Kaieteur News

Bartica gets $225M Police

Divisional Headquarters

investigating fatal Aruka River boat accident

Patterson accuses govt. of trying to buy police votes with mass promotions

-AFCsays

ExxonMobil’s plan to push oil ships’ production capacity will increase risk of incidents offshore Guyana

ONE GUYANAFPSO

The Alliance for Change(AFC)on Friday expressed major concerns about ExxonMobil Guyana Limited’s (EMGL) plan to continue debottlenecking effortsforeverynewproject brought onstream – an exercise to increase the vessels’ output beyond the nameplatecapacity

Exxon’s plan was recently disclosed by ExxonMobil Corporation

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods. Woods said that its strategy to maximise oil production beyond the nameplate capacity of Exxon’svesselsoperatingin the Stabroek Block will ultimately secure higher returns on the company’s investmentsinGuyana.

On Friday, Exxon announced the startup of its ONE GUYANA Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel which is its largest vessel to date, with an initial annual average production of 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) and a storage capacity oftwomillionbarrels.

At the AFC’s weekly press conference held on Friday, former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and party member Dr Vincent Adams

w e l c o m e d t h e announcement However,

Exxon’s global operations and credited the company’s focused technology organisation for playing a majorroleinthoseefforts.

Dr Adams noted that while Exxon is taking care of its interest to produce as much oil as possible to maximise returns, he contended that the Government of Guyana continues to neglect its responsibility to ensure Exxon’soperationsaredone s a f e a n d i n a n environmentally sound manner

Referencing the comments made by Woods, Dr Adams reiterated his p o s i t i o n t h a t debottlenecking exercises are both dangerous and reckless. He contended that, at the current pace of operations, which he said is in violation of safety rules, thereisahigherlikelihoodof anincidentoccurring.

I t w a s d u r i n g

ExxonMobil’s secondquarter earnings call when theCEOwasaskedtospeak a b o u t E M G L ’ s debottlenecking efforts and how sustainable it is for the vesselsoperatingattheLiza Phase 2 and Payara projects tocontinueproducingabove theirnameplatecapacities. Woods first said that the company is focused on making sure that it maximises the value of its investment without compromising any of the necessary integrity and safety parameters. He noted that this is a consistent practice across all of

“So, my view is we’re goingtocontinuetoseethat with every new project that comes on. I would also tell you that as we find those d e b o t t l e n e c k i n g opportunities and we think they’reapplicabletothenext project,webuildthatintothe basis,sothatwehaveaclear understanding of what capital is needed to deliver on the volume,” Woods explained. He said too that Exxon will continue updating its investment and design basis based on lessons learned from previous debottlenecking efforts.

In response, Dr Adams said, “You’re already hearing Exxon is boasting, they’re boasting they cannot do this in the United States,Iknowthatforfact,” Dr Adamssaid.

H e a d d e d t h a t debottlenecking is a nonsensical term to confuse Guyanese and said that it is not part of Guyana’s environmental laws and regulations Dr Adams explained, “it means is they’re making adjustment in equipment and the productionrateetcetera.”

Dr. Adams argued that Exxon’s practice to make adjustments and push the vessels’production capacity beyond their nameplate capacity is lawless He o u t l i n e d t h a t t h e Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) that took months and sometimes years to be evaluated and approved is the document thatsets the productionrate. Hearguedthatnoamountof debottlenecking could change what is outlined in theEIAs.

“The environmental impact assessment, that is the legal document says, for example, this is the rate, for

example, Liza One, the rate enshrined in that document says the safe operating limit cannot be greater than 120,000 barrels per day We areoperatingat165,000bars per day, almost 40% above. That’sputtingusatrisk,and they’re doing that for all of the projects. So that’s what that debottlenecking means, soitslawless,”henoted.

Dr Adams continued, “It’sunlawfulforthemtobe talking about increasing above the nameplate production rate. It’s illegal, but this government is

allowingthem…”

Notably, though first oil was achieved at the ONE GUYANA FPSO, Exxon’s production level is currently around 650,000 bpd. The company explained that while the installed capacity is 900,000 bpd, production levelisnotthereasyetasthe ONE GUYANA vessel production level will be ramped up to meet its initial capacity

ONE GUYANA joined theLizaDestiny,LizaUnity, and Prosperity FPSOs. The Prosperity FPSO began

production in November 2023 and reached its nameplate capacity of 220,000 bpd within months. W i t h s u b s e q u e n t modifications, Exxon was able to ramp up output to around 260,000 bpd Similarly, in 2022, the Liza Unity vessel came online producing 220,000 bpd and was also optimised to 260,000 bpd The Liza Destiny,Exxon’sfirstFPSO inGuyana,beganproduction in December 2019 at 120,000 bpd and was later upgradedto165,000bpd.

AFC member and former Head of the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA), Dr. VincentAdams

ExxonMobil Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods

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

Fastest growing

Sincethefirstannouncementofthediscoveryofoil

in Guyana hit the news, this country occupies a new place on the global map, took on a new appearance in the eyes of the world. The more oil finds made the news, the more superlatives became the norm when Guyana featured in the conversations, reviews and projections. Thesuperlativesaresomanyandsofrequent astobeboringforGuyanese.

The fastest growing oil economy, the lowest cost oil producer,orthebiggestGrossDomesticProductpercapita, areallnowcommonplace. Inaddition,Guyanaisthemost exciting oil prospect in years, promises to be the most profitableinthefuture. IfGuyanaisnotontop,itisinthe topten,inthecenterofanytopratings.

All of this should amount to many special things for Guyanese,wouldbetheconclusionofthosenotlivinghere, thosenotclosetowhatitisliketolivehere.Thoseunaware ofhowGuyaneselive,theonesstuckonthelowerlevelsof thenationaleconomicpyramid. Likeallpyramids,thepeak is thin, and the base broad, which is the same in Guyana. This is where all the superlatives of Guyana and the name that its oil has made for it, come to ground, grind to a screechinghalt.

The fastest growing oil country should signify that Guyanesearerisingthequickest,notonlyafewofthem,but allofthem. Withoutadoubt,therearethoseGuyanesewho have risen, and continue to rise, like a rocket untethered from its moorings. By most estimates, and as a matter of hardlocalreality,thoserisingandroaringinthefashionof economic juggernauts amount to a mere 0.1 percent of Guyana'spopulation.

If we were to employ a population of one million Guyanese,0.1percentis10,000citizenswhohavemadeit big, are set to rise even higher Practically speaking, a Guyana population of a million is a serious stretch of numbersandtruth,witheven900,000dismissedoutofhand bymostasbeingoutofthequestion.

What is left, therefore, is a country that makes all the glittering headlines, that is the toast of foreign investors, being able to boast of only under 10,000 in its population knowingwhatitistobereallyenrichedandprospering.

This is the beauty and the obscenity of all the head spinningstatisticsandnarrativesrelatingtoGuyana,since oil become intermingled with its name, existence, and destiny. The beauty of Oil Guyana is so stunning as to inspireglobalawe.

The dark side hiding behind its superlatives is largely local,exceptforafewleakageseverynowandagain,when theWorldBankandotherinstitutionsoflikekindpullback thecurtaintorevealtherealGuyana.

ItistheGuyanaofsores,onethatisscarredbypoverty, hunger, and discontent. Neither the oil wealth, nor the statistics related to it, have touched these hundreds of thousands of Guyanese who sometimes are forced to question the meaning of their oil patrimony, since it has meantsolittletothem.

Therawtruth,asthoseGuyanesecanshare,restsinthe negligiblenatureofthedifferencethatoilhascontributedto abetterlifeforthem.

The superlatives and grand narratives attached to Guyanaduetoitsoilwealthareaccurate,andthatisneither questioned nor minimized. What is also accurate, and harrowinglyso,ishowithasn'timpactedatanymeaningful level,thosewhowerestruggling,andnowfinditevenmore difficultintheirdailybattleforsurvival.

Thisisthescorchingironythattravelsside-by-sidewith all the superlatives that are part and parcel of this nation's massiveoilpatrimony Itissuchavulgarironythatitmight bebettertoseeitasacriminalone. Guyanaisontopofthe world, on the one hand, and there is its dark and dismal world, on the other Many of its people are hungry and weak and tired. The optimism, the visions, that should inspireallGuyanesearelargelythepropertyofonlyafew

Kaieteur M@ilbox

The closure of bank accounts of WIN party candidates

DearEditor,

opic

sanctions of interest so I decidedtodosomeresearch. Of course, this is subject to discussion and I hope others wouldjoininthediscussion.

Ireadsanctionscanapplyto those who, “materially assist, sponsor or provide support for the (sanctioned) activities This includes individuals who associate politically with sanctioned

ACTIVITIES”.

The Magnitsky Act targets not only those who commit the acts but those who facilitate, to benefit fromtheseactions.Couldbe business partners, individuals assisting in the cover up For further clarifications this act is to punish perpetrators without affectingthewiderpeopleof acountry

The United Kingdom alsopassedasimilaract.

These acts provide the legal framework for a

government to act My question is, does Guyana have any such laws that targets such offenders and associates?

Myunderstandingisthat itistheUSAwhichhaslaws that permits them to do this.

In Guyana, our laws are clear A person is charged, put through the legal system which decides guilt or into andifguiltythenpunishment ismetedout.

From my understanding and information, it is the government of the USA which will decide if

associates of a sanctioned individual should be sanctioned and not anyone else.

The example I have is, lets say a Russian is sanctioned and Indian companies purchase Oil f r o m R u s s i a T h e government or the banks of India cannot and have not penalised such companies. Recenteventsindicatethatit is the USA which would impose secondary sanctions against those as they have doneinthecaseofIndia.I

(Continuedonpage6)

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Cellphones in polling booths an attack on democracy

DearEditor,

The recent decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to allow voters to bring cellphones into voting boothsisnotjustreckless.It is an attack on the very foundation of our democracy This policy threatens the secrecy of the ballot and undermines the hard-fought gains won by generationsoflabourleaders and activists who struggled forfreeandfairelections.

Leaders like Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow and countless others sacrificed much to secure the right to vote in secret They understood that the ballot must remain private to protect voters from intimidation, coercion and corruption. These are not abstract ideals. They are the

bedrock of a democratic society that respects every citizen's dignity and freedom.

We have seen the consequences when secrecy is broken. In past elections, voters were forced to take photos of their marked ballots to “prove” how they voted, often in exchange for jobs, contracts or money This practice of “proof voting” turns democracy into a transaction and strips votersoftheirindependence. It is a form of modern-day voter manipulation that we mustrejectoutright.

Allowing cellphones inside voting booths opens the door to this abuse on a large scale. It hands corrupt actorsthetoolstocoerceand monitor voters, destroys trustintheelectoralprocess, and jeopardises the

credibilityofourelections. Weshouldnotallowthis assault on our democratic rights to stand. The secrecy of the ballot protects the worker, the poor, and the marginalised from exploitation by those with powerandmoney

GECOM must act immediately to reverse this dangerouspolicyandbanall electronic devices from voting booths. The integrity of our elections depends on it.

T o e v e r y

Guyanese—worker, student and citizen I say stand firm.Demandthatyourvote remainsprivateandfree.The struggle for democracy is ongoingandwemustdefend the sacred right to vote in secret with unwavering resolve.

LincolnLewis

Energy poured into Building Expo. should be used to ensure Guyanese have access to lands

DearEditor,

The International

Building Expo 2025 is scheduled forAugust 14–17 at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence Whilethishigh-profileevent promises innovation and economic activity, it also underscores a glaring contradiction; the government spares no expense on exhibitions, yet thousands of Guyanese remain without their house lots, unable to access lands theyhavealreadypaidfor,or still waiting months, even yearsfortheirlandtitles.

Millions of dollars will be spent to stage this grand affair, but those very funds

could have been used to address urgent housing needs, clearing the backlog of allocations, completing infrastructure so that people can access their lands, and ensuringthetimelyissuance oftitles.

Thesearetheactionsthat would truly improve lives, not another four days of fanfare.

Itisnosecretthatthereal beneficiariesoftheBuilding Expo are the businesses, d e v e l o p e r s , a n d merchandisers who cash in on the hype While the private sector's growth is important, the event's original purpose; to accelerate housing for

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Is racism losing its potency?

DearEditor,

One of the enduring struggles that the PPP has waged since its inception was and is for racial and working-class unity Over theyearsithashadsuccesses and setbacks. In 1953, the entirecountrywasunited.

Thesplitinthepartyand the use of race to divide the people by the British and theirlocalalliesin1955was a setback. However, in the 1957 elections the PPP led by Cheddi Jagan won most of the African Guyanese votes. It was in that period thattheBritishGovernorSir PatrickRenisonandhislocal allies, the Burnham-led group, (which became the PNC in October 1957), intensified their efforts at dividingtheworkingpeople.

“has largely been accomplished through racialism”.

Intheyearsthatfollowed (1957 to 1964) the British, joined by the CIA and the PNC intensified their racial agitations. They used the 1962 budget, known as the Kaldor's Budget, (after Nicolas Kaldor the UN economist who advised the government) which was aimed at preparing the country for Independence and was highly praised by specialists, to begin race riotsinthecity

ordinary citizens, has been o v e r s h a d o w e d b y commercial interests and politicaloptics.

To many, the Building Expo has become less about national development and more about political theatre, conveniently timed to coincide with moments when the ruling party seeks to bolster its image. The government gets the photo opportunities,thebusinesses

(Continueonpage8)

Just before leaving his post as Governor of British Guiana Sir Patrick Renison in a letter to Lennox-Boyd, Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 10 March 1957 reported that he had succeeded in the task of building up opposition to Jagan's PPP He noted that Burnham, even though “cynical, superficial, unreliable, prejudiced and irrational was no longer unthinkable as a Chief Minister.”Renisonhailedhis success of building oppositiontothePPPandhis making Burnham an alternative to Jagan as his success of the year He however noted that the “dark edge” of the success

ThePPPfoughttoothand nail to counter racism Progress has been relatively slowupto1992.Sincethen, wehaveseenmuchprogress in forging national unity in ourcountry ThePPPsupport in Afro and Amerindian communitiesgrewsteadily

The reasons for these positive developments are many First and foremost is the fact that the PPP, from Jagan to Jagdeo, has never made any concessions to racism. Our position has always been staunchly againstracism.ThePPPison record as expelling persons who tried to stoke racism in our country That was the realreasonfortheremovalof BalwantSinghRaiandsome ofhisfollowers.

Just after the party left officein1964CheddiJagan, clearly disappointed that the PNChadrejecteditscallsfor a coalition government, charged PPP activists to

work to build back racial unity in Guyana In the Thunder of April 1965, he wrote “…We must work to achieve unity and social harmony Racism is the greatestcurseinourland…” Hewentontosay,“Wehave to win over the misguided workers in the urban areas and the Amerindian people. This is the only true and lasting solution to our problems.” Well, it took a while, but the contours of that unity are taking shape. This could be seen by the compositionofthecrowdsat PPP/C meetings and rallies, that there have been truly multi-racial crowds is unmistakable The racist propagandists of the APNU (PNC) and some of their supporters who are prominent in the press are becomingineffective.Thisis because their talk of PPP discrimination does not correspond to the realities on the ground Their propagandists like Henry Jeffery, Lincoln Lewis and DavidHindshavelostmuch (Continuedonpage6)

The closure of bank accounts of WIN party...

Frompage4

emphasise the banks of Indiaarenotpenalisedinany way and only the countries withthelawstodosocando so. This is why the USA

threatens secondary sanctions, Guyana does not havesuchlaws.InGuyana,a person has to be processed throughthecourtsandfound

guilty before being penalised.

The Magnitsky Act

coversforeignersitdoesnot cover those in the USA as those are governed by their own constitution and laws same as it should be in Guyana. So I come to the Azruddin Mohamed matter HeissanctionedbytheUSA.

As far as I am aware, this covers dealings with US companies, citizens and transactions that transit or terminatesintheUSA. This iswhyIcannotcomprehend

why our local banks would close his accounts. I can understand them cancelling creditandinternationaldebit cardsorthewiringofmoney as these are transactions more or less involves the USA. I cannot understand how just holding an account wouldbeincontraventionof thesanctionsorendangerthe banks.Timothy Jonas spoke onGlobespanabouttheuse of credit cards but he has to

explain why just having an account endangers the bank when the Magnitsky Act spellsouttheoffences.

Fact to be considered is thattheallegedsmugglingis not going on at present.The Actisnotdesignedtopunish an individual forever but tries to curb the negative behaviour and or activities. The bank or anyone else cannot be accused of aiding and benefitting. The fact is that the USA has not sanctioned any one in this regard. Which opens the questionastowhythebanks are doing so. Fact is that thosewhohadnothingtodo with Azzruddin Mohamed beforeandisonlyassociated with him now as political colleaguesandareonthelist ofapoliticalparty ofwhich he is the presidential candidatecannotbeaccused of aiding or benefitting.The Magnitsky Act does not recognise them as offenders

astheActisclearunderwhat conditions associates etc canbesanctioned.

Timothy Jonas on Globe Span tries to justify the actionsofthebankandeven arguing that it has a right to penalise associates of Azzruddin Mohamed when clearly the Act does not permitthis.Iwouldlikehim toexplainwhybeingonalist of a political party is not entitledtoajobinourbank.

NoharSinghwascorrect to disagree with Timothy Jonas Nohararguesthatthe bank used a very broad brush. I say the bank took actions against individuals who are not sanctioned by the USA and who had no connection with the Mohameds before and who didnotbenefitorparticipate inanycorruptdealsandwho havenotbeensanctionedby theUSA.

The dismissal of a staff by GBTI is illegal and should be challenged. Our termination and Severance Pay Act definitely does not justify his termination and I am certain it allows for a primafaciecaseofwrongful dismissal.Ibelievealsothat those who have been victimised by the unjustifiableclosureoftheir accountshaveacaseagainst thebanks.

We would like to know whether others sanctioned bytheUSA orareassociates of those sanctioned by the USAhavebeenpenalisedby thebankorthiswasreserved for the associates of the WINPresidentialcandidate.

I need Mr Jonas to inform the Guyanese under what laws the bank acted to exact punishment on those associatesofAzzruddin.My position is they acted without justification and supportofanyofourlaws.

RajendraBisessar BscSociology,LLB

Is racism losing its...

Frompage5 of their credibility and their naked racism is being exposed as never before. Another reason that helped to blunt the racist propaganda is the fact that the return of the PNC to powerin2015exposedthem to the new generation, who werenotaroundbefore1992 and therefore had no knowledge of the PNC's corruption, racism and antiworking-class positions, were able to see them more clearly In the five years between2015and2020they againdisplayedagreatlevel of incompetence, corruption

andgrossarrogance. They never think about the welfare of our people or theimageofourcountry

Their main aim has alwaysbeentogetrichquick andtoperpetuatethemselves inpowerbyriggedelections.

The shame that they brought to this nation in attempting to steal the 2020 elections while the whole world was watching was deeply felt by all patriotic citizens.Werecallthewords of Barbados' late Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who was the head of an observer mission to those elections, whenhesaid“itwasthemost

transparent attempt to rig an election…”

Yes, the APNU/AFC regime brought great shame toournation.

The leadership of the opposition wants power to rule the country like monarchs and to enrich themselves at the expense people and country Recall the renting of a house (for a bond) for more than $12millionpermonth.

Guyanese are now once again walking with their heads held high and rightly sayingneveragain.

Former President DonaldRamotar

Pattersonaccusesgovt.oftryingtobuy policevoteswithmasspromotions

ChairmanoftheAlliance for Change (AFC) David Patterson on Friday accused the government of Guyana of attempting 'to buy the votes' of members of the joint services with mass promotions.

Patterson told reporters at his party's weekly press conference that, “From all accounts, the PPP [Peoples Progressive Party] government and the VP [VicePresident]shamelessly wants to buy approximately 3000 police votes by mass promotion.

President Irfaan Ali recently announced the promotion of approximately 2000 members of the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF). In his announcement the president said that constableswithfivetoseven years of service, who have not yet been promoted and who have no disciplinary issues, will be elevated to lance corporal and placed at thehighestendofthatsalary scale.

Hesaidthatcurrentlance corporals will be moved to thehighestlevelofthelance corporal pay scale; constables with eight to 10 years of service will be promoted to corporal and also receive the highest salary within that rank and corporals who have served between eight to 10 years willnowbeplacedatthetop ofthecorporalscale.

Additionally, ranks with 10to13yearsofservicewill be promoted to sergeant, while those between 13 and 15 years will be retained as sergeants, but moved to the highest level of the sergeant scale.Thehead-of-statealso said that any officer with more than 20 years of service, who has not yet reached the rank of inspector, will be automatically adjusted to that rank, receiving the salary of an inspector, so longastheirrecordisclean.

In response, Patterson s a i d t h a t , “ t h i s administrative arrangement will do massive harm to meritocracyintheforce.”

Chairman of the Alliance for Change,

According to the AFC Chair,theinterferencebythe government into the management and operations of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at the hands of Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohas b e c o m e “ m o s t unwholesome”recently “He now assures some 800 of those who were not promoted that they will be; and, those still aggrieved, they too will receive promotions,” Patterson told reporters.

On August 8, Kaieteur News reported that Jagdeo assuredmembersoftheGPF who are eligible for promotion but were not on the recently published list, thattheywillbepromoted.

His remarks came after President Ali ordered the promotion of more than 2,000 police ranks many of whom had been overlooked and sidelined over the years by the GPF However, after the promotion list was published,therewereseveral social media posts from policemenandpolicewomen whosaidtheyhadservedthe force but were not included on the list. Jagdeo disclosed thatbothheandPresidentAli had received dozens of complaintsfromotherranks.

“There are others who have contacted us and said that they may be bypassed or overlookedforonereasonor another,”henoted.

He said he was told that the promotions will cover some 2,800 ranks. While 2,000 ranks have already been notified of their promotion, another 800 will be notified soon While acknowledging that those who complained may be amongtheadditional800,he assuredthatalleligibleranks willbepromoted.

Inaddition,hesaidthere will be a review process for ranks who feel aggrieved that they have been overlooked or bypassed. Those ranks can file a complaint and have their

caseexamined.

Jagdeo noted that once confirmed, those ranks will alsobepromoted.

“So, I just wanted to say that publicly here, so that if there are concerns or m

policewomen… if they feel that they have not received theirpromotionandthatthey deserve the promotion, that their case will be reviewed too,”hesaid.

However, AFC's Patterson explained that the Constitution makes provision for a Police Service Commission to promote senior officers and the PoliceAct also provides for ranks below that to be p r o m o t e d b y t h e CommissionerofPoliceand not the president or vice president. Pattersonposited that among the arms of the government, the police are most prone to executive control, and “the PPP's method through the instrumentality of its Vice President, is now to acquire complete control over the police.”

The former minister under A Partnership for National Unity and theAFC coalition said that, “Guyana'spolicingpresently is being set back into a state of political partisanship and PPP gendarmerie, with a purpose to subjugate rather thantoservethepopulation.

Professionalism is completelybeingabandoned forpartisanship.”

TheAFC has committed to utilizing oil funds a v a i l a b l e n o w t o substantially increase the base salaries of the rank and fileoftheGPF However,the partyhassaidthatthosewho merit promotions to higher levels must receive the said promotions through, meritocratic arrangement, which was provided for in the Russel Coombes report on “How to improve the HumanResourcesofGPF”.

President Dr. Mohamed IrfanAli addressing the ranks of the GPF (DPI)

David Patterson

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

MONDAY–AUGUST04,2025

Thecorruptionproblem

Our country has been so

ravaged by corruption that when revelations- the likes of the secretive GPL consultancy deal or Mr

Azruddin Mohamed releasing traces of whatsapp conversationswithsomeone in high office on the matter

of tax evasion or even the infamous Su-gate happen, citizensreactbysaying“this isnothingnew.”

Guyanese are so seasoned to corruption that they can smell it and the peoplewhoareengagedinit fromadistance.

Yet very little is done about the local epidemic of corruption, and this is despite the bright promises andstirringclaimsofleaders inthisPPP/CGovernmentto be thoroughly and powerfully against corrupt practices,and those who are partofsuch.

In its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) reportthisyearpublishedby Transparency International, it was noted that Guyana's score fell slightly from 40 pointsin2023to39in2024, placingthecountryat92out of180nations.

Butwhatwassignificant in the report is that it states that the state of Guyana had been captured by the economic and political

e l i t e s , f o s t e r i n g

misappropriation of resources, illicit enrichment and environmental crimes. When Guyanese vote on September 1, they must rememberthesethings

TUESDAY–

AUGUST05,2025

FiveyearswithoutPost Cabinetmediabriefings

Oilisthetalkofthetown, and, indeed, it can be said that Guyana is the fascinationoftheworld,and features highly in conversations of the entire investment community Oil has to be among the biggest things,ifnotthebiggestone byfar,oneveryagendaofthe cabinet.

Ye t , t h e P P P C Government has not held a single post-cabinet briefing in the five years it has returnedtogovernment.

We have no interest in calling out President, Irfaan Ali and making him look bad,orwhythereluctanceto face independent,

mainstreammedia.

He and his senior comrades for five years scurried over to the friendly arms of the helpless state media agencies to face pop questions.

The same applies in the even more nauseating circumstances when top leaders and ministers seek thesafe harbour of fawning, worshipping agents planted in online private media. They should know by now that those pretenders for professional media practitioners don't count for anything in thoughtful, c o n s t r u c t i v e , a n d respectablecircles.

WEDNESDAY–AUGUST06,2025

Campaignpromises comingfastandfurious.

Politicians are now promisingmorethanGod. Allforavote.Allforfive more years to plunder the treasury and impoverish Guyanese.

The naive will be made into bigger fools this time. With all the skullduggeries ofbefore,whoissoreckless totrustagain?

Politicians don't care They will come with their promises, bring their buses andgifts.

When they are finished using Guyanese before the polls, they will begin abusing them after Fall for thepromises.Getreadyfora fall.

THURSDAY–AUGUST07,2025

Cash-grantgovernance

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is like an aging magician. He continues to toss silver coins into the air andcallitpolicy

The latest conjuration is atransportationcashgrant,a cash-in-hand reprisal, and another of his wild election promises Bharrat Jagdeo prefers to govern not with programmes but with handouts, each one pitched with theatrics. He prefers

populist measures rather than equity We now live in the era of cash-grant governance.Uniformgrants, disability grants, health grants, school cash grants, school supplies grants, and now transportation grants an ecosystem of entitlements, scattered from the seat of government like alms.

But these are not reforms;theyaretheopiates ofpetro-dollarintoxication.

And when a government forgetshowtobuildsystems and instead builds dependencies, we should all bewaryandbeworried.

SATURDAY–AUGUST08,2025

ThePoliceForce

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) is one of the leading examples of how public i n s t i t u t i o n s h a v e deteriorated over the course ofmanyyears.

TheGPFhasrarelybeen viewed in the cleanest light, but the last five years have seenitdroptoitslowestlevel ever

If there is one State agency on which Guyanese, regardless of their politics, can agree is in the poorest condition,itistheGPF

So poor, that the principledranksandofficers would pack up and leave tomorrow, if there were betteroptionsontheoutside. We at this paper know, we know that the public knows because we hear the complaints and frustrations frequently articulated, we report on the developments, astheyseepout.

As long as the GPF responds unquestioningly to thebiddingsofthecorruptin government, then it seemingly has carte blanche to carry on with its own hustles.

This is regardless of the impact on the public, and regardless of the destruction ofmoraleintheentityitself.

Overnight, the president hadhisgrandsolution-2,000 promotionsinoneshot.

Energy poured into Building Expo...

Frompage5 get the sales, and the people get more promises.Ifhousingforallistrulyanational priority, then the resources, energy, and urgency currently poured into staging the Building Expo should instead be channelled

intodeliveringforthethousandsstillwaiting. Only then can such events be a genuine celebration of progress, rather than a distractionfrominaction.

Sincerely, AnnetteFerguson

Jagdeo owes the Mohameds and the nation an unconditional apology

On the 6th of March 2025, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, with all the assuranceofamancertainof the earth’s flatness, told the people of Guyana that the government “cannot do business with the Mohameds.

It exposes us to the risks ofsanctions,notbecausewe are vindictive or we hate them, but they’re the ones who got sanctioned because of the investigation. These are the consequences of the sanction,buttheywantusto defy United States, certain government sanction and riskthelivesandlivelihoods of our people, all of them in Guyana.”

Thestatementhadtheair of a legal verdict, delivered not by a judge, but by a monarch whose will is law and whose interpretations areinfallible.

It was followed by a sermon in the doctrine of deterrence: “Basically the sanctions put at risk anyone or any institution anywhere in the world, including in Guyana,ofbeingsanctioned

or being subject to enforcement action if they do business with the Mohameds or receive a contribution from the Mohameds – that is, if they make any payments or they receiveanypayments.”

Here was the Vice President as international jurist, economic strategist, and guardian of the Republic’s collective soul, warningthecitizenrythatto do business with the

Mohameds was to court American wrath and nationalruin.

The trouble, as it now turns out, is that he was hopelesslywrong. Notwronginthesenseof amarginalmisinterpretation or a footnote gone astray. Wronginthesenseofaman whohasmistakenacoconut foracrystalball.

The US Ambassador to Guyana has since indicated thatthesanctionsinquestion applied only to doing business with US entities.

The elaborate edifice of danger and prohibition erectedbyMr.Jagdeowasa fiction—anunnecessaryand injurious fiction constructed withoutrecoursetofact,and defended with all the pomp ofrighteousstatecraft.

The consequence was not merely semantic. The Mohameds, citizens of Guyana entitled to the protection and support of their State, were cast as pariahs.

Banks, businesses, and partners withdrew Contracts dissolved

Opportunities evaporated What Mr Jagdeo’s interpretation inflicted was not a prudent safeguard but grievous financial harm, a form of economic exile imposed by their own government.

The irony is that the Mohameds were punished notbytheUnitedStates,but by the misreading of its edicts by a man who holds the third highest office in Guyana.

The alienation of the

Mohameds, the injury to their standing, may well have been one of the sparks that lit the kindling of a political party now threateningthePPP/C’shold onoffice.

If so, itwould not be the firsttimethatarroganceand ignorance, conjoined in the service of authority, have authored a government’s undoing.

But if the Vice President’s conduct is culpable,themedia’ssilence iscomplicit.

The task of the press self-appointed guardian of public truth—is to test the words of the powerfulagainstthefactsof theworld.

Yetinthisinstance,nota single major outlet thought to call the US Ambassador for clarification, or to send an email to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)toconfirmthescope of the sanctions. Not one newsroom paused to ask: Is this correct? Does this interpretationhold?

Instead, they nodded along, stenographers in the court of the state, dutifully amplifying the warning without bothering to examineitssource.

One could forgive the man on the street for believing that the American treasuryhasthereachofGod Almighty, smiting all who break its decrees, but the professional journalist has no such excuse. The failure hereisnotofcuriositybutof courage. To question the Vice President’s word on so

DEM BOYS SEH

DeDiasporafeelingleffout

Dem boys hearing that PPP faithful in Queens and Toronto feeling like outside child at a family reunion. Election fever in Guyana hot-hot, but up north, is like de dancedonebeforedemevengetinvite.All now so, dem deh waiting for de call: “Comrade, we coming fuh de big fundraisingdrive.”Butuptonow?Silence.Not evenalil’flyeronWhatsApp.

In de old days, you coulda bet that PPP woulda mek a grand entrance in NewYork andCanada,collect$1,500aplateforcookupandchanna,andwalkoutwidenvelopes sofatdemcouldn’tfold.Buttimeschange. De party war chest so overflowing from local sources, it brimming like a trench in rainy season. Dem don’t need no fried rice fromQueensorchickencurryandpurifrom Toronto. Money flowing in right here in GuyanalikeoiloutdeFPSO.

Dem boys seh some diaspora faithful still ironing dem red shirts, practicing dem

sensitive a matter would haveriskedthethin-skinned displeasure of the government, and so they choseinsteadthesoftpillow ofcompliance.

The result was the entrenchment of an illegitimate narrative: that doing business with the Mohameds could subject one to sanctions and enforcement actions by the US. A fiction born of error became, through repetition, anarticleoffaith.

And faith, in politics as in religion, thrives best where reason has been strangled.

Jagdeo now owes the Mohamedsanunconditional apology less for the misinterpretation itself than

for the injury it caused. An apology not wrapped in the gauze of political doublespeak, but one that acknowledgestheplainfact: that he spoke without verifying, acted without understanding, and in doing so,mobilizedthemachinery of the state against its own citizens.

Themedia,too,owesthe publicareckoning.

The price of failing to fact-check is not measured in column inches but in reputations destroyed and trustbetrayed.

Whenthepressbecomes the echo chamber of the state,thecitizenbecomesthe subject, and the truth, when it finally emerges, does so not in the pages of the

newspaper, but in the bitter aftermathofapublicwrong.

In this way, the story of the Mohameds is not just about sanctions, or misinterpretations, or even politics.

It is about the peril of a country where the powerful speak without consequence, and where the institutions meanttochallengethemare contenttocarrytheirwater

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

“longtimenosee,comrade!”speeches,and even checking dem cheque books—just in case.Hopespringseternal.Demsehbefore month end, leaders might still turn up wid hatinhand,tellingdemhow“everylittlebit helps.” But dem boys know better—when you swimming in oil, you ain’t coming to begfuhpennies. Truth is, PPP never really needed dem diaspora dollars. Back then, it was just a niceexcusefuhaforeignvacationandsome photo-ops. The real cash cow was always here—rightunderdemnosesinGuyana. So to all a you in Queens and Toronto feeling left out—relax. Enjoy yuh cold weatherandyuhWestIndianstoredoubles. This election, PPP don’t need yuh $1,500 per plate dinner yuh white envelopes. But hey—keep dem ready Politics got a funny way of making rich people poor and poor peopleimportantagain. Talkhalf.Leffhalf

Aprominentthought,insistentfear,torturedenvironment

Rigging is in the air Warnings. Fears. Insistent and prominent. Not about oil riggings. But rigging of elections. What does the environmentindicate?

He who knows that the numbers aren't there convincingly, sees the solution through rigging. It is back to the 1960s. The thinking and crying about rigging didn't stop in 1992, or since. In recent contests, claimsofrigginghavebeena drumrollofsound. Whodid before, who just did. The elections of 2020 saw the sprawling attempts at rigginginthebrightestlight. Now that the even more

consequential elections of 2025 are almost here, contentions about rigging rise and ripple energetically

Thelastelectionsarestillnot mentally and emotionally settled, and this nation now preparesforthemotherofall elections'battlesinlessthan three weeks. Again, what doestheenvironmentproject relative to claims and fears of rigging, sure to grow louder, sharper, in the few dayslefttothebigday?

Decades long migration has squeezed Guyana's ethnic mixture into tighter fractions. I believe that the majorethnicitiesaresoclose they are almost inseparable.

Conservatively, with 5,000 Guyanese leaving annually, rounding down US State Department stats, Guyana has60,000lesscitizensthan when the 2012 census occurred. No one disagrees that the bulk of that exodus, probably three out of every four 'green card departures, has come from the ruling PPP base. It's more than a dent Draining and damaging is where I stand. The comfortable numerical cushion that the PPP enjoyed, long took for granted,hasnowflattenedso much that it is as thin as a screen protector, and just as invisible What Forbes

Burnham was forced to deal with, and managed in his uniquemanner,thatiswhere the PPP of Bharrat Jagdeo nowfindsitself. It's the numbers, stupid! C'mon, still want census results? Dothearithmeticin thehead,forcryingoutloud. So, what's a government to do, when such are the circumstances? I remind Guyanese of Trinidad and Tobago'sEricWilliamsslice of political wisdom: he who controls the election machinerywouldbeadamn fool to end up second. Not unexpectedly, the PNC has criedfoulabout2020,andis already crying foul as the hours shorten to E-Day 2025, which could be Guyana's Battle of

Normandy The words read and heard are: 'if the PPP thinks that rigging will be tolerated, then it has lost all thinking'. It is less about elections integrity and more about those two sweet commodities -oil and money I'llbesatisfiedwith all three, i e , elections integrity and oil and money But only on the fairest and foul-freestconditions. What is the weather forecast? What do sounds coming fromthegroundconfirm?

Padded list opens the field for the incumbent PPP,

UG

leaves the PNC and company on the backfoot, andstuckatthenon-striker's end. Score a boundary for the PPP Guyanese have heard and suspected the presence of a stealth Venezuelan contingent nicknamed the V4V Brigade. Fortheuneducated and out-of-towners, that's Venezuelan for Votes, and theyjustaddedmostlytothe PPP side of the electoral scoresheet. Let'spicksense out of local elections mysteries through a one question quiz. Who has the money? Andthejobs? And thepowertokicksomebody straight back to Caracas? I rest. Butnotsofast,asthere are two more pieces of unfinished business that must be factored into the looming Guyana's elections. One is legit and has been around long, and don't ask mehoworwhy Thesecond is a tribute to the skillsets of the PPP. The latter especiallyaddsomestrength to PNC fears and warnings about the PPP's range of preparations for elections rigging.

The legitimate factor is this 1-year eligibility standardforCommonwealth citizens. How the hell have both the PPP and PNC presided over that, ah, that

reiterates

gaping void and did nothing to address? A Guyanese living legally in the US for 100yearscannotvoteifheor she isn't a citizen. But someonefromanyofthe55member Commonwealth group can come here for a yearandcastaballot. CanI do that in the UK or Mother India, Father Africa? A flurry of safe singles helps thePPPtoinchalong,andall done cleanly I left the best factor for last, the highest returnone.

FellowGuyanese:needa national ID card? Go to FreedomHouseandmention my name. The only remaining issue is, how big is the PPP National ID card machinery? No wonder the PNC is up in arms and talking about zero tolerance for rigging. What would Guyanese elections be without rigging, now taken to an art form? As the Manchu or Ming Chinese would say, interesting times areahead.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

tuition and facilities fees are free for local

students

-Sayschangestoexistingstudents'recordsbillingsysteminprogress

Guyana (UG) on Saturday reiterated that tuition and facilities fees are free but noted that it is working assiduously to adjust its invoicing modules in the

(SRMS) in time for the new academic year beginning September2025.

The university in a statement said, that changes

to the modules are being madeincompliancewiththe government's directive that tuition for all Guyanese students admitted to the premiere tertiary institution is being funded by the state fromJanuary1,2025.

A glitch in the changeover process has allowed some students to somehow stillseethisinvoicewhichis not billable to them,” the statementsaid.

The University said it appreciates the error being flagged and regrets any inconveniencethatmayhave arisenasaresult.

“Since the State and not the students are paying the cost per student, the invoice stillneedstobegeneratedin the SRMS but it is not payable by the student. The fixisthatGuyanesestudents shouldnotseethisinvoice.

“The technical team has since moved to correct the glitch.

Wedeeplyappreciatethe consideration and gracious patience of our students as the necessary changes to the new system are made and testedinthecomingweeks.”

In April, UG in a statementsaidthat“tuitionis free from January 1, 2025, for all new and continuing students for Diploma, Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programmes offered by theUniversityofGuyana.”

MARAD investigating fatal Aruka River boat accident

T h e M a r i t i m e

Administration Department (MARAD) onSaturdaysaid that it is investigating the fatal boat accident which occurredintheArukaRiver, RegionOnethatclaimedthe lifeofKenWells.

Accordingtoastatement from MARAD, the fatal accident which occurred on Fridayclaimedthelifeof20year-old Wells, a farmer from the Barima River and lefthissister,LoraineWells, hospitalized in critical condition. MARAD stated that preliminary reports revealed that a 150horsepower wooden boat, captained by 20-year- old TirisaAllen, collided with a 15-horsepower balahoo,

which was transporting seven passengers and captainedbyAndreaAlbert. “It was further reported that at approximately 15:00

hrs., Allen was about five minutes steaming time from the Kumaka Waterfront, enroute to Imbitero, when a heavy rainfall resulted in restricted visibility The

balahoo was reportedly spotted about 15 metres but

unsuccessfulandthevessels

reported.

It was noted that Allen

assistance,andalloccupants wererescuedfromthewater and subsequently taken to theMabarumahospital.This publication understands that around 15:27 hrs on Friday, Ken Wells was pronounced deadonarrival.

As the investigation continues, MARAD urges all boat operators to strictly observe the collision regulations when traveling onthewater

No proposal made to govt. for sale of Guyana's crude to CARICOM

Thegovernmentof Guyana has not r e c e i v e d

m

ny Caribbean Community (CARICOM)countryforthe saleofGuyana'scrude.

ThisisaccordingtoVice President Bharrat Jagdeo who at his Thursday press conference was informed of

y President of the African E

Benedict Okey Oramah suggesting that given Guyana's status as a major oil producer, the country could be the solution to the region'senergyneeds.

The Bank's president asked whether CARICOM had considered aggregating itsdemandforpetroleumby talking to Guyana to refine andsupplyitcollectively He noted that this move would allowtheregiontoreduceits petroleum expenditure dramatically

“So, we have never exploredthiswithanyonein theregion,Idon'tthinkthere has even been such a demand ” Jagdeo told reporters.

Thevicepresidentstated that,todate,thegovernment has not received any joint proposal from CARICOM about the sale of Guyana's crude for refining to supply refinedproducts.

“There's no such thing. So, I think maybe the president of the African bank he is saying that givenwe'reamajorproducer that may be an option but there's no formal proposal beforeusandifandwhenit's made, we will then examine

–Jagdeo

itonitsmerit.Butrightnow, thereisnoproposal,”Jagdeo said.

Further, when asked if Guyana would be open to a deal with CARICOM countries at a discounted price for the sale of crude, given that the government's preferenceistosellitscrude openly on the international market in order to get the best prices, Jagdeo said, “That is something we have to examine only when we have a specific proposal. I

don't want to deal with hypotheticalshere.”

The vice president reminded

he government is already exploring the refining and storing of a quantity of its crude with United States firmCurlewMidstream.

Curlew Midstream wouldinturn,resellGuyana therefinedproductatalower cost than the country is now procuring globally thereby significantly lowering costs toGuyaneseconsumers.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

National rehab center, ambulance authority & cancer hospital on cards for Guyana

Guyanawillbenefitfrom a national rehabilitation centre for stroke patients, a national ambulance authority and a cancer hospital, Minister of Health

Dr Frank Anthony announcedonFriday The minister was at the time speaking at the sodturning ceremony for the $708 million Industry Polyclinic. He said that the projects form part of the government's commitment to transforming the local healthsector

“In the next couple of years, we will also be buildingacancerhospital,or an oncology hospital, and that too, is going to change how people get care in Guyana,” Dr Anthony said while noting that certain categories of care are unavailableinGuyana.

“Andwewanttochange that, so the new cancer hospitalwouldbeonewhere we would have all the diagnostic facilities, we will also have all the different typesoftreatmentmodalities

forcancer,”hestated.

According to the minister, the Government of Guyana is working with Mount Sinai out of New York to have the cancer hospital developed He sharedthatalreadythereisa blueprint of what the hospitalwouldlooklikeand the services that will be offered.

“Whilewearedoingthat, we also recognize that there is a challenge with persons who are hypertensive. Some of them might get

–HealthMinister

complications that ended up with a stroke and so we are also working to build a national rehab center for stroke patients, ” Dr Anthonysaid.

“Andso,maybenexttwo years or so, you would see that come to fruition. So, when we talk about a world class health care, we're not paying lip service to this, what we are doing is investing.Thegovernmentis investing to make sure that we can develop these types offacilities,”headded.

Revealingotherplansfor thehealthsector,theminister stated that they have been working to retrofit the COVID-19 Hospital which is located at Liliendaal, East CoastDemerara(ECD).

Heexplainedthatthereis asectionofthathospitalthat they are now working to retrofit to make it into the center for a national ambulanceauthority

“From there you can have ambulances being dispatched.You'llhaveafull command centre, and whether it's ambulances on land or in river, and we are working also to be able to callforairplanesthatcango out to do the medevac. We would also have our telemedicine center connected there, because right now we have 81 locations where we are at, and in the next couple of years, that would be increased to 200 interior locations,”hebriefed.

In terms of emergency responses, the minister said that right now they are working on the drone technology, “where if you

need specialized meds, let's saytogotoasitethatwillbe abletoflyittothatsitesothat personscanhaveaccess.We have tested one of the drones, it can fly for 150 kilometers, and that is something that in the near futurewe'llbeputtingtouse. The cargo hold for that particular drone is 22 pounds. So, it can take a lot ofthings,andthisisoneway to go where we are able to upgrade and modernize our health system,” he told attendees at the sod-turning event.

Minister of Health, Dr. FrankAnthony

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday officiallycommissioned the $225 million state-of-the-art Regional Police Division Headquarters for Region Seven, whichislocatedatBartica.

Attending the simple yet significant ceremony was Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Permanent Secretary, Andre Ally; Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations,’ Errol Watts; Commander of Regional Division #7, Dion Moore; and other senior andjuniorofficers.

According to information provided by the ministry, the $225,824,943 facility represents a pivotal milestone in enhancing the operationalcapacityoftheGuyana PoliceForceinRegionSeven.

It was reported that the headquarters consist of a comprehensive suite of specialized offices and functional areas designed to support efficient policing, improve public service delivery, and elevate safety and securityforresidents

“The building includes the TrafficOffice,SpecialConstabulary Office, Certifying Officer’s Office, CommunityPolicingGroupOffice, Human Resources Office, Data Room,LunchRoom,WaitingArea, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Offices, Special Branch Offices, Operational Room, ConferenceRoom,FinanceOffice, Commander’sOfficeandRegistry, Deputy Commander’s Office, as well as the Court Superintendent’s Office and Registry,” the ministry detailed.

Additionally,theministrynoted that each space is purpose-built to

empower the police force with the tools necessary to enhance operational coordination, increase investigative effectiveness, and strengthen

excellence

“This facility embodies a forward-looking investment in modern policing aimed at delivering safer communities, responsive law enforcement,and a justice system strengthened across Region 7 Beyond operational improvements, the headquarters will serve as the strategic hub for law enforcement activities in Region 7, a critical area for Guyana’seconomicdevelopment,

particularly in mining and commerce Byimprovingworking conditions for officers and m o d e r n i z i n g p o l i c i n g infrastructure, the Government ensuresthatsecurityservicesinthe hinterland remain professional, responsive, and communitycentered,”theministryshared.

The ministry reminded that the facility is part of the government’s commitment to enhancing the professionalism, responsiveness, and community orientation of the GuyanaPoliceForce,ensuringthat allcitizensenjoysafety,justice,and security regardless of geographic location.

The $225 million Regional Police Division Headquarters for Region Seven which is located in Bartica.

Minister of HomeAffairs, Robeson Benn alongside Permanent Secretary, AndreAlly unveiling the plaque of the new Police Divisional Headquarters at Bartica.

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OAS Unites Behind Historic ICJ Climate Advisory Opinion

On August 6, the

Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted a landmark declaration by consensus, welcoming the historic advisory opinion of the International Court of Justiceonstates'obligations regardingclimatechange.

Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the OAS, drafted and negotiated the text.Indoingso,hewonthe backing of 23 of the 32 active Member States, including all 14 CARICOM countries Despite the opposition of the United States delegation, the support of an overwhelming majorityoftheOASmember states underscores the deep concern about the effects of Climate Change that permeatesthehemisphere. In a footnote to the

declaration, which was shared before its adoption, theUSdelegationstatedthat “this declaration includes a wide range of statements from the advisory opinion that are inconsistent with U S positions, including with respect to climate changeandhumanrights.”

Ambassador Sanders said, "This divergence of positions does not stop vulnerable states from

welcomingtheICJAdvisory Opinion, which upholds our rights in international law, nor does it stop us from seeking to narrow the differenceswiththeU.S”.

The Declaration heralds the ICJ's Advisory Opinion of 23 July 2025 as “a landmark clarification of internationallaw,”affirming that “greenhouse gas emissionsconstituteashared global challenge Their

adverse effects—including loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, migration, andthreatstofoodandwater security—transcend borders and demand an urgent and cooperative response to facilitateatransitiontowards the progressive reduction of fossil fuels.” Reflecting on

remarked that Antigua and Barbuda was honoured to

lead the hemispheric effort towelcometheICJAdvisory Opinion, describing it as “another vital step on our collective journey to halt greenhouse-gas emissions that imperil small states in particular—and all nations oftheworld.”

Sir Ronald Sanders

LEADING WITH CALIBRATION, TESTING SERVICES AND STANDARDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR

As Guyana builds toward a more modern and resilient future, the International BuildingExpo2025returnsto the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from August 14 to 17, under the theme:“TheRoadtoSuccess: Guyana 2030 and Beyond.” This landmark event brings together key stakeholders in construction, engineering, architecture, and related disciplines to showcase innovations and charts a course towards long-term nationaldevelopment.

Among the agencies leading the charge and participating in the grand event is the Guyana National BureauofStandards(GNBS), which plays a vital role in advancing construction excellence through its precision calibration, reliable testing services, and standardsforimplementation.

Measurement is the silent heroinconstruction.Whether it is weighing construction materials or testing the compressive strength of concrete, accuracy ensures structures are safe, efficient, andbuilttolast.Thatiswhere theGNBScomesin.

As the National Measurement Institute (NMI), the GNBS offers a varietyofcalibrationservices through its Industrial MetrologyandTesting(IMT) Department, in the areas of Mass, Volume, Temperature, Dimension, Electricity, TorqueandPressure.

Calibration ensures that critical measuring instrumentslikemultimeters, torque wrenches, calipers, ovens, measuring tapes and more, deliver consistent and traceable results. These services are especially important for contractors, laboratories, and regulators seeking to reduce costly errors and uphold structural safety Crucially, GNBS calibration standards are traceable to internationally recognised NMIs such as NIST (USA) and PTB (Germany).

In construction, quality concrete is non-negotiable.

The GNBS provides robust testing services for concrete hollow blocks, cubes, and cylinders, verifying properties like compressive strength, moisture content, andabsorption.

For concrete blocks, testing is done in accordance with GYS 215:2018 –Specification for Load Bearing Masonry Concrete Units, applicable to 4", 6", and8"blocks.Manufacturers can pursue certification, while builders and homeowners can use the servicetoverifyblockquality beforeuse.

TheBureaualsoconducts Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) to assess the integrity of existing structures. This serviceusesreboundhammer technology to evaluate compressive strength, up to 8,400PSI,inaccordancewith ASTM C805, ensuring buildings meet safety expectations and helping to address complaints about substandardconstruction.

AstheNationalStandards Body, the GNBS also promotes the adoption of National, Regional, and International Standards that support construction quality and resilience Standards available at the Bureau providetechnicalguidanceon structural safety, flood

g y management, materials testing,andmore.

Whether you are a contractor, manufacturer, regulator, or homeowner, GNBS has a service or standard for you. Visit the GNBS booth at the International Building Expo to learn more about our solutions for the construction sector.

Our team will be ready to answer your questions, offer demonstrations,andhelpyou raise the standard for constructing your next project.

Torequestaserviceorfor more information, contact GNBS at 219-0062-66, WhatsAppusat692-4627,or visitwww.gnbsgy.org.

Towards a better life with your psychologist

Fear of failure…

The fear of failure, also known as atychiphobia, originates from a combination of ingrained beliefs, Low self esteem, past experiences, and societal pressures These factors can lead to a deep-seated belief that failure is inherently negative and should be avoided at allcosts.

Core Beliefs and Self-Esteem: Many individuals link their selfworthtoachievementsandexternal validation. This can create a fear thatfailurewilldiminishtheirvalue intheeyesofothersandthemselves. Negative self-beliefs, such as "I'm notgoodenough,"canbereinforced byexperiencesoffailure,leadingto a cycle of avoidance and further anxiety.

Past Experiences: Being mocked, embarrassed, or punished for mistakes during childhood, can instill a lasting fear of repeating thoseexperiences.

Traumatic Events: Humiliation orpublicfailurecantriggeranxiety and avoidance of situations with uncertainoutcomes.

Societal Pressures: Our society often places a high value on performance and achievement, creating pressure to constantly succeed. Individuals may fear not meeting these high standards and the judgment that might come with perceived failure. Perfectionism: Perfectionismisatraumaresponse, it often set unrealistically high standards for self, to be loved or valued, making failure seem inevitableandhighlyundesirable.

In essence, fear of failure is a complexissuewithdeeprootsinour individual psychology, the environment we inhabit, and personality traits. Understanding these origins is the first step in

developing strategies to manage andovercomeyourfear

Toovercomethefearoffailure, it's important to reframe how you view failure, practice selfcompassion, and build confidence throughsmallsuccesses.Recognize that failure is a normal part of life andanopportunityforlearning,not areflectionofyourworth.

As an adolescent fear of failure will affect your identity and purpose, as an adult it will affect adversely your relationships Individualswiththisfearstruggleto form or maintain h

althy relationshipsduetoconcernsabout not being "good enough" or the potential for rejection and disappointment. This can manifest invariousways.

AvoidanceandDistance:

Fear of failure can lead to avoidance behaviors, where individuals shy away from commitmentoremotionalintimacy to avoid potential hurt or disappointment. They may find it difficult to express their needs and vulnerabilities, leading to emotional distance and a lack of connection.

Overcompensation andPeople-Pleasing:

To avoid the perception of failure, some individuals may excessively try to please their partner,sacrificingtheirownneeds and desires This can create an imbalance in the relationship and leadtoresentmentorburnout.

Performance-DrivenBehavior:

Some individuals with a fear of failure may equate love and acceptance with performance, feelingtheneedtoconstantlyprove theirworthtotheirpartner Thiscan create pressure on the relationship

andmakeitfeeltransactionalrather thanbasedongenuineconnection.

DifficultywithConflict:

Fearoffailurecanmakeconflict resolution challenging, as individuals may avoid difficult conversations or try to suppress their own feelings to maintain a sense of peace. This can lead to unresolved issues and resentment, ultimately damaging the relationship.

Sabotage and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies:

Insomecases,thefearoffailure can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors, where individuals unconsciously undermine their relationshipstoavoidthepossibility of future pain. This can involve creating drama, picking fights, or pushingtheirpartneraway.

ImpactonSelf-Esteem andMentalHealth:

The fear of failure can negatively impact self-esteem and lead to feelings of anxiety, shame, and depression. These emotional challenges can further strain relationshipsandmakeitdifficultto navigate relationship problems effectively

SeekingValidation andApproval:

Individualswithafearoffailure may constantly seek validation and approvalfromtheirpartner,leading toanunhealthydependenceontheir relationshipforself-worth.Thiscan create a sense of pressure on the partner and make the relationship feellesssecure.

Difficulty Accepting Imperfection:

The fear of failure can make it difficult for individuals to accept that relationships are not always perfect and that conflicts are a

normal part of any relationship. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment whenthingsinevitablygowrong.

Overcoming the fear of failure in re

s recognizingthefear,understanding its root causes, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. This may involve seeking psychological s

compassion, and shifting from a focusonoutcomestoafocusonthe present moment and the quality of therelationship.

ReframeYourThinking:

Changeyourmindset:Insteadof seeing failure as a negative outcome, view it as a learning experience and a stepping stone to success.

Identify and challenge negative thoughts: Pay attention to your internaldialoguethatfuelsyourfear and replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations and realistic perspectives.

Visualize success: Spend time imagining yourself succeeding in your endeavours, which can boost yourconfidenceandreduceanxiety

PracticeSelf-Compassion:

Bekindtoyourself:Understand that everyone makes mistakes and that your failure doesn't diminish yourvalueasaperson.

Forgive yourself: Learn from your mistakes but don't dwell on them.Moveforwardwithapositive attitude and a willingness to try again. Self forgiveness is key in buildingresiliency

BuildConfidence:

Set achievable goals: Break down your large tasks into smaller, manageable steps to make the process less daunting and build momentumwitheachsuccess.

C elebr a t e small victor

i e s : Ackn owle d g e a n d appre

ciate your progress, no matter how small, to reinforce positive selfbelief and motivation. Start small build resourcefulness and capacity toexpand.

Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your fears. Sharing your experience can help you gain perspective and developcopingstrategies.

Exposuretherapy:Ifyourfearis severe, seeking a psychologist Exposure therapy, is you gradually confront your fears in a safe environment created by a psychologist.

FocusontheProcess:

Focus on effort over outcome: Insteadoffixatingontheendresult, concentrate on the effort you're putting in. This will reduce the pressure and anxiety associated withpotentialfailure.

Learn from setbacks: View failures as opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve. Analyse what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and apply those lessonstofutureendeavours.

Byconsistentlypracticingthese strategies,youcangraduallyreduce yourfearoffailureanddevelopthe resilienceandconfidencetopursue your goals with greater ease and success

By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

Politicianssigningdeals withcountry'sresources tomeetyearlydebt payments–GlennLall

Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, has launched a scathing attack

on Guyana's political leadership, accusing the country'sthreemainpolitical parties the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), A Partnership of NationalUnity(APNU),and the Alliance for Change (AFC) of surrendering Guyana's national wealth in desperation to service ballooningnationaldebts.

Lall said that instead of negotiatingfairdealsforthe country's resources, the political leadership has reduced itself to acting like beggars, signing away oil and gold in exchange for enough money to meet annualdebtobligations.

“Imagine giving away billions of US dollars in blessings just to service loanstheyputonourbacks,” hestated.

Lalllikenedthecountry's economic situation to a man whotooka$3millionloanto start a family and then kept borrowingeveryyearjustto survive. “Forty years later, you drowning in $7 million debt,” he said. “Still paying the bank, still hustling to survive.”

Hesaidthatjustlikethat strugglingman,Guyanawas suddenly blessed with a miracle—vastquantitiesof oil, gold, and other natural resources But instead of using those resources to escapepovertyanddebt,the government has invited foreigncompaniestoextract the wealth, walk away with mostoftheprofits,andleave the people behind still begging.

“Any sane man would use that blessing to pay off the debt, build a future, and finallybreathefreeair,”Lall contended. “But not us. We invite the rich neighbors to dig up our land, carry away the riches, and walk off without paying proper royaltiesortaxes.”

According to Lall, Guyana is sitting on hundreds of billions of US dollars in resources, yet continues to borrow heavily with the national debt reportedlyrisingfromUS$3 billionin2020tooverUS$7 billionin2025.Henotedthat

Businessman and Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall

despite the country producingoilwithanexport valueofUS$18.6billionlast year, and earning an estimated US$2.5 B in oil revenues, basic public services remain inadequate.

“We can't get clean water We can't get stable electricity The hospitals can'tevenstockPanadol,”he said.

The businessman said thisdiresituationcouldonly be described as betrayal and economic treason. He said Guyanese leaders are giving away oil blocks and gold fields to countries and corporationsfromtheUnited States, China, India, Brazil, Qatar, and others, while ordinary Guyanese line up for old-age pensions and scrape to buy basic necessities.

“This is not leadership.

This is madness, ” he charged.

He questioned how leaders could claim to be representing the country's interests while signing deals that allow foreign entities to extract resources with minimal returns to Guyana.

He described these companies not as investors but as “looters in suits,” “colonizers in ties,” and “thieveswithcontracts.”

According to Lall, successive governments have handed over the country'swealthnottobuild national development, but simply to gather enough revenuetopayoffmounting loans. “We are a resourcerich country trapped in a poverty loop, managed by debt junkies who give away treasuretocoverinterest,”he declared.

He said the situation must no longer be tolerated and called for a national awakening, urging that Guyanese demand a

commence oil production at the Yellowtail development increasing daily production to900,000bpd.

Woods noted that by 2030, the company anticipates having a total production capacity of 1.7 million barrels of oil equivalent per day across eight sanctioned projects in theStabroekBlock.

12.5%.

minimum of 25% royalty from oil and mineral

extraction “This must be carved into the ballot like a national promise,” he said, callingfordecisiveactionto reclaim control over the nation'swealth.

“September 1st must be the day we flip the script,” Lall declared. “The day we stop living like tenants and start acting like landlords in ourowncountry.”

He concluded by calling onGuyanesetowakeupand stop giving away their blessings while their families continue to suffer.

“Unless we come to our senses,” Lall warned, “we will remain beggars sitting onathroneofgold.”

StabroekBlockwillgo downasasuccessful deepwateroil developmentin history–ExxonCEO

ExxonMobil's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Darren Woods on Friday described Guyana as one of the oil giant's most strategically important assets and predicted that the country's Stabroek Block will go down as one of the most successful deepwater developmentseverrecorded.

Speaking during the company's second quarter earnings call, Woods highlighted that Exxon recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first oil discovery in Guyana and oil production commenced in December 2019. Currently, three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSOs) the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity are producing a combined total of about 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). Next week a fourth FPSO – One Guyana – is expected to

In addition to the Yellowtail project, Exxon has two other sanctioned projects under its belt: Uaru and Whiptail It has also submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its seventh project, Hammerhead, with production targeted for 2029 Additionally, the company has filed an application for an eighth development,Longtail.

“The success of these projects has established Guyanaastheworld'sfastest growing economy, it's also one of the reasons I believe the Guyana development will prove to be one of the most successful deepwater developments of all time,” hesaid.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is the operator of the Stabroek Block which spans 6.6 million acres. The block is estimatedtohold11.6billion barrelsofoil.

Exxon holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd (now Chevron) holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest. The agreement governing the Stabroek Block extends favorable terms to the oil companies According to the agreement, Stabroek Block partners can recover 75%ofoilproducedtocover investment costs The

remaining25%isconsidered profit and is split equally between Guyana and the consortium, giving each

However,theconsortium pays a 2% royalty from its share to Guyana From Guyana's 14.5% total take, thegovernmentmustpaythe oil companies' taxes The deal stipulates that the sum equivalenttothetaxesowed by the companies must be paid by the Minister responsible for petroleum to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA).

Moreover, Woods also

addressed the recent arbitration ruling which allowed Chevron's US$53 billionacquisitionofHessto conclude, giving Chevron accesstotheStabroekBlock through Hess' 30% stake in thatblock.

Headmittedtheoutcome was unexpected and noted, “I admit the ruling was a surprise we were highly confidentinourpositionand sowasCNOOC,thisdispute was about protecting our contractual rights… Having co-written the contract with Shell we understood its intent and believe the contractual language conveyed it, unfortunately the tribunal interpreted differently.”

Woods stressed the importance of contract sanctityinfosteringinvestor confidence and reiterated that the tribunal's decision d o e s n o t c h a n g e ExxonMobil's plans for Guyana.

He added, “What disappointed we respect the processandtheruling,aswe move forward, I hope our investorstakecomfortinthe length we will go too to protecting the value our employees create for the c o m p a n y a n d o u r shareholders.Withrespectto the continuing development of Guyana the arbitration decisionchangesnothingfor usandwewelcomeChevron totheStabroekBlock.”

MONDAY

'Govt.mustcomeclean onGPLcontract' …MahipaulsaysPrime Ministerhadtold Parliamentcontractwas awardedtoMethod4 company,butcabinet clearedcontractforIEG

Government is coming under further scrutiny over t h e c o n t r o v e r s i a l consultancy contract which Cabinet gave its noobjectiontoforaDominican

Republic company to supervise infrastructure

upgrades to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) transmission lines for the WalesGastoEnergyPlant.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday last defendedthemonthlycostof US$650,000 being charged by a Dominican Republic Company -Inter Energy Group (IEG) to provide managementsupervisionfor GPL Inc., although he said thatnodealhasbeenreached as yet with the company However,formerMemberof Parliament, Ganesh M

me Minister Mark Phillips had told the National Assembly ofanothercompanythatwas grantedthecontract.Assuch Mahipaul is calling on the administrationtocomeclean on the matter, saying this issue has exposed the government's contradictions andcorruption.Accordingto bidding documents seen by this newspaper, IEG did not feature as one of several companies that had responded to a GPL tender fortheworks.

Kaieteur News reported last week that government approved the sole-sourced contractforUS$650,000per month to IEG. Cabinet gave its no-objections to the contract at its meeting on July 7, 2025, according to documents seen by this newspaper Accordingtothe Cabinet paper titled:' Contractfortheprovisionof consultancy services Guyana Power and Light Inc ' cabinet reviewed a memorandum presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and granted its noobjection.

Jagdeolastweeksaidthe US$650,000figureisasmall amount. He explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the company since early last year and it was for the supervision of infrastructure the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) needs. “You want when you build something, a tower, likethosetowersyouwantto

(Continuedonpage25)

ExxonMobil’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Darren Woods

APNU Vice Presidential Candidate, Ganesh

Frompage24 build them to international standards. You can't get the GPL staff to supervise it. They don't have time, they werebusytryingtokeepthe power on and fixing the old system, you know, some of the transformers that are going out. So, you have to get a firm to supervise and often a firm to supervise project they come between 5%ofthecontractpriceto5 – 8% of the contract price,” theVPexplained.

The company is well known and has great technical abilities and looking at this supervision cost compared to the scope ofthecivilworkcontractitis small.“…itwasnotsecretly done, you can't secretly hire somebody as Mahipaul has been pushing. Mahipaul has been trying hard to talk they are trying to resurrect this whole thing about corruption. Imagine that coming from Mahipaul,” he stressed.

Jagdeo then went on to clarifythatnoagreementhas been signed as negotiations are still ongoing He disclosed that, “There is a proposalthatwenttocabinet thatspokeofthisbutwenow need to see that they're actually delivering on what is in the proposal. When a company makes an offer, you get you look at it, compare it with others, but thenyouhavetodiscussand concretise in clear legal language what this is, and that negotiation is still ongoing, and I'm not even sure it will be concluded before the elections.” The VP assured the media that when the agreement is signeditwillbemadepublic but if negations break down then they will have to return to the drawing table, however it is the hope that thisdoesnotoccur

Govt.opento finalmeetingwith CGX-Fronteraon Corentyneblock …butmaintainsjoint venturelicenceexpired

The Government of Guyana has reaffirmed its position that the joint venture (JV) between CGX Energy Inc. and Frontera Energy Corporation no longer holds rights to the Corentyne Block located offshore Guyana. However, it noted that it is open to a final discussion on a “withoutprejudice”basis.

The JV has maintained

that its interest in the Corentyne Block remains valid, even after receiving a formal communication from the government stating that the Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) and Petroleum Agreement had ended.

On March 26, CGX and Frontera sent a notice of intent to the government, alleging breaches of the United Kingdom–Guyana Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the Guyana Investment Act As previously reported, this notice initiated a three-

ns and negotiations between the partiesinanefforttoresolve thedisputeamicably

InastatementonFriday, FronteraandCGXdisclosed thatthegovernment,through its legal counsel, responded on July 23 In that communication, the government rejected the oil companies'claimsregarding the Corentyne Block and reaffirmed its position that the JV's interest had expired onJune28,2024.

However,theJVsaidthe government also stated that it “may consider a final meeting with the Investors, onawithoutprejudicebasis, in October 2025, and the Joint Venture would be informedastowhethersuch a meeting will occur in September2025.”

For their part, Frontera and CGX remain firmly of the view that its interests in,

and the licence for, the Corentyne Block remain in place and in good standing and that the Petroleum Agreement has not been terminated.

Moreover, even though thethree-monthconsultation period has now expired, the JVsaiditcontinuestoinvite the government to amicably resolve the issues, which it said, are “affecting the Joint Venture's investments in the Corentyne Block.” Notably, the JV warned, “Should the parties not reach a mutually agreeable solution, the Joint Venture and its stakeholders are prepared to assert their legalrights.”

After more than two decades of exploration, the JV finally struck oil at the Kawa-1 well in January 2022.

JustaheadoftheJune28, 2024deadlinefortheblock's appraisalprogramme,theJV submitted a Notice of Potential Commercial Interest to government for the Wei-1 well, on June 26. The government later said stringent conditions would need to be met to retain the block. In March 2025, the government issued a 30-day notice and gave the oil companiesachancetomake r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s Government was open to good-faith negotiations within the specified timeframe.

However, government eventually cut ties with the JV in relation to the Corentyne Block and said

statement the two justices took the Oath of Office beforePresidentIrfaanAliat theOfficeofthePresident.

In brief remarks,

President Ali stated that the appointments were made in the interest of maintaining continuity and ensuring the efficient functioning of the Judiciary in the Offices of Chancellor and Chief Justice. The President also said the temporary filling of the Chancellor's post in the

Cummings-Edwards, “reflectstheadministration's commitment to justice, fairness and the rule of law, which are essential to the country's democratic framework.”

“The constitution provideshowtheChancellor and Chief Justice are appointed,andIamsurethat theleaderoftheoppositionis aware of their appointment, andasIsaid,wecontinueto examine the issue. We are ensuring that the judiciary itself is well equipped not only with the infrastructure itself, but with the appointmentofthesejudges; they will be filling the different slots,” the head-ofstatesaid.

F o r m e r a c t i n g

thatitisoftheviewthatthere arenoreasonablegroundsto grant an extension to CGX and Frontera for their exploration and appraisal obligations.

TUESDAY

RoxaneGeorgesworn intoactasChancellor …NavindraSinghto actaschiefjustice

JusticeRoxanneGeorgeWiltshire was on Monday sworn-in to act as the Chancellor of the Judiciary as the current holder of the office, Justice Yonette Cummings- Edwards proceeds on annualised leave.

Justice of Appeal Navindra Singh was also sworn-in to perform the duties of the Chief Justice, left vacant with George's elevation. According to a

Despitethismovethetop two spots in Guyana's judiciary have substantively remained vacant, due to the requirement in the constitution that both the LeaderoftheOppositionand the President must agree on the persons before they can beappointed.Althoughthere havebeennumerouscallsby a number of political parties and organisations to substantively appoint the acting persons to the posts, the spots have remained substantivelyvacantforover 20 years, with attempts to breakthe'deadlock'goingto noavail.

In May of this year President Ali said that he is still examining the issue of appointing the substantive holders to the Office of ChancellorandChiefJustice (CJ) This publication reported on May 22 that while acknowledging the importance of top judicial posts to Guyana's legal framework, in a brief comment to the members of the press, President Ali said his government is more focused on filling the vacancies that exist within thejudiciary

Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice of the Court of Appeal, Carl Singh, retired in 2017 after serving 12 years Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards has been acting since then Similarly,JusticeIanChung, who served as acting Chief Justice from 2010 to 2016, was never confirmed.Given t h e d e l a y i n t h e appointme

President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Adrian Saunders, had publicly called for the confirmation of a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice, signalling the broader regional concern overthematter

In Guyana, several independent voices and political figures have called for the substantive appointments of the two judges Earlier this year, president of the Guyana Bar Association, Kamal Ramkarran,madethecallfor the immediate appointment of Yonette CummingsEdwards and Roxane George-Wiltshire as the substantive Chancellor and ChiefJusticeofthejudiciary, respectively

Teachercollapses,dies whilespeakingatPPP meetinginBartica

The Headteacher of Three Miles Secondary School, Bartica collapsed and died Monday night while addressing a Peoples Progressive Party Civic elections campaign meeting inthetown. There has been an outpouring of grief at the newsofWilliams'death.His party in a statement said: “It is with deep sadness and profound shock that the People's Progressive Party Civic mourns the sudden passing of Daniel Williams, head teacher of Three Mile SecondarySchoolinBartica andacandidateofthePPP/C

(Continuedonpage26)

The platform located on the Corentyne Block

President IrfaanAli flanked by new Chancellor (ag) Roxanne George-Wiltshire and Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh

Frompage25 fortheupcomingelections.”

The PPP said Williams collapsedwhileaddressinga public meeting in Agatash, Region 7, and was later pronounceddeadbymedical authorities. “Daniel was an educator and community leader whose unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those around him will be remembered by all who had the honour of knowinghim.Weextendour deepest condolences to his family, friends, students, colleagues,andtheresidents of Region 7. Our party has lostavaluablecomrade,and our nation has lost a true servant. May his soul rest in eternalpeace.”

Campaign Manager of the WIN Party, Odessa, herselfaBarticanreactedon herFacebookpage:“DamnI just heard sir Daniel fell downataPPPrallyanddied. Itisindeedsad.Myheartfelt condolences to his wife, children and family Politics asidesirDanielwasafriend and an educator for many years. We appreciate your servicesir.”

Another Bartican, JurethaFernandeswhoisthe prime ministerial candidate for the APNU said the passing of Sir Daniel Williams leaves a profound void, not just in the political landscape of Bartica, but in the hearts of all who knew him, whether as a leader, an opponent, or a friend. “My own political journey was shaped in Bartica, and Sir Danielwasoneofthefigures who made that experience meaningful Though he entered politics later in life, hegaveithisall.

I always saw him as a worthy political opponent, one who engaged without venom, with quiet determination rather than aggression.”

Fernandes said even when “we disagreed, there was mutual respect. I never passed him without acknowledging him, and though I spoke candidly about our political differences, I always acknowledged his humility and his genuine love for Bartica. In a world where politicscanoftenturn bitter, SirDanielstoodoutasoneof the more reserved, even timid,figures,yethisimpact was undeniable,” Fernandes said. “His absence will be deeplyfelt,buthislegacy,of perseverance, kindness, and commitment,willendure.To his family and loved ones, I

extend my deepest condolences. May you find strength in the memories of his integrity and the knowledge that he made a difference in the lives of so many Restwell,SirDaniel.”

In a statement on his Facebook page, Regional Chairman of Region Seven, Kenneth Williams said he was officially “informed by our medical team that Sir Daniel Williams, our Head Master of Three Miles Secondary School has passed Whatever the political rivalry, this is a shocking development and our hearts go out to his immediate family ” Williams added that Daniel has always been, “in my estimation an amiable and pleasant individual The RDC extends heartfelt sympathytohisentirefamily circle, political comrades, Education Department, senior staff and teachers of ThereMilesSecondary.”

For its part, theAlliance For Change (AFC) said Mr. Williams was a dedicated educator, a respected leader, and a man committed to the service of his community and country “His contribution to the development of young minds and the advancement of education will not be forgotten Regardless of political differences, Mr Williams'passingisalossto us all. His life exemplified service, and his impact will continue to be felt by those hetaught,mentored,andled. OnbehalfoftheAlliance For Change, we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, andthestudentswhoselives he touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with the communityofBarticaduring thistimeofmourning.Aswe navigatethiselectionseason, let us be reminded that compassion and respect must always transcend political boundaries. No life should be taken for granted. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

WEDNESDAY

Boy,9,killedin Corentyneaccident …driverarrested

A9-year-old boy was on Tuesdaykilledinanaccident along the Corentyne, Berbice road. The child has been identified as Sahil Naipaul, a student of Crabwood Creek Primary School.

Naipaul reportedly resided with his family at Grant 1802 Crabwood Creek,Corentyne,Berbice. Reports are that the lad was hit by a car at around 12:45h. Details surrounding the accident are unclear,

however Kaieteur News understandsthatthedriverof thecarisa21-year-oldmale from Grant 1803 Crabwood Creek,Corentyne,Berbice.

Up to press time, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had not issued a press statement on the accident. However,reportsarethatthe driver of the car, bearing registration number PAK 6598,isinpolicecustody.

Nobanoncellphones inpollingbooth …butGECOMwarns againstdisclosingwho youvotedfor

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has taken a decision not to have voterslodgetheirphonesasa measure to ensure they are not used to photograph their ballots.

Opposition appointed commissioner Vincent Alexander revealed that GECOM made the decision bywayofamajorityvoteon Tuesday He said that the government-appointed commissioners were supported by chairperson retired Justice Claudette Singhontheissue.

This is despite the opposition commissioners objecting to voters being

allowedwiththeirphonesin t h e b o o t h s T h e commissioner said he believes that not allowing the phones into the polling stations is a way of securing thesecrecyoftheballots.

Alexanderexplainedthat “Thereisarumorthatpeople are being paid to vote for specific parties so what happenswhentheyenterthe polling booths, they take a picture to show to the party as proof of how they voted…There was also an instance a few years back of persons voting and taking a picture of the ballot and postingitassoonastheyleft thepollingstation.Theseare the things we are trying avoid.”

“However, when this point was raised, the commissioners opposed it and made a point of not allowingthephonesintothe polling stations being troublesome since the staff would have to be trained to secure people's phones, and itwouldmeanextraworkfor them and so on,” he said noting that the commission has however agreed that the taking of pictures inside the votingboothisprohibited.

On Monday, GECOM issued a reminder to all voters,particularlyfirst-time voters, about key election laws,includingtheillegality of vote-buying and obstructing the secrecy of a person'svote.

GECOM emphasised that all stakeholders and votershavealegalandcivic duty to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner.

“In this regard, the

reminded that is a criminal offense for any person to directly or indirectly offer money, gifts, or loans to a voter in exchange for their vote. Secondly, it is also illegal for any person, including the voter himself, to communicate at any time to any person, any information about the politicalpartyforwhichany voterhasvotedonhisbehalf, or as a proxy on behalf of anothervoter

Additionally, GECOM noted that it is a violation of the law for anyone to pressureorinfluenceavoter to show their marked ballot, thereby revealing the party theyvotedfor,eitherontheir ownbehalforasaproxy

The commission warned that anyone found guilty of committing these offenses mayfaceafineanduptosix months' imprisonment upon summary conviction Furthermore, convicted individuals may also be d i s q u a l i f i e d f r o m participating in future elections.

In a release Tuesday, the APNU coalition called on GECOMtoensurethepublic isinformedthatphotographs and the use of cameras are prohibited in the polling place.

“We hereby also advise GECOM and the Guyana Police Force to set up hot lines where persons can anonymously report these and other incidents of electoral fraud. The other contesting political parties, which are interested in free and credible elections, should have no difficulty in publiclyendorsingtheseand other measures to maintain

commission takes the opportunity to strongly emphasise the need for voters and other concerned stakeholders to be informed of the following provisions as enacted in the RepresentationofthePeople Act Cap: 1: 03:” the commissionstated.

The commission

–U.S.Ambassador saysaftercriticismsby Guyaneseovercomments onMohamedcandidacy

Amid a backlash from Guyanese over her comments on the candidacy of Businessman, Azruddin Mohamed,U.S.Ambassador on Wednesday said the United States has “absolutely no interest in interfering” in this country's elections.

Speakingonthesidelines of an event at the Umana Yana in Georgetown, AmbassadorTheriotsaidshe was “a little upset” by the characterisation that her commentswereviewedasan attempt to influence the election outcome She highlighted that the U.S. is onlyprovidingsupportinthe area of election security

Ambassador Theriot stated, “We have absolutely no interestininterferinginyour elections…Ihavenointerest or intention of interfering in the government of Guyana's election. This is a sovereign country. You run your elections as you see fit… how you run your elections areentirelyuptoyou.”

M o h a m e d w a s sanctioned by the U S Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in 2024. He is the presidential candidate for the We Invest inNationhood(WIN)aparty launchedinJune2025andis among the six political parties contesting the September 1 General and RegionalElections.

the secrecy of the ballot. They should raise their voices now Not only is the country's democracy at stake,butitsverysoul.”

THURSDAY

“Wehaveabsolutelyno interestininterfering inyourelections”

OnJune23,Ambassador Theriot disclosed that the U.S. was very concerned about the possibility of Mohamed entering government and how that would affect the dynamics between the U S and Guyana. She contended that Mohamed being in government is problematic inmultiplewaysand

(Continuedonpage32)

Deceased, Daniel Williams

Killed in an accident, Sahil Naipaul

GECOM Headquarters in Kingston

United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot

If we allow foreign companies to build, train,andcontrolthe AI systems that will run our farms, schools, hospitals, and government, we are effectivelyhandingthemthe keys to our future. Once our national data crosses our borders, we may never regaincontrolofit.

That said, foreign partnerships can still be valuable,butonlywhenthey aregovernedbystrongrules that protect our sovereignty and ensure the benefits flow toourpeople.Inthiscolumn, I will make a distinction between'smallAI',relatively inexpensive, locally trained AI models that can run on low-cost devices and 'big AI', multi-billion dollar systems controlled by m a s s i v e f o r e i g n corporations.

Artificial intelligence is notadistantfuture,itishere, shaping economies, rewriting business models, and influencing public life. Inthedevelopedworld,AIis already a productivity engine,quietlytransforming industries from finance to agriculture.

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

IntheageofArtificialIntelligence(AI),

dataisthenew oil;isGuyanaonthevergeofgivingitaway?

will pay the price in lower yields, higher costs, and squandered water and fertilizerresources.

The promise of AI is undeniable Properly deployed,itcanhelpaddress the very real, very human challengesthatdominatelife in developing countries; managing water scarcity, improving crop yields, predicting infrastructure failures before they become disasters.

For example, with the Internet of Things (IoT), low-cost sensors can now track soil moisture, water flow,andelectricityusagein real time, triggering automated decisions for farmsthatpreventwasteand protect livelihoods. Combinethatwith'smallAI' models, and a farmer in the Rupununi could diagnose a crop disease with a single photo and receive instant, localized treatment advice. Thisisthepowerofmerging IoT'sconstantvigilancewith AI's analytical speed, turningrawdataintomoneysavingaction.

These technologies are now survival tools, not just toys for wealthy nations. Countries that ignore them

But for developing nations like Guyana, the AI story will be written under very different conditions, and unless we act deliberately, we may find ourselves on the wrong side ofagrowingglobaldivide.

One hard truth that we cannot ignore is that today, Guyana lacks the AI talent, STEM pipeline, and data infrastructure to fully develop and control these toolsourselves.

This gap is not simply about funding; it is about humancapital.

Very few of our citizens are trained in coding, adv

a science, or AI model development Political d

development priorities furtherweakenourabilityto sustainlong-terminnovation as the playing field is not levelforinnovatorswhocan contribute significantly to the technological growth of Guyana.

These obstacles will directly determine whether AI in Guyana is built by us, forus,orbuiltelsewhereand rentedbacktous.

And here lies one of the greatestrisks.Intheabsence of strong local capacity, the default path will be to allow foreign companies to m a n a g e o u r A I

infrastructure. That means our national data; our citizens' health records, financial transactions, educational performance, and agricultural patterns, will be stored, processed, and monetized abroad or outside of our control or even understanding, if we arenotcareful.

The national security implications are enormous.

Once our data leaves our jurisdiction, we surrender control over how it is used, who profits from it, and whether it can be turned againstus.

This is a complex and urgent issue, and one that deserves a full examination, which I will address in a subsequent column.

And yet despite these risks, somearguethat“bigAI”will leapfrog our nation's developmentintomodernity, much like mobile phones did.Butthisisnotthesame, AI is not a plug-and-play device, it is a 'living' system that learns from data. If the

learning happens outside Guyana,theintelligence,the jobs, and the value creation willremainoutsideGuyana.

In the early years, 'big AI' will likely widen the gap between developed and developing countries, but only locally built, locally trained models can ensure that our AI solutions reflect our culture, our needs, and ourprioritiesandengageour brightest young minds with wellpaidjobsinwhat;inthe global north, is a rapidly growin

industry

The path forward demands urgent investment inthreeareas.

First, we must build a strong AI talent pipeline of AI innovators, beginning in our schools, expanding through vocational training, and advancing into university-level research

Second, we need to strengthen national data governance to protect privacy,requirelocalstorage and processing, and ensure

models are developed with localexpertise.Wemustalso enablesecuredatasharingto drive innovation in key development sectors and third,wemustforgepolitical consensus to treat AI as a long-term national priority, shielded from election cycles,partisandisputes,and shiftingpoliticalwinds.

Guyana's oil economy givesusaonce-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fund this transformation. But money alone will not solve the problem.

Withoutskilledpeopleto design, deploy, and govern AI systems, we will remain dependent on foreign expertise and foreign infrastructure. In a world whereintelligenceisthenew currency, that is a recipe for permanentdependency

The choice before us is clear, become creators ofAI that serves Guyana, or consumers of AI that serve others.

Thetechnologyisready Thequestionis,arewe?

Frompage26 explained that if someone sanctionedbyOFACwereto become part of the administration, it would restrict or change how the U.S. government interacts with that government. She said too that the situation would likely raise concern among U.S. private sector entities already operating in Guyana or planning to invest.

I n r e s p o n s e , international lawyer

MelindaJankihadnotedthat Mohamed has satisfied the conditions of running for public office in Guyana and that Guyanese voters are entitled to vote for him if they wish Janki had described the ambassador's earlierremarksasa“clumsy attempt” to influence the election's outcome N e v e r t h e l e s s , o n Wednesday, Ambassador Theriot said she stands by her comments and made it clear that what she said was factual. “I was asked what being OFAC sanctioned meant in terms of the U.S. government being able to workwithanindividual,and I simply gave the facts, that have occurred in other countries where OFAC sanctioned individuals have been a member of the government, and how the U S government had to adjust, how we worked with that government,” she explained.

Sanctionspertain “solely”towhat happensintheUS …USambassadorsays playednoroleinactions oflocalbanks

Though several local bankshaveseveredtieswith candidates of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, which is led by sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed,theUnitedStates Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has made it clear that the local banks decisions were taken independently, without any involvementfromtheU.S. Overthepastfewweeks, accounts belonging to WIN candidates were closed at three commercial banks: firstDemeraraBankLimited (DBL), followed by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), and then Citizens Bank Even the New Building Society (NBS) has cut ties with the candidates over their association wit

sanctionedindividual.

Last year, the U S Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed, citing allegationsofdefraudingthe Guyanese government of US$50 million in taxes through gold smuggling, as well as bribing public officials. The local banks had cited the sanction as reason the decision was made to ensure the banks comply with international financial sector rules governing relations with sanctionedindividuals.

However, speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Ambassador Theriot stressed there is “absolutely no association” between the OFAC sanctions and the decisions made by local financial institutions The ambassador explained that OFACsanctionsaretargeted specifically at the U.S. and apply “solely” to what happensthere.

AmbassadorTheriotalso notedthatlocalbanksdidnot engage with the U S Embassy before making their decisions “The decision by the banks was entirely independent We werenotconsulted,wewere not asked We have no opiniononthematter Banks here make their own decisions,”shesaid. Notably, she added that she was unsure whether there had been any correspondence between the local banks and their U.S. bankingpartners.OnAugust 1,WINcalledforcitizensto boycott two commercial banks for cancelling the accountsoftheircandidates. Thepartysaidthatthebanks and their associated businessesarebeingusedby the government to destabilise and demoralise thetwo-month-oldparty Meanwhile, the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc. (GABI) in a statement on Saturday reminded that all

licensed commercial banks in Guyana operate within a framework of national laws and international standards. “Banks are guided by strict regulatory obligations, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Te r r o r i s m ( C F T ) requirements, as well as global risk management practices. These standards are critical to preserving financial system integrity, protecting depositors, and ensuringcontinuedaccessto international financial markets,”GABIexplained.

FRIDAY

Exxon'sdrillrig contractorhailsSouth Americaaskeyto thecompany …Dayrateforvessels workinginGuyana betweenUS$400,000 toUS$450,000

been shaped by continuing strength in South America, contrasted with softness in West Africa However, visibility for a potential rebound in West Africa is promising and hopefully drawingnear.”

InSouthAmerica,UDW contracteddemandcurrently stands at 43 units: 35 in Brazil, five in Guyana, two in Suriname, and one in Colombia. “This is a highly important region for Noble aswehavetworigsworking inBrazilandsevenoutofthe eight rigs contracted across Guyana, Suriname and Colombia Visibility throughout the region r e m a i n s h i g h l y encouraging,”hesaid.

Eifler further noted that Noble is monitoring potentialfloaterprogramsin Suriname, Trinidad, Colombia, Uruguay, and the Falklands, although the probability and timing vary “So overall, the deepwater

market in South America continues to show extraordinary depth and breadth of demand, which should keep the region in growth mode. U.S. Gulf has softened recently with 21 contracted UDW rigs today, downfrom22to24rigslast year,”headded.

The company's earnings also confirmed that the four drillships contracted by ExxonMobil Guyana Limitedforoperationsinthe Stabroek Block are commanding market-based day rates in the low-to-high US$400,000s.Theseinclude the Noble Tom Madden, NobleSamCroft,NobleDon Taylor, and Noble Bob Douglas.

Market-based day rates are reset twice per year (March 1, and September 1) to the projected market rate atthattime.Eiflerexplained that the rate is put in place threetofivemonthsbeforeit goes in effect. It should be

American offshore drilling company Noble Corporation has praised South America as a key regionforitsoperations.

During Noble's secondquarter earnings call on Tuesday, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robert Eifler noted thatglobaldemandforultradeepwater (UDW) rigs remains stable, with 97 contractedunits,roughlyflat comparedtorecentquarters. However, he acknowledged short-term market slack that has continued to pressure day rates. He said rates are now generally in the low to mid-400s (US$400,000 to US$450,000) per day for Tieronedrillships.

Eifler highlighted, “Geographically, the recent deepwaterdemandtrendhas

noted that for every day that thedrillshipswork,Guyana willhavetofootthebill.

Outrageover Govt'smovetobuild structuresonGround …CityHallinstructs halttoworks Georgetown Mayor AlfredMentoreonThursday instructed city engineers to stop the construction of two pavilions and a washroom facility on Parade Ground, near the 1823 Demerara RevoltMemorialsite.

The structures were being constructed under the instructionoftheMinistryof Culture, Youth and Sport. Mentore, in the company of former prime minister and mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green, Deputy Mayor Denise Miller, City Councilor Lelon Saul and membersoftheCoalitionfor the 1823 Monuments told reporters that the constructionmustbehalted. He disclosed that he contacted the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson via WhatsApponthematterbut is yet to receive a response. “This kind of a scenario is not welcomed by the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown.Onlylastweek orthereaboutatourstatutory m e e t i n g w e m a d e representation about this matter,”themayorsaid.The mayor said that Guyanese are fed up with “this aggression, people fed up withtheinterferenceandthe micromanagement of this government…”

Healsomadeitclearthat theconstructionwillnot

(Continuedonpage33)

The structure that was being built by the Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sports

United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot

One of Noble rigs working offshore Guyana

Frompage32

continueandsaidtheministry should not have built the facilitieswithouttheapproval oftheCityCouncil

“We are here today to stake our claim, to speak about this issue, to speak aboutthisabuseandtoletitbe knownthatwearenothappy with this,” Mentore told reporters

Mayor Mentore said that the construction should have been done with consultation

and some form of collaboration “So we will have to take a stand and the only other thing if they don't actonthisImightbetempted to drive one of the Council's excavators in this place and knock down this thing I mightbetemptedtodothat,” he said Similarly, Deputy MayorMillersaidtheMayor and City Council was not made aware of the plan to construct the facilities “Councilor Saul and myself came here day before yesterday (Tuesday) and we sawthepostgoingupandwe enquired again but as you can see we are dealing with an administration who doesn't have any regards for anybody,” Miller told reporters.

The Deputy Mayor said, “ifagovernmentdon'tbelieve in inclusiveness and consultation, it therefore means a government of disrespect”Millermentioned that the ground is a sacred groundthatisusedbyAfrican groups for worship and to communicate with their ancestors She said, “if something like that monstrositystandingupthere and that concrete there,” the sacred privileges will not be granted

“It is not that we don't wantdevelopmentbutyoudo development in tandem with the Mayor and City Council whocontrolsthecity,andthat hasn'tbeenhappeningforthe longestwhile.Iampeeved,I am hurt, and I feel disrespected as a person of Africandescent,”Millersaid.

Former mayor of GeorgetownHamiltonGreen said the enslaved were beheadedandplacedonpoles atParadeGround

“They were rounded up, theirheadscutoff,andputon poles,theirbloodbleedingon this ground and as the descendants of those slaves, wehaveaduty to preserveit as sacred ground to honour our ancestors,” Green shared President of the Coalition for the 1823 Monuments, Sister Penda

Guyan, who raised the issue recently, said the coalition may be forced to take legal action if the government persists with the project Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his weeklypressconferencesaid that he agrees that some historical sites should be treated with sensitivity Focusing on the 1823 Monuments, the Vice President said “that is a special place for us because that'swhere…it'sasadarea where people were displayed… during slavery; and so, I agree with treating thatsitewithsensitivity.”

Noting that the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) government has fulfilled its promisetoinstalllightsatthe location the Vice President said that it is important that consultations be had before any modification is done on historicalsites

SATURDAY

Guyana'sproduction capacitynowat900,000 barrelsperday …as4thFPSOachieves firstoil

The fourth Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Stabroek block has achieved first oil, bringing Guyana's total installed capacity to 900,000 barrels

blessings on April 1, 2022

The FPSO was constructed by Dutch shipbuilder, SBM Offshore The vessel arrived in April and is the largest FPSO on the Stabroek block to date with an initial annual average production of 250,000 bpd and a storage capacity of two million barrels Notably,oilproduced from the FPSO will be marketed as Golden Arrowheadcrude

ONEGUYANAjoinsthe LizaDestiny,LizaUnity,and Prosperity FPSOs While the fourth vessel brings the installed capacity to 900,000 bpd, Exxon noted that production is currently around650,000bpd

“Yellowtail's ahead-ofschedule startup is a significant milestone for ExxonMobil and the people of Guyana,” said Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Upstream Company “With Guyanese making up more than 67 per cent of the country's oil-andgasworkforceandover2,000 localbusinessesengaged,this projectreflectsourdeepening roots in the country and our shared commitment to longterm,inclusivegrowth”

TheStabroekblockspans 6 6 million acres and is estimatedtohold116billion barrels of oil equivalent, accordingtogovernment

E x x o n ' s f i r s t development in the Stabroek

ahead of schedule – while simultaneously advancing plans for four additional projects by the end of the decade”

In addition to the Yellowtailproject,Exxonhas twoothersanctionedprojects under its belt: Uaru and Whiptail

It has also submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its s e v e n t h p r o j e c t , Hamme rhead, with productiontargetedfor2029 Additionally, the company hasfiledanapplicationforan e

Longtail

By 2030, ExxonMobil Guyana expects to have total production capacity of 17 millionoilequivalentbarrels per day from eight developments

ExxonMobil Guyana holds a 45 per cent interest, with Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holding 30 per cent, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holding25percent

Moreover,theMinistryof Natural Resources in a s t a t e m e n t o n t h e achievement, said that it will continue to work to ensure prudent management of the petroleum sector to support long-term national benefit andsustainabledevelopment

MNR noted that the Yellowtail Petroleum Production Licence has been

per d

(bpd

The announcement was made on Friday by the operator of the block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL)

The ONE GUYANA FPSO will produce oil from the Yellowtail Development The US$10 billion project received government's

block achieved first oil in December 2019 On Friday, ExxonMobilGuyanaboasted that its deepwater developments are the most successful in the world The companysaid,“infiveyears, the company has started up fourcomplexoffshoremegaprojects under budget and

fields,discoveredin2019and 2020,respectively It is equipped with stateof-the-art Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF) infrastructure, enabling production from 26 production wells and 25 water-alternating-gas(WAG) injection wells,” the ministry noted

Method4presentedas Canadiancompany,but wasmadeupmostlyof locals–Jagdeo …sayscompanylostGPL contractduetoinsufficient experience

Vice President, Bharrat JagdeoonThursdaysoughtto clear the air on the contract awarded to Dominican Republic company InterEnergyGroup,insteadof Method4

Queriesaboutthelegality of the move by the government to award the contract to InterEnergy for consultancy services to upgrade the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) grid have been ongoing in some quarters During his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo told journalists that thegovernmentcancelledthe Method4 bid because the company did not have the relevant experience to undertaketheproject Hesaid

InterEnegy has more experience and negotiations areongoing

Questioned about the timeline when the technical evaluation was done to determine Method4 Engineering's capability and onwhatgroundsthecontract wasawardedtoInterEnergy, Jagdeo explained that there wasapublicprocess

“Subsequenttothatitwas discovered… that's what we were told that they did not have the required technical capabilitybecauseapparently it was evaluated as a Canadiancompany,butthere were more local people from this is all I'm hearing fromthem

He said based on its consistency, the company was recommended to the cabinet

“So,itwasrecommended that they should, given their requisite experience, they shouldsupervisethecontract, and the rate was I think $650,000permonth Theyare currently negotiating with thatcompany

If the negotiations don't go well, they don't conclude the contract and no contract hasbeensignedasyet Buton m e t h o d 4 i t w a s discovered that's what we heard, that it was discovered that they did not have the requisiteexperience

So, I see now some in somequartersitsaidthatthey were close to us method4 If theywerethatclosetous,the contract would have gone ahead It didn't happen,” he stressed

Jagdeo's response came days after APNU's Ganesh Mahipaul demanded that the governmentcomecleanwith thedeal.

In a statement to the media last Sunday Mahipaul remindedthatonFriday,May 23, 2025, during the 104th Sittingofthe12thParliament, Prime Minister Phillips addressed the National Assemblyonthematterofthe $287billionallocationunder the line-item Power Generation (Gas-to-Energy Project)

the template for future licences,embeddingstronger environmental and safety requirements, improved d e c o m m i s s i o n i n g safeguards, and alignment with Guyana's broader climatecommitments

“The vessel will develop the Yellowtail and Redtail

It was more local people who were part of this arrangement didn't have a track record, a long track record of doing this sort of work,”Jagdeoexplained

He said it was for these reasonsthecompanywasnot awarded the contract by the government

He also reminded that in 2024 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the company, followed by several unsolicited bids

The Prime Minister clearly stated that the sum was designated to enhancing the transmission and distribution system and that threecontractswereawarded to Power China and Kalpataru for works across Regions4,5,and6

Mahipaul said Phillips further informed the house thatthecontractsweresigned on April 4, 2025. When questioned by former MP Volda Lawrence regarding the consultancy services for theproject,theprimeminister respondedwithunambiguous clarity: “the consultancy contractwasawardedto

(Continuedonpage34)

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

The ONE GUYANAFPSO

Frompage33 Method4, a Canadian company, to the tune of US$7 million,” Mahipaul recalled.

Mahipaul said Jagdeo is now vigorously defending InterEnergy Group, a completely different entity, as the consultancy firm on the same transmission and distribution project. “This contradiction strikes at the very heart of truth and transparency So,weaskthe question every Guyanese citizen deserves answered: Who is lying? Jagdeo or Phillips?” Mahipaul questioned.

Mahipaul, who is the vice-presidential candidate fortheAPNUcoalition,said thisisnominordiscrepancy “Thisisablatantexposureof the lies and confusion that plague the PPP/C regime. One government, two top-

ranking officials, two completely different stories. Only one can be true, if either is.” Mahipaul said the people of Guyana must not be taken for fools. “This $28.7 billion project is not playmoney Itisyourtaxdollars,itis ouroilrevenues,anditisthe future of this country's energy security When billions are being spent, and the government can't even get its story straight, alarm bellsmustring.Whatweare witnessing is not transparency, it is deception in high definition. It is a corrupt, confused, and chaotic regime speaking frombothsidesofitsmouth.

Today, the PPP/C stands exposed, not just for its lies, but for its blatant disrespect to the intelligence of the Guyanese people, ” Mahipaulstated.

As such, he said the APNU coalition is demanding immediate clarity on the status of the consultancy contract and whether it was it awarded to Method4 or InterEnergy Group,orboth.

The coalition is also seekingfulldisclosureofall consultancy agreements relatedtotheGas-to-Energy t r a n s m i s s i o n a n d distribution components “The PPP/C cannot be allowed to play political football with billions of taxpayers' dollars while pretending to care about accountability

The only way to end the lies, the contradictions, and thecorruptionistovotethem outcomeSeptember1,2025. The PPP/C is lying. The question is how many more lies have they told that we haven'tuncoveredyet?”

Dave

BY WENDELL GEORGE

This a story about troublesome Dave, A boy who just loved to misbehave; He hid books at school to make others mad, Pulled girls' hair and made them sad; Dave tormented dogs to hear them howl, He didn't even spare the neighbours' fowl; He harassed cats by pulling their tails, The naughty boy delighted to hear their wails; Dave pelted cows with sticks and stones, And hit donkeys till he heard their groans; Animals were safe only when he was asleep, The twelve-year-old even hassled quiet sheep.

Then one day Dave met old Billy, A bad-tempered goat as wicked as he; The boy struck Billy with a stick on his side, The goat became angry and really wild; The bearded animal moved fast as a hare, It butted the troublesome boy right in the rear; Dave fell down but was quickly on this feet, And Billy struck again right on his seat; Mr. Misbehave then knew it was time to run, With Billy in pursuit, and having real fun. Dave jumped a fence, looking for safety, But a Doberman sent him back hastily; He finally found refuge in an orange tree, But he had to bear the ants till Billy grew hungry; This episode served to change our hero much, But the sight of a goat now sends him off with a rush.

Easy&AdorableDIY LemonSlice Coasters

SUPPLIES

–Hotglueandgluegun/E600glue(wearmask)

–Cottonlaundrylines

–Stickybackfoamsheets

–Fabricspraypaintinyellow(orregularspraypaint)

–Craftknife

–Circle(cup)totrace

–Pen

–Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS

Start by coiling the cotton laundry line into circles. Hotglueasyou go – glue, coil, glue, coil Ask an adult to assist you. If you want to go the extra step and addafeltbackinggofor it.

The next step is to create a stencil template for the citrusslices. Traceacupontothestickybackcraftfoam. Useapentosectionthecircleoffintoapieshape. From theremaketrianglesinsidethepie.

Usingscissorsoracraftknifecutoutthetrianglesand applythestickerstothecoasters. Thestickerswillactasa resistorstencilforyourlemonslicecoasters.

Spraytheropecoasterswithfabricpaint. Allowtodry completely. When working with spray paint, fabric or regular, several light layers (allowing for drying time inbetween) is always better. When the paint is dry remove and discard the foam. This sticker resist technique is reallyeasyandfun.

Easybreezy,cute.Youcanmakealime,orangeorpink grapefruitversion! Whatfruitareyougoingtotry?

Moralvalueshelpinimproving behaviour, instilling respect and improving relationships with others Knowing what is right or wrong, and using this knowledge to guide your actions, is an important element in life thatshapesthecharacterofanindividual

Goodmoralvaluesallowapersonto make the right decisions and improve theirinteractionswithotherpeople. We have all been gifted by our Supreme Creator with a conscience from birth,

Improveyour lifebydeveloping MoralValues

which points us towards the morally correctactiontotakeinanysituation.

Every individual understands that lifeisimportant,henceheorsheneeds moral values, which act as guiding principles. Childrenaretaughttoshow respect to elders and other people. Moral values are a reflection of an individual character and spirituality

Parents strive to instil these values in children because they tend to learn by observingwhatotherpeopledo.

Respecting the elders, neighbours, thesickandotherpeoplewithinsociety

The quality of your life will always be determined by the values that you adopt and practice.

helps to enhance relationships. As people get older, they need care and assistance where possible Good relationships help to create a good coexistencebetweenpeople.

In community organisations, like thechurchorclub,peopleneedtolearn how to relate with both juniors and seniors. Beinghonesthelpsapersonto be recognised and achieve his or her goalsintheircommunityeasily

Moralvalueshaveanimportantrole inthestabilityandprogressoffamilies. Parentsandchildrenshouldbetruthful to one another and solve problems wisely to develop relationships and avoidquarrelsandotherdifferences.

Standing firm on what is right, and tryinginapleasantwaytogetothersto see the right course in any situation, is always a courageous decision that improves the quality of life within a family

T IP E CROSS R L

"This puzzle is like a crossword, but with numbers. Each digit occupies a hexagonal cell and can be a part of a ""word"" in the across, up, and down directions.

1. ""Words"" may not start with a zero.

2. ""Words"" in the 'across' direction read from left to right.

3. ""Words"" in the 'up' direction read along the upward diagonal to the right.

4. ""Words"" in the 'down' direction read along the downward diagonal to the right.

5. There is one unique solution which satisfies all the clues given below. Some ""words"" may not have clues. They will be determined by the ""words"" which intersect them."

APrincipledLife

by ROY PAUL (UNCLE ROY)

As sure as night follows day, and gravity holds us down, So the laws of nature control our emotions; If we must live in harmony with all on earth, We have to abide with the natural regulations.

And just as our material world is ruled, So too our behaviour needs control; We must adopt the principles that make us human, Or we will never achieve worthy goals.

Man was given a free will to choose The manner he would steer his life; You have the option - whichever you take Will determine whether you end in peace or strife.

We oftimes allow others our actions to dictate, As we tend to react to what they do; Nay, we should ever strive to be proactive, And behave as we know is true.

So take the time to decide for all time The principles to say how you will act, Then stick to these come what may, And you will surely keep always on track. (This poem is one in the published book: Shape up Your Personality, which is soon to be available locally.)

Solutions to last week’s

G A L A X Y

Vehicle ownership changes lives; it creates freedom, opportunity,andeconomicmobility ItisagainstthisbackdropthatTony’s Auto Spares held its first Auto Financing and Insurance Expo on July26,lastatthedealership’snewly opened outdoor showroom located atLot1AreaD,Success&Chateau Margot, Public Road, East Coast Demerara(ECD).

The event attracted scores of Guyanesewhowerelookingtobuy theirfirstcarortoupgradebasedon the wide range of vehicles on display,fromcars,SUV’s,busesand pickups

Thosewhovisitedtheboothsat the event were treated to on-site financing assistance from Republic BankGuyanaandGBTI;onthespot insuranceconsolationsfromAssuria

Insurance Guyana and

Nalico/Nafico; exclusive expo pricing and bonus packages, live entertainment by DJ Static and MichaelIgnatiusandrefreshments, giveaways and a welcoming atmosphere.

Attheexpo,customerswereable tocashinondiscountedvehiclesat prices exclusive to expo attendees; freeRoadLicences,freefitnessand registration,freenumberplates,free buff and polish, free first time serving, free car care bundles, free fuelvouchers,andothergiveaways as well as discounts on tyres and autoparts.

ChiefMarketingOfficerSubrina Bhagwandinsaidthatthedealership isseekingtomakeiteasierandmore affordable for people, to own vehicles

She explained that the team at Tony’s came up with the expo as a comprehensive solution to address thechallengesfacedbytheaverage Guyanese in owning a reliable vehicle

According to Bhagwandin, many people may be faced with financial barriers, insurance confusion and limited access to trustworthyinformation

She said “We’re helping people move forward, literally and financially Also, by working with local banks and insurers, we’re keepingtheflowofbusinesslocal”

“The expo supported customers, financial institutions, local suppliers, and even performingartists,creatingasmall but meaningful economic ripple TheExpoprovidesacomprehensive

solution,includingqualityvehicles, flexible bank financing, trusted insurance providers and expert advice, enabling informed decisions and confidence in driving. So, this wasn’t just a sale event, it was an experience designed to educate and empower thepublic.”

Tony’sAuto Spares has been in businessforover34years

Thebusinessstartedsmall,justa humbleautopartsshop,andtoday,it isoneofGuyana’slargestsuppliers ofvehicles,tyres,andautoparts

Thecompanyexpandedtothree major locations,Alberttown, Le Re souvenir, Success and soon a Diamondbranchwillbecompleted

“We want to serve customers fromallacrossthecountry Buteven with that growth, our mission

remains simple; to provide affordable, reliable, and trusted automotive solutions to the people ofGuyana,”Bhagwandinadded

She noted thatTony’s financing andInsuranceExpoisjustoneofthe manyways,thedealershipcontinues toservethatmission

In addition to this, as part of its widergoaltoreachthecommunity, the dealership is seeking to host these expos more regularly, possiblyacrosstheotherbranches or in partnership with more communities.

“Even if you’re not ready to purchase, the information and access you can gain by visiting the expo,canhelpyouplanandprepare There’snopressure,justrealpeople, real deals and real opportunities,” theMarketingManagerexplained

MissGuyanasecuresthirdconsecutivecrownwith exceptionalperformanceinCultureQueenpageantinNevis

Shadiamond Assanah has done it. The 21-year-old from Melanie Damishana deliveredacommandingperformanceatthe Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageant in Nevis on Monday, securing Guyana’s third consecutiveregionaltitleandcementingthe nation’s dominance in Caribbean cultural representation.

With her resounding victory, Assanah joins an elite group of Guyanese cultural ambassadorswhohaveproventhatthe592’s approach to celebrating diversity through unity remains unmatched across the Caribbeanregion.

For Assanah, the moment of victory brought a deep sense of completion rather thanmerecelebration.“Ifeelfulfilled,”she shared in her first interview after claiming the crown. “I was truly honoured to represent regionally and now that I’ve won I’mextremelyhappythattheentirecountry isproud.”

Her words reflect not just personal achievement, but the weight of carrying a nation’sculturalhopesontheregionalstage. The victory represents the culmination of a journey that began in the close-knit East Coastcommunitywhereculturalboundaries dissolveintosomethinguniquelyGuyanese.

The path to Caribbean glory taught Assanah valuable lessons that extend far beyondpageantry “SomeofthelessonsI’ve learnt are professionalism and discipline,” she explained, breaking down these conceptswiththeprecisionofsomeonewho hastrulyinternalizedtheirimportance.

“Professionalism in the aspect of recognizing yourself as a brand so it’s alwaysimportanttopresentyourselfwellin the way you look, think and speak,” she detailed, revealing an understanding of representation that goes deeper than surface-levelpreparation.

But it was the lesson in discipline that proved most impactful. “Discipline in the aspect of time. This pageant trip, the Caribbeanculturecommitteewereverybig onbeingontime.Forexample:ifthebusis scheduled to pick up the delegates at 6pm, oncethattimereachesandyou’renotready thebusleavesandyouhavetofindyourway tothevenue.”

The simplicity of the example belies its profound impact on the new Caribbean queen. “As simple as it sounds, that really showed me that time is really of the essence,” she reflected, demonstrating the kind of insight that separates true leaders

frommeretitleholders.

Beyond the competition and formal events, Assanah discovered something unexpected in Nevis, genuine connection withherfellowcontestants.“WhatIenjoyed most was the conversations the other girls and I had,” she revealed. “We all became close knitted and oftentimes we found ourselves bonding over shared experiences andouruniqueculture.”

This cultural exchange enriched her understanding of the region she now represents. “I’ve learnt so many interesting thingsabouttheothercountries,”shenoted, embodyingthespiritofCaribbeanunitythat makes the Miss Caribbean Culture Queen pageantmorethanjustacompetition. Victory brings responsibility, and Assanah approaches her new role with characteristicthoughtfulness.“Iplantouse the platform rather than just the crown and title, to raise awareness about the issues within the Caribbean region that affect our cultureandinwhateverwayIcan,Iplanto beapartofthesolutionfortheseissues.”

Her approach reflects a mature understanding of pageantry’s potential for positivechange.“Ihaveafewprojectsin Continued on page 46

Tony’sAuto Spares held its inaugural Auto Financing and Insurance Expo last month

‘XclusivBeauty’ FOR

ALL YOUR GLAM AND ELEGANT MAKEUP SERVICES

“We

(young entrepreneurs) challenge traditional models and push boundaries with fresh ideas, forward thinking and new technologies. This leads to the development of new and modernized products and services.”

As The Waterfalls continues to share with you the readers the entrepreneurship journey of young people in our country, todayweintroducetoyou,atalentedartistby thenameofLatoyaDaSilva.

Twenty-three-year-old,DaSilvawhoisa professional make-up artist and hails from Georgetownistheproudfounderandowner of a beauty and makeup business called XclusivBeauty–abusinessstartedin2019.

Sharing with us as to what led her down this path, Da Silva explained that from as longasshecanremembershehasalwayshad a passion for makeup and art. When she completed high school, she decided to capitalize on it by launching her own business.

According to her, “I did a brief makeup course with Glam Squad but most of my skillsIdevelopedonmyownovertheyears.”

After deciding to start her makeup business, the young woman recalled it was not always as easy as it seemed. She stated that during her business journey, she had facedmultiplechallengesovertheyears.

“But the biggest (one) had to be managing a full time job and running a business.NotonlywasIleftwithlittletono free time for myself but I also hardly had energy to put into the business. And as a result, my business basically stuck at one levelandnotgrowingforalittlewhile,”she remembered.

Lookingtochangethat,shesaidin2022, she finally decided to quit her 9-5 job and putting all her focus and energy on building herselfandbusiness.“Ihaven’tlookedback since,” she noted as the business started to pickup.

She expressed further that being in the realmofbusinessforaboutsixyearsnow,the support from her family and friends has always been motivating and this she is grateful for “From letting me practice on them to referring me to new clients,” they havealwaysgotherbackshementioned.

Askedwhatsheislookingtoachievefor Xclusiv Beauty as it continues to grow, she related that her goal is to expand her studio and create somewhat of a beauty lounge whereshewouldhaveotherservicesoffered asidefromwhatshedoesnow

At the moment those services are makeup,lashes,andeyebrowtinting.Alover of the arts, you should know this young entrepreneurisalsotheownerofXclusivArt where she does face painting and special effectsmakeup.

Meanwhile, when questioned about the roleofsmallbusinessownersinoursociety, Da Silva is of the view that young entrepreneursplayacrucialroleinsociety

“We challenge traditional models and push boundarieswithfresh

Continued on page 44

ByAllyiahAllicock

The glam looks Latoya Da Silva has done on

Anthony Baynes

Agricola's proves that talent, determination, and a mother's love can turn bedroom recordings into int'l opportunities

Wh e n Antho n y Baynes,betterknown by his stage name Thoni, uploaded a song he recorded right in his bedroom toYouTube,henever imagined it would leadtoperformingon stages in New York justweekslater

Now, at 25, the artistewhogrewupin

Agrico

a, has released his latest c o

o r a t i o n "Nobody Else" with fellow Guyanese artistes Deymo and Nature, marking another milestone in what he hopes will becomehis"goldencareer."

ThejourneyfromEastBankDemerarato international recognition wasn't conventional.Growingupina“poorfamily” offive,Thonibecamethefirstinhisfamilyto graduatefromtheUniversityofGuyana.But hisrealeducationbeganmuchearlier,inthe church where he first picked up instruments

asachild.

"I wasn't born with singing talent," Thoni admits. "I had toteachmyselfhowto sing " His musical evolution spanned years, from playing instruments in church to mastering the steelpan for six years in high school, then transitioning to writing poems and eventually songs After graduating in 2015, what started as

transformed into a seriouspursuit.

The turning point came in 2017-2018 when friends and family encouraged him to release his music publicly The response surprised him. "I thought because Guyanese mostly embrace soca and dancehall, I wouldn't get much support," he explains. "But every time I releaseasong,myfanbasekeepsgrowing."

That growth has been remarkable. From

(Continuedonpage46)

NewArtistes: (l-r) Deymo, Thoni, Nature

Darude, DJ Chuckie & Michael Brun

set to storm Guyana for STORM25 on August 16th

Five months ago, we chronicled the ambitious journey ofTariqDakhilandBPMGuyana as they worked to introduce electronic dance music culture to a nation dominated by soca and dancehall Today, that vision reaches its crescendo as Darude Storm25 Music & Arts Festival prepares to make history at the Marriott Parking Lot on August 16th.

What began as intimate gatherings of 50 people at The Vintage Wine Bar has evolved into Guyana's biggest EDM experience, set to welcome thousandsforan11-hourmusical odyssey that runs from 1 PM to midnight.

"This moment has been 15 years in the making for me," Dakhil reflected months ago, recalling his first encounter with Darude's "Sandstorm" in a commercial Now, as final preparations unfold, that teenage dream becomes reality, marking notjustapersonalmilestonebuta cultural turning point for Guyana's entertainment landscape.

The scale of STORM25 represents everything Dakhil envisioned when he founded BPM Guyana The festival promises world-class stage production with perfectly synchronizedlights,flames,CO2 effects, and immersive special effects that will transform

Georgetown into an international EDMdestination.

Elevated VIP platforms will

offer premium viewing experiences, while the festival groundswillfeatureinternational cuisine vendors and interactive entertainmentincludingpaintball, axethrowing,andarchery Brand activations, including surprise elementsfrompartnerslikeSpace Gym, will keep energy levels soaring throughout the day-long celebration.

This ambitious production comesatsignificantfinancialrisk, withcostsnearlytentimeshigher than BPM Guyana's previous events and a venue capacity four times their largest crowd to date. Yet for Dakhil, the gamble representssomethinggreaterthan entertainment.

"Asanation,it'stimeforusto compete on the global stage, and this is our moment," he stated when announcing the festival, c h a n n e l i n g t h e s a m e determination that saw him through years of building EDM culturefromthegroundup.

Thefestival'slineupreadslike a who's who of international EDM, headlined by Finnish DJ/producerDarude,whose1999 track "Sandstorm" became a global phenomenon and remains one of electronic music's most recognizableanthems.

Celebrating the song's 25th

anniversary, STORM25

represents a full-circle moment for both the artist and the movement Dakhil has championed.

Joining Darude are Dutch house music legend DJ Chuckie and British singer-songwriter Sarah de Warren, known for her collaborations with major EDM artists. In a thrilling last-minute addition, Michael Brun, the Haitian-American producer who previously performed with BPM Guyana,returnsasaspecialguest DJ, adding Caribbean flair to the internationallineup.

This carefully curated selection reflects Dakhil's philosophy of making "EDM relatable" by featuring artists with Caribbean foundations alongside world-renowned performers, ensuring Guyana's cultural essence remains at the forefront while delivering an authentic international EDM experience.

The journey to STORM25 hasn't been without challenges. WhenBPMGuyanabegan,EDM was considered taboo in many circles, misunderstood as merely ascenefueledbystimulantsrather than the transformative musical experience Dakhil knew it could be.

"From the outside, EDM and rave culture are often misunderstood," he explained in ourpreviousinterview "Butwhen you step inside, you realize the

eal euphoria comes from somethingelse,themusicitself."

Years of consistent programming, from hosting international acts like Michael Brun and DJ Chuckie for crowds of 500, to weathering pandemic restrictions through live streams and intimate sessions, have gradually shifted public perception. The result is evident in the excitement surrounding STORM25 and the broader acceptance of EDM within Guyana's entertainment ecosystem. For Tariq Dakhil and BPM

y ana, the festival represents bo th an arrival and a beginning; proof that dreams backed by persistence can reshape entire cultures,onebeatatatime.

As he puts it: "BPM Guyana isn't just about music. It's about daring to dream, to create, and to pushpastfear."

Come SaturdayAugust 16, as the storm rages from afternoon until midnight, Guyana will witnessthefullrealizationofthat dream and perhaps glimpse the f u t u r e o f C a r i b b e a n entertainment.

Guyanese artiste, Thoni

- a new youth network helping students navigate their future

ByShaniaWilliams

Wh e n t w o ambitious young minds come together, impactful changecanhappenandthat's exactly what led to the creation of Next Step Guyana.

Recognizing the uncertainty many students face after completing secondary school, whether to attend university, join the workforce, or explore

scholarships, former

Stanford University students, Joshua Gulab and AniyahCouchmanlaunched a virtual, student-led platform to help young people answer the pressing question:Whatcomesnext?

Officially launched in July 2025, Next Step Guyanaisdesignedtoguide students across the country as they navigate academic

decisions, leadership opportunities, and career paths.Whetherpreparingfor CSEC,CAPE,oruniversity, applyingforscholarships,or seeking leadership experiences like Youth Parliament or the Youth Ambassadors programme,

the platform offers personalized support from mentors who've walked similarpaths.

founder,

build the website from the groundup.

Through the Next Step Guyana website, students can sign up for virtual sessions based on their interests, and are matched with themed group discussions led by mentors who can best answer their questions.

“Our platform connects students with a network of youth mentors, including CSEC and CAPE top

Speaking to The Waterfalls, Couchman explained that the platform includes a diverse group of young professionals, topperforming students, university graduates, and working professionals, who are committed to mentoring thenextgeneration.

performers, valedictorians, lawyers, doctors, engineers, pilots,teachers,jointservice members, and so much more,”Couchmansaid.

“Eachmentorbringsnot just excellence but lived experience navigating the challenges of ambition, uncertainty and transition. At its core, Next Step Guyana aims to create Guyana's first free online platform to enable access, build confidence and ensure thatnostudenthastofigureit alloutalone.”

Couchman said the idea wasbornoutofarealization that the best guidance often comes from someone just a fewstepsahead.“Wecreated the website to fill a gap we believe only near-peer mentorship can solve, gettingrealadvicefromreal people who've just been wherestudentspresentlyare. Ourgoalistobuildasociety where every student, regardless of background can access honest and relatableguidancesimplyby having a device and curiosity,”sheexplained.

Both Gulab and Couchman bring stellar credentials to the project. Gulab, who serves as founderanddirector,wasthe 2023 Valedictorian of Queen's College and attended Stanford University on a Presidential Scholarship.

He was also the Caribbean's second most outstanding CAPE candidate in 2023 and is alum of the U S Youth Ambassadors Programme His technical experience allowed him to design and

Couchman, co-founder and Mentorship Director, is equally accomplished. She was the Caribbean's most outstanding CAPE candidate overall in 2024 and the top candidate in Natural Sciences. Also a Stanford Presidential Scholar, Couchman is a national chess player, FIDE Lead School Instructor, published poet, and Amerindian performer She oversees the marketing and outreach efforts for the platform.

The Next Step Guyana teamconsistsof35mentors, all born in Guyana, who guide students in areas such asCAPEandCSECsupport, studying abroad, medicine, law, engineering, youth development programmes, business, finance, and professional development Among the team are names like Aaliyah Ashby, Aaron St. Hill, Akeelah Andrew, Alisande Jaiserrisingh, Joshua Singh, Rea Harris, Uriel Isadore, Vinaya Chatterdeo,andmanymore, each contributing unique expertiseandpassion.

Couchman expressed excitement about the

potential impact “Our venture hopes to benefit everyGuyanesestudentwho isuncertainofwhatthatnext stage in life may be regardingtheiracademicand professionaljourneys.

This can be from questions relating to what subjects to take at CSEC/ CAPE, how to manage your time, apply for scholarships and university in Guyana abroad to even getting feedback on your resume, linkedIn profile or how to apply for internships. Our aimistonormalizeaculture of learning to ask for help and making reliable help readilyavailable,”shesaid. In its first week, the platform's TikTok and Instagram pages received over 90,000 views and interactions, a promising start for what the founders hope will become a national hub. They plan to scale the platform by partnering with youth development organizations and sponsors, hosting scholarship information, internship portals, and even an annual careerfair

Students, parents, and educatorscanexploreorsign upatnextstepgy.org.

'Xclusiv Beauty' for all your...

Frompage42 ideas, forward thinking and new technologies.Thisleadstothedevelopment of new and modernized products and services,”sheelaborated.

Withthisbeingsaid,shenotedthatmore canbedonelocallytohelpsmallbusinesses thrive.

“SomethingsthatIthinkcanbedoneto boost small businesses would be to ease

business registration, by making the registrationfasterandeasierthroughdigital platforms.Additionally,reservingaportion of government contracts for small businesses would also help to boost their success,”shesuggested.

For persons interested in connecting withLatoyaDaSilva,youcancontact(592) 643-9808orviaFacebookandInstagramat XclusivBeauty

Couchman during her formative years at Standford University

Co

Aniyah Couchman and founder, Joshua Gulab of Next Step Guyana

Bids opened for construction of sick bay & SEN at Comenius Primary School

The Ministry of

Education has received 10 bidsfortheconstructionofa sick bay and Special Education Needs (SEN) facility at the Comenius PrimarySchool.

This is according to the informationprovidedbythe National Procurement and Tender Administration

Supply,delivery,installationand testingofmusicalinstruments& sportsequipment-UnitofAlliedArts.

Chad opposition leader, ex-PM sentenced to 20 years for inciting violence

B o a r d ( N P TA B ) Contractors have bid between$8millionand$16 million to execute the project.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: MinistryofEducation Supplyanddeliveryofbus.

ConstructionofSickBay&SEN atComeniusPrimarySchool.

Supply,delivery,installationandtesting oftoolsandequipmentLots1-2.

Supply,delivery,installationand testingofequipmentforCPCE.

Succes Masra has been accused of having incited a massacre during his time as Chad's prime minister

[File: Joris Bolomey/AFP]

Scharges against him, which relate to intercommunalclashesthatleft dozensdeadinMay

Aljazeera - Chad’s former prime minister and opposition leader Succes Masra has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for disseminating racist and xenophobic messages that incitedviolence.

Defence lawyer Kadjilembay Francis told reporters following Saturday’s ruling at a court in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, that Masra would appeal his sentence.

“He has just been subjected to ignominy a n d u n w o r t h y humiliation,” Francis said Masra, who was prime minister between JanuaryandMaylastyear, is the head of the Transformers party and a sharp critic of Mahamat Deby, Chad’s current president. He was accused alongside 67 codefendants, mostly from thesameNgambayeethnic group, of causing a clash between herders and farmers in May in Logone

Occidental, in the southwest of the central African country The fightingleft35peopledead andsixothersinjured.

Masra has denied the chargesagainsthim,which include hate speech, xenophobia and having incitedamassacre.

Before leaving the courtroom on Saturday, he gave a message to his supporters: “Stand firm.” Activists with his party said they would put out a “special message” later in theday

The Ngambaye ethnic group enjoys wide popularity among the predominantly Christian and animist populations of the south, whose members feel marginalised by the largely Muslim-dominated authoritiesinN’Djamena.

MasraleftChadaftera bloody crackdown on his followers in 2022, only returningunderanamnesty agreedin2024.

He faced off against Deby in that year’s presidential election, which Deby won with more than 61 percent support.

But Masra did not accepttheresults,claiming that the vote was rigged. He later agreed to serve as premier after signing a reconciliation deal with Deby

Masra has strongly opposedthemilitaryrulers who came to power in Chad in April 2021, after the death of Deby’s father, Idriss Deby Itno, who had led the country for 30 years.

Deby took power in 2021 and legitimised his presidency with a parliamentary election earlierthisyear,whichwas opposed by Masra and his party

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Miss Guyana secures third consecutive crown...

From page 41 mind that I desire to execute throughout my reign,” she added, hinting at initiatives that could benefit the entire Caribbean region.

Looking ahead, the newlycrowned Caribbean queen maintains a clear focus on multiple fronts. “Some of my future endeavours are focused on my academics which includes completing the medical rehabilitation program successfully,” she stated, demonstrating her commitment to the healing profession

that first drew her to university studies. Her pageant ambitions remain alive but grounded in reality. “As it relates to the pageants, I desire to enter an international pageant. But for now, my focus is on my current academic journey and the impact I can make throughout both of my present titles.” This balance between personal goals and public service exemplifies the quality that has made Guyana’s representatives so successful in regional competition, they understand that

true cultural ambassadorship requires substance beyond the stage. The threepeat achievement establishes Guyana not just as a competitor in regional pageantry, but as its undisputed leader.

As she prepares to serve as Miss Caribbean Culture Queen 2025, Shadiamond Assanah carries with her the lessons learned on dance floors across Guyana, the unity witnessed in her hometown celebrations, and the conviction that culture isn’t just heritage, it’s the founda-

tion for regional progress.

In securing Guyana’s third consecutive Caribbean Culture Queen crown, she has proven that authentic representation, genuine passion, and unwavering commitment to community service remain the winning formula for cultural ambassadorship in the modern Caribbean.

The 592 has spoken through its latest champion, and the message resonates across the region: Guyana’s cultural dominance shows no signs of slowing down.

Agricola’s Anthony Baynes proves that talent...

From page 43 bedroom recordings to international performances, Thoni has defied his own expectations. His catalog now includes 15-20 songs available on YouTube and all streaming platforms, each release exceeding his reach goals.

Behind every milestone stands his biggest supporter, his mother. When she hears his music on the radio, she experiences what Thoni calls her “That’s My Son” moments, proudly sharing his work with friends and celebrating each achievement.

“Nobody Else” represents more than just another release, it’s deeply personal. Thoni wrote the verse and

chorus months ago, then reached out to Deymo and Nature, two underground artistes he recognized for their exceptional talent. Initially planning to collaborate with whoever delivered the best verse, he was so impressed with both contributions that he included them both. The song serves as a preview of Thoni’s upcoming mix tape, featuring 6-7 tracks that will showcase collaborations with both Deymo and Nature. The positive fan response has even sparked discussions about forming a boy group, an idea that seemed impossible when Thoni was recording alone in his room.

“I want to make this my

golden career,” Thoni says, “but I accept the possibility that it might not happen. In the same breath, I’m still committed to making music because I love it.” His confidence in his work remains unshaken. “I believe one of my songs will be capable of opening that door.”

That door-opening philosophy extends beyond his own career. Thoni is actively seeking to collaborate with other RnB and Pop artistes, using his platform to elevate underground talent in these genres. He encourages artistes to reach out to him on Instagram, viewing collaboration as essential to developing Guyana’s music scene.

From steelpan to streaming platforms, from Agricola to international stages, Thoni’s journey illustrates that musical success doesn’t always follow traditional paths. With each release, he’s not just building his own career, he’s creating opportunities for others and proving that with persistence, talent, and unwavering support, even bedroom recordings can reach the world.

“Nobody Else” is now available on all streaming platforms and YouTube, with Thoni’s upcoming mixtape promising to deliver more of the authentic storytelling and collaborative spirit that has defined his remarkable rise.

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Haitideclaresthree-monthstateofemergencyasgangviolencespikes Governmentsaysmoveaimstoboost

‘fight

againstinsecurity’ asarmedgangscontinuetocarryoutattacksacrossthecountry.

Haitian police patrol an area on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince onAugust 04 [File: Fildor Pq Egeder/Reuters]

Aljazeera - Haiti’s governmenthasannounceda three-month state of emergency in several parts of the country as it battles surginggangviolence.

The measure will cover the West, Centre and Artibonite departments, the latter of which is known as Haiti’s“ricebasket”andhas experienced an increase in attacks by armed groups in recentmonths.

In a statement on Saturday, the government said the state of emergency would allow the Haitian authorities to “continue the fight against insecurity and respond to the agricultural andfoodcrisis”.

“Insecurity has negative effect both on the lives of citizensandonthecountry’s different sectors of activity Giventhescaleofthiscrisis, it is imperative to decree a major mobilisation of the state’s resources and institutional means to addressit,”itsaid.

Haiti has reeled from years of violence as powerful armed groups,

often with ties to the country’s political and business leaders, have vied for influence and control of territory

But the situation worsened dramatically after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, which created a power vacuum.

Nearly 1 3 million people have been displaced across the country, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in June, while the United Nationsestimatesthat4,864 people were killed from October2024toJuneofthis year

Efforts to stem the deadly gang attacks, including the deployment of a UN-backed, Kenya-led police mission, have so far failedtorestorestability

Whilemuchofthefocus has been on Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, where up to 90percentofthecityisunder thecontrolofarmedgroups, the violence has also been spreading to other parts of thecountry

Between October 2024 and the end of June, more than 1,000 Haitians were killed and 620 were kidnapped in the Artibonite and Centre departments, according to the UN’s humanrightsoffice.

In late April, dozens of people waded and swam across the Artibonite River, which cuts through the region, in a desperate attempttofleethegangs.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e government on Friday appointed Andre Jonas VladimirParaisonasinterim director of Haiti’s National Police, which has been workingwithKenyanpolice officers leading the UNbackedmissiontohelpquell theviolence.

Paraison previously servedasheadofsecurityof Haiti’s National Palace and was on duty as a police officer when Moise was killedathisprivateresidence inJuly2021.

He replaced Normil Rameau, whose tenure of just more than a year was marked by tensions with a faction of the Transitional

“We, the police, will not sleep,” Paraison said during his inauguration ceremony “We will provide security across every corner of the country.”

notably Prime MinisterAlix DidierFils-Aime. Rameau had repeatedly warned about the police force’ssevereunderfunding. The change comes as LaurentSaint-Cyr,awealthy businessman, also took over thisweekaspresidentofthe Transitional Presidential Council, which is charged with holding elections by February2026.

Thousands rally in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu’s new Gaza plan, demand release of hostages

Demonstrators attend a protest demanding the immediate release of the hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, and the end of the war, in TelAviv, Israel,August 9, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

TEL AVIV, Aug 9

(Reuters) - Thousands of protesters took to the streets ofTelAvivonSaturdaynight to oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to escalate the nearly twoyear Gaza war, demanding an immediate end to the campaignandfortherelease ofthehostages.

A day earlier, the prime minister’s office said the security cabinet, a small group of senior ministers, had decided to seize Gaza City, expanding military operations in the devastated Palestinian territory despite widespread public opposition and warnings from the military the move couldendangerthehostages.

TheReutersTariffWatch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global tradeandtariffnews.Signup here.

“Thisisn’tjustamilitary decision. It could be a death sentence for the people we

love most,” Lishay Miran Lavi, the wife of hostage Omri Miran told the rally, pleading to U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene toimmediatelyendthewar Public opinion polls show an overwhelming majorityofIsraelisfavouran immediate end to the war to secure the release of the remaining 50 hostages held by militants in Gaza. Israeli officials believe about 20 hostagesarestillalive.

The Israeli government has faced sharp criticism at home and abroad, including from some of its closest European allies, over the announcement that the military would expand the war The full cabinet is expectedtogiveitsapproval assoonasSunday

Mostofthehostageswho have been freed so far emerged as a result of diplomatic negotiations

Talkstowardaceasefirethat could have seen more

hostages released collapsed inJuly

“They (the government) are fanatic. They are doing thingsagainsttheinterestsof thecountry,”saidRamiDar, 69-year-old retiree, who traveled from a nearby suburb outside of Tel Aviv, echoing calls for Trump to forceadealforthehostages.

Tel Aviv has seen frequent rallies urging the government to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal withHamas,whoignitedthe warwiththeirOctober2023

attack Saturday’s demonstrationattractedover 100,000 protesters, accordingtoorganisers.

“Frankly, I’m not an expertoranything,butIfeel that after two years of fighting there has been no success,”saidYana,45,who attended the rally with her husbandandtwochildren.“I wonder whether additional lives for both sides, not just the Israelis but also Gazans,

Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since then.

Protesters waved Israeli flags and carried placards bearing the images of hostages. Others held signs directing anger at the governmentorurgingTrump to take action to stop Netanyahu from moving forward with plans to escalatethewar

A small number of protesters held images of Gazanchildrenkilledbythe military

Israel’s military has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians in the war, according to the Gazan health ministry, which said on Saturday that at least 39 had been killed in the past day

willmakeanydifference.”

Around 1,200, mostly Israelis,werekilledand251 weretakenintoGazaduring

Some of the prime minister’s far-right coalition allies have been pushing for atotaltakeoverofGaza.The military has warned this could endanger the lives of thehostagesinGaza.

proponent of continuing the war, issued a statement on

Netanyahuandcalledforthe annexation of large parts of Gaza.

Netanyahu told Fox News in an interview that aired on Thursday that the military intended to take controlofallofGazabutthat Israel did not want to keep theterritory

The announcement from the prime minister’s office early on Friday said the military would take Gaza City, but did not explicitly say if Israeli forces would takealloftheenclave.

Tal, a 55-year-old high school teacher, told Reuters at the rally in Tel Aviv that expanding the war was “terrible,” warning it would result in the deaths of both soldiers and hostages and insistingthatthewarshould end with the military withdrawing.

“Wedon’thaveanything todothere.It’snotours.”

Demonstratorsattendaprotestdemandingtheimmediaterelease ofthehostageskidnappedduringthedeadlyOctober 7,2023attackonIsraelbyHamas,andtheendofthewar, inTelAviv,Israel,August9,2025.REUTERS/AmirCohen

Spain’s Coll lost her bottle, notes in Euro 2025 final shootout

(Reuters)-Spainkeeper Cata Coll was left without her tactical notes during the penalty shootout in last

month’s European

C

, because England keeper Hannah Hampton had thrown the bottle they were writtenonintothestands.

Hampton replaced Coll’s bottle with her own as the 24-year-old Chelsea keeper led England to their

secondcontinentaltitleina row, beating the world champions 3-1 in the shootoutaftera1-1drawin Basel

“It wasn’t hard When she’s in the goal it’s on its own you just pick it up,”

HamptontoldTalkSport

“I just put mine in there, chucked her one into the fans and she had anemptybottle

She was looking for

where it is She was walking back and I was walking the other way She was so confused I was trying so hard not to burstoutlaughing.”

AndrewRedmaynedidthe

counterpart Pedro Gallese

playoffforthe2022World Cup

Redmayne saved the

final penalty as Australia wontheshootout5-4

Coll saved Beth Mead’s re-taken penalty as Spain took the lead, before Hampton saved two spotkicks and Spaniard Salma Parallueloshotwide.

Hampton said she wrote downhernotesonherarmto keepthemsafe.

“Ineverputitonabottle becauseanyonecandothat,” sheadded.

Sunday August 10, 2025

ARIES(Mar 21–Apr 19)

Tension may arise today, Aries.It'spossiblethatyou're either too dreamy or too practical to deal effectively with the issue. It's important to strike a balance The toughest part will be finding otherswhoagreewithyou.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Yesterday's trajectory may runintotroubletoday,Taurus. Your intrinsically dreamy nature is dragging down the action you initiated This conflict could create tension that will be difficult to resolve.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Try to align your mind with youremotionstoday,Gemini. It's possible that a powerful yet subtle force is slowly pullingyouofftrack.

CANCER(June21–July22)

An emotional issue could be rubbing you the wrong way, Cancer Your impulse is to escape. Try to do so in a healthy manner Go see a movie or read a book. Don't fall prey to the temptation to indulgeinalcoholorfood.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Yourartisticsidewantstotake to the airwaves in some way, Leo Perhaps you should considerbuildingawebsiteor becomingacommentatorona localradioshow

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

It may be apparent that what was so light and active yesterday is running into a few roadblocks today, Virgo. You're suddenly heading into a brick wall with some of the projects you've been working on.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

There may be dreaminess about your emotions today, Scorpio,whichcouldkeepyou from focusing on the task at hand. The aspects dictate that people may be stubborn and confused-andyou'relikelyto beoneofthem.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Little voices whisper in your ear and ask you to take flight and join them in the clouds, Sagittarius There's tension between what your heart and mind tell you. They're pulling you in very different directions.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Recentspiritualbreakthroughs might have you feeling both exhilarated and downcast, Scorpio. Your sensitive side tells you that this is a definite step forward on your spiritual path.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Something or someone may prod you to take action today, Capricorn. It may be best if you beat them to it and motivateyourself.Breakaway fromtheherdandgowherever youwanttogo.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20–Feb 18) You might experience a great deal of emotional confusion,Aquarius.There'sa debatebrewinginsideyou,and you're having a hard time deciding whether to be practicalormorefanciful.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20) It will be a challenge to keep youremotionsonanevenkeel today,Pisces.Conflictmaybe brewing and you might fear it could get out of hand Everythingwillworkout.

SportsMaxBidstheCaribbean aGratefulGoodbye

After

our place as the Home of Champions, b

destination for Caribbean fans of local, regional and internationalsport.

We’rejustasproudofthe many talented individualsonairandbehindthescenes-

pe SportsMax into a beloved platform and who launched and grew their careers with us.

end of an era - to our loyal viewers and readers across the Caribbean and beyond: thank you. Your passion, supportandbeliefinushave meanteverything. We are deeply honoured to have been part of your lives, your homes and your sportingmemories.

While SportsMax broadcast for the final timeonFriday8thAugust, the fan-favourite sports content that Caribbean viewers know and love will th

This decision marks the

available on other sports channels

Deputy Mayor’s Cup 2025 kicks off with thrilling action at Eve Leary

Ta

he2025editionof

t

Deputy Mayor’s Cup Inter-

Championship is officially underway at the Eve Leary ground in Georgetown. The tournament, hosted by former national player and coach Lennox Arthur, has

alreadydeliveredanexciting slateofmatchesleadinginto theroundofsixteen.

Friday, August 8, saw intense competition and a few surprises as teams battled for early supremacy

TraditionalpowerhousePele narrowly edged out Sophia 2-1 on penalty kicks, while Liliendaal pulled off a stunning upset over North

Ruimveldt.

Stewartvillesecureda21 victory against Road Warriors, and Stabroek B

Campbellville 2-0 in a composed performance Team Madrid dominated Waleswithaconvincing3-0 win, while Eagles advanced past Back Circle via walkover Bent Street

displayed their attacking prowessinacommanding50 rout over Beavers, and Police held their nerve to defeatBelleWest2-1.

The action continued yesterday, more details will be porvided in a subsequent edition of this publication. The tournament is also expectedtoheatupasteams prepare for the round of sixteen set for Wednesday, August13.

Fans can expect more high-energy clashes as Georgetown’s top ward teams vie for the coveted title and local bragging rights.

The tournament is made possible through a host of contributions from several prominent entities, ensuring a successful staging of the ultimate seven-a-side knockout football extravaganza.

Part of the action between Bent Street and

Berbice Cricket Board Ordinary General Meeting set for today

The Special General Meeting of the Berbice cricket board (BCB) is set for today, Sunday 10th of August at the Rose Hall Community Centre, East Canjebeginningat1030hrs.

Highontheagendaisthe submission and review of a numberofreports. Among them are the President’s, Secretary and Treasurer’s reports. Reports from the Competition Committee, the junior and senior selection committees, the f

committeeandreportsfrom the coaches are also expectedtobetabled.

The BCB will also be reviewing its activities for period under review (the past months of this year

The BCB is expected to review submissions from associations and clubs and the possibility o

other business (Samuel Whyte)

Beavers.

Liliendaal stuned North Ruimveldt.

Guyana and Suriname battle in

series from today -49yearsago,Surinamewontheirfirstseries

Members of the

TPart of the action between Guyana and Suriname in 1976.

Leading the charge will b e E u r o p e - b a s e d professional Joy Adams, who was named Captain of theSquad.

welve talented Guyanese young women were named by Head Coach Willon Cameron to suit up for Guyana in their muchanticipated two-game series against Suriname, set for todayandtomorrow,August 10–11 at the CliffAnderson SportsHall.

The other members of that squad are: Amisha Ramlall, Ashna Ramlall, Arshia Ramlall, Jamaicy Ogle, Junelly Paddy, K

, Kassidy Woolford, Malia S

Campbell,BreanRitchieand KeaneAndrews. A c c o r d i n g t o

Statistician Charwayne Walker,theinauguralclash betweenthetwoteamswas in April 1976 at the same venue.

The Guyana female team then was Captained by Barbara Small and Suriname won that historic clash by two gamestoone

The other members of the Guyana team then included Avril Edmondson, Bernadette Scantlebury, Valerie Callender, Carmen Small, Paula Macey, Sandara Armstrong, Sylvia Cyrus, Patsy Russell, Joy Merchant, Delores Duncan andPatriciaWaterman

Guyana’s Maxido System to take centre stage at the World’s

Greatest Martial Artists G.O.A.T Awards & Seminars in Texas

LegendaryMartial

A r t s Grandmaster,Dr Ted Gambordella, has been compiling a book series “World’s Greatest Martial Artists” for the past 15 years. He has joined with respected Martial Arts Grandmasters, Authors, & Scholars Dr Rick Arnold and Lawrence Arthur, to honour the over 500 highranking (5th Dan Black belts and above) Masters and Grandmasters featured

in the book series,

r e c o g n i s i n g t h e

a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s , leadership,andlegaciesata once-in-a-lifetime event, called the G O A T (Greatest Of All Time) awards, to be held at the Tanglewood Resort in Dallas, Texas, August 1416th,2025.

Invited Practitioners from almost every country ontheplanetareexpectedto attend.

Guyanese-born Verney

“Max” Massiah

Founder & Chief Instructor

of MAXIDO StreetDefence, has been not only nominated for the prestigious “Goat” award, butalsoinvitedtoconducta training seminar for the hundreds of attendees, - an indicationoftherespectand growing attention and curiosityoftheuniquestyle of MAXIDO, a pure selfdefencesystemwithastrict focus on *Submission *Limb dislocation, and *Bone breakage of an attacker, in UNDER 4 seconds The system is designed for adults, s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e “Vulnerable”, such as females, elderly, business owners, professionals, security personnel, lawenforcement,militaryetc. Itmustbenoted,thatthe Martial Arts styles, and systems of *Kung Fu & Wushu originated in CHINA.*Karate&Judo,in JAPAN *CapoeiraBRAZIL. *Taekwondo & Hapkido - SOUTH

KOREA *Krav-MagaISRAEL *KajukenboUSA,etc,etc.

At the event, it will be established that one of the World’s fast-rising and respected systems, “MAXIDO”, known for its EFFECTIVE 4-second defence response, originated in the small country of GUYANA, South America, and has earneditsspotontheglobal Martial Arts map, placed among the best. The legacy of MAXIDO StreetDefence(fromGuyana)will be“Earthed”.

Grandmaster Lawrence Arthur, who has been the liaisonfor“Soke”(meaning “Teacher ofTeachers /Head ofFamily)MaxMassiah,(in correspondenceseenbythis newspaper), said “We are honoredtohaveyouandthe MAXIDO system featured at this year’s G O A T awards.

I have no doubt your seminar will leave a lasting impression on all who

attend. We’re thrilled that you’ll be attending with yourteam.

This is a great platform to share what you’ve developed, and we look forward to seeing your systeminthespotlight.Your “Under4seconds”response concept sounds powerful, and I know our panel and audience would value seeing it in action. This event is about legacy, innovation, and the contributions each of us brings to the Martial Arts World.

Your unique approach and dynamic style will be a powerful addition to the weekend.

Comingallthewayfrom Guyana, this distinguished honour is a testament to yourdedication,impact,and leadership within the Martial Arts community

Additionally, your recognition in Dr Ted Gambordella’s book, THE WORLD’S GREATEST MARTIAL ARTISTS,

solidifies your legacy among the most elite Martial Artists in history

Again, thank you for your continued commitment to excellence, as we look forward to your powerful seminar presentation, your reputation for realism and intensityiswellknown,and I’m confident our attendees will benefit greatly from yourinsightandenergy”.

Soke Massiah’s team comprises of 4 of his elite students.

*(Formermagistrateand Army Lieutenant Colonel)

Leslie Sobers, 2nd Dan *Kojo Mcpherson (Black belt) *(Senior Instructor)

Sean Thomas (Grey2) and *Floyde “Jun Jun” Rudder (Grey1).

The Guyanese, who has been studying and practicing martial Arts for 53 years, said he also requested to “TEST” at the event,tofurthervalidatethe effectiveness of MAXIDO. “I intend to pop eyes and jumphearts”,hesaid.

Soke Max said, every one of his chosen accompanying four, are necessary, to assist in the success of his presentation. However, with mere days away, the meagre budget of US$9,575 (Airfare, meals, Accommodation, event fees) has not been realised, witheven2membersleftin limbowithoutenoughfunds to purchase their travel tickets, and funds for accommodation still empty Ofcourse,wereachedoutto the Ministry of Sports for assistance, but we have not beenaccommodated.

We’re desperately seeking support from corporate Guyana, and citizens, in what is beneficial not for myself or MAXIDO, but for Guyana. Those who can and are willing to assist, please contact us on telephone numbers 609 8132 (Max Massiah), 627 9619 (Leslie Sobers), 626 9723 (Sean Thomas), or Email maxmassiah@yahoo.com.

1976 female basketball team being met by Minister of Sport Shirley Field-Ridley.

Pakistan take 1st ODI

Trinidad Express - West Indies committed the cardinal limited overs sin of not batting their full complement of overs and paidthepriceFridaynightin Tarouba.

Dismissed for 280 in 49 overs the first One-Day International against Pakistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, they lost by five wickets, with the visitors winning with seven ballstospare.

An unbroken century sixthwicketstandof104off 70 balls between Hasan Nawaz (52, 33 balls) and Hussain Talat (41 off 37), clinchedthematchandgave

the Pakistanis a 1-0 lead in thethree-matchseries.

Nawaz,inhisdebutODI, made himself Player-of-theMatch with and innings that blossomed from a sluggish start.Havingbeenrestricted by spinners Roston Chase (8-0-41-1) and Gudakesh Motie (10-0-42-1), they capitalisedwhenthequicker bowlers came back bowling aballdrenchedindew

“Thetossdefinitelyhasa big factor to play,” said WI skipper Shai Hope after the m a t c h B u t h e acknowledged that, “maybe wecouldhavegotabitmore runs to put them under a bit morepressure.”

Asked to bat first after MohammadRizwanwonthe toss for Pakistan, West Indies were in control over thefirsthalfoftheirinnings.

Theygottothehalf-way 25th over on 135 for three. Evin Lewis, returning to the sideforhisfirstgameinthis home series season after injury and Keacy Carty had made up for the first over dismissal of Brandon King witha77-runsecondwicket partnershipoff82balls.

Lewis got the top-score of the match, a typically thumping 60 with five fours andthreesixes.Cartygot30 off 39 deliveries, but both weredismissedwithoutfully

capitalising on their starts.

Carty in particular was careless in being caught off

Evin Lewis was severe against errors in length. (AFP/Getty Images)

the back of his bat by slip fielder Agha Salman as he tried to sweep wrist spinner SufiyanMuqeeminthe15th over

Skipper Hope made another ODI half-century –55(77balls,fourfours)-and added64forthefifthwicket with Chase (53 off 54). But again, neither of them were abletobatintotothelastfive overs, Chase falling to Naseem Shah in the same overinwhichhereachedthat sixthODIfifty

The failure of the top order to finish the job came backtohurttheWindies.

Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to add the wickets ofHope,RomarioShepherd (four) and Shamar Joseph (eight)totheopeningwicket ofKing.TheWestIndieslost theirlastfourwicketsfor47 runs despite another handy knockbyMotie(31off18).

The Pakistan seamers camebackwell,bowlingfast and straight with some movement through the air The WI batters could not adjust their approach to ensure they maximised the

Hussain

and

50overs.

Jayden Seales struck early in the Pakistan chase, having Ayub caught by keeper Hope in the third over Butpartnershipsof47, 55 and 40 for the second, third and fourth wickets involving BabarAzam (47), Rizwan (53) and Nawaz, keptthevisitorsinthegame, before ODI rookies Nawaz and Talat ensured that Pakistanwouldnotimplode. Hope and his men were left ruing again their inability to put a complete gametogether Theywilltry todosotodayinamust-win game,oncemoreinTarouba. Summarised scores: WEST INDIES 280, 49 overs (Evin Lewis 60, Shai Hope 55, Roston Chase 53, Gudakesh Motie 31; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/51, Naseem Shah 3/55) vs PAKISTAN 284-5, 48 5 overs(HasanNawaz63n.o., Mohammad Rizwan 53, Babar Azam 47, Hussain Talat41n.o.;ShamarJoseph 2/65).

Result-Pakistanwonby fivewickets.

celebrate after finishing the job.

Brooks/AFPvia Getty Images)

Talat

Hasan Nawaz

(Randy

Montreal protagonists Mboko, Osaka out of Cincinnati Open

AFP - WTA Montreal

tournament champion Victoria Mboko and beaten finalist Naomi Osaka officially withdrew on Friday from the ATP-WTA CincinnatiOpenindecisions openly telegraphed after theirThursday night final in Canada.

Mboko, the 18-year-old Canadian who electrified Montreal with her run to a first WTA title, cited the wrist injury she suffered in the semi-finals while fourtime Grand Slam winner Osaka blamed a “schedule change”forherabsence.

Cincinnati tournament officials said the pair had received byes into the second round due to their performancesattheprevious

event.

Thewithdrawalsvaulted four lucky losers from qualifying into the first round of the main draw of the last major event prior to theAugust25startoftheUS Open.

AfterdefeatingOsaka26, 6-4, 6-1 to win the Montreal title, Mboko revealedthattheswellingin her wrist had been bad enough on Thursday morning to prompt her to have an MRI exam before theeveningfinal.

“Iwokeupthismorning, andIactuallyhadmywrista little bit swollen from (Wednesday’s) fall,” she said.

“We quickly went to the hospital for an MRI and an

X-ray before I came to the courtstopractice.”

Mboko said she and her team eventually “got the green light that nothing too serious was going on in the wrist.”

But she said Thursday

night that she expected to giveCincinnatiamiss.

“I’m not planning on playing Cincinnati at the moment. I just want to take care of my wrist a little bit rightnow,”shesaid.

“It’s just very close and

sudden for me to go there andplayagain(in),like,two days.

“IthinkI’mjustgoingto sit out on that one and prepare for the upcoming tournaments.”

Osaka was less definite, but said she was “teetertottering”.

“It’s going to be interestingtosee,yeah,what my next match is and how I’m going to play,” the former world number one said.

Victoria Mboko of Canada is skipping the Cincinnati Open after winning her first WTAtitle in Montreal. (Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images NorthAmerica/Getty Images viaAFP)

NFL preseason roundup: Shedeur Sanders stars in Browns debut

Reuters - Cleveland rookie quarterback Shedeur Sandersmadeanimpressive profootballdebutonFriday, t h r o w i n g f o r t w o touchdowns while leading the Browns to a 30-10 win overtheCarolinaPanthersin Charlotte.

The game was the preseason opener for both teams. Sanders, who started and played until the middle

of the third quarter, completed 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards. He also ran fourtimesfor19yards.

Sanders said, “I would say I’m comfortable with being uncomfortable, so that’swhatitis.Igotpockets of finding my rhythm, and I’ve got to get into that quicker, regardless of anything. But overall, I felt like me out there. “Did I play up to par? No, I don’t

feel like I did. But overall, the main goal was to win, and that’s honestly what we did.”

The Panthers led 7-0 after a 5-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to Jalen Coker late in the first quarterbeforeSandersthrew his two scoring passes to give the Browns a 14-7 halftime lead. Each time Sanders connected with KadenDavis,for7yardsand for 12 yards Sanders engineeredanotherTDdrive in the third quarter before exiting with Cleveland up 21-7.TylerHuntleywentthe restofthewayatquarterback for the Browns, hitting on 6 of8passesfor51yardsanda touchdown.

Young played the first two series for the Panthers andwent4-for-6for58yards and the one score. Andy

Dalton (13-for-19, 101 yards, one interception) and Jack Plummer (6-for-10, 79 yards) handled the rest of Carolina’sQBduties.

Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette and Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins were ejected after throwing punchesinthefirstquarter

Lions17,Falcons10

Journeyman Kyle Allen threwmoretouchdownsthan incompletions as Detroit beat host Atlanta in a game that was halted in the fourth quarter after Lions safety Morice Norris Jr was taken offthefieldinanambulance followingahittothehead.

On the first play of the fourth period, Falcons runningNathanCartertooka handoff and got into the Detroitsecondary AsNorris went in for the tackle, Carter’srightkneehitNorris

inthehead.Thesecond-year player immediately went to the turf and Lions trainers ran into the field. I’m

humbled and honored to have been part of this organization for 20 incredibleyears.

After being tended to, Norris was put in an ambulance and taken to an areahospital.

Afteronemoresnap,the teams then gathered to pray at midfield and the clock continued running with no moreplaysrununtilofficials eventuallycalledthegame.

Allen was 7 of 8 for 120 yards and two TDs. Lions undrafted free agent rookie Jackson Meeks led all players with 78 yards receiving and caught the winning score midway throughthethirdquarter

Easton Stick led the Falcons with 149 yards passingandatouchdown— a 13-yard strike to receiver Chris Blair in the second q

48, Commanders18

New England running back TreVeyon Henderson took the game’s opening kickoff100yardsforascore and the Patriots rolled from t

Washington in Foxborough, Mass. If it were the regular season,thegamewouldhave featuredthesecondandthird picks in the 2024 draft. Instead, the Commanders held out quarterback Jayden Daniels the second overall pick and reigning NFLOffensiveRookieofthe Year The third overall pick, Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, did play two drives but came away with mixed results. In his first drive, Maye turned the ball over after Washington defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton sacked him and stripped the ball. In his other series, however, Maye scrambled for 5-yard touchdown on third-and-goalwith5:41left inthefirst.

Maye finished 3 of 5 for 12 yards passing and added twocarriesfor16yards.The Patriots finished with four rushingtouchdowns.

The Commanders got 173 yards passing from veteran Josh Johnson. He threw one touchdown and one interception Field LevelMedia

Detroit Lions quarterback KyleAllen (8) fumbles when hit byAtlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (54) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) runs a keeper against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank ofAmerica Stadium. (Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)

Police on the move, Regal Stationery fuels sporting spirit

Ian John (left) and Deputy Commissioner (Administration) of Police Ravindradat Budhram having a light moment with some of the equipment.

Regal Stationery and Computer Centre donated a large quantity of sporting equipment to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday afternoon in Georgetown.

dispenser ManagerofRegal Sports, Ian John, handed overtheequipmentonbehalf of Managing Director, Mahendra Hardyal, at the GPF Sports Club in Eve Leary

John explained that the gift reflects the goodwill shared between the Regal familyandtheGPFoverthe

years, and promised that moredonationscouldfollow if the equipment is put to gooduse.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration) and GPF men’s cricket captain, Ravindradat Budhram, accepted the donation. He thanked the Regal family for their

generosityandpromisedthe equipment would be used to keep officers both mentally andphysicallyfit.

Budhram also reminded Hardyal of an upcoming cricket match between the two sides, joking, “It can be softball or hardball — the ground [Eve Leary] is ready.”

This donation is part of the long-standing relationship between the companyandthepolice.The gearwillsupportbothindoor and outdoor sports, helping oneofGuyana’smostactive and disciplined clubs continue to excel in various disciplines.

The donation included equipment for cricket, football, hockey, volleyball, athletics, badminton, boxing, table tennis, fitness, chess, and dominoes, along with a hot and cold-water

Kennard Memorial Turf Club says thanks for tremendous support of Emancipation meet

Honorary President and Matriarch of the respected Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Mrs. Chand Kennard along with the board of management, the executive and members are sayingthanks.

The gratitude is being expressed due to the overwhelming support the Club received in making its recently concluded Emancipation horserace meetasuccess.

The club takes the opportunity to say a big thankyoutoallcontributors including sponsors and supporters and members of thehorseracingfraternityfor theirtremendoussupport.

Specialcommendationis being extended to among others -The Trophy Stall, Colin Elcock Delmur Company Limited, Mike Pharmacy, Muneshwar Company Limited, Survival

Supermarket, Patsan

Trading Establishment, The J Supermarket David Persaud Investments, The Majeed Family, Amco Construction Company, BlueSeenarine,RohanAuto Sales, Devanand Sawh Mechanical Work Shop and JoeJagmohan.

A l s o r e c e i v i n g commendation was the Guyana Police Force contingent led by Deputy Superintendent Michael Newland.

According to Mrs Kennard, despite the odds the KMTC remains one of the premiere horseracing venues in the country It is knownforstagingtop-notch horseracemeets.

Most of their meets are incidentfree.

The action pack

Emancipationeventlivedup to expectations. She lauds the continuous support of fans and sponsors alike (SamuelWhyte)

Police on the move, Regal

Stationery fuels sporting spirit

Family and members of the Guyana Police Force Sports Club with the sporting equipment at Eve Leary on Friday.

MAXIDO Street-Defence practitioners strike a pose.