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AIETEUR Israeli forces take over Sunday Edition NEWS homes, impose lockdown on West Bank’s Qabatiya December 28, 2025

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Incursion follows Israeli defence minister’s order for military to ‘act forcefully’ against the Palestinian town.

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‘$24 million for doing nothing’ ...NRF Investment Committee paid while oil money sat idle babies born at GPHC Toddler drowns in 5on Christmas Day Pomeroon River PAGE

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Armed, masked gunmen cart off with raw gold from Cuyuni mining camp Stanleytown pensioner stabbed to death …two arrested

First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali holds one of the five babies born on Christmas Day at GPHC

Stabroek Block projects

designed to withstand oil market volatility – Routledge

Kaieteur News

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Five babies born at GPHC on Christmas Day

Stabroek Block projects designed to withstand oil market volatility

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First Lady Arya Ali shares a moment with one of the babies. (DPI) DPI - Five babies were born at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Christmas Day. First Lady Arya Ali spent the holiday morning bringing comfort, compassion, and cheer to the babies, their patients, and healthcare workers.

The newborns: two girls and three boys, were delivered earlier in the day, with hospital officials noting that more births were expected as essential services continued uninterrupted.During her visit to the maternity and paediatric wards, the first lady distributed care packages and hampers and announced that toys would also be provided for children receiving care. She said her visit reflects the true spirit of the season, sharing love and hope.

“Christmas is a time for family, but today we are extending our love to our extended family, spreading compassion, hope and joy,” she said.The first lady expressed gratitude to corporate partners, including Massy Distribution, Haliborange, BPI, J's Group of Companies and Sleepy, for supporting the initiative and giving back to the community. She also extended Christmas (Continued on page 8)

Sunday December 28, 2025

xxonMobil Guyana Limited's (EMGL) President Alistair Routledge has outlined that the company's projects in the Stabroek Block are structured to remain viable despite fluctuations in global oil prices.

“This is a commodity market, oil, just as gold, we don't control the price.

What we can focus on is what's in our control, and that is ensuring that these projects, the investments in Guyana, are incredibly robust,” Routledge said at the launch of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo 2026.

EMGL holds 45% interest in the block, Hess Guyana holds 30%, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds the remaining 25%.

He explained that ExxonMobil places heavy emphasis on project design, cost competitiveness and operational reliability, while adhering to government oversight during execution. According to Routledge, this approach helps to ensure long-term resilience in Guyana's oil production regardless of shifts in the global market.

“Those enable us to ensure the Guyana oil production is very resilient regardless of what's happening in the oil market,” he said.

Drawing on decades of industry experience, Routledge stressed that

– Routledge d ownturns are inevitable and must be planned for. “I've been working in the oil and gas industry for 35 years. I've seen the ups and the downs and oil price. We all enjoy the higher prices, but we have to remember that this is a commodity market. There will be downturns, and that we have to ensure our business is robust,” he noted.

Routledge also pointed to ExxonMobil's global scale and financial strength as factors supporting continued investment in Guyana. “We have a robust balance sheet which will enable us to continue with the investments here in Guyana,” he said.

EMGL's President also added that the company's 135-year history has seen it navigate multiple commodity cycles successfully.

Recently, American oil giant Chevron Corporation hailed Guyana's Stabroek Block as a “world-class asset” boasting some of the highest cash margins and lowest breakeven costs in the global oil industry.

Chevron's Vice Chairman Mark Nelson praised the block's “exceptional growth potential and profitability,” noting that Guyana's offshore oilfields are expected to drive meaningful production growth. Nelson had

outlined that Guyana's Stabroek Block has industry leading resource and meaningful production growth expected into the next decade. “Its developments rank among the highest cash margin and lowest carbon intensity in the industry with six announced projects below $35 per barrel breakeven,” he added.

Chevron's entry into the Stabroek Block which is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrels of oil was secured with a successful US$53 billion acquisition of Hess Corporation earlier this year.

C u r r e n t l y, t h e r e a r e f o u r developments producing oil from the Stabroek Block: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, Payara and Yellowtail. The fourth project, Yellowtail achieved first oil in August and on Wednesday Exxon announced that the Stabroek Block's daily oil production has finally reached 900,000 barrels with the Yellowtail Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel reaching its initial capacity of 250,000 barrels per day (bpd).

In addition to the four projects currently producing, Exxon has three others sanctioned Uaru, Whiptail, and Hammerhead.

The Uaru and Whiptail projects Guyana's fifth and sixth developments are each expected to produce approximately 250,000 bpd, with startup targeted for 2026 and 2027,

Sunday December 28, 2025

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‘$24M for doing nothing’ ...NRF Investment Committee paid while oil money sat idle

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n just over three years, $24M has been paid to members of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Investment Committee although there was no special investment of the oil revenue generated from the Stabroek Block.

An analysis of the past three NRF Annual Reports

by Kaieteur News found an almost identical explanation of the 'Investment Mandate' for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Notably, the oil fund was established following the passage of the NRF legislation in 2021.

Subsequently, President Irfaan Ali appointed the various Boards and Committees to govern and oversee the fund in August 2022.

It was reported that several distinguished Guyanese were appointed to serve on the respective bodies including the NRF Board, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, and the Investment Committee.

While some argue that the legislation watered down the guardrails previously set by the APNU/AFC administration, the government maintains that the oil fund is now better managed through the new bodies compared to the former arrangement that allowed the minister of Natural Resources sweeping powers.

The NRF Reports indicate that six members were appointed to the Investment Committee of the oil account, including a chairperson.

Since those persons were appointed, Kaieteur News learnt that $24M has been

paid, although no special investment of the fund was ever facilitated or decided upon. In fact, the NRF Annual Reports seen by this newspaper state that the revenue from oil remained in an account in the United States, currently accumulating interest.

The 2024 NRF Report explained that the Board of Directors of the NRF (a separated body) met on May 16, 2024 to approve the Investment Mandate of the Fund. “It was mandated that the funds be maintained in overnight deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

It was agreed that the Bank will continue to monitor the overnight interest rate and related market developments and inform the Chairman of any key changes to consider the feasibility of rebalancing the Portfolio items,” the document said.

Further, it was explained that towards the end of the year, a proposal was under consideration by the Board of Directors to revise the current investment mandate.

However, at the end of the financial year there was no change to the Investment Mandate as the federal funds rate remained relatively high.

Section 9(1) of the Act stipulates that the Investment Committee shall be responsible for advising the Board of Directors on the Investment Mandate for the Fund. The six Investment Committee members, as outlined by the 2024 NRF Annual Report include Ms. S h a l e e z a S h a w (Chairperson), Mr. Lauris Hukumchand, Mr. Michael M u n r o e , M r. R i c h a r d Rambarran, Mr. Terrence

Toddler drowns in Pomeroon River A two-year-old girl drowned on Christmas Day at Grant Atlas, Lower Pomeroon River, Essequibo.

The toddler has been identified as Zoria Seegobin of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Reports are that the child was staying with relatives at Grant Atlas for the Christmas holiday when tragedy struck.

"In the early hours of December 25, 2025, she was discovered missing from the home and was subsequently found submerged in a nearby trench," police said in a statement.

Seegobin was taken to the Charity Cottage Hospital by relatives where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Her body was subsequently taken to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

President Irfaan Ali (right) with Chairperson of the NRF Investment Committee Ms. Shaleeza Shaw and member, Richard Rambarran

Campbell and Mr. Ganesh Sugrim. This newspaper was informed by a credible source that each member is paid about $100,000 monthly. It was reported in February this year that

businessman turned p o l i t i c i a n , Te r r e n c e Campbell, a former member of the NRF Investment Committee raised serious concerns relating to transparency in the use of oil

revenue.

At the time Campbell even vowed to donate his portion of earnings from the Committee to charity as he referred to the NRF Board and Public Accountability

and Oversight Committee as a mere rubber stamp.

He explained, “In essence, the Board signs a blank cheque with each withdrawal. This effectively reduces the Board to a rubber stamp and the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, which is supposed to provide oversight, to a white elephant.”

“I've stayed on the inside to continue paying attention to what's happening and externally, to avoid the back and forth with the Vice President and the Minister of Finance over interpretation of Section 16 of the Act,” he added.

Campbell has since tendered his resignation and filed legal proceedings against the lack of transparency in the use of oil revenues.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Hide and seek When a government's leadership makes it a pillar of operation to hide vital developments from citizens, it energizes suspicion.

When the seeking of official documents leaves citizens empty-handed, trust starts to fade, and the more that the hiding continues, the more that distrust of motives solidifies. In tandem with propaganda, the PPPC Government has made concealment into a standing practice, an art form.

When questioned, the leadership either responds with silence or mouthfuls of abuse. It depends on the day, the mood of the leader, and the potential exposures that would arise should much-sought after documents are released into the public domain.

There is a completed audit of ExxonMobil's expenses, US$19.6B in cost recovery claimed, and the nation is left to wonder what the auditors found that has to be kept sealed.

What are the findings, the quality of the audit itself, that those must remain under lock-and-key? Almost two-thirds of a year has elapsed, since the VHE Consulting audit consortium finished its work, and the public remains in the dark. What could be so dangerous to ExxonMobil's interests, or put the PPPC Government is such a precarious place, that this audit report has to be withheld? What is in that audit report that has to be massaged, negotiated, and doctored, that the VHE consortium's work cannot see the light of day? How much longer will Guyanese continue to ask and seek, and the report remains under the tightest government guard?

No one knows, but a nervous government, and that could mean as much as three months more, maybe even another seven months into 2026.

The nation has been told that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is busy doing its oversight part, through a 'technical review.' The GRA has complained repeatedly about its severe staff shortage that hampers its work in the crucial oil sector. We acknowledge that, and recognize the impact that shortage could have on what's called a 'technical review' of the fieldwork done by VHE Consulting consortium. Also, an audit report involving ExxonMobil's expenses (cost recovery claims) for the period 2021 to 2023, and the massive sum of US$19.6B, must be voluminous and tedious, if nothing else.

A cost recovery claim of US$19.6B takes Guyana and the GRA into new territory, i.e., trillions of Guyana dollars, an unimaginable sum, and one that stretches the minds of even educated Guyanese. Nevertheless, the current delay of close to two-thirds of a year is both unconscionable and, by any standards, unacceptable.

In the hide-and-seek game, delay and deflect culture, now practiced by the PPPC Government, it does not do the nation, ExxonMobil, or itself any favors. Because Guyana's oil partner itself has compiled a record of footdragging and stonewalling with prior audits, Guyanese are asking themselves, what is it that the company may have done with its 2021-23 cost recovery submissions that necessitates this ducking and delaying.

The nation is starved, if not tricked, relative to information that Guyanese need to know, which leads to continuing speculations about what could be behind this delay. Meanwhile, the PPPC Government looks worse and worse, when it continues to go down the we hide-and-youseek games that it presides over.

President Ali who usually has much to say on what is helpful to his government's standing has been conspicuously missing in action, with little heard from him on this US$19.6B audit report.

If this country's top leader could be so detached on something as big as this multibillion American dollar cost recovery claim, then that only stokes the embers of suspicion and distrust some more. If this was an abnormal instance of government sloth, or incompetency, or malaise (or all three), there could have been some understanding, concession. But not when Guyanese are given a royal

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur M@ilbox Digging for minerals, denied dignity, and left behind by the state; our mine workers Dear Editor, What we witnessed over a month ago, at Aurora Gold Mines, is sure to continue, with the way this government, more so the Minister of Labour, is handling these most recent incidents. This is not an isolated administrative delay; it is a symptom of a deeper failure in how labour protections are enforced across Guyana's mining

sector.

Subsequent to a video of an altercation, along with the many complaints that were raised by workers months ago about food, safety, underground air quality, dust exposure, and basic personal protective equipment, the Ministry publicly stated that it has "already conducted its site visit." The review is said to be completed. Yet it is reported in the press, by the

runaround in their quest for information, while a law that authorizes such access has been in existence for 14 years. It is one of the most glaring and shameful lapses of the current government. Almost on par, is the census report that has been

Minister, who is now telling this nation that his ministry is busy with training sessions that have left him "without time to even read the findings."

Some wonderful due diligence for our miners; more like dereliction of duty, while leaving them abandoned.

Tens of thousands are employed in these mines.

However, they continue to

work in one of the most hazardous industries. Year after year, reports from the GGMC and OSH inspectors point to recurring issues.

Wo r k e r s c o n t i n u e t o complain about unsafe roads. Only last year, a Lindener and a dear friend of mine, Joseph Licorish, lost his life in a road accident in the mines.

Complaints of (Continued on page 5)

completed for over three years, but of which results, the nation is kept in ignorance. Cumulatively, the hide-and-seek game of the PPPC Government now rises to the level of an unbreakable constitutional provision.

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Leader of the Opposition Dear Editor, The prolonged failure of Speaker Manzoor Nadir to convene non-governmental Members of Parliament (MPs) for the election of a Leader of the Opposition under Article 184(1) of Guyana's Constitution places the National Assembly at a constitutional crossroads. Despite MPs being sworn in at the opening of the 13th Parliament on November 3, 2025, WIN party leader Azruddin Mohamed—who heads the largest opposition bloc—remains unconfirmed in that office amid his U.S. indictment on gold smuggling, tax evasion, and money laundering charges.

This delay, now spanning over seven weeks, invites judicial scrutiny, strains U.S.-Guyana relations, and tests the government's commitment to democratic norms.

Constitutional mandate unambiguous Article 184(1), as amended by Act No. 14 of 2000, imposes a clear duty on the Speaker: “The Leader of the Opposition shall be elected by and from among the non-governmental members of the National Assembly at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Speaker.” The process is internal to the opposition, with the Speaker's role limited to convening and presiding—without a vote—and notifying the President, whose appointment is formal and n o n - d i s c r e t i o n a r y. N o provision grants the Speaker discretion to delay based on foreign indictments; the office vacates only upon loss of seat, resignation, suspension under Article 156, or a no-confidence vote by a majority of nongovernment MPs.

WIN formally requested the meeting on November 3, when all opposition MPs were present at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, yet no action followed despite follow-up letters and a 14-day ultimatum. PNCR, AFC, and Forward Guyana have joined calls for compliance, warning of democratic erosion. Absent action, this fetters the opposition's constitutional functions, including consultation on key appointments under Articles 225 and others.

Indictment No Bar to Office Mr. Mohamed's U.S. indictment, unsealed October 6, 2025, by a Florida grand jury, alleges a $50 million scheme involving wire fraud, conspiracy, and customs violations, with extradition sought under the 1924 U.S.-UK Treaty and Guyana's Fugitive Offenders

Act. However, an indictment establishes probable cause for charges, not guilt, and Guyana's Constitution disqualifies MPs only upon conviction for offenses carrying over six months' imprisonment—not mere allegations abroad. Attorney General Nandlall has confirmed no political i m m u n i t y s h i e l d s M r.

Mohamed from extradition, but this does not suspend parliamentary eligibility.

Regional precedent reinforces this: in Endell Thomas v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (PC 1982), the Privy Council struck down executive interference with constitutional tenure, emphasizing good-faith exercise of limited powers.

Similarly, the CCJ in Attorney General v Joseph and Boyce (Barbados) mandated fidelity to constitutional text over

Digging for minerals, denied dignity...

From page 4 inadequate PPE, weak oversight at remote sites, and preventable occupational illnesses linked to dust and poor ventilation. These are not theoretical risks. They are documented consequences of the many regulatory inactions.

When workers say they are not being heard, history tells us they are usually right, and we see the industrial obstructions that follow.

The Minister promised that he would “treat every complaint with the highest

level of attention,".

Let me remind the minister that "attention without action is meaningless."

This investigation was triggered by public outrage and social media exposure, not by any proactive action or enforcement by the Minister or his government.

The report is completed.

Now, just like that, the urgency has evaporated.

Our miners see a minister swiftly defending the system, citing training schedules, and reciting the

law, but can not find the time to examine a report that goes to the heart of their safety and rights.

This nonchalant response sends a dangerous signal across the sector, that compliance is optional, accountability can wait, and the welfare of workers is not a priority for this government.

A government serious about labour rights would treat this report with the same haste it shows in protecting corporate interests.

K Sharma Solomon Member of Parliament APNU Rep. Natural Resources

p o l i t i c a l e x p e d i e n c y.

Ghana's New Patriotic Party v Attorney-General (SC) and Australia's Kable v DPP (NSW) (HCA) echo that electoral mandates yield only to explicit disqualification criteria.

Stare decisis demands courts

enforce such processes strictly.

Diplomatic and Political Tensions The U.S. pressure—via sanctions, arrests, and e x t r a d i t i o n requests—creates a bind: (Continued on page 6)

The death of Michael Khan Dear Editor, It is with profound sadness that I learnt of the passing of Mr. Michael Khan, former Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Inc. (GPHC).

As a former member of the GPHC Board, I can attest to his professionalism, competence and dedication to duties.

Michael, as he was fondly called, will be remembered for his humility and willingness to go out of his way to assist patients and those in need.

I wish to take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to his bereaved family on his passing. May his soul rest in peace!

Hydar Ally

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox When extradition becomes political: The Mohameds' constitutional challenge and what it means for Guyana Dear Editor, The Mohameds' move to the High Court is not just another tactical step in a high-profile extradition fight; rather, it's a direct challenge to how Guyana balances executive power, judicial independence, and public confidence when an extradition request collides with electoral politics.

At the center of the current dispute is the Authority to Proceed (ATP), the legal trigger that allows committal proceedings to begin in the magistrates' court. The Mohameds, Azruddin and his father, Nazar, are asking the High Court to quash the ATP issued by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, arguing that it is invalid

because of alleged bias and the broader political climate surrounding their case.

The “bias” argument is really about legitimacy. In their court filings (as reported), the Mohameds contend that public statements by senior state officials created (in their view) an atmosphere of hostility that disqualifies key decision-makers from initiating the extradition process. They argue this undermines the presumption of innocence and prejudices their right to a fair process, and that the ATP (and by extension the arrest warrants based on it) should be treated as a nullity.

Whether the courts ultimately agree is one thing.

But politically, the point is

bigger: extradition can't be seen as a partisan instrument, especially when the person sought is not merely “a private citizen,” but the leader of a major political bloc.

Azruddin Mohamed's p a r t y, We I n v e s t i n Nationhood (WIN), emerged as a dominant opposition force after the September 1, 2025 elections, winning 16 of 65 seats according to international reporting. That context matters because every legal decision now carries an unavoidable political shadow: supporters will interpret actions as either “rule of law” or “political removal,” depending on their loyalties.

The constitutional

Resolving the dilemma of West Indies Cricket Dear Editor, A s a t r a i n e d transformational leadership e x p e r t , e d u c a t o r, a n d sociologist, I have been carefully studying the persistent dilemma facing West Indies cricket. It is clear that our challenge is not a simple matter of talent, luck, or form.

The problem is multidimensional and multidisciplinary. One of the major issues undermining progress is the erroneous and frankly nonsensical belief that loyalty and longevity alone qualify individuals for leadership and influence simply because they have “been around long.”

Meanwhile, those who possess voice, knowledge, skill, critical intelligence, and the ability to think innovatively are often sidelined and left on the periphery. This modus operandi has crippled development. If this culture continues, we will simply “gyaff” ourselves to death without meaningful transformation.

At this juncture, it is necessary to confront the issues honestly and offer a practical way forward. When a c r i c k e t t e a m underperforms, it is rarely about bad batting, weak bowling, poor fielding and the like. Performance

breakdown often reflects deep psychological challenges such as low confidence, fear of failure, mental fatigue, and limited emotional resilience under pressure. When the mind collapses, execution follows.

Alongside this point are the sociological realities of team c u l t u r e . P o o r communication, fractured relationships, internal divisions, weak leadership presence, and a lack of shared purpose can destroy unity long before the scoreboard reflects defeat.

There are also technical and tactical dimensions.

Flaws in basic cricket skills, poor adaptation to varying conditions, weak game awareness, ineffective field strategies, and an inability to shift plans during intense moments reveal gaps in preparation and cricket intelligence.

Physical conditioning also plays a major role. Weak fitness levels, poor stamina, injuries, slow recovery, and inadequate athletic discipline can limit competitive sharpness.

Beyond the players, there are critical coaching, management, and structural weaknesses. Leadership clarity, fairness in selection, transparency, access to modern sports science support, and quality training

environments all affect performance. Organisational planning, exposure, logistics, and administrative backing can either build success or contribute to continued decline. Finally, broader environmental pressures such as media scrutiny, expectations, travel demands, and personal life circumstances influence player stability and focus.

If West Indies cricket is to move forward, it requires courageous leadership that places competence above mere familiarity, builds unity with purpose, strengthens mental resilience, enhances technical and tactical intelligence, and establishes strong, supportive institutional structures.

Honest reflection, courageous cultural change, intentional investment in people, and disciplined execution are essential.

Cricket West Indies (CWI), I am prepared to go further by developing a comprehensive strategic paper that examines these dimensions in detail and provides clear, actionable recommendations for revival and sustained excellence at no cost. This paper can serve as a framework to inspire meaningful transformation, rather than empty conversation.

Dr Marcel Hutson

challenge goes deeper than personalities. The more consequential layer is the Mohameds' constitutional attack on parts of the Fugitive Offenders framework itself, particularly amendments associated with Act No. 30 of 2009, which their lawyers argue offend separation of powers, the rule of law, judicial independence, and liberty/due process protections.

Why would a 2009 amendment become explosive now? Because extradition law is where executive discretion meets judicial gatekeeping. And the 2009 provisions they're targeting can be read, fairly or unfairly, as the law trying to “smooth out” treaty gaps by directing how courts should interpret missing provisions, while limiting the ability of the person sought to challenge those gaps.

The state's likely counter-story is that extradition is a “hybrid” process, not a criminal trial.

The prosecution side has already pushed a broader thesis in related proceedings: that many constitutional “fair trial” arguments don't bite at the extradition stage because extradition is not the criminal trial itself, it's a

preliminary mechanism grounded in treaty relations and executive-judicial cooperation.

Politically, that argument has appeal because it frames the state as simply complying with international obligations.

But it also has a risk: it can sound like “constitutional rights don't apply here,” which is exactly the kind of messaging that fuels public distrust in sensitive cases.

The timing is the political pressure point. The High Court reportedly fixed January 6, 2026 to hear the constitutional issues, while committal proceedings were also scheduled to begin around the same period, creating a collision of timetables that amplifies national attention and partisan interpretation. This is where institutional design matters. If the public sees the judiciary as being forced to “race the clock” against an already-activated executive process, confidence can erode, even if every step is technically lawful. The court system must not only be independent; it must be seen to be independent.

The 2024 amendments sharpen the context.

Separate from the 2009 provisions, Guyana also amended the Fugitive Offenders Act in 2024 to

broaden what evidence can be admitted in extradition matters, changes presented publicly as strengthening cooperation and efficiency in extradition proceedings.

Reformers will argue: transnational crime is real; extradition must work; loopholes can't make Guyana a safe harbor. Critics will respond in a politically charged case, “streamlining” can look like “lowering safeguards.” The Mohameds' legal strategy taps directly into that tension, whether or not their claims succeed.

My read: the court outcome will matter less than the institutional lesson.

No matter where you stand on the Mohameds personally or on the U.S. case that prompted the extradition request, the democratic test here is straightforward: 1. Are executive officials exercising restraint in public commentary on active legal matters?

2. Is the initiation of extradition insulated from partisan incentives (or at least structured to reduce the perception of partisan incentives)?

3. Can the judiciary review and correct executive overreach without being a c c u s e d , c r e d i b l y, o f political alignment?

(Continued on page 10)

Leader of the Opposition...

From page 5 cooperation honors treaty comity, yet blocking Mr. Mohamed's election risks perceptions of Washington dictating Guyana's parliamentary composition.

Extradition hearings adjourned to November 24 underscore ongoing proceedings, but these operate parallel to domestic constitutional duties.

Delaying the election undermines Guyana's sovereignty claims, especially post-2025 elections where WIN's 16 seats position it as the lead opposition.

Civil society protests and threats of judicial review signal rising stakes; WIN readies court action alleging breach of democratic rights.

A High Court mandamus order could compel the Speaker, invoking

separation of powers and Articles 153–155 on fundamental rights.

Judicial Pathways and Precedent Litigation would test whether the delay constitutes unlawful fettering.

Guyana's Court of Appeal and CCJ, bound by stare decisis, would likely prioritize textualism: Conversation Tree analysis notes the framers' intent for a “self-contained” process immune to “external manipulation.” CCJ appeals in Demerara Bank v Guyana and electoral cases affirm mandatory constitutional duties.

Recommended Resolution The Speaker should convene the meeting forthwith, allowing nongovernment MPs to elect their leader per Article 184.

The executive should advance extradition transparently via courts, decoupling criminal p r o c e s s f r o m parliamentary roles. This upholds Guyana's Constitution, reassures the U.S. of cooperation, and shields democracy from foreign-policy crossfire.

Failure risks a CCJ escalation, eroding public trust amid oil wealth and regional scrutiny.

Guyana's political culture must evolve beyond “complicating the simple,” as one commentator aptly observed—honoring the Constitution's clarity fortifies institutions against all pressures.

Sincerely, Fernando Balkaran, former Lecturer, UWI Cavehill Campus, & UG Turkeyen Campus.

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday Monday December May 28,02, 2025 2022

Canadian miner aims for 3.2M ounces of gold from Guyana …to produce 281,000 ounces annually Canadian miner G2 Goldfields Inc. is targeting total production of approximately 3.2 million ounces of gold from its Oko Gold Project in Guyana, with average annual output projected at about 281,000 ounces during the mine's peak years.

The projections are contained in the company's maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the high-grade Oko project, released on December 18. The assessment outlines a combined open-pit and underground operation with a 14-year life of mine, supported by an updated mineral resource of 1.6 million ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 1.9 million ounces in the Inferred category.

According to the PEA, gold production is expected to average 281,000 ounces per year from years two through 11, at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of US$1,137 per ounce during that period.

Total life-of-mine production is estimated at 3.2 million ounces, with a life-of-mine AISC of US$1,191 per ounce.

The study estimates initial capital expenditures of US$664 million, including a 20 per cent contingency, and sustaining capital of US$366

million over the mine life. At a gold price of US$3,000 per ounce, the project generates an after-tax net present value (NPV5%) of US$2.6 billion, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 39 per cent and a payback period of 2.6 years. At US$4,000 per ounce, the after-tax NPV5% increases to US$4.2 billion, with an IRR of 54 per cent and a two-year payback.

The PEA is based on drilling completed up to August 31, 2025.

Daniel Noone, CEO of G2, stated, “This PEA places the Oko Project firmly within one of the most attractive development projects g l o b a l l y. T h e P E A demonstrates the Project has the potential to generate very significant annual production at an average AISC cost of US$1,137/oz and is hosted in mining-friendly Guyana which actively promotes the development of large-scale gold mining. Moreover, the Project tenements host significant exploration potential, with multiple drill programs active across various adjacent and nearmine targets. We will be aggressively moving the Oko Project to feasibility and construction as we continue to explore this emerging gold mining district.”

Five babies born at GPHC on...

From page 2 greetings to patients, healthcare workers and their loved ones.GPHC's Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran, said that Christmas Day remains a busy and emotionally demanding period for the hospital, as staff continue to serve patients at their most vulnerable.

“While we would all prefer to be home with our families, it is a true honour and privilege to be here serving people when they need us most,” Rambarran said.

He reported that several infants were also receiving care in the neonatal and postnatal wards, while patients continued to be treated in the paediatric unit.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

PAGE 09

Daylight robbery E

very time m i n i b u s operators or speedboat operators try to raise fares, the government reacts swiftly. There are warnings. There are threats.

There is talk of arrests and court action. We saw this clearly in October this year.

After a strike by Georgetown-Timehri minibus operators demanding a fare increase, the government warned that any driver charging “arbitrary and unlawful” fares would be arrested and prosecuted.

Earlier this year, in April, the same approach was taken with speedboat operators.

Those serving Vreed-enHoop, Parika, Bartica and Supenaam were warned that unauthorized fare increases would not be tolerated.

Yet one basic question remains unanswered. Under what law does the government claim the power to authorize or prohibit fares for minibuses and speedboats? As far as the public knows, the transport sector is not regulated. If there is no clear fare regulation system, then on what legal basis are threats being made?

This confusion creates a deeper problem. While minibuses and speedboats are publicly scolded and restrained, hire car operators

enjoy near-total freedom.

There are no stern warnings.

There are no threats of arrest.

There are no public declarations that fares must come down.

This double standard hurts commuters.

Take the case of the Berbice River Bridge. Last August, the government removed the tolls. Many commuters reasonably expected hire car fares to fall, especially those paying by the seat. After all, operators were no longer paying bridge tolls. Even the government hinted that fares should decline.

Instead, fares increased.

Passengers are now paying more, not less. The benefit of toll removal went entirely to operators.

Commuters gained nothing.

The same injustice appears in “short-drop” fares. These fares have exploded. A short trip that once cost $400 now costs $800. In some cases, drivers demand $1,000 to drive a few corners. This is happening even though fuel prices have fallen sharply.

Petrol taxes have been removed. Gasoline at the pump is cheaper.

None of these savings are reaching commuters.

People are shocked when they hear the price. Some are angry. Some are helpless.

Many now feel forced to ask

the fare before entering a hire car, especially near hospitals and shopping malls. The joke is no longer funny. People say you might need medical attention when you hear the fare after reaching your destination.

Travel to the airport has also doubled in cost. For workers. For students. For families. For visitors. There is no justification for this.

The government is losing billions of dollars by zerorating fuel. This sacrifice is meant to help the public. It is meant to lower the cost of living. But without regulation, the benefit is being captured by a small group of operators. Ordinary citizens pay the price.

This situation cannot continue.

Transportation is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

People need transport to get to work. To school. To hospitals. To markets. When fares rise without control, the poorest suffer most.

Low-income workers.

Pensioners. Students. Single parents. They have no bargaining power. They have no alternatives.

If the government believes it has the authority to warn minibuses and speedboats, then it must apply the same principle across the entire sector.

Fairness demands it. Logic demands it. Justice demands

DEM BOYS SEH

Luxury car competition D

em boys seh Georgetown traffic does bring out all kinda comparison, especially when the red light catch yuh by Regent and Camp Street and yuh ego decide to stretch it legs.

So dem boys seh one afternoon, a man in a little Kia pull up side-by-side with a big, shiny Rolls-Royce—one of them long ones that does take two parking spaces.

Dem boys seh when the light turn red, the Kia man wind down he window and holler, “Boss, nice ride! Yuh got Wi-Fi in that thing? Because me Kia got Wi-Fi, eh!”

Dem boys seh the Rolls driver look over slow-slow, like he measuring the man, and say cool-cool, “Yes, I have Wi-Fi.” The Kia man seh, “Nice! Yuh got fridge in there too?

Because me got a little fridge in the back seat—cold water and everything!”

Now the Rolls driver start to look vex and seh, “Yes, I also have a refrigerator.”

Dem boys seh the Kia man grin and press on. “Well check dis now—yuh got TV back there? Because me Kia got one.

Passengers does watch movie when traffic lock up.”

By now the Rolls driver almost bite off he steering wheel. “Yes!” he seh. “A Rolls-

Royce have television. This is the finest luxury car in the world!”

The Kia man nod polite. “Real fancy, boss. One more thing—yuh got bed in there? Because me got a bed in the back of me Kia.” Dem boys seh that was it. The Rolls man get shame. Soon as the light turn green, he mash accelerator, disappear and go straight to the dealer. “Put a bed in the back,” he order. “Money ain’t a problem.”

Next morning, the Rolls come out with a bed fit for royalty—silk sheets, brass trim, thing looking like Pegasus Hotel suite on wheels.

Dem boys seh the Rolls driver drive whole day hunting down the Kia. Late that night, he finally spot it park up, windows foggy like rain fall inside.

He knock on the window. Knock-knock.

After a while, the Kia man stick out he head, soaking wet.

The Rolls driver puff up he chest and seh, “I now got a bed in the back of me Rolls-Royce.” Dem boys seh the Kia man blink, look confused, and seh, ”Yuh pull me out the shower to tell me that?”

Talk half. Leff half.

it.

The solution is clear. All public transportation fares must be regulated.

Minibuses. Speedboats. Hire cars. Every category. Clear rules must be established.

Transparent fare schedules must be published.

Operators must know what is allowed. Commuters must know what to expect.

Regulation does not mean punishment. It means balance. It means protecting both operators and passengers. Operators deserve fair returns. But commuters deserve fairness too.

They should not be ambushed by outrageous charges. They should not be exploited because they are desperate to get home.

Other countries do this. It is not radical. It is not antibusiness. It is responsible governance.

Without regulation, warnings become hollow.

Threats become selective.

And public confidence erodes.

The government cannot continue to police one part of the transport sector while ignoring another. That approach breeds resentment.

It also encourages abuse.

If fuel is tax-free, commuters should benefit. If tolls are removed, fares should reflect it. If the state intervenes, it must intervene fairly and lawfully.

It is time for a comprehensive transport fare policy. One system. One standard. One rulebook. One

Guyana!

The aim must be simple.

Protect commuters. Stop exploitation. Restore fairness on our roads and waterways.

Let us hear about regulating transport fares in the Budget.

The cost of living is already high. Getting from one place to another should not feel like daylight robbery (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 2025 Monday May 02,28, 2022

BY GHK LALL

H@RD TRUTHS Land of plenty, land of anxiety, the hungry S

UTH

D TR

HAR

BY

T

ALL

KL

GH

hanks to a friend or two, a few social media snippets came down the chimney, tumbled out of Santa's sack. The senders didn't have to overload; the snapshots tell of brightly smiling people, those having a great time, glistening with contentment. All's well with

the world. Meaning, their lovely world of personal prosperity and abundance.

Plenty of food and drink, lots of hearty digging in, and celebrating what it is to be where the joy and money circulate.

In this land of plenty, this paradise called Guyana, that is one side of the story,

the big, beautiful picture of men and women on top of the world, and ensuring that the rest of the world gets a peek into their world of fun and contentment.

Among the less than 1% in Guyana's population, the spotted cream, the flecked names, are easily recognizable.

They are

from parliament. From the heights of the public service.

And, of course, what would a gathering of Guyana's celebrated and celebrating be without the opulent presence of the private sector?

Another quarter, another year, of record profits, of contributing to

that circle that makes such achievements smooth and easy.

If only other segments of Guyana, that 45% to 60% of Guyanese could get a fraction of the richness seen in those social media snippets, what a different country Guyana would be!

How much more bearable, even enjoyable, would living in this land of plenty be!

More than a matter of coping and surviving by the edges of the fingernails. It would be that sought-after situation where my fellow citizens actually live.

They actually know and feel and can swear that they prosper in an oil rich country that is the toast of global capitals. Because of one simple fact: it is their lived experience.

A fact undeniable because there are no tricks with the number of Guyanese who partake of their great patrimony in a meaningful way. A fact that is certifiable, for there is reality of what is fair and reasonable in the slice of their oil wealth that they receive. Guyana wouldn't be the grim image that is seen by the world of hopeful Guyanese, and the world beyond, i.e., a tale of two countries. One that is bright and boisterous in its revelries. The other that is broader and deeper, that Guyana, that's despondent for lack of the ordinary essentials of living.

There are banquets and balls on one side of Guyana in this era of oil's succulent fruits.

Those have become the norm for the people who have to make statements of how good they have it, and not care how anyone else reacts to where they are.

Perched right next to that small glittering set in this country, there is the grim and ghostly.

The great unmeasured bulk of citizens, who are

reduced to strangers and spectators, while their rich inheritance is consumed by neighbors who could give a damn about who haven't got, who didn't get much of anything to talk about. So as to publish their e n d o r s e m e n t s , commendations.

When so much of the national pie has been give (been grabbed) by so few, then how much of what could be left for so many that vested their hopes, only to find themselves hurt again? Then laughed at again, being made into the butt of cruel jokes that add to the dripping contempt of those that they adore and even revere. There has to be a security worker, a weeder of grass, a shop helper, and many others from different streams of Guyanese endeavor, who ask: what about me?

When will my turn come to get more than a promise (revised and reengineered) and a pittance that doesn't help to get anywhere, but keeps fastened in the quicksand of poverty, being hungry, and living with anxiety?

In a land of plenty, why am I perpetually hungry, is forced to the indignity of telling my family, don't pay heed to the beautiful headlines for this is the scanty nature of what we have?

One yard less of road could mean one less hungry Guyanese. One million less for one of those lavish balls or banquets could be that there is a dollar or two more for one Guyanese family.

Only then can the bill be legitimately charged against the national treasury. A land this plenty shouldn't be this hungry, this desultory.

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

When extradition becomes...

From page 6 If Guyana gets those three right, the system survives this storm stronger. If not, the damage will outlive the case.

Because once extradition becomes widely believed to be a tool of political management, fairly or

unfairly, every future extradition request becomes harder, slower, and more divisive. And in an era where Guyana's global profile (and external scrutiny) is only rising, that is a cost the country can't afford.

Rajendra Lachman (Political Analyst)

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 28, 2025

WEEK-IN-REVIEW SUNDAY “If the need arises, Guyana will defend its territory”- PM Phillips says - as GDF commissions two new helicopters Prime Minister (PM) Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips on Saturday said that Guyana will defend itself if the need arises. He was at the time speaking at the commissioning ceremony for two new helicopters - Bell 407 and Bell 429- at the Guyana Defence Force Hangar at Eugene F. Correria International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The Prime Minister, who spoke on behalf of President Irfaan Ali, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Guyana’s national security, while protecting its sovereignty, and enhancing disaster-response capabilities.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI) Phillips noted that the acquisition of the new helicopters is a reflection of deliberate and strategic investments into the modernization of the Defence Force which is in k e e p i n g w i t h G u y a n a ’s responsibility as a sovereign state.

“With sovereignty comes responsibility…the most solemn of these responsibilities is the obligation to safeguard our national sovereignty and preserve, protect and defend our territorial integrity.

That duty must be supported by sustained investment in our Defence Force,” Phillips said.

Acquired for $US10.1M the Bell 429 helicopter, has the capacity to seat two crew members and six passengers, with a payload capacity of 2,700 pounds, and its maximum cruise speed at 150 knots. Designed for multi-purpose roles the aircraft can be used for surveillance, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and rapid response missions.

The other aircraft, the Bell 407 helicopter, which was purchased for US$5.9 million, has the capacity to seat one crew member and six passengers, with a payload capacity of 2,300 pounds, and a maximum speed of 133 knots. This platform enhances the GDF’s ability to conduct patrols, logistical support, and operations in remote and challenging terrain.

The PM reminded that the aircraft will significantly improve the GDF’s operational reach, its responsiveness, and flexibility, allow the supporting of border patrols, aerial surveillance, search and rescue operations, disaster response, medical evacuations, and logistical support to hinterland and riverain communities.

The last five years saw the government increasing its

The newly commissioned helicopters. budgetary allocations to the GDF, taking it from $13.9 billion in 2019 to $50.4 billion in 2025 which is equivalent to more than three-anda-half times. Additionally, capital expenditure within the Defence Force has expanded substantially, enabling the acquisition of modern aircraft, vessels, vehicles, and advanced technology.

“Capital investment is where modernisation lives. It is through these investments that we fundamentally expand what the Defence Force is capable of doing,” the PM said.

He also highlighted that the government’s focus on integrating advanced surveillance systems, drone technology, and modern training, ensuring that modernisation is not limited to equipment but is embedded throughout the Force.

Phillips reaffirmed Guyana’s foreign policy posture, emphasizing that the country remains committed to peace, cooperation, and respect for i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w, w h i l e maintaining the capability to defend its territory.

“Peacefulness is not passivity, and restraint is not weakness,” he said. “If the need arises, Guyana will defend its territory.”

He expressed gratitude to the government of the United States of America (U.S), the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, and technical teams whose cooperation facilitated the acquisition of the aircraft, noting that the purchase reflects the strong partnership between the two countries.

“May these aircraft extend the protective reach of the state, save lives in times of need, and stand as symbols of a nation determined to secure its present and safeguard its future,” the Prime Minister said.

Guyana to close 2025 with over US$3.2B in oil account With more oil being produced in the prolific Stabroek Block, with the early startup of the fourth Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Guyana

is expected to close 2025 with over US$3.2B in oil revenues.

This information is contained in t h e 2 0 2 5 M i d - Ye a r r e p o r t , published by the Ministry of Finance.

At the beginning of the year, it was anticipated that the country would have earned US$2,503 million however; the country’s daily capacity has been increased, resulting in a small hike in revenue from the sector.

Currently, Guyana is producing over 900,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the four FPSOs in the Stabroek Block.

The Mid-Year report explained, “ Wi t h t h e a d d i t i o n a l l i f t s , petroleum deposits for the year are now projected to total US$2,512.4 million, only marginally higher than the US$2,503 million projected at the time of preparing Budget 2025, on account of lower crude oil prices.”

Notably, at the time Budget 2025 was prepared, government expected to receive 31 lifts of profit oil from the Stabroek Block. Each lift is equivalent to about one million barrels of oil. Government is now projected to benefit from 33 lifts this year, following the earlierthan-anticipated start-up of the One Guyana FPSO in August.

“Government is now expected to earn US$2,171.2 million from the sale of Guyana’s share of profit oil, and US$341.2 million in royalties. Further, in accordance with the NRF Act 2021, US$2,463.9 million is expected to be withdrawn from the Fund this y e a r, ” t h e M i d - Ye a r R e p o r t outlines.

As such, Guyana is expected the close 2025 with a total of US$3.248B in oil revenue.

Recently, leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton shared the view that a portion of oil revenue should be used to pay public servants. He reasoned, “I am of the view that some amount of resources from oil should go to funding public servants and once that is done with expansion in the non-oil sector and ensuring more businesses come on stream then it

(salary increase) is sustainable.”

Norton was at the time making a case for government to pay a 25% salary increase in employees in the public service. With just a few days remaining before Christmas, the government has not announced a salary increase or bonus for public servants. President Irfaan Ali on Thursday however announced a one-month tax-free bonus for members of the joint services.

The announcement came a day after the President’s address to the nation where he signaled that no cash grant will be forthcoming before Christmas, despite hinting at a cash transfer during his 2025 elections campaign.

Public servants such as doctors, nurses and teachers will be expected for the first time in years to meet holiday expenses without any additional revenue from government to cushion their high expenses.

Meanwhile, former advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, Elson Low argued that millions of USdollars wasted by government on the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project as well as revenue the state is yet to recover from ExxonMobil could have financed a $100,000 cash grant to adult Guyanese.

He pointed to three areas that could have saved Guyana at least US$300M which in turn could have been used to finance the initiative, since this was the cost of the previous cash grant.

MONDAY Public servants’ wage bill surges 19.9% in first half of 2025– BoG Report The wage bill for public servants shot up by 19.9% in the first six months of 2025, accounting for 22.5% of the government’s total current expenditure, according to the Bank of Guyana (BoG) 2025 Half-Year Report.

Total current expenditure, including debt charges, grew a staggering 36.7% to G$290.8 billion. Transfer payments, which include pensions, subsidies, education subventions, grants, and

scholarships, jumped 27.4% to G$128.7 billion, representing 44.3% of total current spending.

These payments include subsidies and contributions to local and i n t e r n a t i o n a l o rg a n i s a t i o n s , pensions, as well as education subventions, grants, and scholarships, totalling G$64,089 million, G$38,839 million, and G$25,701 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, BoG indicated, “Employment costs, which accounted for 22.5% of total current expenditure, grew by 19.9% to G$65,530 million. Within this category of expenses, wages and salaries amounted to G$55,519 million, while benefits & allowances totalled G$10,011 million.”

Government’s wage bill during the first six months of this year is likely to be almost identical in the last half of the year, given that no salary increase has been announced for the Christmas season.

President Irfaan Ali announced a one-month tax-free bonus for members of the joint services last week. Other categories of public servants such as nurses, doctors and teachers will, for the first time in several years, be forced to meet holiday expenses without any additional resources.

Nevertheless, BoG reported that payments were also made to purchase ‘other goods’ and pay for services which accounted for 30.1% of current expenditure.

These payments increased by 76% to G$87,572 million, according to

President Irfaan Ali the Bank of Guyana. According to the report, “This category primarily consisted of spending on miscellaneous goods and services, materials and supplies, maintenance of infrastructure, transport, travel and postage, rental and maintenance of buildings, as well as fuels and lubricants, amounting to G$59,041 million, G $ 11 , 3 6 9 m i l l i o n , G $ 5 , 2 4 8 million, G$4,416 million and G$3,631 million and G$1,889 million.”

It was also reported that total interest charges expanded by 23% Continued on page 13

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

PAGE 13

From page 12 to G$9,013 million. External interest costs increased by 16.7% to G$5,543 million, while domestic interest costs expanded by 34.5% to G$3,469 million.

Mother loses baby and womb after 12-hour labour at GPHC - claims emergency C-Section request denied - hospital says it followed legal rules and opted to save her life A heartbroken mother from Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, says her baby girl, Athena, would still be alive today if doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) had granted her request for an emergency Csection.

Speaking to Kaieteur News, Nelissa Chetram recounted the tragic events of November 8, 2025, when she lost both her unborn child and womb after enduring 12 hours in labour. Chetram, a mother of five, had hoped to gift her husband his first child. “We already have everything, everything for this baby. He (my husband) was more than excited,” Chetram said, recalling the plans they had for December, including celebrations for their birthdays on the 15th and 16th. Chetram, who had been classified as a high-risk patient, was admitted to the maternity ward on November 7 after experiencing early labour pains.

She was initially expected to deliver on November 17. “My water bag broke at 2:20 PM. I went to Georgetown Hospital, got my vitals checked, and went upstairs.

The doctors said they had to induce labour,” she recounted. As labour intensified, Chetram repeatedly begged for an emergency Csection. “I told them I was too weak to push and hadn’t eaten properly. I kept asking, ‘Please, give me an emergency C-section,’” she said.

According to Chetram, her requests were denied. “She (doctor) seh when you feel the pain push. I feel the pain again I push. I push Baby wasn’t coming. I seh doctor please a begging you if you could please give me an emergency c-section” Chetram further recounted. The doctor reportedly turned down her request stating that a patient cannot request a C-section process.

Chetram went on to endure hours in labour until she reportedly started getting “short of breath”.

She claimed that as she was getting weaker, she continued to beg each doctor that came into the labour room for a C-Section. “One of the doctors bring a syringe and she tell me open my mouth when I open me mouth is something like a sweet sugar water and she said that go give me energy”, Chetram said but it did not help.

After 12 hours, they finally decided on a C-section, but it was probably too late, Chetram said.

Nelissa Chetram’s husband consoles her after the devasting loss.

Tears flowed as they laid Athena.

She said while they were operating on her, one of the doctors asked if she was conscious to hear them.

She responded yes and that was when they broke the first tragic news to her. “She said that how your womb tear and we ga fuh take it out suh I turn and seh okay” Chetram Said.

Losing her womb did not bother too much at first because for her Athena would have been her last child. That was the last thing Chetram remembered. The next thing Chetram recalled is the doctors pinching her and asking if she was alright. After she responded, they took her to the recovery room. As the medication started wearing off, Chetram was eager to see her baby but she was notified by a pediatrician that there were complications during the process and Athena was being treated. The pediatrician then asked for a contact for a close relative.

“She left and she go away and then I started crying because when she tell duh all kind of thing start going through me head”, Chetram said while adding, “because all the time I saying I want this C-section but the delay of the time duh is wa I say the delay it cause duh” Her heart would be broken even further when the pediatrician returned a second time this time with the news that Chetram did not want to hear. “She turn and say Ms. Chetram, baby just passed away.

When she said that like I didn’t have words anymore fuh say because I start Crying”, Chetram recalled. Although Chetram has children she was left distraught not only because she lost her child but because it was her husband’s first baby. “And it does hurt me fuh know now that he can’t get that vision that he always wanted, is something that would a really make he happy. I know that fuh sure,” she said before recalling the moment he first laid eyes on their dead daughter. “When he see he daughter

he couldn’t a really hold it in when see he daughter for the first time” Still in recovery, Chetram began seeking answers because she believes that had the doctors granted her request then things would have turned out differently.

During a meeting with the maternity department, Chetram said she was told that the hospital was only following legal protocols when the doctors turned down her request for a C-Section. “First thing you have to know is that in any system in the world especially in the Caribbean and Guyana we don’t do c-section based on maternal request- what does that mean, it means a patient cannot come and say they want c-section, A Csection must get an indication,” Chetram recalled being told by an official of the department. She was told that there was no indication at the time that she needed a CSection and the time she spent in labour was normal. “So, what the doctors do in order to get a c-section you had to see whether there was a problem with baby or there was a problem with mom,” the official further explained, according to Chetram adding “As long as the tracing we do for baby is correct we call it a category one meaning the baby heart is good normal and beating through the labour and so forth. We cannot take a patient just like that to do a c-section.”

The GPHC, however, maintains that it followed all legal protocols and prioritised saving Chetram’s life after complications arose. “The best thing would have been to save your life, so it turned into lifesaving surgery,” the head of GPHC’s maternity department told Chetram.

The hospital is also maintaining that in Chetram’s case she was always at risk of losing her womb because she was a Grand multiparity patient. A Grand multiparity describes a patient who has given birth five or more times and according the GPHC Maternity

Former (TIGI) President, Frederick Collins Department Head Chetram was at risk. “So that is a risk factor for that patient meaning the (uterus) muscle when it goes through so much delivery so much labour it gets tainted it doesn’t have the tone and same consistency and so forth like that”, the head of the maternity unit explained.

TUESDAY ‘222 days of silence’ — Govt. withholds Exxon audit as calls grow for mandatory disclosure law More than seven months after receiving the third cost recovery audit report on ExxonMobil, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has yet to make the document public, fueling mounting suspicion, public frustration, and renewed calls for legislation to enforce strict timelines for the release of critical oil sector information.

The audit, conducted by local consortium VHE Consulting, covers the period 2021 to 2023 and examines ExxonMobil’s recovery of a staggering US$19.6 billion in expenses charged against Guyana’s oil under the Stabroek Block operations. It is the largest cost recovery audit undertaken since

Guyana began oil production in 2019. Previous audits exposed serious irregularities, including the use of Guyana’s oil to pay for expenses unrelated to the Stabroek Block and costs expressly disallowed under the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

While there was some reluctance on the part of the (GoG) in the past to release the two previous audit reports which were first leaked to the media through unofficial channels, the third audit report remains tightly concealed by the (GoG), with transparency activists now beginning to question the administration’s motive. An executive member of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI), Frederick Collins told Kaieteur News that legislative changes may be required to force government’s hand to release these documents.

In an exclusive interview, the past President of the watchdog body pointed out that members of civil society were left with no option but to protest the office of the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson (senior) over the blackout of information in the public domain, especially in the oil and gas sector.

Collins laid the blame squarely at the feet of government for failing to ensure information on the sector is readily available to not only members of the press but civil society as well. In fact, he argued, “Clearly, they are allowed by the people of Guyana to do exactly what they are doing because we demonstrated, including the press about how many times, over a year or two and the government did absolutely nothing, did not budge an inch to make confession. They simply stonewalled and sat there and this was in terms of access to all information, general access to information to get the information czar to do what he is being paid to do and the population watched us bleed in the sun and the government do nothing.”

Meanwhile, he speculated that government may be withholding the report as it may contain certain information that they wish for the public not to see.

Turning his attention to the questionable timeline since the report was handed over to government, the former (TIGI) President explained that it is normal for private companies to be audited at the end of each financial year as part of its responsibility to shareholders.

In Guyana’s case, Collins pointed out that the (GoG) was elected on behalf of the citizens to manage the sector and holds equal responsibility to ensure its shareholders- Guyanese- are informed on the affairs.

The transparency activist argued, “In the oil business, the Continued on page 14

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

From page 13 owners of this whole show are the people of Guyana, not the government. The government is just the caretakers of the people of this country and the people are the shareholders who expect and should demand the accounts.

People should be fired if you can’t produce the accounts so I’m saying to you that the caretakers are keeping the business of the people away from the people.”

Collins reminded that the 2016 (PSA) stipulates that the (GoG) is required to audit the company at the end of every calendar year, as he noted that at least one other audit may be pending while the third report remains hidden.

“In any reasonable situation, the time which the audit report is released should give the owners of the company, in this case, the people of Guyana, enough time to be able to read and digest and the people who are intelligent enough to comment on the finances in the newspapers for us to see what is going on...if the report should be done every two years then you can very well have the next audit report out or due when this thing is released which is a little awkward so we should have,” he reasoned.

To this end, he suggested that a legal timeline be established for audit reports to be published.

“In Guyana we are talking about an international cooperation like Exxon, an audit has been done and the government is sitting on it, so people must wonder what is going on...if they prolong it, they are creating suspicion that there is something or more things than one in the report that they don’t want the public to know.”

As such, Collins said there is a definite need for legislation to specific a time for audit reports to be published. “The responsibility that the government has is even greater than the responsibility of a private set of directors and therefore we should demand that there is a period of time beyond which they ought not to be able to hold on to the audit reports without sharing,” he said.

Background on third audit On May 15, 2025 the minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat revealed that the audit was completed and the report handed over to government for review. Five months later, in October, Bharrat informed this newspaper that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was still conducting a technical review of the report and would make the document public after the process was completed. Recently, Bharrat was asked again about the report and directed all questions to the tax agency.

Notably, the (GRA) has not responded to any queries from this newspaper relating to the audit.

Previously, minister Bharrat said he was hesitant to disclose the

Sunday December 28, 2025

initial sum that was flagged by the auditors. He explained, “The auditors would flag a figure and then it goes back to the company and the company might be able to produce evidence or receipts for everything so it keeps adjusting all the time so it’s no use I give you a figure and then it might raise questions all around.”

The minister at the time urged that the (GRA) be granted a few more days to complete the process with the oil company. “Remember they would give the company time to provide evidence of spending and so,” he said while assuring that the third audit report will be made public on the website upon completion of the ongoing exchanges between Exxon and the (GRA).

AK-47, pistols, ammo seized in Sheriff St. bust The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Sunday arrested one person and seized a quantity of firearm and ammunition during an operation in the vicinity of Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

The CANU officers found one AK-47 rifle bearing serial number A1-72720-20 ROA, along with one magazine containing nineteen (19) 7.62×39mm live rounds, one Glock 17 pistol bearing serial number LVH237 with one magazine containing seven 9mm live rounds and One Taurus pistol bearing serial number AHD901601 with one magazine and no ammunition.

“The suspect was arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters, along with the firearms and ammunition,” CANU said while noting that the person arrested is the holder of a firearm licence for the recovered Glock 17 pistol.

WEDNESDAY Several GRA staff held in massive tax scam Several employees of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)

were arrested in relation to a suspected vehicle tax evasion scheme. This was confirmed by GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia on Tuesday.

Kaieteur News understands that several officers from the Customs and Licensing Departments were detained after investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) visited the GRA headquarters on Camp Street, Georgetown.

It is alleged that the officers were detained in relation to the alleged under-declaration of imported vehicles, including false declarations of engine size, year of manufacture and vehicle value, resulting in significant tax losses in relation to a popular auto dealer.

Guyanese company seeking permit for US$81M deepwater seismic survey Latitude Energy Inc, a Guyanese company has submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct seismic surveys in three

The firearms and ammunition seized by CANU officers.

deepwater oil blocks, offshore Guyana.

The company said it responded to a request for proposals by the government of Guyana (GoG) for Lot 1 seismic surveys, relating to the specific areas.

According to the project summary seen by Kaieteur News, Latitude energy in partnership with Shearwater GeoServices plans to conduct the proposed survey in Blocks D1, D2 and D3.

The maximum 3D seismic activity area is approximately 13,512 square kilometers with an overall working area of 16,857 square kilometers but is subject to change. The water depth in the survey area will range from approximately 2,500-3,500 meters.

The survey site is located in the Atlantic Ocean offshore Guyana within the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The project has a US$81 million budget which includes mobilisation and demobilisation, acquisition, processing and interpretation of the data as well other costs associated, such as a

software license, provision of a Virtual Data room and marketing among others.

The 3D seismic acquisition is estimated to take approximately five and a half months and is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2025, following the acquisition of the necessary permits but is subject to weather conditions.

Following the data collection process, the information will be transferred to a data processing center for interpretation.

The project summary explains, “The purpose of the Project is to acquire and process, 3D marine seismic data to create a high quality geophysical and geological imaging of the subsurface. 3D marine seismic surveys are used in offshore oil and gas exploration to map out the subsurface geology and derisk drilling projects.”

It involves towing an array of cables (streamers) behind the seismic vessel. These streamers contain receivers (hydrophones) that can pick up reflected sound from the sub surface. The vessel tows a sound source that emits a sound wave using compressed air in the water. This sound penetrates the subsurface, reflecting off geological features and being picked up on the streamers. This data that undergoes processing where it can be used to create a 3dimensional map.

The EPA will now vet the application to determine whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required before it grants approval.

Just last week Kaieteur News reported that the regulator ruled out the need for an EIA for 3D seismic activity in shallow waters offshore Guyana.

The planned activity is expected to be conducted over a three-year period, commencing January 1, 2026 to 2028 in three Continued on page 27

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

PAGE 15

Towards a better life with your psychologist

Holidays vs Mental Health Christmas is one of the most celebrated seasons of the year. For others, it is the most depressing season. For some people, the holidays can be a painful period of reflection, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. This pervasive sadness is known informally as holiday depression.

Anyone—even those who love the season—can experience the holiday blues. The season’s demands, gatherings, decorations, and other stressors leave many people stressed and exhausted. Add to this the sometimes-emotional aspect of the loss of a loving one, memories of not having enough to eat or decorating like other friends at Christmas during childhood—the loneliness of the absent parent, sibling, or friend.

Not having people around us can feel more difficult at Christmas, when there are so many images of families and friends together. Even when we have people around us, we might feel lonely.

Then there are those with prior mental health conditions, anxiety, depression, personality disorders and other mental health conditions, who are particularly prone to holiday depression.

The most common symptom of holiday depression is a persistent or recurring feeling of sadness that begins during the holiday season. It can vary in intensity and duration.

Some people might feel down periodically but experience brief periods of relief.

Changes in appetite or weight.

Changes in sleep patterns.

Depressed or irritable mood.

Difficulty concentrating. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Feeling more tired than usual. Feeling tense, worried, or anxious. Loss of pleasure in doing things you used to enjoy.

People might experience holiday depression for many reasons, apart from poor mental health, such as still grieving the loss of a loved one and loneliness.

Lack of sleep. A hectic holiday schedule can lead to sleep deprivation, which increases stress.

Excess eating and alcohol use.

People sometimes turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms to handle holiday sadness and stress.

Excessive drinking and overeating can make the symptoms of holiday depression even more pronounced.

Financial stress. Overextending yourself financially or struggling to afford gifts for family and friends can create additional financial stress.

Isolation: Being unable to spend the holidays with your family and friends can make the holiday season seem especially lonely.

Unrealistic expectations. The commercialisation of holidays can create the expectation of nonstop joy and holiday cheer, leading to holiday stress and sadness.

Rather than a Christmas budget, have a mental health budget. Lowkey decoration and spending to look like the Joneses. But finance vocations, weekends at resorts, and more rest. Gym, dinner dates with

yourself. Catching up with old friends and helping others in need.

Struggling with depression requires that you, not anyone else, take the responsibility to nurture yourself to health. It would be best if you had that sunlight intake daily, between 7 and 9 AM. Spend as much time as you can outdoors in the sun, having lunch, having a friendly conversation, etc.

It will be a struggle, but it is you who has to take responsibility for taking care of yourself and treating yourself with pride, as you would any other person you love.

Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression in adults and an increased risk of developing newonset depression in middle-aged adults. In addition, vitamin D deficiency may also predict sustained symptoms in people who already have depression. In people without depression.

Sufficient sunlight supports a stronger immune system—and weight loss. Better sleep. Better emotional regulation. Better eye health. Better skin. Sunlight is a treatment in itself against disease.

Coping With the Holiday Blues Drink Only in Moderation: Alcohol is a depressant, and drinking too much can exacerbate negative feelings. You do not need to go cold turkey. Instead, limit your consumption and do not use alcohol to deal with or avoid difficult emotions. If you choose to drink, limit yourself to one or two alcoholic drinks at social functions.

Do not Isolate Yourself: Social

isolation can be a significant risk factor for depression, and depression typically makes social interaction difficult. Particularly if you are on your own, reaching out and finding social support can be all the more difficult. Look for ways to enjoy social connections, even if you cannot go home for the holidays. If you are feeling lonely, ask a friend to come over for a heart-to-heart. Join a local club, volunteer for something you believe in, or see a psychologist for support.

Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity can play an important role in preventing and reducing symptoms of depression.

So, although hitting the gym can be tough when you feel stressed, busy, and sad, remember that you do not need to glue yourself to the treadmill or weight machine to feel the benefits. Even a casual activity such as a short walk each day might be enough to keep the holiday blues at bay.

Learn to Say ‘No’: The holidays often mean more people asking for help and making demands on your time and resources. Holiday invites can turn into stressful social obligations. Small favours can morph into massive projects that you did not anticipate. Avoid overcommitting by knowing your limits and learning how to say “no.”

Find Time for Yourself: Make sure you leave enough time to relax.

Even 35 to 60 minutes a day to enjoy some quiet time, read a book, listen to music, take a bath, do yoga,

By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic or engage in another relaxing activity can do wonders for your stress levels. Road trips are a great idea to Linden, Berbice, Essequibo, etc. This opens up many activities and an atmosphere to enjoy the holidays.

Set Realistic Expectations: It is fine to be excited about the holidays and to make plans for what you want to do. However, it is also important to keep your expectations realistic and reachable.

Holidays change just as people change. Kids grow older, people move, and new people will become a part of your life. The key is to focus on those connections. Focus on enjoying the experience and the time you get to spend with your loved ones rather than on achieving a picture-perfect result or material things.

Perhaps your family does not need decorated Christmas or gift exchanges, but rather family therapy to stop and heal generational trauma strangling old and new family members.

Happy Holidays, beautiful people.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Sunday December 28, 2025

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

Preparing Our Children for a Digital CXC, Readiness, Access, and Responsibility For many parents, the announcement that the Caribbean Examinations Council plans to move examinations fully online may feel sudden.

It is not. As far back as 2017, CXC began e-testing with CSEC multiple choice exams across several

Caribbean countries, reporting smooth administration and positive feedback from students, invigilators, and education officials. At the time, the Council made a simple but important point. If students are learning in one environment and tested in

another, we are setting them up to struggle for reasons that have nothing to do with subject knowledge.

That reality matters even m o r e t o d a y. D i g i t a l examinations change the experience of test-taking itself. Students who are comfortable navigating

screens, scrolling, clicking, flagging questions, managing on-screen timers, and typing responses are able to focus their mental energy on the questions being asked. Those who are not must divide attention between content and mechanics. That cognitive

load matters. Practising on digital platforms builds familiarity and fluency. It reduces anxiety. It helps students trust the process so they can demonstrate what they actually know.

This is where parents can act now. I would strongly encourage parents of 10th and 11th grade students to ensure their children are registered on the g o v e r n m e n t ’s d i g i t a l learning platform which is a relevant library of resources.

This platform should not be considered an optional addon. They are part of how students are increasingly expected to learn, revise, and interact w ith content.

Regular use helps students become comfortable navigating lessons, assessments, and digital tools long before exam day.

Parents should also look beyond revision alone and think about digital fluency as a skill in its own right.

Platforms like Pathway Online Academy allow students from Grades 1 to 10 to reinforce the Ministry of Education curriculum in Math, English, Science, and Social Studies while working entirely online.

Students are not only strengthening subject knowledge.

They are learning how to read instructions on screen, complete online quizzes, develop subject mastery, manage digital tasks, submit work online, and move confidently through structured digital environments. That fluency gives them a significant advantage when assessments move online.

But any discussion of digital exams in Guyana must confront access honestly. Not all students have reliable devices, stable internet, or consistent electricity. Indigenous communities, rural villages, and under resourced coastal areas face challenges that go far beyond motivation or effort. In some communities, power outages are routine. In others, bandwidth fluctuates or drops altogether. A move to digital exams that does not account for these realities, risks widening existing inequities rather than modernising assessment.

This is where

government responsibility becomes unavoidable. On test day, the burden cannot be placed on families to solve systemic problems.

Are there enough examination centres equipped with functioning computers that meet technical requirements? Is there sufficient bandwidth to support hundreds of students testing simultaneously w i t h o u t l a g o r disconnections? Is there onsite technical support that can respond immediately if systems fail? What contingency plans exist for electricity interruptions or network outages, especially outside Georgetown? These are operational questions that determine whether a digital exam system is fair or flawed.

CXC’s early e-testing framework made clear that secure browsers, proper system setup, trained supervisors, and clear procedures for internet interruptions are essential to maintaining exam integrity and protecting student work.

Those safeguards only function if infrastructure and staffing are in place. The promise of digital testing depends not just on software, but on preparation, coordination, and investment at the national level.

The shift to fully digital examinations is not inherently a problem. In many ways, it is overdue.

Technology is already how students learn, research, communicate, and increasingly how they will work. Aligning assessment with that reality makes sense. But progress must be deliberate. Parents must prepare children early and consistently. Schools must integrate digital practice into everyday learning. And government must ensure that no child’s results are compromised by circumstances beyond their control.

Digital exams should measure knowledge and skill, not access to electricity or familiarity with a mouse.

If we get this right, the transition can strengthen learning and fairness. If we do not, we risk leaving too many capable students behind.

Kaieteur News

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Govt. to rollout aggressive programme to help Guyanese upgrade, complete homes Commencing 2026, the government of Guyana (GoG) will be rolling out an aggressive program that targets Guyanese in need of assistance to upgrade or rehabilitate their homes.

This was revealed by the Minister of Housing, Collin Croal during a live broadcast on Saturday, where he elaborated on the government's housing plan for the next five years.

Croal explained that beyond the construction of homes and allocation of lands, the government is committed to expanding its work programme to aid in upgrading the homes of Guyanese who qualify.

“Of course, we conduct assessments, we investigate these things so the criteria will obviously be set out but you will find an aggressive programme towards ensuring we assist persons for a home upgrade, assist persons for completion of their home construction, that will be done in a major, major way commencing from the next budget and we are very happy for this.”

He said that during community outreaches across the country where titles are distributed or other

activities are conducted requests are usually made for assistance to complete homes. “You have said “hey I have my ability; I just need a little assistance.” I am unable to complete my home or maybe I need an assistance to build the step, complete the windows, complete a wall, assist in maybe to change a leaking roof and that will be determined by your ability,” the minister pointed out.

Croal noted that the government has received numerous requests in this regard, some of which have been channeled to the President's Men on Mission (MOM) initiative which also conducts an assessment of the situation and financial hindrances to completing housing projects.

In highlighting the importance of the housing sector, Croal noted, “The housing programme you will recognise continues to remain a pillar of economic empowerment and this has always been so...the housing programme is a priority.”

The minister also outlined plans to clear the backlog of house lot applications. He said that over the last five years more

than 53,000 house lots were allocated; however over 78,000 applications are still pending with Region Four being the largest bloc.

“We are committing therefore that we will clear the backlog for all of the regions except we will be unable to complete for R e g i o n F o u r, ” C r o a l clarified.

He explained that over 52,000 applications of the 78,000 currently in the system are for lots in Region Four as it remains the hub for jobs and other economic activities.

Given the demand, the housing minister assured that government will continue to work with partners such as the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and MMA to address the backlog.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, C r o a l noted that there will be a renewed focus on the construction of houses.

According to him, (GoG) is aiming to construct at least 40,000 during the next five years, or an average 8,000

'Doggie' stabbed to death by reputed wife A Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo man was on Thursday stabbed to death by his reputed wife. The victim has been identified as Gavin Linden Melville called 'Doggie'.

The incident occurred at about 01:15h.

Preliminary investigations suggest that Melville and the 48-year-old woman resided together at their Tuschen Phase 2, East Bank Essequibo home.

The duo reportedly had an altercation after returning home from an event. During the altercation, Melville was reportedly stabbed in the neck. “Upon arrival on the

scene, police ranks observed the victim lying motionless in the living room. He was escorted to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty," police said.

The man's body was taken to Ezekiel Funeral Parlour where it awaits a postmortem examination.Melville's reputed wife was arrested and taken to the De Kinderen Regional Hospital where she was examined and sent away.

She remains in police custody assisting with investigations.

Stanleytown pensioner stabbed to death arrived in Guyana, was found lying in the …two arrested appeared upper flat of his residence with what to be multiple stab wounds.”

Two persons have been arrested in connection with the death of Athlone Goring, of Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Goring, 75, was found in his home with multiple stab wounds at around 05:40h on Friday.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement said, "Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim, who had recently

Goring was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was then taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.

Several persons were questioned in relation to the matter as investigations continue. Police are also reviewing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in a bid to discover who committed the heinous crime.

homes annually.

Already, the minister said expressions of interest was sought for the construction activities which attracted an overwhelming response; some 268 responses including companies and individuals

to construct modular houses.

In addition, he noted that the ministry is also aiming to construct low income, moderate, middle and high income or young professionals' homes. He was keen to point out that the demand for young

professional homes have increased over the years, which is evident of persons now earning more.

Croal also revealed that the government's steel and cement initiative will also continue. This has cost over $750M since its conception.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday Monday December May28, 02,2025 2022

President Ali shares Christmas joy with Dharm Shala residents

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali speaks at the Dharm Shala (DPI) DPI - Elderly citizens president has visited the and vulnerable residents at c o u n t r y ' s o l d e s t t h e D h a r m S h a l a i n humanitarian charity on Albouystown, Georgetown, Christmas Day. The president was joined were overjoyed to be served lunch on Thursday by by Minister within the President Dr. Mohamed M i n i s t r y o f H o u s i n g , Irfaan Ali. This is the sixth Vanessa Benn.

The Dharm Shala consecutive year that the

The decomposed body of a man was found in a barrel on Thursday at the Le R e p e n t i r C e m e t e r y, Georgetown.Police have since launched an investigation into the man's death. Reports are that the man is of African descent.

"Ranks responded to a 911 report and subsequently

located the body inside a barrel within the cemetery.

The scene was processed by investigators and the body was later removed by undertakers and taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home," police said.

Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) are being reviewed.

Armed, masked gunmen cart off with raw gold from Cuyuni mining camp Three armed, masked men dressed in camouflage attire carted off with an undisclosed amount of raw gold from a mining camp located at 68 Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven on Friday.

During the armed robbery several persons, including a 58-year-old Brazilian national, were injured.

According to a statement from the police, the incident occurred between 08:30hrs and 11:00hrs.

Police said that the information received so far "indicates that three masked English, Portuguese and Spanish speaking males, dressed in camouflage and armed with firearms arrived at the mining camp and held the workers at gunpoint before escaping with an undisclosed quantity of raw gold."Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were dispatched to the location to investigate the robbery.

Efforts are ongoing to locate the suspects.

(“Home of Benevolence for all Races”) continues to serve as a haven for those in need, and President Ali has pledged the government's continuous support through the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative, a brainchild of his.

“We can support some of the maintenance work that you have on the building here and in Berbice,” he told the management and staff of the charity.

“We know how expensive it is. If we have to get the material to you [through] the Men on Mission programme, [we] will work with you on some of that maintenance programme.”

Describing the organisation as a place of hope and compassion, President Ali reminded residents that they are valued members of society, “A very important aspect of the Christmas story is a story of community; various communities coming together to acknowledge this symbol of hope, of togetherness, of love, of faith and as is demonstrated by this home,” he said.

The head of state pledged his government's support in the new year and c o m m e n d e d t h e management for their consistent and passionate support for the vulnerable.

In his first term as president, President Ali has made his annual lunch visit to the Dharm Shala into a tradition, affirming his commitment to his 'One Guyana' vision.

The government has donated over $3 million in monetary aid to the Charity, which was established over a hundred years ago.

Residents were treated to a variety of food and drinks, accompanied by musical entertainment reflecting the merriment of the Christmas season.

President Ali distributed toys to the children in Albouystown to spread joy this season.

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Sugar export drops by US$3.6M tonnes despite price increased by US$0.4 for 2025 - BoG Half Year Report

S

ugar exports for the first half of 2025 dropped by US$3.6M or 4.063 metric tonnes, in spite of the price increasing by US$0.4. This is according to the Bank of Guyana’s (BoG) Half Year Report.

The report said that the export earnings for the time frame in question, amounted to US$3.6M which is 47.2 percent or US$3.2 million below what was earned for the same period ending June 2024.

“This outturn was attributed to a 47.2 percent decline in the volume of sugar exported despite a 0.1 percent increase in the average price for the commodity. The volume of sugar exported amounted to 4,533 metric tonnes or 4,063

metric tonnes less than the recorded export for the same period in 2024,” the report said.

The CARICOM region was responsible for 95.9 percent of total sugar exports, in comparison to 25.8 percent last year.

Additionally, the United States of America (USA) under the USA Bagged accounted for 0.6 percent.

Even though the average export price saw an increase of 0.1 percent which translates to US$0.4 taking prices to US$784.77 per metric tonne, when compared with US$784.37 per metric tonne at the end June 2024, overall exports for the first six months were lower than last year.

Kaieteur News on November 6 reported from

the Mid-Year Report that during the first six months of 2025, the sugar growing industry is estimated to have expanded by 136.7 percent when compared with the first half last year.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) produced 15,954 tonnes of sugar in the first crop of this year, compared with only 6,739 tonnes during the same period in 2024.

The report said heavy rainfall, labour shortages and cane quality affected further expansion from occurring.

Meanwhile, government noted that it is still targeting an overall production of approximately 101,000 tonnes of sugar for 2025, with the second crop being traditionally the larger of the

two crops.

Kaieteur News also reported that A Partnership f o r N a t i o n a l U n i t y ’s (APNU) Shadow Minister of Agriculture and APNU MP Vinceroy Jordan dismissed the government’s claims that Guyana’s sugar industry grew by over 100%, calling the PPP/C’s [People’s Progressive Party Civic] 2025 Mid-Year Report “misleading propaganda.”

The report claims sugar production expanded 136.7% compared to the first

half of 2024, but Jordan says the figures are misleading, based on comparisons with failed targets and ignoring ongoing shortfalls.

According to him, GuySuCo fell short of its 2024 and 2025 targets, producing just 47,103 tonnes in 2024 against a goal of 63,276 tonnes, despite over $45 billion in taxpayer subsidies since 2020.

Even with $13.3 billion in additional 2025 funding, first crop results continue the declining trend, leaving the

government’s ambitious modernisation promises unfulfilled.

Factories remain inefficient, workers demoralised, and targets m i s s e d y e t , n o accountability has been enforced, the APNU said.

Jordan warned, “The PPP must stop using GuySuCo as a political tool.

Sugar workers and taxpayers deserve honesty, efficiency, and leadership — not empty speeches and broken promises.”

Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 28, 2025

Contemplating human nature in still life paintings “When I feel the need to paint, I think about a story I want to explore, and set up my still life accordingly. My paintings leave space for viewers to explore their own feelings and identity.” – Edwards

I

nspired by the emotional introspection of Frida Kahlo’s work and the intensity of Willem Claesz’s still life paintings, twenty-nine-year-old Joanna Edwards uses oil paint to explore the quiet beauty and symbolism found in everyday objects.

“My work often features arrangements of fruits, draped fabric, glassware, and ceramics - each chosen for their texture, form, and reflective qualities. These objects serve not only as visual elements but also as metaphors for emotion, consciousness, and introspection.

Through careful composition and brushwork, I invite viewers to pause and reflect on deeper social and spiritual themes.”

Edwards specializes in

Joanna Edwards impressionist still life oil paintings that reflect her introspective nature and Christian identity. Reminiscent of 17th century vanitas, a genre of Dutch still-life paintings that feature symbolic objects often attempting to convey ideas of morality and spirituality, Edwards’ work quietly wrestles with ideas of duality; equally epic and understated battles between flesh and spirit, all in a modern, Guyanese context.

In her own words Edwards says, “I am currently interested in how inanimate objects speak. My goal is

to use objects as symbols and metaphors for human experiences. I take pride in collecting objects like glass jars and bottles, ceramic ware, and fabric, and setting them up into unique compositions. I use fruits and flowers in my paintings. I find that the way fruit and flowers are cut or damaged or freshly picked informs the direction of the painting. I get to use them, along with the non-perishables, to tell stories of identity, or to express intense emotions and ideas. The transparency of glass reminds me of

things otherworldly, like spirits, but can also represent invisibility and loss, depending on the context.

When I arrange my objects, I consider texture, colour, and lighting. I think about how a shiny new object can change a painting’s narrative once it is placed beside rotting fruit.”

Edwards currently teaches Visual Art at President’s College. She is also pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Art degree at the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, and is scheduled to graduate in September 2026.

Time and Consciousness, oil on canvas, 2ft x 3ft

Self-portrait, oil on plywood, 16 x 20 inches

Detail of Fruit and Spirit, oil on plywood, 2ft x 5ft

Acceptance and Surrender, oil on canvas, 2ft x 3ft

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Sunday December 28, 2025

Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. spreads Christmas cheer to 100 residents in Region Six H

umanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. spread Christmas cheer and provided needed relief to some 100 residents across Region Six on C h r i s t m a s D a y. T h e b o d y distributed food hampers and essential supplies to senior citizens and persons living with disabilities—despite persistent rainfall and challenging conditions.

Through the generosity of local and international donors, the outreach reached some of the most marginalised individuals in the region, many of whom are confined to their homes due to severe medical conditions, including stroke-related complications, amputations, blindness, and other chronic illnesses.

“For some, daily survival depends entirely on caregivers, while others endure the painful reality of family abandonment and limited access to necessities.

These are men and women who were once the building blocks of our families and our nation.

Sugrim appealed to families and communities to Honor and care for their parents and elders, urging that they are not abandoned in their time of greatest need and old age,” a press release from the entity said.

Suresh Sugrim, U.S.-based Guyanese and lead organiser of Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. said, “As we celebrate this season, we are reminded that the true essence of Christmas is not found beneath a tree, but in the love, we share and the hands we extend to those in desperate need.”

Reflecting on the outreach, Sugrim described the experience as deeply sobering, noting that it was among the most heartbreaking realities he has witnessed in over twenty years of humanitarian work in Guyana. He cited the widespread neglect and abandonment of bedridden individuals, senior

Three of Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc.’s volunteers

citizens, and other vulnerable persons by family members as a painful and growing concern.

Sugrim, along with volunteers from Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc., personally visited each beneficiary in their homes, delivering food hampers, diapers, and other essential items.

Beyond material assistance, these visits provided emotional comfort, human connection, and reassurance—an invaluable gift to individuals who often experience isolation and neglect. The outreach also gave volunteers firsthand insight into the daily struggles faced by shut-in seniors and persons living with disabilities, underscoring the urgent need for sustained community support and intervention.

While Christmas Day is traditionally reserved for family gatherings and celebration, the volunteers chose service over comfort, ensuring that no one was forgotten during the festive season.

Despite the difficulty of locating

some homes in remote areas, the team remained committed.

“It was very challenging to find each home, but we wanted to spend Christmas with those who are not as fortunate as we are,” Sugrim shared. For many recipients, the simple act of being seen, heard, and cared for restored a sense of dignity, belonging, and hope.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Sugrim, who also serves as a board member and spokesperson of Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc., emphasised the deeper purpose behind the initiative.

“This outreach represents more than the distribution of food and supplies. It is about restoring dignity, offering compassion, and reminding our seniors and persons living with disabilities that they are not forgotten. Our mission is rooted in service, inclusion, and love—especially for those who need it most,” he stated.

The initiative also sought to address the emotional toll of

loneliness that often intensifies during the holiday season. Through kind words, attentive presence, and genuine compassion, volunteers delivered a clear and powerful message: these individual’s matter.

They are valued members of society—men and women who were once the foundation of families and contributors to the nation.

“Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. extends heartfelt gratitude to all donors whose generosity made this initiative possible. Special appreciation is expressed to Dr. Bobby Ramroop and New GPC Inc., Dr. Mohin Persaud and Nand Persaud Company Limited, and Mr. Frank A. Sanichara of Suri Trading for their continued and unwavering

support. The organisation also acknowledges its Canadian and American donors, whose contributions played a vital role in ensuring that 100 individuals received not only essential assistance on Christmas Day, but also warmth, love, and care.”

Additionally, the entity thanked its volunteers whose selfless service, compassion, and commitment truly embodied the spirit of Christmas.

“Their efforts ensured that the outreach was conducted with respect, dignity, and efficiency,” the press release said while noting that Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. remains steadfast in its mission to serve vulnerable populations and to advocate for dignity, inclusion, and community support.

Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. calls on families, communities, corporate partners, and policymakers to join in protecting and caring for the nation’s most vulnerable.

“The organisation urges citizens to check on their elderly relatives, support persons living with disabilities, and take collective responsibility for ensuring that no one is left behind due to neglect or abandonment. As the need extends far beyond the Christmas season, Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc. invites individuals and organisations to stand together in compassion, strengthen community support systems, and help build a society where dignity, care, and humanity are extended to all, especially those who once gave so much and now need us most,” the statement said.

Some of the food hampers that were distributed

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

Sunday December 28, 2025

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

From page 14 sites, measuring a total of 25,604.78 square kilometers.

The GoG recently concluded its maiden bid round for 14 offshore oil blocks but only eight attracted bidders. In the absence of seismic information government said the response was favourable. It nonetheless indicated its intention to pursue seismic activity to further increase the attractiveness of the Guyana basin.

PAGE 27

A visual representation of seismic activity.

(Source: EPA Project Summary)

THURSDAY $8.4B for Oil Giants, $2.6B for Guyana ...as PSA profit split comes under fire ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC raked in US$8.4 billion in profits from Guyana’s Stabroek Block in 2024, while Guyana—entitled to a 50 percent share—received just US$2.6 billion, raising renewed concerns about how profits are calculated under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

While one may argue that this key detail is public knowledgeGuyana gains 50% profit after the operator deducts 75% for cost recovery- and 2% royalty from gross production, the Stabroek Block partners have been pocketing massive profits from the deal while the country which owns the resource sees paltry returns.

Exxon, a 45% shareholder in the block reported a profit of US$4,738,784,812 for the year ending December 2024. Financial statements for Hess, the 30% shareholder, shows the company earned US$3,145,029,074 while CNOOC with the remaining 25% share bagged US$530,737,000 during the same period. This means that the partners together pocketed a massive US$8,414,550,886 for the year 2024. Notably, Guyana should be receiving 50% of the profits from the Stabroek Block, or half of the revenue from crude sales in accordance with the provisions of the 2016 PSA. However, Guyana received just about a quarter of the US$8.4B that the Stabroek Block partners gained from the deal.

Deposits into the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) in 2024 totalled just about US$2.6B raising questions about the method of calculation for profits under the contract.

During a media conference earlier this year, EMGL’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling sought to lay concerns to rest about Guyana not being paid its fair share under the agreement. In response to a question from Kaieteur News regarding the huge disparity in the figure, Colling provided an answer which fueled further speculation about the arrangement.

He said that the company’s reporting mechanism includes cost

r e c o v e r y, o r t h e m o n e y t h e companies deducted for its investment in the block. Be that as it may, this explanation too could not solve the equation, as cost recovery for the year 2024 was over US$13B according to information in the 2024 Bank of Guyana Annual Report. According to Colling, “The accounting under IFRS is different than accounting under the Petroleum Agreement which governs the financial activities for the block. So, under the petroleum agreement costs are recovered by ExxonMobil Guyana and its partners and then profits are split 50/50. ExxonMobil Guyana, as I mentioned previously is G$700B in the red in terms of what we’ve invested versus what we have received to date so when you look at the IFRS financial statements, certainly you will see a big accounting profit but that’s really just an accounting profit.”

He continued, “In fact, a significant component of the revenues which have been achieved have gone to pay back- recovery oil. So, it’s really that residual profit oil that’s split 50/50 with the government and as we move forward into the future, once all of those development costs have been recovered, a larger component of the revenues will be available forprofit oil for splitting between ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and its partners and the government of Guyana.”

The Business Services Manager was keen to note that the overall size of the revenue will increase overtime as production grows in the Stabroek Block. Furthermore, he highlighted that revenue flow to the government has steadily increased over the years, even as the country is poised to receive US$10B annually, by the end of the decade, after costs have been recovered.

Kaieteur Block faces abandonment …as Ratio warns of extension approval deadlock Ratio Petroleum Energy has

disclosed that the Kaieteur Block could be abandoned if required extensions and approvals are not granted by the Government of Guyana.

This is according to a December 1 disclosure filed with Israel’s Securities Authority and Stock

Exchange.

In the notice, Ratio said partners in the 3.3-million-acre offshore block were asked in December 2025 to indicate whether they intend to make an additional investment or abandon the acreage.

The company noted that any

decision to continue operations depends on conditions set by the Government of Guyana and determinations by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“As stated in section 1.1.2.2 of Chapter A of the Periodic Report, a partner that does not receive an extension during the extension period in order to make an additional investment in the Block is required to submit a request for extension as soon as possible, which request must be accepted and approved by the Government in order to allow continued operations in the Block.

If such an extension is not obtained, the partnership will be required to abandon the Block.

Furthermore, after the expiration of the extension period, a partner that does not receive approval to demand the return of the Block will be required to abandon the Block. It is further clarified that any partner that does not find a suitable partner will be required to act in accordance with Continued on page 28

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Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

From page 27 the conditions of the law, inter alia, to examine the possibility of abandoning the Block or part thereof, subject to additional sections, including section 1.1.2.2 of Chapter A of the Periodic Report,” the company said according to unofficial translation.

A few months ago, Ratio Guyana Limited (RGL), notified the government of the portion of the block it is prepared to relinquish while continuing its search for a new partner.

Ratio had submitted a request for an extension of the exploration period. Before this, former operator ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) had sought an extension citing the Coronavirus pandemic. After Exxon and its partner Hess withdrew, Ratio applied for another extension on similar grounds. Under the Kaieteur Petroleum Agreement, when applying to enter the second extension period, RGL and Cataleya Energy Limited (CEL) were required to commit to drilling a well before relinquishing 20 percent of the block, or, if preferred, the entire contracted area.

Ratio had been seeking to bring in another partner or several, with the intention of one becoming operator and leading future drilling. The company said it had contacted

EMGL Business Services Manager, John Colling numerous energy companies since Exxon’s exit, and while several expressed initial interest and reviewed data, all ultimately declined because of geological risks and challenges related to achieving a commercial discovery.

Ratio had previously stated that if no partner is found who can serve as an operator and conduct drilling in the block, and if no further extension is granted for the decision deadline, it will find it difficult to make a decision to proceed and commit to drilling. The agreement for the Kaieteur Block was signed in 2017, under the condition that the oil companies were only allowed to conduct oil exploration in 40 per cent of the block, to steer clear of aggressive tactics from Venezuela. A 3D seismic survey acquired for the southern portion of the block covered 5,750km2 and provided the foundation for a significant prospect inventory on the block.

Notably, a single prospect has been drilled to date, which resulted in a sub-commercial oil discovery. The ExxonMobiloperated Tanager-1 well, which was drilled in August 2020, encountered 16 metres of net oil pay, a discovery of approximately 65 million barrels of oil in the prospect area, based on independent estimates by Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc. (NSAI). However, this discovery was considered to be non-commercial as a standalone development. In spite of a number of postponements, ExxonMobil had decided not to exercise its option to drill a second well on the block and subsequently pulled out from the Kaieteur Block.

Sunday December 28, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

From where I stand... Guyana has

outgrown the “growth” argument

By Janelle A. N Persaud

I

had already begun working on a column about inequality; prompted by the release of the latest World Inequality Report, when the President addressed the nation on his government's “policy agenda for economic and social transformation”.

So, I listened with the intent to understand whether Guyana's remarkable growth story is now being matched by a serious strategy for socioeconomic development.

I can't sugar coat this; it was a hard listen. I settled for the transcript instead.

The global evidence is clear. Across regions, rapid growth does not automatically reduce inequality. In fact, growth can widen the gap between those already positioned to benefit and those who are not, if deliberate interventions are not made.

Guyana, despite its unique scale and speed of expansion, is not immune to this pattern.

And so, our challenge is whether this unprecedented growth is being intentionally converted into dignity; through distribution, capacity, and inclusion particularly for those the market alone will never reach.

This is not intended to be a dismissal of the measures currently being rolled out or the ones the president announced.

Many of them are useful and, I'm sure for some households, they are genuinely life-improving.

My concern is whether these plans are capable of reducing inequality, or merely softens its sharpest edges. I vote the latter.

First, the President's address reflected an awareness of the pressures Guyanese are facing: wages, cost of living, opportunity, security.

The language echoed what many people say e v e r y d a y, e s p e c i a l l y online. The address was framed as a national socioeconomic plan.

However, plans are more than statements of intent. They set out pathways, trade-offs, timelines, and measures by which progress can be assessed. Unless, these are published elsewhere, what we heard was a compelling articulation of direction, but far less clarity on how that direction will be operationalised.

On capacity, free education and expanded access are important achievements, and they d e s e r v e t o b e a c k n o w l e d g e d , commended even.

The GOAL scholarship programme has opened doors for many who would never otherwise have accessed tertiary education. Free tuition at the University of Guyana, alongside expanded technical and vocational training, signals an understanding that human capital matters. These are not small things.

But access without quality, labour-market alignment, and decent wages does not guarantee mobility. Education cannot be asked to carry the burden of inequality alone.

A university degree that leads to low-wage, insecure work in a highinflation economy does little to alter life chances, no matter how proudly or passionately it is framed.

More fundamentally, we have to confront who is actually able to reach these opportunities in the first place. Published enrolment or indeed literacy rates mean very little to me when I have engaged far too m a n y c h i l d r e n a cross communities, who sadly still cannot read at grade level.

Literacy remains a quiet crisis in this country.

And without early intervention, no amount of free university education can compensate for a weak foundation.

This is where reform becomes urgent. Our education system continues to produce skills for an economy we should have no business holding on to, structured around inherited colonial logics that were never designed to n u r t u r e c r e a t i v i t y, adaptability, or independent thinking.

We renovate the system, but we rarely reimagine it.

We add limited technology, b u t w e d o n o t fundamentally change how children are taught, what they are taught, or why.

If we are serious about capacity-building, then the work must begin earlier and run deeper: literacy, teacher training, curriculum reform, and a clearer connection between education, industry, and wages.

Otherwise, education becomes another promise that sounds transformative in speeches but leaves inequality intact in practice.

The same applies to financial l i t e r a c y a n d access to credit.

K n o w l e d g e a n d opportunity matter, but they cannot substitute for income security, buffers, and time. You cannot budget your way out of structural precarity. For those earning barely enough to survive, the tools of accumulation remain theoretical, no matter how well explained.

Wage growth illustrates this tension most sharply.

Adjustments to income thresholds may offer marginal relief, but when wages are already compressed and inflation continues to erode purchasing power, such

Motorcycle bandits snatch clerk's backpack at Providence

S

ix motorcycle bandits snatched a b a c k p a c k containing a cell phone and money from a bond clerk at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Friday night, police said.

According to a police

statement, “the victim was walking toward her home when she was approached by three motorcycles carrying six males, when one of the pillion riders reportedly snatched her bag containing a cellphone and a sum of Guyana Currency,

after which they made good their escape."

The incident occurred at about 20:05h at Red Road, Providence, EBD. Police are reviewing Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) in the area with the hope of securing leads.

changes are symbolic than they ever will be transformative.

An extra few thousand dollars a month cannot meaningfully shift lives where most income is already consumed by basic survival. This is especially true for low-wage public and private-sector workers, whose earnings often fall far below what is required for a dignified life.

I do not question the intention behind these commitments. But as a citizen, I am left without a clear sense of the plan itself: how will it be measured? And how will it change the everyday reality of those earning the least in this economy?

Aspirations are all well and good. Aspire away!

G o v e r n i n g h o w e v e r, requires aspirations AND structure.

If inequality is to be reduced, the state cannot rely on growth and universality alone. It must intervene intentionally;

By Janelle Persaud

differentiating by need and correcting structural disadvantages. Markets reward those already positioned to participate.

A friend asked recently whether “the government must do everything”. The answer is no. A government alone does not make a society. Families, churches, businesses, community organisations, and individuals all have roles to play. But when it comes to i n e q u a l i t y, t h e r e a r e corrections only the state can make.

The role of the state is to ensure that participation itself becomes possible in the first place.

Civil society can support, innovate, and

respond. NGOs can fill gaps. Churches can provide care and grounding. Businesses can create opportunity. But without a clear, evidencebased framework that is grounded in needs assessments, data, and longterm coordination, from the state, these efforts remain fragmented. They work in silos, often duplicating or missing the people who need them most.

Guyana has proven that it can grow.

From where I stand, the real test now is whether we are willing to govern that growth with intention or continue mistaking m o m e n t u m f o r transformation.

PAGE 30

Sunday December 28, 2025

Santa's Last Delivery of the Year “I should've said sorry,” he whispered.

“But now it feels too late.”

That night, just as Leo was drifting to sleep, he heard a soft jingle-jingle outside his window.

He peeked out and gasped.

Santa's sleigh rested gently in the snow.

Santa knocked quietly and stepped inside. “Hello, Leo,” he said with a warm smile.

Leo's eyes grew wide. “But… Christmas is over.” Santa chuckled. “That's true. But the year isn't.”

Santa reached into his sack and pulled out something small. Not a toy. Not a box.

It was an envelope.

On it were the words: One Last Chance Before the New Year “This,” Santa said gently, “is my final delivery of the year. Inside is a chance to fix something that matters.”

Leo opened the envelope. Inside was a simple note: Say what your heart knows is right.

Leo swallowed. “It's about Mason, isn't it?” Santa nodded. “Sometimes the most important gifts aren't things. They're words.

And courage.”

“But what if he's still mad?” Leo asked.

Santa smiled. “Then you'll still have done the right thing.”

The next morning, Leo put on his coat and walked to Mason's house. His heart thumped loudly as he knocked.

Mason opened the door.

“I'm sorry,” Leo said quickly.

“I shouldn't have yelled. I miss being friends.”

For a moment, Mason said nothing. Then his face softened.

“I'm sorry too,” he said. “I didn't like being mad.”

They smiled.

Just like that, the heavy feeling in Leo's chest

by Uncle Roy disappeared.

That night, high above the Christmas time has come and gone, town, Santa checked his list one With much fun and happiness; last time and smiled.

“Delivery complete,” he Now we prepare for the New Year, whispered.

And we have to get a little serious.

As the New Year approached, Evergreen Hollow felt a little We have to think of different ways brighter — not because of To make ourselves better, fireworks or clocks, but because To do our best in everything, one small mistake had been fixed before the year ended.

To make our lives become greater.

And Santa?

He headed home, knowing We will need to help more at home, that sometimes the greatest magic And work to improve at our lessons, happens after Christmas — when But most of all we have to try hearts are brave enough to make To make ourselves better persons. things right.

THE END

Christmas morning had already passed, and the town of Evergreen Hollow was quiet again. Wrapping paper was gone, toys were being played with, and twinkling lights still glowed softly in the windows.

Up at the North Pole, Santa was doing something unusual.

He was still checking his list. Mrs. Claus looked over his shoulder. “Santa, Christmas is over. Everyone has their presents.”

Santa nodded, but his brow was wrinkled.

“Almost everyone,” he said softly. “But there's one thing left to deliver.”

The elves gathered around. “Another toy?” one asked.

Santa shook his head. “No. This delivery isn't wrapped in paper. It's wrapped in time.”

With that, Santa climbed into his sleigh, and the reindeer lifted off for one last flight of the year. Down in Evergreen Hollow lived a boy named Leo. He was seven years old and usually very kind — but this Christmas, something felt wrong.

A few days before Christmas, Leo had argued with his best friend, Mason. They had both wanted the same toy train at school.

Harsh words were said. Feelings were hurt.

And on Christmas Day, instead of laughing together, they stayed apart.

Now it was December 28th, and Leo sat on his bed staring at the ceiling.

Prepare for the New Year

Santa Stuck in the Chimney Toilet Roll Craft -By In The Playroom December 12, 2023Materials: Toilet paper rolls Red and black construction paper White and pink craft paper Cotton balls or white pom-poms Glue stick Scissors Black marker Scissors Instructions: 1. The Chimney Base: Wrap a toilet paper roll with red construction paper and glue it into place. Draw black lines to create the brick effect, using a black sharpie or marker.

2. Head first Santa: Cut out two strips of red construction paper or cardstock for the legs and add a round black boot shape for the end of each one. Glue the boots to the bottom of the legs and add a white patch of fur to the top of each boot, then attach them to the inside of the roll, so they dangle out, facing upwards.

3. Cut another red shape for Santa's sack,

and make a little fold at the top. Using this fold, attach the sack to the inside of the chimney, so it's dangling out over the side.

4. Feet First Santa: For the Santa who is stuck feet first, we are just going to see his iconic hat popping out over the top. Cut out a tall triangle Santa hat shape from red paper, and add the white fur to the bottom.

5. We are going to make a couple of folds to give his hat some shape, then glue a white circle on the end of the hat for his pom pom (you can use white card or add a real white pom pom) 6. Attach this hat to another piece of cardboard, where you can draw a Santa face, and then tuck it inside the Chimney (attach with tape or glue) 7. Draw his mittens on red paper, cut out, attach white strips and glue them to the sides, popping out of the chimney.

8. Jolly Details: Use a white paper circle or a real pom-pom for the trim of Santa's hat and the top, and use a black marker to add any additional details like the eyes or buttons.

PLANNING FOR

New Year's Resolutions

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

PAGE 31

Make sure you have included the most beneficial resolutions in your New Year list

I

expect that most people have by now decided, and started working with, the resolutions you have chosen to improve your life in this new year. Anyway, here are some suggestions that you may well consider for adding to those: 1. Start eating healthier food, and less food overall: Along with exercise, switching to a healthier diet is essential for achieving your best physical condition. This can be very tricky when we are surrounded by cheap junk food.

However, with a good amount of determination and some basic tips, you can slowly develop healthier eating habits. Learn to control eating just because you like fast food, and choose a diet that is good for your health.

2. Watch less TV: The average person wastes a lot of time in front of the TV, time that could have been better spent developing skills, learning or

keeping your body active. Once you manage to cut down on TV time, you will realise just how long and productive a day can really be.

3. Read more: Books are an excellent way to gain a lot of knowledge on a huge variety of topics, and are also a great exercise for your brain. It's not that difficult to go through 20 or more books in a year – you only need to make it a habit, discover your type of books and find a bit of time for reading regularly, if not daily.

4. Become tidier: There are a lot of slobs out there who cannot really get their stuff organised, and a cluttered desk or chaotic home will negatively affect your productivity and even your mood. It therefore helps to clear the clutter, clean your house and lead a tidier and consequently a more organised life.

5. Pick up useful skills or fun hobbies: Just sitting around all day

would not get you anywhere. It is much better to use your free time in a constructive manner and pick up new skills, while having fun at the same time. The Future-You will be glad that you did. Apart from your present interests, make an attempt to learn new skills and hobbies in a short time.

6. Manage your time more efficiently: It does not matter how much time you have on your hands - if you can't manage it properly, you will just spend most of the day running around aimlessly. When you start and go through each day in an organized manner, there will suddenly be more time to spare and things will start falling into place. Make it a habit, and you will have more time to do what is important, as well as enjoy your newly found leisure-time.

Try these tips in the coming months, and you will reap immense benefits towards fulfilling your other New Year resolutions.

TO ALL Another year has come to a close, We can forget our past troubles and woes; For many, that year was hard and tough, It brought many emotions, tearful and rough.

Now another year is moving fast, Let's hope with love and health it will be a blast; May all of your dreams come true And you find peace and love in all that you do.

May this world know the gentle sound of a hush, May it be calm and slow its pace from the rush; May we all always hear the sound of joy, And push away all that hurts, that destroys.

The New Year I hope will be good to us all, Care and calm, a helping hand when we fall; Listen more, slow down, and often say I love you, Stop for a moment; take a breath, take in the view.

Appreciate your family; tell them you care., Do something exciting, a thrill or a dare; Enjoy all that the New Year may give, We have but one life, so let's learn to live.

It's a New Year, a brand new start, Always remember, live and love from your heart; Wishing each and every one a year to behold, And may it be full of wonders for you to unfold.

Plentiful love, hugs, and kisses too, A very happy New Year from me to you.

The New Year always gives us the opportunity to renew our efforts in all we want to achieve.

Solutions to last week’s

Christmas is Here Across 3 Bow 5 Gingerbread 7 Snow 10 Red 11 Santa 12 Pine 14 Tinsel 15 Wreath 16 St Nicholas 18 Home Alone 22 Yuletide 23 Charlie Brown 24 Grinch 26 Merry Christmas 27 Silent Night 28 Santa Claus

Down 1 Fruitcake 2 Nutcracker 4 Poinsettia 6 Turkey 8 Israel 9 Scrooge 13 Rudolph 16 Sleigh 17 Buddy 19 Advent Wreath 20 Star 21Eggnog 24Germany 25Choir

PAGE 32

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

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Rescuers work at the site of the apartment building hit by a Russian drone during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 27, 2025. REUTERS/Viacheslav Ratynskyia KYIV, Dec 27 (Reuters) Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said would be a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of war.

Zelenskiy cast the vast overnight attack, which he said involved about 500 drones and 40 missiles and which knocked out power and heat in parts of the capital, as Russia’s response to the ongoing peace efforts brokered

by Washington.

The Ukrainian leader has said Sunday’s talks in Florida would focus on security guarantees and territorial control once fighting ends in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two, started by Russia’s 2022 invasion of its smaller neighbour.

The attack continued throughout the morning, with a nearly 10-hour air raid alert for the capital. Authorities said two people were killed in Kyiv and the surrounding region, while at least 46 people were wounded, including two children.

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tween Ukraine and the United States to end Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Zelenskiy told reporters.

In Russia, air defence forces shot down eight drones headed for Moscow, the city’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Saturday.

THOUSANDS OF HOMES WITHOUT HEAT Explosions echoed across Kyiv from the early hours on Saturday as Ukraine’s air defence units went into action.

The air force said Russian drones were targeting the capital and regions in the northeast and south.

State grid operator Ukrenergo said energy facilities across Ukraine were struck, and emergency power cuts had been implemented across the capital.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, said the attack had left more than a million households in and around Kyiv without power, 750,000 of which remained disconnected by the afternoon.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said over 40% of residential buildings in Kyiv were left without heat as temperatures hovered around 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) on Saturday.

TERRITORIAL CONTROL: A DIPLOMATIC STUMBLING BLOCK On the way to meeting Trump in Florida, Zelenskiy stopped in Canada’s Halifax to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney. In a brief statement with Zelenskiy by his side, Carney noted that peace “requires a willing Russia.”

“The barbarism that we saw overnight — the attack on Kyiv — shows just how important it is that we stand with Ukraine in this difficult time,” he said, announcing 2.5 billion Canadian dollars

($1.83 billion) in additional economic aid to Ukraine.

After the meeting Zelenskiy spoke to European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said afterwards on X: “We welcome all efforts leading to our shared objective a just and lasting peace that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

And that strengthens the country’s security and defence capabilities.”

Territory and the future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant remain the main diplomatic stumbling blocks, though Zelenskiy told journalists in Kyiv on Friday that a 20-point draft document - the cornerstone of a U.S. push to clinch a peace deal - is 90% complete.

He said the shape of U.S. security guarantees was crucial, and these would depend on Trump, and “what he is ready to give, when he is ready to give it, and for how long.”

Zelenskiy told Axios earlier this week that the U.S. had offered a 15-year deal on security guarantees, subject to renewal, but Kyiv wanted a longer agreement with legally binding provisions to guard against further Russian aggression.

Trump said the United States was the driving force behind the process.

“He doesn’t have anything until I approve it,” Trump told Politico. “So we’ll see what he’s got.”

Trump said he believed Sunday’s meeting would go well. He also said he expected to speak with Putin “soon, as much as I want.”

FATE OF DONETSK IS KEY Moscow is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from a large, densely urbanised

chunk of the eastern region of Donetsk that Russian troops have failed to occupy in nearly four years of war.

Kyiv wants the fighting halted at the current lines.

Russia has been grinding slowly forwards throughout 2025 at the cost of significant casualties on the drone-infested battlefield.

On Saturday, both sides issued conflicting claims about two frontline towns: Myrnohrad in the east and Huliaipole in the south. Moscow claimed to have captured both, while Kyiv said it had beaten back Russian assaults there.

Under a U.S. compromise, a free economic zone would be set up if Ukrainian troops pull back from parts of the Donetsk region, though details have yet to be worked out.

Axios quoted Zelenskiy as saying that if he is not able to push the U.S. to back Ukraine’s position on the land issue, he was willing to put the 20-point plan to a referendum - as long as Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire allowing Ukraine to prepare for and hold the vote.

On Saturday, Zelenskiy said it was not possible to have such a referendum while Russia was bombarding Ukrainian cities.

He also suggested that he would be ready for “dialogue” with the people of Ukraine if they disagreed with points of the plan. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Kyiv’s version of the 20-point plan differed from what Russia had been discussing with the U.S., according to the InterfaxRussia news agency. But he expressed optimism that matters had reached a “turning point” in the search for a settlement. ($1 = 1.3671 Canadian dollars)

Sunday December 28, 2025

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Trinidad: DRUGS DOWN …Defence Minister praises US radar

I

N the eight months since assuming office, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge says the Government has recorded significant wins in the war against drugs and guns in this country.

However, he expressed concern that 28,000 rounds of TTR ammunition remain unaccounted for and that illegal guns are still entering the country through legal ports.

In response to questions from the Express, Sturge said yesterday that the stain of criminality and bloodshed that was allowed to flourish over the past decade under the former People's National Movement (PNM) administration cannot be erased overnight, but this Government is working aggressively to remedy the situation and strengthen national security systems. “ We h a v e a l r e a d y removed the URP (Unemployment Relief Programme) which fuelled turf wars and we have started the employment drive to assist with social and economic issues.

We are very concerned that we have 28,000 rounds of TTR ammunition unaccounted for and the attempt at a cover-up by the last administration. A substantial reduction in the availability of ammunition for use by the criminal element will be a big win for the Government and the lawabiding,” said Sturge.

The minister also responded to questions about the radar system installed in Tobago by the United States military, reiterating that the system has assisted in drug interdiction efforts.

“I am advised that the radar did in fact play a part in the recent drug busts. A routine Google search would show that radar systems

most times do not operate in isolation but as a component of a larger system which may include satellite systems as well as military-grade drone systems,” he said.

“Prior to the acquisition of the military radar systems installed, our capacity was limited, the results now speak volumes and the criminal element would concede that deliveries are at a bare minimum and mostly through ports of legal entry which we will address shortly,” he added.

He continued, “The radar systems have significantly improved surveillance making it extremely difficult to penetrate our borders with the type of regularity which the criminal element hitherto enjoyed.

I am virtually certain that a visit to the various drug blocks would reveal an extreme scarcity of drugs on a scale not previously seen.

Availability is at an all-time low.”

Tangible benefits The minister said that prior to the acquisition of the radar systems, the country was “severely hamstrung” owing to limitations in both radar capability and existing naval assets.

He added that the presence of the US Navy in the Southern Caribbean has altered that reality and that tangible benefits are now being realised.

Asked whether information obtained by the radar is shared with local law enforcement, the minister responded, “Through appropriate channels, yes.”

The Express also asked whether the US–T&T partnership has helped to address gang culture and whether there has been a marked decrease in turf wars.

“We are satisfied that gun and drug smuggling is at an all-time low due in large

part to the presence and assistance of the US Navy in the region.

Once we eradicate or further significantly reduce the import of illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition particularly through legal ports of entry, we are certain that we would as a consequence be better placed to reduce gang violence,” said Sturge.

He added, “In the short term, violent crime is reduced by eradicating the proximal causes, that is to say, once there are no guns or no ammunition for use, settling turf wars would of necessity revert to what obtained before, bottle fights, knives, cutlasses.

Once the proximal causes of violence are dealt with decisively, we can treat with the root causes of violent crime and criminality through behavioural change and socio-economic programmes in the medium to long term.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs advised via a release earlier this month that permission had been granted to the US military to transit through the country's airports.

Asked whether this permission applied to a specific time period, Sturge said it would be unwise to disclose such information, reiterating the need to keep certain matters confidential.

Questioned on whether joint military training with the US is still ongoing, the Minister said, “The TTDF (Defence Force) over the years has routinely engaged in military training and exercises on our soil, this is nothing new but same is being hyped up to suit those with agendas.”

The Express further asked whether systems would be put in place to ensure that, once the US

Security is serious business...

From page 7 convenient for American policy objectives, especially when they are tied to the US dollar- for we all know about the evilness of money, regardless of type of currency.

In conclusion, the path forward requires strategic partnerships.

Venezuela's bullying tactics must be met with coordinated regional and international response. In ensuring that in such

protection, we aim to not compromise the very sovereignty we aim to defend, the urgent need for conscription arises. We have run out of options and time.

Regards, M. Shabeer Zafar

military departs, local law enforcement agencies would be able to sustain the work initiated.

Sturge responded, “Yes. Without saying too much, we have already identified the challenges faced with securing our borders. We have done audits of our naval assets, air assets, manpower and other installations and equipment.

We know what is needed and we are working assiduously to ensure that we can reverse the decline suffered by our military over the last ten years.”

“Politics aside, any honest assessment will show that the military has suffered in the last ten years, obviously through wilful neglect. What we have now with the presence of the US nearby is some breathing room to rebuild,” he said.

The Express noted that Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine had publicly called for the Government to share information relating to the radar system.

Sturge responded, “We are not legally obligated to share the intel gathered but we agree to do so out of

r e s p e c t a n d c o u r t e s y, particularly because the Chief Secretary has shown the level of maturity and trustworthiness expected.”

The minister concluded by saying he is satisfied with the efforts and progress achieved by his ministry and assured the public that work continues around the clock.

An investigation was launched earlier in 2025 into the disappearance of 25,573 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition from the Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o Regiment's Camp Cumuto.

The ammunition was removed from the Cumuto Barracks bunker and relocated to a nearby structure within the barracks compound sometime in 2022.

Senior army intelligence officers, who decided to disclose this development, had told the Express that the missing ammunition prompted Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air ViceMarshal Darryl Daniel, to order a thorough audit of all munitions at army facilities across the country. The Defence Force's Intelligence Operations Unit has been tasked with investigating the missing ammunition at the

Defence Minister: Wayne Sturge Cumuto Barracks.

In October, after months of intense investigations, a soldier was charged with three offences relating to the mysterious disappearance of close to 28,000 rounds of military-grade ammunition from an ammunition bunker at Camp Cumuto.

Further evidence also reportedly disputed claims that the missing ammunition had been used for training at the regiment's shooting range in Chaguaramas.

It was reported that there was information linking a senior military officer to the alleged sale of the ammunition to criminal g a n g s . T h e e n q u i r y, conducted by Lt Col Dwayne Edwards, also found discrepancies in the “reclassification” of the ammunition from operational to training use.

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Sunday December 28, 2025

Israeli forces take over homes, impose lockdown on West Bank’s Qabatiya Incursion follows Israeli defence minister’s order for military to ‘act forcefully’ against the Palestinian town.

Aljazeera - Israeli forces have carried out mass arrests and forced dozens of families from their homes in the town of Qabatiya in the occupied West Bank, on the second day of a sweeping military operation ordered

by Israel’s defence minister.

Israeli forces sealed off entrances to Qabatiya while

rounding up and interrogating dozens of residents on Saturday, local sources told Al Jazeera.

They converted several homes into military interrogation centres, displacing their occupants, according to the Palestinian Wafa news agency.

The Israeli army

confirmed the operation on Saturday, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying in a statement that they had imposed “a lockdown and a complete cordon” around Qabatiya.

Earlier Israel’s Army Radio reported that the town is subject to a “full curfew”.

The crackdown follows

an order by Katz to “act forcefully … against the village of Qabatiya”, where he claims a Palestinian alleged of carrying out a stabbing and car-ramming attack in northern Israel hails from.

In a statement on Friday, Israel’s military said it had deployed troops from

Military vehicles operate during an Israeli raid in Qabatiya, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank [Mohamad Torokman/Reuters]

multiple divisions, along with border police and members of the Shin Bet security service, into Qabatiya.

It said forces had raided the attack suspect’s home and were preparing to demolish it.

Rights groups have long condemned Israel’s practice of demolishing the family homes of Palestinians accused of attacks against Israelis, describing it as an illegal form of collective punishment.

Israel’s military claimed its forces would “scan additional locations in the village” and “work to arrest wanted individuals and locate weapons”.

“There is a sense of fear among people in town,” one resident told Al Jazeera. “There are Israeli threats and Israeli incitement.”

The Israeli military

raids on Saturday also extended elsewhere in the o c c u p i e d We s t B ank, including to several villages surrounding Ramallah and Hebron, Wafa reported.

Israeli forces assaulted and arrested eight people from the towns of Dura, Abda and Imreish near Hebron, according to the news agency. Israeli military incursions and attacks across the occupied West Bank have been a neardaily occurrence during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have arrested nearly 21,000 Palestinians.

As of December 1, some 9,300 Palestinian prisoners were in Israeli jails, more than a third of them detained without charges.

Palestinian prisoners have been tortured, sexually abused and even killed in custody.

Sunday December 28, 2025

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Security is serious business Dear Editor, As Venezuela continues its aggressive posturing toward Guyana's Essequibo region, the ongoing US military deployment in the Caribbean has raised debate about its foreign policy and regional security. Operation Southern Spear evolution reveals deep geopolitical dynamics that deserve scrutiny from those of us living in this region.

Trump sent USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group—one of the most substantial American military presences in the Caribbean in decades. I heard there are in numbers, just a few hundred less than a Brigade of troops, already deployed, awaiting offensive strike orders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's unequivocal warning that any Venezuelan attack on Guyana would result in "a very bad day" for the Maduro regime signals a hardening US stance. This is war language.

In particular, Venezuela's claim to two-thirds of Guyana's territory—a claim the International Court of Justice has explicitly, in the interim, warned against pursuing—stems from a dispute that predates our independence. The 1899 Arbitral Award settled this boundary, which the UK orchestrated yet Venezuela rejects this. With ExxonMobil and its partners's discovery of over 11 billion barrels of oil in Guyana, transforming Guyana into one of the world's fastest-growing economies, Venezuela's actions—from illegal gold mining to facilitating drug trafficking through G u y a n e s e territory—constitute clear violations of our sovereignty and international law.

However, while we see US involvement as gratuitous, we must use our clear-eyes, in simple words, tek out de booboo. The Trump administration has explicitly adopted a transactional foreign policy approach. Secretary Rubio's specific mention of protecting ExxonMobil alongside Guyana's sovereignty reveals what drives American commitment: protecting US corporate interests. While this alignment serves us, it

also means our defense depends partly on the profitability of American oil operations. This to me means clearly, wanting of a bilateral arrangement.

The broader regional implications are important.

This Operation has divided Latin America and the Caribbean, with the CubaNicaragua-Venezuela axis denouncing it, while Trinidad and Tobago, along with our own government, have welcomed it. Most, if not all, CARICOM foreign ministers have expressed concern about military operations conducted without prior regional consultation, due to their sovereignty and any security cooperation due to an escalation.

The US military strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels since September 2025, which have resulted in over 105 deaths according to American authorities, raise questions about due process and the rules of engagement.

While combating narcoterrorism is essential, extrajudicial killings at sea without accountability mechanisms set precedents, even when targeting criminal organizations. I would, however, advocate that the end must justify the means.

Security is serious business. Guyana must advocate for a multi-layered approach. First, a continued legal pressure through the ICJ, perhaps retaining an American Law Firm to appease the Americans.

Second, Guyana must strengthen regional security partnerships with every CARICOM member, and Brazil, sharing our concerns a b o u t Ve n e z u e l a n aggression, though it is unrealistic to think that Brazil would show more empathy and sympathy to Guyana. Third, to strengthen the objectives of US's S o u t h e r n S p e a r, w e accelerate further our own defense capabilities to wage effective asymmetrical defense. We must enact a Drafting law for military service through conscription for men over 19 so we can be in a position to assist US Army ground warfare.

Greece, for instance, has a policy of military 9 months service in the Air Force and Navy, and 12 months in the

Army for males aged 19-45.

We can easily borrow Naval ships.

The international community, particularly through the UN Security Council, must try concrete action in holding Venezuela accountable for defying the ICJ and threatening a sovereign nation. The principle that territorial

disputes must be resolved peacefully through international law can't be sidelined because a regime chooses to ignore it.

Guyanese citizens facing Ve n e z u e l a n t e r r i t o r i a l threats, highlighted by Ms. Guyana's Diplomat Triscilla Persaud on December 23, 2025, to the UN Security Council in her presentation

where she emphaized Guyana's abhorrence of Maduro illicit drug and illegal gold mining in Guyana, and his two-third's annexation plan, raises important questions. We are obligated to find solutions.

An old adage is appropriate—put your money where your mouth is!

US foreign policy in our

region reflects American interests first. This is not problematic. However, we must build our security on multiple pillars.

Transactional goodwill has strings. Our territorial integrity, and the safety of 125,000 Essequibans cannot depend entirely on whether protecting us remains (Continued on page 33)

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England survive Melbourne mayhem to claim drought-breaking win MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - England celebrated their first test win in Australia in 15 years on Saturday as they chased down 175 runs for a fourwicket Ashes victory completed in two manic days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Though the hosts had already locked away the urn after three straight victories in Perth, Brisbane

and Adelaide, Ben Stokes’s men gave their travelling army of fans a consolation prize for staying loyal through the depths of a mostly dismal tour.

Their nerves were jangling when England were reduced to 165 for six, 10 runs short of victory, but Harry Brook (18 not out) and Jamie Smith (three not out) held on, with the winning run

taken with four leg byes off pace bowler Mitchell Starc.

It was England’s first test victory in Australia since the 2 0 1 0 / 11 A s h e s , w h e n Andrew Strauss’s team thumped the hosts by an innings and 83 runs in the fifth match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. For Stokes and long-time comrade Joe Root, winless in Ashes tours dating back to

Sunday December 28, 2025 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Tension may arise today, Aries. It's possible that you're either too dreamy or too practical to deal effectively with the issue. It's important to strike a balance. The toughest part will be finding others who agree with you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There may be dreaminess about your emotions today, Scorpio, which could keep you from focusing on the task at hand. The aspects dictate that people may be stubborn and confused - and you're likely to be one of them.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Yesterday's trajectory may run into trouble today, Taurus.

Your intrinsically dreamy nature is dragging down the action you initiated. This conflict could create tension that will be difficult to resolve.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Little voices whisper in your ear and ask you to take flight and join them in the clouds, Sagittarius. There's tension between what your heart and mind tell you. They're pulling you in very different directions.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Try to align your mind with your emotions today, Gemini.

It's possible that a powerful yet subtle force is slowly pulling you off track.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Recent spiritual breakthroughs might have you feeling both exhilarated and downcast, Scorpio. Your sensitive side tells you that this is a definite step forward on your spiritual path.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) An emotional issue could be rubbing you the wrong way, Cancer. Your impulse is to escape. Try to do so in a healthy manner. Go see a movie or read a book. Don't fall prey to the temptation to indulge in alcohol or food.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your artistic side wants to take to the airwaves in some way, Leo. Perhaps you should consider building a website or becoming a commentator on a local radio show.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It may be apparent that what was so light and active yesterday is running into a few roadblocks today, Virgo.

You're suddenly heading into a brick wall with some of the projects you've been working on.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Something or someone may prod you to take action today, Capricorn. It may be best if you beat them to it and motivate yourself. Break away from the herd and go wherever you want to go.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You might experience a great deal of emotional confusion, Aquarius. There's a debate brewing inside you, and you're having a hard time deciding whether to be practical or more fanciful.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It will be a challenge to keep your emotions on an even keel today, Pisces. Conflict may be brewing and you might fear it could get out of hand.

Everything will work out.

2013/14, it was a day of joy and relief.

“This win does mean a lot. Been over here a few times and not managed to get a win,” Stokes told reporters.

“I think it will mean a hell of a lot to everyone.”

England were under fire after surrendering the urn meekly in Adelaide, and amid reports of heavy drinking during the mid-tour break in Noosa.

“There’s been a lot thrown at this team, and the way that we responded throughout these two days has been excellent,” said Root. The victory came without injured paceman Jofra Archer, while Gus Atkinson was out of service due to a hamstring strain early on day two after Australia had resumed with a 46-run lead and 10 wickets in hand. But with the help of a sporting pitch and some injudicious Australian batting, the tourists routed the hosts for 132 in 34.3 overs midway through the second session.

England’s supporters could be forgiven for feeling uneasy about the chase, given how lamentable the tourists’ batting has been throughout the series, but the top order functioned well, with three batters making vital contributions. Zak Crawley (37) and Ben Duckett (34) set the tone, racing to a 51-run partnership at more than seven runs-per-over before Starc shattered Duckett’s stumps. A ploy to promote tailender Brydon Carse to a slogging number three did not quite come off; he fell for six with a top-edge off Jhye Richardson.

However, 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, the replacement for the dropped Ollie Pope, kept the momentum in England’s favour in just his fifth test, putting on 47 runs for the third wicket before Scott Boland trapped Crawley lbw for 37.

Bethell’s bid for a first Ashes fifty fell short after he cut Boland hard to the covers where Usman Khawaja crouched low for a fine catch to dismiss him for 40 off 46 balls.

Though the victory target had narrowed down to 38 runs, Australia’s all-seam attack kept plugging away.

Richardson dismissed Root lbw for 15 and Starc

Brook in the slips.

Australia’s tail crumbled, adding 13 runs for the last three wickets. Following a two-day series-opener in Perth, Cricket Australia will be counting the cost of another lightning-quick test, even if day two’s massive crowd of 92,045 gave the day one record of 94,199 a shake.

Day three at the 100,000seat MCG would also have been a sell-out, leaving the host board millions out of pocket. Smith said the pitch, which saw 36 wickets fall in two days, offered too much for the bowlers.

“Disappointing for those wanting to come along (on day three),” he added.

“You’ve still got to find ways to adapt. If we got 5060 more runs in each innings, it might have been a different result.” Scores: England 110 (Brook 41, Neser 4-45, Boland 3-30) and 178 for 6 (Bethell 40, Richardson 222) beat Australia 152 (Neser 35, Tongue 5-45, Atkinson 228) and 132 (Head 46, Carse 4-34, Stokes 3-24) by four wickets.

had Stokes caught behind for two when he swung wildly at a short ball, leaving the tourists 10 runs from safety.

Wicketkeeper Smith and Brook held firm to secure the win.

A BIT TOO MUCH FOR BOWLERS Australia will wonder how the match got away from them — they were 61 for two in the morning before things soured.

“We’d love to win every game and keep every streak going but I think England played very well today,” stand-in captain Steve Smith said.

“They took the game away from us.”

Following a five-wicket haul in the first innings, seamer Josh Tongue proved crucial to England’s cause again, his dismissal of number three Marnus Labuschagne (8) triggering a collapse with Australia losing 4-27. Stokes also made his presence felt, ending a 31-run partnership between Smith (24 not out) and Cameron Green (19) when he had Green nick to

Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Sunday December 28, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 10:00hrs Monday December 29, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 11:10hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE: 12/24/2025

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G.L.C. 357 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel:226-0753. While every effort is made to ensure numbers are correct, please call the hotline for confirmation, The G.L.C. and Kaieteur News cannot be held responsible for printing errors.

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Sunday December 28, 2025

Trafalgar hammer home 12 as Pele and Victoria Kings victorious in Candy Boss and Di Antics 8-A-Side KO football in Berbice

By Samuel Whyte Three more teams scored victories in the Candy Boss and Di Antics 8-A-Side Knockout Football Tournament.

Action continued recently at the All Saints, Scott Church Ground, Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam.

Trafalgar was in a devastating mood as they went on a rampage, hammering a hapless and defenseless Young Strikers 12–0. It was all Trafalgar as the Strikers never got a chance.

F o r Tr a f a l g a r, t w o players blasted home hattricks. Shawn Browne netted in the 28th, 33rd and 36th minutes, while Clyde Langevine was on target in the 25th, 27th and 48th minutes. Two players scored doubles with Deon McDonald scoring in the

2nd and 51st minutes and Kishann Fraser 35th and 53rd minutes. Delvin Fraser (8th) and Shamar Henry (50th) completed the lopsided affair.

Earlier, the opener was a keenly contested affair with Pele edging out Airy Hall 3–2 in a see saw and entertaining contest.

Christophe Adams netted first for Pele before Quinton Peters and Michael Wood added their names to the score sheet.

Airy Hall got their goals off the boot of Jemo Williams who slotted home a brace.

The second game between Victoria Kings and Monedderlust U21 was another keenly contested affair with the Kings squeezing home 3-2 as the youthful Monedderlust U21 gave them a run for their money.

Trafalgar were in rampant form.

Scoring for Victoria Kings were Tyrle Delph (3rd), Ray Reddock (23rd) and Terrence Lewis (33rd).

For Monedderlust U-21, Omar Williams 10th and Telly Eastman (46th) were on target.

Some $2M in cash trophies and other incentives are at stake in the competition which is

expected to see the semifinals being played on 9th January and the final on the 10th at the same venue.

Nexgen Golf Academy Mapa Do Brazil wins feature as Js Racing stable stuns them to take top honours at Kennard kicks off 2026 with free golf offer to grow the game Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day Horse Race meet Stable won two races one second one fourth

By Samuel Whyte The Js Horse Racing stable has not been too long into horseracing but are turning heads already as they move forward in leaps and bounds. At the Kennard Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day Horserace meet they were dominant as they took champion stable honours with two classical victories, a second place and a fourth.

It was the day for Mapa Do Brazil of the Js Racing stable to shine. The event which was held at the entity’s Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice racetrack, had over $10M at stake. A bumper crowd was in attendance and turfites were treated to a day of riveting horseracing.

The feature event, which was open to all horses in Guyana, had all the takings of a main card. Competing for the Sunny Kharag stakes over one mile worth over $4M for a winning purse of $2M and trophy.

The animals were out of the gate in a flash with front runners, Order and Progress

and Loyal Company setting a merry gallop. Mapa Do Brazil of the Js Racing Stable with Renaldo Appadhu on the perch was biding his time within the pack. As the horses began to close in on the finish, Mapa Do Brazil began to make its move down the middle of the track and came through with a burst of speed to edge home for the big win.

Stable mate Order and Progress raced in fourth behind Loyal Company second and Anthem King third.

There was a ding dong battle in the five furlongs sprint classic between Stats of the Master Z Racing Stable and Regal Man of the J Racing Stale.

A photo finish decided the winner with Stats getting the nod to take the $700,000 and trophy from Regal Man. Night Becon and Morning colours rounded out the money.

The J’s Racing Stable was again in winners’ row, in the G and lower race. It was a good day for owner Jermain

Sirpaul as Mulan with Appadhu in the stirrups whipped its opponents for a gate to pole beating over Red Ruby and Theory of Colours.

The event for GuyanaBred 2-year-old maiden animals was won by - All The Time ahead of She’s A Dancer and Miracle Boy. Country Rock beat off Top Gun and Sarkar to win the race for “I” and lower horses. There was a double win for Country Rock of the Big G stable as it won the race for L and K class animals from Republican and Sarkar.

Regal Surprise, Doctor J, Miss Simpson and She’s a Monica occupied the top four spots in the L class event.

The top stable was Js Racing stable ahead of Big G Racing Stable. Renaldo Appadhu was the top Jockey.

They received incentives, complements of Trophy Stall. The event was conducted using the rules of the KMTC and was incident free.

N

exgen Golf Academy, Guyana’s only dedicated golf practice and training facility, located on Wo o l f o r d Av e n u e , Georgetown, will begin 2026 with an exciting initiative aimed at increasing participation in the sport, particularly among young people.

Starting January 2 through March 31, 2026, golfers will benefit from a “Pay for One Hour, Get the Second Hour Free” promotion at the Academy. In a major boost for youth development, student rates will be reduced to ZERO, while including access to golf balls and equipment, during the same period.

According to Guyana Golf Association (GGA) President Aleem Hussain, the initiative aligns with national efforts to expand youth involvement in sports.

“In discussions with the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., he expressed a strong desire to

see more young people involved in golf. This initiative is our way of giving back and creating access for those who are interested in learning the game,” Hussain said.

Nexgen Golf Academy is also the only certified LPGA/USGA Girls Golf site in Guyana, offering a globally recognized program designed to introduce girls to golf in a fun, safe, and empowering environment.

Benefits of the program include structured coaching aligned with international standards, life-skills development such as confidence and leadership, exposure to regional and international competitions, and pathways to scholarships and elite training opportunities.

As part of its 2026 g r o w t h s t r a t e g y, t h e Academy will soon launch a nationwide outreach campaign targeting schools and communities to encourage greater participation in the LPGA/USGA Girls Golf program and junior golf

overall.

Additional initiatives planned for the first quarter of 2026 include: * Free weekly junior beginner clinics * School and community golf outreach activations * Monthly junior fun tournaments * Talent identification for advanced training pathways * Parent and guardian education sessions on golf development opportunities These initiatives will set the tone for what is expected to be an aggressive year of growth, development, and improved performance for Guyana’s emerging golfers.

“Our goal is not just to introduce golf, but to create clear pathways for long-term development, character building, and international opportunity,” said LPGA Girl’s Site Director Philip Haynes.

For more information, interested participants and parents are encouraged to visit Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue or call 645-0944.

Sunday December 28, 2025

UDFA/BANKS DIH Year End / Christmas futsal quarterfinals…

Botafago halt champions Silver Shattas reign with heart-stopping 5-4 OT win - Blueberry Hill, Topp XX and Capital FC through to today’s semifinals Action in Silver Shattas versus Botafago encounter.

It’s down to the final four teams as Silver Shattas, the defending champions of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s Banks DIH year ending futsal championship were knocked out by Botafago 5-4, as quarterfinals were played Boxing Night at the Community Hard Court in Retrieve in the mining town of Linden.

On a crowd pleasing night of unexpected results, the final quarterfinal match ended with an overtime loss for the favoured defending champions Silver Shattas.

In a ‘ding-dong’ affair, the Blueberry Hill boys were constantly pressuring the more experienced Shattas, and when regulation time ended the scores read, 4-4.

However, Botafago’s Shane Haynes hit his second goal of the match which pulled them past Shattas in the extra period of play, after Donovan Francis also scored twice for the winners, as the other goal was netted by S. Caesar.

In the valiant attempt Shattas scorers were Colwyn Drakes with a brace and the other two from the boots of O. Williams and Omar

Brewley.

To s t a r t t h e n i g h t ’s proceedings Blueberry Hill created the first upset pounding out a 4-0 victory Winners Connection with Rydell Arthur striking twice and 1 apiece from Rondell Arthur and Shaka Lewis.

The second quarterfinal f e a t u r e d To p p X X a n d Milerock, with Topp XX after being down 2-0, recovered to score and exciting 4-2 win behind Ryan Arthur’s double and one each by Ryan Noel and Jamal Bentick.

Amaniki Buntin and Roshan Kitt were the scorers for the losing Milerock unit.

Capital FC then romped home winners over FC YMCA 4-2 as Selwyn Barnes netted a brace and the other goals were recorded by Mortimer Giddings Jr. and from an ‘own goal.’

T. Gulliver and an ‘own goal’ accounted for the two from FC YMCA. Semifinals are set for t o d a y, S u n d a y a t t h e Community Hard Court in Retrieve, Linden with Topp XX facing Capital FC in one semifinal, and the other featuring Blueberry Hill and Botafago.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 41

Kaieteur News

PAGE 42

Sunday December 28, 2025

Guyana’s ‘top four’ collide in GFF Super 16 Semi-Finals …Army to play Western Tigers, Slingerz to battle Police

By Rawle Toney G u y a n a ’s d o m e s t i c football season reaches an interesting crossroad as four of the country’s most

accomplished clubs converge at the National Training Centre in Providence for the semifinals of the Guyana Football

Federation (GFF) Super 16 Cup. On Monday, from 6:30 pm, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF FC) will square

Slingerz FC scorers (L-R), Kemar Beckford, Cardel Benbow, Raushan Ritch and Kelsey Benjamin. off against Western Tigers, before Elite League champions Slingerz FC collide with the Guyana Police Force (GPF FC) at 9:00 pm in what promises to be a heavyweight doubleheader.

All four teams arrive at this stage with authority, having casually brushed aside their quarter-final opponents to underline why they remain the benchmark of local football.

Unlike several teams who were forced to grind through an earlier qualifying round, Slingerz FC, GPF FC, Western Tigers and GDF FC were granted a bye straight into the last eight, receiving a nod to their standing, pedigree and recent consistency.

Western Tigers were ruthless in their quarter-final outing, dismantling football newcomers Zeelugt by a commanding 6–0 margin.

GPF FC, on the other hand, equally composed, eased past Santos 2–0, controlling the tempo and defending with the discipline that has become synonymous with the police outfit.

On the other side of the bracket, GDF FC delivered arguably the most emphatic statement of intent, demolishing Mahaica Determinators 7–0 on Saturday.

The soldiers were relentless, stretching the field and punishing every defensive lapse by the East Coast side.

Stephon McDonald opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, before Shemar Scott struck twice (40’, 61’).

Makhaya Jarvis added his own brace (64’, 82’), while Jeffrey Pereira (75’) and Jaden Harris (79’) completed a rout that reflected total dominance.

Elite League champions Slingerz FC, meanwhile, rolled over Monedderlust 4–0 in a match that was

comfortable on the scoreboard, even if it fell slightly short of the fireworks some fans anticipated.

Raushan Ritch (10’) opened the score for Slingerz, while Kelsey Benjamin (44’) doubled the lead just before the half.

The second half saw goals from Slingerz FC’s Jamaican import, with Kemar Beckford (75’) scoring what could be the ‘goal of the tournament’; a Cristiano Ronaldo-like volley inside the ‘18’, while Cardel Benbow (85’) netting from the penalty spot for his first goal in Guyana.

However, Slingerz FC’s performance, despite coming out on top, came with critique.

With Omari Glasgow, Guyana’s all-time leading scorer in international football, added to an already elite squad, expectations were sky-high.

Glasgow, featuring as a guest player, made his first club appearance in Guyana since his move to Major League Soccer outfit Chicago Fire, drawing considerable attention.

Alongside Benbow, also a guest player, the Vergenoegen-based club

boasted a line-up brimming with pedigree and technical quality.

While Slingerz controlled both sides of the pitch and rarely looked threatened, the match perhaps lacked the sharp edge fans hoped for given the talent on display.

Still, there were moments of crisp passing, intelligent movement and a unique touch that continues to make Slingerz FC favourites in almost every tournament they enter.

Even on an off night by their lofty standards, their depth and composure were evident.

Tomorrow’s semi-finals bring together the very best of Guyana’s footballing talent, national players, experienced campaigners and emerging stars, all sharing one stage.

GDF FC’s physicality and structure will be tested by a fearless Western Tigers side, while the clash between Slingerz FC and GPF FC sets up a fascinating contrast of flair versus discipline.

Despite the tournament being played largely in front of barely visible crowds so far, the magnitude of these match-ups should reignite spectator interest.

Action between Mahaica Determinators and GDF FC in the GFF Super 16 Cup.

Kaieteur News

Sunday December 28, 2025

PAGE 43

Hear Me Out Year-End football has lost its soul…

and only Kashif & Shanghai can bring it back

By Rawle Toney There was a time when Boxing Day in Guyana did not simply mark the aftermath of Christmas. It signaled something bigger, louder, and culturally sacred.

It meant Year-End Football.

It meant Linden.

It meant anticipation, packed venues, national conversation, and a level of sporting excitement that united communities across Berbice, Demerara, and the mining town where it all began. That tradition was born in 1990, when two sons of Linden, Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, created what would become Guyana’s most iconic football tournament.

Thirty-five years later, that same Year-End football has lost its interest, its edge, and most importantly, its appeal.

And under the current Guyana Football Federation (GFF) administration, it has been reduced to a pale imitation of what once was the undisputed “Holy Grail” of Guyanese football.

This column is not written to diminish the work of the GFF or to deny the

Kashif and Shanghai organisation (L-R) Frank ‘English’ Parris, Kashif Muhammad, Collin ‘BL’ Aaron and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major. effort they have put into football development. It is written to highlight a glaring truth, that Year-End football requires a level of vision, credibility, trust, and cultural understanding that the current GFF administration has simply not demonstrated the capacity to deliver.

From 1990 to 2015, the Kashif and Shanghai tournament was to football what the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is to cricket in Guyana and the wider Caribbean. It was not just a competition; it was an institution. It was the country’s largest sporting event, the most anticipated fixture on the calendar, and the standard by which football entertainment

was measured. Its finals in Linden on New Year’s Day, and later at the Guyana National Stadium remain unmatched, still the largest crowd to ever witness football in Guyana.

In some instances, the stadium was filled beyond capacity. That tournament was the first sporting event to truly command the National Stadium, not just occupy it. It brought the best local players together, regularly featured elite Caribbean talent, and turned football into a national spectacle. The decline began after the 2015 GFF elections that ushered in the current president, Wayne Forde. We can argue the emergence of

the Banks Cup, but that’s another story.

Shortly thereafter, Year-End football as we knew it was effectively taken out of existence. What followed were attempts to repackage, rename, and reimagine the tradition, but stripped of the very elements that made it special.

The GFF’s version of Year-End football lacks soul.

Crowd appeal is virtually nonexistent. Corporate confidence has evaporated.

Imagine a Year-End tournament without Banks DIH or Ansa McAl, G u y a n a ’s t w o m a j o r beverage companies and long-standing pillars of sports sponsorship. Imagine a tournament so uninspiring

that even the media shows little interest.

Sponsors do not walk away casually. Media does not disengage without reason. The truth is, corporate Guyana no longer trusts the GFF with its flagship event, and fans no longer recognize Year-End football as must-see entertainment. Yes, the GFF has experimented with different marketing approaches. But marketing without authenticity does not r e s o n a t e . Yo u c a n n o t manufacture tradition, and you certainly cannot replicate credibility.

Ironically, the proof of concept still exists. Look at the Kashif and Shanghai Futsal tournament; vibrant crowds, proper promotion, strong media presence, and genuine public interest. But football needs more than futsal.

Guyana needs its outdoor football Holy Grail again, not a substitute played under a roof.

In another column, I will explain why futsal, despite its excitement, does not connect with the average Guyanese fan, and it has more to do with environment than entertainment.

From 1990 to 2015, the

Kashif and Shanghai tournament held football together in Guyana. It forced regional associations to stay active. It took football to communities in Berbice, Region 3, Linden, and along the East Coast. It kept players sharp, fans engaged, and administrators accountable.

As someone who has covered the tournament since entering the media in 2004, and as someone who grew up in Linden, where its impact was most profound, I can say with certainty, that the GFF cannot replicate what Kashif and Shanghai built. They cannot imitate it. And they have clearly failed to create a compelling alternative lane of their own.

Year-End football under the current GFF administration is in need of a lifeline. And the uncomfortable truth is this t h e o n l y o rg a n i s a t i o n capable of saving it is the very one that created it, Kashif and Shanghai.

G u y a n a ’s f o o t b a l l deserves its Holy Grail again. And history has already shown us who knows how to deliver it.

Bomb Squad, Stabroek Ballers, Road Warriors impress on Christmas Day - President’s Futsal Championship moves closer to deciding champions

T

he Kashif and Shanghai–organi sed ‘One Guyana’ 3rd Annual President’s Futsal Championship kicked into the quarterfinal stage on Thursday night (Christmas Day) following a pulsating round-of-sixteen programme inside the iconic Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Booking their tickets to the last eight were Kingston, Road Warriors, Bomb Squad, and Stabroek Ballers, all producing eye-catching performances as the competition edged closer to crowning its champions.

From an initial field of 48 teams, the tournament has now been whittled down to the final eight in both the Schoolboys and Senior Men’s divisions. The roundof-sixteen fireworks lit up the CASH arena on Christmas night, beginning with Kingston edging Gold is Money in a thrilling 3–2 victory. Kingston struck early, winning a second-

minute penalty which Simon Emanuel calmly dispatched to put his side ahead.

Emanuel doubled the advantage four minutes later, curling home a sublime free-kick to make it 2–0.

Kingston continued to dominate proceedings and were rewarded when Deandre Linton finished off a wellworked move, latching onto a precise cross and rifling the ball into the net to stretch the lead to 3–0. Gold is Money mounted a brief fightback through Jamal Pedro in the 10th minute, but Kingston remained composed.

A late free-kick from Randolph Wagner pulled another goal back in the 30th minute, but it proved too little, too late as Kingston saw out a 3–2 win. The second clash of the night saw Road Warriors deliver a ruthless display, dismantling Festival City 8–0, with Matheus Henrique running riot.

Henrique opened the scoring in the second minute and completed

Scenes from Christmas day as Kashif and Shanghai wraps up round-of-sixteen phase in the Men’s Senior Futsal championship. his hat-trick by the eighth minute, putting Warriors firmly in control at 3–0 inside ten minutes.

Festival City struggled to cope with the relentless pressure as Road Warriors’ defence stayed solid and disciplined, preserving a clean sheet. Henrique added

two more goals in the 21st and 22nd minutes, while Matheus De Souza joined the scoresheet in the 23rd.

Henrique completed a remarkable double hat-trick a minute later before Wesley Ferreira put the finishing touch in the 29th minute, sealing a commanding 8–0

triumph. Bomb Squad advanced after overcoming Silver Bullets 3–1, with William Burges leading the charge. Burges struck in the 10th minute before Reshawn Ritch doubled the advantage in the 18th. Damjon Williams briefly reduced the deficit in the 20th minute, but Burges unleashed a thunderous finish in the 24th to put the game beyond doubt and send Bomb Squad into the quarters.

The final Senior Men’s showdown saw Stabroek Ballers battle past Back Circle 3–1 in a tense encounter.

Back Circle drew first blood through Ravi Naughton in the fifth minute.

Stabroek Ballers responded with determination, earning a penalty which Shamar Welch converted in the 18th minute to level the scores.

With both teams locked at 1–1, the match pushed into added time. Welch produced a moment of brilliance in the

30+5 minute before Ezekiel Frank-David slammed home another to complete the comeback and secure a hardfought 3–1 victory, booking Stabroek Ballers’ place in the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinal action continued yesterday in both divisions. In the Schoolboys category, New Central High faced Annandale Secondary, Dolphin Secondary clashed with VYC, West Minster met Hope Secondary, and West Ruimveldt Secondary battled St John’s College for the final semifinal berth.

In the Senior Men’s division, Bomb Squad went head-to-head with the dangerous Team Cruel, Road Warriors locked horns with Team Family, Bent Street faced Kingston, while Sparta Boss competed for the final semifinal spot against Stabroek Ballers.

Detailed coverage of the quarterfinal action will be published in a subsequent edition of this newspaper.

Jamaican Keemar Beckford about to score his beauty against Monedderlust. (Mansoor Cave photo)

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Guyana’s ‘top four’ collide in GFF Super 16 Semi-Finals

…Army to play Western Tigers, Slingerz to battle Police

Zak Crawley and Jacob Bethell whittled down the requirement. (Getty Images)

England survive Melbourne mayhem to claim droughtbreaking win

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