency Weseethenumbers Wehearthestories Thewell-to-do amonguswillfindawayabroad;therestareleftbehind in quiet suffering That discrepancy cannot stand We cannot permit that healthcare outcome depends on one's walletorZIPcode Asthemonthofawarenessends,the work must begin in earnest. This is not a run-of-the-mill sickness. To treat it as if it were is a disservice to the thousands of lives at stake. We owe it to every father, mother, sibling and child who watches a family member suffer
Callandactionmustcome.Now Letusstareintothe unflinching truth: too many are dying, too many are left alone in agony, simply because the system did not match thedisease'swrath.
We must change that. We must raise our collective voice,demandbetter,insistonresults,andrefusetotolet cancer'shostilereachsweepournationwithoutresistance. Let this month of awareness be the spark for sustained, national,uncompromisingaction.
Accelerated 45-60-Day residence notification for foreign nationals in Guyana
DearEditor, The explosion at the RegentandKingStreetsfuel station in Georgetown, now confirmed to have been triggered by an explosive deviceplacedbyasuspected
n a l , underscores a gap in our
monitoring that can no longerbeignored.
A
it stan
immigra
n regime concentrateslargelyonentry and exit controls under the Immigration Act (Chapter 14:02). Once a non-citizen obtains a permit and enters the country, there is no mandatory continuing obligationunderlawforthat person to update the authorities on their physical residenceorchangesthereof. In short: the state may lose sightofwhoisstayinginthe country, where they are staying, or who is hosting them.
Incontrast,theKingdom ofThailandprovidesauseful model. There, any foreign nationals staying for more than 90 days must submit a residence notification every 90daystotheirimmigration authority.
The form “TM 47” is usedtorecordtheforeigner's address and visa details; the
landlord or host also has a dutyunder“TM30”tonotify when a foreigner takes up residence or changes location.
Theprocedureworkslike this:theforeignnationalmay file in person, by registered mail or (in certain cases) online; the submission window is up to 15 days beforeor7daysafterthedue date; failure to comply triggers a fine (for example, $30USforlatesubmission).
Drawing on that example, I proposethatGuyanaadopta 45- to 60-day residencenotification obligation for foreign nationals who stay beyondaninitialshortperiod (say 30 days) or who hold a permitextendingtheirstay
Underthisproposal:Any foreign national staying in Guyana beyond 30 (or alternately 45) days must complete a “Residence Notification Form” at entry or within that period, and then at regular intervals every30-45days.
Hosts, landlords or property managers accommodating foreign nationals must notify the immigration authority within 24 hours of arrival or anyaddresschange.
The notification form w o u l d c a p t u r e
passport/permit number, visa status, address of residence, date of commencement, next-due notification, host/landlord details, and method of submission(paper/digital).
Compliance should be enforced:non-submissionor late submission may delay future visa/permit renewals
and attract modest administrative fines with possible jail terms for repeatedoffenders
All data collection, retention and processing must respect the Data Protection Act 2023, ensuring that personal informationiscollectedonly forclearlydefinedpurposes, kept no longer than necessary and secured appropriately
Why shorten the interval to 45-60 days rather than replicate Thailand's 90-day intervalexactly?InGuyana's evolving context, increased migrationflows,porousland borders, and recent security incidents, a shorter interval offers finer granularity and more current visibility of residencepatterns.
A45-60daycyclewould give immigration and lawenforcement agencies more timely data while remaining administratively feasible
The introduction of such a mechanism would not impose heavy costs A simpleonlineportallinkedto permit-issuance records, a paper-form alternative at immigration offices, and a modest compliance registry can deliver the necessary infrastructure.
Technical assistance could be sought from donor agenciesorthroughregional c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h CARICOMpartners.
In the aftermath of the fuel-station bombing, this reformisnotoptional.Itisa necessary step to bring lawful residence monitoring intoalignmentwithnationalsecurity needs, migration governance,andtherightsof foreign nationals to reside transparentlyandlawfully
The Government of Guyanamustactonthisnow, amending the relevant statute or issuing regulation without delay, so that every non-citizen who stays here has a clear, enforceable obligation to report their residenceandeveryhosthas a mirror obligation to report the accommodation. This dual structure is proven, effective and ready for adaptation.
Sincerely, Dr WalterH.Persaud
Critiques of politicisation of judicial appointment are moot
DearEditor,
Several commentaries and even editorials contend there was “the politicization oftheappointment”of(High Court and Court of Appeal) judges by President Ali TheycriticizePresidentAli's recent appointment of Acting Chancellor Roxane George-WiltshireandActing Chief Justice Navindra Singh(apromotion)and“the forcedretirement”ofActing Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards who went on two months of vacationandwhoseposition was not restored after she returnedfromleave.
The fact that Edwards decided to retire made the issue or criticism moot; critics don't have a case. In addition, the way President Ali appointed the Acting ChancellorandActingCJto fill vacancies is not much d
predecessorPresidentDavid Granger The criticism that t
politicized does not hold water
The appointment of judges in virtually every country, including USA, perhaps with the exception of UK, Australia, New ZealandandafewEuropean countries,is“politicized”.In the Caribbean, appointment of judges is politicized except perhaps for Jamaica. In the USA, federal judges (Supreme Court judges) are appointed (nominated) by the President with majority confirmation (51) from the Senate. Republican President tends to appoint Judges who are Republican.
D i t t o D e m o c r a t i c Presidents! The American Senate holds the power of confirmation in what is known as separation of powers from the President.
In Guyana, a judicial
ion on appointment of judges and m a g i s t r a t e s T h e commission recommends a
Chancellor and CJ The President appoints both, fromrecommendationofthe commission, after agreementoftheOpposition Leader The President and Opp.Leaderrarelyagreedon appointments.ThePresident is empowered to make temporary (Acting) appointments Hence the appointment of Wiltshire and Singh as Acting Chancellor and Acting CJ respectively! While 'politicization' of appointment of judges should be of concern to criticsandthepublicatlarge, the politicization of judgment should be of greaterconcerntothenation.
P r i o r t o t h e establishmentoftheCCJ,the courts made many bad rulings that could not be challenged during the dictatorship; judicial rulings werelargelypoliticized.The abolishment of the Privy Council in 1969 as final court of appeal ended
politically neutral, creative, sound, and intelligent j u d g m e n t s T h e establishmentoftheCCJand Guyana's acceptance of it as its final court has given Guyaneseaninstitutionfora level playing field in the administration of justice
The CCJ has provided anotherlayeroffairnessand justice rather than the local court. The CCJ, with judges fromseveralcountries,isnot as politicized as local courts and make politically neutral rulings. Rulings are more enlightened than from local judges and the appeal court. The CCJ overturned several baddecisionsfromGuyana's appeal court including those from the no-confidence motion and the appointment ofGECOMChair
Thus, the concern expressed by critics of Ali's judicial appointments, of rulings being 'politicized' is not justified. If the CJ, the Chancellor,andtheAppeal (Continuedonpage6)
President Ali said his second term will be consequential
Dear Editor,
In just under fiveyears, President Dr Irfaan Ali has emerged as one of the most respected, genuine and serious leaders on the international, regional and hemisphericstage.
Today, Guyana is not only an accredited and recognized member of the globalcommunityofnations buthasbecometheengineof changetotheglobalpolitical system and the international
status-quo It has gained recognition as a prominent and important player on the international scene with Presidency Dr Ali's advocacy of policies to reduce global warning, food insecurity, fair trade practices by the United States and the other Global North(developed)countries, reduction of poverty, especially in Africa, an end to the three-year old Ukraine-Russianwarandthe
genocide being committed against the Palestine in the GazabyIsrael.
President Dr Ali's fearless approach to global problems and issues was evident in his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UN) 80 session th on Tuesday September 23, 2025.Aftershoweringpraise ontheUnitedNationsforits grandachievementsoverthe years, the Guyana Head of State boldly and bravely
While a nation mourns, a minister boasts
DearEditor,
In the aftermath of the horrific bombing at the Georgetown gas station that claimed the life of six-yearold Soraya Bourne, Guyana stands at a crossroads of conscience Her mother, Samantha Roach, could barely speak through her thick grief: “I need justice. My daughter didn't deserve this ” Another relative described a night of chaos and silence at the hospital: surgeries,brokenbones,and unanswered questions. “We could have lost an entire family,” she said, “and no one came to us, no one said anything.”
Yet, even as the Bourne family struggled to make sense of their loss, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond took to the mic on October 28 to declare that the government's crimesolving technology had “worked wonders ” She credited “tremendous investment” under her administration for producing a “major breakthrough” within 72 hours For the grieving family, those words must have felt hollow What “wonders” could possibly exist when a child's life is snuffedoutinthecapitalcity, and the perpetrators remain shrouded in confusion and contradiction?
That confusion deepens when one listens to the public. On social media,
calledontheworldleadersto respect the rights of small states, the need to safeguard humanity's survival and progress an end to the embargo on Cuba and the brutal gang violence that is ravaging Haiti's capital of Port Au Prince and its suburbs.
as transparent and accountable as possible
Under the leadership of President Dr Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips and Vice PresidentDr BharatJagdeo, there is evidence of sustained economic growth and development in every region,villageanddistrictin thecountry
At the heart of this tragedy lies a deepening disconnect between state performance and public pain.
A mother cries for justice.Aministercelebrates “wonders.” Citizens scoff at an unbelievable tale. And journalists, the last line between power and the people,areleftshoutinginto silence Guyana deserves better, not polished press statements, but truth, empathy,andaccountability Thelifelostdemandsit.
Regards, SherodDuncan
disbelief: “You mean to tell me a man travelled by boat from Venezuela and carried out a bombing that same day?”Hedetailedhowsucha journeywouldtakemorethan a day and require refuelling stops, accusing the authorities of “insulting our collective intelligence” His post resonated because it captured a truth many feelthat the state's story is collapsing under the weight ofitsownimplausibility For allthetalkoftechnologyand vision, what the public sees instead is a country unprotected and a leadership unwilling to level with its p e o p l e And while the government insists on controlling the narrative, the press itself is being muzzled At the same press conference, when veteran journalist Gordon Moseley attempted to question Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken about the detention of Muslim British nationals at the airport,themoderatortriedto deflect Moseley, visibly frustrated, exclaimed: “The Commissionerdon'tspeakto the press!” capturing in that moment the exasperation of an entire profession. Reportersremindedtheroom that the Commissioner has not faced open questioning inthreeyears.Theexchange underscored a dangerous pattern, one where government triumphalism replaces transparency, and those who dare to ask questions are dismissed or ignored.
His Excellency told the UN audience of 194 world leaders that conflicts are raging as geopolitical tensions intensify, food insecurity worsened, displacement of people has grown,humanrightsabuses continued to be ignored, and climate change continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of people around the world, especially in the Global South (developing) Countries. President Dr Dr Alihasbeencommendedfor the positions Guyana has taken on the UN Security Council.
F o l l o w i n g h i s swearing in ceremony on September 7, 2025, President Dr Ali has said that his second term will be consequential
He made the most profound and audacious decision to establish an anti-corruption agency to root-out corruption at all levels of government and state agencies and is working assiduously to lower the cost of living, decrease poverty, improve the lives of the poor and be
No one can or should disregard or ignore the record of progress of the PPPC government from 2020 to now It includes a high level of economic growth, and the easing of inflation while the debt and the cost to service it remain low. Our leaders have transformed the country's economy
Based on a recent IMF estimate, Guyana has the fastest-growing economy in the world, with a GDP g r o w t h r a t e o f approximately 43.6 percent, which is considered the highestintheworld.
According to theWorld Bank, the poverty rate in Guyana in 2019 stood at 49 percent.
However, with zero excise tax on gasoline, the
removalofVATonwaterand electricity, cash grants, increases in pension and wages and other poverty reduction programs, some sources have indicated that thecurrentpovertyratemay be significantly lower than the 2019 rate of 49%, or possibly reduced by more than half, but the exact c u r r e n t f i g u r e i s unconfirmed. The lowering of inflation, decrease in poverty, increases in pensions and wages, cash transfers of $100,000 to everycitizenovertheageof 18 years, the creation of more than 50,000 jobs, expansion of infrastructure and the granting of thousands of houses-lots are evidence that the country is moving in the right direction.
Not to mention that the policies of the government have profoundly impacted the electorate who on st September 1 2025 General andRegionalElectionshave rewarded President Ali and the PPPC with the largest majority of 36 seats in Parliament.
Sincerely, Dr.Asquith Rose.
CDB urges decisive action on high debt in Caribbean
The Caribbean
Development Bank (CDB) is calling on Caribbean g o v e r n m e n t s a n d developmentpartnerstotake bold, coordinated action to confrontthetwinchallenges of stubbornly low growth and persistently high debt acrosstheregion
…says debt sustainability an urgent development priority
warned,continuetorestrict fiscal space and hinder the region'
m developmentprospects
“
C
growth trajectory has been constrained by high export conc
nt
a
nd structural rigidities, which haveledtolowandvolatile growth,”Durantsaid
“To unlock our full potential, we must invest in building competitive, diversified economies that can withstand external shocks and deliver inclusivegrowth ”
While regional debt ratios have improved since the pandemic, Durant cautioned that eight of the Bank'sBorrowingMember Countries (BMCs) still exceed the 60 per cent debt-to-GDP benchmark
Speaking at the 2nd Caribbean Debt Forum, Ian Durant, Acting VicePresident (Finance and Corporate Services) of the C D B , o u t l i n e d a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, boosting competitiveness, and strengthening fiscal resilience through decisive debtmanagement According toCDBpressrelease,Durant pointed to recent macroeconomic data and regional assessments that paint a sobering picture: the Caribbean's growth trajectory remains weak, undermined by low productivity, narrow export bases, and high exposure to climateshocks.
Rising global interest rates and slowing nominal GDP growth, he noted, threaten to erode these fragile gains, making debt sustainability an urgent development priority
“Debt sustainability is not just a fiscal issue, it is a development imperative,” Durant stressed “CDB
Ian Durant, Vice-President Finance & Corporate Services (Ag.) of CDB
remains committed to supporting member countries through innovative financing, technical assistance, and policy dialogue to help them build resilience and achievelastingprosperity.”
Here in Guyana, experts and politicians have warned the Guyana Government
Guyana's USD crisis: When Government Control Chokes a Free Market
DearEditor,
Guyana is being hailed around the world as the fastest-growing economy,
yet on the ground, businesses are gasping for breath.
For months, the country has faced a crippling shortageofU.S.dollars—so severe that some importers can'tpaysuppliers,investors can't repatriate profits, and ordinary citizens are left wonderinghowaneconomy flush with oil wealth could be starved of foreign exchange.
This is not just an inconvenience—it'safailure
o f m a n a g e m e n t , transparency, and basic economicprinciples.
Let us call it what it is:
the government has mismanaged the entire foreignexchangemarket.
By injecting itself into the system, dictating access, andturningwhatshouldbea free market mechanism into acontrolledandmanipulated structure, the authorities have set the stage for chaos.
about excessive borrowing on the back of its oil revenues
OnlyrecentlytheUnited Kingdom increased its export credit financing limit for Guyana from £2 1 billion to £3 0 billion, a move billed by both London and Georgetown as a vote of confidence in Guyana's accelerating economicprogress
But amid the applause, commentators have here have sharply warned that Guy
d carefully
Failure to do so, they say, risks plunging the country into a debt trap, espec
g
untapped potential of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) to drive regional trade and growth
However, he said the benefits of integration continuetobehamperedby o u t d a t e d p o r
shipping connectivity, and highlogisticscosts
A recent CDB logistics study revealed persistent inefficiencies, including paper-ba
tems, outdated fee structures,
practices, and limited port operating hours all of
productivity T
bottlenecks, Durant urged governments to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems and modernise regulatory frameworks to make it easier for the private sector to invest and expand He also emphasised the need for greater investment in
infrastructure, digital
This resulted in a manufactured and manipulated two-tiered system Banks are constrained by central directives, while non-bank cambios and street dealers exploit the vacuum, hiking spreads and engaging in pricegougingwithimpunity T h i s manipulation—disguised as
“foreign exchange manag
nt” has distortedsupplyanddemand so thoroughly that Guyana's dollar exchange rate now dances to political rhythm ratherthanmarketlogic.
In a free market economy, no government, nor the banking system should be picking winners and losers in access to
The recent measures implemented by Govt, to alleviate the challenges instead exacerbated the burden The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Guyana have been silent for far too long, while availability became a scarcity, rate fluctuations growsharperandconfidence collapses.
foreigncurrency
Yet that appears to be exactly what is happening.
K e y p r o j e c t s a n d government-linked entities seemtohavereadyaccessto USD for procurement and imports, while private businesses are left scrambling.
The authorities' silence only fuels suspicion that the state has redirected hard currency to finance its own priorities, starving the privatesectorintheprocess.
The implications are devastating.
Businesses on the brink ofcollapse,layoffslooming, import pipelines drying up, and local production shrinking—all because the governmentrefusestoallow themarkettofunctionfreely. Investors who once saw Guyana as a promising frontier now talk of trapped profits and unpredictable conditions No serious investor wants to operate wheremonetarypolicyfeels likeamovingtarget.
Agovernmentthatprides itself on growth cannot
pretend that manipulation and opacity are tools of progress Economic expansion built on control rather than competition is a façade one that will crumbleundertheweightof poor governance if these p
, accountability, and a return to open market operations must happen now Guyana deserves to be more than an oil-richheadline.
It deserves a genuinely free economy where businesses can trade, investors can predict and plan, and citizens can trust that the system is fair Developmentcannotcoexist with currency rationing and selectivecontrol.
The government must come clean, rest
transparency, and stop playing puppeteer with the n
economy itself, collapse beyondrepair
Sincerely, HemduttKumar
ven the volatility of oil prices and the nation's already heavy external and domestic obligations Guyana's total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt stood at US$5.993 billion at the end of 2024, up from about US$4.5 billion a year earlier ExternalPPGdebtloans from multilateral, bilateral, and other foreign creditors was roughly US$2 2 billion,whiledomesticPPG debtreachedapproximately US$3.7 billion. Debt servicingcostsalsoclimbed to US$196.1 million in 2024, up from US$177.5 million the year before. Of that,US$124.9millionwent to external debt service and US$71.2milliontodomestic obligations.
Government officials, however,frequentlypointto Guyana's declining debt-toGDP ratio, down from 47 4% in 2020 to 24 3% in 2024, as evidence that debt levels remain within prudent limits and that the countryhasroomtoborrow forstrategicprojects
Meanwhile, Durant also underscored the
Frompage4 Court judges were to render terrible judgments, as happened, these can be overturned on appeal if the CCJisnotinagreement.The CCJ rulings embarrassed some judges Guyanese judges have to take cognizance of the fact that theirdecisionscouldbevery embarrassing if appealed all thewaytotheCCJ.Itismost unfortunate that CCJ's rulingscannotbeappealedto the Privy Council where the law lords have been known
innovation-drivengrowth,all supported by expanded access to concessional financing and coordinated regional partnerships. “We mustacttogethertotransform the region's economic landscape by reforming outdatedsystems,embracing innovation, and ensuring that growth is inclusive and sustainable,”Durantsaid.
As the region faces
environmental headwinds, Durant reaffirmed that the CDB remains a steadfast partner in advancing the Caribbean's development agenda and helping its membercountriesnavigate complex fiscal and economicchallenges
to render most enlightened rulings. The reversal rate of Privy Council judgments of rulings from Trinidad and Tobago Appeal Court is relativelyhigh.Thisexplains whyTrinishavegreaterfaith in justice from the Privy Council than the CCJ. The same holds true of most of the CARICOM nations Caribbean lawyers have greater faith in the neutral Law Lords than politically alignedlocaljudges. Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
High Court dismisses $400M lawsuit against Chinese road contractor over
fatal accident
...Court rules gravel pile not to blame for pillion rider's death
TheHighCourthas dismissed a $400 million lawsuit brought against Chineseowned road contractor Sinohydro Corporation Limited over a fatal motorcycle accident on Mandela Avenue in June 2021.
Justice Nicola Pierre ruled on Monday that the claimant, the estate of Kareem Powley, failed to prove that the company's alleged negligence directly causedhisdeath.
According to documents seen by this newspaper Kareem Powley was the pillionrideronamotorcycle drivenbyJoshuaMentoreon June 27, 2021, along MandelaAvenue.Thedriver ofthemotorcycleswervedto avoid a car, ran off the road and into a pile of gravel on the road shoulder before coming to a stop some distanceaway
Powleydiedatthescene of that accident. His estate represented by attorney Darren Wade, alleged that his death was caused by the negligence of Sinohydro Corporation who was carrying out road works at the accident site, and who allegedly had 'negligently leftapileofstonesattheside of the road with no safety markings which led to the claimant's demise ' The estateclaimsthattheSecond named Defendant – the
A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l representing the Ministry of Public Works /Chief Roads Officer/Government of
Guyana(GOG)isalsoliable in negligence because the GOG is the entity in control ofthatroadandowedanondelegable duty of care to usersoftheroad.
In her ruling the judge held that the GOG has a statutory duty to maintain, repair and superintend MandelaAvenue, which is a public road but does not ordinarily have a statutory duty to ensure the safety of users of the public roads.
“There is no statutory or common law liability for taking no action to prevent harm or to warn of the dangers of the road. Road authorities have no liability intortfornonfeasance,only misfeasance,” Justice Pierre outlinedinherruling.
The decision also pointed out that the GOG's liabilityformisfeasancemay arise if it creates or adds an unnecessary danger to the roadwhenitengagesinacts of maintenance, repair, and thelike-thismaygiveriseto a duty of care at common
law In this instance the judge explained that “An individual who had suffered damagebecauseofsomeact whichtheauthorityhaddone to make the highway more dangerous could sue for n
c nuisanceinthesamewayas he could sue anyone else.”
The judge explained that given that the lawsuit is a claim in negligence, to succeed in an action in negligence the claimant m
defendantowedthemaduty of care, that the defendant breached that duty, that the breach of that duty caused them injury/harm/damage, andthattheysufferedlossas
injury/harm/damage.
The claimant is entitled to compensation (damages) for losses they suffered f l o w i n g f r o m t h e injury/harm they suffered caused by the defendant's tort/wrong (breach of duty). According to the Court document, this could not be proven.Thecourtpointedto “an astonishing lack of evidence,” in the case. The witnesses were Althea Pollydore - mother of Kareem Powley and administrator of his estate, Jun Han the safety officer from Sinohydro, and Mark Anthony Greene the project Manager from the Ministry of Works who managed the contract for this project However, none of these witnesses was present when the accident occurred. The claimantwasthepillionrider
Miner accuses GGMC of defying...
Frompage3
allowed to use the ETK access road Daniels has complained that of recently, his workers are not being allowed through the ETK gates.
Aris Mining's Toroparu project is an explorationstage open-pit gold-copper deposit. AnupdatedMineral Resource Estimate released on March 14, 2023, confirmed 5 4 million ounces of measured and
indicatedgoldresourcesand 1.2 million ounces inferred, alongwith118,000tonnesof copper
Notably, according to information from the company's website, the project site was first mined by Alfro Alphonso in 1997 and explored by ETK from 1999 under a joint venture with Alphonso ETK acquired full ownership in 2020,payingUS$20million to exercise its option, while
Alphonso retained certain alluvial rights and access privileges. A 2011 mineral agreementbetweenETKand the Government of Guyana established a tiered gold royaltyof5%forpricesupto US$1,000perounceand8% for prices above that, along witha1.5%royaltyonother minerals. ETK also secured an investment agreement with GO-Invest granting tax exemptions on projectrelatedimports.
on the motorbike; the driver of the motorbike Joshua Mentore who survived the accident was not called as a witness.
The defence team led by attorneys Jerome Khan and Narendra Singh said the evidence derived from the police accident report showed that the motorcycle didnotcollidewiththestone but travelled some 39 feet beforehittingthegraveland the deceased was found 96 feet away, all pointing to speedasthecausativefactor
According to the lawyers, the reason the motorcyclecollidedwiththe gravelwasthatitswervedto avoid hitting an unknown car As a result of the facts presented, Justice Pierre determinedthatthebreachof
dutyinhavingunmarkedand unlit stones on the road shoulder of an unlit road under construction was not thecauseoftheaccident,nor death, and Sinohydro is therefore not liable for the losses stemming from the damage caused by the accident.
Thejudgeconcludedthat “The gravel not being the cause of accident or death, thereisalsonopossibilityof liability in the GOG.” She outlined too in her decision that“Itisworthyofnotethat even if the unlit unmarked gravelonthesideoftheroad gravel was found to be the cause of the accident, and Sinohydro liable, liability wouldlikelynotattachtothe GOG because no evidence was led in relation to
whether the GOG took reasonable care in choosing the contractor and scrutinising the contractor's plans, and monitoring the contractor's activities.” The court therefore ordered that the Statement of Claim be dismissed and the Estate of KareemPowleypaycostsin thesumof$100,000toeach ofthedefendants.
Govt. eyes US$300 million fertilizer plant at Wales
... bidders invited for major Gas-to-Energy spin-off
The Government ofGuyana(GoG) is pursuing the development of a fertilizer plant locally, which is likely tocostUS$300million.
While it is unclear whether any studies relating to the plant were conducted, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in an advertisement said, “The Government of Guyana (GoG) invites EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) proposals to design, engineer, construct(andthenoperate), anammonia/ureaplant.”
Throughapublic-private partnership model, government is looking to manufacture300,000tonsof fertilizer per annum, commencing between 20272028.
Interestingly, companies have been asked to submit a draft EPC contract “reflective of best practice and/or executed” by firms, and a draft operator's contract. The developer will also share its “assumptions” ontaxationforboththeEPC and Operations stage of the project, according to the request for proposals issued bytheOPM.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the fertilizer plant will utilize gas from Phase Two of the
preliminary EPC proposals receivedtodate,government pointed out that the project cost is not expected to exceedUS$300M.
The Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant (GAUP) is to be built at Wales, West Bank Demerara, east of the GTE Combined Cycle Power Plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Facility
“GAUPwillreceiveleangas fromGuyanaPowerandGas Inc. (GPGI), a fully owned Government of Guyana (GOG) company,” OPM stated.
GAUP, a company to be incorporated, will manufacture and sell ammonia/urea (fertilizer) to the local and regional market. Government noted that project is specifically aimedatloweringthecostof
fertilizer in Guyana and the broader region, including Northern Brazil and the Caribbean.
It was explained,“GAUP willbeaprivatecompanywith financing secured from the privatesector.GOGshallbe responsible for (i) establishing GAUP (ii) structuring and securing financing, (iii) arranging all contracts and permits GAUPwill be structured on aProjectFinancebasis.”
As part of the bidding process, interested companies must possess experience in EPCs and operating of similar projects, as well as provide details of the proposedsizeorperimeterof landthatwillberequiredfor thedevelopment. Additionally, government expects a project schedule s h o w i n g t i m e f o r design/engineering and time for construction, as well as local content goals among others.
Responses to the RFP mustbesubmittedbyJanuary 22,2026
During a site visit of the GTE project earlier this month, President Irfaan Ali revealed that government waseyeingthelocationfora fertilizer plant, among other initiatives to utilize and monetize the country's gas resources.
President Irfaan Ali
Attorney, Jerome Khan
Deceased: Kareem Powley
SocialmediahasbecomeaMinistryofMisinformation
On social media everyone has a voiceandfreeto express it, but few are truly listening or understanding one another. The once hopefulidealofaconnected world has devolved into a cacophony of competing voices, where truth, meaning,andcivilityarelost in translation. In this sense, social media stands as humanity’s new monument toprideandconfusion.Ithas become a digital tower built to reach the heavens but collapsing under the weight ofitsowncontradictions.
Social media is where gossip gets reincarnated every two minutes as “breakingnews.”Andyet,it is precisely this swamp of misinformation and disinformation that our government has chosen to elevate as its preferred means of communication. One would think that the architects of a modern state might aspire to higher ground, but apparently, the governmenthasdecidedthat if you can’t beat the trolls, you might as well join them... or at least subdue themwithyourowntrolls.
President Irfaan Ali, in his inauguration address, solemnlywarnedagainstthe perilsofmisinformationand disinformation on digital platforms. It was a noble sentiment.Onecouldalmost hear the angels of integrity humming softly in the background But, alas, realitysoonbargedinlikean uninvitedguestatawedding buffet. Because while the President was preaching truth,hisparty’sonlinearmy wasbusysettingupwhatcan only be described as digital
mud factories flinging dirt, rumor, and innuendo at critics. You see, on social media,thelinebetweentruth and fiction is not so much blurredasitisobliteratedby thealgorithmicblender One moment, you’re scrolling past a cat video; the next, you’re reading that your neighbour’s cousin’s friend wasseensmugglinggoldina plantain chip truck. It takes entire teams of exhausted fact-checkers to debunk these viral fantasies. But by the time they do, the lie has already traveled the Caribbean, picked up a tan, and gotten a government contract.
Yet, in what can only be described as a breathtaking act of cognitive dissonance, the government has decided that this is the very medium deserving of official endorsement The Vice President, with his trademark confidence, has pronounced that social mediahasthegreatestreach. Greatestreach?Perhaps. But so does a mosquito. No one ever said it was a good thing.Reach,inthiscontext, merely means that the nonsense gets to you faster It doesn’t mean it stays, resonates,or,heavenforbid, educates.
Thisclaimabout“reach” is itself a masterpiece of modernmythmaking.Social media’s reach is broad but shallowlikeapuddleaftera light drizzle. Government propaganda might reach thousands of screens, but most of it evaporates before it sinks in The same algorithms that deliver your message also ensure it disappearsinanhour,buried under a host of other posts.
Socialmediaisadigitalecho chamber where everyone hearswhattheywanttohear, believes what they want to believe,andwheretruthisa minor inconvenience easily scrolledpast.
Thisiswhysomebelieve that the government’s sudden romance with social media advertising is less about communication and more about control Traditional media, those pesky newspapers and television channels, come witheditors,journalists,and occasionally, questions Social media comes with noneofthat.Itistheperfect platform for the soundbite, the slogan, and the saintly selfie. It requires no depth, no accountability, and no follow-up.Foragovernment inclined to rule by narrative rather than by policy, it is paradise.
But like all paradises, this one comes with snakes. The same social media platforms that the government hopes to use as megaphones are also the ones that can amplify dissent, satire, and scandal with frightening speed. One badmeme,oneviralvideoof anofficialsayingsomething unwise, and suddenly the digital tide turns. The same algorithms that once served as friendly couriers of official statements now becomemercilessamplifiers ofmockery
The deeper tragedy, though, is what this all means for public discourse. When lies circulate faster than facts and when the measure of success is not truth but engagement, we end up with a population drowning in noise The
DEM BOYS SEH
Deweathergat
people behavingstrangely
It gat to be the weather causing people fuh behave strange. A big man went to a wedding house and hegetseatedatatablewithalilchild. Debigmanwenttodebarandcollecta one-literbottleofsoftdrink.Hecomeback todetableandpoppedthecorkofdedrink atdetable.
Hefullheglass.Isthenhenoticeddat de child watching at him as if waiting for himto share thedrink. De big manturn to dechildandseh,“Thisdrinkgatalcoholin it.”
Nowwhatcancauseabigmanfuhdeny a little child a glass of aerated drink? De man too damn glutton so as to mek up an excusehowdedrinkgatliquorinsideofit. But de best dem boys hear was the
national conversation becomesashoutingmatchin avirtualbarroom-everybody yelling, nobody listening, andeveryoneconvincedthat theothersideisdelusional.
And so, we return to the President’s noble concern about misinformation and disinformation.
He was right, of course. These are grave threats. But combating them requires more than speeches it requires restraint, integrity,
and the courage to unplug the government’s own propaganda machine. Until then,weremaintrappedina loop of digital absurdity where truth competes with rumor, sincerity with sarcasm, and governance withgossip.
domestichelpwahtellshebossdatshegat togethomeearlybecauseshehusbandgat todrinkhetabletsandhedoesdon’tknow which one fuh drink. De boss lady was surprisedbecausesheknowthatdeservant husband is an educated man and she can’t see how a big man like he nah gan know whichtabletsfuhdrink.
So she pick up de phone and call de husband “Is how much tablets you drinking dat you don’t know which one to drink?”sheaskedofhim.
Dehusbandreplied,“Isonlyonetablet Idoesdrink.”
Is then de lady realized about dem excusewahdehelpdoescomeupwithfuh gohomeearly Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Perhaps the only consolation is that one day, historians will look back on this era and marvel at our ingenuity Never before has humanity built such a vast and efficient system for confusingitself.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
H@RD TRUTHS
What is law, fair, just in Guyana today
Often, I absorb developments i n G u y a n a related to what is claimed tobelaw,fair,andjust,and I am reminded of one of those ancient images of thousandsofyearsago.
Think of a cart where the wheels were square or rectangular
The movements in the journey,shortorlong,were thatgrindinglyhardaround the edges, that jarring on the flat lines, and that rocking in its sophistication, or lack thereof. In the best verbalization I can manage, it is a revolution that is
jagged and choppy, and leavesmanyaskingwhatisit thatGuyanesenowlivewith, millennia later, when modernity and democracy have become national watchwords.
Amanshootsandkillsa
cop over a private transaction that never got off the ground, and in a jiffy,bailisgranted
Sizable, for sure; but such was the readiness and rapidity of the court's decision, that one has to wonder wh
circumstances, what other ingredients,hadabearingon that deliberation,
conclusion Guyanese, especially the family, know who is dead. But what they didn'tknowwiththegreatest clarity was who is who, and who can vouch for whom. The long arm of the law, or the deformed nature of its fingers.
It leaves a cold and chillingfeelingaroundthe vicinity of the neck, enough to make the hairs presentstandonend
It wasn't in the line of duty that the cop was shot
colleagues are so, shall I s a y, laidback and
unbothered by how the law atwhichsomeofthemtoilso honestly moves so mysteriously, and all the while so radically differently It has been said that the law is an ass, and withoutjustification.
The better conclusion fromsituationsthatfollow a certain course is that there are those behind the law who make it into an ass.
What that makes them tobe,Ihaveafewcolorful descriptions, but had better hold them in reserve For the mere mention could lead to an example being made of peoplelikeme.
And then who would be on trial? People like me, or what is called a system of law and justice inGuyana?
An acting chancellor goes on leave on her own free will, only to return and she is sent on leave again On this occasion, herleavetakingisseemingly involuntaryandwithanother distinguishingfeature.
It is permanent Perhaps,afteralifetimeof being engaged in the realms of the law, it was time for her to prioritize pursuingnewinterests.
Has happened before elsewhere, so Guyana is catching up with what is fashionable in other parts ofthedevelopedworld
W h a t w e r e t h e incentives offered in that fateful, high-level conversation that made her go placidly on her way? It could have been that she was made an offer that was just not in her best intereststorefuse.
But is this how, after all the sweet, comforting chatter about rules and respect, the way in which things of this sensitive nature are finalized? What they now peter out to, in an almost casual, clearly disdainfulmanner?
This isn't a matter involving an entry-level clerk, but a chancellor of the judiciary, the highest position on Guyana's greasyjudicialpole.
With one arranged departure, two positions opened up, with the specially selected standing by in the wings That it more than an antiquated cart wheel that is square. It is one big and deep black hole that is bottomless in its judicial possibilities When things are too neat and sweet, that is then I start to get worried, breakout into a coldsweat.
Pardon me, but what I am seeing, what I think Guyanesehavebeengiven a ringside seat to, is how premeditation and prearrangementworkhand-
in-hand in this country
When there's this type of substance that calls itself honorable and principled in Guyana,thenthestageisset for what follows for decades to proudly and grinningly calling itself honestandfairandjust,too Some may see subversion of processes and disregard forthereactionsofcitizens I see the way things are, whatispartofacontinuum, with a vast distance still to go
D e m o c r a c y o r d e t e r i o r a t i o n f o r expediency, that's the challenge before all Guyanese Constitution, or the constitution of men that twist what is before themtosuittheirvisions.
The fact that there was little of the subtle in both the murder reduced to manslaughter (and bail), and the heavy-handed circumventing of the judicial deadlock confirms howwhatiscalledlaw,what isfair,andwhatisjustwillbe inthefuture.
The foundation was just laid, and against the laws of physics it fell on theheadsofGuyanese
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
‘KFC decoy’ in bomb plot’
The two Venezuelan nationals accused of bombing the Regent Street gas station on Sunday allegedly used a KFC food runascovertoscoutthesite before carrying out the deadly attack that claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured severalothers.
According to a senior police officer, investigation
so far revealed that sometime between 11 a.m. and 12 noon on Sunday, the prime suspect, identified as Daniel Alexander Ramirez
Peodomo, and his Venezuelan accomplice travelledtoGeorgetownina motor car along with a female accomplice and a hiredtaxidriver
“They parked the car in thevicinityofthegasstation. The female accomplice then exited the vehicle and went to the KFC outlet at the said
location, where she purchased food for the two Venezuelans,” the senior officer disclosed. “It was during that time that the Venezuelans took the opportunity to conduct surveillance of the fuel station before executing their act to bomb the station,” the officer added. After completing their reconnaissance,thesuspects reportedly returned to Region Three, the officer said.
Police investigations havealsoconfirmedthatthe suspects entered Guyana illegallythroughabacktrack routeinthePomeroonRiver, before being dropped off at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. From there, they made their way to Georgetown, where the deadly attack was later carriedout.Asofpresstime, theGuyanaPoliceForcewas
holding around nine suspects, including Peodomo, who was caught on surveillance camera setting the device that triggeredtheexplosionatthe Regent Street Service Station.
Internalprobe
Meanwhile, for the first time since the deadly explosion Sol Guyana Inc.
has spoken publicly, announcing that it has launched a full internal investigation into the tragedy The company, which is the authorised distributor of Mobil fuels in Guyana, confirmed that its probewillrunparalleltothe
official investigation now being led by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF).
In a statement issued on Wednesday Sol Guyana Inc. saiditisdeeplysaddenedby the tragic explosion. “Our sincere condolences go out to the family of young Soraya Bourne who lost her life, and our heartfelt thoughts remain with all thoseinjuredoraffected.We also extend our appreciation to the emergency services, authorities, and our retailer for their swift and professional response,” the companysaid.
According to Sol, at this time, authorities led by the MinistryofHomeAffairsare on-site conducting a thoroughinvestigation.
“The Guyana Police Forcehasconfirmedthatthe incidentisbeingtreatedasa criminal matter and that an individual believed to have caused the explosion has been identified and is presently in Police custody assisting with the investigation. Sol remains fully committ
cooperat
th the relevant authorities as the investigation continues and hasalsolaunchedaninternal review in collaboration with theretailer
We recognize the public concern surrounding this devastating incident and reaffirm that the safety and well-being of our team, customers, and community remain our top priority Sol will continue to share verified updates as they become available and urges the public to follow official safety guidance and avoid the affected area while investigations are ongoing,” thestatementread.
Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum told reporters at a press conference held at the MinistryofHomeAffairson Tuesday that Peodomo and his accomplice have some affiliation with a “gang in Venezuela known as 'R'” which is linked to the Sindicato gang The Sindicato gang has been linked to several violent cross-bordercrimes.
The Crime Chief said investigatorslearnedthatthe explosive device was activated moments after the mainsuspectexitedacarand walked into the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown. The powerfulblastkilledBourne
Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo
and injured four others, including children and adults.Investigatorsarenow working to determine the motivebehindtheattackand whether it was linked to organised transnational criminalactivity
C l o s e d - C i r c u i t Television (CCTV) showed the suspect, clad in a blue jersey, what appeared to be black trousers and a khaki hat, entering the gas station and first attempting to place a bulky black bag in a bin locatedatapumpstation.An attendant, who was seated there, forbade him from
placing the bag in the bin. Themanthenventuredtothe areaofthefuelstationwhere itisreportedthatcookinggas wasstored.Shortlyafter,the car little Soraya Bourne and her family traveled in was seenslowlyreversingbefore the bomb exploded causing thegirlandherrelativestobe pitchedintotheair
Cops destroy $11.8M worth of ganja in
Police on Wednesday said that they destroyed over $11M worth of ganja duringraidsatMackimoon Backdam, Upper Berbice River.
The operation was led bytwoofficers.Duringthis operation,ranksfoundtwo cannabis farms measuring sixacresandoneacre.The farm had a total of 35,000 cannabis plants that were growing between three to fivefeettall.
A makeshift camp measuringabout30feetby 20feetwasalsodiscovered on the property.This camp and its contents were destroyed. The estimated value of the narcotics
destroyed is about
$11,858,000 (GYD) Police investigations are ongoing.
U n i t , C r i m i n a l Investigations Department Headquarters, Regional Divisions3,4A,and4Band other key stakeholders, supported by intelligence and forensic experts. The investigation was also coordinatedwithcontinuous o v e r s i g h t b y t h e CommissionerofPoliceand seniorofficers.
Blanhum assured the public that the suspect is c o o p e r a t i n g w i t h investigators “ He indicated to us that the devicehadaswitchwhichhe activatedwhenheexitedthe vehiclewhichwasparkedin the vicinity of the gas station.”
Peodomo, who has declined to have an attorney present during the interrogation, is still being interviewedandaccordingto Blanhum, the questioning is being done through a translator The Crime Chief optednottostatewhetherthe manspeaksEnglish.“Weare concerned…attacks of this nature are not only perpetrated in Guyana,” Blanhum told reporters
Further, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said it has been pursuing all leads through collaboration with its local, regional and international counterparts, including INTERPOL A Special Investigative Task Force was established comprising members of the Major Crimes Investigation
giventhatgangattackshave since moved from the hinterlandregionstothecity “I recently came back from an Interpol organised conference.
Wehadparticipantsfrom the various South American countries Guyana we made our position clear that we need to have more c o o p e r a t i o n a n d collaborationespeciallyasit relates to exchanging information of individuals who are part of these organised criminal groups. For example, the Sindicato. There is another group in Venezuela that is creating havoc in other countries… that is “Tren de Aragua”,” saidBlanhum.
CrimeChief, Wendell Blanhum
Blanhum
Melissa Aftermath: McKenzie confirms four deaths in St Elizabeth
(Jamaica Observer)
Minister of Local
G o v e r n m e n t a n d Community Development, Desmond McKenzie, has confirmed that four people havediedinStElizabethasa resultoftheheavywindsand rain brought by Hurricane Melissa.
Earlier, Superintendent
Coleidge Minto had revealed that two bodies were discovered in Black River, St Elizabeth. But a later announcement from
Minister McKenzie increasedthedeathtollinSt Elizabethtofour.
The deceased are three men and one woman, who areallbelievedtohavebeen washedawaybyfloodwaters generatedbythestorm.
“They were discovered afterbeingwashedupbythe flood waters generated by the hurricane,” the minister said.
“These persons are, by allindications,directvictims of the hurricane, and I am hoping that there will be no more fatalities,” he added.
“Letusallbecarefulanddo all we can to ensure that no
...Govt. gives 'all-clear' to commence restoration efforts
Total devastation': Hurricane Melissa leaves trail of destruction, flooding in Jamaica
morelivesarelost,”hesaid. The minister also urged continued caution, noting that a flash flood watch remains in effect for the i s l a n d , w i t h t h e Meteorological Service forecasting an additional threetosixinchesofrainfall acrossJamaica.
The Government of Jamaica has meanwhile issued an “all-clear” following the passage of Hurricane Melissa. This means that all utility companies should commence restoration and recovery operations across theisland.
updatewas
by Information Minister Senator Dana Morris Dixon during a media conference onWednesday.
“Crews from the JPS (Jamaica Public Service), NWC (National Water Commission), NWA (National Works Agency), a n d a l s o o u
companiesandothercritical services have now and will be advised to mobilise immediately to restore electricity, water and communication networks,” MorrisDixonsaid. She continued, “We are
alsoaskingandencouraging e n t i t i e s l i k e o u r supermarkets, our wholesales and gas stations andpharmacies,particularly inthoseareasthathavebeen less affected, we are asking you to open and allow communitities to have access to these essential goodsandservices.”
Morris Dixon reminded Jamaicans to exercise caution on the road especially where there are downed powerlines, debris andflooding.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness on Wednesday surveyed the damage done to the country due to the passage of HurricaneMelissa. He visited the most impacted parishes including Manchester, Westmoreland and St James as conditions allowed.
Telecommunications and Transport Minister DarylVazisalsoconducting assessments with the country's electricity provider,theJamaicaPublic Service Company, and (Continuedonpage16)
The
provided
Huawei launches eKit in Guyana
…digital boost small businesses, schools and homes
Huawei on Tuesday officially launched Huawei eKit, a new sub-brand aimed at bringing affordabledigitalsolutionstosmall and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), schools, and households acrossGuyana.
technologies Its product line ranges from smart classroom systems supporting Guyana's education sector, to network and security solutions for businesses, digitalinfrastructureforhealthcare and hospitality, and smart home technologies all backed by
The launch ceremony, held at the Orchid Hall, Royal Hotel, MandelaAvenue,markedHuawei's first authorised retail and distribution hub in Guyana a move that underscores China and Guyana's deepening partnership in advancing digital transformation, the company said Already available in more than 100 countries, Huawei eKit focuses on bridging the digital divide through smart, reliable, and secure
international technical service and localexpertise.
Deliveringtheopeningremarks at Tuesday's launch, Project Manager Janelle Persaud stated that Huawei eKit is designed to meet the needs of economies like Guyanawhichseedigitalsolutions that are affordable and easy to install.
“So when we first talked about bringing Huawei eKit to Guyana, we were driven, of course, by the
opportunity to sell devices and technology, but significantly, this investment was a way to position ourselves alongside Guyana's
current transformative trajectories.
One defined by connectivity, infrastructure, growth and wealth, possibility, all principles that align
with the brand. As the country builds roads and bridges, it opens up new industries, expands communities and prepares itself to participate more fully in a digital economy. We ask ourselves questions,howcanwecomplement that, what tools are needed to help businessesfunctionbetter,toequip new offices, schools, hotels, government agencies with high quality, cost effective technology, Huawei eKit was our answer to thosequestions,”shestated.
The Project Manager added to better provide their services they are collaborating with existing internetserviceproviders,resellers andITconsultants.
Representing Prime Minister, Mark Phillips at the event was (Continuedonpage18)
Huawei on Tuesday launched its Huawei eKit sub- brand in Guyana at the Royal Hotel at Mandela.
A section of the gathering at the launch of the learning
centre
GCCI launches learning centre to empower women entrepreneurs and farmers
The Georgetown
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has officiallylauncheditsMicro and Women Entrepreneur
Learning Centre, a pioneering initiative aimed at driving business growth
and empowerment, particularly among womenled enterprises and farmers acrossGuyana.
Located on the middle floor of the GCCI, the facility features a training room, boardroom, and three offices that will house technical officers who will support the beneficiaries through a wide range of services including capacity building in areas including but not limited to business development, marketing, preparation of proposals, financial education, and compliance. According to a pressreleasefromtheGCCI, the Centre was developed through a partnership with the World University ServicesofCanada(WUSC) with funding from Global AffairsCanada.
Speaking at the event, President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith stated that the Centre was birthed from “a bold idea built on the foundationofastrongdesire toseeMicroandwomen-led businesses, as well as
farmers, thrive and develop
sustainably ” Smith emphasizedthatthecentreis evidence of the GCCI's strong commitment to the development and success of Guyana'sbusinesslandscape at every level. “This facility r e p r e s e n t s a n o p p o r t u n i t y a n opportunity for MSMEs in Guyanatoaccessinvaluable training and information AndIamnotspeakingofjust members of the GCCI. Any woman entrepreneur or farmer can walk up these stairs and access our portfolio of services and support,”sheunderscored.
W U S C C o u n t r y Coordinator for the Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project, Mr
Donald Cole noted that GCCI, WUSC, and the MinistryofAgriculturehave a longstanding partnership to propel the inclusive market system into practice. “That collaboration has grown into platforms like Guyana Agri Connect and events such as the Agriculture Symposium where more than 130 stakeholders came together to align public and private action. The Centre being opened here today is a practical next step in that journey,”hestated.Mr Cole explained that the Centre is designedtoprovidepractical toolsandtailoredmentoring for beneficiaries that will yield results “It offers training in business
fundamentals, digital tools, food security, food safety and quality, and sustainable production.Itisalsoaplace to test products, showcase them, and meet buyers and service providers,” he told attendees.
Representing the High Commission of Canada, Head of Cooperation, Mr Adam Loyer in his remarks posited that the Centre is an investmentbytheGCCIinto the future of Guyana's a g r i c u l t u r e a n d entrepreneurs.“Throughthis initiative, the GCCI is demonstrating how the private sector and civil societycanserveascatalysts for inclusive development, bringing together farmers, buyers, service providers,
St.Therese's Primary wins New Amsterdam Town Day Essay Contest
and financiers into one ecosystem,” he noted as he urged stakeholders to support the Centre's initiatives.
Meanwhile, in his feature address, Minister of A
sector—remarked that the Centre marks a new era in a
Guyana's transformation, defined by collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
“This initiative embraced the Inclusive Market Systems approach, which challenges us to go beyond quick fixes and instead addresses the barrier of market exclusion and fragmentation Inclusive Market Systems teaches us that strengthening agricultural value chains must place small farmers, processors, women, youth, and marginalised groups at the heart of solutions. It promotes scalable, lasting
Ariel West of St Therese's Primary was the overall winner
Officials of the Mayor and Town Council and teachers with the top three contestants.
ikar Mustapha reflected on the GCCI's support for the development of the agriculture sector and stated that the Centre stands as a beacon of opportunity for e m p o w e r m e n t a n d innovation He explained thatthelaunchoftheCentre coincides with the government's strategy to modernise the infrastructure withinthesectorandcreate training opportunities “This Learning Centre is more than just a physical space it is a space of potential, a space where ideas can become enterprises and enterprises can become engines of sustainable growth for our nation,”hestressed.
Several schools within
participated in an essay-
n coordinated by the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam, as part of the
y's 134th anniversarycelebrations.
n accommodated both public and private schools, and drew participation from pupils of St Therese's, Overwinning, Lochaber, E d i n b u r g h , N e w Amsterdam, All Saints and St Aloysius Primary Schools, along with private
room,Ariel West, a pupil of St. Therese's Primary, was declared winner and walked away with a handful of trophies and other prizes. She was adjudged best overall, best writer, and best reader
s Learners Academy and Alleyne'sAcademy After the one hour allotted time in the council
In second place was Selwyn Johnson, also of St Therese'sPrimary AllSaints Primary pupil Justin Singh
roundedoffthetopthree.
The 18 participants, 2 pupils per school, chose fromthreetopics: 'HowIimaginemytown in the future, the green dream.'
'If I was the mayor of New Amsterdam, how would I maintain a clean greenandwelcomingtown.’
(Continuedonpage17)
He pointed out that a 2022 survey revealed that women account for 33 percent of farmers, and it is the government's objective to have 50 percent of new agriculture ventures be led by women and youth by 2030 “By fostering collaboration and continuous learning, this Centre will help ensure that our agriculture and business sectors grow together, strengthening food security, supporting job creation, and expanding private sector development The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry deserves tremendous credit for their foresight and leadership in establishing thisinitiative,”hestated.
Junior Vice President andChairmanoftheGCCI's Agriculture Committee, Mr Brian Edwards—who has been leading on the execution of the Chamber's efforts to bolster the a g r i
dependency But true transformation requires a foundation, a starting point that creates enabling conditions for systemic change,” he highlighted Further, Mr Edwards asserted that the Centre will empower entrepreneurs to capitalise on opportunities by nurturing innovation and exp
g netwo
ks, especially among women and youth who are vital to sustainingthisgrowth.
The development of the Centre was the result of collaboration, partnership, and the support of the bu
unity Contributionswerereceived from Metro Office and ComputerSupplies,Giftland OfficeMax, AdNation G u y
, L o d e s t a r Incorporated, Pinnacle Solutions Incorporated, Dynotech Construction Chemicals Incorporated, Green State Oil and Gas Services Incorporated, Guyana Payroll Solutions Incorporated, Comfort Sleep, Brava, Professional Print and Design, Unicomer Guyana Incorporated, J.R.P Contracting Services, and ExxonMobilGuyana.
President of the GCCI, Mrs. Kathy Smith and Agrculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha
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‘Fear in Parika markets’ ...armed robberies leave business community on edge -
goldsmith robbed of $12M, owners plead for urgent police action
A series of armed robberies occurring in and around Parika, Region Three is driving fear within the business community, says businessman Jaimangal Dhansham. Dhansham in an interview with Kaieteur News on Monday expressed grave concern about the alleged attacks, noting that he too has been a victim of an armed robbery which almost cost him his life.
The 59-year-old goldsmith related that he operates a stall at the Hydronie Market area and was allegedly robbed on July 20, 2025 by two armed bandits. He recalled that during that ordeal he was robbed of cash and jewellery worth approximately $12 million. The
businessman stated that the matter has since been reported to the police but no one has since been arrested for the crime.
Knowing the perpetrators are still lurking, Dhansham says he is now fearful for his life and those of the business community. “Me sell in the market and still afraid to sell up to now cause meh life at risk,” he expressed.
Recalling similar incidents, the businessman said after he was attacked, a few weeks later a Chinese Supermarket in the Hydronie/ Parika area was also robbed by armed bandits.
What prompted him to speak with the media and
bring attention to the situation was the recent robbery of another businessman at Parika. It was reported in the media that businessman Robal Nebar owner of Styles Guyana, was robbed of cash and jewellery worth millions by two masked gunmen on October 26 (Sunday) at his business place.
According to reports, that was not the first time Nebar has been the victim of such a crime. That incident has also been reported to the police.
“A next man get robbed again yesterday (Sunday), now you got to frighten for your life, you can’t sell in peace, the government nah get no proper security, they
need to mobilise proper security both patrol and armed guards around the market fa protect people because we can’t go sell people getting robbed,” the businessman related. A vendor at the market for some 39 years, Dhansham said he is aware of other proprietors facing similar incidents and not only at that market but places like Leonora. He shared that he has a brother who operates at the Leonora market and similar incidents are occurring there as well.
The businessman is appealing to the police in Region Three to increase their presence at the market spaces and ensure their safety.
PAHO monitors Hurricane Melissa and supports health preparedness in the Caribbean
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is closely monitoring the evolution of Hurricane Melissa, classified as a Category 5 hurricane, as it moves across the Caribbean region. The storm is already affecting Jamaica, and it is forecast that this island and Cuba will face the most severe impacts through Wednesday. Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas may also experience related effects.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa is expected to bring extremely heavy rainfall, strong winds, storm surges, and widespread flooding, posing significant risks to public health and the continuity of essential services. Through its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Washington, D.C., PAHO is maintaining continuous coordination with Ministries of Health in the countries at risk, tracking the hurricane’s trajectory and potential health impacts. PAHO is also working with regional emergency management and humanitarian partners, including the United Nations and the Caribbean disaster management agencies, to harmonise readiness and response efforts.
Readiness
As part of its readiness
measures, PAHO has prepositioned emergency medical kits and supplies in Haiti. These include interagency emergency health kits, trauma kits, and cyclone response kits stored at the Central Medical Warehouse (PROMESS) in Tabarre, on the outskirts of Port-auPrince, for rapid deployment as needed. Additional stocks of essential medicines, medical and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies, and laboratory materials are maintained at the PAHO Regional Strategic Reserve in Panama. PAHO’s multidisciplinary regional response team are ready for deployment to assist with health damage and needs assessments, coordination, emergency care, re-establishing essential health services, and the prevent and control of outbreaks, among others.
In Haiti, the Ministry of Health has activated its crisis cell and regional health offices are on alert. Preliminary reports indicate localised flooding and disruptions in some health facilities, with measures underway to maintain patient care. In Jamaica, authorities have activated the national Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response, including hospitals and health centers. Health authorities in eastern Cuba
and southern Dominican Republic remain on alert for potential flooding and service disruptions.
Potential health impact
Authorities are preparing for significant risks to public health and the functionality of health systems in affected countries. The following priorities outline key areas of concern requiring immediate attention and coordinated action: Health services: Melissa is expected to disrupt health care delivery, with potential damage to health facilities, power and water outages, and limited access— particularly in coastal and rural areas. Hospitals may face service interruptions and increased emergency caseloads. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): Damage to water and sanitation infrastructure in health facilities and shelters may increase the risk of outbreaks and disrupt the regular functioning of hospitals.
Disease surveillance: Flooding and displacement heighten the risk of water- and vector-borne diseases outbreaks and respiratory infections in crowded shelters. Strengthening surveillance is key to the early detection of potential disease outbreaks.
Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS): Displacement, loss, and pro-
longed stress have increased psychosocial needs. PAHO supports the integration of psychological first aid and community-based mental health care into response operations. To mitigate these risks, rapid assessments of the health service network should be conducted to determine functionality, damage, and urgent needs to save lives in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. Additionally, restoring and maintaining safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in health facilities and shelters will be a top priority to prevent secondary disease outbreaks. PAHO is providing guidance to national and local authorities to reorganise service delivery to ensure timely access to emergency and essential medical care, enhance infection prevention and control, and strengthen medical waste management and water safety monitoring to ensure readiness for a rapid response if the hurricane impacts health services. PAHO said it will continue to monitor the evolution of the hurricane and support countries in implementing response measures, in close coordination with governments and humanitarian partners, to maintain health services and protect communities that may be affected.
Melissa Aftermath: McKenzie confirms...
From page 12 examining the extent of damage to the airports.
“As soon as they come back, we’ll be able to give you information and better guidance in relation to the damage,” Morris Dixon said.
She added, “In terms of schools…we are still getting the assessments from schools. We know there is
significant damage in western Jamaica. We will get those details as soon as we can.” Disaster!
The devastation left by the first hurricane to form in the Caribbean this year resulted in Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness declaring Jamaica a disaster area under the Disaster Risk Management Act.
Additionally, the government issued the Trade (Sale of Goods During Period of Declaration of Threatened Area) (Tropical Storm Melissa) Order, 2025. Both took effect on Tuesday and “give the Government the tools to continue managing its response to Hurricane Melissa,” Holness said.
Melissa was the worst hurricane to ever strike Jamaica with maximum wind speeds clocking 185 miles (300 kilometres) per hour. Even as wind speeds dipped to 150 miles per hour, Melissa drenched communities and wreaked damage that may take days to assess as communication links remained largely down.
VACANCY
Maid for East Bank area. For more information
Guyana launches $450M high-tech lab to revolutionise
agriculture - nation now equipped to produce over one million disease-free plantlets annually
Guyana's agricultural sector has entered a new era with the commissioning of its first-ever Biotechnology Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory—a $450 million state-of-the-art facility that promises to transform local crop production and secure thecountry'sfoodfuture. Developed through a
partnership between the Government of Guyana and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India, and financed by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme (SADP), the facility represents a landmark
achievement in agricultural science and modernization, the Ministry of Agriculture saidinapressrelease.
Located at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), the facility is equipped to produce over one million plantlets per year, compared to the
previous capacity of just 15,000. It will supply clean, high-yielding, disease-free plantingmaterialsforawide range of crops, including pineapple, citrus, plantain, sweet potato, breadfruit, sugarcane, and even exotic fruits such as strawberries andblackberries.
According to a Ministry
Bids opened for rehabilitation of IT lab at Charlestown Secondary
Fourteen contractors have submitted bids to rehabilitate the Information
Secondary
Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)reported.
The contractors bid between$12millionand$15 milliontoexecutetheworks.
Below are the companies and their bids:
MinistryofEducation
Rehabilitationofcoveredwalkway-President'sCollege.
Z&HInvestmentInc
Chenoa'sConstruction&EngineeringEnterprise
HarryChowtieEnterprise
VKExcavatorRental
NovaVitaEnterprise
DynamicInnovationsCivilEngineering
GuyBuildConstruction&LogisticsS ervices
RPersidConstruction
IKhanContractingService
Z&HHooseinInc
EZEWayConstructionInc
STEFConstruction
BuildersSupplies
RakayaConstruction
MUSEHoldingInc
$70,548,000
$29,148,000
$13,505,625
$12,796,875
$12,457,200
$14,555,625
$13,212,675
$12,987,975
$13,991,250
$14,904,750
$15,832,950
$13,952,925
$13,311,375
$12,573,750
$14,973,420
Bidder AmountTendered
PanoramaDynamicsInc
DigitalTechnologyGroupofCompanies Inc.
MAECEnterprise
RsconexInvestment&ManagementInc
NationalwideImports
BitesandBytesComputerStore
ofAgriculture press release, delivering the feature
Mustapha, described the c
Guyana's agricultural transformation journey.
“Todaymarksanotherproud milestone in Guyana's agricultural transformation journey, the commissioning of our new Tissue Culture Laboratory, a facility that truly represents the spirit of partnership, progress, and p
development.Itisakeypart ofourgovernment'sbroader
sustainable agricultural developmentacrossGuyana.
This Government has consistently prioritized agriculture,recognizingitas a cornerstone of our non-oil
Mustaphasaid.
Theministeremphasised that the laboratory will directly strengthen food securityandcatalysegrowth within Guyana's expanding agro-processing industry
“Over time, this increases the national supply of key
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha
crops such as plantains, pineapples, citrus, and root crops,whichwillstrengthen domestic food security and sustain the local agroprocessing industries, such as fruit processing, packaging, and export. This createsadirectlinkbetween research and industry, enabling year-round production and a stable supply chain for processors. The expansion of valueaddedindustrieswill,inturn, increaseexportearningsand attract private investment intomodernagriculture,”he explained according to the pressrelease. Minister Mustapha further underscored the importance of science and technology in addressing modernagricultural (Continuedonpage18)
Lot5US$1,273,148
Lot1$9,100,000
Lot2$5,195,500
Lot3$17,789,696
Lot4$15,548,000
Lot5$291,258,690
Lot1$9,490,200
Lot2$5,069,305
Lot3$17,447,960
Lot4$15,608,200
Lot2$4,370,000
Lot1$14,750,128
Lot2$5,401,915
Lot3$18,393,281
Lot4$2,797,965
Lot2$4,095,000
IBISConstructionEquipmentSales&RentalInc
A&PLogisticsandTransportationServices
GeneralEquipmentGuyanaLtd
IMSConstructionandLogisticsServices
SPXConstruction,TransportationandSupplies Services $37,000,000
Some of the pieces of equipment in the laboratory
Frompage15
'Writealetterorcomposition toapenpalexplainingthree ways in which nature is preserved and how you would promote a cleaner greenertown.'
The students were given an hour to complete their compositions in 150-200 words.
The students were assessed on content and relevance, organisation and structure, creativity and originality, grammar and spelling, vocabulary and e x p r e s s i o n , a n d h a n d w r i t i n g a n d presentation.
Deputy mayor and chairman of the town day committee,KirkFrasertold the participants that the activity was conceptualised with them in mind, so as to
unearth and also strengthen their ability to read and write.
“We believe that if a child can read and if a child can write very well, that child can be a very successful child,” he affirmed.
The essay competition will become an annual activity for the town day commemoration period, Fraserconfirmed.
The deputy mayor also c h a l l e n g e d t h e schoolchildren to strive to become innovators, as such, according to him, is the aim of the council for the youngerones.
“If our society is to progress, people like you will have to be producers of something that is going to makelifeeasier.”
RehabilitationofInformationTechnology LabatCharlestownSecondarySchool.
St.Therese'sPrimary...
Israel kills more than 100 in Gaza
....Hamas decries ‘treacherous escalation’
( A L - J A Z E E R A ) -
Palestinians in Gaza have experienced the deadliest 24 hours sincethestartoftheUnitedStatesbrokered ceasefire between Israel andHamaswentintoeffectalmost threeweeksago.
Israel killed more than 100 people, including 46 children, in attacks late on Tuesday and on Wednesday Medical sources told Al Jazeera the strikes hit all over Gaza.
The Israeli military said by noon on Wednesday that it was returning to the ceasefire in line withinstructionsfromthepolitical leadership but remained ready to attackagainifnecessary
Itsaidithitmorethan30targets in the besieged enclave, claiming that the targets were “terrorists in command positions within terror organisations”.
But as more residential buildings were flattened by the Israelibombs,atleast18members ofthesamefamilyincentralGaza, including children, parents and grandparents, were among the victims.
CivilDefenceteamsonceagain had to use small tools and their hands to dig in the rubble of bombed areas to search for survivors and the dead. Several tents belonging to displaced Palestinian families were also targeted According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 68,643 people have been killed and 170,655woundedsincethestartof Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023 What was Israel’s justification? On Tuesday, Israel announced that the body of a captive transferred from Gaza by Hamas through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)didnotmatchoneofthe13 to be handed over as part of the
ceasefire. Israeli forensic analysts determined that the remains belongedtoOfirTzarfati,whowas taken to Gaza during the Hamasled attacks on southern Israel on October7,2023,andwhosepartial remains were recovered in Novemberofthesameyear
Israeli officials reacted furiously, especially far-right ministers in the coalition government who are against stoppingthewaronGazaandwant Hamas“destroyed”.
An organisation run by the families of the captives also expressed outrage and demanded action.
A short time later, the Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s armed wing, saiditwouldhandovertheremains of an Israeli captive at 8pm (18:00
GMT), but it held off after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered “powerful strikes”onGaza.
Heavy gunfire and explosions werealsoheardinthesoutherncity ofRafah.Israelallegedthiswasan attack by Hamas fighters, somethingHamasrejected.
Israel also accused the Palestinian group of “staging” the recovery of a captive’s remains after showing footage purportedly of Hamas fighters burying a body beforecallingintheICRC.
The ICRC said its personnel “were not aware that a deceased person had been placed there prior totheirarrival.”
What’sintheceasefire?
Aspartoftheagreement,which entered into force on October 10,
Huawei’s launches eKit in Guyana...
Frompage14
MinisterwithintheOfficeof the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy hailed the partnershipbetweenGuyana andtheglobaltechgiantasa powerful symbol of confidence in Guyana’s economy and digital future.
ceasefire could potentially enter into force, allowing the deployment of an international stabilisation force and the reconstructionofGaza.
Israeliofficialshaverepeatedly stressedthattheywillnotallowthe formation of a sovereign Palestinian state and have been advancing with a plan to illegally annex the occupied West Bank despiteinternationalcriticism.
WhatisHamassaying?
Hamas has accused Israel of fabricating “false pretexts” to renewaggressioninGaza.
Beforetheattacksoverthepast day, Hamas said Israel had carried outatleast125violations.
Since October 10, the Health Ministry in Gaza said, at least 211 Palestinians have been killed and 597 wounded in Israeli attacks while 482 bodies have been recovered.Hamashasalsoaccused Israel of obstructing efforts to recover the bodies of the captives while using the same bodies as an excusetoclaimnoncompliance.
Hamas handed over all remaining 20 living captives held in Gaza withinseveraldays.
Thegrouphasalsohandedover the remains of 15 deceased Israeli captivesaspartofthedealwith13 others remaining unrecovered or undelivered.
Israel has allowed some humanitarian aid into Gaza, but supplies have been well below the 600 trucks a day specified in the ceasefire,alevelthatisrequiredto help the famine-stricken
population Israel has also preventedtentsandmobilehomes from entering the enclave but has letsomeheavymachineryenterto search for the remains of its captives
After all the remains are handedover,asecondphaseofthe
It pointed out that Israel has prevented enough heavy machinery from entering Gaza to recover the remains and has prevented search teams from accessingkeyareas
TheQassamBrigadessaidits fighters have recovered the bodies of two more deceased captives, Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch, during search operations conducted on Tuesday
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have said they are prepared to hand over administration of Gaza to a technocratic Palestinian body while maintaining that armed resistance is a result of decadeslong occupation and apartheid byIsrael
Guyanalaunches$450Mhigh-tech...
The minister noted that the establishment of Huawei’s authorised hub is an investmentwhichalsoaligns withthegovernment’svision for and actions toward a digital-firsteconomy McCoy added that through initiatives like Huawei’s eKit, local businesses can access affordable technology and smarter connectivity which allows those small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt digital tools, modernise their operations, and increase their potential for competition in the connectedglobaleconomy
aims to facilitate the global supply and distribution of digital devices solutions, enhance access to digital tools and support training and local capacity development,” he noted in hisremarks.
“The project reflects a milestone in the partnership between Huawei and our c o u n t r y ’s d i g i t a l transformation agenda It
Attending the ceremony also was Director of C o m m e r c i a l a n d Distribution Sales for Multi Countries at Huawei, Lin LiangwhosaidtheeKitaims to accelerate small, medium enterprises to embrace the digitaltransformation.
Frompage17 challenges. “In an era marked by climate change, pests and diseases, market disruptions, and rising input costs, we must strengthenourabilitytoproducemoreanddo so sustainably, affordably, and efficiently. Thisiswheresciencemustleadtheway.This criticalandtransformationalfacilitywillsee theproductionofhigh-qualityplantsthatare disease-freeandprovideascientificsolution to some of the plant production challenges facedinGuyana.Theimpactsofthisfacility within Guyana’s agricultural sector are immense since this will now contribute to enhanced crop production, improved plant resilience, and support the diversification of crops in an already thriving industry,” MinisterMustaphanoted.
Also speaking at the event, Dr G.R.N. Rao, Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), praised the collaboration betweenGuyanaandIndiaasanexampleof science-driven South–South cooperation “ThecollaborationbetweentheGovernment ofGuyanaandTERIintheagriculturesector was initiated during the visit of Vice
President, Bharrat Jagdeo, to India in early 2023,throughthesigningofaMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) During this engagement, the establishment of a Plant TissueCultureLaboratorywasidentifiedasa keypriority.PlantTissueCulturelaboratories playavitalroleinagriculturaladvancement by enabling the large-scale production of disease-free, high-quality plants through micropropagation.Thistechniqueallowsfor the rapid multiplication of uniform and desirable plant varieties, thereby contributingtofoodsecurity,improvedcrop yields, and the development of climateresilientcrops,”Dr Raoexplained.
Thecommissioningofthisbiotechnology laboratory positions Guyana as a regional leader in agricultural innovation, aligning with the Government’s broader strategy to promote science-based, climate-smart, and value-added agriculture The facility’s production capacity will not only enhance national food security but also ensure a reliable supply of high-quality planting materialtosupportbothsmallholderfarmers andtheexpandingagro-processingsector
Palestinians mourn at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 29, 2025, over the body of a relative killed in overnight Israeli strikes [AFP]
BLUNT BLUNT
A distracted Govt.
Kudos to the Guyana Police Force and the other law enforcement agencies for the swift capture of the gas station bomber, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo.
Notwithstanding, the events over the last two days have exposed how this country's national security is slipping through the cracks not because of ignorance, but because of distraction.
While the government busies itself monitoring journalists,critics, and social media commentators who dare to speak out, real threats are emerging unchecked across the country.
Venezuelan migrants and other foreign groups are increasingly at the centre of violent incidents that have shaken public confidence. Yet, instead of confronting these realities with decisive action, senior men and women in the administration appear fixated on silencing dissent and controlling the national narrative.
It is a dangerous kind of blindness, one that end angers every citizen. When the State turns its gaze inward to suppress criticism, those who wish harm on our peace and security move freely. The question now is not whether violence will spread, but how long before the government finally wakes up to it.
Vacherot beats cousin Rinderknech at Masters again in Paris
PARIS, (Reuters)Monaco’sValentinVacherot servedupanotherhelpingof family drama at the Paris Masters on Wednesday, beating his French cousin Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(9) 6-3 6-4 to advance to the last-16 in their second Masters showdown this month
The victory came less than three weeks after Vacherot’s fairy-tale run in Shanghai, where he became the lowest-ranked player at 204 to triumph at an ATP Masters 1000 event, catapulting him to 40thintheworldrankings Their latest family reunion at the Paris La
Defense Arena lasted nearly three hours, with Vacherot conceding the familial tension got to him earlyon
“During the first set, I felt more tension than yesterday (in a straight sets victory over Jiri Lehecka) Was it because it’s Arthur in front of me?
Maybe,” Vacherot told reporters
“But it’s easier to start a match against players that I know less well. Anyway, against Arthur every time, the first set was difficult. Then I felt better and better astimeflew,andthiswasthe casetoday
“The first set wasn’t easy for both of us We were very tense, both of us I think the crowdcould seeit.”
Thursday October 30, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
People may be tired of your harsh attitude, Aries. This doesn't mean you should necessarilychangeyourways or who you are. Just be more aware of how your words affectothers.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may feel the need to act aggressively regarding this climactic period in your life, thanks to long-term trends. There's expansive energy todayencouragingyoutotake action,Taurus.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Try not to be harsh and judgmental today, Gemini. You don't understand others' perspectives and the codes they live by. Differences are no reason to find fault with people.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Long-termtrendsarecoming to a favorable point for you, Cancer This is a good day to examinethemandmakesome moves forward in pursuit of yourgoals.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
This isn't a day to sit around and wait for good fortune to come to you, Leo. It's time to make it happen. Get off the couch and get moving. Now that you've internalized, contemplated,
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Get ready for action, Virgo, becausetodaycouldbeafastpaced adventure sure to keep you on your toes.Your desire to fight and conquer is probably much stronger than usual,
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
It may seem like people are trying to pick fights with you today, Libra. Any opposition youencountermayhavealoud roar,butinreality,there'svery littlebitetofear
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Kick up your heels and get moving, Scorpio. The fastpacedenergyofthedayisjust what you need to get things done. You're ready to take action. You have power and strengthbehindyou.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Itmayseemlikeeveryoneelse has a purpose and project except you, Sagittarius.While everyoneischargingoutofthe gate, you may still be unsure thatthisistheraceyouwantto run.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
This is a great day for you, Capricorn You'll find that long-term trends are coming together harmoniously Connections are being made when you share good times andlaughterwithclosefriends andotherpeople.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't let others push you around today, Aquarius People may talk themselves up,butthere'slittlebehindthe words. Be careful that you don't misfire. This is a day to careaboutyouandyourneeds.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Stay positive and radiant today, Pisces. This is a great day for you to take control. Connect with others on group projects and feel free to offer creative input. Let the artist withintakethespotlight.
The opening set proved a nerve-wracking affair for both cousins, w i t h V a c h e r o t squandering two set points in the tiebreak before eventuallylosingit11-9.
Va c h e r o t f o u n d himself in serious trouble at 3-3 in the final set when he faced three break points at 0-40 down but he eventually recovered, firing 32 winners en route to victory as Rinderknech’s unforced errors ultimately handedhimtheadvantage.
“It was different from Shanghai The match was completely different,” Rinderknechsaid
“There wasn’t much missing,actually,intermsof offensiveness and winners. Hedeserveshisvictory.”
Tickner makes sparkling...
Frompage24 may well have furtherreaching consequences ThefirstTestinPerthisjust overthreeweeksaway
JofraArcher,onhisfirst appearance of the winter, and playing against New Zealand in an ODI for the first time since 2019’s World Cup final, was the only silver lining, taking 3 for 23 from his ten overs.
Four of those were maidens, including a wicket maiden in the first over of the chase Operating around 90mph throughout, he threatened both edges of the bat and looked in great nick. With more runs to work with, it might not have been in vain.
Scores: New Zealand 177 for 5 (Mitchell 56*, Ravindra 54, Santner 34*, Archer 3-23) beat England 175(Overton42,Brook34, Tickner 4-34, Smith 2-27) byfivewickets.
Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in action during his round of 32 match against France’s Arthur Rinderknech. (REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier)
Report: No paychecks for Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier
Reuters - Portland Trail
Blazers head coach
Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat point guard Terry Rozier won’t receive paychecks while on leave due to federal gamblingrelated charges, ESPN reportedWednesday While on leave of absence, salaries for Billups and Rozer are held and placedinescrowpendingthe outcome of their criminal cases,perthereport.
Billups, 49, reportedly earns a salary of about $4.7 million with Portland, while Rozier, 31, is earning $26.6 millioninthefinalseasonof hiscurrentcontract.
Billups and Rozier were arrested on Oct 23 Authorities charged Billups inconnectionwithanillegal poker operation that allegedly has ties to the mafia, while Rozier is accused of manipulating his performance during a game tobenefitillegalwagering.
The arrests stemmed from of a multiyear investigation that spanned 11 states Federal prosecutorssaidatotalof34 people were arrested under separate investigations into betting and illegal poker, including13membersofthe
mafiaandtheirassociates.
Billups and Rozier have both denied the allegations and vowed to fight the charges.
Billups played 17 years in the NBA, winning a championship as the Finals MVP with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. The fivetime All-Star guard entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in2024.
Billups coached the Blazers to a combined 117211 (.357) record in his first four seasons from 2021-22 to2024-25.
Rozier entered the NBA asafirst-rounddraftpickby Boston in 2015. He has averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 665 career games (381 starts) with the Celtics (2015-19), Charlotte Hornets(2019-24)andHeat. (FieldLevelMedia)
Tickner makes sparkling international return to lead New Zealand to series win
ESPNcricinfo - New Zealandcompletedaclinical series victory over England with a game to spare, dismantling their opponents inthesecondODIatSeddon Parkbyfivewickets.
Much like the first ODI, this was a formality for the hosts, this time dismissing theiropponentsfor175.Ina repeat performance, it was DarylMitchellwholedthem with56notouttogowithhis 78 not out in Mount ManganuionSaturday,after Rachin Ravindra’s 54 helped break the back of a manageable chase New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner blitzed an unbeaten 34 from 17 to add an exclamation point on their dominance, reinforced by the101ballsunusedintheir innings,firingthemtoa2-0 leadheadingintoSaturday’s third and final match in Wellington.
But the spoils truly belonged to Blair Tickner, who enjoyed a joyful return to international cricket with 4 for 34. Tickner’s careerbest figures in the format come after a two-year absence from the side. His presence in the game was squarely on Matt Henry’s left calf strain, after he had initiallybeendraftedintothe squad to replace Kyle Jamieson.Thetimebetween his 34th and this 35th
international cap has been emotionallytaxing,afterhis wife, Sarah, was diagnosed withleukaemia.Thoughstill undergoing chemotherapy, she is now in remission. Each day is a blessing, and Wednesday was another for the32-year-oldquick.
For England, it was anythingbut.Forthesecond time in five days, they have been inserted and removed with minimal fuss, the first ODI’s 223 in Mount Maunganui trumped by a far-less accomplished display in Hamilton. It was thetenthtimetheyhavebeen
bowled out in their last 16 goesatsettingatotal.
This time, Harry Brook could not save them England’s limited overs captain found himself at the creaseattheendofthe12th over with England 51 for 3, eventually falling for 34, 101shyofwhathemustered in the series opener Jamie Overton, the only other visiting batter to pass six then, was the standout here, muscling42off28.
WithacardfullofAshes runners and riders, consecutivebattingmishaps (Continuedonpage23)
Blair Tickner celebrates Brydon Carse’s wicket. (Getty Images)
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) dunks against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Kaseya Center. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse after a hearing following his arrest (REUTERS/John Rudoff/File Photo)
Cricket S Africa humble England to reach World Cup final after Wolvaardt and Kapp heroics
Reuters–NEWDELHI, -SouthAfricacaptainLaura Wolvaardt smashed an epic 169 to lead her side into the final of the Women’s World CuphammeringEnglandby 125 runs in the first semifinalonWednesday
Putintobat,SouthAfrica racked up 319-7 riding
Wolvaardt’s sensational 143-ball knock, which was studded with 20 fours and four sixes in the eastern IndiancityofGuwahati.
When they returned to defend, seamer Marizanne Kapp (5-20) wrecked England, who were bundled outfor194in42.3overs.
England had history on their side having beaten South Africa in a group match at this year’s tournament and knocked them out in the 2017 and 2022 semi-finals of the 50oversshowpiece.
Wolvaardt showed scant regard for past records though, as she first combined in an opening stand of 116 with Tazmin Brits (45) and raised 72 with Kapp (42) to lay the foundation of theirmassivetotal England had sweated over Sophie Ecclestone’s (4-44) fitness following a shoulder injury to their star spinner, who proved why she is so highly rated as she dismissed Brits and Anneke Bosch in the same over to drag her teamback intothecontest.
Once Ecclestone had finished her quota of 10
o v e r s , h o w e v e r , Wolvaardt stepped on the
gas
Chloe Tryon chipped in with a breezy cameo of 33 not out down the order as South Africa plundered 117 runs from the last 10 overs
Wolvaardt’s batting masterclass came to an end in the 48th over when she holed out off Lauren Bell and departed to handshakes from her awestruck opponents after a statement innings that put South Africa in the boxseat
They had a similarly impressivestartwiththeball as well when they returned todefendtheirtotal.
Kapp began with a twowicket maiden over, dismissing Amy Jones and Heather Knight, and Ayabonga Khaka removed Tammy Beaumont with her first legitimate delivery to leaveEnglandreelingatone forthreeinsevendeliveries.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt(64)andAlice Capsey (50) forged a century stand before Kapp sent back Sciver-Brunt and went on to dismiss Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean in successive deliveries to effectivelysealtheirplacein Sunday’sfinal.
Defending champions Australia take on hosts India in the second semifinal in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Scores: South Africa 319 for 7 (Wolvaardt 169, Ecclestone 4-44) beat England 194 (Sciver-Brunt 64, Capsey 50, Kapp 5-20) by125runs
Laura Wolvaardt drives towards point. (ICC/Getty Images)
Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp celebrate a wicket. (ICC via Getty Images)
Tanzid’s 61 in vain as West Indies seal T20I series win
ESPNcricinfo - West Indies took an unassailable 2-0leadintheirthree-match series against Bangladesh, shrugging off a batting collapsethathadtakenthem from106for1to149for9in Chattogram. It also marked their first T20I series win after seven consecutive defeats.
TheWestIndiesbowlers - Romario Shepherd and Akeal Hosein played lead roleswiththreewicketseach -wereeffectiveindefending
the moderate total Bangladesh could not chase 150 on a good batting pitch despite the presence of dew, which hampered the bowlers.
TanzidHasankeptthem going with 61, but the rest were often caught in two minds on a surface that encouraged playing through one’sshots.
The Bangladesh line-up did not do justice to their bowlers, who engineered
West Indies’ batting
collapse Mustafizur Rahman picked up three wickets, while Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain tooktwoeach.
Hope,AthanazeliftWest Indies West Indies had luck in thefirsthalfoftheirinnings. LittonDasdroppedBrandon King first ball, and Towhid Hridoycouldn’thangontoa tough chance at mid-on off Alick Athanaze in the third
over Athanaze launched Tanzim Hasan over squareleg in the same over, before Shai Hope struck Taskin Ahmed straight down the groundforhisfirstsixinthe nextone.
The pair struck boundariesateaseduringthe powerplay and beyond Athanaze hit five in total, whileHopepickedupthree. AthanazeandHopeboth reached their half-centuries off their 30th deliveries They brought up their 100run stand shortly afterwards too,in10.5overs,asthepair putWestIndiesinaposition from where they could aim for200andbeyond. Nasum, Rishad wreck
WestIndies
Athanazefellinthe12th over, holing out on the deep square-leg boundary, giving Nasum his first wicket Sherfane Rutherford fell next ball for his second successivegoldenduck.
Mustafizur then removed Hope for 55, when the West Indies captain mistimed a slower ball and was caught at point. By the time Rishad got Rovman Powell also caught at point inthe15thover,WestIndies were in free fall Jason Holderwasdismissedinthe sameover,caughtatlong-on for4.
Romario Shepherd tried to resurrect the innings but did not succeed. Mustafizur
Hassan early in a slow start, when Holder sucked him intoanuppishshotagainsta short ball. Brandon King took the catch in the covers, making up for dropping the same batter in the second over
Litton Das got the chase on track with three fours in the fifth over, using Jayden Seales’pace - twice playing the ball down to deep third, andalsoscoopingovershort fineleg.
Shepherd, Hosein deal finalblows
Tanzid started the death overswithafourpastcover, but Jaker Ali could not accelerate at the other end. Tanzid perished in the hunt for boundaries, caught on at deeppoint.
Hefinishedon61off48 balls, having hit three sixes andthreefours.
Jaker fell in the same over to Shepherd, caught at the dee
hadhimcaughtatdeeppoint inthelastover,beforehitting Khary Pierre’s stumps next ball. Hosein was run out off thelastdeliverytocomplete a remarkable turnaround for thehomeside.
West Indies drop four chances Bangladesh lost Saif
Rutherford dropped Litton but the Bangladesh captain could not press on for much longer Hosein bowled him for 23. Tanzid hitbigsixesovermidwicket, even as another catch went down in the field: Seales dropped Hridoy in the 11th over
Seales made amends in the13thoverwhenhetooka tumblingcatch,afterHridoy top edged Shepherd. Tanzid reached his fifty with a boundary soon after but Bangladesh still needed 50 offthelastfiveovers.
boundaryfor17off18balls.
Holder started the 19th over by hitting Shamim Hossain’s off-stump with a yorker, and gave away just fiveruns.
Bangladesh were left needing 21 off the last over Hosein did not concede a boundary and also taking two wickets to finish with 3 for22.
Scores: West Indies 149 for9(Hope55,Athanaze52, Mustafizur 3-21) beat Bangladesh 135 for 8 (Tanzid 61, Hosein 3-22, Shepherd3-39)by14runs.
AustraliaandIndia deniedbyrainafter Suryakumarbighitting
Aljazeera - The first Twenty20betweenAustralia andIndiawaswashedoutby the Canberra rain, with the tourists able to bat for less than half of their allocated tallyofoversforatotalof97 forone.
ShubmanGillwas37not outandskipperSuryakumar Yadavunbeatenon39when thefirstclashinafive-match series was stopped for the second and final time after 9.4oversonWednesday
India opener Abhishek Sharma had already toeended a Nathan Ellis delivery to Tim David at mid-off for 19 when drizzle broughtplaytoanendforthe firsttimeandthematchwas reducedto18oversaside.
Gill and Yadav at least gave the Manuka Oval crowd some entertainment when they smashed 54 runs in 4.4 overs before the rain swept over the Australian capitalagain.
India,whoarefavourites toretaintheT20WorldCup onhomesoilearlynextyear, werelookingtomaintainthe
consolation win in the final match of the one-day international series on Saturday
The second match in the T20 series takes place at Melbourne Cricket Ground onFriday
The tourists earlier sufferedanotherinjuryblow when all-rounder Nitish KumarReddywasruledout of the first three T20s after
suffering from neck spasms as he recovered from a quadriceps injury sustained intheODIseries.
Batsman Shreyas Iyer suffered a lacerated spleen that required treatment in hospital when he fell awkwardlytakingacatchin the Sydney ODI last weekend.
Scores: India 97 for 1 (Suryakumar 39*, Gill 37*) vsAustralia-NoResult.
Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill walk off amid a drizzle. (Getty Images)
Tanzid Hasan played a crucial hand in the first half of Bangladesh’s chase. (AFP/Getty Images)
CourtsOpticalPeeWeeU11FinalkicksoffthisSaturday
T- SJTB tackle Leonora for 2025 title
the Baptist Primary (SJTB) entersthegrandfinaleasthe team to beat, a flawless campaign boasting 22 goals in the preliminaries and a coolheadunderpressureina tense shootout win over St. Gabriel’sinthequarterfinal.
With Chrison Austin pulling the strings in midfield and the attacking duo Jhonathan Melvin and Adrian Harry in red-hot form, Leonora has proven that they belong among the frontrunners.
Leonora’s self-proclaimed Messi will also be looking to cash-in this Saturday against a strong SJTB defense. The ultimate Pew Wee moment is finally here.
he wait is over, the 2025 Courts Optical Pee Wee Under-11 Schools Football Championship comes to a thrilling close this Saturday at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, where two unbeaten powerhouses will clash for glory: St. John the Baptist Primary and Leonora
Primary
Afterfiveweeksofhighenergy Boy’s U11 football action, the stage is set for a battleofskill,gritandheart. From Bartica, St. John
Led by midfield strategist Neymar Edwards, the agile Alex Pearson, and clinical finisher Aaron Christian, SJTB has shown why many see them as this year’sdestinedchampions.
Standing in their way is Leonora Primary, the pride of Region Three and the definition of quiet confidence.
Theirroadtothefinalhas been no easy stroll, conquering giants like TucvilleandWestRuimveldt ontheirwayhere.
Two unbeaten sides One trophy Expect
footwork, and fearless football as these young talents chase Pee Wee immortality
Before the final, see Redeemer Primary taking on West Ruimveldt Primaryforthethird-place spot
Several prizes will be on offer In addition to the top four accolades, teams w
opportunity to finish in
positionsfifthtoeighth.
The race to Under-11 glory concludes this Saturday. Will it be ST John the Baptist or will it be Leonora Primary? The action awaits you.
The Courts Optical Pee Wee Football Tournament, now in its 12th edition, is h
collaboration with the Ministry of Education, with strong support from MVP Sports, Sterling Products (Igloo Ice Cream), Sky Tec Enterprise, and Demerara Mutual, which provides insuranceforallparticipants.
Kickoff 15:00 hours: Saturday, Ministry of EducationGround,Carifesta Avenue
GFF and International Supporters Group strengthen partnership to advance Women’s Football in Guyana
Th e G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation(GFF) has signed a two-year
M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MOU) with the International Supporters Group (ISG) to deepen
collaboration on the development and promotion of women’s football in Guyana and across the diaspora.
The agreement, signed by GFF President Wayne Forde and ISG President Rebecca Vaughan, establishes a framework for joint initiatives that will e n h a n c e p l a y e r development, coaching capacity, and the global visibility of the Guyana Women’s National Team (GWNT).
Through the MOU, ISG will support the GFF in advancing grassroots player developmentandfacilitating coaching internships for GWNT coaches in North America. The partnership willalsofocusonleveraging ISG’s extensive network across North American and UK institutions to secure college scholarships and club placements for GWNT players.
Inaddition,ISGwillplay a key role in fundraising
effortstoassistwithGWNT
scholarships, and other developmental activities Theseinitiativesaimtobuild long-term sustainability within the women’s football programme and strengthen pathwaysforfemaleplayers ofGuyaneseheritage.
“We are happy to have our football community fromthediasporasupporting thestrategicdevelopmentof women’sfootball,”saidGFF President Wayne Forde
“Theyhavedemonstratedan extraordinary level of commitment to which has enabled the teams they’ve supportedtodelivertangible results ISG has been instrumental in many of our successes, and we look forward to continuing to grow this partnership I wouldalsoliketoencourage other members of the Guyanese diaspora who wish to contribute to the development of football to reach out and explore
SG
President Rebecca Vaughan describedtheagreementasa continuation of a strong and productive relationship
b
Group (ISG) is pleased to continue our longstanding partnershipwiththeGuyana Football Federation (GFF) to elevate the participation and success of football by
Supporters
Guyaneseheritage—bothin Guyana and across the global diaspora,” Vaughan
Those present at the signing of the MOU that will benefit Guyana’s women’s football programme.
said “Our partnership reflects the story of Guyana itself: our greatest strength comes from harnessing the power,passion,andtalentof both the homeland and the widerdiasporacommunity.”
Supporters Group (ISG) is a Canadian-based, volunteer-
organisation with board representationfromtheGFF
One hundred percent of all resources raised by ISG go directly toward supporting player development, highperformance pathways, and the long-term growth and successoftheGWNT
Through this renewed p a r
p ,
t h organisations reaffirm their shared vision of ensuring that every young girl who dreams of representing Guyana has the opportunity to do so, as Guyana continues to rise on the worldfootballstage.
Shai Hope andAlickAthanaze put on a half-century stand. (BCB)
Romario Shepherd celebrates a wicket. (AFP/Getty Images)
St John the Baptist Primary will be no walk in the park… the undefeated campaigner has eyes glued on the 2025 title.