Kaieteur News

Israeli attacks, forced starvation kill more than 70 Palestinians in Gaza

...Inthefaceofglobalanger,Israelannouncesplanned humanitarianpauseinciviliancentrestoenableaiddistribution.

Chevron will look out alongside Exxon-Jagdeo

for Guyana’s interest

Guyana hands over official residence to CARICOM

Secretary-General

Former Colombian president:

Guyana’s forests could be worth as much as its oil, if

carbon is fairly priced

…urgesglobalfairpricingforcarbon

Norton vows to ‘maximize’ benefits from Exxon's oil deal, but offers no specifics

Govt. to engage private tertiary institutions to fulfil free education promise – Pres. Ali

…as number of applicants for UG surpass capacity

WIN proposes overhaul of oil regulations

Chevron will look out for Guyana’s interest alongside ExxonMobil

Vice President (VP) Bharrat

J a g d e o i s confident that United States oil company Chevron will look out for Guyana's interest alongside Exxon as theyextractthecountry'soil fromtheStabroekBlock.

According to Jagdeo, Chevron can hold Exxon accountable, ultimately reducing inflated costs and maximizing Guyana's share fromtheoil.

- Jagdeo

the ownership of the shares.

He reminded that Guyana has no jurisdiction in the matterarbitrationmatter

“…having another US majorthathadakindofwell, tense relationship with Exxon... So, Chevron is one of the shareholders now in Guyana(and)willbehaving acquired Hess's shares and

On Thursday, he was asked to state the implications of Chevron entering the Stabroek Block following its arbitration win againstExxonMobil.Jagdeo told reporters attending his weeklypressconferencethat there are no immediate implications noting that the governmentseesachangein

Exxon on the other side

b

shareholder that tension betweenthetwocouldserve our country better,” Jagdeo toldreporters.

The VP reminded that

outside of being a shareholder in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil is also the operator As a result, he

b

shareholder will be looking at the operation costs, making“surethatthosecosts areminimized,andfocuson maximizing output, because they as shareholders will be getting more money if that weretohappen,thecompany isrunmoreefficientlyandif it's run more efficiently it's alsomaximizesourtake.”

Giving an example to justifythisview,hesaidthat if the Kaieteur News has a

fear that costs have been inflated by the operator in what is currently being audited, Chevron would sharethesameconcern,asit is now a shareholder and inflatedcostsbytheoperator willaffectthemaswell.

On July 19, this publication reported that Americanoilgiant,Chevron Corporation,isnowa30per centshareholderinGuyana's Stabroek Block after completing the US$53

billion acquisition of Hess Corporation, following a favourable arbitration outcome regarding Hess' Guyanaasset.

L a t e 2 0 2 3 , t h e acquisition of Hess was announced. The deal gave Chevron access to Hess' mostvaluableasset,a30per cent stake in the Stabroek Block,whichisestimatedto hold 11.6 billion barrels of oil equivalent.However, the move prompted the other

partners in the Stabroek

Block, ExxonMobil Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to approach the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce(ICC)toexamine their preemption rights over Hess'share.

In May 2025, the oil companies, through their lawyers, faced off before a three-member arbitration (Continuedonpage8)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Guyana’s forests could be worth as much as its oil, if carbon is fairly priced

…urges global fair pricing for carbon -formerColombian president

FormerPresidentof Colombia Iván Duque Márquez has called for urgent action to fairly price carbon sinking.

Speakingatthelaunchof the Global Biodiversity

Alliance Summit in Georgetown, he argued that the value of tropical forests like Guyana's should be recognised at the same level asfossilfuelreserves.

Duque emphasized the role of forests in mitigating climatechangeandtheneed f o r c o m p e n s a t i o n mechanisms to reflect that. “So, it's important that carbon sinking is rightly compensated. The Amazon biome is sinking every year, almost15%ofalltheglobal greenhouse gasses emissions,”Duquesaid.

He noted that without proper pricing mechanisms, the preservation of critical

ecosystems remains

u n d e r f u n d e d a n d undervalued.

He singled out Guyana,

saying the country's extensive oil reserves estimated at 11 billion

barrels should not overshadow its natural wealthinforestcover.“Ifwe lookatGuyana,forexample, acountrythatisrichbecause [it] has among many of its richnesses,thepossibilityof hosting 11 billion barrels of oil, which makes it the per capitalargestproducerofoil in the world, is almost as important, if not more, that this country has 90% of its territory in tropical forest,” hesaid.

According to Duque, if the correct price per ton of carbon was applied to the carbon absorption capacity ofGuyana'sforests,“willbe almostthesamevalueasthe oil reserves this country has now.”

He added, “Is the world putting the right price on carbon? I don't think so yet, but this alliance needs to bring to valendo para, to COP 30 that discussion, because if there is a goal, a global coalition to protect biodiversitywithclearKPIs, we're market driven, nature

based solutions, we definitely need to bring the discussion I don't think so yet,butthisallianceneedsto bringtovalendopara,tocop 30thatdiscussion,becauseif there is a goal, a global

coalition to protect biodiversitywithclearKPIs,

we're market driven, nature

based solutions, we definitely need to bring the discussion to the fair carbon pricing so that this becomes areality.”

Calling for a global coalition backed by key performance indicators (KPIs) and market-driven, nature-based solutions, Duque concluded that “countries can put their moneywheretheirmouthis” by committing to equitable carbonpricing.

The inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit was on Wednesday launched in Georgetown, Guyana,withheadsofstates calling for greater global support for biodiversity protectionastheworldfaces acrisiswherebiodiversityis under threat. The alliance is committed to scaling blended finance to de-risk investment in nature-based enterprises, piloting biodiversity credits that reward stewardship, expanding debt-for-nature swaps, modeled on our own experience and supporting community-driven finance modelsthatplaceindigenous leadershipatthecenter.

For his part, former President of the Republic of Colombia, said, “The challenges we face are big, we have lost in the last five decades almost 70 per cent of the world's wildlife. We have seen that land degradation, and also negative use of land, has become the second largest source of greenhouse gasses emissions,andweknowthat if we don't act promptly and with the right instruments, we are going to see most of ourecosystemssufferlikeno othertimebefore.”

The former president said that he was confident the Global Biodiversity Alliance will introduce practicalelementsforaction, which involve marketdriven, nature-based solutions He further underscoredthattheworldis facing an enormous amount ofdebt.

He further outlined the needtodefinethatprotecting biodiversity is linked with food security, natural security, and safeguarding global supply chains. He saidtoothatthereisaneedto create elements that avoid further degradation of ecosystems.

“We are in an Amazon

country,andtheAmazonhas lost in the last four decades theequivalentofFranceand Germany together inland. Andpeoplemaybelievethat stopping that level of deforestation seems impossible Well, the responseisno,becausewe're in a country like Guyana, thathasbeenabletokeep95 per cent of its territory in t r o p i c a l j u n g l e successfully,”heoutlined.

Guyanacarboncredit In 2022, it was announced the issuance of 33.47 million TREES credit to Guyana under the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) through its TREES standard. These credits are specifically designed for both the voluntary and compliance markets and reward countries for successfully preventingdeforestationand forest degradation, under a s y s t e m k n o w n a s jurisdictionalREDD+.

Guyana earned 33 47 million TREES credits for theperiod2016to2020.The

creditseachrepresentingone ton of carbon dioxide avoided are serialised and listed on ART's public registry They are available forsaleontheglobalcarbon market, including for use undertheInternationalCivil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO)emissionsreduction scheme,CORSIA,aswellas by corporations pursuing voluntaryclimategoals.

So far, two major companies have committed to purchasing Guyana's high-quality carbon credits.

In 2022, the Government of Guyana signed a landmark agreementwithoilcompany HessCorporationtosell37.5 million credits over a 10year period for at least US$740 million. Apple has since followed, becoming the second company to purchase from Guyana's carboncreditportfolio.

Guyana'soil

Currently oil is only being produced from the Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore

Guyana and spans 6 6 millionacres.

The Stabroek Block is estimatedtohold11.6billion barrelsofoilequivalent.

Oil production began in December 2019 and has grownto650,000barrelsper day (bpd) from three sanctioned projects: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara This output is expectedtoincreasewiththe upcoming start-up of Yellowtail, the fourth development,laterthisyear

Renewable energy solutions

ExxonMobil Guyana is

theoperatorandholdsa45% interest, Chevron (Hess) Guyana holds 30%, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limitedholdstheremaining 25%.

Exxon has two other sanctionedprojectsunderits belt: Uaru and Whiptail. It has also submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its

production targeted for 2029 Additionally, the company has filed an application for an eighth development,Longtail.

Former President of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez

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

U.S. is concerned

The U.S. is concerned about political contestant, AzruddinMohamed,ifheshouldgetaseatinparliament. He couldthenbesittinginacommitteeandseematerialsthathe shouldn't. In view of the level of corruption, the crimes associatedwithmorethanafewministers,itissurprisingthat the U.S. is not concerned about those presences on parliamentarycommittees. Mohamediscapableofmaking representations for himself, and we make none for him, in keeping with our standard of not backing any candidate or group. ButweatthispaperhaveourownconcernsaboutU.S .'concerns'assuchareconvenienttothesuperpower Inmore respects than one, the U.S. can be seen in different lights, when examined under a fair microscope. Among those are inconsistencyofposture,nobilityofpurpose,orhypocrisyin action. Moreover,theU.S.seemsonlytobeconcernedwhen itsownconcernsareinsomesortofjeopardy.

The current climate and the current government in Guyana have helped enormously in the current dominant worldpowerusingthiscountryasaplaygroundforitsgames. Meanwhile, Guyanese are targeted and victimized by powerful arms of the State, while the U.S. sees it fit to be a pictureofunconcern,andturnsitsfaceawayfromthoselocal atrocities. ItcouldbethattheU.S.isnotgoingthere,because that would be interpreted as interfering in the domestic affairsofasovereignnation. Butthereisconcernaboutthe candidacy of WIN's Mohamed, and where that could lead, and how much that could be inconvenient, if not unacceptable. The constitutional rights of Guyanese are trampled upon at will, by a callous, often lawless, government,andwhentheAmericansshouldbeconcerned, they take a sabbatical of silence. For a long time, Washington has been a champion of human rights, even goingagainstpowerfulnationslikeRussiaandChina,yetit isunmovedandunconcernedaboutthestreamofbrutalities metedoutagainstGuyanese.

Furthermore, Guyana's massive oil patrimony, the property of all citizens, is monopolized and utilized for the benefit of less than one percent of the country population, and the U.S. is neither seen nor heard. What does that say, howtoviewtheU.S.? WeabsorbU.S.concernaboutWIN securing a seat in Guyana's parliament, and what such a developmentsignifies.

AzruddinMohamedcouldbeinparliament,andthensee too much, hear too much, and know too much. We don't disagree,excepttosaythatwhatgoesforhim,mustapplyto all,especiallywithaneyeontheincumbents. Itishelpfulto recall how many members of the government, and public servants, have been detained and interrogated at John F KennedyAirport. But, in some form or fashion, there was still business going on with them, they were still in parliamentwhenitwasprorogued. Thepointbeingmadeis that the U.S. should not be about half measures, for that leavesitlookingaslessthananhonestpresenceinGuyana. Aconstructiveoneisalsowhatcouldbecalledintoquestion, for when sharply scrutinized, Guyana's biggest ally also takes on the appearance of one that nibbles away at it, and weakensit,fromtheinside.

Looking away from Guyana, the U.S. have not had any qualmsaboutdealingwiththePhilippines'sMarcos(theold one), nor the new one, either Both are not the kind of company that honest people would invite to dinner, have aroundtheirfamilies. Whocouldhavecoddledtheolderone more,lookedtheotherwaymore? ThenthereisGazaandthe crimesbeingcommittedagainstthePalestinians. Itwouldbe inspiringforsomefrankU.S.U.S.concernsandhard-edged U.S.leadershiptoputanendtothebloodletting. Dayafter day, dozens (sometimes hundreds) of Palestinian men, women,andchildrenaremassacred,andthedegreeofdeep concern that should be expressed by the U.S. rarely gets outside of conference rooms. The question for Guyanese, whensuchcircumstancesareconsidered,iswhattomakeof the U.S. being concerned about Azruddin Mohamed, an elected MP sitting on some sensitive committee Inconsistency,nobilityofpurpose,orhypocrisy?

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Wealth includes the value of Natural Resources

DearEditor,

In a recent presentation by President Ali, he stated that“…Wehaveseenaround us countries that made the mistake of treating oil of treating natural resources revenue as wealth you've seen TrinidadandTobago Venezuela natural resources revenue is not wealth is revenue to be invested to create wealth… and that is whatwe'redoingthatiswhat we're doing ” (Source:

(https://youtu.be/hLLbhv6m sSM?t=2915); Minute 48:38) The President’s statement is also mentioned i

https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2025/07/22/guya

president-ali/. There are several issues with what President Ali said in the above statement which should be clarified, since it

interpretation on what wealthandnaturalresources areinanycountry

First, the implicit value of the eleven billion barrels of commercial quantities of oilnowbeingextractedbya foreign owned consortium ( E x x o n M o b i l , Hess/Chevron, CNOOC) is already being incorporated in the Financial Statements o

, increasing thereby the share priceonthestockmarket,as

well as the market value of the company Consequently, it is incorrect for the President to state that the natural resource revenue or the value of the unextracted oil is not wealth, for the increasing stock price conveys a different message of increasing profitability And in this regard, Chevron recently bought Hess for U S $ 6 0 0 B i l l i o n

(https://tinyurl.com/4p68wt

(Continuedonpage5)

Israel allowed to slaughter thousands in Palestine

DearEditor,

Let me tell you a story about a group of people that hijacked an Israeli airline carrying 176 passengers, most of them, Jewish in 1976.Withoutawarning,the Israeli Security Force took action; they flew into Uganda at Entebbe Airport, entered the plane and killed

all the terrorists. Taking the planeandflewbacktoIsrael. Not one Israeli soldier or passengerwashurt. That is the quality of Israeli security intelligence. Itisthereforedifficultforme to believe, given quality of Israel's security intelligence, and would say that it is entirely possible that the

October 7, 2023, attack on Israel was allowed to happen.

TheJewishpeoplearefar more advanced militarily to have an intelligence lapse to allow Hamas to carry out such a heinous attack on October 7, 2023. It is clear that after the purported attack on October 7, 2023

that Israel has used what occurred on that day as an alibi for what appears to be genocide against the Palestinianpeople. AsmorePalestiniansare killed, it is easy to compare the Israeli leaders to Adolf Hitler

Sincerely,

FrankDeAbreu

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Wealth includes the value of Natural...

Frompage4 5u); and assuming that the valueoftheHessinvestment in the Guyana business is worth80percentoftheHessChevron deal, this implies thatHesscontributioninthe Guyana oil business is US$48 0 Billion (80% x US$60.0Billion).

Furthermore, since Hess owns 30 percent of the oil businessinGuyana,itcanbe deduced that the implied book value of the Guyana StabroekBlockisUS$160.0 Billion (US$48.0 Billion ÷ 0.30), with the ownership distributed as follows: ExxonMobil stake at 45 percent equal to US$72.0 Billion;Hess/Chevronat30 percent equal to US$48.0 Billion; and CNOOC at 25 percent equal to US$40.0 Billion.

Itisalsoappositetonote that since these companies invested a much smaller amount of money than the US$160.0 Billion, we know that their owner’s equity, or wealth, has amplified

significantly by the increasingvalueofthestock price.Forexample,theHess stock price was less than US$70.00 when oil production began in December 2019; today, the stock price has more than doubled, climbing to US$149.00. What is most disturbing, however, about this increasing value of the company is that since Guyana is not an equity ownerintheBusiness,andis only identified in the lopsided PSA contract as a Non-Owner Associate, Guyana has nothing extra to get, even though Guyana ownsthenaturalresource.

Second, many countries have a large bundle of natural resources that are valued in the trillions of dollars; and these natural resources are included in their national patrimony of collective national assets (https://tinyurl com/e6fps46 7). Table 1 below contains the value of the natural resources of several c o u n t r i e s (https://tinyurl com/33apwz

technical and investment information, while funding forsuchaprogramshouldbe disbursed from the Natural ResourceFund.

Third, investing oil revenuetocreatewealth,the President said it “… is what we're doing that is what we're doing ” This statement would be correct, if the oil revenue is being disbursed for projects that are technically feasible, and optimallyresourcedwiththe requiredinputs.

In this regard, and to the extentthatMr MarcoRubio, Secretary of State, USA, is correct when he said he

kb).Forexample,thenatural resources(coal,gas,oil,and rare earth metals) in Russia are valued at US$75 0 Trillion, while the natural resources in the United States of America (coal, timber,naturalgas,gold,and copper) are valued at US$45.0 Trillion. In Brazil and Venezuela, their natural resources are valued at US$22.0 Trillion and US$ 14.0Trillion,respectively Similarly, Guyana has a bundle of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (See the Figure below)whichareincludedin our national patrimony of collective national assets And interestingly, Guyana’s natural resources (oil, natural gas, gold, bauxite,

timber, see Table 1) are no differentthanwhatobtainsin manyofthecountries.

c

b Given th

l resources identified in Guyana, it is likely that Guyanaonapercapitabasis isoneoftherichestcountries intheworld.Butifaforeign owned company develops the resource, using lopsided

(https://tinyurl com/2s3ttk3 m), then it is highly likely that Guyana’s net worth from our natural resources would be small, and our wealth will be small. For instance,recallthatlastyear the export value of oil was US$17.9 Billion; and of this amount Guyana only

received in real terms US$ 202 7 Million (or 1 13 percent of the total exports), after paying the taxes of the c o m p a n y (https://tinyurl.com/2s3ttk3 m).

Consequently,correcting this problem would require different policy and management approaches, along with appropriate incentives. Moreover, since Guyanadoesnothaveallthe required skills, we have to develop an enhanced mineral research and documentation system by upgrading the Natural Resource Ministry, and introducing a Geology Department and Program at the University of Guyana. This will provide valuable

lack of oxygen that was required to treat a patient resulted in the death of the patient, this outcome would also fail to support the President’s claim Consequently, enhanced management, optimal transparency, and timely accountability will make a significant difference; otherwise, failure will be guaranteed, money will be wasted, and

precious lives might be lost d

e incompetence across the entiregovernancesystem.

Finally, wealth (or net worth) in accounting is typically measured as the difference between the total value of assets (TVA) and liabilities (what you owe): Wealth = TVA – Liabilities. Since natural resources are included in total assets, it therefore follows that when

(decreases), wealth will increase (decrease), holding liabilities constant And when liabilities are zero (fullyrepaiddebt),wealthis equal to total assets. This o

ore different from what was stated by President Ali, for wealth includes the value of natural resources. The oil consortium partners in Guyanahaveincludedthisin their financial statements; Guyananeedstostep-up!

almosthadaconcussionona poorlybuiltroadinGuyana, the facts would not support the kind of transformation President Ali is claiming of investing oil revenue to create wealth. For another example, if the report from the newly commissioned DiamondHospitalwherethe

Sincerely,

KenrickHunte

AndreBrandli

AlfredBhulai

DarshanandKhusial

JoePersaud

MikePersaud

O n b e h a l f o f www oggn org/about a

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Govt. must cut ties with Chevron

DearEditor,

For almost 2 years we have been witness to the unspeakable in Gaza. Even food and water have been weaponized to induce a famine to increase, by any meansavailable,thenumber of Palestinians killed in this ongoing genocide. We are forced to watch as people whose families are facing starvation, are mercilessly gunneddownastheylineup to collect a bag of flour at US/Israeli operated food

distribution stations

Operating for less than 2 months, 900 Palestinians, manyofthemchildren,have been shot dead trying to collect aid at these so-called humanitarian stations, and over100peoplehavediedof starvation.

These food distribution points have been renamed 'the killing fields', a term borrowedfromtheinfamous genocide carried out in Cambodia by the fascist KhmerRougeRegimeledby PolPot,whichlastedforfour years (1975 -1979) and wiped out more than 2.5

million people. The only response from the Government of Guyana and Caricom are loads of empty words. Anyone can express horror at what is happening inGaza,andindeedtheonly people on the earth who fail to do so are fascists and the genociders themselves Whatweneedisaction.

In the midst of this n i g h t m a r e , i t i s inconceivable that our governmentisenteringintoa 15 7 million USD agricultural project with Israeli company, KARLICO INC., despite international and local pleas to BOYCOTT, DIVEST and SANCTION (BDS) the ApartheidIsraeliState.BDS Guyana has called on President Ali to cut all economic, cultural, diplomatic and sporting ties withNetanyahu'smurderous regime, and with all companies that are based in or who have ties to Israel. Despite this, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha proudly announced that the new

agricultural project will make progress soon

Maintaining ties with Apartheid Israel and those who do their bidding is somethingthatCheddiJagan and Forbes Burnham would neverhaveentertained.

The holocaust that is taking place in Gaza will leave an indelible stain on human history, and all those who continue to maintain ties with the Genocidal ApartheidStateofIsraelwill be recorded as having been complicitinthishorror

BDS Guyana is once againcallingonDDLtoend its partnership with the LR Group, an Israeli company with close ties to the Israeli Government Until DDL cuts ties with this company, we are calling on all Guyanese to continue boycotting DDL products. People tellus every day that they feel sick about what is happening in Palestine but thatitisveryhardtoboycott allDDLproducts.Wesaynot as hard as having the blood of Palestinian women and childrenonyourhands.Find alternative products – there are plenty on the market, competitively priced. You may think this is an extreme position, however, any human being on this planet who knowingly purchases goods that are directly generating income that supports and enables the currentIsraeliState,isinfact playingapartinenablingthe genocide to continue. As

longasGuyanacontinuesto do business with Israeli companies, we are complicit. In addition to cutting ties with KARLICO INC., we call on the PPP Government to cut all ties with Chevron, which is now a major player in Guyana's oilandgasindustry Chevron is the largest producer of naturalgasforIsrael,andthe l

significant stake in Israel's energy sector Israel collects hundreds of millions of dollars annually in royalties and fees from Chevron Chevron'sTamargasfieldis themainsuppliertothestateowned Israel Electric Corporation which supplies electricity to all branches of the Israeli Government and majority o

I

The Israel Electric Corporation took over the Palestinian power grid after Israel's 1967 occupation

The supply of electricity is usedasaformofsubjugation and collective punishment.

M a n y P

i a n communities are banned from connection to the grid; others receive substandard services; some are charged h

eli households All Israeli military bases, prisons, and policestations,aswellasthe illegal settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank, are powered by Chevron.

As we write this letter, we can't help thinking that these demands may be seen by some as unrealistic from an economic standpoint However, the question "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

(Mark 8:36 and Matthew 16:26) can equally be asked of a nation.We are asking the Government and by extension Caricom to get on the right side of history now The global BDS campaign was an important factorinendingapartheidin South Africa and if adhered to and intensified, there can benodoubtitwillhelpbring an end to the occupation of Palestine.

neighbouring Jewish-Israeli towns; and Palestinian communities experience constant punitive power cuts Additionally, since 2007,Israelhastightenedits air,land,andnavalblockade of Gaza to enable Chevron's exploration operations off thecoastofGaza.

Yourssincerely, BDSGuyana

Have some lost their conscience?

DearEditor,

I love the swift way in which sanctions were meted outtotheownerofRaghoo's bar where a young woman wasunconscionablyviolated before an approving crowd, because as wise King Solomon of old declared: "When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out,people'sheartsarefilled with schemes to do wrong."

(Ecc.8:11NIV)

It'ssickeningtothinkthat mankind can sink to such levels of depravity! Our women are being subjected to vile abuse - rape, mutilation, intimidation, murder!Havesomelosttheir consciences? Is this a reflectionofwhereweareas anation?

Persons must have confidence in those responsible for upholding the law, and in the judicial systeminitsentirety WhenaHighCourtorder isignored,andGTUduesare not deducted from teachers' salaries as ordered by the High Court; when the Caribbean Court of Justice ( C C J ) e x p r e s s e d consternation that the ChancellorandChiefJustice continue to be " actors" and its proposal that these noble women's appointments be confirmedisignored,weare lefttoconcludethatpolitical authority transgresses and supercedes that of the High Court and beyond... Such lawlessness begets more lawlessness!

It takes just a little yeast toleavenalumpofdough.If the perception is that the politicallyconnectedcanget away with 'rape' and 'murder';thatthefearofman is more important than the fear of God, we're on a slipperyslope... I believe in the God who didanddoestheimpossible; who made a way for His people in the wilderness; who caused water to flow from a rock; who, through a lad, brought down a giant withaslingandastone;who caused the walls of a city to fall with an orchestrated shout! These are useful remindersas we draw closer to elections day! Let's not underestimatehispower!! ClaudiaHeywood

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–JULY21,2025

Highcostofliving

High cost of living has beensuffocatingcitizensfor over the past three years now The 'small' money that citizens have in their hands buyslessandlesswhenthey goshopping.

Shopping for essentials, especially food and medicines, can be a parent's worst nightmare, a state of intensifying fearfulness since higher prices could be whatawaits,havetobepaid.

The PPP/C Government has more millions in its hands, but it does not prioritise what is helpful to hurting people, but is more about projects, where underhanded activities have drained the nation's coffers, and enriched political operators.

Struggling citizens have scant interest in another project that involves cement and steel, and the many

millionsthatgointothem,to erectnewmonumentstoour prosperity Whose prosperity, certainly not the many citizens living in poverty,andoftenhungry?

So why is it with all the sweet political speeches from leaders that citizens stillliveatthesamestandard (perhaps worse) as eight years ago, when the first announcements came about oil.

TUESDAY–JULY22,2025

Rapists

Blue-collar perpetrators look at their white-collar equivalents in high places here,andshrugoffrestraints. Meaning, the law lacks severity, and leaves much to be desired about vigor and fairness.

When street level rapists know that there are those who have done worse than them, but get off scot-free due to reach and pull (or

powerful protectors), then sexual violence against womenistakencasually

The need to dominate and control, the right to pluck the fruits of power, when expressed in violent and criminal ways, spawns its own cottage industry of imitators.Ifthey(he)canget away with doing that, then t h

n o naccountability expand, because there is the belief that things could be worked out should a rape occur. In such

nces, reported and unreported crimes (rapes included) multiply, regard for women andtheyoungplummet,law andjusticetakeabackseat.

The leadership assaults and bat

s that characterize the top (words, postures, attitudes) cascade downintoregulardailyfight to survive in one piece in today's Guyana It is a symptom of moral and ethical decay that plagues

Norton vows to

Guyanese life at many levels.

WEDNESDAY–JULY23,2025

Criminalpoliticians

At the APNU's election campaignrallySundaynight in Melanie- Ganesh Mahipaul unveiled a list of what he deemed criminal politicians.

These are men and women who are on a particular political party's list of candidates for the upcoming elections. It is a long list. Some of the folks haveevenbeenconvictedin thelocalcourtsforcrimes.

We have said in this paper before that more and more, it seems that there are two words that naturally belongtogether

The two words are: criminal and politicians and as many Guyanese believe, wethelocalsmaypretendto be men and women, there is no shaking the perceptions

‘maximize’

and convictions that many Guyanesepoliticiansarelow crooks.

Independentmindedand conscientious Guyanese, who prize ethics in government and principled leadership,areconstantlyon the lookout for a Guyanese politicianthattheycantrust. It would be a cause for celebration, which has been alltoorare.

FRIDAY–JULY25,2025

THEERC

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), travels far to hold itself out as a peacemaker It is, but to a point only, and even then, it is selective. So much of racial abuse is happening in our society and the ERC seemsonlycontentongoing afteronesetoftargets. What the ERC does is make a mockery of its presence,andexposeshowit can be one-sided, and two-

faced. The ERC should and must stand as a respected peacemaker, and the best way for this crucial body to dosoisbybeinganimpartial referee.

Whathastobecalledout, must be called out, without regard for who is involved. Whenever hostility rears its malevolent head, the ERC mustbeonthescenewithits c l e a r m e s s a g e o f condemnation, and insisting that the authorities take up the baton from there. The ERC has manifested remarkable energy in coming out and being very clear when certain segments in Guyana's unending tugof-warsareonthewrongend ofitsattentions.

It is commendable that someonefromsamegroupis specified and isolated, and then taken to task. This is what the ERC does best, when it is true to its existence, but only when it doessoconsistently

benefits from Exxon's oil deal, but offers no specifics

Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton on Friday said that he intends to maximise Guyana's benefits fromitsoildealwithUnited States (U S ) oil giant ExxonMobil but failed to provide specifics on how he willachievethis.

Asked by reporters whether APNU will pursue to increase the 2% royalty during discussions with the oil company, Norton said “Weintendto,asitrelatesto the Exxon, we intend to engage Exxon on every aspectofthecontractthatwe believe can be utilized to increase the benefit to the people of Guyana. I do not want to get into what percentage, et cetera, until we are in government and havethedataatourdisposal to make sensible, rational discussions.” At his party's weekly press conference, Norton said his party has been proactive by engaging Guyanese in the diaspora who have expertise in the varying elements of the oil and gas sector Further, he announced that once elected to office, an advisory group consistingofthediasporawill help chart the way forward Norton was reminded of

Presidential Candidate and Leader ofA Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Aubrey Norton

Exxon's position on the renegotiation of the oil contract In October 2024, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Alistair Routledge saidthathiscompanyisopen to discussions with the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest party in the coalition. The lopsided deal was signed by the APNU/AFC government in 2016 Responding to a question posed by this publication at a press conference held at the company's Duke Street Office on the PNCR's recently revealed plans to engagethecompanyinatopto-bottomreviewofthedeal, Routledge said, “Yes, so I

saw the announcement, I haven't had the opportunity to meet with anybody from the PNCR since then. We a l w a y s w e l c o m e engagements to look at the agreements to understand the agreements, to understand our operations.”

Headdedthatthepartydoes n o t h a v e r e g u l a r engagements and insight into the sector; as such, he believesaninterestwouldbe there which is welcomed by theoilcompany

Not budging

Later in the press conference,hewasaskedby another reporter if the company has changed its position regarding the possibility of engaging the governmentinrenegotiating theroyaltypercentages.

To this, Routledge said, “No it hasn't changed but I thinkwhat'simportanttosay is, 'cause I have seen comments made about Suriname and everyone wants to say ours is better than yours, but at the end of the day this was all the elements that go into an agreement like this- a Production Sharing Agreement.”

He urged that a “step back” should be taken to

recognizethattheagreement has been very successful for Guyana in attracting investment into a basin where there were no discoveries In fact, he boasted that it was Exxon thatde-riskedtheareaforoil and gas activities in Suriname.

“It de-risked the Suriname drilling because discoveries had been made in Guyana by the Stabroek Block Co-Venturers and we can always cherry pick if somebody has higher royalty, or lower royalty,

pays this tax or that tax but it'saboutthetotalamountof revenue that's generated out of the petroleum agreement that's really important to the country and if you don't attractsufficientinvestment, development won't happen andyouwon'thavethesame scaleofrevenue,”Routledge said.Tothisend,Nortontold the media that “…the law providesforustoengageand makechangesandweintend to address the (issue) based onthelaw IthinkitisArticle 24:1” On further inquiries by the media to ascertain the

guarantees the party will be giving to the companies already here, and ones who have intentions to come that theirinvestmentswillbesafe, the APNU leader said, “We have already guarantee them thattheirinvestmentswillbe safe,webelievethatisagood investment for Guyana, but that doesn't preclude the fact thatmorecanbeobtainedfor thepeopleofGuyanaandwe will pursue assiduously, the objective of ensuring the Guyanese people benefit more from the oil and gas sector”

Chevron will look out for Guyana...

Frompage2 tribunal Exxon had argued that it wanted its right of first refusal recognised before deciding on its strategy for the Stabroek Block Chevron, however, contended that it had conducted extensive due diligence on the operating agreement between Exxon andHessinGuyanaandhad significant experience with similar agreements worldwide.

On July 18, it was announced that Chevron h

In a statement, Chevron said, “the combined company has one of the most advantaged and differentiated portfolios in the industry, with leading positions in critical energy markets around the world and a high cash margin productionprofile ” T

acquisitionaddsworld-class assets, including Guyana

e acquisition Notably, had the arbitrator ruled in favor of Exxon and CNOOC, Chevron was prepared to walk away from the deal entirely

and the U.S. Bakken, to its diversifiedglobalportfolio. It was stated, “Chevron now owns a 30 per cent position in the Guyana Stabroek Block, which has more than 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent discovered recoverable resource; 463 thousand net acres of highquality inventory in the Bakken; complementary assetsintheGulfofAmerica with 31 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day; and natural gas assets in Southeast Asia with 57 thousand barrels of oil equivalentperday.”

The comedy of our politics

There is in the p o l i t i c s o f Guyana today something both farcical and despairing. It is a kind of theatre without plot, propelled not by policy or vision, but by pantomime. Theactorsrehearsethesame lines each election season, perhaps with more vigour, certainly with more money, but with no discernible desire to confront deeper realities.

The ruling party, the People’s Progressive Party Civic(PPPC),isseizedwith a kind of self-satisfaction, convinced of its own genius in managing the economy, crunching numbers and constructing concrete. It is this faith in its superior arithmetic that allows it to ridicule its opponents, declaring them to be visionless, directionless, rudderless. And yet, irony thickens the political air—because the PPPC, for all its presumed mastery of planning, as at today has failed to produce a manifesto.

The irony deepens when one considers that WIN—a party which the PPPC caricatures and dismisses as amateurish has at least done the decent thing and i s s u e d s o m e t h i n g resembling a manifesto, however imperfect. APNU, for its part, is attempting to emulate serious governance with a hastily assembled 100-dayplan.Theyspeakof a supplementary Budget,

unaware it seems, of the elementary principle that such a Budget can only be supplementarytoanoriginal one But in Guyanese politics, performance s u b s t i t u t e s f o r understanding. Say enough, smile wide, beat chest and offer,aboveall,apromiseof something The content matterslittle.

The avoidable, though, remains the oil contract That there is wealth being siphonedfromthebowelsof this country is no longer speculation—it is fact. That the agreement signed is abysmal and inimical to the nationalinterestisnolonger the lonely cry of a madman it is now an uncomfortable truth. And yet,whenitcomestotheoil contract, the mainstream political parties—PPPC and APNU alike go mute They sidestep the matter, terrifiednotofthevoters,but ofoffendingadistantpower acrosstheAtlantic.

The APNU says it will h o l d t a l k s a b o u t renegotiating the oil contract.Butthereisasubtle but significant difference between saying you will h o l d t a l k s a b o u t renegotiating and insisting onrenegotiation.

To renegotiate the oil contract would be to confrontExxonMobil.Todo so would be, in their minds, to provoke the ire of the United States.And here, the legacy of dependence reveals itself most clearly:

anindependentcountrywith an independent judiciary, with a booming GDP and burgeoningoilwealth,afraid toaskforabetterdeal.They fear that mere mention of ring-fencing or of placing meters at the pumps would unleashdiplomaticcalamity Instead, they speak of cash

grants temporary sedatives for long-term illness But even these handouts, popular as they are, cannot be sustained unless the very contract that makestheoilsectorafarceis revisited.

WIN, for all its inexperience, has said plainly that it would renegotiate the contract. It woulddemandring-fencing. Andwhileitsmanifestomay read like a compilation of aspirations borrowed from Facebook comment se

acknowledges the elephant not just in the room, but sitting on the national chest. The PPPC, in contrast, remains evasive. It offers infrastructure,cement,steel, subsidies—but avoids the central question of fairness, ofequity,ofdignity

The public, too, must share some of the blame.

Glenn Lall however caustic, however unrefined his style has been soundingthealarmforyears. He has campaigned with a kind of monomania, a relentless pursuit of one idea: a better deal for Guyana. And yet his calls, however loud, echo mostly

DEM BOYS SEH

De best part of wakin’ up ain’t in yuh cup

Dem boys seh does remember de lines ofdeadvertisementjingle:“Thebestpartof wakin’up is Folgers in yuh cup.” No bai. NotinGuyana.Debestpartofwakin’upis wakin’upbeforedecup!

Mawnin’ time in Guyana is a whole national treasure. De air fresh like garden mint.Dedewpondegrassdoeslooklikelil diamonds—if yuh eye sharp an yuh ain’t stillhalf-asleep.Desundoesriseslow-slow likeitshy,peepin’outlilbitoverdecoconut treedem.Itgentle.Itcool.Itgotmanners.Is not like how it does behave by 9 o’clock—blazin’down like it vex and got vengeancefuhskin.

But ask half de young people bout all this, and dem gon tell yuh: “Nah bai, me does sleep till brunch.” Brunch? Since when fry egg and two pancakes become a lifestyle? Dem boys seh too much Netflix and TikTok got people missin’out pon de original nature show sunrise and birdsong,liveanddirect.

into silence. The Guyanese people, in their hearts, may knowheisright.Buttheydo not insist on what is right. They do not demand renegotiation. They do not march for meters. They do notpetitionforring-fencing. They want grants, roads, scholarships They want today And they are told, often with paternal condescension, that oil money contributes less than 40% of the Budget as though that is a justification formediocrity

But this, again, is the tragedy If oil contributes lessthan40%,itisprecisely because the contract is so poorly designed That num

consequence of policy failure

The failure to renegotiate is not caution—itiscowardice.

And so, the absurdity remains: a government that derides its opponents as clueless, yet unveils no manifesto of its own; an opposition that promises b u d g e t s w i t h o u t understandingtheirnature;a peoplesedatedbyshort-term offerings and unwilling to insist on long-term justice. Only Glenn Lall, uninvited andbrutallyfrankashemay seem to some, continues his solitary campaign He remains the voice that refuses to go silent, the man unwilling to sell his country cheap. Itisnotromantic.Itisnot

always polite But it is necessary

And in the circus that passes for politics in Guyana, where most performers are juggling empty platitudes and ducking the real questions, one cannot help but commend the lone voice who dares to speak of the riggedgame.

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

Oldpeopleknowdevalueofmawnin’. Dey does wake before de rooster and stretchlikebamboo.Someevensweepyard likeisaformofprayer Demboyssehwhen last yuh see a youth man sweep anything otherthandebarberfloor?

But lemme tell yuh, if yuh don’t catch de mawnin’, yuh gon ketch de traffic. By 7:30, de roads turn into parking lot wid horns, cuss out, and minibus conductor hangin’half body outside like is a protest. De cool air gone, replace by carbon monoxide perfume. Yuh breathe in and coughoutregrets. So dem boys seh forget Folgers. Or fancy cappuccino wid oat milk.Wakin’up earlyinGuyanaisderealenergizer Andit free. Just open yuh window, step outside, and tek in de beauty—before de heat, de noiseanddemadnesstekover And if yuh still want coffee, mek sure yuhdrinkitafteryuhfeeldedew Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

H@RD TRUTHS

Risk-taking, per the president

‘Put in money to make money.' The gist of the president's message on the needtotakerisks. Ihumbly recommend that the president consults withVice President Jagdeo the next time that he decides to flex hismuscletospeakofwhich he is in the dark. Aman of darkness existing in darkness adding another layer of darkness in his wake. Here is the gist of whatGuyana'shead-of-state needs to wrap his head around: to put in money (invest)tomakemoney(risk and return), one has to have money To be balanced in this effort to assist a leader lost at sea, he did have something going for him, when he took a plunge into

the murky waters of risktaking. His address and audiencewereattheRamada PrincessHotel. Thosefolks havemoney,sothepresident was preaching to his richest constituency: the haves of Guyana. They know how thesystemisaligned,howto workit,howtomakeitwork forthem.

The reality of oil-rich, and presidentially-inspired risk-taking is that 99% of Guyanese may never cross the threshold of the Ramada PrincessHotel,unlessitwas an all-expenses paid invitation. Partofthetaleof two Guyana(s) is because theycouldn'tevenpartakeof alollipopthere,unlessitwas afreebee. Nosparechange, Mr President. Thepresident maypretendnottoknow,but Idonotgivehimantpassage to that escape route. There areGuyanese,Dr President, who cannot afford to buy basicfooditems. Whenthat it is so, as an ongoing condition under his leadership, and in the craze of a national oil age, where are those hand-to-mouth citizens(apologies)goingto find the money to create wealth for themselves?

When a great many Guyanese struggle to buy sugar and salt, I would welcome the president and his people explaining how they are going to buy shares or some other unit of ownership interest in a business,anybusiness.

Thus, this brings me to that difficult place: I am compelled to distance from the president, and disagree with him on risk-taking Though the president has accumulated a record of the

disagreeable, I still toil to find ways of agreeing with him. Neithermuchprogress nor luck to report. It could be that his head is hard, or I amtheguiltyparty Lookat the Guyanese who are involvedintheleader'srisktaking call. The rich to get richer The poor have their own stock of riches: to be voters, which will send the president hustling around with a different kind of appeal. Don't take no risks! Don't split the vote. Risktaking or hairsplitting?

Risk-taking warned against via the guise of race pandering?

Now for two separate approaches relative to the same risk-taking that the leadertouts. Iamallforrisktaking, having not done too shabbily in that culture and department. ButIbelievein alevelplayingfield,andalso universal appeal, which cannot be said for what the president has put on the table. Poor Guyanese have been further impoverished by the priorities of the excellent one and the honorableone(presidentand v i c e - p r e s i d e n t , respectively) Yet, the president could say with a straight face to engage in risk-taking. Perhaps, Mr President, if Guyanese have some leftover discretionary money, they could then dabble in risk-taking in this plantandthatventure.

Something is happening right before the eyes of Guyanese,richandpoor On each occasion that the presidentandhiswholegang open their mouths, the evidence of how Guyana's ship of state lists heavily to

one side (the bright and enriched side), couldn't be starker It's a manifesto of the few prospering at the expense of the many, thanks to the wisdom and other attributes of men like the leading headman and the junior ones. The president hasarighttomisleadhimself that he has succeeded with his selling of risk-taking, t h r o u g h c r e a t i n g opportunity Risk-takingisa salesman's pitch, and nothing else, that offers limited opportunities for a limited number of Guyanese. Otherwise, it cannot be, since the vast majority of Guyanese can't even get to the risk-taking starting gate. The president can carry on with his charades, which is a poor disguise for what his likely objective is That is, building a separate Guyana consisting of an ultraprosperous PPP aristocracy Ifthatsoundseerilyfamiliar, it is. Think of his One Guyanasonganddance. For there it was at the Ramada PrincessHotelpaintedinred and draining the cream and chocolate out of the patrimonythatbelongstoall Guyanese.

Finally, the president is thebestjockeyforwhipping risk-takingintolife. Review what his PPP Government has done with the Oil Fund anddebtlevel.

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

Govt. commissions $444 million in police facilities along East Bank Demerara

The Ministry of Home

Affairs on Saturday

c o m m i s s i o n e d approximately $444 67 million in infrastructure projects for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on the EastBankofDemerara.

The new Regional Division 4B Headquarters,

the Providence and Herstelling/Farm Police Stations, and the Diamond PoliceTrainingFacilitywere commissioned by subject ministerRobesonBenn.

The ministry said Benn andhisteamwhichincluded Permanent Secretary Andre Ally, joined ranks in the D i a m o n d a r e a t o commission the new stateof-the-art Divisional Headquarters, a purposebuilt command centre constructed at a cost of $195.8million.

Thisheadquartersissaid

to be equipped with

advanced operational features, including holding

The facility is designed to improve coordination and response times across the regionandbeyond.

Specialized spaces such as a child-friendly interview room and a domestic violencesupportandwaiting area among other modern facilities are also included.

This, the ministry said underscores the ministry's commitment to creating safer, more inclusive environments that prioritize the protection of vulnerable populations.

Following that, the Providence Police Station, whichwasrebuiltatacostof $65.2 million was officially opened.

Minister Robeson Benn and Permanent Secretary, AndreAlly with ranks at the commissioning of the Diamond Police Training facility on Saturday.

The $198 million Regional Divisional Police headquarters for the East Bank of Demerara.

cells, interview and ID parade rooms, a witness room, and dedicated offices

f o r t h e C r i m i n a l Investigation Department (CID) and Traffic Division.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the new facility now features male, female, and juvenile lockups, witness and ID paraderooms,child-friendly areas, and a domestic violence interview and waiting area. It also houses an armoury, evidence room, and offices for CID,Traffic, and general enquiries, alongside new living quarters that is slated to promote officer welfare and

ensure round-the-clock securitycoverage.

Also commissioned was the newly constructed Herstelling/Farm Police

Station which cost $82.47 million.

The ministry shared that this new station meets nationalstandardsand (Continuedonpage43)

The new $82.4 million Farm/ Herstelling Police Station.

WIN proposes overhaul of

oil regulations

…vows zero routine flaring, stricter environmental reviews

The We Invest in Nationhood ( W I N ) , t h e political party led by Guyanese businessman Azruddin Mohamed has proposed an overhaul of Guyana's oil and gas regulatory framework if elected to office following theSeptember1election.

On Thursday, WIN launched its 2025 manifesto promising to better the lives of Guyanese through a slew of cash incentives among other policies One such policy is to revise the

country's oil and gas framework.

Outlined in its 2025 elections manifesto, WIN said it would amend the country's petroleum and environmental laws to mandatezeroroutineflaring, unless explicitly justified.

Thepartyalsocommittedto e n s u

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process for all new oil projects.

Notably, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is

required to pay US $50 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) emitted asaresultofflaringinexcess oftheperiodsoutlinedinthe environmental permits for the three projects currently inoperation.

In addition to regulatory reforms, WIN promised to enhancetechnicaltrainingin the oil and gas sector by e x p a n d i n g T V E T programmes. This includes training more specialised instructors, upgrading to industry-grade simulators, and aligning curricula with currentindustrystandards.

Also, the party said it would implement a more cautious approach to managing the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) According to the manifesto, WIN plans to cap annual withdrawals to sustainable levelsandensurethefundis preserved for the benefit of futuregenerations.

In 2024, amendments to

the NRF Act to increase withdrawalswereapproved. Notably, in 2023 the National Assembly passed thenewPetroleumActivities Billwhichwaslaterbecame law

The new legislation repeals the decades-old Petroleum (Exploration and Production)Actof1986.

This publication reported that the party, which was launched in June 2025, has pledged to seek fairer terms from the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), a deal thathas longfacedcriticism

for favouring the oil companiesoverthecountry

WIN's manifesto highlights that almost six years after first oil, significant gaps remain in areas such as environmental protection, climate resilience, local content, workforce development, revenue management, and thelegislativeframework. It states, “These gaps demand urgent attention if wearetotrulysafeguardour people and environment from the risks associated with a growing oil and gas sector.”

The party stresses the need for policies that prioritise building a capable workforce, ensuring that Guyaneseareequippedwith the necessary skills and are firstinlineforopportunities inthesector

It states, “The way we manage oil revenues can no longer be a source of divisionordoubt. Strong, transparent systemsmustbeputinplace; systems that foster full public trust and reflect our shared commitment to accountability, equity, and nationaldevelopment.”

Guyanese businessmanAzruddin Mohamed

9 contractors bid to drill water well at Silica City

TheGuyanaWaterInc.(GWI)hasreceivedbidsfromnine contractorstodrillapotablewaterwellatSilicaCitylocated alongtheSoesdyke-LindenHighway

This was revealed at the recent opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)office.

ItwasdisclosedbyNPTABthattheprojectisestimatedto cost$137,283,301.Oftheninecontractors,sevenbidbelow theengineer'sestimate.

GWI,anagencyundertheMinistryofHousingandWater, hasbeendrillinganumberofwaterwellsacrossthecountryas partofitsmissionofproviding100%accesstocleanwaterin communities. Silica City, the brainchild of President Irfaan Ali,istobethecountry'sfirst'smart'urbancity

InJune2024,itwasreportedbytheDepartmentofPublic Information(DPI)thatconstructionhadstartedonsome74of the110contractedyoungprofessionalhousesinSilicaCity

While visiting the work site at that time, Minister of

HousingandWaterCollinCroalsaidthatotherinfrastructural workwasdonetherewhichincludetheestablishmentofroads anddrainstoaccommodateproperirrigation.Itwasreported toothatelectricitypoleshavestartedtobeinstalledinthearea tofacilitatecurrentflow Theministernotedduringhisvisit thatplansareunderwaytodrillanindependentwaterwellin thearea.KaieteurNewsunderstandsthattheseprojectsform part of the $10 billion allocated to the ministry this year to improvewaterqualityacrossthecountry

Below are the companies and their bids:

GuyanaWaterInc.

Drilling

$74,448,140

RegionalDemocraticCouncilofRegionTwo ElectricalWorkstoJohannaCecilia SecondarySchool,EssequiboCoast.

SupremeCourtofJudicature

Supply&InstallationofOneNew250KVADieselGenerator withAutomatic

RewiringofVreed-en-HoopMagistrate'sCourt.

MinistryofHumanServices

DeliveryofTechnical&VocationalSkillsTrainingforthe Women'sInnovationInvestmentNetwork(WIIN)2025.

Guyana hands over official residence to CARICOM Secretary-General

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday handed over the newofficialresidenceofthe CARICOM Secretary General to incumbent office holder,Dr.CarlaBarnett.

The handing over was done during a simple ceremony at Sparendaam, EastCoastDemerara(ECD).

In a statement, CARICOM Secretariat said thatthe“significantgesture”

r e f l e c t s G u y a n a ' s commitment to regional

integration and the CaribbeanCommunity

President Ali said, “Guyana is steadfast in its support of regional integration…weareproudof the work of the Caribbean Community”.

This new, modern residence “not only meets the standards expected of such a facility, but it also eases the commute and supports the effective

functioning of the office of the Secretary-General… [the residence] would also bring the Secretary-General closer to the seat of the Secretariatitself.”

Directing his remarks to the Secretary-General, PresidentAlithankedherfor hercontinuedservice.

“I wish you every successasyoucarryoutyour duties from your new residence.

May the residence we hand over today, serve not onlyasaplaceorrest,butas aquietsymbolofourshared journeyandofthefuturewe are building together,” the Guyaneseleadersaid.

T h e C A R I C O M Secretary-General, graciously receiving the keystotheofficialresidence, expressed her appreciation to the Government of Guyana.

She said, “I am happy

that this part of the commitment of the Government of Guyana has cometofruition. Itreallyisa pleasantplacetoliveandmy familyandIlookforwardto living here I know my successors will enjoy living here also.” Dr Barnett also excitedly informed those in attendance that flowers and fruittreeswillbeplantedon the property to “represent each of the countries of the CaribbeanCommunity”.

Other attendees at the handing over included Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud; Perm

nent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affair

International Cooperation, Ambassador Elisabeth H

G

Ambassador to CARICOM, H E Georg

; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water,BishramKuppenand

The new official residence of the CARICOM Secretary-General (CARICOM Photo)

other government officials. Officials of the CARICOM Secretariat were also in attendance.

Following the remarks, the CARICOM Flag was hoisted for the first time at the residence and President Ali signed the visitor's book tomarktheoccasion.

Colgrain House in Georgetown, purchased by the Government of Guyana in 1975 accommodated the first six CARICOM secretaries-general with the

incumbent Dr Barnett and h e r p r e d e c e s s o r , Ambassador La Rocque, being accommodated in rental properties until the completion of the construction of the new residence.

The official residence of the CARICOM Secretary- General (DPI)

Pomeroon man remanded after trying to kill family with drill

AP o m e r o o n m a n

w a s o n Thursday remandedtoprisonafterhe appeared at the Charity Magistrates' Courtonanattemptedmurdercharge.

Moraikobai boat captain found dead in Mahaicony River after collision

The body of 49-year-old Charles Osbourne, a boat captain and resident of Moraikobai Village, Region Five was on Saturday found intheMahaiconyRiver

Osbourne, a father of seven, was feared dead on Friday following a two-boat collision on Friday in the MahaiconyRiver

Reports are that his remains were found by membersofasearchteamput together to locate him on Friday

banks.

The a c c u s e d T r e n t o n M osesofMacasema,UpperPomeroon River, Region Two is accused of attacking his parents and siblings with anelectricdrill.

He was not required to plead to the indictableoffence.

According to a report by reporter Shawn Marks, Moses went berserk after he was unable to locate his girlfriendandattackedhisfamily

The four persons: mother, father, sister and brother were rushed to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity for treatment.

Details surrounding the accident are sketchy but Kaieteur News understands that Charles' boat collided with a boat that was transporting passengers to the village Charles was reportedly heading in the opposite direction; towards Mahaicony

Information reaching Kaieteur News is that Charles' boat was wrecked afterthecrashandhewasnowhere to be seen. A search partywaslaunchedbutupto presstimetherewerestillno signs of Charles in the river or even close to the river

Moraikobai's Toshao, Derrick John confirmed the tragicaccidentinaFacebook post noting that it happened while the village was preparing to celebrate its 100thanniversary

The village council has since made a decision to cancel the celebrations until furthernotice.Accordingtoa statement from the council, “This decision has been made in light of the recent tragic incident that has deeply affected our community.”

Dead: Charles Osbourne

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

Deeply-rooted in her Afro-Indigenous heritage is the breathtaking beauty...

Carisha Garraway

Carisha Garraway

Deeply-rooted inherAfro-Indigenous heritageisthebreathtaking 23-year-oldbeauty, CarishaGarraway.Carishais astudentdoctor,whodescribesherself asdrivenbypurpose,guidedbypassion. Hermissionistomakealastingimpactin theworldofmedicinewhilebeingknown asacompassionateandskilledphysician, whonotonlytreatsillnessesbutalsouplifts lives.Beyondherstudies,Carishaloves fashion,modelingandself-expression. Thisbeautyisproofthatscienceand stylecancoexist.Herfavouritequote fuelsherjourney: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

— Eleanor Roosevelt.

Carisha Garraway

Don’tpourthechampagnejustyettocelebrate theICJOpiniononenvironmentalharm

On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered an advisory opinion at the request of the UN General Assembly - driven by small islandstatessuchasAntigua and Barbuda, Vanuatu, and the Maldives - declaring unequivocally that all nations “have a duty to prevent environmental

harm” by limiting greenhouse-gasemissions.

The court declared that existing treaties - from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to the Paris Agreement - require science-based mitigation

t a r g e t s , r o b u s t environmental impact assessments, adaptation measures, and financial and technological cooperation with vulnerable countries. It recognised a stable climate as foundational to human rights. It held that failure to comply constitutes an “internationally wrongful act,” triggering obligations to cease, guarantee nonrepetition, and provide reparationsforharm.

Although advisory, this opinion is already being hailed as a turning point for climateaccountabilityandis expected to shape future environmental litigation worldwide. Experts further emphasise that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is now enshrined as a human right, meaning that inaction may breachinternationallaw

The ruling also clarifies that states can now bring claims against one another for climate-related loss and damage, paving the way, in principle, for litigation over historic emissions. Yet, as the ICJ warned, untangling which country caused what percentage of warming will belegallycomplex.

The ICJ opinion went further, affirming that affected states – such as the Marshall Islands, which estimates a $9 billion adaptation shortfall - have a right to seek compensation for destroyed infrastructure and forced relocation However, each claim will demand case-by-case proof of causation The court opinedevenfurther,holding that states remain responsible for the climate impacts of companies operating under their j

t subsidising fossil-fuel industries or approving new oil and gas licenses may itself breach environmental obligations.

Yetontheverysameday of the issuance of the ICJ

opinion, the U S Environmental Protection Agencyunveiledadraftrule

to rescind its 2009 “endangermentfinding,”the legal linchpin for nearly all federallimitsonvehicleand power-plantemissionsunder theCleanAirAct.

Thisrollbackthreatensto reverse years of progress by stripping away the EPA's

authority Since 1850, the United States has produced 20.3 percent of cumulative global CO2 emissions - a share eclipsing any other country - and although U.S. emissions peaked in 2007 andfellbyjustoverthreeper cent by 2022, those modest gainsarenowatrisk.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e consequences of unchecked emissions are already painfully visible on Americansoil.InSeptember 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated Florida and the Carolinas, killing over 100 people and inflicting nearly $60 billion in insured damages Just this July, record-breaking flash floods inCentralTexasclaimed136 lives-wellabovethe30-year average - and initially left hundreds missing amid the deluge Meanwhile, an unprecedented summer of heatanddroughthasfuelled “hundreds of wildfires” across California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Canada, blanketing entire regions in smoke These events illustrate that r e s c i n d i n g t h e “endangermentfinding”will h a r m A m e r i c a n communities as surely as it imperilssmallstates.

Because the ICJ’s advisory opinion has no binding enforcement, small islandStatesmustnowpress for an immediate debate in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) under Resolution 77/276. A public plenary

discussionwillrevealwhich governments stand for “saving nations from extinction” and which prioritise short-term economic gains over planetary survival Such revelations will help to galvanise citizen action to protest climate change within countries and globally

It is worth remembering how the ICJ case began: In 2019, a group of pacific law students conceived the idea at their university They secured the UNGA referral totheICJwithbackingfrom Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda,theMaldives,anda teamofleadinginternational lawyers Their initiative, born in small states at the front line of battle with the effects of climate change, reminds us that legal innovation often springs fromthosebearingthebrunt ofclimateharm.

At the same time, island States cannot afford to wait for international action They must strengthen domestic resilience through drought-resistant agriculture and advance early-warning systems,especiallysincethe AdaptationGapReport2023 finds that developing countries face a $194–366

billionannualshortfallsin adaptation finance. They should also join the tide of strategic climate litigation: withnearly3,000casesfiled in over 60 countries, a unified suit by affected States against the major “Carbon Majors” could compelfossil-fuelcompanies to fund adaptation and cut emissions.

This calls for a publicprivate partnership between governmentsandtheprivate sector in victim states to bring such cases to Courts whose judgements are binding – the Caribbean Court of Justice may be one suchCourt.AstheCenterfor International Environmental Lawwarnsinitspublication, “A Defining Moment for Climate Justice,” states should immediately seize domestic implementation opportunitiesandstrengthen enforcement mechanisms to hold governments and corporationsaccountable.

Finally, small island nations must forge alliances with climate-concerned members of the OECD and G20toresistthemembersof these groups who are intent ondenyingtheexistenceand effects of climate change.

They must use their combined voices in

internationalforatotranslate moral imperatives into enforceable commitments

The ICJ has provided moral and legal clarity However, onlythecollectiveresolveof victimstates-throughpublic ventilation in regional and international institutions, robust adaptation plans, strategic litigation, and strong alliances- will determine whether the ICJ guidance translates into tangibleprotection. Together,thesestrategies can help victim States strengthen their resilience, protect communities, and preserve lands in the face of accelerating climate threats. This work is immediate; the champagnemustwait.

(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronald sanders.com)

Sir Ronald Sanders

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

Guyanawillhavetwoofthe largestgoldminesinSouth Americaby2027–Pres.Ali

President Irfaan Ali recently outlined that Guyana is on track to become home to two of the largest gold mines in South America by 2027. He made the announcement duringtheunveilingofthePeople’s ProgressiveParty/Civic(PPP/C)’s 2025ManifestoHighlights.

“By 2027 we will have two of the largest mining productions, operationalhereinGuyana,outside oilandgas,wherewe’llhavemore FPSOs are coming on board, by 2027 two of the largest mines in SouthAmerica will be operational hereinGuyana,”Alistated.

PresidentAli said that work on both projects has already commenced, with one of the companies moving aggressively intoitsdevelopmentphase.

“This is right now; they’re already together One has already started a group method. They’re looking for over 1,200 workers now, and they can’t find those workershere,andthat’stheissue,” Ali disclosed. He said the government is aware of concerns regardingtheavailabilityoflabour, andstepsarebeingtakentoaddress thematter

This publication reported that five Canadian mining companies are collectively controlling an estimated 15.5 million ounces of gold across various stages of development These projects, spanning across Guyana’s mining regions, are progressing through exploration,feasibilitystudies,and permits.

Many of the companies have boasted of Guyana’s miningfriendly policies and bank on the projectstodrivesubstantialgrowth fortheircompanies.

OmaiGoldMines Corp.–OmaiProject

OmaiGoldMinesCorp.hasfull ownership of the historic Omai gold project, situated in Guyana’s interior. Once a prolific gold producer from 1993 to 2005, the mineyielded3.8millionouncesof gold during a period when gold traded below US$400/oz The company has revitalised the property, which benefits from much-existing infrastructure and will soon be connected to the two largest cities in Guyana, GeorgetownandLinden,viapaved roads. Omai is focused on rapidly expanding the two orogenic gold deposits at its 100%-owned Omai Gold Project in “mining-friendly” Guyana The company is also looking to reclaim its position as a top gold producer in South America.

Since 2021, the company has established the Omai Gold Project as one of the fastest-growing and

well-endowed gold camps in the prolific Guiana Shield greenstone belt In February 2024, Omai announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.0 million ounces of gold indicated and 2.3 million ounces inferred, comprisingboththeWenotopenpit depositandtheadjacentGiltCreek underground deposit This was followed by an initial baseline PreliminaryEconomicAssessment (PEA) in April 2024, which contemplated an open-pit only developmentscenarioandincluded only45%oftheOmaiGoldProject MRE.

ThePEAfortheWenotdeposit outlines an open-pit operation producing1.84millionouncesover a 13-year mine life Annual production is projected to average 142,000 ounces, peaking at 184,000ouncesinthebestyear

Subsequent to the 2024 MRE, Omai has been aggressively drillingtoexpandgoldresourcesat the Wenot deposit and has identified additional wide zones of high-grade gold mineralization

Over 25,000 metres of additional drilling on the Wenot deposit have been completed since the last resource estimate in February 2024 This year, Omai plans to continue its drill programs, announceanupdatedandexpanded MRE, and complete an updated PEA, which would include an expanded Wenot open-pit deposit and an underground mining scenarioatGiltCreek.

ArisMining–ToroparuProject

Aris Mining is advancing its Toroparuproject,asignificantgold developmentwithbothopenpitand underground potential.Theproject boasts indicated resources of 5.4 million ounces of gold, placing it among the largest undeveloped goldprojectsintheregion.

Situated in the CuyuniMazaruni district, Toroparu includesanestablishedexploration camp, airstrip, and road infrastructure. Aris is currently in the project optimization phase, focused on enhancing access and preparing for development The companyholds100%ownershipof the project According to the company, extensive exploration

GMiningVentures(GMIN)–OkoWestGoldProject Following a business combinationwithReunionGoldin 2024,GMINhastakenfullcontrol of the Oko West Gold Project, located in Region Seven. The Oko West project, fully owned by GMIN,ispositionedtobecomethe nextmajorphaseofgrowthforthe company

The 71 square-kilometer project is currently considered an “advanced-stage exploration project”,andisexpectedtoproduce 350,000 ounces of gold annually

and drilling programmes have already been carried out at Toroparu, revealing the potential foralong-life,large-scaleopen-pit miningoperation.

With key infrastructure for the project, including a camp, airstrip, andsiteroads,alreadyinplace,Aris Mining is now reviewing its development strategy, hinting at possible shifts in how it will advance the site amid intensifying activities in Guyana’s gold sector. The company highlighted that Guyanahasrecentlyseenincreased investments and merger and acquisition(M&A)activityingold mining, driven by the country’s growing reputation as a mining frontier

TheToroparuGoldProjectand itsadjacentproperties,collectively known as the Upper Puruni Concessions, consist of two gold deposits; the Toroparu deposit and the Sona Hill deposit, which lies about five kilometers southeast of the main site. The company noted that the Toroparu project is a gold exploration and development project with open-pit and undergroundmineralresources.

from both open pit and underground mining over 12 3 years at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC)ofUS$1,123/oz.Arecently published feasibility study shows that the project is poised to deliver strong financial returns, thanks to low production costs The Oko Westprojectstandsoutforitsscale andhigh-graderesource. Thelatest Mineral Resource Estimate includes 5 4 million ounces (Indicated) and 0.4 million ounces (Inferred).

The estimate reflects extensive drilling work over 505 diamond drill holes, 366 reverse circulation holes, and 59 trenches conducted between December 2020 and September 2024 A construction decisionisanticipatedinthesecond halfof2025.

Earlier this year, GMIN receivedanInterimEnvironmental Permit for the project, paving the way for early construction activities and the company has advancedpermittingeffortstoward securing the full Environmental Licence from the Environmental ProtectionAgency(EPA).

MakoMining–EagleMountainGoldProject

Mako Mining is pushing ahead with its Eagle Mountain Gold

Project in the Mahdia district, roughly200kmsouth-southwestof Georgetown.Acquiringtheproject through its 2024 takeover of Goldsource Mines Inc , Mako inherited a resource base of nearly 1.2 million ounces (indicated) and 582,000 ounces (inferred) The company plans to submit an Environmental ImpactAssessment (EIA) and mining

Environmental Protection Agency by late 2025. Pending approvals, Mako intends to start construction in 2026, with first gold production from Phase 1 targeted for 2027. A feasibilitystudyforPhase2,which will target deeper fresh rock resources,isalsoplanned.

Project updates highlight high recovery rates from shallow drilling and note the significant potentialfordeepermineralization. Mako considers Guyana an emerginggoldminingjurisdiction, citingamining-friendlypermitting environment and growing foreign investment.

Chevronsees2025cashflow boostaftersynergies,fourth FPSOcomesonstreamin Guyana

American oil major Chevron Corporationexpectstoseearisein its cash flow per share starting in 2025, driven by post-acquisition synergies and the anticipated startup of a fourth floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vesseloffshoreGuyana.

Chevron is now a 30 per cent shareholder in Guyana’s Stabroek Block after completing the US$53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation,followingafavorable arbitration outcome regarding Hess’Guyanaasset.Inlate2023, Continued on page 21

President IrfaanAli

Stabroek Block

Frompage20 the acquisition of Hess was announced.ThedealgaveChevron accesstoHess’mostvaluableasset, a 30 per cent stake in the Stabroek Block, which is estimated to hold 11 6 billion barrels of oil equivalent However, the move prompted the other partners in the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to approach the Parisbased International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to examine their preemptionrightsoverHess’share.

On Friday, it was announced that Chevron had completed the acquisition Notably, had the arbitrator ruled in favour of Exxon and CNOOC, Chevron was prepared to walk away from the deal entirely Chevron said the transaction is expected to be accretive to cash flow per share in 2025 A key contributor to this forecast is the integration of Hess’ 30% stake in the prolific Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobil. Thecompanysaid,“Expectedtobe accretive to cash flow per share in 2025afterachievingsynergiesand start-up of the fourth floating production storage and offloading vesselinGuyana.”

Notably, Chevron outlined that theadditionofHess’assets,willnot onlybolsteritsnear-termfinancials but will also extend its growth trajectory well into the 2030s. The company noted that the deal increases its estimated five-year production and free cash flow growth rates and is poised to support sustained growth over the nextdecade.

The Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6 6 million acres Oil production began in December 2019 and has grown to 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) from three sanctioned projects: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara This output is expected to increase with the upcoming start-up of Yellowtail,thefourthdevelopment, laterthisyear

ExxonMobil Guyana holds a 45% interest, Hess Guyana holds 30%, and CNOOC Petroleum

Guyana Limited holds the remaining 25% Exxon has two other sanctioned projects under its belt:UaruandWhiptail.Ithasalso submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its seventh project, Hammerhead, with production targeted for 2029. Additionally,thecompanyhasfiled an application for an eighth development,Longtail.

MONDAY

Ex-boyfriendarrestedfor murderofLindenTeacher

Police on Sunday arrested the prime suspect in the murder of a nursery school teacher, Jenel

Pollydore during a wedding reception at Linden, Region Ten Saturdayevening.

The man has been identified as her ex-boyfriend Shaka Phillips, also known as ‘Concrete Man’, a 21-year-old unemployed resident ofCentralAmelia’sWard,Linden.

According to police he was nabbed around 15:35 hrs. at South Amelia’sWard.

Eyewitnesses claim that Phillips was the shooter who took Pollydore’s life at the R&R Hotel, CentralAmelia’sWard.

The 26-year-old teacher from lower Kara Kara, Linden had separated from Phillips because of abuse.

She had obtained a restraining order against him but her relatives saiditwasnouse.

Theyreportedlyhadtoresortto changingtheirlocksonthedoorto protectherfromhim.

At around 21:30 hrs on Saturday, their worst fears came trueataweddingreceptionshewas attendingwithherniece.

The niece, Malika Pollydore recalled that her aunt was standing by the gate in front of the R&R hotelwhenthesuspectapproached her

He reportedly asked why she was not answering the phone. An argumentensuedbetweenthem.

Thingstookadeadlyturnwhen hepulledoutagunandshotather

Pollydore ran for her life Reports are that she ran into the hotel by the pool area but Phillips chased behind her and fired two more shots at her before running away

Pollydorewashitandfelltothe ground where she remained motionless.

The police were called in and when they arrived at the scene, Pollydorewasalreadydead.

Crime sleuths reported that Pollydore was shot twice, once in thebackoftheheadandonceinher face.

Two 9MM spent shells were alsorecoveredfromthescene.

Investigationscontinue.

Chevronlosescloseto US$10BfromGuyana’soil afterExxondelaystakeoverof Hessshares – Financial expert

(REUTERS) ExxonMobil has lost its arbitration challenge to block Chevron’s US$55 billion Hess acquisition deal, but the top U.S.oilproducermanagedtodelay thetie-upbyoverayear,costingits rival billions in lost Guyana oil revenueandslowingintegration.

Chevron’sdeal,firstannounced inOctober2023,closedlastFriday after a drawn-out dispute over Hess’s 30% stake in Guyana’s Stabroekblock,themostattractive asset in its portfolio. The offshore oilfield holds more than 11 billion barrels of oil and is one of the fastest-growing oil production regionsintheworld.

TheNo.2U.S.oilproducerhad originally targeted a mid-2024 closeforthedeal.

Exxon, which operates the Guyana project, and holds a 45% stake along with Hess and CNOOC, challenged the merger througharbitration,citingarightof first refusal on Hess’ Guyana assets.

“The delay kept roughly 180,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Hess oil, about US$6-7 billion in gross sales and $3 billion in profit, justfromGuyana’sStabroekBlock

sailing past Chevron’s till in 2024, because those barrels kept flowing toHesswhilethelawyersargued,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, chiefinvestmentofficeratRunning PointCapital.

Chevron’s deal was part of the biggest wave of consolidation in the oil industry for over 20 years and was a strategic counter to Exxon’s own blockbuster deal and growing position in the Permian.

For Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, acquiring Hess and its stake in Guyana was central to his strategy for the company’s future growth. That strategy had been in limbo duringthearbitration,turningwhat wasinitiallyexpectedtobeaclean, timelywinforChevronintoahighstakeschallengeforWirth,whohad already lost one major deal. He abandoned his takeover bid for Anadarko Petroleum in 2019 after being outmanoeuvr

y Occidental Petroleum’s higher offer

OVERHANGON CHEVRON’SSTOCK

WiththeHessdealnowclosed, Chevron said it expects to realise US$1 billion in run-rate cost synergies by the end of 2025 and will cut jobs due to overlapping roles between the two companies. Chevronisinthemidstoflayingoff up to 20% of its global workforce, hasfacedariseinsafetyissues,and its operations in Venezuela have been caught in a geopolitical crossfire.

“For Chevron, this favorable ruling helps the major avoid other time-consuming(andlikelycostly) approaches for inorganic growth,” said Atul Raina, vice president at RystadEnergy

“Had the ruling gone in favour of Exxon Mobil and CNOOC, Chevron would then have had to look for growth opportunities elsewhere thiswouldhavemost likely translated into Chevron paying large premiums for buying premierU.S.shaleassetsthatmove the needle for the major,” Raina added.

Duringthearbitration,Chevron had prepared for the integration of Hess business, purchasing US$2.2 billion in Hess shares and issuing

US$5.5 billion in long-term debt, accordingtoJefferiesanalysts.The arbitration itself was also costly, Schulmansaid.

“Add an estimated $50-100 million in arbitration fees and white-shoe billable hours, and you start to see why Mike Wirth’s victory lap feels a bit like winning the Indy 500 on three tires,” said Schulman By contrast, Exxon’s own US$60 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, announced the same month as Chevron’s deal, closed by May 2024 That deal gave Exxon a biggerpositionasashaleproducer inthetopU.S.oilfield,thePermian basin.

Since announcing the Hess deal,Chevronshareshavedeclined about 9%. Exxon’s stock is up just over1%sinceunveilingitsPioneer acquisition,adivergencereflecting investor sentiment around timing and execution. Some of that gap was closed on Friday as Chevron stock fell nearly 1% while Exxon fell nearly 3%. RBC analyst Biraj Borkhatariasaidthearbitrationhad clearly been an overhang on Chevron’s stock, with many investors choosing to stay on the sidelines during the drawn-out process “Investor sentiment has shifted multiple times over the last eighteen months, usually based on

conferences, both expressing how ‘confident’they were of winning,” Borkhatariasaidinanote.

TUESDAY

Guyanadubbedfastest growing,lowestcostoil developmentsintheworld

Dubbed the world’s fastestgrowing and lowest cost oil developments, experts says that Chevron’s imminent entry into Guyana’s rich offshore oilfields would solve one of the biggest problems dogging the U.S. major: where its growth will come from beyondthenextfewyears.

OnFriday,theU.S.oilproducer closedits$55-billionacquisitionof Continued on page 22

Arrested for murder, Shaka Phillips

Shot dead by her ex-boyfriend, Jenel Pollydore

President, IrfaanAli has a positive attitude towards Chevron's possible entry into the Stabroek oil project, writes FT with reference to the President of Guyana himself.

Frompage21

Hess – among the largest ever oil and gas deals – and gained the latter’s stake in Guyana’s Stabroek Block after prevailing in a legal fight against larger rival ExxonMobil.

The Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6.6 millionacres.Oilproduction beganinDecember2019and hasgrownto650,000barrels per day (bpd) from three sanctioned projects: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara This output is expectedtoincreasewiththe

upcoming start-up of Yellowtail, the fourth development, later this year

ExxonMobilGuyanaholdsa 45% interest, Hess Guyana holds 30%, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds the remaining 25%

Exxon has two other sanctionedprojectsunderits 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 , Hammerhead, with production targeted for 2029 Additionally, the

company has filed an application for an eighth development,Longtail.

StabroekBlock Agreement

T h e a g r e e m e n t governing the Stabroek Block extends favourable terms to the oil companies. Accordingtotheagreement, Stabroek Block partners can recover 75 per cent of oil produced to cover investment costs The remaining 25 per cent is consideredprofitandissplit equallybetweenGuyanaand the consortium, giving each 12.5 per cent. However, the consortiumpaysa2percent royalty from its share to Guyana From Guyana’s 14.5 per cent total take, the governmentmustpaytheoil companies’ taxes. The deal stipulates that the sum equivalenttothetaxesowed by the companies must be paid by the minister responsible for petroleum to thecommissionergeneralof the Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA).

Before the deal closed, concerns had been rising about Chevron’s financial and production growth prospects, with its reserves ofoilandgasdroppingtothe lowestinatleastadecade.

The Stabroek Block holds at least 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent and isoneofthemostsignificant

oil discoveries in decades.

“The combination enhances and extends our growth profile well into the next decade,” Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said about closingtheHessacquisition.

Some investors cheered thedevelopmentasboosting the company’s long-term prospects.

“The acquisition plugs a free cash flow hole that Chevron had looming at the end of this decade into the 2030s,” said David Byrns, a portfolio manager at A m e r i c a n C e n t u r y Investments, which has a $351-million position in Chevron,accordingtoLSEG data. Without Hess, it was unclear how Chevron could maintain free cash flow, he said, adding the acquisition is also expected to help Chevronsustainitsdividend into the 2030s Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist at advisory firm Hightower Advisors, said she is considering adding Chevron to her portfolio as its shares are down over the past year and carry a 4.5% dividendyield.

“ThekeyisthatChevron now gains access to one of the world’s fastest-growing and lowest-cost oil developments,”shesaid.

SHARESFALL

The closure is a muchneededwinforChevronafter severaltoughmonthsduring which it announced global layoffs, faced rising safety issues,andlostexportsfrom Venezuela. Its shares have fallen 7 5% over the past year On Friday, they declined 1.6% in afternoon trading.

Chevron’s oil and gas reserves,ortheamountitcan potentially extract from its oil and gas fields, fell to 9.8 billion boe at the end of 2024, the lowest point in at leastadecade.

I think, the new term outlook is quite bullish for diesel cracks, especially in

theAtlanticbasin.

Its organic reserve replacementratio,ameasure ofhowmuchnewoilandgas was added to reserves compared to the amount it produced, and which excludes acquisitions and sales, was just 45%. A ratio of 100% or more means the company is replacing its reservesatthesameratethat itdepletesthem.

By comparison, UKbased oil major Shell and F r e n c h o i l m a j o r TotalEnergies both have averagereservereplacement ratios over the past three yearsofmorethan100%.

Chevron production volumes after combining with Hess could reach 4.31 million boe/d in 2030, significantly higher than what Chevron would produce as a standalone company, said John Gerdes, president of Gerdes Energy Research.

Chevronproduced 3.3millionboe/din2024.

Exxon, which operates the Stabroek Block, and CNOOC, the other minority partner in the field, filed arbitration claims against Hess last year, arguing they had a contractual right of first refusal to purchase Hess’stake.

The battlewas pivotal to Chevron, given that the

Guyana field was the most coveted asset in Hess’ portfolio. If the arbitration had gone against Chevron, the acquisition would have collapsed.

Another long-term question that Chevron faces is whether it will extend its contract to operate the giant Te n g i z o i l f i e l d i n Kazakhstan, which expires in2033.

Chevronhasa50%stake in the Tengizchevroil joint venture that it operates. The company told Reuters in January the field would produce about 1 million boe/d after an expansion projectreachedfullcapacity (REUTERS)

Dj,SelectorCharged, remandedforinciting sexualassaultofwoman atRaghoo’sbar

Adisc jockey (DJ) and a selector were on Monday charged with inciting the sexual assault of a 20-yearold Amerindian woman in Raghoo’s Bar at Soesdyke, EastBankDemerara(EBD).

The duo, Leon De Freitas, a 36-year-old DJ from Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and Ryan Rajnarine, a 30year-old Office Assistant (and ‘Music Selector’) from Soesdyke(BackRoad),East

Bank Demerara, were charged under Section 3(3) oftheSexual(Offences)Act, Chapter8:03.

The men appeared at the Friendship Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Wanda Fortune, who read the charge. They were not required to enter a plea and were remanded to prison until August 18 for disclosure.

The charge was laid against the two men even as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is on the hunt for the main suspect who was seen in the video performing sexual acts on the young woman.

A wanted bulletin has since been issued for 28year-old Barry Sullivan, of Icehouse Road, Timehri, EBDinconnectionwithrape that occurred on July 13, 2025atSoesdyke,EBD.

Last week, a heinous video circulated on social media showed the young woman being sexually assaulted in the bar and persons cheering and recording the situation. The barhassincebeenshutdown bypolice.

The young woman was reportedly drugged and raped, the GPF disclosed on Saturday In a short statement, Police said that Technical Advisor in the Amerindian Affairs Ministry Laura George took the woman to theTimehriPoliceStationon Friday night where an officialreportwasmade.

“The 20-year-old was interviewed by ranks and allegedthatshewasdrugged and raped by three males at Raghoo’sSportsBarlocated at Soesdyke. The bartender andotherpersonsofinterest were arrested Efforts are being made to contact other suspects and witnesses who were seen in the videos,” policesaid.

WEDNESDAY

DemeraraBankcutsties withWINcandidates …party alleges victimization, threatens to take legal action

…Banksaysmovemade to ensure compliance with int’l financial sector rules governing relations with sanctionedindividuals Several candidates from theWeInvestinNationhood (WIN) party, led by sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed, have been informed by Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) that theiraccountswillbeclosed.

WIN officials are alleging that this move is politicallymotivatedandsay legal action is being considered.

At a press conference on Tuesday night, former Peoples National Congress R e f o r m ( P N C / R ) parliamentarian Natasha Singh-Lewis and Duarte Hetsberger revealed they were among those affected. TheysaidDBLnotifiedthem oftheterminationofservices viaemailcorrespondence.

Singh-Lewis,acustomer ofthebankforover15years, said she received a call on Tuesday notifying her of an email that was sent a day earlier

Aletter addressed to her andseenbythispublication, titled “Re: Discontinuation of Banking Services – Mrs. Natasha Singh-Lewis,” stated that all account maintenanceserviceswillbe discontinued as of July 25, 2025.

“Thisdecisionwasmade in compliance with our internalpoliciesandbanking requirements To ensure a smooth transition effective immediately, no further deposits will be accepted into your… if the accounts are not closed by July 25, 2025, we will close them automatically Any remaining funds will be converted into a Banker’s Draft and held at the bank’s Camp&SouthRoadBranch for your collection,” the letterread.

Singh-Lewis said she visitedthebankandmetwith staffmembers.

When she asked to see the policies referenced in the email, none were provided She also spoke to a manager who similarly could not produce the relevant internal policies butadvisedhertovisitthe Continued on page 32

(From left) WIN candidates, Duarte Hetsberger, Odessa Primus and Natasha Singh-Lewis

Bipolar1

InGuyana,mentalhealth disorders, including bipolar

disorder, contribute significantly to the overall disease burden, accounting for 25 per cent among individuals aged 10-40

Bipolardisorder,thoughless common than other mental health conditions, is a significant concern within the Guyanese population. In my clinical practice, 76 per cent of my patients with bipolar have experienced sexual trauma Bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression) is a mental illness that causes apparent shifts in a person’s mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration

Peoplewithbipolardisorder often experience periods of significantly “up,” elated, irritable, or energised behaviour (known as manic episodes) and very “down,” sad, indifferent, or hopeless

periods (known as depressiveepisodes).

Bipolar disorder can affect children, with

symptoms sometimes appearing as young as five years old, though it is more commonly diagnosed in adolescence While the average age of onset is unclear, reported ages range fromfiveto19years.Bipolar disorder affects men and women with similar overall prevalence, but the way it manifestscandiffer.Women may experience more depressive episodes, rapid cycling, and comorbid conditions like eating

disorders, anxiety, depression, migraines or thyroid issues. Men may be more prone to substance abuse and exhibit more manicsymptoms,alongwith a risk of suicide attempts, and suicide attempts among menmaybemoreviolent.

The cause of bipolar I disorder is believed to be a complex interplay of genetic (runsinfamilies),suggesting a strong genetic component

Biological (differences in brain structure, imbalances

in neurotransmitters, chemicals and function),

psychological, and environmental factors (childhood trauma- sexual abuse, substance/drug abuse, stressful life events, physical illnessandsleepdisturbance)

Bipolar disorder is categorised into three primary types: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic disorder

Bipolar I disorder is

BipolarDisorderPart1 Towards a better life with your psychologist

diagnosed when a person experiencesamanicepisode. During a manic episode, people with bipolar I disorder experience an extreme increase in energy and mood changes, including feeling extremely happy or uncomfortably irritable. Some people with bipolar I disorder also experience depressive or hypomanic episodes, and most people with bipolar I disorderalsohaveperiodsof neutralmood.

Involves manic episodes thatlastforatleast7daysor require immediate hospitalizationduetosevere symptoms Depressive Episodes: May also experience depressive episodes lasting at least two weeks.MixedEpisodes:Can include mixed episodes where symptoms of both mania and depression cooccur

Symptomsof BipolarIDisorder

ManicEpisode

A manic episode is at least one week when a person is extremely highspirited or irritable most of the day for most days, possesses more energy than usual, and experiences at least three of the following changesinbehaviour:

· Decreased need for sleep (e.g., feeling energetic despite significantly less sleepthanusual.Elevatedor Irritable Mood, euphoric, extremely happy, or unusually irritable and agitated.

Increased or racing thoughts and Speech: Difficulty concentrating, talking rapidly, and jumping fromtopictotopic

Grandiosity: Having inflated self-esteem or a senseofself-importance

·Distractibility

·Increasedactivity(e.g., restlessness, working on s e v e r a l p r o j e c t s simultaneously).

Increased risky or impulsive behaviour (e.g., reckless driving, spending sprees, sexual/hypersexual, promiscuity).

· Psychotic Features: In severe cases, mania can involve delusions (false beliefs) or hallucinations (seeingorhearingthingsthat arenotthere)

These behaviours must be severe enough to cause dysfunction in work, family, or social activities and responsibilities. Symptoms

of a manic episode commonly require hospital caretoensuresafety

HypomanicEpisode

Ahypomanicepisode,or hypomania, is characterized by less severe manic symptoms that need to last onlyfourdaysinarowrather than a week. Hypomanic symptoms do not lead to the significantproblemsindaily functioning that manic symptomscommonlycause.

MajorDepressiveEpisode

A major depressive episodeisatleasttwoweeks in which a person experiences intense sadness ordespairoralossofinterest in activities the person once enjoyed and at least four of thefollowingsymptoms:

· Low Mood: Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty, worthlessness or excessive guiltorself-blame

Fatigue and Low Energy: Feeling tired and sluggish,evenwithadequate ordecreasedsleep.

Loss of Interest, difficulty finding pleasure inonceenjoyableactivities

· Changes in Appetite: experiencing changes in eatinghabits.

Restlessness (e g , pacing) or slowed speech or movement.

D i f f i c u l t y concentrating Having trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.

· Frequent thoughts of deathorsuicide.

Bipolar I disorder can significantly impact or interfere with everyday activities, work or school responsibilities Some people may also experience stigma related to their symptoms, which can keep them from seeking the help

they need However, relationshipsareaffectedthe most, due to their characteristic mood swings and related behaviours

These mood changes can affect trust, communication, intimacy, and financial stability, leading to strain and potential relationship difficulties People with bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses often have other mental disorders Mental illness, like personalitydisorders,comes in clusters There is a primary diagnosis and a secondarydiagnosis.

These relationship challengesare T r u s t a n d

C o m m u n i c a t i o n :

Unpredictable mood swings can erode trust and make establishingopenandhonest communicationchallenging, whichiscrucialforahealthy

relationship.

Emotional Volatility: Manic and depressive episodes can lead to impulsive or erratic behaviour, causing emotional distress and misunderstandings.

Intimacy Challenges: Fluctuations in libido and emotional availability can impact intimacy and create distancebetweenpartners.

Financial Strain: Bipolar disorder can affect employment and financial stability, leading to stress and potential conflict within therelationship.

Social Withdrawal:

Depressive episodes can cause social withdrawal and isolation, impacting the partner’ssenseofconnection andsupport.

CopingwithStress:The partner of someone with bipolar disorder, may experience stress and feelings of uncertainty, potentially leading to caregiverburnout.

Hope

N a v i g a t i n g t h e ChallengesofBipolar1

Education and SelfManagement: Learning about bipolar disorder, recognizing early warning signs of episodes, and developing healthy coping strategies are essential for

long-termmanagement.

Lifestyle Factors:

Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and managing stress are important for overallwell-beingandmood stability

Open Communication: Discussing the condition, its effects,andindividualneeds is crucial for fostering understandingandsupport.

Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries around specific behaviours or situations can help manage the impact of moodswings.

Seeking Professional Help: Individual and couples’ psychotherapy provides a safe space to address individual and relationship issues and develop coping strategies through Cognitive BehaviouralTherapy(CBT), Family-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT). They may or may not recommend medication M o o d s t a b i l i z e r s , Antipsychotics and Antidepressants are last optionsoradvancedoptions.

Empathy and Support: Empathy and understanding from family members, friendsandpartnerscanhelp

navigate the challenges and buildastrongerbond.

Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care is essential to managing the emotional toll of living with bipolar disorder Dailysunlightinhe mornings. Vegetables and a balanced diet Adequate water intake Sleep Avoiding stressful work and environments. Use conflict resolution skills to resolve relationshipproblems.Build good self-esteem Avoid alcohol and always practice self-awareness. Develop the tool to regulate your emotions.

WhentoSeek

ProfessionalHelp:

If personal and interpersonal relationship problems are significantly impacting well-being or causingdistress,andifthere are concerns about safety or stability Seeking professional help from a clinical psychologist is recommended.

By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist

GYS 901 - GUYANA’S LOCAL QMS STANDARD FOR MSMES GNBSINFOCUS

Did you know there is a National Quality Management System (QMS) Standard designed specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) inGuyana?Yes,there is! The GYS 901:2024 – Requirements for Management Systems for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) was developedbytheGuyanaNationalBureauof Standards (GNBS) and approved by the National Standards Council to support local enterprises.

Reflecting the realities of the local context,thestandardaimstostrengthendaily business operations and improve overall performance.

GYS 901 was inspired by the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems –Requirements Standard but was carefully designed to suit the size, structure, and specific needs of smaller businesses. The result is a simplified yet effective quality management system that gives enterprises a practical framework to manage quality withouttheheavycostandcomplexityoften associated with international standards Whether your business is in manufacturing, retail,services,oragro-processing,GYS901 is designed to help you implement systems that promote efficiency, accountability, and customerconfidence. In today’s competitive and evolving

marketplace, having a good product or serviceisnolongerenough.Smallbusinesses must also operate with consistency and credibilitytogainthetrustoftheircustomers andtogrow GYS901playsanimportantrole inensuringbusinessesmeetrequirementsfor quality and occupational safety and health. Essentially, it helps businesses develop stronger internal processes, improve customer satisfaction, and increase productivity ByadoptingGYS901,MSMEs can achieve more structured operations that laythegroundworkforlong-termsuccessand resilience.

While GYS 901 shares foundational principleswithISO9001,itwasnotdesigned to mirror the requirements of large internationalcorporations.ISO9001,though globally recognised, was created with more complex organisations in mind, often demandingextensivedocumentation,formal review systems, and significant resources.

GYS 901, on the other hand, maintains the core values of quality management but in a way that is far more accessible and achievable for smaller enterprises. It offers the benefits of a formal quality management system:structure,control,andimprovement, without overwhelming businesses with

administrativedemands.

GYS 901 is not a lighter version of ISO 9001; it is a purpose-built national standard thatempowerslocalMSMEstoimproveand grow at a manageable pace. It serves as a realistic starting point for small businesses looking to formalise their operations while stillleavingroomtoscaleandevolveasthey expand.

To support businesses on this journey, GNBS offers technical assistance, training, audit, and certification services for the implementationofGYS901.Yes,businesses can work to fulfill the requirements of this National Standard and be certified by the GNBS.

Therefore,ifyourbusinessisastart-upor has been in existence for several years and needs strengthening and formalising of its current systems, GNBS is committed to guidingyouthrougheverystepoftheprocess towards certification to the GYS 901 Standard.

Invest in the future and sustainability of yourbusinesstoday!

For further information on this subject, contact GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190064 or 219-0065, WhatsApp us on 6924627orvisitourwebsitewww.gnbsgy.org.

Over the last two decades,Guyana has experienced significant technological advancement, from mobile

phones to broadband internet, with mobile phone ownership reaching nearly 100%.

Yet the digital divide persists. Access to devices alone is not enough, data mustbeaffordable,coverage must be extensive and reliable, and applications

must be relevant to communities across the full spectrum of Guyanese society

For most learners, the tools of innovation have not kept pace with the promises ofprogress.

For too many families, technology has widened the gap between rich and poor, coast and hinterland, urban and rural, private and public schools.Iwouldwagerthere isn’t a single student in Guyana who has excelled at CSEC or CAPE without making extensive use of onlinelearningresources.So underperformance is not a question of intelligence Whatourchildrenlackisreal access to the full suite of tools;alongwithstrongadult support,requiredtoexcel. Th

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

Inequality to Abundance…

Preparing Our Children for a Global AI Future will require real investment from the entire village From

dy abundance in Guyana

Hundreds of companies are pursuingprofitsfromtheoil industry and from the many sectors that stand to benefit from its growth. Significant wealth is here, and in a country this rich, no child should be left behind due to lackofaccess.

Butthechallengeismore complex. Our experience managing over 40 learning pods across the country has proven how impactful grass

initiativescanbe.

Now that our core funding has ended, we are looking to transition these pods to the stewardship of companies operating in Guyana Supporting a learning pod is a modest investment, especially when compared to the long-term return: students with strong foundations in math, literacy, and technology

These young people represent the future workforce, problem solvers, innovators, and creative thinkers who will drive operational excellence and give businesses a competitiveedge.

We are grateful to MODECandScotiabankfor

sponsoring eight pods between them, but we must ask, where is the rest of the corporate community? The time is now to invest in the futureofGuyana.

Artificial Intelligence is now poised to transform everything It promises abundance: abundance of knowledge, abundance of services, and abundance of opportunities but abundance for whom? If we don’t act, thesamepatternswillrepeat. The elite will benefit first. Therestwillbetoldto“catch up.” That story has played outlongenough.

AIcanchangethat.Itcan be the great equalizer But only if access is made universal and if ethical frameworks are baked into every layer of our policies, and our parenting. That’s right. Parenting is ground zero for the development of futureinnovators.

In the AI future, parenting will be the frontline of national development.Childrenmust grow up confident, curious, and capable of navigating a world defined by machine intelligence and human creativity. How do we preparethem?

Start simple. Read to

yourchildren.Letthemread to you. If neither of you can read,openapicturebookand tell the story together That simple act teaches imagination, vocabulary, and bonding Confidence doesn’t come from complimentsalone;itcomes from being heard, seen, and guided. Talk with your children, not just at them. Ask questions. Let them challenge you. Encourage critical thinking, not just obedience.

Our culture too often treatschildrenasbeingstobe controlled, not minds to be cultivated. We shut down conversationswith“because I said so ” We correct withoutexplaining.Butinan AI future, memorization won’t matter Critical thinking will Emotional intelligence will. Creativity will.

Enroll your child in an academic enrichment program. Pathway Online Academy is one such opportunity Itgiveschildrenaccessto AI-powered lessons, personalized feedback, and structured learning from Grades 1 to 10. Even if you’re working, get Grandma, Uncle, or a responsibleneighbortohelp monitor their progress. Kids need your attention more than they need your money

The future of Guyana won’t beshapedbyoilalone.Itwill be shaped by the minds we raisetoday

AI is coming, whether we’re ready or not. It will either magnify inequality or dismantleit.

Thatchoiceisstilloursto make.Anditbeginsathome, with a story, a conversation, and the belief that every Guyanese child deserves a future powered by intelligence, not limited by circumstance.

We simply cannot afford to raise childrenwho cannot read, write, or do math, all the academic foundations that give learners the confidence to achieve any goal. Our generation made mistakes.Weboughtintothe fantasy that wealth meant progress, while ignoring the growing inequality around us We focused on c o n s u m p t i o n , n o t contribution. Let’s not pass that same blindness to our children. Let’s raise a generation that demands better, not just from their leaders, but from their own potential.

Frompage22 bank’s head office. Instead, sheconsultedherattorney “I was then advised that legal action will be taken in relation to the letter sent to me from the bank, because the bank has a license and has a responsibility to do business with all Guyanese and my service with them goesbeyond15years.Ihave had 15 years and more of uninterrupted service with that bank, and suddenly today,Ireceivealettertosay that they will discontinue servicewithme,Ifoundthat very,verystrange,”shesaid.

Hetsberger shared a similar experience. He said hereceivedacallonTuesday morning followed by an email identical in content to Singh-Lewis.

“I sought some clarity, but all they said that’s all they can say is the bank reservedtheright,itsinternal policies, and I did not meet c e r t a i n b a n k i n g requirements, and that’s it, come and collect your bank draft and close shop,” Hetsbergersaid.

He later contacted other WINcandidatesandlearned thatatleastfivehadreceived similarnotifications.

Both Singh-Lewis and Hetsberger confirmed they also have accounts with other financial institutions andthatonlyDBLhastaken this action They insisted they had not violated any bankingrules.

The WIN candidates questioned whether the move is linked to their affiliation with WIN a party founded by Mohamed, who was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury’sOfficeofForeign Assets Control (OFAC) for allegedgoldsmuggling.

WIN’s campaign manager Odessa Primus suggested that it could be “petty politics” initiated by the People’s Progressive Party–government.

In addition to SinghLewis signaling her intentiontotakelegalaction, Primus said the party is assessing whether to pursue collective legal recourse againstDBL.

Primus noted WIN will be notifying international observers and the global community about what they consider victimization of theircandidates.

Sheaddedthatgiventhis move by the local bank, all WIN members with accountsatDBLwillnowbe closing them. “We will not beintimidatedbyanystretch

Government back in January this year commissioned this

of the imagination, and I understand that while the governmentlovespowerand whatthefeelofpowermeans forthem,ourpeoplewillnot beintimidated.Wewillstand together and we will stand strong, because this is a democracy…”shesaid.

Primus criticized what she called a contradiction between the ruling Peoples Progressive Party’s (PPP) public stance and its actions “When we have all these entities that they have some degree of control [over] and is able to manipulate in some way, shape or form, being activated against people who are opposed to the government, and I would publicly like to say that these are the kinds of behaviors that they need to cease and desist from,” she stated

Primus outlined that one of the main reasons, some WIN candidates have opted to stay anonymous is out of f e a r o f p o l i t i c a l victimization She also allegedthatsincetheparty’s ListofCandidateswasmade public, PPP associates have been contacting WIN members to pressure them into removing their names fromtheparty’slist.

Tothisend,shecalledon the government to stop its attempts at intimidation Primus noted that the government’s actions are a response to the growing support WIN has been receiving nationwide. “You have70plusyearsofhaving a party, and in this day and age you have to go out your way to fight a party that existedforwhattwomonths, justovertwomonths…”she added.

When asked whether the bank’s move might deter othersfromsupportingWIN,

Primuswasfirm,statingthat t

underscored that the party willnotfallpreytowhatshe believes is PPP-orchestrated victimisation.

Meanwhile, efforts by Kaieteur News to contact DBL officials following WIN’s press conference werefutile.

However, DBL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Dowlat Parbhu told Demerara Waves Online News that the decision was made to ensure the bank complies with international financial sector rules governing relations with sanctionedindividuals.

“Idon’tthinkitshouldbe unclear If they had read all t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f international compliance legislation and protocol dealing with an individual that was sanctioned by OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), then they shouldbeveryclear Ifthose who are interested go and read it, they will find the reason why Demerara Bank hadtotakesuchadecision,” he told Demerara Waves OnlineNews.

He explained that the decisionwastakeninlightof DBL’s risk assessment. Mr Parbhu declined to say how many accounts had been affected by the decision “because that people’s personal information in a sense.”

“Anybody, who has a relationship that poses a compliance risk with the bank, we have an obligation undertheAML(Anti-Money Laundering) legislation to take action and de-risk and thatcomeswithinternational correspondent bank guidelines,”headded.

The DBL CEO said his financial institution was not

obligated to report its decision to the Bank of Guyana.

Govt.borrowsanother US$30MfromIDBto boostwatersupply

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$30 m i l l i o n ( G Y D $ 6,274,369,307) conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) to support Guyana’s efforts to enhance its water and sanitation infrastructure.

The CCLIP’s general objective is to improve the resilience, quality and sustainability of drinking waterandsewerageservices provided by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the national utility provider, IDBsaidinapressrelease.

This programme is expected to benefit approximately 151,560 people by improving access to safe, reliable water services GWI will also benefit from digital transformation, enabling the adoption of modern technologies and tools that will improve operational management, reduce costs, and increase revenue, the IDBreleasestated.

The main investments under this phase include the construction of a new water treatment plant at Diamond, East Bank Demerara and approximately15kilometers of transmission pipelines and interconnections, which will allow the integration of the new plant with the existing distribution network.

The programme will support the reduction of Non-Revenue Water initiatives which include advanced leak detection and repair,andpublicawareness

alsotheIDBhadapproveda US$350 million loan to Guyana, which it says underpins the country’s ongoingeffortstomodernise and expand its social protection systems In approving this second and final operatio

a programmatic series (the first of which was cofinancedwithGlobalAffairs Canada), the IDB said it recognises Guyana’s strong m

campaigns.Additionally,the programwillupgradeGWI’s digital infrastructure, including the integration of management information systems,improvedmetering, and operational efficiency enhancements across the East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, and Cummings Lodge systems. This programme reflects the country’s commitment to delivering climate -resilient infrastructure and access to quality water supply to its citizens.

As part of the new CCLIP, the IDB also approved a Specific Investment Loan (ESP) of US$15 57 million loan to financeimprovementsinthe water and sanitation infrastructure.

The US$30 0 million

CCLIP has a 25-year repayment term, a 5.5-year graceperiod,aninterestrate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), and will benefit from co-financing contribution of US$36 33 milliontobefinancedbythe

Japan International CooperationAgency(JICA).

The IDB said over the past five years, Guyana has embarked on a strategic transformation of the water and sanitation sector to increase potable water supply by constructing new water treatment plants, installing transmission mainstoimprovethequality of service to citizens nationwide,anddrillingnew wells in both coastal and hinterland communities to extend access to safe water supply

The IDB credit line will support Guyana’s efforts in continuing to upgrade and transformtheportablewater supplysector

Back in June this year

commitment to inclusive social reform. The loan will support the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) in enhancingtheefficiencyand reachofitssocialsafetynet, with a focus on digital transformation, inclusion, and em

vulnerable groups Key c

programmeinclude: Digital Transformation

improveservicedeliveryfor beneficiaries.

E

S

or Citizens’ Pension Program: Supported over 82,000 senior citizens, expanded accesstoelectronicpayment systems.

Expanded Public Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Increasing the coverage of the Public Assistance program, which has already supported more than 6,000 individuals with disabilities.

Growth of the Learning Lab: Scaling up training programs that equip persons

adaptive living techniques, and tools for improved qualityoflife.

Women’s Economic Empowerment: Expanding theWomen’sInnovationand InvestmentNetwork(WIIN) Business Clinic to provide women with training in business management, legal literacy, and access to funding.

Support for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence: Strengthening the Survivors Advocates program and the Counter Trafficking in Persons Unit to provide comprehensive support to survivors.

National Action Plan Against Human Trafficking: Supporting the development ofacoordinated,interContinued on page 33

water treatment plant at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

Frompage32 institutional strategy to combathumantrafficking.

Growingdebt

Concerns continue to be raised about Guyana’s growing debt As of

December 31, 2024, Guyana’s debt had climbed to nearly US$6 billion,

standing at US$5 993

billion This marks a significantincreasefromthe US$4.5 billion recorded at the end of December 2023. Theupdatewasdisclosedby the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, during his January 2025 Budget speech. Giving the updated figure of Total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt, the minister said, “Guyana’s total public and publicly guaranteed debt amounted to US$5 993 billion at the end of 2024, mainly on account of net inflows from our external anddomesticcreditors.”

Dr. Singh had explained

that government has prioritised responsible management of Guyana’s public debt. He elaborated then that external PPG debt reached US$2.2 billion by the end of 2024, while domestic PPG debt rose to US$3.7 billion. Comparing mid-year figures, external PPG debt stood at US$1.9 billion as of June 2024, and domestic PPG debt was recorded at US$3.1 billion duringthesameperiod.This underscores a notable increase in both categories during the latter half of the year Moreover, he said that over the last four years Guyana’s ratio of total PPG debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped by over 20%.The minister said that the debt to GDP ratio was47.4%attheendof2020 andbytheendof2024,ithad reducedto24.3%.

Excessiveborrowing

Back in January 2023, theIDBhadreleasedareport cautioning Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countriesagainst‘excessive’

borrowing and urged governments to bring their debts down to more prudent levels In its report titled ‘Dealing with Debt – Less RiskforMoreGrowthinthe Latin America and the

Caribbean’ , the IDB disclosed at that time that debt has risen and stands at some US$5.8 trillion, which is 117 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in

the region “Given the dangers of excessive debt, thecurrentsituationinLatin America and the Caribbean isworrisome,”theIDBsaid. IDBsaidpublicdebtservesa critical role for countries to pursue public investment projects,implementcountercyclical policies, and p

pp

economies in the face of negative shocks. However, theIDBwarnedthatifpublic debt becomes too large or is not managed with sufficient caution, interest costs may balloon, growth prospects maysuffer,andinthelimit,a costly debt crisis may be provoked. According to the report, governments can bring down their debt levels by improving spending efficiency,expandingthetax base, and seeking wider reforms to enhance fiscal balances and boost growth. The IDB said that there are many reasons why public debt levels should be lower than they currently are, highlighting that there are several ways to reduce that debt.

THURSDAY

U.S.concernedif AzruddingetsintoGovt. …Ambassador Theriot says U.S. Govt., private sector would rethink doing business with Guyana W i t h A z r u d d i n Mohamed in the 2025 presidential race, United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot has disclosed that the U S is “very concerned” about the p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h e businessman who has been sanctioned US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) entering government and how that would affect the dynamics between Georgetown and

Washington.

Last year, Mohamed, his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, their businesses, andgovernmentofficialMae Thomas were sanctioned by theU.S.Treasury’sOfficeof Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) The Mohameds were sanctioned for alleged gold smuggling When it announced the sanction OFAC said: “Today’s action u n d e r s c o r e s o u r commitment to holding accountable those who seek

to exploit Guyana’s underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. It added” These actions were conducted in coordinationwithHomeland Security Investigations New YorkOrganizedCrimeDrug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force,

Diplomatic Security Service, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) OfficeofIntelligence–New York Operations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Miami Field Office, with assistance from HSIMiami,CBPMiamiand New York Field Offices, New York City Police Department Intelligence Bureau, and the Drug E n f o r c e m e n t Administration.”

AccordingtoOFACgold is one of Guyana’s main exports, but it remains a highly fractured industry withsmall-scalegoldmining

operations in Guyana occupying a majority share

of the country’s gold production “These small, family-owned businesses have informal relationships with larger purchasers and traders like Mohamed’s Enterprise Once mined, Guyanese gold is sold and t r a d e d t h r o u g h o u t international markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union,”OFAChadsaid.

In June 2025, Mohamed launched his political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which is one of six parties set to contest the General and Regional Elections on September 1. “Yes, we are concerned AnytimetheUSDepartment

o f Tr e a s u r y O FA C sanctionedindividualhasthe potential to become a memberofgovernment,that is concerning for us,” Ambassador Theriot said She made the comment

Wednesday, on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit being held inGeorgetown.

She contended that Mohamed being in government is “problematic in multiple ways ” The ambassadorexplainedthatif someone sanctioned by OFAC were to become part of the administration, it wouldrestrictorchangehow the U.S. government interacts with that government.“Wehavetobe verycareful.Ifthatpersonis involved, let’s say he were on a certain committee, we would have to be very careful in working with that committee.Wehavetomake surethatwedidn’tworkwith himspecifically,”sheadded. Further,shesaidthesituation would likely raise concern among U S private sector entities already operating in Guyana or planning to invest.

Ambassador Theriot said, “So you see US companies often rethinking their relationship in the country We saw it in Afghanistan. We’ve seen it in other countries as well. They sometimes look to de risk, or to even just cut ties with the country…” To this end,sheunderscoredthatthe U S and Guyana are currently in a “beautiful position” due to how welcoming the country has b e e n t o A m e r i c a n companies. “…and I don’t want,ifhe[Mohamed]were to become a member of the government that to change,” shenoted.

The ambassador’s comments come days after U S Secretary of State MarcoRubioinstructedU.S. diplomats worldwide not to comment on the fairness or integrity of elections conducted by foreign countries, according to an internalnotethatwasseenby

Reuters The news agency said that Rubio’s memo was a significant departure from Washington’s traditional approach of promoting free and fair elections overseas. The order, sent to all U.S. diplomaticpostsinaJuly17 internal State Department cable, says the Department willnolongerissueelectionrelated statements or social m e d i a p o s t s f r o m Washingtonunlessthereisa “clear and compelling” foreign policy interest

“When it is appropriate to comment on a foreign election,ourmessageshould be brief, focused on congratulating the winning candidate and, when appropriate, noting shared foreign policy interests,” said the cable, which was markedas“sensitive”butnot classified.

“Messages should avoid opining on the fairness or integrity of an electoral process,itslegitimacy,orthe democratic values of the countryinquestion,”itsaid.

U.S. It added that electionrelated messages should come from either the Secretary himself or the Department spokesperson and it barred U.S. diplomats fromissuingsuchstatements without explicit approval from the agency’s senior leadership The cable referencedPresidentDonald Trump’s May 13 speech in Riyadh when he criticized what he called “Western interventionists” telling Middle Eastern countries how to govern their own affairs, saying that was no longer Washington’s business and it was looking to forge partnerships “While the United States will hold firm to its own democratic values and celebratethosevalueswhen other countries choose a similar path, the President made clear that the United States will pursue

partnerships with countries wherever our strategic interestsalign,”thedirective said.

The State Department didnotimmediatelyrespond to a request for comment on the cable, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The United States has traditionally viewed the promotion of human rights and democracy as well as press freedom as a core foreign policy objective, although critics have repeatedly pointed out the double standardWashington has had towards its allies. U n d e r Tr u m p , t h e administration has increasingly moved away from the promotion of democracy and human rights, largely seeing it as interference in another country’s affairs For example, it has moved to r e s h a p e t h e S t a t e Department’s human rights bureau, which it said had become a platform for “leftwing activists to wage vendettas against ‘antiwoke’ leaders ” Trump officials have repeatedly weighed in on European politics to denounce what they see as suppression of right-wing leaders, including in Romania, Germany and France, accusing European authorities of censoring views such as criticism of immigration in the name of counteringdisinformation.

Leadersbackbold actiontotackle biodiversitycrisis …as first Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit opens in Guyana

The inaugural Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit was on Wednesday launched in Georgetown, Guyana,withheadsofstates callingforgreaterglobal Continued on page 34

United States Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot

Presidential candidate for We Invest in Nationhood (WIN),Azruddin Mohamed

Frompage33 support for biodiversity protection as the world faces a crisis where biodiversityisunderthreat.

During his address at the openingceremony,PresidentIrfaan Ali highlighted that Guyana is a true treasure trove of biodiversity He said Guyana is home to more than 1,200 species of birds, custodians of approximately 225 species of mammals and home to nearly 8,000 species of plants, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Ali also highlighted that over 85 per cent of Guyana’s land remains forested and undisturbed.

AliunderscoredthattheGlobal Biodiversity Alliance is a call to arms, a rallying cry to governments, institutions, investors, communities, and citizens. The alliance is built on threeconvictions:thatbiodiversity istheinfrastructureoflife,thatthe measuring biodiversity is the foundation of meaningful action andthatinvestinginbiodiversityis notaluxurybutanecessity

President Ali outlined five pillars of the alliance which includes conserving 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030; integrating biodiversity into national and corporate plans; unlocking innovative financing; empowering indigenous peoples and local communities; and ensuring transparency through globalmonitoringtools.

The Guyanese leader outlined that the Global Biodiversity Summit is focused on igniting a global movement to protect the living fabric of the planet. “I am proud that this movement begins here, in Guyana with the support andpartnershipofallofyouinthis room. We cannot overcome these challenges individually We must build strong, resilient, sustainable partnerships so that we can overcome all the headwinds and stormsthatwillcomeourway,”he noted.

President Ali urged greater cooperation for biodiversity protection, noting that biodiversity is under siege, with every year the world losing about 10 million hectares of forest and one million species face extinction. To further exacerbate the crisis the world faces,Ali highlighted that wetland are vanishing three times faster than forests and that the world is approachinganirreversibletipping pointinkeyecosystems,fromcoral reefstosavannahstorainforests.

Alisaid,“Thesechangesarenot remote or abstract, they are real, immediate, and devastating. They affect the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe. They affect our jobs, our health, our economies,ourcultures,ourpeace. Theyaffectourverysurvival.”

Despitetheheavylossofglobal biodiversity, Ali noted that the destruction continues. “Too often,

the true value of biodiversity is ignored in national accounts, absent from financial statements, and invisible in boardrooms and budget plans. The invisibility ends here,”heunderscored.

Ali stressed that despite the intrinsic value, biodiversity remainsgrosslyunderfunded.

“Today, we invest just $200 billion per year in nature, but to meet the global biodiversity frameworktargets,weneedatleast $700 billion annually That means we must more than triple global finance for nature. And we must ensure that this finance flows to where it is most needed especially intheglobalsouth,”hesaid.

PresidentAli disclosed that the alliance is committed to scaling blended finance to de-risk investment in nature-based enterprises, piloting biodiversity credits that reward stewardship, expanding debt-for-nature swaps, modeled on our own experience and supporting community-driven finance models that place indigenousleadershipatthecenter.

To this end, he invited d

managers, impact investors, and sovereign wealth funds to join the allianceinitsefforts.Worldleaders attending the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit in Guyana added their voices to urgent calls for strongerinternationalactiontohalt environmentaldegradation.

During the first plenary led by PresidentAli,severalheadsofstate andgovernmentandotherofficials were invited to deliver interventionsontheGlobalStateof Biodiversity, highlighting key achievements, challenges and opportunities.

Barbados Prime, Minister Mia Mottley in her address at the summit said, “You cannot address the issues of saving the planet without addressing the issues of both climate and biodiversity and pollutionatthesametime.”

She underscored that those living the reality of environmental challenges must not only advocate strongly on the international stage, butactevenmoredecisivelyatthe local level Mottley also highlighted a new initiative in collaboration with the Barbados WetlandTrust, through which they wereabletoresuscitateandreopen the Graham Hall Nature Sanctuary closed for nearly 20 years for the benefitofbothbirdsandthepeople of Barbados She disclosed that Barbados is working to restore its remaining wetlands, many of which have been destroyed, and is in the process of establishing two additional entities aimed at preserving biodiversity “This will allowustoelevatetheworkthatwe must do to preserve our coastal areas One from the erosion of sargassum, which is deadly on our eastern coast, but also from the

natural erosion taking place as a result of agriculture run off and otherfactors,”thePMnoted.

Bigchallenges

For his part, Iván Duque Márquez, former President of the Republic of Colombia, said, “The challengeswefacearebig,wehave lost in the last five decades almost 70 per cent of the world’s wildlife. Wehaveseenthatlanddegradation, and also negative use of land, has become the second largest source of greenhouse gasses emissions, and we know that if we don’t act promptly and with the right instruments, we are going to see most of our ecosystems suffer like noothertimebefore.”

The former president said that he was confident the Global Biodiversity Alliance will introduce practical elements for action, which involve marketdriven, nature-based solutions. He further underscored that the world is facing an enormous amount of debt.

He further outlined the need to define that protecting biodiversity islinkedwithfoodsecurity,natural security, and safeguarding global supplychains.Hesaidtoothatthere is a need to create elements that avoid further degradation of ecosystems.

“WeareinanAmazoncountry, andtheAmazonhaslostinthelast four decades the equivalent of France and Germany together inland And people may believe that stopping that level of deforestation seems impossible Well, the response is no, because we’reinacountrylikeGuyana,that hasbeenabletokeep95percentof its territory in tropical jungle successfully,”heoutlined.

Additionally, María José Pinto, the Vice President of the Republic ofEcuador,saidhercountryisone ofthemostbiodiversecountrieson earth “But we know that biodiversity is not only counted in species, it is measured in wellbeingofpeopleinthehealthofour ecosystems and the opportunities wecreateforthosewhocomeafter us,”shenoted.

Outlining Ecuador’s vision for biodiversity, she said it drives equity, well-being, and innovation

speaks to key sectors, and that it addresses what the problems are andprovidesolutions.

Relating to their WIN initiatives, she said these are immediate, actionable and people driveninvestmentthatwilldirectly impact lives, while the regional development projects are tailored, targeted solutions designed specifically for the ten administrative regions, that are developed to foster economic growthandtoempowereachother

and brings conservation and economic transformation together by placing both people and nature at the heart of development

“Ecuador calls on the global community and especially the financial, technological and political leaders gathered here to recognise a fundamental truth Biodiversity is not just a global responsibility, it is a global opportunity,”sheadded.

She made a call for the expansion of innovative mechanisms through debt-fornature swaps, including legal frameworks, and platforms for climate and biodiversity finance thatreachlocalactors.

FRIDAY

WINunveilsmanifesto …50%hikeinpublic servants’pay …taxthresholdto moveto$200K …$100Kforoldagepension

Newly formed – We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, who has beeninexistenceforapproximately 59 days, is the first political party which unveiled its election manifestoonThursday

Launching the party’s manifesto at their Providence head office, was WIN’s party leader, Azruddin Mohamed, General Secretary, Odessa Primus, and party candidates Natasha SinghLewis, Dawn Hastings-Williams, andTabithaSarbo-Halley

Opening yesterday’s proceedings was Primus who related this manifesto is in presentation of a collective vision to transform Guyana. “What you are about to hear is as a result of steadilylisteningtothepeople,we didn’t sit in a room and create policies from top down, we built it from the ground up and what emerged are covered under three pillars: National Projects and Policies, Our WIN initiatives and our Regional Projects,” Primus explained.

Expounding a little on these pillars she disclosed that their national projects and policies are long-termtransformativeideasthat

The projects and policies, she mentioned were compiled and developed by a team of young people who are experts in their fields, who came together in dialogues, consultation and in intense research to chart a new courseforGuyana.

In his opening remarks at the launch, businessman Mohamed said at WIN, they envision a Guyana where the blessings of the country’sabundantresourcesuplift everyone and where love and harmony dispel hate and division. Unveilingtheirmanifestounderthe theme: ‘Re-building on the Foundation laid, for a Prosperous, Unified, and Safer Guyana’, Mohamed noted that they are committed to working with everyone who is willing to put Guyana above self, for it is only unitythatallGuyanesecanbenefit equitably

“This manifesto is more than words or a document It is our solemnoathtoeveryGuyanesethat your life will be improved through bold policies, projects, and sustainable programmes designed to provide better living standards, heal divisions and secure our communities,” the Party leader said.

Headdedthatthroughthepages of their manifesto, one will find a veryclearandconsistentvisionofa government that works for the people, creating opportunities for every citizen to thrive. “In service to the nation, we present transformative plans to reduce the cost of living, increasing personal and household earnings, revitalize key sectors, and dependency on imports and modernize our production capabilities, ensuring thatGuyanabecomesaneconomic powerhouse in the region,” Mohamedpresented.

In unveiling his plans, Mohamed mentioned that he has chosen not to accept a presidential salary if elected, and noted that it will be redirected into a fund that will be used for projects to empower the people The Presidential candidate in announcing incentives his party intends to implement if elected, Mohamed stated that public assistance will increase from $22,000 to $50,000, public assistance for individuals living withHIVandcancerwillincrease Continued on page 35

WIN's presidential candidate,Azruddin Mohamed

Frompage34 from $14,000 to $30,000, old-age pension will increase from $41,000 to $100,000, the school cash grant will increase to $100,000, and the income tax threshold will increase from $130,000 to $200,000 permonth.

M o h a m e d a l s o announced that they intend to reduce PAYE (pay as you earn)from25%to20%,and publicservantswillreceivea scaled salary increase of up to 50%, and plans to engage theprivatesectortoincrease the private sector minimum wage.

He mentioned also that WIN will implement an annual Conditional Transfers, ensuring that the wealth generated from Guyana’s natural resources is shared directly with the people Additionally, speaking on tax reform and incentivemeasures,henoted this is aimed at ensuring tax policies align with the country’s broader economic vision,creatingafavourable environment for investment and better living conditions forallGuyanese.

Part of what they intend to in relation to this, Mohamed highlighted will betoexpandthelistofzerorated items, reduce Value Added Tax from 14% to 10%, and introduce a guaranteed negative income tax top-up for poor households.

In relation to vehicle taxes, he mentioned that used vehicles with 0-1499 CC,theflatratedutywillbe reduced from $800,000 to $700,000, for new vehicles with0-1499CC,thecustoms duty will be reduced from 35%to20%+VAT

“All other classes of vehicles, including fourdoor pickups, will see sweeping reduction of up to 60%,ATVswillbedutyand VAT free, and outboard enginesof75HPorlesswill be VAT free,” Mohamed promised. The party noted thattheirmanifestostandsas a clear commitment to inclusive development and sustainable growth for all Guyana.

GECOMuncoversillegal registration,issuanceof fraudulentIDcards …police launch probe

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has beennotifiedof anunlawful registration and subsequent issuance of a fraudulent

Identification (ID) card duringthepublicscrutinyof thevoter’slist.

The discrepancy was identifiedintheRevisedList of Electors (RLE) released by GECOM weeks before the General and Regional elections are slated to happen.

InareleaseGECOMsaid that the commission welcomes the identification of discrepancy in the RLE currently on display across thecountry

Immediately upon being notifiedoftheincorrectness, the GECOM said that it launched an internal investigationwhichrevealed that the occurrence was due to non-compliance with establishedproceduresatthe level of the concerned registrationoffices.

According to GECOM, the procedure involved accepting applications for a replacementIDcard,change of address, by a random personusingtheregistration particulars of a genuine registrantorelector

“Having recognised by way of internal queries that registration records of a legitimate registrant or elector was altered with his involvement, the chief election officer instruction thattheunlawfultransaction be reversed. This is done. ThereplacementIDcardthat was prepared is still in the commission‘s possession Thecardwillbedestroyed.”

Further, the elections commissionnotedthataninperson discussion was held with the concerned registration officials and it was determined that there wasabreachofthestandard operating procedures by registration staff throughout thesystemandthestaffwho interacted with the person

who visited the office to make the applications could not provide logical explanationforhisactionsin thematter

Consequently, the police were invited to carry out investigations to determine whether action of the concerned registration official amounts to a criminal offence In the interim, GECOM has reminded the public of the RLE is still on display for scrutiny and urges all concerned to check it to ensure that their particulars areaccurate.

“The RLE is currently being displayed at two prominentlocationsinevery registrationdivisionandsub divisions as well as on GECOM’s website for publicscrutinyuntilJuly29, 2025, should there be the discovery of any concern, a report must be made forthwith to the respective, registration office ”

GECOMsaiditiscommitted to a transparent registration process that adheres strictly to the legal provisions and one in which registration transactions conducted are s c r u t i n i z e d b y representatives in the parliamentary political parties.

Against this backdrop, thecommissionreassuredall stakeholders that there is robustmechanisminplaceto guard against errors and remains committed to ensuring that its operations are transparent credible, free, fair and upholds the tenets of integrity and democracy

With specific reference to the concern that has been raised in the public domain in relation to the regrettable existence of an irregular

registration transaction, GECOMsaiditisthankfulto have the opportunity to take the remedial action which is statutorily permissible during prescribed 21 days period for the display of RLE “GECOM publicly acknowledges that two erroneous transactions were conducted at one of its registrationofficesandinthe same breath to assure all stakeholder, especially the bonafideregistrantwhowas affected that has to establish registration procedures been followed the incorrectness would not have occurred.”

Insofar as the breach of proceduresisconcerned,the commission is currently conducting an internal investigation to ensure that thereisnorecurrence.

SATURDAY

WINpromisesCOI intoSu’scorruption allegationsagainstJagdeo

TheAzruddin Mohamed – led We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)partyhas promised to launch a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into corruption allegationsmadebyChinese businessman Zhi Rong Su against sitting Vice President,BharratJagdeo,if elected to Office on September1.

The new political party headed by the billionaire businessman unveiled its manifesto on Thursday and amongthethingsitintendsto pursue within the first 1o0 daysinofficeistheCOI.

Asectionofitsmanifesto titled anti-corruption and transparency, number 23 s t a t e s , “ L a u n c h a Commission of Inquiry into the allegations of corruption between Bharrat Jagdeo and

outlined that the said words werecalculatedtodisparage Mr Jagdeo personally and professionally

Accordingtothelawsuit, owing to the statements that w e r e a i r e d i n t h e documentary, Jagdeo has s u f f e r e d p u b l i c condemnation, humiliation, ridicule,andembarrassment.

Additionally, the legal document noted the statements have caused serious injury to the Vice President’s reputation and his political standing locally andinternationally

Last year, Kaieteur reported that Jagdeo was awaitingadefaultjudgement after Su failed to appear in court.

Chinese business man by ViceNews.”

A V i c e N e w s documentary premiered in February 2022 reported that Guyana was up for sale and featured Jagdeo as the main character Su, now Jagdeo’s former tenant, was heard in aninterviewaccusinghimof allegedly collecting bribes for large developmental projects undertaken in the country

Su was at the time being interviewed by reporters posing as Chinese businessmen looking for business opportunities in Guyana.

Theundercoverreporters also interviewed Jagdeo at his Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home where he told them that he gives his Chinese friend all the support to facilitate investment transactions.

The Vice President was subsequentlyinterviewedby Vice News and confronted about his relationship with Su. He told the reporter that Su was his friend and tenant butdeniedbeinginvolvedin anywrong-doing.

Subsequently, Jagdeo publicly denied the allegations after the documentary was released. He also sued Su for $50 million.

According to legal documents seen by this publication, Jagdeo through his attorneys, Manoj Narayan and C V Satram, outlined that the statements made by Su and were contained in the news broadcast clearly imputed criminal and unlawful conduct on the part of the Vice President The attorneys described Su’s statements as “defamatory andslanderous.”Thelawsuit

“We are awaiting judgmentbythecourt,that’s theupdate,”Jagdeosaid.

LauraGeorgeis AFC’sPMcandidate

TheAlliance for Change (AFC) on Friday announced that its National Executive Committee (NEC) elected Laura George as its Prime Ministerialcandidate.

In a brief statement, the AFC said that George was elected following “an intense process of deliberations” where membersoftheparty’sNEC participated in the “rigorous process which was conducted in an air of camaraderieandfairness.”

At the end of the fourhour long process AFC PresidentialCandidateNigel Hughes stated, “The AFC hasdoneitselfproudtonight. It had a process, it was transparent, everyone was allowed to question the candidatesandthisallaugers well for the future of our Party.”

George,aformerteacher, is best known locally and internationally as an indigenous rights advocate withmorethantwentyyears of dedicated service to promotion of indigenous rights and the uplifting of Amerindian communities in Guyana.

“The Alliance For Change has over the last week released several of its progressive development policies that will create a newandprosperousrepublic if elected to government The Party and its members are well into the campaign travelling across the length and breadth of Guyana holding intimate public meetings with citizens of Guyana,”thepartysaid.

(from left to right) WIN party candidates Natasha Singh- Lewis, Dawn Hastings-Williams, General Secretary, Odessa Primus, Leader of the WIN party,Azruddin Mohamed and candidate Tabitha Sarbo-Halley presenting their party's manifesto on Thursday.

Once upon a time, there was a husband and wife who longed for a child.They lived next to a beautifulgardenthatbelongedtoapowerful and evil witch. One day, the wife noticed some lush, green plants called Rapunzel growing in the witch's garden. She craved them so badly that she felt she would die withouteatingthem.

Her husband, desperate to help her, sneaked into the witch's garden to steal some Rapunzel He brought it back to his wife, who ate it greedily But her craving only grew stronger, and she begged him to goagain Thenextnight,ashewasaboutto takemoreRapunzel,thewitchcaughthim

“How dare you steal from my garden!” thewitchsaid,furious.

The terrified man begged for mercy, explaining that he only took the plants because his wife was pregnant and needed them. The witch softened slightly and said, “You can take as much Rapunzel as you need, but in return, you must give me your babywhenitisborn.”

The man, too frightened to refuse, agreed. When the baby girl was born, the witch appeared, took the child away, and named her Rapunzel after the plant her

I know I feel nice when someone gives me something, And when others help me in some way; I know it feels good when people smile at me, And tell me words that make me feel gay.

This means that I should also try To do the same for others what I can, I should not only seek to get for myself, But do my best to help everyone.

First I must obey my parents at home, And try to keep brothers and sisters happy Next do what I can from my friends, And then seek ways to help anybody.

The great thing is that when I try

motherhadcraved.

The witch raised Rapunzelinatalltower deep in the forest. The tower had no door or stairs, only a single window at the top When the witch wanted to visit her, she would stand at the bottom of the tower and call out, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!” Rapunzel would let her long, golden hair fall from the window, and the witch would climb up.

Rapunzel grew into a beautiful young woman, but she was isolated from the world and had never seen anotherhumanbesidesthewitch.Oneday,a prince happened to ride by the tower

HearingRapunzelsing,hewasenchantedby her voice and wanted to see who was singing. He watched as the witch called for Rapunzel to let down her hair and realized howtoreachher

The next day, after the witch left, the prince went to the tower and called, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!” Thinking it was the witch, Rapunzel let her hairdown,andtheprinceclimbedup.

Rapunzel had never seen a man before andwasfrightenedatfirst,buttheprincewas kind and gentle, and they soon became friends. The prince visited her often, and overtime,theyfellinlove.

They made a plan to escape.The prince would bring Rapunzel a piece of silk every time he visited, and she would weave a laddertoclimbdown.Butoneday,Rapunzel accidentally let slip to the witch about her prince. She said, “Why are you so much heaviertopullupthantheprince?”

The witch was enraged She cut off Rapunzel's long hair and banished her to a desolateplacefaraway Thatsameevening, when the prince came to the tower, the witch let Rapunzel's cut hair fall down. When the princeclimbedup,hefoundthe witchinsteadofRapunzel.

In horror, the prince fell from the tower and landed in a patch of thorns The thorns scratched his eyes, making him blind. Heartbroken and unable to see, the prince wandered the forest for years, searching for Rapunzel,butneverfindingher

One day, while wandering aimlessly, the prince heard a familiar voice singing. It was Rapunzel!Shewaslivingalone in the wilderness, trying to survive.

IceCream Garlands

MATERIALS

BrownKraftPaper

BrownSharpie

Ruler

6″plate

Twine

Pencil

Scissors

1″redpompomsand1pink

Yarn(rainbowcolours)

INSTRUCTIONS

Makethepompoms

“tail”, which is the piece that holds the yarn togetherandwastiedonbothsides.

Trimthepompomintotheshapedesired. Donotcutthetail,thatiswhatyouwilluseto hang the cones. If you do cut it, simply tie anotheroneon,verytightly

Make one pom pom with each colour of yarn.

MakePaperCones

Next,makethepapericecreamcones.Cut one5″x5″pieceofkraftpaperforeachcolor pom pom. Use the brown Sharpie to draw gridedlinesoneachsquareofpaper

To help others and make them feel the best, I find that I myself gain so much That it makes me feel the greatest.

Overjoyed, the prince followed her voice and found her. Rapunzel recognized him immediately and wept with happiness. Her tears fell onto theprince'seyes,andmagically, hissightwasrestored.

The prince and Rapunzel returned to his kingdom, where theylivedhappilyeverafter,far away from the wicked witch whohadonceheldhercaptive.

Cut1pieceofyarnabout12″longofeach colourandsetitaside.Thiswillbeusedtotie themiddleofthepompom.Sinceoneofyour handswillbeoccupiedwithyarn,it'seasiestto cutthisfirst.Wraponecolouryarnaroundthe palmofyourhandaround150timesandthen trimtheends.Next,slidethepre-cutpieceof yarn through your fingers and slide the yarn off your hand.Tie the piece you slid through tightly Doubleknot.

Gently flip over the bundle of yarn and bringthetwopiecesyoujusttiedtotheother side to do the same, double knotting them. Then use your scissors to cut the loops to createapompom.

Finally trim the pom pom. Hang onto the

Now, cut the paper square in to a cone shape. Free hand it or use a plate as a circle guide to create an arched side to the paper Next, roll each paper into a cone shape and secure the edges with hot glue. Now it's time tomaketheicecreamcones!Attachthepom poms to the paper cones by putting hot glue into the top of the cone. Set the pom pom on top, pushing it somewhat down into the cone so the glue catches the yarn. Keep the tail on topandnotintheconetousetocreatealoop byknottingtohang.

HangtheIceCreamCones

Aftereachconeismade,stringthemupon the twine. Measure the length needed for the twine and add about 12″. Add a slip knot to each end and slide the cones onto the twine. Hang as desired Finally, add pom pom cherriestothetopofeachicecreamcone.

To get the “cherries” to sit straight, add themonaftertheconesarehungonthetwine. Add a white or pink pom pom to the red ice creamconetomakethecherrystandoutmore. Finally,hangthefinishedgarlandonamantle, or a deck. This would be adorable for an ice creamparty!

KA KURO KA KURO

Kakuro puzzles are like a cross between a crossword and a Sudoku puzzle Instead of letters, each block contains the digits 1 through 9. The same digit will never repeat within a word. If you add the digits in a word, the sum will be the number shown in the clue

Clues are shown on the left and right sides of “across” words, and on the top and bottom sides of “down” words.

Therearemanywaysbywhich you can make your life more worthy, some of which we have been dealing withintheweekspastinourdiscourses aboutself-improvement.

However,thereisonewayinwhich we can do this in an unselfish manner, andthatisbylookingoutcontinuously tofindhowyoucanhelpothers,bothon thelongandshortterms. Iamsureyou can think now of instances when you have seen someone close to you acting in a manner that can lead to some negativeresult.

Makeyourlife matterbydoingyour utmosttohelpothers

problems they would be faced with in theireverydaylives.

One way by which you can make this an ongoing process is to start a discussiongroupinwhichyougetthose whoaremembersofanygrouptowhich you belong to interact and spread your ideasofgoodbehaviour

Getting this group to meet on a regular basis, say weekly, at a determined venue, can provide a guarantee that personal problems will be discussed with the object of finding propersolutions.

ALifeofService

If you had helped that person to behave better, then you would have beenabletoseehowrewardingthiswas tothatperson,aswellasthesatisfaction it gave you for having spent your time andenergytodosomethingunselfish.

There are also other ways in which you can reach out to your friends and lead them into understanding your approach to the proper solution of the

Each of us can make a big difference in the progress of our nation when we see the need to join with others in this effort.

You can get someone who is respected by your group's members fromthechurchorotherorganisationin your area to speak to your group when youmeet. Thiswillmakeitanongoing exercisethatwillbeofimmensebenefit to the members as they develop and shareacultureofgoodbehaviour

Think of the value to our nation if thissystemweretobeadoptedbyevery community, and I am now proposing that we all make a serious attempt to worktowardsachievingthis,andmake ourvoicesheardinthisendeavour

A life of service really is a thing that you should treasure, For you will make a difference to this world that lasts forever; For those who are around, someone whose life has good intent Will always and forever be affected by their scent.

While you may humbly fail to see the permeating heat That comes from all your kindness to the people that you meet, Yet others do appreciate the blessings that you bring; It adds a glow to life, just as the sunshine does in spring.

You may not ever notice it, you may not ever know, The beauty of your life's work, when humbly put on show; So, never feel resentment, guard your heart as if it's gold; Just wear the belt of kindness, and let God's truth unfold.

Don't rely on gratitude for all the things you do, But ask the Lord for grace to help you see them through; Enjoy your special role and know the privilege is yours: God chooses workers carefully to compliment His cause.

Be assured that many of the seeds you sow will root, And in your absence will go on to flourish and bear fruit, So live in humble servitude, content that God above Is watching with a father's pride to shower you with love.

Deeplyconsciousofthestrugglethatresonateswiththe

ordinaryman…

Ambitious attorney and newly-minted politician,

RonaldDanielsisa‘SpecialPerson’

ByShaniaWilliams

Withaconsciousdeeplyrooted in the ordinary man’s struggle pursuit of a better life, Attorney-at-Law, Ronald Daniels is makinghisentranceaboldentranceintothe political arena. However before he could make his mark as a politician or even an attorneyDaniels’journeyissteepedinvery humble beginnings which fiercely carved outalifethatissuretoinspiremany

To support his dreams, Daniels did the most honest and hard work. Those, who wouldlookathimtodaymaynevertellthat this lawyer once ‘pulled the doors,’ of a minibus, earning a humble sum to support his young family and complete his legal studiesatUniversityofGuyana.

Andhedidnotworryaboutbeinglooked down upon; Daniels did what needed to be doneandkepthiseyesontheprize,working hiswayupfromaminibusconductortothe hallowed halls of the Guyana’s highest Courtoflaw

Behindhislegalmindisarisingpolitical personawithadeeplyhumanstory—oneof perseverance,faith,andanunwaveringlove forpeople.

Danielsonceworkingquietlybehindthe scenes, using the law to change lives, this week’s ‘Special Person’ is stepping out of hiscomfortzonetobecomemorethanjusta legal professional, but a bold advocate for change

EARLYLESSONS

Born in the mining town of Linden, the quiet yet brilliant, Daniels has weathered life’shardshipsfromanearlyage.

Withsomeofhisformativeyears,spent inGrove,EastBankDemerara,Danielstold the Waterfalls, he was raised in a small, wooden, one-room house alongside his mother Marcia, grandmother Agnes, and auntsWinifred,Myrtle,Tina,andOddessa.

His childhood was rich in love though poorinmaterialwealth.

Despite limited resources, the household was filled with laughter and warmth.

“Iwasnotawarethatwewere‘poor’in the traditional sense because my mom, grandmaandauntscollectivelyprovidedfor us,andourhomewascharacterizedbylots oflaughterandhappiness,”Danielsshared.

Life, however, shifted when his mother fellillwhenhewasjusteight.Thatmoment marked a turning point in his life awakening a deep sense of responsibility and emotional maturity He

inquisitive.

These said traits that shaped his future as a legal mind.“Frommytenderyears I was considered to be a gifted child…I am told that I was talking plainly at seven months-old and that I have always been inquisitive,” he saidwithasmile.

The lawyer’s academic journey began at Campbell’s Trust Nursery School and continued at Grove Primary And although he scored 500 marks at the Common Entrance Exam, he was p l a c e d a t Central High School due to administrative decisions and his father’s preferences.

began assisting with her care, gaining a sharperawarenessofthesacrificesmadeby thewomenwhoraisedhim.

“The women whom I grew under and grew-upwith-mom,grandma,aunts,sisters (Roxanne and Susan) and my female cousins (Joelle and Antonia) were especiallyremarkableinthestewardshipof their resources; focus and commitment to family; and strong sense of responsibility Wherever in me these virtues are found I creditthistothemfully,”hereflected.

Daniels further added that due to his mom’s illness, he developed a sense of realization of his living condition andbecameamanbeyondhisyears.

“From then, I started taking intelligent stock of my environment and circumstances. This is when I began to appreciatetheenormouspersonalsacrifices my mom, grandma and aunts were making to support us kids. This is when I began to realizethatwewerenotasfortunateassome ofourcounterparts…,”hesaid.

GIFTED

From an early age, Daniels displayed remarkable intellectual gifts He was reportedly speaking in full sentences by seven months and showed signs of being

leadershiptrainingthroughchurchministry and John Maxwell programmes as well as several post-graduate work-shops,” he added.

“I can recall protesting to my father and requesting that thisberectifiedattheMinistry ofEducation.Hedeclinedand chose to keep me at Central, closer to his office This affectedme negativelyin first form,” he said Though disappointed at first, Daniels’ found lifelong friends at Central High School and begantothriveacademically

Asayouthhewaseagerto learn, so much so that he trained and became certified as both a Land Surveying Technician and a Civil and Building Engineering Technician before pursuing studies in International Relations. He later earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Development Studies and holds certifications in Negotiation, Mediation Advocacy, and Anti-Money Laundering.

Among his early achievements was being named Best Speaker in the University of Guyana’s UNAIDS HIV/AIDS Debate in2008andcompetinginthe International Chamber of Commerce Commercial Mediation Competition in Parisin2014,wherehisteam reachedthefinals.

“I served as a Seminar Group Leader at Hugh Wooding Law School and then as the President of the Student Representative Council representing the university at the Council of Legal Education annual meeting and receiving high commendations for same. I lectured part-time in Guyana andattheUWIOpenCampus in Trinidad and Tobago. I have engaged in several

THESTRUGGLE

Daniels’legal career began in Trinidad andTobago,wherehewasfirstcalledtothe Bar Butbeforethathetookseveraloddjobs to support his family and achieve his dreams. The Lindener recalled that at the timehisinspirationwashisailingmother

“Ithasalwaysbeento“givemymoma betterlife,anormallife.Iamcommittedto her, she has shaped my life, the ultimate decisions I have made are because of her She has taught me to be resilient. I had the opportunity to leave for better educational opportunities in the USA but I couldn’t leaveher,”hesaid

Because of his passion and unconditional love for his mom, Daniels workedasaminibusconductorwhenhewas at Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) and evenduringhisfirstyearoflawatUG.Iwas working the bus even when I was working withAttorney-at-LawNigelHughes.

“So basically, I studied law in the day andworkedasatoutinthenight.Iworkedas a street vendor, selling glasses and knives sometimes. I worked as a construction labourer Ididpipe-workandIwasevena

Continued on page 44

Daniels at a recentAPNU rally

Daniels and his lovely wife, Kay

Attorney-at-Law and newly-minted politician, Ronald Daniels

Family man: Daniels taking a group photo with his loving wife and kids

Recover Guyana marks International Day for Mangrove Conservation with inaugural national youth conference

In recognition of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Recover Guyana, in p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h international maritime construction company Jan De Nul, hosted its inaugural National Youth Conference on Mangrove Conservation on 25 July 2025 at the Ramada Princess Hotel Georgetown.

The landmark event brought together more than 150 youth leaders, environmental advocates, policymakers, educators, and scientists from across the country to spotlight the vital role of mangrove ecosystems in climate action, coastal protection, andcommunityresilience.

Theconferenceservedas a national platform for dialogue, education, and c o l l a b o r a t i o n o n environmental protection, particularlyamongyouth.

Key features included a high-level expert panel, interactive networking sessions, and a youth forum that amplified the voices of young environmental leadersfromacrossGuyana.

Delivering opening remarks, Dr Dave Lalltoo, President and Founder of R e c o v e r G u y a n a , emphasized the broader vision behind the initiative.

President and Founder of Recover Guyana, Dr Dave

presents remarks at the NationalYouth Conference on Mangrove Conservation.

Singh, Guyana's 2025 Environmental Speaker, alongside the Top 10 national finalists of the recently concluded SHOUT competition.

These emerging environmental leaders brought bold ideas, and informedperspectivestothe national stage Their contributions reinforced the importance of youth engagement in advancing c l i m a t e j u s t i c e , environmental education, and community-driven mangrove conservation efforts.

The expert panel added international and policy-

He described mangrove conservationasmorethanan environmental concern, calling it a shared national responsibility that depends on the innovation and leadership of the next g e n e r a t i o n “ T h i s conference is more than a one-dayevent.Itisanational calltoaction,”hestated.“At Recover Guyana, we are proud to provide a platform where young people can contribute meaningfully to the national environmental agenda.”

Amajor highlight of the event was theYouth Forum, which featured Anushka

driven perspectives to the event Representatives of dip

ners, developmentalagencies,and educators delivered powerful reflections on mangroveresilience,climate partnerships, and youth inclusion.

Her Excellency Jane Miller, British High Commissioner to Guyana, voiced strong support for Recover Guyana's inaugural National Youth Conference. She urged young people to becomefutureadvocatesfor mangrove preservation by d e e p e n i n g t h e i r

including

understanding of the vital role mangroves play in climate resilience, raising awareness among their peers, and uniting to drive meaningful environmental change.

Vasanna Persaud, the 2023SHOUTGuyanaYouth Environment Speaker, also delivered an inspiring address, reaffirming her ongoing commitment to environmental protection and youth mobilization. She calledonherpeerstotakean active role in environmental solutions by committing to the protection of mangroves through practical systems andtangibleactionsthatcan spark change from the community level to the nationalstage.

As a global leader in sustainable marine infrastructure, Jan De Nul reaffirmed its commitment to conservation and climate education through its partnership with Recover Guyana. In his remarks, Mr

Manager at Jan De Nul,

spoke about the importance ofempoweringcommunities t

collaboration. “Jan De Nul remains committed to helping communities adapt to rising sea levels, restore

coastal ecosystems, and advance clean energy transitions,” he said. “This partnership reflects our mission to improve the quality of life for future generations and to invest in local initiatives that create lasting environmental impact.”

The National Youth Conference on Mangrove Conservation marked a significant step toward a moreinformed,resilient,and (Continuedonpage44)

Lalltoo

Recover Guyana, in partnership with Jan De Nul, empower over 150 youth at the NationalYouth Conference on Mangrove Conservation

Expert panel

President and Founder of Recover Guyana Dr. Dave Lalltoo, Her Excellency Jane Miller, British High Commissioner, Mr. Davy Spriet, Project Manager, Jan De Nul, educators and Executive Committee of Recover Guyana stand as advocates for mangrove conservation in Guyana.

ACDA is honouring African presence in Guyana From Burkino Faso to Buxton…

Acultural depiction of Burkino Faso

Burkino Faso is known as the land of the flying masks

The map and flag identifying Burkina Faso

Interesting Creatures... Guereza Colobus The monkey with no thumb

The mantled

guereza is a very special monkey and is utterly distinct from other species. It is primarily black with flowy white fringes of hair along the sides of its back called a mantle.Thismonkeyhasno thumb, which is also how it got its name ‘colobus’ (Greek for mutilated). You canfindtheguerezainWest, Central and East Africa mainly in secondary forests near rivers and lakes, munching on leaves, seeds, fruits,andarthropods.

Guerezas are mainly folivorous, which means that they eat a whole lot of leaves. Leaves of the hackeberry tree are their favorite Young leaves comprise a larger portion of theirdietthanmatureleaves. Fleshy, unripe fruits, leaf buds, tree bark, seeds, blossoms, and the occasional insect or spider complementtheirmealplan. The monkeys’ geographic distribution and seasonal fluctuations impact food availability and thus, may cause related fluctuations in theirdiet.

To lessen changes in their menu, guerezas select leaves that are less susceptible to seasonal change.Butintimesoffood scarcity, mature leaves and

fruits provide the guerezas with sustenance. (In what almost sounds like an example of forest etiquette, scientists speculate that guerezasselectfleshyunripe fruits, rather than fully ripened fruits, to avoid competition with other primate species who prefer ripefruit.)

On occasion, guerezas

monkeys’salivary glands to efficiently break down leaf c e l l u l o s e T h i s morphological adaptation allows the monkeys to obtain the necessary nutrition from their leafy diet.

Although active during daylight hours, guerezas are late risers as compared to o

descend to the ground to feed on termite clay and aquaticplants.Dropsofdew and rainwater that have collected inside tree trunk hollows provide their daily waterrequirement.

A multichambered stomach allows for the digestion of large amounts of foliage. Microbes in the guereza’s gut work with fluids secreted by the

primates leaving their sleepingtreesonetoseveral hours after sunrise

Traveling single file as a group, they follow one anotheralongaknownpath.

Mostly arboreal creatures(spendingthebulk of their time in trees), guerezas reside deep within the forest where they travel through the connecting tree canopies quadrupedally (on

all four limbs), bounding through gaps between trees.

Their elegant mantle acts as an ersatz parachute, allowing the guerezas to seeminglyglideastheyleap up to 50 feet (12 m) as their long,plume-liketailactsasa rudder to provide balance.

When trees are not densely spaced, thus providing no arboreal passageways, guerezas descend to the groundtoforageandtravel.

About half their day is spentresting.

Foraging and feeding occupy most of their remaining daylight hours. Nap time follows feeding, accompanied by gassy belches (burps), resulting f r o m t h e g a s t r i c fermentation occurring in

their gut. Then, if they have the energy, particularly the young ones, they may engage in social activities likeplay

Before sunset, guerezas once again retire to their sleeping trees They deliberately avoid sleeping inproximitytootherguereza groups and usually occupy up to four trees, in close proximity to the other, that offerfoodsources.

The monkeys take turns sleeping so that at least one individual, positioned on a high perch, can act as “lookout” for interlopers, including members of outsider guereza groups and potential predators, who include crowned hawk eagles The

Ambitiousattorneyandnewly-minted...

From page 40 security guard at night and went to classes in the morning.

I have had those jobs because things were hard andIhadtomakeendsmeet. I did two to three jobs while studying and still managed to be at the top of the class,” hesaid.

After completing his

legal studies and being admitted to practice in Trinidad, Daniels returned home to Guyana where he worked closely with renowned attorney Nigel Hughes. HecreditsHughesforhis professionalgrowth.

“Mr Hughes has been i n s t r u m e n t a l b o t h financially and as a mentor

in my becoming an attorney andalsoinmyacademicand professional growth,” he said.

With Hughes' blessing, the lawyer later co-founded hisownlawfirmalongsidea brilliantfemalecolleague. PAYING IT FORWARD

Having faced much hardship in life, the lawyer s o u g h t t o u s e h i s

professional platform to advocate for the most vulnerableinsociety Itishis wayofpayingitforward.

For over a decade, his work has balanced private legal practice with a passion forpublicservice.

Service has always been at the core of his' journey

The lawyer has held leadership roles in school, university, and professional settings, often offering pro bono legal assistance to the vulnerable.

“God has been generous in the gifts He has afforded me. Even from my tender age, I have understood my talents to be facilities which God has given me to serve others.

I have been serving others as a child in primary school- standing up for their interest.

It was the same in high school, at the university and in the workplace. As an attorney-at-law, I have persisted in that vein,” he said.

“From a tender age, I have understood my talents as gifts from God, meant to serveothers,”hesaid.

The lawyer asserted “If I am to weigh my practice over the years, the bulk of it has been offering pro bono representation to affected persons.

Over the years, I have consistently carved out the time to comment on topical legal and political issues affectingourcountrymen.

My focus in this regard hasalwaysbeen,andIwould hope I have succeeded in large a part, to assist in equipping our countrymen with requisite knowledge to better understand and navigate the political and legal landscape which a f f e c t s t h e m s o fundamentally,”

Despite numerous invitations over the years,

Daniels only recently entered politics—after what he calls a divine “release” fromGod.

A man of deep faith, he refused to act out of ambition,waitinginsteadfor spiritualconfirmation.

When that moment came, he joined the APNU, moved by what he sees as statesmanship and integrity inthepartyleadership.

For the attorney, the political arena is not a platform for personal power, but a mission field to serve andtransformlives.

“Over the years I have been invited by most of the major parties and smaller parties to become directly involved in politics. I have always respectfully declined- not out of a lack of interest but due to my not beingreleased.

He brought to my awareness since my tender years that my purpose is to serve our countrymen politically, and that He will instructmyreleasewhenthat time comes And He did release me several months before the onset of the elections season,” he explained.

“I prayed about this and engaged my wife and spiritual leaders to pray with me about this. It was only a f t e r H i s f u r t h e r confirmation that I accepted the invitation from Mr Norton.”

FAMILY MAN

In his personal life, Daniels takes the greatest prideinhisroleasahusband andfather

His wife, Kay, whom he describes as an exceptional academic and culinary talent, is the glue that holds their family together Together, they are raising four children: Mayah, Josh, Ronan,andRaziel.

He speaks candidly about the struggles they've

endured as a young couple navigating the complexities offaith,family,andfinancial hardship.

“ M y g r e a t e s t achievement,handsdown,is being a husband and father Kay and my journey as a coupleandasparentshasnot beenaneasyone.

We h a v e h a d t o overcome many hurdles, especially because we were not intentional- like most young people- in preparing ourselves for marriage and forbeingparents,”hesaid.

Daniels' journey has not been without profound loss and difficulty. He recalls the emotional and financial struggles of law school, w o r k i n g u n p a i d apprenticeships, and even grieving the murder of close friends Kumari and Nasheed BakshinTrinidad. Through it all, his faith has sustained him. “God never left us out in the cold. Kay and I have scrolls of stories about God coming through for us in the nick of time.

K a y ' s p a t i e n c e , c o n t e n t m e n t , a n d unwavering support made these challenges more bearable,”hesaid.

As a lawyer and emergent leader, he offers sound advice to young people “Do use your time purposefully and wisely Work hard and honestly in whatever your dreams or pursuits are. Always aspire toaddvalue.

There is a difference between purpose and ambition.

Be intentional about discovering your purpose andbefaithfultoit,asweare most effective in faithfully walking in purpose than simplypursuingambition.

Never sell yourself short and never compromise your integrity to get ahead,” he said.

RecoverGuyanamarks...

From page 41 youth-empowered approach to environmental protection inGuyana.

Recover Guyana; along with its partners continue to lead national initiatives in green entrepreneurship, community outreach, and sustainability-focused training.

These programmes address some of Guyana's most urgent development challenges, including food security, pollution, and access to clean water, while equipping young people with the tools to become

active stewards of Guyana's naturalresources.

Jan De Nul is a company that addresses some of the most important challenges in water, land and energy around the world. From the risingsealeveltotheenergy transition, from polluted s oil to sus tainable construction: the company engineers solutions that future-prooftheworld.

The company's 'Can-Do people' focuses on four areas of expertise: Offshore E n e r g y , D r e d g i n g Solutions, Construction Projects and Planet

Redevelopment Together, they work towards one shared goal: to improve the global quality of life for generationstocome.

AboutRecoverGuyana: Recover Guyana is a registered non-profit organization (NGO) geared towards supporting vulnerable communities and families by providing sustainable opportunities thatimprovequalityoflife.

Through various initiatives, the organization helpschildren,families,and individuals build better futures

Frompage11 addresses the critical need for increased police visibility along the east bank corridor, a rapidly developing area previously reliant on support from neighbouringjurisdictions.

Minister Benn also commissioned the new $98 5 million Diamond Police Training Facility This trainingfacilitywhich expands access to essential community development programmes,offerscourses in computer literacy, sewing, home economics, andothervocationalskills.

According to the ministry, the facility

a

employability, reduce recidivism, and promote l

reintegration, particularly among youth and at-risk groups.Speaking at one of the ceremonies, minister noted the need for a new policingculture

He said, “We need a new kind of policing, grounded in empathy, discipline, and restraint Don'trespondwiththefirst impulse. Beprofessional Beunderstanding These new facilities must be matched by a

Guyana Police Force I

ture alone doesn'tchangelives,people do.”

helmets to the ranks,

Ally said “If you love someone, make sure they wearahelmet.

Better yet, if they don't absolutely need to ride, encourage them to avoiditaltogether

The risks are just too h i g h ” H e a

s o encouraged road users to speak up when they see reckless riding or poor roadhabits

ACDAishonouringAfrican...

Frompage42 East Coast of Demerara, primarily inhabited by peopleofAfricandescent

The village founded in 1840 by 128 formerly enslaved Africans who pooled their resources to purchasetheplantation"New OrangeNassau" Theynamed the village Buxton in honour of abolitionist Thomas Fowell Buxton and where many prominent Guyanese have called home including

Bro Eusi Kwayana who has off

lly become a centenarianthisyear Buxton was the second village established by Africans in British Guiana; the village waslaterjoinedwithitssister village, Friendship, forming

AccordingtoACDA,Buxton is known for its rich history, including its role in the Village Movement where freed slaves established independent communities

Buxton played a key role in theVillageMovement,where formerly enslaved people purchasedlandandbuilttheir own communities It also became a center for agricultural production and self-governance The theme for this year Emancipation activitiesis“Highlightingthe connection of all peoples throughAfricancultureaswe strivetobuildaworldwhere allourchildrenarelovedand protected”

Govt. to engage private tertiary institutions to fulfil free education promise

…as number of applicants for UG surpass capacity

DPI - President Irfaan Ali has given his assurance thateverystudentinGuyana who seeks a university educationwillhaveaccessto one, regardless of existing space limitations at the UniversityofGuyana(UG).

While addressing residents at a community meeting in Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Fridayevening,thepresident announced that UG has received over 20,000 applications for the new academic year an unprecedented figure linked tothegovernment'sdecision tomakeuniversityeducation freeofcharge.

However, the high volume of applicants has

surpassed the university's current capacity To manage the overflow and fulfil the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ' s commitment, President Ali announced a plan to include privatetertiaryinstitutions. “We have taken a decision that every single private university, all of the universities, whether it's the new medical school, the international university, we are going to engage, so that no child who wants a university education will be left without education because of space,” the Presidentstated. This approach ensures thatstudentswhoqualifyfor higher education won't be denied the opportunity

simply because UG has reached the limit of its capacity

President Ali initially pledged in 2024 that tuition fees at the University of Guyanawouldberemoved. That promise took effect in January 2025, giving more than 11,000 students access tofreeeducationandcosting the government roughly $8 billionperyear

The new strategy to involve private universities reflects the government's

education and build a future inwhichallyoungGuyanese can thrive by having access

opportunities.

Completion of new Demerara Bridge might

be delayed again

The completion of t h e n e w Demerara River Bridge might yet again be delayed and Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo says there is no need to rush the bridge's completion to meet anartificialdeadline.

Jagdeo at this weekly press conference held on Thursdaywasaskedwhether thegovernmenthadplansto fast tract the bridge's completion ahead of the August31,2025deadline.

The vice president dismissed concerns raised by citizens about the load testing of the bridge as “nonsense” noting that the s u p e r v i s o r y a n d construction firms are both experienced.

“They're not going to be pushed to do anything that's unsafe.

So, I don't know when they would actually completeit.Itwouldbevery soon.

They're now hooking up the final span across. It would be very soon,” he said. The VP explained that

…Jagdeo sees no need to rush the project

if citizens drive across the old bridge, they will be able toseetheprogresssofar,but government will not “push them to meet an artificial deadline just for the sake of theelections.”

“The people in Region Three and Region Four who use that bridge, and every

otherregionseeiteveryday They know what the commitmentwemadetoget a structure up like that in suchashortperiodoftime,” hesaid.

Jagdeo boastingly declared that the bridge nearing completion as well as all the associated

highways being completed in a three-year span are phenomenal.

“It's four lanes now, so you don't have to worry about the bridge congestion even …I don't know if they would allow overtaking on the bridge because I don't knowaboutthesethings,but

it's two four lanes now, and so it would be easy flow of traffic. Itwouldbefree,”Jagdeo added.

In January, the Ministry of Public Works announced that the deadline for the completion of the new Demerara River Bridge has

been shifted from March 2025toAugust31,2025.

This was revealed by Headoftheministry'sWorks ServicesGroup(WSG),Ron Rahaman who was at the timeaddressingmembersof the media at the ministry's end-of-year press conference held at the PegasusSuites.

Providingastatusupdate on the new river crossing that will link Regions Three andFour,Rahamansaid“the completion date is set for

construction progress is currentlyat61.72%.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Children of Industry and neighbouring communities join President Dr. Mohamed IrfaanAli, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security and Shyam Nokta for a photo

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Trinidad: TVs ‘for common areas’ in prison

Trinidad ExpressTelevisions were approved to be placed in the corridor of the prison, but not in a prisoner’s cell.

This was stated yesterday by both Commissioner of Prisons Carlos Corraspe and his predecessor, Deopersad Ramoutar, regarding Defence Minister Wayne Sturge’s statement that a 65-inch TV had been found in a prisoner’s cell. They both told the Express TVs are approved to be placed in common areas, but not exclusively for a prisoner in his cell.

Speaking at a budget consultation in Freeport on Wednesday, Sturge said: “Recently, a couple guns were found in the prison. That’s a serious security risk; but to tell you how far we have descended, and which is indicative of how fearful prison officers are of some of the elements, there’s a certain prisoner, I won’t call his name, who had in his cell in the infamous Building 13—which is reserved for the worst of the worst—he had in his cell a very large flat-screen TV.”

In a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, Corraspe noted tele-visions were approved by the previous commissioner to be placed in the common areas of prisons.

ing, the prisoners will catch the news and watch a show, and by 9 p.m. the television might be put out,” he said.

He added: “In the particular case of Building 13, my information is that the television is placed in the corridor. They have been there since being approved by a prior commissioner, and I am told that the screen is larger because you have several cells—the angle, in order for other persons who are in a cell further away to see, the television would have to be a certain size.”

Corraspe said the division is currently empty as five inmates have been removed from the facility.

“But previous to that it was 19 inmates, and before that it was 100 inmates. We had, over time, reduced the number of inmates there to try and improve control,” he said.

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“I do not know in terms of what information the minister was operating with, so I do not want to preju-dice that. But simply to say in the particular division there were two televisions, none was ever in a cell directly and it was approved by a previous commissioner of prisons. We treat the remanded inmates given their situation—they are innocent until proven guilty,” he said. The Commissioner added that the Prison Service operates a radio station which is broadcast into some facilities. “We have televisions across various prisons,” he said, explaining that they are placed in “common areas”.

“Because of the way the Maximum-Security Prison is configured, we cannot have the televisions in the exercise yard. Port of Spain Prison has television in the exercise yard. Carrera Prison has the television in the common areas. In the dormitories there are televisions—once they are work-

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When asked whether the TV was still there, he responded: “As far as I know, the television would still be there in the corridor of the facility.” Former commissioner of prisons Deopersad Ramoutar, who left the position over a year ago, also spoke to the Express by phone, saying: “So if there is any wrongdoing in that a television being in a cell, I would ask how often were those cells searched?” He stated that televisions in prisons are not new and are placed in dormitories. “But as far as I know, no television is permitted to be in any cell. That is out of the question,” he said.

Ramoutar confirmed he was aware of a TV being placed in the corridor of Building 13.

“I would have given approval for a television in the corridor area, a television and fans. Not just for Building 13 but for all divisions. Year before, we had a heat stroke, there are facilities breaking down, ventilation was poor, so inmates were allowed to purchase a fan to have in the corridor area for everyone to benefit from it, not in any cell,” he said.

Commissioner Corraspe said since taking office just over a year ago, he has mandated numerous searches of the prisons, which have resulted in some 550 mobile phones being confiscated over the past 11 months.

He said the Prison Service works closely with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) in conducting these raids to ensure charges are brought against those found with contraband— both prison officers and inmates.

The Commissioner acknowledged crimes are being committed from within the prisons, and said he has “tripled down” on efforts to curb this issue. “The job of the prison is to protect soci-

ety, and when persons are incarcerated, they ought not, under any circumstances, to be able to cause harm and hurt to the public. When that happens, the role of the prison service becomes compromised. “As Commissioner of Prisons, I have taken the position that officers who are working lawfully in the most difficult circumstances—we support them and do all that is required so they can do their work the way they have to do it,” he said.

“Those who are acting unlawfully, we work with law enforcement to get rid of them. They are a great nuisance and danger to our prison service and to the citizens, and I will leave no stone unturned, working together with the police to get rid of them,” said the Commissioner. Corraspe said he has been working to boost morale and secure -resources to ensure prison officers can defend themselves.

Asked whether prison officers are immediately dismissed if caught smuggling contraband, the Commissioner said the police are called in and charges laid. He said the officer is then suspended while the matter is before the courts. If the per-

son is found guilty, dismissal becomes an option. Asked whether the suspension is with pay, the Commissioner replied: “Yes, according to the Public Service Regulations, they are suspended with pay, and there is a concept known as interdiction where their salary can be reduced by a certain amount—that is an authority that lies with the Commission.” Corraspe said there is also an internal disciplinary avenue under the Public Service Commission regulations, where a tribunal hears the matter and can dismiss the individual if found guilty. He said both courses of action are activated when a prison officer is found to have illegally smuggled contraband into the prison.

“A cellphone for us is the most dangerous one because it can be used to cause harm and hurt to the public and to an officer and their family,” said Corraspe. The Commissioner said there are 2,700 prison officers attending to 11 prison facilities, and they do the best they can with the resources available. He said applicants completed their examinations on May 31, 2025, and the recruitment process is ongoing to fill existing vacancies.

Haitian soldiers being trained in Mexico

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti

– The government of Haiti on Friday announced that it has sent 150 soldiers to Mexico for training in the latest effort to fight back gangs that have all but taken over the capital.

As Haiti seeks to revive its military, under the agreement between the two countries, 700 soldiers are to be trained in the Central American nation.

“This departure marks a historic milestone in the reconstruction of the Haitian Armed Forces and is part of a policy of strengthening national security capabilities,” Haiti’s government said.

“It illustrates the government’s firm determination to restore … state author-

ity throughout the country.”

From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence and according to the United Nations, hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked.

The Haitian soldiers will spend three months in Mexico.

Once they return, they will join Haiti’s National Police in its fight against gangs, bolstered by Kenyan police officers leading a U.N.-backed mission.

Earlier this month, about 30 Haitian soldiers were sent to the French Caribbean Island of Martinique for a twoweek training. (CMC)

Commissioner of Prisons: Carlos Corraspe

Israeli attacks, forced starvation kill more than 70 Palestinians in Gaza

In the face of global anger, Israel announces planned humanitarian pause in civilian centrestoenableaiddistribution.

Aljazeera -The Israeli military haskilleddozensofpeopleinGaza as the starvation crisis in the territory deepens amid an international outcry, with more Palestiniansdyingofmalnutrition.

MedicalsourcestoldAlJazeera thatIsraeliattackskilledatleast71 people across Gaza on Saturday, including 42 desperately seeking aid.

TheMinistryofHealthinGaza also said that hospitals have recorded five more deaths due to hunger caused by the Israeli blockade of the enclave, bringing the total death toll from malnutrition to 127 since the war began. The victims include 85 children. With anger across the world mounting over the crisis, Israel announced late on Saturday thatitwouldimplementapauseto itsassault“inciviliancentersandin humanitarian corridors to enable the distribution of aid supply” on Sunday The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify which specific areas would see a “humanitarianpause”.

Theministryalsoagainblamed the United Nations for failing to distribute assistance in Gaza, a claimthathasbeenrejectedbyboth theUNandmultipleaidandrights groups.

UNofficialshavesaidthatthis Israeli talking point is false, stressing that they have not received the necessary permits to safelydistributeaidinthebesieged enclave.

Airdrops’ effect is ‘equivalent tonone’

The Israeli military also said it carriedoutairdropsofinternational aid over Gaza. The United Arab Emirates, which has close economic and diplomatic ties with Israel, also said it will begin airdropping aid into Gaza “immediately”.

But humanitarian experts have been warning since last year that airdropsaredangeroustopeopleon the ground and cannot serve as a substitute for safe land routes to distribute food and medical supplies.

Earlier on Saturday, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, called airdrops an expensive,inefficient“distraction” that would “not reverse the deepeningstarvation”.

Lazzarini called for Israel to “liftthesiege,openthegates[and] guarantee safe movements [and] dignifiedaccesstopeopleinneed”.

Reporting from Gaza City, Al

Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud raised questions over the newly announcedIsraelisteps.

He said the airdrops’ effect is “equivalenttonone”.

“We’re talking about only sevenpalletsofaidfilledwithflour and other basic necessities. That’s almosttheloadofonetruck,orhalf of a truck, coming from the crossings into the Gaza Strip,” Mahmoudsaid.Hecitedwitnesses who said the airdrops took place near a restricted military area in northern Gaza, making retrieving them in the dark especially difficult.

Equally, Israel’s plan to allow for so-called “humanitarian pauses”inGazastartingonSunday will have no major effect on the starvationcrisis,Mahmoudsaid.

“Again, this is not a solution when we talk about passing the tipping point of this enforced starvation, and according to medicalsourceswespoketoearlier today, they confirmed that at this pointwe’regoingtoseemassscale starvationmortality,”hesaid.

As starvation spreads, Israel has pressed on with its daily

bombardmentofGaza.

At least six people were killed in an Israeli drone attack on a tent camp in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis on Saturday. The area designated as a safe zone by Israel has come under constant deadly attackbyitsforces.

Meanwhile, the Civil Defence agency in Gaza says none of its vehicles will be able to offer lifesaving services soon due to disrepairandlackoffuel,callingon theinternationalcommunitytoact.

“We stress the need for an urgent intervention to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to allow fuel and repair parts for vehicles to enter,” the Civil Defencesaidinastatement.

While some Western countries have made strongly-worded statements against Israel’s policies in Gaza, advocates have been calling for real consequences to ensure accountability and deter further Israeli abuses Punitive sanctions against Israel have been raisedaspossibilities.

Handalashipintercepted

Shortly after making its airdrops announcement, the Israeli

military raided a ship of international activists carrying baby formula, food and medical supplies to Gaza. A livestream showed Israeli soldiers boarding andinterceptingtheHandalavessel with 19 activists onboard. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the aid ship, said the vessel was violently seized in internationalwaters.

“The unarmed boat was carrying life-saving supplies when itwasboardedbyIsraeliforces,its passengers abducted, and its cargo seized,” the coalition said in a statement “The interception occurred in international waters outside Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, in violation of internationalmaritimelaw.”

It is not clear what will happen to the advocates Last month, Israel intercepted the Madleenaidshipandtoweditto an Israeli boat before detaining the activists, and then interrogating and deporting them Ann Wright, a member of the Freedom Flotilla Steering Committee, called for the protection of the international activistsbytheirhomecountries.

“ P r o t e c t i n n o c e n t international people who are merely accompanying a small amount of aid – medical and food – as a symbol of the international outrage at what Israel is doing,” Wright told Al Jazeera

interception of Handala a crime o

piracy “This blatant aggression represents a major violation of international law and the rules of maritime navigation, and it shows once

occupation acts like a bully outsidetheauthorityofthelaw,” theofficesaidinastatement

Palestinians gather to receive food from a charity kitchen in Gaza City, July 25 [DawoudAbuAlkas/Reuters]

SolomonAustin’s ‘Guinness Goal’seals 5-2 championship win for Ballers Empire

Ballers Empire

successfully retained their West Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’title onFridayevening,defeating JettyGunners5-2infrontof a lively, action-packed crowd.

The high-octane finale was capped off by Solomon

Austin’s decisive “Guinness Goal,” securing the 2025 championship in emphatic

fashion. From the opening whistle, Ballers Empire looked determined to capturetheirthirdtitle. Star forward Bevney Marks got them off to a flyingstartinthe4thminute, drillinghomeasuperbstrike to make it 1-0. Five minutes later, Ravin Naughton doubled the lead with a thunderous effort, putting Jetty Gunners on the back footearly

Austin then piled on the pressure, slotting in his first goaljustfourminuteslaterto push Ballers Empire to a commanding3-0advantage.

Jetty Gunners managed to pull one back through Jeremaine Beckles, who netted a consolation goal in the28thminute.

However, Austin wasn’t doneyet.

Exploiting a defensive lapse, he powered home the

match-winning “Guinness Goal” in the 30th minute, sealing a dominant 5-2 victory and securing Ballers Empire’s third We

DemeraraGuinnesstitle.

playoff,WashBayBoysand Pourderoyen Brothers played to a tense 1-1 draw, with Wash Bay Boys eventually emerging 2-1 winners after an exciting penaltyshootout.

Sunday July 27, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Something is currently compellingyoutobemoreof a world citizen than usual, Aries. You may find this somewhat disturbing You feel as though the roots of youridentity

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Your surroundings are currently changing, Taurus. Perhapsyourcircleoffriends has already undergone a majorchange.Thefactisthat you no longer have so many prejudices about the people youmeet.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Gemini, you're demystifying theconceptoftalent.Youused to look enviously at other peopleandthink,"IwishIhad anaturalabilitylikethat."

CANCER(June21–July22)

Areyouthinkingofgoinginto businessforyourself,Cancer? Being self-employed doesn't automatically mean you will have more freedom Of course, you will be your own boss.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Within the next few days, you'relikelytogainaccessto dimensionsofperceptionyou neversuspected,Leo.Perhaps you will become aware of certain energy phenomena, peakexperiences.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Often fiery temperaments like yours are drawn to fight for great causes despite the better judgment of more down-to-Earth people. As a result, you have great leadership potential that may emergetoday

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your optimism is likely to receive a little boost today, Libra.Amemorableemotional encountermaybethesourceof some extra zeal. Or you may derive great satisfaction from beingpartofagroup.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Perhaps you should suspend your inhibitions for the day, Scorpio, and let your dreams guide you. For instance, you mightimaginethattheneedto make any choices has vanished.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

This is the type of day you enjoy The climate is positive, and the energy is flowing. It's as though you have a magic wand.Yougiveitawaveandpresto - the day's tasks and chores are done! By this evening.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

If the world collapsed today, you wouldn't bat an eyelash. You're perfectly content sailing along on cloud nine! Thesourceofyourblisscould bethatnewpersoninyourlife.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You may have had some emotional disappointments lately, but today will restore yourfaithinlove.Allyouneed to do is act. Your amazing lucidity and realism keep you from hoping for the impossible.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Put on your traveling shoes, Pisces. Fear of the unknown may have prompted you to postpone certain trips. You claimedyouweretoobusy,but noonereallybelievedthis.

Meanwhile, in the plate final, Cayenne Massive comfortably outplayed Unstoppable Force, cruising toa3-0victory

ultimately took home the championship trophy and $500,000 in cash as first place rewards

Wash Bay Boys received $200,000 for third place

but also cemented their legacy as

Jetty Gunners took second place with

Unstoppable Force

prize

Losing 5-1 to Arsenal made me want to join - Gyokeres

(BBC Sport) - Viktor Gyokeressayshedecidedto sign for Arsenal after the Gunners thrashed his Sporting side 5-1 in the Champions League last season.

The 27-year-old Sweden striker has joinedArsenal in adealworthupto73meuros (£64m) on a five-year contract.

The move was held up because of negotiations between the clubs over additional payments, with the final agreement consisting of a 63m euro initial fee plus 10m euros in add-ons.

Gyokeres was in the Sporting side dismantled by Mikel Arteta’s team in the group stage of Europe’s top competitioninNovember.

“Ijustfeltitwastheright clubforme,”saidGyokeres. “What I heard from Mikel and [sporting director] Andrea Berta and just what I’ve seen in the past years,

Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win for Sporting against Manchester City in the Champions League (Getty Images)

how they’ve been playing football.

“When I played against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficulttoplayagainst.

“That made me choose Arsenal,andofcourseallthe history the club has and the massivefanbase.”

The move takes Arsenal’s summer spending up to about £204m, following the arrivals of Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke andCristhianMosquera.

“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels,” said GunnersbossArteta.

“He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movementintheboxmaking

PogacarsetforTourtitleasGroves...

Kaden Groves celebrates winning stage 20 of the Tour de France (Reuters)

Frompage54 slidintothekerb. Groves was right behind themsowatcheditallunfold and sensed his opportunity, attacking with 16km remaining.

FrankvandenBroekand British rider Jake Stewart merelylookedateachother, with that momentary stalemate allowing Groves to go clear He gradually increasedhisleadtotheline, where he was sobbing after clinching an emotional

himaconstantthreat.

“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to starting working withhim.”

BBC Sport revealed at the start of the month how Arteta’ssidehadturnedtheir attentions to Gyokeres after hitting an impasse in their bid to sign Benjamin Sesko fromRBLeipzig.

Gunners sporting

directorAndreaBertaflewto Lisbon to lead negotiations withthePortugueseclub.

The deal concludes the long-running saga over Gyokeres’ future, after he was linked with Manchester Unitedearlierthissummer Gyokeresfailedtoreport back at Sporting for preseason earlier this month, and the club’s president

Frederico Varandas said the player would face disciplinaryaction.

TheformerBrightonand Coventry striker has scored 97goalsin102matchesand contributed26assistsduring his two seasons in Portugal to help Sporting claim two leaguetitles.

Gyokeres returns to England on the back of a seasoninwhichhescored54

goalsin52games,including inthefinalofthePortuguese Cup as Sporting defeated Benfica3-1.

The Swede also scored six times in the Champions League last seasonincluding a hat-trick against ManchesterCity Gyokeres made his professionaldebutin2015in his native Sweden for IF Brommapojkarna

victory Jonas Vingegaard looked resigned to defeat, having been unable to significantly cut Pogacar’s leadontwogruellingdaysin theAlps.Whenthetwo-time Tour winner did not contest thefirstcategorisedclimb,it meant Pogacar secured his third King of the Mountains titleontheTour

While Pogacar will not be attacked on the final day in Paris, a prestigious stage win will be up for grabs on theChamps-Elysees.

Verstappen starts new Red Bull era with Spa sprint win

Bearman and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar completed the scoringpositions.

Qualifying for what couldbeasoggymaingrand prix at Spa-Francorchamps onSundayfollowedlater

(Reuters)-FormulaOne champion Max Verstappen won a “cat and mouse” BelgianGrandPrixsprinton Saturday in Red Bull’s first race under the leadership of Laurent Mekies following Christian Ho

’s dismissal.

M c L a r e n ’ s championship leader Oscar Piastrifinishedsecond,after taking a dominant pole position for the 100km race, w

Thibaut Courtois waves the chequered flag as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen crosses the finish line to win the sprint race (Reuters)

n increasing his advantage overteammateLandoNorris toninepoints.

Norris ended up where hestarted,inthirdplaceona bright afternoon at the

longest and second fastest trackonthecalendar

Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari with Haas’s Esteban Ocon fifth and Carlos Sainz sixth for Williams Haas’s Oliver

Verstappen, starting second, used straightline speed to slipstream into the leadatlesCombesonlapone and held off Piastri for the remaining 14, with the Australian 0 753 seconds behindattheflag.

T h e w i n w a s Verstappen’sfirst,ineithera sprint or grand prix, since Imola in May and it was knife-edgealltheway PIASTRI FRUSTRATED

Piastri had few real chances — close enough to hope but too far to make a movestick.

“I tried my best to snake mywaythroughthestraights and not give too much of a tow but didn’t have enough straight-line speed and then obviously didn’t have enoughspeedforthenext15 lapseither,”hesaid.

“It is only a sprint, the

mainpointsaretomorrow,so prettyhappywithitbutabit frustrated I couldn’t get past.”

Norris was a further 0.661adriftafterlosingthird place to Leclerc on lap one andtakingitbackafewlaps later

“I wasn’t going to get pastanyoneunlessOscargot past Max. They drove good races,” said the Briton. “I was hoping for a bit of battlingbuttheRedBullwas too quick in the straight for ustocatchup.”

The sprint was a

Mercedes, with George Russell 12th and Kimi Antonelli17th.

Ferrari’sLewisHamilton also had a tough time, last year’s grand prix winner with Mercedes finishing a distant 15th after starting 18th.

Neither of the Alpines wereonthegrid,withFranco Colapinto starting from the pit lane and Pierre Gasly entering the race two laps lateafterawaterleakhadto befixed.

Pogacar set for Tour title as Groves wins stage 20

(BBC Sport) - Tadej Pogacar is set to secure his fourth Tour de France title aftermaintaininghisoverall lead, as Kaden Groves won thepenultimatestageofthis year’srace.

Australian sprinter GrovesclaimedhisfirstTour stage win in Pontarlier after launching a solo attack with 16kmremaining.

Pogacar completed the 184.2kmhillystagesafelyin the peloton meaning that, barring an accident, the 26year-old Slovenian will seal histitledefenceonSunday

ThefinaldayoftheTour is a processional stage, where traditionally the general classification leader isnotchallenged.

Groves has now completed the trilogy of claiming stage victories on eachofthethreeGrandTour races,havingalsowonatthe VueltaaEspanaandtheGiro d’Italia.

Alpecin-Deceuninck handed the 26-year-old his Tour debut this year and he has become the third rider fromtheBelgianteamtowin a stage on the 112th edition

ofcycling’sbiggestrace.

Alpecin’s star riders Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel triumphed on the first two stages, before later being forced to abandon the Tour through injury and illness respectively

The160remainingriders had to contend with rain soonafterthestartinNantua and intermittently along the route.

Groveswasthenpartofa 13-man breakaway that was formed after the second of the day’s four categorised climbs.

His compatriot Harry Sweeny attacked over the day’spenultimateclimband went clear of Jordan Jegat with54kmtogo,buttheEF Education-EasyPost rider was caught on the first slopesofthefinalascent.

Local favourite Romain Gregoire and Spanish debutant Ivan Romeo attackedonthedownhillbut as they sped into a wet turn, both slipped to the tarmac, with 21-year-old Romeo comingoffworseashealso (Continuedonpage53)

Real Madrid’s

Macey, Nelson pilots GDF to winning start in CFU Club Shield

…Elite League champions to face Moca FC on Monday

GDF FC Captain, Colin Nelson

ByRawleToney

Chris Macey’s late second-half strike sealed a 2–0 victory for the Guyana DefenceForceFootballClub (GDF)overSt.Paul’sUnited Strikers, in their opening Group B clash of the Caribbean Football Union

(CFU) Club Shield yesterday at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Trinidad andTobago.

Veteran defender Colin Nelson broke the deadlock just before the interval, confidently dispatching a penalty to give the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League champions a 1–0leadathalftime.

The match began cautiously, with both sides testing each other and struggling to find rhythm in themiddlethird.

GDF, however, looked the more threatening going forward, with Chris Macey a n d Tr a y o n B o b b consistently pressing the St. Paul’sbackline.

The breakthrough came late in the first half after Bobb dazzled his way into thebox,wherehisattempton goal struck the arm of a St. Paul’sdefender

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Nelson stepped up and made no mistake, calmly

placing the ball past the goalkeeper

Thesecondhalfmirrored thefirstinitsearlymoments, butGDFHeadCoachJoseph “Bill” Wilson made key substitutions and tactical adjustmentsthatchangedthe tempoofthegame.

GDF began to show more attacking intent, dominating possession and

creating opportunities in the finalthird.

Despite losing captain Colin Nelson to injury midway through the half, GDF held firm defensively, frustrating St. Paul’s and launchingseveraldangerous counterattacks.

Macey, who had been a constant menace on the left flank, finally got his reward

lateinthematch.Pickingup theballdeepinhisownhalf, he embarked on a surging rundownthewing.

The St. Kitts and Nevis sidefailedtoclosedownthe space,allowingMaceytocut insideandcurlasuperbleftfootedstrikeintothebackof thenet.

Thefinalwhistlebrought relief and celebration for

GDF, who collected three valuable points, a stark contrast to last year’s campaign,wheretheyexited the tournament winless in thegroupstage.

GDF will now turn their attention to their second Group B fixture against Moca FC of the Dominican Republic, scheduled for Mondayat4:00p.m.

Chris Macey

West Indies U-19 Women take 1 - 0 T20I 0 series lead over USA

(SportsMax) - A dominant bowling display helped the West Indies Under-19 Women secure a five-wicket win over the USA Under-19 Women to takea1-0leadintheirfivematch Youth T20I series at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground on Saturday

The hosts, after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, restrictedtheAmericansto just66-9intheir20overs Maahi Madhavan (15) andAditiKumar(10)were the only USA batters to reach double figures, c o m p o u n d i n g t h e

dominance from the West Indianswiththeball

Spinners Naijanni Cumberbatch and captain Samara Ramnath took 412 from four overs and 312 from four overs, respectively, while pacer Amrita Ramtahal took 218fromherfourovers

The West Indies then took 15 4 overs to reach 67-5

C u m b e r b a t c h completed an excellent all-round performance withatopscoreof26off26 balls.

The second game is scheduled for Sunday at thesamevenue.

Kares One Guyana T10: Who will claim the Essequibo crown?

The air on the Essequibo Coast is thick with anticipation as cricket fans pondertheburningquestion: which team will emerge

victorious from the EssequibozoneoftheKares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast and secure the final coveted spot in the national playoffs? Sixteen teams are set to clash today, but only one will be crowned championunderthelightsat theAnnaReginaGround.

The battle for Essequibo supremacyfeaturesadiverse lineup of teams, including AuroraKnightRiders,Team Evolution, Team Royals, Renegades Cricket Club, The United Crew, Mahdia (Movements Family), Matarkai CPG, Bartica Royals, Moruca Super Strikers, Queenstown (Ariel XI), Inevitable XI, Avinash All-Stars, and Essequibo Jaguars.

Adding to the intrigue, the tournament will showcase a blend of local talent alongside prominent West Indies players like Shamar Joseph, Kyle Mayers, and Ronsford Beaton.

Withsomuchontheline and a wealth of talent on display, the Essequibo zone promises to deliver thrilling cricketingaction.

Matches are slated to be played across multiple venues including Pomona

You miss, I hit! The Kares T10 has been filled with action

Ground, Richmond Ballfield, Hampton Court, and the Anna Regina Ground, which will host the grandfinaleunderlights.

With Montra Jaguars (Berbice), Eccles All-Stars (East Bank Demerara/West Demerara), and Titans All-

S t a r s ( E a s t Coast/Georgetown) already through, the focus now squarelyrestsonwhowilljoin them in the national finals

The excitement is palpable, especiallywithfreeadmission to all venues, making it accessible for everyone to witness the explosive T10 action, which kicks off at 09:00h. Beyond the prestige of being zonal champions, significantfinancialincentives awaitthetopperformers

The Essequibo zone winner will bag a handsome $300,000,whiletherunner-up takes home $100,000

However,therealprizeawaits atthenationalfinalonSunday, August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence, where teams will compete for a staggering $17 million grand prize The national runner-up won’t leave empty-handed, pocketing $700,000 along with a trophy and medals, and even the losing semifinalists will be rewarded with$300,000each.

The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast is made possible by: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office ofthePresident,theMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of

Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s A c a d e m y , N a v i n Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & TechnicalSolutions.

West Indies U-19 Women will face USAin the second game, today. (Photo: CWI)

APNUwilldiscontinue theGlobalSuperLeague saysAubreyNorton

TheGuyanaGlobal Super (GSL) T20 tournament will be scrapped if the “A Partnership For National Unity”(APNU)iselectedto governmentinSeptember

This was announced by APNU Presidential candidateAubreyNorton.

Norton was speaking on the #HearMeOut sports podcast on July 19, with sports journalist Rawle Toney in a wide ranging discussion about sports in Guyana.

“I will have to assess it (GSL) properly but on face value I wouldn’t”, said Norton when asked if he wouldkeeptheGSL.

He continued: “Because inmyopinionweneedtonot just in Guyana, but in the entire Caribbean go back to basicsandgetoursystemsup andrunning.”

Norton expanded further citing his concerns on the state of West Indies cricket and w h y f i x i n g t h e fundamentals needed to produce test match ready

c r i c k e t e r s i n t h e

Caribbean, was more important than running a second T20 tournament in the region, next to the CPL T20.

“West Indies just got bowled out for 27 It shouldn’t be seen lightly as it’s part of a systemic failure

Norton continued: “If you are going to develop West Indies cricket, you have to look strong and hard at the mentality problem with our cricket ”

“This is the T20 generation

You (players) have difficulty concentrating for 50 overs and it is obvious it’s getting worse attheleveloftests ”

“You cannot remove from our history the existence of test matches And in the cricket world you are not considered the best cricketer unless you achieveatthelevelof tests ” Thesecondeditionofthe controversial tournament ended on July 18th, created

controversy when non Guyanese international commentatorsDarenGanga, Carlos Brathwaite, Niall O’Brein and Alex Jordan were publicly endorsing the President Irfan Ali for a secondterminofficeonlive broadcast.

From the inception critics in Guyana and the wider Caribbean have questioned its benefits and relevance to the West Indiescricketecosystem

Its latest controversy was why it was being played during Australia’s first marquee test tour to theCaribbeansince2015

On July 19th Trinidad & Tobago sports broadcast Andre Baptiste on WESN TV flagged to confusion that the GSL final was being played 48 hours before the 1stT20 between West Indies and Australia onJuly20thinJamaica WestIndiesT20captain Shai Hope had confirmed

players in Akeal Hosein,

, Sherfane Rutherford, Evin Lewis, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie & Jewel Andrew due to their presenceatGSL

The GSL, which is the brainchild of President Irfan Ali and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), startedinNovember2024

Ali announced the competition idea during the 2024 Caricom Cricket Symposium in Trinidad & Tobago (T&T), organized by former T&T Prime Minister and Caricom

Rowley

Ali now chairs that cricket committee

West Indies Cricket wasn’t an agenda item

d

CARICOM meeting held in Montego Bay, Jamaica from July 6-8, one-week before West Indies were b

historic low of 27 in the Day-night, pink-ball test a

, Kingston, Jamaica

Opposition Leader,Aubrey Norton, discussed several other issues with Kaieteur Sport Journalist, Rawle Toney

GuyanaAmazon Warriors won this year’s title of the GSL. (Getty Images)

Ballers Empire forces 5-2 win against Jetty Gunners to retain Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’West Dem’title