K
Saturday Edition U.S. pressure AIETEUR NEWS on Iran starting to tell, as sanctions and blockade bite
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
September 05, 2026 - Vol. 21 No. 35
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $200 readership yesterday, 44,425
Norton: Govt’s ‘mad man
approach’…callstoforborrowing stricter policies to prevent indebting future generations must end WTC Director Wesley Kirton rescued
APNU rejects govt’s plans to integrate Linden onto national grid
from Moblissa swamp
2 freed, 3 convicted in Berbice murder trial
Court rejects bid to revoke Mohamed’s bail
WTC Director Wesley Kirton (front stooping) surrounded by firefighters. (Pic: Gerry Gouveia) A mugshot of Hardeep Singh Bharya when he was jailed for fraud in the UK.
British man accused of scamming Guyanese was jailed for fraud in the UK
Kaieteur News
PAGE 02
Saturday September 05, 2026
Exxon seeks locals for oil and gas training services, facility management in Berbice
E
xxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is seeking information from suppliers to provide a broad range of services required for the Oil and Gas Training Facility in Port Mourant, Berbice. According to a Request For Information (RFI) issued on September 4, the training institute is seeking skilled Guyanese to provide technical training, management and operation of the Facility. The multi-purpose training facility is expected to deliver a comprehensive technician training programme accredited to international standards. It is a c o l l a b o r a t i v e e ff o r t between EMGL and the Stabroek Block partners, along with the Government of Guyana (GoG). This facility is Guyana’s first oil and gas training institute and is aimed at developing a skilled local workforce to support offshore operations. The training focuses on
four core technician craft disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and controls, and process operations to support the Stabroek Block oil & gas operations. Exxon explained that the training facility consists of training rooms and laboratories located within a campus-like structure and includes multiple classrooms for lectures; multiple laboratories for hands-on practical exercises and competency verification, workshop buildings, maintenance building, computer laboratory and computer simulators of various oil and gas processing plants and Facility Simulator (FacTor)a functioning processing plant with two-phase (water and air) separation, electrical systems, instrumentation and control room. It also features ancillary facilities such as an administration building, dormitory with a dining hall and kitchen to house 105 students, guard hut,
The Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC) campus in Port Mourant, Region Six.
electrical generators and switchgear, water utilities as well as fire and gas alarm and monitoring system. The oil company said training will be conducted in four phases of technical disciplines; mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and operations at the technician diploma level. A m o n g t h e requirements, suppliers must
demonstrate strong technical expertise in production, mechanical, electrical, or instrumentation disciplines, with a minimum of five years’ operational experience in the oil and gas industry, along with proven t r a i n i n g d e l i v e r y, facilitation, and coaching skills. As part of the operations, the facility requires training delivery and equipment maintenance, operating and management (o&m) of the facility including facilities management services; cafeteria, security and dormitory services. Facilities management services will cover cleaning services for all areas of the property including cleaning supplies (plot size = 399,895sq ft² and of the building area 52,159 ft²); waste management &
disposal services; maintenance and groundskeeping services; generator maintenance and inspection; air-conditioning, fire safety management systems and provision of consumables such as, generator fuel, spare parts, personal protective equipment (PPE) and training consumables, replacement fire extinguishers and asset management. The company made it clear that all cleaning services for the oil and gas training facility buildings must be between 6AM to 6PM. It further noted that janitorial staff must be “contactable 24/7 by phone, including after hours on-call support, in the event of an emergency and the need to attend site”. With regards to the cafeteria services, the provider will be required to
provide food services and catering for meetings and events, making options for snack and lunch for a population of approximately 100-120 persons. Interested suppliers must meet local content requirements and must include in their submission a preliminary local content strategy outlining how they will deliver on the local content expectations. The Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC) campus in Port Mourant, Region Six was completed in December 2025. It was reported that the investment in the college is about US$100 million. The GTTCI facility, spanning some 18.4 acres, is part of a larger plan which includes the Hospitality and Tourism Institute and the Oil and Gas Training College.
12 months jail for Demerara Bridge copper cable thief …businessman on $300,000 bail for receiving stolen article
T
he man who admitted to stealing $1.6 million worth of copper cable from the Demerara River Bridge was jailed on Friday, while the businessman at whose home the cable was found was charged with receiving stolen property. Jailed for 12 months is Roy Morgan, 39, who was charged with simple larceny. Morgan was arrested on Wednesday, 2nd September, 2026, and appeared on Friday at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess, where he pleaded guilty to the charge. Meanwhile, Albouystown businessman Mustafid Pashaw, called “Mustaf”, 51, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was charged with receiving stolen articles. He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty. Pashaw was not required to plead to the charge and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $300,000, with the condition that he report to the Ruimveldt Police Station on the third Friday of every month. The matter was adjourned to 2nd October, 2026.
Jailed: Roy Morgan
Granted bail: Mustafid Pashaw
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
PAGE 03
Govt’s ‘mad man approach’ to borrowing must end - Norton ...calls for strict policies on borrowing to prevent indebting future generations G u y a n a ’s N a t u r a l Resource Fund (NRF) will experience heavier inflows of oil money as ExxonMobil has recovered its investments in Guyana. The new revenue stream for the country should shape a robust economic blueprint for the country that ensures the resources are used in a manner that supports development and protects future generations from the weight of heavy borrowing. This is according to leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton. During a recent media conference, he explained that there are certain circumstances that would allow borrowing, however,
government’s “madman” approach is unsustainable. Norton said, “There might be times when borrowing is more economically viable than using your own resources but this government’s approach of borrowing like if they head ain’t good makes no sense. It’s a mad man approach to development.” Instead, the leader suggested a mechanism that would cap borrowing at a specific percentage of income. “What is needed is a comprehensive policy approach which says one, we have these resources, they are available, two, what are the projects that will demand us borrowing and what
percentage of our income should be used for that and what are the projects that we should be financing because it is in our interest,” Norton said. He told reporters that government must be mindful of future generations so as to ensure that the resources currently available do not leave future generations in debt. The party leader argued that oil is not an infinite resource, underscoring the need for a careful approach to the use of revenues from the sector. Norton cautioned, “If you have high levels of borrowing, high levels of income and you are utilising both at a fast rate and the people are not seeing
APNU rejects govt’s plans to integrate Linden onto national grid The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Friday rejected government plans to integrate Linden into the national power grid by 2029, as outlined in the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) Development and Expansion Plan 2026–2030. This publication asked former mayor of the mining town, Sharma Solomon, to comment on the proposed integration and what it could mean for Linden. Solomon said the current power purchasing arrangement between GPL and BOSAI would be preferred, as the community understands how the system works. Solomon also reminded that history has shown why Linden is entitled to affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity, noting that residents have benefited from such arrangements for about 50 years through agreements such as the old bauxite agreement and the 21st of August Agreement. “Why would we want to be on a GPL arrangement like Georgetown and the rest of the country, with uncertainty surrounding power generation, power distribution and the cost of electricity? We said to Georgetown and the rest of the country when we signed the 21st of August Agreement that a technical committee in every region would help develop a better power generation plan for Guyana and GPL, so that we could appreciate the integration of different regions and communities into the GPL supply system. That was not done,” the member of
Former Mayor of the Mining Town, Sharma Solomon parliament said. He added that this was something the coalition government had begun working on before the current administration shifted its focus to the Gas-to-Energy Project, which is yet to materialise and deliver the promised reduction in electricity costs. “So, we have every right to be concerned in Linden after what we fought for historically and given the government’s demonstrated mismanagement. We deserve to have serious concerns about being placed on GPL’s power generation system,” Solomon said. APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton, addressing “wild comments” from persons questioning why Linden should pay less for electricity, said it must be understood that the Continued on page 14
development it could only mean one thing- they are doing it to continue to ensure the families, the friends, the favourites and themselves get rich at the expense of the people of Guyana and so there is need for clear policy position but we cannot support that kind of borrowing in this kind of environment.” He further explained, “I am not going to take all the money I have and buy a vehicle. In that case it might be useful for me to look at what the bank has to offer and buy it but if it is economical for me to buy that vehicle and still progress to what I have to do because I have the resources, I will do it. So, there is need for a pragmatic approach to the question.” Guyana’s debt by the end of 2026 is expected to jump to a staggering US$10.3 billion, a nearly six times increase since the country started oil production in 2019. Before the first barrel of oil was pumped in 2019, Guyana was struggling to meet its yearly national debt payments of just US$1.7
PNCR Leader, Aubrey Norton billion. Earlier this year, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, announced that Guyana’s total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt rose sharply to US$7.7 billion at the end of 2025, up from US$5.993 billion a year earlier. This publication had reported that government’s borrowing this year will move Guyana’s debt burden from US$7.7 billion at the end of 2025 to US$10.3 billion this year. The Irfaan Ali-led administration has often touted the low GDP to debt service ratio, meaning that t h e c o u n t r y ’s G r o s s Domestic Product (GDP) far outweighs the country’s annual repayment on loans. The country’s growth in
GDP, while largely reflective of exports from the petroleum sector, is not the real value that the country receives from the sector. For instance, Guyana’s total crude oil exports amounted to US$17.9 billion in 2024, but Guyana only received a meagre US$2.6 billion in revenue from the sector during the same period. Stakeholders have frequently warned that while the country is “rich on paper” in reality the nation risks slipping into a dangerous debt crisis that many oil producing states previously fell prey to. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) endorsed the government’s borrowing strategy, concluding that its debt remains sustainable.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 04
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Amerindian Heritage Amerindian Heritage Month has arrived once again, bringing with it the familiar procession of ceremonies, colourful cultural displays, official speeches and political declarations about the importance of Guyana’s First Peoples. The speeches will come. They always do. Government officials will speak eloquently about Amerindian resilience, culture, contribution and the indispensable role of Indigenous peoples in Guyana’s development. Opposition politicians will not want to be outdone. There will be references to empowerment, inclusion, prosperity and the enormous opportunities supposedly waiting for Amerindian communities in oil-rich Guyana. But this year, those speeches are being delivered against a particularly painful national backdrop. The country is still grappling with the horror of the MV Barima tragedy, the worst maritime disaster in recent memory. And among the people who remain deeply disturbed by the tragedy and its aftermath are Amerindians, many of whom have expressed anger and disappointment over what they regard as an inadequate governmental response. For many Indigenous Guyanese, this is not simply another political controversy. It is a question of whether their lives are valued equally. The calls for accountability have been unmistakable. There has been mounting dissatisfaction over the Government’s unwillingness to remove or sanction ministers and other officials with responsibility for the maritime sector and related areas. Yet while the nation mourns, the political machinery appears more comfortable with defending officeholders than confronting the uncomfortable questions of responsibility. That is a bitter reality with which Amerindian Heritage Month must contend. Because what does it mean to celebrate the First Peoples while Indigenous citizens are demanding accountability from the very Government that claims to champion their welfare. What does heritage mean when the people whose ancestors have occupied this land for generations continue to struggle with poverty, limited opportunities and the high cost of simply moving around their own country? The price of air travel to the hinterland has become another glaring example of the disconnect between political rhetoric and lived reality. For many Amerindian communities, travelling between the coast and the hinterland is not a luxury. It is a necessity, for medical care, education, employment, business, family obligations and access to government services. Yet the cost can be prohibitive. This is happening in an oil-rich Guyana that boasts billions of dollars in petroleum revenues and unprecedented national wealth. And therein lies one of the great contradictions of modern Guyana. Some of the country’s richest mineral-producing regions remain home to some of its poorest communities. The wealth beneath the soil has not translated sufficiently into wealth in the lives of the people living above it. Too many Amerindian communities continue to confront inadequate economic opportunities, high living costs, poor infrastructure and social problems that cannot be wished away by an annual month of cultural celebration. This is not an argument against celebration. Far from it. Culture matters. Heritage matters. Pride matters. But celebration without accountability becomes theatre. Speeches without measurable action become political decoration. And government programmes that fail to fundamentally improve the lives of Indigenous people become little more than another annual exercise in selfcongratulation. For decades, Amerindians have been courted by politicians, praised during election campaigns and celebrated during Heritage Month. Yet their political importance has often exceeded the seriousness with which their socio-economic problems are addressed. That must
Can Govt. give us an idea of what it is costing taxpayers to keep the five MV Barima CoI commissioners and support staff DEAR EDITOR, So, with great pomp, the selfappointed commission of inquiry into the Barima tragedy is up and running. Running to nowhere, where those sane men dwell. No matter how pretty a building is, it is worth very little if the foundation is weak. The beginning of this Barima CoI, had a start that was poor, pernicious and pretentious. You appoint five commissioners, with no form of consultation, you issue a very high-sounding release about the impartiality, depth and scope of the CoI. The high command booms that it is not
prepared to take any action against individuals or institutions before his self-appointed CoI committee completes its work and submits a report, yet three persons are charged with the capital offense, directly related to the matters not yet examined by this CoI. A few years ago, the boys in my area would have said, “you hear lie, that is lie”, beyond that, it is doubtful that the report tainted or pure could help without seeing the condition of this vessel. The bringing to the surface of the MV Barima seem to be tormented by a number of questions.
Several patriotic organisations delivered a petition to His Excellency on Thursday 3rd September, requesting the immediate release of Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Roberts and Superintendent Delon Granderson who have been snatched away from their families. Are these three men on three-quarter pay, half pay or no pay? And, can the government give us an idea of what it is costing taxpayers to keep these five commissioners and support staff. Your respectfully, Nigel Bacchus
In Guyana today we must be bold, be wise, and reject every effort at subtle recolonisation DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese everywhere and of every age must recognise that the end of the major European civil war, which the media baptised as World War 2, brought new circumstances, and interesting dynamics to the world in which we live. When the great British Statesman, crowned the “British Bull-dog”, Sir Winston Churchill delivered his famous speech at Fulton Missouri, on 5th March, 1946, where he adverted to the term “iron curtain”, this in a sense created conditions for what is regarded as the destructive, all-consuming Cold War. Of interest, Churchill was introduced by
no less a person than U.S. President Harry S. Truman. This Cold War which technically ended in the dawn of the 1990s, was extremely destructive, the Vietnam war and Korean war are the best-known consequences of this Cold war. In all this, small countries in Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean needed to walk a fine line to gain their Independence from their respective imperial powers, and the greatest struggle was to secure benefits from their natural resources beyond the exploitation and dehumanisation of slavery. And most of all to persuade their citizens that political
independence was more than an anthem and a seat at the United Nations. The much loftier goal was to be pawns of neither East nor West. This led to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement, officially founded this very month in1961. Forbes Burnham w as a s olid supporter and advocate of the concept of nonalignment, when he got the opportunity in office, he had erected a monument, at Company Path between St George’s Cathedral and Bank of Guyana, to honour the four founders of the nonaligned movement, President Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Prime Minister Nehru of India, President
Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and President Gamal Nasser of Egypt. Out of all this, there existed a tug-of-war between the two goliaths. But thanks to hard work, industry and visionary leadership the People’s Republic of China (PRC) emerged as a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. The PRC grew and developed at an exceedingly fast rate, lead by i t s C o m m u n i s t P a r t y, challenging the might of the mighty in the field of commence, technology, and industry. In the Caribbean, including the Englishspeaking former colonies, Continued on page 5
CANAWAIMA FERRY CRISIS: WHY GUYANA AND SURINAME NEED A LONG-TERM SOLUTION DEAR EDITOR, The MV Canawaima is sailing again. That is welcome news for passengers, businesses and families who depend on the link between Moleson Creek and South Drain. But reopening the route should not be mistaken for solving the problem. August exposed something more serious than a technical failure. It showed how vulnerable an important connection between Guyana and Suriname becomes when so much depends on a single ageing vessel. The ferry was cleared to operate after an inspection
on 13th August. Nine days later, the service was suspended again amid safety and technical concerns. Guyana and Suriname did not initially agree on how urgently those deficiencies had to be addressed. What should not be disputed, however, is the principle that public safety comes first. After further technical work and inspections, the Canawaima returned to service on 28th August. The temptation now will be to move on. That would be a mistake. For Guyana, the Canawaima is more than a ferry. It connects Berbice
change. The First Peoples of Guyana deserve more than ceremonial recognition. They deserve affordable access to their own country, genuine economic opportunities, quality healthcare and education, protection of their lands and resources, and above all the assurance that when tragedy
with Suriname and provides businesses with access to another market. It supports tourism, trade and family connections across the Corentyne. As economic relations between the two countries deepen, reliable transport will become more important, not less. The question is therefore not simply how to keep the Canawaima running. It is how to build a crossing that people can rely upon. Guyana and Suriname should use this disruption to agree on a long-term plan. Dry-docking and necessary repairs are the immediate priorities, but planning for a
replacement vessel cannot be postponed indefinitely. Just as importantly, there should be reserve capacity. One mechanical problem should not be capable of disrupting a strategic international transport link. The two governments have already agreed to continue discussions on drydocking and a replacement vessel. Those discussions now need deadlines, financing options and public accountability. Public infrastructure requires public responsibility. That does not mean governments must Continued on page 6
strikes, their lives will not be treated as expendable. This Heritage Month, therefore, the question should not be how beautifully Guyana can celebrate its Amerindian heritage. The question should be whether Guyana is prepared to honour its First Peoples by treating their lives, their voices and their demands with the seriousness they deserve.
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 05
The Mohamed Method: Wealth, Victimhood and the Politics of Denial DEAR EDITOR, It began, as so much of Guyanese politics now seems to begin, with a video. Last Tuesday night, Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed returned from a humanitarian visit to Port Kaituma and Mabaruma with several WIN parliamentarians. Their mission had been to meet survivors and relatives affected by the July sinking of the MV Barima. Then came the confrontation. Joint Services personnel intercepted the fast boat near the Demerara River and eventually escorted it to the C o a s t G u a r d f a c i l i t y. According to police, the vessel had failed to stop when signalled and, during the pursuit, officers saw a bag being thrown overboard. Nothing illegal was subsequently found on the vessel. Mohamed, however, was detained after he could not produce the vessel’s
registration, certificate of fitness and captain’s licence. By Wednesday morning, the story had changed. Mohamed posted photographs claiming that the authorities had deliberately damaged his boat while it was in police custody. The accusation was explosive: the state, he suggested, had abused its power against the Leader of the Opposition. Then came an inconvenient piece of evidence. A video posted earlier that morning appeared to show what was the same damage while the boat was still at an interior location before it came into police custody. And then another fact emerged. Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department said that, according to its records, neither Mohamed nor the fast craft was licensed or otherwise authorised to operate in Guyana’s waters.
The boat story is still a story that requires investigation. Mohamed’s allegation should also be investigated, and the conduct of the authorities should be examined. But something else has already happened. The conversation has moved. The question is no longer simply what happened to the boat. It has become: What is the government doing to Azruddin Mohamed? That shift is the key to understanding what I would call the Mohamed Method: a pattern of political communication, wealth, spectacle, rapid-fire social media, grievance, denial and the relentless transformation of the person being questioned into the person doing the questioning. Become the Story Mohamed’s political identity did not begin with WIN. It began with wealth. Luxury vehicles, motor racing, designer clothing,
In Guyana today we must be bold... From page 4 their new leaders were reluctant, some would say afraid, to establish relations with the People’s Republic of China, Guyana was no different. I recall when this matter was discussed, senior officials, cabinet members, and the PPP expressed the view that there was no good reason for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to be the first in the region to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. However, five persons led the charge to have diplomatic relations with China, these persons were Forbes Burnham, Hamilton Green, Ptolemy Reid, Shirley Field-Ridley, and Hubert Jack. And so it was that we established formal diplomatic relations with China, on 27th June, 1972. A busy time for Guyana, as we hosted the first ever CARIFESTA, the brainchild of Burnham, in August – September 1972. Today, human instinct of rivalry, jealousy and the urge to dominate continues unabated. These characteristics are evident in Guyana. What mattered then and matters today is the wisdom, inner strength, courage and genuine commitment of our leaders to the welfare of our nation state and all of the people. As we look at the situation in Guyana where some folks are concerned about our
relations with China, the people, all the people, should say to our leaders be brave, and make it clear that no external force should dictate to us who we should be friendly with. If we allow this or even the perception of such an attitude, it will be a betrayal of the Golden Arrowhead and the sanctity of our soul. We all love our big brother, but we are all now grown up. Unfortunately, over the last century we have seen steps by leaders, of sheer stupidity. Why did Adolf Hitler attack Stalingrad in July 1942, exhausting his military, leading to his
downfall? Why did the Trojans not perceive a Greek trick when they hauled that suspicious looking horse within there city fortress? Why did the Japanese attack Pearl Harbour in December 1941, drawing the Americans into the war and leading to their defeat? In Guyana today we must be bold, be wise, and reject every effort at subtle recolonisation. On a personal level, I thank God for my mother who weaned me on the mantra, that I should be fearless and that big bad bullies can be beaten. Sincerely, Elder Hamilton Green
conspicuous consumption and highly publicised philanthropy have long been central to his public image. A 2023 profile described his fleet of exotic cars, while contemporary reporting documented an extensive social-media campaign featuring his charitable activities and public appearances. The philanthropy is real. Thousands of Guyanese have benefited from it. That should not be dismissed simply because it has also enhanced his public profile. But that is precisely the point. Mohamed did not merely give. He broadcast the giving. The beneficiary received a gift; the public received a picture. A community received assistance; social media received another Mohamed story. The philanthropist became the brand. And the brand is powerful because it speaks directly to aspiration. In an oil-rich Guyana where many people still do not feel rich, Mohamed embodies the fantasy of wealth already achieved. He is not the politician promising that prosperity will someday arrive. He presents himself as the man who has already arrived - and therefore as someone who knows how to get others there.
That is a potent political proposition. Then Make Yourself the Questioner The next step is more sophisticated. When questions are directed at Mohamed, the question itself becomes the problem. U.S. authorities sanctioned Mohamed, his father and Mohamed’s Enterprise in June 2024, alleging that the company had under-declared more than 10,000 kilograms of gold between 2019 and 2023 and avoided more than US$50 million in Guyanese duties. The U.S. Treasury also alleged bribery and falsification of customs documents. Mohamed denied wrongdoing. Again, that is entirely his right. But the political technique that followed was familiar: scrutiny became persecution. When a U.S. federal grand jury subsequently indicted Mohamed in connection with alleged gold-export fraud, money laundering and a separate alleged scheme involving the undervaluation of a Lamborghini, the indictment itself became part of the argument that he was being targeted. The U.S. Department of Justice explicitly cautioned that the
indictment contains allegations and that the defendants are presumed innocent. The distinction matters. Being indicted is not being convicted. But neither is an indictment merely a political opinion. There is a federal case. There was an extradition request. Guyana’s courts are dealing with it. Yet the political narrative repeatedly seeks to move the public’s attention away from the underlying allegations and toward the motives of those asking the questions. The accused becomes the accuser. The Lamborghini and the Problem of Evidence The Lamborghini episode illustrates why this distinction matters. The U.S. indictment alleges that Mohamed directed the creation of an invoice showing that a Lamborghini cost approximately US$75,300 when its actual cost was approximately US$680,000, allegedly avoiding more than US$1 million in Guyanese taxes. Whatever the eventual legal outcome, this is precisely the kind of allegation that should be answered with documents, not theatrics. Continued on page 6
Kaieteur News
PAGE 06
Saturday September 05, 2026
Legal path exists for confirmation of Chancellor, Chief justice - Ramkarran Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran SC, has once again underlined the importance of having substantive office holders at the head of the judiciary. In his most recent writings published via blog site Conversation Tree, Ramkarran explained that a narrow opportunity exists for the office holders to become permanent even as he highlighted the risks of undermining the work of the judiciary. He noted however this is a matter of interpretation of the
constitutional provision which speaks to the role of the leader of the opposition in the process of appointing the two head justices. Ramkarran pointed out that the current gridlock resulted from the oversight committee on constitutional reform, on which the PPP/C had a majority, interpreted the recommendation by the Constitution Reform Commission (CRC) for a “consensual mechanism” to determine the chancellor and chief justice to mean “consensus” between the president and leader of the opposition. “It did not,” Ramkarran, a
senior member of the local bar, asserted. He explained that it meant the establishment of a “mechanism” that would have been likely to lead to a “consensus”. “Because of time constraints, the CRC did not have the possibility of devising and recommending the “mechanism”. It is astonishing that the PPP and its senior leaders who were members of the oversight committee at that time did not consider that gridlock would be the consequence of such a concession to the opposition,” Ramkarran continued.
To support his contention, the senior counsel referenced a recent exchange between attorney Kamal Ramkarran and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Terrence Campbell in the Kiskadee Watch which suggests that there is a way out. In a letter dated 15th August, Kamal Ramkarran wrote: “The leader of the opposition has only a limited and circumscribed power in the decision to choose a chancellor and chief justice. He or she only has the power to refuse to proffer agreement. That refusal cannot be irrational. It must be based on some
Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran SC objective fact which entitles him or her to refuse to agree to a reasonable proposal for the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice.” Continued on page 8
The Mohamed Method: Wealth, Victimhood and the Politics of... From page 5 What was the purchase price? What was declared? What taxes were paid? W h a t d i d t h e documentation say? Evidence can answer those questions. But social media works differently. It does not require an argument to be settled. It only requires another argument to begin. The Social-Media Machine This is where Mohamed may be more attuned than many of his political opponents. He understands the speed of the medium. A video can be recorded and distributed in minutes. A rebuttal takes hours. A proper investigation may take days. And before the first allegation has been adequately examined, he spins out another video. Then another. Then another. The result is an information cascade. Communication researchers have long recognised a related phenomenon known as the Gish Gallop: an overwhelming succession of claims that makes it difficult for an opponent to answer each one adequately. Social media has turbocharged the technique. The first video does not have to survive scrutiny forever. It only has to survive long enough to become familiar. That matters because psychology has identified what is known as the illusory t r u t h e ff e c t : r e p e a t e d exposure can increase the perception that something is true. Familiarity can masquerade as verification. And there is an even simpler problem. People remember highlights.
They remember the dramatic accusation. They remember the angry face. They remember the photograph. They remember the phrase “political persecution.” They often do not remember the correction that appeared three days later in a newspaper article they never read. By then, the narrative has hardened. The correction is a footnote. The original allegation is the memory. Dazzle, Aspire, Believe This is where wealth becomes politically useful. Mohamed’s extraordinary lifestyle is not merely decoration. It is part of the communication strategy. The cars, the boats, the generosity, the crowds and the constant imagery create an aura of success. And success creates credibility. The psychological message is almost subliminal: Look what I have achieved. I know how to create wealth. I know how to make things happen. Why listen to politicians who have failed you? For people frustrated with traditional politics, that can be enormously attractive. But wealth is not evidence of wisdom. Generosity is not evidence of integrity. Popularity is not evidence of truth. And the ability to produce a spectacular video is not evidence that the allegation contained in it is true. The Entitlement Problem There is another theme
running through the record: questions about compliance with rules. The Lamborghini became the subject of allegations concerning its declared value and whether he’s entitled to drive it on the road without insurance. Now the fast boat has produced questions about registration, fitness and licensing. MARAD’s statement is particularly significant because it is not a political opponent making the claim. It is the country’s maritime regulator saying that its records show that neither Mohamed nor the vessel was licensed or otherwise authorised to operate. That does not establish that Mohamed deliberately broke the law. It does, however, raise a legitimate question about whether the rules are regarded as obligations or obstacles. And that question matters enormously for someone who now occupies the constitutional position of Opposition Leader. The public cannot demand that government officials obey the law while treating compliance as optional for those with money, influence or political power. The Caribbean Is Not Immune Guyana should not imagine that this is uniquely Guyanese. Across the Caribbean and Latin America, politics has repeatedly produced personalities who turn personal wealth, celebrity, grievance and direct communication with supporters into political capital. T h e c o m m o n denominator is not ideology. It is personality over institution. The danger begins when
the politician’s personal story becomes more important than the institution he represents. Guyana has spent decades wrestling with ethnic politics and party loyalty. The new danger may be different: the emergence of politics organised around personality, wealth and permanent grievance. That deserves equal scrutiny. And Then There Is the Algorithm T h e r e i s a n uncomfortable connection here to something much larger than Mohamed. The social-media algorithm does not know whether a claim is true. It knows whether people stop scrolling. Outrage works. Fear works. Humiliation works. Conflict works. A calm explanation that says, “The matter is complicated and we should wait for the evidence” is rarely as engaging as a video saying, “Look what they have done to me.”
The algorithm therefore rewards precisely the political behaviour that democratic institutions should be cautious about. The more provocative the claim, the greater its reach. The greater its reach, the more familiar it becomes. The more familiar it becomes, the more believable it can feel. And by the time the facts catch up, the political objective may already have been achieved. Move to the next controversy before the previous one is settled. It is an extraordinarily effective way of remaining on the offensive. The objective does not necessarily have to be proving the original claim. It may simply be preventing anyone else from controlling the narrative. The Real Test None of this means that everything Mohamed says is false. Nor does it mean that everything the government
says is true. The boat incident itself demonstrates why both sides must be scrutinised. If the police damaged Mohamed’s vessel, that should be established and those responsible held accountable. If the damage existed before the vessel entered police custody, that should also be established. If the vessel was operating without the required licences, that should be dealt with according to law. And if the authorities acted improperly in detaining Mohamed, they too should answer for it. The standard must be the same for everyone. That is the point. The real danger to Guyanese democracy is not that one politician might be dishonest. It is that citizens become so accustomed to competing narratives that they stop asking which one is supported by evidence. Regards, Ron Cheong
CANAWAIMA FERRY CRISIS: WHY... From page 4 operate every aspect of the service themselves. Private expertise can improve maintenance, technology and customer s e r v i c e . B u t s a f e t y, a ff o r d a b i l i t y, accessibility and continuity cannot be left entirely to commercial considerations. Modernisation matters too. Plans for online booking, advance reservations and better capacity management were already being developed before the August disruption. They should now be implemented. Customs and border processes should also be progressively digitised and better coordinated. For small businesses in Berbice, these are not administrative details. Reliability determines whether goods arrive on time, whether costs remain manageable and whether opportunities across the border are genuinely accessible. Nor should border
communities be remembered only when something breaks. Berbice should be viewed not as Guyana’s periphery, but as a gateway to Suriname and the wider region. The same principle applies across the river in Nickerie. Regional integration means little if the communities closest to the border do not share in its opportunities. A future bridge across the Corentyne may eventually transform this relationship. But people and businesses need dependable transport now. The Canawaima is sailing again. The real measure of success will be whether this latest disruption becomes another temporary repair, or the moment when both countries finally build a safer, more reliable and more accountable cross-border service. Regards, Vincent Roep
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 07
PAGE 08
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
GCCI youth confab billed for next Saturday The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has launched its inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Conference, a new Chamber initiative designed to introduce young Guyanese to entrepreneurship, innovation and emerging business opportunities from an early age. The Conference, themed “Igniting G u y a n a ’s N e x t G e n e r a t i o n o f Entrepreneurs,” will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 8:30 and to 1:00 pm, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and is expected to bring together approximately 100 to 150 young people from age 10 to 17. According to a press release, conceived by GCCI President, Kathy Smith as a flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative, the initiative is a response to the chamber’s
recognition that as Guyana’s economy grows and diversifies, deliberate attention must also be paid to developing the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders. The initiative complements the wider national focus on youth development, entrepreneurship, innovation and preparing young Guyanese to participate meaningfully in the country’s economic transformation. Smith said the initiative reflects the Chamber’s belief that preparing Guyana’s future business leaders must begin long before they enter the workforce. “Somewhere in a classroom in Guyana today is a 10-yearold with an idea. That idea may one day become a business, employ people, solve a problem in a community or even become one of the companies that helps to shape Guyana’s economy twenty years from now,”
Smith said. “But ideas need opportunity. If we want Guyana to have more entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and business leaders tomorrow, we have to begin exposing our young people to those possibilities today.” The programme has been designed as an interactive experience rather than a traditional conference where young people simply sit and listen to presentations. Participants will engage in workshops covering the Orange Economy, Tourism and H o s p i t a l i t y, A g r o - p r o c e s s i n g , A I Augmented Entrepreneurship, and Marketing and Public Relations. According to the release, Smith said the areas were deliberately selected to expose young people to both traditional and emerging opportunities and to broaden their understanding of what entrepreneurship can look like. “The entrepreneur of tomorrow will operate in a very different environment from the entrepreneur of yesterday. Technology is changing business, creativity is creating new industries, and opportunities are emerging across sectors. We want our young people to begin seeing themselves as part of that future,” she said. The conference seeks to build confidence,
President of the GCCI, Kathy Smith
creativity, financial literacy and problemsolving skills while exposing participants to the fundamentals of identifying opportunities, developing ideas and creating value. These objectives form part of the original GCCI concept. To broaden access to the inaugural Conference, the GCCI is using a two-pronged approach to participation. A public registration form will allow interested young people between the ages of 10 and 17 to register to attend, with parents, guardians and schools also being encouraged to share the opportunity with eligible students. Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism Continued on page 9
Legal path exists for confirmation... From page 6 Campbell responded: “It is the first time that I am hearing such an interpretation. Article 127 (1) of the Guyana Constitution is clear on the need for the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition and it sets no conditions on that agreement. This language was deliberately chosen to separate this clause from others which call for “consultation” or “meaningful consultation”. To this, Kamal Ramkarran responded by citing several cases: No power conferred for public purposes, like the power under consideration, is conferred absolutely. In particular, referenced Porter v Magill, decided by the House of Lords of the United Kingdom in 2001, it was held that such a power is conferred on trust and must only be used in the right and proper way intended by parliament.” He cited R (Miller) v Prime Minister (No 2), decided by the United Kingdom Supreme Court in 2019, in which the decision of the prime minister to advise the Queen to prorogue Parliament was challenged. The Court unanimously held that “…every prerogative power has its limits, and it is the function of the court to determine, when necessary, where they lie”. Finally, the former Speaker noted there is the Guyana case of Mustapha v Attorney General of Guyana, also decided in 2019, President Granger’s decision to reject three lists of candidates successively given to him by the leader of the opposition and then to unilaterally appoint a chairman of the elections commission. The CCJ held that “[t]he President should only find a nominee unacceptable for some good reason on objective grounds”. It continued, “[i]f a President was permitted, capriciously or whimsically, without proffering a good reason, to reject eligible nominees, this would frustrate the proper working of the Constitution…” He emphasised that the words “good reason” and “objective grounds” do not appear in Article 161(2), but the Court nevertheless found that the concepts were implied into the Constitution on a proper reading. According to the senior counsel, these arguments would lend credibility to any
suggestion that the government should grasp the opportunity now, as it should have done long ago, to test objection of the leader of the opposition, without any, or any credible, objection to the appointment to the chancellor and chief justice. He posited that the government’s advisors are aware of these legal principles but may have not been successful in persuading the government to act. Now is the time for an extra effort. According to the senior counsel, to make it a success, the government would need to make to the leader of the opposition the proposal in writing, specifying a response time. He asserted “If there is no response by way of acceptance, refusal, counter proposal, or request for information, the government may opt to invite the leader of the opposition for discussions on the matter or give extra time. If this process elicits no response, the government should proceed with the appointments and defend a case which is likely to be filed by the leader of the opposition.” Nevertheless, from all appearances, he noted that the government is unwilling to approach the leader of the opposition for anything. “This is a shortsighted approach to governance. The nation’s business soars in importance in relation to the personal or political differences that appear to be in play. The government needs to take the bull by the horns and fix the judiciary that has been languishing for 25 years. It has nothing to lose,” Ramkarran concluded. The former speaker noted this is not his first time commenting on the issue, having posted two articles in the past calling for the confirmation of the acting appointments of the chancellor and chief justice. In addition, two former presidents of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) called publicly for the confirmation of their positions. “They pointed to the serious consequences for the judiciary, namely, the strong possibility that the independence of the judiciary would be undermined. However, [then] political considerations took precedence over the harm being done to the judiciary and the rule of law.”
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
PAGE 09
How should I schedule my day? Deep in the Himalayas, I once visited a Hindu guru and asked him, “Guru, how should I schedule my day?” He looked at me for a moment, smiled, and asked, “What is it that you want to schedule?” “My day,” I replied. “I want to organise my time better. There is so much to do and so little time. I want to know when I should work, when I should rest, when I should pray, when I should exercise and when I should spend time with my family.” The guru smiled. “You have come to me asking how to schedule your day,” he said, “but perhaps the better question is how to live your day.” I waited. “In the morning,” he said, “do not begin by giving your mind to the world. Give the first part of your day to yourself and to God.” He explained that Hindu tradition regards the period before sunrise, Brahma Muhurta, as especially suitable for meditation, prayer and reflection. Before the demands of work, telephone calls, emails and social media begin clamouring for our attention, there should be a moment when we simply remember that we have been given another day. “Wake with gratitude,” he said. “You have been given something that many people did not receive today—the opportunity to
see another sunrise.” Then, he said, prepare yourself physically. Bathe. Exercise. Practise yoga if you wish. Sit quietly. Pray. Read something that elevates the mind. Repeat a mantra. It matters less what form the practice takes than that you begin the day deliberately rather than allowing the day to begin by overwhelming you. “And then?” I asked. “Work.” I was expecting something more mystical. The guru laughed. “Work is not the enemy of spirituality. Your attitude toward work is what matters.” He spoke of dharma, our duties and responsibilities and of karma yoga, the discipline taught in the Bhagavad Gita of performing one’s duty without becoming consumed by the fruits of one’s actions. “Do your work well,” he said. “Do it honestly. Give it your best. But do not allow success to make you arrogant or failure to make you miserable. You control your effort. You do not control every result.” I thought about how much anxiety in modern life comes from precisely the opposite attitude. We spend enormous energy trying to control outcomes over which we have little or no control. The guru continued. “When you eat, eat with gratitude. Do not merely put
food into your body while your mind is somewhere else. Remember those who produced it. Remember that food sustains life. If you can, offer it to God before you eat.” He was not advocating an escape from the world. Quite the opposite. He reminded me that Hinduism sees family, community and social responsibility as important parts of a meaningful life. Caring for one’s parents, raising one’s children, treating employees fairly, helping a neighbour and contributing to society are not distractions from s p i r i t u a l i t y. T h e y c a n themselves become spiritual acts. “Then comes evening,” he said. “Why is evening important?” “Because every day should have a time when you stop moving outward and begin looking inward.” At sunset, he explained, traditional Hindu practice provides another opportunity for sandhya—prayer, meditation and reflection. It is a pause between the day’s activity and the night’s rest. And before sleep, he suggested, one should conduct what amounts to a personal audit. “Ask yourself,” he said, “Was I truthful today? Did I hurt anyone unnecessarily? Was anger in control of me? Did I fulfil my responsibilities?
Dem Boys Seh...
The supermarket now got happy hour Dem boys seh fads does come and go like politicians’ promises. Once upon a time, if you had a fancy car, you drove to a petrol station, open up the trunk, pull out a cooler, turn up the music and start a lime. before long place had more people than a political rally. But times change. The fancy cars apparently done lose dem monopoly on liming. Now the latest craze is among ordinary working people. After hustling all day to make a living, some apparently feel the best place to unwind is outside a foreignowned supermarket, with a six-pack, loud music and a congregation that nobody invited. Dem boys seh this is innovation Guyanese style. Supermarket by day, rum shop by night—except nobody apparently remembered to build the rum shop. And now word coming that the barbershop getting into the act too. Imagine going to get a haircut and leaving with a fade, a beer and a story you never intended to hear. Dem boys seh pretty soon you gon walk into a barber shop and the barber gon ask: “You want a low cut, high cut or one for the road?”
The problem is that once a public space becomes a regular drinking spot, it rarely stops at one beer, one song or one argument. The supermarket forecourt can quickly become a gathering place, then a nuisance, then a neighbourhood headache. Just look at what developed on the approach to Soesdyke Junction. What started as a few people liming eventually became an informal entertainment strip with traffic, noise, and all the other ingredients that make residents wonder whether they driving beside a highway or a village fête. Dem boys seh nobody against people having a drink or enjoying themselves. But every place has a purpose. The supermarket is for buying groceries, the barber shop is for cutting hair, and the public road is for getting from point A to point B, not for establishing permanent roadside bars. The authorities need to nip this fad in the bud before “outside the supermarket” becomes an officially recognised nightlife district. Because in Guyana, dem boys seh, if you give a small lime enough time, it does apply for building permit. Talk half. Leff half.
Did I help someone? Did I waste too much time? Did I remember what is truly important?” Then, he said, let the day go. “Do not take today’s failures into tomorrow. And do not become intoxicated by today’s successes. Both will pass.” As I left, I realised the guru had not really given me a timetable. He had given me a philosophy of time. We often think of a successful day as one in which we have accomplished everything on our list. Hindu wisdom suggests a good day is one in which we have performed our duties, cared for those entrusted to us, cultivated our minds, controlled our impulses, served others and remained conscious of something larger than ourselves.
There is also a deeper Hindu teaching behind this approach. Human life, according to the traditional concept of the purusharthas, has four legitimate aims goals and aims of human life, all designed to guide a balanced, meaningful, and ethical existence. These four aims are: dharma, righteous living and duty; artha, material prosperity; kama, legitimate pleasure and fulfilment; and moksha, spiritual liberation. The wisdom lies in holding them together. We need money, but money cannot be the meaning of life. We deserve pleasure, but pleasure cannot become our m a s t e r. We h a v e responsibilities, but responsibility should not extinguish joy. And we may seek spiritual fulfilment without abandoning the
world in which we live. Perhaps, then, the perfect day is not one in which we squeeze more activities into twenty-four hours. Perhaps it is one in which we bring more meaning to the hours we already have. Wake with g r a t i t u d e . Wo r k w i t h purpose. Eat with awareness. Treat people with kindness. Pause to remember God. Reflect on your conduct. Do your duty without becoming enslaved by its outcome. And when the day is over, let it go. Tomorrow, if we are fortunate, we will be given another one. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
GCCI youth confab billed for next Saturday From page 8 Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Education are supporting the initiative. The partnership will help the GCCI extend the reach of the programme and provide opportunities for young people from a wider cross-section of the country. Smith stressed that the initiative is particularly relevant at a time when Guyana is undergoing significant economic transformation. “Our young people must know that their future is not limited to finding employment. They can create employment. They can build businesses. They can innovate. They can export. They can become employers and industry leaders,” she said. The inaugural Conference is also being supported by sponsors, businesses and other partners that have contributed through financial sponsorship, donations, services and other forms of in-kind support. Smith thanked those organisations for responding to the Chamber’s call to invest in the development of young people, noting that the private sector has an important role to play in h e l p i n g t o b u i l d G u y a n a ’s f u t u r e entrepreneurial pipeline. “The business community of tomorrow is
sitting in our classrooms today. While the Chamber advocates for and supports the businesses of today, we also have a responsibility to help create the business community of the future,” Smith said. This program is not intended to be a one-off activity. The GCCI’s concept envisages the Conference becoming a recurring and recognisable flagship youth entrepreneurship initiative that can grow and evolve in the years ahead. “Among these young people may be a future manufacturer, agro-processor, technology entrepreneur, tourism innovator, designer, content creator, marketer, exporter or CEO. We do not know which one it will be, but we can give them the exposure, encouragement and opportunity to discover what they are capable of,” Smith said. the GCCI hopes to help develop a generation of young Guyanese who see themselves not only as participants in Guyana’s economic transformation, but as entrepreneurs, innovators, employers and business leaders capable of helping to shape it. Students are encouraged to attend in their school uniforms, helping to create a unified and welcoming environment for participants.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Saturday September 05, 2026
The Donny and Delcy show What to make of this America-Venezuela oil deal, this best in history? First, it’s best to put the 65 billion barrels of heavy crude in its proper place. It’s the Donny and Delcy Gong Show. A quarter of Venezuela’s premier national treasure, a concealed deal, a very shaky setup, executed when there was no moon. Only the PPP is absent from this development. Relook at what was just broadcast: national treasure, secret deal, shaky setup, that’s the PPP in Technicolor. What’s fascinating to a peasant like me is that the U.S. speaks of law and order, and rule of law (has a Guyanese ring, doesn’t it?), and still cuts a huge oil deal with the Caracas Top Cat, Excellency Delcy Rodrigues, and with a man of means named Betancourt. Both have huge files at various American entities whose job is crime containment and law enforcement. Senor
Betancourt is a man of many interests, and of interest. Like his Interim First Lady, he’s the beneficiary of an unofficial presidential reprieve. Whoever said that public service doesn’t pay had better get in on that joke. Ditto with that ditty about crime doesn’t prosper. Closer to Guyana’s place in this new US-Venezuela contraption, I see a positive. With the U.S. and Venezuela now as tight as kissing cousins, the door could be opened for Exxon to explore fully Guyana’s Stabroek Block. Put differently, there are no off-limits waters. Two oil geese brought down and plucked with one well-aimed laser. Like the man said, the biggest and best deal in history. Of anything! Which Venezuelan hawk-admiral or general-is so daring to make his position (objection) public? It could be that was why Exxon’s Bossman, Mr. Darren Woods, spoke so earnestly and ecstatically
about four new revolutionary oil finds in Guyana’s offshore Atlantis within grasp. This stew is getting thicker and richer daily. On a different note, there is hope for We Invest in Nationhood, Mr. Azruddin Mohamed and kin. Look at it this way. When the Yankees set their sights on something, it usually ends up inside their fence. For decades, various U.S. presidents had their eyes on the Venezuelan oilfields. An American dealmaker and a Venezuelan pretender (a 12th woman) got it done. Did somebody say something about duress? Who cares? Why should that matter? Happens in the hallowed halls of the CCJ, therefore, it should be fair game in the halls of oil commerce. I think that Senora Delcy just became the frontrunner for the Nobel Prize in Economics. The Donald should snare the one in physics. He
moved a mountain, made it come his way. In the instance of WIN Mohamed, the U.S. has some serious interest in what’s inside his head. If he has the goods on one farm, and one contract, he could have as much as a hundred more such farms, contracts, and real estate in his portfolio of secrets. My advice to him is simple: give the Americans what they want, but extract the biggest returns for himself. In black and white. Witnessed. Stamped. Sealed and signed. I doubt that the PPP of Ali and Jagdeo (Nandlall, too) are
too keen on letting the Americans that deep into their parlor. I t ’s w h y I h a v e repeatedly gone out on a limb and warned them: think carefully about their Mohamed strategy. Take eyes off 2030-31. Focus on him, and keeping him here. Remember that verse of Mafia scripture: keep friends close, keep enemies (and former friends) closer. So close that they can’t breathe. Last, I foresee an end to t h e G u y a n a - Ve n e z u e l a border mishmash. Why partition the fields, the oil bonanzas? Like Alexander
t h e Great, Don the Dominator is the best man to untie this hemisphere’s Gordian knot. The Persians can have Hormuz, convert it to a shrine. I believe this best oil deal ever will only last as long as Donny and Delcy are in charge. Remember I said so. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Chief Magistrate orders witness to produce operational records …case adjourns to Monday Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday ordered witness Prem Narine to present the operational records kept in the station diary at the Brickdam Police Station, when court proceedings resume on Monday. The directive came during a line of crossexamination where defense counsel probed Narine regarding his activities, instructions, and documentation surrounding the investigation. Under questioning, Narine acknowledged visiting the attorney general’s chambers alongside Assistant Superintendent Sarabo, but repeatedly testified “I can’t recall” when pressed on whether he had signed security or visit logs, the exact person who instructed him to go, or whether those instructions came over the phone or in person. Narine maintained that he visited the AG chambers around 09:30 hrs, though he conceded under cross-examination that it could have been earlier or later, while affirming it was not before 09:00 hrs because he made a reference entry in his diary. When asked where that reference was made, Narine stated he could not recall precisely where he recorded it, adding that such entries would only exist in a limited number of places, such as a pocket book, notebook, or personal diary, which are no longer available. He noted that intelligence personnel are not mandated to keep those personal records after a matter concludes, confirming they may have been disposed of. Prosecution objections arose when defense counsel sought the disclosure of these personal diaries and operational records, with the prosecutor arguing that Narine was representing intelligence in the scope of the operation and there was no intention to tender such records. Defense counsel countered that any document used by a witness to refresh their memory must be produced for the court. When questioned about an operational record capturing the summary of events at the AG Chambers, Narine confirmed that such an operational record exists in the station diary and has not been destroyed.
Prem Narine
Defense counsel then formally requested that the court order the production of the station diary operational record. Narine clarified under oath that the operational record he referenced is specifically maintained in the station diary at the Brickdam Police Station, confirming there are no such records in the Brickdam Police Station diary regarding the arrest to his knowledge. Further questioning focused on Assistant Superintendent Sarabo’s role. Defense counsel pointed out that Sarabo was secondin-command for crime in West Demerara and questioned why he accompanied Narine to the AG Chambers. Narine stated that Sarabo was in his presence for most of the time at the chambers, except when Sarabo went to the washroom, and affirmed that Narine himself executed the arrests. Defense counsel further challenged whether Narine made entries in the crime diary maintained for Brickdam, to which Narine replied that he did not. Following the defense’s application for the official record, Chief Magistrate Latchman ordered Narine to produce the Diamond Police Station diary containing the operational records when the matter continues on Monday, September 7.
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
PAGE 11
British man accused of scamming Guyanese was jailed for fraud in the UK Hardeep Singh, the British man accused of scamming four Guyanese out of $145 million, had previously spent three years and four months in prison in the United Kingdom for fraud. Under the name Hardeep Bharya, he was among five persons accused of stealing £400,000 from wealthy customers of a Lloyds Bank branch in Ealing, London. Bharya was jailed in 2016 and was 30 years old at the time. According to UK news outlet MyLondon, Bharya and his accomplices carried out the fraud with the assistance of a bank insider, who was a former employee of the branch. The group reportedly colluded to siphon off large sums of money before laundering the proceeds and sending them overseas to be withdrawn. They were convicted and sentenced by Harrow Crown Court in London on 8th June, 2016. MyLondon reported that Bharya admitted to two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by abuse of position, one count of possessing or controlling an article for use in fraud, and another count of dishonestly making a false representation to make a gain. However, the Lloyds Bank fraud was not the first fraud case in which Bharya had been implicated. Prior to that conviction, he was charged in connection with other fraudulent schemes, including one involving a driver-training company called Fast Track HGV. A Mirror investigation into the company found that it claimed to operate a nationwide network of training centres, with branded lorries featured on its website. The company advertised itself as offering “the best quality driver training course in the UK” with customer support and real job opportunities. It was later found that the company was being used to launder money and scam customers. The Mirror reported that the
Penman opened the article with the line: “Justice at last for a lying fraudster who lived the high life by fleecing people who had been made redundant in the recession.” The journalist recalled confronting Bharya during his investigation about the allegations against him. “I’m not a crook, I’m a respected person,” Bharya reportedly responded, before adding, “I’m a firm believer in Karma.” Penman noted that during Bharya’s sentencing, the judge made it clear that he had caused considerable stress and anxiety to men who were already under financial pressure, while he was allegedly spending money on designer clothes and enjoying weekends abroad.
Wanted for fraud, Modular Builds Guyana Inc. CEO
promised courses and lorries did not exist, while genuine third-party firms that could have provided the training turned away Fast Track customers because they had not been paid. Customers who demanded refunds were hit with hefty cancellation charges. Those seeking to cancel their subscriptions were reportedly required to pay £640 from the £1,400 they had already paid. When customers contacted the company to make complaints, Bharya reportedly avoided them by claiming that he was not in the office. The scheme eventually caught up with him when Fast Track HGV was investigated and prosecuted by Enfield Trading Standards at Wood Green Crown Court in North London. The court found that the company’s accounts had a £450,000 “black hole” — money paid by customers that could not be accounted for. Judge Dean, who presided over the case, was quoted as telling Bharya: “Many of your victims were men who had been made
A picture snapped of Hardeep Singh 100K Bently when he was being confronted by UK Journalist Andrew Pennman about fraud allegations in London redundant and were desperate to rebuild their lives.” On the day Bharya was jailed, the Mirror published an article by journalist Andrew Penman, who had investigated his fraudulent schemes. The headline read: “Karma’s a hitch for HGV training conman Hardeep Bharya as he is jailed for 42 months.”
Penman also recalled that Bharya was driving a £100,000 Bentley Continental when he first met him. FROM UK CONVICTION TO GUYANA Fast forward to 2026, and it appears that Hardeep Singh Bharya has become the subject of another fraud investigation — this time in Guyana.
An unfinished property that the convicted UK Conman left behind in Guyana after collecting millions
A mugshot of Hardeep Singh Bharya when he was jailed for fraud in the UK. Police told Kaieteur News that Bharya, who operates as the Chief Executive Officer of Modular Builds Guyana Inc., allegedly collected $145 million from four persons after promising to construct properties for them. The four clients reportedly met Bharya at the 2024 edition of the Guyana Building Expo, where he presented himself as the person conducting business on behalf of Modular Builds Guyana Inc. A background check of the company by Kaieteur News found that it operates from a fabrication building just off one of the roundabouts along the Heroes Highway. The company advertises that it specialises in prefabricated buildings and steel construction, using a factory equipped with what it describes as state-of-the-art machinery. Police said four persons who visited Bharya’s booth at the building expo subsequently entered into written agreements with him for the construction of their properties. One client advanced $28 million for the construction of four two-bedroom apartments. However, the company allegedly only erected the columns and laid about 100 blocks. Another client advanced $50 million for an 11-storey apartment building, but the British national allegedly only delivered four truckloads of sand to the property. A third individual advanced $22 million for the construction of a three-storey commercial building, but only minor works were reportedly completed. The fourth client paid $45 million for a three-storey apartment complex, but only about 15 per cent of the work was completed. A short while later, Bharya reportedly disappeared. Police said they received information that he had fled Guyana and was presently in the United Kingdom. Kaieteur News has since learnt that the four clients may not be the only persons who paid Modular Builds Guyana Inc. for construction projects. The newspaper is in possession of a list of clients who reportedly entered into deals with the company involving sums totalling close to $1 billion. The investigation is continuing.
PAGE 12
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
WTC Director Wesley Kirton rescued from Moblissa swamp World Trade Center (WTC) Guyana Director, Wesley Kirton was rescued on Friday after becoming trapped in a swamp in Moblissa along the Linden Soesdyke Highway, sinking up to his neck. The dramatic rescue followed an emergency call to 592-911, which eventually connected Kirton with Captain Gerry Gouveia, who immediately mobilised rescuers. According to Gouveia, he had spent much of the day responding to a bush fire in the Moblissa area, with firefighters on the ground and a helicopter using a Bambi bucket to battle the flames. He had earlier contacted Kirton, asking him to check the back of the Moblissa Dairy Farm, where Kirton worked, and report on the situation. After the fire appeared to be under control, Gouveia left Linden for Georgetown. He said shortly after arriving home, his phone rang. The call was from 592-911. Gouveia said he was told that a man was trapped in a swamp in Moblissa and was sinking. The man was identified as Kirton. He said he immediately contacted firefighters who had just returned from the fire line and instructed them to return to Moblissa. An ambulance was dispatched, while a helicopter that was refuelling was also redirected to assist. Rescuers found Kirton’s vehicle and his driver, but the driver could not say exactly where Kirton had gone. Sharing details on his Facebook page, Gouveia said Kirton’s Samsung phone had only about 10 per cent battery remaining and could not receive calls. He could only make emergency calls. He said 911 eventually patched him through to Kirton. Kirton could not give his exact location,
but told Gouveia that he was trapped in a swamp and sinking. Gouveia said he then instructed the ambulance crew to turn on its siren. He asked Kirton if he could hear it, and used his responses to guide the ambulance towards him. He said at one point, Kirton told him that he could see the ambulance but that it was moving away from him. The ambulance turned around and retraced its route. Shortly afterwards, Kirton began shouting to attract the rescuers’ attention. They eventually located him, with the swamp reportedly up to his neck. Kirton was pulled from the swamp and taken by ambulance to hospital, where he is recovering. Gouveia described the rescue as a remarkable turn of events, noting that the
Fire tenders were on site to rescue the WTC director same firefighters, ambulance crew and helicopter involved in the day’s fire response were later mobilised to save Kirton.
He thanked the 592-911 operators, firefighters and ambulance crew for their swift response.
WTC Director Wesley Kirton (front stooping) surrounded by firefighters. (Pic: Gerry Gouveia)
The swamp where Kirton was found sinking
Court rejects bid to revoke Mohamed’s bail Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday refused to revoke the bail of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, ruling that the court cannot interfere with an accused person’s liberty based on mere allegations without concrete evidence. “There is no basis for this court to revoke bail for Azruddin Mohamed at this stage. In the circumstances he remains on bail with, the bail conditions attached. That’s the ruling. It’s not what you know, it’s what can be proven.” The prosecution raised the issue during ongoing extradition committal proceedings against Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, shortly before a scheduled noon adjournment. Special Prosecutor Glen Hanoman brought the matter to the magistrate’s attention under Section 7(c) of the Bail Act. Hanoman informed the court that police are currently investigating Mohamed regarding his alleged presence near President Irfaan Ali’s Leonora residence on Thursday night, an incident involving an armored vehicle and a drone. While acknowledging that the investigation is at an early stage and that police are still examining seized cellphones, Hanoman pointed to the potential gravity of the situation. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Hanoman said a prospective presidential candidate presents outside the head of state’s private home at night warrants
strict scrutiny. He noted that the law instructs courts to consider revoking bail if a defendant is likely to face serious new charges, floated scenarios ranging from surveillance to treason, an attempted coup, or an assassination plot. However, Defense Counsel Roysdale Forde, SC, rejected the prosecution’s arguments, labeling the application “ridiculous, flimsy, and without any substance.” Forde emphasised that the state presented zero material evidence proving a breach of bail conditions or establishing that criminal charges were imminent. Forde maintained that Mohamed was acting within his constitutional, political, and moral obligations as opposition leader after receiving reports regarding the alleged purchase of land adjacent to the president’s residence. Defence attorney Siand Dhurjon added that Mohamed had gone to the location to investigate those complaints as part of his duties. Dhurjon further alleged that the attempt to revoke bail stemmed from political directions rather than genuine legal concerns. In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Latchman reaffirmed that judicial decisions must rest on proven facts before the court rather than unverified police claims. She reminded the court that Mohamed remains on valid bail conditions and held that his liberty could not be revoked without evidentiary justification.
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
PAGE 14
Saturday September 05, 2026
New $218M medical supplies centre commissioned in Reg. 10 New $218M Regional Medical Distribution Centre commissioned in Region 10.
Iwokrama and British Chamber sign biodiversity conservation pact The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) has announced that the British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham) will provide annual funding over the next three years to support the centre’s work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA). This support is on the basis of a cooperation MOU forged between the Centre and BritCham in 2025, Iwokrama said in a release. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Iwokrama, Dane Gobin, says “the Centre is grateful to BritCham for this support which will help implement the Centre’s activities under President Ali’s GBA initiative – both the Centre and BritCham are members of the GBA. It is heartening to see the membership of BritCham, mainly involved in the oil and gas industry, recognize the importance of Guyana’s green agenda. The Centre has long standing links with the UK as it is the home of the Commonwealth Secretariat, one of the Centre’s founding partners and the Centre’s patron, King Charles III. The Centre remains grateful for the long-standing support from President Ali and the Government of Guyana”. The partnership is also keen to develop and implement joint initiatives which can include collaboration on social and biological assessments, education and awareness, livelihoods initiatives, research, sustainable forest management and fundraising. Chairman of
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has commissioned a $218.6 million Regional Medical Distribution Centre in Region Ten. According to information provided by the ministry, the $218,688,808 facility is aimed at strengthening the country’s public health infrastructure and improving the availability and distribution of essential medical supplies. The new facility, which was officially commissioned on Thursday, is expected to enhance the storage, management and timely distribution of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and other essential health commodities throughout the region, thereby supporting health facilities and improving the delivery of services to residents. This publication understands that the new facility is expected to significantly strengthen the medical supply chain within Region Ten, ensuring that health facilities are better equipped to respond to the needs of the communities they serve. Minister Anthony in his remarks at the commissioning ceremony highlighted the government’s continued investments in transforming Guyana’s healthcare system and ensuring that citizens have access to quality and efficient healthcare services. He noted that investments in modern health infrastructure are being complemented by improvements in medical equipment and technology, the availability of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, and the continued training and recruitment of healthcare professionals. The minister emphasised that government’s vision is to ensure that persons, regardless of where they reside, have access to quality healthcare services closer to their communities. “The health minister also expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the successful completion of the regional medical distribution centre. He urged those entrusted with managing the facility to ensure that it is operated efficiently and effectively, allowing it to fulfill its intended purpose of supporting healthcare delivery across the region,” the ministry reported. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips speaking at the ceremony, noted the importance of these facilities which are aimed at improving services and the overall quality of life for Guyanese.
APNU rejects govt’s...
From left: BritCham’s Secretary, Anand Harrilall hands over check to Iwokrama’s CEO, Dane Gobin, in the presence of British High Commissioner, Joseph Fisher (centre). BritCham Guyana, Faizal Khan comments “At BritCham Guyana, we believe economic growth and environmental stewardship must go hand in hand. Guyana has a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world that a rapidly growing economy can also be a global leader in biodiversity conservation. Our three-year commitment to support the Iwokrama Centre and its work under the Global Biodiversity Alliance reflects that belief. While our annual contribution is modest for now, we hope it serves as a catalyst for greater collaboration between the private sector & organizations dedicated to p r o t e c t i n g G u y a n a ’s extraordinary natural heritage.
The United Kingdom has a long and valued relationship with the Iwokrama Centre, and as the British Chamber of Commerce in Guyana, we are proud to strengthen that connection. We look forward to working alongside the Iwokrama Centre, the Government of Guyana and our members to support practical initiatives that promote conservation, scientific research, education and sustainable development for generations to come”. New British High Commissioner to Guyana, H.E Joseph Fisher, MBE, notes “I warmly welcome the continued strengthening of the partnership between The Iwokrama Centre and the British Chamber of
Commerce in Guyana. BritCham’s support for the Centre and its work on the Global Biodiversity Alliance demonstrates how environmental conservation and sustainable economic growth can go hand in hand. The UK is proud to have joined the Global Biodiversity Alliance earlier this year, and has deep and long-standing ties with Iwokrama, including through the Centre’s Patron, His Majesty King Charles III. I wish both BritCham and the Iwokrama Centre every success as they continue to build this important collaboration”. This partnership u n d e r s c o r e s G u y a n a ’s leadership in biodiversity conservation under the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
From page 3 town once had a system in place that generated cheap electricity until it was sold and disappeared. “Now it is this government that removed the capacity to generate electricity in Linden to satisfy its cronies. I remember berating Sam Hinds, saying he was stupid — which I still believe — when he took action to remove that generating capacity from Linden. Had they allowed that to remain, Linden would have been in a totally different position,” Norton said. On 23rd August, this publication reported that Linden residents sought clarity on the reliability of the grid they will be connected to, as well as assurances that electricity costs will not rise after integration. Blair had told Kaieteur News that there were concerns about the impact connecting Linden to the national grid, could have on the already struggling mining community. Responding via WhatsApp, Mayor Blair said that while he is aware of plans to connect Linden to the national grid, he has not yet had the opportunity to review the development and expansion plan and therefore preferred not to speculate on specific impacts at this stage. “That said, as mayor, I do have some concerns that need to be properly addressed. Linden has historically benefitted from a subsidy arrangement through the company currently supplying electricity to the town, and any change to that arrangement could have implications for consumers and businesses,” he said. He continued: “My main concern is whether connecting Linden to the national grid will result in increased electricity costs for residents and businesses, particularly if the existing subsidy is reduced or removed. We also need clarity on the reliability of the supply and what the transition will mean for Linden in practical terms.” The mayor added that Lindeners deserve to be properly consulted and provided with clear information before any major changes are implemented, including details on postintegration electricity costs and the safeguards that will be put in place to protect consumers.
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
2 freed, 3 convicted in Berbice murder trial Two West Coast Berbice men who were accused of murder were this week acquitted of the offence at the Demerara High Court and walked out of the courtroom free men after spending approximately five years on remand. James David, 23, of No. 10 Village, West Coast Berbice, and Leeward Chung, 25, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, were found not guilty by a 12-member jury earlier in the murder of 61-year-old Bheim Evans. Three other co-accused were, however, found guilty of murder by the same jury. Convicted were Brian Evans, 26, of No. 11 Village, West Coast Berbice; Ryan Dhanraj, 31, of Block D, Waterloo, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice; and Samuel Vanbrook, called “Chucky,” 26, of Waterloo, Bath Settlement. The trial of the five men commenced on 19th August, 2026, after they were jointly charged with murder under common law in connection with the death of Evans. Evans, of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, was allegedly murdered in November 2021 by the five men. Reports indicated that Evans was attempting to rescue his 25-year-old son, Tichan Persaud, from an assault by the men, who had approached Persaud seeking information about his father’s whereabouts and accused him of stealing jewellery. When Persaud denied knowledge of the accusation against his father, the men allegedly beat him until Evans arrived moments later and attempted to intervene. The men then reportedly turned on Evans, beating him with several objects, including a chain, and inflicting chop wounds until he lost consciousness. Persaud later stated that his father’s genitals were pepper-sprayed before he was dragged in a rice bag and dumped near a trench. Evans was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Justice Sandil Kissoon
CONVICTED: Ryan Dhanraj presided over the matter, while State Counsel Tiffany Lyken and Rabina Christmas presented the prosecution’s case. Brian Evans was represented by attorney Stacy Goodings. Ryan Dhanraj and Samuel Vanbrook were jointly represented by Kevin Morgan, in association with Kasha Fraser, Towana Charles, Zola Williams and Nickesha Daniels. Attorney Sasha Roberts represented the acquitted James David and Leeward Chung. The court heard multiple testimonies, including evidence from several police officers concerning the men’s arrests and their subsequent appearances before the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court on 18th November, 2021. Wi t h t h e v e r d i c t s delivered, the three convicted men now await sentencing, which Justice Kissoon scheduled for 16th September, 2026. Court files also disclosed that the deceased was himself a former murder accused, having been charged in 2013 with murdering a man, in a case in which he claimed selfdefence. In 2018, Evans was charged with attempting to murder his nephew and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of wounding with intent. He had also faced multiple charges related to attempted murder and served multiple sentences.
CONVICTED: Brian Evans
CONVICTED: Samuel Vanbrook
ACQUITTED: Leeward Chung
ACQUITTED: James David
PAGE 16
Kaieteur News
VACANCY Maid for East Bank area call #615-9132 One (1) painter call #615-9132 FOR SALE
FOR SALE
Industrial & Medical Oxygen and Acetylene Fast and efficient Services Friendship Oxygen Limited Location: East Bank Demerara Public Road Call/ WhatsApp: 634-3430
Honeywell Refrigeration Gas: R404a $30,000 R134a $38,7960 R410 $33,000 R-448 $77,520 R290 $14,800 R600a $14,800. R32 $30,780 R407c $34,200 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 6343430.
100 HP Stop and start switches. Friendship Oxygen Limited, WhatsApp #6343430
Air Compressor Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/ WhatsApp: 634-3430
C Belt Pully, 12 Groove by 18'' Dimensions and other sizes. Friendship Oxygen Limited. WhatsApp #634-3430
2000 lbs., White metal in shape of a boat rudder. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430
TRUCK TIRES 295/75R22.5 $40K EACH. CALL/ WHATSAPP +592-688-3201.
White Wash Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara. Call/WhatsApp: Natasha #655-9846
Helium Gas for Balloons Price 6230 ltrs $136,800 VAT Inc. 9350 ltrs $171,000 VAT Inc. UHP Argon gas, Mix gas and other high purity gas can be ordered. Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp # 634-3430
UHP Argon, helium balloons, Industrial Argon, Mix Gas, and Refrigeration Gases. We also source Gases upon request. Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430
Caterpillar Generator Caterpillar D342C Engine in good working condition WhatsApp # 634-3430
Liquid Nitrogen Tank 45 Gallons. Taylor Wharton Friendship Oxygen Limited. Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430
2-100 HP Motor 3 Ph 440 Volts 1-75 HP Motor 3 Ph 440 Volts WhatsApp # 634-3430
MAI INVESTMENTS INC. Now in stock Garlic, onions, potatoes, cheese, sausages, chicken wings and fries. Tel#625-7634
1234yf $14,799 VAT Inc. WhatsApp # 634-3430 Granular Chlorine 100 lbs $77,520 VAT Inc. Chlorine Tablets 40 lbs $72,960 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 6343430. Aluminum Sulphate $13,700. Soda Ash $18,200. Pool Salts $13,700. Caustic Soda Pearls $18,000. Copper Algaecide $11,400 VAT Inc Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp: 634-3430 PAG 46 $22,800 RPO 32 Oil $22,800 RPO 68 Oil $22,800 AC Flash Flush $22,800 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430 Sulphuric Acid 5 gal $34,200 Nitric Acid 5 gal $34,200 Hydrochloric Acid 5 gal $34,200 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/ WhatsApp: 634-3430
WANTED One cook to work at restauant and one handyman to work at shop. Contact #701-1998 MAI INVESTMENTS INC. Wanted:Driver/ Salesman Tel#639-0850 One cook preferable form the East Bank.Contact #616-5700 or 748-0359 Skilled carpenters and mason to work in Linden. Call #6157526 or 602-9469
Condemned Oxygen Cylinders $1,140 VAT Inc. Friendship Oxygen Limited Call/WhatsApp: 634-3430 Compressed CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Gas and Cylinders also Hydrogen and other gases Can be supplied on order Friendship Oxygen Limited WhatsApp # 6343430.
SERVICES Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040.
LEGAL LEGALNOTICE NOTICE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF GUYANA JURISDICTION: REGULAR CIVIL JURISDICTION CASE NUMBER: 2026/222HC-FDA-BER-CIV PARTY’S NAME: SASENARINE PERSAUD PARTY TYPE: APPLICANT NOTICE TO: Any opposer or interested party. Take notice that a Fixed Date Application was filed by SASENARINE PERSAUD, of Lot 111, Section A, No. 73 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana, for the following Orders:- a) An Order that a Notice of this Application be published in 2 (two) consecutive Saturday issues of the Guyana Chronicle newspapers and that anyone wishing to oppose this application do have 21 days from the date of the second publication to show cause or be forever barred from so doing. b) That upon the failure of anyone to oppose the said application, the Registrar of Deeds or her lawful Deputy be authorized and directed to pass transport of the following described property now standing in the name of PRAKNAUTH PERSAUD, to the Applicant herein:“House lot numbered 111 (one hundred and eleven), Section A, in Lot No. 73, in the Lots Nos. 67-74 Village District, situate on the Corentyne coast, in the County of Berbice, Guyana, with the building thereon and as more fully described in Transport No. 732 of 1970 (Berbice).” c) Any other order this Honourable Court deems just and equitable. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE That as part of an order made on the 12th day of August, 2026, the Applicant was directed to effect service on that a Notice of this Application be published in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the online version of the Kaieteur Newspaper, a Newspaper of General circulation in and around Guyana, calling upon any Opposer and/or interested party, AND that any Opposer and/or interested party do have 28 (twenty-eight) days leave after the date of the second and final publication to show cause or be forever
barred from so doing, before the Honourable Madam Justice JOY PERSAUDSINGH on Friday the 30th day of October, 2026 at 10:30 am via Zoom. Zoom ID: 638 801 9485 and Passcode: 456 321. AND UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to Mr. Mirza A. Sahadat, Attorneyat-Law, whose address for service is Lot 9 Section B, No. 79 Village, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, a sealed and certified copy of the Fixed Date Application with Affidavit in Support, will be delivered or sent to you. TAKE FURTHER NOTICE That in default of such attendance on or before Friday the 30th day of October, 2026 at 10:30am, no application has been made to the Court or appearance entered, the Court may proceed to hear the application and pronounce judgment notwithstanding your absence. Dated the 17th day of August, 2026
Saturday September 05, 2026 Application together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to respond to this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy, you must file a Form: 10 Reply to Application Relating to Children (forms are available at the Registry), via the online portal, (https:// ejudiciary.supremecourt.gy) within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice. Your access code is 3gTySy TAKE NOTICE that the matter is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 30th day of October 2026 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Simone Morris via Zoom Meeting ID: 461 884 5616 Passcode: court6 IN DEFAULT OF your filing a Form: 10 Reply to Application Relating to Children, the Court may proceed in your absence and may make an Order it considers appropriate. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts, Georgetown, Demerara. The office is open to the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 2nd day of September 2026.
LEGAL LEGALNOTICE NOTICE 2026/148-FD-APN-DEM HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MAT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION Application No. 148 BETWEEN:- IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION BY SYLVIA MASON Applicant -andMELISSA DANIELS Respondent TO: MELISSA DANIELS Address Unknown TAKE NOTICE that on the 26th day of June 2026, Form: 9 Application Relating to Child(ren) was filed by SYLVIA MASON, the Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 13th day of August, 2026, the Applicant was directed to effect service of her Form: 9 Application Relating to Child(ren) on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire, you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be with a certified copy of the
LEGAL LEGALNOTICE NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE REGULAR JURISDICTION 2024-HCB E R - C I V- S O C - 5 0 BETWEEN:PAULA HOUSTON, the Administrator Ad Litem of the estate of JOYCELYN UZETTA JOSEPH also known as JOYCELYN JOSEPH, deceased, pursuant to Order of Court dated the 3rd day of February, 2023, represented Herein by her duly constituted Attorney Quacy Adrian Isaacs, of 61 A Nurseville, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Agreeable with Power of Attorney No. 750 of 2023 Berbice Claimant, -andKIM MARIA VANDERHYDEN Defendant NOTICE TO: KIM MARIA VANDERHYDEN 11-625 134 th Street, South Ozone Park, New York 11420, United States of America and Lot 3 Front Road Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Demerara. TAKE NOTICE that a Statement of Claim was filed by PAULA HOUSTON, the Administrator Ad Litem of the estate of JOYCELYN UZETTA JOSEPH also
known as JOYCELYN JOSEPH, deceased, pursuant to Order of Court dated the 3 rd day of February, 2023, represented herein by her duly constituted Attorney Quacy Adrian Isaacs, of 61 A Nurseville, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Agreeable with Power of Attorney No. 750 of 2023 Berbice for an Order of the Court to recall Certificate of Title N0.2022/ 3271 dated the 18 th day of May,2022 in favor of the defendant based upon unilateral fraud upon the Land Registry as a legitimate conveyance from the estate of Joycelyn Joseph, deceased after being advertised in 2 (two) consecutive issues of the Guyana Kaieteur Newspaper. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an order made on the 28 th day of July, 2026, the Applicant was directed to effect service on that a Notice of this Application be published in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur Newspaper, calling upon any Opposer and/or interested party, AND that any Opposer and/or interested party do have 42 (forty-two) days leave after the date of the second and last publication to enter an appearance herein. AND that all persons having or claiming to have any right or title to the said property shall appear and establish their claim or otherwise show good cause as aforesaid before the second and last publication to enter an appearance herein. AND UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to Mr. C. Ryan Crawford Attorney-atLaw, of Lot 7-9 Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice AND TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in default of such appearance no application has been made to the High Court or appearance entered, the Court may proceed to hear the application and pronounce judgment notwithstanding your absence. Dated the 18th day of August, 2026.
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 17
Over 90 contractors bid to rebuild Little Diamond-Herstelling NDC office Some 94 contractors are vying for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s contract to rebuild a new Little Diamond- Herstelling Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) on the East Bank of Demerara. This is according to the bids submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. No government engineer’s estimate was provided by NPTAB on its website, but according to the bids, contractors proposed between $31 million and $111 million to execute the works. The Little Diamond- Herstelling Neighborhood Democratic Council was destroyed by fire in June this year. The fire
which destroyed sections of the building also caused minor damage to the Providence Nursery School. The local government ministry reported at the time that it was working closely with the relevant agencies to assess the damage and restore normal operations as quickly as possible while ensuring continued service to residents. Government had set aside some $550 million in this year’s budget to construct 12 additional Local Democratic Organs (LDO) buildings. Below are the companies and bids for the construction of the Little DiamondHerstelling Neighborhood Democratic Council.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 18
Saturday September 05, 2026
U.S. pressure on Iran starting to tell, as sanctions and blockade bite (Reuters) - A U.S. campaign to throttle Iran’s economy by blockading its oil exports and stopping sanctions evasion is growing increasingly difficult to withstand, three senior Iranian sources said. Washington has in recent weeks sought to ratchet up the economic pressure on Tehran, in an effort to extract concessions in any future negotiation that six months of conflict have so far failed to secure. In particular, the effort to stop Iran accessing international financing networks in other countries it has long used to keep its economy functioning poses a real and urgent threat, the sources said. Any sign the economic campaign may break a months-long deadlock in the conflict will likely cheer U.S. planners, though Iran has also warned it could respond to the pressure with military escalation, raising the stakes at a key moment. PETROL STOCKS LOW AS CURRENCY COLLAPSES The war has erupted back into open fighting this week, with U.S. attacks along Iran’s Gulf coast prompting retaliatory Iranian strikes at U.S. bases in Arab states. Neither side has signalled yet it is ready to make the concessions demanded by the other, leaving the war in a costly stalemate - though one that may be shifting. While more energy is flowing to international markets through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian
efforts to continue disrupting the seaway, the U.S. blockade of Iranian oil exports has entirely cut off Tehran’s main source of revenue. Adding to Iran’s problems, the economy was already deep in crisis before the conflict, with a cratering currency and spiralling inflation, while months of bombing have run up a massive bill to rebuild damaged industry and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the country’s financial squeeze is itself biting into Tehran’s efforts to get around the sanctions regime, leaving less cash to pay the high premiums required to skirt sanctions illicitly, the sources said. The rial has fallen to record lows over recent days and one senior source said Iran only has another two months’ supply of gasoline, which has to be imported despite domestic oil production because of limited refining capacity. Iran’s rulers are keenly aware of the potential risks of an economic meltdown and the possibility of it reigniting the nationwide mass protests it put down in January by killing thousands of demonstrators. “They are under very, very severe economic pressure. They’re losing control of the Straits. It’s really a question of if they choose to negotiate and I think they’ll have to,” said Ali Ansari, modern history professor at St Andrews University in Scotland.The war is also entering
A woman walks on a street in Tehran, Iran, 2nd September, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS a new phase, with each side trying to influence each other’s politics. Iran hopes the of inflation ‘will deter the U.S. administration before midterm elections in November, while Washington aims to push Iranians to revolt, a senior Iranian official said. BLOCKADE AND SECONDARY SANCTIONS SQUEEZING TEHRAN The latest U.S. measures expanded secondary sanctions that target countries doing business with Iran in a bid to stop it clearing dollar transactions needed for both oil sales and to finance crucial imports of goods and raw materials…. That effort is making Iran’s existing sanctions evasion networks - front companies, unregistered tankers and smuggling
- too expensive to use, the three senior sources said. Iranian crude loadings have fallen this month to about 260,000 barrels a day, from about 1.7 million a year earlier, according to data from commodity analytics firm Kpler, with only a trickle still moving off terminals for distribution by truck, train or smaller boats over the Caspian Sea. Tehran says it still has tens of millions of barrels stored in tankers outside the blockade zone that it can sell, but the new sanctions mean intermediaries are stepping back or demanding more money, one of the officials said. Total trade has fallen between 25% and 35%, with imports hit harder than exports, President Masoud Pezeshkian has said, one of several top officials warning in recent weeks about Iran’s rapidly
deteriorating situation. U.S. pressure and Iran’s own attacks have meanwhile disrupted one of the main conduits for Iranian trade - the United Arab Emirates, which said on 19th August that all commercial exchange and financial dealings with Tehran were halted until further notice. “If those channels stay closed, a supplier wants cash, a deal is routed through another country and a shipment arrives later and dearer,” said an Iranian trader in Tehran who deals in imported goods. The currency has collapsed in value from around 1 million rials to the dollar a year ago to over 2.2 million rials now. The internal impact is very painful. Official figures put 12-month average inflation at 69.9% with food, beverages and tobacco prices rising at nearly twice that rate. Official unemployment rose to 9.1% in the spring, while the number of those in work fell by about 450,000 from a year earlier amid a wider fall in labour force participation. Even for those still in work, the average monthly salary of around $125 a month comes nowhere near meeting basic household spending requirements that come to around $450 a month according to official data. “We are getting poorer every day,” said Mahnaz, a 34-year-old private-sector employee in Tehran who asked that her family name not be used.
Venezuela’s Maduro asserts immunity, urges U.S. judge to dismiss charges (Reuters) - Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged a U.S. judge on Wednesday to dismiss criminal drug trafficking charges against him, arguing he should be immune from prosecution as head of a sovereign country. The charges, filed in Manhattan federal court, formed the basis for the U.S. military’s raid on Caracas and capture of Maduro on 3rd January . The Venezuelan leader, who has been held in a Brooklyn federal jail since his seizure, has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial on 1st June, 2027, if his effort to dismiss the case is unsuccessful. The principle that sitting heads of state are immune from prosecution abroad is a longstanding tenet of international law seen as fundamental to diplomacy. Maduro’s push to persuade Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to
dismiss the case will test U.S. courts’ general reluctance to apply international law in criminal cases. M a d u r o ’s l a w y e r, B a r r y Pollack, made the assertion of immunity in a motion to dismiss Maduro’s indictment. Hellerstein had given Pollack a deadline of Wednesday to file the motion. Pollack said Hellerstein lacked jurisdiction both because sovereign heads of state enjoyed complete immunity and because the acts that Maduro is accused of would have been part of his official duties. “This unprecedented prosecution violates the absolute immunity from criminal jurisdiction to which heads of state and foreign officials acting in their official capacities have been entitled for hundreds of years,” Pollack wrote. Pollack wrote that Maduro was falsely accused and “vehemently denies” the allegations.
A spokesperson for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office, which brought the charges, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. MADURO FACES UPHILL BATTLE Legal experts have told Reuters that Maduro faces an uphill battle. Washington has not recognised Maduro as Venezuela’s president since 2019, and courts tend to defer to the U.S. president and his cabinet in disputes over who is recognised as a foreign country’s leader. U.S. criminal cases heads of foreign states are extremely rare, b u t p r e c e d e n t o ff e r s l i t t l e encouragement for Maduro. In 1990, a federal judge in Miami rejected former Panamanian military leader Manuel Noriega’s attempt to assert head-of-state immunity in part because he never officially held the title of president. The United States stopped
recognizing Maduro in 2019, when he was inaugurated after a 2018 election the U.S. said was rigged. The U.S. also called his 2024 reelection fraudulent. Maduro says both votes were fair and has long accused Washington of seeking his ouster to gain control of the South American country’s oil wealth. Pollack wrote that Washington’s assessment that Maduro lacked legitimacy was not relevant. “Unlike in Noriega, the Executive Branch does not dispute that Mr. Maduro was Venezuela’s head of state, but instead merely claims that, after 2019, he did not occupy that position legitimately,” Pollack wrote. VENEZUELA RUN BY MADURO’S VICE PRESIDENT Since Maduro’s capture, his vice president and socialist ally Delcy Rodriguez has run ‘ Ve n e z u e l a a n d i n c r e a s e d cooperation with the Trump
administration. Last month, the two countries reached an unprecedented deal that would see the U.S. take over around one-fifth of Venezuela’s oil reserves. Pollack wrote that it was “incongruous” for the United States to recognize Rodriguez, who was appointed by Maduro, and not Maduro. He pointed to statements by Rodriguez and officials `in her government in January and February indicating that they still considered Maduro Venezuela’s legitimate head of state. Rodriguez’s government has since gone silent on the matter. Some murals of Maduro in Caracas have been painted over in recent months. Prosecutors have until 2nd October to respond to Maduro’s motion to dismiss the indictment, and Hellerstein will hold a hearing on the dismissal effort on 17th November.
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
Kaieteur News
Saturday ThursdaySeptember November05, 24,2026 2022
PAGE 21 19
RHTYSC Cricket teams honours Amanda Sampson... Lawrence Farnum slams... From page 25 sports club has always promoted education as the key to success for youth. The club since 1991 has operated a massive Say Yes to Education and No to Drugs that targets over sixty thousand youths in Region 6. Among the numerous programmes under the Say Yes / Say No project are Republic Bank Summer Camp, Bakewell / KSM Investment Cricket A c a d e m y, D r a p a t h i e
Ramsammy Tribute to Te a c h e r s , H e e r a l a l l S e c n e r i n e Tr i b u t e t o Students, Educational Scholarships, Publication of Youth Magazines, Youth Information Booklets, Job Fairs, publication of educational posters among others. Earlier in the year, the club had presented the Zabeda Haniff Memorial Award to Danelly Williams as the best student at the national Grade 6 Exams.
Foster urged Sampson to continue her educational pursuit by attending the University of Guyana and pledged that the club would continue to assist as much as possible. The long-standing Secretary also congratulated the leadership of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School on the outstanding work they were doing with the students under their watch. H e a d Te a c h e r K a r l Vanier expressed thanks to
Saturday September 05, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Interesting communications from friends could center on possible world developments or maybe some juicy gossip about people you know, Aries. Enjoy yourself, but don't take everything you hear at face value. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) To d a y y o u m i g h t e a r n corporate kudos, Taurus, for all signs indicate that your imagination is flying high and can be put to work to increase your job effectiveness. You might even earn a promotion or increase in salary. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your mind is likely to be going a thousand miles an hour. Ideas for imaginative and innovative projects may come faster than you can possibly turn them into reality. Write them down.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some new information could come your way that causes you to focus on a new interest, Libra. It'll set your mind traveling to faraway places and times. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could have some intense dreams tonight, Scorpio. You might find that they bring inspiration for creative projects, perhaps for redecorating or otherwise beautifying your home. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) A welcome communication from a business or romantic partner could arrive today, Sagittarius. This could generate a lot of enthusiasm on both your parts and do wonders for your relationship or for whatever business you do together.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may have strange dreams and vivid premonitions today. Your intuition and telepathic faculties are operating at a high level. You could think of someone who later phones.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today is a good day to ask for a raise or consider other ways to increase your income, Capricorn. Superiors will be in a receptive mood and likely feeling more benevolent than usual.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today you could be feeling warm and friendly toward everyone. You might be involved in social events or receive invitations to future parties. You'll probably have a great time and make some new friends.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Yo u s h o u l d b e f e e l i n g especially romantic and sensual now, Aquarius, and you might draw admiring glances from those around you - even strangers. Your passion is high, so this is an excellent day to plan a romantic evening.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Relations with people on the job should be warm, and this could do wonders for your career. Take nothing at face value. Someone has issues with you that render him or her untrustworthy. running high.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Strange, passionate stirrings could find you wanting to escape from civilization with a lover, Pisces. This is a great day for it. At least plan a quiet evening at home with your special someone.
the cricket teams of the RHTYSC and the Management of Diversity Investment Inc. for honoring the school’s top student. He noted that the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club is a very close friend of the school and each year would honor the top five students and top teacher from the Lower Corentyne Secondary School. Dozens of students including national players Danielle Manns and Jayden Ganpat are also members of the club. He stated that the management of the school was working hard to lift the standard of the school. He expressed delight that the RHTYSC has agreed to continuing the awards ceremonies in the future. The club during the period 1991 to 1992 had spearheaded a major restoration work at the school. Ms. Amanda Sampson received a trophy, medal of excellence, framed certificate, a personal laptop computer and a collection of prizes. She expressed delight at the award and stated that her success was due to sheer hard work and dedication. She committed herself to continue making the school very proud and announced that her personal ambition is to become an educator. Supervisor of Diversity Investment Safraz Haniff stated that his company was very delighted to be associated with honoring the top student from the school and congratulated Sampson on her achievement of topping the school for 2026 with nine subjects with three grade ones. He further announced that the company would continue to sponsor the award in the future.
Clinical Patriots... From page 23 The right-hander reached his half-century from just 24 balls and needed only 39 deliveries to reach three figures, rewriting the CPL record for the fastest century. After Tim Seifert and Shimron Hetmyer had equalled the previous record of 40 balls the week before, Shanaka blitzed his way into the history books. Shanaka was almost single-handedly responsible for a stunning 79 runs coming from the final four overs as the Patriots surged to the tournament’s highest total so far — 235 for 4 from their 20 overs.
From page 24 London Combined CC tallied up a massive 311-5 from the allotted 40-overs, while Bow Green CC reached 236-6 in the 27th over winning by the DLS Method. Farnum, who scored 14,733 runs over the last 15 years in England, stated that he is excited to make an impression for West Indies at the 45-over World Cup tournament. He represented West Indies Over-40s on two occasions, both times in Pakistan, at the T20 and 45-over World Cup event and also registered a century 102 not out for them against Canada. He is still the West Indies Over-40s T20 Captain. After wearing the prestigious maroon colours for 12 games, Farnum racked up 399 runs with an impressive average of 57.00. West Indies for the Over-40s showdown, is placed in Group A Alongside defending champions South Africa, Australia, Canada, Namibia, Wales, Sri Lanka and Colombia. Group B is comprised of: England, New Zealand, Scotland, India, USA, Pakistan, Rest of the World X1 and Rest of the Caribbean X1. Matches are scheduled to play at various venues across Guyana with the two finalists meeting up at the National Stadium, Providence for the grand finale. Farnum, who is currently residing in UK commented that his prolific form boosted his confidence tremendously and is confident West Indies will do well in front of home crowds. The West Indies team is yet to be released, but a Provisional, 30-man squad was selected to start preparations. The side should feature several former West Indies players including Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Reyad Emrit, Jason Mohammed, Devendra Bishoo and Sewnarine Chattergoon. According to the 46-year-old Farnum he was delighted to touch gloves with ex-Jamaica first-class batter Derval Green who only made 5 in the game but former Guyana youth player Joshua Jones contributed 63, while Berbice inter-county cricketer Tommanni Ceasar also turned out for London Combined CC.
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
2026 Republic Bank CPL... GAW vs. JKM at Providence
Gurbaz half-century powers Guyana to 8-wicket win - Hetmyer, Hope, Dindyal lead batting charge
Shimron Hetmyer entertained his fans home with a brisk unbeaten knock.
G
u y a n a A m a z o n Wa r r i o r s announced their arrival home with a brutal 8-wicket win last night at Providence, stealing momentum from the Jamaica Kingsmen while building another unbeaten run as the crunch stages of this year’s CPL heats up. Jamaica Kingsmen posted a total of 159-7 in their 20 overs after giving up much to the Warriors for almost the entire innings; before managing to put themselves back on track to then finish strongly.
EBDCA/Ryan Dookie memorial semifinals on today at Farm ground The East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA)/ Ryan Dookie memorial annual T20 two semifinal matches are set for today, Saturday at Farm ground, East Bank. At 9 am, Peter’s Hall will come against Ruimveldt and then from 1p.m, Herstelling A will clash with Herstelling B. Both encounters promises to be exciting from ball-one as some of East Bank’s finest players will be on show. The final will be played next Saturday at the same venue.
Led by skipper Rovman Powell, the Kingsmen experienced a tough middle-overs collapse, finding themselves in deep trouble at one point. However, an explosive, counter-attacking knock down the order from Hassan Khan, who smashed an incredible 62 runs off just 29 balls; provided the impetus needed for a turnaround finish to the innings which was not looking too promising at 87-6 during one stage. Khan smacked a whopping 6 massive sixes, as he single-handedly rescued the innings and propelled them to a competitive target. Opener Maaz Sadaqat also provided crucial stability with a steady 35 (1x4 1x6) anchoring the top order. On the bowling side for Guyana, spinner Khary Pierre (2-21) and fast-bowler Dwaine Pretorius (2-20), did the heavy lifting to contain the Kingsmen batters; including Keacy Carty (18) and Guyanese Keemo Paul (15). Guyana Amazon Warriors then chased down the target comfortably, reaching 160-2 in just 17.2 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge with a spectacular 54 off 35 balls, supported well by Shai Hope (39*) and Mavendra Dindyal (33) and Shimron Hetmyer (30*); who never took their feet off the gas from the first ball of the chase. With this victory, the Amazon Warriors have extended their dominant, unbeaten run in the tournament and will play their next game at Providence on Sunday. (Clifton Ross)
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
PAGE 23
GMR&SC to host ‘Speedfest’ Clinical Patriots end home Superbike and Vitz Cup campaign with massive win Track Day this weekend The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) will host its Speedfest Superbike and Vitz Cup Track Day tomorrow, Sunday, September 6, 2026, at the South Dakota Circuit. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with competitors set to take part in motorcycle and Vitz Cup sessions throughout the day. Admission to the pit is $3,000 with venue entry free. The programme will get underway with participant arrival, registration and technical inspection from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., followed by the riders’ and drivers’ briefing at 10 a.m. A transponder check will take place at 10:25 a.m., before the first motorcycle and Vitz warm-up sessions. Qualifying and time-attack sessions will begin at 11:10 a.m., with the Street Bike class going first, followed by the Open Class and 600cc motorcycles. Vitz Cup Classes A and B will then compete in their qualifying session from 11:40 a.m. Racing is scheduled to begin at 12:20 p.m. with Motorcycle Race 1 for the Street Class, followed by the Open Class and 600cc race at 12:40 p.m. The first Vitz Cup race, featuring
Classes A and B, will start at 1 p.m. The second round of motorcycle and Vitz Cup races will take place during the afternoon. The Street Class will return to the circuit at 1:25 p.m., followed by the Open Class and 600cc motorcycles at 1:45 p.m. Vitz Cup Race 2 is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. The day will conclude with a presentation ceremony and photographs from 2:30 p.m. The event is expected to provide competitors with an opportunity to test their machines and compete in a structured trackday format, while giving spectators a full day of motorcycle and Vitz Cup action. The GMR&SC has promoted the event under the slogan “No Speed Limits, No Excuses,” with the South Dakota Circuit again serving as the venue for the club’s racing activities. Sponsors supporting the event include Castrol, GuyOil, ENet, One Guyana, KFC, Guyfresh Trading, Spring Aqua, W Golden Inc., T.E. Enterprises and KSP Motorsport, Golden Chest Investments, Auto Aesthetics GY, Atla Fit Club, Trevor’s Enterprise, Secure Innovation & Concept Inc and Bardon Construction Services.
Speed Cup Vitz schedule
CPL - The St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots handed the Saint Lucia Kings a crushing 137run defeat at Warner Park in the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Dasun Shanaka shattered the CPL record for the fastest century as the Patriots piled on the runs, before Jeremiah Louis capped a superb all-round performance by ripping through the Kings’ batting to bowl them out for just 98. Sent in to bat, the Patriots made a slowish start, losing Kyle Mayers early to Matthew Forde. But when Andre Fletcher joined Johnson Charles at the crease, the dangerous duo quickly shifted the momentum in the home side’s favour, taking the Patriots to 59 for 1 at the end of the Power Play. Fletcher, who has been in fine form
throughout the tournament, looked in no mood to slow down. He raced to his halfcentury from just 23 balls. The Kings had earlier chances to remove him, but Fletcher was dropped twice in the seventh over, with Forde and Maheesh Theekshana both unable to hold on. Fletcher eventually fell for 64, but the Patriots continued to press the accelerator on a Warner Park surface that has produced plenty of runs this season. Fletcher has so often been the Patriots’ main man with the bat, but this time Shanaka stole the show, unleashing a brutal assault on the Kings’ bowlers. Linking up with fellow Sri Lankan Wanindu Hasaranga, Shanaka put the bowling attack under siege. Continued on page 21
Kaieteur News
PAGE 24
Saturday September 05, 2026
Historic Youth Ensemble Programme culminates after months of nationwide youth competition - Finals set for this weekend Buxton Stars U15
Plaisance FC The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) U13 and U 1 5 Yo u t h E n s e m b l e Programme will officially conclude this weekend, September 5th -6th, as its final matches are set to be held at the National Training Centre (NTC), marking a groundbreaking culmination of several months of competitive youth football and player development across Guyana. The programme, delivered by the GFF in collaboration with FIFA, represents what has been described as the largest investment in youth football in Guyana’s history, with an annual investment of GYD$44 million over the next four years being directed towards the Youth Ensemble Programme. The historic initiative, which commenced in May, brought together young
footballers from communities across the country in a structured national competition designed to expand opportunities for youth players, strengthen the domestic football pathway and provide increased exposure to competitive football at an early age. The programme featured three age categories; Under13, Under-15 and Under-17, with participation extending across nine Regional Associations. In total, over 2000 players were registered for the programme, representing 123 clubs, making it one of the Federation’s most extensive youth football initiatives. Matches officially commenced on May 16, with the programme providing young players with the opportunity to
Vurlon Mills Football Academy
compete regularly over the ensuing months while representing their respective clubs and communities. The final leg of the competition will be staged at the NTC on Saturday, September 5 and
Lawrence Farnum slams 160 not out in UK; ready for IMC Over-40s World Cup
Lawrence Farnum
Former Guyana youth selectee batsman, Lawrence Farnum, struck a scintillating, unbeaten 160 for London Combined Cricket Club against Bow Green Cricket Club recently in UK. The ex-Senior Inter-County Essequibo player, Farnum, is also set to represent West Indies at the forthcoming International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s World Cup to be held in Guyana from October 17th-31st. Farnum clobbered 26 sixes and 2 fours during his historic, 116-ball knock despite his team still lost the game. Continued on page 21
Sunday, September 6, bringing the national competition to an exciting conclusion. In the Under-13 category, the final weekend will feature the battle for third place between Plaisance FC and Potaro Strikers, while Vurlon Mills Football Academy (VMFA) is set to face Upper Demerara, YMCA in the championship finale. In the Under-15 category, Friendship FC will take on Challengers FC for third place, while VMFA and Buxton Stars FC will compete for the championship title. The Youth Ensemble Programme represents a significant investment in the development of the country’s next generation of footballers. By taking organised competition beyond
traditional football centres and engaging players from communities across Guyana, the programme created a broader platform for identifying emerging talent and encouraging sustained participation in sport. The initiative also provided clubs, coaches and young players with valuable experience in a structured competitive environment, s u p p o r t i n g t h e G F F ’s continued efforts to strengthen the national football development pathway. Over the course of the programme, hundreds of matches were played across the participating regions, giving young footballers the opportunity to develop their technical abilities, tactical understanding, discipline and teamwork while competing against peers from different communities.
The culmination of the U 1 3 a n d U 1 5 Yo u t h Ensemble Programme underscores the GFF’s commitment to creating meaningful and accessible opportunities for young players and strengthening the foundations of Guyana’s football development system. With the completion of the national competition approaching, attention now turns to building on the momentum generated by the programme and continuing to expand opportunities for youth footballers across the country. The first round of the Youth Ensemble Programme has come to an end, but its impact on the development o f G u y a n a ’s y o u n g footballers marks the beginning of the next chapter in the country’s youth football journey.
Kaieteur News
Saturday September 05, 2026
PAGE 25
New scholarship programme links education with athletic careers
Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr. delivering his address to the large number of Athletes, coaches, managers, enthusiasts among others as part of the Sports Scholarship programme. (Steven Jacobs/Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports FB)
Attendees during yesterday’s GOAL Sports Scholarship launch hosted at the Arthur Chung Center. (Steven Jacobs/Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports FB)
G
uyana’s athletes will now have greater access to higher education while continuing their sporting development through the newly launched GOAL Sports Scholarships Programme. The initiative was officially introduced on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme, “Strengthening Sport in Guyana through Education.” It brings together the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ministry of the Public Service, Ministry of Education, National Sports Commission and the Guyana Online Academy of
Learning. Through the programme, sportspersons will be able to pursue academic qualifications while receiving training, mentorship and other resources to support their athletic careers. It is also intended to help athletes prepare for employment and leadership roles after they retire from competition. Assistant Director of Sports Melissa DowRichardson said the initiative demonstrates the Government’s commitment to developing well-rounded athletes. “This new initiative specifically focuses on
nurturing talent in sports while ensuring academic growth, reflecting our commitment to holistic development and national progress,” she said. Dow-Richardson noted that athletes from every part of the country should have equal access to the opportunities provided under the programme. “Hinterlanders, coastlanders, everyone has the same opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” she added. She also encouraged sportspersons to consider leadership careers within the sporting sector. While
several former athletes have gone on to succeed in other professions, DowRichardson said greater attention must be given to preparing people to lead and strengthen sport itself. The programme forms part of GOAL’s wider effort Minister within the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Steven Jacobs was among the feature speakers firing to make education more accessible to Guyanese. yesterday’s GOAL Sports Scholarship programme. Since the academy was (Steven Jacobs/Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports FB) established, it has awarded more than 29,000 Government continues to productive lives beyond the scholarships. Director of Sport Steve increase investment in field of play. Among the keynote Ninvalle said the initiative sporting programmes and speakers were Minister of was carefully developed to infrastructure. Officials believe the Culture Youth and Sports remove the barriers that have traditionally forced athletes partnership will help athletes Charles Ramson Jr. and to choose between education a c h i e v e s u c c e s s i n Minister within the Ministry competition while building of Culture Youth and Sports and sport. Its launch comes as the sustainable careers and Steven Jacobs.
RHTYSC/Sherimane Haniff Memorial Educational Award
RHTYSC Cricket teams honours Amanda Sampson as L.C.S.S top student
Safraz Haniff of Diversity Investment Inc hands over the prizes to Amanda Sampson while school officials and RHTYSC Cricketers looks on.
The cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club on Wednesday last, honored Ms. Amanda Sampson as the best student of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School at the recent 2026 C.S.E.C exams. Ms. Sampson received the Sherimane Haniff Memorial Educational Award and the award was sponsored by Managing Director of Diversity Investment Inc, Mr. Raymond Haniff in memory of his late mother Sherima Haniff who died in 2016. RHTYSC Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that since its formation in 1990 by three times Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club, the Continued on page 21
2026 Republic Bank CPL... GAW vs. JKM at Providence
Gurbaz half-century powers Guyana to 8-wicket win - Hetmyer, Hope, Dindyal lead batting charge
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was in a no-nonsense mood as the Warriors surged to a victory in their first of 5 games at home this season. Shai Hope was among the run-getters for Guyana last night.
rts o p S
Superbikes will be on show on Sunday.
GMR&SC to host ‘Speedfest’ Superbike and Vitz Cup Track Day this weekend
Vitz Cup action will be intense on Sunday.
New scholarship programme links education with athletic careers Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.