ThecallbytheGeorgetownChamberofCommerceand Industry (GCCI) to halt the proposed Corentyne River Bridge project is not merely a business concern, it is a soberingnationalwarning.AtatimewhenGuyanaisracing toward unprecedented oil-driven wealth, the country risks making a fundamental error: deepening integration with a neighbour that continues to undermine its economic and territorialinterests.
For years, Guyana has pursued a policy of openness, cooperation and regional goodwill. Yet, the evidence now suggests that this goodwill is not being reciprocated by Suriname. Instead, Guyanese businesses, fishermen and river operators are being subjected to what can only be described as punitive and unilateral measures The imposition of exorbitant river fees, reportedly as high as US$2,500pertripalongwithadditionalbrokeragecosts,is notjustburdensome;itishostile.
The Corentyne River has long been a lifeline for communities such as Orealla and Siparuta. Generations havedependedonitswatersfortrade,transportandsurvival. It is within this context that the GCCI’s position must be understood.Theideaofconstructingabridge—apermanent physicallinkbetweenGuyanaandSurinameis,inprinciple, a symbol of progress and partnership. But infrastructure cannot exist in a vacuum. A bridge built on unresolved disputes,economicimbalanceandsimmeringmistrustisnot abridgetoprosperity,itisabridgetovulnerability
Evenmoreconcerningisthebroaderpattern.Theinflux of counterfeit goods, hazardous pesticides and illicit products from Suriname into Guyana points to weak regulatoryenforcementononesideandunfaircompetition on the other Local manufacturers are left to compete in an unevenmarketplace,whilepublichealthrisksgrowquietly inthebackground.
Then there is the issue of sovereignty The GCCI’s comparisonofSuriname’sclaimtotheNewRiverTriangle withVenezuela’saggressionovertheEssequiboisnotmade lightly Historyremindsusofthe2000CGXincident,when Surinamese gunboats forced an oil rig out of Guyana’s waters, delaying this country’s oil journey by nearly two decades. That was not an act of partnership. It was an assertion of dominance. Fast forward to today, and the questionbecomesunavoidable:hasanythingfundamentally changed?
TheGovernmentofGuyanahaslodgedformalprotests and called for dialogue. President Irfaan Ali has rightly emphasised the importance of mutual respect and reciprocity But diplomacy must not become an excuse for delay or inaction While talks continue, Guyanese businesses are bleeding and confidence in cross-border cooperation is eroding. The Berbice Chamber has already sounded the alarm, warning of “grave uncertainty” in the Upper Corentyne. This is not theoretical. This is real economic pain being felt by ordinary citizens, boat operators,traders,familieswhorelyoncross-borderactivity tosurvive.
Andyet,evenasthesetensionsescalate,thepushforthe CorentyneBridgecontinues.Thisiswherethegovernment must pause and reassess. Development cannot be pursued blindly Abridge,oncebuilt,cannotbeeasilyundone.Itwill lockGuyanaintoadeeperlevelofeconomicandlogistical integration with Suriname. The question is whether the currentconditionsjustifysuchacommitment.
Partnershipsmustbebasedontrust,fairnessandmutual benefit. At present, those pillars appear shaky at best. Guyana is no longer a struggling economy desperate for connections at any cost. It is an emerging oil power with growingleverageintheregion.Thatleveragemustbeused wisely. It must not be squandered in arrangements where Guyaneseinterestsaresecondary.
Haltingthebridgeproject,atleasttemporarily,isnotan act of hostility. It is an act of prudence. It sends a clear
DEAREDITOR,
I was heartbroken after
Guyanese how thankful we should be for the generosity of Exxon Mobil, for sponsoring our cricket team and for donations to the University of Guyana, and further that to pursue renegotiations of that lopsided contract (not her words),wouldscareoffother potential investors to Guyana.OvertheweekendI had the opportunity to consult with knowledgeable personsathomeandabroad, what Exxon Mobil is donatingisatmaximumtwo percent of the profits from theoilextracted. With the war in the Middle East and the harvesting of oil moving to one million barrels per day, two percent is high. Any patriotic government would havecalledintheoilgiantsto discuss new circumstances
in the industry, whatever name you call it, is not important.
AsayoungsterIattended abi-monthlylectureseriesin my community, we listened to the likes of Rashleigh Jackson, Oscar Clarke and others who told us that no agreement is ever cast-instone, and that as circumstances change, contracting parties must make adjustments Reference was made to the establishment of the League of Nations in 1920, after the horrorsofWw1.
We k n o w w h a t happened, which led to the United Nations being establishedinOctober1945, with the same objective of having a world of peace. In those and other instances, efforts were made to adjust or change agreements based onprevailingcircumstances.
So, for the Ambassador to tell us that to even pursue renegotiation would scare potential investors away is a
non-starter The truth is we don’tneedmoreinvestorsin Guyana, what we need is bettercontrolofourfinancial and economic life. For the sake of argument, if this contention is valid, look aroundGuyana,apopulation of less than one million people, companies from every continent extracting our gold, and in some circumstances shamelessly creating apartheid type communities.Inothercases, weseecontractorsandothers busing aliens to worksites. We do not need more investors, what we need is a stronggovernmenttoensure that we secure better terms from those who are harvestingandextractingour bountiful natural resources.
Cuffy, Akara, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the Enmore Martyrs, Cheddi, andForbesBurnhammustbe shedding tears as they see Guyana being recolonised with the aid of the present administration.
Guyanesemustsaytothe Ambassadorandherkithand kin, we don’t need charity, wecan’tsitonthetreasureof oil, gas, gold, diamonds, favourable weather conditions,andrichsoiltobe beggars, and to be happy with the proverbial crumbs from the master’s table Crumbs admittedly that are much more than earlier times.
But what we need is a reasonable slice of the cake, so that as a people we retain ourprideanddignity Sothat as a people, our children don’ttellusthatwebetrayed them.Sothatasapeople,we remember the lingering attitude of the days of Jim Crow, the struggle of the civil rights movement a few generations ago, and our struggleforIndependence.
I can write fearlessly, because to avoid being “iced” I avoid all US airports,evenintransit.
YoursRespectfully, NigelBacchus
“We don’t need charity”: Guyana must renegotiate oil deals, not settle for ‘crumbs’ GECOM slams “unsubstantiated” allegations from anonymous staff
DEAREDITOR,
We refer to the letter published in your Wednesday, 1st April, 2026 edition under the caption “Cherry-picked rules, neglected staff: GECOM underscrutiny.”
I t h a s b e c o m e increasingly evident that there is a deliberate and sustainedefforttotarnishthe integrity of both the Chairman and the Chief Election Officer and, by extension,theCommission.
Thisconclusionisdrawn fromthepublicationofthree successive letters, purportedly authored by “ConcernedEmployees,”all ofwhichadvanceaseriesof allegations without providing any credible evidence or specific examples The apparent objective is to portray the Chief Election Officer as a tyrannical administrator, allegedly supported by the Chairmananassertionthatis whollyunsubstantiated.
W h i l e i n t e r n a l considerations have allowed us to reasonably narrow the
likely source of these letters to a small number of persistently delinquent staff possibly acting individually or in concert—this response is not intended to target any individual Rather, we consider it our duty to provide clarity on how staff
relations and human resource matters are managed within the Commission.
Inthatregard,wewishto highlightthefollowing:
1.GECOMoperatesasa structured, hierarchical organisation comprising several divisions, each headedbyaseniormanager All subordinate staff report through this established chain of command and not directly to the chief election officer
2. Under the leadership of former Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, the Commission formally delegated authority to the Chief Election Officer to recruit and manage staff below the level of Senior Manager(Scale9).
3 Like many public
message that Guyana will not proceed with major joint ventureswhilefundamentalissuesremainunresolved.Thisis not about turning away from Suriname. It is about resetting thetermsofengagement.Dialoguemustcontinue,butitmust bebackedbyfirmactionandclearexpectations.Reciprocity cannotremainatalkingpoint—itmustbecomeareality
institutions, GECOM continuestoaddressongoing human resource challenges. These include issues related to attendance and punctuality, substandard output—particularly among long-serving field registration staff and a persistent resistance to modernized work practices bysomeemployees.Allsuch matters are managed strictly in accordance with the PublicServiceRules.
4. The Chief Election Officer has consistently maintained an open-door policy, encouraging all staff toraiseconcernsfreely This invitationhasbeenreiterated in multiple forums, i n c l u d i n g s e n i o r management meetings, staff engagements, and training sessions. To date, no staff member including the alleged authors of these letters has utilized this opportunitytoformallyraise concerns.
5.Additionally,theChief Election Officer has explicitly invited staff to disclose instances of v i c t i m i z a t i o n o r discrimination during general meetings. No such concerns have been raised. To further strengthen transparency, a Provisional Grievance Procedure was
circulated in February this year to provide a formal mechanism for lodging complaints To date, no submissions has been receivedunderthisprocess.
6.Claimsofunjustdenial of leave are entirely unfounded. On the contrary, the Chief Election Officer, with the Chairman’s approval, has demonstrated considerable leniency, including granting extended no-pay leave to facilitate personal development pursuits unrelated to GECOM’s operations. It is noteworthy that one such beneficiary has been among those few most resistant to adherence to established rules.
Staff relations at GECOM have always been governed by the Public Service Rules and policy directives issued by the Commission It is the responsibility of the Chief Election Officer to ensure compliance with these frameworks, failing which he would be held accountable.
We have deliberately refrained from addressing the fragmented and repetitive allegations in detail, as doing so would lendunduecredibilityto Continued on page 5
A wake-up call to improvise our social infrastructure
DEAREDITOR,
How ironic! A sevenyear-oldchildsuffereddeath from probably her mother’s strangulation! It was on the very day that Guyanese are reminded, “not to forget the central message of triumph oversinanddeaththatEaster heralds,bringingaseasonof hope and joy.” Not only are siblings, relatives, friends,
students, neighbours, villagersandthecommunity of Fyrish Road devastated from this horrifying news, but an entire country is left shocked, surprised and sensitised from this sinister situation.
To “live in hope and die in despair” is a famous linked paradoxical phrase in which Benjamin Franklin and/or Alexandre Dumas suggests that “relying solely on empty hope – rather than action – leads to ultimate disappointment On the contrary, hope can be an anchor found in a religious faith during difficult and challengingtimes.
Tocontinuequotingfrom PSALM 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
The morning after brought
more piercing pains, sorrowful sadness, disdainful discomforts and more querulous questions. More miseries came in the morning. Joy will not come for many moons from this moment.
Knowing Guyanese custom and tradition, the rumour mongers will have a field day and the unofficial surgeons will perform their post mortems to exacerbate, exaggerate and explain but only succeeding to exasperate an already
u n n e c e s s a r y g r i m experience. But Guyanese will be Guyanese and, “the more things change, the moretheyremainthesame!” Itisourinnatehabit.
But with all things not being equal, this tragic incident should be another wake up call for Guyana to get back to the drawing board and review its social infrastructure, revamp its help mechanism and rewrite its executed operation
Definitely,allisnotwelland there are already, certainly, certain positive foresights being implemented in a supportive role while
mindful of negative
hindsight yet to be overcome Everything cannotbeanticipatedandthe system functions within proximityandlimitation.
We cannot help remembering the woeful death of a young female (pregnant?) earlierthisyear, subjected to assumed health issues other than physical, who jumped from a hospital’swindow
Another unfortunate memory lane from last year ledtoAnnaCatherina,when the “sudden passing” of a female teacher was perhaps due to stress, strain and subliminaleffects.
Wheneverythingissaid, understood and taken for granted, a coin does have three sides, and different objects,likeissues,incidents and situations, do come in various shapes, forms, colors, and textures, subject toinformation,investigation andinterpretation.
Not to understate but to underline,thisafflictedaffair is yet another reflection of how fragile our social infrastructure is, how vulnerable people are to oppression, depression and suppression, how weak the
GECOM
Frompage4 claimsthatareclearlydevoid of merit and driven by individuals unwilling to conform to established standardsofprofessionalism andaccountability
The Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining thehigheststandardsofstaff relations while ensuring adherence to the rules and values that underpin effectivepublicservice.
The Chief Election Officer continues to be fully accessible and willing to
welfare system is and how much more is required to be undertaken to provide and protectsuchsusceptibility
On close examination, did the number of available resources fail the supportive system and undermine the priority of proactive effectiveness for efficiency?
Playingthe“blamegame”is not the motive. But the goal post should be shifted to anticipation and prevention based on initiation and intuition from community institutions, rather than reso
application.
All of Guyana mourns with members of the bereaved family for that flower which was ruthlessly plucked and prevented from being fully blooming A revisittoourcommunitiesto revise their needs and truly understand their current problems cannot be overstated Complacency mustberuledout.
Yoursrespectively, JaiLall
slams...
address any legitimate concern brought forward through the appropriate channels.
Going forward, the Commissionwillnotengage in exchanges with anonymous or unverified sources We instead encourage all staff to utilise the established internal mechanisms designed to a d d r e s s c o n c e r n s constructively and professionally
Yoursfaithfully, Guyana Elections Commission
“Tint
Reform: Control under the guise of modernisation”
DEAREDITOR,
When Guyana’s stricter vehicletintregulationscame into force on 1st April, the announcement was dressed in the usual rhetoric of “compliance, transparency and safety.” But beneath the surface of fines and percentages, lies something far more revealing — a deepening pattern of administrative control. The government calls it reform; the public experiences it as policing. Attorney General AnilNandlallhasmadeclear that breaches will not be tolerated, and that anyone seeking exemption — even senior officials must applyinwriting.
That line alone captures the paradox of Guyana’s governanceculture.
Only days ago, the president and his everexpressiveAGwereextolling the virtues of “modern law reform” for a world-class country adapting to global standards Yet here we stand, toldtopulloutpenandpaper to seek ministerial mercy In which modern system do citizens still file written applications to access what should be routine
administrativeprocesses?
Under the guise of modernisation, the state continues to entrench its reach into every layer of daily life. Tint laws are just thelatestentryinthelonglist of performative regulations enacted not to serve society, but to remind it of who wields authority
Enforcement, fines, and mandatory written appeals form the familiar triad of control dressed as reform. It is a system where rules expandfasterthanrights,and proceduresgrowlongerthan principles.
The double standard remains unmissable
Common motorists face police spot checks and a $30,000 fine; those close to power glide under exemptions—oftensecured quietly, comfortably, and with little public scrutiny.
TheAGassuresusthat“even senior officials” are not automatically exempt, but Guyana’s historical memory tells a different story Enforcement has never been equal; it has always been selective. In the theatre of regulation, the ordinary citizenisperpetuallythestar
defendant These tint regulationswouldhavebeen an easy opportunity to illustrate genuine modernisation digital applications, searchable databases, transparent reporting on approvals, and evidence-driven road safety benchmarks Instead, Guyana doubles down on visible power: checkpoints, paperwork, and public warnings.ReforminGuyana too often begins with the language of modernisation and ends in the ritual of control.
At its core, this is not about tinted glass but about opaque governance. Behind every fine and written application lies a broader truth — we are governed through enforcement, not engagement. Until reform means decentralisation, efficiency, and equal treatmentbeforethelaw,the promise of modernization will remain tinted — dark enough to obscure accountability and yet transparentenoughforevery citizen to see who the rules arereallywrittenfor
There is no doubt that psychological evaluation and treatment must be initiated even as the law takesitscourseagainstSarah Elizabeth Shivpersaud who killed her seven-year-old daughter and attempted to take her own life as well as thatofhertoddlerson.
ThisistheopinionofUSbased Guyanese clinical psychotherapist, Shane MarkTull who in an invited comment with this newspaper called for an independent psychological
evaluation to be conducted on the woman. On Sunday last, Shivpersaud took to socialmediaandmadeapost askingthat‘Godwillforgive her,’ before committing the horrific act. Tull noted “Just by looking at the circumstances of this case, one can tell that this is not normal behavior No mother inherrightmindwouldwant to harm more so kill her child.It’sjustnotsomething thatmothersdo.”
“I do believe an independent evaluation
shouldbeconductedbecause I find that a lot of local therapists are quick to dismiss concerns but by my understanding, it seems that she was suffering, from some kind of depression in particular postpartum depression which was compounded by domestic issues.”
The psychotherapist explained it would not be a
pe
ud had a predispositiontopostpartum depression which symptoms
can last longer than the first two years after giving birth, onceleftuntreated.
He explained that symptoms of the condition include intense sadness, hopelessness, severe anxiety, irritability, lack of interest in the baby, or withdrawalfromlovedones. “Some women after they givebirth,theygointoamild depression;mostwomenget up pretty quickly But some women go into a cycle of depression that can be severe, this leads to tragic outcomes. When you think of what she was probably already going through the onset of this new baby, an older child and the husband leaving, all of those things couldbetriggering.”
Tullnotedthatnoperson is the same and should be judged by the same yardstick.
He emphasized “For a
Sarah Elizabeth Shivpersaud in a post before killing her daughter and attempting to kill her one-year-old son.
woman, your body goes through a whole lot to give birth It’s a traumatic experience…So it changes you physically; it changes yourhormone.Itimpactson the way your brain reacts to certainthings.Ifyoulookat childbirth as a type of trauma,forsomewomen,it’s
experienced things differently and recover differently Most women experience childbirth, and they come out fine, and they’re happy to have their baby, and they emotionally connect with the child. But somewomendon’t…”
Addedtothis,Tullsaida majorriskfactorintermsof
Continued on page 16
Foreign partnerships must drive jobs, growth and accountability
DEAREDITOR,
A s a p u b l i c communications analyst, I remainattentivetomattersof national development and the opportunities that shape Guyana’s future. I pay close attention not only to largescale economic movements but also to how these developments translate into meaningful community growth and long-term nationalprogress.
In recent years, Guyana has seen a significant increase in investment interest across a wide range of industries. This surge in attention reflects growing confidence in our economic potential However, it is essential that these investments are approached strategically, ensuring that they contribute to job creation, business expansion, and sustainable i m p r o v e m e n t s i n
infrastructure. The prospect of Qatari investment in Guyana presents a timely and valuable opportunity Beyond financial benefits, such engagement can strengthen diplomatic relations between both nations. At a time when global tensions continue to threaten peace and stability, fostering cooperative international partnerships is bothprudentandnecessary Guyana’s openness and demonstratedsolidaritywith the people of Qatar signal a willingness to engage constructively on the global stage.Thisapproachnotonly enhances our international reputation but also positions us as a reliable partner for development-focused collaboration.
Accordingtoreports,the AmirofQatarhasexpressed a keen interest in expanding
Frompage3 recover these costs on a monthly basis at a rateof75%oftotalproduction.
Following the recovery of all costs, Article11.4provides“Thebalanceofcrude oil shall be shared between the Government and the Contractor for each Field in the following proportions: Contractor fifty percent (50%) and Minister fiftypercent(50%).”
So far, ExxonMobil has expended U.S.$40B to develop the seven oil projects approved to date Currently, U S $5B remains in the cost bank to be recovered by
thecompany
cooperation with Guyana in several key areas These include investment, human capital development, technology, food security, and critical infrastructure. Each of these sectors aligns closely with Guyana’s development priorities and offers the potential for transformativeimpact.
Aswemoveforward,itis important that such partnerships are guided by transparency,accountability, andaclearfocusonnational benefit With careful planning and responsible leadership, Guyana can leverage these opportunities to build a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous futureforallitscitizens.
Sincerely,
Mr.BlaneRBunbury Public communications analyst
A n d c o m m u n i t y advocate
The Country Manager of ExxonMobil, Alistair Routledge said, “If you stay at the currentoilpricethenitwillhappenthisyear based on the level of expenditures and the production that we anticipate so that’s a significant acceleration What that then means is that instead roughly the 14 and a half percent that the country has been receiving by way of revenues into the Natural Resource Fund from the Stabroek productionandrevenues,whatwillhappen is that percentage will significantly increase ”
The return of the kakabelly
There are men and women who return to Guyana not with hope, not with curiosity about how things have changed since they escaped from these shores. They return with contempt so carefully polished that it passesforintellect.
These persons are rare but unforgettable, because they are loud, and because they insist upon their own moral authority These are notthequietremigrantswho accept life here on its own terms, who understand that trade-offsarepartoflivingin
acountrystillnegotiatingthe legacy of colonial neglect and post-independence mismanagement These thousandsareinvisible;they do not make headlines, and theydonotneedto.
The ones I write about arrivewithjudgmentintheir luggage Everything in Guyana is a disappointment for them. Roads, services, the littering, manners, climate, politics—each is a monument to failure. And yet, they have chosen to return. Silence greets the obviousquestion:iflifeisso intolerable here, if it is so
Dem Boys Seh...
backward here, why trade the comfort of suburban Americaorthepredictability of London for heat, bureaucracy, corruption and nastiness? They will not answer To admit the questionwouldpuncturethe inflated air of their own importance.
The truth they do not confess is simple. Abroad, they were inconsequential. Small fish in vast ponds, i n v i s i b l e a n d undistinguished.They could not shine. Their lives were unremarkable,theirpresence negligible. Now, back in the
Dem boys been scrolling de other day andnearlychokepondemteawhendemsee one big argument brewing One fella swearingupanddownthatNo.63Beachdeh pon de Corentyne River Now leh we be seriousfuhaminute.IfyoustandingpunNo. 63 Beach and you looking out, you ain’t seeingnoriverbank—youseeingbig,wide, brown Atlantic Ocean staring back at you likeitwonderingwhofailgeography.
Yes,deCorentyneRivermouthdehclose by — nobody arguing dat. But close to something ain’t mean it is dat thing. If that was so, then anybody living near Demerara River could claim dem living in deAtlantic Ocean and start fishing fuh whale from de verandah.Evidencesimple:No.63Beachis part of de Atlantic coastline. De tides, de wave action, de openness — all ocean features. A river nah behave so unless it suddenlydecidefuhbecomeaseaovernight.
Butwait—thatwasn’tdeonlycourtroomon Facebook. Dem boys see another heated debate: whether Burnham was a founding memberofthePPP Nowthisonehadpeople typinglikedemwritingCXCexamswithno invigilator
Leh we settle it. Burnham was indeed a co-founder of the PPP in 1950. He even served as its first chairman. Now, some peoplemixingupstorylikecook-uprice.He was not part of the Political Affairs Committee(PAC),whichwastheprecursor. So how we reaching a stage where facts gettingmoredebatethanopinion?Demboys seh nowadays, once yuh have data and WiFi, yuh feel yuh have doctorate. Before we start talking about educating de young people,lehwefirsteducateweself.Because passing on wrong information ain’t education.Itisinheritanceofconfusion.
Andrightnow,socialmedialookinglike a family passing down nuff confusion with interest.
Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
land of their birth, they attempttoassertsignificance by denigrating the familiar Every criticism is a puffedup monument to their own imagined grandeur In their world, to condemn Guyana istoriseaboveit;tosneerat its flaws is to claim moral elevation.
This is the strange psychology of the remigrant critic: they return to a land they claim to despise, yet insist upon measuring it against places they left behind.AmericaandEurope become mirrors, reflecting theirownfailures,theirown quiet irrelevance, and they project that reflection onto Guyana. Every clogged-up drain becomes a proof of backwardness, every bureaucratic delay proof of nationalinadequacy Andall the while, they hope that in shaming their country, they willloomlarger
Thereisacomicterrorin their self-perception. They speak as though they are outsiders looking in, judges of a populace that has welcomed them with open arms.Theycomplainofpetty inconveniences and call it evidence of rot. They note inefficiencyandcallitproof of national incompetence. And the irony is exquisite: they are themselves the
product of frustration, the children of obscurity, the invisiblecitizensreturnedto lookimportant.
No one who is secure, truly fulfilled, needs to demean the place that gave them life in order to define themselves.
These remigrants substitute contempt for achievement They are a chorus of grievance, singing of failure, hoping to cloak personal inadequacy in the authorityofcritique.Guyana tolerates them, partly out of patience, partly out of generosity
It does not need their pomp, their judgment, their inflated sense of self. And yet, they persist, because to return home without a sense of superiority would be to admit what they most fear: that their lives abroad were small, their significance limited, and that they have come home seeking validation in the very land theyprofesstodespise.
In every lecture, every sigh,everyglibobservation, one detects the tremor of insecurity Their disdain is a self-portrait, rendered in the language of national failure. The paradox is cruel and almost theatrical: they scorn the land that sustains them, only to stand in it, trying to
cast a shadow larger than theirowndiminishedself.
T h e s e r e t u r n e d critics—these loud, smallf i s h - i n - b i g - p o n d types d
indulgence.Letthemparade
d catalogue our shortcomings. We should greet their a
t amusement. Let them fume for their words are the echo of their own insignificance. They are to be endured, not admired, and certainly not elevated. Let them become objects of entertainment rather than respect. Guyana does not require the puffery of these self-appointed critics. It thrives in spite of them. And they, small fish returned to a familiar pond, will continue to parade their superiority The irony is inescapable They came back not for country, but for themselves and it is a return thatwillalwaysexposethem forwhattheytrulyare:little, loud,andludicrous.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
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Police pledge strong action on child protection
From page 14
She encouraged parents and guardians to build strong relationships with teachers, headteachers,andwelfareofficers in schools so they can stayinformedandensuretheir childrenareattendingschool. Persaud’s comments came a couple of days after APNU Parliamentarian Terrence Campbellraisedtheissueofa growing crisis in child safety and highlighting the number of cases of missing children lately. “Never in my lifetime have I ever seen so many cases of missing children in such a short time,” he expressed, noting that these cases underscore the urgent needforstrongerchildprotection systems, community awareness, and coordinated action.
He observed that there have been no visible reports of individuals being prosecuted in cases involving un-
derage pregnancies, raising concerns about accountabilityandenforcementofthelaw WhiletheMinistryofHuman Services had announced the establishment of a rapid response team to address child abuse and neglect, he noted that the country is now facing what he described as an epidemicofmissingchildren. Campbellemphasisedthe needforadedicatedresponse team specifically focused on cases of missing children, alongwiththevigorousprosecution of perpetrators involvedinabuseandexploitation.Healsocalledforthecreation of a national missing persons database to improve tracking and coordination. Additionally, he expressed concern that while missing personsreportsarefrequently made public, there is often littletonofollow-upinformation.Hestressedthatthepublic should be informed when
each and every missing child is found.
Based on information he presented, around 1st February,UnitaGirdharie,16,ofEnterprise, was reported missing.Justtwodayslater,on3rd February, Kevin James, 13, wasalsoreportedmissing.Fifteen-year-old Durga Singh wentmissingfromachildprotection agency, raising serious concerns about the safety and oversight within institutions meant to protect vulnerablechildren.
AlsoinFebruary,14-yearold Aleena Preetam died just one month after giving birth, drawingattentiontoissueson teenage pregnancy and access to maternal care for young girls. On 24th February,TiannaChapman,15,was stabbed more than 25 times allegedly by the father of her child.
On 10th March, Runica Gittens,16,fromLinden,was
reported missing; on 17th March, Jada Adrian, 13, was reportedmissing,followedby Jasmine Mahadeo, 12, on 18th March. By 22nd March, Jania De Costa, 13, had also been reported missing. 24th March saw a cluster of cases: Romia Moore, 14; Aniah Stuart,15;andAkeliaGeorge, 15,wereallreportedmissing. The following day, 25th March, Shellon Allen, 13, of KuruKuru,wasalsoreported missing.
Pic save as cops and kites Caption: Commander of Regional Division #8, R. Stanley, along with members oftheDivision’sAdministrative Team, on Wednesday, April1,2026,conductedakits distribution exercise at the Mahdia Police Station Compound as part of ongoing efforts to support youth development and strengthen communityengagementwithinthe region.
WalesgasProjectDirectorislinkedtocorruption...
From page 12 newspaper, Ruben Figuera is onceagainprominentlylisted as the project director
THE TROJAN HORSE: How Lindsayca Swapped AmericanExceptionalismfor VenezuelanCorruptOfficials toLeadtheirProject Sources indicated to this newspaper that the presence of Figuera at the helm of this mega-project is not a mere oversight.
Official documents obtainedbythisnewspaperfrom theinitialGTEPhaseIbidrevealthatwhattheconsortium presented to the Guyanese governmentwasvastlydifferent from the entity operating
During the vetting process, the consortium leaned heavily on an image of “American exceptionalism.”
The documents show that an American company, Lindsayca Solutions, and its principals were listed as the Project Lead. The organizational chart submitted to win the contract was 80%American, projecting a facade of strict U.S. corporate governanceandreliabilitytosecure thebillion-dollardeal.
However,oncetheinkwas dry and the initial funds were secured,thefacadecrumbled. ByJanuary2023,shortlyafter the Guyanese government is-
suedamassivedownpayment ofapproximately$150million forGTEI,theLindsayca-CH4 consortium began to aggressively morph. In a swift manoeuvring of corporate structure, two of the original four companies that made up the trusted consortium were kickedout:theprimaryAmericanEngineeringFirmandthe localcivilcontractorhiredfor vitallocalworks.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Trojan Horse strategy reached its final stage.
Lindsayca utilized the Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB)tosuccessfullyremove itsremainingprimarypartner, CH4.
With the original vetted consortiumentirelyhollowed out, Lindsayca installed Ruben Figuera as the new Project Director The American-ledteamthatthegovernmentbelievedithadhiredwas effectivelyreplacedbyaleadershipstructureheavilyinfluenced by former Venezuelan officials.
The deception is poised to continue. This outlet has received confidential documentsdetailingthe“KeyPersonnel Proposed” for the upcoming Phase Two of the project (GTE II). At the very topofthatlist,RubenFiguera isfirmlyentrenchedas“GTE PROJECTDIRECTOR.”
Afreximbank approves US$10B to shield CARICOM...
From page 15 security, trade resilience, and supply chain diversification.
Afreximbank)isaPan-Africanmultilateralfinancialinstitution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extraAfrican trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deployinginnovativestructures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformationofthestructureofAfrica’s trade, accelerating industrialisationandintra-regionaltrade,therebyboosting economicexpansioninAfrica.
Astalwartsupporterofthe
ACCOMMODATIONS
Aracari Hotel Renovated rooms,A/C,TV,Restaurant, Bar, Pool, Gym. Stay 7 nights, 1 FREE! Call: 2642946.
African Continental Free TradeAgreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by theAfrican Union (AU) as the paymentandsettlementplatform to underpin the implementationoftheAfCFTA.Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and theAU, the Bank has set upaUS$10billionAdjustment
Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024,Afreximbank’s total assets and contingenciesstoodatoverUS$40.1billion,anditsshareholderfunds amountedtoUS$7.2billion.
Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI)(AAA),GCR(A),Ja-
pan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-), and. Moody’s (Baa2). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export DevelopmentAfrica(FEDA), anditsinsurancemanagement subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo,Egypt.
Mental health expert appeals for...
From page 6 someone’s mental health is theireconomicstatus.”Ithink povertyisamajorcontributor and if you’re a poor woman with two young children, and themanyouaredependingon walks out on you it compounds how you feel about yourself, and it impacts how you feel… can I take care of these children on my own? Because this person who is supposed to be helping me just walked out. Do I have other resources? While, for the most part, most women
would battle down and get a jobandtakecareoftheirchildrenandbefine.Some,women willnot.Theywill,break,”he asserted.
The mental health expert madeitclearneverthelessthat he is by no means saying that the mother should not face consequencesforhercriminal act.
“I’m hoping that she has a good lawyer, and they’re able to connect her with a goodpsychiatristevaluateher, and not necessarily the governmentpsychiatristbecause,
they’reprobablygoingtosay, ‘Oh yeah, She’s okay She’s okay for trial,’ and that’s not exactly a proper evaluation.” “That’s not something I would trust. I would definitely encourage them to get an independent psychiatrist to do an independent evaluation of her I really think that a real good psychological evaluation would be beneficial for her.Iknowalotofpeopleare angryatherandrightfullyso, butsomethingsneedadeeper assessment…”
University locked in bitter court battle with Critchlow Labour College to permanently close by year end - President
The University of Excellence in Management and Business (U.E.M.B.) has givenformalnoticetoallcurrentstudentsthat itisexpectedtoceaseoperationspermanently at the end of the year The decision was announcedevenastheuniversityislockedin a bitter court battle with Critchlow Labour College over its Woolford Avenue campus. TheCritchlowLabourCollegeInc.(CLCI)is challenging the UEMBI’s occupancy of the building on the grounds that the lease agreement was not signed with the CLC Incorporated and that the CLC’s Principal, Dr IvorEnglishhadnoauthoritytosignthat agreementonbehalfofthecollege.
CLCI Secretary Lincoln Lewis, in his affidavit filed through his lawyer, said Paul and English signed the agreement at a time when the CLCI had been struck off the Companies Register The case will be heard byJusticeFidelaCorbinattheHighCourton May7,2026.
President of the University, StanleyA.V Paul explained in a notice circulated to students of the institution explained that the decisionhasnotbeentakenlightly Hesaidin ordertoprotecttheacademicinterestsofour current students and to allow for orderly completion and transition, U.E.M.B. will continue to operate through year-end solely forthepurposeoffacilitatingthecompletion
of studies where possible, managing student transitions, and concluding all necessary administrativeandregulatorymatters.
“Effective immediately, U.E.M.B. has stoppedadmittingnewstudents.Inaddition, the University will formally notify the NationalAccreditationCounciltomorrowof its intention to discontinue operations by year-end,”theletterstated.
Forstudents,whoseprogrammeofstudy will extend beyond year-end and therefore cannot be completed within the remaining operational period, Mr Paul said that U.E.M.B. will work to transition those studentstopartneruniversities.
“These partner institutions will be engagedforthepurposeofacceptingeligible
credit transfers for academic work already completed at U.E.M.B., in accordance with their applicable policies and procedures. Following such transition, the student’s tuition and fee obligations will thereafter be payable directly to the receiving partner university,untilthen,studentsarerequiredto continue paying their tuition fees to U.E.M.B.”thePresidentadded.
Henotedthatforstudentswhoarealready graduatesofU.E.M.B.,andparticularlythose who have already obtained an Equivalency and Recognition Certificate from the National Accreditation Council, there is no cause for concern. According to U.E.M.B President, qualifications earned at a time whentheinstitutionwasdulyoperationaland accredited are to be understood within that regulatorycontext.
“We nevertheless strongly advise all graduates, if they have not yet done so, to apply for and secure their Equivalency and Recognition Certificate from the National AccreditationCouncil,asthisdocumentwill serve as the formal validation of their
qualification for employment, further studies, professional review, and other officialpurposes.”
“Students who have already graduated but have not yet obtained their Equivalency and Recognition Certificate are strongly encouraged to do so as a matter of priority before year-end.” At the same time, he said should a credible and suitable party come forward before year-end with a serious interest in taking over the University, U.E.M.B.wouldbeopentoconsideringsuch anarrangementinthebestinterestofstudents andthecontinuityofacademicprovision.
Mr Paulexplainedfurtherthatthenotice is being issued now to provide all affected students with sufficient advance warning, timetoprepare,andtheopportunitytomake
arrangements He said “Further details regarding teach-out arrangements, transition procedures, academic records, transcripts, credit transfer coordination, and student support processes will be communicated in duecourse.”
U.E.M.B President, Stanley A.V Paul
TrumppledgestostopbombingIranfor2weeks
...says agreement made on condition that Strait of Hormuz will reopen
DUBAI/WASHINGTO
N, 7thApril (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he had agreed to a two-week ceasefirewithIran,lessthan two hours before his deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face widespread attacks onitscivilianinfrastructure.
Iranian state flashed an announcement claiming that Trump had accepted Iran’s terms for ending the war,
describing it as a “humiliating retreat” by the U.S.president.
Iran said talks between the U.S. and Iran would
begin on Friday in Islamabad,Pakistan.
Trump’s announcement on social media represented an abrupt turnaround from earlier in the day, when
T r u m p i s s u e d a n extraordinary warning that “awholecivilizationwilldie tonight”ifhisdemandswere notmet.
Trump said the last-
minutedeal,negotiatedwith Pakistan serving as a mediator, was subject to Iran’sagreementtopauseits blockade of oil and gas supplies through the strait, which typically handles about one-fifth of global oil shipments. “This will be a ` d o u b l e s i d e d CEASEFIRE!”
TrumpwroteonhisTruth Socialplatform.“Thereason for doing so is that we have alreadymetandexceededall Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Long term PEACE with Iran, and PEACEintheMiddleEast.”
Two White House officials confirmed that Israel has also agreed to the two-week ceasefire and to suspend its bombing campaign on Iran. A few minutes after Trump’s announcement, the Israeli militarysaidthatitidentified missiles launched from Iran towardsIsrael.
Trump,whohasissueda series of threats in recent weeks only to back away, claimed progress between the two sides. He said Iran had presented a 10-point proposal that was a “workable basis” for negotiations and that he expectedanagreementtobe “ f i n a l i z e d a n d consummated” during the two-weekceasefire.
ABRUPT TURNAROUND
The abrupt turnaround capped a whirlwind day that was dominated by Trump’s threattodestroyeverybridge and power plant in Iran unless Tehran reopened the strait,whichunnervedworld leaders, rattled global financial energy ‘markets and drew widespread condemnation, including criticismfromtheheadofthe United Nations and Pope Leo.
Astheclocktickeddown to Trump’s 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) deadline, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran
intensified, hitting railway and road bridges, an airport and a petrochemical plant. U.S. forces attacked targets on Kharg Island, home to Iran’s main oil export terminal.
In response, Iran declared it would no longer hold back from hitting its G u l f n e i g h b o u r s ’ infrastructure and said it hadcarriedoutfreshstrikes on a ship in the Gulf and a huge ‘Saudi petrochemical complex Booms were
Kamla firm on Barnett
(TRINIDAD EXPRESS)
Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar has repeated her call for transparency from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over the process used to reappoint Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday PersadBissessar said: “I again call on CARICOMfortransparencyonthe surreptitious and odious process usedtoreappointSGBarnett.”
She said Trinidad and Tobago remainedcommittedtoCARICOM but warned that Government will continue to challenge the process until the matter is resolved “Trinidad and Tobago remains committedtoCARICOM,butuntil this matter is transparently resolved, the organisation and its secretariatshouldabsolutelyexpect no quarter from my Government” shesaid.“Thisisnotasimplerunof-the-mill administrative appointment; it’s an appointment with long-term ramifications for mycitizens.”
The Prime Minister said the appointment affects “the future over the coming five years of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy, security, integration, and foreign affairs.”
Persad-Bissessar said she will continue to pursue the issue publicly. “Therefore, in the interestofmycitizens’well-being, Iwillmercilessly,relentlessly,and if needed, ruthlessly publicly prosecute this matter until transparency is achieved,” she said
Her statement recalled a series of actions taken by Trinidad and Tobago officials following the th reappointment of Barnett. On 25 March, 2026, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers wrote to CARICOM chairman Dr Terrance Drew, formally recording the country’s objection to Barnett’s reappointment.
Accordingtothestatement,the Government’s concern is that the proposed reappointment was not includedontheprovisionalagenda fortheFiftiethRegularMeetingof the Conference of Heads of Government in St Kitts and Nevis, wasnotconsideredduringplenary, and was reportedly addressed only during a Heads of Government retreat.
ThestatementsaidTrinidadand Tobago and other member states were excluded from that retreat through their authorised representatives, raising concerns about the use of improper procedures.
It said Trinidad and Tobago maintains the reappointment was not conducted in accordance with Article24oftheRevisedTreatyof Chaguaramas, which requires formal consideration and appointmentbytheConference.
Thispositionwasreaffirmedon th27 March, when Sobers addressed Parliament and recorded the country’s objection, stating the actionappeared“ultraviresArticle 24”. Further correspondence was sent on 31 March, to Drew and Barnettseekingclarificationonthe process The letters requested
detailsonwhenandhowthematter was placed on draft agendas, what communications were issued to member states, whether governments were informed following the Joint Communiqué and closing press conference, and whether any draft decision was circulated confidentially after the retreat.
They also sought an explanation for any confidentiality surroundingthematter.
On the same date, the permanentsecretaryintheMinistry of Foreign and CARICOMAffairs wrote to Janice Miller, Chef-deCabinet, Office of the SecretaryGeneral,requestingdocumentation and clarification on the reappointmentprocess.
The letter noted that previous reappointments,includingin2016, followed established procedures andreflectedtheviewsofallHeads of Government. It stated that the current process appeared not to conform to CARICOM’s Rules of Procedure. Persad-Bissessar said no response has been received to date. “The people of Trinidad and Tobago who finance 22% of CARICOM’s budget deserve transparency, accountability, and faithfuladherencetoagreedrules,” shesaid.
‘RespectT&T’
Last month, Minister Sobers said in Parliament that the reappointment of Barnett was carried out in a surreptitious mannerandhadcausedirreparable harm to the regional bloc. Sobers said he wrote to CARICOM chairman Drew, objecting to the
heard in Doha late on Tuesdaynight,accordingto a Reuters witness in the Qataricapital
Thewar,nowinitssixth week,hasclaimedmorethan 5,000livesinnearlyadozen countries, including more than 1,600 civilians in Iran, according to tallies from government sources and humanrightsgroups.
The closure of the strait, through‘whichalmostafifth of the world’s oil supply typicallytravels,hassharply
escalating the chances of a global economic downturn orevenrecession.
With the U.S. midterm election campaign ramping up,Trump’sapprovalratings have hit their lowest level ever, leaving his Republican Partyatriskoflosingitsgrip onCongress.
Polls show sizable majorities of Americans opposed to the war and frustrated by the rising cost ofgasoline.
...repeats call for transparency on CARICOM chief
reappointment and stating that TrinidadandTobagowasnotpartof the process. He advised then that during the CARICOM meeting in St Kitts in February, the “required majority” of CARICOM heads of government agreed to the reappointment of Barnett as Secretary-General, and her second term of office would begin in August2026.
He said: “Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago is not a coward. She attended the CARICOM Heads of Government and articulated, quite boldly,inherstatementtotheentire world the shortcomings of the Caribbean Community as it is constitutedinitscurrentformat.
“I only hope that other leaders, bothregionallyandinternationally, would have the same temerity to provide frank, open and honest positions on similar issues.” He said citizens throughout CARICOM must have confidence in how all organs of the institution operate, adding that it must act transparently and in accordance with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Sobers said T&T must be respected.
“We must demand that this country be afforded the respect it deserves, especially because we havebeenthelargestcontributorto the CARICOM budget since the inception of CARICOM, which now stands at 22% of the annual budget.”
He said the issue could have been placed on the agenda of the upcoming CARICOM Heads of
T h e m i n i s t e r s a i d , notwithstanding this issue, T&T remains committed to the revitalisation of CARICOM, particularly the operations of the Secretariat, to ensure it is fit for purposeandresponsivetotheneeds oftheregion.
Sobers said the Government appreciated the importance of the CARICOMmarkettothelocaland regional private sector, especially asT&Tisboththelargestimporter ofCARICOMgoodsandthelargest exportertoCARICOM.
Sobers said the Government’s role is to safeguard the interests of all citizens of T&T “Mr Speaker, weareacountrythatabidesbythe rules of CARICOM. We conduct ourbusinesswithtransparencyand accountability, and we expect the sameforallwithinthecommunity,” hesaid.
The minister listed some of the annual payments made to major CARICOMinstitutions:
An Iranian flag lies amidst the rubble of a building of the Sharif University of Technology, which was damaged in a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, 7th April , 2026.
Szubarczyk,15,breaksWorldChampionshiprecord
Szubarczyk is a former World Under-21 champion and a two-time European Under-18 champion. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport - Polish teenager Michal Szubarczyk has become the youngest player to win a World Championship match,defeatingformerwomen’sworldchampionOnyeeNg inqualifyingonMonday
Szubarczyk became the youngest ever professional snookerplayerwhenhemadehisdebutaged14inJune2025 andisnoweyeingLucaBrecel’srecordastheyoungestplayer tofeatureattheCrucible.
The Belgian was aged 17 years and 45 days when he reachedthemaindrawin2012.
“I feel very proud and excited about the next matches. Maybe this year or next year I can become the youngest Crucibleplayer,”SzubarczyktoldtheWorldSnookerTour’s website.
“For me, getting to the Crucible is the first goal of many othersinprofessionalsnooker.
Wednesday April 08, 2026
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Acolleaguecouldbeinavery bad mood, and therefore not theeasiestpersonintheworld to deal with. In fact, today he or she could resist working at all, and you might feel obligatedtotakeuptheslack.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Plans to go away on vacation or perhaps a business trip could be put on hold today Events you might have been scheduled to attend could be temporarilypostponed.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
This isn't a good day to visit the racetrack, Las Vegas, or any store that sells lottery tickets. Stay away from the stockmarket,too.Speculation ofanykindnowcouldberisky atbestanddisastrousatworst.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Cancer, you're likely to want to retreat into your bedroom and slam the door today You won't feel like talking or socializing with anyone, not eventhoseclosesttoyou.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Thismightprovetobeoneof those days in which it's very hardtogetanythingrelatedto work or communication off the ground, Leo. You could find excuses to stop working more often than usual, particularly if it involves callingpeopleonthephone.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
You might have planned to make a particular purchase today,Virgo,butaquickcheck of your financial situation could reveal that it would be betterifyouwaiteduntilyour nextpayday Thiscouldprove disappointingandfrustrating.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
A lack of physical and mental energy as well as motivation could have you in a lethargic moodtoday.Youwon'tfeellike doing much of anything. You mightgetextremelyirritatedat the thought of having to work inanyway
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Usuallyyouenjoytalkingwith others, Scorpio, but today you won't even want to answer the phone. Your physical stamina andmentalenergyarelow,and youcouldfeeloutofsorts.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Agroup of friends might want youtogooutwiththemtoday, butyouprobablywon'tfeelup to it. Your financial situation could also require a little belttighteningnow
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Today you could feel full of energyandeagertogetoutfor some exercise, Capricorn, but other responsibilities might threaten to keep you from doing it The resulting frustration could zap all your energy and put you in a lethargicmood.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Yourenergyisprobablypretty low today You won't feel like socializing, nor will you feel like staying in and reading or watchingTV Chancesareyou won't know what to do with yourselfallday
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Career and financial goals couldseemcompletelystalled, Pisces,andthiscouldhaveyou depressed, frustrated, and in somethingofapanic.Don'tfall into this trap. This isn't a permanentcondition.
“I’m enjoying the pressure and expectation. I have been dreamingaboutplayingintheWorldChampionshipforabout thelastsixyears.”
Szubarczyk rose to prominence in April 2025 when he reached the final of the open-age event at the European Championship and won the World Amateur Championship laterthatyear
FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings over Islamophobic chants in Spain-Egypt match
(Reuters) - FIFAhas started disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) over Islamophobic and xenophobic chants during a between Spain and Egypt on March 31, the global soccer
bodysaidonTuesday AttheRCDEStadiumnearBarcelona,the home ground of LaLiga ‘club Espanyol, Spainsupporterschanted“whodoesn’tjump isaMuslim”duringtheWorldCupwarm-up
matchwhichendedinagoallessdraw “FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedingstodayagainsttheSpanishFAfor the incidents in the friendly against Egypt,” FIFA said `a statement. Spanish police launchedaninvestigationintothechantslast week Spain winger Lamine Yamal condemned the chants as disrespectful and
intolerableinan‘Instagrampost.
The Egyptian Football Association also condemned the chants as an entirely unacceptable“repugnantactof`racism,”and added that the acts of a small group of spectators would `not affect the close relations between the Spanish and Egyptian federations.
A big screen displays a anti-discrimination message inside the stadium during the match. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
A proud chapter in Guyana’s athletics journey continued to unfold on Tuesday as a section of the nation’s CARIFTA Games team returned home to a warm reception at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, followingahistoricoutingin StGeorge’s.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, alongside Vice Chair of the National Sports Commission, Cristy Campbell, led the official welcome, greeting athletes, coaches, and support staff who were met by proud parents and well-wishers eager to celebrate their achievements.
Guyana concluded the 53rd CARIFTAGames with an impressive six medals (four gold, one silver, and one bronze) matching the nation’s best-ever gold medalhaulattheprestigious junior championships, following their outings in 2017,2019and2024.
A d d r e s s i n g t h e gathering,Ninvalleextended congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, including Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr and Minister within the MinistryStevenJacobs. Heunderscoredthepride felt across the country, noting that the team’s accomplishments were even more commendable given thesizeofthecontingent.
“With such a small contingent, we would have been able to equal the most amount of gold medals we would have ever had at the CARIFTAGames,”Ninvalle remarked, highlighting the efficiency and quality of the team’sperformances.
According to Ninvalle, theNSCandtheMinistryof Culture, Youth and Sport, notesthecontinuedprogress in the leadership ofAmanda Hermonstine, president of the Athletics Association of Guyana(AAG).
The Director of Sport also assured the athletes and officials of continued governmental backing, pointing to the steady progress made under the leadership of the Athletics AssociationofGuyana.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the associationtofurtherelevate thesportlocally
Campbellechoedsimilar sentiments, joining Ninvalle in commending the athletes
for their discipline, d e d i c a t i o n , a n d representationoftheGolden Arrowhead on the regional stage.
Both officials noted that Tuesday’s reception was only a preliminary gesture, as the team is returning in phases, with a larger, more formal celebration being planned in honour of their
achievements.
On the track, Guyana’s performances were nothing shortofoutstanding.
The country’s most emphatic statement came in the Mixed 4x400m relay, where Tishawn Easton, Akeela Dover, Malachi Austin, and Tianna Springer delivered a breathtaking run of3:20.79.
Thequartetnotonlywon gold but also shattered Guyana’s previous CARIFTArecordof3:23.51, set in 2024 in Grenada, underlining their dominance intheevent.
Springer was equally brilliant in individual competition, storming to victory in the Girls’ U20 400min52.47seconds.
The University of
Georgia freshman extended her unbeaten CARIFTA streakintheevent,cappinga remarkablejuniorcareerthat has seen her transition seamlessly from U17 champion to multiple-time U20goldmedallist.
Austin, who is also a freshman at Louisiana State University (LSU), produced a fitting farewell to the CARIFTA stage, powering to gold in the Boys’ U20 400min46.01seconds.
Havingimprovedonlast year’s silver medal performance, Austin’s win confirmed his status as one ofGuyana’spremierquartermilers, who would’ve also won gold in the event in
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim becomes youngest BCB chief
Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal reacts after the dismissal of Mushfiqur Rahman.
(REUTERS/ Adnan Abidi)
(Reuters) - Former Bangladesh captain TamimIqbalbecametheyoungestheadofthe Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday, after the National Sports Council dissolved the BCB’s board of directors followinganinvestigationintoelectionsheld inOctober
A committee found irregularities in the BCB’s election process, the NSC’s sports director Mohammed ‘Aminul Ahesan told reportersinDhaka.
“We have informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that this board of directorswasnotformedinapropermanner, and is not able to complete its work in a propermanner,”Ahesansaid.
2024.
The final gold medal came courtesy of Olivia Solomon,whoseelectrifying run in the Girls’ U17 800m brought Guyana’s campaign toamemorableclose.
Clocking a personal best
“We think that the ICC will definitely upholdthis.”
The ‘previous board of directors was led by Aminul Islam, who was behind Bangladesh’s refusal to visit India for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup, citing safety concerns.
Tamim, who played 391 matches for Bangladesh across all formats, will lead an ‘11-member ad-hoc committee that will run theBCB.
Bangladesh will host New Zealand in a ‘tour featuring three one-day internationals, threeT20sandtwotestsstartingonApril17.
time of 2:10.76, Solomon finished comfortably ahead of her com
commanding
symbolised the depth of emerging talent within the programme.
Guyana’s medal tally was further strengthened by Jermaine Shepherd, who captured silver in the Boys’ U17 1500m, and Javon Roberts, who claimed bronze in the Boys’ U20 1500m.
After a back and forth battle against Mother Nature, the Guyana lads wrapped up a somewhat dampened bilateral series withasolid36-runwinover the Barbados youngsters during Easter Monday’s match played in Berbice at theAlbionGround.
first strike following a successful win of the toss, makingamodest115-7.
The game was forced intoa20overspersideaffair after Guyana elected to take
AsgarallyNabbieledthe batting with a run-a-ball 23 while skipper Lomar Seecharan chipped in with
16 with a 5-ball blitz from Gautam Dhanraj who slammed 16* which helped push Guyana over the 100runmark.
Barbados misfired in the chaseastheyslidto79for9 despite Shawnico Sargeant scoring 30, after Seecharan baggedimpressivefiguresof 4-5 which helped keep the oppositionundercontrol.
All-rounder Leon Reddy bagged a pair of wickets to helpthecause.
Following the match, Seecharan was named Player of the Match while other awards were distributed to players for their brilliant individual performances
Nathan Bishop Most Runs (45 runs), Reddy copped and Most wickets
West Side Alliance rise to glory...
Frompage27
the final on Thursday, team captain and coachingstaffcreditedunity,preparation,and belief as the cornerstones of their success. Beyondthetrophy,thevictorycarriesbroader significance,servingasinspirationforyoung footballers across Region Three and beyond—proof that opportunities still exist outside traditional club and national structures.
Adding to the occasion was the presence ofthetournament’snamesake,formerPrime Minister and Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green The 90 plus-year-old stalwartofcommunitydevelopmentwasseen cheering passionately from the sidelines, a testament to his enduring commitment to youthandsport.Withahistoryspanningover
three decades, the tournament remains a symbolofgrassrootsfootballdevelopmentin Guyana. This year’s edition also delivered tangible rewards, with a total of $850,000 in prize money shared among the top four finishers. West Side Alliance walked away with the top prize of $500,000, a fitting rewardfortheiroutstandingperformance.
Following the tournament, coordinator Lennox Arthur expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many individuals and corporate supporters who contributed to its success, acknowledging that such an event is only possible through collective effort and communitybacking.
In the end, West Side Alliance Village stands tall at the pinnacle of the nine-a-side Inter-Wardcompetition.
award for 6 scalps, Makai Dowlin- Most catches (3), Bishop Most Dismissals (3)
and Bishop again with 45 runs and his 3 dismissals earninghimtheMVPaward.
Shaun Massiah presenting the MVP trophy to Nathan Bishop.
Lomar Seecharran collecting his Award from BCB president Dr. Cecil Beharry.
West Side Alliance rise to glory in recently concluded Hamilton Green Cup
- Carting off with the coveted nine-a-side title and $500,000 in cash
As Guyana’s local footballlandscapecontinues to thrive with an improving structure, opportunities for players at every level are steadily expanding The
recently concluded
Hamilton Green Inter-
Village Nine-a-Side
Knockout Football Championship once again demonstrated the depth of talent across the country, bringingtogether32teamsin afiercelycompetitiveannual showdown.
Attheheartofitallstood WestSideAllianceVillage,a team that has now etched its name into local nine-a-side football history With a commanding 3–1 victory over the Mahaica Football Team in the final,West Side Alliance captured the 2026 Hamilton Green Cup title in emphaticfashion.
Organised by former national football coach
Lennox Arthur, the tournament continues to serve as a vital platform for both emerging players and seasonedveterans.Featuring teams from as far east as Mahaica, and stretches
Hamilton Green continues to support Grassroots Football. Last Thursday, he had the privilege of greeting the two teams, ahead of the championship clash between West Side Alliance and Mahaica.
across districts like Essequibo, and as far as Timehri in the South, the championship’s straight knockout format left no margin for error Every match demanded precision, resilience, and composure, traits that defined West Side Alliance’scampaign.
From the opening whistle, West Side signaled strong intent. Their journey to the final was built on superior fitness, disciplined defending, fluid midfield
play, and clinical finishing. As the tournament progressed through three gripping rounds, the quarterfinalstageshowcased high-intensity football, where West Side eliminated two of the competition’s “big-name” teams to book theirplaceinthefinal.
Awaiting them was a formidable Mahaica side, equally determined and equallydeserving,withboth teams seeking their first Hamilton Green Cup
TTournament Coordinator, Lennox Arthur handing over the winner’s spoils to West Side Alliance team captain, following the conclusion of the 2026 Hamilton Green Cup.
triumph after the Covid-19 break.Thefinaldeliveredon itspromiseofexcitement,as the teams tradedmomentum infrontofanengagedcrowd. West Side applied early pressure, but Mahaica responded confidently, leveling the score by halftime. The turning point cameinthesecondhalfwhen
he Massy Distribution
12th Annual Schools
Under-18 Football Tournament roars back into action today and tomorrow following a brief rain interruption, with anticipation building ahead of the exciting Round Two phase at the Queen’sCollegeGround.
With the opening round completed,all32schoolsremainin contention as the competition resumes on April 8 and 9 Defending champions Dolphin Secondaryhavealreadythrownthe race wide open, especially after stumblingtoanearlydefeatagainst Ann’sGroveSecondary Theupset hasraisedthestakesacrossthefield withincreasedchancesofcrowning anewchampion.
The opening phase delivered a blend of dominant performances withChase’sAcademicFoundation dwindling the hope of its earliest contender in a 22-nil rout while a few surprising upsets came at the hands of Ann’s Grove and Lodge Secondary each with opening victories heading into the round two action. The tournament has
West Side regained control of the tempo. A superbly executed free kick (follow
aggressive tackle) restored their lead, and moments later, they doubled their advantage with a decisive thirdgoal.
Despite Mahaica’s efforts to claw their way
been decorated by a handful of standout individual displays, settingthetoneforwhatisshaping up to be a fiercely competitive tournament. With improved conditions expected, players and supporters alike are eager to see which teams can sustain momentum and which underdogs may continue to defy expectations. At this point, the tournament is quite young, teams are more focused on topping their groups, with the format rewarding not only the top finishers but also those placing within the top eight, whowilleventuallyearnadditional playing opportunities in the upcoming Republic Bank Schools FootballLeague.
RoundTworepresentsapivotal juncture. For some, it is about converting a strong start into a genuinetitlepush;forothers,itisa test of resilience as they fight to keep championship hopes alive. Coaches are expected to stress discipline, tactical awareness and composure under pressure as the margin for error narrows on the roadtotheknockoutstages.
back, West Side Alliance held firm, sealing a 3–1 victory and claiming their much-needed title. The win not only highlighted their dominance but also underscored their mental toughness and tactical discipline in a high-stakes knockoutenvironment.After Continued on page 23
A full slate of matches is scheduled for today: Anna Regina Secondary will open proceedings againstEastRuimveldtSecondary, followed by New Campbellville Secondary taking on Ann’s Grove Secondary in Match 18. Zeeburg Secondary will also face Yarrowkabra Secondary, while Charlestown Secondary meet New Amsterdam Secondary during the morningsession. The afternoon session features West Demerara Secondary against St Stanislaus College, Good Hope Secondary versus St John’s College, Santa Rosa Secondary opposingBrickdamSecondary,and WestRuimveldtSecondaryseeking asecondwinwhentheyclashwith HopeSecondaryinMatch24. With32schoolsstillinthehunt andthepathtothefinalwideopen, an electric atmosphere is expected as supporters return in full voice despiteearlierweathersetbacks.
Action continues Thursday, April9,aswellasApril11and12at the Queen’s College Ground in Georgetown Kickoff time 10:00am.
Guyana battled the weather and a talented Bajan team to emerge winners of the bilateral U16 youth series.
Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle (centre left), AAG PresidentAmanda Hermonstine (centre) and NSC Director Cristy Campbell (centre right) along with team members and officials on arrival home.
