Kaieteur News

Leverage AI’s potential safely and ethically to promote press freedom in Guyana

–Dr.ToussantBoyce

ByShaniaWilliams

The local media

fraternity must learn how to navigate the perils of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while leveraging its potential.Thiscallwasmade by Head of the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr Toussant Boyce.

Dr Boyce, who stressed

the importance of responsibleuseofAIandthe development of “sovereign AI” frameworks in the Caribbean, was at the time speakingattheGuyanaPress Association’s (GPA) World Press Freedom Day 2025

lecture held at the

Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, Georgetown onThursday

“Now is the time for sovereign AI — at least establishthebuildingblocks, and the media has a major roletoplayinthis,”heurged. World Press Freedom Day is themed ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press FreedomandtheMedia’. Dr Boyce,whoselecture focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) onJournalism,remindedthat AIisquicklyevolving.

“We are entering an era wherenewsroomswon’tjust use AI for assistance — AI will be the newsroom,” he declared.“Andwhilefailure Continuedonpage58

The Guyana PressAssociation honoured four long-serving members of the Press with awards. The awardees are from left, journalist and online media pioneer Gordon Moseley and crime-solving journalist and author MichaelArthur Jordan, broadcaster MichellaAbrahamAli, and videographer Paul Vanvield.

Head of the Office of Integrity, Compliance and Accountability at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Toussant Boyce

Guyana to remain CNOOC’s main source of production growth - 2024 Annual Report

Withover11Bbarrelsof oil discovered to date in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, the country will remain a main source for reserve and productiongrowthforChina National Offshore Oil Corporation(CNOOC).

CNOOC is the 25% shareholder in the Stabroek

Block operated by

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), which holds a 45% stake. Hess Corporation holds the additional 30% shares in the oil-richblock.

In its 2024 Annual Report, CNOOC described 26,800 square kilometers block as one of the global exploration hotspots in recentyears.

The Stabroek Block offshoreGuyanaislocatedin the northeast of the country, with a water depth of 1,600 to2,000meters.

In its report, CNOOC said,“In2024,thediscovery of Bluefin was made in the Stabroek block ultra-deepwater Currently, nearly 40 new discoveries have been made in the block and the total recoverable resources in the block amounted to exceed 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) as disclosedbytheoperator.”

To this end, the Chinese oil company stated, “In the future, Guyana will remain as one of the Company’s main sources of reserve and productiongrowth.”

Guyana’s true oil

reserves have been the subject of debate over the past few months as the government’s figure varied fromExxon’sannouncement by at least 600 million barrels.

The Ministry of Natural Resources in August 2024 finally provided a resource update after two years, indicating that the country’s reserves grew by 600M barrels, bringing the total

figures compared to the reserves announced by government, Routledge noted that the state conducts independent studies, although it is supplied with databythecompany

Currently, Guyana’s StabroekBlockisproducing an average of 650,000 barrelsofoildailyfromthree Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs).

Stabroek Block reserves to 11.6B.

ExxonMobil at a later press conference in October lastyeardisputedthefigures released by government and provided its own resource

C

compa

untry Manager,Alistair Routledge who informed reporters that the Stabroek Block reserves are less than 11 billion barrels.

H e s a i d , “ T h e government released a number of 11 6B oil

equivalent barrels, ExxonMobil’s estimate is lowerthanthatnumber…our numberremainsalittleunder 11 billion oil equivalent barrels.”

In explaining the variation between Exxon’s

Liza One is currently producing about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) while Liza Two and Payara are eachproducinganaverageof 250,000barrelsdaily Government on Tuesday announced the arrival of a fourth FPSO, One Guyana, which will add another 250,000 barrels to the country’s daily production capacity This means when the vessel is fully operation, Guyana will be producing 900,000bpd.

Installation activities are presentlyongoingtoprepare for first oil at the project, which is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year as previously indicated by the president of ExxonMobil Guyana.

Ghana bans foreigners from trading in its gold market to boost revenue

Many Chinese nationals have been active in Ghana’s informal mining sector (Getty)

BBC - Ghana has banned all foreigners fromtradinginitslocalgoldmarketaspartof efforts to boost national revenue and streamlinethecountry’sminingsector

It follows the enactment of a new law earlier this month that grants exclusive authorityofgoldminingtoanewstatebody, theGhanaGoldBoard(GoldBod).

“Allforeignersareherebynotifiedtoexit the local gold trading market not later than 30th April, 2025,” said GoldBod spokesperson Prince Kwame Minkah in a statement.

Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer and the sixth largest in the world, but it is strugglingtoaddresswidespreadillegalgold mining,locallycalled“galamsey”.

The mineral-rich West African country hasbeenfacingharsheconomictimeswitha high cost of living. It is the world’s second largest cocoa producer but sees little of the profitsfromchocolate.

Fuelled by rising gold prices and youth unemployment,illegalgoldmininghasbeen growing in Ghana, despite military operations to shut down galamsey activities. Itwasabigcampaignissueinthelead-upto lastDecember’selections.

Chinese nationals have been active in Ghana’s informal mining, and along with

Ghanaian nationals, they have been

environmentalconcerns.

Under the new law passed by parliament lastmonthandassentedtobyPresidentJohn Mahama on 2 April, GoldBod is the sole buyer,sellerandexporterofallgoldproduced by the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)sector

However,foreignersareallowedtoapply to buy or off-take gold directly from the GoldBodbutcannolongeroperatewithinthe localgoldvaluechain.

The licenses of local dealers have also been revoked, but given a grace period to allowasmoothtransitionbeforethedirective takeseffectnextmonth.

During this period, gold transactions wouldonlybecarriedoutinGhanacedis,the localcurrency,andpricedbasedontheBank ofGhanarates.

GoldBodwarnedthat“itshallconstitutea punishableoffenceforapersontopurchaseor deal in gold in the country without a licence issuedbythenewboard.

The government has allocated $279m (£212) to the new body to purchase and exportatleastthreetonnesofgoldperweek.

Themoveismeanttohelpboostforeign Continued on page 7

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur News

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

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Fourth oil ship

OneGuyanaisthefourthFloatingProductionStorage and Offloading (FPSO) ship in this country's territorial waters. One Guyana is set to represent one big leap, anotherone,inthedailyoutputofthenewestentrantinto the small circle of oil-producing countries. The One GuyanaFPSO,uponinitiationofitsoperationinthelatter partofthisyear,isestimatedtoraisedailyoilproduction here to an astounding 900,000 barrels of oil equivalents. Guyanahascertainlycomealongwayfromitsdaysofrice and sugar, commodities once among its top bread and butter products, to that of being a member of one of the world'smostenviedgroups,i.e.,anoil-producingcountry, a petrostate. But as daily oil production has risen and risen,haveGuyaneserisenalongwithit?

Intermsofthebeststatisticsofoileconomics,Guyana is in a race to the top, with better and better numbers boostingitsupwardtrajectory ButareGuyaneseoftoday, risingtothetopalso?ArethoseGuyaneseintheranksof the regular lower-level worker, the citizen that is a pensioner, the family and community that could be consideredimpoverishedbyanystandard,risingwiththe splashy and exciting economic statistics? Rising from where they have been stuck for generations, to being the new generation, one that can assert, from the improvements in their circumstances, that they are better offandcanlivewithdignity?

Overnight,Guyana'sreputationhassoaredfromthatof a backwards country to one where money can be made, because the beauty of oil is all over Guyana is now the country that the world wants to wrap its arms around, whichhasbeentherealityfromthefirstannouncementof oil discovered to the news of the first barrel of oil lifted. Amidallthisplenty,thereputationoftheordinarycitizen, thelargestsegmentinthepopulation,isstillthatofpeople who are poor, without enough food. They don't know if thisoilwealth,theirwealth,willeverbeexperiencedina manner that keeps pace with more FPSOs, more daily barrels of oil produced, and more profits made by the oil companies that are partners. The news is good for those partners,whosetopexecutivesraisetheirownpay,dueto the rich returns from increasing quantities of Guyana's cheap,high-qualityoilproduced. Sowhyisthecondition of most Guyanese so stagnant, stuck close to where their grandparentswere?

The shipbuilders, the partners and vendors of ExxonMobil profit handsomely from Guyana's oil. The shareholders and other stakeholders of ExxonMobil reap andrisefromthegushofprofitscomingoutofGuyanaand its oil. ExxonMobil itself has been flying high from Guyana's oil, adding to its income statements from its harvests here, making it the envy of the oil world. Meanwhile, Guyanese remain the laughingstock and doormat of the world. ExxonMobil is always lining up new projects, circling in search of new ones, to keep its Guyana profit machine churning. ExxonMobil is living the corporate equivalent of a buccaneer and plunderer whose brightest dreams have not just come true, but are surpassed.AtthesideofallthisareGuyanese. Theyare assured that Guyanese are partners. But, as in life, there arebrothers:theonewhoisolder,orsmarter,orstronger,is theonewhogetstocountthemoneyandthelandandthe otherassets,thendecidewhowillshareandhowmuch. As in life, so it is this oil inheritance that belongs to all Guyanese. Thebiggerbrother,thecleverersibling,isthe onewhousuallywalksawaywiththebiggestsliceofthe pie,beitoiloranythingelse.Oil,likegold,bringsoutthe worst in men. The history of oil over time confirms this deformity Oil vessels and oil production rates, and the distribution of oil profits between explorers and discoverers on the one side, and the oil owners on the other,identifythelopsidednatureofthesharing. Guyana getsitspittances,withmoreFPSOsandmorebarrelsofoil produced not translating to the level of rewards that are strengthening,inspiring,andenduring.

China's Venezuelan tilt

DearEditor, China's tilt towards Venezuela was once again declared last week when its Chargé d'Affaires of the ChineseEmbassywasasked to comment on the Venezuelan Naval warship's incursionintoGuyana'sEEZ last month to accost the Exxon/Hess/CNOOC's FPSO. The Chinese answer directlyaddressedtheraison d'etre for the Venezuelan violation when he responded, “They can solve the border issue through friendly consultations and negotiations ” This, of course, adopts Venezuela's position on the border controversy to claim all of Essequibo, which Maduro hassingle-mindedlypursued through a hybrid war

strategy

China thus accepts Venezuela's self-serving interpretation of the 1966 Geneva Agreement, which Venezuela signed with Guyana to establish a mechanism to settle Venezuela'scontroversythat the1899ArbitralAwardthat settled our border was void. The Geneva Agreement, in merely eight Articles, mandated the formation of a Mixed Commission (Arts 1 to 3) that would meet and produce biannual reports. If therewasnoagreementafter fouryears(by1970),“Those Governments shall without delay choose one of the meansofpeacefulsettlement providedinArticle33ofthe CharteroftheUN.”In1970, however, a 12-year

moratorium was agreed to, and in 1982, the two governments resorted to the “good offices” of the UN Secretary General, in which individuals acceptable to bothsidesmediated.

The “Good Offices” process continued through 2017 when the Secretary General, as per the Geneva Agreement,inJanuary2018, invoked Art 33 of the UN CharterandchosetheICJas thenextstep.InMarch2018, Guyana resorted to that institution to adjudge and declarethatthe1899Arbitral Award definitively delineated our border Venezuela objected to the jurisdiction of the ICJ and kept insisting on “direct negotiations”, where it clearly thinks it can

browbeatGuyanaagainstthe background of the hybrid warfare it launched in 2013 when it seized an Exxoncontracted oil exploration ship. In December 2020, however, the World Court declared it did have such jurisdiction, a position Venezuela continued to reject, even as it made submissions along with Guyana.

Based on the foregoing, the Chinese' suggestion on further “consultations and negotiations” was proVenezuelan and antiGuyanese that our Foreign Policy establishment was forced bluntly declare: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cooperationrejectsthe (Continueonpage5)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

DearEditor,

In Guyana and in many otherWesternnations,Easter is celebrated every year by mostly Christians who believe that Jesus' death and resurrection are to forgive themoftheirsins.

It is celebrated with a blend of religious traditions

and vibrant cultural festivities, with kite flying being a particularly prominent and symbolic activity It is also a time for family gatherings, feasting, and spiritual reflection, as wellasachancetocelebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ Along with the Nativity of Christ, Easter is one of the most important, blissful and joyous celebrations in the Christian calendarinGuyana.

It is when Christians glorify and give thanks for the Resurrection of Jesus ChristastheirSaviour Easter is preceded by Lent, forty days of fasting, praying and meditating,

China's Venezuelan... Easter celebrations continue

Frompage4 statementsmadeonApril16, 2025, by the Chargé d'AffairesoftheEmbassyof theRepublicofChina.” The government also noted:

“Therehasbeennocomment from the Government of China on the blatant announcementbyVenezuela that it intends to conduct elections on 25 May, 2025 foragovernorandlegislative

council of “Guayana EsequibaState”,whichisthe nameVenezuelahasgivento Guyana'sEssequiboregion.”

China is attempting to play both sides against the middlesincenotonlydoesit have massive economic interestsinVenezuela,where itpropsupthefailedMaduro regime, but it also defends the latter's efforts to annex Essequibobecauseofitsown history Between 1949 and 1951,itinvadedandannexed Tibet, which had been independent and part of the modern state system since 1912. Conversely,theyhave forcibly denied the Turkic Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang theirUN-guaranteedrightto self-determination.

Wemustnotbefooledby China'sclaimthatithas“Put China-Guyana Friendship First”.

AsIwroteinlateMarch,

which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday Most, if not all, Christians believe in the Holy Book the Biblewhich tells them that Good Friday commemorates Jesus Christ's crucifixion, death and burial, and Easter Sunday is the celebration of hisresurrection.

It is the culmination of their Passion for Christ, which reinforces the belief that Christians can have an eternal home in heaven. It strengthened the Christian belief that Christ is the Son ofGod,whosecrucifixionon the cross was a sacrifice of hisloveandthepricehepaid andthesufferingheendured forhumanity Christiansalso believed that Christ's death offers hope for the future, bothintheirlifeonearthand in eternity--heaven Christians view Jesus' death as a sacrificial act on behalf of humanity, offering atonement for sins and pavingthewayforsalvation

andreconciliationwithGod. For them, it was not just a tragic event, but a pivotal moment in God's plan for humanity, a demonstration of love, forgiveness, and victoryoverdeath.

The Easter tradition in Guyana is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated eggs, Easter egg hunts, the bakingofcrossbunsonHoly Thursday and church servicesonGoodFridayand Easter Sunday, which symbolized the joy and happiness felt by Christians. Easter Monday, which is a holiday in Guyana and most Commonwealth countries, includingCanada,butnotin the United States, is also reserved for kite flying, picnics, family gatherings and bonding throughout the country Onthisday,many,if not most Guyanese from all walksoflife,willflykiteson the sea walls, at No. 63 Beach on the Corentyne, in backyards,andinopenparks and savannahs around the

country The skies will be litteredwithkitesofallsizes, colours, styles and shapes. Kite flying is integral to Easter celebrations in Guyana, and it is every child'sdreamtopartakeinit.

It is a spirited, fun-loving and relaxing activity that is peaceful and stress-free and with lots to eat and drink, including “hot cross buns” traditionally eaten on Good Friday to symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Thespicesontopofthebun represent what was used to embalm him, and the fruit/raisins in the dough signifyhisbodyinthetomb.

Studies have shown that theflyingofkitesdatesback more than 2000 years Though the exact date is not known,itisbelievedthatthe flyingofkitesfirsttookplace in Shandong, the most eastern province in China. We are told that a Chinese farmer in the Shandong province tied a string to his hat to prevent it from blowing far away from him due to high winds. The hat wasblownintotheair,where thehighwindswayeditback and forth. Emerging from

this experience was the flyingofthefirstkiteknown to mankind. The Chinese made the first kite from bamboo which was used for the frame, and covered it withsilkandpapertomakeit lightforflying.

The earliest known Chinese kites were flat and rectangularinshape.

Some were decorated with mythological motifs and legendary Chinese figures; others were fitted with strings and whistles to make musical sounds while flying.Ancientandmedieval Chinese sources have claimedthat kites were used for measuring distances, testing the direction and the strength of the wind, signalling, and as a communication mechanism for military operations. The Chinese military used kites for dropping propaganda leaflets over enemy territoriestowarnthemofan impending attack From

China,kiteswereintroduced to Cambodia, Thailand, India, Japan, Korea and somewesterncountries.The most famous kite in history was created in 1750 in the United States and flown by Benjamin Franklin during a rainstorm to prove that lightning bolts were indeed causedbyelectricity

In Guyana, the flying of kitesisahappyoccasionfor most Guyanese, and while many will travel to meet friends and relatives and to share in the fun and excitement with them, there will be heightened police presence in all the communities to ensure their safety and to prevent accidents and traffic fatalities on the highways. Drivers are warned to exercise caution, avoid speeding and not to drink alcohol and drive Pedestrians are also warned tobecarefulwhenusingthe

(Continueonpage6)

“inSeptember2023,evenas Venezuela was once again rattling sabres on our

Essequibo, China upgraded their relations with that country into the highest possible “all-weather strategic partnership”. And remained silent on the a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d Venezuelan Navy corvette invading our EEZ and threatening the FPSO Lisa Destiny,eventhoughitowns CNOOC, which has a 25% stake in the operating condominium.

China must not be allowed to get away with riding with the hounds and running with the hares While th

re no permanent friends or enemiesinforeignaffairs,at this juncture, we support PresidentAli's adumbration:

“TheU.S.isagreatfriendof ours. The U.S. has made it veryclearthattheyareready to stand by us in our development, in our economic expansion, in our security and in our defence. And I will say very boldly that such friends must have some different and preferential treatment, because a friend who will

defend me when I need a friendtodefendmemustbea friend that enjoys some specialplaceinourheartand in our country; that will be thecase.”

Sincerely, Ravi

Dev

Contributing factors overlooked when discussing our road crisis

DearEditor,

Guyanese have been struggling with the way our roads are being used by owners and drivers of various vehicles for quite some time. Over the past yearorso,therehasbeenan increase use of the independent press by citizens to articulate their concern, their horror and to suggestwhatshouldbedone tominimizethecarnagethat istakingplaceonourstreets.

As far as suggestions on what can be done to make our roads safe, the suggestions have centred on whatthepoliceneedtodo.In other words, we seem to see police action or inaction as the problem and/or solution tothecrisisonourstreets.

This is an interesting mindset.Indeed,alloverthe world, many countries have given the impression that they place a significant amount of blame on the legislative branch of

government. For example, governments encouraged carpooling, alternating days on which vehicles with specific number plates are allowed to use the roads, creating space for bicycle use in cities while banning the use of motor vehicles in specific areas of cities, etc.

For some strange reason, none of these approaches have been pursued by governmentsinGuyanawith anyvigour

Especially in developing countriestoday,intellectuals are directing attention to government infrastructure programs as it relates specifically to road construction and individual behaviour of those with power,authorityandwealth.

I want to draw attention to these two areas and their contribution to the chaos on our streets. To do so, I will re

n intellectual and writer

Chinua Achebe, who, in his book “The Trouble with Nigeria”, looked at how the behaviour of powerful citizens in Nigeria contributes to the chaos on the streets of Nigeria. But first, let us look at road constructioninGuyana.

According to the th Kaieteur News on 24 January 2025, Minister

h e observation that “speed b

d

ng ambulance access during critical times.” Minister Edghill, while conceding thatspeedbumpsplayarole in reducing speeding, nevertheless have “unintended consequences for ambulances and emergency services”. He is also quoted as saying, “Speed bumps are not the answer ” There are two commentsIwishtomakeon theobservationsmadebythe HonourableMinister First, a philosophical

comment Any first-year studentofphilosophyknows thatthesolutiontoaproblem is usually the creation of a new problem. Thus, the fact that ingress and egress are inhibited by the presence of speedbumpsisnoinsightful observation.What is needed is a comprehensive rethink on how we construct our roads.HereintheUSA,most main roads are constructed with an emergency lane provided, to be used mainly bythepolice,fireserviceand ambulances. What prevents Guyanafromdoingsimilar? Guyana is prevented from doing similar because historically our main roads arebuiltonnarrowstretches of land that would not accommodateanadditionof emergencylanes.Also,aswe undertake the construction of new roads, our mindset and the lack of foresight do not allow us to seek to correct this historical neglect. Thus, here in the

st21 century, we continue to build public roads that cater for normal two-way traffic with the absence of emergency lanes, even though the inadequacies of suchroadsarehardtomiss.

But I suspect that Minister Edghill was speaking mostly about community roads when he stated his concern about emergency vehicles being impeded in efforts to reach patients. To understand this problem, we need to examinethisnation'shistory.

Many of our villages were established with the main purposeofservingthesugar industry

Bookers was determined tohaveitsworkforceasclose as possible to its factories and fields Any casual examinationofsugarestates on West Bank Demerara, East Bank Demerara and much of the Corentyne will reflectthatvillages,housing areas are very close to cane

fields and or factories, with publicroadsandcanalsused for moving sugar cane to factories separating them. Later, with independence, pathways created by villagers were paved, thus accounting for their narrowness and the need for speed bumps to protect mainly children playing football or cricket in yards whomight,withoutwarning, in pursuit of a ball, dash out ofayard.

The solution to this problem of ingress and egress being hampered by thepresenceofneededspeed bumps in inner village streets is a bit more difficult tosolve.Indeed,Ithinklittle can be done to correct this, giventherealitiesofexisting villages.Whatisworryingis that even now, with new housing areas, we see the same behaviour of building narrow roads with little spacebetweentheroadand (Continueonpage7)

Caracas or One Guyana?

DearEditor,

The arrival in Guyana waters of the 'One Guyana' FPSO has been met by a predictablybellicoseofficial statement of protest from Caracas. The arrival of the catchword'OneGuyana'was alsometbytheoppositionof a significant minority of Guyanese, and so it is that today both Caracas and that significant minority of Guyanese share a common opposition to 'One Guyana'. Editor,Ithinkthatiscrazy–and potentially very dangerous to our national security

The border controversy with Venezuela involves manybladesofGuyanagrass –sotheGuyanesenationasa whole takes it seriously and speak and feel as one whenever the Venezuelan leader threatens That sentiment is not easy to maintain in parliamentary systems worldwide, as the politicians in the Parliamentary Opposition will often oppose for opposition's sake, and promote divisive messages of opposition among their followers Where this

normal political behaviour becomes crazy is where its very expression is, even if unwittingly, unpatriotic in objectivereality

Yes, it just cannot be patriotictobeopposedtothe inspirational appeal of the unifying catchword 'One Guyana'. Caracas sees 'One Guyana' from a different perspectiveofcourse,andis fundamentally opposed to the whole 83,000 square miles of Guyana being One Guyana, preferring to make it two, with the bigger part administered from Caracas! Unlike that significant minority of Guyanese, Caracas also specifically opposes the 'One Guyana' FPSO,whichby2027should boost Guyana's crude oil output to 900,000 bpd, up from the current average daily production of 616,000 bpd.

Hereiswherethedanger lies If some Guyanese continue to be unthinkingly and unknowingly misled by politicianswhopeddleworn, untrue and repugnant racebasedmessages,ourcountry will be ripe for the taking. The expression 'divide and

rule' and its historical application by institutional rulers is well known – yet some of our young people are growing up in homes where they hear race-based messages being repeated Around half of our entire populationisjust26yearsof age. They have no personal connection with events that took place decades before they were even born, and so their normal day-to-day interactionsrarely,ifever,in the overwhelming majority of cases, involve unsavoury thoughtsorencountersbased onracialdifferences. Therearesomewhohave embraced the erroneous suggestionthat'OneGuyana' is intended to replace 'One People, One Nation, One Destiny' – our national motto.

That suggestion is simply unfounded Our national motto will always be our national motto. All independent States have a national motto, and those of ex-Britishcoloniesarerather similar in their aspirational intent.Thenationalmottoof Jamaica,forexample,is'Out of Many One People' – so it

could well have been Guyana's and ours could well have been Jamaica's national motto 'One Guyana' is about giving life today to the national motto wehavecherishedforalmost 60 years. Some folks in the said significant minority unrealistically expect to see d r a m a t i c c h a n g e instantaneously! We really doneedtounify–tobe'One Guyana'–andnotonlywhen Maduro rants about “Essequiba”.

AsexpressedbyVickram Bharrat, National Resources Minister, “The arrival of the One Guyana FPSO is a powerful symbol of progress…in the continued empowerment of our people through job creation, local business opportunities and investments that support development across Guyana”.

Editor,thearrivalof'One Guyana' – both the catchword and now the FPSO–shouldbecelebrated throughout the length and breadth of our resource-rich country Being allied with Caracas against 'One Guyana' in any context

whatsoever is unpatriotic at best A “sometimes Guyanese” cannot be relied uponasatrueGuyanese.Our country will need a lot more people coming here to help drive our development, and as time progresses, Guyanese nationals will become entitled to increasing benefits – so we need to know now who the Guyanese are amongst our increasingpopulation.Some ofthoselegallyadmittedinto our country and not considered to be allied with Caracas,willintimequalify to become citizens of Guyana – in other words, they and their offspring will bemoreGuyanesethanthose Guyanese who are in this moment still missing the

important mission that is 'OneGuyana'.

At this juncture in the historyofournation,unityis the single most important mindset required of our people The aims of a positive shift in work ethic, whilst important, can be attained by the input of immigrants anyway Presenting a formidable diplomatic face to the world –bothtoourWesternborder aggressor and would-be colonizers alike – should be regarded as the immediate priority of all Guyanese. 'One Guyana' is about preservingourveryfutureas One People of One Nation withOneDestiny Yourstruly, RonaldBostwick

Easter celebrations...

Frompage5 roads. Residents are also advised to use every precaution necessary to ensure their valuables are secured, and when possible, theyshouldtravelingroups.

ThemessageofEasterisone of hope, faith, devotion and the appreciation of life, the possibilityofanafterlifeand the triumph of good over evil, love instead of hatred, enduranceandadversity Wemustrisetotheoccasion as we celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection ofChrist.

Sincerely, Dr.AsquithRose

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCIES!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecencies in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

Sunday – April 13, 2025

The PPP and its political gimmicks

A one-off payout to Guyanesewhofailedtomeet therequiredcontributionsto the National Insurance Scheme(NIS)mustbecalled it is, nothing more than a political gimmick, as the timedrawsneartothisyear's NationalElections.

With all meager resourcesbeingearnedfrom oil, and no explanation on what the revenue is being spent on, it is easy to conclude that Guyana's oil money is being spent to hopefully buy votes for a party that is desperate to remaininoffice.

Thetruthis,Guyanesedo not forget the turmoil thousands of teachers faced demandingfairsalariesfrom a government who even went to Court to fight them for exercising their legal righttoprotest.

Wedonotforgetthatthis government failed to keep a

majorpromisetorenegotiate the current oil deal with Exxon that continues to bleedthiscountry Guyanese deserve better, we deserve a governmentthatcares!

Monday – April 14, 2025

Agovernment out of touch

Astheclockwindsdownon President Ali's first term in office,thePPP/Cisinamad scramble to show it is a government that cares. And we have seen the many contrived and theatrical displays at recent meetings.

A few Afro-Guyanese are used to sing the praises of Pres Ali- some even forgettingthemselvesasone woman who said she was a 'junkie' under the coalition government.

The PPPC has stopped listening. Power has made them tone-deaf. Detached from the rhythms of daily life, they no longer walk the streets they claim to represent.Theydonotstand in the parlors of the rural poor,norlingeratthecorner

shops where the talk is real and unfiltered. They rely instead on meetings held under large tents where people come from all over withalitanyofproblems–a reflection of a system of government that is dysfunctional.

ThePPPChaslosttheear for nuance, the feel for mood. In such a state, the signs of discontent become invisible to them, or worse, appear only as threats conjuredbyenemies.

Tuesday – April 15, 2025

Natural Resources Ministry now Exxon's mouth-piece

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) on Saturday found time to respond to an article publishedbyKaieteurNews on April 6, 2025 where the publication warned that an oilspillcanhitthiscountry's shorelines before a capping stack successfully plugs a leakingwell.

One would believe that

this agency, funded by taxpayers, would have the best interest of Guyanese at heartbutevenifitchoosesto represent ExxonMobil, that it would be balanced in its approach.

T h e M i n i s t r y conveniently found time to defendtheoilgiant,whichis well able to do so for itself, but has failed to respond to other pressing articles published by the same newspaper,relatingthethird audit of the company's expenses and another on the release of the final audit report for the second review of the oil giant's USmultibillioncosts-tonamea few

ItistimefortheMinistry togiveuptheroleofExxon's mouth-piece and instead do whatitissupposedtodo.

Wednesday – April 16, 2025

Exxon's first victims

There have been no oil spills,noreleaseofactualoil fluids into Guyana's waters, something for which all Guyanese should be thankful. But there has been fallout from offshore oil operations,fromspillageofa different kind, and with victimsasproof.

Guyanese fisherfolk and those who depend on them for a living are the first victims, with material economic loss now their norm. Itwouldbehelpful,a s i g n o f i t s k i n d consideratio

company were to say

something about that woundingreality

Doing something to provide relief to struggling fisherfolk would be worth more than all that

ExxonMobil could say It would provide evidence of compensation, and of ExxonMobil's sincerity, for loss of livelihoods, due to impacts of oil operations on Guyana'sfishingsector

Thursday – April 17, 2025

Ramson must go

Guyanese have been protesting every week for greater access to public information and for the r e m o v a l o f t h e C o m m i s

Ramson.Guyanahasknown no other commissioner of informationsincetheAccess to Information Act was enacted here in 2011 Ramson, a former attorney general, has been a total failure,deliveringnothingto Guyanese who seek the servicesofhisoffice,butthe currentadministrationseems unbothered.

This, however, is not surprising to many, especially those in the media, because the PPP/C has been notorious for ducking and hiding important information from thepublic,andsomeonelike Ramson is the perfect servantfortheirpolicy

The PPP/C, especially Bharrat Jagdeo, has long viewed freedom of information as a threat- his

record of suppressing media freedoms, threatening and insulting journalists and media houses is well documented.

Throughout his tenure, although it was under his presidencythattheactcame intobeing,hedidnothingto ensurethatitworked.Today, amidst all the global spotlight on Guyana and the administration boasts of beingtransparent,wehavein place a defective FOI Act a n d a n o b d u r a t e commissioner who ensures the deathof freedom of information.

Friday – April 18, 2025

Good Friday Spirit

Overtwothousandyears ago,anordinarymanhadthe courage and conviction to fulfillhisearthlymission.He girded his loins and pushed himselftotheextremeinthis valeoflife.

He instilled hope in countless others, he gave inspiration to ordinary men and women who needed something to hold onto. He maderegularhumanbeings, many of the ordinary fisherfolk, a few with powerful gifts, believe and humble themselves to manifest unshakeable, unbreakablefaith. It was in the promises that were held out, the rewardsthatcouldbereality, butonlyifthewillwasthere to carry past whatever was ahead, wherever it was, and beyondwhoeverstoodinthe way

A disunited front in the face of Empire

By any rational measure ofdiplomacy,theworstthing the Caribbean could do at this hour—when the winds ofAmerican exceptionalism blowcoldandpunitivefrom Washington is exactly what it is now doing: scattering its energies, opinions, and officials in a disjointed and chaotic performance of what it pleases itself to call “engagement.”

There was a time when the Caribbean understood the power of unity There was a time when it stood shoulder-to-shoulder as it

entered complex and

consequential trade negotiations That time, however,seemsasremoteas a c o l o n i a l s u g a r plantation buried under layers of indecision, egotism, and political amateurism.

Dr.MohamedIrfaanAli, President of Guyana, did no favours to the credibility of regionaldiplomacywhen,in last Sunday's edition of the StabroekNews,hedescribed Guyana's current state of affairs with regard to U.S. t a r i f f t h r e a t s a s "engagements"happeningat differentlevelsanddifferent tiers. In the lexicon of the practised statesman, such phrasesarenotneutral.They are euphemisms for a scattershot, scrambled, and ultimately incoherent policy posture. There is no such

thing in high-stakes international negotiation as decentralized diplomacy There is only unity or surrender

“Engagements,” mind you—not negotiations. The United States, with all its machinery of coercion cloaked in the velvet of diplomacy,doesnotcometo the table for “engagement.” It comes to win. It comes to extract. It comes to remind thoseontheothersideofthe tablewhocallsthetunewhen it comes to global economics.

The Caribbean has been here before When the CotonouAgreement expired and the region faced the prospect of renegotiating its trade relationship with the European Union, it did not enter that terrain as a collection of fragmented states but as a singular body through the Caribbean

Regional Negotiating

Machinery (CRNM) The n a m e m a y s o u n d bureaucratic, but it was a signal a declaration of sovereignty wrapped in technocracy The CRNM allowed for preparation, coordination,andstrategy It gave the region a fighting chance against a far more powerfulbloc.

And yet, even then, the political class could not resist self-sabotage The formerPresidentofGuyana, Bharrat Jagdeo—never one

Dem Boys Seh...

to miss a moment for grandstanding—along with Sir Shridath Ramphal, attempted to undermine the agreement their own regional machinery had helped to negotiate. In the end, Jagdeo tucked tail and signedtheveryagreementhe hadblusteredagainst.

Itwas,ifmemoryserves, an episode more suited to t r a g i c o m e d y t h a n statesmanship Guyana should have learned its lesson.Itdidn't.

Now, faced with the impending economic thundercloud of Trumpist protectionism redux, the Caribbean has yet to put togethereventheappearance of a unified response. As of this writing no new negotiating machinery exists.

No single team has been constituted No coherent regional position has been developed. What we have instead is the diplomatic equivalent of a cat with its tail on fire—scrambling in all directions and hoping, absurdly, that the inferno willputitselfout.

P r e s i d e n t A l i ' s comments do not inspire confidence They suggest notonlythatGuyanaisgoing italone,butworse—thatitis pretending not to The President's assertion that Guyana's engagement with the United States is happening “at different

De speed limit more confusing than some people relationship

Dem boys seh driving in Guyana like playinghopscotchwithyuhgaspedal.One minute yuh flying at 80km/h, de next minuteyuhslammingbrakeslikeyuhseea ghost—orworse,apolicewitharadargun. Homestretch Avenue get one speed camera,anditgotpeoplecreepingthrough like they sneaking home after curfew. De speed limit deh at 50km/h. Donkey cart passin' people and asking dem, “Wha tek y'allsolong?”

Onemantelldemboyshewasdriving soslowonHomestretch,henearlygetrearendedbyamanonabicycle.Hesehhefeel shame when a jogger wave at he while overtaking.

But de real madness deh pon de East Coast.Islikedeauthoritiesplayinmusical chairs with de speed signs. 80km/h, 50km/h,65km/h,60km/h—allindespace of five minutes. One minute yuh driving like Lewis Hamilton, next minute yuh crawlinglikeacentipedewitharthritis.

Dem seh de 50km/h zones is school zones. But who deh putting schools on a majorhighway?Islikebuildinganursery in de middle of a racetrack and telling people “Drive nice, we got babies.”

levels” speaks to a situation that is damning. It speaks to disorder within the disorder It speaks to dysfunction, a hallofmirrorswherenoone knowswhoisleading,whois following, and what, if anything, the strategy might be.

This is not merely unfortunate.Itisdangerous.

The United States, particularly under the revived specter of Trumpism, does not respect weakness.Itdoesnotreward disarray It consumes it Trumphasnowridiculedthe efforts of other countries, to negotiate relief from his tariffs,asass-kissing”.Heis likely to be moved by fragmented appeals from CARICOMcapitals.Hewill bepleasedbythem.

That is precisely where we are heading: into negotiations with a superpower, from a position

not of solidarity The Caribbean is too diffused to reconstitutethemachineryit once used effectively, and it is too polite to tell its individual member states to shutupandgetinformation.

Itisnottoolatethoughto changecourse.Thereis 90day respite before the new tariffs kick-in. But that hour is drawing close The Caribbean must act A regional negotiating team must be established. Not tomorrow, not next week—now

Its mandate must be clear: to formulate a unified strategy, to lead all external negotiationsonbehalfofthe region, and to put an end to the current farce of “engagements” by every Tom,Dick,andheadofstate. This team must not only speak for CARICOM but stand tall for it. It must not beg, plead, or placate—but

assert, demand, and negotiate.

This is not just about tariffs.Itisaboutrespectand the refusal to be treated as a geopolitical afterthought TheCaribbeancannotafford another generation of weak diplomacy masquerading as statesmanship. It is time to stop whispering in different corners of the room and speak with one voice across thetable.

Untilthen,weremainthe architects of our own abasement.

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

Dem boys seh if yuh blink too long, yuh might miss a sign and end up wid a $7,500 fine. One man seh he drive from Better Hope to Mahaica and burn more brakesthangas.

Now Heroes Highway get upgrade to 80km/h—hallelujah!

But dem boys hope nobody open a school, shopping mall or build a supermarketnexttoit,orelseitgondropto 30km/h faster than yuh could say “speed bump.”

Dem boys seh some roads got more mood swings than yuh ex-girlfriend. One minute smooth sailing, next minute de limit change and yuh get flash from de speedcameralikeit'spaparazzi.

Alldemboysaskingforisconsistency Putupsignspeoplecouldunderstand.And stop building schools where people supposed to be overtaking—not learning ABC.

Drive slow Drive safe.And keep one eye on de road and de other on de next speedsign.BecauseinGuyana,yuhnever knowifyuhdriving—orinamaze. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Madness!

War by another name

What US President

Donald Trump has unleashed is the economic equivalent of war To some extent, it is as good as imposing a quarantine, tightening sea lanes, and leaning into the airspace of other nations that ran afoul of his visions. SunTzu and Baron von Clausewitz would have had their ideas. Getinthefirstblow But,as inmanyotherwars,theother side has a few choices of its own The first is to capitulate without a fight. Or cry out in anger Or coolly calculate how to gear up for a battle that could be

aboutshort-termsparring,or a long, drawn-out mixing it up with tormentors, those with a mind to being world conquerors. Not so long ago, in the America of before, there were the VulcansofPresidentGeorge W Bush. Today, there is another such aspirant to similarfantasiesinAmerica, and like Rice and Armitage and the Dark Prince of that fateful era, overreaching couldleadtoflyingtooclose to the sun. The learned should know of a Greek fellow named Icarus who h a r b o u r e d s u c h grandiosities,onlytolosehis

ambitionsandfallrightback toearth. Flatonhisface. Let's check out what's going on. The first reaction of those under attack, equivalent or real, is to marshaltheirminds. Inturn, that leads to marshalling of strengths. Thatphaseofthe American-initiated war is already well underway, and those who are squeamish should take cover There will be bodies all over Allies are screaming bloody murder I call that the boomerang effect The stock markets go down, and theytakesomeoftheearlier arrogance and swagger out

of some billionaires caught inthedowndrift. Thosewho own lots of securities have begun to feel the rain of heavy blows. The love of money beats loyalty The love of money trashes prior love for leaders. Hit a man in the pocket, and he transforms into a rogue rocket. Right back in the kisser of those to whom fealty was pledged. It's nothing fancy, just commonsense,folks.

Some of the targeted folded their tents and raised theirhandsinsurrender The four words enjoying the widest circulation, almost likeabeautyqueen,are'let's makeadeal.'

Those so interested are in the right place with the right person across the table in the right setting. Joy to the world, let peace prevail, and Make America Great Again, all just took off with renewed zest. Going in the opposite direction are the Wall Street bulls, who got gored last week, and are in for some more, temporary reprieves notwithstanding Some of the older heads are m a k i n g o m i n o u s comparisons to the SmootHawley development in America of a hundred years ago, which is held by many to have contributed to the global disaster that was the Great Depression. Those were the hardest of times, and unless calm and

coherent heads take control of the US environment, there is the dangerofcomingclosetoa repeat of that horror The wise Chinese said it best: trade wars (note the language, please) hurt everyone. It is my position that Smoot-Hawley and the similarly ill-fated KelloggBriand Pact, each in its own way, made some input, however inadvertently and minimally, to the last Great War Badpolicyleadstobad outcomes. Protecting home industries cuts both ways, with everybody involved (plus others trapped on the periphery)endinguplosing.

Backintheday,tryingto corner trade or corner opponents in different parts of the world wasn't taken sitting down. Look at the grisliness and widespread devastation that battered many, spared few It is a different world now One withsatellites,instantaneous interconnectivity, and the ability to read the minds of adversaries. Well, almost. The scales are more finely balanced today, with unbeatable advantages to those facing off across from each other A few have blinked, and there are more who will kowtow before the American steamroller and flyswatterthatarebeginning to take shape. Of course, there are those whose very nature inspires them to fight

fire with more fire. No backingdown,notrickyand tangly diplomacy, only a willingness to getting down and getting on with it Whoever is interested in finding out who is better at watering the garden over a longer distance, well, they arefreetolearnattheirown expense.

Wariswar,anditisnota nice thing, whether fought with missiles or through the arms of economic policy takentotheextreme. Waris hell, according to US Army General William Tecumseh Sherman. Ifthereisanyone who should know, he is the man. Well,thereisawaron now, and Guyana is scramblingtogetontheright side. Intheirlustforpower, there are those here who are deceiving the people while diggingdeepholesforthem. Whatever the price to be paid, the Guyanese people willfindthemselvessaddled with the honours. In a countrythathasgivenupits identity,thereistheironyof readiness to fight other people's wars. War, by whatever means fought, is uglyandcostly

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

Jagdeo says unaware of Govt. forcing part-time workers to attend political meetings

Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo

s a i d o n

Thursday that he is unaware of part-time workers being forced to attend political meetings The Vice

President was asked to respond to allegations that part-timereportersarebeing threatened when they refuse to attend the political meetings.

Allegationsfirstsurfaced during visits to Region Six

by businessman and philanthropist, Azruddin Mohamed. Mohamed was met with a hostile picket by supporters of the ruling Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) late last month when he visited the No. 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Attempts were made to block the businessman from entering the community, but hewasshieldedbyresidents

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

andescortedin.Itwasthose residentswhocomplainedto the businessman that the part-time workers are being forcedtojoinhostilepickets andattendpoliticalmeetings orbefired.

On Thursday, Kaieteur News asked Jagdeo who is

alsoGeneralSecretaryofthe PPP/C about the situation to which he said, “… I don't know of anybody being forced to come to any meeting or alternately who will be fired because of a political purpose” before adding, “But a lot of people

in this country when they don't perform, they claim politicaldiscrimination.”

According to Jagdeo, there are some part-time workerswhodonotworkbut showuptobepaid.

He noted that there are some 15,000 part-time workers in the country and its hard for the government to monitor all of them “ Because they are monitored by the NDCs and local government bodies acrossthecountry.”

Further, the Vice

President said that there are somepart-timeworkerswho were wrongfully dismissed, butnotforpoliticalreasons.

He claimed that there was a pregnant woman who could not show up for work becauseofhercondition,and the agency she was working with was going to terminate her,butheintervened.

“I send a message to the regionthattheyshouldn'tdo that,”theVice-Presidentsaid while adding, “Sometimes

you have people removing peoplecallously Sometimes youhavetohaveaheartand listen to people,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo also pointed out that the part-time workers havebeenofgreathelptothe country

“We have great support from the part-time workers inmanystateagencies.They have helped out in schools, in hospitals and different agencies at the NDC level,” Jagdeosaid.

Second US$7.3 Billion audit report should have been made public already

Vice President Bharrat

Jagdeo on Thursday questioned why the final a u d i t r e p o r t o n ExxonMobil's US$7 3 billion in expenses, which wasclearedforreleasesince November last year, has not yetbeenmadepublic.

Despite Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, ordering the release of the audit report incurred between the period 2018 to 2020, no reason has been provided on why it is yettobereleased.Jagdeo,at

his weekly press conference held at Freedom House, in response to a question by Kaieteur News on the audit said,“Idon'tknowifGRA… thisisthesecondaudit?Why it's not being released because we don't have a problem. It's in the public domainalready,Ithinksome peoplehaveit,”Jagdeosaid. “There is nothing strange aboutit,GRAhasclearedit.I don't know why it has not beenreleased,”headded. Notwithstanding Jagdeo's statement, checks by Kaieteur News for the

report proved futile. “I will check why they have not done the same,” Jagdeo committed The audit in question was conducted by VHE Consulting, a local consortium made up of Ramdihal & Haynes Inc., Eclisar Financial, and Vitality Accounting & ConsultancyInc.

Apreliminary version of the report, titled “Initial Audit Report for the Stabroek Block Cost Recovery Audit – 2018 to 2020,”waspublishedonthe Ministry of Natu

Resources' website on April 12, 2024 This 135-page document is currently the only version accessible to the public However, comparisons between the second audit and the first—conducted by British firm IHS Markit and c o v e r i n g E x x o n ' s 1999–2017 expenses—have raised concerns. While the IHS Markit audit provided detailed breakdowns of majorcostcategoriessuchas supply vessels, drill rigs, sub

cture (SURF),helicopterservices,

- Jagdeo

and waste management, these crucial details are notably absent from the secondauditreportbyVHE. Audits such as these are vitalinensuringthatGuyana is not overcharged for services or materials by ExxonMobil and its subcontractors. Under the current oil agreement, ExxonMobil can recover up to75%ofmonthlyrevenues to cover its expenses, with the remaining 25% split between the company and Guyanaasprofit.

Industry experts have

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

w

transparency and proper scrutiny, the country risks losing valuable revenue due to inflated or unverified costs.

Indigenous rights among critical concerns to be highlighted at UN Forum – APA

T

he Amerindian Peoples

Association(APA)hasannouncedthat itwillbeattendingthe24thSessionof the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) next week, and among the key issues they arelookingtohighlightistherightsof IndigenousPeoplesinGuyana.

According to a release from the organisation on Saturday, APA's President, Mr Mario Hastings, Policy Officer, Ms Don Stoll and Communications and Visibility Officer, Mr Lakhram Bhagirat, will attend the 12-day forum (April 21 to May 2, 2025) at the United Nations HeadquartersinNewYork.

The United Nations Permanent ForumonIndigenousIssues(UNPFII) isahigh-leveladvisorybodytotheUN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Established in 2000, it addresses Indigenous Peoples' issues related to economic and social development,culture,theenvironment, education,health,andhumanrights.

This year's session will be held under the theme 'Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within UnitedNationsMemberStatesandthe

United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressingchallenges.'

“The APA's participation in the 24th UNPFII is part of its ongoing mission to promote and defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples across Guyana. Over the years, the APA has consistently worked to bring attention to issues such as land tenure rights, Indigenousgovernance,andupholding free,priorandinformedconsent(FPIC)

principles,”theAPAstated.

According to the APA, Mr Hastings, who brings to the Forum a wealth of leadership experience, having served as Toshao of Kako Village, Chair of the Upper Mazaruni District Council, and member of the Executive of the National Toshaos Council, noted that his participation underscores theAPA's commitment to ensuring all Indigenous perspectives arerepresentedatalllevelsofdecisionmaking, locally, nationally, and globally

Further,theAPAsaid,“Wenotethat the Government of Guyana will be represented by the Ministry of AmerindianAffairs, whose delegation includesrepresentativesoftheNational ToshaosCouncil(NTC).We,therefore, hopethatwecanusethisopportunityto meetwithourgovernmentandNTCto raise our concerns and proposals for addressing the critical issues of our IndigenousPeoples.”

The organisation added that it remains steadfast in its advocacy for policies and practices that reflect the rights, knowledge, and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples throughout Guyana.

President of theAmerindian PeoplesAssociation (APA), Mr. Mario Hastings (Photo courtesy,APA)

Jagdeodownplayscost-of-livingimpactfrom7thoilproject

...says Exxon cannot comment on economic developments in Guyana

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has downplayed the f i n d i n g s o f a n Environmental Impact

A s s e s s m e n t ( E I A ) conducted by ExxonMobil for its seventh proposed Stabroek Block project, which indicates that the development can result in highercost-of-living.

According to the EIA, conductedbythecompany’s consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), “With rising wages and increased purchasing power (driven not only by the Project but by broader economic growth and development trends), the Project could also contribute to increased costs-of-living(IDB2023).”

The study goes on to explain, “This could manifestinseveralways;for example, higher prices for in-demand goods and services, higher costs for housingindesirableareasof Georgetown, and/or higher costs for key goods in the supply chain (affecting both c o n s u m e r s a n d businesses/suppliers).”

In an invited comment, the VP told this newspaper during his weekly press engagement on Thursday that Exxon could not comment on the economic developmentsinGuyana.

The Chief policymaker for the Petroleum Sector stated, “No Environmental Impact Assessment for an Exxon project can comment

on inflation at the national levelbecauseinflationisnot determined by a particular project.”

He went on to explain that inflation is driven by a numberoffactors,including a larger budget deficit. “So, inflation comes about out of several things. There are different th

s for inflation, it could be cost push inflation or you could have a demand-pull inflation,youcouldhavethe monetary approach to inflation that is when you havetoomuchmoneyinthe system, basically a liberal monetarypolicy,”theformer FinanceMinisterreasoned.

Consequently, Jagdeo told this newspaper, “ExxonMobil can’t do a

study and speak about national inflation. I suspect, which Kaieteur News got wrong, they were talking about the next project, the cost may increase - their cost.”

The Vice President maintained that the oil companywasreferringtothe increased cost associated with the Hammerhead project,asthisisnotunusual in the industry for large companiessuchasExxon.

“I saw you elevated it to the cost-of-living in Guyana ratherthantheirpricesgoing up, which they like to increase These companies lovetoincreasecostbecause itcomesoncostoil,”Jagdeo noted.

He believes that the

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

increased cost for the company may be associated withhigherrentalfeesbeing demanded by Guyanese for their homes, as this service can only be provided by

citizens, as mandated in the LocalContentAct.

When this newspaper quotedasectionofthestudy totheVPwhichhighlights Continued on page 62

CanadiancompanyexpandsfootprintinGuyanawith promisingresultsatTamakay,Abuyagoldprojects

GreenheartGoldInc.,the Canadian gold exploration company that entered the Guyanesemarketlessthana year ago, is rapidly expandingitsfootprintinthe country, announcing promisingprogressatitstwo projects Tamakay and Abuya.

Thecompany,whichwas formed in July 2024 as a spin-off from a business

combination between ReunionGoldandGMining Ventures (GMIN), recently released its first investor newsletter outlining its aggressive exploration strategy across the Guiana Shield.

Greenheart said its approach is focused on early-stage exploration within the geologically rich b u t h i s t o r i c a l l y underexplored Guiana Shield, which spans parts of GuyanaandSuriname.

The company currently manages a portfolio of five projects-twoinGuyanaand three in Suriname Its strategy is to maintain a rolling pipeline of 5 to 6 exploration properties,

quickly assessing their potential before deciding to advance them through delineation drilling or relinquish them in favour of newprospects.

InMarch2025, Kaieteur N

Greenheart Gold committed to over US$3.8 million in p

titleholders to fully acquire theTamakayproject,located

Georgetown.

The company disclosed that it has already paid US$500,000 in 2024 and US$230,000todatein2025.

“To maintain its rights under all of the agreements and be entitled to exercise the various options, the Company will have to make additional payments of US$675,000 in 2025, US$1,055,000 in 2026, US$1,380,000 in 2027 and US$80,000 annually for the following seven years,” Greenheart Gold stated Some agreements also includecontingentpayments based on future reserve estimatesandproduction.

Tamakay Project showing location, access and regional geology

Despite the area’s long history of small-scale and alluvial mining dating back to 1937, Greenheart noted a striking lack of modern exploration at Tamakay Thatischangingquickly Preliminary exploration, including grab and soil samples,hasalreadyyielded impressive results with

assays returning grades as high as 969 g/t Au, 213 g/t Au,and144g/tAu.

Greenheart Gold has identified a large soil anomaly approximately 1,500 meters by 750 meters within the site’s volcanic rock units, alongside promising gold-bearing quartz veins within the granite Trenching and furthergeologicmappingare now underway to assess the scaleandcontinuityofthese goldzones.

Meanwhile,attheAbuya project in northeastern Guyana, the company has completedtwophasesofsoil geochemistry,uncovering Continuedonpage58

One

couple's love for dance blossoms into thriving dance school

Esther and Jonathan Hamer

President of GCCI Kathy Smith receiving an award

Leah Rebecca A lv es

Meet thegorgeous LeahRebeccaAlves

This22-year-oldbeautyiscurrently pursuingadegreeinInternationalRelations, whilesimultaneouslyworkinginthePrivate Sector.LeahisalsoafinalistintheMissGuyana CultureQueenPageant.Shelovesengagingin conversationandhasadeeppassionforphotography Natureandanimalsholdaspecialplaceinherheart. Leahfindsinspirationinthewordsofthepoet LangstonHughes: “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”

“He Was More Than a Firefighter”:

Family honours Legacy of Voshaun Manbodh

ByShaniaWilliams

Followingthetragicdeath of young firefighter Voshaun Manbodh, many mourned the loss of a man whogavehislifeinservice.Butto thoseclosesttohimlikehisfamily, friends, and community, Voshaun wassomuchmorethanafiremanin uniform. He was a cheerful young man, a devoted son, and someone whocarriedwithhimanundeniable spark At home in Melanie Damishana, he was the glue of his smallfamily,completingitwithhis quiet strength and infectious energy

In light of the brave fireman’s death,Manbodh’sfamilywantedto honour him by reflecting who he was before his passing, noting that he was not just a fireman but someonewhotouchedmanylives.

The Waterfalls spoke with Manbodh’s aunt, Remi Anderson who shared his greatest moments and challenges as a young man growingup.

With grief still profound, Anderson shared that Manbodh’s journeyintoservicewasrootedina childhood filled with discipline, community, and love and values instilled in him through the scouting. “Hewasexposedtoitin scouting,”sherecalled.“Whenhe’s homefromschool,he’dgoback-toback scouting activities. We made sure he was active in his childhood.”

In his early teens, Manbodh attended a summer school, ironically, the very one he was fighting to save on the day of his death. “Incidentally, he used to go to the very same Mae’s summer schoolthathewentfightingthefire to save,” Anderson revealed, pausing in reflection. “It’s full circleinthemostpainfulway.”

Life wasn’t always smooth for Manbodh He struggled academically, which left his future uncertain at times. “He didn’t do verywellatCXC,”Andersonsaid. But Manbodh didn’t give up. In a story told with a mix of joy and tenderness,hisauntrecountedhow heandafriendonceskippedtown, without telling their families, to work construction only to be scammed by an unscrupulous employer “The man robbed them good and proper,” she said with shaking her head “His grandmother who was closest to him was crying because Manbodh was nothing more than about 16 plus, 17 and he was not at home withher,”theauntsaid.

Thatmomentmarkedaturning point Upon returning home, somethingshiftedinManbodh.He becamemorefocused,moredriven and decided to join the Guyana DefenceForce.“Hewasalsoavery tidy person and very neat,” Anderson said, with a smile. “One

Fireman

day I noticed is that he was welldressed... got on his socks and shoes, and he has a yellow envelope, and he’s taking his certificateswithhim.”

Nooneinthefamilyknewthat Manbodhwasonamission.Hewas walking around town, in dress clothes, applying for a job in the military “He didn’t ask us for permission...Hejustgotupearlyin the morning, got dressed, and he left the house, well-dressed, with thisenvelope.”

That envelope led him to the GDF, where he would eventually rise as a beloved member of the Force and a dedicated and respectedcolleaguewhosebravery andoptimismtouchedthosearound him. However, Manbodh’s family initial reaction was mixed with

pride, fear, and disbelief. “My father was… already pessimistic,” Andersonadmitted.“Hesaidatthe time, there is an allotted number who will get the flag not everybodymakesitout.’”Still,she supported her nephew’s passion. “Becauseofthewayhepursuedit, my philosophy will be to pray and to bless him and to send him off under God’s coverage. Because thatiswhathewantedforhimself.”

Despite never being formally trained as a swimmer, Manbodh joinedtheCoastGuard.“Wedidn’t know Voshaun to be a swimmer yet,” Anderson said. “You didn’t send the boy to swimming lessons… But you know, them childrengonetothetrenchandthey swim.”

Anderson described the

Manbodh’s Coast Guard Journey

family’s unease with pride tinged byanxiety “Youarealwaysfearful when you are raising boys… and here is your nephew now in the Coast Guard and he can’t swim …But you’re getting videos and you’rewatchinghimgrow.”

Though his Coast Guard stint lasted just two years, those years were formative. “He was sharp in hisuniform…andheisgoingafter it. He came out from training and then he became a Coast Guard official.”

After leaving the Coast Guard, Manbodh didn’tstaystill.Hewent back to school, hustled on the streets with his brother, and eventually found his calling in the FireService.“HewentbacktoTIto do a course,” Anderson said “Eventually, he found himself in

theFireService.Ihelpedhimwith his application process and so forth.”

MANBODH’SSENSE OFSELF-WORTHAND RESPONSIBILITY

Manbodh’s sense of style and self-respect were as consistent as his work ethic. “His bed is always sharply made,” Anderson shared. “Voshaun is very particular about his clothes… he can spend money on the clothes. The brand name. Theshortsandtheboots.”

And his requests were often... specific. “One time he said, ‘Just US $125,’” she laughed. “But you should hear my guy list the stuff that he wanted… Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, American Eagle… two of everything like shorts, boxers,joggers.”

It wasn’t just about brands for Manbodh,itwasaboutknowinghis worth. “I like that about him because he knew he had to get a start,” Anderson said “He understood that he had to have a foundation.”

Even with his commitment to service,Manbodhwasneveroneto blindlyfollowrules.“Youcan’ttell him to do something if you’re not doingit,”Andersonsaid.“Hehasa keen sense of justice. If you park your vehicle where you’re not supposedto,andthentellhimnotto do the same, he will challenge you.”

Andersonbelievesthissenseof fairness and rebellion shaped who hewas:“Ifhefeelssomethingisnot right,he’snotgoingtostickwithit forever.”

Anderson recalled that from a youngage,Manbodhwasraisedto

Continued on page 31

Manbodh working at Melanie Coconut stand

Young Manbodh’s during his fire service training

A Chance to steer U.S.–Caribbean Relations through

BySirRonaldSanders

Trade Winds and other Passing Storms

SirRonaldSanders

TalkingDollars&MakingSense:

Building a Stronger Guyana, one Opportunity at a Time

Welcome back to

Talking Dollars & Making Sense.Inthisweek'sarticle, I want to talk about something important to everyGuyanese:howdowe create more opportunities for our people, especially good-paying jobs and prepareourlocalcompanies tocompeteandsucceedhere athomeandabroad?

The answer lies in two big ideas: how we borrow andhowwebuild.Let'sdive in.

Borrowing big but missing out on skills

Guyana has borrowed billions of US dollars over the past few years to build roads, hospitals, schools, and other major national projects.

These are investments

we need to improve everyday life for citizens acrossthecountry

But here's the catch: many of these loans come with conditions. In some cases, the countries lending us money are allowed to bring in their own companies and workers to do the job. So even though we're the ones taking the loan,andpayingitback,our peopledon'talwaysgettodo the work or gain the experience.

That means Guyanese companiesandworkersmiss out on learning new skills, new technologies, and how to manage large, complex projects Over time, this keeps our people locked out of future opportunities, both here in Guyana and across theregion.

Time to negotiate smarter deals

We don't have to accept these kinds of deals. The government of Guyana can and should negotiate smarter Multilateral banks such as the IDB already work with local-content clauses,aslongasdeadlines stayclear Andifweprovide capital from the Natural Resource Fund, we're showing lenders we have skininthegame.

Instead of signing off on contracts that limit local involvement,weshouldtake a page out of our local contentlawfortheoil&gas industry and require that foreign companies partner with local businesses throughjointventures.

That means both sides work together, share responsibilities, and most importantly share knowledge.

These partnerships should include clear plans f o r t r a i n i n g

development.

If a foreign company is building a hospital, then G

, electricians, welders, and project managers should be working alongside and shadowing them. That way, the next time a big project comes along, we're ready to takethelead.

This approach shouldn't be limited to just roads or bridges Whether it's manufacturing, or technology, our people and businesses deserve a seat at the table and a chance to grow

Let's talk about oil and the opportunities we're missing

Guyanaisnowoneofthe fastest-growing oilproducing countries in the world. But most of the oil which we produce is sold as unrefined crude on the international market. That means other countries are making more money by refining our oil into diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline and then selling it back to us or others.

But what if we kept a portion of that oil right here in Guyana and refined it ourselvesorevencontracted another country to refine it

on our behalf? That move could help us open the door to new markets and opportunities for local businesses.

For example, let's say Guyana refines its oil and sells it to our CARICOM sister countries at a discounted rate or allows them to pay later. In return, those countries could agree to hire Guyanese businesses tobuildbridges,ordevelopa digital system for a governmentofficeetc.

This would allow our companies to expand into the region, build their experience,andearnforeign income. Over time, these companies could grow strongenoughtocompetein bigger international markets.

It's not just about oil, it's about everything we produce

The same thinking applies to our agriculture andotherindustries.Ifwe're building strong business relationships with countries through refined oil and construction work, we can also open up new export markets for rice, plantains, pineapples, pepper sauce, and other locally produced goods.

Guyana has world-class

agricultural products, but our exporters often struggle with access to markets, logistics, and consistent demand. Smart trade deals canhelpchangethat.Wecan negotiate not just for fuel sales, but for shelf space in supermarkets, distribution partnerships, and long-term buyers for our food, beverages, and natural products.

Creating a workforce that's ready for these opportunities

Ofcourse,allofthisonly worksifourpeoplehavethe skillstotakeadvantageofit.

T h a t ' s w h y t h e government could do more to connect education with opportunity High school and university students shouldbeabletoseeclearly what kinds of jobs are in demand and how to prepare for them. If they know that studying welding, project management, agriculture, or computer science leads to a well-paying job, they'll be more motivated to pursue thosepaths.

The government can help by collecting and sharing this kind of information. For example, publish reports that show which industries are hiring, what qualifications are

By Rennie Parris

needed, and where training programmes are available. That way, everyone from students to business owners can make smart decisions abouttheirfuture.

A Guyana where everyone has a chance

Thegoalhereisn'tjustto build infrastructure; it's to build a stronger, fairer economy. One where every Guyanese, no matter their background or where they live, has the opportunity to benefit. That means betterpaying jobs, stronger local businesses, and a country that's not just growing, but growingtogether

Sothenexttimewebuild abridgeorstrikeatradedeal, let'sask:

“How does this create new markets for our people?”

“Howdoesthistrainour workers and grow our businesses?”

If we start asking those questions, we'll build more thanjustroads;we'llbuilda better future for all of Guyana.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Email m e a t talkingdollarsgy@gmail co m.Untilnexttime,let'skeep Talking Dollars & Making Sense.

La s t w e e k , thousands of children across Guyana sat the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) In homes across the country, parents experienced a wave of emotions, anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and for many, hope.

For some, the exam felt like a final judgment on years of sacrifice: early mornings,extralessons,and sleeplessnights.Itseemedas if one test would determine whether a door opens or closesfortheirchild.

But while that belief may have held sway in the past, it has never been less truethanitisintoday's21stcenturyGuyana.

I want to take this opportunity to gently challenge that perception While school placements matter, marginally, they are not the final word on your child'sfuture.

They never were. And increasingly, the most

Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…

Beyond the Grades—Why Parents, Not Placements, Shape a Child's Future

credible research in education makes it clear, it's not the school that determinesachild'ssuccess, it'syou.

Whether your child has beenplacedina“topschool” or a regional secondary school, their path forward depends more on your involvement than on the nameoftheschool.

Across the globe and here in Guyana, we've seen time and again that the studentswhoexcel,theones who rise, do so not only because of what happens in the classroom, but because oftheconsistentpresenceof someone at home or in the community, who believes in them,checksinonthem,and holds their hand through the upsanddowns.

Years of global research back this up. One landmark study conducted by Anne HendersonandKarenMapp at the Harvard Family Research Project found that students with engaged parents performed better on

standardized tests, earned higher grades, had better attendance, and were more likelytocompletesecondary schoolandpursueuniversity education.

These outcomes were not tied to household income, education level, or socialstatus.

The determining factor was simple, parental engagement.

This truth is reinforced by the work of psychologist UrieBronfenbrenner,whose ecological systems theory reminds us that a child's developmentisshapedmost p o w e r f u l l y b y t h e environments closest to them, especially the home. Your kitchen table conversations, your gentle reminders, your quiet presence as they work through a tough math problem, all of that matters. Morethanyoumayknow

And here's something else to consider, many students placed in so-called “top schools” still seek

additionalhelp.

They attend extra lessons, they watch tutorials online, they receive academic support outside theclassroom.

So even if your child wasn'tplacedinoneofthose elite schools, they are not behind.

Theyaresimplystanding atadifferentstartingline,but they can still run just as far, just as fast, with the right support.

We live in a time of unprecedented access to educational resources Learning is no longer confined to a classroom Platforms likeYouTube and KhanAcademy offer worldclass instruction for free Guyana now has its own national online afterschool programme,PathwayOnline Academy, which offers live teachers, structured lessons in four core subjects, and support aligned with the Ministry of Education's curriculum. In addition, the government's recently

touted 'digital academy' is alsoanoption.Whetheryour child is in Grade 1 or preparing for CSEC, resources now exist to ensure that location and school placement no longer limittheirpotential.

But none of these tools matterwithoutyou.Because even the best resources require someone to make surethey'rebeingused.

A parent who says, “Sit with me for one hour Let's gooveryourworktogether.”

Aparentwhochecksin,who encourages, who insists on thevalueofeducation.

Youdonotneedtobean expert or even understand thework.Youjustneedtobe present.

As education researcher, JohnHattiediscoveredinhis extensivereviewofover800 meta-analyses on learning, parental involvement has one of the largest positive e ff e c t s o n s t u d e n t achievement, greater than m o s t c l a s s r o o m interventions.

Your role is not supplemental.Itiscentral.

So if your child doesn't get into one of the schools youhopedfor,takeabreath.

Then look them in the eye and remind them, and yourself, that this is not the end. It's the beginning of a new chapter; one where you have more power than any test result to shape what happensnext.

Youareyourchild'sfirst and most enduring teacher And no school, no matter how prestigious, can replace what you bring to t h e t a b l e , l o v e , e n c o u r a g e m e n t , accountability,andbelief.

They're watching you

So let them see that their worthdoesn'triseorfallwith anexam.

Let them see that you believeinthem,notbecause of where they go, but becauseofwhotheyare.

Andletthemseethatthe journey ahead, though uncertain, is one you'll take together

WEEK-IN-REVIEW

Sunday

Hess’liftingcostper barrelinGuyanaonly $US7 …4 times cheaper than its US projects

Thecosttoproduceeach barrel of oil in Guyana’s Stabroek Block continues to standoutasoneofthelowest in American oil major Hess

Corporation’s global portfolio, with the 2024 averageliftingcostperbarrel about four times cheaper thansimilaroperationsinthe UnitedStates.

According to Hess Corporation’s recently published 2024 Annual Report, Guyana’s average production(lifting)costsper barrelofoilequivalent(boe) stoodatUS$6.73.

In comparison, the company’s operations in North Dakota and offshore US fetched significantly highercostsatUS$26.72and U S $ 2 5 . 8 8 p e r b o e respectively The total US average was US$27.11 per barrel, which is four times higherthanGuyana’srate.

The data also shows a consistent year-over-year decrease in Guyana’s lifting costs. In 2023, the cost per barrel in Guyana was US$9.60, while in 2022, it wasUS$11.23.

Hess explained that production (lifting) costs include the expenses incurredtopre-development costs from the operator for f u t u r e p h a s e s o f development and Hess’ internalcosts.

Guyana’s continued dominance in Hess’ global oil portfolio reflects the exceptional productivity of the Stabroek Block, where the company holds a 30 per cent stake That block is operated by American oil giant, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, which holds a 45% interest and a third partner, CNOOC, which holds 25% interest.

Globally,Hessreporteda 2024 average lifting cost of US$17.08 per boe across all its operations, which further underscores the Stabroek Block’s position as the company’s most costeffectiveproducingproject.

Notably, Hess is still in themidstofanacquisitionby USenergygiantChevron,in

a US$53 billion deal a p p r o v e d b y H e s s shareholders, but will be facing arbitration in court thisMay

ExxonMobil and CNOOCfiledforarbitration attheInternationalChamber of Commerce in Paris, arguingthattheyhavearight of first refusal over Hess’ stake Despite this, Hess expressed confidence that themergerwouldproceedas planned.

FromtheAnnualReport, thispublicationreportedthat Guyana’scrudecontinuesto take the spotlight in Hess’ portfolio. Guyana’s crude is Hess’ top-selling crude for 2024, fetching the highest average price among all its global operations. Crude oil from Guyana averaged US$80 04 per barrel, maintaining the lead in the company’s portfolio despite a marginal dip from US$80 72 in 2023 and US$89 72 in 2022 When excluding hedging, a strategy used to stabilise prices, Guyana’s oil still stoodoutwithanaverageof US$80 04, outperforming barrels from the United StatesandMalaysia.

The Stabroek Block, located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6.6 million acres and is estimatedtohold11.6billion barrels of oil Production began in December 2019, following a discovery in 2015.

Currently, three Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, theLizaDestiny,LizaUnity, and Prosperity, are in production, with another FPSO expected to come onstreamlaterthisyear The three active FPSOs collectively produce around 650,000barrelsofoilperday (bpd).

ExxonMobilbilled GuyanaUS$120million forexplorationin2024AnnualReportreveals

one-year extension to continue exploring the StabroekBlockin2020after it complained that its exploration programme was affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Financial statements for the company and CoVenturers, however, revealed that the company rackedupanexplorationbill of$20BorUS$100Mduring thatsameperiod.

costs were recorded on the Stabroek Block partners’ financialstatements.

Accordingtohim,“They did do some exploration but it was a more aggressive exploration plan. There was a departure and that is why theextensionwasgiven,but itwasgivenbefore(wetook office), but we concurred with it, that’s why we didn’t makeanissue.”

received a hefty bill of US$120M for exploration

costs racked up by

ExxonMobil and its CoVe

H

d CNOOC.

This was revealed in the 2024 Annual Report for Americanoilcompany,Hess Corporation. According to financial informatio

contained in the document,

includingdryholesandlease impairment for Guyana, amounted to US$36M in 2024. H

Corporation, holds a 30% interest in the Stabroek Block Meanwhil

operatoroftheblock,holdsa 45% interest and CNOOC a 25%interest.

It could therefore be deduced that with its 25% share, CNOOC contributed US$30M to the exploration bill and EMGL another US$54Mwithits45%share. As such, Guyana received a bill of US$120M for exploration costs in 2024 from the Stabroek Block partners.

Last year, ExxonMobil drilledeightexplorationand appraisal wells successfully, which encountered hydrocarbons. In addition to thesuccessfulwells,Hess,in its Annual Report, said the operator encountered “one unsuccessful exploration wellforwhichthewellcosts wereexpensed.”

In 2024, ExxonMobil was required to relinquish a 20% portion of the block, following a one-year extensionthatwasapproved bytheformerDavidGranger administrationin2020.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the process isyettobecompleted.

EMGL was granted a

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was therefore asked to explain why the country receivedsuchahugebillfor exploration when Exxon claimed it could not work duetothepandemic.

In granting the one-year extension to ExxonMobil, the former Head of State o r d e r e d t h a t t h e licensee/operator shall present updated work plans detailing mitigation efforts, revised schedules, planned milestones and other information as requested by government.

The new government latersaiditwassatisfiedthat the conditions were met to justify the extension The PPP, however, refused to share reports detailing how the operator was affected duringthepandemic.

Costsjustified

Jagdeo explained, “President Granger in, I think August 2020, just before he left, he gave an extension That document said that they would get the extension, but submit documents to us So it happened before we assumed office We then asked them to submit the originalexplorationplanand howitwasaffected,andthey proved to the satisfaction of theMinistrythattherewasa departure from the original explorationplan.”

The Vice President therefore reasoned that this explains why exploration

TheAllianceForChange (AFC) previously presented documents indicating that Exxon’s operations was gazetted as an essential serviceduringthepandemic, therefore permitting oil and gas operations to continue unhindered.

The government, however, maintains that it does not need to provide evidence to justify the extension it endorsed, allowing the company to continue exploring the oilrichblock.

Monday

Phase 2 of GTE project… Govt.still fine-tuningdetails, cautiouswithelections upcoming-Jagdeo

Extensiontothedeadline for proposals for Phase Two of the Gas-to-Energy (GTE)

project is to ensure governmentrollsouta“welldesigned” project, Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohas said.

The chief spokesman on the oil and gas sector told

reporters at his press conferenceonThursdaythat thedelaystothedeadlineare not for want of interest. He explained,“Wehavealotof interest in this project In fact, more interest than we are getting unsolicited offers, all the time, but they have to come through that process.”

With elections due later this year, the General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) also noted that the administration is being cautious “We are being almost cautious now, as we are approaching the elections,toreallyundertake a major initiative of that nature before the elections, so we are being more cautious now about this project, but it’s not for want ofinterest,”heclarified. Furthermore,herevealed that key areas of the project are still being fine-tuned to ensure Phase Two rolls out smoothly According to Jagdeo, “ we still have to verify some parameters of the project, so we want a welldesigned project, so we’re verifyingthat,butwe’re-it’s more a sign of the caution that we are exercising now than a lack of interest in the project.”

Phase Two of the GTE project entails the construction of a second Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and an additional power plant to produce 300 megawattsofelectricity According to a Request ForInformation(RFI)issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, Phase Two includes the design, construction and operation ofanNGLfacilitytoproduce approximately 5,800 barrels per day (bpd) of NGL products (propane, butane, and C5+), utilizing 70 MMCFDof“richgas”. Interested parties will be requiredtodesign,construct and operate a 300 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant to deliver 2,600 gigawatt hours (GWH) of electricity per annum. The powerwillbesoldtoGuyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) via a 20-year Power PurchaseAgreement(PPA). Phase Two will utilize gas that will be brought to shore via a pipeline constructed by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) That structure will also deliver gas to Phase One of the project, which will be situated immediately adjacenttoPhaseTwo. It was reported that the deadlineonthefirstRFPwas November14,2024,butthat date was later extended to J a n u a r y 1 4 , 2 0 2 5

S u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e Government of Guyana (GoG) scrapped its earlier issuedRequestFor Continued on page 27

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Frompage26

Proposals (RFP) for the

design, finance and operation of Phase Two of the project In its new invitation for bids, it was observed that the GoG has revised the number downwards with respect to gas that will be available daily for the project, as well as the expected Natural Gas

Liquids (NGL) to be produced. It has, however, increased the electricity generation expected to be producedfromPhaseTwoof thegasproject.

ThedeadlineforthatIFB was March 31, 2025. This publication did not observe any further extensions or adjustments.

CanadianminingCo. praisesGuyanafor speedypermits, pro-miningenvironment

G Mining Ventures (GMIN),aCanadianmining

company currently developing the Oko West gold project located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), has commended the Government of Guyana for creating a businessfriendly environment that enables rapid project development.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director LouisPierre Gignac said the company’s development timeline for Oko West mirrors its experience in Brazil, crediting the success to the local government’s efficiency and community support “Our expedited development timeline for Oko West shares many s i m i l a r i t i e s t o Tocantinzinho, benefiting from a pro-business government, a predictable permitting process and supportive communities,” Gignacstated.

He added: “From publishingourfirstresource, to early works construction in under two years, is a statement of the support the company enjoys and will allow GMIN to deliver significanteconomicgrowth inGuyana.”

The Oko West Project is currently considered an “advanced-stageexploration project”, and is expected to produce 353,000 ounces of gold annually from both open pit and underground mining The project is projected to recover 4 5 million ounces of gold over 12.7years.

Describing Guyana as a

Louis-Pierre Gignac, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of G Mining Ventures (GMIN)

tier one jurisdiction, Gignac notedthatsuchtimelinesare rarely seen in North America.

He added that as part of the project’s feasibility study, the company is refining its development schedule while maintaining an aggressive approach aimedatachievingfirstgold production by the final quarterof2027.

He said, “The success of our fast-track strategy will depend on the rapid advancement of detailed engineering, ensuring designs are finalized and optimized for seamless execution.Equallycriticalis the efficient procurement of equipment and materials, allowing us to maintain momentum and keep constructiononschedule.”

Gignac also highlighted t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f explorationindrivingfuture growth, with targeted programs currently underway across the company’sportfolio.

G Mining Ventures is among a growing list of Canadian companies workinginGuyana’smining sector

This publication had reported that GMIN is banking on the “worldclass”OkoWestprojecttobe the firm’s next phase of

growth.Gignachadsaidthat once in production, the Oko West project will propel GMIN’s annual production above the 500,000 ounces mark. In July 2024, GMIN acquired the Oko West project through a business combination with another Canadian mining company, ReunionGold.

Earlier this year, GMIN received an Interim Environmental Permit for the project, paving the way for early construction activities and the company has advanced permitting efforts toward securing the full Environmental Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Last month, GMIN initiated early works at Oko West, includingsitepreparationfor a barge landing on the Cuyuni River and the construction of a permanent camp to support future development. The company is also expected to execute works on main access and internal roads, airstrip, permanent camp facility, water and sewage treatment plants and power generation andcommunicationtower

T h e c o m p a n y i s advancing works with a focus on extending the mine

life and assessing underground mining potentialfortheproject.

housingindesirableareasof Georgetown, and/or higher costs for key goods in the supply chain (affecting both c o n s u m e r s a n d businesses/suppliers).”

Inflation

E R M n o t e d t h a t

Guyana’s inflation rate has risen above “historic levels

in

subsequently settled below international and regional rates.

Inflation refers to the increase in average price of goodsandservices.

According to the study, “In Guyana, inflation increased from 2 1% in December 2019 to 6.9% in June 2021 (IDB 2022), settlingat4.7%attheendof December 2021 (Bank of Guyana 2022). In 2022, Guyana’s inflation rate was 7.2%, as compared to a global rate of 8.8%. However, in 2023, the national inflation rate was marked at 2% (compared to 6.8%globally)andpredicted to be 2 5% in 2024 (as c o m p a r e d t o 5 8 % globally).”

Tuesday

7thoilprojectlikely tocausehighercost-oflivingforGuyanese – Exxon study reveals …highlights role of Govt. in buffering inflation through cash grants, subsidies

ExxonMobil’s seventh proposed deepwater developmentintheStabroek Block- Hammerhead – can contribute to higher cost-ofliving, specifically resulting in increased cost of certain goodsandhousing.

This is according to an Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA), conductedbythecompany’s consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM).

VolumeTwoofthe4232page document highlights, “With rising wages and increased purchasing power (driven not only by the Project but by broader economic growth and development trends), the Projectcouldalsocontribute to increased costs of living (IDB2023).”

The study goes on to explain, “This could manifestinseveralways;for example, higher prices for in-demand goods and services, higher costs for

Based on its assessment, the consultant found that food prices have recorded the greatest levels of inflation, particularly condiments/spices, vegetables / vegetable products, meat, fish, eggs, andpulses.

The EIA however explained, “The Bank of Guyana and other regional institutions acknowledge thatthistrendisnotuniqueto Guyana (Bank of Guyana 2024; IDB 2023). Based on the national Urban Consumer Price Index, food pricesrosebyapproximately 50 percent between March 2021 and March 2024 (Bureau of Statistics 2024). In contrast to the escalating price of food, price indices f o r h o u s i n g a n d transportation/communicati on in Guyana (specifically the Georgetown urban area) have been relatively stable since2020(BankofGuyana 2024).”

ERM suggested that the lowinflationratesinGuyana can be attributed to factors that include increasing oil production, which provided revenue and energy security as indicated by the InterAmerican Development Bank(IDB)in2023.

Further, the study pointed to the key roles of government in buffering the impacts from inflation It states, “Additionally, the Government of Guyana implemented subsidies and price controls on targeted goods to help mitigate importedinflation.Measures such as cash grants, fuel subsidies,andsupportforthe agricultural sector helped stabilize food and energy prices locally and further insulate Guyanese consumersfromhighercosts faced globally (Ministry of Finance2023).”

Stakeholders not feeling GDPgrowth Meanwhile, ERM said several stakeholders in separate interviews indicated experiencing higher prices in a short period of time in Guyana.

This was particularly concerning for consumers who are yet to see the economic benefits of the massive growth in Gross DomesticProduct(GDP)the country has recorded since 2019.

In concluding, the documentnotedthatprojectrelated potential impact will b e f o c u s e d o n t h e Georgetown area as the national hub for goods and services, as well as for shorebases and services that support EMGL’s offshore activities. Further, project-related economicactivitywilloccur throughout the Project’s life cycle- estimated for at least 20 years- which will yield long-termpotentialimpacts.

‘Apologiseandretract falsestatementsorface litigation’– Former GECOM Legal Officer tells Chair and CEO ormer Legal Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Kurt Da Silva on Monday demanded that GECOM’s Chairperson and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) issue a public apology and retraction for “false allegations”madeabouthim in two press releases or be preparedtofacelegalaction.

In letters datedApril 14, 2025 and addressed to the GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh and theCEOVishnuPersaud,Da Silva outlined the “ f a l s e h o o d s a n d mischaracterizations” perpetuated against him and its damaging effects against hisprofessionalconduct.

In a detailed letter to Justice Singh, Da Silva expressedhisdeepregretand Continued on page 28

An aerial view of the Oko West project

Frompage27 concern regarding the press release issued by GECOM on 9April 2025 titled ‘NonRenewaloftheEmployment ContractofGECOM’sLegal Officer’.

DaSilva served as the Commission’s legal officer for the past three years. His contract was up for renewal and according to him, he received an exemplary performance appraisal from the Chairperson and an a c c o m p a n y i n g recommendation for his contract’srenewal.

L a s t w e e k , t h e government-nominated commissionersvotedagainst the renewal of Da Silva’s contract and their position was supported by the Chairperson. The GECOM Chair and government commissioners posited that his submissions in the Carol Smith-Joseph v AG, C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Registration & GECOM case were contrary to instructions.

However, the attorney madeitclearthathiswritten submissions in the said case wassubmittedandcirculated totheChairperson,CEOand all commissioners In his lengthylettertotheGECOM Chair,DaSilvamadeitclear that the press release issued by GECOM was “replete with false and misleading statements” about his professional conduct and legalsubmissions.

“I was especially surprised and disheartened to see such inaccuracies published with the apparent a u t h o r i t y o f t h e Commission.You,morethan anyone, are aware of the actual sequence of events andthelackofveracityinthe allegations made In fact, upon reading the press release, I reached out to you immediately to inquire if it originated from your office and to urge that it be retracted. I implored that it bereplacedwithastatement acknowledgingthefalsityof itscontents.Youevensaidto me that you would tell them t o t a k e i t d o w n Unfortunately, no corrective action has been taken,” Da Silva said in his letter to JusticeSingh.

As a consequence, the GECOM officer said that he wasleftwithnochoicebutto address the matter formally through his letter, to set the recordstraight.

“ The content of my legal submissions was not a surprise to GECOM For

several months, I apprised you and the Commission of the relevant legal issues and my considered position on them,” the attorney said while detailing every communication on the subjectinthelengthyletter

He said Justice Singh was alerted to the constitutional requirement that voters in Regional Democratic Council (RDC) electionsmustresideintheir respectiveregions.

“I further observed that, duetothe2022amendments to the National Registration

Act, this residency requirement would necessitate procedural changes – specifically, the extractionofseparatevoters’ lists for General and Regional Elections (with each list subjected to claims and objections to ensure the appropriate residency criteria), and the use of separateballotpapersforthe two elections. You did not disagree with these conclusions when we discussedthem.”

He added: “In fact, I memorialized this in a formal memo titled; “ResidencyRequirementfor

General and Regional Elections” dated 25 November 2024, which I submitted to both you and theCEO.Youcirculatedthat memo to all Commissioners on 2 December 2024.At no time did you or any Commissioner express disagreement with the memo’s contents; to the contrary, my understanding from our conversations was that you found my legal analysissound.”

Da Silva noted that the CEO raised practical questions about his submissions but he was advised by Justice Singh to ‘waitandsee’whattheChief Justice decides. He made it clear that the Chairperson at no point communicated her d i s a g r e e m e n t o r dissatisfaction with his submissions or that his handlingofthecasegaverise toany“compellingcase”for the non-renewal of his contract.

He said that GECOM’s claim of new circumstances arising resulting in his contractnotbeingrenewedis farfromthetruth.

“It is misleading to d e s c r i b e m y c o u r t

instruction.”

“If anything, the only new development after my appraisal was the Chief Justice’sdecisioninthecase, whichvindicatedGECOM’s position. (I will address that shortly ) It is therefore unfounded to suggest that something unforeseen arose that justified reversing your favourable view of my performance,”hesaid.

R e s p o n d i n g t o GECOM’s claim that his submissionsbeforethecourt “carried extreme potential fortheemergenceofharmful effects…” Da Silva said the statement is “baseless and appearscalculatedtoportray my court submissions as reckless, when in fact they werefirmlygroundedinlaw and aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral process.”

leadership about the potential consequences of every legal argument he put forward.

“ N e i t h e r t h e

submissions as “new circumstances” arising after my performance review While the appraisal stated that it covered the period ending 10 February 2025, it was not completed and circulated by you until 5 March2025.Bythattime,all pleadings and my written submissions in the court matter of Carol SmithJosephvAG,Commissioner of Registration & GECOM had already been filed and circulated to you, the Chief Election Officer (CEO), and all Commissioners. In other words, you and the Commission were fully aware of my involvement in that case before finalizing my appraisal, and notably, my strong performance appraisal was issued with thisknowledgeinhand.”

DaSilvaemphasizedthat the “new circumstances” referred to by the Commission in its press release were “matters on which I had kept the Commission, and more particularly you, fully informed,andtowhichIwas met with either explicit support or, at minimum, no objection or contrary

“My submissions to the Chief Justice were predicated on ensuring GECOM’s full compliance with the express provisions of the Constitution and election laws There is nothing about insisting on constitutional compliance that would logically erode public confidence in GECOM — if anything, the opposite is true Far from undermining credibility, my position was that GECOM must conduct registration and elections in a manner t h a t u p h o l d s a l l constitutional requirements, thereby bolstering legitimacy.”

Further, the former GECOM Counsel said that he never advocated or impliedthatelectionsshould be delayed Contrarily, he said that the remedies he proposed to reconcile the residency requirement were operational:issuingseparate ballots and separate lists for General vs Regional elections (with the regional list undergoing the usual claims and objections process to filter out nonresidents).

“Theseadjustmentswere practical and could be implemented without violating any election timeline. At no point did I suggest that an election shouldbepostponed;indeed, I am acutely aware that any postponement beyond constitutional deadlines (apart from what the Constitution itself provides for) would itself be unlawful,”hesaid.

Additionally, Da Silva said he took pains to forewarn the Commission’s

Commission nor you, MadamChair,everindicated to me that my approach was erroneous or likely to cause harmful consequences If thereweregenuineconcerns onthisfront,theycouldhave been addressed when I circulated my written submissions (5 March) or at any point before the oral hearings of the court matter on 17 and 28 March 2025. Instead, no feedback whatsoeverwasgivenbythe Commission to suggest my arguments were deemed problematic The only “consequence” that materialized was the CEO’s personaldiscomfortwithmy legalstance,whichhevoiced in his own press statement. But even then, when I brought that development to you, you counselled an internal resolution (discussed below), not that my arguments were wrong. Therefore, any after-the-fact claim that I acted recklessly orinerrorisinsupportable.It appears to be a narrative invented to justify a predeterminedoutcome,”Da Silvastated.

In support of his arguments, DaSilva made it clear that his approach has beenvindicatedbytheCourt as the Chief Justice, in her ruling, dismissed the Applicant’s case, expressly relying on portions of his submissions in her reasoning.

“Infact,theChiefJustice adopted points that were raised exclusively in my submissionstoconcludethat t h e A p p l i c a n t ’ s interpretation should not be accepted.Theoutcomeofthe case—GECOM’sfavour— directly undermines any suggestionthatIwasarguing for the other side. The press release’s claim to the contrary is inexplicable and seems intended only to misleadreadersintothinking I betrayed my client, which couldnotbefurtherfromthe truth.”

Da Silva made it clear that he was never directed not to pursue the line of argument he took “My mandate, as always, was to d e f e n d G E C O M ’ s compliance with the law, whichIdidtothebestofmy ability and in which I succeeded,”hesaid.

InresponsetoGECOM’s Continued on page 46

Map showing the location of the Hammerhead project in the Stabroek Block

Housewife 58 cast as model for national fashion showcase

Nicola Amanda Dover Roberts, a 58-year-old mother and housewife auditioned and was casted for the Origin Guyana Fashion Festival which is scheduledtohappenonMay 2-4,2025.

The woman told The Waterfalls that she always liked modeling so when her daughter was attending the audition, to show support, she also attended. She said however that was curious andwantedtogivemodeling atrybecauseshewascurious about the event and to see whether it was something shewouldlike.

Roberts told The

Waterfalls that attending model auditions are not outside of her norm. She recalledthatafewyearsago, intheearlydaysofCurlFete, she auditioned and was selected to represent a designer and that was her first time modeling for a fashionshow

Roberts is a mother to three daughters and in 2016, along with her second child CollisAnnparticipatedinthe mother and daughter pageant. She revealed that they will be entering and participating in the said pageantagainthisyear

Given that she was selected to represent a designer at the upcoming event, the woman expressed excitementandsaysshefeels honoured to be part of the nationalshowcase.

“I think this is a big platform and I am excited and feel honoured to be selected as a model for Origin.Itisabigdealforme to be selected as model so I can represent Guyanese culture and Guyanese

creativity I feel really good aboutthat,”shesaid.

Ms.Robertsalsoshareda message of encouragement for all who may think they arenotenough.

“Sometimes you may

feel discouraged and down about some aspect of your life,butyoumusthaveatiny bit of faith even if it is as smallasamustardseed,just believe in yourself and believe in moving forward.

Don’t give up, just keep moving forward even if it’s tiny step at a time, keep moving forward I am encouragedbythesewords;I would say just keep moving forward.”

58-year-old Nicola Roberts

Nicola Roberts and her three daughters

Nicola and her daughter CollisAnn in the Mother and Daughter Pageant in 2016

Family honours Legacy of Voshaun Manbodh...

Frompage20 be responsible. At just 18 years old, he was entrusted with the care of a calf. During that period, he was away undergoing GDF training,buthestillmadean effort to fulfill his duty To ensure the calf was fed, Manbodhsentmoneyhome.

“Voshaun used to send home $4,000 from his salary,”hisauntshared.“His mom would come and deliver it... but $4,000 can’t buy grass for a whole

month ” Despite the shortfall,thefamilyadmired his effort “It’s a start,” Anderson repeated. “That’s the mentality His mom always told him, if you’re comingtoaskforhelp,come withastart.Peoplearemore inclinedtohelpyouifyou’re doing something for yourself.”

Further, Anderson explained that Vishawn had a rare connection with others, especially adults in the neighbourhood. “Every adult in this place was his friend,” Anderson recalled. “Every time he passed, he would call out to you—‘Cousin this,’‘Cousin that.’ He would go in, sit downandtalktoyou.”

She told a story of a neighbour offering up her grandchildren’s bike so Manbodh could sleep peacefully when he dropped by “Hecomeinandhedrop to sleep and allow him to rest. That was just who he was someone you instantly trusted,”shesaid.

MANBODH’S FIERCE PERSONALITY

Manbodhwasknownfor his fiery personality and sense of justice. He didn’t toleratebeingwronged,even fromayoungage.However, whilehisfamilyexperienced theunfiltered,sometimesfiery versionofManbodh,therewas anothersiderevealedafterhis passing, a softer, more dedicated side that

m a i n t a i n e d q u i e t relationships and gave back inhisownway

“Before his passing, we heard so much,” Anderson shared. “Two weeks before he died, he spent the entire dayathisoldschool,Bladen Hall.Wedidn’tknowhekept such close relationships with histeachers” It turns out, Manbodh frequentlyvisitedhisformer school, offering words of encouragement to students.

“He encouraged the children, told them to obey

their teachers,” said Anderson “That’s where we got his references from when heneededarefereeforajob I didn’tknowhewas that kind ofyoungman. His resilience stood out

especially during the physically grueling Fire Service training. “The fire hose is a heavy thing to manoeuvre when you’re digging water,” a colleague noted, but Manbodh never backeddown.“Eventhough he’sasmallstatureman,the peoplealwaysreportingthat finemanblazing.That’show he is. Never behind,” the aunt recalled. That courage was something his family admired but also worried about.“ThosearethethingsI learned to admire about him,” his aunt shared “Thosearesomeofthesame things I feared, because this isachild.Wewerealwaysa step behind him, you’re catchinguptohim.”Shesaid theyoftenfeltafraidbecause hewasn’t.“Hedidn’tlivehis life in fear; he was fearless. Wewerefearfulalot.”

Because of Manbodh’s fearlessnessandunwavering dedication to his family, Anderson shared that they are prepared to go to length andbreathforhim,justashe wouldhavedoneforthem.

“Yes, he would fight,” his aunt said, her voice breaking with emotion “And in the biggest fight—I feltittoo—Istillfeelit.”

With tears in her eyes, sheadded,“DoIthinkIowe him this fight now? Yes. Because he would fight for us.”

HEARTFELT MEMORIES OF MANBODH

While reflecting on the memories Anderson shared with her nephew, she recalled one moment when shereceivedagiftfromhim.

“Hewouldbuyagiftforeach one of us. We had a small video as we were collecting allofhismemoriesoverthis time.Heboughtmeapairof slippersandhe’sgivingmea nicelittlespeech.Weusedto have these little impromptu things in the yard,” the emotionalauntrecounted.

She also recalled moments where he would takecareofhisgrandmother

“He would give her a little speech for her birthday The week before he passed, he talkedabouthowhecleaned up the place. Run her a hot bath, made her breakfast,” Andersonsaid.

MANBODH WAS A GOOD FRIEND

Manbodh wasn’t just another young man with dreams,hewasapassionate, fearless, and deeply loyal soul,onewhodidn’tjusttalk a b o u t j u s t i c e o r friendship—helivedit.

That passion wasn’t reserved just for his ambitions but it extended to the people in his life, especiallythoseheloved.

“Once you’re his friend,

that’sit,”hisauntexplained. “Likeforexample,oneofhis friends had an accident with his bike, and when he was hit, they stole the bike.”

Despite his mother’s concerns about potential danger, Manbodh didn’t hesitate.“Hegotupandsaid that he going to look for his friend’s bike,” Anderson stated. The family worried that his loyalty might place him in harm’s way “We’re afraidforhimintheprocess oflookingforthebike...you could get in trouble, join a gang of man who beat up another man... but you can’t dissuadehim,”hisauntsaid.

“Ifhe’sonthissidehereand there’s injustice and it’s not evenhisbusinessbuthewill speakout.”

“He wasn’t perfect,” his family admits, “but what he gave,hegavefully Hedidn’t know how to give halfway And if he loved you, he’d rideallthewaywithyou.”

Manbodhlast conversationwithhis family

His aunt ended by reflecting on her final conversation with Voshaun, where he asked her to take care of his grandmother Although it wasn’t his place to intervene, Manbodh didn’thesitatetospeakup.

“He called to complain that his mother and his aunt don’t give his grandmother enough of a hearing,” she recalled “It wasn’t his fight...butstill,hepickedup the phone to speak on her behalf.”

Later the next morning, Manbodh also told her that earlierthatday,beforehewas injured while battling the blaze, he had considered attending an Ash Wednesday servicenearthefirestation.

“Hewasspeakingslowly,” she said “He told me he had thought about going to a service Idon’tknowwhatwas goingonaroundthere,Ididn’t even see a church, but somewherenearby,hesaidhe felt drawn to see what was happening.”

ShedescribedManbodhas not particularly religious, but spirituallygrounded “I’mnot necessarilysayingthathe’sthe mostreligiousperson,buthe’s also a praying person,” she said

Before the fire, he made hiswaytothemesshall.“He came down, got two bites—hisexactwords,‘two bites and one gulp’, and the call came in.And they went out.”

In that moment, she felt that she needed to pray for him, something that she has not in a long time. “I asked hismomtoputthephoneon speaker. We prayed as a family. And it was angering

at first… in our prayer, we asked God to touch everything, every piece of machinery, every nurse, everybody responsible for his care.” Sadly, when the news came of his passing, the pain was overwhelming.

“WhenIgotthatnewsthathe died, I was so angry. I said, God, I ask you, you know? Weaskyouforfullrecovery, notpartial.”

MANBODH’S DEATH AS A POSITIVE CHANGE

In the aftermath of Manbodh’sdeath,hisfamily has turned their grief into a demandforchange.

“All we want is for his

legacy to be enforced,” she said. “And foremost: you didn’t do what you were supposed to do.You have to be held accountable. And secondly, his death must be made changes, positive changesimmediately.”

She emphasized that reform is necessary, not just in how fire services respond to emergencies, but in how theycarefortheirpersonnel.

“Positivechangesintheway fire service, first and foremost.” While they are notissuingformaldemands, shewasclearaboutthedepth of their commitment. “We are willing to make that

sacrifice.We’rewillingtogo all that length. Yes, that’s whathemeanttous.”

She added, “Every cent we have, we will use it for thetruthandaccountability.”

Andassherecalledtheir final conversation, one moment continues to echo: “I said to him... you have time.Youhavelifenow.And because you have life, that can come.” Now, in his absence, his family is determinedtoensurethathis life, fearlessness, bravery and legacy is known to the public and will be used to bring about a positive change.

OPR probing death of badly beaten man who died in police custody

T h e O f f i c e o f

Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the death ofamanwhowasbeatenby members of the public but subsequently died in police custody

The deceased was identified as 37-year-old Delon Lawrence of Lot 10 De Kinderen Housing

Scheme, West Coast Demerara(WCD).

Accordingtoastatement from the police, Lawrence hadunlawfullywounded21year-old Fiona Jones, a Security Officer at the United States (U S ) Embassy and a resident of Wales,WestBankDemerara (WBD)onMarch15,2025.

Lawrence reported stabbedJoneswithaknifeat around21:41h.

“Inquiries revealed that around 21:00hrs on the aforementioned date and time, the victim was in Georgetown when she entered a route 31 minibus heading to Wales She was seated at the rear of the vehicle near a window, alongsideanotherfemaleand thesuspect Accordingtothe victim, the suspect pulled a knifefromhispantswaistand began behaving (disorderly), attacking her and other passengers,”policesaid

The commotion resulted inthedriverbringingthebus to a halt and the passengers exiting.However,Joneswas left alone with Lawrence who allegedly grabbed her hair, and stabbed her to the head, neck, face and hand multiple times. After some time,shemanagedtoescape herattackerandexitthebus.

Hefollowedherandhad to be subdued by public-

Dead: 37-year-old

Delon Lawrence

spirited citizens who saw whathappenedandrendered assistance to an injured Jones,afterwhichthepolice weresummoned.

“The victim was transported by publicspirited individuals to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where she was treatedandsentaway Upon the police arrival at the scene, the suspect was observed being pursued by angry civilians who had already inflicted injuries on him, including swelling to his eyes and head,” the policesaid. Attemptsweremadebya constable to apprehend Lawrencebutheattackedthe rankbyliftingandthrowing him to the ground and placing him in a chokehold. Onlookersrantothepolice’s rescueresultinginLawrence being handcuffed and taken to the La Grange Police Station.

Lawrence continued to behave disorderly while in custody.EmergencyMedical Technicians (EMT) were summoned and Lawrence wassubsequentlytakentothe La Parfaite Harmonie Police Stationwherehewasplaced

Continuedonpage44

45 reconstructed hinterland bridges commissioned

Forty-five reconstructed hinterlandbridgesstretching between Mabura Hill, Region 10 and Lethem in Region Nine, were on Saturday commissioned by Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of PublicWorks,JuanEdghill.

“The bridges represent a landmark investment in national connectivity, economicinfrastructure,and i n c l u s i v e development strengthenin g links between Guyana’s hinterland and coastland regions,” Prime Minister Phillips said via his official Facebookpage.

The bridges, which form part of the government’s agenda of linking the hinterlandandthecoastland, saw the government spendingover$7.7billionto construct and upgrade the bridges into concrete structures, according to a separate post by the Public WorksMinistry

Kaieteur News had reportedthattheconstruction of the bridges which started in 2022 was a project undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works and it was divided into two sections,

with 32 bridges being reconstructed between Lethem and Kurupukari and another 13 being upgraded betweenLindenandMabura. It was reported that the bridgeswerebeingupgraded to international standards and form part of the government’s strategy to advance hinterla

ough enhancedinter-connectivity Kaieteur News was initially informed that the intentiontofixthesebridges are not because they are in a poor state but to upgrade them to international standards International standards meaning, reconstructing the wooden structure bridges with concrete. The bridges now ha

vehiclesthatusuallytraverse theLindentoLethemtrail.

The reconstructed bridges also support the phased construction of the LindentoLethemhighway

B r i d g e s w e r e reconstructed at Iwokrama, Pirara, Surama, Camudi Bash, Annai, Yararinta, Genip Landing, Massara Junction, Point Ranch and HuntOil.

Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (right) and Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill (left) visiting one of the reconstructed hinterland bridges on Saturday. (Photo courtesy, Hon. Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips/ Facebook)

Father of two battling blindness and hardship, seeks financial help

ByChristalYong

Once a provider, a

protector, and a steady presence for his two children, Darrell Rigby now finds himselfinadesperatefightnotonly for survival, but for dignity, shelter, andafutureforhisfamily

At49,Rigbyisthefatheroftwo school-aged children; his son is 15, his daughter 13. For years, he worked as a security officer at a hospital, providing for his family anddoinghisbesttokeepthemsafe. But in March 2023, everything changed. He lost his job due to worsening eyesight, caused by

glaucoma,whichhadbeguntoaffect hisabilitytowork.

“Itstartedbackin2020,”hetold TheWaterfalls Headded,“Atfirst,I could still manage. I could still see well enough to work But gradually…itjustgotworse.”

Glaucoma, often called the “silent thief of sight,” slowly tighteneditsgrip.Overthenextfew years,Rigby’svisiondeterioratedto thepointwherenavigatingdailylife became a challenge, let alone maintaining a full-time job. The world around him dimmed, and so didhisopportunities.

Now,heandhischildrenare Continued on page 45

The exterior of the house

The poor living condition of the makeshift home the family is living in

Darrell Rigby along with his daughter and two nephews

Ex-inmate 23, manages shop with dreams of owning a supermarket

By Christal Yong

At just 23 years old, Joshua Haynes is a father of three, a husband, and a small business owner on Pineapple Street, Front Road, Georgetown. But behind his quiet determination and budding variety shop, lies a troubled past marked by poor choices, prison time,andaredemptionstory

Growing up in a household shadowed by gambling, Haynes was introduced to risky behaviour early

“When I didn’t get money to gamble, I started right at home taking$100,$200,untilIendedup on the road, mixing with bad friends,” he recalled. Haynes added, “Gambling is a serious thing, man. It’s a thief; it’s a murderer itdestroysyou.”

By the age of 15, Joshua was alreadyinjuveniledetention.After his release, instead of choosing a new path, he drifted deeper into crime, falling in with older, more dangerous influences. By 2020, when he was just 19, he was involved in a robbery He fled the scene but was later arrested; however, he escaped lawful custody but was recaptured Haynes was then charged with robbery under arms and escaping lawful custody The court sentenced him to five years in prison.

Prisonwasnoeasyroad.Joshua vividly remembers the fear and pressureofadjustingtolifebehind bars.

“Whenyoujustgoin,youdon’t know who you violate, who’s watching.You could lose your life in there if you don’t know how to move,” he said. “If you look like a basil (a fool) people gon treat you like one,” Haynes told The Waterfalls

Determinednottofallvictimto prison life, he made a conscious decision to blend in, stay out of trouble, and grab any opportunity for personal development. Haynes started by doing road work, then moved on to farm duties, and eventually landed in the prison trade shop, where he learned welding, construction, joinery, electricalinstallation,andfarming.

“ItellmyselfIain’tcomingout of jail with ignorance. I going out withsomething,”hesaid.

Structure and discipline

became part of his daily life. He would wake up at dawn, bathe before meals, and spend full days workingontheprisongrounds.He also found solace in prayer, something that helped center him duringhissentence.

“Injail,Iusedtoprayfivetimes a day Now, sometimes I barely praytwoorthree,Idofeelguilty.”

Butperhapsthemostconsistent source of strength came from outside the prison walls, his wife, RehannaHaynes,22,themotherof his children, who stood by him throughouthisincarceration.

“Since jail, she had my back. She’s been there through everything,”hesaid.

After his release, Haynes admitted to slipping back into old patterns briefly, but something shiftedinhim.Hefelttheweightof shamenotjustfromhiscommunity, but from his own family. The momentwassobering.

He said, “I jump into a police van, and everybody watching me, my whole family, people bad talkingme.Thatwasitforme.Itell myself:nomore.”

He quickly found work as a security guard, doing double shifts justtostaybusyandavoidslipping back into crime. It was during this time that he began observing how the Chinese supermarket he workedforoperated.

“I start watching how the Chinese does do business. I say, if theycouldinvesttheirmoney,who ismenottodothesame?”

With the money he saved from

working two months straight, he opened a small variety shop Though he made some missteps, spending too much money fixing up the place instead of stocking it, he’s learned from the experience andcontinuestogrow

“You don’t have to start big. Once you got stock, you could move. I realize I was focusing too much on the look and not enough onthesubstance,”Haynessaid.

Today, the father of three runs theshopfulltime.Buthe’snotdone yet.Hisnextgoalistoopenacook shop next door for his mother, who’s known for her cooking. Long-term, he sees his business growing into a supermarket and wantstousehisexperiencetohelp othersstarttheirownbusinesses.

He related, “I always tell myself, I want to live off my own strength.Idon’tlikewatchingwhat peoplegot.That’sbadmind.”

He also continues to share advicewithyoungpeoplewhomay be headed down the same path he oncefollowed.

“Just be yourself, man. Don’t watch people. Stay away from bad company Wedidn’tcomeponthis earth to do wrong, we came to do good.”

Haynes’story is one of painful mistakes, quiet resilience, and the strengthittakestowalkawayfrom the crowd and stand on your own. With the support of his wife, the love for his children, and the lessons learned behind bars, he’s buildingmorethanjustashop;he’s buildinganewlife.

JoshuaHaynes(left)infrontofhisvarietyshop,alongwithhisfriend whomotivateshim,MatthewNelsonalsoknownasDJGully.

HIGHLIGHTING LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS –A KEY STAKEHOLDER GROUP OF THE GNBS

Th e G u y a n a NationalBureauof Standards(GNBS) joins with Guyana's medical fraternitytocelebrateMedical Laboratory Professionals Week-April20to26,2025. The theme for this year, as determined by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), is: “Mystery Machine of Diagnostics: Another Case SolvedbytheLab.”

The contributions of Laboratory Professionals to our country's health

sector continue to grow as more and more medical laboratoriesopentheirdoors to provide the array of testing needed for the diagnosis of sicknesses and diseases

GNBS would like to especially recognise professionals within those labs that have developed, i m p l e m e n t e d a n d maintained a Laboratory Management System within theiroperationstoensurethe provision of reliable results. The Bureau's engagements

w i t h l a b o r

y professionals at all levels remain high as they take advantage of key GNBS services,includingTraining, Technical Assistance and LaboratoryCertification.

Over the years, the Bureau has provided these s

laboratories to improve the quality of services they provide to patients, doctors and others seeking reliable testingserviceslocally

For training, over the last three years, a total of 28

sessions were conducted by GNBSformedicallaboratory professionals,whichsaw276 of them participating and benefiting from these training programmes, laboratory technicians and qualitymanagerswereable build their competence to implement and maintain the requirements of the GYS 170:2021 Standard, the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Standard, ISO 15189:2012 Standard, and the GYS 235:2024 Lab Safety Standard.

Meanwhile, under its technical assistance programme, the GNBS works closely with several medical labs towards certification to the GYS

170:2021 Standard –Generalrequirementsforthe operation of a laboratory Under this programme, GNBS Technical Officers provide crucial support and guidance to staff of medical

and testing laboratories to streamline their lab operations to fulfill the r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r certification. Additionally, the support provided has allowed some medical facilitiestoattaininternational certification

Today, there are thirty medical labs certified by the GNBS, including the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Medical Laboratory, Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc. (Georgetown), St Joseph Mercy Hospital Laboratory, GeorgetownMedicalCentre Laboratory, Quest Medical Laboratory, Anamayah M

H

al Laboratory, Caresworth Medical Centre Laboratory, Caribbean Surgery Inc Laboratory,DavisMemorial Hospital Laboratory, Doobay-GafoorMedicaland ResearchCentreLaboratory,

Dr Leslie Persaud Medical DiagnosticCentre,Dr Dalip Medical Centre Laboratory, Max Hanoman Medical Laboratory, National Public H

Laboratory

More than half of these l

ned GNBS certification in the lastthreeyears GNBS congratulates professionalsworkinginthese labs for their diligence and commitment towards ensuring that their lab operations are guided by standards. Thisdemonstrates a commitment to quality, which benefits the wider populace looking to receive reliablemedicaltesting For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190065or219-0066orvisitthe GNBS website: www gnbsgyorg

One couple’s love for dance blossoms into thriving dance school

ByFrancwaFortune

After 19 years sharing loveforeachotheraswellas a deep passion for dance, a couple in 2006 launched the KreativeArtsDanceSchool.

Chief Director of the organization, Carlyle ‘Jonathan’ Hamer and his wife, Esther Hamer, in an interview with The Waterfalls shared the fascinating journey of how

their love for dance blossomed into a thriving schoolofdance.

Jonathan shared that the school first began in 2006 with him and two other

individuals, during that period, their focus was on developing a business plan and other aspects that will makeitsuccessful.Thethen dance group was housed at the Ministry of Housing canteen area and their first performancecalled‘Prelude to the arrival’ had eight performers.

In 2011, the group was officially re-launched under the same name, which was chosen because the group not only focuses on dance butalsoondramaandmusic.

“The initial plan of the group is for it to be a

performing arts group focusing on dance, drama andmusicaswellasitbeing a peer education group focusingonsocialissuesand highlighting them through performance,” said the director.

The inspiration for the re-launch stemmed from a lack of growth in dance and t

Guyaneseculturalaswellas helpingtoinstilldisciplinein the new generation The couple shared that by allowing the younger generation to learn about their cultural history, they willbuildconfidence.

“Itendtotelldancersthat Icomeincontactwith,thatif you measure the dancers in Guyana against the dancers oftherestoftheworld—the first world— we are mere fossils Reason being, people here in Guyana view the performing arts as a hobbyjustapastimesothey don’t take it as serious,” Jonathansaid.

He added that “The relaunchwasanopportunityto impact youths allowing them to learn more about their hidden talents, skills that we could give to them; thetechniqueanddiscipline, mainly discipline, because ouryoungergenerationhasa discipline problem. So, if you have to come for a specific time, perform specific way, it helps build character and mold you into a beautiful adult and individual.”

The school has four differentdancegroups,from debutantetotheadultclass.

Meanwhile Mrs. Hamer explained that the debutante dance one group is for children from ages two to nine,debutantetwogroupis for children ages 10 to 13 and debutante three is for students 13 to 23, and there areadultswhoareolderthan 20. However, depending on the students’ performance that would determine which grouptheywouldbeapart.

“So sometimes you might see a child looking small performing with the olderones,that’sbecauseof that child’s skills. It doesn’t make sense that you hold a childinaclassthatisbeyond their skill set So sometimesweputthemover, not just based on their age, but their level of performance,”Esthersaid.

Scenes from the various productions by KreativeArts Dance School

and what you’re able to do with your body due to age.

She told The Waterfalls that debutante three is the performing arm of Kreative Arts, since they have fewer

responsibilities and their bodies are young allowing them to do more physical activities when compared to the older students. “The 13 to 23 group usually represents Kreative Arts, because if you know anythingaboutdancersafter that age, you usually start decliningasinyourskillset,

Also because of the responsibilities at home,” theco-directorshared. Sheaddedthatthedance group also caters for the older and well-aged adults who would attend classes to learntodanceorwoulduseit as an opportunity to be

active. She also highlighted thattheiroldeststudentisthe director’s mother who is 78 yearsold.

The Green and Gold production is an annual theme-based show that is hostedbytheKreativeArts (Continuedonpage44)

GREENANDGOLD PRODUCTION

Esther and Jonathan Hamer

One couple’s love for...

Frompage43 Dance School in October It allows the students to showcase their various talents and skills that they would have learnt throughouttheyear

The name Green and Gold represent the two different categories of dancers. Green represents theyoungerstudents,andthe Goldaretheolderstudents.

Over the years, the school hosted a total of six shows beginning with Greens and Gold one which was in 2017, the second production was in 2018 called ‘Sons of Plantation Rome’.

The first part was a musical performance based on local music producer Bunny Alves’ life and the second half was about Guyanese music culture and talent. The third production was held in 2019 and was called ‘Watch We Now’. However due to COVID, therewasatwo-yearbreak.

The fourth production resumed in 2022 and was called ‘In We Feelings’ Greens and Golds five was called ‘World Dance Tour’ andwasheldin2023.

This first half was a musical on Anansi and the second half was a collective of various dances from different countries. Greens and Golds six was called

‘Blockbuster’andwasinthe year 2024. The first half of theproductionwasbasedon amovie,andthesecondhalf w a s a n o d e t o choreographies from movies.

Thecouplesharedthatas the group celebrates its seventh year, the production will be one that will give praiseandthankstoGod.

“You can expect blessings and more blessings,”thecouplesaid.

While having the dance school and producing an annual production, the couple was faced with several challenges like not having enough money, a smallamountofsupportand sponsorship,alargeturnover of dancers, people lacking appreciation and respect for entertainers amongst other However,theydidnotletthat affect them from pursuing whattheylove.

“It’s always been an uphillbattlewhenitcomesto certain aspect of support. You have to push through in order to come up wait a successful production,” Esther said. The couple would overcome their challengesbysensitizingthe audience and parents about thechallengestheyarefaced with as well as what is expectedofthem.

Meanwhile, Jonathan gives thanks to the small

group of people who always supportthegroupandhelpto createopportunities.

“With help and support from friends and family, the grouphasgainedawealthof supporters.

Thanks to one of our main sponsors Republic Bank, Dawn Brathwaite, the National Drama Company, Al Creighton, Margaret Lawrence, Ayanna Waddle, Paloma Mohamed, Signal Studios, and the parents and dancersofKreativeArts.”

LONG-TERM GOAL

The Hamers told this publication that one of their long-term goals is to work with other creative minds to create a national dance and costume showcase which will represent Guyanese culture with an annual production.

“Onethingwewouldlike toseehappeninourlifetime is our dance form being uniquely identify as kind of Guyanese; with the help of others, we would love to have a national dance and national costume that is uniquely Guyanese; additionally, if it could be endorsed by the government of today would be a plus,” thecouplesaid.

They also highlighted that within dance groups, youcanidentifypeoplewith different levels of interest anddifferentlevelsofskill.

OPR probing death of badly...

Frompage33 inthehallwayofthelockups. Police said he was being monitored at regular intervalsastheyawaitedthe arrival of the EMT He was responsiveatthattime.

“Atapproximately01:57 hrs. on March 16, 2025, a rank observed the suspect unresponsive during a routine check The duty officer was immediately informed, and EMT was contacted again, and they responded and assessed the s us pect, w ho w as subsequently pronounced dead by a doctor on the team,” the police revealed.

On Monday,April 14, 2025, at 11:25 hrs., a post mortem examination with dissection was conducted on the body ofthedeceasedandhiscause of death was determined to besubduralhemorrhagedue to blunt trauma to the head compounded by multiple fracturedribs.

The body was handed over to relatives for burial scheduledforApril23,2025, at the Meten-Meer-Zorg

Cemetery.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News reported on April 16, 2025 that Lawrence was identified by his sister after police sought help with his identity five days prior Policehadpostedapictureof the dead man on its Facebook page. “I went to the morgue and identified him myself; I was shocked andwantedtoknowifitwas true,” the man's sister told KaieteurNews.Hisrelatives are at this time calling on police to clarify the circumstances surrounding his beating because they heardtwodifferentversions.

According to his sister, the first version they heard from the police is that he allegedly stabbed two persons following a confrontation with a bus driver at La Grange Old Road,WestBankDemerara.

A passing police patrol saw the commotion and reportedly rescued Lawrencefromthemob,but took him to the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, wherehedied.

However, there is another version from a policeofficerallegingthathe was beaten at Stanleytown, WBD, after he allegedly triedtorobtwopassengersin a route 31 minibus According to that version of events, Lawrence allegedly went berserk after an alarm was raised, stabbing a pregnantwomanintheneck and a female passenger Villagers at Stanleytown learnt of the attempted robbery and brutally beat Lawrence.

Like the first version, Lawrence was rescued by police and taken to the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, where he died in policecustody

“They said he entered a 31 bus and had a confrontationwiththedriver at La Grange Old Road, and he stabbed a pregnant woman and a male,” the woman said, while adding, “They sounded the alarm and the villagers came out andbeathimbadly”.

Father of two battling blindness and hardship, seeks financial help...

Frompage39 living in a squatting situation, in a makeshift home that offers little protection from the elements.

He says, “The roof leaks when it rains. The whole place got holes. It’s hard to sleepatnight.”

“Sometimes we have to stay up just trying to keep dry,”thefathercontinued.

But even in this bleak chapter of his life, Rigby is clingingtohope.

In 2024, his family was

granted a small plot of land in Vigilance by the government, a beacon of possibility “We have the land,”hesays. “It’s there. But we don’t have anything to start building.” With no job, no income, and limited mobility, Rigby can’t begin construction on the home that could finally give his children the safety and stabilitytheyneed.

That’s why he is now reaching out for help from anyone willing and able to

assist.

He is not just seeking financial assistance for a house.

He’s fighting for a new start, for a roof that doesn’t leak,foraplacehischildren canstudyandsleepinpeace, for the chance to send them to school and keep them off thestreets,forthedignityof not having to choose betweenamealandaschool uniform.

He highlighted, “It’s not aboutmeanymore,it’sabout them,mychildren.

Ijustwanttogivethema chance.”

Today, Rigby is not only battling blindness, he’s f i g h t i n g p o v e r t y, displacement, and the creeping sense of hopelessness that comes frombeingforgotten.Buthe isnotgivingup.

With help, he believes a new life is still possible. If persons are interested in making donations to him, they can make contact through his cell phone number(+592)691-6614.

Frompage28 claim that he acted outside his scope, Da Silva made it clear that is a deliberate misrepresentation of the Legal Officer’s role and responsibilities He reminded that the CEO was not his “principal” but GECOMwas.

“In other words, the CEO’s legal interests were

n o t s e p a r a t e f r o m

G E C O M ’s ; h e i s a

functionary of the Commission Thus, any implication that I owed exclusive loyalty to the CEO’s personal views, even iftheydivergedfromthelaw ortheCommission’sduty,is incorrect. Regardless, even if one were to treat the CEO as a “principal” for operational purposes, he gavemenoinstructionsthatI disobeyed.Atnotimedidthe CEO instruct me to refrain from making a particular argument.”

He reminded Justice Singh that she was his principalatalltimes.

“You,MadamChair,asa formerjudgeandtheheadof theCommission,weremyde factoprincipalformattersof legalstrategy And,asIhave documented, you agreed with my legal position throughout the pendency of the case. Thus, I was fully within the scope of my authority and duty in advancing the arguments that I did. I did not “favour” theApplicant;Ifavouredthe l a w a n d G E C O M ’s compliance with it, which ultimately protected GECOM’s interests The press release’s portrayal of this as a dereliction is not only unjustified but appears deliberately crafted to mislead the public into thinkingIactedimproperly.”

Meanwhile, in a terse letter to the CEO, Da Silva denounced all statements madeagainsthim.

“Your unilateral public denunciation has severely damaged my reputation by falsely suggesting professionalmisconductand recklessdisregardofduty It impliesIactedinopposition to my instructions, thereby misleading the public about m y i n t e g r i t y a n d professional ethics Such public mischaracterization by a senior official of your standing carries substantial weight, further exacerbating

t h e d a m a g e t o m y professional standing,” Da Silvastated.

The attorney has given

b o t h t h e G E C O M

Chairperson and CEO an ultimatum to apologise and retract by April 22, 2025 or facelegalaction.

“I must still demand that you immediately and formallyretractthefalseand misleading statements made inyourpressstatementof20 March 2025 and issue a public apology clearly acknowledging these inaccuracies and the harm caused. Should you fail to issue this retraction and apology by Tuesday, 22 April 2025, I will have no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies, includinginitiatinglitigation againstyoupersonallyandin your capacity as Chief Election Officer,” Da Silva saidhetoldtheCEO.

Wednesday

Oilproductionin Guyanatoclimbto 900Kbarrelsperday …as 4th FPSO arrives

The Government of Guyana (GoG) announced on Tuesday the arrival of a fourth Floating Production Storage and Offloading

vessel (FPSO), One Guyana

The vessel will join the LizaDestiny,LizaUnity,and Prosperity FPSOs, currently producing a combined total of about 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) With a design capacity of 250,000 barrels, One Guyana will increase daily production to 900,000 bpdonceoperational.

Currently, installation activities are ongoing to prepare for first oil at the project,whichisexpectedto commence in the fourth quarter of this year as previously indicated by the president of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), AlistairRoutledge.

Tuesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources said, “

welcome the arrival of the One Guyana FPSO into Guyana’swaters.Thismarks asignificantmilestoneinthe advancement of offshore oil production and national development.”

T

shipbuilder, SBM Offshore. In addition to “an estimated m

capacity of 250,000 barrels ofoilperday”,thevesselhas

approximately two million barrels.

Government said the arrival of a fourth FPSO

represents continued confidence in Guyana’s energy sector and the strength of the partnership betweenthegovernmentand co-venturers ExxonMobil, Hess,andCNOOC.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek block Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum GuyanaLimitedholds25per centinterest.

Commenting on the arrivalofthevessel,Natural ResourcesMinisterVickram Bharrat said, “The arrival of the One Guyana FPSO is a powerful symbol of progress, not only in oil production but in the continued empowerment of our people through job creation, local business opportunities, and increased revenues that support development across Guyana.”

M e a n w h i l e ,

ExxonMobil G

Production Manager Huzefa Alistated,“Thearrivalofthe

O n e G u y a n a F P S O symbolises the unwavering collaboration between our team, the government and ourindustrypartners.Weare proudtoplayapivotalrolein shaping the energy landscape of Guyana while fostering sustainable d e v e l o p m e n t a n d e m p o w e r i n g t h e communitiesweserve.”

The company, in a separate press statement, announced a ‘street festival’ to be hosted on May 3, to markthevessel’sarrivaland highlight the benefits of the Yellowtail project to Guyana, specifically with regard to expanding local content and increasing revenuestothenation.

E x x o n s a i d i t s ‘Yellowtail Local Street Festival’ will showcase Guyana’s talent, flavours and creativity, a free kids’ zone, and entertainment highlighting the best of Guyaneseculture.

Italiancompanysecures contractforearly worksonExxon’s7th projectyettobeapproved

Italian multinational oilfield services company Saipem has secured new offshorecontractsinGuyana and the Middle East worth approximately US$720 million..

In Guyana, Saipem has signed a Limited Notice To Proceed (LNTP) agreement with ExxonMobil Guyana

Limited (EMGL) for engineering, procurement, construction,andinstallation (EPCI) works related to the proposed Hammerhead oil field development project, the seventh project in the prolificStabroekBlock.

Exxon’s application for t h e H a m m e r h e a d development is pending at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) That development has an estimatedlifeof30years.

Notably, Saipem explained that while the agreement remains subject t o r e g u l a t o r y a n d government approvals, the LNTP allows Saipem to begin early engineering and procurementactivities.Ifthe projectisfullysanctioned,it is expected to start operations in 2029 The project will involve the installation of subsea structures,umbilicals,risers, andflowlines(SURF),along withagasexportsystem,all at a depth of approximately 1,000meters.

Saipem noted that all logistics and support services for the Guyanabased operations will be managedlocallythroughthe Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI) facility The

companynotedthatthiswill create employment and c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e development of Guyana’s local content capacity, the companysaid.Theprojectis anticipatedtolastfouryears.

The second contract, awardedbyamajorclientin the Middle East, involves EPCIactivitiesfortherepair of damaged subsea pipelines.Withadurationof three years, this project highlights the growing significanceofoffshorefield maintenance in Saipem’s operations Saipem said it will utilize a range of vessels, including its flagship Saipem FDS2, to executetheoffshoreworks.

Thursday

Chinasaysnot interferinginGuyana andVenezuela bordercontroversy

ByRenaySambach

China’s Deputy Chief of Mission to Guyana, Huang Rui, has stated that China will not interfere in the Guyana and Venezuela bordercontroversy

The diplomat was at the time addressing reporters during a press briefing hosted at the Chinese Embassy in Georgetown on Wednesday He said China maintains a strict policy of non-interference in other countries’internalaffairs.“If you actually follow the Chinese foreign policies, all those policies, as long as possible,youwillsee,firstof all, we never intervene in internalaffairsofanynation. The second principle is we always respect [other countries] sovereignty and territorial, that’s all,” Rui added.

China’s remarks came amid heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the longstanding border controversy regarding the resource-rich Essequibo region, which spans over two-thirds of Guyana’slandmass.

The Guyana-Venezuela

International Court of Justice(ICJ).

Despite a December 2023 agreement between P

Maduro committing to regional peace, on March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana’s watersandapproached Continued on page 47

GECOM CEO Vishnu Persaud

Frompage46

Exxon’s Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the oil-rich Stabroek Block and radioed thattheFPSOwasoperating indisputedterritory

The Stabroek Block is operated by American oil major ExxonMobil, which holds a 45 per cent interest, Hess with 30 per cent, and ChinaNationalOffshoreOil Corporation (CNOOC), a Chinese state-owned entity, with a 25 per cent stake Rui’s remarks were in response to questions about whether CNOOC’s offshore presence signalled broader Chinese involvement, particularly in the face of Venezuela’saggression.

The Government of Guyana has insisted on the ICJ’s role in providing a conclusive judgment on the matter, noting that it has no intention of having direct dialogue with the Nicolas Maduro regime regarding thebordercontroversy.

In 1899, Guyana (then British Guiana) and

Venezuela participated in an ArbitralAward,conclusively s

ttling th

border, including the Essequibo territory as part of Guyana. However, prior to Guyana’s independence, Venezuela revived the border controversy This led to the establishment of the 1966 GenevaAgreement,alegally binding instrument addressing the controversy overthe1899ArbitralAward and the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The agreement’s

Article IV outlined a procedure for mandatory settlement If bilateral negotiations failed, both countries agreed to refer the mattertotheUnitedNations SecretaryGeneral.

Initially, the Secretary General employed the good offices mechanism to f

cilitate a mutually satisfactory settlement.

Despite over 20 years of engagement between Guyana and Venezuela, this process yielded no progress. Consequently, the Secretary General declared the failure

of the good offices process. According to Article IV of the Geneva Agreement, the nextstepwastheselectionof a new means of dispute resolution The Secretary General opted for litigation before the International Court of Justice. In March 2018, Guyana submitted an application to the ICJ, seeking a final and binding judgment on the validity of the1899ArbitralAwardand the boundary between the twoStates.

Goldpricejumpsto US$3,300perounce

April16(Reuters)–Gold prices extended their record runonWednesdaytobreach $3,300 per ounce, as a weakerdollarandescalating U S -China trade tensions pushedinvestorstowardsthe safe-havenasset.

Spot gold climbed 3.1% to $3,327.97 an ounce as of 1:45 p.m. ET (1745 GMT), after hitting a record high of $3,332 89 earlier in the session U S gold futures gained 3 3% to settle at

$3,324.50.

“Gold remains heavily supported by a broadly weaker dollar, uncertainty aroundtariffannouncements and fears about a global recession,” said Lukman Otunuga, senior research analystatFXTM.

“Beyond $3,300, it’s all about psychological levels

for gold prices. Bulls may target $3,400, $3,500, and upwards.However,aboutof profit-taking or positive U . S . - C h i n a t r a d e developmentscouldtriggera selloff.”

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered an investigation into possible tariffs on all U.S.

critical minerals imports, marking another escalation in his dispute with global tradepartnersandanattempt topressureChina.

The latest flare-up of tensionsbetweentheworld’s two largest economies dented sentiment in wider financial markets, sending investors towards safehavenassetssuchasgold.

The dollar, meanwhile, slipped against its rivals to holdnearathree-yearlowhit lastweek,makinggoldmore attractive for other currency holders.

Gold has risen nearly $700 this year, supported by tariff disputes, expectations of interest rate cuts and strongcentralbankbuying.

“The rally has become a bit unhinged, leaving it at riskofcorrections.However, wehaveformorethanayear now seen corrections to be shallow, with underlying bids waiting on any setbacks,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy atSaxoBank.

U.S.economicgrowth

Continued on page 48

China’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Huang Rui

Frompage47 appears to be slowing, with consumer spending growing modestly, a rush of imports to avoid tariffs likely to weigh on estimates of gross domestic product, and sentiment souring, U S Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday Elsewhere, spot silver rose 1 7% to $32 85 an ounce, platinum gained

0 8% to $967 45, and palladium shed 0 1% to $970.42.

Friday

Guyanapaid US$80Minintereston US$6Bdebtin2024

The Government of Guyana(GoG)in2024spent a total of US$196M to service the country’s ballooning debt, of which US$80M went towards interest.

This is according to a report from Central Bank. According to the document, approximately US$79 9M

was paid in interest by the country on its total stock of external and domestic debt.

Itisimportanttonotethatby the end of 2024, the government racked up the country’stotaldebttoalmost US$6B, after closing 2023 with a total public debt of US$4.5B.

Meanwhile, in 2024, total principal payments during the period amounted to US$119 7M The document states, “The total stockofgovernment’spublic andpubliclyguaranteeddebt

increased by 33% to US$5,994 million and represented 24.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) This increase was due to a 37.4% rise in the outstanding stock of domestic bonded debt to US$3,745millionanda26.1 percent growth in external debttoUS$2,239million.”

It goes on to explain, “Total debt service grew by 10.5% to US$196 million and represented 5.2% of government’s current revenue Domestic debt service declined by 6.8% or

US$5 2 million due primarily to a decline in principalpaymentduringthe reviewperiod.Externaldebt service rose by 23 6% to US$125 million on account of increased principal repayments to both multilateral and bilateral creditors.”

In 2024, the government gotthegreenlighttoincrease theceilingsonbothdomestic and external debt The domestic public debt ceiling has been increased to $1.5 trillion,upfrom$750billion from its last revision Meanwhile, a new external borrowing ceiling of $1 5 trillion has been approved, afteritslastincreaseto$900 billion. This move was part of a broader financial strategy to increase the nation’scapacity,inorderto finance its $1 146 trillion 2024 budget, including several large-scale infrastructureprojects.

While the Opposition andotherstakeholdersraised concerns about the GoG’s borrowinganditsrelianceon oilrevenuestorepayitsdebt,

t h e I r f a a n A l i - l e d administration maintains that the country would be able to repay its debt even without revenue flow from thepetroleumindustry

In 2023, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during a press conference, was asked by Kaieteur News whether the country’s cu

ent borrowing could be sustained by the non-oil sectorwhenherespondedin theaffirmative.

“Yes, because as I pointed out now that, and I don’twannagobackthrough that again, our debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ratio and our debt service to revenue ratio are among the lowestintheworldtodayasI speak in spite of all the borrowing,”Jagdeosaid.

During the presentation of Budget 2025, Finance Minister, Ashni Singh said that over the last four years, Guyana’s ratio of total PPG debttoGDPdroppedbyover 20%. The minister said that the debt to GDP ratio was 47.4%attheendof2020and by the end of 2024, it had

reducedto24.3%.

MinisterSinghsaid,“this provides an indication of a

marked indication in Guyana’s capacity to maintainpublicdebtintothe future without the need for fiscaladjustment,andplaces Guyana in the position of having one of the lowest debts to GDP ratios worldwide…”

GuyanaslamsChina’s silenceonVenezuela’s provocations …rejects suggestion for “friendly negotiations” to resolve border controversy

The Government of Guyana has called out the People’s Republic of China for its continued silence on Venezuela’s provocative actions amid the ongoing border controversy and Caracas’intentiontoconduct electionsinEssequibo.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs a n d I n t e r n a t i o n a l Cooperation said it has “taken note that there has

been no comment from the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Venezuela’s plan to hold elections on May 25, 2025, in what it has declared the “Guayana Esequiba State” whichisthenameVenezuela has given to Guyana’s Essequibo region ” The ministrynotedthatthismove by Venezuela is a clear violation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity

This sharp rebuke follows remarks made by China’s Deputy Chief of Mission to Guyana, Huang Rui,duringanembassypress conferenceonWednesdayin Georgetown where he initially suggested the longstanding border controversy between Guyana and Venezuelacouldberesolved t h r o u g h “ f r i e n d l y c o n s u l t a t i o n s a n d negotiations.”Although Rui later retracted the comment, Guyana made it clear that such suggestions are unacceptable,asthematteris alreadybeforethe Continued on page 49

From page 48

International Court of Justice(ICJ).

“TheMinistryofForeign Affairs and International Cooperation rejects the statement made on April 16, 2025 by the Charge d’AffairesoftheEmbassyof the People’s Republic of China that Guyana and Venezuela can solve the borderissuethroughfriendly

c o n s u l t a t i o n s a n d negotiations,” the statement said.

Reiterating Guyana’s longstanding position, the ministry noted that the issue is being adjudicated by the ICJ in accordance with the 1966 Geneva Agreement “Guyana will not engage in discussion of any matter that has been brought before the Court. To do so would be to undermine the jurisdiction and authority of the International Court of Justice,”itwasstated.

Notably, China’s Deputy Chief of Mission to Guyana Rui, has stated that China will not interfere in the Guyana and Venezuela

bordercontroversy

He said China maintains a strict policy of noninterference in other countries’internalaffairs.“If you actually follow the Chinese foreign policies, all those policies, as long as possible,youwillsee,firstof all, we never intervene in internalaffairsofanynation.

The second principle is we always respect [other

countries] sovereignty and territorial, that’s all,” Rui added.

For his part, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said at his press conference saidthatgiventhatGuyana’s national position has always been that the matter will be resolved by the ICJ, for China’s Deputy Chief of Mission to suggest going back to bilateral talks “is

improper now to place, and that is what this statement mentioned, because it’s not respectful of our national position.”

Rui’s remarks about friendly negotiations came amid heightened tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the longstanding border controversy regarding the resource-rich Essequibo region, which

spans over two-thirds of Guyana’slandmass.

The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy is currently before the International Court of Justice. Despite a December 2023 agreement between P r e s i d e n t A l i a n d Venezuelan President Maduro committing to regional peace, on March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan naval

vessel entered Guyana’s waters and approached Exxon’s Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the oil-rich Stabroek Block and radioed that the FPSO was operating indisputedterritory

The Stabroek Block is operated by American oil major ExxonMobil, which holds a 45 per cent interest, Hess with 30 per cent, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), a Chinese state-owned entity, with a 25 per cent stake

Rui’s remarks were in response to questions about whether CNOOC’s offshore presence signalled broader Chinese involvement, particularly in the face of Venezuela’saggression

The Government of Guyana has insisted on the ICJ’s role in providing a conclusive judgment on the matter, noting that it has no intention of having direct dialogue with the Nicolas Maduro regime regarding thebordercontroversy

China’s Deputy Chief of Mission to Guyana, Huang Rui

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

The Great Easter Egg Rescue

foundaneggandweregentlypokingatit.

In the cheerful town of Willowville, everyone loved Easter Flowers bloomed, birds chirped, and colorful decorations brightenedeverystreet.Butthemostmagical part of Easter was the delivery of the Easter eggs—sparkly, rainbow-colored eggs filled withsurprises,deliveredbytheEasterBunny himself.Thisyear,itwasBennyBunny'svery firsttimehelpingwithEastereggdeliveries.

Bennyhadbeenpracticingforweekswith his best friend, Chirpy the chick. They had made a map, polished the eggs, and even practicedhoppingquietly

On the night before Easter, Benny and Chirpy were loading the glittering eggs onto Benny'sbigcarrot-shapedcart.

“Everything is ready!” Benny said, his nosetwitchingwithexcitement.

But just as they were about to begin the deliveries,astronggustofwindblewthrough Willowville. WHOOSH! The eggs flew up intotheair,scatteringinalldirections.

“Ohno!”chirpedChirpy “Thewindtook theeggs!”

Benny's ears drooped. “We have to get themback.Eastercan'tbeEasterwithoutthe eggs!”Without wasting a second, Benny and Chirpy raced through town, following a trail ofsparklesleftbytheflyingeggs.

Clue#1–TheLibrary

Their first stop was the town library A shinyeggwaspeekingoutfrombehindastack ofbooks.

“Found one!” said Chirpy, flapping his tinywings.

But when Benny tried to grab it, the egg rolledaway,deeperintothebookshelves.

“Wait!” Benny giggled, chasing it Finally,hecaughtitunderthe“BunnyTales” section.“That's one down. Let's keep going!” Benny said, placing the egg safely in his basket.

Clue#2–TheTreehouse

As they looked up, Chirpy spotted somethingglowinginthetalloaktreenearthe park.

“There'soneinthetreehouse!”hechirped. Benny gulped “But I'm not good at climbing.”

“Iam!”saidChirpy Heflewup,grabbed the egg with his little claws, and carefully glideddown.

“You'reamazing!”Bennycheered.

“That's two eggs. Let's hop to the next one!”

Clue#3–FarmerTilly'sBarn

Next, they saw sparkles coming from the barn. Inside, a group of curious goats had

“Excuse me, Mr Goats,” Benny said politely “ThateggisforEaster!”

The goats bleated happily and backed away Benny picked up the egg and gave the goatsacarroteachtosaythankyou.

“That's three eggs back,” said Chirpy “We'redoinggreat!”

Clue#4–TheBird'sNest

Suddenly,theyheardtweetingfromatree branchabove.Arobinhadtakenaneggtoher nest,thinkingitwasoneofherown.

“Oh dear,” said Benny “We can't take a mama'segg!”

But then the robin chirped, “This one doesn'thatch.It'sshinyandsweet-smelling.”

ShegentlypushedtheeggtowardBenny

“Thankyousomuch,MissRobin!”Benny said,addingtheeggtotheirbasket.

Clue#5–TheZooSurprise

As they neared the Willowville Zoo, somethingcolorfulbouncedpastthem.

“That looked like an Easter egg!” yelled Chirpy

Theyfolloweditinsideandfoundthelast egg…inthekangaroo'spouch!

“Excuse me,” Benny said, hopping up politely “ThateggbelongstoEaster.”

The kangaroo smiled and carefully handed it back. “Thanks, Ms. Roo!” Benny said.Nowwithalltheeggsfound,Bennyand Chirpyhurriedbacktothecart.

“We did it!” Benny grinned. “But it's almostmorning!”

Together,theyracedthroughtown,quietly placing an egg on every doorstep. When the firstsunbeampeekedoverthehills,everyegg hadbeendeliveredjustintime.

AsBennylookedatthehappyfacesofthe children waking up to find their eggs, he felt warm and proud.“I thought Easter was just about delivering eggs,” he said to Chirpy “ButIlearnedit'saboutkindness,teamwork, andsharingjoy.”

Chirpy chirped, “And maybe a little adventure!”

The townspeople cheered for Benny and Chirpy that morning. And from that day on, Benny Bunny was known as one of the best EasterhelpersWillowvillehadeverseen.

TheEnd!

Follow-UpQuestions:

WhatdidBennyandChirpydowhen thewindblewawaytheEastereggs?

Which animal helped Benny by flyinguptothetreehouse?

WhatlessondidBennylearnattheendof thestory?

Easter Time

byUncleRoy

Eastertimeishereagain, Andwewillhavemuchfun, Withkitesandfoodatpicnics, Withmyfamilyeveryone.

Easterissuchajoyoustime, Thatweallliketoshare, Forgettingworkandschool,evenTV, Atthisgreattimeoftheyear

Itmakesmesohappy, Toseeeveryoneplaytogether, Eating,dancingandflyingkites, IwishEasterwouldlastforever

Whatyou'llneed

*Pastelglitter

*Pastelpaint(acrylic)

*Spongepaintdabbers

*ClearPVAglue

*Easterribbons

* Templates: Bunny, Egg,Chick

HowtoMake

Step1

Cut out the templates, sticktheEastereggshapeon the jar with sticky tac, paint the top half and lid pastel purple and the bottom half pastel blue with 2-3 layers, andfinishwithacoatofclear (PVA)glueoncedry

Step2

Whilst the PVA is still wet, pour pastel blue glitter over the blue section of the jar

Step3

Repeat the last step by pouring pastel purple glitter overthepurplesectionofthe jar

Step4

Before the glue is dry, removetheEastereggshape from the jar to reveal the shape.

Step5

Tie an Easter ribbon around the jar and create a bow To finish, place Easter treatsinsidethejar

Prepare for the Future by adopting Right Principles

Now that you have identified the personal qualitieswithwhichyouare gifted, you need to determine how you must makeuseofthesetosucceed as you move forward to achieveyourlifegoals. The time comes when every young person has to leave school and go out into the widerworldtostartlifeasan adultcitizenandworker As you would obviously be hopingthatyouwillbeginin the right way, you must realise that you will need to think about this before movingforward.

Therearemanypeople who feel that they can

achieve success and happiness by means which are not honest and fair to others, even to the point of making them suffer The unfortunate thing is that

thesepeoplemayappearfor some time to be prospering inlife,somuchsothatothers are tempted to follow their exampleandlikewiseforget theprinciplestheyhavebeen taught, and resort to their type of behaviour But if you have the opportunity to check on these same people later, you will always find

Each of us human beings determines our own future by the manner in which futur we make use of our special qualities.

that they have reaped the same kind of reward that theyhavesown.

Treat people in a bad way,anditwillcomebackto you when you least expect. Neglect your duty to others in the various situations in whichyoulive,bedishonest inyourdealingswithothers, and you will eventually suffer the consequences, perhapsatthetimewhenyou canleastaffordit.

Itisafactthatoneof the laws of nature is that what goes around comes

around, and this is just as true of our actions as the earth moving around the sun. Whateveryoudointhis world will work to determine your future progressandhappiness. Sometimes we feel that doing good will not be observed,butyoucannever tell. Just knowing that you have done a right thing can be reward enough, and moreover the reward will surelycome.

Whenever you are faced with a challenging situation remember that the wayyoureactwilldetermine what you will reap. This must surely prompt you to askyourselfwhatistheright thing to do, and make a real effort to identify the principles which will guide your life, and always try to act according to these in whateveryoudo. Thenyou can rest assured that all will turnoutrightintheend. Look out next week whenwestartdiscussingthe principlesthatyouwillneed toguideyourfuturelife.

STAR BATTLE: DIABOLICAL

Help others & you help yourself

byUncleRoy

IknowIfeelnicewhensomeonegivesmesomething, Andwhenothershelpmeinsomeway; Iknowitfeelsgoodwhenpeoplesmileatme, Andtellmewordsthatmakemefeelgay

ThismeansthatIshouldalsotry

TodothesameforotherswhatIcan, Ishouldnotonlyseektogetformyself, Butdomybesttohelpeveryone.

FirstImustobeymyparentsathome, Andtrytokeepbrothersandsistershappy, NextdowhatIcanfrommyfriends, Andthenseekwaystohelpanybody

ThegreatthingisthatwhenItry

Tohelpothersandmakethemfeelthebest, IfindthatImyselfgainsomuch

Thatitmakesmefeelthegreatest.

Uncle Roy is again appealing to our readers to make a contribution to this column by either giving a feedback on whatispublished,askingforsomehelpwithsomepersonal problem, offering some advice to fellow teenagers, or sharingthenewsofwhatishappeninginhis/hercommunity Pleasesendyourcontributiontoroypaul2002@yahoo.com

INKIES

Interesting Creatures... Red panda

ByNationalGeographic

Red pandas have shottoviralfame fortheiradorable looks, but there’s a lot more totheseelusiveanimalsthan their kitten-like faces and striking reddish-brown coats.

Red pandas, which grow to about the size of a house cat, are impressive acrobats thatclimbandswingontrees in their Asian forest homes, andtheyoncesparkedfierce

debate about their relationship to giant pandas. Taxonomists previously assigned them to both the raccoon family and the bear family, but DNA research later revealed that they belong to their own unique family(Ailuridae)andgenus (Ailurus).

While originally thought to be two subspecies—the Himalayanredpandaandthe C h i n e s e r e d panda growing evidence

suggests they may be two distinct species instead. The Chinese red panda is a bit larger and has more distinct ringsonitsfluffytail.

Rangeandhabitat

Red pandas live in the rainy mountain forests of Nepal, India, Bhutan, northernMyanmar(Burma), and central China. They spend the vast majority of their lives in trees, where theysleepandsunbathe.

These animals have adapted incredibly well to their environment: They have sharp, semi-retractable claws that help them grip slippery branches, and their flexibleanklesgivethemthe uniqueabilitytoclimbdown treesheadfirst. This helps them quickly escape predators like snow leopards and jackals, which may have difficulty seeing the animals to begin with: Their coats match the moss clumps that grow on their tree homes, and their black

bellies make it difficult for predators to spot them from theground.

Red pandas even have two layers of fur—a soft undercoat covered with coarse hairs to insulate them from the mountain chill,andtheyusetheirlong tailasawraparoundblanket.

Diet

Redpandasbelongtothe orderCarnivora,butthishas more to do with their biologicalclassificationthan their actual diet. In reality they rarely eat meat, instead using their powerful molars to grind through up to four pounds of bamboo a day They also sometimes eat fruit, acorns, roots, eggs, rodents,andbirds.

Like giant pandas, red pandas have an extended wrist bone that functions almost like a thumb and helps them grip bamboo

shoots The solitary creaturesforageatnightand in the gloaming hours of

duskanddawn.

Behaviour

In general, red pandas live on their own, but when they do interact with other r e d p a n d a s , t h e y communicate by arching their tails, bobbing their heads, squealing, or making a sound that scientists call a “huff-quack” a mix between a duck quack and a pig snort. Pandas who feel threatened may let out a barking sound or release a pungent liquid from glands atthebaseoftheirtail. This smelly liquid also serves another purpose: Malesreleaseittomarktheir territory when searching for a mate in winter and early spring.Theydon’thaveabig window: females are only

fertile for a couple of days a year. They typically give birthtoonetofourcubsthat remain with them for about 90 days. Males take little or no interest in the cubs, leavingthecub-rearingtothe mothers.

Threatsandconservation

Red pandas are considered endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the organization that determines the conservation status of plant and animal species.

While no one knows the exact number of animals in thewild,a2015estimateput the population at 10,000, a 50percentdropsince1997.

These animals are threatened by people

clearing their forest habitat for logging and agriculture, as well as by diseases that c a n s p r e a d f r o m domesticated animals Hunters also kill red pandas for their fur or inadvertently when the creatures stumble into traps meant for other animals.Inrareinstancesred pandas have been snatched from the wild, likely for the illegalpettrade.

Common Name: Red panda

Scientific Name: Ailurus fulgens

Type: Mammals‘

Diet: Omnivore Average Life Span in the Wild: 8 to 10 years Size: 22 to 25 inches, plus tail of 15 to 19 inches

Weight: Eight to 17 pounds

GCCI’sfirstfemalePresident From failing grades and hard lessons... isa‘SpecialPerson’

ByChristalYong

In2025,KathySmith made history when she became the first woman to be elected as PresidentoftheGeorgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in its 135 year existence. But her path tothetopwasn’tpavedwith accolades or ease, it was carved out of hardship, missteps, late-night prayers, and a relentless belief in whatwaspossible.

Thisisnotjustastoryof success.Itisthejourneyofa woman who turned early academic failure, humble beginnings, and business setbacks into a career that now defines progress, purpose,andperseverance.

EARLYLIFE

Smith was born in 1981 at Georgetown Hospital Public Corporation (GPHC) toateenagemother Shewas raised in the village of HaslingtonontheEastCoast of Demerara (ECD), in a household overflowing with love, support, and sacrifice. Her mother, grandmother, aunts, and uncles formed a tight-knit support system, one that taught her that successisn’taboutwhatyou start with, but what you

choose to do with what you have.

She recalls sitting with

Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), she failed themallbyreceivingstraight Grade Fours. For many, this would have been the end of the road. But for Smith, it was a wake-up call. She transferred to a different school, rewrote the exams, and passed at the top of her class.

She told The Waterfalls, “It wasn’t magic; it was motivation. I realized it was my last shot, and I gave it everything.”

Plans were in place for her to attend Queen’s College for Sixth Form, but after a deep conversation with her grandmother, the decision was made that incomewasmoreimportant. At just 17, Smith began teaching at Golden Grove Secondary School, where herjourneyhadstarted.

That decision led her to one of the most important mentors in her life: Raymond Reis, her former headmasterturnedboss.

Business Management

From there, she entered the corporate world, joining the Graduate Training ProgrammeatMassy,where she developed the foundation to lead and manage Several roles followed in both public and private sectors, but one role changed everything, her time at the Private Sector Commission(PSC).

Executive Officer (CE0), salesperson, and sometimes even the installer It was a new service, and many clients didn’t understand its value.

her grandmother, Doreen Noble, who would share vivid, real-life stories that shaped her imagination and sense of purpose One memory stands out, her uncle,knowinghermilkhad run out as a baby, would quietlyleaveatinofmilkon her pillow while she slept.

That kin

of quiet, unconditional love defined herearlyyears.

Her mother, Karen Noble-Blackman, was just a teenwhenshewasborn,but Noble-Blackman hustled with grace and tenacity selling fruits, clothing, and anythingelsethatcouldkeep the family afloat.Today, her mother and stepfather own two businesses overseas

, determination, and survival livesstronginSmith.

FAILINGGRADES

Despiteshowingsignsof intelligence early, skipping the second year of nursery and entering primary school ahead of schedule, Smith struggled academically in herteenageyears.Shebarely made it into Golden Grove Secondary School and was, by her own admission, a Cstudentatbest.

When she first sat her

She says, “Every child deservesa‘Mr Reis’intheir corner.”

His guidance shaped her leadershipstyleandbeliefin mentorship.

But even then, she knew teaching wasn’t her endgame.

After a few years in education, Smith made the leapandpursuedadegreein

There, the ambitious woman gained a new understanding: business wasn’t just about profit. It was about community, sustainability, and legacy Thatexperiencelitthespark that would guide her entrepreneurial journey and her future role in business advocacy FROMSCRATCH AGAIN

In 2019, Smith entered the world of construction with a regional partnership to launch a waterproofing company in Guyana. She was the only person on the ground, owner, Chief

She struggled to find clients. Some months, she made only one sale—barely enoughtopayherteam.But she didn’t stop. She hired coaches, invested in business training, and kept movingforward.

Eventually,sherealizeda hard truth: the business partnership wasn’t equitable Revenue was flowing to the regional partnerwhileshecarriedthe load So she made the difficult decision to step back from operations, but notfromherdream.

That experience redirected her, not defeated her

From that tough lesson c a m e D y n o t e c h ConstructionChemicalsInc. a fully Guyanese-owned companyfoundedbySmith.

Continuedonpage56

First female President of GCCI, Kathy Smith

President of GCCI Kathy Smith receiving an award

Kathy Smith during inspection in her construction business

...KathySmith isa‘SpecialPerson’

Frompage54

Today, Dynotech imports, distributes, and installs construction chemicals, oil and gas

c h e m i c a l s , a n d waterproofingsolutions.

As a woman in

construction, Smith continues to break barriers

She’softentheonlywoman on a job site, navigating a field where her presence is stillquestioned Butthetide is changing and Smith is helpingtoleadthatshift

She’s also raising the

next generation Her

daughter is now an entrepreneur too, and Smith knowsshecan’taffordtobe mediocre because she’s shaping the world her childrenwillinherit.

In2022,Smithjoinedthe GCCI She got to work immediately serving on committees, then the Council,andlaterbecoming Secretary and Chair of the Human Resources and

Capacity Building

Committee. She continued to rise—elected Senior Vice President and Chair of the PetroleumCommittee.

BREAKINGBARRIERS

In 2025, Smith broke a 135-yearbarrierandbecame the first woman elected PresidentoftheGCCI.

Smithsaid,“WhenIfirst joined the Executive Committee, I was the only woman. A year later, there were two of us. Now, we’re three women and two men. That’sprogress.”

Under her leadership, oneofhermajorinitiativesis the launch of a Micro Lending and Training Centre, a space to support small and micro business owners, especially in agriculture. The center will offer training in marketing, branding, financial literacy, andstandards.

Smithrelated,“It’sabout helpingpeopledomorethan survive, it’s about helping themthrive.”

In2023,shereceivedthe

GCCI Women in Business Award. In 2025, she was honouredwiththeWomanin Project Management Award from Green State But awardsaren’twhatdriveher; it’simpact.

She continues to speak on financial literacy, particularly among women and youth, creating and sharing resources wherever shecan.

Smith’s life is anchored in faith. Giving her life to God, she says, is the single most important thing she’s done. Her greatest support system remains her family, her husband and children, who show up for each other everyday

She believes business must be purpose-driven. It’s not just about income, it’s about influence. It’s about usingyourpositiontocreate space for others, to mentor, to build systems that outlast you.

Smith said, “To all the women out there trying to

build something: Business is hard If you’re not facing any challenges, you might be playing it too safe

Comfort is the enemy of

growth ” She knows what it feels like to fail exams, to lose m o n e y , t o b e underestimated,tostartover

and still show up every day

But she also knows what it feelsliketomakehistory

And now, she’s holding thedooropenforothers.

Kathy Smith receiving another award

LeverageAI’spotentialsafelyandethicallyto...

Frompage2 andexperimentationarepart of technological evolution, the stakes in journalism are uniquely high because press freedom underpins democracyitself.”

The lecture underscored the growing influence ofAI on media practices and the importanceofpressfreedom i n c o u n t e r i n g disinformation, corruption, and intimidation Citing global data, Dr Boyce revealed that a journalist is killed every four days, with 688 unresolved cases of killed journalists currently recorded worldwide. He

noted that women in journalism are especially vulnerable, facing both physical threats and online harassment.

“Use AI, including risk assessments, to design and implement countermeasures againsttargetedAIandother online content,” Dr Boyce, who impressed upon the responsible use of AI, advised.

Acentral message of his address was the urgent need forcountriesintheregionto establish their own AI strategies tailored to local cultural, legal, and societal contexts. “Now is the time

for sovereign AI — at least establish the building blocks, and the media has a majorroletoplayinthis,”he urged.

“Thesafeandethicaluse of AI can be achieved in a balanced regulatory environment that ensures t r a n s p a r

n c y a n d accountability, without limiting, to our detriment, the use of technology like AI,”theCDBofficialstated.

Amidst a year of contentious global election cycles and surging online misinformation, Dr. Boyce stressed the media’s role in preserving transparency,

public trust, and democratic values.

“We are not just asking ourselves what technology cando—therealquestionis: how do we ensure AI becomes a force for good, especially in public service, financial integrity, and global cooperation?” he challenged policymakers, journalists,andregulators.

He explained the rising capabilities of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) — systems that can learn, reason, and apply knowledge with human-like ability, and the emerging risks posed by Artificial

Superintelligence (ASI), which could eventually surpass human intelligence altogether

Dr Boyce cited a recent m i l e s t o n e i n A I development, where for the first time, an AI system reportedlypassedtheTuring Test, success

conversation to the point where humans could no longer distinguish between manandmachine.

“This marks a profound shift in the relationship between technology and tru

informationenvironmentsin

humans, are the primary authors of narratives. Our

verification tools, and institutionalsafeguardsmust evolve—fast,”hesaid.

While acknowledging the tremendous benefits of AI for

ve journalism, automated reporting, and newsroom efficiency,healsocautioned against its misuse He pointed to the proliferation of deepfakes, the mass

production of false content, and the manipulation of public perception as real dangers.

“Thebravenewworldof AI is evolving quickly, and in novel ways that will pose significant challenges and provide great opportunities for members of the media,” Dr Boyceconcluded.

“AI’s evolution will provide many pleasant and unpleasant surprises Continue to learn how to navigatetheperilsofAIand to leverage its potential, safely and ethically, to promote press freedom for Guyanese and for the good ofallhumanity.”

Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association honoured four long-serving members of the press with awards. Their careers span decades, and their paths are all different, leading them to years of journalism excellence.

The awardees are videographerPaulVanvield, broadcaster Michella AbrahamAli, journalist and online media pioneer Gordon Moseley and crimesolvingjournalistandauthor MichaelArthurJordan.

Canadiancompanyexpands...

Frompage16

multiple gold anomalies

The two largest anomalies span about 1 km by 2 km.

Upcoming work includes more detailed soil sampling, trenching, and geologic mapping.

The company said that GuyanaandSurinameandis known for its strength and resilience qualities the companysaysmirroritsown vision for exploration success.

With C$45 million in cash on hand, the company saiditiswell-fundedtopush its exploration agenda

Withinjustninemonthsofits listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in September 2024, Greenheart Gold has expanded its portfolio from two to five projects, conducted early-stage exploration on all of them, and has already begun drillingatitsMajorodamsite inSuriname.

Greenheart noted that its

aggressive and methodical approach aims to fast-track explorationcycles. Each project undergoes

sampling, trenching, and mapping before decisions aremadetoscaleuporexit.

According to the company, all its current projects share three key characteristics: they lie alongsignificantgeological contacts with evidence of deformation and they host current or historic artisanal gold mining and they had

Greenheart’sarrival

This framework underpins the company’s beliefthatthereissignificant untapped potential in the Guiana Shield It also mirrors the successful playbook used by its leadership team during the OkoWestdiscovery

th

EPAbeginsassessmentforExxon’s7 project-Jagdeo

…additional fiscal benefits for Guyanese to be determined upon completion

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has started its assessment of h ExxonMobil Guyana’s 7 project, Hammerhead, and according to Vice President

Bharrat Jagdeo, a determination of the fiscal benefits to be derived from the project will be known thereafter

Jagdeo told Kaieteur News on Thursday that a thorough assessment is being done by the Agency

and once completed, Guyanese would be informedofadditionalfiscal benefits.

“Their assessment for Hammerhead,hasstarted,so you have to have an assessment, and they’re looking at all of these things… the FDP’s, etc…If theassessmentisfavourable, andtheymovetoapprovethe project,youwillhearofthat shortly, but I can confirm that the assessment has

started,” Jagdeo said in responsetoaquestionposed by Kaieteur News about the additional fiscal benefits for Guyanese.

Earlier this week, Kaieteur News reported that Italian multinational oilfield services company Saipem secured new offshore contracts in Guyana and the Middle East worth approximately US$720 million.

SaipemsignedaLimited Notice To Proceed (LNTP) agreementwithExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL)

f o r e n g i n e e r i n g , procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) works related to the proposed Hammerhead oil field development project, the seventh project in the prolificStabroekBlock.

Exxon’s application for t h e H a m m e r h e a d development is pending at the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA). That development has an estimatedlifeof30years.

Itisimportanttonotethat the Vice President was repeatedly asked about the additional fiscal benefits to b e d e r i v e d f r o m th ExxonMobil’s7 project.

On two occasions, he said that Exxon had yet to submit the full set of documents and information needed to commence the review, therefore, the issue of additional benefit could not have been looked at the time.Asked a third time, he directed this publication to the Minister of Natural Resources while noting that heisnotintunewiththedayto-day operation of the oil sector

With the US oil giant rapidly moving to sanction additionalprojects,thefiscal benefitsavailabletocitizens have become a grave concern of the public, with

members of civil society demandingmore.

Adforconsultantpulled.

On October 25, 2024, thispublicationreportedthat Jagdeo announced that the government discontinued an advertisement for a consultanttoreviewExxon’s seventh project, saying that theinformationthecompany presented at that time was incomplete.

Previously, Jagdeo, when speaking about the seventhproject,hadsaidthat there is an assumption that there would be a seventh project. However, recently the government had advertisedforaconsultantto review the same project. He wasaskedifhehadachange ofheartregardingtheproject

and whether there would be anyfiscalimprovementsifit isapproved. In response, he said he had instructed the Ministry of Natural Resources to d i s c o n t i n u e t h e advertisement.

Jagdeo questioned the logicofhiringacompanyto review incomplete information, highlighting thatExxonhasbeenmaking the submissions in parts.

“So, the original position stands,whenIsawthatad,it was brought to my attention andIcalledtheministerand said discontinue it because until we have a full submission from Exxon, we arenotgonnastartthereview processandIexpectthemto make a full submission

sometimenextyear,”theVP said.

VPcannotsayiftherewill beadditionalbenefits

In December 2024, Kaieteur News reported that the government is unable to saywhetherthecountrywill obtain improved fiscal benefitsfromtheseventhoil project –until ExxonMobil makes a full submission about the project and that submission is reviewed by thegovernment.

Jagdeo was asked by Kaieteur News to state whether there will be any improved fiscal benefits to the country should the project and others be approved.

Inresponse,the Continued on page 60

th

EPAbeginsassessmentforExxon’s7 project-Jagdeo

Frompage59

government’s chief oil spokespersonsaid,“Idon’twantto bepremature.Wehavenotreceived the full application from Exxon, andwhenthatapplicationcomesin sometimenextyear,wewillreview it.”

He explained that after a thorough review of Exxon’s submission, he will disclose what the fiscal benefits will be. “So, my position is still the same, we haven’t received an application as yet,andwewilldealwithitatthat time,”Jagdeosaid.

OppositionurgesGovt.to securemoreforthepeople

The opposition parties have all comeouttourgethegovernmentto seekbetterbenefits.

The People’s National CongressReform(PNCR)isofthe view that the government should engage ExxonMobil Guyana Limited on better fiscal terms for Guyanese ahead of granting the

th permitforthe7 oilproject.

Advisor to the party on oil and gas, Elson Low, said the party always held the position that it is critical for the government to have discussions with ExxonMobil to derive additional benefits for the peopleofGuyana.

Low was asked by Kaieteur News whether his party believes that more benefits ought to be obtainedbeforetheapprovalofthe project.

“It doesn’t have to be at the instance of the granting of an additionalpermit,itcouldbeinthe near future It could be that the government engages with consultants and with legal representation to have that discussion and prepare itself Rather, we have not seen any movement on that front,” Low said

Low called on the government tousetherequestforalicenceasan opportunity to have discussions withExxonMobil.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) also believes that the Government of Guyana needs to secureadditionalfiscalbenefitsfor itspeopleaheadofthegrantingofa permit to ExxonMobil Guyana for th the7 oilproject.

During the party’s press conference back in December, Kaieteur News asked whether the partybelievesthereshouldbemore fiscal benefits ahead of the approvalofthepermit.Chairmanof the party, David Patterson, told reporters that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also the country’s chief policymaker on oil and gas, should focus his attention

The PNCR representative recalled that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC), while in opposition, had promised to renegotiate the contract However, that position has since changed now that the party is in government.

onderivingmorebenefitsfromthe oilcompany

“JagdeoandthePPP,insteadof doing what they should be doing, trying to make the country better, aretakingoutthebigstickmethod, threatening that they will withhold th permissionon7 project,”Patterson said.

Co-Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr David Hinds, in December of last year, said his party is concerned about government engaging ExxonMobil in a lopsided arrangement.

He said Guyana must leverage its ‘sweet crude’ for any future negotiations Dr. Hinds told reporters that “we (WPA) think, given what we have, given the volume of oil that we have, given the quality, the sweet oil that we have, we do have some leverage there, and that our government should exercise that leverage. So, WPA is not opposed to

renegotiation with Exxon that would bring maximum benefits to ourcountry.”

He explained that the WPA is interested in ensuring that any futurenegotiationsbetweenExxon or any other oil company and the government are free from the mistakesofthepastintermsofthe 2016PSA.

Theco-leaderofthepartymade it clear that he is not asking the governmenttotakethemembersof the opposition to the negotiation table when the negotiations are to bedone,butratherthereshouldbe consultations with the political oppositions any other major stakeholders before engaging Exxon, highlighting that this is something they feel strongly about “We think that was one of the weaknesses of the first negotiation. Secondly, we would like some of the issues that were raisedaboutthefirstnegotiationto beventilated.”

Turkeyen Police Station to get $67M rehabilitation

he Ministry of THome Affairs is preparing to spend approximately $67

million to rehabilitate the TurkeyenPoliceStation.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

MinistryofHomeAffairs RehabilitationtoTurkeyenPoliceStation

National Procurement

recently revealed that

Lot1:RepairstotheConcretePlatform attheNationalExhibitionCentreLot2: RepairstoInternalRoadsatthe NationalExhibitionCentreSophia.

It was reported that the rehabilitation of the police station among others form part of the $314 million that was

RehabilitationofAuditoriumRoof& ShedattheNationalExhibitionCentre.

MinistryofTourism,Industry&Commerce

ConstructionofInternalConcreteDrains& BridgesattheNationalExhibitionCentre.

WANTED

Farm workers wanted for Highway location preferable from Interior. Contact : 655-0471 / 673- 7652. Excavator Operator & Cook to work in the interior. Call : 695-6401.

Staff - Male & Female to work in office , age 18 - 30 years, Campbellville, Georgetown. Tele : 621-5140.

Pressman to print on Offset machine, age 18 - 30 years, Campbellville, Georgetown. Tele : 621-5140.

Single male seeks live-in domestic partner- aged 45 years or older, Light housework. Salary $60,000 monthly. Call: 603-9085.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.

Leyland DAF truck for sale. Contact: 676-6165 / 693-9843

FOR SALE

For Sale 6 used American made Dental chairs excellent condition contact Mr Vino on 661-3030 or 626-8918

Large Breed German Shepherd Mix for sale. Call / Whatsapp : 648-0111.

5 DAF 85 Twin steer Dump trucks. Call : 632-1788 / 6261403.

SERVICES

Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.

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

Couple dies after gas bottle explosion at Soesdyke home

Ayoung couple from Adventure, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, died following a gas bottle explosion at their home on Friday. The deceased have been identified as 34-year-old Kevon Codogan and his 20year-old reputed wife, Mezona Ronaldo.

The duo was badly burned after a gas bottle allegedly caught fire.

Reports are that the couple was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment after being initially taken to the Mackenzie Hospital in Linden, Region 10. Ronaldo died on Friday while receiving treatment, while

Codogan died early Saturday morning. Police in a statement on Saturday said that Codogan’s mother, Patricia Williams, reported that around 00:30h she was awakened by screams of help from her son. He was at the time in the company of his reputed wife, who was reportedly cooking at the time.

“She claimed to have questioned them, and they both alleged that Mezona was cooking in the kitchen and the gas bottle caught afire, and he (Kevin) went and held onto (Mezona) to put the fire out.

Patricia Williams further claimed that she got a taxi and took them both to the Mackenzie Hospital, where

they were both seen and medically examined by a doctor who referred them to the

Jagdeo downplays cost-of-living impact from 7th oil project....

From page 14 that the project could cause rising cost-of-living, he maintained that this would be limited to Exxon.

“For them, Exxon, not for (Guyana), they can’t comment on that. How would their project know about this? So, they are talking about their cost.

Every project has a cost…and that might be a justification to pay their workers more too, we got to watch that, so we have to look at

VACANCY

Kitchen assistant needed. For more info Call: 676-5534 / 618-3696.

Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 645-8443.

Vacancy exists for bodywork men & Arc welder. Call: 7169989.

Pastry Maker, Roti Cook & Cashies, send applications to Roti Hut, 18 North Road Bourda. Call 227-4949 ext 1137 / 656-7686.

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

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

Vacancy exist for one clerk of works to work on a construction site. Send Resume to whatsapp 656-0603./ amconguyana@gmail.com/ Call : 225-5818.

General Domestic to work in the West Minister area, one day per week. Call: 6833417/646-7400.

Experienced Salesgirl to work at a boutique at Parika Market every Sunday (attractive salary). Call: 6582980/685-6796.

these issues but I think y’all had it wrong.”

ExxonMobil in its EIA noted that Guyana’s inflation rate has risen above “historic levels in recent years” as experienced globally, although these levels subsequently

settled below international and regional rates. Inflation refers to the increase in average price of goods and services.

Further, the study pointed to the key roles of government in buffering the impacts

from inflation. It states, “Additionally, the Government of Guyana implemented subsidies and price controls on targeted goods to help mitigate imported inflation. Measures such as cash grants, fuel subsidies, and support for the agricultural sector helped stabilize food and energy prices locally and further insulate Guyanese consumers from higher costs faced globally (Ministry of Finance 2023).”

GPHC for further medical attention,” the police said. Detectives from Regional

Divisions #4 ‘B’ and #10 visited the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

Mezona Ronaldo Kevon Codogan

US Supreme Court temporarily blocks deportations of Venezuelan migrants under wartime law

WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Saturday temporarilybarredPresident

D o n a l d T r u m p ' s

administration from deportingVenezuelanmenin immigration custody after theirlawyerssaidtheyfaced imminent removal without the judicial review that the justicespreviouslyordered.

"The Government is directed not to remove any memberoftheputativeclass ofdetaineesfromtheUnited States until further order of this Court," the justices said inabrief,unsigneddecision.

TheReutersTariffWatch newsletter is your daily guide to the latest global tradeandtariffnews.Signup here.

Conservative Justices

Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito publicly dissented from the decision, issued around 12:55 a.m. (0455GMT).

It was not immediately clearhowmanyVenezuelans faced deportation or the locationtowhichtheywould be sent The Trump administration already has deported to a maximumsecurity prison in El Salvador more than 200 Venezuelan and Salvadoran men it claims are gang members.

The deportees included Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant who

the administration admitted was removed by mistake, igniting an outcry over its immigrationpolicy

Many of the migrants' lawyersandfamilymembers say they were not gang membersandhadnochance to dispute the government's assertionthattheywere.

TheWhiteHousedidnot immediately respond to a requestforcomment.

ButWhiteHouseDeputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, without directly addressing the Supreme Courtruling,saidinaposton X: "We live in a society whereforeignalienterrorists have unlimited free legal representation. But Americans whose communities have been

stolen from them are left without recourse. We are rebalancingthescales."

Thecaseraisesquestions a b o u t t h e T r u m p administration's adherence to limits set by the Supreme Court. It carriesthe risk of a significantclashbetweenthe two coequal branches of government and potentially a full-blown constitutional crisis.

The high court majority issued Saturday's stay after American Civil Liberties Union lawyers filed urgent requests for immediate action in multiple courts, including the Supreme Court, after reporting that someofthemenalreadyhad been loaded aboard buses andweretoldtheyweretobe

Kidnapped wife found dead after robbery, police shootout

Trinidad Express - A late-night robbery on Friday hasendedintragedywiththe murder of 30-year-old Odelle Lalman-Baptiste, following a series of events that began with a carjacking and escalated into a police shootout.

According to police, around 11 p.m. onApril 18, Lalman-Baptiste and her husband, 29-year-old car dealer Mathias Baptiste, were ambushed along Hospital Road in Carlsen Field The couple had stopped when Baptiste exited their white Hyundai H-100trucktourinate.Itwas then that a black Nissan XTrail with unknown registrationpulledalongside them.

Highway near the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation CentreinArouca.

Thesuspectscrashedthe vehicle into a drain. During the chase, one suspect reportedly fired at the officers,whoreturnedfire.

Amanwasshotandlater pronounced dead at the ArimaHealthFacility

deported.

The ACLU said the administrationwaspoisedto deportthemenusinga1798 lawthathistoricallyhasbeen employed only in wartime without affording them a realistic opportunity to contesttheirremoval-asthe highcourthadordered.

“These men were in imminent danger of spending their lives in a horrific foreign prison without ever having had a chancetogotocourt.Weare relieved that the Supreme Court has not permitted the administration to whisk them away the way others were just last month," Lee Gelernt, the ACLU's lead attorneyinthecase,saidina statementonSaturday Elected last year on a promise to crack down on migrants,Trumpinvokedthe 1798AlienEnemiesActina bidtoswiftlydeportaccused membersofTrendeAragua, a criminal gang originating from Venezuelan prisons thathisadministrationlabels aterroristgroup.

Trump and his senior aides have asserted their executivepowergrantsthem wide authority on immigration matters, testing the balance of power between branches of government.

COURT BATTLES

charges.

Boasberg also denied an ACLU request to block Trump from deporting suspected members of Tren deAragua, citing anApril 7 Supreme Court ruling that allowed Trump to use the Alien Enemies Act, albeit withcertainlimits.

Boasberg said he was concerned the government would deport additional people as soon as Saturday but that, "At this point I just don't think I have the power todoanythingaboutit."

Trump previously called forBoasberg'simpeachment following an adverse ruling, prompting a rare rebuke fromU.S.ChiefJusticeJohn Roberts.

While one hearing played out in Boasberg's court, theACLU worked on a separate track to halt the deportations of Venezuelans heldinTexas.

ACLUlawyersfiledwith the Supreme Court after failingtogetarapidresponse fromearlierfilingsonFriday before U.S. District Judge James Hendrix in Abilene, Texas, and the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to block any suchdeportations.

notorious prison in El Salvador

HABEAS CORPUS RELIEF

Their deportation would bethefirstsincetheSupreme Court's 5-4 ruling that allowed removals under the 1798 law while specifying that "the notice must be affordedwithinareasonable timeandinsuchamanneras will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removaloccurs."

Habeas corpus relief refers to the right of detainees to challenge the legality of their detention. It isconsideredabedrockright underU.S.law

The Supreme Court did not indicate how much notice should be provided. Lawyers around the country haveaskedthatthemigrants be given 30 days' notice to allow them to contest their deportations The Trump administration has not said publicly how much notice it intendstogivethemigrants.

TheACLU filed a photo ofoneofthenoticeswiththe court "You have been determined to be an Alien E n e m y s u b j e c t t o apprehension, restraint, and removal," read the notice. The recipient's name was obscured, and it was noted that the migrant refused to signitonFriday

Askedabouttheplanned deportations on Friday, Trump said he was unfam

particularcasebutadded:"If they're bad people, I would certainlyauthorizeit."

The suspects then abducted Lalman-Baptiste and fled the scene in the stolenvehicle.

Freeportpolicelaunched an investigation and using GPS tracking, officers from the North Central Division Task Force intercepted the stolen truck approximately 30 minutes later along the

Two armed men exited the rear of the SUV and announced a robbery They stole Baptiste's vehicle $1,500 in cash, a Samsung Galaxy A05, and an iPhone 16.

Investigatorsrecovereda Glock pistol, a magazine, several rounds of 9mm ammunition, and spent shell casingsatthescene.

The second suspect remainsatlarge.

The worst fears were confirmed early Saturday when police discovered Lalman-Baptiste's lifeless body in Carlsen Field, near the location where she was abducted.Thecauseofdeath hasnotyetbeendisclosed.

During a hearing on Friday in a related case, a governmentlawyersaidthat there could be deportations on Saturday Trump scored one victory on Friday when an appeals court put on hold a threat by District Judge JamesBoasbergofcontempt

In Saturday's order, the Supreme Court invited the administration to file a response to the ACLU's request after the 5th Circuit acts.

At issue is whether the Trump administration has met the Supreme Court's standard for providing the detaineesdueprocessbefore sending them to another country - possibly to the

"That's why I was elected A judge wasn't elected," he told reporters at theWhiteHouse. Defense lawyers and DemocratsinCongresshave pressedtheadministrationto demonstrate how it knows the Venezuelans are membersofthegang,which isactiveinhumantrafficking and other crimes in South America but has a smaller U.S. presence. “We are not goingtorevealthedetailsof c o u n t e r t e r r o r i s m operations, but we are complyingwiththeSupreme Court's ruling," Assistant SecretaryforU.S.Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin saidinastatementonFriday

ICE Bluebonnet Detention Facility, Anson, Texas. Charles Reed/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Handout via REUTERS

Odelle Lalman-Baptiste

Israeli bombardment of Gaza kills 92 in two days: Health Ministry

At least 219 people have also been injured in attacks since Good Friday, with many children among the casualties, according to health officials.

Aljazeera - Israeli attacks have killed 92 Palestinians in the Gaza Stripoverthepasttwodays, according to the territory's MinistryofHealth.

The attacks, which took place on April 17-19, have also left at least 219 people wounded and hospitalised, the ministry said in a statement on Saturday, with dozens more still trapped under the rubble or in areas that rescuers are unable to reach.

The surge in bloodshed comesasIsraelpressesasixweek aid blockade and demands that Hamas disarm before any truce can be agreed.Thearmedgrouphas flatly refused the demand and insists a permanent ceasefiremustbepartofany deal.

At least 15 children, hit during an overnight air raid on tents in Khan Younis, were among the casualties, accordingtothestatement.A raidonRafahkilledamother and her daughter alongside two others, according to the European Hospital where theirbodiesweretaken.

“Forthevastmajorityof civilians, nighttime is the time of horror and unrelenting pain,” said Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from central Gaza. “Nobody is safe in their homes, in the makeshift tents, in displacementcamps.”

People mourn the death of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, at Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis, in

A man mourns near the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, April 19 [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]

the southern Gaza Strip, A p r i l 1 9 , 2 0 2 5 REUTERS/HatemKhaled People mourn the death of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, April 19 [HatemKhaled/Reuters]

'Lessthanamealaday' After restarting its militarycampaignonMarch 18 following a brief ceasefire, Israel has pledged tointensifyits18-monthwar on Gaza and occupy large “security zones” inside the Strip.

SinceMarch2,ithasalso blocked the entry of food, fuelandaidintotheenclave, defying an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it must allowhumanitarianaccess.

Aid groups warn food is runningout.

“Kidsareeatinglessthan a meal a day and struggling tofindtheirnextmeal,”said Bushra Khalidi, policy head ofOxfam.“Malnutritionand pockets of famine are definitely occurring in Gaza.”

Earlierthisweek,Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal topausefightingfor45days if the Palestinian group releases10livecaptivesand agreestodisarm.

“The request to disarm Hamas is not acceptable to

even hear,” senior Hamas officialSamiAbuZuhrisaid.

“Thisisnotjustaredline.It isamillionredlines.”

Hamashasofferedtofree all remaining captives –believed to be about 58 although several are dead –inreturnforapermanentend to the war and the Israeli army'sfullwithdrawal.

The death toll in Gaza has now reached 51,065, with 116,505 wounded, according to the Health Ministry

“We can see the very psychologicaltollinthecity on the faces of everyone here, people are walking v e r y e x h a u s t e d , traumatised,” said Abu Azzoum.“Theyarethinking about the dark future that awaitsthem.”

Over 170 arrested for attacks on Pakistan KFC outlets in Gaza war protests

Western brands have been hit by boycotts andotherformsofprotestsin Muslim-majority countries duetotheGazawar

Police have arrested close to 200 people in Pakistan in recent weeks after more than 10 group attacks on outlets of the United States-based fastfood chain KFC, sparked by anti-US sentiment, unconditional US backing for Washington's close ally Israel and opposition to Israel'swarinGaza,officials say

The fast-food chain has become a target of protest andboycottcallsbyIslamist parties since the start of the war in Gaza as they link the brand to US support for Israel.

Atleast178peoplehave been arrested, the officials saidthisweek.

Police in major cities in Pakistan – including the southern port city of Karachi, the eastern city of Lahore and the capital,

Islamabad – confirmed at least 11 incidents in which KFC chicken restaurants were attacked by protesters armed with sticks and vandalised.

A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one KFC employee was shot and killedthisweekinastoreon the outskirts of Lahore by unknown gunmen The official added there was no protestatthetimeandpolice were investigating whether the killing was politically motivated or for some other reason.

In Lahore, police said they were ramping up security at 27 KFC outlets after two attacks took place andfivewereprevented.

“Weareinvestigatingthe role of different individuals andgroupsintheseattacks,” Faisal Kamran, a senior Lahorepoliceofficertoldthe Reutersnewsagency,adding that 11 people, including a memberoftheIslamistparty Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP),havebeenarrestedin

just 0.7 percent during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared with 16.5 percent growth in the same quarter thepreviousyear

Unilever – which produces Dove soap, Ben & Jerry's ice cream and Knorr stock cubes – also said sales in Indonesia in the same quarter had experienced a double-digit decline as a result of “geopolitically focused, consumer-facing campaigns”.

Aworker cleans up in front of a KFC fast-food outlet in Karachi, Pakistan, that was attacked and vandalised during an anti-Israel protest last week [File: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters]

the city He added the protests were not officially organisedbytheTLP TLP spokesman Rehan MohsinKhansaidthegroup “has urged Muslims to boycott Israeli products, but it has not given any call for protestoutsideKFC”.

“If any other person

claiming to be a TLP leader or activist has indulged in such activity, it should be taken as his personal act whichhasnothingtodowith the party's policy,” Khan said.

Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in

Pakistan, other Muslimmajority countries and severalWesternnationsover Israel's military offensive in theGazaStrip.

In February last year, McDonald's cited boycott campaigns in the Middle East, Indonesia and Malaysia for sales growing

A KFC restaurant in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir was also setonfireinMarchlastyear as protesters chanted “Free Palestine.”

Morethan51,900people have been killed in Gaza during Israel's war, which began18monthsago.

At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, and more than200weretakencaptive.

KFC and its parent company Yum Brands have notyetrespondedtonewsof thearrestsinPakistan.

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Contributing factors overlooked...

Frompage6 homes.

My second observation of what encourages the type ofindisciplineweseeonour roadsisdirectlyrelatedtothe behaviour of persons wielding power and their willingnesstofloutthelaw

WhichGuyanesehasnot, with open amusement or painful laughter, watched as outriders with screaming sirens, while traffic ranks wave frantically, ordering vehicles trapped in a long, slow-moving line to make way for some high-ranking politiciantopass?

Atsuchtimes,alltraffic laws are allowed to be broken as drivers are encouraged, nay ordered, to manoeuvretheirvehiclesoff roads to create passage for our earthly masters to whiz by Indeed, on some occasions, citizens believe that these politicians are misusingsirenssimplytoget aheadoffellowcitizenswho, likethem,areanxioustoget hometotheirfamiliesaftera hardday'swork.

So,whyarewesurprised when young drivers exhibit impatience and display unwillingnesstowaitinline whencaughtinslow-moving traffic, and would manoeuvre their vehicle

onto parapets so as to get ahead of others, while endangering the lives of pedestrians? After all, for these young drivers, our leadershavesettheexample. Meanwhile, those of us cognizant of the traffic situation, especially on the east bank public road, leave homeearlierthanweideally want to and patiently take our place in the long, slowmoving line Now (as Achebestates)weareleftto feel foolish as these indisciplined young drivers, nayhooligans,commandthe roadways, come from behind weaving their way onto parapet and road to get tothefront.

It is important to note another observation of Achebe, that is that while endangering pedestrians, these drivers (especially mini bus drivers) have no sense of putting themselves at risk of injuries or death. How could they have such fears? After all, they feel secure since they are behind the wheels of vehicles that proclaim boldly in writing on their sides biblical sayings – “God's gift,” “Covered in the blood,” “God'schosen”,etc.

Editor, one remembers Freddie Kissoon for quite a

Ghana bans foreigners from...

Frompage3 exchange inflows and stabilise the local currency, saidFinanceMinisterCassel AtoForson.

But Kwaku Effah Asuahene, the chairman of the Chamber of Bullion TradersGhana,fearsthatthe governmentmaynotbeable to raise enough revenue to purchaseallthegold.

He told BBC that while they support the initiative, theywouldhavepreferredto be allowed to partner with foreign investors to purchasethegoldandexport itthroughGoldBod.

Although GoldBod has not been created to specificallydealwithillegal mining, the new directive could also make it difficult forillegalminerstosellgold inthecountry

Ghana has been dealing with severe environmental pollution caused by the activities of illegal miners, and over 60% of the country's water bodies have beenaffected.

The ban is seen as the

while fuming about a senior PPP government official whose son/relative struck down his nephew and drove away Freddie expressed angerforsometimeafterthis incident and constantly reminded readers. One got the impression that justice was never achieved by his nephew

Then we had a PPP minister who was involved in an accident on Homestretch Avenue, who, when asked by the police at

breathalyzer test, refused to

do so and simply drove away

Now, we hear of a man daring the police to do what theywantasheremovedhis impounded vehicle from the police compound. (Kaieteur st News 21 March, 2025) saying the police “can do what they want to do.” Isn't that exactly what the minister was saying by his actionofdrivingaway?

But this tendency of making it clear tha

obedience to the law is only for the powerless is not limitedtothe'bigones'inthe

PPP Nor is the behaviour

specifically Oneremembers a female minister in the coalition government also showing contempt for laws governing vehicles This minister was told by a security guard not to park in an area designated for some otherpurpose.Allegedly,she told her driver to ignore the instructionandhadhimpark intheprohibitedarea.

With all this, we still behaveasthoughit'salright, as if being a senior government functionary

bestows on leaders the right tofloutthelaw

We still fail to consider

indisciplineandchaosonour roads.

We continue to merely concentrate on seeking solutionstoourroadcrisisby increasing police presence onourstreets,buildingmore roads,appealingtodriversto desist from drinking and driving,debatingwhetheror nottoclosebarsat12pm,etc.

Yours,

ClaudiusPrince

firstconcretestepbythenew administration of President Mahama to tighten regulationandcontrolofthe goldsectoranddeliveronits anti-galamsey campaign promises.

“It sends a strong message to foreign actorsespecially Chinese operatives - who have circumvented local laws for y

N

e Krobea, a mining governance consultant, told theAFPnewsagency.

He said if properly applied, the new law could bolster government revenue and“bringsomeordertothe chaosinthegoldsector”.

Ghana's gold exports grew by 53.2% to $11.64bn lastyear-nearly$5bnofthat was from legal small-scale miners.

Gold prices shot up to $3,200 per ounce last week due to trade tensions between the US and China, which has forced investors to seek refuge in the commodity because of uncertainties.

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025...

Frompage70 p o l i t i c a l B R I C S counterparts,SA’sTestteam can be teak tough and properlypreparedtobeatallconquering Australia at its ownattackinggame.

WINNING TOURNAMENTS

SA has won only one ICC trophy ever; inaugural ICC Champions Trophy 1998 (Bangladesh); beating WI in that final. Australia wonICCCT2006and2009, and ICC CWC 1987, 1999,

2003, 2007, 2015 and 2023, so Australia has been extremely dominant in worldcricket.

WI won ICC CT once, miraculously, inEngland,in 2004,alongwithICCWT-20 2012 and 2016, and ICC CWC 1975 and 1979; not a bad haul for a region with justeightmillionpeople.

In its new format, only the top eight ICC-rated ODI teams will play in any ICC CTinthefuture. Onehopes that those new T-20, one-

day, and four-day competitions now being instituted by Cricket West Indies (CWI) would properly prepare WI to return to winning ICC tournaments.

REALCRICKET

That Lord’s game; AUS vSA;though,willbewhatis termed “real cricket” – Test cricket. HowSAwillfareis anyone’s guess Since readmission to international cricket in 1991, after being bannedbackin1970,SAhas

been regularly called “chokers” and “underachievers”.

SAcameclosetobeating WI in SA’s first Test match back; 1992; in Barbados. Onerecallstherun-outmixup,vAustralia,inICCCWC 1999, at Edgbaston, Birmingham, when, in a strong position, SAlost that matchtoo.

In ICC CT 2025, SA flattered, only to, again, deceive when they looked ready

SAalso lost the final of ICCWT202024,toIndia,in Barbados, so SA is not accustomed to winning Psychologically, that must weigh heavily on SA’s players’minds.

Sunday April 20, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Today you will have all the energy you need to deal with long-term family problems. Indeed, you'll probably clash with some of your relatives. But this situation won't cause anyseriousissues.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You enjoy caring for others andyouinterveneregularlyin their lives to guide them. Ironically, today you're the one who needs advice. You'll probably need to get away from it all in order to get a clearviewofyourownlife.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

We all have to make compromises in order to live in contemporary society.You may have strong beliefs, but it's difficult to combine your idealsandasociallife.

CANCER(June21–July22)

You'vealwaysfelttheneedto free yourself from society You need to feel independent at any cost. You may need to face certain relationship problemsatthistime.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You may feel annoyed about the attitude of some of your groupoffriends.Unlikethese people, you're very openmindedandyoucandealwith situations as they arise Indeed, you have a natural ability to adapt to every situation.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today, Virgo, you'll be submerged under a lot of emotions. In a way, you'll be revisiting your childhood

Youmaybeveryedgy Thisis agooddispositioninwhichto analyzeyourlife.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You really know how to seduce,Libra.Thereisaspark inside of you that spreads naturally to those around you. You have a big reservoir of sensitivity and emotion that couldgrowtoday

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

You're a very active person, Scorpio, but today you'll probably be disappointed. If you ask those around you to help with your activities, they most likely won't understand yourneeds.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Nothing much is happening today, yet you seem worried and tense. You'll have to use this day to your advantage. Think about your life. You'll also think about the needs of yourrelativesintheyears.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You often need to thrive on personal emotions.Today will benoexceptiontotherule.For instance, you could try to captivate the attention of peopleyouadmire.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You shouldn't try to fight the feelings that run through you today Don't even try to rationalize them These feelingsareprobablyrelatedto emotions dating back to your childhood You shouldn't avoidoranalyzethem.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

You'll be lost in your thoughts today, analyzing your life and relationships.You'll be asking yourself if your existence is meeting your standards. You will ponder what to expect from the future and from the peoplearoundyou.

Mulder, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jensen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, KeshavMaharajandKwena Maphaka. For its last two Tests v Sri Lanka,Australia used Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (captain), Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon,

RECENT TEST RESULTS

Sportsteamsareasgood as their reserves and SA’s Test team, on paper, always compares well to other teams. Ably led by Tempa Bavuma,SAwonitslasttwo Tests,inDecember2024and January 2025. Well rested, SA, at Lord’s, must overcome anxiety, agitation andAustralia.

InTestNo.1,vPakistan, at Centurion Park, near Pretoria, last December, SA wonbytwowickets. SAwas better in Test No. 2, at Newlands, Cape Town, winning by ten wickets South Africa had beaten Pakistan 2 – 0 in South Africa’s last two Test matches.Australia’slasttwo Tests, for the Warne –Muralitharan Trophy, in January and February 2025, under master batter Steve Smith’s captaincy, were tough too. At Galle, they beat Sri Lanka inTest No. 1 by an innings and 242 runs. Test No 2 was harder, but Australia still won, by nine wickets Australia had beaten Sri Lanka 2 – 0 in Australia’s last two Test matches.TwoTestTeams

Muchfranchisecricketis being played now Many whocouldplayinICCWTC Final 2025 are involved, so injury is a big concern Australia is better prepared than SA, as Australia’s players pool is more experienced and more extensive than SA’s. SA’s reserves, though, could be the“X-Factor”,keentostrut their stuff on the international stage. Lord’s istherightplace!

For its last two Tests v Pakistan, SA used Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan

Todd Murphy and Cooper Connoly.

Neither squad has been yet selected for ICC WTC Final 2025 but rest assured that when the bell rings at Lord’s, on 11 June, South Africa and Australia will come out punching very heavily, over five days, desperate to get that ICC World Test Championship 2025Trophy,thosebeautiful blazers, and fantastic finances too, for that great success.Enjoy! Cheers!!

Port Mourant Turf Club Easter...

Frompage70

$300,000andtrophy

The final event is for animals classified L and lowerwherethewinnerwill also be rewarded with $300,000andtrophy

The Trophy Stall once again will be on board with sponsorship for the top individual performers includingtopJockey,trainer andstable.

Over 55 horses have taken entry with bugle time setfor12.00hrs.

PeleAlumniboostsDeputyMayor’sCupaskickoffshiftstoApril30

Th e m u c h -

a n t i c i p a t e d

Deputy Mayor’s Cup received an early boost

on Thursday as the organisers were presented with official match balls by visitingmembersofthePele Alumni Corporation. In a gesture that paid tribute to the sport’s legacy, former national standouts Ivor Carrington, Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, and Eric Smith personally handed over the equipment ahead of the tournament’skickoff.

Thepresentationmarked a symbolic start to what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting football spectacles of the year The Deputy Mayor’s Cup, a Seven-a-side Inter-WardVillage Knockout Football

Championship, will now kickoffonWednesday,April 30, a shift from the previously announced date due to unforeseen circumstances.Matcheswill also be played on May 1, 7, and14atthePoliceGround, EveLeary

Backed by Deputy Mayor of Georgetown,

D

tournament will showcase 32 of the best village teams from across Guyana. The competition will follow a straight knockout format, culminatinginagrandfinale nightfeaturingquarterfinals, s

m

finals, and the championshipclash.

There’s plenty on the line, with a whopping $500,000upforgrabsforthe tournament winners The second, third, and fourthplace teams will take home $300,000, $200,000, and $100,000,respectively

Tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur expressed gratitude during Thursday’s ballpresentation.

“We are extremely gratefulforthisdonation.On behalf of the organising

committee, we extend sincerethankstoyouguys.It is always nice to see former players supporting grassroots initiatives like this,”saidArthur

The Deputy Mayor’s Cup is more than just football; it’s about building

community through sport, nurturing young talent, and reignitingthepassionforthe gameinastructured,festive setting.

Deputy Mayor Miller, a proudsupporterofthesport, has reiterated her vision of using football as a vehicle

forunityanddevelopmentin thecity’scommunities.

AstheEveLearyground gears up for four nights of intense action, fans are encouraged to come out and witness the crowning of the 2025 Deputy Mayor’s Cup champions.

Port Mourant Turf Club Easter

meet races off today

BySamuelWhyte

The Port Mourant Turf Club(PMTC)isexpectedto come alive today when that entity hosts their one-day Easter horserace meet at the club’s track, Port Mourant, Corentyne,Berbice.

There are eight races

listed for the day’s programme with close to $10M in cash, trophies and otherincentivesupforgrabs.

A keen contest is in the makingforthefeatureevent whichisopentoallhorsesin Guyana.Allthetophorsesin Guyanahavetakenentryand acloseandexcitingraceisin themaking.

With Olympic Kremlin leadingtheentries,theothers are Mapa Do Brazil, Loyal company, Anthem King, Spankhurst, Royal Man, JohnBull,FrontlineWarrior, Bossilina,RitornaVincetori, BeckhamJamesandStormy Victory

Thewinnerisexpectedto raceawaywithasumptuous $

Habibullah Family, K P JagdeoConstructionandthe

P M T C There is the three-year-oldevent which is Open to Guyana and Trinidad bred horses which has a winning purse of $500,000andtrophy

The event for the E and lower non-winners in Guyanahasawinnerstakeof $500,000andtrophy Akeen contestisanticipatedintheG class gallop for the $400,00 andtrophyfirstprizereward. AnimalsclassifiedHand lower that has won since

4 will be racing for a take home reward of $300,000 and trophy

The animals classified J and K will be competing for a pole position taking of $300,000andtrophy

Thereisaraceforhorses classified J3 and lower maidenandisalsoopento3 years old Guyana Bred animals and will see the winnertakingaway

Loriann Baptiste, representing the Port Mourant Turf Club, collects the Champion Jockey and Champion Trainer trophies from Roger Sunich of Trophy Stall, Markham, Canada.

Tournament coordinator, LennoxArthur (second from right) shares photo-op with PeleAlumni members Ivor Carrington (extreme left), Patrick ‘Labba’Barton and Eric Smith at the ball presentation ceremony

Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Denise Miller.

Janet and Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cricket C/ship

Annandale Girls, Covent Garden Boys crowned Region 4Windball champions

Members of the Covent Garden Secondary School share photo-op after winning the Boy’s leg of the Region Four Windball competition.

Annandale Secondary School (Girls) and Covent Garden Primary (Boys) are the new Region Four champions of the Janet and

Cheddi Jagan Memorial Wi n d b a l l C r i c k e t Competition, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, YouthandSport(MCYS)in collaboration with the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission (NSC) The finals were held recently at theNationalGymnasium.

Springer’s ‘three-peat’ Gold highlights Guyana’s opening day at CARIFTA Games

- Austin silver, Harvey bronze on Day One

BYRAWLETONEY

TiannaSpringer’sU20400mgoldmedal wasthestandoutperformanceforGuyanaon the opening day of the 2024 CARIFTA GamesinTrinidadandTobago.

WhileMalachiAustinsecuredsilverinthe U20400mandAttoyaHarveyclaimedbronzein theGirlsU201500m,thedaytrulybelongedto Springer The Hasely Crawford Stadium erupted as a large contingent of Guyanese supporters celebrated, waving the Golden Arrowhead proudly, when Springer crossed thelinein53.07stowinherthird-consecutive CARIFTAGamesgoldinthe400m.Springer tookcontroloftheracefromthesoundofthe starter’s gun. From the commentators to the spectators, everyone at Hasely Crawford knew that the girl from the Village of Plaisancewoulddominate.

Inhersignaturestyle,Springersprintedthe final 100m and celebrated as she crossed the line, signaling “three” with her fingers, highlighting her third straight 400m victory attheCARIFTAGames.

Springer clocked an impressive 5307s, forcingBarbados’KadiaRocktosettleforsilver (5352s),whileJamaica’sAbrina Wright took bronze (53.78s). “I dreamed about this moment,” Springer said after the race. “I’m happythatIcanmakemyfamilyandcountry proud; I’m really proud of myself ” Meanwhile, Austin, competing in what can onlybedescribedasthestrangestraceofthe day, narrowly missed out on another gold in theBoysU20400m.

At the start of the race, two Jamaican athletes left the blocks but quickly stopped. Austin admitted he believed it was a false start, but it wasn’t until midway through the racethatherealizeditwasbusinessasusual.

Forced to play catch-up, Austin ran a strong 46.54s, finishing just behind Zion MillerofTheBahamas,whowonin46.51s. Trinidad and Tobago’s Dah Shaun Lezama finishedthirdin47.43s.

Kaidon Persaud, also in the race, finished fifth with a time of 48.26s. In the Girls U20 1500m, Harvey, one of Guyana’s most decorated CARIFTA Games athletes, securedabronzemedal.Harveystoppedthe clock at 4:41.61, finishing behind Jamaica’s Cindy Rose (4:37.95), who took gold, and Sushana Johnson (4:40.83), who earned silver.IntheBoysU171500m,EboMcNeil finished fifth in 4:18.49, while Devon Eastmanplaced11thwithatimeof4:45.38.

IntheU20100m,AthaleyhaHinckson,the 2024U17champion,narrowlymissedouton apodiumfinish,placingfourthin11.54s.

EzekielMillingtonclocked1073stofinish fifthintheBoysU17100mfinal.

GUYANESEATHLETESROBBED

Meanwhile, Guyanese athletes were deniedalikelymedalopportunityafterteam officialsfailedtoregisterthe4x400mMixed Relay team. Pundits had tipped Guyana to win, or at the very least be the team to beat, given their status as defending champions andCARIFTAGamesRecordHolders.

At the 2024 CARIFTA Games, Guyana’s 4x400m Mixed Relay team set a new event record, clocking 3:23 51 with strong performances from Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, Dhanielson Gill, and Tianna Springer However, team officials missed the registration deadline at the Hasely Crawford Stadium,resultinginGuyana’sdisqualification fromtheevent

The CARIFTA Games continues today andwillconcludetomorrow

In the girls’ final, Mahadevi Dass delivered a masterclass performance, smashing an unbeaten 71, including seven sixes, to guideAnnandale Secondary to a formidable 130 without loss.Dass,aseasonedplayer who represented Guyana in the West Indies Women’s Windball Tournament last year, shared an unbroken opening stand with Shanya Macey, who contributed a solid46.

Despite a spirited response, Saann Patterson’s unbeaten 85 could not carry the opposing side over the line, as they finished

agonizingly short at 129-1. Dassalsoimpressedwiththe ball, claiming the lone wicket in a tidy spell that yieldedfiguresof1-17.

Meanwhile, the boys’ segment was not without drama, following a formal protest against the initial winners, which prompted a replay of the championship match.Therescheduledfinal sawCoventGardenoutclass Annandale Secondary, denying them a tournament sweep with a commanding 51-runvictory.

Batting first, Covent Garden posted an imposing 106 without loss. Ataf

Rohim stole the spotlight withafluent70thatfeatured ninesixes,whileNavinRam played the perfect supportingrolewith34.

In reply, Annandale’s chase faltered under pressure, as they managed only55-2whentheoversran out Kevin Singh and Ranaldo Persaud offered briefresistance,butitwasn’t enoughtothreatenthetarget.

The tournament was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the MCYS and the NSC, and was efficiently coordinated by Sports Officer A. Munroe.

Windies Women finish in style but fall agonizingly short of World Cup Qualification

SportsMax - The West Indies Women ended their ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifying campaign in explosivefashionwithasixwicket demolition of Thailand, but even with fireworks from captain Hayley Matthews and Chinelle Henry and a ruthless display from their bowlers, it was heartbreak for the Caribbean side, who fell short of a World Cup

berthonnetrunrate. Needing not just a win butamassiveonetoleapfrog Bangladesh into the second and final qualifying spot for the global showpiece in India later this year, West Indiesthreweverythinginto their final match at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday,andformuchofit, they looked on course for a fairytalefinish.

Scores: Thailand 166

(46.1 overs); West Indies 168-4(10.5overs)

Matthews blazed her waytoastunning70offjust 29 balls, peppering the boundary with 11 fours and two sixes in a whirlwind innings that epitomized intent.

She shared an 81-run opening stand with Qiana Joseph, who made 26 off 12 to give West Indies the perfect platform in their

West Indies women celebrate a dismissal.

chaseof167.

By the time Henry entered the fray, the fireworks only intensified. The power hitter cracked fivesixesandthreefoursina jaw-dropping 17-ball 48, whichkepthopealiveforthe run-rate boost the team desperatelyneeded.

But in the end, it wasn’t enough.

Despite romping to 1684 in just 10.5 overs, West Indies’final net run rate sat at 0 626, just shy of Bangladesh’s 0 639, who also finished on six points. Pakistan topped the table with a perfect record of 10 points.

Earlier in the day, it was

the Caribbean bowlers who set the tone. Matthews won the toss and sent Thailand, and the decision paid early dividends.

Veteran spinner Afy Fletcher led the charge with 4-20, whileAaliyahAlleyne grabbed3-41andyounglegspinner Ashmini Munisar chipped in with 2-15 as Thailand found themselves stumbling at 85-6, seemingly out of it before a gutsyrecovery Thai opener Natthakan Chanthamprovidedtheglue, asshecompiledadefiant66 from 98 balls with seven boundaries. She anchored the innings masterfully to help Thailand post a

competitive 166, albeit with 10ballstospare. ButwiththeWestIndies needing a dominant win to boosttheirnetrunrate,every ball and every wicket mattered. And a few too manyofthelatterfellduring thechase.

Joseph, Matthews, and Henry all perished while going for broke, and Shemaine Campbelle (nine) went via the run-out route before Stafanie Taylor (seven not out) and Aaliyah Alleyne (five not out) eventually saw the team home with a whopping 235 balls to spare, but the damage to the net run rate hadalreadybeendone.

Flying Ace Cycle Club Easter road race set for today around New Amsterdam

The Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of New Amsterdam, Berbice will stage its Easter cycling event today, April 20th, around the town of New Amsterdam.

Theevent,whichisfor cyclists in both Regions 5 and 6 will see the top riders in the two regions taking to the roads in the 10lapsevent

The event is expected to pedal off at 13:00hrs at the junction of Charles PlaceandRepublicRoad

The riders will then proceed along Republic Road, left into Vryheid Street, left onto Main

Road into Stanleytown, leftintoTacamaTurnunto Republic Road for 10 laps

The event is being sponsored by a number of businessentitiesinBerbice.

Among the sponsors

Construction Services,

, Sukhpaul Gas Station, Rafeek Kassim Kascon E

ineering, Aubrey David, J’s Supermarket,A. Ally and Sons, Jerome Bagot, Ajay Sohan, Anwar Shaffie, Impressive Signs, Junior Samuel, Diana General Enterprise, Dude

Trucking Service, 4s Trucking Service and BuildingEnterprise.

A number of prizes and other incentives will be up for grabs including the first three finishers, the first four veterans, the first three junior and the firstthreebeginners. Thereisalsoaracefor BMX riders There are eight prime prizes up for thetaking

The event will be coordinated by cycling coach Randolph Roberts with assistance from overseas based Former National Cyclist Franco Crawford (Samuel Whyte)

Hayley Matthews (right) and Qiana Joseph during their opening stand.

Shattas and Capital FC battle for $700,000 in Mice and Jermaine Family futsal final tonight at Retrieve Hard Court

After close encounters in thesemifinalsof the Mice and Jermaine Family Linden futsal championship on Thursday night,greatexpectationsare the hopes of sports fans when Silver Shattas square off with Capital FC for $700,000, a trophy and bragging rights from 10 00pm at the Retrieve Hard Court in Mackenzie, Linden.

Playing for a place in final, Capital FC overcame Milerock 6-5 and Silver Shattasscoredahardfought 6-4 victory when they met Botafago. But neither side couldfeelcomfortablefrom thosewins.

Capital FC would hope to better their last final’s appearance, after being beaten in the Upper D

Association’s Christmas final when they went down toMilerock7-3.

That alone gives them hope of coming out on top thistimearound.

However, Silver Shattas after putting aside Botafago

a

confidence that they can

championshiphonours.

The loser will receive $400,000andatrophy

Thebattleforthirdplace is at 8 00pm between Milerock and Botafago which should be a keen contest.

Thatgamehas$200,000 forthewinnersalongwitha trophy and the losers $100,000.

There is a supporting game at 7.00pm to set the stage for the night’s proceedingsandforthefinal a motorcycle is at stake for

2025CWIRisingStarsRegionalUnder-15ChampionshipRound3…

Seecharran (93), Ramdehol (59), Latif (48*/6-34) flatten Windwards by 133-runs

Asterling allr o u n d performance by a number of Guyana’s premier youth players

te a mammoth 133-run win over the Windward Islands yesterday at the Antigua Recreational Ground, St. John’s.

OpeningbatsmanLomar Seecharrannarrowlymissed his century, but carried Guyana with a classy knock of 93 with 11 fours, which set the tone for his team’s 288-7from50overs.

Captain Richard Ramdeholturnedtheinnings around with a scorching 59 off48with10fours,aknock which rebuilt Guyana’s foundationafterafewcheap wicketsfell.

Sadly, missing his halfcentury,ReyazLatifkeptthe lower-order alive with his gritty 48 not out including

four fours, which further negated any effort from Windwards pair of Jeanille Williams (3-21) and JershaunJoseph(2-74).

Windwards made a strong attempt at the chase, losing their first wicket for 53runs,beforecollapsingto 155alloutin39.4overs.

Opener Alex Armstrong stroked six fours in his 29 before falling during the chase, while Jordan Charles (39) and Derwin Lewis (19) failed to c

he Windwards close to the requiredtotal.

Leg-spinner Latif then stunned the opposition with

figures of 6-34, to go along nicely with his near halfcentury unbeaten, which proved too much for the Windwards.

G u y a n a ’ s n e x t assignment will be against the Leeward Islands tomorrow, Monday, April 21.(CliftonRoss)

From left, Richard Ramdeholl, Lomar Seecharran and Riyad Latif starred in Guyana’s huge win over the Windward Islands yesterday. (Newsroom photo)

Play in Mice and Jermaine futsal tournament in Linden.

DominicTyrrellfinishesfourthatSBD ShowdowncompetitioninMontpellierFrance

Dominic Tyrrell, following a recovery from illness,showedhismettleto finish in a creditable fourth placeattheSquatBenchand Deadlift (SBD) Showdown competition in Montpellier, Franceonthe5thofApril.

Tyrell explained that, “I had the opportunity to participate in the Squat

This resulted in a very slow return to training followed byweeksofsimplytryingto get my bodyweight back to normal. Safe to say that I’d succeeded in returning myself to competition form and did myself proud all thingsconsidered.”

attemptatthatweightbutthe refereesmisreadmyattempt and inputted the incorrect number resulting in me attempting7.5kgmorethanI needed.

During the competition he successfully completed a 270/595lbsSquatwhichisa 5kg/11lbs competition best for him and is also just 5lbs away from the current nationalrecord.

Inthebenchpresshewas abletopress162.5kg/358lbs which is 5kg away from his all-time best. Unfortunately, he failed his 3rd attempt tryingtoequalhisbest.

This led to me having to get a very uncommon “4th” attempt allowing me to try 347.5. I lifted it, but they refereesdeemedmylifttobe not “fully locked out” so it wasnotallowed.

I still ended the competition with a valid 335kg/738lbs deadlift and a total of 767.5kg/1692 lbs whichisveryneartomybest evertotal.(Ifthat4thattempt wouldhavebeenaccepted,I would’ve eclipsed my best everperformanceby5kg).”

About his illness and

Bench and Deadlift Showdown competition in Montpellier France on the 5th of April This competition was the first of its kind in France where powerlifters from across the country went against each other for the opportunity of winning a cash prize along withthechancetobecomea sponsored athlete (an opportunity only offered to French lifters).” Tyrell will be representing Guyana at World Powerlifting Championships set for June 8th-15th in Germany and usedtheSBDeventaspartof his preparation He disclosed, “Seeing that this competition fell roughly 10 weeks before the world championships in June, I saw it fit to use this as a gauge for my competition prep It also served as precious competition experience which is vital when competing at the highestlevel.”

subsequent preparation, Tyrell informed, “The circumstances surrounding this performance was not easy as I’d fallen very ill in Januaryandhadlostroughly 10-15 lbs of bodyweight.

Heexplainedthat,“Inthe deadlift there was a bit of a controversy For my final deadlift attempt I needed exactly 347.5kg/766lbs to get3rdplace.Uponlearning that, I opted to set my last

Tyrell concluded by informing that, “In any event, I left the competition healthy and in good health with a lot more experience leading into the world championships.”

Championship Final 2025 – AUS v SA – It is different! CROFTY’S CRICKETCALL

ByColinCroft–Former Guyana, Lancashire CCC

& West Indies International Cricketer

The ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 is notuntil11–15Junenext,but, for the first time, the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, London, home to Middlesex CCC,MaryleboneCC,andthe England & Wales Cricket Board, will be the venue; alreadyverydifferent

The first Final was played, in 2021, at the Rose Bowl, Southampton (Hampshire CCC), when New Zealand surprisingly beatIndia. In2023,theKia Oval,London(SurreyCCC), hosted when Australia beat returning finalists India WTC Final 2027 is also scheduledforLord’s.

This3rdWTCFinalwill featureAustraliaversusfirsttimers Republic of South Africa (SA). Will it be different, or, dreamily, even better than the plethora of “White Ball” cricket now being played world-wide?

Only great Test cricket will answer that! I love all formats, from bumper-ball on beaches, to tantalizing Tests at cricket’s cathedrals; M C G , M e l b

Wankhe

S

um, Mumbai; Newlands, Cape Town; Lords, London; K e n s i n g t o n O v a l , Bridgetown; G

S

P

R

, Colombo.

NO INDIA

Angry complaints are

already rife, since India will not be involved. Recently, IndiawonICCCT2025and ICC WT-20 2024. India sharedICCCT2002withSri Lanka. India won ICC CT 2013 and ICC CWC 1983 and2011. TheWTCFinalis theonlygamethatIndiahas neverwon!

By hearsay, ECB and Lord’s had worried about lethargy in tickets sales for AUSvSA. TicketsforENG vAUSorENGvINDeasily sell out at Lord’s. In 2024, Test No. 1; Lord’s; ENG v WIwaswellattended. Who knows? SA’s supporters mightalsosurpriseus!

POLITICSANDSPORTS

SA is in a precarious

political position

Positively, SA is in the BRICS group of developing

ICC World Test

countries - Brazil, Russia, India,China,andsince2010, theRepublicofSouthAfrica (SA) BRICS is a tremendously powerful countryconglomeratewhich controls 50% of the world’s population and 41% of the world’s economy In 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and United Arab Emirates joined. In 2025, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand and Uganda will

connect too; probably to be called“BRICSPLUS.”

The Republic of Guyana’s population is three-quarter million, compared to India’s 1 6 billion,but,withitsmassive economic influences worldwide, due to vast oil and mineral discoveries, the Republic of Guyana could jointoo,perhapsmakingthat “BRICSPLUSPLUS.”

Anyway, SA has been quiteoutspokenaboutrecent

celebrates

politicaldevelopmentsinthe USA. Somuchso,thatSA’s recent Ambassador to Washington, Mr Ebrahim Rasool, had been deemed “Personna Non-Grata” and had been given until 21 March 2025 to leave the USA. With that political upheaval in minds, even for sportsmen,SA’s“Cricketing Ambassadors”;itsTestteam; willwanttoshowthat,like (Continuedonpage65)

Dominic Tyrell (left) with his fourth-place voucher along with the other 1 to 5 placed finishers.

Australia

their 2-0 2025 Test Series win v Sri Lanka.

Australia’s Captain Steve Smith

SouthAfrica’s Captain Tempa Buvuma

Coach Nedd says this year’s title win filled with emotions, added passion to win more titles

ByCliftonRoss

Guyana Harpy Eagles

Assistant Head Coach

Garvin Nedd revealed this season has been filled with emotions,joy, addedhunger for more success and the launchpad to make the franchise one of the best dynastiesinRegional4-Day Championshiphistory

Nedd, a former Guyana youth national spinner turned national head, has been a key piece of the new Harp Eagles franchise, along with head coach Ryan Hercules, another accredited former national player, continued the legacy of the Guyana 4-Day team being the most successful team since the formation of the ProfessionalCricketLeague (PCL) back in 2013/14 season.

Guyana has won 8 titles in the last decade, with the last three coming

consecutively as the Eagles easily returned home last week with their title back on the mantle

Nedd, who was a prominentYouthcoachfor Guyana, for a number of years, said, he was touched to see a number of theyoungplayerswhocame up under his wings, grow into some of Guyana’s and by extension; West Indies topplayers.

During an exclusive with Kaieteur Sports

following the Harpy Eagles return home, he lauded the coaching staff including his partner, Hercules who he credited for ensuring the team’s game plan was properly executed throughout the entirety of the 2025/2026 season

One significant outtake fromtheseasonaccordingto Nedd, was winning the title withhissonAshmeadbyhis side.Thespinnerwasdrafted

for the final two rounds of the tournament where he finished with 5 wickets includingabestof4-105ina crucial match versus Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, with his father applauding the push to get himself back in the mix due tohardworkanddedication.

“Ashmead made his debut for Guyana against the Leeward Islands, as a past player, I too would have made my debut against the Leewards so that’s very emotional for me One thing I would have said to him and he w o u l d h a v e acknowledged, was there is no shortcuts to success becausethisyearhewould have missed the mark and he showed his intent by making amends eventually, so as parent/coach I want to urge him to continue the workthathe’sputtinginand reachhigherheights.”

Nedd also sent out a huge shout-out to his p l a y e r s f o r t h e i r tremendous work, not only this season but over theyears

“Alot of these players would have come through the junior system and I have worked with most of them but to see them now at the highest level being so receptive to what this brand is about, is truly a testament to their d e v e l o p m e n t a s professionals and ambassadors of Guyana and West Indies cricket overtheyears ”

Guyana’s success has been one of the more interesting stories in recent t i m e s , g i v e n t h e overwhelming support from the government, which has ensured a reinforced system aimed towards developing the future players while continuing the legacy of Guyana’s rich cricket

history; theAssistant Coach lauded a number of individuals for playing importantrolesintheoverall growth of the sport in Guyana.

“I want to personally creditandendorseourChief Selector Ramnaresh Sarwan for implementing the benchmark for his players and I think that would have been evident in our performance.

Fitness-wise,mostifnot allofourplayerswouldhave surpassed the criteria and this was pleasing for us as a team,”saidtheCoach.

He continued, “I would like to especially thank Minister of Sports Charles

- Credits Minister Ramson, PresidentAli, players etc. for overall team’s success

RamsonJr forhiscontinued support as it relates to cricket, alongside his Excellency President Irfaan Ali, they would have ensured that we as a team were properly equipped ahead of our battle against some of the best teams and playersfromacrosstheWest Indies.”

Additionalcreditwentto the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and president Bissoondyal Singh for alwaysputtingtheteamfirst, while ensuring that the variousneedsarefulfilledas the players look to keep Guyana at the pinnacle of cricket locally, regionally andinternationally

Coach Garvin Nedd

Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr

His Excellency President IrfaanAli

Tianna Springer bagged her third consecutive 400m gold at the CARIFTAGames, winning the Girls U20 finals. PHOTO: News Room/Jeremy Jagroop)

MalachiAustin claimed bronze in the Boys U20 400m finals. (PHOTO: News Room/Jeremy Jagroop)

CARIFTA Games

Springer’s ‘three-peat’ Gold highlights Guyana’s opening day at

-Austinsilver,HarveybronzeonDayOne

DominicTyrrell finishesfourthat SBDShowdown competitionin MontpellierFrance

Windies Women finish in style but fall agonizingly short of World Cup Qualification

Dominic Tyrrell during his deadlift.