Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Children among 25 killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza amid aid blockade
...Cancer and diabetes patients among those suffering from Israel’s ban on entry of all items, including food, water, medicine in Gaza.
Guyana only received
US$2.6 billion out of
US$17.9 billion made in 2024
...Exxon,partnersrecoveredUS$13.9billion
Guyana Pandits’ Council condemns ‘Baby Skello’attack on Hinduism
Foreign pathologists
Veteran Politician Amna Ally has died
Eco Atlantic announces plan for new exploration
well in light of major discoveries in Stabroek Block ExxonM operations but not delivered
Jagdeo glorifies IMF’s report to show Guyana
good to borrow more’
seek review of Adriana’s PME recording, possible examination of body Mining targets 2027 for gold production at Eagle Mountain project
High Court orders SOL Guyana to pay $2.1 billion for fuel imported for Canadian firm Mako
Members of the Uma Maheshwar Mandir at La Jalousie Estate, West Coast Demerara on Saturday W condemned attacks on Hinduism by 'Baby Skello' during a peaceful demonstration at Gap Road, La Jalousie.
well in light of major discoveries in Stabroek Block
The exciting chain of successful discoveries
u n l o c k e d b y t h e
ExxonMobil-ledconsortium in the Stabroek Block is encouraging the operator of theOrinduikBlocktopursue a new exploration well in whatthecompanydescribed as one of the world's most prolificoffshoreoilregions.
The announcement was made this week by Eco AtlanticOil&Gas.
The company holds a 100%workinginterestinthe Orinduik Block and has already made two discoveriesthere.
In a statement, it said, “With multiple leads
identified and major discoveries nearby, ongoing G&G work is supporting preparations for the next explorationwell.”
The company added, “Orinduik remains a key long-term asset as Eco advances its Guyana strategy.”
In Guyana, Eco Guyana holds a 100% working interest in the 1,354 km2 Orinduik Block in the wellproven Suriname-Guyana basin.
The Orinduik Block is situatedinshallowwater(70 – 1,400m), 170 km offshore Guyanaandislocated11km up-dip from ExxonMobil's Liza discovery and 6km updip from Hammerhead discovery on the Stabroek Block.
In 2019, two oil discoveries at Jethro-1 and Joe-1 were made, and both
Earlier this year, it was reported that the Canadian Exploration Company is advancing plans for a 2025 drilling campaign at the Orinduik Block, targeting stacked Cretaceous reservoirs similar to those found in the prolific StabroekBlock.
The company's latest Competent Person's Report (CPR) estimates gross prospective resources at 4.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent(MMBOE)inthe block.
As part of its strategy, Eco Atlantic has initiated a formal farm-out process to attract partners for the next phaseofexploration.
In November 2023, Eco Atlantic completed the acquisition of a 60% operated interest in the OrinduikBlockfromTullow Guyana for US$700,000 in cash, along with future contingent royalty considerations.
Given its proximity to successful oil discoveries in the Stabroek Block, the companyishopingtoattract similar success. So far, the ExxonMobil-operated block hasunlocked46discoveries, includingfivediscoveriesin 2024.
Duringthisyear'sEnergy Conference in February at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, ExxonMobil Senior Vice President, Deep Water, J Hunter Farris highlighted the 'remarkable success'oftheblock. Farris told delegates this is“completelyunheardofin
Stabroek to Vreed-en-Hoop water taxi operations temporarily suspended
The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) of the Ministry of Public Works, on Saturday, advised that watertaxioperationsbetweenStabroekand Vreed-en-Hoop will be suspended on Sunday,May11,2025,from18:00hrs. “Thistemporarysuspensionisnecessary tofacilitateessentialdredgingworksatthe passenger landing and discharge areas.
MARAD said that regular hours of operationwillresumeonMonday,May12, 2025.“MARAD appreciates the public's understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance maritime safety and infrastructure.”
ourindustryandinthedeepwater space so this whole expectation, I knew we wouldbringourbest,Iknew wedowhatwesaidwewere gonna do and then I've been verypleasedbytheoutcome a n d h o w q u i c k l y, responsibly, safely we've been able to not only find frontier resource but develop it at re
y industry leading pace that then brings significant value to the people of Guyana and that's what our jobis.”
He went on to describe Guyana as an “oil super power” given the more than 11 billion barrels of resources discovered by the consortium over the past 10 years.
Map showing the location of the Orinduik Block, offshore Guyana and the discoveries made to date near the Stabroek Block (Source: EcoAtlantic)
KaieteurNews
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24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Cheap gold
“The Oko West Feasibility Study marks a major milestoneinrealizingthevalueofwhatweconsideroneof the world's most exciting undeveloped gold projects. It confirms a long-life, high-margin operation with strong economics, supported by a proven resource and solid infrastructure.” More and more, the language of LouisPierreGignac,ChiefExecutiveOfficerofCanadianmining enterpriseG MiningVenturesCorp(GMIN), is becoming regularnews,thestoryofmineralrichGuyana. ElDorado, oncethestuffoflegendisnowreality,takingtheworldby storm. All Guyanese should be as excited as the GMIN CEO, for the more his company chalks up big profits, the more the big dreams for a better life are in the hands of citizens.
Fromgoldalone,thisminingventurebyitself,thereis so much to expect. The price per ounce of the metal is around US$3000, and executives of GMIN are beside themselvesovercurrentestimatesthatstandat4.3million ounces The startup investment is a billion US (US$972M),withanadditional$650Mneededoverthelife of the project. The rate of return is put at 27%, and the payback period under three years. In every one of those numbers,GMINhasdonetheincredible. Ithastakenover from Midas, breathing, sleeping, and floating in a golden limousine. Life is good, cannot be surpassed, for GMIN. WhatisthereinthisfabulousOkoWestgoldprojectinthe mineral rich Cuyuni-Mazaruni fields for Guyanese? Guyanese get to celebrate what politicians love to sell to provetheirworth,1270permanentjobs. Thisisaconstant mantra of politicians, with jobs highlighted, and which have their merits about them. But when CEOs put aside their usual corporate blandness, and speak about “one of the world's most exciting undeveloped gold projects” at OkoWest,itcannotbetheold,stale,story Thesamestale tale of one government after another working smartly behind closed doors for royalty rates in the low to midsingledigits,andtaxesthataresolowasnottobeworththe breathusedinsuchdisclosure.
We would be surprised if the royalties and taxes finalizedforGuyanabytheGovernmentofGuyanaarenot anothersellout,anotherone-sideddealfollowingintheold pattern. Therearetheserichandrewardinggoldprojectsin thedeepinterior,andallthatcitizenshearofarejobs,and infrastructure. Thelow-level,backbreakingjobsarewhat Guyanesehavetoshowforthe4.3millionouncesofgoldto bemined. Theinfrastructuretobecarvedoutinthemiddle ofthejungleisfortheefficientoperationsofGMINandto acceleratethemovementofthepreciousmetaltoitsforeign markets. When the PPPC Government cannot face Guyanese and proudly say that this is the package for 4.3 million ounces of gold, it is sufficient to reinforce beliefs thatanothercheapdealwassigned. Whenthingshavetobe hidden, there is some level of shame at the embedded weaknesses. It is part of an ongoing leadership crisis in Guyana that begins with the governments in charge. Foreign investors can inspire their stakeholders with numbers that blow the mind, and narratives that have certaincommoningredients,suchas'worldclass'and'one of the most exciting ' But there are the Guyana Governmentsthatcannotopentheirmouthsandsharewith Guyanesehowtheirtreasuresaremanaged. GMIN'sCEO Louis-Pierre Gignac can speak excitedly and at high volume about Guyana's rich natural resources' prospects, but he is not the first. There was ExxonMobil's CEO, DarrenWoods,anditsGuyanaCountryOverseer,Alistair Routledge, who talk like champions. “Crown jewel” and “world class” and among 'the most amazing deep water deposits'inthecontextofoilintheStabroekBasinspeakof the supremely confident, one-in-a-lifetime winners BeforeGMINandgold,therewasExxonMobilandoil.The people associated with both companies are dreaming big dreams. The tragedy is that those who own the wealth, Guyanese,havestoppeddreaming. Whatistheretodream about, jobs and not the real money that these treasures represent? Investors are winners from cheap contracts, Guyanesekeeponexistingintheranksoflosers.
Tribute to the Late Amna Ali: A Life of Service and Dedication
DearEditor, It is with deep sadness andprofoundsorrowthatwe mourn the passing of Comrade Amna Ally, a formidableforce,atowering figure in Guyana's political history and a long-standing stalwart member of the People's National Congress Reform. Fondly referred to by me and several others as the "Iron Lady," Amna Ally was a true political giant w h o s e n a m e a n d contributions have left her enduring imprints etched intotheannalsofournation's history She was, until 2020, the longest-serving member of parliament in Guyana, secondonlytoMinisterGail Teixeira in parliamentary tenure. Her decision not to return to parliament marked the end of a remarkable
chapterinGuyana'spolitical landscape.
AmnaAllydevotedmore than half her life to public serviceandtheadvancement of her party She was a skilled organizer, an astute and masterful campaign manager, and an unmatched fundraising force, always working tirelessly, both upfront and behind the scenes, to ensure success. Herno-nonsenseattitudeand unwavering commitment to gettingtheworkdoneearned her respect, admiration, and criticism. Her approach was viewed as direct or firm. To those who knew her well, it was never personal; she simply knew how to get the jobdone.
Onapersonallevel,Iam especially grateful to Amna Ally She recognized my
potentialasayoungmember of the party and played an instrumental role in my political journey Her mentorship, support, and unwavering belief in my abilities left an indelible impact on my life. When Amna believed in you, she gaveherall;shewasfiercely loyal and unrelenting in her support.
I n o u r f i n a l conversations,sheexpressed concern for the future of the party she loved so deeply While those moments were filled with emotion, I am gratefulthatIhadthechance to assure her that her contributions had not gone unnoticed, that she had indeed given so much, and that her legacy would endure. I reminded her that change is inevitable, it will
come, and brighter days lie ahead.
Inlightofherdecadesof publicserviceandinvaluable contributions to Guyana's political development, I strongly believe that Amna Ally should be granted a state funeral, a gesture worthy of her stature, her commitment, and her enduringlegacytoGuyana.
To her family, relatives, friends, comrades, and politicalcolleagues,Iextend my heartfelt condolences. May you find strength, comfort, and solace in the knowledge thatAmnaAlly's life was one of purpose, passion, and patriotic service. May her soul rest in eternalpeace.
Yoursrespectfully, H o n . J e r m a i n e Figueira,MP
Invite the FBI or Scotland Yard to investigate Adriana Younge's death
DearEditor,
The death of Adrianna Younge is raising more questions than answers Informationsuggeststhatthe police are belatedly asking witnessestocomeforward.I refuse to even describe this ridiculousstateofaffairs.
Now it is reported that the government is going to bringinaretiredinvestigator from Canada to investigate the death of the young lady Isthisgovernmentlivingina parallel universe created by
itself? Handpicking an investigator answerable to no one with no resources to fallbackonwouldmakehim dependentonthelocalpolice force, which, at this point in time, is not trusted by the familyandmanyotherswith regardtothismatter His findings would be considered questionable This government would do well to abandon this approach and invite the FBI or Scotland Yard to investigate this matter The
investigator from these two agencies would be answerabletotheirsuperiors and would have the resources of the agency availabletohimorher I am hoping good sense would prevail and the president would do as I and so many others are calling for RajendraBisessar BScSociologyLLB Presidential Candidate United Democratic Front (UDF)
Kyle Tiwarie is the new CEO of BK INT'L
DearEditor,
In Guyana, being a businessman is not that easy for many, for others, it may not be that difficult, depending on their commitment and prevailing circumstances.
However, for Mr Bryan Tiwarie, founder, owner and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BK International for more than four decades, it was not an easy task either Originally from the tiny island of Wakenaam, located at the mouth of the Essequibo River, Mr Tiwarie, who has never been shied away from hard work, or invest in risky ventures, has single handedly founded his company,anddespitemany obstacles, disappointments
and frustrations, he persevered, hoping to succeedinthefuture.
In the end, his
c o m m i t m e n t a n d determinationpaidoff.
Today, BK Int'l Inc. is Guyana's largest and most successful privately owned construction company It was founded in 1993 as the successor to B & K
Transportation and Construction Services. BK Int'l has, over the years, participated in the country's largest infrastructure and development projects, specializing in civil construction, building sea defence, roads and bridges, and commercial projects, amongothers.
It is perhaps the only
companyinGuyanathathas successfully completed several major projects funded by governments and local and international organizations, such as the International Development Bank(IDB),theWorldBank, andtheEuropeanUnion.
It is also the only construction company that was awarded the largest infrastructure contracts in Guyana's history by the international organizations.
The success of BK Int'l had rested heavily on the skills, ability and expertise of Bryan Tiwarie and was supported by its subsidiary companies, such as JAGS Aviation and BK Marine, which provide essential materials and logistics for its construction projects.
Withaskilledworkforceof h i g h l y t r a i n e d professionals, BK Int'l has delivered high-quality, large-scale projects across Guyana
After being the CEO of BK Int'l for decades, the founder and owner has decided to step aside but retaintheChairmanship. He has passed the torch on to his son, Kyle, the youngestoffourchildren.At age 28, Kyle Tiwarie has becometheyoungestCEOof the largest privately owned constructioncompanyin the country
Based on a number of estimates,BKInt'landitssix subsidiaries are a trilliondollarcompany
Kyle is not a newcomer to business; he is being
guided by his father, who is consideredoneofthebest,if not the best entrepreneur in thecountry
Although the younger Tiwarie has accepted the position as CEO, he knows that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for him to follow in his father's footsteps or even attempt to fillhisshoes.
Chairman Bryan Tiwarie's business skills are second to none. He is well respected in the business community and is recognized as a business genius by his colleagues in Guyana, the Caribbean, Canada, the United States andinpartsofEurope.
SincebecomingtheCEO of BK Int'l, Kyle Tiwarie, with the assistance, support and guidance of the senior Tiwarie, has performed remarkablywell.
He has made several s t r u c t u r a l a n d administrative changes which have reduced costs, increased production and yieldedmoreincome
A qualified engineer, Kyle is a new generation entrepreneur with the requisite skills, ability and data-driven knowledge to make sure that the company remains the number one constructioncompanyin the country
He is brilliant, cordial, easy-goingwithanattractive smile and a different, modern-day style of leadership.
Sincerely, Dr AsquithRose
IDPADA-G demands immediate...
Frompage5 investigation into the death ofAdrianaYounge.
2. Guarantee full access, legal authority, and cooperation to the international team to review all evidence, question all actors,andpursueallleads.
3. Publicly commit to transparency by releasing regular, factual updates on the investigation's progress andfindings.
This is a test of our national integrity and our collectivehumanity Todeny Adriana Younge the justice she is due is to condemn every Guyanese child to the possibility of similar injustice. We will not accept silence. We will not accept half-measures. We will not rest until the truth is uncovered.
Veteran politician Amna Ally dies
F
ormer General
Secretary of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR),AmnaAlly,diedon Saturdayattheageof69.
Ally, who served as MinisterofSocialProtection under the A Partnership for National Unity + the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, reportedly died at the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation(GPHC).
The PCNR, in a statement, expressed deep sadness at the passing of their former General Secretary,describingAllyas adedicatedandformerlongstanding member of the party, whose unwavering commitment to the ideals of PNCR and her country has leftanindeliblemarkonthe country'shistory
“Ms.Ally'sservicetoher country was multifaceted. She was a committed educator, a valued member of the Young Socialists Movement (YSM), and served in various capacities within the party Her leadership and dedication extended beyond party activities as she served as a Member of Parliament and heldthepositionofMinister intheGovernmentunderthe APNU/AFC administration from 2015 to 2020,” the PNCRsaid.
The party said that duringherlifetime,Allyhad exemplified service, integrity and patriotism, shaping the PNC and her country, leaving a legacy thatwillinspiremany.
“The PNCR offers heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew her 'Inna lillahi wa innailaihiraji'un'Webelong toAllahandtoHimweshall return.
May Allah grant her eternal rest and provide comfort to those she leaves behind during this difficult time,”thepartysaid.
Ally, a longstanding member of the PNCR, resigned from the party in March2025,citingalackof respect for women by a certain faction of the leadership.
“Comrades, with immediate effect, it is with great regret that I have to tender my resignation from the PNCR of which my membershipandassociation havebeenforoverfifty-four years,”Allysaid,addingthat the continuous disregard for women “who are the backbone of this great party hasbeenoverwhelming.”
Similarly, the Alliance
For Change (AFC) expressed sympathy to
Ally's family, friends and colleagues while describing her as a “formidable presence in Guyanese politics and a dedicated servantofthepeople.”
“Her political journey, spanning several decades, was marked by loyalty, commitment, and a deep sense of duty to the nation. She served in several key roles within the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), eventually becoming its General Secretary—a position she held with firmness and clarityofpurpose,”theparty said.
TheAFC said that while servingasMinisterofSocial Cohesion from 2015 to 2020,Ally “championed the importanceofnationalunity, inclusion,andhealing.”
“Her work in that Ministry was pioneering, as it sought to bridge divides and cultivate a stronger sense of shared identity and mutual respect across the diversefabricofoursociety
“Amna Ally was widely respected across political lines for her unwavering commitmenttoherpartyand her clear, forthright style of leadership.Shewasatireless campaignerandanorganiser par excellence, whose influencewasfeltbothatthe grassroots and national levels,” theAFC said, while recognizing and honouring her “long and impactful servicetothenation.”
The AFC said, “While our political philosophies may have at times diverged, weacknowledgeherroleasa patriotwhogaveofhertime, energy, and intellect to the developmentofGuyana.”
Meanwhile,inapostvia his Facebook page, President Irfaan Ali expressed his sympathy on behalf of the government and his family He said that, “Amnahadalongcareerasa Parliamentarian dating back to 1985. Throughout her parliamentary career, Ms. Ally held several positions, includingChairpersonofthe Social Services Committee and member of the Parliamentary Management Committee,StandingOrders Committee, and Appointive Committee Additionally, sheservedastheMinisterof SocialProtectionfrom2015 to2020.”
He noted that outside of Ally's legislative contributions, she has also served as an educator for severaldecades.
Former President David Granger, under whose presidencyAlly served, said her political career began in
1970 when she was only fifteenyearsold.Allyserved under four leaders of the PNCR, Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Robert CorbinandDavidGranger
“She served, also, as National Secretary of the Young Socialist Movement and was appointed General SecretaryofthePNCduring DavidGranger'stenure.Ms. Ally entered Parliament in 1985and,exceptforathreeyear period between 1998 and 2001, ser
s parliamentaryrepresentative of the Mahaica-Berbice Region. She was the first Minister of Social Cohesion and Minister of Social P r o t e
n t h e APNU+AFC Coalition administration in 20152020,” the former president said.
Ally was a graduate of boththeCyrilPotterCollege of Education and the University of Guyana, makingheratrainedteacher With a steady hand, she m a n a g e d p a r t y administration, operations andmobilization.
Granger reminded that Ally was the untiring and undisputedmotivatorbehind the 3 B's programme, which includedbuses,bicyclesand boats, providing for the first timeinGuyana'shistoryfree public transport for school children.
“A Muslim, she was cheerful and dutiful organizerofobservancesfor children's entertainment during major national and religious festivals. Whether inoroutofgovernment,she was able to cultivate cordial relations with opposition and government officials andformerpartymembers,” headded.
Granger said that Ally's political service was “exemplary”and so too was herdeterminationtoprovide agoodlifeforeveryoneand to make the country a better place.
“The People's National Congress is poorer for her passing. On behalf of my wife and myself, I offer condolences to Ms. Ally's family during their time of grief,” the former president said.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also extended his condolencestoAlly'sfamily, friends and colleagues in a Facebook post, calling her a PNC stalwart whose “decades of public service andcommitmenttopolitical life in Guyana will be remembered.”
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs
Anil Nandlall, SC, on
Saturday, extended his deepest condolences to Ally's relatives, especially her daughter Farzana, and friends.
“Although we were on opposite political sides and obviously saw things differently, I think we both enjoyed the common ambition of working for a better Guyana. She was an exceptional politician and served her Party and its constituents with admirable loyalty and commendable commitment.
Isaluteherlongyearsof public service and public life She made a solid contributiontodebatesinthe National Assembly, often punctuatedwithboutsofher peculiar but inimitable humour,”hesaid.
Nandlallsaidthatdespite her strong political persona, “personally, she was kind, warm, had an extraordinary sense of humour She and I enjoyed a good personal relationship for many years.”
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, in her posttoAlly,saidthatshehas played her part in building Guyana while noting that as
a woman in politics, her journey couldn't have been thejoyrideitseemed.
“Wedidn'tsharepolitical views, but we shared a healthy relationship that grew into a lovely friendship.Thatsurvivedme being in Govt, she being in Govt, me being in opposition, and she being in opposition. She made the moistestblackcake,andhad
the ability to sit at a table in Parliament and organised her party's activities from Region 1 to Region 10. She was also an educator to retirement.
Her conversations with me were always frank. And caring To my dearest Farzana, her other relatives, friendsandpartysupporters, my deepest sympathy,” the ministerwrote.
Former General Secretaryof the PNCR and Minister of Social Protection,AmnaAlly
The PNCR and the fetish of blame
There is something faintly pitiful, even grotesque, about the way the PNCR continuestospeakofpolitics. The language is old, stiff, unbending. It is a language forged in the past and then embalmed in the rituals of opposition. The party says it does not condone violence, says it supports peace and constitutional order But like so many things, words are one thing; reality is quite another
On April 28th, 2025, the cityofGeorgetownwasonce againmadehostagetochaos. There were flames. There was looting. There was the mad terror of crowds
unmoored from any discipline or cause. And in the aftermath—like a wellpractised actor stepping into an old role the PNCR pointed its finger not at the vandals, not at the terrormakers, but at the People's Progressive Party It was the samescript,barelyeditedfor time The PPPC, they claimed, was behind it all. The violence, they implied, was orchestrated, planted, infiltrated—just as they said in1997.
That year too, when protests against the electoral outcome spiraled into public indecency and destruction, t h e P N C R d e n i e d responsibility Women were stripped in the streets. Stores were ransacked. Buses were attacked.Peoplewererobbed and beaten. Buildings were set alight And the explanation offered was the
same: the protests were noble, but were infiltrated. Criminalelements.Agentsof mischief. Hidden hands. By thePPPC.
This is the party's favouritefairytale.Itisatale that has passed through generations of PNCR leadership like a family heirloom: whenever things turn ugly, someone else is to blame.Theparty,apparently, isonlyeveravictim.Nevera participant, never a perpetrator And certainly, never responsible. The truth is that the PNCR has never really repudiated the politics of confrontation It has merely learnt to speak about them in a more tempered voice.
The tragedy here is not thelie.Politicsisfulloflies. The PPPC lies too The tragedyistherefusaltogrow
In twenty-eight years, the PNCR has not developed a new vocabulary, a new political ethic, a new way of seeing power It still views elections as a contest of betrayal. It still peddles the same anxieties about rigging and exclusion, about manipulation and plots. It still believes, it seems, that democracyislegitimateonly whenitwins.
To say that the PNCR doesnotcondoneviolenceis to make a claim of moral distance. But moral distance must be demonstrated, not merely declared. In the face of the April 28th mayhem, whatthecountryneededwas clarity It needed the PNCR to say—not with hesitation,
Dem Boys Seh...
Long time ago, de only setta people who used to get lost in a department store was dem lil childrenwhorunawayfromdemparentsto go by de toy section Nowadays, is everybody blind, half-blind and even some who got 20/20 vision but can't read a sign. But back then, when you walk in Guyana Stores or Bettencourts, everybody know where dem going—even de blind man.
Dem boys remember de story of one blind man who walk in de store, stop in de middle, and start to poke around with his cane. When de store clerk run and ask, “Bossman, you need help?” de man seh, “Nah, I just looking around.” Is den dem boys realise, blind people got sense of humourtoo!
Buttimeschange.Deroadsnahgotdem markersnomore.Somedonecoverupwith asphalt, some bruk up, and some de government seh dem got to “modernize”—but all dem do is modernize confusion.
not with qualifiers that those who looted and terrorised the city were criminals. That their acts were indefensible That grievance is no passport for terror But instead of moral clarity, we received murky blame Instead of introspection, we received projection.
This is not new politics. This is the old, undressed in newer fabric The PNCR remains wedded to the idea that it can continue with its finger-pointing and diversionsbutthisisnotonly dishonest; it is dangerous. Because in a country as historically fragile as Guyana,tospeakininnuendo whilefireburnsinthestreets, supermarkets and stores are ransacked and people are beaten and robbed, is not merely cowardice it is complicity
The party cannot condemn the act without condemning the actors. It cannot stir resentment, feed narrativesofstolenelections, and then plead innocence when the worst impulses of that resentment erupt in public.Anditcannothopeto win the confidence of a nation when it treats every disturbance as someone else'sdoing.
Thereisadeepermalaise at work here—a political narcissism born of years in the wilderness. A party that once ruled now only remembers how to accuse.A party that once shaped the state now lives in permanent suspicion of it In this
Dem boys seh yuh got to learn how fuh helppeoplewhocan'tseewithoutmekking dem feel like dem helpless. Back then, you coulda stretch yuh hand and seh, “Lemme helpyuhcrossderoad,”anddeblindperson wouldaholdyuhlikeMosesholdingderod. Now?Yuhtrygrabdemarm,andbeforeyuh blink, yuh getting a lash with de walking stick. Is nah that dem don't want help. Is just that dem want respectful help. De kind where you seh, “Would you like some assistance?” not, “Come leh me drag yuh likeamarketbag!”
Dem boys seh, de blind got pride. Dey does hear everything, feel everything, and someofdemevenreadmorethany'allwho cansee.Sotreatdemlikehumanbeings,not likecharitycases.
Yuh want fuh help? Use yuh mouth beforeyuhuseyuhhand.
And remember, sometimes de blind seeing more clear than dem who walking aroundwithtwogoodeyesandnoclue!
Talkhalf.Leffhalf!
worldview, no violence is ever its own. No protester is ever unruly The evil is alwaysexternal,thedisorder alwaysinduced.
But a party that cannot take ownership of its own politics, that cannot see the difference between protest and sabotage, between grievance and terror, cannot be trusted with the stewardship of a nation. The people of Guyana deserve a political opposition that is more than a ghost of 1997.
They deserve something serious, something accountable.Whattheyhave insteadisapartystillclinging to the logic of blame, still afraidofthetruth.
The violence of April 28thmayhaveended.Butthe deeper violence the violence of evasion, of bad faith, of old lies dressed as new caution continues And until the PNCR can finallysay,withouttheatreor deflection, “this was wrong, and we reject it,” it will remain not a government-inwaiting,butarelicofalong, unhealedpast.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Guyana only received US$2.6 billion
out of US$17.9 billion made in
2024
As oil production ramped up last year in the Stabroek Block, Guyana's total crude oil exports amounted to US$17.9B - a whopping US$6.4B higher thanthesameperiodin2023.
AccordingtotheBankof Guyana (BoG) 2024Annual Report, the Stabroek Block partners recovered the bulk of the resources, as US$13 9B went towards costrecovery
AccordingtotheReport, “The capital account recorded a higher deficit of US$3,938 7 million from US$1,732.0millionatendof December 2023. This was the result of net outflow of US$983 3 million in oil revenue to the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) and US$13,896.3 million in cost recovery (withdrawal of equity) by the oil and gas sectordespitehigherinflows to the private sector in the form of Foreign Direct Investments(FDIs).”
Notably,duringthesame
Frompage2 company referenced several positives that allow it to executeitsmandate.
“Mining-friendly
permitting process; Emergingasoneofthemost attractive South American
mining jurisdictions; Government support for mining combined with a favourable permitting regime enables tangible opportunitiesforaccelerated permitting timelines Incountryminingpedigreeand growth of foreign mining investmentsareaccelerating in recent years,” the presentationsaid.
Mako Mining acquired full ownership of the Eagle Mountain project in 2024 through its takeover of fellow Canadian company Goldsource Mines Inc , which had already invested over US$25 million in exploration and outlined a substantialresource.
Mako's presentation is similar to what Goldsource had presented on their operations in Guyana Goldsourcehadoutlinedthe significant advantages of Guyana'sgoldindustrytoits new owner, Mako, pointing to
s including the country's
period, Guyana's Natural ResourceFund(NRF)orthe oil account received a meagerUS$2.6B inrevenue from its petroleum sector This was reported by the Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, during his presentationofBudget2025. He said, “Deposits into the NRF for the year 2024 amountedtoUS$2.6billion. The Fund received US$2.2 billion in profit oil, US$557.5millionfromLiza Destiny, US$869.2 million from Liza Unity and US$796 3 million from Prosperity With respect to royalty payments, US$348 million was received from the Stab
k operator.”
Inthemeantime,Central Bank reported that the volumeofcrudeoilexported increased by 58.6% or 83.1 million barrels from 141.7 million barrels in 2023, to 224.7 million barrels. The increasedoilproductionwas primarilydrivenbytheramp
Goldsourcehadoutlinedthat the country has introduced
promoting new mining projects, including tax e
a streamlinedprocess.
Notably, in October 2010, Goldsource acquired the project from Iamgold Corp , another Canadian company Goldsource operatedtheEagleMountain
subsidiary, Stronghold GuyanaInc.
Last year, key activities to advance the project were launched, including tradeoff studies on tailings and power options and the initiationofminepermitting.
A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Eagle Mountain Gold Projectwaspreparedforthe project based on the April 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The PEA underscored the project's low cost and low capital expenditure intensity, makingitbotheconomically viable and an attractive investment opportunity. The project is projected to haveaminelifeof15years.
up in production of the P
Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel –Guyana's third FPSO –which started producing oil inNovember2023.
Inkeepingwiththeterms of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement, the Contractor can deduct up to 75% of the oil produced each month to recovercost.
percent is then shared
government and the oil company This means that 12.5 percent of the revenue goes to Guyana, while the second12.5percentprofitis shared with the company Exxonisthenrequiredtopay thecountrytwopercentfrom itssharetowardsroyalty Guyanese have been calling on the Government of Guyana (GoG) to invite ExxonMobil to the table to engageindiscussionstoseek fair terms in light of the glaring imbalance in the
fiscalprovisions.
The present government is however unwilling to make such a move, citing sanctity of contract and possible implications that
investments.
A number of experts have however implored the
governments across the world seek renegotiations to improve benefits for their people, without affecting foreigninvestment.
Jagdeo glorifies IMF’s report to show Guyana ‘is good to borrow more’
Vice President, V Bharrat Jagdeo
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo hasturnedtothe International Monetary Fund's (IMF) latest analysis on Guyana to dismiss concerns over the country's mountingdebt,assertingthat the economy remains strong enough to sustain the government's borrowing practices - moving the country's debt from US$2.6 billion in 2020 to nearly US$6 billion at the end of 2024.
At his press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo sought to shut down critics who have accused the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government of saddling future generations with an unsustainable debt burden.
The Vice President pointed to the IMF's recent
country report, which upgraded Guyana's risk of debt distress from moderate to low, and praised the country's debt management in the face of transformative infrastructureinvestments.
“I wish to draw your attention to it, says 'total public debt has fallen considerablysince2020'and they measure debt-to-GDP ratio...so that sentence there wouldanswerallthecritics,” Jagdeosaid.
He highlighted, “ it responds to all that we've been hearing from all of those people who've been saying the debt is unsustainableandthatweare saddling future generations withanunsustainabledebt.”
IMF said in their debt sustainability analysis (DSA) on Guyana, “Gross public debt remains low,
vulnerabilities to large shocksaremitigatedbyvery large buffers, and the assessmentoftheriskofdebt distresshasbeenupgradedto low.”
The Fund projects Guyana's debt-to-GDP ratio willriseslightlyfrom24%in
2024toabout28%by2026. However, it was noted that this is still within the country's debt ceilings, which were raised early in 2024 by the government to facilitatemoreborrowing.
For his part, Vice President Jagdeo boasted
FormerOreallaToshao killedinboatcrash
A boat crash in the Corentyne River, Region Six,onSaturdayhasleftone deadandanotherinjured. Dead is 65-year-old Glen Devair, also known as LewisDevairand“Shiko”,a former Toshao of Orealla Village, Region Six, while 29-year-old Shunika Williams,anurse,isnursing injuries Williams is also fromOreallaVillage. Devair,atthetimeofhis death, was working as the boatcaptainfortheMinistry
of Health's River Ambulance, assigned to the Orealla/Siparutadistrict.
Heandthenursehadleft during the wee hours of Saturday to transport a patient to Corriverton, Berbice, but reportedly
pronounced Devair dead, and the nurse was admitted fortreatment.
As investigations continue, an outpouring of tributes for the former Toshao flooded social media.
Laura George, an official of the Amerindian PeoplesAssociation (APA), said,“DearOrealla/Siparuta Village,weareshockedand saddened to hear of the tragic passing of former Toshao Lewis Devair
Toshao Devair also captained our boat only last Saturday afternoon to bring my team and me out from Orealla. We wish to extend oursincerestcondolencesto the family, friends and the entirecommunity.”
thatGuyanamaintainsoneof the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios globally, even after securing billions in new loans.
“So,wehavepointedout we have some of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the world and also debt there we'reusingjustafractionof our revenue to service that debt, unlike the past, Jagdeo said.
Thispublicationreported that in 2019, the country's debt was US$1.8 billion; accordingtoAnnualReports from the Bank of Guyana (BoG), the nation's debt grew by 46.7% in 2020 to US$2.6 billion. In 2021, the debt surged to US$3 1 billion, and in 2022, this trendcontinuedwiththetotal stock of debt climbing to US$3.7billion.In2023,debt increased further by 23.4% to US$4.5 billion while this grew to a massive US$6 billionattheendof2024.
In January, Senior Minister in the Office of the Presidentwithresponsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, during his 2025 Budget presentation, disclosed that as of December 31, 2024, Guyana's Total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt has climbed to US$5.993billion.
This marks a significant increase from the US$4.5 billionrecordedattheendof
December2023.
He elaborated that external PPG debt reached US$2.2billionbytheendof 2024, while domestic PPG debt rose to US$3.7 billion.
Comparing mid-year figures, external PPG debt stoodatUS$1.9billionasof June 2024, and domestic PPG debt was recorded at US$3.1 billion during the sameperiod.
This underscores a notable increase in both categories during the latter halfoftheyear
The ministe
had explained
hat the government has prioritized responsible management of Guyana'spublicdebt.
In early 2024, the government got the green light to increase the ceilings on both domestic and externaldebt.
The domestic public debt ceiling has been increased to $1.5 trillion, up from $750 billion from its lastrevision.
Meanwhile, a new external borrowing ceiling of $1.5 trillion has been approved, after its last increaseto$900billion.
This move was part of a broader financial strategy to increase the nation's capacity, in order to finance its $1.146 trillion 2024 budget, including several large-scale infrastructure projects.
Dead: Glen Devair
President Ali missed golden opportunity to help sustain press freedom in Guyana - GPA
The Guyana Press Association (GPA) said PresidentIrfaanAlimisseda critical opportunity to address pertinent issues that c o u l d a i d i n t h e sustainability of press freedominthecountry
Inascathingresponseto the head of state on Thursday, the press body saiditwasdisappointedthat the president failed to use 'World Press Freedom Day 2025' to delve into matters that would ensure the local media function to its fullest potential. The GPA accused the Guyanese leader of trying to censor the local media by way of presenting “to fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leadersapaperthatIwantto develop on the evolving definitionofthemedia.”
TheGPA'sstatementwas released days after the president addressed local journalists at a statesponsored brunch to commemorate World Press FreedomDay,atStateHouse lastSaturday
The press association said it views President Ali's
s t a t e m e n t a s t h e
“embodiment of his government's policy directions.” The association s a i d i t w i l l b e communicating its concerns to the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, the Inter-American Press Institute, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Article 19, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)Secretariatand the Diplomatic Missions of the United Kingdom, Canada, United States and theEuropeanUnion(EU).
“The GPA regards this specificplanastheprecursor togovernmentlicensingand press censorship under the guise of protection against the impact of Artificial I n t e l l i g e n c e o n communication, including journalism. Any attempt at blurring or muddying the lines between the press/journalism and social media at large is untenable. The use of social media for the dissemination of journalistic content is vastly differentfromtheuseofsuch c h a n n e l s b y n o njournalists/non-press The professional editorial guidelines, principles and
ethics that govern press/journalism are inextricably linked to their roles and functions in newsgathering and
dissemination,” the GPA relayedinitsmissive.
Instead of laying out his own plans, the GPA said President Ali could have used the opportunity to announce reform and administrationoftheAccess to Information mechanism, propose that press freedom be made a constitutional right, outline his plan for intellectual property of journalistic works in an era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), state his plans for the enactment of copyright legislation in the context of artificial intelligence, digitisation of newspaper, audio and video archives of media houses as a matter of national record, amend the Broadcasting Act to ensure parity in addressing content concerns, amend the Cybercrime Act to address free speech concerns, articulate the importance of artificial intelligence in informing and educating Guyanese and the world abouttheVenezuela-Guyana bordercontroversy,establish a content fund for the production of current affairs and public interest content without the influence or interference of the government, and provide policy guidance on the unconditional facilitation of human, technical and other resources for journalism studies at the University of Guyana.
The GPA challenged Ali's pronouncement that “everyone with an instrumentthatdisseminates information is a reporter” andthat“everyonewhoadds acommentonthatimagethat is coming out is part of the reportingmechanism”.
“This is also gravely flawed and misplaced. This begs the question, if everyone who utilises Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and data analytical tools can be considered a Regional and Urban Planner, or everyone e q u i p p e d w i t h a thermometer, syringe, and a sphygmomanometer is a medical doctor. In the field of journalism, a reporter
practices journalism based onestablishedprinciplesand ethics,”theGPAcontended. Further,theGPAsaiditis erroneous to classify informationconsumers,who respond, react or contribute to primary content, as being part of that reporting m e c h a n i s m T h e information consumers are notreporting,theyarepartof the feedback mechanism, a critical component of communication.
The GPA told the
president that “reach, responsibility,reliabilityand relevance”havealwaysbeen factors that media houses, journalistsandothercontent producers have had to contend with The association said it predates Artificial Intelligence and goesbacktotheearlydaysof newspapers.TheGPAsaidit has already acknowledged the value and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in the media landscape. These, it said, can be addressed
frontally through aggressive Media and Journalism Literacy and SelfRegulationbyJournalists.
The press association also addressed the president's recognition that 'influencers with a large followingcarenothingabout the ethics of information dissemination. “You stated this: “Here lies the danger, tremendous danger, especially when you addAI and the power of AI to that formula, because it does not
require intellectualism or professionalismtodefinethe messageanymore.Youhave the reach; you have the capability and capacity.You then have the intellectual ability of using a tool that requires limited thinking to do whatever you want that tooltodo.”
“The incontrovertible fact is that your party and government have shone like a beacon in this regard by virtue of embracing and (Continuedonpage64)
GPHC to procure two more mammogram machines
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is procuring two more mammographymachines.
This was revealed at the recent opening of bids at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. Three firms, Salus Diagnostic Inc
A$43 million mammography unit which was commissioned at the Lethem Hospital inApril.
The GPHC was the only public health facility in the
($192,195,300),NewGPCInc. ($349,073,396), and Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc ($92,000,000) have submitted bidsforthecontract. According to GPHC, the c o n t r a c t i s f o r t h e “procurement, installation and commissioning of two mammographyunits”. Mammography units are usedtoscreenforbreastcancer
c o u n t r y
f f e r i n g mammography services However, the government, throughtheMinistryofHealth, has been acquiring more mammogrammachines. Withtheacquisitionofmore (Continuedonpage55)
Rubio's outreach to CARICOM leaders lays groundwork—but work remains on both sides
BySirRonaldSanders
By any diplomatic
measure, the recent
engagement between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the independent states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is historic. Within just four months of taking office, Secretary Rubio has held substantive in-person talks with13ofthe14CARICOM Heads of Government. The Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño whose nation straddles the Central American isthmus also received a call focused mostlyonCentralAmerican matters.
Never before has a U.S. Secretary of State conferred so extensively and swiftly with CARICOM leaders Thismatters.
It signals that even amid amaelstromofglobalcrises, the Caribbean is not being ignored. Indeed, the weight of Rubio's global responsibilities was brought into sharp focus during the meeting with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and six Eastern Caribbean leaders, when an aide interrupted to report India's missile strike on Pakistan. The strike was in retaliation to a massacre in Indiancontrolled Kashmir which borders India and Pakistan. Theworldwasonedge,and yet Rubio remained in the Caribbean meeting as long as he could – listening and engaging.
Adding to the weight on hisshoulders,Rubiohasalso been appointed National Security Adviser to PresidentDonaldTrump—a dual role not seen since the era of the legendary Dr
Henry Kissinger The expectation, then, is enormous.Yethisdirectand personal outreach to the Caribbean underscores an intent to understand the region.
When Secretary Rubio first met six CARICOM leaderson26and27March, the looming threat of U.S. trade tariffs had not yet materialised.Butbythetime of the May 6 meeting, President Trump had signed an Executive Order imposing a sweeping 10 per centtariffonallimportsinto the U.S.—including from CARICOMstates,andmuch higher tariffs on other nations, especially China. This second round of meetings with Caribbean leaders offered the opportunity to address these tariffsdirectly
The conversations were respectful, candid, and forward-leaning No grandstanding, no fingerpointing just clear-eyed dialogue on pressing concerns: trade imbalances, Cuban medical personnel, narcotics trafficking, gun crime, immigration, and the roleofChinaintheregion.
On the matter of Cuban doctors, Caribbean leaders pushed back firmly but respectfully against any suggestion of human trafficking. They explained that Cuban medical teams are indispensable to their publichealthsystems.These p r o f e s s i o n a l s a r e compensated directly, with governments paying a faci
ation fee to Havana similar to arrangements with other states that deploy medical missions abroad. Still, the leaders made it clear: they
remain open to reviewing their processes to ensure alignmentwithinternational labourstandards.
As for immigration, the region reiterated a longstanding position: they accept the return of their nationals,consistentwiththe deportation laws of the United States. Pre-meeting speculation thatWashington might pressure these small Caribbean states to take in non-nationals proved unfounded, although it would have been resisted as far too burdensome had it beenraised.
The topic of China was dealt with sensitively The four Caribbean nations present, including Antigua and Barbuda and The Bahamas which have diplomatic and economic relationships with China, reaffirmed their right - and the necessity - to maintain broad-based economic partnerships Their relationships with China, they stressed, are rooted in development cooperation, not ideology or military alignment Their only military alliances, they emphasised, are with the U.S. and fellow CARICOM states. On trade, the leaders laid out stark numbers: in 2023, the U S exported approximately $2.23 billion in goods to the Eastern Caribbean,importingamere $67.5 million in return. The resulting U.S. trade surplus underscores a one-sided flow that the region has not soughttodisrupt.Thenewly imposed 10 per cent tariff, however, risks making U.S. goods-alreadythesourceof over 60 per cent of the region's imports, including food and medicine - even
moreexpensive,threatening economic resilience and development gains. Worse yet,itcouldincreasepoverty and unemployment and weakentheruleoflawinthe region.
This was no showdown. It was a beginning.The first lap of what Dr Ralph Gonsalves, of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, describedasamarathon.
T h e t o n e w a s constructive,theatmosphere collegial, the intentions clear: deepen cooperation, reduce misperceptions, and build a relationship groundednotindependency and dictation but in mutual
Caribbean spoke clearly and with unity on their shared concerns Secretary Rubio listened That alone marks a notable departure from past d y n a m
c s B u t listeningisonlythefirstact. Thetruemeasureofsuccess lies in the follow-through, and there is much work still tobedonebybothsides.
Still, May 6 was a good start.
Asolid foundation upon whichboththeUnitedStates andtheCaribbeancanbuildnot just in this moment of global stress and strain, but
partnershipforthelongroad a
predictabilityandprosperity (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda'sAmbassador totheUSandtheOAS.Heis also the Dean of the A
he WesternHemisphereGroup accredited to the U.S. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.co)
SirRonaldSanders
Answering the local content call: Neil Hitlall tackles Guyana's construction challenges
WithaGuyanesefather,a Barbadianmother,andyears of experience in the construction industry, Neil Hitlall felt compelled to explore the Guyanese market when President Irfaan Ali issued a call for skilled professionals to help
Guyana's booming constructionsector
“So,Iansweredthatcall, and I felt the need to come and offer my knowledge base and skill set to this beautiful developing nation,” Hitlall shared duringaninterviewwiththis publication.
Hitlallisthefounderand owner of Caribbean Building Concepts and Logistics Inc. (CBCL), a 100% Guyanese company whichofficiallyopenedback in August 2022. Now, with overtwoyearsofexperience doing business locally, Hitlall describes the journey asrewardingbutnotwithout itshurdles.
“There's a gap in the market as it relates to the quality of materials you receive, the timeliness of shipping and clearance of containers… because of the
deep-w
's congestion. And then the inconsistenciesinthepricing of materials, it throws you offalot,”heexplained.
Adapting to Guyana's construction landscape, he added, has meant grappling withdeeplyrootedstructural issues, particularly around oversight and safety. “There hastobeoneband,onesong across the board.And I find thathere,someprocessesare fairbutsome,notsomuch,” hesaidcarefully
Beyond materials and logistics, Hitlall has also faced the challenge of finding workers who can meetinternationalstandards.
Owner and founder of Caribbean Building Concepts and Logistics Inc. (CBCL) Neil Hitlall
Interior of an office space built by CBCL
“We're going to bring these guys in, and we're going to train them up and get them going. Because that's how we build not just projects, we build people. And that's how we really help the country grow,” he emphasized.
He believes that this certification is vital as it underscores CBCL commitment to contributing to the local economy, playing their part in the development of the world's fastestgrowingeconomy
“So even if they're not working with my company, they can still take that skill set and knowledge with them,”hesaid.
Sofar,CBCLhastrained 19 workers in specialties incl
ed finishes, wall finishes, carpentry,joinery,tiling,and e v e n
n f o r m a t i o n technology His core staff now includes about 37 people, ranging from structural and Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) engineers to architects,interiordesigners, project managers, and site foremen.
Many of his workers are Guyanese who were trained abroad. “To be quite honest withyoutoo,themajorityof my guys that are on my workforce are guys that w o r k e d w i t h m e internationally They are local Guyanese guys, but they worked with me internationally So they know my standard, and they knowtheirskillset,andthey know the quality that I look forattheendoftheday,”he explained.
Toaddressthisskillsgap,he has taken a hands-on approach by actively training individuals on the job.
Hitlall acknowledged that while Guyana's market iscrowdedwithconstruction firms, CBCL focuses on high-end finishes, modern techniques, and a quality standard he believes is still lackinglocally
“We do construction and engineering,butwedoitona different level, so to speak. Weprovideanichequalityto construction that the market is currently lacking. We're internationally trained and certified, and we've worked in other markets throughout the Caribbean and neighbouring facilities, which puts us in a position where we understand quality, high-end finishes, modern techniques and designs,”hesaid.
Looking ahead, Hitlall hopes to secure more public and private projects while helping CBCL become a household name for quality construction. Securing his company's local content certificatelastyear,henoted, wassmootherthanexpected.
“We received our local content certificate on the 13th ofAugust, 2024.And I must say, the process was quitesmooth.Oncewemade theapplication,theyreached outtous,andweprovidedall the information, and within
sixdays,wehadit,”hesaid.
balancing local content requirements with quality
control is possible if companies commit to building people, not just projects.
Forothermembersofthe Guyanese diaspora thinking aboutreturningtoinvest,his advice is simple: start by understanding the landscape.
“I think the first point of entry mentally for any businessperson looking to invest here would be to attend the Guyana Energy Conference.
That's the first step, knowingthemarketplayers, the investors, and understanding what you can bring to this chain,” he advised.
For the past six y e a r s a t STEMGuyana, we've been testing what works, and what doesn't, when it comes to online learning for children And here's the hard truth I've learned, just building a digital platform is not enough.
We've had some real successstories.Parentspaid forliveonlinecodingclasses for their children, and we celebrated completion rates over90%.
But these students enjoyed some advantages; they had involved parents andonlineteachers.
Real human interaction made the difference. When wemovedtofullyself-paced digital courses without live teacher support, we saw a very different picture emerge.Itbecameclearthat students, especially those f r o m v u l n e r a b l e communities, need much more than just access to the internet, a good curriculum andatablet.
A c r o s s G u y a n a , thousands of students are dropping out of school each year,someasearlyasGrade
Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…
Digital Dreams Alone Are Not Enough—The Real Work of Online Education in Guyana Requires Caring Adults
7.Manyofthemcomefrom rural, Indigenous, and underserved coastal communities.Intheseareas, literacy and numeracy challenges are not the exception, they're the norm. Without the foundational skills to read fluently or calculate accurately, no fancy app or video can automatically reach them
Ioftenheartheargument that since many highperforming students uses YouTube to prepare for CSEC; online education should work for everyone.
But based on my research, those students are the minority Our own informal estimates suggest that fewer than 10% of any incoming class have the motivation, support, or academic foundation to succeed in online education without guidance.
And while we dream of building a digital future for our country, we cannot ignore this reality Online learning may be part of the solution, but if we want to
reach students who have dropped out, or are just barely hanging on, we need to do far more than upload educational resources and calliteducation.
The research backs this up.Astudy published in the International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning found that low-income and firstgenerationlearnersinonline settings are significantly more likely to struggle and drop out without structured s
p
e r engagement, and feedback loops(Park&Choi,2009). Similarly, the Brookings Institution emphasizes that successful K–12 online learning requires more than access, it demands a “whole child” approach, one that includes community, family involvement, and human connection (Berg & Osher, 2020).
That's why, with the launch of our Pathway Online Academy, we've madeitapointtodesignfor the real Guyana, not an
engagement data, listening
to parents, and adapting constantly
We'veaddedliveteacher support, built tools for parents to monitor progress, and crea
sual, interactive lessons designed to engage children at every literacy level. Because the stakes are too high, the students we're trying to reach aren't just falling behind, they're being left behind.
If we're serious about preparingGuyana'schildren f
economy, if we really
believeingivingeverychild a chance, we need to move beyond“envogueideasand systems”andgettoworkon support.
Not every child has a quietplacetostudy
Not every home has a parent who can assist with homework And not every student possesses the selfdiscipline to stay focused w
encouragement.
That'swhydigitalaccess alone is not the solution. It's atool,animportantone,but withoutthesupportofcaring
mentors, and engaged communities, it will fall short.
The same holds true for in-person education, human connection and consistent support are what truly drive success.
If we want to secure thefutureofourchildren, and by extension, our nation, we must build systems that combine the power of technology with t h
e presence of people who care
Frompage24 budget. We remain committed to responsible development and look forward to deepening our partnershipwiththeGovernmentof Guyana and local communities as we advance Oko West as our secondcornerstoneasset.”
GMINstatedthattheOkoWest project is expected to create an average of 1,270 permanent jobs. Oko West spans 71 square kilometresinthegold-richCuyuniMazaruni district (Region Seven), roughly 120 kilometres southwest of Georgetown and 50 kilometres west of Bartica. Further, it was pointedoutthatGuyanaisamining friendly country already home to established gold and bauxite operations.
Kaieteur News had reported thatGignachadstatedthatGMIN’s nextphaseofgrowthwillbedriven bythe“world-class”OkoWestgold project.
During the company’s end-ofyear earnings call, Gignac stated that in 2024 GMIN was able to successfully execute all phases of its build, operate strategy One of the highlights of 2024 includes GMIN acquiring the Oko West project in July 2024 through a business combination with another Canadian mining company, ReunionGold.
“Ournextphaseofgrowthwill bedrivenbyOkoWestinGuyana,a large-scalehigh-gradeprojectthat was acquired through the transformational merger ” Gignac said. He added that the strong economics outlined in the project’s Preliminary Economic Assessmentthatwascompletedlast yearsolidifiestheOkoWestasone of the top development projects globally The CEO said, “Once in production,itissettopropelGMIN above the 500,000 ounces per year mark.”
Canadian mining firm G MiningVenturesCorp.(GMIN)has officially started the process to secureamininglicenceforitsOko West gold project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),adevelopment expected to unlock 4 3 million ouncesofgoldreserves.
The move was disclosed in the company’s recently published feasibility study results, which show that the project is poised to deliver strong financial returns, thankstolowproductioncosts.The Oko West project, fully owned by GMIN,ispositionedtobecomethe next major phase of growth for the company
Alongside the mining licence application, GMIN has also begun seeking other critical permits needed to bring the project to full-
Attorney-at-Law and Certified Forensic Expert, Dr. Dexter Todd. (P.C Todd’s Facebook Page)
Scenes at the home ofAdrianaYounge’s Parika, East Bank Essequibo
scale operation These include approvals for port operations, fuel use and storage, as well as the installation of transmission and telecommunicationstowers.
The company noted that its permitting process is being guided by proactive engagement with stakeholdersandstrictadherenceto international environmental and socialperformancestandards.
As part of its environmental compliance efforts, GMIN submitted its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in late December2024.
GMIN said too that the EIA remains under review, with key permits covering the construction of the mine, processing plant, port facilities, heavy fuel oil (HFO) powergeneration,andaccessroads to be issued after regulatory clearance.
In mid-December 2024, the EPA granted GMIN an Interim Environmental Permit, allowing early-stage construction works to begin The company has since advanced infrastructure development, including water and sewage treatment systems, camp facilities, access roads, and a logisticswharfarea.
Notably, the company said that
it conducted public consultations were held between January and February 2025 in nearby communities.GMINsaidthatwith the feedback helping to shape GMIN’s environmental and social programmes in line with regional sustainabilitygoals.
Further, GMIN said too it is currentlyfinalizingresponsestoall requests for clarification and supplementary information, which areexpectedtobesubmittedtothe EPAbytheendofApril.
The company expects final environmental approval and the construction permit in the second quarterof2025.
Inthefeasibilitystudyresultsit was revealed that the Oko West project is projected to recover 4.3 million ounces of gold over 12.3 years GMIN said the all-in sustainingcost(AISC)isestimated atUS$1,123perounce,placingthe operation among the sector’s lower-cost producers At a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce, the project’safter-taxnetpresentvalue (NPV) stands at $2.2 billion, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 27% and a payback period of 2.9 years. That value rises to US$3.2 billionanda35%IRRifgoldprices reach US$3,000 per ounce, accordingtoGMining.
The Oko West Project is
currentlyconsideredan“advancedstage exploration project”, and is expected to produce 353,000 ounces of gold annually from both openpitandundergroundmining.
Theproject’sinitialcapitalcost is pegged at US$972 million, with US$650 million in sustaining capital required over the life of the mine.
GMIN has been advancing workswithafocusonextendingthe mine life and assessing underground mining potential for theproject.
Kaieteur News had reported thatLouis-PierreGignac,President & Chief Executive Officer had stated that GMIN’s next phase of growth will be driven by the “world-class” Oko West gold project.
During the company’s end-ofyear earnings call, Gignac stated that in 2024 GMIN was able to successfully execute all phases of its build, operate strategy One of the highlights of 2024 includes GMIN acquiring the Oko West project in July 2024 through a business combination with another Canadian mining company, ReunionGold.
“Ournextphaseofgrowthwill bedrivenbyOkoWestinGuyana,a large-scalehigh-gradeprojectthat was acquired through the transformational merger ” Gignac said. He added that the strong economics outlined in the project’s Preliminary Economic Assessmentthatwascompletedlast yearsolidifiestheOkoWestasone of the top development projects globally The CEO said, “Once in production,itissettopropelGMIN above the 500,000 ounces per year mark.”
Adriana’sfuneralpostponed …as family seeks clarity, asks for space
Inadramaticturnofevents,the family of 11-year-old Adriana Younge at the last moment postponed her funeral that was
planned for Monday, calling for clarityandspaceastheymournher death.
In a statement, the child’s mother, Amecia Simon said: “My heartisshatteredbeyondwords.As a mother there is no pain greater thanlosingyourchild-shewasmy heartbeat, my everything My precious Adriana was the light of our lives and in this unbearable momentweareclingingtothelove shegavesofreelyandthememories thatwilllivewithusforever.”
Simon said “I want to take this moment through my tears and brokenness, to thank each and every one of you near and far who have stood with our family during this impossible time. The support you all have shown us, the messages, prayers, hugs and tears sharedwithus-theyhaveheldusup when we thought we couldn’t stand. I’ve felt the arms of this nation around me and I am so deeplygrateful.”Shenotedthatdue toongoingmattersandourfamily’s need for space and clarity as we grieve, “we have made the painful decision to postpone Adriana’s funeraltoday Pleaseknowthiswas noteasy,butwewanttohonourher withthepeace,loveandthedignity she deserves We will announce new details once we are able. We askforyourcontinuedprayersand your understanding. My baby girl touched so many hearts, and that love — your love — is helping us find strength. Thank you from the depthsofamother’sheart.”
Meanwhile, in a statement, President Irfaan, Ali reiterated his support for the Younge’s family “OnbehalfoftheGovernment,the peopleofGuyanaandmyfamily,I againreiterateourloveandsupport for Adriana’s family and loved ones. We pray that her soul finds eternal peace and that her memory beaninspirationofgoodness,hope and positivity We pray that her familybestrengthenedinfaithand patience as the investigation into her death continues In God’s comfortingarms,Ipresentthe Continued on page 26
Romain Virgo looks forward to
‘special’ Mother’s Day
( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) When widely recognised reggae singer Romain Virgo hosted the Kingston leg of his Gentleman tour in June last year, he knew he had to replicate the highly successful event when Mother'sDayrolledaround.
With the annual celebration of mothers set for this Sunday, Virgo has calledonthesupportofsome of music's most formidable forces to join him for a special showcase The concert, dubbed Romain Virgo and Friends, is set to ignite the lawns of Hope
Gardens, serenading mothers in a way only Virgo'scataloguecan.
“What gave birth to me doing a Mother's Day show this year was doing the Kingston leg of the Gentleman concert last year on Father's Day and seeing theloveandsupportthatthe peopleshowed,andjusthow pleased they were about the execution of the event, the qualityof theentertainment, itwassaidthatwewoulddo the same for Mother's Day,” he told the Jamaica Observer.“Whenitcomesto Mother's Day, I believe that there should be something special happening for them, and this is the perfect way, especially for someone like mewholovessinging.”
Describing mothers as thebackboneofanysociety, Virgo said he just wanted to ensure the day was special, and for him, that looks like an evening of classic hits from some of the industry's best. “Our mothers are the backboneofourfamiliesand the society and without them, many families wouldn't survive. They are thecentreofeverything,and
this is my way of showing them that we love and appreciate and want them to feelspecial.Ilinkedupwith some of my friends in the music business who are some of the most talented individualsandIsaidlet'sdo thisforourmothersandthey jumped at the idea,” he expressed. “I love singing for the ladies, and the love I have for not just my mother orthemotherofmychildren but all mothers, I had to makeitspecial.”
“Special”is also the word he used to describe the event's line-up, pointing out that in addition to some talented up-andcomingsingers,therewillbe performances from the likes ofSevanaandMortimerand severalsurpriseguests.
“The line-up for this event is amazing. There are Tori Latoreand Janeel Mills andtheyaretwotalentedupand-comingsingerswhowill thrillcomeSunday.Theyare young talents doing extremely well and we want togivethemthatplatformto showcase that talent. But outside of them, we have Sevana and Mortimer, who are more seasoned and are perfect talents to kick-start theeventitself,”hesaid.“Of course, we will have special guests, but we can't give
showcase
away too much. We have someveryspecialguestsand it's making me wonder what Iwilldonexttimearound.”
Speaking of next time, Virgosharedthathe'shoping to make the event an annual one. “There are so many people who are part of this eventwhoarejustreadyand willing to support whatever movement, and it's a beautifulthing.It'snotabout money for me either, it's a bigger dream that I have to develop Romain Virgo and Friends into something that willhappenbothlocallyand internationally because we believe in it so much. I also want it to be staged all over the island, so this year we're in Kingston, next year we want to be in Montego Bay or St Elizabeth, just somewhere central where other people who didn't get the opportunity to come to Kingston will get the opportunity to see it,” he shared.
“As my career grows, it will get even more interesting.Ibelievewithall my heart it will be successful.Asartistesweall need to be doing something instead of waiting for someonetocallusonashow, we have to try and help ourselves ” Tickets to Romain Virgo and Friends are on sale at From Head to Fleek (2 Balmoral Avenue), Fontana Pharmacy (Waterloo and Barbican), and Fesco Gas station in Braeton, Greater Portmore, as well as online at romainvirgo.com Ticketsgo for $6,000 per piece (presold) and $8,000 at the gate. VIP will cost $10,000 presoldand$12,000atthegate. Showtimewillbeat8:00pm, butgatestothevenuewillbe openat5:00pm.
Romain Virgo
UNLICENSED PEST CONTROL OPERATORS (2025)
Interesting Creatures...Common marmoset
Common marmosets are New World primates. Their originalrangewaslimitedto north eastern Brazil, but habitat destruction in that area is widespread. Wild populations of the common marmosetarenowlocatedin south eastern Brazilian coastalrainforest.
Habitat
Commonmarmosetscan
befoundaroundtheedgesof theforestasopposedtodeep within it. They live in many forest types, including plantations.
PhysicalDescription
The common marmoset hasabodylengthofabout12 -15cm,withataillengthof 29.5-35cm.Distinguishing characteristics of common marmosetsincludewhiteear
tufts,andawhiteblazeonthe forehead. Their head fur is usually dark brown, while their back fur is a greyish brown color with light transverse striping They also have very pronounced transversetailstripes.
Reproduction
It was originally thought that common marmosets were monogamous creatures, forming pair bonds and raising their offspringasateam.Thiswas believed because captive marmosets only bred successfully in a pair situation.
However, it has recently been discovered that the common marmoset, along with other species of marmosets and tamarins, is actually polyandrous (one female mates with multiple males).Inthewild,groupsof twomalesandafemaleform in order to mate and rear offspring. The female mates nearly equally with both
maleswhileinestrus.
Common marmosets are New World primates. Their original range was limited to north eastern Brazil
Common marmosets are diurnal,andgenerallylivein groups of 2-13 individuals which may include mated polyandrousgroupsandtheir offspring The most outstanding feature of commonmarmosetbehavior is nonmaternal infant care (also found in other callitrichid primates). Males and siblings are quick to assist mother common marmosets with infant care, andindeed,itseemsthatthis help is necessary for infant survival.
VERIFICATION BY GNBS IN THE PETROLEUM SECTOR CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN STAKEHOLDERS' CONFIDENCE
Reliable measurements
remain crucial for businesses, particularly those involved in manufacturing, trade and commerce. For companies operating in our local petroleum sector, from the import stage to the delivery of products to consumers, measurement accuracy is essentialtoachievingprofits andbuyerconfidence.
The Guyana National
Bureau of Standards (GNBS), empowered under the Weights and Measures Act of 1981, verifies instruments and carriers used in the petroleum sector to sell and distribute products.Theseincludebulk meters, fuel pumps, compartments of tanker wagons and storage tanks (including those on fuel vessels).
Lastyear,atotalof1,631 verifications were completedbytheBureaufor suppliers in the petroleum sector These included the verification of more than 1200 petrol pumps at gas stations across the country, both publicly and privately owned.
Apart from ensuring a c c u r a c y t h r o u g h verification, safety is also essential To ensure the safety of those working in the sector, the Bureau conducts safety checks on
tanker wagons and at fuel
stations to confirm measurement and safety requirementsaremaintained to safeguard drivers and othermembersofthepublic.
Verification provides confidence that instruments function within the acceptable measurement tolerances(plusorminusthe exact v
en dispensing products The verification process is conducted us
g test measures and flow meters calibrated and traceable to internationalstandards.
The test measures used by the GNBS range in capacityfrom5litresto2000 litres. They are used by GNBStodeterminewhether fuel dispensers including petrol pumps and bulk meters are under-delivering, over-deliveringorarewithin acceptable tolerances. The necessary adjustments are made on those found to be inaccurate,andsecurityseals areaffixedtotheadjustment mechanisms to prevent tampering, thereby maintaining the integrity of theverificationprocess.
Further, as it relates to bulk meters and petrol pumps which are not functioning correctly and cannot be verified immediately, the dispensing nuzzlesaresealedoffbythe GNBS to prevent further
usageuntiltheyarerectified and verified. Additionally, tanker wagons which fail inspection requirements must be rectified before inspection or verification is redone.
Meanwhile, as in any other sector, there are financial implications for businesses using inaccurate measuring instruments for tradeinthepetroleumsector For example, when fuel pumpsandbulkmetersoverdeliver to the benefit of customers,businessessellat a financial loss, which can ultimately affect their viability
Therefore, to prevent over-delivery or underdeliveryoffuelduringsales, GNBS will continue to
accuracy through routine
,
ch maintains the confidence of all stakeholders within the petroleumsector
In this regard, owners of gas stations, tanker wagons and bulk meters are encouraged to get their measuring instruments verified by the GNBS to promote accuracy and reliability
For further information on this subject, call the GNBSontelephonenumber: 219-0065 or 219-0069 or visit the Bureau's website: www.gnbsgy.org
Frompage26 her body in the ground without getting the answers to the many questionstheyhave.
“There were too many unansweredquestionsthatthey[the family] were not sure that putting the body down would affect them gettingmoreanswerstosomeofthe questions they have and so when theycontactedmeandsharedsome of the concerns they have, I said alright don’t let us be premature in anything; let’s gather everything. I mean, some of the information is out there; it was easy for me to do this thing because I keep pulling from everybody on social media. Everything is shared,” Dr. Todd said.
He continued, “They [the family] are sensible people, and peoplearetalkingtothemandthey have their own questions legitimately
Moreover, the lawyer said it is the child’s mother who has been burdened with having all the questions surrounding her daughter’s death answered before she puts her in her final resting place.
“I think the concern of the motheristhat‘Iwouldliketo,when I put this child down, that I don’t reallyregretthatIputherdownand somebody didn’t check something orwewouldhavefoundsomething if they did.’ She doesn’t want to takethatrisk.”
Regarding the many false and mischievous theories being publicisedonsocialmediarelating to the case, the lawyer called on spectators and concerned persons to be more responsible when sharingtheirthoughtsontheissue.
“I think the family, particularly the father and mother, are very concerned about some people are not trying to help in this entire process but cause them grief and pain.So,Ibelievethattheywillcall on persons to always act responsibly and not add more pain,”thelawyersaid.
Following a decision to postpone the child’s burial on Monday, the child’s mother, Amecia Simon, made a stirring appeal for the public to give the family space and time as they ascertainthebestwayforward.
She said that due to ongoing matters and the family’s need for spaceandclarityastheygrieve,the painful decision was made to postponethefuneral.
“My heart is shattered beyond words.Asamother,thereisnopain greaterthanlosingyourchild-she was my heartbeat, my everything. My preciousAdriana was the light of our lives, and in this unbearable moment,weareclingingtothelove shegavesofreelyandthememories thatwilllivewithusforever.”
Simon expressed gratitude to every supporter near and far who hasstoodwiththefamilyduringthe difficulttime.
“The support you all have shown us, the messages, prayers, hugsandtearssharedwithus-they have held us up when we thought wecouldn’tstand.I’vefeltthearms of this nation around me, and I am sodeeplygrateful.”
Simon promised to provide an updateonthefuneralastheyseekto layherchildtorestwiththepeace, loveanddignityshedeserves.
45Int’lforensicexpertseagerto reviewAdrianaYounge’scase - Lawyer seeks autopsy report, pushes for accountability
By Shania Williams
New attorney representing the family of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, Dr Dexter Todd, has revealed that at least 45 international forensic experts have expressed strong interest in reviewing the circumstances surroundingtheyounggirl’sdeath.
In an interview with Kaieteur NewsonTuesday,Dr Toddsaidhe willbemeetingwithCommissioner ofPoliceCliftonHickenandCrime Chief Wendell Blanhum to seek answers on the investigation in Adriana’s case and request a copy ofthepreliminaryautopsyreport.
He said international experts and the public are demanding details on the autopsy report. The mysterious circumstances surrounding Adriana’s death have sparked global attention, with people expressing disgust and dissatisfaction over the manner in which the investigation is being handled. As such, Dr Todd noted thatthereisnolackofinternational expertisetoassistinAdriana’scase.
In the interview, Dr. Todd shared details on his proceedings withthecase.
Nolackofinternationalexperts
Dr Dexter Todd emphasised thatnumerousinternationalexperts are ready to assist in the investigation into Adriana Younge’sdeath.
“There have been countless
groups, professional body groups fromaroundtheworldwho’vebeen reachingout.Andtheyhaveaccess toexpertstoo,”Dr Toddsaid.“And so,Ithinktheideaistoreallyspeak and to see where we are lacking in Guyanaandwherewecaninvitethe help People in groups are volunteering to come Even the issue of forensic psychology, in relation to talking with the people andthefamilymemberswhomight be affected and so on, we want] to be able to have an allencompassing approach to this matter.Ithinkthat’stheapproach.”
He stressed that the level of interest from international specialists has been significant, withdozensofferingtoassist.
“So, we have available to us a number of forensic pathologists from around the world,” he explained. “I think right now, the number went up today at 45 professors who just want to have thecasefileandtheywillreviewit. Wearenotgoingtolackinthiscase, by any imagination, of not having theexperts.Theyareavailable.”
Pushforanswers
Adriana Younge was reported missing on April 23 while on an outing with family at the Double DayInternationalHotelandBarin Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo Despite searches made of the pool and sections of the hotel, she was not found until her body mysteriously turned up in the pool hours later Her family strongly believes she was murdered, although a post-mortem examinationconcludedshediedby drowning.
Dr Todd,whorecentlyreplaced attorney Darren Wade as the family’s lead counsel, is taking swift action to move the case forward “I will make a formal requestforthepreliminaryautopsy report tomorrow (Wednesday) I haveaconfirmedmeetingwiththe Commissioner of Police and the Crime Chief, I am meeting them withthefamily,”hedisclosed. He criticised the lack of
Attorney-at-law, Dr. Dexter Todd
transparency and communication from the authorities handling the investigation. “I believe that, well, from the conduct from the Police Commissioner and the Crime Chief, they never held a press conference and they did not come out and speak. And I would think we owe the public an explanation for certain things. And there are things that I believe from the meeting I will be able to disclose. And so, I will be prepared to face themeetingandtospeak.BecauseI don’twanttosaythatthepolicedid not do X, Y, Z when in fact, we didn’tconfirmthat,”Dr Toddsaid. Concernsoverpolice investigation
According to Dr Todd, key questions remain unanswered
regarding the scope and competency of the investigation.
“The challenge here with this case is that the police force has not outrightlysaywhoformspartofthe investigativeteam.We don’t know what was done.Alot of things we arespeculating,”hepointedout.
Headdedthatpartofhisinquiry willfocusontheforensicprotocols usedatthescene.“Didwehaveany forensic persons on the ground? Weretheyabletotakeanysamples? Even though the place was destroyed by the fire, there are some things you can still get,” he explained.
Dr Todd also emphasised the needforinternationalcollaboration iflocalauthoritieslackthetoolsor expertise.Hesaidthatifthepolice cannot gather samples and take evidence from them, they must invite experts who have the technology Hesaid,“Idon’twant to say that the police force has not reached out to anyone. It will be very ill-advised for me to say that.
But these are questions, I believe that the family members have share, but no one has been able to saytothemwhatiswhat.”
He stressed that because of police silence in the case, misinformation is being disseminated in the public “Irrespective of us saying that an internationalbodyshouldcomeand investigate this matter, it doesn’t takeawaythefactthatthatwestill
haveaCommissionerofPolice,we still have a Crime Chief. And by law, those are the two people who must be able to give us answers in relation to this investigation, and I must hold them accountable,” Dr Toddsaidfirmly Possibilityofsecondautopsy There had been initial discussions about conducting a second autopsy by renowned Trinidadian pathologist Dr Hubert Daisley Although the family later decided against this, Dr. Todd revealedthatthecaseisstillopento further forensic scrutiny. “It is possible,andIcantellyou,itlooks as though we’re heading down the line of having some reviews of the autopsy,”hesaid.“Thereisalotof discomfort. I am not placing any aspersions on those experts. As I said, there are some concerns that theyraise,andwe’retryingtoseeif we can get that And from the review, if the recommendation is that should be done, then that will be definitely can be put forward to theauthorities.”
Dr Toddconfirmedthathisfull assessment of the case will be completedbyThursday
‘AnygaspipelinefromGuyana toT&Tmustpassthrough Venezuela’swaters - former T&T PM, Stuart Young ...says development could be years away
Amid talks of a possible gas dealbetweenGuyanaandTrinidad and Tobago, Former Prime Minister of the twin-island republic, Stuart Young, has cautioned that while a deal would be good, any gas pipeline from GuyanatoT&Twouldhavetopass throughVenezuela’swaters. Venezuela and Guyana are locked in a decades-long controversy over the Essequibo, which Caracas has laid a baseless claim to Guyana’s oil and gas resources are found in the rich Stabroek Block located in the Essequibo Region In fact, only recently, Venezuela in laying baseless claims to the Essequibo, sought to object to oil and gas exploration and production activitiesthere.
New T&T Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, announcedonSaturdaylastthather country is exploring oil and gas opportunities with Guyana She explainedthatthecountry’senergy sectorhasalwaysbeenitsmainstay, and with one of the oldest oil industriesintheworld,Trinidadhas a competitive edge which can be used to market its CARICOM neighbours both regionally and farther afield.
“…my Minister of Energy has been mandated from day one, let’s explore the offer beingmadebyGuyanatobringgas to Trinidad and Tobago Let us exploreaswell…letusexploreas Continued on page 41
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo
Frompage40 wellwhatwecando…Surinameis also producing energy We can partnerwiththem,”shesaid. Notsoeasy
However, speaking at a news conference earlier this week, Young, who was alsoT&TEnergy Minister, said even if there are significant gas reserves in Suriname and Guyana, “which I hopetheyare”,therewereanumber of factors that have to take place before it could become a reality with the commencement of gas production. He said: “You have to shore up the proven reserves, and that’sdonethroughexplorationand production. The governments of GuyanaandSurinamethenhaveto be persuaded that commercially it makes sense to bring that gas.You thenhavetofactorthatintothecost of a pipeline from Guyana and Suriname to Trinidad and Tobago. Andhereiswheretherubbermeets theroadbecauseanypipelinefrom Guyana or Suriname coming to Trinidad and Tobago has to pass through Venezuela’s waters So Venezuela remains in the equation after all that needs to be done,” Youngstated.
HesaidwithrespecttoGuyana, the prospect of cooperation on gas should be pursued, but first, gas maybemanyyearsoff.Hesaid,in September 2018, Trinidad and Tobago signed an MOU for cooperation in the energy sector with the Guyanese government “Butagain,thetruthisatthisstage, it is still undetermined what reserves may exist in Guyana….Themainoperatorthere is Exxon…I made several visits to the Exxon headquarters in order to try and persuade them, along with thegovernmentofGuyana,forusto look at…, if they had sufficient amountsofgas,commercialisingit inTrinidad andTobago because of the existing infrastructure here…It is something that should be pursued. But again, that is many yearsoff.”
With the licence for the Trinidad and Tobago Dragon Gas deal with Venezuela now revoked by the United States (U.S), Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently said that the government is willing to engage its Caribbean sister country on the possibility of processinglocalresourcesthere.
Jagdeo, who is the chief policymaker for the petroleum sector, explained that Guyana is currently considering at least three other options to monetise its gas resources, but processing in Trinidad could be another alternative which should be explored.TheVPexplained,“They want to bring the gas on shore for industrialisation or to supply Brazil so that’s one option, bringing the gas on shore, generatingpower,supplyingBrazil withelectricity,sellingpower Two, bringing the gas on shore, for
industrial purposes, fertilizer, a petrochemical industry, and then the third option is the LNG, so not bringing it on shore but having these offshore platforms for developing LNG and shipping that directlyout.”
He added, “You could add another option, which is they should study, whether taking it to Trinidad to be processed there makessense.” TheformerHeadof State was keen to note that the gas developmentisnotbeingfundedby theGovernmentofGuyana(GoG). As such, he said the private investors would have to determine which is the most feasible option.
“Wehave,throughapublicprocess, identified a company to work with Exxon and the government of Guyanatomonetisethegas.Ifthey choose to take this gas to Trinidad tobeprocessed,andthatoffersthe greatest return to the project, and thereby the greatest revenue to Guyana, that’s an option to them,” henoted.
He added, “Remember, we are not gonna be investing taxpayers’ moneyintheproject.Wejustwant to get a revenue from the project. They’d have to find private financingtodevelopthis.We’renot taking the people’s money and putting it in these projects.We just wantthemtodevelopsowecanget a revenue stream to benefit our people so, and of course, the allied development.”Jagdeorecalledthat Trinidad and Tobago previously engaged Guyana on whether this country’s gas could be exported to the twin-island republic through a pipeline However, since the Dragon Gas Deal licence was revoked by the U S, he said Trinidad has not formally reached outtoGuyana.
the United States revoked T&T’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licences, which facilitated thedevelopmentoftheDragonand Cocuina-Manakin gas fields. The OFAC licence for CocuinaManakin was granted on May 31, 2024 and was valid until May 31, 2026, while the revised licence for theDragongasfieldwasgrantedon October 17, 2023, and was set to expireonOctober31,2025.
Prime Minister Stuart Young saidthedecisionwasunsurprising, considering the first Presidential Order from US President Donald Trump dated March 24, which announced tariffs on oil-based products from Venezuela. Several ordersfollowed.WithT&T’sheavy reliance on gas for revenue generation and the country’s reserves dwindling, Jagdeo said this decision could “spell major problems”forthetwinisland.
Thursday
MysterysurroundsAdriana Younge’s autopsyreport
- Health Minister says ask police; Top Cop tells lawyer they don’t have it
By Shania Williams
While Minister of Health Dr FrankAnthonyhadpreviouslytold thisnewspaperthatthepolicearein possession of the preliminary findings into the autopsy report of 11-year-old Adriana Younge, Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken said that the police do not havethefile.
A delegation, including lead attorney Dr Dexter Todd, along with attorneys Eusi Anderson, Dexter Smartt, and Adriana’s parents, met with Hicken, seeking answers regarding the investigation.
A key revelation from the
theyarenotatlibertyatthisstageto say what really the comprehensive investigationwill entail,”Dr Todd said.
meeting, according to Dr Todd, was that the Guyana Police Force does not have the preliminary autopsy report in its possession, despite the public being told Adriana died from drowning. This contradicts earlier comments by Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, who told Kaieteur News on Monday that the initial forensic findings had already been handed overtothepolice.
In a brief interview with Kaieteur News, Dr Anthony declined to provide any information surrounding the autopsy, which was performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital one week ago. He said the initial findings of the forensic examination have been handed overtothepolice.
“That is for the police. I don’t have one,” Dr Anthony stated whenaskedaboutthereport.“This is a police matter All these things yougottotalktothepoliceabout.”
Pressed further for clarity on the findings and whether it ruled out forced drowning as reported by President Irfaan Ali, Minister Anthony replied, “Talk to the police; the police would have the autopsy report from the pathologists.”
However, Dr.Todd, who posed thequestionaboutthepossessionof the autopsy report to Hicken, said that police do not have the report. Dr Todd recounted, “Is there a preliminary report available of the autopsy which was done? That is notyetprovided,itisnotavailable? So,wehavenoanswer Wouldyou oppose us having a review of the autopsy? ‘Well, we don’t have the report,’ Hicken answered. “So, no answer So,inanutshell,thepolice force,allthattheywerepreparedto say from the commissioner’s level is that they are doing a comprehensive investigation. But
Additionally, in regard to Minister Anthony stating that the pathologist handed over a copy of the report to police, Dr Todd said thatsincehewastoldthatpolicedo nothavethereport,arequestneeds to be made to the pathologists to seekthereportfirstbeforethelegal team can do so. “I would think the policeareincontactwiththem,and it’sforthepolicetogettheirreport from them, and then we can get it from the police. I believe we may becrossingsomeethicalbordersif we were the ones to directly interfacewiththem,”Toddsaid. This discrepancy raises serious questions about which report President Irfaan Ali referred to when he publicly stated that Adriana had drowned Although President Ali did not confirm whetherhehadpersonallyseenthe autopsy report, he stated that a policerepresentativehadsharedits findingswithhim.
“AndIjustwanttobrieflyshare with you what was shared with the police representative and shared withme,”PresidentAlisaid.“Upon completing the procedure, the forensic pathologists ruled out signsofphysicalandsexualtrauma on Ms Younge’s body. After careful deliberation, the team concludedthatMs.Youngediedas a result of drowning. The relatives were also informed that the pathologists ruled out theories of forcible drowning or any other means of killing, followed by disposal of the body in water So thatwaswhatwascommunicated,” hesaid.
As such, Dr Todd questioned the validity of the President’s public pronouncement, stressing that it was premature to declare a cause of death without access to even a preliminary autopsy report. “Ifyouweregoingtosaydrowning andalloureyesandpeoplewhoare sensible enough to recognise that something is wrong, if the preliminary report is not available, why was there a public pronouncement on a prospective causeofdeathofthischildwithout having a preliminary report availableatleast? Andyouwantto say,woulditnothavebeenbetterto say that the entire autopsy process is incomplete, and therefore it will be premature at this stage to pronounce on a possible cause of death,becauseIthinkthatiswhatI think assisted in exacerbating this entire situation,” Dr Todd pointed out.”
Hicken also failed to identify the lead investigator or provide specifics about the scope of the investigation.“Whatreallyareyou investigating? Have you ruled out homicide?Are you investigating a homicide?Noanswer,”Toddsaid. Continued on page 42
Adriana’s family walking beside their attorney moments after the meeting with Hicken
Frompage41
He added that when asked what testsarebeingdoneonthesamples sent overseas and when results are expected, there was still no response.
Additionally, Todd said that at the meeting, no answer was provided as to whether water samples were collected from the pool to determine if Adriana had drowned in a chlorine-treated swimming pool. The Police, in a subsequent statement, said that water samples were collected and havebeensentoverseasfortesting.
Meanwhile, attorney Anderson
disclosed that the police commissionerprovidednoposition when asked whether the force wouldopposeasecondautopsy He emphasised that due to the lack of answers, another meeting with the policeisnecessary.“Butgenerally, the thrust of today’s meeting was thatweneedafollow-upmeeting.I don’tknowhowproductiveorhow useful that would be in light of the urgency and the sensitivity of this matter,”Andersonstated.
The family’s legal team confirmed that Hicken requested their questions be submitted in writing, and responses would be provided later Dr Todd noted, “Thenextstepwillhavetobe,aswe agreed with the commissioner, we will have to write And then, becauseofthetimeperiod,wewill definitely have to look at seeing how,fromahigherpolicylevel,that werequestthattherebesomeform
ofinternationalhelp.”
Toddalsorefutedearlierclaims about the state of Adriana’s body.
While attorney Darren Wade had stated decomposition prevented a determination of time of death, Todd offered a different account.
“We had a look at the body.And I can tell you, the body is good.The body is good There are a few discolourations of the face, but outside of that hands, feet, upper it’s very well It’s not decomposedatall.”Asofnow,the family remains uncertain about funeral arrangements, pending further clarification in the investigation Adriana’s lifeless
body was pulled from the swimming pool by her father, Subrian Younge, on April 24, just 20 hours after she was reported missingwhileonafamilytripatthe location An autopsy was conducted on April 28 by a threemember international pathology team The specialists, Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul from Barbados, Dr Gary Collins, Chief Medical Examiner of Delaware, United States of America and Dr Glenn Rudner of Mount Sinai Hospital, concluded that she died fromdrowning.
attracting fresh waves of foreign investment, Canadian mining c o m p a n y, A r i s M i n i n g Corporation, is refocusing its strategy for its Toroparu Gold ProjectlocatedinGuyana’sRegion Seven,Cuyuni-Mazarunidistrict.
The project, which boasts an estimated 5 4 million ounces in gold resources, is positioned among some of the country’s largestgoldoperations.
Aris Mining owns the project entirelythroughitssubsidiary,ETK Inc.
Aris Mining, in its April 2025 corporate presentation, described Toroparu as a “significant gold exploration and development project”locatedinwesternGuyana, strategicallynearothermajorassets such as the Aurora Gold Mine operated by China’s Zijin Mining and fellow Canadian-run project like G Mining Ventures Corp (GMIN)OkoWest.Onitsmap,the company also highlighted the historic Omai mine, which produced 3 8 million ounces of gold during 1993 and 2005, and then re-entering Guyana’s gold sectorin2020.
In comparison to the 5 4million-ounceToroparuproject,the nearby Aurora mine holds an estimated 5 6 million ounces GMIN’sOkoWestprojectstandsat about 4.3 million ounces, and the Omai project carries around 2 million ounces in estimated resources.
According to the company,
extensive exploration and drilling programmes have already been carried out at Toroparu, revealing the potential for a long-life, largescaleopen-pitminingoperation.
With key infrastructure for the project, including a camp, airstrip, andsiteroads,alreadyinplace,Aris Mining is now reviewing its development strategy, hinting at possible shifts in how it will advance the site amid intensifying activities in Guyana’s gold sector The company highlighted that Guyanahasrecentlyseenincreased investments and merger and acquisition(M&A)activityingold mining, driven by the country’s growing reputation as a mining frontier
TheToroparu Gold Project and itsadjacentproperties,collectively known as the Upper Puruni Concessions, consist of two gold deposits: the Toroparu deposit and the Sona Hill deposit, which lies about five kilometers southeast of themainsite.
The company noted that the Toroparu project is a gold exploration and development project with open-pit and undergroundmineralresources.
NeilWoodyer,ChiefExecutive Officer(CEO)ofArisMining,had noted the re-evaluation process initiated after the merger of GCM MiningandArisGoldinSeptember 2022,whichledtoarevisionofthe company’sdevelopmentstrategy
The Aris Mining team had confirmedthatToroparuisalarge-
scale gold-copper deposit with an updated measured and indicated resource estimate of 5.4 million ounces of gold and 118 thousand tonnes of copper, and an inferred resource estimate of 1.2 million ounces of gold “We are progressing additional studies to update, fully define, and optimize the development plan,” Woodyer haddisclosed.
On March 14, 2023, Aris Mining announced an updated MineralResourceEstimate(MRE) for the Toroparu Project, effective asofFebruary10,2023.TheMRE report states that the Toroparu Project began with alluvial mining by Alfro Alphonso in 1997, transitioning into deeper saprolite mining by 1999 before ending in 2001. ETK started exploring the site in 1999 and, through a joint venture with Alphonso in 2000 ETKacquiredfullownershipofthe project in 2020 by exercising an option in the joint venture, paying $20million.
Alphonso retained alluvial miningrightsonspecificlandsand the use of certain roads and the airstrip A consulting agreement with Alphonso & Sons ensures payments of $1-2 million annually onceETKgeneratessufficientcash flow Additionally, a 2011 mineral agreementwiththeGovernmentof Guyana established a tiered gold royalty of 5% for prices up to $1,000/ozand8%abovethat,plusa 1.5%royaltyonotherminerals. Continued on page 43
Frompage42 ETK has also negotiated an investment agreement with GOInvest for tax exemptions on project-relatedimports.
Friday
7thoilprojectmustnotbe approvedwithoutring-fencing, otherbenefits-Dr.Adams …says Coalition’s plan to ring-fence oil projects was abandoned by PPP Gov’t
During the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) tenure in office, the Coalition was actively pursuing a ring-fencing provision fortheStabroekBlock.
Aring-fencingprovisionwould mandate that only costs associated withthatdevelopmentisrecovered from the specific project when it starts producing oil This would avoid the operator, ExxonMobil from adding other expenses to the cost bank which are not related to that project and ensure a higher share of revenue is available to be splitwiththecountry.
The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) stipulates that 75% of oil produced monthly can be recovered by the operator to cover expenses The remaining 25%isthensharedequallybetween the Government of Guyana (GoG) andtheoilcompanyasprofits,with thecountryreceivinganadditional 2%royalty
In light of a number of independent organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) and World Bank forecasting lower oil prices in the years ahead asaresultofthedeclineindemand for the commodity, the AFC was asked to share its view on government’s reluctance to implementaring-fencingprovision atarecentpressconference.
Former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA),Dr VincentAdams inresponsetoldthisnewspaperthat irrespective of the fluctuating oil price, ring-fencing should be pursuedbytheGoG.
“Regardless of oil price, because oil prices will go up and down ring-fencing should be a requirementonthetabletostartthe discussionwithExxon,”hesaid.
Dr Adamsalsorevealedthatthe APNU/AFC government was pursuingtheimplementationofthis provision while in office These plans were however abandoned by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)whentheadministrationwas electedin2020.
TheformerEPAHeadnoted,“I know for sure the past administration;thiswasoneofMr Granger’shighestpriorities.Iknow Dr (Mark)Bynoe(FormerHeadof the Department of Energy) was working on this with Exxon, but everything got abandoned as per
normal by this current government whentheygotintooffice.”
In a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News on Thursday, Dr. Bynoe confirmed that the previous government was in talks withExxonMobilinthisissue.
Heexplained,“Ithinkitwasin its early stages of discussion.”The former Head of the Energy Department added that the discussions were not only internal but the oil major was also engaged on the subject. He was reluctant to divulge more details regarding those discussions with ExxonMobil, explaining, “I would not go further than that.The (new) government is now in charge; let them go ahead and do what they havetodo.”
Dr Adams pointed to the duplicity of the incumbent administration as he recalled that while Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was the Leader of the Opposition, he attacked the Coalition for “selling out” the nation’s patrimony by failing to ring-fence the Stabroek Block projects.
“They sold us out to the foreigners The oil companies, everytimethereisafindoutthere, our people should be sad because nothing comes our way We are gonna renegotiate those contracts because that’s not what we had in mind,” a passionate Leader of the Opposition argued before being elected.
Government however now supports the non-implementation of this provision since it believes Guyana will benefit from greater revenueinthefuture,despitetheoil priceforecast.
Itshouldbenotedthatthe2016 PSA, signed by the former Coalition government does not include a ring-fencing provision; analyststhereforesuggestthatthere will not be a breach to the agreementthroughtheintroduction of this requirement, since it would not affect expected revenue for the oilcompany
Withanewapplicationactively being considered by the GoG for a seventhoilproject,theformerEPA Head insisted that the project should not be approved in the absenceofthisrequirement.
He urged, “Ring-fencing must be a must and getting back as to whether we should approve the seventh project or not, absolutely I wouldsayifyoudonotcometothe table,andit’snotonlyring-fencing, there are other issues in this contract that needs to be, negotiated. I would say if you do notcometothetabletodothis,we wouldnotgrantyouyourpermit.”
Dr Adamsmaintainedthatsuch a bold move was previously made under his stewardship of the EPA forfullliabilitycoverage,including an unlimited parent company guarantee. He recalled, “What we toldthemwasthouwillnotproduce
one single barrel of oil unless we get that parent company guarantee (and) guess what, within days they came and they signed that parent companyguarantee.”
Consequently, Dr. Adams urged, “We should be withholding the permit if we do not get the fair deal as far as the people are concerned.”
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) at minutes to midnight on Wednesday released “some” preliminary findings from the Post Mortem Examination (PME) conducted on the body of 11-yearoldAdrianaYounge.
The police said it felt “compelled to share” some of the findingsofthepreliminaryautopsy in light of a “barrage of misinformation being peddled in the social media intending to confuse and cause public mischief.”
Notably,theForcerespondedto comments made by the family’s lead attorney, Dexter Todd regarding a premature pronouncement on the cause of deathofthechild.
The GPF said, “The Guyana Police Force wishes to make it abundantly clear that it was the relatives of the deceased, their lawyer and the doctor representing the family who divulged to the Press and published on the social media the preliminary finding of thecauseofdeath,drowning,ofthe forensicexamination.
Thus,theGuyanaPoliceForce, therefore, categorically rejects the contention of Dexter Todd that the Police, prematurely or at all, released the preliminary finding of thecauseofdeathtothepublic.”
In an effort to clarify what it described as “misinformation” regarding Adriana’s PME results, the Police in a seven-point
statement highlighted the following:
1. There was no evidence of
sexual assault (her external genitaliawereexaminedandfound unremarkable with her hymen intact);
2. Hersofttissuesaswellas skeletal structure were free of traumaticinjury;
3. Therewasaresidualcone of foam identified within her nostrils and oral cavity, which is often observed in cases of drowning (this finding dispels any contention that there was cotton woolinhernose);
4. The skin changes observed were from prolonged immersion with ‘washerwoman’ changes noted on bilateral hands and soles (washerwoman changes are also consistent in cases of drowning);
5. The skin was found to be intact and free from antemortem injuries; (Meaning that she did not receive any injuries to her body priortoherdeath);
6. The sphenoid sinus was foundtohaveapproximately1mlof liquid (this is the air space located in the brain consistent with drowning);
7. Liquid also found in the lungs of the deceased, which is consistentwithdrowning.
The GPF reminded that a comprehensivetoxicologicalstudy ofthebloodandgastriccontentsis being conducted by the National Medical Services (NMS) Laboratories in the United States. Additionally, tissue specimens are undergoinghistologicalanalysisby Mount Sinai’s board-certified forensic and diagnostic pathologists in the United States, accordingtoPolice.
Thepurposeofthepost-mortem toxicology analysis is to detect, identify, and quantify drugs, alcohol, poisons, or other toxic substances present in the deceased’s body This analysis helps determine whether any of these substances were present and, if so, whether they contributed to thedeathofthedeceased.
The GPF said it was made pellucid that the final report of the PME will only be made available
upon completion of the toxicology analysis.Assuchitsaid,“Itisrather unfortunate that Mr Todd would attempt to blatantly mislead the public by his erroneous utterances anduninitiatedopinionsinahighly technical scientific field Professional comity and common courtesy demand that he defers to the opinion of three renowned internationalexpertsinthefield.”
The release of the preliminary findingsbytheGPFcomesafterthe Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken reportedly informed the legal team representing Adriana’s family on Wednesday that the police does not have the preliminaryreport.
Following the meeting with Hickenandotherseniorofficersof the Police Force, Todd told the media that several pointed questionsontheinvestigationwere put to the police commissioner to whichnoanswerswereprovided.
Oneofthesequestionswas,“Is thereapreliminaryreportavailable oftheautopsywhichwasdone?”To thisend,theywereinformed,“That is not yet been provided; it’s not availablesowehavenoanswer.”
Todd also asked whether the policewouldopposeareviewofthe reportbutwastold,“Well,wedon’t havethereport,sonoanswer.”
Family members of Adriana Younge repeatedly made it clear that they do not trust the GPF to investigate the child’s suspicious death as a result of the police’s handling of their initial report regarding the missing child and subsequentevents.
Todate,twoofficershavebeen fired while the Commander of RegionThree,KhalidMandallwas sent on administrative leave pendinganinvestigation.
Saturday
“Guyanathenextgreatmining jurisdiction” – Canadian company Mako Mining …advances exploration of “untapped potential” at Eagle Mountain gold project …cites mining-friendly permitting process, Govt. support for mining, favorable permitting regime
Canadian gold producer Mako Mining Corp is accelerating development of its 47-squarekilometer Eagle Mountain Gold ProjectinGuyana.
In its April 2025, “Profitable and Scalable Gold Production in the Americas” corporate presentation, Mako Mining disclosedthatworksareongoingto unlock the property’s untapped potential. The company noted that ongoing exploration is targeting deeper mineralization that remains largelyuntested,whileengineering and permitting activities are movingforwardonschedule.
Continued on page 44
Former EPAHead, Dr. VincentAdams
Former Head of the Department of Energy, Dr. Mark Bynoe
TheMagicalHomeworkFairy
FreddyHelpsHisMom
One day, Freddy's mom woke up feeling very sick. She had a fever and a sore throat, and she couldn't get out of bed. Freddy was worriedabouthismom,sohe decided to help her around thehouse.
Freddy made his mom breakfastinbed.Hemadeher toast and eggs, and he even made her a cup of tea.After breakfast,Freddycleanedthe dishesandtookoutthetrash. He also made sure that his mom had everything she needed, like water and medicine.
Freddy's mom was very gratefulforhishelp.Shetold him that he was a good helper,andthatshewasvery proud of him. Freddy was happy to help his mom, and heknewthathewasdoingthe rightthing.
Freddy continued to help hismomaroundthehousefor the next few days. He made hermeals,cleanedthehouse, anddidthelaundry Heeven tookcareofhislittlesister,so thathismomcouldrest.One day,Freddy'smomaskedhim togotothestoretobuysome medicine.Freddywasalittle bitnervous,butheknewthat hehadtodoit.Hegotdressed andwenttothestore.
When Freddy got to the store, he was overwhelmed by all the choices. He didn't know what kind of medicine toget.Heaskedastoreclerk forhelp,andtheclerkhelped himfindtherightmedicine.
Freddy bought the
medicineandtookithometo his mom. His mom was so happy to have the medicine, and she thanked Freddy for beingsohelpful.
Freddywashappytohelp hismom,andheknewthathe was a good helper He also knew that he could do anythingifhesethismindto it.
The next day, Freddy's mom started to feel better Shewasabletogetoutofbed and start to take care of herself again. Freddy was so happytoseehismomfeeling better, and he knew that he hadmadeadifference. Freddy continued to help hismomaroundthehousefor thenextfewweeks,untilshe was completely better He learned a lot about taking care of others, and he was proud of himself for being a goodhelper
ButFreddy'sworkwasn't done yet. His mom was still weak, and she needed help getting around. Freddy volunteered to push her wheelchair, and he took her
neighborhood He also helped her do her exercises, andhemadesurethatshewas eatinghealthyfoods.
Freddy's mom was so gratefulforhishelp.Shetold him that he was a lifesaver Freddywashappytohelphis mom, and he knew that he would always be there for her
Freddy's story is a reminder that we should alwaysbethereforourloved ones, especially when they need us most It's also a reminder that even young
difference.Freddywasjusta kid, but he helped his mom get better and he made her lifealittlebiteasier
Follow-upquestions:
· What challenges did Freddy face when he helpedhismom?
· How did Freddy overcomethesechallenges?
· What advice would you give to someone who wants to help their sick parent?
April Showers paper plate craft
DeliciousDark ChocolateMother'sDay Bouquet
EdibleChocolate FlowerArrangement
Materials: DOVE ® Dark Chocolate PROMISES ® in assorted flavors green paint bamboo skewers scissors colorful cardstock double-sided tape hot glue gun floral arranging foam vase (preferably opaque)
Mommy, I will always love you For all that you have done and still do; I will hug you and kiss you Because I know you love me, too.
I am aware that I will never know All you have suffered and done for me, But the love you show each day Can tell me about this truly.
You feed me and clothe me And teach me to play and pray, So smile because I will love you On this your special day and always.
Mothers in male dominated professions sacrifice to 'make ends meet
Women employed in male-dominated professions oftenfacetoughdemanding, andchallengesallinabidto provide for their families. But for moms like Toya Williams and Chrisann July, theireverydayhustle,comes with the challenges of raisingchildren,managinga home, and making ends meet.
This Mother's Day, The Waterfalls turnsthespotlight on such women. The two women who describe themselves as determined, stand tall in a male-led profession, providing security not only the places they're assigned to protect, butthelivesoftheirchildren, too.
“Being a mother is the hardest job—but I wouldn't tradeit.”
At 35, Toya Williams knows all too well the balancing act that comes with wearing a security
uniform by day and being a mother and caretaker by night.
“Being a mother is very difficult,” she says, pausing before repeating herself. “A challenging and difficult task. But I wouldn't trade it for anything because I love bothofmybabies.”
Williams works as a security noted that the job helps to provide for her children and that's what mattersmost.
“Beingaworkingmother is also a challenging task. Butattheendoftheday,we do what we have to do.And everything will go by the grace of God ” “Happy Mother'sDaytoeverysingle body out there, and all the mothers.Haveablessedand wonderful day,” Williams' messagetoallmothers.
Similarly, Chrisann July is a 27-year-old mom who has been working as a security for a year and six
months.LikeToya,she'salso a mother of two boys—ages eight and five. Her daily routineisonemanyworking motherswouldunderstand:a never-ending cycle of work, care,andresponsibility
“Being a mom is so special,” she says “It teaches you a lot. It teaches you that you always have to be a part of your kids' life. Alwaysbethereforthem,no matter what. Even if you're struggling, you still have to bethere.”ForJuly,balancing her demanding job and
motherhood has beenarealtestof patience and strength.
“It's been very hard for m e , ” s h e explains. “Every day I have to go home,attendtomy kids, and coo clean, help them with homework I routinethatneverstops.”
She works in the Cash-In-Transit (CIT) department an especially
Toya Williams
Williams’s two children
- Guyana's Fashion Festival captures bold, dynamic creations ORIGINS
Origin Guyana's Fashion Festival which held its inauguraleventlastweekend
featured some bold, masterfully crafted culturally in sync creations thatcapturedtheattentionof many fashionistas and style loversandleftthemwanting more.
Over the three days, a total of 34 designers are expected to showcase their work using a total of 68 models walked the stage of the fashion show which was setattheRailwayCourtYard between Parade and High Streets,Kingston.
The opening night saw a total of eight designers who displayed various pieces from their collection began approximately07:30hrswith a creative dance then followed by an introduction of the eight designers who were Hashim Alli designer
of Khazaana, Katia Fitzpatrick designer of Matapee, Nelsion Nurse
d e s i g n e r o f M e ntamorphasis,SandraSammy designer of Kicks in Heels, Kerby Young designer of Essence of Caribbean Excellence, Michelle Cole designer of Colefacts and Roberto Teekah designer of Pondeclothesline.
Despite the event not having a cost attached, the audience for opening night wasnotaslargeasexpected. However, members of the audience did enjoy the designsandthestandardand quality of the production as wellasthedecor
The Head-of-State noted that the local fashion industryoffersopportunities forcreativestoshowcasethe dynamism of designers and stylists President Ali highlighted the role of fashion, as a catalyst for the diversification of the country'stourismsector
“The global fashion event market is projected to surpass US 200 billion by 2032, and Guyana is positioningitsselftotapinto this lucrative market Hosting fashion festivals is at the forefront of this strategy to diversify and enhance our tourism offerings. We intend to add new leashes and captivate both local and international audiences. In this regard fashion festival are more thanadisplayofart;theyare powerful economic engine attracting visitors from across the globe, it creates opportunities for talented
Among the dignitaries, PresidentIrfaanAlimadean appearance and gave an official welcome address too those inattendance.
fashiondesigners
and models while stimulating the hospitality, retailandservicesectors,”he said.
Ali added that this new tourism venture will create jobs for creative minds as wellasothercreativeperson toexpresstheircreativity
“This sub-sector opens up doors for collaboration and investment contributing to job creation and skills development. The fashion tourism has the potential to propose Guyana as a unique destination on the Global Fashionmap,”Alisaid.
On opening night, the first fashion display was done by a couple Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab Ali. Their collection described theirlovestory,andadeeply personal connection which was inspired their marital journey For them it is more than fashion, it is a bold celebration of love that challengestraditionalnorms through unexpected colour
(Continuedonpage55)
Some of the creative designs done by local designers which were showcased at Origins – The Guyana Fashion Festival evening show on May 02, 2025. (Photo courtesy, Guyana Fashion Festival/ Facebook)
Talented young mom
...Makes
her mark with ‘SEAGIB Branding’
turns passion into profitability
ByAllyiahAllicock
As we celebrate Mother's Day today, The Waterfalls saw it fit to highlight stories of moms who find the magic in ordinary days and sacrifice to make their little ones' dreams come. To this end, this week, this publication will highlight the enterprise of a talentedmotherturnedherpassion for creativity into a thriving business.
Hailing from the beautiful KabakaburiMissioninPomeroon, Region Two, 32-year-old Tina Seabra-Gibson is the proud mom of two and the founder of a brandingbusinesscalledSEAGIB Branding; a venture she co-owns withherhusbandDonGibson. Seabra-Gibsoninanexclusive interview with this magazine revealed that SEAGIB Branding was officially launched on April 11,2021butthevisionwasbirthed duringCOVIDpandemicin2020. Thefullnameshesaidisablendof two meaningful parts of her identity 'SEA' comes from her maiden name, Seabra, while 'GIB' comes from her married name, Gibson. Merging them, she noted was her wayofhonouringbothchaptersof her life, especially as a tribute to herlatefather,ensuringthatapart of him lives on, in everything she creates.
Asked what inspired this venture, the mother of two said, “I'vealwayshadadeeppassionfor creativity For years, I would design flyers, birthday cards, and othergraphicsforclosefamilyand friends,justfortheloveofit.”
She recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, which also happened to be the year she gave birth to her daughter, she found herself with more time at home. She explainedthatperiodbecame aturningpoint,givingherspaceto focus on herself and explore her creativepotentialmoredeeply “It was during that time that I
“Young entrepreneurs play a vital role in shaping the future of Guyana. We bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and innovative solutions to everyday problems. We also show that success isn't defined by age or background, but by passion, resilience, and vision.”
readapowerfulbookcalledGofor Glory by Kez Yisrael The messageinthatbooktrulyopened my eyes and gave me the push I needed.IthelpedmerealizethatI could turn my creative passion into something bigger, my own business,”sherecollected.
Having had years of experience in the marketing field, Seabra-Gibson said that bringing hervisiontolifecamenaturally
In launching SEAGIB Branding, she related that she started off small, offering graphic designservices.
Today, she noted her business has grown into a full-fledged creative agency offering a wide range of services including social media management, signage design, branded novelties, T-shirt printing, marketing strategy development, graphic and logo design, flyers, business cards, radio ads, videography and more. Allofferingonasmall-scalebasis, sheadded.
As her business slogan states 'MakeYourMark',shementioned that at SEAGIB Branding, everything she does is driven by hermissiontohelpothersbecause shebelieveseverybranddeserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated.
Looking back on her business journey since her launch four years ago, she related that like many small business owners, she too faced several challengesearly on.
According to her, one of the biggest challenges being limited resources. “Operating from home with minimal equipment and space made it difficult to take on larger projects or expand my services.Ialsostruggledwithselfdoubtattimes,wonderingifIwas truly capable of building something sustainable,” she explained.
Not someone who gives up easily, Seabra-Gibson mentioned thatshepushedthroughbystaying focused, being resourceful, and maximizingwhatshehad.“Imade sure every project reflected quality, no matter how small, which helped build trust and credibility,”sheadded.
Getting her through the difficult time also, she noted she leaned on her support system -
God,herhusband,friends,family, and loyal customers. “Slowly but surely, things began to improve, and I'm proud of how far I've come,”sheexpressed.
P r o u d o f h e r accomplishments, the young entrepreneur commented that the support over the past four years has been truly overwhelming, in thebestway
She disclosed that in the beginningofthings,itwasmostly familyandfriendswhobelievedin her and supported the business. But as she began to establish herself and deliver quality work, wordstartedtospread.Anditwas throughreferralsandthepowerof socialmedia,shewasabletogrow an organic and loyal customer base,whichcontinuestoexpand.
Excitedforwhatisyettocome forSEAGIBBranding,themother oftworevealedthatherlong-term goalistoexpandheroperationsby investing in more equipment so she can offer a wider range of services.
“Rightnow,I'mworkingfrom home;believeitornot,I'vesetup in my unfinished bathroom, and the only available space I have. It is humble beginnings, but I'm makingthemostofit.Ultimately,I aim to have my own dedicated physical location where clients can visit, collaborate, and experience the brand in a professionalsetting,”sheshared.
Seabra-Gibsonsharedtoothat being a mom and business owner comeswithchallengesbuttheyare herreasonswhy “Therearesome days; I don't feel like I do. There are moments when the pressure feelssoheavythatIjustsitandcry Juggling work responsibilities, running a business, and being a full-time mom is overwhelming. But despite the chaos, I keep going.Whatkeepsmegroundedis myWHY…mychildren.”
She added “Being a mom motivates me more than anything else. They are the reason I push harder, even on days when I feel likegivingup.
Everything I'm building…My career, my business, my brand…It'snotjustforme.It'sfor them I'm working to create generational wealth, to leave behind a legacy they can one day inheritandbeproudof.”
Founder of SEAGIB Branding, Tina Seabra-Gibson, is a proud mom of two
Moreover, the young entrepreneur said, “My strengthcomesfromGod. Ileanonmyfaithdaily,especially whenthingsgettough.”
Living by the scripture, 'the young woman explained that this verse grounds, guides, and fuels her journey as a wife, mother, professional,andanentrepreneur
“The scripture, Philippians 4:13', “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” isn't justaversetome,it'salifeline.It reminds me that I'm not alone in thisjourney.EvenwhenI'mtired, stretchedthin,orfilledwithdoubt, I know there's a greater purpose behinditall,”sheadded Contributing to society meaningfully in her own ways, thisyoungentrepreneurisofthe view that small business owners are helping to build more d y n a m i c , inclusive, and f o r w a r dt h i n k i n g communities.
“Young entreprene urs play a vital role in shaping the future of Guyana.
She noted however, “there's a real need for more targeted support for entrepreneurs like myself who operate in branding, marketing, and design. Access to funding, affordable workspaces, andexposurethroughlocalevents orbusinessdirectorieswouldgoa long way in helping us grow and competeonalargerscale.”
Looking for quality branding services, persons can feel free to contact SEAGIB Branding via telephonenumber(592)705-7514 or via their Facebook page at SEAGIBBranding.
Some of the creative branding services SEAGIB Branding has done for businesses and clients.
We bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and innovative solutions to everyday problems. We also show that success isn't defined by age or background, but by passion, resilience, and vision,” she elaborated.
Asked what she thinks can be done in our society to help small businesses grow, she said there is already strong emphasis on supporting locally made products and the green industryinGuyanawhichis great progress, small businesses in the creative andservice-basedindustries oftendon'tbenefitfromthese initiatives.
DIYSpaTreatmentsYouCanMakein10Minutes
Whilethepaceofday-today life might make luxuriating in self-care feel like an impossibility, DIY spa treatments are easy, fast and affordable to make at home-even more so if you can look to your garden for inspiration and ingredients. The ritual of making your own body products and applying them also offers a built-in space to reduce anxiety and tension. Where
stress-environmental, professional and emotionalravages your skin and hair, carving 10 minutes out of your day to reconnect with your senses and lavish your bodywithafacemask,scrub or bath soak can help reset yourrelationshiptoyourself, your work and those around you.
Our skin is our body’s largest organ, and - as evident any time we slather on lotions and other topical treatments - it is inherently absorbent. Much of what the skin soaks in from products, chemicals and all, moves into our bloodstream and on to our other organs
Choosing pure, food-based ingredients to care for your skin and hair means taking charge of what you let into yourbody.
Create your own body and beauty products as a gift for yourself or for others. These enlivening DIY concoctions make beautiful presents,withthehelpofjust a glass jar and some twine or ribbon. Or host a girls’night in or spa day at home: make your treatments together and thenenjoyusingthemaspart ofyourtimetogether
Below are a few incrediblysimplefavouritesoffering new ways to exfoliate, repair, mask, tone, conditionandbathe.
Cucumber-Mint
Sugar Body Scrub
Hydrating cucumber and cooling mint bring soothing and inflammation-quelling properties to this body
exfoliator The fine grains of sugarhelpsheddryskin,and
skin-quenching coconut oil sweeps in to give a supple glow that lasts even after washing.
1/3 cup chopped
cucumber
1/3cupfreshmintleaves
Scant 2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons raw virgin coconutoil,melted
1. In a small bowl or mortar and pestle, mash cucumber and mint into a pulp. Squeeze the liquid out into a second bowl and discard the pulp. Add sugar and meltedcoconutoil to the liquid and mix until fully incorporated.
2. Apply to clean, damp skin using circular motions to exfoliate the skin. Rinse off completely, then towel dry Moisturizeasdesired. Makes about 2/3 cup.
Use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. The coconut oil will harden in the fridge; bring scrub to room temperature before using.
Deep Hand-Repair
Salve with Coconut Oil
T h i s h o m e m a d e moisturizer is an all-purpose miracle worker-as excellent for damaged and dry hands as it is for repairing chapped lips and cracked skin. Rosemary and sage oils, steeped in nourishing coconut oil and cocoa butter, help to jump-start skin repair
1/2 cup raw virgin coconutoil
1/2 cup chopped cocoa butter
1/2cupfreshsageleaves
1/2 cup fresh rosemary leaves
1. Melt coconut oil and cocoa butter in a small saucepan over low heat When the oil is hot to the touch, add sage and rosemary Let the mixture steep over low heat for 10 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave the pan on the stovetosteep,uncovered,for a n o t h e r 1 - 2 h o u r s , depending on desired
potencyofscent.
2. Strain out the leaves and discard. Pour the liquid intoan8-ounceglassjar,two 4-ouncejars,orfour2-ounce jars.Placelidsonthejarsand refrigerate overnight to harden. Remove from the fridge the next morning and keepinacool,dryplace.
For this homemade face mask, a dreamy mix of hydrating avocado, skincleansing honey and toning apple-cider vinegar delivers perfect pH balance for all typesofskin.
1/4cupripeavocado
2tablespoonsrawhoney
1/2 teaspoon cider vinegar
Combine avocado, honey and vinegar in a mini food processor; process until smooth (Alternatively, place in a small bowl; mash with a fork until smooth.)
Cucumber-Mint
Sugar Body Scrub
immediately
Lavender
Toning Face Mist
Steeped lavender buds
c r e a t e a c a l m i n g aromatherapeutic water to soothe the skin. A touch of apple-cider vinegar leaves skinfreshandtoned.
11/2cupsboilingwater
1 1/2 teaspoons dried organiclavenderbuds
1teaspooncidervinegar
Apply a thin layer to clean, damp skin. Let dry, then rinse off and moisturize as desired. Oily skin types may not need additional moisturizer
Makes enough for 2-3 applications; should be used
Pour boiling water over lavender buds; cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the lavender and discard. Let the steeped lavender water come to room temperature, then mix in vinegar Pour the toner into a spraybottleandspritzitonto refreshtheskin.Useonclean skin, after washing and before moisturizing, or for a mid-daypick-me-up.
Explosions reported after India and Pakistan agree to ceasefire
ISLAMABAD/NEW
DELHI, May 10 (Reuters)Nuclear-armed neighbours IndiaandPakistanagreedto aceasefireonSaturdayafter U.S. pressure and four days of fighting, but within hours explosionsrangoutinborder cities and towns and India
accused Pakistan of violatingthepact.
Artillery fire and attack drones were witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, the centre of much of the fighting, while blasts from air-defencesystemsboomed in cities under blackout, similar to the previous evening, according to authorities, residents and Reuterswitnesses.
IndianForeignSecretary Vikram Misri told reporters that Pakistan had violated the understanding arrived at by the two countries earlier intheday,andthattheIndian armed forces had been instructed to "deal strongly" withanyrepetition.
"We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with s e r i o u s n e s s a n d responsibility," Misri told a mediabriefing.
In response, the foreign ministryofPakistansaidthe country was committed to the ceasefire and blamed Indiafortheviolations."Our forces are handling the situation with responsibility
andrestraint,"itsaid.
The ministry also called on troops on the ground to exercise restraint and said that any issues in the implementation of the cea
appropriatelevels.
Pakistan's military spokesperson did not immediately respond to requestsforcomment.
Thefightinghasbeenthe worstbetweentheoldSouth Asian enemies in nearly threedecadesandthreatened to erupt into a full-scalewar in one of the world's most volatile and densely populatedregions.
There were briefly fears that nuclear arsenals might come into play as Pakistan's military said a top body overseeing its nuclear weaponswouldmeet.
But the defence minister said no such meeting was scheduled, hours after a night of heavy fighting in which the two countries targetedeachother'smilitary bases and the combined civiliandeathtollroseto66.
"PakistanandIndiahave agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect," Foreign MinisterIshaqDarpostedon X "Pakistan has always strived for peace and security in the region, withoutcompromisingonits sovereignty and territorial
integrity!"
Misrihadearliersaidthe chiefs of the two countries' military operations had spoken to each other and agreed that all fighting would stop at 5 p.m. Indian time(1130GMT).
U.S. President Donald Trump posted: "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATECEASEFIRE.
Congratulations to both CountriesonusingCommon S e n s e a n d G r e a t Intelligence."
HOTLINES AND DIPLOMACY
Dar told the broadcaster Geo News that military channels and hotlines between India and Pakistan hadbeenactivated,andthree dozen countries had helped tofacilitatetheagreement.
OnWednesday,Indiahad attacked what it said was "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistani Kashmir and Pakistan,twoweeksafter26 people were killed in an attack on Hindu tourists in IndianKashmir Pakistan denied India's accusations that it was involved in the attack. Days ofcross-borderfire,shelling and drone and missile attacksfollowed.
Despite the truce, two Indian government sources
Guyana's Fashion Festival captures...
Frompage49 choices and thoughtful designs.
Followingtheirleadwas designer Katia Fitzpatrick. Her designs were bold ancestral/futuristic which brought a powerful contrast between past and future styles which evinced that Indigenous culture is alive andevolving. The third designer was Nelsion Nurse whose designs were a bold new men's clothing collection. Hispiecessoughttoredefine everyday styles with vibrant
colours and a fresh sense of playfulness designed for the modernmanwhoisn'tafraid to standout. Mentomorphosis is for the man who wants to have fun with his style while still looking put-together proof that being bold doesn't mean sacrificingclass. SandraSammyanewbie was the fourth designer followed by Kerby Young. The seventh designer was Michelle Cole. She is an acclaimed G
e Fashion Designer, entrepreneurandcommunity
leader;sheisthefounderand cooperative executive of Colefacts, an international fashion brand celebrated for its innovative designs of
commitment to nurturing youngtalent.
Wrapping up the fashion showwasRobertoTeekahon thefirstnightwhoisamultimedia visual artiste and a costume designer based in Guyana and is a graduate of theE.R.BurrowesSchoolof Artwherehemajoredinboth paintingandtextileart.
GPHC launches “comprehensive...
Frompage14 to stabilize and support the infant, including NICU care,ventilatorysupport,and administration of antibiotics, some congenital conditions may not be apparent or preventable, even with appropriate care,” the GPHC
added Currently, the case is being reviewed, and wherever necessary, the clinical protocols and systems will be strengthened to ensure continuous improvementinpatientcare
“We continue to extend
toldReutersthatthepunitive measures announced by India and reciprocated by Pakistan, such as trade suspension and visa cancellations, would remain inplacefornow
Thesourcesalsosaidthe 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing pact that India suspended after the Kashmir attack, would remainsuspended.
The Indian foreign ministrydidnotrespondtoa requestforcomment.
U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubiosaidthatheand VicePresidentJDVancehad engaged with Indian Prime MinisterNarendraModiand Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir, and the two national security advisers over the courseof48hours.
TALKS TO FOLLOW AT NEUTRAL VENUE
In a post on X, Rubio commended Modi and Sharif on the agreement, which he said included not only an immediate ceasefire but also the start of talks on "a broad set of issues at a neutralsite.”
News of the ceasefire was greeted with relief on both sides of the border and Pakistan's airport authority said its airspace had been fullyreopened.
But the subsequent violations sparked alarm in India.
"What the hell just happened to the ceasefire?
Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!" , Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Indian Kashmir, posted on X."Thisisnoceasefire.The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just openedup."
India and Pakistan have beenlockedinadisputeover Kashmir ever since they were born at the end of Britishcolonialrulein1947. Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan both rule part of Kashmir but claim it infull.
They have gone to war three times, including twice over Kashmir, alongside numerous smaller outbreaks offighting.
IndiablamesPakistanfor an insurgency in its part of Kashmir that began in 1989 and has killed tens of thousands. It also blames Pakistani Islamist militant groupsforattackselsewhere inIndia.
Pakistan rejects both charges. It says it provides only moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiriseparatists.
US-based Guyanese Attorney, Kinda...
Frompage50 Velloza stated, “starting my firm was a smooth process due to the well-structured business environment in the U.S. With help from local consultants, we expanded internationally into Ghana and Guyana with ease. My approach focused on ensuring everything was set up according to regulations, allowing for smooth growth,”shesaid.
AUTHOR To further support immigrants, she authored a practical guide titled “10 Things Immigrants Should Know Before Coming to America.”Drawingfromher o w n j o u r n e y a n d professional expertise, the bookoffersrealinsightsand helpful resources to guide newcomersthroughtheU.S. immigrationsystem.
“Theideacamefrommy own experience I didn't haveaclearroadmapwhenI arrived.Ihadtofigurethings out on my own, relying on scattered online resources,” she explained. “I wanted to makethetransitionsmoother forothersbyofferingwhatI wish I had: clear, honest guidance.”
our sincere support to Ms Bacchus and her family during this difficult time In the interest of the grieving familyandtheintegrityofthe investigation,werespectfully urgethepublictorefrainfrom speculationuntilfindingsare complete,”theGPHCsaid
Though she's been recognised for her impact including being named one of the Top 40 immigration influencers of 2025 by Feedspot, Velloza remainsgrounded.“Thereal rewardisthegratitudeofthe clientsweserve.That'swhat mattersmost.Thesuccessof Velloza andAssociates LLC
and the positive feedback from clients are the greatest r e w a r d s o f m y work,”Vellozasaid.
BEYOND THE COURTROOM
Beyond the courtroom, Velloza is a mother and champion for community development. Through her charity foundation, she supports underserved communities, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. Theseeffortsareatestament to her belief that “service is trueleadership.”
Balancing her growing firm, philanthropic work, and motherhood requires careful discipline and the support of a reliable support team.“Myfamilyremainsat theheartofeverythingIdo.I amespeciallyproudtobethe mother of my son, Kiand, whoselovebringsasenseof joy, grounding, and purpose to each day,” she shares warmly
Despitethechallengesof i m m i g r a t i o n , entrepreneurship, and leadership,Velloza'sjourney has been one of purpose.
“Mygreatestachievementis notasinglemoment,butthe lives I've touched and the positive impact I've made, especially within the immigrant community Founding 'Velloza and Associates' and creating a platform for change is something I'm incredibly proud of,” Velloza proudly said.
Another of Velloza's greatest milestones is her
charity foundation and the meaningfulprojectsinitiated in Africa. She also told this magazine, “The greatest achievement, however, is balancingmybrain,strategic thinking and legal expertise, with my heart, compassion and service. This balance fuelseverythingIdo.”
CARIBBEAN IMPACT
Lookingbackonherpath from Guyana to being established as a global legal leadership, Velloza offers this advice to aspiring Caribbean entrepreneurs: “To fellow Caribbean entrepreneurs, I advise pursuing your passion wholeheartedly The transitionfromjournalismto lawwaschallenging,butmy passion made it worth it.
Think globally and innovatively My firm's expansion into Africa and South America was driven by a vision to serve immigrant communities worldwide. Build a strong team, take calculated risks, and embrace clear communication Most importantly, give back to your community, it's essential for long-term success.Whenyoulovewhat you do, it never feels like work.”As such, a quote that capturesheressence:“When you love what you do and love who you do it for, you never work a day in your life.”Itperfectlyreflectsmy approach to life, leadership, andthepassionIfeelforthe people and communities I serve,”sheshared.
Children among 25 killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza amid aid blockade
...Cancer and diabetes patients among those suffering from Israel's ban on entry of all items, including medicine, in Gaza.
Aman is carried away after being injured in an Israeli army drone strike on a sidewalk in downtown Gaza City [JehadAlshrafi/APPhoto]
US and Chinese officials to resume talks to ease trade war on Sunday
GENEVA, May 10 (Reuters) - Top U.S. and Chinese officials wrapped up the first day of talks in Switzerland on Saturday aimedatdefusingatradewar thatthreatenstohammerthe globaleconomyandplanned to resume negotiations on Sunday,asourceclosetothe discussionssaid.
ChineseVicePremierHe Lifeng met for about eight hours with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative JamiesonGreerinGenevain their first face-to-face meeting since the world's two largest economies heaped tariffs well above
100%oneachother'sgoods. Neither side made any statements about the substance of the discussions nor signaled any progress towards reducing crushing tariffs as meetings at the residence of Switzerland's ambassador to the U N concluded at about 8 p.m. localtime.(1800GMT) Bessent, Greer and He were meeting in Geneva after weeks of growing tensions prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff blitz starting in February and retaliation from Beijing that has brought nearly $600 billion in annual bilateral trade to a
GuyanaPandits'Council...
Frompage14 society that values mutual respectandcoexistence,”the ERCstated. While reaffirming its support for freedom of expression, the Commission emphasized that such freedoms must be exercised with respect for all religious and cultural traditions in Guyana.
virtual standstill. The trade dispute, combined with Trump's decision last month to impose duties on dozens of other countries, has disrupted supply chains, unsettled financial markets and stoked fears of a sharp globaldownturn.
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
The location of the talks in the Swiss diplomatic hub was never made public However, witnesses saw both delegations returning after a lunch break to the gated U N ambassador's villa, which has its own private park overlooking Lake Geneva in the leafy suburbofCologny.
Earlier, U.S. officials includingBessentandGreer smiledastheylefttheirhotel on the way to the talks, wearing red ties and American flags on their lapels.
Bessent declined to speak to reporters. At the
same time, Mercedes vans with tinted windows were seen leaving a hotel where the Chinese delegation was staying on the lakeside as runners preparing for a weekend marathon warmed upinthesunshine.
Washingtonisseekingto reduceits$295billiongoods tradedeficitwithBeijingand persuade China to renounce what the United States says is a mercantilist economic model and contribute more to global consumption, a shift that would require politically sensitive domesticreforms.
Beijing has pushed back against what it sees as externalinterference.
It wants Washington to lower tariffs, clarify what it wantsChinatobuymoreof, and treat it as an equal on the world stage China's official Xinhua News
Agency said in a commentary on Saturday that the United States'
"reckless abuse of tariffs" had destabilized the global economic order, but added that the negotiations represented "a positive and necessary step to resolve disagreements and avert further escalation "
"Whether the road ahead involves negotiation or confrontation, one thing is clear:China'sdetermination t o s a f e g u a r d i t s development interests is unshakable, and its stance on maintaining the global economic and trade order remains unwavering," Xinhuasaid
LOW EXPECTATIONS
With distrust running high, both sides have been keennottoappearweak,and economic analysts have low expectations of a breakthrough.Trumpsaidon Friday that an 80% tariff on Chinese goods "seems right", suggesting for the first time a specific alternative to the 145%
levies he has imposed on Chinese imports. He has suggested the discussions were initiated by China Beijing said the U S requested the discussions and that China's policy of opposingU.S.tariffshadnot changed. China could be looking for the same 90-day waiver on tariffs that Washington has given other countries as negotiations takeplace,whileanykindof tariff reduction and followup talks would be seen as positive by investors. Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelinmetbothpartiesin Geneva on Friday and said the fact that the talks were taking place was already a success.
"If a road map can emerge and they decide to continue discussions, that willlowerthetensions,"he told reporters on Friday, sayingtalkscouldcontinue into Sunday or even Monday
Collins wins to end Swiatek’s Italian Open defence
BBC Sport - American DanielleCollinscompleteda comprehensive straight-set victory over defending champion Iga Swiatek in the third round of the Italian Open.
Collins capitalised on a poor serving display from world number two Swiatek to cruise to the opening set before battling back from a break down in the second to clincha6-17-5victory
Itwasjusthersecondwin in nine matches against the
five-time Grand Slam champion and first on claythe 23-year-old Pole’s preferredsurface.
Collins, 31, will face either Ukrainian Elina Svitolina or compatriot Hailey Baptiste in the fourth round, while Swiatek must now regroup before the French Open, which begins on25May
Swiatek had won the Italian Open in three of the past four seasons but struggledforherbestformin
the run-up to this year’s eventinRome.
She has not won a WTA tournament since claiming her fourth French Open women’s singles title in five years at Roland Garros 12 monthsago.
Swiatek started poorly, serving double faults when facingbreakpointinherfirst two service games, and lost her third to love as 29th seed Collinsracedintoa5-0lead.
Swiatekfinallygotonthe board in the sixth game, but
was promptly broken for a fourth time to lose the opening set in just 24 minutes. She broke Collins in the opening game of the second set, but was again unabletocementthebreak.
Collins battled hard to keep on level terms for the remainder of the second set before pouncing in the 12th game, claiming a sixth break of serve in the match to seal victory with her second match point as Swiatek flashedabackhandwide.
BCCI aiming to resume IPL 2025 in May following ceasefire
Franchises are working to get their overseas players to return after most left yesterday.
ESPNcricinfo - TheBCCIhasbeguntakingstepstowards resuming IPL 2025 in May following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan that came into effect at 1130GMT(1700ISTand1630PKT)onSaturday
ESPNcricinfohaslearnedthatalltenfranchisesaretrying to recall overseas players and coaching staff back to India as plansareafoottorestartthetournamentassoonaspossible.It is understood the IPL could start as soon as the following weekend - around May 15 - subject to Indian government permission.
The BCCI had to suspend the tournament for a week on Friday following the escalation of cross-border tensions betweenIndiaandPakistanthatledtotheabandonmentofthe match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals midway throughthefirstinningsinDharamsalaonMay8.
The immediate challenge for the franchises is to try and bringbacktheiroverseascontingent,mostofwhomleftIndia between Friday and Saturday Several franchises have reached out to players and staff asking them to be ready to fly back to India. Some players and support staff who are in transithavebeenaskedtohaltfurthertravelforthetimebeing. Oneofthefranchisesevenaskeditscoachingstafftopostpone travel out of India as they were getting ready to depart on Sunday
Some teams are more fortunate than others in this regard: only two Gujarat Titans overseas players - Jos Buttler and Gerald Coetzee - have left the country and the franchise is tryingtobringthemback.
While the franchises remained optimistic earlier on Saturday that most overseas players would return if the tournament were to resume in May, they acknowledged there would be no guarantees if the season extended beyond May 25, when the IPL 2025 final was scheduled to be played in Kolkata. That’s because of bilateral commitments for several players,aswellastheWorldTestChampionship(WTC)final between Australia and South Africa, starting on June 11 at Lord’s.
Atotalof57matcheshadbeencompletedinIPL2025,and the 58th was going on May 8 between PBKS and DC in Dharamsala when it was called off after 10.1 overs of play. TheIPLhas not yettakena callon whetherthatmatchwillbe replayed.
There are 12 league matches and four playoffs remaining intheseason,andonepossibilityisthatthesefixturescouldbe played in three southern cities: Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. Seven teams remain in the race for the playoffs, with only Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)andRajasthanRoyals(RR)outofcontention.
(BCCI)
Iga Swiatek had lost just once in her previous 19 matches at the Italian Open. [Getty Images]
Cricket West Indies conducts Talent Identification Workshop in Trinidad during West Indies Breakout League
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of CricketMilesBascombemet with territorial talent identifiers during the recently concluded West Indies Breakout League in Trinidad.
The workshop which spanned three days from May 8-10 brought together CWI’s network ofTerritorial Talent Identifiers with key High Performance and coaching personnel to improve alignment, evaluation methods, and integration with the senior men’steamenvironment.
The six (6) talent identifiers went through several comprehensive sessions with head coach of the Senior Men’s Team, Daren Sammy, alongside high-performance manager Dwain Gill, senior talent manager Jamal Smith, and CWI’s Performance Analyst
AveneshSeetaram. Head Coach Daren SammypraisedCricketWest Indies for the initiative,
which is in line with the strategic plan of aligning the p r i n c i p l e s o f t h e international team to the
Legislation ignites Thoroughbred Racing as Guyana Cup 2025 to offer Record Breaking
GYD$50,000,000
in prizes
In a landmark move that signals the dawn of a new era for Guyana’s sporting landscape, the passage of the long-awaited Horse Racing Legislation has sparked an explosive leap forward for the country’s biggest one day event, a horseracingevent,theGuyanaCup!
The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee, the promotional body behind the prestigious Guyana Cup, has wasted no timeinrespondingtothisnationalvictory In a bold and historic announcement, the Committee has raised the purse for the feature race of the 17th Running of the Guyana Cup to USD$100,000, with the first prize set at a whopping USD$50,000, equivalent to GYD$10,000,000, a tenmillion-dollar payout that sets a new benchmarkinthenation’sracinghistory
This year’s event, scheduled for August 17, will now carry a total purse exceeding GYD $50,000,000, making it one of the richest sporting days ever held in Guyana. The timing couldn’t be more symbolic, the 17th Running on the 17th August, first Guyana Cup to be held under official legislation, in what many are calling the “GoldenYearofHorseRacing”.
“This is our way of saying thank you to the Government of Guyana,” said the Committee’s spokesperson. “The passing of this Act has finally given our sport a proper foundation. We are no longer just racing for local pride; we are now stepping into the internationalspotlight.”
With the new legislation establishing the
Guyana Horse RacingAuthority, and laying out licensing, regulatory, and enforcement frameworks, the industry is now poised for legitimateinternationalengagement,alongawaited goal for many horsemen across the nation.
The purse elevation also places the Guyana Cup side-by-side with the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup, the Caribbean’s most prestigious racing event, a race that Guyana recently conquered with the One GuyanaRacingStable’shistoricvictory
Even more encouraging, the ripple effects of this increased purse will be felt far beyond the winner’s circle. Young jockeys will now have the chance to earn
“With proper licensing and this legislation in place, our young people can nowrepresentGuyanaoverseas.Theirfuture is no longer limited, the gates to the international racing world have finally opened,”theCommitteeemphasized.
Looking ahead, the Guyana Cup’s promoter has pledged that this is only the beginning. “We’re increasing the purse every year Just imagine what 2026 will bring.” The 17th Guyana Cup will not only celebratetherichheritageoflocalracing,but willnowstandasabeaconofpossibilityfora nation whose time has come on the global stage.
regionallevel.
“It’s a great initiative brought on by CWI with all the talent IDs that we have around the region, with the intention to provide context and guidance to this instrumental group, by givingthemanin-depthlook into what we do at the highest level in all three formats of the game ” Sammy said. “The processes we go through, the data that is collected, and how those translate to filling the respective personnel roles in the various teams The workshop gave us the opportunity to show our Talent IDs a template that they could mirror in their home territories, regarding planning and tactical aspects attheinternationallevel.” Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, outlined the key objective of the workshop.
“The workshop’s main objectiveistoensurethatthe Territorial Talent identifiers know the processes that drive selection and, by e x t e n s i o n , t a l e n t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d development. We also took the opportunity to align the depth charting process and gathertheirinputoncreating a standardised player assessment model to be implementedsystemwide.
Continued on page 57
The CWI personnel at the Workshop for network of Territorial Talent Identifiers.
Virat Kohli tells BCCI that he wants to retire from Test cricket
ESPNcricinfo - Virat Kohli has communicated his desire to retire from Test cricket to the BCCI ahead of the big fivematch series in England starting June 20, for whichheisexpectedtobeapartofthesquad. ESPNcricinfo understands that Kohli has been having these conversations with officialsoftheBCCIforthepastmonthorso.
If Kohli doesn’t change his mind, he will bring the curtain down on a glorious career that has spanned 14 years and included 123 Tests-68ofthemascaptain-inwhichhehas 9230runsatanaverageof46.85.
But it hasn’t been a particularly fruitful time in the format for Kohli of late. When he scored 100 not out in the Perth Test in November 2024, it was his first century in Tests since July 2023 (against West Indies in Port of Spain), and his average, 55.10 at its peakafterhescoredhiscareerbestof254not outvsSouthAfricainPunein2019,hasbeen 32.56overthelast24months.
Despite that, it’s understood that the team management and selectors expect his experience to be crucial on the tour, where Indiawillalsobeplayingunderanewcaptain -ShubmanGillisthefrontrunnertotakeover from Rohit Sharma following his retirement fromTestcricketearlierthisweek. Kohli, as well as Rohit, were included in the highest category (A+) in the latest BCCI contracts, which is usually meant for players whoplayallthreeinternationalformats.Both Kohli and Rohit had retired from T20Is after India won the World Cup last year and, if KohlidoesretirefromTests,theywillonlybe availableforODIcricketgoingforward.
Apart from Rohit, India are without R
Virat Kohli has 30 centuries from his 123 Tests. (Associated Press)
Ashwin, who retired from international cricketduringthe2024-25seriesinAustralia.
With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane not in the mix at the moment, and Mohammed Shami’s form under scrutiny after his return from a long injury layoff, Kohli is among the only seniors around, along with KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and JaspritBumrah.
Before Rohit replaced Kohli as India’s Test captain, India had won 40 of the 68 gamesinwhichKohliled,losingjust17.The 40 wins makes Kohli India’s most successful Test captain of all time - MS Dhoni with 27 from60andSouravGangulywith21from49 rankbelowhim-andalsoplaceshimatNo.4 on the overall list of captains with the most Test wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 from 109), Ricky Ponting (48 from 77) and Steve Waugh(41from57).
ItwasinEnglandthatKohlihadrecorded one of his greatest highs as a Test batter, on the 2018 tour He was the top run-getter across the two sides in the five Tests, aggregating 583 at an average of 59.30 with twocenturies.
That it came after he had scored just 134 runs in ten innings on the previous tour, in 2014, made the performance that much more special. That year, 2018, was also his best in termsofaggregateforayear,whenhescored 1322runs.
During his golden run, he averaged 75.93 in 2016, 75.64 in 2017, 55.08 in 2018, and 68.00 in 2019. During that period between 2016 and 2018, Kohli scored 3596 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 66.59, with 14 hundredsandeightfiftiesin58innings.
‘Bunny’ Shaw wins second consecutive WSL Golden Boot
SportsMax - Jamaica and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has claimed the 2024/25 Barclays Women’s SuperLeagueGoldenBootaward.
Shaw scoredanimpressive12 goalsin14 top-flight matches and has shared this term’s prize with Arsenal’s Alessia Russo who scoredthesameamountin20matches.
It means the 28-year-old boasted the best goals per game average across the division this season with 0.85 each match and, in doing so, has won the award in consecutive seasons following her remarkable 21goals in 18appearanceslastterm.
Shaw’s first league goal came in a hard fought 1-0 win over Brighton before she netted a dramatic double at Anfield as City came from behind to beat Liverpool away fromhome.
After equalizing following half-time, she slammed the ball into the roof of the net in second-half stoppage time to secure three vitalpointsawayfromhome.
During her time at the Club, she has continued to smash records and this season was no different when she set a new WSL record for most hat-tricks scored of all-time when scoring a treble in a 4-0 win over Spurs attheEtihadStadium.
It represented her sixth in total in the division which extended her stellar record againstthenorthLondoners.
She then hit five more in the top-flight before picking up an injury in our Subway League Cup final meeting with Chelsea whichendedherseasonearly
Jamaica’s women book spot in 4x100m field at Tokyo World Championships
Jamaica’s Women’s 4x100m quartet booked their spot at the World Championships in Tokyo. (World Athletics)
Jamaica and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has claimed the 2024/25 Barclays Women’s Super League Golden Boot award.
The GBA will be hosting its annual GUMDAC national tournament at the National Gymnasium.
2025 GUMDAC GBA national tournament to tee off from May 23
The Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) will be hosting its annual GUMDAC national tournament at the NationalGymnasium.
Thethree-daytournamentshuttlesofffromMay23and will conclude on the 25, 2025. Categories include Men’s Double,Women’sDoubleandtheMixedDoublesevent.
Action on the first day will spike off from 17:00h to 22:00h on the first day, while days 2 and 3 will start from 13:00hto20:00h,respectively
Previous editions saw elite levels of competition from Guyana’s best players and future stars within the Badmintonfraternity
Berbice celebrate adding U19 title to growing collection
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to be in a triumphant mood as yet another of their representative teams havewontheintercountycricketcompetition.
This time male U19 cricket team has come out victorious in the recently concluded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) U19 intercounty50overscompetition.
Althoughthecompetition,whichwasplayedinDemerara was affected by the inclement weather, Berbice played unbeaten, winning two of their three matches with the other rainedout.
They defeated Essequibo and the Select XI with the rain beingthedecidingfactorintheirclashwithDemerara.
The BCB is delighted with the win since the team’s preparation was severely affected by the inclement weather withhardlyanyU19cricketbeingplayedfortheyear
The President, Executives and members of the BCB takes the opportunity to congratulate all the teams for the outstanding performances so far, despite some trying circumstances.
Saints and QC shine bright as U-14 Basketball showdown tips off in G/Town
Free throw effect…Nation’s inches closer to the close of play.
Youth Basketball Guyana tipped off the 2025 Georgetown Regional Under-14 Basketball Championship with a bang on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), as St Stanislaus College (Saints) and Queen’s College (QC) announcedtheirintentionsearlywithopening-dayvictories.
In a nail-biting curtain-raiser, Saints edged School of the Nations (SON) 19-18, with IzaiahAbrams putting on a gritty all-roundperformance.Abramsdropped10pointsandswiped four steals in a match that went down to the wire. Teammate Josiah Patoir provided valuable support with four steals and four crucial points of his own, helping Saints squeeze out the win.
SON fought hard, with Damarco Dalgety leading the charge with nine points, while Kovid Persaud chipped in with six. But their efforts fell just short as Saints clung to a onepointleadatthebuzzer
Meanwhile,ontheoppositeendofthehardwood,Queen’s College delivered a more decisive statement, cruising past MarianAcademywithaconfident11-pointwin.QC’sLemuel Wilson led the offensive charge with eight points and controlledtheboardswithfourrebounds,puttinginacaptain’s shift on both ends of the floor Dimitri Singh added six points to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Nicholas Mohamed also notchedsixtosealthedeal.
The regional championship is proudly backed by a lineup of sponsors including KFC Guyana, Edward B. Beharry Limited, G-Boats Inc, the National Sports Commission, and Banks DIH – all helping to fuel the next generation of basketballstars.
In the other legs, Linden Regional U16 got underway yesterday, while Berbice edition is set to continue May 16 at theNewAmsterdamBasketballCourt.
Withthetournamentjustunderway,theearlysignssuggest this U-14 clash of schools is set to bring heat, hustle, and highlight-reelmomentsallseasonlong.
Saints’ shooters seal nail-biting win over School of the Nation on Friday as YBG’s Regional U14 tips off at CASH.
