Kaieteur News

Gaza's Health Ministry says that in the last 48 hours, 202 people have been killed in Israeli attacks.

Jagdeo doesn’t want

Guyanese vote to

change Exxon deal

…dismissescitizens’demandforrenegotiation;

Non Pareil woman's murder… Daughterconfessestothecrime after forensic test reveals human blood stains in home

Despite volatile oil prices, Guyana boosts regional growth …saysoutlookforCaribbeaneconomies remains“solid”reflectingGuyana'soilboom

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

In custody: Saffia Mohamed (daughter)

In custody: Austin Ramchand (son-in-law)

Despite volatile oil prices, Guyana boosts regional growth

…says outlook for Caribbean economies remains “solid” reflecting Guyana's oil boom

De s p i t e t h e

volatility in

g l o b a l o i l process, Guyana's strong

p e r f o r m a n c e h a s significantly boasted the

Caribbean's overall economicprospect.

This is according to the World Bank's latest Global Economic Prospects report releasedearlierthismonth.

The Bank said, “Growth in the Caribbean economies is projected to remain solid,

reflecting Guyana's continuing oil boom, with aggregate GDP expanding by 3.9 percent in 2025 and 6.2 percent on average in 2026-27.”

ItaddedthatGuyana'soil boom is expected to sustain solid economic growth across the Caribbean in the coming years Without Guyana, however, the Caribbean's growth rate is expected to moderate to 3% in2025and3.3%onaverage in 2026-27, supported

mainlybytourismandother servicesactivities.

Oil is currently being produced from the Stabroek Block located offshore

Guyana This block renowned for its vast oil potential, has been the subject of global attention

since oil production commencedfiveyearsago.

Americanoilgiantisthe operator of the block which is estimated to hold 11.6 billion barrels of oil

Notably, Exxon is currently producing over 650,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) from Liza 1, Liza 2, and Payara developments, supported by three floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels—Destiny,Unity,and Prosperity

Exxon's fourth development, Yellowtail, is expected to come onstream later this year, with the fifth and sixth projects, Uaru and Whiptail, scheduled for

Guyana's prolific Stabroek Block that is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited

startup in 2026 and 2027, respectively

Notably, the company h a

applications for a seventh

: HammerheadandLongtail. Similarly, Ian Durant,

DirectorofEconomicsatthe Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) had stated that Guyana's rapid economic

expansion, fueled by its growingoilsector,continues to be a major driver of regionaleconomicgrowth.

Durant had highlighted the significant role Guyana plays in shaping the economic outlook for the Caribbean.

“Growth rate varied among borrowing member countries with Guyana and Haiti standing out as outliers.

Guyana again was the standout performer with its economy surging by 43.5% fueled by the increased oil production and continued expansion in its non-energy sectors,” Durant had said during a CDB event held earlierthisyear

He pointed to the transformative effect of Guyana'seconomicboomon the region noting that the country's positive performance has significant influence on regional economicgrowth.

Jagdeo doesn’t want Guyanese vote to change ExxonMobil deal

Despite some 94% of Guyanesesurveyedlastyear demanding a change to the lopsided ExxonMobil contract, Vice President

Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed the issue and said thatcallsforthemattertobe puttoavoteisamootone.

Back in October last year, a survey conducted by Ram and McRae found an overwhelming number of Guyaneseareinsupportofa renegotiated oil contract between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and American oil supermajor, ExxonMobil Since the terms of the 2016 deal were made public, citizens have been calling on the government to engage the c o n t r a c t o r f o r a renegotiation These calls have, however, been shut down by politicians, with some even describing citizens as “low lives” for demandingmoreoutoftheir resources.

Mootissue

Atoneofhismostrecent media briefings, Jagdeo was asked: With elections coming up on September 1, willvotersbegivenachance to have their say if they wouldlikearenegotiationof the contract or not, or will thatbesometimeoff?

He responded, saying that he had seen the AFC campaigningontheissues. "Isawthemcampaigning on that now, and it's a questionofbelievabilitytoo. So, it's not just about what you say. It is a question of believability."

In dismissing the question of a referendum on the contract, Jagdeo said the call is coming from a party whose leader is on Exxon's

payroll."So,I'mnotwasting time, I think, those are moot issues."

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, had said that the survey provides compellingevidencethatthe Government's “sanctity of contract” position is at odds with public sentiment. The survey, conducted by Ram and McRae, using the Google Forms platform, attracted135responsesfrom a d

f respondents, including professionals, academics, students and citizens In reveal

n

stics associated with the survey, Ram explained, “An overwhelming 94% of respondents believe the Government should seek to amendthecurrentPetroleum Agreement, with only 6% eitheropposedorunsure.” Ram, who is also a lawyer, reasoned that these stark statistics alone should give pause to those who continuetodefendthestatus quo of the lopsided oil deal.

“The survey revealed that only 3.8% of respondents were satisfied with the existing provisions of the Agreement. The remaining 962% identified multiple a r e a s r e q u i r i n g modification,”headded.

A whopping 83.2% of participants said they want the royalty rate revised, while 79 4% called for changes to tax payment arrangements. Presently, Guyana receives 2% royalty fromExxononallpetroleum produced and sold, whereas Exxonanditscontractorsare notrequiredtopaytaxes.To this end, the survey found t h a t 6 6 4 % s e e k modifications to tax

certificates; 66.4% want the revenue guarantee revised and another 61.8% support ring-fencingprovisions.The GoG has not implemented a ring-fencing provision to prevent Exxon from using revenue from one field to developanother Inthisway, Guyana's share of profits is significantly reduced until allcostshavebeenrecovered by Exxon and its coventurers.

Since the release of the findings of the survey, there have also been calls for a referendumonthecurrentoil contract. Businessman and advocateforabetteroildeal, Dr Glenn Lall, said that the referendum must allow citizens to vote on the demand for a 25% royalty instead of the current 2%, whichthepreviouscoalition government had negotiated with ExxonMobil back in 2016 Last year, some citizens had also called for themattertobeputtoavote, but this was resisted by the government.Areferendumis a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a directdecision.

Jagdeohadsaidthenthat while there might well be issues regarding bringing ExxonMobil to the table even with a successful referendum,hewouldprefer to deal with the matter after the general and regional elections.

He had said then, too, that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should focus on preparing for the 2025 general elections, and that any discussionsonareferendum could be postponed until

aftertheelections.“Wehave timeenoughtodealwiththat after the elections. But right now,GECOMmustfocuson one question, which is holding elections within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe,”Jagdeohadsaid.

The Vice President had highlighted that Exxon has madeitspositionclearthatit will not be up for a renegotiation of the oil deal. That deal waives all taxes andcatersforittobepaidby the government out of its share.Guyanareceivesa2% royalty;itallowsExxonand itsco-venturerstorecoverup to 75% of production costs beforetheremaining25%is shared between Guyana and theStabroekBlockpartners. After accounting for the 2% royalty, cost recovery, and profitsharing,Guyana'stotal takefromtheoilproducedis 14.5% of the total value of the oil. Jagdeo added that any Guyanese, including himself, would want more outofthedeal.

“Would I like to have 75% instead of 52% in the

future when all the costs are takenintoconsideration?We would love that. But the government of 2016 signed an agreement that says the onlywayyoucouldhavethis amicably solved is with the agreement of the two parties,”hesaid.

However, Lall, who was at the forefront of that call then, has brought the matter back into the spotlight, saying Guyanese have had enough of the promises by thepoliticalleaders.

“The days of begging these three political parties for dignity, decency, and honesty have long gone…Today, I am calling oneverysingleGuyaneseto demand that this Exxon oil contract be placed on the ballot paper come September 1.” “Let your vote… let my vote… let every Guyanese vote for what we want from this wealth God has blessed us with.Letuschoose,”hesaid. The businessman asked whether Guyanese want to continue to survive “on this miserable, shameful 2% royalty — the crumbs that thePPP,PNC,andAFCsold usforordowedemandafair share—aminimumof25% royalty — so that all of us, o u r c h i l d r e n , o u r grandchildren, and generations to come can eat properly, live with dignity, andwalkwithpride?”

Noting that the choice is simple, Lall said a 25% royalty will bring real salaries that reflect an oilproducingnation.“25%will ensure quality education withqualifiedteachers.25% canprovidefreemodernised healthcare that will serve all our people. 25% will pave

our roads, provide clean water, and create real jobs. 25%willpullGuyanaoutof darknessandintothelightof prosperity,”thebusinessman said. He charged that if citizens sit down and accept the current 2%, then they mustbepreparedtolivewith “that same old salary, cash grants, and vouchers. And stop complaining — while billions of your wealth is being shipped out every single day.” He said the oil resources were meant to be Guyana's,thisoilwasmeant tobeablessing,butbecause of the “greedy, selfish, and heartless politicians, it has becomeacurse.Acursethat hasmanyofourbrothersand sisters building cardboard shacks for shelter, while foreigners build castles overseas…”

T h e c a l l s f o r renegotiation of the contract have been made by several peopleinandoutofGuyana. Only recently, the Alliance For Change (AFC) said that if it were to accede to office at the upcoming general elections, it would renegotiatethecontroversial 2016 oil contract signed under the then APNU+AFC government.

This, it said, would be part of a broader effort to secure more favourable terms for Guyana in its expandingoilandgassector. The party also said that the renegotiation of the 2016 (Continuedonpage7)

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Plenty elections talk, scant oil talk

EverybodyistalkingabouttheSeptember1elections, with many diagnoses and predictions of what is going to happen between now and then. Talk and more elections talk from today, with a watchful eye on July 14, NominationDay Duetothedamagingdevelopmentsthat havebeenpartandparcelofmanyelectionsinGuyana,all of them, there are also anxieties about how the postSeptember1dayswillbe. Whethersmoothorscorching, thatremainstobeseen. Wethinkthat,atmost,theremay be some half-hearted sounds and movements, but that should be the sum of it. The presence of so many foreigners with a vested interest in oil and gold virtually guaranteessuchanenvironment.Oilandgold—especially oil—rarely stir excited, passionate conversations, and whentheydo,it'sonlyasaquicksidebar Electionshavelongbeenaninseparablecomponentof thiscountry'slife. Theyrevealtheworstinlargesegments of Guyana's population. If only some degree of interest anddrivecouldemergeforthegreatpatrimonythatisnow theinheritanceofallGuyanese. Ifonly,butthatisawish that is as forlorn as it is foregone: few are so engaged, committed, to show some signs of struggle for a better share of the national birthright. The fierce struggle that should be for oil, unfortunately, is the special preserve of elections. Therulingpoliticiansandthosecontestingare familiar with the misdirected state of mind of the people, andtheywastenotimeinusingthattotheiradvantage. It gives them the space to holler at each other more loudly aboutwhoisfittobeelectedandwhoisnot,andtowhisper evenlessaboutanythingthatisrelatedtooil. Thecropof currentpoliticalfiguresandgroupsfightingforthevotesof citizensknowswhatsendsthemintoecstasies,ontheone hand,andagonies,ontheother

Itisaboutwhoisinandwhoisout. Andwhoismoving towhomandwhoiscrossingfromwhere,thatcaptivates voters. Andwhoshouldbetheleader,andwhoshouldget the fattest split of the spoils. And who is confident of winning,whoispredictingalandslide. Andwhohasalock on being the prime minister, and who isn't ready for the challenge, to pick up the mantle and best represent Guyanese. Electionsareatthefingertips,withGuyanese standing as armchair experts about who is best qualified. Electionsonthelipsofthespeechchallenged,thelearning deficient, and most of the population leaning this way or the other Every citizen is now a predictor of the results, andmanystandreadyasbookmakers. Itisaboutwhohas the money to buy votes, who is ready to sell themselves. Thereisanoldmaxim:allisfairinloveandwar Thesame applies to elections in Guyana, which are never short of controversy,alwayspromisingwhatdrainsthiscountry.

Theelectionshavenotevenmovedintohighgear,and many citizens are already suffering from burnout. The energythattheyshouldhavetofocusconstantlyonoil,and keepitpercolatingatthatstate,iseitherdrownedoutbythe rhetoric of elections or drained away by superior competinginterests. Wearerightbackatelections,which is now seemingly superior to all else that is happening in this country The cunning politicians know how to keep thevotersoccupied. Feedthepeopleasteadydoseofall thewrongsthattheothersidedidovertheyearswhenthey wereingovernment,andthensitbackandenjoywatching howvoterstearintoeachother,likeferociousdogsovera bone. Aspectacle is always guaranteed, and this year is alreadyshapinguptofollowthesamescript.

Who has the time, who cares, to talk about oil? Why wasteenergyonoil,andloseanopportunitytoprovehow loyal one is to a leader or group? ExxonMobil has to be delirious Guyanese fight over elections, while ExxonMobil hustles out their oil cheaply, sweetly, uninterruptedly What should be the biggest fight for Guyaneseisnotevenafight.

Guyana has received significantly lower oil income compared to the oil companies' profits

Dear

Editor,

On Monday, June 16, during an interview with Christopher Ram on a prominent Guyanese social media platform, outrageous claims were made by one of theco-hosts,acolumnistfor the Guyana Chronicle. The Chroniclecolumnistclaimed that Guyana has received US$13 billion in oil income and that Guyana had received more than the oil consortium (the subsidiaries of ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC that are registered in Guyana) to date. These claims seemed to have been pulled out of thin air, so we checkedtheBankofGuyana Natural Resource Fund (NRF)statementsandtheoil companies’ financials. The graphbelowshowstheyearby-year details of Guyana's oil income versus the three named oil companies' declared pre-tax profits; an interactive version of this chart can be found here: https://wwwoggn org/2025/ 06/20/guyana-oil-revenuevs-oil-companies-profit-

2020-2024/ The oil companies' pre-tax profits

GuyanaOilIncomevsOilCompaniesProfit(2020-2024)

AnnualComparison(ValuesinBillionsUSD)

consistently exceed Guyana'sincomebyafactor of3-5xsince2021.Guyana's cumulative income amounts to US$6.28 billion—half of what was claimed by the Chroniclecolumnist.Theoil companies' total pre-tax profits amount to US$29 billion, a figure that is more than 4 times the amount Guyanahasreceivedtodate. The Stabroek Oil

OilIncome OilCompaniesProfit

Contractstatesthattheprofit share between Guyana and the oil companies should be 50/50. The total oil profits Guyana has received to date are US$5.5 billion, whereas the pre-tax oil profits reported by the oil companies are US$29 billion. The oil companies don’tpaytaxes!Howisthisa 50/50profitshare? It is very disturbing that

claimsarebeingmadewhich seem to be skewed toward foolingtheGuyanesepeople into believing that they are receiving a fair deal, even withthecontractaswritten.

AlfredBhulai

JanetteBulkan

KenrickHunte

DarshKhusial

JoePersaud

On behalf of OGGN (www.oggn.org)

NCN staff refute claim of no clean, running water

DearEditor,

We, the below named staff members of the National Communications Network(NCN),havenoted with deep concern a letter published in the Kaieteur News on Saturday, 21 June 2025,purportedlywrittenby an anonymous individual claiming to be a staff memberofeitherNCNorthe Department of Public Information(DPI).

The author of this letter has acted in a thoroughly unethical and mischievous manner, clearly aiming to bring disrepute to the company for reasons known onlytothem.

The issue raised concerning a temporary interruption of the water supply at NCN is directly linked to the ongoing road construction works along Homestretch Avenue that we,ascitizens,welcomeand support as part of our

development.

It must be stated unequivocally that the company has not sat idly by duringthisperiod.Measures have been taken to ensure that clean, safe water is available on the premises, particularly during periods o f l o w p r e s s u r e

Furthermore,staffhavebeen fullybriefedonthesituation and have been kept updated asdevelopmentsunfold.

This is not a case of negligence or indifference, as the anonymous writer would like the public to believe.

We therefore reject the contents of the letter in its entirety and deem it to be malicious and deceptive. It doesnotreflecttherealityon the ground, nor the sentimentsofthestaff. We wish to have our names publicly associated

with this statement. Kindly note that this list is not exhaustive, as the letter is sent today, Saturday, and severalstaffmembersareoff duty This is not a case of negligence or indifference, as the anonymous writer would like the public to believe.

Warmregards,

DerwayneWills

SimoneLochan

MelissaFrench

AnadiaHolladar

AllanAndrews

KendriaDalrymple

Jean-MarcCollins

Faneeza Inshan-

Ramzan

JermaineHeadley

SamuelSukhnandan

VelmaShivdayal

SimoneFraser

MonicaBarrow

ChristineGooding

SamuelLowe

ShawnHenry

KapildeoBipta

KeonPhillips

Guyana’s lost generation and bridging the gap

DearEditor,

There is a generation of youngmeninGuyana—now aged15to25—whocameof age during one of our country’s most violent and destabilising decades: 2002 to2012.Markedbypolitical unrest, community breakdown, and widespread hopelessness, that era left behind a legacy of pain, silence,anddisconnection.I call these young men Guyana’slostgeneration. But they do not have to staylost.

The Bridging the Gap Policy,ledbytheMinistryof

Human Services and Social Security, offers a bold new direction. At its heart is the BRAVE Program a flagship initiative grounded in truth, transformation, and male agency BRAVE challenges men and boys acrossGuyanato: Build your Legacy Reclaim Manhood.Activate Goals Visualize Success ExecuteFearlessly More than an acronym, BRAVE is a movement. It calls on men and boys to break cycles of harm, take responsibility, and redefine whatitmeanstobeaman.It

replaces outdated scripts where silence is strength,violenceiscontrol, and leadership is entitlement with a new modelrootedincompassion, clarity,purpose,andservice.

Reclaiming manhood is not about domination—it’s about reclaiming manhood, definingwhatitmeanstobe a man for one’s self, selfdetermination, emotional intelligence, and legacy It’s about stepping up, standing firm, and daring to lead differently

Thisworkisurgent.In (Continueonpage6) When

Dear Citizens of

Guyana,

Over the past four years, Guyana has witnessed a transformative shift in the fisheries and aquaculture sector,onethatmarksaclear departure from the stagnation and neglect that characterized the period under the previous APNU administration and has also shown the visionless approach of the new parties who will be contesting this year'selection.

U n d e r A P N U ’ s leadership, this sector, so vitaltooureconomyandthe livelihoods of thousands, languished without direction, investment, or vision. Our fisherfolk were l e f t w i t h o u t t h e infrastructure they desperately needed, while our nation remained overly reliant on seafood imports, draining valuable foreign exchange.

It must be highlighted that since taking office, the current government has worked tirelessly to reverse this decline. Today, I am proud to see the success of

the Brackish Water Shrimp farming, the fisheries infrastructural sector and major improvements in the vessel monitoring systems amongotherareas.

Whenwespeakaboutthe Brackish Water Shrimp farming,Guyanaproduceda mere112,000kgofbrackish water shrimp in 2021; however, through strategic investments and targeted support, production increased to an astounding 1.1 million kg in 2024. This tenfold growth has not only reduced the dependency on imports but has also created jobs and generated significant revenue for coastal communities. As it relates to the Fisheries Infrastructure Development, while the previous administration allowed critical infrastructure to deteriorate, the government ofthedayhasinvested$300 million to develop and upgrade fisheries landing sites across Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 , a n d 6 T h e s e improvements are ensuring safer, more efficient operationsforfisherfolkand

boosting the sector’s productivity

Furthermore, it must be noted that in keeping with the commitment to sustainability and maritime safety, 100 vessel monitoring devices were installed on commercial fishing vessels operating in Regions 1 through 6.APNU had no such initiative in place, ignoring the need for resource management and enforcement mechanisms that are now essential to safeguarding our marine resources.These are not just numbers; they represent l i v e s i m p r o v e d , communities uplifted, and a nation moving confidently towards food security and sustainability

The contrast is clear Where APNU failed to act, PPP/C delivered Where they overlooked our fishe

, PPP/C empoweredthem. Letusnot return to a time of inaction and neglect. Let us stay the course of development and transformation.

Yourssincerely, FawazHarry

RECLAIMING MY VOICE, MY VISION, MY VICTORIES

By Lilian Godoy

My name is Lilian Godoy I am the wife of the C a n a d i a n H i g h Commissioner to Guyana. Recently, I was invited to speak at the event ‘SheShines Summit’ , organised in Bartica by Project New Nation. It was truly an honour and I felt so grateful when Mr Magaiva Gonsalves reached out to me.

Thiswasmythirdvisitto Barticaanditwaswonderful to meet again with Regional Chair Williams, Mayor Murray and many people I hadpreviouslymetwith.

With my husband, we have been in Guyana for 10 months,andwehavehadthe pleasure of exploring many parts of this beautiful country I was looking forward to seeing again the

majestic Essequibo and returning to Bartica, a city full of energy and a bright futureahead.

I was particularly interested in participating to this event because it celebrated the voices, the visions and the victories of women who are building their future every day with courageanddetermination.

RECLAIMING MY VOICE

This event was an opportunity to listen to the stories of these strong womenandtotellthemabit aboutmyown.

IwasborninElSalvador I am a former diplomat, a teacher, a mother, a grandmother, a wife, a woman who has spent her life building bridges betweenElSalvadorandmy beautiful and beloved

Canada, and also between my profession and my family

I come from a line of strong women — starting withmygrandmother I learned early on that reclaiming your voice doesn’t mean speaking louder

It means speaking with strength, courage, and confidenceinwhoyouare.

At the event, I was not only speaking for myself – I felt like I was speaking for every woman who has ever b e e n s i l e n c e d , underestimated, or doubted. I did not go there to repeat the same message that says, “Youneedtofighthardtoget whatyouwant.”

Yes—that’strue.Butit’s just as important to say: Move. Do something. Don’t giveup!

Because sometimes, life doesn’t give you what you want—formanyreasons.

But even when doors close,youmustnotquit.You must keep preparing, keep learning, keep growing — because one day, the opportunity—yourmoment —willcome.

I truly believe in this. Lifehasshownme.

I have lived with a progressive hearing loss sinceIwas14yearsold.For many years, I stayed quiet andshy—notbecauseIhad nothingtosay,butbecauseI was afraid I wouldn’t hear others.

I had no friends. I was bullied in high school. So, I tookrefugeinmystudies. I didn’t know where I was going — but I kept movingforward.

And all of this happened while we were living through a civil war Our neighbourhood was attacked. We couldn’t go to school. My parents couldn’t go to work. We didn’t have enough food, water, or electricity

But we survived. The war ended after twelve long years of violence. And life continued.

Fromthat,Ilearnedhow precious life is And I realizedthatmyhearingloss couldnotbeanexcuse—not for giving up, and not for settling.

A year before entering

University, my parents bought me my first hearing aid.

Forthefirsttime,Icould hear more clearly. When I was 18, I began working in many different jobs while studying at the University I taught classes, sold books, worked as a receptionist, a waitress,andasecretary

It took almost ten years of knocking on doors that never opened. Ten years, when I was not allowed to showwhatIcoulddo.

One day I said: It’s enough! I need to do something different. And I wrote a letter directly to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, who at the time was an incredible womananddiplomat.

Intheletter,Isaid:

"I’ve worked hard. I’ve sent my CV more than ten times but never received a call. Not because I’m not qualified — but because I don’t have powerful connections I’m not the daughter or wife of a businessman or politician. I am a young professional woman, and I am good at whatIdo.Ideserveachance tobeinterviewed."

The Minister read the letter I was called for an interviewandtesting.

I wasn’t hired just because of that letter — but because I finally had the chance to be evaluated, to provemycapabilities.

AndIdid.

I started my diplomatic career from the bottom — and worked my way up. For 26 years, I served the government of El Salvador from administrative assistant to Ambassador It wasn’t always easy — there werehighsandlows—butI neverstopped.

I didn’t listen to those whotoldmeIwasn’tcapable — because I was a woman, or that I wasn’t enough, or that my hearing loss was a limitation.

Inevergaveup. At the beginning, I needed to prove to myself that I deserved a chance — just like anyone else — despite my hearing condition. Over the years, my daughters became my greatestmotivation.

RECLAIMING MY VISION

WhenIlookback,Irealize thatmyvoiceallowedmeto fulfillmyvision.Andalong theway,Ilearnedthatin lifeyoumusttakethetime tobreathe,toriseaftera fall,toshakeoffthedust, andreturntothefight. Yes, you will make mistakes.Youwillfallagain, andagain.Butyoumustrise. You must move. You must continue.

We need to remember what holds us together during the hardest times. What sustains women like those I met in Bartica, like me:

The home. The family Ourchildren.Ourmemories. Ourproblemsandfears.

The invisible labour of being women, mothers, daughters,sisters,friends

The emotional weight of beinghuman.

We are held together by love,byjoy,bywins

And sometimes, we don’t even have the strength to hold ourselves. We are exhausted But we keep going—becausewebelieve in something. We choose to facetheday

I’ve always said to myself that I must fight for all those who are opening paths.Icannotremain

(Continueonpage45)

Guyana’s lost generation...

Frompage5

Guyana, men remain the primary perpetrators of intimate partner violence while being underserved in mental health, trauma recovery, and emotional support. We cannot prevent violence without also helping men heal from the legacies that shapedthem.

Accountability without spaces for reflection and growthisincomplete.

Bridging the Gap is a national call to action—one that positions men and boys notasthreats,butaspartners in prevention, healing, and leadership. It is about reconnection: between generations, between institutions and communities, and between ouridealsandlivedrealities. Itisaboutensuringthata16year-old boy in Lethem or

Sophia doesn’t grow up believing his only choices aresilenceorrage.

Guyana doesn’t need anotherlostgeneration. It needs a generation of men who are BRAVE

k e accountability, and build a futuredefinednotbycontrol, butbylegacy

Yourstruly, RawleA.Small

Lilian Godoy at the She Shines Summit

Eco Atlantic has until Jan. 2026 to drill new well on Orinduik Block

Canadian Exploration Company,Eco(Atlantic)Oil & Gas Ltd has until January 2026 to drill an exploration well on Guyana's offshore Orinduik Block, in keeping with its petroleum agreement.

The block, covering 1,354 square kilometers and located approximately 170 kilometers offshore Guyana is adjacent to the prolific Stabroek Block which is operated by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited that is estimatedtohold11.6billion

barrelsofoil.

The company disclosed that as operator, it entered the Second Phase of the Second Renewal Period of the Orinduik License on January14,2024.Thisphase requires the drilling of one exploration well targeting the Cretaceous formation before the license term ends onJanuary13,2026.

Notably, the Orinduik Block has already demonstrated a working petroleum system, with two c o n f i r m e d

discoveries Jethro-1 and Joe-1—made in 2019 in the Lower and Upper Tertiary formations.Whilebothfinds contained heavy oil, further analysis is ongoing to determine development feasibility The company has said it continues to evaluate discoveries while assessingdeeperCretaceous prospects, which are believedtoholdpotentialfor lightercrude.

Eco had disclosed that it isadvancingplansfora2025

(Continueonpage47)

Jagdeo doesn't want Guyanese...

Frompage3

Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) is part of the party's 18-point plan heading into the 2025 general and regional elections The Working People's Alliance (WPA) is also on record saying that it supports the call for a referendum on the 2016 oil contract with ExxonMobil. “WPAnotesrecentcallsfora referendum on the 2016 oil contract, while we do not oppose such move we strongly feel that such a referendum must also cover the distribution of the oil resourcestothepeopleanda form of governance to be adoptedaswetransitioninto a petro state,” Dr. David Hindshadsaid.

Meanwhile, even as Guyanese have been protestingforchangestothe abrasive terms of the contract signed with Exxon and Co-venturers Hess and CNOOC; experts have said that even without bringing theoilcompaniesbacktothe negotiating table, government can implement measures that allow greater governance of the sector, which is now the key driver ofthiscountry'seconomy

Five years after commencing production activities on the country's first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, Guyana has not implemented systems to verify the daily number of barrels being produced by ExxonMobil. The country has not only started up two more FPSOs without independentmeterstoverify production, but has also, to date,sanctionedatotalofsix projects. In the meantime, Guyana is dependent on the

production statistics reported by the operator of the projects. In addition to the absence of a parent company guarantee in the

event of an oil spill and the lack of ring-fencing on the projects,concernshavebeen

management of the sector and the spending of the oil funds.

The National Assembly, in December 2021, passed the Natural Resources Fund Act to govern the revenue earned from the petroleum industry Itearmarksspecific guidelines for the use of the funds. However, there has been no indication from government as to a single project financed from this revenue stream to date. The first withdrawal from the account was made in May

2022. Parliamentary approvalwasgrantedforthe sum of US$607.6 million to be transferred during the fiscalyear2022andanother US$1.002 billion in 2023.

Section16.2oftheNRFAct

explains that “All withdrawals from the Fund shall be deposited into the ConsolidatedFundandshall beusedonlytofinance–(a) national development priorities including any initiative aimed at realizing aninclusivegreeneconomy; and(b)essentialprojectsthat are directly related to ameliorating the effect of a majornaturaldisaster.”

Government has not identifiedwhatthe“national development priorities” being funded by the oil revenue are. The country is therefore in the dark regarding the use of the funds With little transparency regarding the use of Guyana's oil wealth, International Financial Analysts worry that the revenue may not be used to develop the country and improvethelivesofitspoor citizens.

For instance, Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute for Energy

Map showing the location of the Orinduik Block

Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo, had pointed out before that the government has not been prioritising saving the funds generated from the industry like Norway but has instead, has embarked on a massive infrastructural and energy development scheme which may very well benefit its partner, ExxonMobil, more than the citizens in the country

He reasoned, “It may work to Exxon's benefit to put in new roads, it may be Exxon's benefit to build a new gas plant but they don't need that kind of electricity system in Guyana and who knows if they actually need theroadsthatarebeingbuilt because there is no public processsowhatyouhaveisa planandtheplanistousethe money to keep the existing political structure in power andthat'swhatisgoingtobe done.”

Director of Energy at A m e r i c a s M a r k e t Intelligence,Arthur Deakin, hadalsosharedtheviewthat thegovernmentlacksaclear structure on how the resources from this sector willbeusedtotransformthe lives of Guyanese. He noted that Guyana's oil sector has been moving at one of the fastest paces known in the industry; however, when it comes to translating that wealthtothepopulation,this has been taking some time. Infact,thespecialistpointed out that for the wealth to benefit the population, it would require structural p l a n n i n g b y t h e administration. To this end, Deakin said, “The government lacks a clear vision, a clear plan on how it's gonna spend the money it's receiving from the oil revenue,soIthinkthereisa l o t o f r o o m f o r improvement.”

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–JUNE16,2025

Groundgame

As general and regional elections draw near, we believethatthepartythathas the better ground campaign could emerge winner on September1,2025. Even the largest parties, PPP/C and PNCR, typically need a year or more of ground campaigning; thus, thecurrent12-weekwindow given for campaigning may prove inadequate for any party that has not already beenactiveontheground.

What is clear is that the PPP has not been bickering and squabbling like the

APNU and AFC, but has been campaigning in every region for a very long time. Whatisalsoclearisthatthe electoral performance of the APNU and AFC –collectively or separately –may already have been judged by the performance of their parliamentarians in the National Assembly, by their inattentiveness to the needs of the public over the past five years since 2020 and,inpart,bytheirapparent c u r r e n t c a m p a i g n unreadiness.Timewilltell.

TUESDAY–JUNE17,2025

Choosingourleaders

Guyanesewillsoongoto the polls to elect a President and government. Already a number of individuals have throwntheirhatsinthering.

The incumbent, President Irfaan Ali is currently embroiled in an ever-widening scandal with one of his potential rivals at the polls over tax evasion in which the laws of Guyana were allegedly flagrantly violated so as to confer benefits on an admitted past friendofthePresident.

We believe that the next President would have to be an individual who has been scrupulously clean and who would have to hone to the straight and narrow in his future dealings, to rebuild the public trust in the Presidency.

In a democracy, we are given the opportunity to choose our leaders, so it is incumbent on all of us — both citizens and party insiders — to reflect on the needs of our country before the need of inflated egos

whenfulfillingthatduty

WEDNESDAY–JUNE18,2025

Supplementarybudgets andcampaignfunding

Earlier this month, the PPP/C Government used its one-seat majority in

Parliament to pass a w h o p p i n g $ 5 7 5 B supplementary budget. The opposition believes that muchofthatfundingwillbe siphonedofftohelpfundthe government's re-election bid.

Since the PPPC government took office in the post-2020 era, national budgets have broken record after record. Each year has seen a whopper of a budget, and 2025 has continued the trendwitharecord-breaking $1.382T,20.6%greaterthan thebudgetof2024.

Yet there is the amazing thingthatjusthappened:the PPPC Government went smartly to parliament and used its one-seat majority to approve an additional $57 5B supplementary budget. To seek a 4.1% funding supplement over this year's biggest budget mayappeartobeminute,but nothing could be farther from reality Why is this amount needed so soon, a matter of slightly over three months,sincethepassingof the huge national budget? How is it that $57.5B is introduced in parliament so casually, passed so quickly, withthegovernmentmoving on,asthoughthisisroutine?

Questions have been raised about the extent of planning that went into the preparation of this year's budget. We at this paper

believe that when sizable supplementary budgets become routine, it suggests that the careful planning expected in the minister's final budget is more imaginedthanreal.

THURSDAY–JUNE19,2025

Oppositionfarces

When an opposition is needed the most, it is lost, whether measured as one group or a coalition of two. While the PNCR continues with the sham of being a contender of merit, theAFC first lost its credibility, then its voice, and lastly its footing.

There is this ugly public fight over a consensus candidate for the leadership spot. One side says that it is willing to relinquish a claim totheleadershipmantle.The other says that it is open to listening, could even look favourablyonwhatgivesthe best chance of victory over thePPPConSeptember1.

The leadership of both the PNCR and the AFC has indicated that they are willing to go to the polls alone Whatever voter numbers they pretend to have, this is how they misleadtheirownrespective bases, through bluff and soundbites that mean nothing.Aprimeexampleof this is AFC leader Nigel Hughes, who entered the political milieu with a bang andhassincecollapsedlikea punctured balloon. Guyanesevotersarelooking fortheirshareofthenational wealth. They are hoping to find a leader who they can trust. They are rewarded withfarces.

Policy cannot override the law

Du r i n g l a s t

Thursday’s p r e s s conference, General

Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Bharrat Jagdeo bragged about how more small contractors were being empowered under the PPPC government. This is how he explained how this was beingachieved:

“We’ve just changed the system to empower small people and to give them an opportunity to implement programs that hitherto would have been done by a singleindividual.Andthat’s why we changed the system where contracts below $15 millionfortheroadprogram are allocated on the basis of rates and not through a bidding system. Because if we have continued with the bidding system, just a few people would have won all thebids.”

Now Jagdeo and his government must explain whetherthereisalegalbasis forthischangeofthesystem. He must also explain whether the changes made are in conformity with the PublicProcurementAct.

The Procurement Act 2003 of Guyana mandates competitive bidding as the default method for procurement, but it also providesspecificexceptions where competitive bidding is not required. It provides for open tendering and insists on an Invitation to Tenderbeingpublished.

The Act allows alternative procurement

methods under certain conditions For example, ‘Restricted Tendering’ is permitted when goods and services are highly complex or specialized, available only from a limited number of suppliers. For small contracts, a request for quotations made be made but this requires obtaining andcomparingatleastthree quotations.Thistooisaform ofcompetitivebiddingbutit is wholly unsuitable for s

contracts such as the building of community roads The Public Procurement Act makes c

exception applies. So, what isthelawfulexceptionthatis

the governmenttoallocatesmall contractstopersons?

Thelawsuggeststhatthe g

arbitrarily allocate contracts without a bidding process unless the contract falls under sole sourcing, restricted tendering, request for quotations, or community participation such as in interior regions where competitive bidding maybeimpractical. Policy cannot override the law. Laws are binding legislative enactments passed by Parliament, whereas policies are administrative guidelines that must operate within the legalframework.

The Procurement Act 2003 explicitly mandates competitive bidding as the default method for

government contracts and permits exceptions only under strict statutory conditions. If a government policy attempted to bypass t h e s e l e g a l requirements—for example, by allowing direct contract awards without competitive bidding where the law does not authorize it such a policy would be beyond legal authority The rule of law demands that policy alignwithlegislation,notthe otherwayaround.

Whileitmaybelaudable for the government to empower small contractors thismustbedonewithinthe confines of the law The government must therefore explain how its change of policy to empower small contractors is consistent withthePublicProcurement Act.The recent shift toward ‘allocating’ small contracts without competitive bidding,insteadrelyingona ‘rate system’ (e.g., a fixed price per meter of road), raises serious concerns a b o u t c o n t r a c t o r competence,qualitycontrol, and long-term infrastructure sustainability.

Under this system, contracts are reportedly

being distributed to thousands of individuals, as stated by Vice President Jagdeo However, the absence of a proper bidding and evaluation process means there is no adequate vetting mechanism to properly ensure these contractors possess the necessary skills, equipment, or experience to execute

DEM BOYS SEH

Tase

Dem boys hear de government now bringingintasersfuhdepolice.Islikedem seh, “Y’all can’t beat people no more, so shockdeminstead.”Butbeforedempolice could walk round like mobile electric company,demhadtogetalilorientation— and by orientation, we mean real-life zappingexperience.

Yes, bai! Dem seh the best way fuh understand how it feel to get tasered is to gettaseredyuhself.Sopicturedis:big,bad policelininguplikedemgoingfuhschool vaccine — only this time, instead of a nurse, is a next officer holding a taser like heisasecurityatablackoutparty

One big police man fall down like plantain tree after de jolt hit he. Another one start speaking in tongues. Dem boys sehonefellagetshocksohard,hewakeup confessingtothingshedidn’tevendo.

Detrainerstelldem,“Thisisfuhy’allto knowhowseriousitisbeforey’alluseiton citizens.” Which is good, cause in this country, some people got itchy trigger

workseffectively

Given the country’s historical shortage of qualified road-building contractors, this approach risks flooding the market w i t h f l y - b y - n i g h t operators individuals or companieshastilyformedto exploit government spending without proven expertise.

Without a structured technical and financial evaluation of bidders—as required under of the P r o c u r e m e n t A c t 2003—thereisnoguarantee of quality workmanship

Poorly constructed roads will inevitably lead to premature deterioration, increased maintenance costs, and wasted public funds If overnight contractors lack proper machinery, engineering knowledge, or quality

materials, the government may end up paying twice: first for substandard work, andlaterforrepairs.

If contracts are awarded based on pre-set rates rather than merit, there is no incentive for contractors to improve efficiency or quality—theysimplycollect payment per meter, regardlessofdurability

Jagdeo needs to be a s k e d , “ H a s a n y independent assessment beenconductedtoverifythe quality of works under this allocation system? The P

competition to prevent favoritism and ensure value formoney Yet,byremoving competitive bidding, this new system of allocating contra

ndermines accountabilityandopensthe

door to political patronage, inflated pricing, and corruption.

The rumour mill is rife with stories about persons who cannot even hammer a nail, forming a company, hiring an engineer and obtaining government contracts without ever havingtoliftashovel.

And many of them having completed a small roadareabletogototheauto dealer and purchase a car withcash.

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

finger — now dem gon have itchy shock finger Butdemboysseh,isonlyinGuyana yuh could get government shock therapy freeofcostandcallittraining.’Oneofdem officers tell dem boys quietly, “Man, I prefer de old days when all we get was a lecture and lil snacks.” He ain’t know he sign up fuh tek current like a microwave dinner

Dem boys seh this taser thing better work, cause if not, dem police gon end up taseringdemselftryingtoturniton.Isone thingfuhupholddelaw,isanotherfuhbelit uplikeaChristmastree.

So leh we watch and see — will tasers bring peace, or just more people dancing involuntary break dancing on de pavement? Dem boys know we gat some peopleinGuyanademdoeswalkasifdem gettased.Sotasingnahganaffectthemat all.

Timewilltell.Butfuhnowis…shock andawe,Guyanastyle! Talkhalf.Leffhalf

A time to mourn, if only Guyanese can grieve honestly

Daughter confesses to the crime after forensic test revealed human blood stains in home

After a forensic test revealed that there were human blood stains in the home of 46-year-old Jenny Mohamed, called “Baby”, of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, her 25-year-old

daughter reportedly confessed to the crime and led detectives to the area where she dumped her mother's body wrapped in a blacktarpaulin.

On Thursday, June 12, Mohamed was reported missingandwaslastseenat her residence around 06:15 hours on June 10 by her

husband, Rasheed Mohamed.

Those in custody are Rasheed and Saffia Mohamed and her 28-yearold common-law-husband, AustinRamchand.

On June 13, a team of police ranks from the Vigilance Police Station visited the residence and a physical check was made aroundtheyard.

The police said that no disturbedsoilwasobserved, and persons were questioned, but no useful informationwasobtained.

However, further information from Jenny's sister revealed that they communicated daily, the last being on June 10, 2025

She told the police that from later that day she was unable to make further contact and learnt from the husband that they had an argument with their daughteronthenightofJune 9,2025,duringwhichJenny reportedlytoldherdaughter to move out. For his part, the husband claimed that he left for work the next morning, leaving his wife

Jenny Mohamed's remains wrapped in a black tarpaulin found at Eccles New Road, along a secluded route leading to Ogle, ECD

In

withtheirdaughterandhis son-in-law at home The police revisited the Non PareilresidenceonJune16, and discovered suspected bloodstains on a couch, walls, the kitchen, a bedroomandthefloorofthe hall.Accordingtothepolice, all the stains appeared to have been wiped out. As such, a human blood field test was conducted and returned positive results.

The house was secured for forensic examination, and Jenny's husband was

In

detained.

On June 17, Jenny's daughterandherson-in-law were arrested and placed in custody

The police said that a forensicteamreturnedtothe residence and confirmed multiple areas within the home tested positive for humanblood.

It was also stated that a handwritten note, purportedlyfromJenny,was found inside a notebook, which the police deemed suspicious due to the

Three arrested for double murder at New Star Backdam

Th e G u y a n a Police Force (GPF) said on Saturday that they have arrested three persons in

connection with the murders of 24-year-old Mark Thomas and Wendy James, which occurred on Monday at New Star Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One According to police reports, the incident occurredonJune16,2025,at NewStarBackdam,butboth Thomas and James are

residents of Barama River, Baramita, North West District

It was reported that between June 16 and 19, 2025, ranks from the Regional Division executed athoroughsearchoftheNew Star Backdam area followingthesuspects'flight from their residences after committingtheact

Thepolicedisclosedthat the suspects involved in the case are two males and a female “All three suspects were successfully

contents Further, it was stated that clean-up attempts were observed, and potential evidence, including blood-stained upholstery and swabs, was collected

A vehicle associated with the suspects was also examined, and strands of hair were recovered for testing.

Extensive interviews were conducted with the three suspects, and the accounts related to Jenny

Mohamed were conflicting. Other relatives were interviewed and gave additional information to supportthecaseofmurder

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, while in custody, the daughter, during further questioning, confessed that she and her common-law husband murdered the deceasedonJune10th,2025 and gave a detailed description of the killing.

Jennywasstabbedands (Continueonpage12)

apprehended in various hiding spots within the Backdamregion

They have undergone v i d e o a n d a u d i o interviews, and witnesses have provided written statements confirming the suspects' involvement in theacts,”thepolicesaid Not revealing the manner in which Thomas and James were killed, the police said their postmortem examinations will be conducted on MondayatPortKaituma

The suspected murder weapon

custody: Austin Ramchand

Murdered: Jenny Mohamed

custody: Saffia Mohamed

East Street to be renamed John Smith Street in honour of Bishop Dr. Rev. John Oswald Smith

The Georgetown

Mayor and City

Council will

rename East Street to John Smith Street today, in honour of General Bishop Dr Rev John Oswald Smith, a revered spiritual leaderandnationalicon.

According to a press releaseissuedbytheCentral Assembly of God church,

MS Dr Smith, General BishopoftheAssembliesof God in Guyana and Senior Pastor of Central Assembly Diplomat Centre, served with unwavering dedication to faith, national unity, and civicleadership. “His visionary ministry and tireless service left an enduringimpactonGuyana, the Caribbean region, and

theglobalfaithcommunity. “ A c h a m p i o n o f education, peacebuilding, a n d c o m m u n i t y development, Dr Smith's leadership shaped lives and institutions with integrity and compassion. This street renaming stands as a living tribute to his lifetime of serviceandtransformation,” areleasesaid.

Frompage11

Demerara. trangled with a

subsequently wrapped in a garbage bag and tarpaulin, andthendumpedinatrench along Eccles New Road, East Bank The deceased's d

d investigators to the dump site, where the decomposed b

d, bearing multiple stab wounds and a rope tied aroundtheneck. Subsequent interviews and confrontations were heldwiththeson-in-lawand husband, where the son-inlaw subsequently admitted andconfirmedhisroleinthe murder and disposal of the body. A

investigationscontinue,and a file is being put together forlegaladvice.

Bishop Dr. Rev. John Oswald Smith (Guyana Chronicle)

Iwokrama's New Board Chair visits

Iwokrama River Lodge

New Chairman of

Iwokrama's International Board of Trustees, Mr Fareed Amin, along with senior management, visited the Iwokrama River Lodge (IRL)onJune20,2025.

According to a press release by Iwokrama, Mr AminmetwithIRLstaffand expressed his deep appreciation for their continued commitment to ensuring the outstanding work of Iwokrama continues.

HetouredtheLodgeand the Iwokrama Mill Site, where he got firsthand insight into Iwokrama's operations.

He also met with the executives of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB),whichrepresents the 21 communities of the North Rupununi, and the Village Council of Fair View Village, the only community within the IwokramaReserve.

“In his discussions with staff and community representatives, he lauded

theimportanceofIwokrama in global and national conservation efforts and further emphasised the contributions and great value that Indigenous traditional knowledge has played in the successful development of Iwokrama's o p e r a

a n d programmes,” the press releasesaid. M r A m i n i s a n accomplishedpublicservant with over 30 years of experience at the provincial and municipal levels in Canada, having served as OntarioDeputyMinisterand CityofTorontoDeputyCity

Manager.

He brings expertise in n

, government, international relations, and community engagement.

Iwokrama noted that sinceassumingtherole,Mr. Aminhasheldseveralhigh-

, including a recent meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Shirley Ayorkor B o t c h w e y H e h a s committed to strengthening Iwokrama's visibility and advancing its work in conservation, research, and sustainabledevelopment.

New Chairman of Iwokrama's International Board of Trustees, Mr. FareedAmin

Chair FareedAmin with Iwokrama's CEO an Director and Community Leader representatives from NRDDB and Fair View Village

Man remanded for possession of firearm

A26-year-old

man was on F r i d a y remanded to prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Larry Adams of Lot 70 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown,appearedatthe Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Annette Singh who read the charges.

Adams pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that on June 17, 2025, on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, he had in possession an astra 9mm glock 19 pistol firearm and 14 matching ammunition withoutbeingtheholderofa firearmlicense.

The defense was led by Attorney Stacy Goodings who pleaded Adams's case

and requested bail on his behalf. Goodings told the court that on the evening in question her client was on his way to deliver cash and gold to his employer when hewasinterceptedbypolice at approximately 10pm on WellingtonStreet. She added that the vehicle belongs to Adams's father(namenotmentioned) who works in the

construction industry and often rents the car to others. The attorney noted that on the night of the incident her client borrowed the car, which was returned earlier thatdaybyarenter,todothe delivery

Goodingsarguedthatthe firearmdidnotbelongtoher clientneitherdidhehaveany knowledge of it since it was found in the glove

compartment of the car behind the filter for the Air condition(AC).

Thelawyertoldthecourt that no fingerprints were found on the weapon, and there was no evidence suggesting that Adams had handledthefirearm.

It was also mentioned that Adams had recently returnedfromtheinterior (Continueonpage47)

LarryAdams at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on Friday

Glenn Lall exposes the root of Guyana’s soaring US dollar crisis

On last Monday's explosive edition of The Glenn Lall Show, publisher andoutspokenbusinessman, Dr Glenn Lall, tore into the country's top political figures and economic

managers, offering a blistering exposé on the real reasons behind the US dollar's scarcity and skyrocketing exchange rate in a country that boasts oil, gold, timber, diamonds, and bauxite.

“Guyanaisnotbroke—it is being broke,” Lall declared, hammering home his belief that systemic plunder, corruption, and failed leadership are draining the country of its US currency and dragging the economy toward collapse.

Lall revealed that he had personally posed tough questions to cambio dealers, economists, business leaders, and even former President,BharratJagdeo,as well as opposition figures, Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes. On his show, he playedtheresponsesofthese leaders and went on to offer his own unfiltered analysis of the foreign exchange problemfacingthenation.

Lallclaimedthatforeign interests, particularly Brazilians and Chinese buyers, have hijacked Guyana's gold and diamond trade, offering higher prices and taking nearly all the earnings out of the country “Ninety percent of what's mined is not declared,” he said. “If 10% nets us over half a billion US dollars, do the math billions are vanishingunderournoses.”

Kaieteur News Publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall

He went on to explain that the same fate has befallen timber, bauxite, manganese, and other sectors. “The wealth goes out; the US dollars stay abroad Guyana is left empty-handed—again,”Lall said. “We've become Haiti. We've become Venezuela. This is Congo in the Caribbean.”

Lall also spotlighted the growing dominance of Chinese nationals in commerce from village s h o p s t o c i t y wholesalers and accused them of quietly repatriating US currency en masse. “We are literally using our oil dollars to fund our own starvation,”hewarned.

“Billionsinloansandoil moneygointotheTreasury,” Lall noted, “but most of it is siphoned through inflated contracts and shady deals. Then it gets stashed in offshore accounts—paid for inUSdollars.”

Even local currency, he added, is drying up. “They

s w a l l o w i n g everything foreign and local dollars.And the banks can'tkeepup.”

Fuel, rice, electricity, v e g e t a b l e s , e v e n sugar—Guyanaisimporting it all, Lall said “We're bleeding foreign currency just to sustain the lifestyles of foreign operators while localsstruggletosurvive.”

Turning to oil, Lall

highlighted ExxonMobil's 2024 earnings of over US$10.4billioncomparedto Guyana's share of just US$2.6 billion. “There's no ring-fencing, no metering, no proper oversight. This is daylightrobbery,”hesaid. When asked about the foreign exchange crisis, opposition leaders blamed p o o r o i l m o n e y disbursement and neglect of

non-oil sectors. “They want to fix this with cassava and yam?” Lall scoffed. “That's not policy—that's plantation thinking.”

Jagdeo, he said, offered vagueeconomictheoriesand evasive answers “He's dancingaroundthefirewhile thehouseisburning.”

“The problem is not what's not coming in,” Lall concluded,“it'swhat'sgoing

o

, unaccounted,andstolen.No cassava, no rice, no budget speech will solve this unless we get serious about pluggingtheleaks.”

“Guyana,wakeup.We're not poor we're being plundered. The choice is ours: continue being robbed inplainsightordemandreal accountability and a new direction.”

Leverage Guyana as magnet for trade and investment

– Pres. Ali at commissioning of CARICOM's first World Trade Centre

ByAllyiahAllicock

On Friday, President Irfaan Ali commissioned CARICOM's first World Trade Centre (WTC) in Guyana, an entity he hopes would leverage the country as a magnet for trade and investment.

Located on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, the World Trade Centre Georgetown was made

p o s s i b l e t h r o u g h negotiations between the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and the World Trade

Centre Association (WTCA), headquartered in New York Delivering the feature address on Friday, President Irfaan Ali noted that the ceremony is not just about the commissioning of a building, but another symbolic investment that tells the story of the country and the significant growth and development that is beingcreated.

“It's also very important thatwehavebuildinglikethe World Trade Centre to s i g n i f y G u y a n a ' s positioning.Wearetryingto

position our country in the globe in a way that is going to be transformative for us and transformative for this region We are very confident about the outlook of our country, but we are even more confident about therolewecanplay,andwe will play in the global economy,”hesaid.

The President said that with the type of investment opportunities that are coming Guyana's way, the World Trade Centre and similar organisations with a network are critical for Guyana's current phase of transformation.

“It'snolongeraphaseof development, it's a phase of transformation (and) it also requires transformative thinking. Our mindset must alsobegearedtowardswhat is needed and what is r e q u i r e d i n t h i s t r a n s f o r m a t i v e environment,”herelated.

According to the President, one of the issues for the country's small and mediumsizedenterprises,is creating an enabling environment to help them

with their competitiveness, to meet the standards that international market would accept, to help them to get cheap capital and to help them to get access to technology that will make their businesses viable. He

noted the WTC can play a crucial part in helping to addressissueslikethese.

“Sotoday'sceremony,as Isaid,issignificant,because now we have an enabling institution in the World TradeCentrethatwouldhelp us to leverage our capital here, that will help us to leverage new capital in the m a r k e t , b u t m o r e importantly, that would help ustonetworkatamorerapid pace,”hepointedout.

The Head-of-State noted that the WTC's presence in Guyana signals to sophisticated investors that thecountryisreadytoplayin anyleagueofinvestment.

“We also believe that having a building is one thing, but having a building t h a t h a s c e r t a i n characteristics is another story I mean, when the sophisticated investors

speak to you, and here you have common service under the World Trade Centre, it sends a different signal. So, we're signalling to the international community the sophisticated investors that we are ready to play in any league.Wearereadytoplay inanyleague,andthat'svery important,”hesaid.

ThePresidentcontinued, “We must be humble about our development, but we must be ready to show the world that we will embrace the highest standard and we willplayinanyleaguethatis necessary for the continued growth and advancement of our country,” he told the gathering With that being said,thePresidentnotedthat he looks forward to the World Trade Centre Georgetown helping to shape Guyana's new economic culture into one that speaks the language of export readiness, trade facilitation and global competitiveness.

Further,helooksforward to the WTC supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, by giving them the tools to expand their visionandtheirmarkets.

“I look forward to the WTC leveraging Guyana as a magnet for trade and investment.Ilookforwardto the WTC welcoming multinationals looking for m o d e r n , p o s h accommodations to reflect their brand and host their partners. I look forward to the WTC helping to grow local businesses into worldclass businesses and world beaters,”headded.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Executive Director of the World Trade Centre Georgetown, Mr Wesley Kirton,madeitclearthatthe tradecentredoesnotreplace any organisation, including any Chamber of Commerce or any other business organisation.

“We are here to

The newly commissioned World Trade Centre building in Georgetown, Guyana (John Antonio Edghill's Facebook page)

collaborate meaningfully with all stakeholders, including, as I said, chambers of commerce or the private sector organizations, government andallthosewhocouldfind reason to interact with us, and who would appreciate that perhaps we can help to advance their cause in the name of Trade and Development, ” he mentioned.

President Irfaan Ali speaking at the commissioning of the World Trade Centre Georgetown on Friday night.

(Photo, DPI)

benefits state members and its global network of over 300 members around the world.”

“Havingexperiencedthe challenges in the early days of building the international markets for our brand, I immediately saw a value in the proposition, and on the 21st of November 2021 I wrote the board of directors ofDDLwiththeproposalto pursue WTCA licence and

According to the Executive Director, the centre offers opportunities for Guyanese business

owners to present themselves,theirbusinesses, their services, and their products to more than 300 WorldTradeCentresaround the world in more than 102 countries with over one millionbusinessassociates.

The High Street DDL building, which was remodelled for the Trade Centre,isarepresentationof meaningful global trade, Kirtonsaid.Kirtondisclosed that on October 21, 2025, global representatives from World Trade Centres will visit Guyana for the formal launch of WTCG and its workprogramme.

DDL's Executive Chairman, Mr Komal Samaroo, in his remarks, recalled that in early 2021, through Mr Kirton, he met Mr John Dixon from the World Trade Centre Association while he was visitingGuyana.

“He explained to me the role of the WTCA and the

upgrade the building to internationalstandards,”Mr Samaroodetailed.

HesaidthatonMarch25, 2022, the licence for the World Trade Centre Georgetown was formally presentedtoDDLinavirtual ceremony

According to the Executive Chairman since acquiring the licence, WTC Georgetown has been quite activeinworkoftheWTCA promoting Guyana and its trade and investment opportunities at major forum, including at the general assemblies, members and business forums in various cities, including Accra in Ghana, India, New York, Miami, Bogota, Cartagena, Santo Domingo, and just recently, France.

Mr Samaroo disclosed thatwhenthecurrentWTCG buildingisfullyoperational, “we are going to be actively involved in bringing opportunities to businesses inGuyana,particularlyinthe small, medium and micro businesses.”

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

Zia's Play Park

commissioned at Leonora under First Lady's National Beautification Project

Miss, Mrs., and Teen India Guyana Pageant 2025 shines bright

Sasha Khellawan

From left: Miss Teen India Guyana 2025 - Darshanie Tikapersaud, Miss India Guyana 2025 - Rameshwarie Jairam and Mrs. India Guyana 2025 - Malini Persaud

Miss India Guyana 2025 - Rameshwarie Jairam

Scenes from the opening of the park.

(Photo credit: Deodat Indar Facebook page)

Sasha Khellawan

Meetthe radiantSashaKhellawandelegate numberfourintheMissCosmoGuyanaPageant. Atjust19,SashaKhellawanistheyoungestmarketingexecutive atabroadcastingstationandthefounderofMarisha’sLegacy—a nonprofitthatempowersGuyaneseyouththroughmentorshipandsport.After losinghermotheratagenine,Sashaturnedherpainintopurpose.Thisweek’s beauty’splatformhonorshermother’slegacybyhelpingyoungpeoplefindstrength, direction,andopportunity.FollowherjourneyonInstagram,Facebook,andTikTok: @sashakhellawan.TheMissCosmoGuyanaPageanttakesplaceonAugust22ndat7PM.

The Continuing Distress of the Haitian People

The situation in Haiti is worsening, and the ordinary people of Haiti already a m o n g t h e m o s t impoverished in the western hemisphere are its most

tragic victims They continue to exist, barely, in conditions of extreme poverty, rampant violence, and diminishing hope for a betterlife.

Overthelastthreeyears,

the rise of armed gangs now controlling more than 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince and extending their influence beyond—has made life in Haiti increasingly intolerable.

As the machinery of governance and law enforcement in the country haseroded,thesegangshave filledthevoidwithterrorand impunity Presently, at least 1 3 million people are displaced within Haiti’s borders. The scale of the security and humanitarian crisis is catastrophic and worsening.

ArecentreportbyHaiti’s leading independent human rights watchdog, the National Human Rights D e f e n c e N e t w o r k (RNDDH),outlinesthisdire situation with stark clarity Titled “Poor Governance, Insecurity, Corruption, and Impunity: In One Year, the CPT Has Worsened the

Already Concerning Situation in the Country”, theApril2025reportpaintsa bleak picture Since the installation of the unelected Presidential Transition Council(CPT)inApril2024, RNDDH has recorded thirteen massacres and dozens of armed attacks. From April 2024 to March 2025 alone, 4,405 people were murdered 805 of them in just the first three months of 2025. More than 3,700womenweresubjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including nearly 1,900casesofrapeorsexual assault.

The RNDDH report is particularlycriticalofHaiti’s governance. It notes that only one of the thirteen documented massacres led to any form of prosecution. Complaints from victims remain unaddressed. Haiti’s prisons are overcrowded by morethan82%,anditscourt system is in disarray, with some judges operating from a makeshift house after fleeing areas overtaken by gangs The report is unequivocal in its conclusion: the CPT has deepened, rather than alleviated, the country’s

descent into violence, corruption, and institutional breakdown.

WhiletheHaitianpeople arecaughtinthismaelstrom, the international community remains fragmented and largely ineffective The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly renewed the mandate of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to support Haiti’s

y 1,000 personnelonthegroundand inadequate funding, the operationishamstrung.

TheU.S.andBrazilhave advocated for transforming thiseffortintoafull-fledged UN peacekeeping mission. But China and Russia have blocked such a move, revealing the systemic paralysis at the heart of the SecurityCouncil.

As a result, the MSS is running on fumes—willing, perhaps,butnotresourcedor structured to be truly effective Its Kenyan leadership is confronting a scale of violence and sophisticationamongHaiti’s gangsthatvastlyoutmatches themission’scapacity

In a highly controversial development, the CPT has reportedly hired a private security company led by U S c i t i z e n E r i k Prince founder of the infamous Blackwater group—tocarryouttargeted operationsagainstthegangs. ReportssuggestthatPrince’s operatives have been using kamikaze drones since March 2025 to assassinate gang leaders. While some sources claim that a significant number of highranking gang members have been killed, there is no independent verification of theseclaims.

More alarmingly, the gangs have begun to hide themselves within local communities to evade drone strikes, exposing innocent civilians to the risk of being killed.Expertswarnthatitis only a matter of time before these heavily armed and w e l l - r e s o u r c e d groups—already possessing superior firepower to the H a i t i a n N a t i o n a l Police—acquire and deploy drones of their own. The trend of non-state actors using commercially available drones in other conflict zones underscores the risk of a massive and destructive escalation in Haiti’s already dire security crisis. In the face of this

spiralling crisis, the new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, has proposed a fresh approach In his inaugural address on May 30,Ramdincalledforanew strategy to address the interlinked security, humanitarian, and political crisesinHaiti.Hehopesthat s t a k e h o l d e r s c a n significantly improve the security situation and organize a constitutional referendum before February 2026, when the mandate of theCPTexpires.

The Inter-American Dialogue, a Washingtonbasedthinktank,askedmeto commentonthefeasibilityof this vision. My answer was clear:

“What is certain is that, without a significant use of force to dislodge the gangs’ stranglehold in Haiti, security will not improve, nor will a constitutional referendum occur by February2026.

However, such a force is most unlikely The UN Security Council would not authorise it, and the OAS Charter does not permit it.

So, Secretary-General Ramdin is right to pursue a newstrategy

Any realistic strategy mustfacethiscentralreality: the gangs have a strong and determinativepresence,with substantial firepower and almost no incentive to disarmunilaterally Agreater realism is required This demandscooperationamong t h e U N a n d O A S Secretaries-General,keyUN Security Council members, and the Haitian Transitional Council to establish a shortterm stabilization plan in conjunctionwithalong-term economic transformation agenda. The short-term plan must provide targeted supporttostrengthenHaitian institutions, particularly the Haitian National Police, and bolster any feasible international security mission.

Essentially, the strategy must also involve engagement with gang leadership,nottogivethema share in power, but to providethemwithincentives to cooperate in establishing the rule of law History

shows that dialogue, howeverdifficult,hashelped to resolve internal conflicts; withoutit,thestatusquowill persist.”

Some may recoil at the notion of engaging criminal gangsindialogue.However, at least two Caribbean

leaders have publicly acknowledged the necessity of such an approach, and others have done so privately The hard truth is that, with the UN Security Council unwilling to act decisively, and the U S increasingly financing Haiti’s security in an ad hoc manner,adangerousvacuum has emerged in international support for resolving the crisis.

Haiti’s internal governance failures cannot beaddressedsolelybyforce. W h a t w a s o n c e

unimaginable must now be seriously c

engagement, and regional leadershiptofillthevacuum ofinternationalwill.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He led the OAS Mission to Haiti in 2016, which helped to resolve the Constitutional crisis, leading to an interim government and the holding of elections for a new administration. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronald sanders.com)

Sir Ronald Sanders

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

SUNDAY

Govt’slimitedfocusonnon-oil sectorsinfluencinghikeinU.S. dollar:Oppositionsays

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have called out the Government of Guyanaforitslimitedfocusonthe country’s non-oil sectors, saying that it is influencing the recent hikesintheUnitedStatesDollar

On Friday, both parties were askedtoexplainwhytheUSdollar continues to climb and to provide solutions to the problem. The U.S. dollar, according to the Central Bank stands at $210 to GY$1.

However, the price across commercial banks stands at US$208 to US$216. At the local Cambios, the exchange rate is as highasUS$224toGY$1.

Economist and advisor to the PNCR Elson Low in an invited comment told Kaieteur News that the consistent upward pressure on the US dollar versus the Guyanese dollar is due to the government’s failure to ensure that there is an adequate supply of foreign currency while simultaneously increasing the local money supply ataratethatisfasterthatthegrowth withthenon-oileconomy

“Thishascreatedademandand supply imbalance, resulting in shortages of foreign currency and anexchangeratethatisoftenmuch higher than the Bank of Guyana ratewhencitizensgotobothbanks and Cambios In essence, by increasing the money supply sharply (last year it increased by 25%, according to the Minister for Finance), the government has flooded the local market with Guyanadollars,”Lowsaid.

He stressed that the non-oil foreign currency earners for Guyanahavebeeneitherstagnated orindecline,withtheperformance of sugar being far below expectations and the gold sector only growing by 0.5% last year If the situation is to be remedied, he opined that government must therefore at its minimum efforts meet its productions targets in sugar while combating the smugglingofgoldtorebalancethe market.

“Failure to address this multiyearshortagehasresultedinhigher prices for imported goods, prolongingthecost-of-livingcrisis. It is clear evidence of poor economic management and the PrivateSectorCommission,GCCI, various large businesses and ordinary Guyanese have been calling for change for some time,” Lowsaid.

H

interventions into the market are clearly insufficient, and it is

pointlessforittoblameTrinidadian businessmen, who the PPP tries to

government must address the root causes of this crisis and regularly monitor the market to ensure businesses and consumers can readilyaccessforeigncurrency.”

Meanwhile, the Leader of the AFCNigelHughes,toldthemedia that foreign exchange is basically like any other phenomenon in economics,meaningitisaproduce ofthedemandforforeignexchange versus the availability of foreign exchange.

He argued that, “Most of the income that we generate from oil and foreign exchange does not actuallycomedirectlybackintothe economy It’sactuallybankedinthe federalbankintheUnitedStatesof America. And from time-to-time, ostensibly, there are transfers from thatU.S.accounttoGuyana.”

Hughes explained that the current situation in Guyana the pressure for the demand for goods that have to be paid for in foreign currency is pushing the foreign exchange rate up For example, with the increase in construction, cementisoneofthebiggestfactors. In order to purchase cement, the foreign currency demand at the Central Bank would increase as a directresultofthedemandfromthe commercialbanks.

“That’s just one… everything else that goes into construction, about 90% of the products that go into construction have to be imported So, with all the construction, all the hotel rooms thatarebeingbuilt,allthebridges, all the infrastructure, the roads, etcetera,there’sahugedemandfor foreign currency input Now, if we’renotbringingbackalotofthe foreign currency, that is sitting in thatbankoverseasinUnitedStates ofAmerica,whatisgoingtohappen isthesupplyofforeigncurrencyin the commercial banks, is a lot less than what is being demanded, and what central bank releases to the commercialbanksisnotenoughto managethatexchangerate,”hetold themedia.

The politician highlighted that quiteoftentheCentralBankwould release increased amounts of foreigncurrencyintotheexchange

market in hopes to stabilize the currency but the increase in the exchange rate is driven purely by demandofforeigncurrencyandthe availability made by the Central Banktothecommercialbanks.

“This is not likely to change. Ultimately,thecurrencyoughttobe floated right now, it’s actually managed.So,whatyouareactually seeing is not a real reflection of whatthevalueoftheGuyanadollar is.Now,Iwantyoutobearinmind that Guyana, we have to separate the oil from the non-oil economy, and we don’t generate (much from these) other than rice and some gold We don’t have an export industry that is generating a lot of foreigncurrency,”Hughessaid.

He added that it would be artificial to look at the Gross Domestic Product (GPD) as the basis for assessing the country’s progress.Instead,thenon-oilsector should be looked at as it will be providingforthecountrypostoil.

“That’s really where you need to look at in the economy, and I’m afraid that’s not a pretty picture at all. As a matter of fact, I think there’s a gross imbalance, and that’spartofthereasonwhyweare in the situation that we are in,” Hughesnoted.

On April 8 Kaieteur News reported that the government has injected a further US$100M into the banking system to address foreigncurrencyshortages.

According to the Ministry of Finance, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo and Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, along with Central BankGovernorDr GobindGanga, on met with the Chief Executive Officers and other representatives of commercial banks to discuss recentdevelopmentsinthebanking system specifically in relation to themarketforforeignexchange.

At the meeting, note was taken of the continued availability of adequatelevelsofforeigncurrency inthefinancialsystemasawholeto meet ongoing demand, despite occasional timing differences “These timing differences have resulted in some delays being encountered in the settlement of orders for foreign currency from time to time at some commercial banks,” the ministry’s statement said.

Additionally, a Radiation Permit for equipment emitting radiationwillberequiredfromboth the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the GGMC, with GMIN targeting a Q2 2026 submissionandexpectingapproval byApril2027.

Finally,theminerplanstoapply for its Export Licence for Gold fromtheGuyanaGoldBoardinQ3 2026, which will be needed once t

company anticipates this permit willbegrantedbyDecember2027.

According to the ministry in order to ensure that pending requests for foreign currency are met in a timely manner, the decision was taken that a sum of US$100 million will be injected into the market with immediate effect and distributed across all commercial banks. “This injection willprovideimmediaterelieftothe systeminmeetingpendingdemand for foreign currency, while the temporary timing mismatches unwindthemselves.

Meanwhile, the government said it remains closely engaged withtheprivatesectorincludingthe commercialbanksintheinterestof ensuring that the market continues tofunctionefficiently

Canadianfirmtoseekkey explosives,cyanide,radiation andexportpermitsforOko Westgoldproject

Canadian firm, G Mining Ventures (GMIN) plans to begin applyingforaseriesofpermitsfor its Oko West Gold Project in Guyana from as early as the third quarter of 2025. This is according to its recently released feasibility study, NI 43-101 Technical Report fortheOkoWestGoldProject.

Among the first approvals GMIN intends to secure is an Explosives Use Permit from both the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken. The company expects to submitapplicationsfortheseinQ3 2025,withapprovalsanticipatedby May2026.

In early 2026, GMIN will also apply for a Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Licence from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals ControlBoard,coveringtheuseof chemicals across the entire mining site This permit is likewise expectedtobeissuedbyMay2026. Further into its permitting schedule, the company plans to seek a Cyanide Permit, which is necessaryforthestorageanduseof cyanide during the mine’s operational and commissioning phases, in Q2 2026 Notably, approval for this is projected for August 2027, but the application process can only commence once GMINsecuresitsMiningLicence.

The Oko West project, located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), remains GMIN’s flagship venture in Guyana as it advancestowardsproduction.

This publication recently reported that GMIN has expanded its land holdings in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) to 71 square kilometers. GMIN is the 100% owner of the Oko West Gold Project, which falls under its main prospecting licence (PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres).

The 44 square-kilometer PL area is currently considered an “advanced-stage exploration project”,andisexpectedtoproduce 350,000 ounces of gold annually from both open pit and underground mining over 12 3 years at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC)ofUS$1,123/oz.Arecently published feasibility study shows that the project is poised to deliver strong financial returns, thanks to low production costs The Oko Westprojectstandsoutforitsscale andhigh-graderesource. Thelatest Mineral Resource Estimate includes 5 4 million ounces (Indicated) and 0.4 million ounces (Inferred).

The initial PL was issued to GMIN Ventures Guyana Inc (formerly Reunion Gold Inc., now GMIN Guyana) on September 23, 2022,validforthreeyearswithtwo possible one-year renewals. Under theMiningActof1989,theGuyana Geology and Mines Commission administers such licences which grant exclusive exploration rights overthelicencedarea.

MONDAY

Guyanapaid$219B intaxesforHessin2024

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. reported an income tax expense of $219.33billionfor2024,andunder the Stabroek Block Production SharingAgreement(PSA),thistax was not paid by the company but covered from the Government of Guyana’sshareofprofitoil. Hess’ $219.33 billion in taxes for 2024 is an increase from the $131.56 billion in 2023. For that sameyear,HessGuyanarecordeda staggering$840billioninprofits. Continued on page 21

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Frompage20

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is the operator of the Stabroek Block with a 45 percent interest, while Hess Guyana

holds 30 percent and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limitedholds25percent.

R e c e n t l y , t h i s publication reported that EMGLdidnotpayover$260 billioninincometaxestothe Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for 2024. According to Exxon’s 2024 annual report, “Revenue includes non-customer revenue of G$260,155,788,763 (2023 –G$138,182,695,517) related to Article 15 4 of the PetroleumAgreement.Refer to Note 7.” The report goes on to state, “Income Tax Expense is recognised in respect of taxable profit calculatedonthebasisofthe income tax laws of Guyana that have been enacted as of the date of these financial statements.”

For 2024, EMGL recorded an operating profit before taxation of $1 255 trillion (US$6 billion). The company reported a tax expense of $260 billion (US$1.2 billion) and a total comprehensive income of $995 1 billion (US$4 7 billion).

According to the PSA, the Stabroek Block partners are allowed to recover 75 percentoftheoilproducedto recover their investment costs; the remaining 25 percent is considered profit, which is split between Guyana and the Stabroek Block consortium, giving each12.5percent.However, the consortium pays a 2 percentroyaltyfromitsshare to Guyana From its 14 5 percent, Guyana then has to pay taxes for the oil companies.

Article 15 4 of the Petroleum Agreement states thatthesumequivalenttothe taxes owed by the company will be paid by the minister responsible for petroleum to the Commissioner General of the GRA The contract alsoallowsfortheissuingof a receipt to ExxonMobil, indicatingthatithasmetthe local tax requirements to avoid the burden of double taxation. Article 15.5 of the contract states, “Within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the end of each year of assessment, the minister shall furnish to c

r tax certificates in contractor’s n a m e f r o m t h e Commissioner General,

Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the contractor’s income tax under the Income Tax Act andcorporationtaxunderthe Corporation Tax Act. Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of contractor or parties comprising the contractor and oth

certificates.”

Venezuelanman murderedbycountrymen atGoedFortuin

A Venezuelan man was knifed to death Saturday

evening at a Chinese SupermarketlocatedatGoed Fortuin, West Bank of Demerara(WBD).

Police identified the victim as 30-year-old construction worker, Omar Nazareth Martinez Rodriguez He was killed around 19:40hrs in the v i c i n i t y o f P a n d a Supermarket.

He was ambushed by three Venezuelans while headinghomeinataxiatthe roundabout at the western endoftheDemeraraHarbour Bridge.

The taxi driver said the m e n r o d e u p o n a motorcycle Two of them dismounted, opened the car door and assaulted the victim.

The driver said he managed to drive off with oneofthesuspectsstillinthe car HelaterstoppedatGoed Fortuin and pulled the suspectoffthevictimbefore drivingoffagain.

The driver, however, s t o p p e d a t P a n d a Supermarket to make a purchase, leaving the victim inthecar

Shortly after, he saw the victim running towards the building with the suspects chasingafterhim.

It was there that they stabbed and killed the constructionworker

Policesaidtheymanaged to arrest two of the suspects later that evening at La GrangeOldRoad(WBD).

TUESDAY

Jagdeoskirtsquestion onGuyana’s50%profit sharewithExxon …ascompanieswalk awaywithUS$10.4Bwhile GuyanagetsUS$2.6B withits2%royalty

Vice President, Bharrat

policymakerinGuyana’soil and gas industry, is yet to give a straight answer on how it was possible for Exxonanditspartnersinthe StabroekBlocktowalkaway with US$10.4 billion, while Guyana received a mere US$2 6 billion, despite a 50/50 profit sharing and Guyana’s 2 per cent royalty agreement.

KaieteurNewsaskedthe Vice President two Thursdays ago, “can you explain Exxon and its partners reporting that their profits for 2024 being $10 billion, but Guyana only got $2 6 billion US despite it being a 50/50 profit sharing?”

Heresponded,“soIsaw, I saw something about Exxon, um reporting a trillion dollars in profit over the3yearsandtheysaidthat the government got about $1.3 trillion. So that’s about consistent with the formula, whichsaysthat14.5percent ofthe25percentwhichisset out for as profit sharing would result in those that configuration, and they wouldhave10.5percent.So that’sconsistentfromwhatI saw.Itcan’tbeanydifferent intheseyears.”

Jagdeo further shared, “Theyhavetogetlessprofits thanwewouldhavereceived because of that formula They, they’ve spoken about paying back the capital which is a different matter aboutpayingbackthecapital investedwhichcomesoutof the 75 per cent allocated of revenue allocated for that purpose So, we can’t conflate the two, (they are) very different and it’s consistent with the formula, and just to tell you that to giveyouanindicationifthey say$1.3trillion,wegotsince the beginning of oil that’s less than this year’s budget one year budget, that’s what wegotfromthebeginningso that confirms what we have

been saying because we passedfivebudgetssofar So entirelyclear.”

Jagdeowasonlyaskedto explain how the formula works, as the numbers did notseemtoaddup.Hesaid, “It’s a simple you have 100 per cent of revenue, 75 per

Itisimportanttonotethat royalty is usually paid from all petroleum produced and sold, but in Guyana’s case, royaltyispaidfromExxon’s share of the profits after the companyrecoversit’s75per centcost.

On June 5, Yahoo Finance reported that

“ExxonMobil Corporation and its partners, Hess Corporation and China’s CNOOC,

epo

ted a combined profit of $10 4 b

operations in Guyana in 2024, marking a 64 per cent yea

on-year jump, according to ExxonMobil’s latest operational update. The surge was driven by expanded production capacityandfavorablefiscal termsthatcontinuetomake

cent goes to cost recovery right,25percentisforprofit sharing,sothatmeans12and ahalftoExxonand12anda half to the government, but thentheyhaveto,fromtheir 12 and a half, give us the 2 per cent royalty So, we end up with 14 1/2 and they end upwith101/2.Sothat’show itworks.”

Continued on page 22

Jagdeo who is also the chief

The construction worker’s body in front of the supermarket

Frompage21 Guyana one of the most lucrativeoilplaysglobally.”

“ExxonMobil alone booked $4 7 billion in adjusted earnings from its Guyanaoperationslastyear, contributing substantially to itsglobalearningsof$33.46 billion Meanwhile, Hess posted$3.1billioninprofits from the region, up from $1.9 billion in 2023, while CNOOCearned$2.5billion, risingfrom$1.5billion,”the articlesaid.

O n J u n e 4 , t h i s publication reported that

ExxonMobil Guyana

Limited (EMGL), the subsidiary of Exxon Mobil

Corporation in 2024 recorded an operating profit before taxation of almost US$6billion,thecompany’s annualreporthasrevealed.

The company shared the document with members of themediaatitsDukeStreet, Kingston, Georgetown office.

Explaining the financial performance of the oil

company was newly appointedBusinessServices Manager, John Colling. He notedthattheincreaseinthe company’s profits was primarily due to the startup

of the third Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO),

P r o s p e r i t y, w h i c h commenced production activitiesinNovember2023 but reached maximum capacityinJanuary2024.

Colling noted, “In 2024, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited generated $1 7 trillion (GYD) in revenue, whichisupabout60percent fromtheprioryearandthat’s really driven by the Prosperity FPSO coming onlineandhigherproduction volumes.”

Similarly, the business services manager said the company’s net income also increased to $995 billion (GYD) in 2024, compared with $615 billion (GYD) recorded in 2023, as a result of the addition of the Prosperityvessel.

Additionally, the startup of the vessel also accounted foranincreaseinproduction costs in 2024 which totaled $61.3billion,comparedwith only$41.1billionin2023.

Exxon reported a tax

e x p e n s e o f $260,155,788,763 (GYD) and $995,144,810,603

(GYD) as its total comprehensive income for the year It is important to note that the company, in accordance with the

provisions of the 2016 PSA is exempted from paying taxes. As such, it could be accurately concluded that thecompany’sprofitsforthe y e a r t o t a l e d $1,255,300,599,366.

The 2024 annual report indicated that the exchange rateattheendofthefinancial period was US$1 = G$210, hence Exxon recorded US$5,977,621,901 as operating profit before taxation.

In 2024, ExxonMobil produced approximately 652,000 barrels per day (kbd) During the period, Liza Destiny produced approximately157kbd,Liza Unity 246 kbd and Prosperity249kbd.

President of EMGL, Alistair Routledge in the report said reflecting on 2024 fills him with both pride and gratitude for the collective efforts that have culminatedinwhathasbeen describedas“oneofthemost remarkable success stories” globally

“Our journey in Guyana is just beginning, poised to furthertransformthecountry and its economy, bringing significant and broad benefits to its citizens…We have consistently grown production year-over year since the first oil production milestone in 2019 As a result,Guyanaisnowoneof the largest oil producers per capita in the world, and it boasts the world’s fastestgrowing economy,” Routledgenoted.

Bikerskilled inCanjecollision

Two motorcyclists lost their lives on Sunday, followingacollisionatSheet Anchor Village, East Canje Berbice. Dead are 25-yearold Junior Malcolm Matthews of Sheet Anchor, and 29-year-old Stephen Ti l o o o f R e l i a n c e Settlement,EastCanje. Accordingtoastatement fromthepolice,atthetimeof the incident, Matthew was riding motorcycle JSP 1 while Tiloo was riding motorcycleCP768.

“Enquiriesdisclosedthat at about 20:55hrs, motorcycle CP 768, driven by Tiloo, was proceeding north along the road, allegedlyatafastrate,while motorcycle JSP 1 was proceeding in the opposite direction,alsoatafastrate,” policesaid.

The statement said both cyclistscollidedastheywere

passing each other, causing them to fall onto the road receivinginjuriesabouttheir bodies Police noted that MatthewandTiloowerenot wearing helmets at the time oftheaccident.

The men were taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital by public-spirited persons, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. The bodies are at the hospital’smortuaryawaiting apost-mortemexamination.

WEDNESDAY

Guyanatohelpsupply one-thirdofglobaloil outputby2030:IEA …warnsglobalconflicts putmarketatrisk assupplysettooutpace demand

TheInternationalEnergy Agency (IEA) is warning thatglobaloilsupplygrowth issettosignificantlyoutpace demandinthecomingyears, asgeopoliticaltensions,such as the ongoing conflict betweenIsraelandIran,pose serious risks to energy security

Initslatestmedium-term report,Oil2025,releasedon Tuesday, the agency noted, “As Israel-Iran conflict focuses attention on immediate energy security risks,newIEAmedium-term outlook sees global oil supply increase set to far outpace demand growth in coming years With intensifying geopolitical strains and heightened uncertainty about global economic prospects, oil markets are undergoing structuralchangesasthekey drivers of supply and demand growth of the past 15yearsstarttofade.”

The IEA projects that between 2024 and 2030, global oil demand will rise by2.5millionbarrelsperday (mb/d),reachingaplateauof around 105.5 mb/d by the endofthedecade.However, production capacity is expected to grow by more than 5 mb/d to 114.7 mb/d, with strong contributions from natural gas liquids and othernon-crudesources.

The United States, Canada, Brazil, Guyana and Argentina are expected to dominate this non-OPEC+ supply increase The IEA stated that these five countries will collectively provide nearly one-third of the world’s oil supply by 2030, with the Americas accounting for nearly all the 3.1 mb/d growth projected

for non-OPEC+ during this period.

“When we look at oil market trends over the past decade,weseearemarkable double act – thanks to the shale revolution, the United Stateshasaccountedfor90% of oil supply growth worldwide,while60%ofthe rise in global demand has come from China. But these dynamics are shifting,” said IEA Executive Director FatihBirol.

Birol added, “Based on the fundamentals, oil markets look set to be wellsuppliedintheyearsahead–but recent events sharply highlight the significant geopolitical risks to oil supply security When it comes to energy security, there is no room for complacency The IEA remainsdeeplycommittedto working with energy producers and consumers to safeguardenergysecurity.”

According to the report, China, which has driven the growthinglobaloildemand forwelloveradecade,isset to see its consumption peak in2027,followingasurgein electricvehiclesalesandthe continued deployment of high-speed rail and trucks running on natural gas. At thesametime,USoilsupply isnowexpectedtogrowata slower pace as companies scale back spending and focus on capital discipline, although the United States remains the single largest

the ‘Guyanese Critic’, for “abusive” and “vulgar” commentshemadeabouther during his live morning showairedonFacebook.

‘Critic’ called the education minister, a jack*** and a**h*ole for condemning the decision to remand Daniel Wharton, popularly known as ‘Baby Skello’,forallegedlysinging asongthatwasblasphemous aboutaHindugoddess.

While Manickchand condemned the song, she still defended Baby Skello’s righttopre-trialliberties.

contributor to non-OPEC supplygrowthinthecoming years.

Moreover, it was stated that Guyana continues to play an increasingly prominent role in global supplyexpansion.Currently, oil is being produced from the prolific Stabroek Block, which is estimated to hold 11.6billionbarrelsofoil.

The operator of that block is ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), which holds 45% interest alongside its partners Hess with30%andCNOOCwith 25% Currently, three FloatingProduction,Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity, are in production, with another FPSO expected to come onstream later this year ThethreeactiveFPSOs collectively produce around 650,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd). To date, Exxon has receivedregulatoryapproval for six projects and has a l r e a d y s u b m i t t e d applications for a seventh and eighth project, namely HammerheadandLongtail.

EducationMinister calls‘Critic’anidiot …saysheisnota crediblejournalist

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, at the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, called out Makhail Rodrigues, better known as

“We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive against a female goddess (which was terrible and should never be encouraged or listened to and which I personally condemned) but failing to address speedily DV (domestic violence) matters where women are at the mercy of the court, failing to address matters of cyber bullying where women’s nude photographs arepublishedonlinewithout their consent and other truly egregious crimes against women,”theministersaidin aFacebookpostlastweek.

The ‘Guyanese Critic’, during his morning show, attacked the minister for her views on the ‘Baby Skello’ matter in a “vulgar” and “abusive” way, saying “She is supposed to be the last bady (person) to be defendingBabySkello.”

In response, Manichand said,‘Critic’is“anidiot”and “notajournalist”.

“What the critic fellow saidwasignorant,asinit,did not have contained facts. It wasvulgar,itwasabusive,it was profane, and it was uncalled for. All of that makes that a crime against the State under the cybercrime legislation,” Manickchand said, while adding that if she were to waste her time to file a complaint against him, she would still fight for his pretrialliberties.

“If he were charged, and hewentbeforethecourt,two thingswerehappening:One, he would get bail, which would reinforce my point that these things are not applied consistently, and we needtogettothatplace,orhe would not get bail, and he would be thrown into jail until his remand, until his nexthearingdate.Andifthat weretohappen,Iwouldfind it absolutely ridiculous, and asmuchasIthinkhe’san Continued on page 32

Makhail Rodrigues, aka ‘Guyanese Critic’

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand

Towards a better life with your psychologist

The Five A’s Children Require from Parents or Caregivers Prior to Age 18

Effective parenting is fundamentally about nurturing the identity of children to ensure it remainsbalancedandhealthy This nurturing is essential for fostering above-average growth and development When children experience this support, they cultivate healthy self-esteem, robust self-confidence, and solid self-value Consequently, their mental health is fortified against life’s challenges, positioning them to become productive individuals who make informed life choices based on their strengths and weaknesses. Such children exhibit resilience, open-mindedness, progressiveness, industriousness, honesty, emotional regulation, and supportive nature, among other qualities.

Tofacilitatethisoptimalstateof existenceandfunctioning,children requirefiveessentialA’sfromtheir parents. It is imperative that these five A’s be provided consistently, intentionally,andsystematicallyby both parents, as one parent cannot substitute for the other Each child must receive these five A’s to promote their overall development intoasound,healthyindividual.

1.Acceptance

Children require acceptance from both their mother and father, as this forms a critical foundation for their emotional well-being and development.Acceptance fosters a sense of security, enhances selfesteem, and cultivates healthy relationshipsthroughouttheirlives.

-EmotionalSecurityandSelfEsteem: When children perceive acceptancefromtheirparents,they develop a profound sense of selfworthandsecurity Thisacceptance offers a safe environment for exploring their emotions, learning from mistakes, and cultivating confidence.

- Healthy Relationships: A child’s experiences of acceptance from their parents fundamentally shape their understanding of relationships with others. Positive parentalinteractionsmodelhealthy communication, respect, and emotional support, which children subsequently apply to their friendships,romanticrelationships, andfuturefamilydynamics.

- Differing Parental Roles: Bothparentscontributetoachild’s sense of acceptance in distinct yet equally significant ways The father’s presence often provides security and serves as a model for external interactions, while the mother’snurturingandemotionally supportive role is vital. Children benefit from the diverse perspectives and interactions offeredbybothparents.

Absentee or passive fathers inadvertently communicate a lack of acceptance. In situations of separation where a father remains involved in the child’s life, such

consistent engagement illustrates acceptance. Similarly, if a mother prioritizes her child’s well-being while moving on from a relationshipwiththechild’sfather, thisalsoexemplifiesacceptance.In cases where a child faces learning, physical, mental, or emotional disorders,acceptanceisimperative for promoting positive self-image and personal growth Genuine acceptance is unconditional and prioritises the child’s needs above career ambitions, financial considerations, or personal aspirations.

2.Affection

Affection extends from the premise of acceptance and is crucial for a child’s emotional, social,andcognitivedevelopment, facilitating feelings of love, security, and belonging Both parents are instrumental in providing this essential support, with a father’s love being particularlysignificantinshapinga child’semotionallandscape.

- Emotional Well-being: Affection from both parents enhances a child’s emotional happiness, alleviating anxiety and fostering a positive self-image, which is essential for developing healthyrelationships.

- Secure Attachment:

Consistent affection leads to the developmentofsecureattachments betweenchildrenandtheirparents, laying the groundwork for confidentexplorationoftheworld. Conversely, a lack of secure attachment may result in anxious, avoidant, dismissive, or disorganized attachment styles, adversely affecting children’s romantic and professional relationships and undermining theiraspirations.

- Social Development: Demonstrating affection does not merely involve direct expressions of love; children also learn from observing affectionate interactions between their parents and towards themselves These observations teachchildrenhowtoformhealthy relationships, manage emotions, andengagewithotherseffectively

- Cognitive Development:

Affection, particularly in the form of physical affection, significantly contributestothecognitivegrowth of children, enhancing their ability to learn and navigate social contexts.

Affection, particularly in the form of physical expressions such ascuddlingandholding,facilitates the release of neurochemicals that are beneficial for brain development. Research indicates that boys receive less parental affection during their formative years, specifically the first five years, compared to their female counterparts. This disparity may have long-term adverse effects on their cognitive and emotional

development. Furthermore, when daughters experience a lack of acceptance from their parents, particularlyfromtheirfathers,they are more likely to seek out relationships at an earlier age to fulfilltheemotionalvoidcreatedby paternalabsence.

3.Attention

Attention is another critical component of child development. Like affection, attention must be understood as a verb; it encompasses both the exhibition and practice of care. The focus shouldnotsolelybeonthequantity ofattentionreceivedbutalsoonits qualityandtypes.Childrenrequire love, nurturing, and support from both parents to cultivate a healthy self-concept and develop the cap

relationships.

Emotional security is paramount; children must feel safe and cherished, which is typically cultivated through consistent and responsive engagement with both parents. Positive self-esteem is fosteredwhen parentsdemonstrate aninterestintheirchild’sactivities, activelylistentotheirconcerns,and provide encouragement, thereby helping to build the child’s confidenceandself-image.

Social and emotional growth occurs as children observe and interact with their parents, which allows them to learn skills for effective interaction with peers, emotional regulation, and the development of empathy

Additionally, c

e development is stimulated when parentsengageinplay,reading,and other interactive activities, fueling children’s exploration and understanding of their environment Reliable and consistent parental attention, particularly in early childhood, cultivates a sense of security and trustincaregivers.

Parents serve as vital role models, demonstrating appropriate social interaction,children’s cognitive growthds for navigating challenges Positive parental engagement significantly influences a child’s mental health, promoting resilience and healthy copingstrategies.

4.Approval

Approval from both parents is crucial for a child’s development, albeitfordifferentreasons.Achild seeks maternal approval for emotional security and a sense of belonging,whilepaternalapproval fosters confidence and independence Both forms of approval are integral to healthy emotionalandsocialgrowth.

Mothers’ approval offers emotional security; a mother’s affection establishes a foundation for protection and support, requiring the affirmation and acceptance of their mothers to

cultivate a sense of belonging and self-worth. Mothers traditionally fulfill nurturing roles, addressing children’semotionalneeds.

Conversely, Father’s approval enhances a child’s confidence and encourages exploration and earlier fulfilment of their role as role models for independence and achievement, reinforcing these qualities through their approval. They also contribute by setting boundaries and expectations, whichassistinnurturingasenseof responsibility and self-regulation withintheirchildren.

5.Affirmation

Affirmation from both parents isvitalincultivatingachild’sselfworth, confidence, and positive self-esteem. This reinforcement, which includes positive and encouragingfeedback,ensuresthat children feel loved, valued, and competent, helping to impact their emotional well-being and future relationaldynamics.

Strategiesthroughwhich fathersandmotherscanaffirm theirchildreninclude:

- Verbal affirmation: Utilising specific, positive language to recognize a child’s efforts, strengths, and attributes can be impactful Examples include statements such as, “I am proud of your dedication to that project,” “Youareanexcellentfriend,”or“I appreciateyoursenseofhumor.”

- Nonverbal affirmation: Physical expressions of affection, such as hugs and high-fives, alongside quality time spent together,conveyloveandsupport.

- Genuine appreciation: Acknowledging the child’s unique contributions and their positive influencewithinthefamilycontext strengthens their sense of belonging.

- Encouragement and support: Communicating confidence in a child’s abilities, particularly in the face of challenges, fosters resilience. Phrasing such as, “You can overcome this,” or “I am confident that you will find a solution”canbemotivating.

- Focus on effort and growth: Emphasizing progress and effort, rather than solely outcomes, recognising a growth-oriented mindsetandresilience.

- Active listening and validation: Demonstrating attentiveness to a child’s thoughts and feelings, recognising emotional experiences, validates their perspectives and fosters open communication.

Experiences, even when not fullycomprehended,playacrucial roleinfunctionaldevelopment.

ExamplesofAffirmations:

• “I value you, and your significanceisprofound.”

• “You exhibit kindness, thoughtfulness,andcompassion.”

• “I take pride in the individual

By

youarebecoming.”

•“Youpossessthecapabilityto accomplishyourgoals.”

• “It is acceptable to make mistakes; such occurrences are universal.”

• “Your presence brings me joy.”

• “I am deeply appreciative of yourpresenceinmylife.”

Affirmationservesseveralvital functions:

1 Increased Self-Esteem: Regular affirmation leads individuals, particularly children, tocultivateastrongersenseofselfworth and confidence in their abilities.

2 Positive Self-Talk: Affirmations facilitate the internalisation of positive messages, counteracting negative self-perceptionsandfosteringselfassurance.

3. Improved Relationships: Affirmation enhances feelings of connection, reinforcing bonds between parents and children and relationshipswithothers.

4 Emotional Resilience: Children who receive affirmative messagesareoftenbetterequipped to navigate challenges and setbacks, as they possess a robust foundationofself-belief.

By providing affirmation, parentssignificantlyinfluencetheir children’s development into confident, resilient, and emotionallyhealthyindividuals.

Adultswhogrewupwithoutthe essential five A’s Acceptance, Affection,Attention,Approval,and Humour often seek these elements inappropriately from unsuitable sources. For instance, women may find themselves in unnecessary relationships, while boys may gravitate toward gangs, seeking validation from peers, and also lack these affirming experiences.

Helpisavailable

To those adults who have not received Acceptance, Affection, Attention, Approval, and Affirmation from their parents, there remains hope One can undertaketheprocessofrephrasing oneself. This involves providing oneself with the five A’s needed duringchildhood.Itisimperativeto recognize that self-accusation is foundational Individuals must demonstrateself-affection,provide attention,andaffirmtheirexistence and choices. By acknowledging your uniqueness and significance, you can cultivate a fulfilling sense ofself-careandpurpose.

Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc.

CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS & CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

Hazardous chemicals and chemical productscanposesignificantriskstopeople, property, and the broader environment. As such,theyshouldbeclassifiedinaccordance with the National Standard GYS 85:2003 “Specification for Classification of hazardous chemicals and chemical products.”

The standard was developed by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)toeducatestakeholdersonthenature of hazards associated with chemicals or chemical products It lists hazardous chemicalsandchemicalproductscommonly used in everyday life, indicating their principal and secondary hazards Understanding these properties helps users betterunderstandtheuses,storage,handling,

andtransportationprecautionstotake.

These products are used in various industries, including medical and pharmaceutical, manufacturing, research, agriculture and energy, among others Classifying these products accurately not only ensures safety but also promotes regulatorycompliance,facilitatesemergency response, and prevents incidents such as chemical burns, explosions, or poisonings, which can lead to increased costs, legal liability,andbusinessinterruptions.

The national standard was drafted with inputsfromkeystakeholders,includingNew Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, Torginal Paints Incorporated, Harris Paints GuyanaLimited,NationalHardwareGuyana Limited,theInstituteofAppliedScienceand

Technology (IAST) and the University of Guyana’s Faculty of Natural Science among others.

According to the document, the types of hazardous chemicals are classified as Corrosive, Flammable, Oxidising, Poisonous,Explosive,andRadioactive,with each represented by the first letter of the word.Itnotesthatcorrosivesubstancesmust be kept away from explosives, gases, and flammablegoods.

Flammable substances labelled as oxidisersmustbekeptawayfromfire,naked flames, explosives, gases, matches, and articlesofaflammablenature.

Furthermore, explosive substances must bekeptawayfromheat,fire,andnakedlight. They must also not be stored with gases,

acids, matches, and goods of a flammable nature.Poisonousliquids,ontheotherhand, must not only be kept away from foodstuff buttheirfumesmustalsonotbeinhaled.

The national standard provides an extensive list of all chemicals and chemical products, along with their toxicity levels. In the case of radioactive materials, the part of the body affected is also specified. To purchase a copy of the GYS 85:2003 “Specification for Classification of hazardous chemicals and chemical products,”pleasegetintouchwiththeGNBS at telephone numbers 219-0064 or 2190065 or WhatsApp us at 692-4627 Information on related and other standards can also be found on the GNBS’ Standards Portal -gnbsguy.com.

Guyanese models attend casting call hosted by internationally renowned model agent

AgroupofnearlythirtyexcitedGuyanese models descended on the popular Marriott Hotel,GeorgetownlastSaturdaytomeetwith globally renowned and celebrated fashion model manager, Deiwght Peters of Saint Internationalfame

Peters was visiting, in his capacity as ChairmanoftheEDNAManleyCollegeofthe Visual and Performing Arts as a part of a Jamaicanbusinesscontingentorganizedbythe MinisterofTourism,IndustryandCommerce

Awindow of opportunity came up with a freedayinGuyanabeforehisdepartureanda castingcallwasquicklyorganized Promoted viawhatsappandaninterviewonthepopular Hits and JAMS Radio, Boom 94FM with DJ Ace,theexcitementwaspalpable DeiwghtPetershasareputationsecondto

none in the Caribbean region The former bankerturnedmodelscouthasbeenhailedby fashion bible American Vogue as ‘The Man behind the JAMAICA Model Wave Other unprecedented media accolades include The New York Times, British Vogue, Forbes Magazine,ItalianVogue,IDMAGAZINE,Le Monde (FRANCE), Dazed and Confused, SystemsMagazinehassethisiconiceyeson thefeaturesandfacesofGuyanese.

Peters has crafted an enviable matrix of discovering, developing and then launching once-shymodelsintothefashionstratosphere tobecomeglobalsuperstars Hisrecordisclear and unequalled Global names such as Tami Williams,KaiNewman,NakiDepass,Aurelie Giraud, Romaine Dixon, Brad Allen, Lawrence,Tomiwa,andseveralotherscometo

Fashion model manager, Deiwght Peters of Saint International fame, flanked by Guyanese models

mind In recent news, two of Peter’s latest discoveries-SaniqueDill&DruCampbellare nowlistedamongthehottestnewfacesonthe prestigiousModelscomHOTLIST Saniquemadeherinternationaldebutasa world exclusive debut at Miu Miu (Paris FashionWeek,SPRING/Summer2025)while DruCampbell ThewinneroftheFashionFace of the Caribbean Model Contest 2023 started her illustrious career as a world exclusive debut at PRADA(Milan Fashion Week, Fall 2024) ‘Guyanese are beautiful people with very interesting facial features’Peters shares, ‘I am confident I will be able to find fashion starsinthisbeautifulcountry Iammotivated’ heenthusiasticallysaidatthecastingcall

“As I have outlined to some Guyanese businessandgovernmentleadersIhavemet,I believe Guyana’s renaissance moment is at handandthestorywouldnotbecompletelyor sufficientlywrittenwithoutthebeautifulfaces ofGuyanesefashionmodelsmarchingonthe world’s biggest international designer runways and starring in the best advertising campaigns to validate the inclusive theme of themoment,”Petersarticulatelyopined.

He continued to outline how the models’ internationalsuccesswillbeusedasleverage toelevatethelocalGuyanesefashionindustry by strategically using the unique faces of fashionasGuyanese‘style’ambassadorstothe world Peters savvy with connections in the

businessisknowntohavesecuredhismodels direct bookings with A-list brands such as Burberry, Gucci, Balenciaga Marni, Saint Laurent,MiuMiu,Prada

NEXTSTEP

Theten(10)short-listedcandidatesarenow invitedasGuyanesedelegatestotheprestigious FASHION FACE OF THE CARIBBEAN MODELCONVENTIONscheduledtounfold inKingstonJamaicabetweenAugust15-17in Jamaica’scapitalcity,Kingston TheyareDayna Josiah (not photographed), Gabrielle Parefett, ShauntaeWashinton, Dunique Bacchus,Jaheim Gopaul, Raul Hinds,AmaanYusuff, Michah Chichester, DavidLoncke,JaheemAdams

After the session Peters provided invaluable insight into the international fashionindustryandhowitworksandtipson how to develop the qualities to help with success Theconventionisaleadingscouting platformfortheworld’sleadingmodelagents whojetineveryyeartoexclusivelyattendthe event now celebrating 24 years Many of the agentswhoattendshareasuccessfulhistoryof collaborationwithSaintInternational Agents attendingareusuallyfromtopagenciesinNew York, Miami, LA, Paris, Milan, London, Barcelona,Madrid

SaintInternationalrepresentsmodelsfrom many countries from its Jamaican baseNigeria, Cameroon, United States, Martinique,Guadeloupe,Barbados,Trinidad

Ac r o s s t h e Caribbean, a

w a v e o f enthusiasm for artificial intelligence is building Governments are drafting national AI strategies, ministers are championing digital transformation agendas,andtechcompanies are lining up with promises ofrevolutionarychange.

But amidst this growing excitement, we must pause to ask a fundamental question; Is Guyana truly readytoharnessthepowerof AI?

The uncomfortable truth is that while the potential is enormous, our current data infrastructure remains woefully unprepared to support meaningful AI implementation.

Walk into any major hospital, police station, government ministry or still many private sector businesses and you’ll encounter a familiar sight, overflowing filing cabinets, disconnected Excel spreadsheets, and legacy digital systems that operate in complete isolation from one another Even in cases where data exists in digital form,it’softenunstructured, inconsistently formatted, or trapped in proprietary systems that resist integration. In addition to being an inconvenience; these data issues represent a critical roadblock to progress.

AI systems, no matter how sophisticated, are ultimatelyconstrainedbythe quality and accessibility of thedatatheyprocess.

The stakes couldn’t be higher In healthcare, AI could help predict disease outbreaks and optimize treatment plans In education, it could personalize learning for students across our diverse regions.

For small businesses,AI tools could level the playing fieldincompetitivemarkets. Yet none of this will materialize if we can’t provide these systems with reliable,well-organizeddata streams Consider the challenge of implementing

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in

Guyana’s Artificial Intelligence Revolution Must Begin with Data –ACallforPreparedness

an AI solution to analyze public health trends when patient records alternate between handwritten notes, incompatibledigitalformats, and missing data fields. The result wouldn’t be innovation, it would be frustration and wasted resources.

Thesolutionbeginswith honest assessment Every government agency must undertake a comprehensive audit of its data ecosystem; what information is collected, how it’s stored, where it flows, and where it getsstuck.

This mapping exercise willrevealbothourstrengths a n d o u r c r i t i c a l vulnerabilities Following this, we need a coordinated pushtowarddigitizationand standardization, moving decisivelyawayfrompaperbasedprocessesandisolated digital silos toward integrated, cloud-based systemswithconsistentdata formats and secure access protocols.

AtSTEMGuyana,we’ve experienced both the challengesandopportunities firsthand.

Our small team has begun implementing AI toolstoenhanceeducational programs, streamline operations, and analyze student progress These experiments have yielded promising results, but they’vealsohighlightedhow muchmorewecouldachieve w i t h b e t t e r d a t a infrastructure.

When we’ve had access to clean, well-organized information, ourAI systems havehelpedusmakesmarter decisionswithoutexpanding headcount When we’ve faced fragmented or incomplete data, we’ve hit frustratingroadblocks.

The private sector faces similar challenges. Many Guyanese businesses still operate with manual recordkeeping systems that would need complete overhaul before they could benefit from AI automation or analytics As global competitors adopt these technologies, our local enterprises risk falling

practices.Theseinvestments are about more than just technology, they are about economic survival in an inc

marketplace.

Whatmakesthismoment particularly urgent is the nature of modern AI systems.

Today’s most advanced AI doesn’t just respond to simple queries; it functions as what researchers call “agentic AI”, systems that can retrieve information, reason about it, and even make recommendations Thesepowerfultoolsrelyon what’s known as retrievalaugmented generation ( R A G ) , b u t t h i s sophisticated capability depends entirely on having organized,accessibledatato workwith.

The path forward requires investment on multiple fronts. We need technical upgrades to create interoperable systems, policyframeworkstoensure dataqualityandsecurity,and training programs to build digital literacy across the public sector Perhaps most importantly, we need to support homegrown innovation Organizations like STEMGuyana and Pathway Online Academy are developing AI applications tailored to our specificneedsandcontexts.

Bycombiningtheselocal efforts with improved national data infrastructure a n d g o v e r n m e n t partnerships, we can create solutions that truly serve all Guyanesecommunities.

This is our generation’s infrastructure challenge, comparable to the electrificationprojectsofthe last century Countries that modernizetheirdatasystems will gain tremendous advantages in efficiency, innovation, and service delivery.

Thosethatdon’twillfind themselves permanently dependent on foreign solutions, always playing catch-upintheglobaldigital economy

The time for action is

now AI won’t magically solveourproblems,butwith proper data foundations, it can become one of our most

powerful tools for national development. Let us work together to build those foundations before the

window of

competitiveness depends on it.

Frompage22 idiot, and not credible and notajournalist,”theminister said.

Theministersaidthatthe ‘GuyaneseCritic’istryingto twist what she said in the condemnation of Baby Skello’s remand and called himabully

“I wouldn’t bother too muchwithhim,butIwillsay this. He’s a bully, and there are very many bullies like that In households across this country,” the minister said before adding, “And to the girls and women who have to put up with people like that, I say, defend yourself, and deal with them.”

Minister Manickchand concluded that ‘Critic’ is a “stupidyBill”.

THURSDAY

Guyanaborrows US$18MfromCDF foragriprogramme …says40%of beneficiarieswillbe womenandyouth

The Government of Guyana and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) on Tuesday signed a US$18

m i l l i o n f i n a n c i n g agreement, to kickstart the A g r i c u l t u r a l a n d Infrastructural Development Programme (AIDP) which will see over 4,300 farmers across the ten regions of Guyana benefitting, with forty percent of the beneficiaries being women andyouth.

The programme will allow for a further boost to Guyana’s agriculture sector in the form of support for compliancewithfoodsafety, sanitary and phytosanitary standards in the sector The agreement was signed at the Ministry of Finance in the presence of representatives of the Ministries of AgricultureandFinance.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, who signed on behalfofGovernment,while thanking the CDF for its supportovertheyearsnoted that Guyana is proud to be a founding member of the CDF and to have benefited from the Fund’s activities overtheyears.

“As a Government, led by His Excellency President Irfaan Ali, we recognise the importance of a strong and competitive non-oil economy, and I want to

assure you that we consider agriculture and agricultural products to be a principal pillar of our non-oil economy, and we anticipate that long into the future, agriculture will remain an important source of economic growth and an important contributor to livelihoods, in particular rural and hinterland livelihoods, “ Dr. Singh explainedtoCDF’sCEO,his ministry’s said in a press release.

He added that Guyana will long maintain and further enhance its position i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e achievementoffoodsecurity for the Caribbean region more broadly, noting that thisprojectandotherslikeit, haveaveryimportantroleto play in ensuring the country realisesthisachievement.

According to the press release, Dr Singh also outlined various agricultural projects supported by the CDF over the years, including farm-to market roads, highlighting that this project, which will be implementedbytheMinistry of Agriculture under the leadership of Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, also aligns closely with Guyana’s and the CARICOM Region’s foodsecurityagenda. “This project is in a sector that is extremely important and it aligns closely with our national development priorities, and with the regional agenda on food security,”heconcluded.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CDF Mr Rodinald Soomer said the US$18 million programme is a bold and strategic investment in the fulfilment of CARICOM and Guyana’s shared vision for a resilient, productive and inclusive agricultural

sectorthatnotonlyfeedsthe nation but nourishes the region and reinforces Guyana’s leadership role in advancingfoodandnutrition securityinCARICOM.

“This programme is intended to enrich lives, upliftlocalcommunitiesand regions, and create new economic opportunities for producers and processors of coconuts, cocoa, coffee, peanuts, pigs and pork products, honey and associated by-products and vegetables,”heexplained.

The CEO added that under the AIDP, the foundation for a safer, more competitive agricultural sector will be laid, with the construction of a modern swine abattoir, 13 new or upgraded agro-processing facilities,andeightenhanced surveillance outposts to enable officers to execute theirdutiesunderconditions which are more conducive and should yield better results in combating the prevalence of the carambola fruitfly

WithPresidentIrfaan being CARICOM’s l representative agriculture in the regi the project’s proposed activitieshavenotably satisfied several a s p e c t s o f CARICOM’s goal of reducing the region’s food import bill, as well as in the areas of food and nutrition security, implem

agriculture concentrated on the coast facing challenges suchas climatechangerisks and reduced availability of water and suitable land,

Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture aims to increase production and value addition in selected commodities Through projects such as this, the Ministrywillbeinastronger position to propose policies and investments that generate the highest return for the country, in line with Guyana’s National Strategy for Agriculture (2020 –2030).

T h e C A R I C O M DevelopmentFund(CDF)is an organisation established under Article 158 of the R e v i s e d Tr e a t y o

C

p

iding financial and technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, and sectors in the Caribbean Community(CARICOM)to enhance their prospects for successful competition

operationalisation of sanitary and phytosanitaryrelated policies, and increased production and climatesmartagriculture.

The programme will c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e Government’ s broader diversification strategy includingthroughthefurther development in agriculture, one of the country’s main non-oil sectors. With most

within the Community and to redress, to the extent possible, any negative impact of the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St. Vincent and theGrenadinesareclassified asLessDevelopedCountries (LDCs) in CARICOM and disadvantaged countries in theCDF Barbados,Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago as well as Suriname are classified as Developed Countries (MDCs). The accumulated mobilised resources of the CDF are to bedisbursedinthreeforms–grants, interest subsidies, and concessionary loans

Financial resources to facilitate the attainment of these objectives are pledged by Member States (also referred to as Contributors) an

International Development Partners.

Amanzawalksaway fromNorton …launchesnewpartyto contestelections

Shadow Minister of Foreign Af

s and longstanding member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Amanza Walton-Desir, resigned officially from the party on Wednesdayandlaunchedher own political movement, ‘ForwardGuyana.’

The announcement was made at an emotional press conferencejustminutesafter

thePNCRissuedastatement confirmingherdeparture.

According to the PNCR’s statement, party leader Aubrey Norton and executive member David HalesmetwithWalton-Desir earlier this week to discuss her potential involvement in the upcoming General and RegionalElections.

“During the meeting, Ms. Walton-Desir enquired whether she could be guaranteed extraction from the list to become a member of the next parliament,” the PNCR stated. “In response, Mr. Norton assured her that shewouldbeextractedtobe amemberofparliament.She wasalsoinformedoftherole shewouldplayintheAPNU government. She then asked about her role in the campaign, and Mr Norton informed her that she would beamemberofthecampaign management team Ms Walton-Desirthenstatedthat she needed to consult her team and would revert,” the partysaid.

The statement said further, that instead of receiving a response from the politician, a resignation letter was issued instead. It wentontosaythatonbehalf of the PNCR and the parliamentary opposition, gratitude was extended to Walton-Desirforherservice andwellwishesinherfuture endeavours.

Shortly after, WaltonDesir addressed the media and the nation in a press conference where she publicly announced her resignation from the PNCR, effective immediately, and revealedtheformationofher newpoliticalparty, Forward Guyana She declared that her party is open to forming alliances with other opposition groups and individuals who share similarprinciples.

“We understand that no onepartyormovementholds all the answers. That is why we remain open to collaborationandcoalescing — but not for coalescing’s sake. Unity cannot be based on expedience. It must be grounded in shared principles,coherentpolicies, and a common vision for a just and inclusive Guyana,” shesaid.

“Wearepreparedtowork with others who are serious about dismantling systems ofcorruption,inequality,and exclusion, and who agree that collaboration must be rootedinclearcommitments

Continued on page 33

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CDF Mr. Rodinald Soomer (right) and Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh signing the financing agreement

Former PNCR member, Amanza Walton-Desir

Frompage32 to justice, service, and the long-overduetransformation ofourpoliticalculture.”

Reasonsfordeparture fromPNCR

An emotional Amanza Walton-Desir, speaking at her press conference, outlined the key reasons behind her decision to part ways with the PNCR. She explained that she had not been given a clearly defined

role in the upcoming

e l e c t i o n s a n d f e l t increasingly side-lined by theparty

“After being repeatedly omittedfrommostcampaign activities and key meetings within my designated portfolio, I sought and was granted a meeting with the leader of the Opposition,” she recalled.

“My intention was to clarify what role, if any,Iwasexpectedtoplayin shaping the future of the PNCR There was not sufficientclarityformeonthe wayforwardinthePNCRas it is currently constituted While I appreciated the opportunity to engage, it becameclearthatIcannot,in good conscience, remain where my contributions are undervalued and my voice is silenced ” Walton-Desir acknowledged that the decision to resign was not madelightly,citingherdeep familial and personal ties to theparty

“The PNCR is the party in which my grandparents, myparents,aunts,anduncles gave yeoman service. It is a party that helped shape my identity,myconvictions,and mysenseofdutytocountry

Ithasbeentheonlypolitical home I have known,” she said, breaking down in tears asshespoke.

Preparednessand collaborationefforts

Duringthequestion-andanswer segment of the press conference, Walton-Desir stated that her party is actively preparing for the elections and open to collaboration with likemindedgroups.

“Of course, we have taken steps to secure the movementandparticipation. But we also said that we are going to collaborate… that could mean there will be work going on in the next fewdays,”shenoted.

She disclosed that several existing political

shared values and policy alignment.

“Ihaveissuedinvitations to anyone interested in hearing what we are about, our vision and policies for Guyana to speak with us,” shesaid.

Whilesheacknowledged thattheAllianceForChange (AFC) had not yet engaged with her directly, she noted that the party had issued a gen

o

discussions with other

Wednesday Regarding the approaching nomination deadline, Walton-Desir expressed full confidence in her party’s readiness. “All our ducks are in the pond,” sheaffirmed.

Rejects‘WaitingYour Turn’notion

Addressing criticism about timing and political seniority, Walton-Desir firmly rejected the idea that new political leaders must “wait their turn.” “It’s never about the length of time that someonehasserved.Idonot seethisnotionofwaitingfor a turn as being relevant or serious to the discussion aboutthiscountry It’sabout who shows up with heart, whoshowsupwithcourage, whocangetthejobdone.”

Fundingandsupport

On the question of campaign financing, she expressed optimism that ‘Forward Guyana’ will receive grassroots support “Overthenextfewdays,the people of Guyana will see. They will be motivated to give.Wehavetobelievethat what we offer will be sufficienttoattractpeople.”

Manifesto andpolicyfocus

Walton-Desir outlined some of the central themes

expected in Forward Guyana’s manifest

, decentralisation, health reform, and migration policy “We want to empower Guyanese and make them a part of every investmentmade,”shesaid.

On decentralisation, she noted plans to expand focus beyond the oil sector “We are looking at other entities and sectors that can contribute to Guyana’s development like gold mining. It should not just be about oil; all our resources mustbeincluded.”

getting sick than allowing them to get sick and then moving them into a public hospitalsystemthatshuffles

Sh

o touched on the absence of a comprehensive migration policy, stressing the importance of national securitymeasures.

Politicalmission

Walton-Desir stated that she is stepping forward becauseshebelievesGuyana urgently needs political transformation. “I am now stepping forward because I know I can make a difference. And although it may be uncomfortable for me and for some others, Guyana simply cannot wait — and Guyanese are out of patience with poverty in the midstofplenty.”

“Poverty in terms of unnecessarily hard livesfromhighcost-of-living,poor wages, underemployment, hunger, unsafe public transportation, lack of adequate public safety, and rampant corruption at every level in the midst of a booming oil industry where the government earns millions daily and Exxon earns billions annually Sometimes, to step up, you must first step out ” She further admitted that the oppositionhasfallenshortin recent years. “The truth is, despitethepresenceofgood people in the opposition, we may not have done enough over the last five years to effectively check the excessesofthePPP.”

performance, ideas, or vision.”“Thishasstifledreal progress and left too many Guyanese disillusioned, disenfranchised, and voiceless. The Guyanese electorate is hungry for a change.” “Forward Guyana is a bridge to a better future.

A bridge built not of concrete, but of courage, conscience, and collective

will.Itisabridgeawayfrom the politics of division, corruption, and favoritism toward unity, integrity, andrealresults.”

FRIDAY

AFCLeaderconfirmsno morecoalitionwithAPNU Leader of the Alliance

For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, confirmed on Thursdaythatanyremaining prospectsofacoalitionwith A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) are now effectivelyoffthetable.

Hughes made the announcement one day after t h r e e s e n i o r A F C members—Sherod Duncan, Juretha Fernandes, and Deonarine “Ricky” Ramsaroop jumped over to APNU by submitting their names to APNU’s list of candidatesfortheupcoming General and Regional Elections,withoutinforming theAFC.

In response, the AFC issued a statement on Wednesday announcing the termination of membership forthethree,statingtheyhad independently verified the trio’salignmentwithAPNU. Continued on page 34

emphasised that her team wouldonlypartnerbasedon

In the health sector, Walton-Desir emphasised a shifttowardpreventivecare. “We believe it is better to prevent your people from

Describing the founding missionofForwardGuyana, Walton-Desir said the country’s current political environment leaves too many disillusioned and voiceless “There is a fundamental problem in Guyana we can no longer ignore. For far too long, our politicshasbeenreducedtoa false choice — either-or — between two dominant parties that do not necessarily thrive o

OppositionLeader,AubreyNorton

AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes

Frompage33

As a result, the AFC stated that the former members’ decision to appear on APNU’scandidatelistwasa clear indication that APNU “was and is not interested in acoalition.”

Thisunexpectedshifthas deepenedthepoliticaldivide between the two parties and left the AFC reassessing its electoral strategy Speaking with reporters outside of GECOM’s headquarters, Hughesconfirmedthatthere would be no coalition betweentheAFCandAPNU goingforward.

“It is unlikely to be any more coalition, I’m afraid. I don’t think it will assist eithersidetogointowhatdid anddidnothappen.Ithasn’t happened, and that time has gone.Ithinkweareallgoing to concentrate on the elections.And in the case of theAllianceForChange,we are pretty certain that our policies, once presented to the public, will speak for themselves,” he added, emphasisingthatthepartyis now focused on moving forward.

During the interview, Hughes explained that the decision to expel the members was grounded in the party’s constitution, which prohibits members from aligning with other political entities while maintaining membership in theAFC.“Ourconstitutionis quite clear You cannot pledge an allegiance with anotherpoliticalentitywhile beingamember,andsothose persons cease to be members.SotheAPNUhave threeformermembersofthe AllianceForChange.”

In terms of Juretha Fernandes, who was the AFC’s spokesperson on finance, she would now serve as APNU’s Prime MinisterialCandidateforthe upcoming September 1 elections. However, Hughes revealed that Fernandes had not been involved in any o f f i c i a l c o a l i t i o n negotiations, much less identified for the PM candidacy in previous discussions with the two parties. “She has never been featured at all in the discussion because the discussions essentially were about principles and policies, other than Presidential Candidate, who theAPNU insisted to be the person on PNC identified, but it was never about personsorpersonalities.The only personality was who

they said must be the Presidential Candidate,” he said.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , acknowledgingtheweightof the defections, Hughes admittedthepartywouldfeel the loss of the three senior members “Of course, we must have an impact. They have been in the party.They are Members of Parliament. They were identified by my predecessor and his administration as persons who would be representing the party at the National Assembly,andthefactis,the party would have an impact.”

Prior to the official announcement of elections, AFC and APNU had engaged in coalition discussions over several months. However, repeated disagreements led to a breakdownintalks.

Initially, the AFC proposed a 60/40 split in favour of APNU. Later, the party returned with a 60/35 proposal, in which APNU

would nominate the Presidential Candidate, and AFC would nominate the P r i m e M i n i s t e r i a l Candidate That proposal was ultimately rejected by APNU.

Wi t h A P N U n o w absorbing several of the AFC’s former key figures, Hughes has confirmed that the AFC will be contesting the September 1 elections independently

Nogasdealwith Turkishpowercompany beforeelections-Jagdeo

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said government will not enter

into any deal with Karpowership to use the offshore natural gas currently available from the Stabroek Block to generate electricitybeforeelections.

He acknowledged that Karpowership made a good proposal, but explained that if government decides to go inthatdirection,nodealwill be finalised with the company before elections

“So right now, we are not going to conclude any arrangement with Karpower before the elections As I said,lastweek,Itoldyou,we are not going to have any movement on the gas monetisation project before the elections, and also the signing of the prospecting licences for the oil and gas sectorbeforetheelection.So letmeaddthattothetwothat

Ispokeofalready We’retoo close to the elections to do that,”Jagdeosaid.

Electionsareslatedtobe held on September 1, 2025. Recently,itwasdisclosedby Prime Minister (Ret’d) Brigadier Mark Phillips that the GTE project is further delayedandisnowexpected to be completed by mid2026 Karpowership- the Turkish firm, which already supplies power to Guyana through powerships stationed in Berbice and Demerara, is offering to deployafloatingpowerplant capable of generating 300 megawatts (MW) of e

country’s natural gas reserves from the Stabroek Block, where oil production is being carried out by American oil company ExxonMobilanditspartners HessandCNOOC.

Jagdeo had previously statedthattheproposalcould save the country as much as US$1 million per day by replacing expensive heavy fuel with natural gas-based generation “If we could generate 300 megawatts of power from say the use of a bargeuntilthepowerplantis readythatthatwouldsaveus about a million US per day because to buy the (heavy fuel) to generate 300 megawatt of power it will cost us about a million US per day,” the Vice President hadexplained.

Jagdeo had pointed out

that the transmission infrastructure must first be abletoabsorbanddistribute the full capacity “When we got the proposal, we were examining the technical feasibility, because if you generate 300 megawatts of power offshore on a barge, usingthegasthat’salreadyin the pipeline, basically because it’s completed, whether we can transmit or utilise all 300MW at this stage, given this the

transmission lines, that assessment is ongoing, regardless of the outcome, wearenotgoingtoconclude anydealwithKarpower,”he stated.

He had said that, “If we can’tuseallofitandwehave to pay for it and can’t use it because they would want you to pay for all of it, a big facility they’ll bring down, then it wouldn’t make sense.”

Notably,Karpowership’s offer would see the Turkish companybringinginitsown barge, which could be operationalinabout90days oncegiventhegreenlight. Moreover, Jagdeo said that since Karpowership havebeensupplyingGuyana with power, government have been upgrading the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) system. As such, he thinks GPL have adequate powerfortheneartermforat leastuntilpasttheelections. Whenaskedhowwillthe gas be transported, the Vice Presidentexplained,“Sothis will be an entirely new ship that is dedicated to processing the gas to generatesomeliquidsandto

Company (GPL) and UCC Holdings for a second powership.

usethegastogenerateabout 300 megawatts of power If you move to doing that so it will be located closer to the pipeline Then you will decommission the two ships that we have Berbice and Essequibo should not come in.”

The power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales are now expected to come on stream in 2026, despite initial promises for late 2025

Disputeswiththecontractor, Lindsayca/CH4, have furthercomplicatedthefinal cost and schedule Brassington had previously a s s u r e d t h a t o n c e operational, the project wouldcutelectricitycostsby 50%,deliveringpowerat12 US cents per kilowatt-hour, down from the current 24 to 30UScents.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e government had already turned to temporary powership solutions to ease the country’s persistent p o w e r w o e s . L a s t November, there was a signing of a second agreement between the Guyana Power and Light

The deal for the second powership is for the company to supply an additional 75 megawatts of power to the national grid. Guyana’s first powership is being rented from the same companyforaperiodoftwo years That contract was signedbetweenGPLInc.and UCI, a subsidiary of UCC Holdings, a company incorporated in the state of Qatar UCC Holdings reportedly has a strategic alliance with Karpowership International, a Turkish company. That deal is for some 36 megawatts of power. Karpowership arrived in May and was set up at Everton, Berbice, Region Six For the first vessel, Guyana had to pay a mobilization fee of US$1M to get the ship here, and the contract, according to GPL, includes the provision of operation and maintenance services as part of the agreement.

SATURDAY

MissingNonPareil womanfounddead …husband,daughterand son-in-lawarrested

Detectives were on Thursday led to the area where the body of Jenny Mohamed of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (E.C.D), was dumped after she was allegedly murdered by her reputed husband, her daughterandson-in-law

According to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, whilethewoman’sbodywas discoveredonThursdayJune 19th, it is believed that she had been murdered since June 10th at her Non Pareil home.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) launched an investigationafterMohamed was reported missing by relatives. However, during a search of her home, investigators discovered bloodstains, prompting the arrest of the three suspects, the reputed husband, the victim’s daughter Saffia Mohamed and her son-inlawAustinRamchand.

“The daughter and her husband admitted that they devised a plan to kill the victim after they (3 suspects), along with their child, were subjected to constant abuse by the victim,”thecrimechiefsaid.

Continuedonpage35

Murdered,JennyMohamed

Jenny Mohamed's remains wrapped in a black tarpaulin found at Eccles New Road, along a secluded route leading to Ogle, ECD.

The suspected murder weapon

In custody, Saffia Mohamed

In custody, Austin Ramchand

Frompage34

According to him, the victim’s daughter and her son-in-law devised a plan and executed it by killing Mohamed and dumping her body

The suspects led police ranks to Eccles New Road, along a secluded route leadingtoOgle,ECD,where Mohamed’s body was dumped. Her remains were discovered wrapped in a jumbo-sized garbage bag, covered with a tarpaulin, with a rope tied around her neck.

Blanhum said that the body bore multiple stab wounds, and the murder weapon, a knife, was also recoveredbyinvestigatorsat thescene.

JurethaFernandes ‘honoured’toserveas APNU’sPMcandidate

Days after she was selected as the prime ministerial candidate for the APNUcoalition,Memberof Parliament, Juretha Fernandes has expressed gratitudeandhonourtoserve thepoliticalunit.

“To be selected as the prime ministerial candidate for the APNU Coalition is bothanimmensehonourand

a profound responsibility, one I accept with humility, knowing that no meaningful progress is achieved alone,” she said in a statement on Friday She continued, “this moment belongs to the people of Bartica, who shaped my belief in community; to the mentors who guided me with patience;andtothecountless Guyanese whose struggles and aspirations must always remain at the center of governance.”Fernandessaid herjourneyfromtheBartica Town Council to date, has taught her that leadership is not about elevation, but service.” “The lessons learned at the grassroots levelwereneverminealone;

they were gifted by colleagues, elders, and constituents who demanded accountability and collaboration That same spirit of teamwork must define our national path forward ” The shadow minister of finance and former member of the AllianceForChange(AFC),

was named the prime ministerial candidate for APNUbyoppositionleader, AubreyNortononTuesday Norton told Kaieteur News shortly after the

announcement, that APNU has been searching for a capable person, confirming that Fernandes has been doing a lot of work in parliament These include shadowing the finance minister, and robust budget presentations, among other things.

M

expressed that coalition politicsisGuyana’sstrength atthiscriticalhour

“No single voice, no individual leader can unite our diversity or solve our challenges alone What’s neededisdisciplinedunity,a shared commitment to policiesthatputpeoplefirst, andagovernmentthatviews its mandate as a covenant with all Guyanese, not just some,” she said As such, Fernandes said she is grateful to stand alongside Aubrey Norton, a principled leader, whose vision for a people-centeredgovernment aligns with the APNU Coalition’shighestideals.

Shenotedthattheroleis not a platform for personal ambition,butanopportunity to work within a team dedicated to equitable development, where every Guyanese benefits from Guyana’swealth.

“My acceptance is a pledge to uphold that

a spectacle – it is the daily work of listening, building consensus, and delivering results Together, with humilityandresolve,wewill

prove that leadership means liftingothers.

Thetaskaheadisgreater than any one of us But united we can achieve it for the people of Guyana,” Fernandesadded.

“Wealsolooktoseeifthe person is someone who

engagestheordinarymanon theground.So,weonlywant intellectualcapacity Wealso want the prime minister candidate to be somebody whocanengagewithpeople on the ground, and in this regard, we thought that she wasagoodcandidate.”

Inthemiddleofabig,

bright forest lived a little chameleon namedCharlie.

Now, everyone knows chameleons change colours tomatchwheretheyare.But Charliewasdifferent.

Charlie didn't want to blend in—he loved staying his favourite colour: rainbow!

Histailwasswirledwith red and orange, his belly glowed yellow, his legs werebrightblue,andthetip of his nose? Purple, of course!

The other animals wouldwhisper:

"Why doesn't Charlie changeliketherestofus?"

"Won'thegetnoticed?"

"Won't he stand out too much?"

But Charlie just smiled.

THE CHAMELEON Charlie

“I like standing out!” he chirped.“ThisiswhoIam!”

One day, a new animal came to the forest: a shy bunnynamedBailey Bailey hadbigfloppyearsandwore sparkly boots The other animalsgiggled.

“Why are your ears so big?”

“Why are you wearing thosesillyshoes?”

Bailey's ears drooped

“Maybe I should hide them…”

But Charlie stepped in. “No way!” he said. “Your ears are awesome, and your bootsarefabulous!”

Bailey blinked “Really?”

“Really,” said Charlie “Youdon'thavetochangea thingtobelonghere.”

Then Charlie stood tall (well,astallasachameleon

Little Things

Littledropsofwater, Littlegrainsofsand, Makethemightyocean Andthebeautifulland.

Andthelittlemoments, Simpletheymaybe, Canmakeyouenjoylife, Asyoubecomemorehappy.

Littledeedsofkindness, Littlewordsoflove, Fillourearthwithblessings Liketheheavenabove.

can), and let his rainbow shine.

One by one, the other animalsstartedtosmile.The parrot wore her feathers proudly The turtle painted stars on his shell. Even the squirrels made tiny capes and zoomed through the treeslikesuperheroes.

That day, the forest didn't look the same It lookedevenbetter

Because everyone was beingthemselves.

AndCharliewasright: Youdon'thavetochange whoyouaretofitin.

Youbelongjusttheway youare.

DIY Rainbow Paper StrawWreath

by Chelsea McDonnoughTwo Twenty One

Rainbows seem to be all the rage

right now And I totally get it, because who could hate all those wonderfulcolourstogether?Thiswreathisthe perfectdecorationforsummer

Step1

Gather 18 striped straws in each colour Leave6theoriginallength.Cut6to6-inches long.Cut6to4-incheslong.Dothisforall7 colours.

Line up all of your original length straws according to their place in the rainbow (it doesn'tmatterifyoustartwithredontheleft so long as the correct colours are next to one another). Note the 10th, 20th, 31st, and 41st straws (I pull them slightly out of the line of straws).Gluethe10thand31ststrawsacross

fromeachother Gluethe20thand41ststraws acrossfromeachother

Step2

Use the remaining straws to fill in the gaps Make sure you place the straws accordingtohowtheywerelinedup.

Step3

Gatherallofthe6-inchstraws.Gluethe6inch straws in between the original length straws.

Step4

Gatherallofthe4-inchstraws.Gluethe4inchstrawsbetweenthe6-inchstraws.

Step5

Glue a can tab, paper clip or piece of ribbononthebacktoactasthehanger Happycrafting!

RI PPL E RI PPL E

“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."

Just as you sometimes feel that lifeisnotfairandyouwanttocondemn someone for treating yourself or another person badly, there are many others who have the same experience. Some of them may take the high road anddoaswesuggest,whichistowork to make the situation better, or simply moveon

But there are many others who wouldgiveintotheideathatlashingout isthewaytodealwiththeproblem,and would get themselves in trouble for doingso. Infact,whentheybehavein

When

Tryyourbesttohelpothers tomakethebestoftheirlives

this way, they would not be doing anything toimprovethesituation butonlymakingitworse.

If and when you experience any friend, relative or other acquaintance wanting to retaliate for some wrong they felt was done to them, you would be doing everyone a favour if you advisethemtodesist. Makethemsee, asyouhave,thatthereisamuchbetter and effective solution to the problem than yielding to the temptation of revenge

You may advise them to face the situation and confront the person who theyperceivehaswrongedthem. Ifthis doesnotwork,thenyouneedtodoyour

you sincerely reach out to help someone in trouble, you will experience immense satisfaction from your efforts.

parttoletthembelievethattheyshould givethebenefitofthedoubt,andmove onwiththeirlives.

There are also other ways in which youcanreachouttoyourfriendsandlead them into understanding your approach to the proper solution of the problems that would face them in their everyday lives Youcanstartadiscussiongroupin whichyougetthemtointeractandspread yourideasofgoodbehaviour

Youcanalsosingleoutanyonewho seemstobehavingproblems,andtryto show them the right course to follow Youcangetsomeonefromthechurchor othercharitableorganisationtospeakto yourgrouponthismatter

Just believe that you can make a huge difference if you are willing to take the trouble to help. No act of kindnessgoesunpaid,anditwillalways comebacktoyouintheend. Thenice thing is that when you make a difference in other people's lives, you willfindthatyouwillalwaysbetheone toreapthemostbenefit.

AFriend

A friend is one who reaches for your hand, One who shares his ideas and together you expand, When you are in trouble or pain, One who lends assistance and together you gain.

A friend is not selfish, cruel or heartless, He is not unmindful or helpless; A friend does not watch another in sorrow But is always there today and tomorrow

A friend is caring, loving and kind, He is there with a wise and pure mind, He is not vulgar, rude or immature, But is there to solve, assist and cure.

A friend is always there to land a hand, He is not vain, proud or playing grand, He is there to ever offer a smile, And keep you happy through all life's trials.

So, just as you value a good friend, Be there for others with a helping hand to lend; Always be known for the good you do, And you will benefit from friendship too.

Solutions to last week’s

Zia’sPlayParkcommissionedatLeonora underFirstLady’sNational BeautificationProject

FirstLadyAryaAliandother officialsonFridaycommissioned Zia’s Play Park, at LeonoraWest CoastDemerara(WCD).

According to a press release issued by the office of the First Lady, the play park is a recreational haven developed underherNationalBeautification Project The project was collaboration between the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of PublicWorksandtheEmbassyof thePeople’sRepublicofChinain Guyana.

The new park, which is located in Leonora, WCD, is outfitted with play amenities for children, a gazebo, washroom facilities, comfortable seating, lighting, and a variety of fruit trees.Zia’sPlayParkwillserveas avitalcommunalhubforseveral villages across the West Coast, offeringfamiliesasafeandscenic place to relax, socialize, and exercise.

Speaking at a simple commissioning ceremony, First Lady Arya Ali reminded the gathering that while true developmentcanbemeasuredby new roads and bridges, it also encompassesanimprovedquality oflifeforcitizens.“Eachtimewe openanewparkorpublicspace,it remindsusthatapartfromroads, bridges, and big buildings, development is also about creating spaces where our children and people can relax, feel safe, and enjoy a better qualityoflife,”shesaid.

The National Beautification Project, led by the Office of the First Lady, has already transformed nine public spaces across the country into thriving parksandrecreationalareas.With eight more currently under development, the initiative is reshapingthephysicalandsocial landscape of communities by promoting environmental sustainability, social cohesion,

and healthy lifestyles. “…as a governmentwehaveplacedgreat emphasis on ensuring that our citizensbuildstrongerbondswith eachother.That’stherealbeauty of public spaces; they bring us closer as families, as neighbours and as a nation,” the First Lady added.

As she closed her remarks, theFirstLadyissuedapleatothe residents of Leonora and neighboring villages to ensure theyproperlymanagethefacility and guard against vandalism and destruction which have been observed at other public venues across the country “I hope it bringsjoytoyourchildren,peace to your families, and pride to the community Pleasetakecareofit. Guard against vandalism and destructionwhichwehaveseenat somanyofourpublicspaces.We want our children to continue to enjoy these amenities, so you havethedutytoensurethisparkis takencareof,”MrsAlistressed.

Shealsoencouragedresidents to “keep working together as we continuetobuildaGuyanawhere development feels personal, where beauty is part of everyday life, and where our communities always have a place to grow and thrive.”

Chinese Ambassador H E Yang Yang also delivered remarks at the ceremony, emphasizing the warm and friendly relations between GuyanaandChina.Shenotedtoo that China is proud to be supporting Guyana’s developmentthroughanumberof projects and programmes, including Zia’s Play Park Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Hon. Deodat Indar and Regional Chairman of Region three, Mr InshanAyube, also delivered brief remarks, underscoringtherapidexpansion and unprecedented development inregionthree.

Scenes from the opening of the park

(Photo credit: NCN Guyana)

First LadyAryaAli delivers remarks at the commissioning of Zia’s play park at Leonora

Miss,Mrs.,andTeenIndiaGuyanaPageant2025shines brightduringanight

ofculture,eleganceandempowerment

TBy Shania Williams

he2025editionoftheMiss,Mrs., and Teen India Guyana Pageant unfolded in grand fashion, culminating in a dazzling celebration of Indian culture, feminine grace, and individualempowerment.

HeldattheRamadaGeorgetownPrincess Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara, theMumbaiDreamscoronationnightproved to be a breathtaking showcase of beauty, talent, and culture as it crowned three remarkable women each a symbol of perseverance,passion,andculturalpride.

Through rigorous training, tireless selfdetermination, and the unwavering support of family, friends, and the local community, threequeensemergedtoclaimtheircrowns.

Darshanie Tikapersaud was crowned Ms. Teen India Guyana 2025, Rameshwarie JairamearnedthetitleofMissIndiaGuyana 2025,andMaliniPersaudbecameMrs.India Guyana 2025 Each winner’s journey reflected deep commitment and purpose, as theirstoriesandaspirationsmovedthehearts ofeveryoneinattendance

Following the coronation, the newly crowned queens shared their thoughts with The Waterfalls Malini Persaud, overwhelmed with emotion, said, “I am overwhelmedwithjoytowinthistitle,andI can’twaitforthejourneyahead.”MissTeen

directionofDharamatmaSaranandtheIndia Festival Committee in NewYork.While the localtitleshavebeenawarded,thejourneyis farfromoverforthesequeens.Allthreewill continuepreparationstorepresentGuyanaon

India Guyana, Darshanie Tikapersaud, expressed her excitement: “I’m feeling very excitedandreadytoshine.”

Rameshwarie Jairam, now Miss India Guyana 2025, offered a heartfelt and empowering message: “I stand here with grace and resilience because this is the most awesome journey I wanted to be in. I’m emotional but pushing through because I alwaysdreamedofbeingonthisstage.Toall theyoungladiesoutthere,youcandoit.With determinationandmotivation,youcanbethe nextMissIndiaGuyana.”

This year marks the fifth edition of the local pageant, although the franchise has been active in Guyana since 2018 under the leadershipofHashimAliandhisproduction company, Nachle Productions. Initially, the pageantonlyfeaturedtheMisscategory,but overtime,theTeenandMrs.Divisionswere added, expanding the platform’s reach and impact.

ThecompetitionispartoftheglobalMiss India Worldwide network, which celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year, under the

the international stage in Mumbai, India, fromAugust24to29,2025,wheretheywill competeamongglobalpeersinacelebration ofIndianDiasporaexcellence.

This year’s event was more than just a pageant—itwasaculturalphenomenon.The audience, though diverse, was united in appreciation of Indian traditions, many attendingintraditionalattire.

Preliminary rounds included a talent showcaseandaneveninggowncompetition, whilethefinalnightfeaturedtheethnicwear segment, introductions, and the highly anticipated Q&A portion. Each contestant brought her unique personality to the stage, especially during the ethnic wear round, wheretraditionalgarmentswereaccentuated withpersonalflair

Atotalof19contestantsviedforthethree crowns. The Miss category featured ten aspirants, including Angela Singh (21), Ariana Sankar (23), Darshanie Singh (20), Devya Persaud (20), Mahalatchmi Sirpaul (19), Rameshwarie Jairam (27), Shivelia Makhan (19), Tahirih Kellawan (19),

Dath (23), and Zaleema Haniff (21). The Mrs. category included six contestants: Arita Powley (33), Geetanglie Lall (25), Malini Persaud (29), Shaneesha Austin (33), Sharona Haniff (31), and Shivannie Ali (30). Competing in the Teen division were 17-year-olds Darshanie Tikapersaud, Deepmattie Ivan, and Rihanna Sim

The energy inside the ballroom was electric. As the names of finalists were announced,theaudienceeruptedwithcheers, chants, and thunderous applause. Tension filled the air with every moment leading to the crowning, creating an unforgettable atmosphereofsupportandanticipation.

The evening was also graced with an array of cultural performances, from traditional Indian dances to comedic interludes, ensuring the audience remained engagedandentertained.

Additionally, the presentation of the MaharaniAwardwasanotablehighlight.The prestigious accolade, presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, was awarded to Mrs.IndiaGuyana2023,ReannaRoopnauth, whosecontinuedworkintheartshasinspired countlessyoungcreativesacrossthecountry

Inaheartfeltandemotionalmoment,the

threereigningqueensof2024tooktheirfinal walk across the stage, marking the end of their remarkable pageant journey. With visibletearsstreamingdowntheirfaces,they reflected on a year filled with growth, triumph,andunforgettablememories.

The crowd erupted in applause and cheers,acknowledgingthegraceandstrength with which each queen had carried her crown Their farewell was a powerful reminderoftheimpacttheyhadmadeandthe legacytheyleavebehind

The 2024 titleholders included Diana Heralal, who reigned as Miss India Guyana 2024; Timran Dooknah, Miss Teen India Guyana 2024; and Devi Lim, who was crownedMrs.IndiaGuyana2024,atitlethat recognizedherpoise,talent,andunwavering dedicationtohercommunity

The panel of judges featured a diverse mix of experts and public figures, each bringing a wealth of experience. Among them were Joel Ghansham, an international media and fashion personality; Aleem Hussain, businessman and President of the Guyana Golf Association; and Poonam Singh, singer, songwriter, and human rights advocate. Also on the judging panel were TeshawnaLall,GeneralManagerofthe

Continued on page 48

Taramattie

From left, Miss Teen India Guyana 2025 - Darshanie Tikapersaud, Miss India Guyana 2025 - Rameshwarie Jairam Mrs. India Guyana 2025 - Malini Persaud

Beautiful contestants of the Ms. Teen, Mrs, Miss India Guyana 2025

The Miss, Mrs. and Teen India Guyana 2024 queens during a showcase of their traditional dance

'SYNKTECH' - delivering professional remote IT services to businesses both locally and internationally

ByAllyiahAllicock

According to 24-yearold Mark Ramotar, young entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and new ways of solving problems. Taking this into account, helping persons solve their problems was the baselinethatpushedhimtostartto launchhisownbusiness.

oung entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and new ways of solving problems. We embrace change and innovation, which is exactly what society needs as technology and expectations evolve rapidly.”

Information Technology and several industry certifications, is

the proud founder of

'SYNKTECH', a small business which provides IT services to businesses both locally and internationally

Speaking of his journey and whatledhimtothepositionheisin today, Ramotar in an exclusive interview with this magazine said that he officially worked in IT for six years, and has always been passionateabouttechnologyforas

long as he remember “It's thanacareer—it'swhat Ilovedoing,”headded.

Young Entrepreneur, Mark Ramotar

What sparked 'SYNTECH' he related that he had noticed a problem in how many companies operate, relying on outdated and inefficienttechnology

“I saw a solution not many others were exploring and felt compelledtoact.AtSYNKTECH, we're about embracing new, smarter ways of doing things to solve real problems. That vision drove me to launch the business,” heexplained.

'SYNKTECH' which officially startedinJanuary2023,isatrusted Managed Service Provider (MSP) based in Guyana, delivering professional remote IT services to businesses both locally and internationally

Ramotar,whoholdsadegreein

According to the owner, the business helps organizations modernize their operations by

transitioningfromlegacyhardware to scalable, cloud-based solutions. “Specializing in Microsoft Azure, we eliminate the need for high upfront infrastructure costs and ongoing maintenance. Our clients enjoyafullyscalable,pay-as-yougosetupthatcanbeaccessedfrom anywhereintheworld—perfectfor businesses that are growing or streamlining,”Ramotarinformed.

To put it simple, SYNKTECH manages the tech aspect of business so you can truly focus on the business.

With technology an ever evolving tool, Ramotar said he continues to look at ways he can improve on his skills, and having workedinITforthepastsixyears, this has given him a strong foundationintheindustry

Further he said, “I'm currently (Continuedonpage47)

Despitelimitedacademicopportunities,father offourfindsnicheassuccessfulbusinessman

By Francwa Fortune

Fortune believes because he was notintherightenvironment,ithad a profound impact on most avenuesofhislifeparticularlyhis formaleducationachievements.

guidance early age, was “really tough and hard”.

Fortune mentioned that looking back, more children were consideredassetstofamilies,and hisfather'sfocuswasonacquiring

After leaving high school Fortune was determined to work hard to make life easier for him, his family and achieve his goals. Atage13hebeganhisfirstjobas a gold miner in the hinterland because it did not require any academics, but it demanded hard workwhichisacharacteristicthat he possessed in abundance. He workedthereforthreeyears,after which he left due to him falling sickwithmalaria.

Nevertheless, he did not let thataffecthimfromachievinghis goals.InJuly2006,Fortunebegan working at the Embassy of the United States of America as a chauffeur where his life took a turnforthebetter.Hewasableto traveltheworldandgainteaching in all different aspects of life as well as certificates for his dedication and unwavering commitmenttohisjob.

Accomplishment

Fortune said that throughout hislifehehasachievedquitealot

like, his children and grandchildren, growing a real estate portfolio including several rental apartments with more in development, and his job just to name a few; but he noted that his most important achievement is being able to have peace of mind andtodothingswithhisownfree will.

people how he can manage both a stable job as well as his businesses, Fortune responded sayingitisagiftgiventohimfrom birth through his parents, also he viewshisprojectsasahobbythat generates an income, and with thatapproachheisabletomanage everythingeffectively

Challenges

Fortune told The Waterfalls that his biggest challenge in life was not having traditional academic diplomas, and as a result he would have lost a lot of opportunities. He went to share that in his life presently he may nottrytoovercomethatchallenge

because he has already accomplished a lot without it and hedoesnotseetheneedforit.

“Peopledonotalwaysrespect you base on your academic qualification; they respect you based on what they know of you, what you have and your place of employment,”Fortunesaid.

Hesaidthatwhenyoulookat people who wish to further their educationtheirmaingoalistoget a good job to acquire money or moremoney Andhebelievesthat presently he does not need to get traditional academics to gain more money because he is 'comfortable' and there are also other alternatives to acquire the knowledgeheneeds.

“I always tell myself I'm too oldtogohurtmybrain,sowhatis working for me is that I interact with the people who have that skillthatcanhelpme,alsoIlisten to a lot of news and educational stuff. So, with that I am able to interact with anybody from anywhere,”hesaid.

Motivation

Thefatheroffourisdrivenby being able to accomplish something new every day while doing what he can to make life easier for his next generation. He also is motivated by challenges that will make him work to the bestofhisability

“I am looking forward to seeing more grandchildren, and what I can build up to make it easierformygrandchildreninthe future, so they can have opportunitiesinlifeIdidn'thave.I can foresee that life will get hard andifIcansetsomethingforthem thattheycanbuildon,thatiswhat motivatesmeeverydayandmake me want to wake up every day,” Fortuneshared.

In closing Fortune advice to all is that “honesty, credibility, punctuality, discipline are some key factors to carry you through life.Ifyoucanconquerthosefour things you will win at life.” He added that communication also playsakeyrole.

Businessman

Kwame Fortune

Kwame Fortune with three of his four children and his two grandchildren

Kwame Fortune collects a trophy after winning one of his recent cycling races

RECLAIMING MY VOICE, MY VISION, MY...

Frompage6 indifferent to what’s happeningintheworldright now

I have the duty and the responsibility to fight for all those who cannot, for those facing violence and exclusion,forthosetryingto survivewar,andforallthose whohavelosttheirlives.

That is why my vision

has never been just professional — it is deeply personal.

All of us have a

responsibility to help build a more tolerant and inclusivesociety,respectthe rightsanddignityofothers. Even when life changes. When I left my job and moved to Canada, I had to startagainandholdontothat vision.

BecauseIknewthatwhat I had built inside me could never be taken away — and that I had the opportunity to begin a new chapter: the mostimportantone,withmy love,myhusbandSébastien.

Together, we built a multicultural family with fourchildren. I put my professional career on hold and began a newstageofmylife andIcansaywithallmy heart, this is a fulfilling chapter

RECLAIMING

MY VICTORY

Victory comes with time — after fighting a thousand battles;manyofthemlost, but the most important oneswon.

Victory doesn’t always look like a title or a promotion Victory is growing.It’sbecomingmore than who you were yesterday It’s knowing who youare.

Loving yourself. Being atpeacewithyourself.It’sto recognize your weaknesses — and still being proud of yourstrengths.

Allofushaveapersonal battle.Manywomenreading these lines are probably thinking about their own

challenges,theirdreamsand goals But life doesn’t always give you what you want,orwhenyouwantit.

Andinthosemoments— when you fall — you must rise. Yes, you can cry You can scream. You can feel lost. You can be tired. But don’t stay there. You must getup—andbeginagain!

Becauseitisthefightthat keeps you going, and that fight is what will one day opendoors.

Myvictoryisnotjustmy

career. It is the entire journey ItisknowingthatInever gaveup,thatIfoundstrength in my silence, clarity in my vision, and purpose in every step I have taken.To all the women out there, you must continue to rise.You are the heart of your community, and your voice, your vision, and your victory matter — not just for yourselves, but for your family, for your children, and for every womanstillfindingherway

'Bridging the Gap Policy' launched to engage men and boys on gender-based violence prevention

Toeffectively

tacklegenderbasedviolencein Guyana,theMinistryof HumanServicesandSocial Security'sSexualOffences andDomesticViolence PolicyUnit(SO&DVPU) launchedits“Bridgingthe GapPolicy”onFriday

The policy aims to engage men and boys on gender-based violence, ensuring that they are aware of preventive steps and the healing journey, while also takingaccountability

While delivering the feature address at theArthur Chung Conference Centre, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vi n d h y a P e r s a u d , underscored that "Bridging the Gap" transcends a mere policy but represents a transformational framework meticulously designed to understand and address the challengesfacedbymenand boys.

“This is more than just a policy; it's transformational. Andit'snotmerelyanational policy on paper; it has been carefully thought out and crafted to be comprehensive and inclusive,” Minister Persaudstressed.

She noted that, “Its inclusivity stems from the extensive consultation and engagement with men from all walks of life during its creation, ensuring it resonateswitheveryone."

Additionally, this transformative initiative acknowledges that men and boys are not solely contributors to the problem but are also indispensable to itssolution.

It directly challenges the implicitassumptionthatmen and boys are exclusively perpetrators or passive bystanders in the context of GBV

According to the Minister, while the policy highlights difficult topics, it also ensures that genderbased violence issues are

tackled in a positive way to empowerandupliftmenand boys.

“The policy has been so carefullycraftedthatthereis nothingherethatgivesmena negativelabel,”theMinister of Human Services and SocialSecurityasserted.

According to a press release issued by the ministry, "Bridging the Gap", at its core, is not just about stopping violence. It's about helping men and boys grow into well-rounded individuals This means giving them the power to make their own choices and decide what it means to be a man, based on values like respect,takingresponsibility for their feelings, and caring foreachother.”

The ministry said that while preventing violence is still a major goal, the bigger picture is to help men and boys become self-aware, emotionally stable, and connected to their communities.

Moreover, the policy implementssevenintegrated actions to tackle genderbasedviolenceandempower menandboys.

Key initiatives include the BRAVE Programme for personal development, alongside public awareness campaigns on family violence, trauma-informed education for offenders, and youth-ledmedialiteracy

It also focuses on workplace GBV awareness, mental health support, and positive fatherhood, all designed to foster personal transformation and a nationalstrategyforviolence prevention.

Also present at the launch were Dr Cona Husbands, Manager of the SO&DVPU, andAdel Lilly, Manager of the Gender Affairs Bureau, alongside a distinguished assembly of prominentmenfromvarying backgrounds who fully endorsed the well-crafted framework.

ShinglebackLizard Interesting Creatures...

Scientificname:Tiliqua rugosa

The bulkiest of the bluetongues, the Shingleback Lizards are common on the plains west of the Great Dividing Range where rainfall is low and throughout the semi-arid habitats of inland Australia as well as coastal parts of WesternAustraliaandSouth Australia.

Shinglebacks in New SouthWalesareusuallydark brown all over, with or without yellow spots. The belly of blue-tongues is usually pale with darker variegations The eye is small and reddish-brown to grey Thetongueisdarkblue andtheliningofthemouthis brightpink.

The Shingleback has a verylargehead,averyshort blunt tail and large rough scales Males have a proportionally larger head and stockier body than females but females grow

slightlybiggerthanmales. Habitat

Shinglebacks usually liveinopencountrywithlots of ground cover such as tussocky grasses or leaf litter They shelter at night among leaf litter or under large objects on the ground suchasrocksandlogs.Early in the morning the lizards emerge to bask in sunny areas before foraging for foodduringthewarmerparts of the day Like all lizards, Shinglebacksdonotproduce theirownbodyheat,andrely on the warmth of their surroundings to raise their body tempe

e Shingleback Lizards maintainabodytemperature of about 30°C - 35°C when active. During cold weather they remain inactive, buried deepintheirsheltersites,but on sunny days they may emergetobask. Shinglebacks eat a wide variety of both plants and animals; Shinglebacks eat

more plant food than do the other blue-tongues

Shinglebacks are not very agileandtheanimalstheyeat are mostly slow-moving Theirteetharelargeandthey have strong jaw muscles so they can crush snail shells andbeetles.Thecaptivediet for this species at the Australian Museum is provided in three feeds within a period of a week. Theseconsistofasmallfeed of chopped vegetables on one day, a small serving of kangaroo mince on another day as well as two cockroaches, crickets snails for the third feeding. The timingandorderofthedietis changed around to simulate natural conditions and prevent stereotypical behaviour (where an animal willhavepredictableactivity patterns and essentially be waitingtobefed).Thisfood is supplemented with calciumandvitaminpowder to ensure that a nutritionally

balanceddietisprovided. The Shingleback has usually only two or three young that measure up to 220 mm in total length and weighasmuchas200g.

Breedingbehaviours

ShinglebackLizardslive alone for most of the year, but between September and November reunite as m

Shinglebacks in western New South Wales are often seen crossing roads in pairs, the male following the female. The same pairs may re-forminthematingseason overseveralyears.

Otherbehavioursand adaptations When threatened, Shinglebacks turn towards the threat, open their mouth wide and stick out their broad blue tongue that contrasts vividly with the pink mouth. This display, together with the large size ofthehead,mayfrightenoff predators. If the threat does

‘SYNKTECH’ - delivering professional remote IT services to businesses both locally...

Frompage41 pursuing my bachelor’s degree at Ensign College, where I’ve earned multiple certificationsalongtheway Ialsocontinuouslystudythe tools and technologies we use at SYNKTECH to stay sharp and ahead of the curve.”

Having entered a new phase of his business journey in December 2024, by expanding its offerings and refining its focus, the young man

expressed that the

support towards his business has been growing steadily

He recalled that in the early stages of the b u s i n e s s , i t w a s

challenging to gain traction, but as they have built credibility and educated people about what they offer, more i n d i v i d u a l s a n d businesses have started to believe in their mission and thevaluetheybring.

not go away, Shinglebacks may hiss and flatten out the body, making themselves look bigger A frightened Shingleback may bite if it is pickedup.

Predators R

Shinglebacks; they attach under the scales and in the ear canal They do not normal

y

ach to mammals, and are not known to cause paralysis.A number of nematode worms

parasitise large skinks such as Shinglebacks, and may sometimes be seen in faecal pellets. Again, these worms normally only parasitise reptiles. In the bush the major predators of Shinglebacks are large predatory birds (such as Brown Falcons and Laughing Kookaburras) and large snakes (including the Eastern Brown Snake, Redbellied Black Snake and MulgaSnake).Feralcatsand dogsalsoeatShinglebacks.

Eco Atlantic has until Jan. 2026 to drill new well on Orinduik Block...

Frompage7 drilling campaign at the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana, targeting stacked Cretaceous reservoirs similartothosefoundinthe prolific Stabroek Block The company’s latest CompetentPerson’sReport (CPR) estimates gross prospectiveresourcesat4.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) in theblock.

EcoAtlantic has initiated a formal farm-out process to attractpartnersforthenext phase of exploration. In its 2025 overview, the company said that it is actively seeking new partnerstosupportits2025 drillingcampaigntargeting multi-million-barrel reserves in the Cretaceous formation.

challenges has been

acquiring clients, especially since many peoplearenotfamiliarwith cloud technology and its benefits.

M a n a g i n g t o overcome this in some way, he briefed that he focused on networking,

by meeting people, having conversations, and educating them about his services in

relatable, easy-tounderstand ways

“By breaking down complex tech into realworld scenarios, I’ve been able to show how these solutions directly benefit their operations,” he revealed.

Looking to make his brand a household name, Ramotar said in moving forward his “long-term goal is to give clients peaceofmind

We want to become the go-to partner for IT

services, allowing businesses to focus on

He noted also that while the support has been good, there were some days where it got challenging According to him, one of the biggest

what matters most while we ensure their systems stay secure, productive, andfuture-ready ”

He shared that they are launching a new service for individuals which includes teachers, doctors, students, parents, anyone with a personalcomputer

“In today’s digital world, personal PCs are just as important and vulnerable as business systems

T h i s i n i t i a t i v e provides 24/7 support and proactive care for personal computers. We’ll monitor system health, apply updates and alert users to potential issues before they escalate. It’s like a checku p f o r y o u r computer ensuring performance, protection, andpeaceofmind.Nomore long waits, expensive repairs,orsurprisecrashes,” heexplained.

Solvingtechproblems one day at a time, our featured entrepreneur is of the belief that “Young

entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and new w a y s o f s o l v i n g problems

We embrace change and innovation, which is exactly what society needs as technology and expectations evolve rapidly ”

Further, he stated as a small business owner himself, he believes local entrepreneurs need more opportunities to connect to help grow their businesses

“Attending and hosting networkingevents canmakeahugedifference. It’s not just about who you know it’s about who knowsyou.

B u i l d i n g t h o s e relationships helps build trust and opens doors to growth,”hementioned.

Persons interested in

learning more about SYNKTECH or in need of their services can reach out by visiting their LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram pages by just s e a r c h i n g f o r SYNKTECH

Eco’stechnicalstrategy includes targeting stacked pay intervals within a provenmarineshalesource rock system, with three primary reservoirs: Cretaceous sandstones, Tertiary sandstones, and Cretaceous carbonates. It wasstatedthatdrillingwill focus on multiple stratigraphic and structural traps at depths ranging from4,000to5,500meters.

As part of its strategy,

Eco Atlantic holds a 100% working interest in the block. This follows the exitofformerjointventure partners TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy, who withdrew for strategic reasons.

InNovember2023,Eco Atlantic completed the acquisition of a 60% operated interest in the Orinduik Block from Tullow Guyana for US$700,000 in cash, along with future contingent royaltyconsiderations.

Manremandedforpossession...

Frompage14 and was not the only person withaccesstothevehicle.

The prosecution said thereisbodycamerafootage of the interaction but that evidence was not presented tothecourt.

Magistrate Singh, after hearing both sides, stated that no special reasons for bail to be granted were presented and as a result the accused was remanded to prisonuntilJune27,2025.

The magistrate also orderedthatthefootagefrom thebodycamerabeavailable bythenextcourtdate.

H o w e v e r , t h e prosecution objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence, that the accused is not the holder of a firearm license and that he may be a flight risk. The court was toldthatearlieronthedayin questionAdamswasstopped by police officers for reversingonaone-waystreet and when ranks asked to search the vehicle he reportedly locked the vehicle’s doors and drove away resulting in a chase. Adamswaslaterintercepted and a search done where the police found the firearm in the glove compartment area of the car. Investigators stated that the weapon was visible as soon as the panel wasopeneditfelltothefloor ofthecar

WANTED

Driver for canter truck and Porters to work in warehouse, experience is an asset. Call: 673-7373.

Job openings: truck Drivers, AC Technician & Health & safety Officer. Apply via Whatsapp: 689-1111/ 6082114.

Cashier (9pm - 6am), Inventory clerk, pastry maker, roti cooks. send applications to Roti Hut, 18 North Road Bourda. Call: 227-4949 ext 1137 / 656-7686.

Wanted One person skilled in Welding and Fabrication from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Training will be provided. Contact 621-7861 for more information

Wanted one Maid. Call: 6801282.

Aracari Resort crystal clear pool, family fun, safe kids & adult sections, music & food. W.B.D. Call: 264-29469

LAND FOR SALE

40x100 ft(+10ft Reserve) in Cummings Lodge ideal for apartment building/bondPartial infrustructural work. Tel: 624-8694.

100 Acres of Maiden Agricultural Land, well know for its Lavish Pumpkin, Watermelon & Grown provision. Call 227-1813

One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. For more information Call: 649-0956.

FOR SALE

Many types of metal working machinery to manufacture/ repair Metal parts. Call 227-1813 for more info.

VACANCY

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2 call 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132.

Maid for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) Male cleaner for Eccles office. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) Painter needed. Call: 615-9132.

General Domestic, Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 5 day work.

One night watchman call: 731-2125

Excavator Operator for Interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 672-9383.

GOAL Graduates! Start your career at Aracari Resort- great pay, growth, perks. Apply now! Call: 264-2946-9.

Vacancy for one Kitchen assistance (Monday to Friday) $5000 per day. Call : 6962520.

Regular & Punctual workers needed to work in Boutique at Soesdyke, 35 k. Call :6699258 /664 -3411

Pump Attendant / Cashier (6am-2pm & 2pm10pm).Mobil Providence E.B.D, Call: 265-7306. Email:Mobilramsburg@gmai.com

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage PUTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956. VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Natrualisation guidance + application filling, ECT. Tel: 626-7040.

2005 Nissan Tiide for sale as is $450,000. Call : 6115814.

Registered Nighthawk Black Pearl Honda Accord 2400cc American Automatic For Sale. Whatsapp 3468180822

T RUCK TIRES 295/ 75R22.5 $40K EACH. CALL/WHATSAPP: +592688-3201.

House and Land for sale. Contact : 645-9805.

626-8918

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

FOR RENT

One Business place to rent 183 Quamana Street, South Cummingsburg. Tel : 6122125.

Hotel, WBD (Versailles, Vreed-en-Hoop) - A/C, all amenities & breakfast included. From $78 US. Call: 264-2946.

Trump says US forces bombed Iran nuclear sites;

says ‘Fordow is gone’

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said that a “very successful attack” on three nuclear sites in Iran had been successfully carried out, including at Fordow.

In a posting on Truth Social, Trump added, “All planes are safely on their way home” and he congratulated “our great American Warriors.”

Trump ended his posting saying, “Now is the time for peace.” The action came as Israel and Iran have been engaged in more than a week of aerial combat that has resulted in deaths and injuries in both countries.

Israel launched the attacks on Iran saying that it wanted to remove any chance of Tehran developing nuclear weapons.

Iran has argued that its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.

Diplomatic efforts by Western nations to stop the hostilities had so far been unsuccessful. In another social

FOR RENT

1159 PHASE TWO SECTIONS B COVENT GARDEN EBD one bedroom furnish apartment with all the modern convenient. 6935495

Male Seeking female for companionship ages 1825. Call or Whatsapp 6865377

screengrab of multiple explosions

media posting Trump said, “Fordow is gone.”

Trump appeared to be referring to the underground nuclear storage facility in Natanz.

The bombing came after

B-2 bombers had been dispatched to Guam earlier on Saturday, according to U.S. sources.

A U.S. official told Reuters that B-2 bombers were involved in the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

It was still unclear whether any Israeli forces were involved in this latest bombing, which significantly expanded the scope of the hostilities.

Quintet from Regions 2 and 7 to represent...

From page 12 made possible by the generous support of the Guyana Diaspora, local families and contributions from the Ministry of Education, Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Vice President, and the Ministry of Local Government.

Together, these partners are demonstrating a united national commitment to preparing Guyana’s youth for lead-

ership in a global, technology-driven future.

StemGuyana said that beyond competition, participation in IGO is transformational.

Students gain global exposure, enhance their university applications, and develop lifechanging skills such as public speaking, intercultural communication, and independent thinking.

Their trip to London will be more than a showcase, it will

be a defining chapter in their personal and academic growth.

As Guyana prepares to wave its Golden Arrowhead proudly on the international stage, STEMGuyana invited the nation to rally behind “these exceptional young ambassadors, and the remarkable coaches guiding them, who embody the promise of a smarter, more innovative future.”

PEN PAL

A

filmed from Ahvaz in Iran (BBC)

Aid seekers in Gaza continue to be targeted as Israeli attacks kill 26

Palestinian children react as they receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, in Gaza City

[Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]

Gaza’s Health Ministry says that in the last 48 hours, 202 people have been killed in Israeli attacks.

Aljazeera - At least 26 people, including more aid seekers, have been killed in the latest Israeli attacks on Gaza.

The attacks come as desperatePalestiniansunder Israeli blockade continue to wait at food distribution points amid an ongoing hungercrisis.

Among those killed during Israeli attacks on the besieged enclave on Saturday, 11 were aid recipients at distribution centres run by the United States-and-Israel-backed

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which the United Nations has condemned for its “weaponisation”ofaid.

Meanwhile, Wafa news agency reported that at least threepeoplewerekilledand several others wounded by an Israeli drone strike that targeted displaced Palestinians in al-Mawasi, southernGaza.

The report said that the attack targeted a tent sheltering displaced members of the Shurrab family.The tent was located

inanareatheIsraelimilitary hadpreviouslydesignatedas a“safezone”.

In the last 48 hours, at least 202 people have been killed, including four recoveredbodiesafterIsraeli attacks, and 1,037 wounded by Israeli attacks across Gaza, the Health Ministry reported.

Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, at least 55,908 people have been killed, and 131,138havebeenwounded inIsraeliattacks. Attacksonaidsites

In recent days, Israeli attacks on aid distribution sitesinGazahaverampedup as thousands of Palestinians gather daily in the hope of receiving food rations following a two-month Israeli blockade of aid deliveries.

On Saturday, three peoplewerekilledataGHF site in Khan Younis after Israeli forces opened fire. Several people were also wounded and taken to medicalfacilities.

Omar al-Hobi, a displaced Palestinian in KhanYounis,toldAlJazeera from a hospital that walking to those sites means you “enterthepointofdeath”.

“I call it the point of death.Thetankisinfrontof us, the machinegun is in front of us, and the quadcopter is above us, and there are soldiers on the groundwithsnipers.Anyone whomovesbeforethetimeis shot, and the moment the tank retreats, we start running,”al-Hobisaid.

Israelclaimsitsattacksat the aid sites have been to control crowds, but witnesses and humanitarian groups have said that many of the shootings took place unprovoked, resulting in hundredsofcasualties.

The Red Cross said on Thursday, the “vast majority” of patients who

arrivedatitsfieldhospitalin the enclave since the GHF aid system began at the end of last month had reported that they were wounded while trying to access aid or arounddistributionpoints. Meanwhile,Wafa, citing the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in the GazaStrip,reportsthatthere has been a disruption in internet and landline services affecting the governoratesofGaza,which includeGazaCity,andnorth Gaza.

There is currently an ongoing outage in the southernandcentralareasof theGazaStripthathaslasted formorethanthreedays.

Guyana Beverages Inc. partners with Archery Guyana

Archery Guyana announced the continuationand expansion of its successful partnership with Guyana Beverages Inc (GBI), marking a milestone in athlete s

development.

Sunday June 22, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Something is currently compellingyoutobemoreof a world citizen than usual, Aries. You may find this somewhat disturbing You feel as though the roots of youridentity

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Your surroundings are currently changing, Taurus. Perhapsyourcircleoffriends has already undergone a majorchange.Thefactisthat you no longer have so many prejudices about the people youmeet.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Gemini, you're demystifying theconceptoftalent.Youused to look enviously at other peopleandthink,"IwishIhad anaturalabilitylikethat."

CANCER(June21–July22)

Areyouthinkingofgoinginto businessforyourself,Cancer? Being self-employed doesn't automatically mean you will have more freedom Of course, you will be your own boss.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Within the next few days, you'relikelytogainaccessto dimensionsofperceptionyou neversuspected,Leo.Perhaps you will become aware of certain energy phenomena, peakexperiences.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Often fiery temperaments like yours are drawn to fight for great causes despite the better judgment of more down-to-Earth people. As a result, you have great leadership potential that may emergetoday

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your optimism is likely to receive a little boost today, Libra.Amemorableemotional encountermaybethesourceof some extra zeal. Or you may derive great satisfaction from beingpartofagroup.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Perhaps you should suspend your inhibitions for the day, Scorpio, and let your dreams guide you. For instance, you mightimaginethattheneedto make any choices has vanished.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

This is the type of day you enjoy The climate is positive, and the energy is flowing. It's as though you have a magic wand.Yougiveitawaveandpresto - the day's tasks and chores are done! By this evening.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

If the world collapsed today, you wouldn't bat an eyelash. You're perfectly content sailing along on cloud nine! Thesourceofyourblisscould bethatnewpersoninyourlife.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb.

18) You may have had some emotional disappointments lately, but today will restore yourfaithinlove.Allyouneed to do is act. Your amazing lucidity and realism keep you from hoping for the impossible.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Put on your traveling shoes, Pisces. Fear of the unknown may have prompted you to postpone certain trips. You claimedyouweretoobusy,but noonereallybelievedthis.

andeventhoughadistributor they facilitate walk-ins who purchasebyacaseandupat either their Head office situate at Plot 4APlantation Great Diamond EBD or at the Branch Offices at Palmyra Berbice, Johanna Cecelia,EssequiboCoast.

As the official beverage sponsor, GBI, under the leadership of Managing Director Mr SamuelArjoon and dedicated team, will continue supplying Oasis purified water and the innovative new Altitude sports drink to all national archery events Oasis, celebrated for its crisp, premium taste, and Altitude: formulated with essential electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) and available in flavours like FruitPunch,Grape,andBlue Frost, all offer vital hydration and recovery for athletes. “Hydration is very importantforarchery,andany sport overall,” confirms Archery Guyana’s President, Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, who went on to express heartfelt gratitude toArjoon and his GBI team, r e c o g n i s i n g t h e i r unwavering commitment to athlete wellbeing and sport growth. Their support not only enhances performance butalsopromotestheOlympic ideals of wellness and excellence

Guyana Beverages Inc will continue to support upcoming national tournaments, including the upcoming Outdoor Nationals 2025,bysupplyinghydration stations and athlete refreshments.

Education & Awareness: Joint campaigns on proper hydration,sportsnutrition,and sustainabilitywillberolledout later this year Samuel Arjoon, Managing Director of GBI at the signing of the contract to renew partnershipattheDiamond’s Head Office declared “We are honoured to continue supportingArcheryGuyana. Oasis water and our new Altitude sports drink are designedtohelpathletesstay hydrated and energised, and we remain committed to s u p p o r t i n g s p o r t s developmentinGuyana.”

In addition to hydration, thecollaborationwithGBIis increasingly geared toward sustainablepractices.

Their products can be foundatretailersnationwide

With the renewed partnership, the National Federation,ArcheryGuyana and Guyana Beverages Inc. will be exploring the placement of recycling bins at competition venues and eco-awareness displays and

athlete education on proper disposal and will be seeking to integrate International Days (e g , World Environment Day, World Water Day) into archery events through small but meaningfulactions.

“Thiscollaborationisnot just about sports it’s about the health of our people and our planet. We’re eager to a l i g n w i t h G B I ’s sustainability model and explore opportunities to make our events greener,” addedPersaud-McKinnon.

(L-R)Anita Lall - Marketing Manager, GBI Colin Higgins - Events Coordinator, GBI Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon - President,Archery Guyana SamuelArjoonGeneral Manager, GBI Lalita Lachman - Trade Marketing Coordinator GBI.

3rd National Junior Golf Championship set for July 3

What began as a modest pilot project during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 has blossomed into one of the country’s most successful youthsportsinitiatives.

The Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and Nexgen Golf Academy, in partnershipwiththeMinistryof Education, initially introduced golf into just six secondary schools Four years later, the programmehasevolvedintoa national sensation With unwavering support from the Ministry of Education, the MinistryofCulture,Youthand Sport, the Guyana Tourism Authority,andawidenetwork of corporate and individual sponsors, golf has emerged as the fastest-growing sport in Guyana.

Thousands of students now take part in the game during Physical Education classes, and this year, more than350studentsoptedtosit golf as an elective at the CSEC examinations a historicmilestoneforthesport

locally Thecontinuedsuccess of the youth golf programme will be showcased in full swing on Wednesday, July 3, when the Third Annual National Junior Golf Championship unfolds at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue The tournament,jointlyhostedbythe GGA, Nexgen GolfAcademy, and the Ministry of Education, willfeature350studentgolfers representingsixregions

Defending champions

Leguan Secondary School (RegionThree)willbeeyeing a third consecutive national title, but they’ll face stiff competition from a strong field of up-and-coming talents determined to shake uptheleaderboard.

In addition to the main junior championship, this year’s event will include a CPCE Teachers Competition, further expanding the sport’s reachandengagementamong educators The championship isbeingheldwiththegenerous backing of key sponsors and p

Ministry of Education, Guyana Tourism Authority, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Sunshine Snacks, Guyana Beverages, Sterling Products Limited, S

ns, Praetorian Security Services and University of Guyana Vice-Chancellor Paloma Mohamed

Toolsie Persaud Limited, TrophyStall,TMK2000Inc, MovieTowne Guyana, Telco Solutions and Mobile Advertising, Pegasus Hotel and Suites, Captain Gerry Gouveia (Roraima Airways), Dustin Spivey, TriStone Auto, and the EdwardB.BeharryGroupof Companiesarealsoonboard.

Participation in the championshipiscompletelyfree ofcost Allplayerswillreceive meals, snacks, and beverages, with transportation for competitors from Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six made possible through the assistanceofCommissionerof PoliceCliffordHicken

Keevin “Lightning”Allicock

Dharry, Allicock, and Marques set Marques

to ‘light up’

On August 2, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall will transform into a cauldron of fists and fire, as three of Guyana’s biggest names, Elton “The Bully” Dharry, Keevin “Lightning” Allicock, and Dexter “The Kid”Marques,stepbackinto theringforwhatpromisesto be fireworks from the openingbell.

Tickets for the Pro-Am card will go on sale from July1

The bout is the final tune-up before Guyana hosts its first-ever male

World Title fight in September, with Dharry expectedtoheadlineinthe

Anticipation heightens ahead of 2025...

Frompage55

nowpreparingatfullgallop,asexpectations climbandcompetitionstiffens.

Many owners have already taken swift action, acquiring top-tier bloodstock from overseas, some dispatching agents, while others flew out personally to secure elite contenders. According to industry insiders, “straightfromthehorse’smouth,”atleast21 horses are being airlifted from Brazil, with many already purchased but now expedited due to the demand. Meanwhile, seven

imported two-year-olds from Miami are confirmedtotouchdownshortly,withmore expectedintherun-uptoraceday

This influx of imports highlights the accelerating growth and professionalization ofthesportunderMohamed’sleadership. With international contenders, unprecedented stakes, and a revitalized industry now bolstered by proper regulation and ambition, the 2025 Guyana Cup is shaping up to be a defining moment in Caribbeanhorseracing.

the ring on August 2

boutofhislife

Aveteran of the global fight scene, Elton Dharry is sharpening his tools ahead of his world title bid

With over 25 pro wins and a resume that includes a gutsy war against Andrew Moloney for the WBA Interim Super Flyweight Title in 2019, Dharry brings power, precision, and pure grit backtothering

His return signals a mission to bring a world championshiphome.

M e a n w h i l e , f o r Allicock, he’s fast, he’s s l i c k , a n d h e ’ s undefeated

The Tokyo Olympian and national standout has seamlessly transitioned from amateur sensation to proprospect. K

y, Allicock has the swagger of a star in the making

On August 2, fans can expect another masterclass from the Caribbean’s finest youngtalent.

Dexter Marques, the “Old Lion Roars Again” and at 38, he may be the elder statesman of the card, but his fire hasn’t

returns to

the ring with over 20 years of battle-tested experience

Built on discipline

and

living example that age is just another round to overcome

Beyond the headline bouts, the undercard will

d lineup of elite amateurs, hungry young warriors looking to punch their way into the spotlight From rising stars to national champs, the

boxing will be on full display

Anticipation heightens ahead of 2025 Guyana Cup

Guyana Cup 2025 is off and running, sparking a surge of excitement across the country and beyond With sweeping changes and internationalflair,thisyear’s edition of Guyana’s premier horse racing event promises to be the most electrifying yet.

The official race day is setforSunday,August17,at RisingSunTurfClub.Gates open at 9:00 am, with the firstpostat11:00amsharp;a newchangetoaccommodate apacked11-racecard.

Each race will be run 35 minutes apart, ensuring a non-stop adrenaline rush from flag fall to the final furlong.

In a push for higher standards, the promoter has issued clear directives that all horses must be on the grounds by 8:00 am or they will be scratched. Jockeys must report to the jockeys’ room by 10:00 am, with penalties in place for tardiness.

Following the official launchofthe17thrunningof the Guyana Cup last Tuesday, anticipation is building for the country’s biggest day in racing, a true crown jewel on the Caribbeanturfcalendar Promoter Nasrudeen Jr Mohamed continues to prove why he’s considered one of the most visionary

Horsing racing action at Rising Sun Turf Club

minds in the region’s racing industry

During the press launch, Mohamed unveiled two groundbreaking additions to the race card—events never bef

n Guyanesesoil.

The announcement sent shockwaves through stables and paddocks from Georgetown to Brazil and acrosstheWestIndies.

The first of the two new featuresisanOpenJuvenile, exclusively for 2-year-old imported thoroughbreds foaledin2023;afirst-of-itskindeventinGuyana.

The second, dubbed “TheDerby,”isahigh-purse showdown open to both

Brazilian-bred and West Indian-bred runners, setting the stage for a true regional turfwar

Thesehistoricinclusions were made possible by recentlypassedhorseracing legislation, a turning point

Mohamed credits to the unwavering support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth andSport,andbyextension, theGovernmentofGuyana.

The promoter extended heartfeltthankstotheSports Ministry for helping elevate the Sport of Kings to its rightfulstature.

Sincetheannouncement, thelocalracingfraternityhas been buzzing with renewed energy Owners, trainers, jockeys,andstablestaffare (Continuedonpage54)

Guyana to compete at CARICOM 10K in Jamaica

…Government of Guyana covers full cost of participation

J e l i c i a Wr i g h t , Cleveland Thomas, and Timothy Smith will represent Guyana at the CARICOM10KRoadRace, set for July 5 in Montego

Bay, Jamaica Jonathan Fungudes will accompany theteamasCoach.

PresidentoftheAthletics Association of Guyana ( A A G ) , A m a n d a

Hermonstine, confirmed the country’s participation following a recent meeting of CARICOM Directors of Sport, which included Guyana’s Director of Sport,

S

e. The

Ninvalle confirmed that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and National Sports Commission (NSC) willbecoveringallexpenses associated with Guyana’s participationinJamaica.

The 10K and 5K races, along with a 5K walk, will begin at 6:30 am (East Caribbean Time) from the Montego Bay Convention Centre,RoseHall,St.James.

The road races are being held as one of the fringe events in conjunction with the49thRegularMeetingof the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, under the chairmanship of the Most Honourable Dr Andrew Holness, Prime MinisterofJamaica.

The winner of the Open 10K Race will walk away

with USD $1,000, while the second and third-place finishers will receive USD $500 and USD $250, respectively

Additionally,topmaleand femaleathletesinthe10Kwill vie for the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy (Male) and the CARICOM Secretary-General’s Trophy (Female).The2024editionof the CARICOM Road Races was cancelled due to Hurricane Beryl’s impact on Grenada At the 16th CARICOM Road Races in 2023, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago dominated the podium Guyanese distance runner Attoya Harvey won theOverallFemalecategory and secured the CARICOM Secretary-General’sTrophy

Samantha Shikla (Trinidad and Tobago) and

Laura Lynn Limery (Saint Lucia) took second and third,respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago swept the men’s division, with standout Nicholas Romany claiming the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy His compatriots, Donnel Francis and Tafari Waldron,securedthesecond andthirdspots.

FLASHBACK: Hon Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica and then Chair of CARICOM, stands with the 16th CARICOM Road Races winners Nicholas Romany andAttoya Harvey (centre), officials of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, and other senior CARICOM officials and athletes.

ExxonMobil Guyana GSL to blend Cricket and Soca

Cricket fans, get ready to party!

the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) is serving up action both on and off the pitch,inaspectacularfusion ofsportandSoca.

I n a d y n a m i c collaboration with Hits and Jams Entertainment, the GSL is transforming every Guyana Amazon Warriors home match at the Guyana National Stadium into a cricket-meets-carnival spectacle.

Each game will now feature a halftime Super Concert,headlinedbysome of the Caribbean’s biggest Soca and Chutney stars, promising fans non-stop entertainment from the toss tothefinalball

The action kicks off under the lights on Thursday,July10,whenthe hometown Warriors face

RangpurRiders

But the energy doesn’t dip at the innings break, instead,itexplodeswiththe

Roberts, who will set Providence alight with her signature anthems and infectiousstagepresence

The following night (Friday, July 11) brings more Caribbean heat as Nadia Batson, the undisputed queen of vibes, takes over the stage during the Warriors’ clash with New Zealand’s Central Stags.

OnSunday,July13,fans will be treated to a vibrant blend of Soca and chutney as Trinidadian superstar Ravi B performs during the m u c h - a n t i c i p a t e d showdown between the Warriors and Dubai Capitals

The mid-week magic

continues on Wednesday, July 16, with a fiery encounteragainstAustralian franchise Hobart Hurricanes XI,andhalftimewillbelong to rising Soca sensation MicalTeja,whopromisesto ignite the crowd with his chart-toppinghitRunaway Then,allroadsleadtothe GSL Finals on Friday, July 18, where the cricket stakes will be sky-high — and the vibes will reach boiling point.

SocapowerhouseNailah Blackman will bring the curtain down on the concert series with a headline performance guaranteed to shake the foundations of Providence.

One Ticket, Two Epic Experiences

Withasingleticket,fans get access to both the thrilling cricket action and the world-class halftime

SuperConcerts. Tickets are available now at the GuyanaAmazon Warriors Box Office on Camp Street, Georgetown, o r o n l i n e a t www.gslt20.com.

Whetheryou’reacricket die-hard, a Soca aficionado — or both — the 2025 GSL season is shaping up to be unmissable.

GSL2025SuperConcert Line-up:

·July10:PatriceRoberts – Amazon Warriors vs RangpurRiders

·July11:NadiaBatson–AmazonWarriorsvsCentral Stags

· July 13: Ravi B –Amazon Warriors vs Dubai Capitals

· July 16: Mical Teja –Amazon Warriors vs Hobart HurricanesXI

July 18: Nailah Blackman–GSLFinal

Anticipation heightens ahead of 2025 Guyana Cup

Will Olympic Kremlin repeat as Guyana Cup Champions this year?

Guyanatocompeteat CARICOM10KinJamaica

…Government of Guyana covers full cost of participation

Dharry,Allicock,andMarquesset to‘lightup’theringonAugust2

Elton “The Bully” Dharry will be back in the ring onAugust 2 at the CliffAnderson Sports Hall. (Newsroom photo)