...Oil giant's cost recovery almost doubles nation's total debt as profits pour overseas
CANU torches over $1 billion in cocaine, ganja
...MinistersaysGuyanaisnot aplacefordrugsbusiness
CANU nets nearly 24 kilos of cocaine in Hydronie bust
Parag cracks down on bullying ...three arrested
Canadian firm to build 69,000 as attacks continue ExxonMobil rakes in nearly US$10B in six months, while
…withlaunchofnew digitalreportingsystem Toddler Drowns in Creek
massive airstrip for Toroparu
US$14.7 billion gold project
Devin Jacobs
ExxonMobil rakes in nearly US$10B in
six months, while Guyana gets just US$1B
...Oil giant's cost recovery almost doubles nation's total debt as profits pour overseas
Ex x o n M o b i l Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the prolific
Stabroek Block, has recovered a staggering US$9.768 billion in just the firstsixmonthsof2025—a figure that nearly doubles Guyana'stotalnationaldebt, which stood at US$6 billion attheendof2024.
The Bank of Guyana (BoG)recentlypublishedits Half Year Report, following the publication of the MidYear Report by the Government of Guyana (GoG).
According to figures released by the Central Bank, Exxon recovered US$3,157B in the first quarter of 2025 and US$6,611.1B in the second quarter This means the
company utilised a total of US$9,768,100,000 for cost recoveryinsixmonths. Inkeepingwiththeterms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), EMGL is allowed to deduct 75% of oil produced each month to meet its expenses.
the government has agreed to allow the company to maximisetherevenuesfrom the petroleum activities to benefit shareholders of the StabroekBlockpartners.
As such, Guyana's earnings from the sector in the first six months of the
In the absence of a ringfencing provision, the company is not only paying for the projects currently in operation, but those that are yettocomeonstream.
While stakeholders fear that the forecast of low oil price in the future will gravely affect Guyana's ability to enjoy its wealth,
Reg.9 RDC split $12M in contracts to avoid NPTAB – AG Report
Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma in his 2024 Report exposed that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Nine breached procurement procedures by splitting $12.9millionincontractsto avoid going to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)foradjudication.
AccordingtotheReport, theRegionalAdministration was allotted $175 million for capital purchases which entails the purchase of trucks, boats and engines; purchase of furniture and equipment; and purchase of ambulance and all terrain vehicles(ATV).
TheAGdetailedthatthe Region had procured three Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at $12.900 million under Programme 795 for health services. The Report noted that the acquisitions wereexecutedthroughthree payment vouchers - 79A2024-001659, 79A-2024001660, and 79A-2024001661, all dated May 17, 2024, and issued to a single supplier
Further, the Report stated that upon an audit examinationofthepayment vouchers, Regional Tender Board (RTB) Minutes and otherrelateddocumentation
by the auditing team, it was revealed that the procurement of the three vehicles were adjudicated on the same date, as documentedinRTBMinute №.10/2024,anddespitethe motor vehicles being of differentmodelyears(1994, 2002 and 2003), the supplier's quoted price was at$4.3millioneach.
“Furthermore,itappears that the Regional Administration deliberately split the payments in order to utilise the Request for Quotations procurement m e t h o d , t h e r e b y circumventing adjudication
Administration Board (NPTAB),asthetotalvalue of the purchase would have
d the $8M threshold,” the AG pointed out.
Responding to the AG, theHeadofBudgetAgency indicated that the Regional Administration noted the findings and this practice willnotoccurinthefuture.
The Audit Office in its recommendation said the Head of Budget Agency must ensure there is full compliance with the FMA Act 2003, Procurement Act 2003 and compliance with theStoresRegulations1993 atalltimes.
year paled in comparison to whattheoilcompaniestook.
According to the MidYear Report, the Natural ResourceFund(NRF)orthe oil account barely received US$1B during the same period.
Thereportstates,“Inthe first half of 2025,
Government had 15 lifts of profit oil from the three producing FPSOs, Liza Destiny (3), Liza Unity (6) andProsperity(6).”Eachlift is equivalent to one million barrelsofoil.
To this end, government reported,“Duringtheperiod January to June 2025, G
US$1,053 8 million as revenue from its share of
profit oil This included payments for two lifts that occurred in the final quarter of2024,and13ofthe15lifts that occurred in the first six monthsofthisyear.”
It was also noted that in July, US$140.5 million was received as profit oil payments for the two Governmentliftsexecutedin June Government also received US$169.6 million in royalties related to crude oil production and sales in thefinalquarterof2024and thefirstquarterofthisyear At the end of June 2025, the NRF contained (inclusiveofinterestincome of US$68.9M) a total of US$3,192.2 million, after withdrawals of US$1,200 million.
Said Leader of the Opposition-in-waiting, Azruddin Mohamedinhisfirstpostparliamentarymediaengagement, “To ensure the people of this country get their fair share” is amonghistoppriorities Anotheristoholdthegovernment accountable
Thosearetwotoughchallenges,butfeasible,despitethe slipperynatureofthePPPCGovernment,itcanstillbeheld accountable,oncethewillispresent Relativetoafairshare forcitizens,heisgoingtoencountersomeentrenchedinterests that are focused on their own priority That is, to keep the statusquogoing,one,sothey continue to rake in the riches from the nation's national resources patrimonies, while happy to leave the crumbs to the people who have been compelledtotakethose,andpretendatcontentment.
Mohamed and his We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) succeeded in gaining 16 seats in parliament because of the countrywide dissatisfaction from rank-and-file citizens Dissatisfactionwithhowtheyhavebeenusedandtheirtrust abusedbyboththePPPC-andAPNU+AFC-ledgovernments
Many promises were made, many were not kept, and voters gavethefirstindicationofnotgoingalongwiththatwayof lifeanymore.
They voted for Mohamed, with him achieving the unthinkable: after a mere four months of announcing a run for Guyana's highest national office, voters pushed he and his team into parliament with 16 seats. It is still an unbelievable achievement, which leaves many Guyanese observers pinching themselves, wondering if they are dreaming,ifthisreallyhappened.
Itdid,despiteheandhisfatherbeingsanctionedbytheUS Governmentforalistofallegedcrimes,withgoldsmuggling, tax evasion, and money laundering attracting the most attention This says much about the confidence of the local electorate in the two long-time political giants in Guyana's environment Where there was plenty of that confidence, there is now considerably less, at least where the APNU group is concerned. Where the PPP was previously dominanttothepointofbeingunchallenged,theconfidence of the electorate in the trustworthiness of its leaders have ebbed. FromtherecentlyconcludedGeneralandRegional Elections, there is evidence that some of the ruling party's own supporters stayed away from the polls. They didn't come out and vote for WIN or A Partnership for National Unity(APNU),oranyoftheotherparties,buttheydidnot voteforthePPP,either
Oneinterpretationofbothvoterapathyandthesuccessof Mohamed's WIN is that Guyanese are disgruntled from not gettingwhattheyconsidertobetheirfairshareoftheresources thatarepartoftheirbirthright TheybelievedthatthePPPC Governmenthasdeceivedthem,andtakenadvantageofthem Also,dejectedvotersdidnothavethefaithofthepastineither the APNU or Alliance For Change, so as to go for them again. The loss of the three parties that have controlled Guyanese life for decades has been to the benefit of MohamedandWIN. Hehasamandatefromthepeoplein his hands, however limited it is, and he has started out by namingafairshareforGuyaneseasamonghistoppriorities. Willhedeliver,orwillhebecomeanotherpoliticalleader extending the dismal record of those who went before him? Willhebeallowedtheopportunityandroomtogivehisbest effort,withGuyaneseseeingforthemselvesthatherepresents atruebreathofchange? Thereare11seriouschargeshanging likeablacksmith'shammeroverhishead,andanextradition requestfromtheUSGovernmentthatispending. Thoseare formidable obstacles in his way, and they could negate his promise to ensure that Guyanese receive their fair share fromthenation'swealth. Itisprobablethathemaynoteven beheretomakeastartinthatdirection.
ThefactthatMohamedhastargetedExxonMobilisnotin hisfavour ThefactthatboththePPPCandAPNUfearhim, constrains him It would be tragic if the one Guyanese who promised a fair share for Guyanese is prevented from delivering Poor,unhappyGuyaneseneedhim,butthePPPC GovernmentwantshiminUShands,andoutofGuyana
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Enact the 'Mohameds Exception Act’
DearEditor, I read with great amusement the Mohamed family's recent statement lamenting the supposed “persecution” of the family a f t e r t h e l a w f u l impoundmentofoneoftheir uninsured vehicles by the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF). According to them, Guyana is descending into tyranny because, apparently, the rule of law had the audacity to applytothem.
Perhaps it is time to stop pretending that all citizens are equal under the law and accept that some families, like the Mohameds, are simply too important to be governed by such trivialities as the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act or the
Income Tax Act. In fact, I suggestweconsiderenacting special legislation, the 'Mohameds Exception Act,' thatallowsthisdistinguished familytooperate with impunity and privilege, and disregard any other law they find inconvenient.
After all, this is a family whoserecordalreadyspeaks volumes when it comes to adherence to the rule of law, in and out of Guyana. Both Azruddin and his father, along with several of their companies,have been sanctioned and indicted by the US Government for financial crimes including mail and wirefraud.
Clearly,iftheycanbrush
off federal charges, what's a little local infraction about an uninsured car? I must admit, however, that their attempt to cloak traffic violationsinthelanguageof democracy,persecution,and international concern is almost impressive in its creativity
Tocomparebeingpulled over for breaking the law withtheoppressionfacedby political prisoners in Pakistanorgang violence in Haiti requires a level of dramatic flairthatshouldatleastearn them an Oscar, if not immunityfromthepolice.
Or maybe they simply are unable to distinguish
enforcement. And maybe if theyaregenuinelyinterested in defending democracy, perhaps they can start by respecting the laws of the democratic state they claim tolove.Theruleoflawdoes notbendtothewealthyorthe well-connectedastheyseem to believe. So yes, I support the Mohamed's call for fairness; the fairness of ensuring that every Guyanese, regardless of wealthorsurname,facesthe same consequences when theybreakthelaw
Untilthen,maytheirnext statement be accompanied by valid insu
nce certificates for the cars they drive.
Yoursfaithfully, RavinSingh
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox
Proposed Day of Appreciation for Security and Law Enforcement Officers in Guyana
DearEditor,
As the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) celebrates its 60thAnniversaryofservice, the 'Building Our Dream Guyana Movement' is proposing that November 24th,2025,beobservedasa 'Day of Appreciation for
Security and Law
Enforcement Officers in Guyana'.Theaimofthisday isformembersofthepublic to show appreciation to our security officers, members of the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Fire Service, and the Guyana Police Force Too often, we criticizeoursecurityandlaw
enforcement officers,
annuallyforthemembersof the public to show their appreciation for the service,
responsibilities of security and law enforcement officerstoourcountry
The people deserve an opposition leader
DearEditor,
Now that the 13th Parliament of Guyana has convened and all Members of Parliament from both the Government and the Combined Opposition have takentheiroaths,onewould hope that the real work, the work of the people, would begin.
However, I cannot help but express deep concern aboutwhatisunfolding.For the first time in our nation's history, we are witnessing a ParliamentwithoutaLeader oftheOpposition.Thisisnot only unusual, it is a break from parliamentary customs andtraditions.
It has always been customary and traditional that at the first sitting of Parliament following a General and Regional Election, the Speaker of the
House, the Deputy Speaker, and the Leader of the Opposition, whether representing a combined opposition or a single party, are all duly named and in place. This ensures that the Parliament begins its work withbalance,representation, andaccountability
How then is it that the Deputy Speaker has already been named and assumed office, while no clear move has been made to appoint or elect the Leader of the Opposition? This delay not only breaks with longstanding practice but also undermines the democratic spirit and the confidence of the people in the parliamentaryprocess.
TheroleoftheLeaderof the Opposition is not symbolic; it carries the responsibilityofholdingthe
government accountable, representing the voices of thousands, and ensuring fairnessinnationaldecisionmaking. When that role is left vacant, the people — especially those who supported the oppositiona r e l e f t w i t h o u t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o r reassurance that their concernswillbeheard.
Our Parliament belongs to all the people of Guyana, not just one side. I therefore urgethatthisunprecedented delay be addressed urgently so that our democracy can function as it was intended, with fairness, inclusion, and respectfortradition.
Yoursfaithfully LorenzoJoseph United Workers Party (UWP) Activist Region10
Punch Card Politics: The Government's Job Drive May Be Shrinking Opportunity, Not Expanding It
DearEditor, R e c e n t j o b advertisements posted by MinisterPriyaManickchand on her social media page, inviting applications for mechanics, servicemen, garbage truck drivers, and collectors,havestirredquiet curiosity and growing concern.
While the optics of job creation are politically attractive, the underlying implicationspointtoamore complex and troubling directionforgovernanceand development. It stands in stark contrast to Govt's role which is to formulate policies and create opportunities that drives innovation, creating wealth andsocialupliftment.
At face value, such recruitment drives suggest progress providing work for citizens and boosting service delivery within the Ministry of Local Government. However, if this move signals a shift toward the government building and operating its own fleet and service
apparatus, then it represents an encroachment into
contractors and municipal entities. This could have a chilling effect on local
p , effectively sidelining the private sector and eroding
growth.
The deeper worry is structural These Statedriven employment models create jobs, yes—but often ones with limited upward mobility Theymaygenerate incomeintheshortterm,yet they entrench dependency
rather than foster empowerment Citizens remain wage earners, not wealth creators This trajectoryrunscountertothe administration's stated vision of promoting generational wealth and sustainable economic independence.
Vice President Jagdeo's repeated emphasis on cost reduction in procurement couldbethepolicy'sdriving
The objectives of this proposeddayare:Toprovide members of the public with an opportunity to express theirappreciationtosecurity and law enforcement officers; to create an opportunity to increase the value and generate greater public support for security and law enforcement officers; to build stronger partne
tween members of the public, communities, and security and law enforcement officers; to provide an opportunity for security and law enforcement officers to creategreaterawarenessand educate members of the public on security and law enforcement matters; to provide members of the
public to express their appreciation to families of s e c u r i t y a n d l a w enforcementofficers;andto inspire security and law enforcement officers to endeavour to provide the highest level of service to members of the public, communitiesandtogenerate greater respect for their organisations.
Expectedoutcomesfrom the 'Day ofAppreciation for S
Enforcement Officers' in G
appreciation and support from members of the public
enforcement officers;
between members of the
public, communities and
enforcement officers; greater awareness and more educated members of the public on security and law
; greater appreciation by members of the public for families of security and law enforcement officers; increased professionalism and the highest level of service by security and law enforcement officers in the course of their duties and generating greater respect fortheirorganisations.
This can be done by expressing appreciation to: traffic officers doing their duty; neighbours, friends, familymemberswhoare
(Continuedonpage6)
From Talk Show to Talk Name Show
logic, but cutting costs by consolidating State control risks alienating the very citizens government claims to uplift. Wealth should be distributed by broadening opportunity, not by expandingbureaucracy
What the country urgently needs is a balanced development model one that supports small contractors, incentivizes innovation, and rewards initiative.Whengovernment crowds out private participation, it confines growth and deepens inequality
If unchecked, these new modalities could leave citizens poorer even as the Stategrows richerandmore powerful Citizens must question this quiet shift in national direction Democracy thrives when citizens are not just
e m p l o y e d b u t
e m p o w e r e d w h e n opportunity is shared and prosperityisself-sustaining, notState-supplied.
Respectfully, HemduttKumar
DearEditor, The antics of the Law Enforcement Agencies in Guyana have come to the forefront in a display of sheer terror and clumsiness in the ongoing prosecution andpersecutionofAzruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar (Shell) Mohamed Neverhasanyagency,under both PPP and PNC, acted withsuchalacrityandzealto confront such a scenario. The crude manner of the arrest and placement on the back of a pick-up truck evokes memories of the Burnham dictatorship, characterized by inhumane treatment, brutality and frivolouscharges.(In1980,I was arrested for having two loaves of bread) It is noteworthy that the gas station 'terrorism' suspects were placed inside police vehicles and driven to the lockups.
Now to the usual Thursday soliloquy and ranting at Freedom House. The chief honcho and de factoPPPleadershiftedinto overdrive in blasting the Mohameds for alleged financial crimes, comically alluding to the most talked aboutcarinCARICOM-the Lamborghini (he could not even pronounce the name correctly). The 191 billion overduetaxesclaimedbythe Guyana Revenue Authority turned a back somersault as the charges were withdrawn evenbeforetheinkhaddried onthecasedockets!Perhaps the self-anointed oil expert oughttofocusonrecovering the advance monies paid to Tepuiforthe$870.5million
Belle Vue Pump Station Project, a contract that was later rescinded Tepui received$160.894millionin advance and up to Jagdeo's press conference time, the company has only repaid $8.11 million, or just 6.25% oftheamountadvanced.The Auditor General's 2024 Report on the Public Accounts of Guyana clearly pinpoints that the Government is still to recover$121.7millionfrom TepuiGroupInc.,acompany owned by social media commentator Mikhail Rodrigues,widelyknownas “Guyanese Critic ” And whataboutinvestigatingthe assets of many ministers who own properties (many inotherpeoples'names)?
The PPPregime, rapidly morphing into an oligarchy, is unravelling and its hegemonic attributes can only cultivate more dissent and bitterness among the populace A colossal contradiction now looms: Do we go after local businesses for taxes while giving away billions of US dollars in duty free and tax concessions to the foreign Chinese, Australian and Canadian gold mining companies? No need to mentionEXXON. In conclusion, seeing that the entire Guyana witnessed the VP mention the name Azruddin and Mohamedover200times at his November 06 press conference,itwouldbemore accurate to describe the weekly Freedom House talk showtoatalknameshow
Sincerely Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
The foremost personnel directing the Mohamed's tragedy(orisitcomedy?)are theAttorneyGeneralandthe Director of Public Prosecution; who were both charged and accused respectively of theft and fraud. It is in the public domain that Shalimar Hack, the DPP was fingered in buyinglandswhilePresident Ali (who himself was slapped with 19 fraud charges) was Housing Minister at undervalued prices while the chief lawman,Anil Nandlall, was accusedofstealingbooks.Is itpossiblethattheoldadage 'set a thief to catch a thief' appliedhere?
‘There has to be changes’
- Jagdeo says as Exxon waters down need for increased local content
Days after it was reported that
ExxonMobil believes there is no need to increase targets for greater Guyanese participation in the oil and gas sector, Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohas sent a clear signal that changes to the legislation willbecoming.
Du r i n g a p r e s s conference at Freedom
House, Robb Street, Georgetown, the chief
policymaker for the petroleumsectorsaid,“Isaw thePresidentofExxonMobil Guyana here saying that we might not need to move the percentagesuporchangethe law Well, we believe it has to be changed. I disagree with him on that. We are going to be having that conference and that will require, either through the regulationsorifthecoreAct
has to be changed, we'll changeit.”
He was referring to the Local Content Act, passed bythePPPadministrationin 2021. The first schedule of theActsetsout40categories of work for Guyanese participation via the supply ofgoodsandtheprovisionof serviceswhichinclude:food supply, rental of office space, accommodation, insurance, accounting and legalservices.
The law is intended to regulate the way companies operate in Guyana's oil and gas sector; employ persons, buyservicesandthewaythat theyprocuregoods.Sinceits passage, the private sector has been calling on government to revise the schedule to increase Guyanese participation in theindustry
However, EMGL
…legislationlikelytogoverngasdevelopment
President,AlistairRoutledge told reporters during a press conference last month that “fixed targets” can be motivational but can also lead to overinvestment wherethereisonlyalimited demand.
Accordingtohim,“Asit is always, the question is, is itagoodthingornottohave, you know, those fixed targets. They can be both motivational, but they can also tend to lead to over investment because people rush in saying, well, I'm guaranteed to get work if I investinthatkindofskillor whether product or service offering.”
Routledge added, “But of course, there is only a certain amount of demand. So, I think what has been
happening pragmatically over the last several years is that because as an industry, we'vecommittedtoworking so proactively with the government on building up the capacity in the industry, matching the demand with the supply, encouraging other foreign direct investments through these smart partnerships, for now, at least we haven't seen a needfromthegovernmentto pushadditionaltargets.”
Exxonbelievesthatthere isalreadygreatcollaboration across the industry between government and the private sector with various training institutions now upskilling Guyanese.
To this end, Routledge noted,“Soaslongasweare all working together, I
into CCJ - Ali judicial talks VPAC demands inquiry
Chairman of the Vigilant Political
A c t i o n
Committee (VPAC)
Dorwain Bess wrote the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on October 28, 2025
inquiring about the interaction that was had betweenthecourt'spresident and Guyana on the substantive appointments of the Chancellor and Chief Justice.
In the letter seen by this publication,Besssaidthathe was writing, “to request that the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) institute a formal inquiry into reported interactions between the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Winston Anderson and the Government of Guyana, concerning the recent retirement of the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and the ongoing vacancy in the substantive
appointments of the Chancellor and Chief Justice.”
Highlighting the concerns of his party, he noted that around October 27, Justice CummingsEdwards proceeded on preretirement leave and early retirement from office, and thePresidentannouncedthat thethenActingChiefJustice (Roxane George) would
continue as Acting
ChancellorandaHighCourt Judge (Navindra Singh) would act as Chief Justice andalsoserveontheJudicial ServiceCommission.
“It is further publicly recorded that the President of the CCJ, Winston Anderson, visited Guyana from 14–17 October 2025 for a series of official engagements (including the swearing-in of a Guyanese judge of the CCJ) and paid courtesy calls on the PresidentofGuyana,Acting Chancellor George, and other officials,” the letter said.
Bess also highlighted in his letter to the CCJ that JusticeAndersonreturnedto Guyana and it was during thisvisitthathewasengaged by President Irfaan Ali as well as the Leader of the political opposition Mr AubreyNorton,“tofacilitate or mediate negotiations concerningtheexitofActing Chancellor CummingsEdwards, including discussions of a retirement package.”
VPACisoftheviewsthat one of the effects as a result ofthisengagementisthatthe independence of Guyana's judiciary appears to be or m a y h a v e b e e n
c o m p r o m i s e d b y extrajudicial negotiation
CCJ, the apex court for the Region,thepossibilityarises that any matter now before the CCJ in which the Guyanese Government is a party, or has a significant interest, might be subject to the appearance of bias or conflictofinterest.
These circumstances may undermine public confidence in the impartiality of the CCJ and the regional judicial architecture,” the party furtherstatedinitsletter
Furthermore, “VPAC holds the view; – The prolonged lack of substantive appointments to theofficesofChancellorand Chief Justice in Guyana undermines the rule of law, weakens the judiciary's institutional stability and invites public perception of politicalinterference.”
The party is arguing that ifasittingorfuturePresident oftheCCJhasbeeninvolved in negotiations or arrangementswithanational government, in relation to theremovalor“modification of senior judicial officeholders, then the credibility ofthatcourt'simpartialityin relation to that government maybequestioned.”
The party stressed that for victims of corruption as wellasordinarycitizenswho will be seeking recourse through the courts, the highest regional court's
believe that is the most constructive way, and probably the fastest way to efficiently build local capacity, so that the local supply chain can benefit fromtheopportunitiesinthe center.”
While ExxonMobil has dismissed the need for Guyanese to have greater participation in the sector, citing “demand” concerns, the company is on course to almostdoubleitscurrentrate of production over the next fewyears.
Presently, four projects areinoperationandaresetto produce 900,000 barrels of oil daily In the meantime, threeotherprojectsareinthe development phase, with an eight-development pending governmentapproval.
By 2027, Exxon is aiming to increase Guyana's daily production rate to 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.
Gaslegislation
integrity is of paramount importance.Therefore,ifthe confidence of the public is shaken, the role of the judiciary as the guardian of rightsisundermined.Inlight of this, the VPAC is respectfully calling on the RJLSCtoconductaninquiry intothenatureandtheextent of any discussion or negotiation between the GovernmentofGuyanaoris agentsandJusticeAnderson, in relation to the removal or retirement of the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, the appointment or promotion of senior judicial office-holders, or the participation of the CCJ
President in shuttle diplomacy on behalf of the GuyaneseGovernment.
Secondly, there should beanassessmentonwhether these interactions, “once verified,constituteaconflict of interest, or give rise to a perception of lack of impartiality in respect of futureorcurrentCCJmatters involvingtheGovernmentof Guyana.”
There should also be recommendationstoaddress any remedial steps to preserve or restore the independence, impartiality and the public's confidence in the CCJ, with the inclusionofmechanismsfor recusal if required or additional transparency safeguards.
Prevention, Preparedness, R e s p o n s e a n d Responsibility Act). Those arethetwoActsthatweneed to complete the regulations for.”
Jagdeo clarified that if further legislation is required to govern the gas industry, the necessary laws willbeputinplace.
“If we need further legislative changes to facilitate the growth of the gas sector, that will be done tomonetiseanddemocratize the opportunities that we spoke of, like fertilizer and the cooking gas and promoting Guyanese ownership.
Meanwhile, with regard to the monetisation of the country's gas resources, VP Jagdeo explained that if the sectorrequireschanges,then government will ensure the necessary legislation is in place.
Hesaid,“Ifthatrequires legislativechangesthenfine, but there are some regulationsthatwenowneed to put in place for the main
Act that we passed (Petroleum Activities Act)
a n d a l s o o n t h e environmental side, the one on pollution (Oil Pollution,
Should we need legislativechanges,thenthat will be done to structure the companies,”hepointedout.
Guyana is actively pursuingthedevelopmentof itsgasresourcesthroughthe WalesGas-to-Energy(GTE) project.Thefirstphaseofthe project will see gas being utilised to generate electricity and market Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs). Government has also revealed plans for a fertilizer plant and other initiatives to generate revenuefromtheresources.
Proposed Day of...
Frompage5 security and law enforcement police officers; Guyana Police Force officers; Guyana Defence Force Officers, including those on the borders; Guyana Fire Service officers; businesses placing advertisements in the press expressing their appreciation for a secure business environment; expressing appreciation through community appreciation activities; religious organisations expressing appreciation to their members who are securityandlawenforcement officers;amongothers.
'Building Our Dream Guyana Movement' is of the viewthatdesignatinga'Day
of Appreciation of Security and Law Enforcement Officers' is necessary for developingamoreinclusive, professional and respect for the value of what various groups and organisations in the society contribute to growthanddevelopment. Wehopethatin2026,we will be able to organize this day with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant public sector, international, civil society and private sector organisations.
Yourssincerely, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas Coordinator, Building Our Dream Guyana Movement
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!
In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.
MONDAY–NOVEMBER03,2025
Whenlawenforcement becomesaweapon
WhatunfoldedonFriday with the arrest of WIN Leader Azruddin Mohamed was not policing, it was intimidation The deployment of masked, heavily armed ranks on a crowded Georgetown roadwaytoseizeamanwho had already pledged full cooperation was a chilling reminder of what happens whenstatepowerismisused forpoliticaltheatre.Gunsin faces, handcuffs on a 72year-old father, denial of immediateaccesstolawyers these are not hallmarks of a democraticsocietyrootedin due process They are symbols of fear, staged to sendawarning.
Guyana has seen many troubling moments, but this stands out for one reason: who it targeted. A newly elected Member of
Parliament A political opponent Someone who daredtochallengetheruling
party's monopoly on authority
ThisGovernmentcannot plead innocence. The optics were intentional The message was unmistakable: oppose us, and you will be publiclybroken. Ourlawswerewrittento protectcitizens,nottoshield power-drunk leaders who twist security forces into political enforcers Guyanese must decide whetherthisisthenationwe are willing to accept — one where democracy survives only at the convenience of thoseincharge.
TUESDAY–NOVEMBER04,2025 th The13 Parliament
T h e T h i r t e e n t h Parliament of the
Cooperative Republic of Guyana opened yesterday The weight of national
expectation sits squarely on the shoulders of every elected representative. The people did not send lawmakers to the National Assemblytoengageinpetty rivalries or personal enrichment. They sent them to serve, to legislate with integrity, to scrutinise governance and to ensure that the prosperity of this nation reaches every Guyanesehome.
Parliament is a sacred chamberofdemocracy,nota stage for mindless heckling, empty grandstanding, or the disruptive foolishness that toooftendefinedtheTwelfth Parliament.
The people of Guyana are tired of politics as performance. They demand politics with purpose. They demandmaturity,respectfor the House, and respect for thosewhoplacedtheminit.
With oil wealth transforming our national landscape, the stakes have never been higher Every
APA attends first COP as observer to the Climate Convention
The Amerindian
P e o p l e s
Association (APA) will be participating inthe30thConferenceofthe Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Belem, Brazil, for the first time as an observer to the Convention.
As one of the few accredited Indigenous Peoples' Organisations (IPOs) from the Caribbean and SouthAmerican region, the APA delegation will be led by President Mario
H a s t i n g s , w i t h representatives from three DistrictCouncilsincludedin itsdelegation.
TheAPAdelegationalso includes Vice-President
Lemmel Thomas and Women'sRepresentativeand
Toshao of Kamarang Village, Alma Marshall APA is also supporting the participation of District CouncilsatCOP30.
APA Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, NicholasPeters,Programme Manager, Faye Stewart,
Mapping and Monitoring
Coordinator, Linburg Pearson, Policy Officers, Sheldon Peters and Felecia
Va l e n z u e l a , a n d
Communications and Visibility Officer, Lakhram Bhagirat, also comprise the team to provide technical supporttotheleadersasthey represent the voices and interests of their peoples on theglobalstage.
In a press release, the APAsaid as an organisation committed to promoting the social, economic, political, and cultural development of Indigenous communities anddefendingtheirrights,its participation at COP30 forms part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that the Indigenousperspectivesand e x p e r i e n c e s a r e meaningfully included in global climate action and policydiscussions. At COP30, theAPAwill highlight the struggles and resilience of Indigenous Peoples in Guyana, including issues related to land rights, climate impacts, environmental degradation, and threats to traditional
voice in that Chamber must reflect the needs of citizens, not party financiers, not egos,notnarrowagendas.
Lawmakers must remember: their duty is to the people. Their debates mustilluminate,notinflame. Theiractionsmustuplift,not undermine In this new Parliament, let service replace spectacle Let responsibility replace recklessness. Let the nation comefirstandalways.
WEDNESDAY–
NOVEMBER05,2025
Democracycannotwait onpoliticalconvenience
Parliament was duly convened on Monday, but the re-elected Speaker, Manzoor Nadir did not summon a meeting of the opposition MPs for them to elect a Leader of the Opposition as per the constitution.
This delay is not a harmless administrative hiccup,itisadirectaffrontto Guyana's Constitution and theprinciplesthatsafeguard ourdemocracy
livelihoods.TheAssociation will also emphasise the critical role that Indigenous knowledge, stewardship, and community-led initiativesplayinaddressing the climate crisis and protecting the world's remaining forests and biodiversity
Through its presence at COP30, the APA seeks to strengthen alliances with Indigenous, civil society organisations and State representatives;advocatefor stronger recognition and inclusion of Indigenous rights within the climate framework; and call on g o v e r n m e n t s a n d international partners to support policies that uphold the dignity, autonomy, knowledge systems and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.
The APA reaffirms its commitmenttoensuringthat the voices of Guyana's Indigenous peoples are heard, respected and included in all spaces where decisionsaremadeaboutthe planet's future and their territories.
who believe democracy is theirs to ration Where accountability is delayed, dictatorshipisempowered.
THURSDAY–NOVEMBER06,2025
APresidentwhospeaks, butnottothenation
President Irfaan Ali continues to avoid the one forum that truly tests leadership: an open press conference. Instead, he opts for cozy sit-downs with friendly media, carefully curated conversations that shield him from scrutiny whileallowingmajorpolicy decisions to be selectively disclosed.
connected elite soars to super-wealth while ordinary Guyanese stretch every dollar to keep food on the tableandelectricityon.Itisa cruel paradox: the richer the wellsgetthepoorerdailylife feels.
Falling oil prices now threaten even the limited reliefpromised—pensions, social support, better services. If this is how life looks in the boom, what happensinthedownturn?
Guyanahastheresources to change every life for the better What it lacks is the political courage to ensure oilliftsthenation—notjust theprivilegedonepercent.
The Leader of the Opposition is not a ceremonial accessory to the governmentoftheday Itisa constitutional office with critical responsibilities: holding the Executive accountable, representing nearly half the electorate, and ensuring balance in nationaldecision-making.
Tosubjectthatprocessto political gamesmanship or the whims of those in government is patently unfair and dangerously disrespectful, not only to OppositionMPsbuttoevery Guyanese citizen who expects proper governance. The Speaker of the National Assembly must never be reduced to a tool manipulated by those who benefitfromdelay
This is not an isolated incident. In Region 10, the refusal of the REO to reconvene a statutory meeting to elect a Chair and Vice Chair reflects the same creeping authoritarian instinct to undermine the rules then pretend it is businessasusual.
Guyanese must reject this overreach. Silence now will only embolden those
Yesterday was a prime example The President chose a Newsroom interview, not the national podium, to announce a significantcashgrantforrice farmers and fisherfolk Decisions involving billions in taxpayers' dollars should not be exclusive scoops, handed to favoured outlets. TheyaremattersofStatethat demand equal access for all media and by extension, the entirepopulation.
Dr Alihasathisdisposal the full machinery of the State: DPI, NCN, his Office's media unit Yet, much like his first term, he continues to govern by controlled messaging rather than transparency. The President pledged openness. The country still waits. Accountability cannot flourishwherequestionsare unwelcome.
FRIDAY–NOVEMBER 07,2025Oilwealth,empty pockets
Guyana is pumping record oil — 246 million barrels expected this year, yet the majority of citizens remain trapped in grinding struggle.
Every headline about booming production and billions in projected earnings only sharpens the contrast with the bitter reality on the ground: oil wealth for the few, anxiety forthemany
A nation producing a quarter-billion barrels annually at high prices shouldseeitscitizensthrive. Instead, a tiny ruling-
SATURDAY–NOVEMBER08,2025
Banksfeastwhile Guyanesestarve
Banks once slammed their doors in the faces of poor nations like Guyana. Today, they line up like hungry piranhas, because Guyana has oil. Billions of barrels of it So, when President Ali stepped into Saudi Arabia, lenders didn't ask tough questions; they threw US$1B on the table faster than lightning Suriname gets a piece too, but let's be clear: Guyana, pumping over 600,000 barrelsaday,istherealbait.
Yetbehindtheshinyloan paperssitsacountryalready choked by US$6B in debt, with leaders boasting a “healthy” debt-to-GDP ratio. They conveniently ignorethatmorethanhalfof this “world-beating GDP” sails offshore into Exxon's pockets and foreign bank accounts. What is left for Guyanese? Higher prices, shrinking wallets, and a permanent seat in the poorhouse.
The PPPC Government gambles recklessly on high oil prices and endless production.
But experts warn of oversupply and falling prices. Oil isn't infinite, and new discoveries have dried up.Thewellswilleventually slow — but the banks will still demand every cent Borrowing binges bring champagnefortheelite.For regular Guyanese? Only repayment pain, for generationstocome.
The mirage of a “just transition”
There is a peculiar dissonance at the heart of Guyana’s energy rhetoric.
On the one hand, the Presidentthundersaboutthe necessity of a “just transition” as if his administration were the standard-bearer for environmental equity, the noble steward balancing the scalesbetweendevelopment andclimateduty
On the other, his government’s depletion policy is predicated on the idea that Guyana’s oil must be pumped, sold, and celebrated quickly Strip away the varnish of moral piety, and what remains is not a philosophy of justice butapoliticsofexpediency
The so-called “just transition” is not a moral argument but a rhetorical shield—a way to defend the right to extract oil without appearing indifferent to the planet’sdecline.
There is no doubt that every sovereign nation possessestherighttopursue itsdevelopmentasitseesfit. There is nothing inherently immoral about a poor country using its natural endowmentstoliftitspeople out of poverty But to dress thispragmaticimpulseinthe garmentsofglobaljusticeis to engage in semantic trickery The President’s invocation of a “just transition” is not a plea for equity;itisajustificationfor
oilextraction,cloakedinthe vocabularyofvirtue.
Andnow,thelatestinsult to logic: the charge that those who call for keeping oil in the ground are somehow protectionist. The word drips with disdain, implying a parochialism, a self-interest disguised as moral rectitude Yet the accusation is absurd on its face. Protectionism is the economic doctrine of shielding one’s domestic industries from foreign competition through tariffs, quotas, or subsidies. It has nothing whatsoever to do withmoralorenvironmental objections to oil Environmentalists who call for leaving fossil fuels untouched are not guarding their own economic turf; they are warning of a planetary crisis. They seek not protection for an industry, but preservation foraspecies. If this is protectionism, then what, pray, was Guyana’s own Low Carbon Development Strategy? Before oil’s seduction, Guyanapositioneditselfasa pioneer in environmental stewardship. That blueprint did not advocate drilling, burning, or selling; it envisionedaneconomybuilt on forest conservation and renewable energy No one called it protectionist then. N
subsequent administration declared its ambition to makeGuyanaaGreenState. These were visions grounded in the recognition thatthefuturewouldbelong tothepost-carbonworld.
Indeed,theveryconcept ofNetZero—whichGuyana proudlysupports—isitselfa commitment to the eventual endoffossilfuelproduction. To reach Net Zero means precisely that: to eliminate or offset carbon emissions, which cannot coexist indefinitely with perpetual oil extraction. Yet no one brands Net Zero as protectionist Why, then, should those who urge restraintinoildevelopment, whoarguethattheonlytruly “just transition” is one that hastens the demise of the fossil fuel era, be cast as economic nationalists in disguise?
The government’s logic collapses under the weight of its own contradictions. Only a few years ago, the Vice President argued that Guyana must accelerate oil production because there exists but a “narrow window” before fossil fuels become obsolete in the face of renewable energy’s ascent That argument suggested that we must drill now because soon we will not be able to do so. It was opportunism naked and unashamed. But now, the narrative has evolved.
DEM BOYS SEH
Who Insuring Who?
If it wasnt so tragic, it woulda been comedy gold. Imagine dis: a whole government detaining a vehicle belonging to de same Mohameds who dem seh nobody must do business withbecause allegedly, de vehicle aint had insurance! If dat aint irony,demboysdontknow whatis.
Now, leh we get dis
straight De same government that warn “consequences” fuh anybody doing business with de Mohameds, now suddenly want to enforce de law pon dem? Like de governmentdoingbusiness wid itself? It sound like a man banning heself from talking to he own reflection.
Dem boys seh it get more puzzling De US Embassy done come out
and clear up de confusion:
under dem OFAC sanctions, its American businesses that cant do business with de Mohammedsnot Guyanese ones. And wait nahwho tell de Vice President dat de Mohameds vehicle had no insurance? Did he personally call de insurancecompanies?That information cannot be given out to non-interested parties. Or maybe he got a hotline straight to de insurance database. Either way,demanseemtoknow more bout dem people vehicles than bout what goingonatdeNDIA. Dem boys seh it raise a next question: do de vehicles dat he driving got insurance? Because everybody and dem cousin knowdatmostgovernment
Today, we are told that this frenetic extraction is part of a “just transition ” The exploitation of oil has been rebranded as an act of environmental conscience. The same opportunism now marchesunderthebannerof justice The President is rewriting the narrative on just transition A “just transition” implies fairness — fairness to workers, to communities, to nations most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It implies a deliberate move awayfromfossilfuels,nota doublingdownuponthem.It is the bridge to the postcarbon world, not the justificationforremainingin the old one. To invoke the phrase while expanding production and celebrating record output is to rob it of meaning. It is Orwellian in its inversion: war is peace,
drilling is decarbonization, oilisjustice. Words matter, and when Presidents play fast and loose with them, policy follows rhetoric into absurdity To cal
protectionist is not merely a misuse of language; it is a distortion of moral intent. It reveals an unease, a subconsciousawarenessthat the high ground of environmental virtue has beenceded,thatthenation’s stance is now one of selfintere
n sanctimony
Guyana has every right to develop its oil. But let us atleastbehonestaboutwhat we are doing. We are not saving the planet; we are saving our balance of payments We are not leading a green revolution; weareleadingagoldrushin
black liquid form. There is no shame in admitting this only in pretending otherwise The President would do well to choose his words with care. A just transition is not the fig leaf forcontinuedextraction;itis the farewell song of the fossil age. And if Guyana wishestoberememberedas a nation that spoke truth rather than indulged in the pieties of opportunism, it must learn the difference between justice and justification.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
vehiclesinGuyanaaintgot none. You knock one, and all you getting is a shrug and a promise from de mechanicnextdoor So we p
government rides around like kings in uninsured chariots.Ifdataintcomedy, its tragedy wid a twist of farce.
Dem boys seh Guyana dont need Netflixde daily news does provide all de drama, suspense, and slapstick we could ever want. But one tings fuh sure: de question of “who insuringwho”stillhanging indeair,andlikemosttings indiscountry,nobodysure who paying de premium andwhopayingdepricefor notpayingpremiums. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
H@RD TRUTHS
Parliament: Guyana's playground for newcomers, schemers
Bring out the bugles, November3cameandwent, a bit of an anticlimax Parliament convened, called intoaction,readytoworkfor the people. Which people, really? Thepeoplewhoplay
their juggling, selfenriching, embarrassing, games in the house of all Guyanese? Ortherealwork of real people, who trusted them all? All eyes were fixed on the Leader of the Opposition. Hemadeitonto the floor of National Assemblyinonepiece. The U.S. ambassador must have had a busy weekend. What oughttohavebeenasnormal as sunshine in the middle of August transformed into abnormality of uncertainty during the first days of November The times have beenlikethatforyearsnow
The Speaker was rewarded for his loyal holding of the line for five years. Hereturned.
The Speaker kept his head down, and the We
Quarry
InvestinNationhood(WIN) leader, MP-in-waiting and OppositionLeadermakingit into the big-time sailed serenely into the National Assembly Now he is the Hon.AzruddinMohamed. I said that Guyana isn't a normal place, didn't I? The Hon. Azruddin Mohamed, allsuitedandtied(hopefully sartorially, and not officially), all neatly coiffed and cuffed (oh no! there, I did it again, my humblest apologies), and greeting his grandday Nowhehastobe lessthemaninthenews,and morethemanofdestiny,one withavision. Hebetterhasa strategy What will he be?
Maybe, someone mangled andmocked,yetrisingtothe uppermost chamber of nationalglory Weshallsee.
Before moving to anotherfrighteningpotential developmentinsidetheonce hallowed, now howling, halls of parliament, I must express my personal disappointment publicly I
should have been named an MP, carrying the banner of the poor and forgotten in Guyana.
Never has one man reportedly helped another man so much to move fabulous riches out of Guyana, and received nothingbutcausticsodaand incendiary, homegrown devices as his thanksgiving. Homemade as in coming with the compliments of Freedom House and other nationally high offices of bawdyrepute. Yes,itisonly earlyNovember;so,IguessI will have to swallow my disappointment and wait for that other turkey on Thanksgiving Day as my r e c o g n i t i o n a n d compensation. Thiscountry isnotnormal.
Nowitistimeforthereal parliamentarychallengethat alarms, that prompts the greatestinternalupheavalof the spirit. With parliament as its seat of triumph, its broad field of visionary
operation, the returning PPP leaders now have a piece of unfinished business to arrange, finalize, and bring tofruition. Fiveseatsareall that the environment demands.
Five seats make the PPP untouchable, unstoppable And,Ishallsayforposterity, unimaginable. For those whothoughtthatthePPPasa government, as a party, as a leadership cadre was bad before, there are heavy seas ahead. Five seats in the pocket, and the future is settled Of course, something big is going to have to come out-of-pocket for that to happen, and the best part is that Guyanese taxpayers are carrying the load. Except they don't knowhow,andfranklydon't care F
u e l a n s a n d Commonwealth voters, when five seats can be had withtherightmeetingofthe minds. Why work so hard, with so many loose threads
that can be tracked back to theirorigins?
ForthoseGuyanesewho shudderandrecoilinhorror, Iregrettopointoutthatthere is precedent, and it is as recent as seven Decembers ago. Remember that noconfidencemotionandvote. If then and for what passed, then why not now, when thereismoretoexchangeto make lovely things happen?
The economist in Guyana's manofthestrategicalandthe magical, the Hon Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, should be drooling,giventheexistence of what the textbooks call 'the double coincidence of wants.' Asupermajority for the PPP and sweet, super consideration for the nonPPP side in the house with the willing. The odds are overwhelming. Who will quibble? Whoissoresolute and contented, as not to nibble? If one could have jumped ship in December 2018, there could be five more longing to join his
company Like the firsttimerfloor-crosserfromthat sinister December had said, it is for the people. Think, Guyanese, think Third term, unfettered expansion of authoritarianism, the realityofapolicestate,anda helpful judicial stadium packed accordingly and risingtododuty
The Hon Azruddin Mohamed, MP if still around,maybethegluethat holds his people, the stumblingblockthatthwarts the machinations of his political opponents It makes sense to deliver him to waiting Uncle Sam's agents. It will take some getting used to, that one involving honourable, demandsmuchofme.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
owners can be sanctioned if breach new
weight limit on roadways – Public Works Ministry
The Ministry of Public Works has stated that sand, loam and stone quarry owners can be sanctioned if they fail to comply with the new weight limits per axle regulations for trucks on the roadways.
On Friday afternoon, Minister of Public Works
Juan Edghill, Minister
within the Ministry Madanlall Ramraj, along with Commissioner of Guyana Geology and Mines
Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison and Deputy Commissioner, Jimmy Reece, met with quarry owners at the Ministry'sboardroomwhere
they discussed the importance of enforcing the newweightlimit.
Providing details of the meeting, the ministry noted thatthesand,loamandstone quarry owners were reminded o
heir responsibility in ensuring compliance as failure to do so will result in the owners losingeconomicactivityand earnings.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthatthemeeting follows the ministry's recent countrywide weight testing exercise by its Traffic and Maintenance Department Since testing began, the ministry indicated that over 1000trucksweretested,with many surpassing the limit and revealing the growing non-compliance among truckoperators.
According to the ministry, it is on this basis, Minister Edghill during his engagement charged the operatorstocollaboratewith government to ensure the heavyinvestmentswhichare being made to expand the country's road infrastructure remainsingoodcondition.
A national weight restriction of 15-tonne per axle is in effect to curb the excessive deterioration to the road surfaces. “Roads have lives, and those lives arebeingcutshortnotjustby trafficvolume,butbyweight overload.
Mostoftheseroadshave a20yearslifespan,however, thesecanbecuttosevendue to these challenges. So you have to help us by only
loading the trucks with the material to match their weightlimit.Andyoucando sobyhavingon-sitescalesat your quarries Don't let trucks leave your quarry overweight,” the minister told the operators. Minister Edghill also made it clear, if this cooperation is not enactedinthenearestfuture, “the Ministry will be left with no choice but to also sanction the quarry owners directlyforbreaches.”
Theministryisalsosetto implement its Clamping of Overweight Truck Exercise, andthiswillcommenceafter the procurement of 1,000 clamps.
“We don't want to use these clamps; we want everyone to comply We're guided by principles, and everyone must follow the rules. Non-compliance will not be tolerated,” he informedowners.
During the meeting, it was disclosed that the Ministries is looking to establish weighing sites along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and the Linden to Mabura Trail. “This also intends to address logging haulers to ensure weight compliance,” the ministry added.
Further,MinisterEdghill reminded all present at the meeting, their partnership with government is not meant to be punitive but ratheracorrectivesystemfor a new culture on the roadways.
Speaking to the quarry owners, Minister Ramraj noted that the ministry remains cognizant of the importance of partnerships with the construction sector, particularly the stone, sand and loam are essential to progress but they must be transported responsibly This publication reported that on Thursday, Minister Edghill announced the launch of two new hotline numbers where citizens and contractors can raise their concerns. At Friday's meeting, it was disclosed that since the establishment of this new initiatives, over 100 reports about various issues were lodged with the ministry withinthefirst24hours.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, Minister within the Ministry Madanlall Ramraj, along with Commissioner of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Newell Dennison and Deputy Commissioner, Jimmy Reece during a meeting with quarry owners on Friday
CANU torches over $1 billion in
cocaine,
ganja
...Minister says Guyana is not a place for drugs business
The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit(CANU)onSaturdaymorning destroyed more than $1 billion worth of cocaine and marijuana, sending a fiery message to traffickers that Guyana is not open forthedrugtrade.
The drugs, seized over several months during major operations across the country, were set ablaze in a vacant lot along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, in the presenceofHomeAffairsMinister OneidgeWalrond,CANUDirector James Singh, and members of the media.
MinisterWalrondtoldreporters thatthedestructionofthenarcotics represents hundreds of millions of dollars“goingupinsmoke”,aclear warning to drug traffickers and transshipmentnetworks.“Itsendsa strong signal to traffickers most of these drugs were meant for transshipment that Guyana is not theplacetododrugsbusiness,”the Minister declared. “We will seize and destroy Guyana will not be usedasatransshipmentpoint.”She notedthatallofthedrugsdestroyed are from cases that have already
passed through the court. They
headquarterstothevacantlot.
CANU'sDirector,JamesSingh, said the burned narcotics included large cocaine shipments and
“The value exceeds a billion dollars,” Singh said, noting that local enforcement continues to
international trafficking networks, despiteGuyana's“porousborders.”
"The marijuana was going to differentpartsoftheCaribbeanand some of the cocaine was destined forWestAfrica,sothepricevaries accordingtospecificcountries,"he detailed.
TheCANUdirectoraddedthat the dent on the drug trade shows that despite Guyana is labeled as a countrywithpourousborders,local law enforcement is still able to intercept the drugs when it enters thecountryandalsopreventitfrom being transshipped to other countries.Oneexample,hegaveis
HomeAffairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond and officials of CANU during the burning of the drugs
Some of cocaine being tested before they were destroyed
a seizure of 32 kilogrammes of cocaine at Parika, East Bank Essequibo involving a foreign nationalandaGuyanese."Wehave seizures in Lethem, we have had seizuresinBerbice,sothankstothe pressforputtingitoutthere",Singh toldthepress.
In its 2025 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
(INCSR), the US Department of State noted that in 2024, Guyana seized more than four metric tons (MT) of cocaine, in cooperation with US law enforcement, at an airstrip near its border with Venezuela–thelargestdrugseizure in Guyana's history – and interdicted one semi-submersible off Guyana's coast with 2.3 MT of
cocaine “Despite growing oil wealth and the government's increased efforts, the public sector – including law enforcement and customs officials – remains underpaid. Coupled with a lack of adequate resou
ces and shortcomings in the legal system, this allows traffickers to exploit government systems and move illicit drugs through Guyana,” the reportstated.
The US Department of State said that the government can fight drug trafficking by enhancing law
capability through port security improvements, intelligence operations with regional and
, implementing stronger anticorruption measu
(Continuedonpage 49)
es, and
Parag cracks down on bullying
…with launch of new digital reporting system
With a firm zerotolerancestanceonbullying, theMinistryofEducationon Saturday launched a new Anti-Bullying and AntiViolence Reporting System, givingstudents,parents,and teachers a safe and confidential way to report abuse and harassment in schools.
Thenewdigitalplatform was unveiled during the M i n i s t r y ' s P u b l i c ConsultationontheNational Anti-BullyingPolicy,heldat
the Arthur Chung Conference Centre The event brought together Education Minister Sonia
Parag, Human Services
Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, Home Affairs
Minister Oneidge Walrond, as well as parents, teachers, and students from across Guyana
Indeliveringthefeatured address, Minister Parag said thatthenewdigitalplatform was developed to allow students,parentsandstaffto confid
incidents of bullying or harassment without fear of retaliation “The platform streamlines communication between schools and the ministry, enabling timely
appropriate intervention while maintaining the privacy of all individuals involved Its goal is to promote accountability, encourage a culture of respect and strengthens overall well-being of students. So today I am proud to announce the launch of that particular online platform that will a
g mechanism to happen and happen in such a way that it is confidential and the privacy is intact to secure whether it is the student, the teacher or parents,” she announced.
Minister of Education, Sonia Parag at the Ministry's Public Consultation on new anti-bullying and anti-violence policy for schools which was held at theArthur Chung Conference
Addressing the problem of bullying in the education system, Minister Parag mentioned that when she
CANU nets nearly 24 kilos of cocaine in Hydronie bust
Agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), on Friday, intercepted a major drug operationduringaraidat Hydronie, Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
Acting on intelligence received, CANU officers conducted a search at a residence in the community, where they uncovered several parcels containing a whitish, powdery substance suspected to be cocaine Tests later confirmed the substance to be cocaine weighing 23 958 kilograms Three suspects werearrestedimmediatelyand taken to CANU headquarters alongwiththeseizednarcotics. Investigations are ongoing as agents pursue additional leads linkedtothebust.
The cocaine that was seized during the raid on Friday
first took up the portfolio of Education Minister, she was met with several reports of bullyingatschools.
“I said publicly that we will have a zero-tolerance approach not only as the MinistryofEducationbutas a Government of Guyana in relation to bullying,” she stated. In terms of taking stepstoeradicatebullyingat schools, Parag mentioned thattherehavetobeamental shift, a mindset shift to change this issue. “Bullying is by no means right in any form. We must take a zerotolerance approach to bullying.”
In her remarks, minister stated that in tackling the issue, the Ministries of Education,HumanServices, andHomeAffairsarekeyto ensuring that safety in schools are paramount Moving forward, she said that the three ministries will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure thattheyseethefruitsofthis labour
Additionally, she mentionedthatincludingthe Ministry of Legal Affairs, the four agencies together will establish a task force to ensure that they have a structured approach to addressingtheproblem.
“But moving forward, let's talk about bullying, and if we are going to have a national consultation and conversation, it has to be a frank conversation on this topic. It cannot be sugarcoated, cannot be glossed overbecausethatistheonly way that we will be able to come up with real policies and real recommendation and suggestion that even at some point contribute to a legislative change for bullying in schools,” she related.
The minister mentioned that currently, Guyana has a Juvenile JusticeAct of 2018 thatonlyspeakstotheageof 14 years and up, but according to the minister, bullying does not have an agetoitsinceithappenedin
many forms. Bullying she disclosed, creates a deep psychological wound in someone's mind that leads them to suicide and depression, and a dark place “whereusasadultcan'thelp them.”
Eradicating this, Minister Parag said that is why the ministry decided to host this public consultation a n d h a v e a f r a n k conversationtofindwaysof amorebalancedapproachto the issue, looking at the social issues that would contributetowardschildren's behavioural patterns and develop policies to address theproblem.
During her remarks, she stated that in the coming weeks,theywouldbehaving more discussions with targetedgroupsontheissue. “With bullying, we can't eradicate it overnight, but steps that we take and consistency is what it is. Consistency and persistence in what we do will ensure that we reduce it tremendously and that we produce wholesome individuals that we really want to see contribute constructively to society,” Paragsaid.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that in the coming weeks, the ministry will be introducing Moral Education and Civic Education to the schools' timetable. She added that education officials have already started working on theproducingthecurriculum for the new subjects which willsoonbeimplemented.In her brief remarks, Human ServicesMinisterstatedthat bullyingcannotbetackledin a simple way but it must involve multi-sectoral and multipronged approaches to tackleitssharecomplexities.
At the consultation, M i n i s t e r P e r s a u d underscored the wide range ofprogrammesimplemented by her Ministry through key departments, including the Childcare and Protection (Continuedonpage50)
The Waterfalls Waterfalls
These costumes copped first and second place at the MARS cosplay competition
Cosplay fans treated to spectacular showcase at MARS Anime and Comic Convention
For the powerful, sovereignty is a sword; for the small, it must remain a shield
BySirRonaldSanders
S o v e r e i g n t y i s supposedly the cornerstone of international order: the formaldeclarationthatevery state has the right to govern itself, protect its territory, and determine its own destiny Yet the charters of the United Nations and the Organization of American States proclaim not the idea ofsovereigntyingeneral,but the specific principle of sovereign equality among states. In law, all states are equal in sovereignty; in practice, they are not Sovereignty is both a right and a capacity, and while every nation possesses the right,notallhavethemeans to exercise it freely In the real world, only powerful states are truly sovereign; weakcountriesaresovereign only by permission, or by strongcollectiveaction.
Since the Peace of Westphaliain1648,theidea that all states are equal before international law has been celebrated as the great equalizer of nations Yet power, not law, defines the boundaries of freedom Great powers decide when intervention is justified, which states may possess certain technologies, and what constitutes legitimate governance. They regularly exempt themselves from the rulestheyenforceonothers.
The problem is not new; it has only changed form.
The international system was built to preserve order among the strong, not to guarantee equality for the weak. Law follows power, not the reverse When powerful states act beyond thelimitsoflaw-inmilitary action, sanctions, or financial coercion - they are not punished. For smaller states,however,theslightest deviation invites reproach, blacklisting,orexclusion.
Post-colonial scholars have long argued that
sovereignty itself was conceivedinimperialterms.
AsProfessorAntonyAnghie showed, European powers defined “civilized” peoples as sovereign and the rest as subjects of tutelage The legacy of that hierarchy endures The instruments may have changeddevelopment loans, debt conditions, trade rules, and aid regimes - but the logic remains:somestatesmayact freely, others only when allowed.
Today’s international financial and regulatory structures often reproduce this inequality The Caribbean knows this well, beginning with the OECD’s 1998 H a r m f u l Ta x Competition initiative, whose standards were imposed on small states, for what it called “harmful tax practices” This was followed by the European Union’s “list of noncooperative jurisdictions” (launched in 2016 and updated regularly), under which several Caribbean countries have been repeatedly coerced through blackandgreylistsuntilthey surrendered to imposed standards.
Ratings agencies, sanctions committees, and multilateral lenders now exercisepoweroncewielded by colonial administrators.
The result is what might be called c o n d i t i o n a l sovereignty: a state’s independence is respected onlysolongasitconformsto standardssetbythemighty
Political scientist Stephen Krasner famously called this system one of “organized hypocrisy ” Powerful states claim to respectsovereignty,yetthey violate it whenever their interests demand In practice, sovereignty has become graduated; strong for some, weak for others. The powerful decide the exception; they determine
whentherulesdonotapply
This inequality extends to international institutions. The veto power in the UN Security Council, the dominance of rich states in globalfinancialgovernance, and the persistent asymmetries in trade negotiations and climatechangetalksalldemonstrate thatsovereignty’sequalityis largely nominal The architecture of international law was never designed to redistribute power; only to manageit.
However, for small and vulnerable states, especially intheCaribbeanandPacific, the status of “sovereign state” is both precious and precarious.Itisnotatoolof dominance but a shield of existence - a fragile protectionagainstneglector coercion As the late Caribbean statesman, Sir Shridath Ramphal, taught, for small states sovereignty is no licence of power but a shield of survival For powerful states, sovereignty isasword;forsmallstatesit isashield.
Small states face the paradoxofdependence:they must engage the global system to survive, but doing s o o f t e n r e q u i r e s concessions that erode their autonomy Economic vulnerability, limited military capacity, and exposure to climate and financialshocksallconstrain the practical meaning of sovereignty Yet it is precisely because of these
vulnerabilities that sovereignty matters most. It affirmsthemoralequalityof nations even when material equality is impossible. That iswhyArticle2(1)oftheUN Charter is of such importance; it affirms that “the Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all of its Members.” While the principleisoftenignored,its proclamation is the lifeline
that gives small states legitimacy in the internationalsystem.
In the contemporary world, the emerging concepts of digital sovereignty, including Artificial Intelligence (AI); climate sovereignty; and food sovereignty represent new efforts to establish dominion in spaces dominated by transnational corporations and major powers. The campaigns by small states, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, for a Multidimensional Vulnerability Indexadopted by the UN General Assembly in August 2024and for recognition of rights in the International Court of Justice’s 2025 climate advisory opinion are examplesofhowlawcanbe reclaimed as an instrument o f e q u a l i t y , n o t subordination.
Sovereignty, therefore, must always be claimed by small states but the exercise of it must be strengthened through collective action Individual sovereignty is easily quashed by the tools available to larger powers. For small states, survival depends on cooperation, not confrontation; on collective
strength, not solitary assertion Regional integration,whetherthrough CARICOM, the OECS, or theAlliance of Small Island States, transforms weakness into influence by speaking with one voice on global issues such as climate change, debt, and development finance. Yet, e v e n w i t h t h i s understanding, some small states continue to weaken
themselves and the collectives to which they belong by seeking or accepting convenient alliances with powerful countries for short-term gains.
However, in a world where power determines outcomes, small states should rally together in solidarity and common cause.Theyshouldusetheir legitimacy to persuade, to bargain, and to survive. The Caribbean’s history of decolonization, democratic resilience, and commitment tointernationallawgivesita standingthatisnotmeasured inweaponsorwealth.When that collective standing is exercised consistently and coherently, small countries give themselves a chance to exist in dignity with their cultureandidentityintact.
The inequality of sovereignty remains the central contradiction of our time: a doctrine that proclaims equality but operates through hierarchy The challenge for small states is not merely to survive within that system, but to insist that law must restrainpower,notbebentto serveit.
Sovereignty, in its truest sense, is the freedom to choose one’s path without coercion. For the powerful, thatfreedomisassumed;for the small, it must be defended. All small states –in every global and regional organization – must understand that the success of such defence depends on collective action, jointly devised.
(The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronald sanders.com)
PresidentIrfaanAlionSaturday condemned strongly the recent horrific bombing at the Mobil Gas Station on Regent Street which claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and left four other personsinjuredonOctober26.
The President, who was on overseas duty when the bombing occurred, expressed outrage at the terroristattackwhiledeliveringthe feature address at the Guyana h Defence Force’s (GDF) 60 anniversary service held at the NationalCulturalCentre.
ThePresidentsaidfor60years, the men and women of the GDF have stood watch on Guyana’s borders, they have guarded the air space, patrolled the rivers and the country’s vast coastline, working tirelessly to keep Guyana safe and secure.
“I repeat again what I’ve said before, the Guyana Defence Force isnotaForceofaggression.Itisnot aninstrumentofintimidation.Ours is not a military that seeks to provoke or threaten, rather, it is a Force of peace, protection and patriotism,”hereassured.
The head of state said that Guyana’s commitment to peace must not be mistaken as a sign of weakness.
“We are peaceful, yes, but we are prepared, and we will fiercely defend our territorial integrity and sovereigntyagainstallthreatsfrom wherever they may come,” he expressed.
“Itiswithinthiscontextthatwe must pause to condemn in the strongest possible terms the recent horrific attack on the petrol station on Regent Street, right here in the heart of our capital city That cowardly act, which claimed the lifeofaninnocentchild,wasavile assaultonthepeople,anattemptto create harm and fear our nation mourns with the family of the younglifelost,”hecondemned.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces said that the attackwhichboreallthehallmarks ofterrorismwasanattempttosow fear and chaos, to destabilize, to createtension.
Noting that the state will get to thebottomofit,herelated“Letitbe known here and now that we will notbeintimidated,wewillnotbow, wewillnotbebroken.”
Commending the swift and coordinated response of the law enforcement authorities and the joint services, including the Guyana Defence Force, for their
professionalism and response, he saidthatitshowsthatinthefaceof evil, Guyana stands united and unshaken.
“Investigations will continue, themotivesbehindthisheinousact will come to light. We will pursue justicerelentlessly,andwewilltake everylawfulmeasuretoprotectour people and deter those who may contemplate similar action, we are going deep, broad and hard to the bottomonthis,”hepromised.
The president warned that attemptstostirfearwillfail. “You will fail because the spirit of our people cannot be terrorized. You willfailbecauseweareonenation, resolute and indivisible. You will fail because our law enforcement agencies will ensure that peace prevails.Thesafetyandsecurityof our citizens are paramount, this is non-negotiable,”hedeclared.
Notwithstanding, President Ali cautioned that Sunday’s bombing shouldnotbethebasisforprejudice or discrimination noting that Guyanahaslongbeenalandwhere immigrants come fleeing hardship andturmoil.
“Yes, we must strengthen our systems of monitoring, screening and enforcement, which we are doing and will continue to do. We must ensure that those who enter our country do so in accordance with our laws and with respect for ourpeace,butletusnotsuccumbed to the temptation to paint all immigrants with the same brush. Hatredisnottheanswertohatred,” hestated.
The head of state told the gathering of military officials that G u y a n a w i l l r e m a i n a compassionate nation, but one that is also vigilant, strong and aggressive in the protection of its citizenandsovereignty.
“The Guyana Defence Force will continue to play a vital role in maintaining this balance. We will continue to support our law
enforcementagenciesinupholding law and order, ensuring that Guyanaremainsasocietyofpeace, stability and justice, because a nationthatisatpeacewithinsendsa powerful message to the world outside.Anationunitedinpurpose and spirit becomes an immovable pillar against those who may seek to exploit international divisions, original instability for their own darkdesigns,”heassured.
A former student of the Ann’s Grove Secondary School was on Saturday killed during a collision withatruckatBelfield,EastCoast Demerara(ECD).
The teen has been identified as 17-year-old Laron Harris of Douchfour,ECD.
Police said that the accident occurred at about 14:15h on the Belfield Public Road, ECD and involved a truck driven by a 33year-old man from Alberttown, Georgetown and Harris who was driving a motorcycle with registrationnumberCG5938.
His friend, the pillion rider, identified as Josiah Abrams was injured.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the motor lorry was proceedingwestalongthesouthern driving lane while the motorcycle was proceeding east along the northern driving lane at an alleged fastrateofspeed.Itisreportedthat the motorcyclist swerved to avoid two animals (goats), on the roadwayandcollidedhead-onwith the lorry which was proceeding in theoppositedirection,”policesaid.
As a result, both riders sustained multiple injuries. They were picked up and taken to the Enmore Regional Hospitalwhere Harris wa
pronounced dead on arrival and Abramswaslatertransferredtothe Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he is admitted inacriticalcondition.
The driver of the truck was subjected to a breathalyzer test which returned a negative reading. Both vehicles are lodged at the Cove and John Police Station as investigations continue, police said.
Harris’ body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home where it awaits a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, the Ann’s Grove Secondary School in a post on Facebook expressed its deepest sympathytoHarris’family “Laron will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficulttime,”theschoolsaid.
MONDAY
Oilboomordebtdoom?
–Guyana’sborrowing quadruplesinjustsixyears
agenda Government however believes in its ability to repay the debtinlightofearningsfromtheoil sector The Irfaan Ali-led administration has often touted the low GDP to debt service ratio, meaning that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) far outweighs the country’s annual repayment on loans. It should be noted that the country’s growth in GDP, while largely reflective of exports from the petroleum sector, isnottherealvaluethatthecountry receivesfromthesector
For instance, Guyana’s total crude oil exports amounted to US$17.9Bin2024butGuyanaonly received a meagre US$2 6B in revenue from the sector during the same period Stakeholders have frequently warned that while the countryis“richonpaper”inreality the nation risks slipping into a dangerousdebtcrisisthatmanyoil producing states previously fell preyto.
Economist Elson Low had warned of the consequences associated with dependency on oil revenues to repay debt, as a collapse in oil price could have seriouseffectsontheeconomy He reminded that Dr Ashni Singh informed the International Energy Conference in 2023 that with the tripling of Guyana’s economy, the country is now in a better position totakemoreloans.Lowsaid,“This implies that the reason we are able to take on more debt is because of theoilsector Asaresult,ourability torepaythesedebtsisdependenton theoilsector.”
Ballooningdebt
Guyanaenteredtheoilerain 2019 with US$1.8 billion in debt Six years later, that figure has skyrocketed to over US$7 7 billion, a four-fold explosion in borrowing under the currentadministration.
At the end of 2024, Guyana’s debt stood at US$6B but another US$1.7B was added to finance the 2025 Budget, as revealed by Vice President,BharratJagdeo.
Guyana commenced producing oil in December 2019. Since then, the country has earned just over US$7.8B inoilrevenue,accordingtothe latest Bank of Guyana (BoG) reportontheNaturalResource Fund (NRF). Notably, almost US$4 6B has already been withdrawn by government sincetheinceptionoftheFund.
The country now finds itself paying high interest on the money it borrowed to finance its development
In2019,thecountry’sdebtwas US$1 8B; according to Annual Reports from the Bank of Guyana (BoG), the nation’s debt grew by 46.7% in 2020 to US$2.6B. In 2021, the debt surged to US$3.1B, and in 2022 this trend continued withthetotalstockofdebtclimbing to US$3 7B In 2023, debt increased further by 23 4% to US$4 5B while this grew to a massiveUS$6Battheendof2024. In 2025, government added approximately US$1.7B more in debtasannouncedbytheVPatthe beginningofthisyear Only last week the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) called on Caribbean governments and development partners to take bold, coordinated action to confront the twin challenges of stubbornly low growth and persistently high debt across the region. Speaking at the 2nd Caribbean Debt Forum, Ian Durant, Acting Vice-President (Finance and Corporate Services) of the CDB, outlined a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, boosting competitiveness,andstrengthening fiscal resilience through decisive debtmanagement. Durantpointed Continued on page 17
President Irfaan Ali
Dead: Laron Harris
Frompage16 torecentmacroeconomicdataand regional assessments that paint a sobering picture: the Caribbean’s growth trajectory remains weak, undermined by low productivity, narrow export bases, and high exposure to climate shocks. These deep-rooted structural issues, he warned, continue to restrict fiscal spaceandhindertheregion’slongterm development prospects. “The Caribbean’s growth trajectory has been constrained by high export concentration and structural rigidities, which have led to low and volatile growth,” Durant said. “To unlock our full potential, we must invest in building competitive,diversifiedeconomies that can withstand external shocks anddeliverinclusivegrowth.”
Debtreliefservices
Whileregionaldebtratioshave improved since the pandemic, Durant cautioned that eight of the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) still exceed the 60 per cent debt-to-GDP benchmark. Rising global interest rates and slowing nominal GDP growth,henoted,threatentoerode these fragile gains, making debt sustainability an urgent development priority “Debt sustainability is not just a fiscal issue, it is a development imperative,” Durant stressed “CDB remains committed to supporting member countries through innovative financing, technical assistance, and policy dialogue to help them build resilience and achieve lasting prosperity.”
Experts and politicians have warned the Guyana Government about excessive borrowing on the backofitsoilrevenues.
Only recently the United Kingdomincreaseditsexportcredit financing limit for Guyana from £2.1billionto£3.0billion,amove billed by both London and Georgetownasavoteofconfidence inGuyana’sacceleratingeconomic progress.
But amid the applause, commentators have here have sharply warned that Guyana must tread carefully Failure to do so, theysay,risksplungingthecountry intoadebttrap,especiallygiventhe volatility of oil prices and the nation’salreadyheavyexternaland domesticobligations.
GuyanatopocketUS$3.4B fromToroparuGoldProject
Guyana is set to reap an estimated US$3.4 billion in taxes and royalties from the Toroparu Gold Project, which Canadianbased Aris Mining Corporation expects, will generate US$14 7 billioningoldsalesbasedonabase gold price of US$3,000 per ounce overits21-yearminelife.
TheToroparuProjectlocatedin Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)
is being developed through Aris Mining’slocalsubsidiary,ETKInc. The project is 100 per cent owned bytheCanadianfirm.
According to the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) recently published, at a base gold price of US$3,000 per ounce, the project is expected to contribute US$2.2billioninincometaxesand US$1.2billioninroyaltypayments to the Government of Guyana, bringing the country’s total projected earnings to US$3 4 billion.
At the same gold price assumption, the Toroparu gold project is projected to deliver an after-tax Net Present Value (NPV5%) of US$1.8 billion, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 25.2%, and a payback period of threeyears.
The PEAresults confirm plans foralarge-scale,long-lifeopen-pit operation expected to produce an average of 235,000 ounces of gold per year over more than two decades.Theproject’slife-of-mine production is estimated at 5 0 millionouncesofgold,4.9million ounces of silver, and 260 million poundsofcopper
According to the PEA, under the Mineral Agreement with the GovernmentofGuyana,theproject will pay an 8% royalty on gold sales, 1.5% on silver, and 1.5% on copper
It was stated that the royalties aredeductiblefromtaxableincome under Guyana’s 30% corporate tax rate Notably, a 2011 mineral agreement between ETK and the GovernmentofGuyanaestablished a tiered gold royalty of 5% for
(OEM) leasing strategy, which lowers the upfront cost of the miningfleetfromUS$73millionto approximately US$35 million duringconstruction.
The company explained that this leasing approach will ensure access to modern, well-supported mining equipment under comprehensive maintenance and parts-supply programs throughout the20-plus-yearminelife.
The report also stated that the mine life of 21.3 years comes with opportunitiesforfurtherexpansion throughcontinuedexploration.
According to information from the company’s website, the project site was first mined by Alfro Alphonso in 1997 and explored by ETK from 1999 under a joint venture with Alphonso ETK acquired full ownership in 2020, paying US$20 million to exercise itsoption,whileAlphonsoretained certain alluvial rights and access privileges, ETK also secured an investment agreement with GOInvest granting tax exemptions on project-relatedimports.
TUESDAY
prices up to US$1,000 per ounce and8%forpricesabovethat.
The report outlines gold production costs at US$826 per ounce,withanall-insustainingcost (AISC)ofUS$1,289perounce.
The large-scale open-pit mine will require an initial construction capital of US$820 million, which includespre-productioncostsanda US$96 million contingency Aris Miningsaidthisfigurerepresentsa US$38millionreductioncompared to a previous fleet-purchase plan. Thecutresultsfromthecompany’s Original Equipment Manufacturer
The political spotlight fell on the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal on Monday wheretheThirteenthParliamentof the Cooperative Republic of Guyanawasofficiallyconvened.
A major highlight of the opening session was the formal swearing-in of Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the newly ascendantWeInvestinNationhood
(WIN) party as a Member of Parliament. He and his father are currently facing extradition proceedingsafterbeingindictedby the United States for gold smuggling and a range of other offences.
At the first sitting Manzoor Nadir was unanimously re-elected to preside as speaker over the Thirteenth Parliament Nadir’s nomination was put forward by Prime Minister Mark Phillips and seconded by M
Governance,GailTeixeira.
Meanwhile, Government MP, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo was elected Deputy Speaker after securing 36 votes from the PPP benches Former Minister and Prime Ministerial candidate for the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, also contestedtheposition,receiving17 votes from Opposition WIN MPs. Members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) abstained from the vote Mahadeo was subsequently administered the Oath of Office A total of 65 MembersofParliamentweresworn in: 36 from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) 16 from WIN 12 from APNU 1 from the newly represented Forward GuyanaMovement(FGM).
Following the appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the 65 MPs were sworn-in. In his h inaugural address to the 13 Parliament, the Speaker expressed gratitude for his election to serve for a second term. He previously served three terms as an MPunder past PPP-led administrations, two termsasaCabinetmemberandone h term as Speaker of the 12 Parliament.
Nadirchargedthenew65-
Continued on page 18
Leader of We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed takes the oath as a Member of the 13th Parliament of Guyana
Manzoor Nadir sworn in as Speaker of 13th Parliament
Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo elected Deputy Speaker
Frompage17
memberAssemblytobeundivided, especially in the face of threats to the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity He said, “This assembly is not merely a chamber forlegislation.Itisthebeatingheart ofthepeople’sagendaforprogress.
In the face of external threats and challenges, such as the provocations from Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, let us standunited,resolveinourdefense
of Guyana’s borders and sovereignty Our unity is our strength and our patriotism are shield.Together,letusadvancethe cause of Guyana, forging a legacy of peace, prosperity, pride, and greatnessforgenerationstocome.”
He called on the Assembly to remember their duty to represent
the people with fairness, objectivity, and an “unyielding commitment to justice free from personal or partisan biases” as Guyana stands tall for its remarkable strides across numeroussectors.
Importantly, Nadir reminded the MPs of their duty to uphold mutualrespectandactwithdignity in the performance of their duties.
“Our conduct must reflect the honourofthisHouseandespecially theexpectationsofourpeople,”the Speakersaid.
to senior ranks within the disciplined services: sexual involvement with subordinate officersisacriminalactandwillbe metwithzerotolerance.
Speaking on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre following the swearing-in of Members of Parliament, Minister Walrond underscored that the Sexual Offences Act explicitly prohibits senior officers from exploiting power imbalances to pursue sexual relationships with juniorranks.
“The sexual OffencesAct says that a woman, especially a young woman, cannot be said to have consentedtoasexualrelationshipif it’s a position of power If they are calling it a relationship, it says the consent element does not exist if you are in a position of power Similarly,itiswhenapersonhasan inappropriate relationship with a minor because of her young and tenderage,thatelementofconsent cannotbeconsidered.It’sthesame way with the power dynamic,” Walrondasserted.
She was at the time addressing reports that images circulating on social media showed a Deputy Commissioner having sexual relationswithajuniorfemalerank. Noting that she is not aware of the
incident involving the deputy commissioner and the junior rank, Walrondsaidwhilesheisnotaware ofthedetailsofthematter,thereis zerotoleranceforsuchbehaviour
The Home Affairs Minister notedthat:“Itiscriminalbehaviour forapersoninauthorityandpower toengageinsexualbehaviourwith asubordinateofficer,andwehavea zerotolerancepolicyforthosewho engageinsuchcrimes.”
She continued, “From the first dayarrivinginthisportfolio,Ihave made it clear that those kinds of allegations against police, male police officers, especially when they are senior, a much higher standard is required of them, that they will be treated with a zerotoleranceapproach.Ihavehadthis conversation already with the commissioner Wherever these allegations will arise, especially as they relate to subordinate female officers, they will be dealt with very,veryseriously.”
Accordingtotheminister,there areseveralinstanceswhereofficers have been disciplined for their inappropriate behaviour “Those officerswhodothis,theircasesare with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) and they are beingremoved.Immediately,asthe report came to our attention, they weredealtwith.”
She stressed, nevertheless, that the occurrences should not deter youngpeople,particularlywomen, from joining the military forces. “They should be reassured that the powers that be will deal very strongly with any report of sexual misconduct. And if they are in a position where they are being victimisedsexually,theyshouldbe able to report it, and mechanisms areinplacetomakesurethatthese moreseniorofficersaredealtwith.”
The minister emphasised that theincidenceofsexualmisconduct within the police force is not the norm.“Wewantthemtoknowthat these instances are not the norm, but when they happen, they are dealtwithstrongly Theseinstances
should not prevent our females from coming out and speaking up if it happens, knowing what their rights are and knowing that we have an administration that will defend and protect our young women,”shestressed.
Newly sworn-in Member of Parliament Azruddin Mohamed wasted no time Mondayindeclaringhismission:to ensure every Guyanese gets a fair share of the country’s rapidly growingwealthandtofiercelyhold the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government accountable. Mohamed, Leader of the surging We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party, told Kaieteur News that his focus is squarely on uplifting ordinary citizens, the same people he has supported through years of philanthropy, helping them start businesses, build homes, and accesslifesavingsupport.
Assembly On Monday, Mohamed disclosed that he has not yet held talks with the other opposition parties “We didn’t have any engagements with them as yet but ofcourse,nationalinterest,wanting to empower the people, ensure the lives of the people are better, we will(worktogether).”
The Leader of the WIN Party was expected to be appointed Opposition Leader during the first th Sitting of the 13 Parliament on Monday but his election has been put off indefinitely Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamedhavebeenindictedinthe United States ofAmerica for 11 charges related to financial crimes Three days before Parliament was convened, law enforcement arrested both men, acting on an extradition request by the U.S government. They were later released on $150,000 baileach.
ensure the people of this country gettheirfairshare.”
Asked if pushing for a renegotiation of the oil contract with ExxonMobil is among his priorities, he said, “Yes, possible” ashewentontohighlightthestate of education facilities across the country
Mohamed said, “(Monday) morning, I posted a video with 66 children They are doing their schoolwork under a tent, with holes…andrainisfallingonthem.”
His assistance to families has awakened hope in the hearts of Guyanese,particularlythoseonthe lower end of the scale, anxious to live a better life. For Mohamed, this will be a priority during his tenure as MP and incoming OppositionLeader
Momentsafterhewasswornin as an MPon Monday in the Dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, he told reporters in response to a question from KaieteurNewsthathewillnotonly ensure Guyanese get what they deserve, but will hold the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) governmenttoaccount.
When invited to share his top priorities as new Opposition Leader, he said, “To hold the government accountable and to
With the election yet to take placeforLeaderoftheOpposition, heisoptimisticthatthecapbelongs to him. To this end, the Leader expressedwillingnesstoworkwith the other two opposition parties in theNationalAssembly
Despite announcing his candidacy for presidency, a mere four months before the September 2025 elections, WIN secured 16 seatsintheNationalassembly Itis the first political party to form the main political opposition, since Guyana gained independence, bootingtheseasonedAPartnership forNationalUnity(APNU),which accumulated12seats.Anothernew party,ForwardGuyanaMovement, led by MP Amanza Walton-Desir hasalsograspedaseatintheHouse. This means that the Opposition currently holds 29 seats and the governing People’s Progressive Party 36 seats in the 65-member
The father-son duo has also been accused of evading taxes owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the purchaseofluxuryvehicles.
The female police corporal who fatally struck 15-year-old NavindraMahesontheSuccess Public Road, East Coast Demerara(ECD)inOctoberwas onTuesday placed on $500,000 bail after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
The cop, 35-year-old Yonelle Cumberbatch,ofEastvilleHousing Scheme, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court before Senior Magistrate Abigail Gibbs. She was not required to pleadtothecharge.
Mahes was struck will attempting to cross the Success PublicRoad,ECDatabout07:30h on October 30, 2025. The teen’s family was plunged into mourning and has since called on the authorities to ensure that justice is served.
The matter was adjourned to January6,2026.Aspartofthebail conditions, Cumberbatch is requiredtolodgeherpassportwith theCourtandreporttothePoliceon thefirstMondayofeverymonth.
Meanwhile, following Tuesday’s court hearing Mahes’ devastated mom told reporters that her son did not deserve to die. “I lost my son. She will go home and see hers but I cannot go home and see mine. How is it fair, tell me. How is it fair?” the inconsolable mom cried after the bail was grantedtoCumberbatch.
She continued: “I was expectinghertogotojail…she Continued on page 34
CorporalYonelle Cumberbatch
Dead: 15-year-old Navindra Mahes
An inconsolable ChristinaArjun, mother of Navindra Mahes (NCN)
Towards a better life with your psychologist with Riskofmarryinginthe20s
Manyofmyclientsintheir40s are making the bold decision to seek divorce Consumed by relationship fatigue, relationship OCD, emotional labour and relationship burnout Their commonrefrainisclear:“Imarried tooearlyandhadchildrentoosoon. I never achieved the life I envisioned.” They recognise that their marriages have been on life supportforfartoolong.Now,at45, they are ready to refocus on building a legacy and making a positive impact in the world. With their children now adults, they are determined to remove their marriages from life support and pursuedivorce.Itistimeforafresh start returning to school and reclaimingthelifetheytrulydesire. With 25 to 30 years or more still aheadofthem,theyunderstandthe importance of living a meaningful life. This is the reality for many adults in their 40s who married in their20s.
T h e l o n g e v i t y a n d achievementsofamarriagearenot a valid measurement of its health. Our childhood experiences fundamentallyshapethequalityof ourrelationshipsandmarriages.
Many women from the Baby Boomer and early Generation X, thosebornbetween1965and1980, areurgingwomenfromGeneration XandYtoremaininunfaithfuland dysfunctional marriages, claiming it is simply part of men’s nature. They often choose to endure dysfunctional relationships for the sake of their children, believing that staying together in dysfunctional marriages offers a betterenvironment.Thesignificant distortions affect those children’s mentalhealthandrelationships. What is noteworthy, however, is the remarkable rise in divorces amongadultsbetween45andolder, a phenomenon termed “grey divorce.” In fact, women are the onesinitiatingastaggering80%of divorces, while men account for only 20%. This means women are more sensitive to relationship challenges than men. Men would ratherkeepthestatusquo.
Marriageshouldbeunderstood not as an achievement, but as a compliment Historical trends indicate that the average marriage age was in the mid-20s; however, contemporary research suggests that individuals should reconsider the timing of this significant commitment Evidence demonstrates that marriages occurringinone’s20s,particularly those contracted before the age of 25, are associated with a substantially higher divorce rate. Studiesindicatethatapproximately 50%ofcoupleswhomarrybetween the ages of 20 and 25 experience divorce, with an elevated risk particularlyevidentwithinthefirst five years of marriage. In contrast, individuals who enter marriage after the age of 25 tend to have a
markedly lower risk of divorce, as reportedbytheJournalofMarriage and Family This data underscores the importance of prioritising personal development and emotional readiness before deciding to marry, ultimately contributing to more stable and enduringrelationships.
Several factors contribute to a marital dissolution. A couple may choose to end their marriage in order to safeguard and enhance their mental health while still effectively co-parenting. Sych as lack of commitment, conflict and arguments, financial problems, unrealistic expectations, marrying too young, lack of intimacy, unresolved childhood trauma are underlying all these and more reasonsforfailedmarriages.These conditions originate from abuse, including emotional, mental, physical,andsexualtrauma,aswell asneglect,financialabuse,spiritual abuse, infidelity, and poor parenting.
A marriage can end in divorce withoutbeingdeemedafailureifit fulfilledspecificobjectives,suchas raising children, or if the dissolution enables personal developmentandamoresatisfying life for the individuals involved. Conversely, a marriage may be regarded as a failure even if it persists for a lifetime, should it be characterised by ongoing abuse, neglectandgeneratingpoormental health.
The first 18 years of a person’s life are critical; they involve care, nurturing, and the provision of the necessarytoolstofostersuccessin a
approximately70years.Theinitial 18 years are spent in a developmental phase under parental guidance, with these formative years serving as a battleground between functional and ineffective parenting The outcome for children can manifest as healthy, functional adults or as maladaptive individuals who may createatumultuousadultreality
Theperiodfromages18to40is recognised as young adulthood, during which a crucial psychosocial milestone is the establishment and maintenance of healthy intimate relationships with family, friends, and then romantic partners. This stage involves an individual’s ability to be vulnerable seeking assistance without feeling diminished—and maintaining healthy boundaries to avoid seeking validation through people-pleasing behaviours A robustself-identity,alongwithaset of values cultivated during adolescence, coupled with the competenciesdevelopedfromages 5 to 12 and beyond, is essential. Moreover, the ability to develop and nurture trust, which entails openness and vulnerability in adulthood, is primarily acquired
during the first 18 months of life and further nurtured through later developmentalphases.
Thefrontallobe,whichgoverns executive functions such as decision-making, planning, and perception, does not mature until approximately age 21 For individuals who have faced severe trauma, complete brain development may not occur until around age 28. It is vital for individuals who endure negative childhood experiences, including variousformsofabuseandneglect, to utilise the age range of 18 to 30 for self-discovery and personal development.
Traumatic experiences—such asanabsentfather,toxicparenting, favouritism, abandonment, abuse, neglect, economic hardship, community violence, racism, and political marginalisation along with parental issues such as substance abuse. Even a strong single-parent mother has significantly influenced an individual’s thoughts, emotions, andbehaviourstowardsthemselves and others. These factors produce mental illness, personality disorders which consist of a range of mental health conditions characterisedbypervasivepatterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving thatdeviatemarkedlyfromcultural norms, resulting in significant distressorfunctionalimpairmentin daily life, particularly in interpersonal relationships and professional settings Comorbid mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder,andschizophreniafurther complicate the challenges faced in adulthood Additionally, the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and other developmental disorders and learning disabilities can render adult life particularly
By
challenging if these issues remain unaddressed.
These disorders, disabilities and mental illnesses have to be addressed. Most people with these challenges rush into committed relationships, not knowing who they are or why specific actions or otherstriggerthem.However,they hope their partner fixes them or they fix their partner This behaviour by itself is a trauma response originating from emotionalneglectinchildhood.
Tobecontinued…
Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. Clinical and Developmental Psychologist - Psychoanalyst Unwrapping Gift -Clinic
Bounty Killer teams with DJ Khaled D in Hurricane Melissa relief effort
( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) As the entertainment fraternity continues to lend its platforms and resources to
relief efforts, Bounty Killer has joined forces with international producer DJ Khaledtosupportvictimsof HurricaneMelissa.
In an announcement via social media on Wednesday, the pair shared that DJ Khaled’s We The Best
collaborate with Bounty Killer’s non-profit to make monetary donations to hospitals and schools in the coming days. “Unity is
everything.Loveistheway,” Khaled posted on his Instagram page, sharing news of the collaboration with his 40 m
llion followers.
Khaled’s connection to Jamaica dates back to his sound system era, where he gained notoriety for his unique dubplates from iconic dancehall and reggae acts.
Khaled,whohasworked with the likes of Buju Banton, Mavado, Vybz Kartel and countless others, has always maintained that Jamaica is like his second home.
Bounty Killer, who is no
strangertophilanthropy,also shared details on how the public can contribute to the cause. Banking information for The Bounty Foundation is listed on his social media accounts.Hehasencouraged people to donate and expressed that “even one dollarisappreciated.”
“All for one and one for all,we’reallinthistogether Jamaica,playyourpart,”the caption on his post read. Over the past week, several entertainers have dedicated time and resources to aid reliefefforts,includingChris Martin, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Romeich Major, Ding Dong andDAngel.
Bounty Killer (centre) with hip hop star DJ Khaled (right) and dancehall producer Esco. (Photo: Instagram/DJ Khaled)
Cosplay fans treated to spectacular showcase at MARS Anime and Comic Convention
Some of the cosplayers at the Mars event.
Cosplay fans were given atreatlastweekendwhenthe MARS Anime and Comic Conventionhosteditsannual eventatthePrincessRamada inProvidence.
The event was hosted by Sôzô’s Enterprise and the Caribbean Cosplay Summit featured a spectacular showcase of anime culture, bringing together fans, creators,andcosplayers.The convention included various activities, workshops, panels, gaming areas, and vendors
Hundreds of anime lovers swarmed the venue’s event to indulge in their favourite cosplay activities. Those who attended left the convention filled with fun memories certain to last a lifetime;afewevenleftwith notableprizes.
This year the winners of the Cosplay competition were 1st place Jeremiah James - Five Nights at Freddy-$120,000cashprize 2nd Place Kalyca FraserHowls Moving Castle$60,000cashprize.
According to George Jacobs who cofounded Sôzô’s Enterprise, with his wife, Marissa, “MARS has been continuously growing and improving of the past fouryearsgettingbiggerand better.”
He noted “with every year that passes by with a visible increase of attendees from1500tocloseto3000in attendance and over 40 vendors grounded in the Anime and pop culture community.”
“Ourmostpopularevent, the cosplay competition has come a far way with just having 10 participants to
having over 35 participants signingupithasbecomeone of the attendees favourite parts of MARS. It truly allows persons to express themselves through their creativity.”
Jacobsexplainedthatthe platform has blossomed from just being an event to being a safe haven, a community for persons who loveandenjoytheanimeand popculturecommunity
An anime fan, himself, Jacobs said MARS was created because he and his wife were interested in experiencingaconventionas largeastherenownedcomic conthathappensalloverthe world.
“We [wanted]to create a space where persons who would experience the weird looks or the taunts of being weird or a nerd or geek just because we’re passionate about stuff like games, anime, manga, duel monsters,”hesaid.
“The word Sôzô’s is Japanese for creation. We chose this because it connectedwithourvisionof havinganimeandpop
Guyana hosted a memorable nature trip to Kaieteur Falls on Sunday, 2 November 2025, offering ten cancersurvivorsanupliftingjourneyofreflection,resilience, andrenewal.
ThisspecialexperienceformedpartofRecoverGuyana’s ongoing commitment to wellness and community empowerment, made possible through support from the GuyanaTourismAuthority(GTA).
Nowinitsthirdyear,thepartnershipwiththeGTA’sforms part of Recover Guyana’s eco-tourism and green mandate, offering transformative opportunities for participants to connect,heal,andcelebratethestrengthofsurvivorshipamid thebreathtakingbeautyofnature.
Accompanied by volunteers from Recover Guyana, the group experienced the awe-inspiring majesty of Kaieteur Falls,oneoftheworld’smostpowerfulsingle-dropwaterfalls.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in mindfulness activities and moments of shared gratitude, fostering a profound sense of healing and inner peace. Many described thejourneyaslife-affirming,offeringrenewedhope,strength, andpurpose.
Dr Dave Lalltoo, President and Founder of Recover Guyana,expressedheartfeltgratitudetotheGuyanaTourism Authority for its partnership and ongoing support. He reflected on the initiative, stating, “This journey to Kaieteur Falls was far more than a visit to one of our country’s most treasured landmarks. It was a deeply human experience of strength, survival, and connection. Recover Guyana remains steadfast in creating spaces where healing, hope, and nature cometogethertoempowerallGuyanese.”
The survivors shared their perspectives on the excursion, reflecting on its significance as a moment of healing and empowerment.SremalaChuramanshared,“Thetourwas
Continued on page 43
The group of 10 Breast Cancer survivors treated to a trip to the Majestic Kaieteur Falls compliments of Recover Guyana and the Guyana TourismAuthority
Guyana Breweries Inc.
a major sponsor of Armageddon 2026
Sound Clash
Empire Media Inc. has announced that Guyana Breweries Inc. has come on board as a majorsponsorfortheelectrifyingArmageddon SoundClashslatedforJanuary2026. Thecompanywaswelcomedinasoftlaunch on Thursday at its headquarters. In a statement to the media Empire Media Inc. said that it continues to dominatethe sound clash industry in Guyana, delivering some of the most entertainingeventswithanextremelytalented Continued on page 42
CarlAllen (left) of Empire Media Inc. and Seweon McGarrell, Marketing Manager of Guyana Breweries Inc. during the contract signing.
Walk into any classroom andyouseethesilenttriage.
A handful of prepared students move with the teacher’s pace Others stumbleonaTuesday,missa Wednesday, and by Friday the gaps have begun to harden.Eventhestrongones fall off when a lesson is rushed,aclassismissed,ora concept goes unpracticed. Thosegapsfollowthemterm after term until the sentence appears that breaks a teacher’sheart:Ihatemath.
Bloom’s Taxonomy gives us language for what goes wrong. Picture it as a learning ladder that students climb, sometimes stepping back to steady their footing. The lower rungs are
R e m e m b e r i n g a n d Understanding, where learners recall facts and explain ideas; the middle rungs are Applying and Analyzing, where they use proceduresinnewsituations and break problems into parts; the top rungs are Evaluating and Creating, wheretheyjudgequalityand produce original work Whole-class lessons often stayonthelowerrungs.
Too few students get the supported practice that moves them into Apply and Analyze, and fewer still reach Evaluate and Create. Learning should be a deliberateclimbwithchecks ateachrung.
A single pace for thirty children skips rungs for manyofthem,andtheladder neverquiteholds.
Thereisabetterwayand the evidence is not minor Benjamin Bloom’s famous “2-sigma” finding showed thatone-to-onetutoringwith mastery learning can move an average student two standard deviations above a typical class. In practical terms, that is the difference between middle of the pack andneartheverytop.Bloom framed a challenge that still stands; find ways for group
Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in
One-to-many teaching works best for the prepared student; leaves too many behind
instruction to borrow the powerofindividualtutoring. A quick pause on what those research numbers mean Education studies often report results in standard deviations. Think ofthebellcurveonanational exam. A gain of 0.2 to 0.3 standarddeviationscanshift a typical student from the 50th percentile to somewherearoundtheupper 50s or low 60s. A full 1.0 standarddeviationisroughly the jump from average to aboutthe84thpercentile.
Modern tutoring research backs Bloom with scale and nuance. The best m e t a - a n a l y s e s o f randomized experiments find consistent, substantial gains, with average effects around one third of a standard deviation, and larger gains when programs arestructuredandstaffedby trained adults. That is a meaningful shift in real classrooms.
C r u c i a l l y , personalization does not have to be expensive or flashy During school closuresinBotswana,ateam tested low-tech phone calls paired with SMS math problems to parents Students learned more, with gains around 0.12 standard deviations, and the program rankedamongthemostcosteffective interventions measured. The lesson was simple. If you meet a child preciselywheretheyareand give timely feedback, learning moves, even over a basichandset.
Motivation sits beside c o g n i t i o n S e l fDetermination Theory remindsusthatstudentslean into hard work when three needs are met; competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Technology can help with the first two by sizing the next problem correctly and letting students control pace and pathways But relatedness matters just as
much. A weekly check-in, a short conference, a message toaparentaboutasmallwin. Students persist when they feel seen by an adult who knows their goals and notices their effort.Any “AI solution” that ignores that h u m a n b o n d w i l l underperform.
Guyana’s numbers should focus the mind. For e x a m p l e , C S E C Mathematics pass rates rose from27percentin2024to32 percent in 2025. Progress is welcome, yet the share of students who fall off the math ladder remains far too high for an oil-rich country withaspirationstolead.The one-to-many model in a crowded room cannot erase cumulative skill gaps that begin in primary school and widen each term. We need instruction that starts from what each student knows right now and verifies masterybeforemovingon.
What does that look like on Monday mornings? Individualized lessons that diagnose the next missing skill and teach it with stepwisehintor secondtries quick teacher-led minilessons for students, who share a misconception Mastery gates that require a modestthresholdbeforenew content unlocks A dashboardthattellstheadult who needs a nudge, who needspraise,andwhoneeds aharderset.
The classroom keeps its community and discussion. The practice layer becomes personalandaccountable.
This is exactly the niche our Pathway Online lessons arebuilttofillasasupportto schools and pods. Students get AI-assisted practice in Math and English with instantfeedbackandtext-tospeechforlearnerswhoneed it. Facilitators and teachers seewhereeachchildisstuck and intervene quickly In early cohorts we are seeing roughly a 30 percent
improvement on internal assessments. These results are preliminary and we will report fuller data as samples grow,butthepatternlinesup with what the global evidencesaysshouldhappen whenpracticeistargetedand feedbackisfast.
The one-to-many lesson will always have a place. Children deserve the shared joy of a great explanation and a lively discussion. But equity in a fast-growing Guyanarequiresmorethana good lecture It requires many on-ramps, frequent checks, real practice, and a steady adult hand on the shoulder When we match the right task to the right learner and protect the human bond that keeps a child coming back, the gaps close.Thesentencechanges; notIhatemath.Icandothis.
Ray Chase FumaConsettohostglobal animeandvideogamestar for2-dayconventioninGuyana
Since 2022, FumaCon, an anime and comic convention organised by Seishonen Guyana, is set to host global anime and video game Star Ray Chase in Guyana for its 2026 convention.
Ray Chase is an American voice actor who has voiced anime, animations, video games and audiobooks. He voiced Noctis Lucis Caelum in Final Fantasy XV, Ryomen Sukuna and Choso Kamo in Jujutsu Kaisen, Tengen Uzui in Demon Slayer,NeuvilletteinGenshinImpact,SilentSaltCookiefrom CookieRun:KingdomandCyclopsinX-Men’97. Hiswork is also featured video games like Final Fantasy and Genshin Impact.
According to a release from Seishonen Guyana, the next edition of FumaCon promises to be the biggest anime and comicconventionexperienceyetasit’llbeheldonJuly4th& 5th,2026attheGuyanaMarriottHotel.
of activities for both days. This will be the first time that Guyana will be hosting a 2 day anime and comic convention similartootherinternationalanimeandcomiccons.
Besideitsdateexpansion,FumaConwillalsobeproviding new workshops, panels, gaming areas and a debate room. Similartootheranimeandcomicconventions,the eventwill alsohaveinternationalspecialguestslikeChase,amainstream voice actor whose work has been featured in popular anime andvideogames.
Seishonen Guyana has also collaborated with Cosplay Alliance, a reputable Toronto-based cosplay community recognized globally for its role in promoting cosplayers through social media. Through this collaboration, the group willalsobebringinganInternationalcosplayer
Overtheyears,FumaConhasmadenoticeableexpansions andimprovementswithitseventofferings. Fromintroducing workshops for the first time in 2023 to partnering with Corporate Guyana to create limited edition food items and even working alongside international embassies like the Embassy of Japan and Brazil to offer free workshops and panels, FumaCon has established its brand as the ideal place forpeopleofallagestoparticipateincompetitions,workshops and immerse themselves in cultural and educational experiencesthataren’ttypicallyofferedatanyothereventin Guyana.However,insteadofhostingits4theditionthisyear, Continued on page 38
Frompage18 does not deserve to come out here. My son was on the pedestrian crossing.Hewasnotwrong!”
Four Venezuelans and three Guyanesewereremandedtoprison on Wednesday, following their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the deadly October 26 bombing of the Mobil Gas Station on Regent Street, Georgetown.
The prosecution outlined that all the suspects acted in alliance with the main suspect, 33-year-old Venezuelan Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who was identified as the primary orchestratoroftheattack.Theother sixindividualswereeitherawareof the plan, aided Poedemo, or assistedintransportinghim.
The accused are: Wayne Correia, 44, Guyanese; Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, Guyanese; Krystal LaCruz, 33, Guyanese; Jennifer Rodriguez,33,Venezuelan;Johnny Boodram, 27, Venezuelan; and Alexander Bettancourt, 44, Venezuelan.Theyappearedincourt onthesameday,buttheirhearings were conducted at different locations Poedemo, Bettancourt, LaCruz, and Boodram’s case was heardbeforeChiefMagistrateFaith McGusty at the Georgetown District Court, while the cases of Rodriguez, Corriea, and Pramdeo wereheardvirtuallyattheLeonora Magistrates’ Court by Magistrate AliciaGeorge.
Poedemo faced a separate charge. He was accused of committing an act of terrorism on October 26, with intent to threaten the sovereignty and security of Guyana or strike terror to the people by using an explosive substance by placing it at the mobile fuel station on Regent and King Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown, which caused the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne. He was not required to enterapleatotheindictablecharge.
Meanwhile, Bettancourt, LaCruz,andBoodramwerejointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in carrying out the bombing They were also not required to enter a plea. All were unrepresentedexceptBoodram.
Boodram’s attorney, Mikel Puran, argued that his client, a taxi driver, had no knowledge of the bombing and was merely hired by LaCruz to drive her and two Venezuelan men to Georgetown. Pooran claimed that Boodram was innocent and that his arrest was an
abuse of the judicial process, as police had not followed proper procedures.“Itisanabusetobring him before the court and he has no knowledge,”Pooranstated.
Nevertheless, the prosecution opposed to bail on grounds of public interest and safety to the public The four accused were remanded and scheduled to return on November 12, for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez, Correia, and Pramdeo were jointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo between October 24 and 29 at East Bank Essequibo. They wereallegedtohaveassistedinthe bombing, although their lawyers deniedanyinvolvement.
Attorney Bernard Da Silva, representing the two Guyanese nationals, Correia and Pramdeo, argued that his clients had no connection to the bombing Da SilvaexplainedthatCorreia,ataxi driver,wasinPomeroonatthetime, and had made a phone call to Pramdeo, asking him to transport twoVenezuelans,whowereknown tothemasgoldminers,toahotelin Essequibo and leaving them. He said Pramdeo was not involved in thebombingandhadnoknowledge ofthesuspects’intentions.“Hewas not the taxi driver that brought the Venezuelans to Georgetown He wasnowherearoundtheareawhere theexplosiontookplace.Theyhad no agreement to assist in any way with the explosion,” Da Silva stated. Thelawyerarguedthatboth of his clients had no prior antecedentsandarenotflightrisks.
However, the prosecution countered Da Silva’s claims,
statingthattheaccusedwereaware
Poedemo and LaCruz after the bombing. The prosecutor argued that, following the bombing, the main suspect contacted LaCruz, who is in a relationship with him. LaCruz then picked him up and drove him to her home before taking him to Rodriguez’s residence During this time, Poedemo used LaCruz’s phone to contact individuals in Venezuela, asking for money. After dropping PoedemooffatRodriguez’s home, LaCruzleftandreturnedtowork.
The prosecutor also mentioned a boat used to transport Poedemo, which had allegedly been sold to one of Da Silva’s clients The prosecution also strongly objected tobailcitingtheseriousnessofthe offence, the penalties attached to the offence and the interest of nationalsecurity
Inresponsetothegravityofthe charges, Magistrate George emphasised the seriousness of the offence and the need for national security All three accused were remanded,andtheirnextcourtdate wassetforNovember24.
Meanwhile, Da Silva speaking with the media, emphasised his stance with the terrorism act. “I condemn in the strongest possible form the act of the bombing. I will not represent anyone who would havecommittedtheactofterrorism againstthestateofGuyana.”
Last week, additional details from the investigation from the Guyana Police Force revealed that the suspects had entered Guyana illegallyviaabacktrackrouteinthe
illegal miners who continue to ravagetheforest’sprotectedlands. Iwokrama officials say that while illegal mining has slowed compared to last year, the threat remains severe with more foreign nationalscrossingGuyana’sporous borders under the guise of “tourism” to extract gold from a forest where mining is absolutely prohibitedbylaw
Several miners fled into the jungle as enforcement teams arrived, but officers recovered passports identifying other Brazilian nationals linked to the illegal operation: Jailson Ferreira; Lima Iago Silva Alves; Jose AntonioRodriguesDosSantosand JoseDoSantosSilvino.
PomeroonRiverbeforetravelingto Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and eventually to Georgetown. Police also discovered that two of the Venezuelan suspects had used a visittoaKFCrestaurantascoverto conduct surveillance on the gas station before carrying out the attack Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that Poedemo and his accomplice had links to a gang in Venezuela, known as “R,” which has ties to the notorious Sindicato gang, responsible for violent cross-border crimes.While the motive behind the bombing remainsunclear,investigatorshave not ruled out the possibility of organized transnational criminal activitybeinginvolved.
Braziliangoldraider invadeIWOKRAMA - two arrested, others drop passports and run
Ajointoperationtoclampdown on illegal gold mining inside the IwokramaProtectedAreahasledto yetanotherarrest,underscoringthe continuing invasion of Guyana’s mosttreasuredrainforestreserveby foreigncriminalelements.
In a press release IWOKRAM said on November 1, 2025, a mission involving the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC),theGuyanaPoliceForce, andIwokramaRangersintercepted Brazilian national Flaviano Teixiera-Costa, who was detained after being found mining illegally in the internationally recognised conservation zone His capture follows months of ongoing operations aimed at driving out
Investigators believe these foreign nationals entered Guyana pretending to be vacationers, only todisappearintotheinteriortodig for gold within a protected ecosystem critical to Guyana’s environmental future. Iwokrama is warning once again that mining anywhere in the reserve is a direct breach of the IWOKRAMA ACT 1996,whichcarriesstrictpenalties forthosewhodamagetheprotected area The Centre stressed that illegal mining destroys fragile ecosystems, pollutes rivers, and threatens the livelihoods and traditional activities of local communities. It also undermines Guyana’s global standing as a nation committed to forest protection, especially as it pursues international climate financing “Iwokrama will not tolerate these violations,” the Centre declared, adding that it reserves the right to publishthenamesandphotographs of offenders caught degrading the protectedforest.
The organisation expressed its gratitude for the continued support of state agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources, GGMC, Guyana Police Force, Protected Areas Commission, and EnvironmentalProtectionAgency JustlastweektheGuyanaGold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) extended its support to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) for its crackdown on illegal mining and smugglinginGuyana,butitdidnot mention the activities at IWOKRAM.Instead,theGGDMA notedrecentenforcementeffortsby the GGGMC in the Sand Hills and Toroparu areas during which several illegal miners and raiders were detained, and several illegal shops and operations were dismantled The GGDMA also commends the Guyana Police for theirsupportinthisexercise.
“TheGGDMAhasbeenurging the GGMC to increase its enforcement efforts to stamp out illegal gold mining, to this end the GGDMA welcomes this effort as part of a renewed and larger campaign.TheGGDMAcallson Continued on page 35
Frompage34
the GGMC to expand this exercise to other areas and c o m m e n c e t h e regularization of landings in the mining areas,” the miners’ association body said.
It added: “It must be noted that illegal gold mining and the operation of illegal shops fuels other associated illegal activities, such as human trafficking, gold smuggling and the sale of illegal drugs These activities have in the past been tied directly to the
gangs in Venezuela including the notorious Sindicato gang At a time whenGuyanaisunderthreat
from its aggressive neighbour, the country must take all steps to stop activities linked to the financing activities in Venezuela The GGDMA has always called for an end to illegal mining The Associationonceagaintakes this opportunity to remind miners that all gold must be sold to the Guyana Gold Board or authorised dealers and detailed records be kept
Authority (GRA) has accused gold dealers Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son,Azruddin Mohamed, of Mohamed’s Enterprise, of massive underreporting of income between 2019 and 2023,resultinginbillionsof dollarsinunpaidtaxes.
Azruddin, who leads the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Party, is already beforethemagistrates’court facing a multimillion-dollar tax evasion charge That case, brought by the GRA, stems from alleged false d e c l a r a t i o n s a n d
underreporting of the purchase price of a luxury vehicleimportedin2020.
In a fresh move, a letter dated October 2, 2025, addressed to Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, states that GRAis seeking billions in taxes from Mohamed’s Enterprise The demand arises from $34 billion in
understated income declarations for the period 2019to2023.
According to GRA, its
review of the company’s filingsshowedthatover$34 billionin incometaxes were
u n d e r s t a t e d Wi t h accumulated interest and penalties, the total sum now owed to the state stands at morethan$191billion.“The revenue authority has conducted a review of the income and property tax returns submitted in relation to the above years of assessment This review, together with additional information received from other tax and financial agencies, have revealed that youfailedtosubmittrueand correct returns for the said years of assessment 2020 to 2024 (years of income 2019 to 2023),” the authority said intheletter
GRA reminded the businessmenthatsubmitting untrue and incorrect tax returns is an offence under Section 110 of the Income Tax Act It said the false declarations directly affected the liability to income tax that should have beenpaid.“Accordingly,asa result of the untrue declarations made, income
t a x i n t h e s u m o f $34,067,322,989 were understated for the said period 2019–2023,” it was stated.
Further, the authority
explained that the understated taxes attract interest and penalties in keeping with the financial administration and audit act andtheIncomeTaxAct.“An
accumulated sum of $191,171,975,676 as per the attached computations, is due, owing and payable to the revenue authority by Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, trading as Mohamed’s Enterprise. For ease of reference, kindly be guided by the attached document, which shows a detailed breakdown of the taxes due, owing and payable,”GRAsaid.
The tax body has given
t h e M o h a m e d s a n opportunitytorespondtothe outstanding tax liability and to show cause why proceedings should not be institutedagainstthem.
“Please note, if you fail to respond with legal justification/swithin14days of service of this letter, the revenue authority may be forced to take necessary actions against you, without further notice, for the act committed and to have the taxes payable recovered, in accordance with the laws administered, ” GRA
seats in the National Assemblywhichisexpected toconvenesoon.
Additionally, GRA also disclosed that it is investigating Mohamed’s Enterprise prior years of i n c o m e O n c e t h e investigation is complete, the businessmen will be notified of the findings and given a reasonable time to respond.
On Monday, the fatherson duo was indicted in a UnitedStatesfederalcourtin Miami, Florida on 11 charges of wire and mail fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and the i m p o r t a t i o n o f a Lamborghini luxury car- all stemming from accusations of massive tax fraud committedagainstGuyana.
Theindictment,unsealed on October 2, 2025, accuses t h e M o h a m e d s o f orchestrating an elaborate fraudandmoney-laundering scheme involving gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and the evasion of m
llions in taxes and royaltiesowedtoGuyana.
The indictment seen by this newspaper charges that Mohamed’s Enterprise, the Guyana-based gold wholesaling and export company controlled 90 per centbyNazarand10percent by Azruddin, is alleged to have sold gold to buyers in Miami and Dubai, while circumventing Guyana’s revenue and regulatory system.
In June 2024, Nazar, Azruddin and their businesses were sanctioned bytheU.S.Treasury’sOffice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) The Mohameds were sanctioned for alleged gold smuggling Azruddin earlier this year launched WIN,andcontestedthe2025 General and Regional Elections that were held in September His party accumulated the secondhighest votes, earning 16
Former Police Lance Corporal Kristoff De Nobrega has been freed of the murder charge brought against him over the fatal shooting of Quindon Bacchus.
Thedecisionwashanded down on Thursday by High CourtJudge,GinoPersaudat the Demerara High Court, who upheld a no-case submission presented by De Nobrega’s attorney, George Thomas.
Speaking with Kaieteur News, Thomas stated that the no-case submission was filed on the primary ground thattheprosecutionfailedto establish a prima facie case of murder “They failed to disprove that he (De
Nobrega) acted in selfdefence. As a result, Justice Persaudinstructedthejuryto return a not-guilty verdict, formallyfreeingDeNobrega ofthecharge.
According to De
Nobrega’s no-case submission document seen by this publication, the defence elaborated that the motion was grounded on several key arguments Firstly, it was “respectfully submitted that the prosecution has failed to establish a prima facie case of murder against the accused,sufficientenoughto have this Honourable Court callupontheaccusedtolead a defence ” Secondly, the document stated that “the prosecution has failed to establish that the acts of the accusedwouldamounttoan unlawfulkilling,whichisan essential element of the offenceofmurder.”
Thirdly, the defence contendedthat“theevidence adduced by the prosecution
proves that the accused, being armed with a service weapon and being part of a sting operation, after being shot at, gave chase behind the fleeing deceased, who continued to shoot at the advancing officers, includingtheaccused.”
F i n a l l y, i n t h e submission Thomas posed the question of whether the accused had “reasonably apprehendedimmediatefear and threat to his life so as to cause him to respond to the threatbyreturningfire.”
The defence argued that if the court found that De Nobrega acted in such circumstances, then the prosecution has failed to provethatitwasanunlawful actonthepartoftheaccused and has therefore failed to establish a prima facie case ofmurder
Citing the principle of self-defence, the defence submissionfurtherstated,“If apersonisattackedby
Continued on page 36
U n i v e r s i t y o f Guyana For Isaiah and Thilia Somerset, a young couple with dreams of acquiring a university degree, the journey to academic glory was filled with challenges and obstacles.They faced health issues, financial difficulties, and, on top of this, had to deal with all the challenges thatcomewithanexpanding family But they were determined to overcome every hurdle and finish the journey they started almost four years ago. Isaiah will graduate with a degree in Biology from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, while
Husband and wife beat odds to graduate UG together
died when he first came to Georgetown to study Chemistry at UG and struggled. “My grades were not good. I took a complete withdrawal from the programme and decided I wasnotgoingtostudyagain. My dad has a gold business andIwasalreadypreparedto take up that mantle.” But marriage brought a turning point. “After I got married, my wife encouraged me to studyagain,”Isaiahsaid.He
switchedtotheBScBiology programme, but life tested him immediately “I had struggles at work and I was working taxi so I did not really take it [studies] seriously at first. Added to that, when we had a baby in my first year and another in myfinalyear.”
When face-to-face classes resumed, something shifted. “Ms. Ruth Daniels spoke to us about what it means to have a bachelor’s
degree. The way she spoke mademerealisehowserious thisis.Idecidedtogetmore serious.Shereallymadethis degree sound like it mattered,”Isaiahsaid.
ForThilia,ateacheratSt. Gabriel’s Primary, motherhood, work, and school collided in painful ways “It was chaotic During my pregnancy I would have nightmares. It gotoverwhelmingbecauseit was a lot.At one point I had
to step away from work becauseIcouldn’tmanage;I was on one month’s sick leave. I was being pressured atwork,”Thiliashared. Then came heartbreak. “My last pregnancy was a twin and we only got one baby,andIbelieveitwasthe pressure I was under that affected the other baby,” Thiliashared.Sheneverlost sight of her why “I kept goingbecauseIwantedtobe
Continued on page 50
Thilia will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Early Childhood Education) from the faculty o f E d u c a t i o n a n d Humanities when the University of Guyana hosts its series of Convocation exercisesfromNovember20 toDecember6. Isaiah, who grew up in Linden and now lives in Lodge with his wife and children, always dreamed of becomingadoctor “Ialways wanted to become a doctor from a young age. I am a people person and I love to help. I think being a doctor would allow me to help people”. That dream almost
Reminiscent of how the event came to be, the Sôzô’s Enterprisecofounderstartedasjustavisionbecameareality inAugust 2022 when they hosted Guyana’s 1stAnime and ComicConvention.
“At the time, Marissa and I were studying at the AeronauticalEngineeringSchool;wetookoursavingsand even borrowed funding from family to make this event possible.We had various challenges from trying to plan an eventwhilstworkingandstudying,securingvendorswhich at the time were not bountiful, dealing with dishonest and unreliablesuppliersandthelistgoeson.Afterdealingwith all that, on 20th August, 2022 MARS anime and comic conventionwaslaunchedandwehadanamazingturnoutof over 600 attendees and over 30 vendors all of which are groundedintheanimeandpopculturecommunity…itkeeps gettingbigger”
Today,hesaidthattheMARSteamalsogrewlargerwith the addition of their advisor Shomari Williams who has helped with the continuous growth of not only MARS but withthecosplaycommunity
According to Jacobs MARS also affected the local cultureandeconomy
“After the launch of MARS in 2022, popularity and appearances of businesses focusing on anime and pop culture related merchandise grew exponentially as persons realizedhowlargetheanimeandpopculturecommunityin Guyanais,”Jacobsexplained.
He continued “Over the years we have had a lot of vendors but we have had some vendors that have been onboardwithMARSsincethebeginning,someoftheseare BadmonkeyMerch,Darcy’sKnickKnacks,lunargiftshop, MischiefMerch,LynaesFibers,KustomBoxjusttonamea few.”
Isaiah and Thilia Somerset and their children
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STANDARDS
As Guyana celebrates Tourism Awareness Month 2025 under the theme ‘Tourism, a transformational pillar in Guyana’seconomy’theGuyanaNationalBureauofStandards (GNBS) continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengtheningsustainabilitywithinthetourismsectorthrough standardsandqualitymanagement.
At the GNBS, several standards are available for the Tourism sector, including CARICOM Regional Standards, whichareadoptedforuseinGuyana.Onesuchstandardisthe National Standard adopted in 2024; GYS 589:2024Sustainable tourism – Environmental management systemsrequirements.Thisregionalstandardprovidesaframeworkto assist tourism-related establishments, such as transport providers, ecolodges, tour operators, eco-tourism guesthouses, and customer service providers, in adopting environmentallyresponsiblemanagementpractices.
ThestandardoutlinestherequirementsforEnvironmental Management Systems (EMS), enabling tourism establishments to develop a policy, set objectives, and meet minimumperformancestandardsbasedonbestenvironmental management practices. The aim is to ensure that tourismrelatedenterprisesnotonlyprosperfinanciallybutalsoreduce theirenvironmentalimpactandprotectthenaturalbeautythat definesGuyana’stourismofferings.
The document addresses leadership and commitment, notingthattopmanagementshouldtakeaccountabilityforthe effectivenessofthesystem,andensureadequateresourcesare available and promote continual improvement. It also addresses organisational structure as well as planning and organisingtodealwithrisksandopportunities.
Notably, the standard outlines that particular attention shall be given to gaseous emissions, water conservation and efficiency, energy conservation and efficiency, wastewater management and effluent discharges, solid waste management, use of raw materials and natural resources, transportation management, land use and facility siting and construction, wildlife protection, sustainable procurement practicesandmore.
Onceapplied,tourismbusinessescanusethisstandardto lessentheirenvironmentalimpact,increaseenergyandwater efficiency, minimise waste, and preserve the natural and cultural resources that attract tourists Furthermore, sustainability has become a key selling point for travellers who increasingly seek authentic and environmentally responsibleexperiences.
As tourism continues to grow as one of Guyana’s most promisingeconomicindustries,theGNBSfirmlybelievesthat compliance with GYS 589:2024 will position businesses to meet global sustainability expectations and contribute to the nation’sgreeneconomy
The GNBS continuously assists businesses in understanding and successfully implementing the standard through its technical assistance and training programs. Businesses that adhere to GYS 589:2024 can demonstrate theircommitmenttosustainablepractices,enhancetourism’s long-term viability and competitiveness, and support Guyana’sgrowinggreeneconomy
For more information, contact the GNBS on Tel: 2190064-66orvisitourwebsite:www.gnbsgy.org
FumaConsettohostglobal...
Frompage32
SeishonenGuyanamadeastrategicmovetotakeabreakand insteadworkedoncollaboratingwiththecorporatesectorto make FumaCon a success. This resulted in a successful collaboration with MODEC Guyana Inc. the event’s Title Sponsor
Consequently,aspartoftheregionaloutreach,Fumacon beofferingticketsthroughPotsalt,aproudlyGuyanese-built platform. This will make it easier for audiences across Suriname, Brazil, and the wider Caribbean to join in and experienceGuyana’srichanddiverseanimescenefirsthand. Entry passes and more guests to be announced soon. FumaCon2026iskindlysupportedbyMODECGuyanaINC, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Cosplay Alliance, Prem’s Electrical, the Guyana TourismAuthority, Marketing Advertisements for Developing Enterprises (MADE),RakiyomuBooksandtheSachStore.
TheCaseoftheMissingLunchbox
Daisy loved solving mysteries. Ever since she was little, she had a sharp eye for spotting things that didn’t seem right If something was lost, she found it. If someone was confused, she helped them figure things out That’s why her friends at school called her “Detective Daisy.”
Daisy had curly brown hairthatbouncedwhenshe walked, bright green eyes fullofcuriosity,andasmall freckle on her nose. She lived in a cheerful yellow housewithabigoaktreein the front yard. Her room was filled with books, puzzles,andaspecialshelf
where she kept her
detective tools a
magnifying glass, a notebook, and a little flashlight her grandpa had givenher She lived with her mom, dad, and her little brother, Tommy, who alwayswantedtohelpwith her detective work but usually ended up making a mess. Daisy didn’t mind, though. She loved a good challenge, and solving mysteries was her favorite thingtodo.
One bright and sunny morning, Daisy arrived at Maplewood Elementary School, ready for another exciting day She loved mornings the fresh air, thesoundofbirdschirping, andtheexcitementofanew day But today, something felt different As she walk e d in
Two
to the classroom, she saw her friend Emily looking upset.
“This morning, right before recess,” Emily said. “I put it in my cubby like always.”
Daisy wrote it down Thenshelookedaroundthe classroom.There were lots of cubbies, and some kids were still putting their things away Could someone have taken it by accident? Or was there another clue hiding nearby?
Daisy needed more information. She turned to Daniel, who sat near the cubbies. “Did you see anything strange near Emily’s cubby this morning?”
Daniel thought for a moment.“Well,IsawMax looking for something in hiscubbybeforerecess.He wasinahurry.”
Daisy made a note M a y b e M a x k n e w something! She hurried overtohim.“Hey,Max,did you see Emily’s lunchbox thismorning?”
Max looked surprised. “Emily’s lunchbox? No, but I did drop my pencil case, and some stuff fell out Maybe I knocked something over by mistake.”
Daisy’s mind raced. If M a x h a d b u m p e d something, maybe Emily’s lunchbox had fallen too! She checked the bottom of the cubbies And there, half-hidden behind a backpack,wasabrightblue lunchbox.
“I found it!” Daisy cheered, holding up the lunchbox.
Emily clapped her hands. “Thank you, Daisy! You really are the best detective!”
Daisy grinned.Another mystery solved But she had a feeling there would bemorecasestocrackvery soon!
CUTOUTEACH CARD, MIXTHEM UPAND PLACE FACE DOWN. EACH PLAYERTAKESTURN,TURNING OVERTWO CARDSTRYINGTO MAKEAMATCH
Determine the Principles to Govern your Life
We said last weekthatyou need to adopt and follow right principles soastobeabletobesurethat youarerespondingcorrectly and reaping the best benefit wheneveryouarefacedwith a challenging situation. It will therefore be necessary for you to take some time to determine these principles and educate your selfconscious on these so as to ensurethatyouarealwayson therightpath.
The world is becoming moreandmorecomplicated, with temptations all around, and the young person needs tobeverycarefulinthenext stepshewillbetaking,soas to ensure that he would not waste his life, and would keep on this right course to his eventual success in the variousaspectsoflife.
Young adulthood is a
period of great challenges, and to have achieved some success in your education, and at the same time living according to some high values, is worthy of celebration. But the world that is now beckoning is more challenging in every respect, and will need some serious consideration about yourapproachtoit.
You will have to take more responsibility for your actions, display more discipline, and even be willing to make some sacrifices to retain your energyanddirectiontowards your success and happiness, as well as those who should come under your charge, if and when you develop a familyofyourown.
The right course of actionthenistositdownand decide on the correct principlestogovernyourlife
When we follow set rules in any activity, we are more likely to be right. The same goes for the principles that govern our life.
from here on, and make up your mind to follow these principles in whatever you dointhefuture.
Some of these principles are: Following your conscience in deciding right from wrong; trying always to be fair to others; being kind to others; giving some service to improve the livesofothers;gettingridof bad habits and cultivating good ones that will serve to uplift your life; devoting some time to prayer and
Ripple Effect
worship of your Creator; gratitudetoyourparentsand those who have helped you and will be helping you along the way; identifying your goals in life and working hard to achieve them; giving a fair day’s work if and when you start onacareer
Take some time before ournextissue,whenweshall beidentifyingsomeofthese principles, to think of those thatwillimproveyourlifein someway
The heavy lines indicate areas called cages. Fill each cage with unique digits, counting up from 1. For example, a 1-cell cage must contain the number 1, a 2-cell cage contains 1 and 2, a 5-cell cage contains 1 through 5, and so on.These numbers may appear in any order within the cage. If two identical numbers appear in the same row or column, at least that many cells must separate them. For example, if two 3s appear in the same column, they must be separated by at least three other cells that do not contain 3.
Uncle Roy is once again appealing to all teens to write to himaboutanyproblemyoumaybefacingforwhichyouneeda solution. HewouldalsolikeyoutocontributetothisPageby submitting other material that he can include here. These include:
Swordfish are the natural-born gladiators of the sea
Howstuffworks Some animals just look weird — and by weird, I just mean differently proportioned than we’re used to. Take narwhals,axolotls,ayeayes, goblin sharks, long-wattled umbrellabirds—allofthem have something about them that makes us do a double take.
But the thing is, evolution’s got a reason for
nearly everything it does, so if it gave a swordfish a meter-long (3.2 feet-long) saber at the end of its face, you’d better believe there was a reason for it. The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) isnoteatenbyanyanimalin the ocean other than largetoothed whales and some open-oceansharkspecies.
SwordfishAreSpecial The swordfish (Xiphias
gladius) is a species of billfish a group of predatory pelagic fish (meaning they live in the upper layers of the open ocean)thatincludessailfish, marlin and spearfish Swordfishcangrowupto14 feet (4 meters) in length and weigh up to 1,200 pounds (635 kilograms) and they’re extremely athletic, partly becausetheirgillshaveaton
of surface area and can absorb more oxygen at once thanmanyfish.Thereisonly one species of swordfish, thoughdifferentpopulations occupy different corners of the world’s oceans. Aside from that, they’re unique, even among their billfish cousins, in a couple ways. For starters, they inhabit the widest temperature range of anybillfish:
“Swordfishcanbefound fromthesurface,wherethey often bask and expose their fins in the air, to depths greater than 3,280 feet [1,000 meters],” says
Chugey Sepulveda, director and senior scientist at the P
leger Institute of Environmental Research (PIER) in Oceanside, California, in an email interview “During the daylight hours, swordfish can remain up to 12 consistent hours in the dark at temperatures as low as 41 degrees F (5 degrees C). At night they are usually found
in the warm surface waters. Swordfish repeat this cycle dayinanddayout,astrategy that allows them to pretty much forage around the clock.”
But more notably, swordfish differ from other billfish in their physiology: none of their other cousins has a rostrum — basically a protrudingupperjawbone— that’s as long.Aswordfish’s billlooksdelicate,andyetis comparable in strength to a horse’sbones,andnoteasily broken. But why do they need this crazy face contraption? For hunting, of course!
Guyana Breweries Inc. a major sponsor...
Frompage30 lineup,overthelastfewyears.
“Speaking on behalf of Empire Media Inc., Carl Allen expressed appreciation and highlighted the importance of partnership through sponsorship in support of one of next year’s major sponsors—Guyana Breweries Inc., through its distinguished“RockStoneTonicWine”brand,”itsaid.
Seweon McGarrell, Marketing Manager of Guyana Breweries Inc. who also spoke at the launch said that the brand is delighted with the developments as well as the showcasingoflocaltalentbyEmpireMediaInc.throughthe Armageddonbigstage.
He further expressed the company’s excitement about strengtheningitsrelationshipwiththeentertainmentindustry foranotheryear
At Armageddon 2025 Guyana witnessed the trophy leaving its shores and travelling all the way to Japan with Artical Pride Sound, which is slated to return to defend its titlenextyear
“This year, the competition expands even further, welcomingWarriorsSoundfromGermany,knownglobally forperformancesatinternationaleventssuchastheJamrock Cruise.Fanscanalsoexpectthethrillingreturnofoneofthe most energetic and entertaining competitors—Kanabis Sound—nowaGuyanesefavorite,returningfromAntigua,” thestatementadded.
Afterreachingthefinalslastyear,localpowerhousefrom theWestSideSlingazFamilyGuyanawillbereturningtothe stage. There will also be two new contenders to take to the stagenamelyRudeBoySoundandFireFoxSound,bothof whomhaveearnedtheirspots.Withthislineup,Armageddon 2026 promises an electrifying and unforgettable clash to crownthe2026champion.
“Overtheyears,EmpireMediaInc.hasgoneaboveand beyondtodeliverhistoricentertainmentmoments,andnext year will be no different. History will be made again on Saturday,January24,2026,from10:00pmto02:00amatthe NationalParkTarmac,Thomasland,”thecompanysaid.
In this light patrons are asked to keep an eye on Empire Media’s social media pages and the press for updates on ticket outlets, road shows, and upcoming bar promotions featuringexcitingspecials.
Cancersurvivorsgiftedmemorable naturetripto...
Frompage27 simplyamazing.Theorganizersdidanoutstandingjob, and being surrounded by people who share the same journeywassouplifting
It was a celebration of life, celebrating beating cancerandembracingnature.”
Thirteen-year cancer survivor Trudy Cummings expressed,“KaieteurFallswasalwaysadreamofmine;it wastrulysurreal”HermanettaAndrewsadded,“Inever planned on visiting Kaieteur Falls, but this opportunity wastoospecialtomiss Thegroupwassobold,sofullof life,anditmademefeellikeanythingispossible”
The Kaieteur Falls Expedition followed a series of impactful Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities that reflected Recover Guyana’s ongoing commitment to health, wellness, and community empowerment. Theseinitiativeshonouredthecourageandresilienceof cancer survivors while promoting education, prevention,andsupport.
A key highlight was the Annual World Food Day Health Outreach, held at Recover Guyana’s headquarters. During this event, community members received free medical check-ups, cancer awareness talks, and wellness education, emphasizing the importanceofholistichealthandearlydetection.
This year, Recover Guyana distributed fresh green basketstocommunitymembersaspartoftheoutreach, marking the organisation’s third consecutive year of providing nutritious hampers in observance of Breast CancerAwarenessMonth.Inaddition,RecoverGuyana participated in nationwide initiatives, including tree wrapping activities and cancer awareness walks, uniting with communities and organizations across the countrytoshowsolidarityandspreadhope.
Asaregisterednon-profitorganisation,RecoverGuyana
remains dedicated to empowering communities, protecting the environment, and advancing sustainable development across the nation. Through innovative programmes such as SHOUT, which engages youth in sustainability, and
of the survivors shared a special thank you message to their sponsors
ENGAGE, which promotes green entrepreneurship, the organisation continues to drive meaningful and lasting changewithsupportfromitspartners.
(Source: Recover Guyana)
Some
Eddy Grant A son of the soil we must celebrate
Rev. Dr. Fitzroy Tyrrell lecturer at Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ihavetoadmit.Idon’tknow a lot about social media. Please excuse me when I say that it took me a long time to decide which video to play The video’s focus, Eddy Grant, was what made me stop and pay attention.Ihittheplay,listenedand was simultaneously shocked as well as educated. On Facebook, Harold Bascom posed the straightforward query, “Do Guyanese give Eddy Grant the respecthedeserves?”
The truthful response? No. We don’t. Confession is something I believe in as a religious person. It benefitsthesoul. I’llconfessnow: BeingGuyanese,Iwasunawareof Eddy Grant’s greatness The comprehensive understanding of this Guyanese icon that I gained from watching that documentary was not imparted to me during my nursery or primary school education. I did hear “Give me Hope, Joanna,” but I was unaware of the singer’s identity His story wasunknowntomebutEddyGrant is more well-known and respected around the world than among his ownpeople.
ThePlaisanceBoy
On March 5, 1948, Edmond Montague Grant was born in Plaisance.Patrick,hisfather,wasa trumpet player for the renowned group Nello and the Luckies. His parentssentmoneyhomeforyoung Eddy’s education after leaving for London in search of better opportunities, as so many
Rev. Dr. Fitzroy Tyrrell
amillioncopiesandquicklyroseto thetopoftheUKcharts.Theageof Eddy Grant was twenty The song
Guyanese families did in those days.Hejoinedthemin1960atthe ageoftwelve.
A twelve-year-old Plaisance native arrives in chilly, dreary London After relocating to Kentish Town, he studied music and reading at Acland Burghley SecondaryModernSchool.Hislife changedonenight.Heattendedthe FinsburyParkAstoriatoseeChuck Berry perform. He knew right there.
EddystartedabandcalledThe Equals in 1965 when he was just seventeenyearsold.However,this was no ordinary band. This young Guyanese boy was leading one of the first racially integrated pop groups to gain popularity in 1965, atatimewhenracialtensionswere attheirhighestinbothAmericaand Britain.Justconsiderthat.
The Equals became living evidence that skin color has no bearing on talent. Eddy wrote and played lead guitar on the song “Baby, Come Back,” which was releasedin1968.Itsoldmorethan
was so good that it retook the top spot when it was covered by Pato BantonandUB40in1994.
“Enough”iswhat yourbodysays. Eddy passed out at the age of twenty-three; heart attack; lung collapse. In addition, he was a vegetarian and abstained from alcohol and tobacco. He was overcome by the pressure, the recording, and the touring. The Equals had to let him go The majority of people would have completely stopped listening to music NotEddy Heestablishedhis own Coach House Studios in 1972 HefoundedIceRecordsin1974 He would forge his own route if the industryweregoingtobreakhim Atthatmoment,alovelything
Continued on page 48
Guyanese-born singer
, Eddy Grant
Eddy Grant was honoured plaque on London’s ‘The Music Walk of Fame’
Eddy Grant is popular for his hot song ‘electric avenue’
An online enterprise bringing your ‘Pinterest Board’ to Life
“Young
entrepreneurs are critical for generating new employment opportunities, which are vital to the country's growing economy, something we hope to contribute to one day”
graduated with a Bachelor's of Finance and is
ByAllyiahAllicock
Dedicated to
p r o v i d i n g quality, trendy, and yet affordable products that you think are out of reach in Guyana, is an online-based small business by the name of 'Caribbean Girls'.
CaribbeanGirlswhichis founded and owned by two cousins, Shirisa Da Silva, 22,andMonifaDaSilva,21, of NewAmsterdam, Region Six, is that business which brings your Pinterest Board tolife.Forthosenotfamiliar, Pinterest is a visual discovery platform where people can search for, save andshopforideas.
Before we get into how this business turned from an idea to reality, let us first share that Shirisa and Monifa Da Silva both attended President's College andthenontotheUniversity of Guy
Associate of Biology is now pursuing a Bachelor'sofOptometryat theuniversity
Speaking about their entrepreneurialjourneywith this magazine, Shirisa Da Silvasharedthatitallbegan onDecember13,2024.
“We were inspired to start because we are surrounded by family and friends are in business and who encouraged us to take theleap.Wewantedtolearn how to make money and, more importantly, we wanted to fill a gap in the market,”sheexplained.
According to the young woman, Caribbean Girls is the business that dares to bring people's Pinterest ideastolife.“Wearearetail
y, aesthetically pleasing, and unique items—things that mightbetrendyoverseasbut areeitherinaccessibleortoo expensive here,” she elaborated.
Some of the items they haveinstockincludestylish designer bags and purses, phone cases, and purse charmsjusttomentionafew
The business which will sooncelebrateitsoneyearin existence, Da Silva said has been receiving tremendous loveandsupportwhichthey arethankfulfor
“Since we are onlinebased,wehavetheluxuryof serving our customers ourselves, ensuring they have the friendliest convenient and personal shopping experience. We've been shown the most love from Georgetown and are slowly seeing the same type oflovefromourhometown, New Amsterdam,” the coownerhighlighted.
Navigating this journey, Da Silva mentioned it was not all smooth sailing since there were challenges they encountered that they learnt fromandovercame.
Sharing briefly about some the challenges, she noted there was the uncontrolled issue of increased tariff and import costs, and the time it takes fo
o be delivered “We do stand strong on affordability and
no high price mark ups or exploitation, however when running low on stocks to restock fast costs a pretty penny, and when we read that the government has
extendedameasuretoadjust freight charges for calculating import duties, I felt some relief, as this is an efforttoresolvetheseissues to some extent We are hopeful that this and other announced measures in the future will make our dream of mass affordability easier toachieve,”shestated.
Another she mentioned was, “The first thing we learnt about business is how highthepricesareforalotof items in Guyana With continuedsupport,weaimto solvethatproblem.”
C o m m
cal shopping in Guyana, Da
(Continuedonpage50)
Young entrepreneur, Monifa Da Silva
Young entrepreneur, Shirisa Da Silva
GLASSGroup's“ActNow,LiveStrong,”
In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the GLASS Group of Companies demonstrated its ongoing commitment to health, community and compassion through a series ofinitiativesunderthetheme “ActNow,LiveStrong”.
awareness.
On October 24, the
h awareness session at its Barrack Street office, featuring licensed medical practitioner Dr. Angela
creative and meaningful touch,GLASSalsolaunched its “Tree of Hope”, a symbolic display of unity and hope. Team members from both GLASS and Global Manpower & Training Inc. (GMT) signed messagesofencouragement, whichwillbedonatedtothe
The company hosted an informative health awareness session at its Barrack Street office, featuring licensed medical practitioner Dr.Angela Binda.
Throughoutthemonthof October, employees across
GLASS and Global Manpower & Training Inc. (GMT) joined together to promote cancer awareness, early detection and support for individuals and families affectedbythedisease.
The campaign began with the symbolic gesture “ThinkPinkFridays”,where employees proudly wore pink each week to show
emphasized the importance of early screening for both breastandprostatecancer,as well as the benefits of adopting proactive health andwellnesspractices.
As part of this event, employees received cancer screeningvouchersandwere encouraged to take a personal pledge through the “Pledge to Check” booklet, aimed at inspiring ongoing consciousness Adding a
Cancer Institute of Guyana as a gesture of support to patients undergoing treatment.
Complementing the awarenesscampaignwasthe Pediatric Oncology Toy Drive, designed to bring joy and comfort to young patients receiving treatment at the Cancer Institute's Pediatric Oncology Unit Employees donated new toys,booksandgameswhich
were delive
d from representatives from both companies later in the month.
T h e c o m p a n y ' s participationextendedtothe One Communication's Pinktober Walk on October 26, where our employees proudly represented the G L A S S G r o u p , demonstrating solidarity with survivors and raising awareness within the broadercommunity
These initiatives reflect our company's belief that health,unityandcompassion goes hand-inhand” said Mr Glenn Low-A-Chee, Managing Director of GLASSGroup.
“Through Pinktober, we not only raised awareness but also deepened our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our employees a
communitiesweservice”.
The GLASS Group's
Toddler Drowns in Creek
Devin Jacobs
A two-year-old boy, identified as Devin Jacobs, drowned tragically on Saturday morning in a creek at Moraikobai, Region Five. While details remain sketchy, Kaieteur News has
Village Council of Moraikobai has since extended condolences to the child'sgrievingparents,GavinandNiesa Jacobs.
Canadian firm to build massive airstrip for Toroparu
US$14.7B gold project
Canadian mining giantArisMining Corporation is preparingtobreakgroundon an international-standard airstrip deep in the CuyuniMazaruni, a move that signals the company's intent tofast-trackoperationsatits massive US$14 7 billion Toroparu Gold Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in South America.
The Toroparu Project located in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) is being developed through Aris Mining's local subsidiary, ETK Inc. The project is expected to produce an average of 235,000 ounces of gold per year over more than two decades The project's life-of-mine production is estimated at 5.0 million ounces of gold, 4.9 million ounces of silver, and 260 million pounds of copper
In its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the project, the company noted that the new 1,750-metre-long airstrip willreplacetheexistingone, which sits within the footprint of the main Toroparupit.
According to the PEA, the relocated facility will be built to accommodate larger aircraft and will serve as a key logistics hub for transporting personnel, equipment,andgoodstoand
fromtheminingsite.
The company explained that the runway will be aligned parallel to the prevailing southeast wind direction and enclosed within a 70-metre boundary zoneonbothsidesalongthe centreline to restrict the heightofstructuresnearby It was also stated that the airstrip will have a total width of 60 metres of clear space, ensuring compliance withinternationalsafetyand operationalstandards.
Aris Mining said the upgraded facility will include two main security access points. The first will be located along the main access road adjacent to the relocated airstrip and will feature a truck parking and staging area, logistics and security offices, and an aircrafthangarfortemporary storage and emergency overnightshelter
A second access point will be established at the processingplant,servingasa controlled entry between low and high-security areas. It will include a security office and change house for all personnel accessing the high-security and mining zones.
Aris Mining also stated in the PEA that the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Public Works, has agreed on the terms of a
road users' agreement that will facilitate unhindered accesstotheprojectsite.The agreement provides that ETK will maintain and rehabilitate sections of the public road leading to the Toroparu project, subject to finalterms.
Kaieteur News had reportedthatGuyanaissetto reap an estimated US$3.4 billionintaxesandroyalties from the Toroparu Gold Project,whichisexpectedto generate US$14.7 billion in gold sales based on a base gold price of US$3,000 per ounce over its 21-year mine
life.
The PEA states that at a basegoldpriceofUS$3,000 per ounce, the project is expected to contribute US$2.2 billion in income taxes and US$1.2 billion in royalty payments to the Government of Guyana, bringing the country's total projected earnings to US$3.4billion.
At the same gold price assumption, the Toroparu gold project is projected to deliver an after-tax Net Present Value (NPV5%) of US$1.8 billion, an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of
25.2%,andapaybackperiod ofthreeyears. Under the Mineral Agreement with the Government of Guyana, the project will pay an 8% royalty on gold sales, 1.5% on silver, and 1 5% on copper Itwasstatedthatthe royaltiesaredeductiblefrom taxable income under Guyana's 30% corporate tax rate.Notably,a2011mineral agreementbetweenETKand the Government of Guyana established a tiered gold royaltyof5%forpricesupto US$1,000perounceand8% forpricesabovethat.
A c c o r d i n g t o information from the company's website, the project site was first mined by Alfro Alphonso in 1997 and explored by ETK from 1999 under a joint venture withAlphonso. ETK acquired full ownership in 2020, paying US$20milliontoexerciseits option, while Alphonso retained certain alluvial rights and access privileges, ETK also secured an investment agreement with GO-Invest granting tax exemptions on projectrelatedimports.
ailing from Chesney, HCorentyne, Berbice, NickeshaRossLonghas spent more than 13 years caring for others as a Registered Nursing Assistant.Nursing,toher,isnotjust a job, it's a ministry of compassion.
“I am very hands-on with my patients.
I try to advocate for them, especiallythosewhohaveattempted suicide or struggle with mental health challenges,” she shared. Her deep concern for the wellbeing of others inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Guyana, even while studying at the NewAmsterdamSchoolofNursing, where she is now completing her final year of the Registered Nursing (RN)programme. Her journey back to school was not without challenges. Married at just21yearsold,andnowinher30s, Nickesha knew that balancing school, work, and family would be
I doubted myself,” she said. But shewasblessedwithencouragement from her sister, Mrs. Natoya RossDe Santos, a lecturer at the University of Guyana's Turkeyen Campus, who never stopped believinginher
“She kept telling me, 'You are smart, you can do this,'” Nickesha said with a smile. “Some days I thoughtshewastoohardonme,but now I see that it was exactly what I needed ” That encouragement, coupled with her faith in God, gave her the courage to keep going when thingsbecamedifficult.
Nickesha's academic path began with a Diploma in Psychology, but her lecturer, Ms. Kendall, saw her potential and encouraged her to continue to the degree level.Taking that advice to heart, she enrolled in the Bachelor's programme, just as she finally got accepted into the
Registered Nursing course she had been applying for, for years. “Both opportunitiescameatthesametime. IdecidedIwasn'tgivingupeitherof them.SoIdidboth,”sherelated.
Balancing two demanding programmes was a challenge on its own, but Nickesha didn't stop there. Shewasalsorequiredtocompletea six-monthGEDprogrammethrough Amity University, which was fully online but still required focus and commitment.
Her schedule was packed: Thursdays were for RN practicals, weekends for intense studying for nursing school, and weekdays for UG.Itwasanexhaustingroutine,but she managed it through prayer and determination.
“I was only able to do this because of God. There were times I wanted to quit, but God kept me going,”shesaidwithpride.
Herhusband,Kurt,playedakey roleinthatjourney Eventhoughhis job has him stationed overseas, his
loveandsupportwereconstant.“He provided the finances for my travel from Corentyne to Turkeyen. When herealisedhowoftenIhadtotravel, heboughtacartomakeiteasierfor me to attend classes in Georgetown and return home safely And wheneverIsaidIfeltlikequitting,he told me 'no', reminding me that I couldfinish.”
Their children, Kiara (16) and Keifer (12), also became a part of theirmother'sacademicstory “They demanded good grades from me, becauseIdemandgoodgradesfrom them,” she said with a smile. Kiara often made sure her mother had a mealreadywhenshegothomelateat night, while Keifer would call her during her long drives to keep her company
There were moments of guilt as well. “When my son was preparing for his Secondary School Entrance Examinations,Icouldn'thelphimas muchasIwantedto.Igothima
(Continuedonpage49)
The Toroparu Gold Project
WANTED
Jobopening:TruckDriver, ACTechnicians,Excavator andSkidSteerOperator To apply send application via WhatsApp:689-1111/6082114.
SalesClerkwantedtowork in store. Attractive salary offered.Call:661-1000.
WantedoneMaid.Formore information please Call: 680-1282.
VEHICLES FOR SALE
1HondaCRV,includesTV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage PTT Series (first owner).Call:649-0956.
Eddy Grant; a son of the soil we must celebrate...
From page 44 occurred. Eddy began combining everything he was familiarwith,includingtheAfrican beats from his early years, the pop and rock from London, and the calypso rhythms he had grown up with. It was in 1977 that he recorded“HelloAfrica.” Itis now regarded by music historians as one of the earliest soca songs ever produced. One of the pioneers of soca musicisEddyGrant. ReturningHome
Eddy made a significant choicein1982.HewasheadingoutofLondon.Hedesired to return to the Caribbean. His first preference would have been to return home to Guyana, but there was no infrastructure.
He then traveled to Barbados and constructed Blue WaveStudiosinaformerplantation home from the 18th century
I don’t miss the irony; a descendant of slaves, constructing a top-notch studio on plantation property, and producing music that would oppose injustice. He recorded Killer on the RampageatBlueWave.
Wegottwohugehitsfrom thealbum.Inreality,“IDon’t
VACANCY
Hick'sVille Hotel is now hiringReceptionist,HotelAttendant, Washer, Presser. Call: 227-7714/223-3448/640-0673. Email:info@vegeworld.net
Vacancy for Merchandiser and Factory Worker. Email info@vegeworld.net.
1ShiftReceptionist,Handyman & Sales Boy needed @ LuxuryInnHotel,16Durban St.Call:510-6821.
Wanna Dance” was Eddy’s farewell letter to Britain and allofitsdistinctionsbasedon race and class. In the UK, it topped the charts for three weeks. It was followed by “ElectricAvenue.”
NotJustaSong
“Electric Avenue” was morethanjustacatchydance song. It was a song of protest. Named after the street where the events took place, Eddy wrote it about the Brixton riots of 1981, police brutality,unemployment,and systemic racism saying “enough.”
IntheUSandtheUK,the song peaked at number two. Morethanonemillioncopies weresoldandaGrammynomination.
But that song is still relevant nearly forty years later Because of the issues it discusses? They are still there. That’s how a real artiste is identified.
And here’s the thing: I’ve read that Stephen King, the horror author, enjoyed playing “Electric Avenue” while collaborating with Peter Straub.
However,Straubbelieved Eddy to be Barbadian rather thanGuyanese.Withouteven knowing which Caribbean country produced him, the entire world was rejoicing in this man.
FightingApartheid
Eddy released “Gimme Hope Jo’anna” in 1988, a heartbreaking and beautiful call to end South Africa’s apartheid.IntheUK,itpeaked at number seven.
Do you know what the government of South Africa did? It was banned which demonstratesjusthowpotent that song was.
He had previously used musicasaweapon.Oneofhis recordingsfrom1980was“Police on My Back.” The Clash covered it on their Sandinista because they loved so much. This Guyanese man’s message about opposing state violence was now being heard by punk kids worldwide.
AstoundingFacts
What truly astounded me is that Eddy Grant is essentially the founder of the contemporary Barbados music scene.
ThemusicsceneinBarbados was in trouble when he arrived there in 1982. Barbados was not even paying much attention to its own music. Eddy made the decision to take action after realizingwhatmightbe.
He demonstrated to them that Bajan music could rival thatofTrinidad,Jamaica,and anyone else. Superstars from
around the world began to visit Blue Wave Studios. To getreadyfortheirhuge“Steel Wheels” tour, the Rolling Stones traveled there. There, Sting was recorded. Mick Jagger.Costello,Elvis.Richard Cliff. More significantly, though, Eddy produced artists from the Caribbean, including Grynner, Mighty Gabby, Tamu Hibbert, and DavidRudder
Eddy stated in an interview:“Thatmusicisholding its own, even after Barbados stoppedlisteningtoitin1982, and now stands in the rain to hear it. Guyana may experience the same thing. In Guyana,thesamethingmight occur
Ringbang
Ringbangwasanewconcept that Eddy introduced in the 1990s. He explained that it was a means of uniting all the African rhythms into a single, borderless entity However,Ringbangwasmore than just music.
For young people in the Caribbeaninparticular,itwas a philosophy. “It’s like Zen; it’slikekarate,”Eddysaid. Why do we not accept that which originates within us? That is a profound question. Why don’t we take responsibility for our own actions? Why must the outside worldconvinceusthatsomething is valuable before we can accept it?
PreservingOurTraditions Eddy has been purchasing Calypso Legends’ catalogsforyears.PowerfulSparrow, The Roaring Lion. Hun Attila, Kitchener, Lord Melody, Lord and the list is endless.
His goal is not to become wealthy. He is taking this action to protect our culture; to prevent the exploitation or loss of these timeless works. He is personally ensuring that the Calypso GoldenAge endures for upcoming generations.
Instead of spending his time and money protecting our musical heritage, this man,whohasalreadyaccomplished everything, is loungingsomewhere.
UpsettingReality
Eddy Grant, Guyana’s sole international superstar, was conspicuously absent from the 2007 CricketWorld CupopeningceremonyinJamaica,whichshowcasedmusical talent from the Caribbean.
In a letter to the editor, RudyGrantwasdisappointed that no one, not even PresidentBharratJagdeo,theCulture Minister, columnists, or letterwriters,hadquestioned why Guyana was not repre-
sented by an internationally credentialed artist like Sean Paul.
Grantmaintainedthatthe true lost opportunity was not presenting an artist with 39 years of demonstrated international success and hit songslike“ElectricAvenue,”
“GimmeHopeJo’Anna,”and “Living on the Frontline,” whileotherletterwritersconcentrated on the lack of chutneymusicandrepresentation of Indian culture.
Grant disclosed that in November2006,Jamaicanorganizers had actually asked Eddy Grant to perform three songs, but Grant had turned them down since they would not let him perform with his own band.
Grant bemoaned the fact thatGuyaneseappearedmore focused on ethnic and religious representation than on nationalpride.
It’s the difficult part now SomeonenamedDionneC.A. Jones wrote something that devastated me under Harold Bascom’s post.
Eddy’s decision to locate his studio in Barbados rather thanGuyanaiscriticized,she said, “without knowing the whole story.”
Here’sthefullstory:Untilourgovernmentenactslegislation safeguarding artists’ intellectual property rights, Eddy Grant will not perform inGuyana.
Because he won’t support a system that takes advantageofartistes,heisstaying away. He thinks artistes should be protected. The hard way taught him this lesson. He won’t be coming untilGuyanaresolvesthisissue. “Why hasn’t Guyana made it possible for him to come home?” should be the question.
AwardsGivenTooLate
Eddy’s face appeared on a stamp featuring the Ringbanglogoin2005.They declaredin2016thathewould receive a Lifetime AchievementAward.
They presented him with the National Award in 2020, whichisthegreatestaccolade Guyana bestows on its people.
These are important. Theyarriveddecadestoolate, though. Eddy Grant, meanwhile, was inducted into London’s Camden Music WalkofFamein2023.
TheUnionJackwasflown alongside the Guyanese flag. While too many of us back home are still unaware of his trueidentityandaccomplishments,theworldcontinuesto honorhim.
Thisiswhathisstorytells us about ourselves. It con-
cerns the fact that we are quick to criticize those who achieve success overseas rather than pondering why they are unable to do so domestically. It’s about our unwillingness to love and celebrate who we are, as Eddy’s song constantly reminds us to do.
NotMuchTimeLeft
But we have a chance now, today, while he’s still here. However, how long do we have to make this right? Eddy Grant is now seventysix. He continues to work, defend the rights of artists, and uphold our cultural legacy We’ll pretend we always understood his worth when he’s gone, and we’ll erect monuments—I detest the thought of that. Streets willbenamedinhishonor.He will be included in all textbooks. We can amend those laws about intellectual property.Ourkidscanlearnabout him in school. We can turn on the radio and listen to his music.
MyDisgrace
I regret not bothering to look for this information on my own. I feel ashamed that this significant gap was left by my costly Guyanese education. However, shame is meaningless if it is not followed. So, this is what I’m doing. I’m attempting to fulfill Harold Bascom’s challengetotreatEddyGrantwith the deference he merits.
ToMr.Grant
Thankyou,sir,forupholding your morals despite the fact that it prevents you from returninghome. We appreciate you protecting our legacy when we were too blind to appreciate it.
Thank you, if you ever readthis.Weappreciateyour honoring Guyana’s name for more than half a century We appreciate you creating music that inspires people, confrontsinjustice,andunitesus. We ought to treat you better We’reworkingtoimprove.
ToMyFolks
Most importantly, take note of the lesson his life has taught us. Talk to your kids about him. Insist on his inclusioninthecurriculum.For himtoreturnhome,insistthat the government establish those intellectual property protections.
The past cannot be altered. Decades of ignorance, indifference, and inattention cannotbereversed.However, we can alter the course of events.Andbeforeweexpect the world to do it for us, we mustcelebrateourown.Play his tunes, purchase his albumsandexaminehiswork.
Audit flags NDIA's non-presentation of assets management policy
A Performance Audit
conducted into the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority(NDIA)hasflagged the Authority's nonpresentation of its assets managementpolicy
The Performance Audit wasconductedfrom1January 2021to31June2024withthe aim of determining whether NDIA's asset management
system is efficiently and effectively managed to achieveitsobjective
This specific type of audit was selected based on the significance of the “concerns highlighted by citizensinthemediaoverthe yearsregardingtheeffectsof floodingontheirlivelihoods andconsequentlosses,(and) the substantial increase in
CANU torches over...
Frompage11
strengthening its legislation relating to drug trafficking sentencing,tomakeitlessattractive.
The report noted that as a matter of policy, the Government of Guyana does not encourage or facilitate the illicit production or distribution of narcotics, psychotropic drugs, or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceedsfromillegaldrugtransactions.
However, the US said corruption in Guyana poses a significantobstacletoitseffortstocombatdrugtrafficking.
“Corruption within law enforcement, bribery, and nepotism in the public sector and political entities further complicatethefightagainstdrugtrafficking,”theUSreport stated.
The report added: “Authorities often drop charges or never file them and do not conduct serious investigations; traffickersareabletoevadeprosecution.
Additionally, the economic appeal of the drug trade in Guyana, with its high poverty rate and low-paying public sector jobs, leads individuals to become involved in illicit activitiesandhinderseffortstocurbtrafficking.
“The report said that marijuana is the most used and produced drug in Guyana, and the country remains a major transshipment point for cocaine trafficking. In 2024, the United States and Guyana's Joint Interagency Task Force, includingitsDefenceForce(GDF),collaboratedtoseize4.4 MT of cocaine worth approximately $195,000,000 – the country'slargesteverdrugseizure–andtheinterceptionofa self-propelledsemi-submersible(SPSS)approximately150 miles off the coast of Guyana with 2.3 MT of cocaine.
Authoritiesalsofoundalow-profilevessel(LPV),emptyand abandoned, in the waterways near Port Kaituma, near the Venezuelanborder AsofOctober,noarrestshadbeenmade, andtheinvestigationwasongoing.
These two events resulted in a huge increase in cocaine seizuresfortheperiodofJanuarythroughSeptember2024–6,700 kilograms (kg) versus 62 kg for the same period in 2023.Marijuanaseizuresfor2024totalled1.4MT,versus1.1 MT for the same period in 2023. Methamphetamine was a distantthirdforquantityofdrugsseizedin2024(.06kg).
Nikesha Ross Long shares...
Frompage47
tutor,andhedidwell”.Now, she spends her evenings helpingherdaughterprepare forCXCnextyear Through it all, her mother, Ann, was also a steady source of help and love, always ready to assistwherevershecould.
Nickesha also found support outside her family At work, her supervisor made special arrangements forhertotakenightshiftsso shewouldn'tmissclasses.“I worked strictly nights so I won't miss any class during theday Iwasgoingtowork atnightsandattendingclass during the day and I hardly slept,”Shesaid.
Among her classmates, she also found a small but strong circle of friends who encouragedoneanotherand studiedtogether
NDIA expenditure for maintaining its assets from 2021to2024,”thereportsaid
It highlighted that the NDIA should have systems in plac
guide management of its various assets, so as to maintain functioning irrigation, drainage and flood control systems, there safeguarding thelivelihoodofcitizensand b
productivity
In this regard, “The Authority explained that a policy was established to manage its assets However, despite several requests the policy was not presented for audit scrutiny,” the report highlighted. Therefore, no determinationcouldhavebeen made on how the Authority decides on which assets to purchase, what were the best usage practices, effective and
economical maintenance, the degreeoftheirusefullife,and properdisposalmethods
“Thelackofadocumentto guide the organisation's operations could lead to noncompliance with laws and regulations, operational problems,andfinanciallosses to citizens,” the report added The Audit Office therefore
recom
that the Authority presents its policy that is governing the operationsorthemanagement ofassetsforauditverification In res
management of theAuthority said that, “The Authority manages its assets in keeping with the Stores Regulation (1993)”
On November 06, this publication reported that a damning Performance Audit has found that the National
Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) burned through a staggering $66 billionbetween2021andmid2024 to “maintain” drainage and irrigation assets, while major gaps in oversight, planning and accountability were left to fester The audit report, tabled Monday in the National Assembly, revealed ballooningmaintenancecosts, from $1079B in 2021 to $2461B in 2023, but no proper systems to show taxpayersaregettingvaluefor money Infact,assetsrecords were badly kept, critical information missing, and more than 30 key management positions including CEO, Deputy CEO, Legal Officer and M a n
f Operations were left
Shockingly, the report
highlighted that there were notable gaps in planning, monitoring and verification processes of the authority, withkeystaffarearemaining vacant.
TheNDIAisadepartment undertheAgricultureMinistry whose primary responsibility is drainage, irrigation and flood control across the country. “There was a significant increase in the NDIA expenditure for maintainingitsassetsoverthe years, from $1079 billion in 2021to$2461billionin2023 However, there were some concernsthatclearsystemsto guide asset management operationsmaynotbeinplace, which could make it challengingtoensurethebest value is achieved from sp
nding on asset maintenance activities,” the reportstated
As she prepares to celebrate 17 years of marriage next month and looks forward to her graduation,Nickesha'sheart is full of gratitude. “I thank God for everything. For my family, for those who encouraged me, and for giving me strength when I feltweak.Itwasn'teasy,but with faith and support, all thingsarepossible.”
Her story is one of love, discipline,anddivinegrace, a living example of how faith and family can carry a person through life's most demanding seasons And when she steps onto that stage in her graduation gown, she will do so as a woman who trusted God, leaned on her loved ones, and never gave up on the dreamsplacedinherheart.
Death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza surpasses 69,000 as attacks continue
(ALJAZEERA)Nearlya month after the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, the death toll in Gaza is still rising amid reports of more killings, as the ongoing searchforbodiesfromunder therubblecontinues.
The Ministry of Health inGazasaidonSaturdaythat the total number of people killed in the enclave since October7,2023,hadrisento 69,169, after more of the dead were identified and more bodies recovered Israeli attacks have killed more than 240 Palestinians sincetheceasefiredealcame into effect last month, the ministry said. On Saturday, there were reports of yet
more killings. The Israeli militarysaidthatitkilledone Palestinianwhohadcrossed theso-calledyellowlineand approached Israeli soldiers operatinginnorthernGaza. The yellow line is a demarcation line to which Israeli forces agreed to withdraw under the United States-brokered truce to end thewar
The Israeli army said it killed another Palestinian in southernGaza,whohadalso crossed the yellow line and allegedly “posed an immediate threat” to its troops. Israel has continued to fire at Palestinians, including families, who approach the demarcation
line.Addingtothedeathtoll, aPalestinianchildwaskilled afteranexplosivedeviceleft behind by Israeli forces in the city of Khan Younis detonated, according to N a s s e r H o s p i t a l
Meanwhile, the World HealthOrganization(WHO) calledfortheRafahcrossing between Gaza and Egypt to be reopened for urgent medical evacuations. About 4,000 Palestinian patients have left Gaza through RafahfortreatmentinEgypt and elsewhere, with another 16,500 patients still waiting to get medical care abroad, accordingtotheWHO.“The Rafahcrossingisavitalexit for medical evacuations and
a key entry for health supplies into Gaza. Egypt remains one of the main destinations for patients needing urgent care,” the agency wrote in a social mediapost.
Militaryandsettlerraids intensify
In the occupied West Bank, military raids and settler attacks continued in an apparent drive to force Palestinians from their land, as part of the Israeli government’s illegal settlement expansion across theterritory
Israelisettlersattackeda group of Palestinian villagers, activists and journalistswhohadgathered
onSaturdaytoharvestolives inthetownofBeita,southof NablusintheoccupiedWest Bank. Jonathan Pollak, an Israeli anti-apar
activist, who was helping Palestinians harvest their olives, described to Al Jazeera how a group of dozens of masked Israeli settlersattackedwithclubs.
The settlers descended from a hill and “started hurling huge rocks at us, and we had to flee”, Pollak toldAlJazeera.
Hesaidtheassaultledto more than a dozen injuries that required medical attention, including a journalist who was bludgeoned by the settlers,
and a 70-year-old activist who had his cheekbone and jawbroken.
The Palestinian JournalistsSyndicatesaidin a statement that five journalists – Ranin Sawafteh, Mohammed alAtrash,LouaySaeed,Nasser IshtayehandNaelBouaitel–wereinjuredintheassault.
T h e s y n d i c a t e condemned the attack, callingita“warcrimeaimed atkillingthem”.
The Reuters news agency confirmed that two ofitsemployees,ajournalist and a security adviser accompanying her, were among those injured in the attack.
‘Caribbean Girls’ an online enterprise bringing...
Frompage45 Silva related that their longterm goal is to listen and learn from the community they’rebuilding.
“We love our business and we love threating our customers well, we look forward to providing items, whether currently
inaccessible or not as affordable and make them so. We aim to do this on a large scale with time, making a noticeable difference in product accessibility and pricing acrossGuyana,”shetoldthis magazine.
Aiming to make a
noticeable difference in the businessarena,theduoisof the belief that young entrepreneurs are Guyana’s most important resource because they create jobs, enhance self-sufficiency, anddriveinnovation.
“Young entrepreneurs are critical for generating
Husband and wife beat odds...
Frompage37 someone respectable in society,andIwasdoingthis for my children and my husband,” she said with muchpride.
Their challenges intensified. Illness struck.
“After the second year, I went to the interior for two months and came out with malaria,” Isaiah recalled
“When I was writing exams in third year the symptoms started manifesting. I was allergic to one of the medicationsandwasinclass scratchingallthetime.”
Thilia added, “At one point we were sharing a container,throwingupatthe same time. We were both sick, studying with a new baby.”Thereweredaysthey satinhospitalbedstogether, missing classes. There were nights they studied with fevers, days they attended lectures while exhausted, and moments when the demandsfeltunbearable.
But the young couple moved as one unit. They sacrificed for each other “Wewouldusuallyshareone computer Onetimewetook thesameelectiveandhadan exam the same day, same time. He allowed me to do my exam first, even when
onlyalittletimewasleft.He sacrificed his grade for me. Thankfully he was allowed to redo his exam another day.”
“One time I had a Berbice job with my taxi work, and I did not want to miss my presentation I pulled over with the customer in the car, did my presentation,thencontinued to Berbice. Thank God my c u s t o m e r w a s understanding,” Isiah recalled.
Whenaskedwhatadvice they would give to other couples sharing the same journey, Thilia said: “Put Godfirstandeverythingwill fall into place. The devil tempted us a lot. We even went through marriage counselling.Weexperienced financial difficulties. Some dayswedidn’tknowhowwe would make it, but we did. Godissogood.”
“Support each other, love each other even when thingslookhard.Sometimes itmightlooklikethereisno hope, but there is. Be your partner’smotivation,”Isaiah encouraged.
Family became their earthlyanchor.“Mymotherin-law is the biggest supporter,” Isaiah said.
Thiliaalsonoted:“Myfather MarkFraserandmybrother Takyle Fraser too They were part of our world, in everything that we have beenthrough.”
They also added that Lecturers and classmates alsosteppedinalongtheway to give support in various forms.ForIsaiahandThilia, this convocation represents far more than degrees. It represents answered prayers,restoredhope,anda testimony forged through trials “People see our pictures and judge us based on what they see, but they don’t know what we went through,”Thiliasaid.
Isaiah agreed saying: “I was not planning to come back,butafterIgotmarried, mywifemotivatedme.After writing my final exam, I couldnotbelieveIwasdone. Icouldjumpforjoy Mywife ismybiggestcheerleader.”
Aheadliesmoregrowth, more ambition, and more purpose. “I don’t want to stop here; I want to do my PhD,Thiliasaid.
Isaiah is prayerfully waiting on direction. “I am between two worlds. I am thinkingaboutbusiness,and I am also thinking about beingadentist,”hesaid.
n e w e m p l o y m e n t opportunities, which is vital to the country’s growing economy and something we hope to contribute to one day,”DaSilvapointedout. She further expounded that by driving innovation, smallbusinessownersbring freshideasandenergytothe business sector, pushing for new trends and more efficient, modern ways of doingbusinessinGuyana.
“ E n h a n c e S e l fSufficiency: They initiate projects that cut down on high importation costs. For example, by focusing on local manufacturing like making coconut oil instead ofimportingit—theyhelpto reduce overheads and keep money within the country,” DaSilvarelayed.
While noting small businesses contribute meaningfully to our society,
the young entrepreneurs are oftheviewthatmorecanbe done to improve and uplift them.
For example, they suggested that the relevant authorities start a National Digital Skills Voucher Program.
“If the government, maybe through the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and those big oil-and-gas companies can generously distribute vouchers to small business owners and their workers These vouchers would be coupons you can onlyusefortop-notchdigital training,”theyinformedthis magazine.
Ifthisapproachistoever be considered, they highlighted that certified courses can be offered in Ecommerce logistics (how to getyouronlinesalesshipped smoothly), advanced social
g , cybersecurity (keeping your business safe online), and financialsoftware.
“This plan directly fixes that problem where local businessescan’taccessgood digitaltraining.Itmakesthat s p e c i f i c , e x p e r t knowledge—whether from overseas platforms or local pros totally free for registered businesses. This would quickly level up our workforce, turning business
surviving into globally competitive powerhouses ready to take on Guyana’s f
-growing digital economy,”theyexplained. Lookingtofindoutmore about ‘Caribbean Girls’and what they have to offer, feel freetocontactthemon(592) 715-7003/613 0487, or via Instagram/Facebook @shopcaribbeangirls.
Parag cracks down on bullying...
Frompage12
Agency (CPA), the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit, and the FamilyEnhancementServicesSection,allof whichplayvitalrolesinaddressingbullying andrelatedformsofviolence.
“Forthelastthreeyears,we’vebeenworking in a coordinated and structured way, going into schools, engaging with students and teachers, and carefully examining behaviourstounderstandtheirrootcausesso that we can respond effectively,” Minister Persaudexplained.
Asaresultoftheseefforts,theMinistryof Human Services and Social Security has developed a National Anti-Bullying Policy forSchools,copiesofwhichshepresentedto her Cabinet colleagues on Saturday. The minister further emphasised that combating thissocialissuerequiresamulti-agencyand community-driven approach, ensuring that interventions begin at home and continue
throughouttheschoolenvironment.
Meanwhile, Minister Walrond commended the Education Ministry for takingsuchanapproachofhostingthepublic consultationandstartingtheconversationof tacklingthissocialissue.
“This issue of bullying in our schools is overdue; addressing it is overdue and essential.
For generations, bullying has been underestimated but as our society and economyevolveitsimpactespeciallyonline has become more visible and harmful and more urgent to confront,” she explained. Notingthatsuchanissuedemandsapractical coordinated and compassionate response, Walrondsaidherministryviewschoolsafety ascentraltotheirmandate.
That being said, she pledges her and the ministry’s and its agencies support to addressing the issue of bullying among schools.
BLUNT BLUNT
Oil audits in the dark
There has never been a time in Guyana's history when audits carried more weight — or more secrecy. These are no ordinary balance sheets. These are audits of ExxonMobil's oil expenses, the very lifeblood of our economy, yet the Guyanese people are being kept blindfolded. Three audits. Three curtains pulled tight by the PPPC Government. The smallest—US$1.6B in expenses from 1999 to 2017 —uncovered US$214Min questionable charges.
Magically, that sum shrank to a measly US$3M through some backdoor deal. A junior official took the fall, while those in high office washed their hands clean. Vice President Jagdeo promised binding arbitration—yet nearly two years later, nothing has started. US$214M languishes in a swamp of excuses.
The second audit questioned US$65.1M. Still silence. The third—a colossal US$19.6B — is reportedly complete, but hidden from public view like State secrets. When leaders hide the truth about billions belonging to the people, trust collapses.
Guyanese deserve full disclosure — not smokescreens, not stalling. Whose interests are being protected? Certainly not the hungry, hurting citizens of this oil-rich nation.
One Guyana Inter-Region Ten10 Softball Cricket Cup… Team Elite, Supreme Warriors, Success Floor
IT and Speighland into National playoffs
Team Elite female team of region 3, Supreme Warriors female team of region 10, Success Floor It male team of region 4 and Speighland Warriors male team of region 10 have advanced to the national playoffsinthe2ndeditionof the RS Sports, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
“One Guyana Inter Region
Ten10 Softball Cricket Cup”.
Team Elite last Sunday got the better of their opponents when the action got started at the Zeeburg Sports Ground on the West CoastofDemerara.
After the Royal Strikers team failed to show up for the first match, team Elite tookawalkover
In the second match, Rising Star got the better of Arrowhead: Batting first, Rising Star scored 89 for 1 off their 10 overs with S. Belgrave making 41 not out and L. Stephen unbeaten on 27.
In reply, Arrowhead Strikersmade60for7off10 overs, with Mateo topscoringwith13.Thepickof
Sunday November 09, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You might host a group meetingorothersocialevent.
Your guests may be artistically or spiritually inclined. The evening should be a social success and an inspiringexperience.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
If you've been thinking about writing, this is the day to get started Your mind is particularly sharp and your imagination rich Unusual developments, mostly positive.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Moneymatterscontinuetogo well,thoughyoudon'tfeelas secure about them as you should. A previously unsung talent, perhaps for the arts, healing, working with technology, or all three could cometolight.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Today you should feel especially idealistic, imaginative, intuitive, and spiritually inclined You project an otherworldly aura that attracts more attention, such as admiring glances, thanyou'reusedto.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
You might walk around in a romantic, imaginative, spiritualfogwithyourheadin the clouds. Everything may seem perfect and wonderfulperhaps too wonderful to be true.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Romantic notions about friends seem to be the energy driving you today You might seealongtimefriendinanew light as a possible romantic partner
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Because your working life is goingwell,youmightindulge in daydreams in which you're at the top of the heap, perhaps even famous! This is a good place to start on your path to advancement.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Yourmindmaybeonspiritual or philosophical subjects and considering fascinating new ideas.Someofthesemaycome from faraway lands, which might have you considering travel.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Romance might take a front seat in your thoughts today You could have some unusual dreamstonight.Theymightbe romantic or they could prove artistically inspiring, or both. Writethemdown.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Today your mind may be on romance. If you're married, you'll grow closer to your partner If you're single but involved, the relationship couldmovetothenextlevelof commitment.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20–Feb 18)You feel wonderful and you'relookinggreat.Expectto draw some admiring glances! The only downside to this is thatyoufeelstrongerthanyou are. If you try to get too much donetoday
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)
A romantic haze surrounds love relationships. You could bethinkingthatyourromantic partner has stepped out of a fairy tale. Yet even storybook heroesandheroineshaveflaws -butflawscanbeendearing!
thebowlerswasS.Belgrave, bagging3for11.
In Game 2, Team Elite battedfirstandscored99for 5 in their allotted 10 overs with D. Oslemo making 35 and Milo contributing 19. Linda picked up 3 wickets for15runs.
In reply, Rising Stars made 96 for 7 with L. Stephen making 31. The pickofthebowlerswasMilo 3for12andD.Oslemo2for 23.
Best Bowler went to Shonette Belgrave 3-11 Best Batter - Shonette Belgrave41notout. Player of the Final- Delly Oselmo 35 runs and 2-11. MVPShonetteBelgrave48Runs5 wickets.
The action continues today at the Whim CommunityCentreinregion 6 and Zeeburg ground in region3.
RepublicBankU18FootballLeague:
Chase Academic hunts fourth straight win today
TheRepublicBank
U n d e r - 1 8
S e c o n d a r y Schools Football League continues today with round fouractionattheMinistryof Education ground, Carifesta Avenue,Georgetown.
Defending champions
Chase’s Academic Foundationwillbeaimingfor a fourth consecutive victory after dominant performances
against Three Mile Secondary, South Ruimveldt Secondary, and Abram Zuil Secondary Today,theyfaceastrong West Ruimveldt Secondary outfit led by the in-form Ronaldo Ramdass, who netted a double in their previous encounter against AbramZuil.WestRuimveldt also boasts standout players such as Jeremiah and Joel Griffith, along with the dangerous attacking pair Lyndon Gray and Donovan Welcome.
Chase, however, is stacked with match-winners of their own, including Kennard Halley, Isaiah Ifill,
MalcolmHendricks,andlast year’s leading goal scorer Bryan Wharton. A victory today would cement Chase as clear favourites to retain theirtitle,movingthemto12 pointsatopthestandings. In other round-four clashes, Three Mile
Secondary takes on Abram Zuil Secondary, who continuetostruggleforform in this year’s championship. Three Mile, whose only defeat came against Chase Academic, have impressed so far with convincing wins over Dolphin and West
President’s College to hunt first win against Charlestown Secondary today
Ruimveldt. Following that fixture, President’s College willbeseekingtheirfirstwin of the tournament against Charlestown Secondary Withtwowinsalreadyunder their belt, Charlestown will not be easy opponents President’s College will
need a solid defensive display if they hope to take the game to penalties and snatcharesult.
At 15:00 hours, South Ruimveldt Secondary meets Dolphin Secondary in what promises to be another competitive matchup. South R
comfortably with two victories,willlooktosecure another three points and move into the top four Dolphin, meanwhile, are known for finding their rhythm as the tournament progresses and could be a dangerous opponent at this mid-stageoftheleague. What’s at stake? The top two teams at the end of the competitionwillearntheright torepresentGuyanaatPetra’s year-end KFC Goodwill International School Football Championship in December, featuringteamsfromJamaica, Trinidad, the Bahamas, and Brazil This year ’s tournamentismadepossible through the generous sponsorship of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, with support from MVP Sports, Ronoca Concrete Inc.,BustaSoftDrink(GBI), and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The event is officially sanctioned by theMinistryofEducation. Kick-off begins at 12:00 noontoday
MadhiaMovementsFamilyHotelandBardonates cricketgeartoRelianceHustlersSportsClub Club
PopularbusinessMadhia Movements Family Hotel and Bar donated a large quantity of cricket gear to Reliance Hustlers Sports Club The donation was made on Wednesday at Reliance Sports ground, Essequibo Coast, Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) by national fast-bowler Neil Cadogan on behalf of the Managing Director of Madhia Movements Family andBarRajkumarSingh. President of Reliance
and
equipment
Simon expressed heartfelt gratitude to Singh for his contribution towards theclub Duringhisremarks, Simon stated that since Reliance Hustlers having its regular coaching programme foryoungcricketers,thegear will also be used by Persaud to aid their continued development. According to Simon, the youths are
delighted to have more gear
d optimistic that this kind of gesture will encourage the youngsters to take their gameseriously
“ThankstoSinghandhis company for this mammoth contribution to our club’s youth coaching programme and this donation will definitelybeofgreathelpfor our youths in an effort to
generally and become accomplished cricketers in
the future,” Simon, who is also the Captain of Hustlers cricketteam,declared.
Simon emphasized the importanceofthesupportas well and encouraged Persaud to work with the kids in assiduous and committedway Hebelieves this exemplifies the love for the game when the young aspiring cricketers getting goodsupport.
Singh via a telephone call during the presentation function, also encouraged
theclubtocompetewelland told the youths that the gear must be used as a great motivationforthem.
The businessman Singh mentioned that although his business is not the largest in the County of Essequibo (Region=butwasexcitedto makeacontributioninsucha tangible way particularly to developmentprogramme.
Hetoldthegatheringthat he will continue his support andwouldreachouttoother clubs across Guyana especially when it comes to theyouths.
A Lifelong champion of Sports...
Frompage58
Belle West Stars, Harmony, No. 1 All Stars, Uprising, Hurry Ate, Timehri United, Herstelling, Soesdyke, Mocha, Gladiators, Pele, Campbellville, Espanyol, andMadrid.Withjustovera month to go before kickoff, Tournament Coordinator
Lennox Arthur has expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth and
successful staging of the 2025edition.
The organisers aim to makethisyear’stournament bigger and better than ever, andwithanticipatedsupport from the business community, prize monies are expected to increase, making the competition even more exciting and rewarding for players involved.
Hustlers Trevis Simon along with Secretary Mark Austin
Coach Nathan Persaud
Neil Cadogan, left, presents a bat to MarkAustin while the youths look on
Toney appointed to CBC 3x3 Working Group
…GBF lauds regional recognition
TB a s
Federation(GBF) is celebrating another major milestone for the country’s basketball development, as its Vice President, Rawle Toney,hasbeenappointedto the Caribbean Basketball Confederation’s (CBC) 3x3 WorkingGroup.
The appointment, which takes immediate effect and runs until the end of the currentCBCExecutiveterm in 2027, underscores Toney’s long-standing contributiontothegrowthof 3x3 basketball both locally andregionally
According to CBC President Leslie Collymore, theWorkingGroupistasked withpromoting,developing, and regulating 3x3 basketball across the Caribbeaninalignmentwith FIBAstandards.
Collymore noted that Toney’s appointment will seehimdirectlycontributing to shaping the CBC’s strategicplanfortheformat, overseeing regional events, enforcing competition standards, and driving grassroots and youth engagementinitiatives.
“We are confident that your expertise will be invaluable in advancing the growth of 3x3 basketball
within the region, ” Collymore said in his letter ofappointmenttoToney
Meanwhile, GBF
President Michael Singh praisedToney’sappointment as “a reflection of the Federation’s commitment to the advancement of the 3x3 discipline,” noting that the GBF has made tremendous strides in establishing the fast-paced format in
Rawle Toney
“Having Toney on the CBC Working Group, and our General Secretary Patrick Haynes serving on the FIBA 3x3 Commission, shows that Guyana is well represented at both the regional and international levels,” Singh said “It speaks volumes of the impact we continue to have on the development of basketballglobally.”
Toney, who is also the founderandorganizerofthe popular Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic, expressed his gratitude to the CBC for the appointmentandtotheGBF foritscontinuedsupport.
“I’ve put a lot of effort into3x3overtheyears,both personally through the Classic and through the Federation’s initiatives,” Toneysaid.
He added, “This appointment allows not just me, but the GBF, to play a vital role in shaping the future of 3x3 basketball acrosstheCaribbean.”
HerevealedthatGuyana will soon roll out a series of pilot projects aimed at expanding 3x3 at the school level, with hopes of replicating the model regionally
U n d e r To n e y ’ s leadership, along with Singh, GBF Vice President Jermaine Slater, and other executivemembers,Guyana made history by hosting the first-ever 3x3 Quest in the E n g l i s h - s p e a k i n g Caribbean, which featured 19 teams from 17 countries vying for a spot at the FIBA 3x3WorldTour Thathistorictournament was won by Carolina of PuertoRico.
Guyana.
Thrilling clashes mark penultimate day
- Bounty Supermarket National Indoor Hockey Tournament
Action continued yesterday inside the National Gymnasium as the Bounty Supermarket National Indoor Hockey Tournament delivered another exciting d
comebacks, hard-fought draws, and high-scoring
penultimatedayofplay
h
The day opened with a tenseall-GCCaffair,asGCC Spare Parts and GCC Outlaws battled to a 1–1 draw.
LennoxCarrolputSpare Parts ahead in the 12th minute with a sharp penalty corner conversion, but just three minutes later, Lucas Sargeant responded for the
Outlaws with a well-taken goal from a corner of his own,forcingthestalemate.
In Men’s First Division Group ‘B’ action, Masters
staged a remarkable comeback to stun GCC Outlaws4–1.OrlandSemple drew first blood for the Outlaws in the fourth minute, but Masters soon took control of proceedings.
Dwayne Scott netted twice to put Masters ahead 2–1, before Shane Samuels and Dwight Sullivan added one apiece to seal the emphatic victory.
The Women’s Open Division also produced fireworks, as GBTI GCC overpowered Hikers 6–3 Hikers started brightly with early goals from Jasmine
Assanah and Maria Munroe to lead 2–0 However, GCC’s captain, Gabriella Xavier,ledthechargeforher side,pullingonebackinthe 12thminute.
Rebecca Ferreira equalizedaminutelater,and Xavier struck again to make it3–2.
Female star Abosaide Cadogan joined the scoring in the 17th minute, before Xavier completed her hat trick in the 19th. Hikers managed a late consolation, but Ferreira’s second of the matchsealedthe6–3winfor GCC.
Just before press time, GCC Vintage outlasted Old Old Fort in a high-scoring 6–4 thriller Goals came from Orland Semple, Kevin
Elsewhere, Hickers held GCCVintagetoa2–2draw, with Shundell Durant and Robert France scoring for Hickers, while Kevin Spencernettedbothgoalsfor Vintage.SaintsandOldFort also shared the spoils in another exciting 3–3 encounter
Meanwhile, Friday’s results saw Saints defeating GCC Spare Parts 2–0 in the Men’s Division II matchup, while Old Fort cruised to a 5–2winoverHikersCadets. In the Women’s Open Division, GBTI GCC continued their dominant form with a 4–1 victory againstSaints.
In other results, Hikers edged“Old”OldFort4–2in theMixedOver-40division, whilePepsiHikerssqueezed pastBountyGCC6–5inthe Men’s First Division Group ‘A’. Saints rounded off the
Former national stalwarts, Ivor Thompson of Old Old Fort (red) and Hickers Devin Munroe (green) still at war (GHB photo)
day’s fixtures with a commanding 6–3 win over OldFortinGroup‘B’. The tournament concludes today at the National Gymnasium. The annual event is made
generous sponsorship of Bounty Supermarket and is organized by the Guyana HockeyBoard.
HamiltonGreen:
A Lifelong champion of
Sports
and Service turns 91 today
Former Prime Minister and long-serving Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Belal Mohammed Green, has been a steadfast supporter and contributor to sports across Guyana for as longasmostcanremember
Today, this remarkable sonofthesoil celebrateshis 91st birthday, marking yet another milestone in a
lifetime of service, leadership, and community involvement.
G r e e n h o l d s a distinguished place in historyasGuyana’sfirstand onlyMuslimPrimeMinister, and notably, the first and only Muslim head of government in the entire Western Hemisphere A dedicated trade unionist and political figure since 1961, his impact has extended far beyond politics, reaching deeply into the nation’s sportingandsocialfabric.
Even in his senior years, Green remains vibrant and engaged, continuing to
prestigious event are once againcallingonmembersof the corporate community to lend their support to the upcoming 2025 edition of t h e M a y o r ’s C u p , emphasizing its vital role in youth development, community building, and athleticexcellence.
Former Prime Minister and Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green
inspire generations through his unwavering enthusiasm for sport His enduring contribution is fittingly recognized through the Hamilton Green Cup, an annual football tournament thatcontinuestothriveinhis honour The tournament stands as a symbol of appreciation for his decades
of dedication to both national development and the advancement of sport in Guyana.
The organisers of this
Beyond the on-field excitement, the tournament traditionally hosted in the West Demerara district, fosters camaraderie among playersandfansalike,while promoting patriotism and empowermentamongyoung footballers.
This year’s competition kicks off on December 14, 2025,andrunsuntilJanuary 11,2026,featuring24teams battlingoverfivenightsfora lucrative championship prize(tobeannounced).
Among the participating teams are Uitvlugt, Pouderoyen, Den Amstel, Zeelugt, Beavers, Eagles, Stewartville,Crane,Wales,
(Continuedonpage56)
YMCA A, Stabroek, Young Gunners win in ExxonMobil Guyana Futsal
ceremonial kick-off in the presence of other officials includingAssistantMayorof Linden Dominique Blair, UDFAPresidentWainwright Bethune, and ExxonMobil
Guyana Community Relations Advisor Ryan Hoppie.
CompleteResults
Game-1
Stabroek-19vs. Fearless-4
Stabroekscorers:
BevneyMarks-8
ShakaLewis-4
AkeemCaesar-2
QuillanAndries-2
MarkJhalu-1
AnthonyLayne-1
BrandonSolomon-1
Fearlessscorers:
BarackJohn-2
TashawnSandiford-1
YoungGunnersscorers:
DwayneJames-4
TyreseLewis-4
DevonteTappin-1
OmarionRamsammy-1
Westsidescorer:
MarlonJames-1
Game-3
HardballManagement-3 vs.Bombers-3
Bombersscorers:
DequainSamuels-2
ShamiahSamuels-1
Hardballscorers:
KareemMervin-2
ShaquilleMars-1
Game-4
YMCAA-10vs.HH Ballers-2
YMCAAscorers
KevinGittens-2
JonahSimon-2
JamalBentick-2
Stabroek’s goal fest drives fear in Team Fearless as ExxonMobil Futsal Tournament gets off to explosive start.
De f e n d i n g
c h a m p i o n
Y M C A A ,
Stabroek, and Young
Gunnersrompedtolopsided wins when the ExxonMobil Guyana Futsal commenced attheRetrieveHardcourton Fridayevening.
YMCA A crushed HH Ballers 10-2. Kevin Gittens, JonahSimon,JamalBentick, Ryan Noel, and Jermaine Padmore scored two goals each.
For the loser, Jaden Nelson and Omalli Webb scoredonegoalapiece.
Similarly, Stabroek mauled Fearless 19-4 Bevney Marks led the rout with eight goals, while ShakaLewistalliedahelmet trick Adding respective doubleswereAkeemCaesar and Quillan Andries, while MarkJhalu,AnthonyLayne, and Brandon Solomon scoredonegoalapiece.
For the loser, Barack John recorded a double, while Tashawn Sandiford andRicardoSampsonscored onegoalapiece.
Westside Ballers 10-1
Dwayne James and Tyrese Lewis recorded respective helmettricks,whileDevonte Tappin and Omarion Ramsammy scored one goal apiece.Fortheloser,Marlon James scored a consolation goal.
Meanwhile, Hardball Management overcame a three-goaldeficittodraw3-3 withBombers.
Dequain Samuels bagged a double, while Shamiah Samuels netted onceforBombers.
On the other side, Kareem Mervin recorded a brace, while Shaquille Mars nettedonce.
The event continues on Wednesday at the same location. Utilising an initial groupstageformat,16teams will be divided into four groups, with the resulting toptwofinishersprogressing tothequarterfinalsegment.
Group A comprises Hard-knocks, Hardball Management,Bomberz,and
YMCA B, while Spaniards, YMCA A, HH Ballers, and FiggyFCmakeupGroupB.
Meanwhile, Group C consists of Young Gunners, Silver Bullets, Foundation Family, and Westside Ballers, while Group D will feature DC Ballers, Salah Family, Stabroek, and Fearless.
The eventual first, second, third, and fourth place finishers will pocket $1,500,000, $750,000, $350,000, and $200,000, respectively, and the correspondingaccolade.
On the individual level, the resulting Most Valuable Player will receive a motorcycle.
It was also announced that a $300,000 economic grant will be awarded to a player or fan to aid their ongoing academic development.
Each team must put forward a candidate for the aforesaidscholarship.
P r i o r t o t h e commencementoftheevent, MinisterwithintheMinistry
