...sayslackofrepresentationforfisherfolk, otheraffectedpartiesonBoardalarming ...‘Weain'tgettingabite’ Court of Appeal -JagdeotellsAmerindians 14,000 babies will die within …asairstrikeskill55andinternationalcriticismofIsraelgrows
Guyana not flooded with oil money
Man dies accident
Truckdriversprotestoverforeigntakeover oftruckingjobs/business U.S. ready to support GDF to eradicate criminal activity along the borders –U.S.Ambassador RCMP retiree has powers like local police
Oil Spill Law cancels for unlimited protection Dr.Adams: High Court’s decision ‘Come to me, I will take you out of poverty within 1 to 6 months’ OutgoingPSCChairmanKomalSingh:
Local truckers brave rain to protest over foreign takeover of trucking jobs/business
Fabrication of 6th FPSO progressing with first oil in sight for 2027
In keeping with
ExxonMobil Guyana
Limited’s (EMGL) plans to boost Guyana’s daily rate of oilproductionto1.3million barrels by 2027, a sixth Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO)ismakingprogress.
The FPSO- Jaguar- is being constructed by Dutch shipbuilder SBM Offshore. In the company’s First Quarter 2025 Trading Report,itprovidedanupdate on the ongoing construction activitiesofthevessel.
It explained that the Multi-Purpose Floater (MPF) hull has been delivered while the topside modules’ fabrication is progressingasplanned.First oil, according to the company, is expected in 2027.
The Jaguar FPSO will produceoilfromthesixthoil projectinGuyana,Whiptail. TheUS$12.7Bdevelopment was sanctioned by the Government of Guyana (GoG)inAprillastyear
The project is expected to produce approximately 250,000 barrels per day (bpd)bytheendof2027.
Previously, Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company, said, “Our sixth multi-billion-dollar project in Guyana will bring the country’s p
ction capacity to approximately 1.3millionbarrelsperday.”
Currently,threeFPSOs–theLizaDestiny,LizaUnity and Prosperity – are operating offshore Guyana and are producing approximately 650,000 barrelsofoilperday
A fourth FPSO, ‘One Guyana’, was delivered by SBMinAprilthisyear That FPSOisontracktoincrease the country’s production capacity to 900,000 bpd. Exxon is targeting the startup of production activitiesbythethirdquarter of2025.
In the meantime, construction activities are progressing on the fifth FPSO, by the Japanese companyMODEC.Thefifth oil project, Uaru, is anticipated to start productionin2026.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the Whiptail development will target an estimated resource base of more than 850 million barrels of oil and includeupto10drillcenters and 48 production and injectionwells.
Teen on self-bail for larceny
An 18-year-old labourer was released on Tuesday on self-bail for a break and enter andlarcenycharge.
Tahid Jacobs, of Lot 42 Ross Street, NabaclisVillage, East Coast Demerara, appearedattheCoveandJohn Magistrates’CourtbeforeHer Worship Orinthia Schmidt, wherehepleadednotguiltytothecharge.
Jacobs is accused of committing the offence on Jeremy RamsdamatGoldenGroveNorth,EastCoastDemerara. Hewasreleasedonself-bailandthematterwasadjourned toJune30,2025.
The Jaguar FPSO hull was built by the Chinese company, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS).
Photo credit: SWS
Accused: Tahid Jacob
OilSpillLawcancelsHighCourt’sdecision forunlimitedprotection - Dr. Adams
...says lack of representation for fisherfolk, other affected parties
The recent passage of the Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and ResponsibilityBill2025represents a cancellation of the High Court’s decision for unlimited protection against the costs associated with suchadisaster
This is according to former head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams. In a letter to the editor on Tuesday, the petroleum andenvironmentalengineershared hisviewsonthelegislationthatwas approvedinParliamentonMay16. Notably,theBillwaspassedin theNationalAssembly2yearsand 13daysafteralandmarkrulingby the High Court’s Justice Sandil KissoononMay3,2023
Inhisruling,theJudgeordered the EPA to issue a notice to the operator of the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) and its parent company, to ensure full protection is providedtothestateintheeventof anoilspill
The new law, however, protects the ‘parent’of petroleum companies operating in Guyana
Notably, Clause 21 makes it clear that there shall be “no transfer of liability” It states, “An indemnification or any like agreement shall be invalid for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party underthisact ”
To this end, Dr Adams described the new law as an “alltime brazen scam perpetrated by the PPPC to cancel Judge K i s s o o n ’s D e c i s i o n ”
Furthermore, he noted that since the bill does not intend to provide unlimited liability coverage, as touted by government, the administration has refused to withdraw its ongoing appeal of JusticeKissoon’sorder
Former Executive Director of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams
“Whatwearesadlywitnessing in bright daylight, is the betrayal of, and unrelenting assault on the democracy of Guyana via the PPPC’s [Peoples Progressive Party] skin-of-the-teeth single seat majority emasculating the judiciary by fiat of the party’s Putinesque authoritarianism way, as they overthrow court decisions they don’t like,” the former Executive Director of the EPA argued.
Inexplainingtheintricaciesof how the law protects the oil companies rather than Guyana, Dr Adams pointed out that major companies (parent), such as Exxon, insulate themselves from liability through the creation of subsidiaries (child)- in this case, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited In thismanner,theparentcompanyis not required to sign documents,
on Board alarming
leaving the limited liability company on the hook for any associatedresponsibilities.
With National Elections fast approaching,theformerEPAhead believes the government crafted the Bill to avoid facing the wrath of Guyanese for attempting to waterdowntheprotectionordered bytheCourt It, however, failed in its attemptsincethelawclearlystates that the “responsible party” (RP)in this case, EMGL- will be liable for all damages To this end, he explained, “That is an obvious no brainer, except meaningless if the RPhasnomeanstocoveraspillas in the case of EMGL, and would declare bankruptcy leaving (the) Parent Company Exxon to walk away scotch free while Guyana is leftholdingthebagforbillionsthat willemptyouroilcoffersandmany timesmore.Thisistheexactreason why a Parent Company Guarantee was enshrined into law by the Coalition.”
LACK OF REPRESENTATION
Meanwhile, Dr Adams flagged the lack of representation
ofaffectedpartiesontheproposed Incident Board that will be tasked with determining claims followinganoilspill
He pointed out that the legislation makes provision for one representative each from the MinistryofNaturalResources,the EPA, and Exxon as the RP It, however, makes no mention of representation for the affected parties (AP) such as small fisherfolk
Dr Adams said this is a demonstrationof“blatantbiasand unfairness” towards the AP He also believes there would be a conflict of interest in allowing Exxon to determine its own liability
Furthermore, Dr Adams argued, “In the event of the AP’s dissatisfaction with the Board’s determination, it may choose to seek legal redress, but good luck with a small fisherfolk going up against behemoth Exxon in courts! And to boot, expressions such as “coverage as far as practicable” and “reasonable and legitimate” are weaselly words to stackthedeckinExxon’sfavour”
So many things are wrong in this country that it is mindbogglinghowourcitizenscopewithitall.
It is the most chaotic management of this country we have seen in recent years, yet the powers that be go along blithely as though everything is right. The official opposition is equally shambolic, leaving Guyanese at the mercy of an incompetent government and foreign corporationsthatcareonlyaboutmakingprofits.
FromschoolstohospitalstothestreetsofGeorgetown, Guyana is in crisis. A 2016 STEPS Survey conducted in Guyana revealed that 18.4% of adults had high blood pressure. We believe that figure has grown much larger owingtothestresslevelsofourcitizens.
Wehaveseeninrecentweeksprotestsoverthedeathof Adriana Younge and attempts at a cover-up by the state apparatus,aswellasthekillingoftwoyoungmeninLinden bypolice.Studentsarebeingbulliedandbeateninschools; truck drivers are forced to park their vehicles after being forced out of the business by Chinese operators. On top of that, government passed an oil spill prevention and protectionbillwithprovisionsthatprotecttheoilcompanies morethanGuyanese.Justlastweek,weweretoldthattheoil assets we have paid for still belong to ExxonMobil.All of these things are happening while Venezuela is issuing threatstooursovereignty
Fromtheflawedoilspillbill,totheannouncementthat assetswepaidoffforarenotours,canonlybeseenaspartof thedevilishobjectivesoftheschemingPPPCGovernment leaders,whostudyandplot,andcomeupwithnewwayson how to bleed Guyana dry and the many ways to steal the wealth of this country so as to bring it to the point of insolvency
Guyanesehavetogetonethingintheirheads.Theonly time they have value, have any standing that calls for recognitionbypoliticalleadersisduringelectionsseasons. Thisiswhentheyarecourtedandwooed,andtheonetime when they represent something. All other times, they are nothing but doormats to be used for wiping the feet of leaders and ministers. The quicker citizens of this country getusedtothatreality,thebetterofftheywillbe,themore they will be able to cushion their disappointments when theirhopesaredashed.
Forhereitisthatthiscountryispoisedtocashinonits biggestoilpaydays,andthePPPCGovernmenthasmoved with cunning and determination to pass laws that will protectoilcompaniesandexposeourcitizenstothedangers ofanoilspill.ThePresidenthasthepower,orsoweareled tobelieve,toputacheckonallthesethings,butheisjustthe puppetonastringthatisrespondingtothetugsandpullsof onemanintheshadowswhoiscallingtheshots.Thatman has a certain history where big money, in fact, any kind of taxpayermoney,isconcerned,andhehasbeenslickenough intheswirlofoildevelopmentstomaketheHead-of-State thefrontman,withallthesepowers,whenhedoesn'thave any other than to sign and carry out orders at the behest of therealpowerbehindthethrone.
WhattheVicePresidentdesiresallGuyanatobelieveis thathehasnosay,andisalongfortherideinallofthesefastrushing oil issues. But regardless of where the power to make decisions of enduring significance with this oil resides, the President or the Vice President or the subject Minister,theendresultisstillthesame.Weencourageour fellowcitizenstolookaroundcarefully,andabsorbwhathas been going on, and then ask yourselves whether you have anysayinanythingrelatedtothisoil,sinceitsdiscovery It is the same dismal and secretive story with the very costly gas-to-shoreprojectslatedforWales,whereGuyanesehave theirsay,butarecompletelyignoredbyarrogantleadersina rampaginggovernment.Inaddition,moreandmorepeople have come out and said that they want more from this oil, that the contract should be renegotiated (which the PPPC itself said during the campaigns for elections), but today, nobodylistenstowhatGuyanesehavetosayaboutthisoilor havethetimeofdayforthem.
Oil Spill Bill scam to deceive and cancel Judge Kissoon's Decision
DearEditor, The Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, ResponseandResponsibility Bill 2025 is nothing but an all-time brazen scam perpetrated by the PPPC to cancel Judge Kissoon's decision and it bears out a bold-faced election time deception by the PPPC that they will include unlimited liability coverage in the Bill after waging a 5-year rabid war against it The Bill containsnosuchliabilityand has been proven so by the fact that they have not withdrawntheircourtappeal against it. There cannot be liability coverage in the Bill while appealing it at the sametimeinthecourts. Haditnotbeensoserious a matter, yours truly would have gloated I told you so! pointing to my one-year-old April 30, 2024 letter to the media headlined “Oil Spill legislation is a scheme to nullify Judge Kissoon's ruling for parent company g u a r a n t e e ” T h a t notwithstanding, Melinda Janki, Guyana's most distinguished international environmental Attorney, describes the Bill as
“unconstitutional and an illegal and grave abuse of power by the PPPC” ChristopherRam,anotherof Guyana's esteemed Attorneys, aptly captioned the Bill as “Undoing of Judge Kissoon” in his SN letter of May 17, 2025, and the gross incompetence evinced by its “technical deficiencies and legal ambiguities” in his May 13, 2025,SNletter
What we are sadly witnessinginbrightdaylight is the betrayal of, and unrelenting assault on, the democracyofGuyanaviathe PPPC's skin-of-the-teeth single-seat majority, emasculating the judiciary by fiat of the party's Putinesque authoritarianism way,astheyoverthrowcourt decisions they don't like. Nothing was more despicably evident of this assaultthanthenation'schief law enforcement officer contemptuously retrying the case by berating Judge K i s s o o n d u r i n g parliamentary debate of the Bill, implying that the Honourable Judge lacks comprehension This behaviour in any democracy
Guyana
would have warranted proceedings of contempt against AG Nandlall, since he was involved in the case.
Readers may recall Ms Janki, on occasions, had to publicly school this man on the nation's law, and yours truly had to expose his ignorance and laziness unbefittingoftheAG'soffice in any country, except for dictatorships.
Background Facts of Unlimited Liability Coverage
Likeotherbigcompanies do to insulate themselves from liability, ExxonMobil (Exxon)createdEMGLasits subsidiary (child) Limited LiabilityCompanytotakeon contractual ownership of operations and all liabilities, with EMGL (not Exxon) being the signatory to all documents. Upon realizing that EMGL had no assets to cover the cost of an oil spill that would otherwise bankruptGuyanaandrestof the Caribbean, the APNU/AFC Coalition, with agreementofEMGLthrough their signing of permits, enshrinedintolaw,unlimited liability protection secured by insurance, plus a Parent
Co Guarantee borne by parentExxonforallcostsnot covered by the insurance. It hasbeenshockingtowitness Nandlall's incomprehension of such a simple and common concept, as he bemoans his imaginary “impossible cost for unlimited insurance” when, in fact, it is not unlimited insurance,butrather,apaper guarantee from Exxon costingnothing.Heedlessof Nandlall's shallowness, this concept is akin to an Insurance Co. covering a certain portion of a health bill for a child, with the parent responsible for the remaining amount not coveredbytheinsurance. Upon taking office, the PPPCtookthemostdisloyal and callous step to cancel this full liability protection, triggering the lawsuit by C
& Why
k Decision by Judge Kissoon against EPA and EMGL, upholding that the language in the Coalition's authorizations requiring unlimited liability was “expressedinclear (Continueonpage6)
has enough stone to supply all of its current needs
DearEditor, Today's Stabroek News (May 20, 2025) is much about “Suriname's Grassico opens office here to supply aggregate.”
“Suriname's state-owned miningcompany,Grassaico, launched the Guyanese subsidiary, Guysure Aggregate and Sands Inc. (Guysure ASI), yesterday with Surinamese President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, andotherofficialshailingthe development as a deepening of economic and diplomatic ties.”
Why we should be importing stones is unbelievable. I am aware,
along with Phillip Alsoop and a team, that extensive research was conducted. It was determined that apart fromTeperu,wehadenough aggregate to supply local needs and to export; even withthepresentconstruction boom, we have enough aggregate to supply the industry
At Teperu, for example, we found that the stone was extremely hard and the crusher's face of the quarry couldnotlastforalongtime. We journeyed to Germany andhadthiscorrected.What the Government should be doing is to discuss with the several quarry owners, so
that they work out the modalities to increase the rate of production and transportation to deliver the aggregate to the points or locationswhereneeded.
Toimportstoneseemsto beamechanismforsomeset of persons to make money I state Guyana has enough stone to supply all of its currentneeds.Ichallengethe Government to unearth the report which justifies its claims to tell how many quarriesarenowoperational and how much stone is availableforthenextdecade.
In the meantime, Dear Editor, obtain the views of the quarry owners operating inGuyana. Independence is a few days away, and I hope and pray that the current leadership of this country a p p r e c i a t e s t h a t Independenceandthosewho fought for Independence mustnotbeusedasaslogan but manifest through words and deeds, the deeper m e a n i n g o f w h a t Independence represents Don'tbesurprisedifthenext big news will be some foreigner importing water into this Land of Many Waters.
Regards, HamiltonGreen Elder
MANAGEMENT TO BLAME AT NIS
DearEditor, The National Insurance Scheme is an organization which is very important and has some very efficient, competent, and qualified professionals in its employ Butitisalsoaprimeexample of a public organization which has in its midst some ofthemostincompetentand
arrogant individuals in Guyana.Asaseniormanager withoverthirty(30)yearsof experience, some of them would not have lasted three months, much less to sit behind their desk for years and be nothing but a nuisancetothepublic. In January 2025, I submitted a completed
standing order to the National Insurance Scheme to have my monthly paymentspaidtoaparticular citybank,replacingtheoneI wasusing.InearlyFebruary, before I departed Guyana, I wentintoNISenquiringifit was processed and was told that it was and will be effectivefromFebruary
Nothing happened in February or March. At the end of March, I called and wassuccessfulinspeakingto a fine-looking young lady whowasverycourteousand businesslike. She checked and discovered that the Standing Order was not processedandadmonished (Continueonpage21)
DearEditor,
In September 2023 and againinMarch2025,Iraised concerns about Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton's reluctance to challenge President Irfaan Ali on the Venezuela-Guyana border controversy Today, it appears Norton's position has evolved, aligning more closely with the sentiments of a broad cross-section of Guyanese society. Last Friday,Nortonannouncedhe wouldnolongerengagewith the President on the VenezuelaissuewhiletheAli administration continues to “oppress the people.” His message was clear: future cooperation on national matters will depend on a fundamentalshiftawayfrom discrimination, nepotism, andtheongoingviolationof Guyana's Constitution and democraticprinciples.
Norton's stance reflects mounting frustrations from his constituents and civil society, who have long decried the government's exclusionary politics and political decay. Despite constitutional mandates for inclusive governance, the Opposition has been routinely sidelined: excluded from national events, decision-making processes, and substantive engagement. Its supporters, and independent civil societyactors,havelikewise faced marginalisation. The responsibility to protect Guyana's territorial integrity
lies with both the GovernmentandOpposition. But defending borders cannot be divorced from defending the rights and dignity of citizens True national security includes economic justice, social equity, and democratic participation It means ensuring that every citizen, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation, has the opportunity to thrive and shareinthenation'swealth.
President Ali must be reminded that his role goes b e y o n d m i l i t a r y preparedness He must safeguard the daily welfare of all Guyanese. Norton, as Leader of the Opposition, has a duty to hold him accountable. The rising cost of living, unaffordable housing,underfundedpublic services, and deepening inequalitymustbeaddressed with the same urgency as external threats. These are notperipheralconcerns;they are core to national stability andresilience.
It is deeply disingenuous for the government to seek unity in times of geopolitical threat while simultaneously alienating large segments of its own population Our soldiers, many of whom are AfricanGuyanese,areasked to defend a country that has failed to defend their interests They, too, are workers, citizens, and human beings deserving of respect, equitable treatment, and a fair share of the country'sresources.
Guyana's defence readinesscannotbeseparated from the morale, well-being, and dignity of its people A hungry, demoralised, and economically strained populacecannotbeexpected to rally enthusiastically behindnationalisticslogans. Many citizens today cannot afford basic meals or housing — a disgrace in a nation experiencing unprecedented economic growth Meanwhile, the military remains underequippedandunderfunded.
There is growing disillusionment among ordinary Guyanese who rightlyfeelexcludedfromthe country's prosperity They are not treated as stakeholders but more as undesirables, not entitled to equal enjoyment of the land oftheirbirthandsacrifice. Adding insult to injury, they are now treated as expendables, expected to chant“OneGuyana”intimes of crisis, yet left out of the conversation in times of peace The stakeholders cannot simply be useful utensils of the government whenitcomestoriskingand sacrificing their lives, livelihood and the future of their families. They cannot be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice. If we are torestoreagenuinesenseof unityandsharedpurposeand national interest, the
government must address the root causes of this discontent, not just its symptoms.Onlythencanwe expect real support and cooperation from those who feel denied, victimised and marginalised. Many people supportnotcooperatingwith the government unless there are meaningful outcomes from negotiation- legally signed,sealed,deliveredand applied. We want outcomes, evidenceofthedeliverables, whichmustbe:
Ÿ
Governance
Inclusionary Democracy: Enact laws to promote inclusion, including a requirementthatatleast60% of Members of Parliament approve the Appropriation Bill(Budget).
Ÿ Constitutional Commissions: Ensure theestablishmentofall c o n s t i t u t i o n a l commissions
Ÿ Devolution of Power: Enact legislation to implement Articles 75 and 76 of the Constitution, enabling greater regional and local governance and citizen participation Foreign Affairs and Border Oversight: Establish a Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee and a National B
r Commission. Natural Resource Oversight: Create a bi-partisan Natural Resources C o m m i t t e e
c o m p r i s i n g representatives from: GTUC and FITUG
( o n e e a c h ) , Government and Opposition, Private sector,Civilsociety
Ÿ ElectoralReform
Electoral Integrity: Implement a clean voters list and introduce biometric systems to enhance the credibility and transparency ofelections.
Ÿ Workers' Rights and SocialProtection
Ÿ Labour Rights: Guaranteetherightto:
Ÿ Join a trade union of choice,
Ÿ Engage in collective bargaining,
Ÿ Restore the check-off system,
Ÿ Resolve outstanding labourgrievances
Disciplined Services
Insurance: Provide comprehensive life and healthinsuranceformembers of the Disciplined Services and their dependents, including benefits for families of those who die in service.
Unemployment Benefit: Address the NIS deficit and implement unemployment benefitsbyactivatingtheNIS UnemploymentRegulation.
Ÿ Economic Equity and ReparativeJustice
Ÿ Affirmative Action: Enact legislation and establishacommission onequitytoensurefair accessto:
Ÿ Employment (public and (Continueonpage21)
Stop the cycle of violence and injustice that continues to rob our nation of its future
DearEditor, On May 15, 2025, the Guyana Chronicle carried a headline caption “Jagdeo calls out APNU/AFC over 'Political hijacking' of AdrianaYoungedeath.”Asa concerned citizen, I am compelled to respond—not on behalf of any political party, but on behalf of justice, truth, and the many families in Guyana still waiting for both Vice PresidentJagdeo'sattemptto accuse the opposition of politicizing the death of young Adriana Younge distractsfromthecoreissue: the lack of transparency and accountability from the GovernmentandtheGuyana Police Force. If the PPP/C administration, led by President Irfaan Ali, were genuinely committed to justice,thenthepublicwould not need to protest or raise their voices. The fact that they must do so speaks volumes about the state of trustinourinstitutions. Let us be honest—this is not just about Adriana Younge. Her tragic death is partofapainfulandongoing pattern. There are countless others, past and present, whose families continue to waitforjustice.Wehavenot forgotten Minister Satyadeow Sawh, brutally murdered during Jagdeo's presidency, whose killers still roam free. Where was
the justice then? The Guyanese people are tired. Tired of empty rhetoric Tiredofmourningouryoung sons and daughters. Tired of being silenced. We are not asking for favours—we are demanding our rights: justice,equality,andrespect. If justice had been delivered swiftly and transparently, there would be no opportunity for anyone to "politicize" these tragedies. So,insteadofblamingothers for speaking out, the PPP Government should look inward. Stop blaming the opposition Stop ignoring grievingfamilies.Andabove all,stopthecycleofviolence and injustice that continues torobournationofitsfuture. The people of Guyana deservebetter.We deserveto live. And we will not be silenced in our call for what isright.
Sincerely,
Pt.Ubraj Narine, JP, COA
Oil Spill Bill scam to deceive and...
Frompage4 unambiguous terms” and “such a course of action to violate the permit is made permissible only by a derelict, pliant and submissive EPA which has descended into a state of slumber at the critical juncture of an emerging oil sector and has, at every juncture,engagedinacourse of action to undermine and erode the terms and conditionsofitsownpermit” andthat“Thegovernmentis submissive and relegated itself to a state of laxity and a b d i c a t e d i t s responsibilities, thereby putting this nation and its people in grave potential danger of calamitous disaster”.
Instead of heads rolling andhonouringoftheJudge's decisionaswouldtakeplace in any law abiding democratic country, the PPPC doubled down, freely spending tax payers money ferociously to fight against them all the way to the CaribbeanCourtofJusticeto dutifully join Exxon in appealing the decision; and to add insult to injury, while the appeal is pending, the Govt thumbed its nose at justice by concocting an Agreement with EMGL which monumentally slashed the unlimited coverage, capping it at $2 BillionUSD,amere1.3%of the$145BUSDspenttodate tocleanuptheBPMacondo spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Not surprisingly, Nandlall, either lyingly or ignorantly, sounded off in parliament that the $2B came from the appeals court Judge, when all the Appeals Judge ordered was to use the $2B already agreed to as surety while awaiting the appeal. What Nandlall did not mentionthough,wasthatthe PPPCstoodupinParliament and conned the world that verification of the $2B is readily available at the EPA for all to see, only for the public to be told by the EPA that any such requests will have to come through court proceedings - naturally
smelling like another con thatthereexistsa$2Bsurety (bond)pendingtheappeal. Days prior to the Bill's release with election fast approaching, and realizing thattheywillhavetofacethe wrath of the electorate with dire consequences and accountabilityforsellingout the country, Jagdeo and Nandlallattemptedtodelude the people that they have suddenly underwent an epiphanyofthemindandare nowthefathersofunlimited liability after five years of waging a vicious war in and out of court against it. They touted that “the Bill doesn't limit liabilities and there is no cap on the liability”language unequivocally meaning unlimited liability toevena3rdgradepupil;but nolevelofdeceitandshame are too much for these men, for would you believe that Nandlall went before Parliament, asininely averring that their words of “doesn't limit” and “no limit” do not mean “unlimited”!Andwouldyou also believe that Jagdeo, in his usual unhinged shamelessness, had the gumption to suggest that it wastheOppositionthatmay have been in talks with Exxon about the $2B cap, and not the PPPC, for the PPPC has always rejected any cap. Is Guyana a real placewithchapsliketheseat itshelm!
Jagdeo's $14B Asset Hoax
Asthescamofunlimited liability being in the Bill is now unmistakable from the foregoing, the only hint of any financial assurance is Jagdeo'sidiocyaboutseizing EMGL's fictitious $14B assetsplusthesupposed$2.6 Bliabilitycapandinsurance, totalling $16.5B. First, this fella was counselled over and over that all assets belong to the Govt, so, it is sheer stupidity to talk about the Govt seizing its own assets; but to quote Patti Henry, “Desperation fuels one to believe idiocy is insight”.Second,evenifone indulges in Jagdeo's idiocy, where will the Govt find the
extra $128.4B to pay for a $145B size Macondo spill after spending the $16.5B?; or, even if half the size, where will we find $56B which is more than 10 times our entire national budget? The people demand an answer as to why these men aresospinelesslygrovelling toallofExxon'swishesatthe dire expense of their own people, including breaking the nation's laws, as they reverse all of the guardrails putinplacebytheCoalition and honoured and respected byExxon.
The Parliamentary Hearing
Unable to do the impossibleofdefendingthis indefensible Bill against the compelling presentation of MPShurwayneHolder,ably supported by MP Patterson and MP Duncan, the PPPC gentlemen decided to sillily invoke my name as a distraction.Ofallpeople,the “shoot and scoot” caricature questioned what yours truly has done, maybe implying that he has done something becoming a butt of jokes, cowardly ordering his protective forces to “shoot and scoot” if Venezuela attacks.
Minister Indar waved a supposed USEPA document claiming it had guided the Bill, and suggesting that yourstrulyshouldappreciate it, since I worked for the USEPA.
Yes,Iindeedworkedfor boththeUSDept.ofEnergy andtheUSEPAatthehighest levels of the Government, leading development and implementa
environmentalpolicies,laws and regulations for the USA andothercountriesonbehalf of the US I was also Chairman of the USA Chapter of the International A
l Professionals, Chairman of two major International EnvironmentalConferences, and USA Representative on International Institutions such as the International Atomic Energy Agency Therefore, I am well versed
in crafting Bills and many similardocuments;so,letme advisetheMinistertoplease notwrapthePPPC'sabuseof power, totalitarian behavior, incompetence, and disloyaltytoitspeople,inthe cloak of a document supposedly stamped USA, for it not only insults the intelligenceoftheGuyanese people, but also reviles the benchmark standards of the USA for democracy, incorruptibility, competence andfollowingtheruleoflaw Noveneerisgoodenoughto camouflage the fact that Guyanaisranked76thoutof 142countrieswithascoreof 50% when it comes to the ruleoflaw
If the document waved by Indar is truly a USA document, then, he should read the sections directing compliance with the laws of the land to which the USA strictly adheres, including compliance with the sacred Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that the PPPCisnakedlyviolatingby allowingoilproduction40% above the safety limit enhancingtheriskofaspill, while at the same time havingnoliabilitycoverage. Further, the Minister championsthatanAmerican expert was used in developing the Bill, I therefore call upon the Minister to reveal the name of this “expert” if she/he exists, for she/he should have no problem putting their reputation on the line forscrutinybytheirpeersin standingbehindthisBill.
As always, Minister Bharathasstillnotlearntthat the best way to hide his incompetenceistospeaknot of what he knows not Although“Prevention”isthe firstactionwordintheBill's title, Bharat is not even able to grasp its most fundamental meaning in universal environmental lingo, that it means preventionofanincidentand not prevention of spread after an incident. This is the same gentleman who, in order to cover up the unlimited produced gas
flaring of over 200 toxic contaminants into the atmosphere, lied to Parliament that his hands were tied because of a 2 billion cubic feet of gas flaring allowed in the EIA, when no such thing exists. Until the cover of the Plan appeared in the newspapers, this same man also denied the existence of the World Bank's $1B USD plan for a 36-member EPA Unit of highlyspecializedpetroleum experts to provide oversight of the industry; so, his utterings have absolutely no credibility!
Nandlall went off incoherently spouting his falsities about the capping stack, including that it was firstputinplacebythePPPC in the Yellowtail permit, when, the fact is that it was the Coalition which demanded and implemented itinthePayarapermit,which came before the Yellowtail. Nevertheless, I beg that in the future, he mention the PPPC'striplingofthestack's deployment time set by the Coalitionfrom3to9daysto please Exxon, thus allowing forapotentialextrasixdays ofoilgushingintoourocean.
F u r t h e r , i t i s mindboggling that Nandlall still does not understand the basic issues at hand, particularly his complete lackofcomprehensionofthe difference between insuranceandassuranceand the simple reasoning behind unlimitedliability Allhedid was parrot the words in the Bill, which were cut and pasted from the EPA Act, clearly stating that in accordance with the “PolluterPaysPrinciple”,all ResponsibleParties(RP)are liableforalldamages.Thatis an obvious no-brainer, exceptmeaninglessiftheRP hasnomeanstocoveraspill, asinthecaseofEMGL,and would declare bankruptcy, leaving Parent Co. Exxon to walkawayscotchfreewhile Guyana is left holding the bag for $billions that will empty our oil coffers and manytimesmore.
This is the exact reason why a Parent Company Guarantee was enshrined
into law by the Coalition, andIdon'tknowwhyitisso difficult for Nandlall to grasp.
Spill Incident Board biased make-up to benefit Exxon – The proposed Incident Board, responsible for determining claims, c o m p r i s e s o n e Representative each from the Ministry of Natural Resources, EPA, and Exxon as the RP, but no representation for the Affected Party (AP) such as asmallfisherfolk–ablatant bias and unfairness towards the AP, plus a remarkable conflict of interest having Exxon determine its own liability Even further, in the event of the AP's dissatisfaction with the Board's determination, it may choose to seek legal redress,butgoodluckwitha small fisherfolk going up against behemoth Exxon in courts! And to boot, expressions such a
practicable”and“reasonable andlegitimate”areweaselly words to stack the deck in Exxon'sfavour
Addedly, let's not forget that EMGLrefused to pay a paltry fine of $500 for six small spills, so was taken to court by the EPA under the Coalition; but true to form, the PPPC dropped the case andgotridoftheyoungand brilliant EPA Attorney prosecutingthecase.Thatis to say that the PPPC takes Guyanese for fools in trying to dupe us into trusting that Exxon will spend tens of $Billions to clean up a spill in the absence of an unlimited guarantee, when, aided and abetted by the PPPC,itrefusedtoforkouta mere$500.
The PPPC is no doubt in a desperation mode to promise and do anything at election time to hold on to power and make Exxon our new colonial masters. As Jagdeo must have learnt from his Russian comrade Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, “There is nobody more terrible than the desperate.”
Respectfully, Dr VincentAdams
Psychiatrists detected Chronic PTSD in survivors of deadly Mahdia school dorm fire - US trained expert tells Court
Dr Steven Berkowitz, Professor at the Department
of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado, USA, said Tuesday, that a psychiatric evaluation conducted on two of the teenage survivors of the Mahdia School dormitory fire, has detected chronic post- traumatic stress disorderinbothgirls.
Dr Berkowitz took the witness stand for the second time in the case where the parents of two teenage girls have sued the state for in excess of $10 million for inter alia, emotional and psychological damage they sustained as a result of the horrific ordeal which also claimed the lives of 20
children,onMay22,2023. The lawsuit explained that the girls who were 14 years old at the time, narrowlyescapedthegrilled building,whilesomeoftheir friends, and siblings were burntalive.
U n d e r c r o s sexaminationbyStatelawyer, Darshan Ramdhani KC, the psychiatrist revealed that as it is with most illnesses without diagnosis and treatment, the symptoms of those who present with PTSDwillworsenintime.
Asked on a scale of 1 to 10, where he would rate the survivors of the Mahdia school dormitory fire who wereevaluatedbyamember of his department, the
psychiatrist said they fell under the more extreme end ofthescale.
“By extreme do you mean a 10?” the attorney asked.
“I would say about between and 8- 10,” replied thewitness.Thepsychiatrist wentontoexplainthatgiven that amount of the time which elapsed before the teen girls were seen by a doctor and diagnosed with PTSD, they would have already developed “chronic PTSD.”
Chronic PTSD, or posttraumatic stress disorder, occurs when PTSD symptoms persist for more thanamonth,affectingdaily lifeandrelationships.
Dr. Steven Berkowitz, Professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado
The court heard that teenagers were evaluated by a psychiatrist from his department, Dr. Amber McDonaldaboutayearafter the tragic incident occurred. Theywerealsoseenbylocal psychologists three days after the incident, but the timeline was not enough for experts to uncover symptomsofPTSD.
D u r i n g c r o s sexamination,thedoctoralso delved into the state of the girls at the time of the diagnosis.Henotedthatone of the girls appeared more withdrawn and didn't talk more than the other; however, both girls reported that “they don't talk to
anybodyandtheydon'ttrust anybody.”
“One of the girls was more withdrawn and didn't talk much during the examination, but what was for sure, they are both withdrawn,” the doctor stated.
Ramdhani asked specifically whether culture isafactorindeterminingthe impact of PTSD In response,Dr Berkowitzsaid he was not aware of any cultural studies specifically on the impact of traumatic events would have on the Indigenous population in Guyana.
The doctor noted however, that while he has
seen no data specific to Guyana, he has seen studies basedonthosewhosuffered trauma as result of Tsunami in Indonesia in 2004 and veteransofwar Basedonthe data, the doctor determined that all patients suffered from a similar type of trauma.
“Approximately seven out of every 100 veterans will experience PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at some point in their lives and their symptoms are very similar from persons who suffer fromPTSD,”heexplained.
Asked by the lawyer if thepersonswhohavePTSD will ever “heal,” the psychiatrist noted that “recover” will be a better term to describe their processofgettingbetter.The lawyer queried what the impact of PTSD diagnosis onaperson'slife.
The psychiatrist explained that a person's quality of life will decline due to the psychological challenges they may experience including
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Mabaruma Primary to undergo $22 million rehabilitation
The Regional D e m o c r a t i c Council(RDC)of RegionOneintendstospend $ 22 million to rehabilitate the Mabaruma Primary School.
The $22M is part of the $3.8 billion allocated to the education sector in the 2025 nationalbudget.
T h e R e g i o n a l Administration, in its invitation for bids, revealed that the project is estimated tocost$22,873,862.
This publication understands that this project is one of the numerous projectsbeingundertakenby the government, which forms part of a broader initiative of improving the access and quality of
education for all children.
The government announced thatitwouldberepairingand upgradingschoolsacrossthe country to ensure children are learning in a safe and comfortableenvironment.
“In addition to building new schools, what we are doing currently is repairing schools.
The President has made itclearthathedoesnotwant any school to be without functioning washrooms and plumbing,electricity,agood roof where there is no leaking, and repairing the dilapidated-looking buildings,” Education MinisterPriyaManickchand mentioned.
Notably, at the presentation of this year's
budget, it was announced that the government, in the last four years, built over 15 new primary schools, reconstructednine,extended s e v e n t e e n , w h i l e construction is ongoing for 11 more new primary schoolsacrossthecountry
Additionally,theRDCis also seeking a contractor to rehabilitate the Education DepartmentBuilding,which is located in the RDC's compound at Mabaruma Theseworksareestimatedat $24,910,924.
This publication understands that bids are expectedtoopenonMay27, 2025, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB)office.
The Mabaruma Primary School in Region One. (Photo courtesy, Mabaruma Primary School/ Facebook)
Opportunity and the illusion of escape from poverty
From all accounts,
Guyana is awash in opportunity It pulses from every page of the economic reports,dripsfromthelipsof politicians and the captains ofindustryandcommerce.
True,thereisoilbeneath the sea, sand above the ground,timberintheforests, andgoldburiedintheearth's deep belly Construction is booming-anewroadhere,a port there, a factory over yonder and soon, the chorusbeginsagain:thereis too much opportunity in Guyanaforpeopletostillbe poor
It is a comforting thesis. Itsuggeststhatpovertyisno longer a structural condition but a moral failing, a reluctancetohustle.Thatthe only thing standing between a man and the exit from impoverishment is his own inertia.Ifonlyhewouldrise at dawn, apply himself diligently,andpursueoneof the many glittering opportunities strewn like breadcrumbs along the national path, he would, in time,ascend.
Butthistheory,coatedin cliché,deservestobeturned gently on its head and examined with care. For it restsonaseriesofdangerous assumptions. Chief among them: that opportunity, in and of itself, is a cure for poverty
Let us consider what we mean when we say 'opportunity.'Isitanyjob,of anytype,foranywage?Ifso, the country is indeed a b u n d a n t w i t h construction work, security posts, portering, sales girls
and boys, domestics and various forms of manual labour that leave the body weary and the bank account bare.Thesemayfillthedays, but they do not fill the pockets. They are jobs that circle poverty rather than rise above it, and when the sun sets, the man who took them is still staring into the mouthofneed.
There are, of course, opportunities of a more ambitious kind—those tied totheburgeoningoilandgas sector, to high-valued jobs, to specialized trades. But these are often capitalintensive and skilldependent. A man cannot simply show up at an oil rig and ask for a job. He needs certification, experience, sometimesadegree—things not so easily acquired in a countrywheretheeducation system fails half its students eachyear
We are told that education is the gateway to prosperity Yet in Guyana, the gateway is rusted Children fall through the cracks like coins slipping between sofa cushions Manyleaveschoolunableto read proficiently, count confidently,orcommunicate effectively Ask the very private sector which likes to boastabouttheabundanceof opportunities School leavers are asked to pursue opportunitiesinaneconomy increasingly shaped by high technology and which demand qualifications whichtheydonothave.And when they fail to keep pace, they are blamed—not the systemthatfailedthem.
And even where the opportunity exists, and even where the skills are present, onemustask:whoholdsthe keys? In many sectors, opportunity has been captured Large firms dominatethespace,whether in construction, retail, or resource extraction Licences, contracts, and access are concentrated in a few hands, and the playing field is rarely level. For a small business owner, a farmer, a trader, or a technician, opportunity can often feel like a party to whichtheywerenotinvited.
Try applying for a government contract and findoutinthecorridorswhat needstobedonetowinthese contracts.
Opportunity, in this context, is like a ladder leaning against a high wall—but the first rung is missing,thesecondslippery, and the top obscured. To suggest that the mere presence of a ladder means everyone should already be over the wall is to mistake possibilityforaccessibility
T h e d a n g e r o f overstating opportunity is that it turns poverty into a personal indictment The poor are seen not as victims of an uneven field but as refusers of a golden ticket. The conversation becomes less about reform and more about reproach. Yet poverty is not a matter of bad choices—itisoftentheresult ofhavingnogoodchoicesat all.
Opportunityisnotstatic. It must be cultivated, made inclusive,andmatchedtothe
Socrates deh in de market!
Is only de other day me deh pon meh way to buy two ochro and a lil pumpkin whenamanwalkuptomelikehevexwid heownself.
He seh, “How de Vice President could seh deh gat some people in Guyana who stupid?!”
So me seh, “Yuh ever hear bout Socrates?”Hesehno,butheknowSocaand Rice.
Meseh,“Well,ishowdeVicePresident putittoo.Hejustskipdephilosophypart.” Look, not everybody gan be Einstein. Some people believe Facebook is a source of gospel. Some still believe de oil money hiding in a coconut tree waiting fuh fall in demlap.
WegotsmartpeopleinGuyana,yes.But lehwenahfoolweself.Wegotstupidones too. Just check some of de comments pon socialmedia.
So when de Vice President seh some people stupid, maybe is not de most diplomaticthing,butisnotlikehelie. Dem boys seh… if de cap fit and is a duncecap,wearitponyuhowntime! Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
needsandrealitiesofpeople.
Amanwhohasneverowned a computer cannot be expected to write code. A woman living in rural Guyana cannot afford to get to the city to grab an opportunity of her heart's desire. A child who goes to school hungry will not master algebra. To speak of opportunity without speaking of conditions is to trafficinillusions.Thatisthe cruel reality that our
politicians do not wish to face.
The notion that poverty should no longer exist in a land of opportunity is both cruel and convenient It relieves the powerful of responsibility,andtherestof us of empathy But opportunityisnotacure;itis a tool. And tools require hands that know how to use them,andasocietythatputs themwithinreach.
Until then, we would do
well to speak of poverty not as a stubborn relic, but as a pressing reality and of opportunitynotasapanacea, but as a promise yet to be fulfilled (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
U.S. ready to support GDF to eradicate criminal activity along the borders
Following recent attacks on members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven at the GuyanaVenezuela border by men in civilian clothing– United States (U.S.)Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot has expressed her country's readinesstosupporttheGDF in eradicating criminal activityalongtheborders.
Ambassador Theriot made those comments on Tuesday while delivering remarks at the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) held at theGuyanaMarriottHotel.
The ambassador referenced the reports of the attacksbyVenezuelangangs on the ranks of the Defence Force. The attacks occurred between Tuesday, May 13, and Wednesday, May 14, while GDF troops were conducting routine riverine patrolsbetweenEteringbang andMakapa.
Unlike the February 17, 2025 incident where six Guyanese soldiers were ambushed and injured during patrol duties in the CuyuniRiver,nomemberof the GDF was injured during
therecentattacks.
Theriot said, “These are criminals engaging in criminal activity, and the UnitedStatesstandsreadyto supporttheGDFinitseffort to eradicate this activity along Guyana's frontier and to ensure the safety and security of Guyana's people.”
The U S Ambassador noted that investment requires more than just favourable business climate. She noted that the two most common concerns that the U.S.Embassyreceivesfrom American companies looking to establish a presence in Guyana: are political and civil unrest
particularlyaroundelections time and Venezuela's aggression.
Reiterating the U S position on the GuyanaVe n e z u e l a b o r d e r controversy Theriot said, “On Venezuela, our stance has remained exactly the same since this controversy resurfaced [President Nicolas] Maduro rhetoric is i n f l a m m a t o r y a n d unacceptable, but at the end of the day, it is just bluster aimedatshoringupdomestic support.”
On May 25, Venezuela plans to hold regional elections on Guyana's Essequiboregion.Guyana
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Dem Boys Seh...
United States Ambassador, Nicole Theriot
CCJ dismisses appeal between Guyanese embroiled in court battle over $60M owed in business deal
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled in favour of Guyanese businesswoman, Ann Narine,inamatterwhereshe sued her former partner HardatSinghfor$60million whichheowedtoherfroma business arrangement betweenthetwo.
In November 2020, Narine filed a Fixed Date Application ('FDA') in the high court claiming the sum of US$300,000 owed to her under a former business arrangement between the parties, where Singh would payafeetoheronabusiness venture.
It was claimed that the partiesinduecourse,agreed to dissolve their business arrangement and settle all payments owed to Singh. In furtherance of this obligation, Narine executed adocumentpromisingtopay thestatedsum.
Upon Singh's failure to
pay, Narine's attorney wrote to Singh demanding payment. The high court entered judgment for Singh onApril20,2021. He appealed the judgment in the full court and it was dismissed. The Court of Appeal dismissed the further appeal on June 28,2024andonOctober18, 2024,specialleavetoappeal wasgranted.
In the full court, Singh filed 16 grounds of appeal, advancing 12 grounds. He filed21groundsintheCCJ. By FDA, Ms. Narine claimed against Singh the sumofUS$300,000orGYD $60 million, which he promised to pay in a document claimed to be a promissorynote.
In the High Court, the Chief Justice decided the document was not a promissory note, but accepted it as evidence of a contract to pay and allowed
Narine to file further evidence and to serve Singh at his address out of the jurisdiction. JudgmentforNarinewas entered at the subsequent hearing at which there was noappearanceordefenceby Singh The matter was appealedtothefullcourtand the Court of Appeal which bothupheldthejudgment.
BeforetheCCJ,thefiled 21groundsofappeal,andon the appeal, the issues of serviceandSingh'sfailureto fileadefencearoseasmajor issues. In delivering the judgment of the court, Justice Denys Barrow held that Singh erred in failing to apply to set aside the judgment since a trial had been conducted by the High Court and a final judgment had been entered against him.
This required Singh to engage with sections of the (Civil Procedure) Rules
2016 which deals with settingasidejudgments.
By the appellant failing to apply to set aside, he attempted to sidestep the requirementofgivingagood
deliberately did not attend trial and was seeking to
altogether
The court identified this as an abuse of process. By choosing to appeal rather than applying to set aside, Singh avoided the filing of
evidence on oath and crossexamination as to his nonattendance at trial, and the truthofwhathappenedtothe documents that unarguably were served at his foreign address.
The court examined the interplay between failing to apply to set aside and appealing a judgment and concluded that while it was possible to appeal without applying to set aside, there would have to be unusual factsforacourttopermitthat course.
Even if an appeal was permitted, Mr Singh would (Continuedonpage15)
Justice Denys Barrow
Man dies in jet-ski accident
A58-year-oldmanlosthislifeonSundayafternooninajet ski accident at the Splashmins Fun Park and Village, Soesdyke-Linden Highway Dead is Joseph Sahadeo of Lot 167GrantVillePark,Beterverwagting,EastCoastDemerara (ECD).Theaccidentoccurredatapproximately13:00hrs. PoliceinastatementsaidthatSahadeolefthomewithhis wife Goumattie Singh, his daughter Padmini Sahadeo and otherrelativesforthefunparkandvillage.Theytookthetwo jetskisthatwereplacedinthewateruponarrival.
“Thenowdeceasedmountedoneofthejetskis,whilehis daughter, Padmini, and her friend were on the other It is allegedthatthenowdeceasedcollidedwiththejetski,which Padminiwasonandhithishead.Hefellintothewaterandwas rescued by family and friends,” police said. Sahadeo was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead. Police said that visible injuries were seen on Sahadeo's head and face.His body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral home where it awaits a postmortemexamination.
‘Come to me, I will take you out
within 1 to 6 months’
Outgoing Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Komal Singh, on Tuesday issued a bold challenge to Guyanese who say they are living in poverty, arguing that the country offers ample opportunities for those willingtowork.
Singh was speaking at the PSC's 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) as he concluded his two-year
termasChairman.Duringhis remarks, he urged unity and optimismaboutthecountry's future.“Thereisabigfuture ahead of Guyana. Let us all work collectively as a team. As Guyanese, this country has a wonderful opportunity that we should all capitalize on,” he said.Addressing the issue of poverty, Singh pointed to the growing economy and dismissed claims from some quarters
thatpeoplehavenowayout.
“I can understand people livinginpovertyifthereisno opportunity In a country where there is an abundance of opportunity, I'm challenging anybody out there publicly who tell me they're living in poverty cometome;I'lltakeyouout of poverty within one to six months,”Singhboldlystated citing that he knows the AGMisbeingairedlive.
He noted, however, that personaleffortanddiscipline are key “You cannot come out of poverty if within you, youdon'twanttocomeoutof poverty,” Singh said He
addedthatthoseseekinghelp must be willing to work six days a week and commit to changingtheirmindset.
“There is a wonderful opportunity ahead of us in this country Let us all work towards building our goals, reaching our goals, improving our family lives for the betterment of all in thiscountry,”heconcluded.
A 24-year-old miner was remanded, on Tuesday, to prison for the murder of 23-year-old Ricky Edwin of Bamboo Creek Village, North Pakaraimas, RegionEight.
Edwin was killed on May 13, 2025atBambooCreekVillage.
DenivoudoLuisalsoknownas 'Delon'ofBambooCreekVillage, North Pakaraimas, Region Eight appeared at the Diamond Magistrates' Court via Zoom to answerthemurdercharge.
Hewasnotrequiredtopleadto the indictable charge He is scheduled to return to court on August26,2025.
Kaieteur News reported that
EdwinwasfatallystabbedonMay 13 between 18:00h and 19:00h, after defending his partially blind 20-year-old brother during a confrontationwithLuis.
The police had reported that moments before the incident, Edwin and his younger brother, Nathan Edwin, were reportedly drinkingalcoholatthesideofthe road, when Lewis, who was intoxicated,joinedthem.
“About 17:30hrs, the suspect began to insult Nathan, who is blindfromhisrighteyeandworea sunglasses(darkshades).
Edwin intervened and pushed Lewis, who then cursed the brothers, and left in the direction ofhisresidence,abouthalfamile away.
Thebrothersthenproceededto Nathan's home, where they continued drinking and stood in the unfenced yard. During that time, Lewis reportedly returned, walked up to the brothers, and continuedcursing.
“Theythenhadanexchangeof words, and suddenly the suspect drew
threestabsathim,”policestated.
Edwin sustained stab wounds to the middle of his chest, left abdomen and left buttocks area. The younger brother, scared for hislife,ranforsafety.
Despite being stabbed, Edwin ranoffinthewesterndirectionof the yard, where he subsequently fell to the ground face down and becamemotionless.
“The suspect ran out of the yardandmadegoodhisescapein an unknown direction,” police stated.
Forty-six-year-old Bridget Edwin, mother of the decided raised an alarm and reported the mattertothepolice.
Remanded: Denivoudo Luis
7newjudgesforCourtofAppeal
Seven new judges have been nominated bytheJudicialServiceCommissiontoserve intheCourtofAppeal.
The commission said history is being madeinGuyanaasthisisthefirsttimeinthe court’s history that so many judges will be appointedatonetimetotheAppealCourt.
Accordingtothecommission,becauseof the exigencies of the office and the need to address outstanding matters, the remaining two judges will take the oath of office at a laterdate.
Judges to be sworn in today are Justices Jo-AnnBarlow,NavindraSingh,Nareshwar Harnanan, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, and Joycelin Kyte-Thomas. Justices Damone YoungeandRafiqKhan,SCwillbeswornin atanothertime.
Justice Singh has served as High Court judgefor12years,havingbeenappointedto
thepostinOctober2012.Hewasadmittedto practice before the courts in Guyana in October 2001. He served in private practice forsomesixyears.
As a High Court judge, Justice Singh presided over a number of civil cases and high-profilecriminalcases.
Justice Harnanan was admitted to the GuyanaBarinOctober2001.Hethenjoined the Attorney General’s Chamber and Ministry of LegalAffairs as a state counsel. Heservedinthechamberforsome11years. He held positions as senior legal advisor, principal legal advisor and deputy solicitor. HewasappointedajudgeoftheHighCourt inOctober2012.
Justice Sewnarine-Beharry joined the AttorneyGeneral’sChamberandMinistryof LegalAffairs in 2001. She was called to the bar and was appointed State Counsel in the Attorney General’s Chamber In 2005, she was appointed a magistrate and was subsequently promoted to senior magistrate
Boatcaptainarrestedfor assaultingcommon-lawwife
A 26-year-old boat captain was arrested on Tuesdaymorningforassault causingactualbodilyharm.
Orin Rankin, of Lot 4 Enterprise, Leguan, allegedly assaulted his common-law wife on Monday evening, a police reportstated.
A Facebook post made on Tuesday by the victim’s mother, stated that Rankin has been living with her daughter and her three children.
She said on Monday evening,heallegedlyhither The mother said she is not currently in Guyana, and is requestinghelpforherchild.
Arrested: Orin Rankin Battered victim
“I’m pleading with anyone who would be kind enough to point me in the right direction to get help for my daughter, a phone number,oranythingIwould really appreciate it Please, heaven forbid! This could be your child, good or bad, we don’t give up on our children and I’m asking please help me save my daughterbeforeit’stoolate Shehaskids GodknowsifI were there, no one would even dare to put their hands on my child,” the Facebook poststated
The court emphasised the principle that partiescannotachievebythebackdoorofan appeal that which could not have been achieved,orwhichtheyfailedtoachieveby way of an application to set aside a judgment
Indismissingtheappeal,thecourtstatedit was left unconvinced that the appellant had beenforthrightinhisconductofthismatter
OnthehearingofSingh’sapplicationfor leave to appeal to this court on December 17, 2024, the court also granted a stay of execution of the judgment in the face of an imminentsaleofhisproperty
As such, the court dismissed the appeal andorderedthatstandardcostsbeawardedto the respondent. Mr Devindra Kissoon and Ms. Natasha M. Vieira appeared for Singh, while Ms. Jamela Ali SC, Mr Sanjeev Datadin,Mr KhalifGobinandMs.Mohanie AnganoorepresentedNarine.
in 2008, principal magistrate in 2010 and chief magistrate in 2011. In 2015, she was appointed puisne judge and has held that positionfor10years.
JusticeKyte-Thomashasover23yearsof legalexperienceasanattorney Sheholdstwo Masters of Law Degrees and a doctorate in conflict resolution She served in the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution, before she was appointed magistrate. She subsequently went into private practice and later served as solicitor generalintheAttorneyGeneral’sChambers.
Justice Jo-Ann Barlow was appointed High Court judge in June 2015. She was calledtothebarinOctober1996.Sheserved in the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutionfrom1996to2015.
At the opening of the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court back in February, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips announced that Guyana’s laws would be
further amended to increase the number of judges presiding over cases in the Court of Appeal.
He said the “law was being changed and was changed to increase the compliment of Appeal Court judges from five to nine, and willsoonagainbechangedtomovethatfrom nine to 11…Also we have appointed three LandCourtjudges.”
ThePrimeMinisterhadunderscoredthat amidst the recognition of development, the government remained ready to continue providingadequateresourcestothejudiciary, whileatthesametimerecogniseandrespect itisasanindependentinstitution.
“We cannot direct, and we will never attempttodirect,howthejudiciaryoperates. All we ask is that our judicial officers dischargetheirfunctionefficiently,fairlyand in accordance with our law Our citizens deservethatmuch,andinfact,areentitledby lawforsuchtreatment.”
Local truckers brave the rain to protest over foreign takeover of trucking jobs/business.
Truckdriversstagedtwodaysof protests over an alleged foreign takeover of the trucking and businesses in Guyana and locals beingunabletoget‘abite’.
ProtestsbeganonMondayinthe miningtownofLinden,RegionTen Drivers claimed that Chinese companies are taking bread out of their mouth and accused the government of allowing foreign nationalstoputthemoutofwork.
Theyheldplacardsvoicingtheir frustration One placard read, “Chinese operating like Venezuela President Nicholas Maduro in our owncountry”Anotherplacardread, “We need jobs for our trucks Chinesearetakingover!”
“Bigfisheatingourlittlefishes, hard to survive, No Jobs, truck owners are suffering great loss because of the Chinese investors,” were some of the other phrases writtenontheirplacards.
Heavy rainfall did not deter protestsonTuesdayandmoretruck owners and drivers joined the protest. Some of the frustrated truckerslinedtheLindentoMabura Hill road with their trucks while others assembled at Wisroc, Linden,andtheSoesdykeJunction.
In Linden, truck drivers told reporters that they were protesting becausethey“arenotgettingabite” Oneofthedriverscomplainedof
...‘Weain’tgettingabite’
police harassment. “Everything passingthroughhay[here].Whywe can’t get a bite? Loam pulling hay [here], sand pulling hay [here], stone everything passing through hay [here] and we ain’t getting no bite from hay [here],” one of the truckdriverstoldreporters.
He added, “dem ain’t even saying that them get 70 trucks or a 150 trucks tek on [hire] 50 Guyanese,no AllisChinesedrivers Chinese come hay [here] today, tomorrowthemdriving.”
theChinesenotingthatlocaldrivers are mandated to strictly follow the rules. He claimed too that the toll gate only ‘works’ for the ‘small men’andlocaldrivers,whileforeign trucks and large companies drive throughwithoutpayingafee.
Meanwhile, truck drivers who protested at the Soesdyke Junction said that government must give prioritytothelocals
One of the protestors in a Facebook live said, “The reason mekwedehouthaythismorningis because the Chinese teking the majority of the contracts and dem
ain’t giving private or locals no contractsorapartofthework.”
The driver explained that locals even tried taking their trucks to the Chinese to get work but would be turneddown
“Dem telling yuh plain, dem ain’ttekinglocals,”hesaid
As a result of their protests, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill visited the mining town to listen to their concerns The drivers expressed concerns about the government giving duty-free concessions to the Chinese which in their opinion makes it difficult for them to compete. Locals also complained of Chinese getting first preferencewhenaccessingstonesor other materials In response, Minister Edghill assured that Chinese are not getting any dutyfreeconcessionsfortheirtrucks
“The only thing that was dutyfreewasthemillwhichisoperating inside the quarry (Chinese-owned quarry), so if the Chinese bought trucksandareoperatingit,theyare buyingitjustlikeyou,”hetoldthe truckers.
The minister promised that the government will intervene to stop localtruckersfrombeingside-lined whenitcomestoliftingstonesfrom a Chinese owned quarry atArisaru
Mountain, Region Ten - an issue that local truckers had raised with KaieteurNewsbackinFebruary Local truckers had complained that Chinese truckers are making approximately three trips before theycangetone
“ GGMC (Guyana Geology andMinesCommission),theagency which licensed the quarry has instructedthattherewillbetwolines atthequarry Ifyougotothequarry afternowandtheChineserefuseto loadyouthenwehaveaproblem,” Edghillpromised.
Despite the minister’s assurances, the local truck drivers were dissatisfied and called on the government to clamp down on the number of trucks, which the Chineseareallowedtoimport.
One driver said, “Then tomorrow morning, the Chinese wake-upandbringin200trucks,all a we wha’ we doing with we truck?and200driver,wha’wedoing withwetruck?”
Theministeracknowledgedthat there is competition on the market over rates but declined to comment furthernotingthat“Guyanaisopen forbusiness”.
Notwithstanding he assured that “the government will not sit idly by and allow Guyanese to be taken advantage of, even in that openenvironment.
Canadian firm secures over 60,000 acres for spin-off gold company in Guyana
Canadian gold exploration company G2 Goldfields Inc. has finalised the transfer of morethan60,000acresofminingproperties in Guyana to a new spin-off company, G3 GoldfieldsInc.
This move follows the signing of an arrangementagreementbetweenG2andG3, awhollyownedsubsidiary,whichwillseethe transfer of five non-core mining properties andworkingcapitaltoG3.
The aim is to allow G2 to focus on its flagship Oko gold project while unlocking thevalueoftheremainingassetsthroughG3. Under the agreement, G2 shareholders will receiveoneG3shareforeverytwoG2shares held,asofthespin-out’seffectivedate.
G3 is expected to be listed on the CanadianStockExchangeandwillbeledby thesameBoardandseniormanagementteam currentlyinplaceatG2.
The properties to be transferred to G3 include:
• Tiger Creek Property – 3,685 acres,PuruniDistrict
The company believes that these lands thattotal60,300acresareundervaluedunder itscurrentstructureandseesthespin-outasa waytogenerategreatershareholdervalue.
Additionally, the spin-out will allow the company to concentrate its efforts on its flagship Oko project in Guyana, while providingG3withsufficientworkingcapital to advance the exploration and development oftheNon-CoreAssets.
Back in September, it was reported that G2 Goldfields entered into an exploration agreement with a well-known Guyanese miningfamilyfora30,000-acrelandpackage intheAremu-Okogolddistrict,Guyana.
Under the agreement, G2 expands its control in the district, adding to its already substantial land holdings, which now total 60,000acres.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during his address to the NTC conference on Tuesday.
Guyananotfloodedwithoilmoney
...JAGDEO TELLS AMERINDIANS
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told Amerindian leaders on Tuesday during his presentation at the 2025 National Toshaos Council(NTC)Conference.
TheconferenceisbeingheldattheArthur Chung Conference Centre, Lilliendaal, GreaterGeorgetown.
Jagdeo said that his political opponents are lying toAmerindians when they say that Guyanaisoverflowingwithoilmoney
Hesaid,“Thekeypointisthattheycome to this community and say ‘oh we will give you more money because we have all of this oilmoneylikefakepromisesagain.”
During his address to the more than 200 village leaders attending the conference, the Vice President explained that his opponents are now saying that the country is ‘awashed’ withoilmoneybuthewantsthemtohavean understandingthatonlyasmallportionofthe Guyana’s yearly budget is funded by oil money
“In this year’s budget 2025, all the oil moneythatwecollectedarefundingprojects in the budget is less than our allocations for education,health,roadsandbridges,”Jagdeo toldtheconference.
The Vice President assured the Amerindian leaders that only a small percentageofthe2025budgetisfundedbyoil money
“So, everything else agriculture, security,etc.donotcomefromoilmoney Oil money is only 37 percent of the budget so when you hear them say this “oh we are awashedwithoilmoney,it’snottrue,”Jagdeo said while urging the Toshaos “to read the budget… you have to read the allocations to educationis$185billion,healthabouta$170 billion and to roads and bridges maybe two hundredandsomethingbillion.”
Jagdeo said, “…that is more than all the oil money in the budget so we are not ‘awashed’withoilmoney.”
Jagdeo also blamed the Opposition for signing a bad deal with United States (U.S.) oilgiantExxonMobil.Hepositedthathadthe oil deal been better, Guyana would have benefitted from more oil money Further, he said that the Opposition failed to do enough for Amerindian communities by only providingmeagrefunds.
RCMP retiree has powers like local police
Retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
investigator Leonard McCoshen was sworn in by the Government of Guyana toprobetheAdrianaYounge case McCoshen is now vestedwiththesamepowers as members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to conducttheinvestigation.
This is according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Nandlall, SC
Nandlall made the announcement on Sunday during a live discussion on the Caribbean Tea programme aired on social media, alongside attorney Dr Vivian Williams Esq.,
...was sworn by govt. to probe Adriana's death - Nandlall
senior journalist Denis Chabrol, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines media specialist,KendolMorgan.
Eleven-year-old
Adriana's body was retrieved from the Double Day International Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo swimming pool by her father, Subrian Younge on April 24. Her b o d y w a s f o u n d approximately20hoursafter she was reported missing duringafamilytrip.
H o w e v e r , t h e
Government's decision to retain McCoshen has drawn criticism from Adriana's
family, who described the move as 'unacceptable,' stating they had expected a team of international investigatorsratherthanone persontotaketheleadinthe case.
Despite the backlash, McCoshen has arrived in Guyanaandisworkingwith thepoliceonthecase.
During the programme, when asked to clarify McCoshen's authority and relationship with the GPF, AG Nandlall explained, “The investigator had to be sworninasamemberofthe Guyana Police Force and that would invest in him or
vesthimwithallthepowers thattheGuyanaPoliceForce is conferred with under the Police Act Chapter 16:01. And that gives him the right to conduct the investigation along with the other investigators, do everything that is required under the investigation and put his findingsup.Andthatiswhat he's contracted to do, to produce a report in writing withinatimespecifiedinhis contract.”
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Nandlall, SC
However, Nandlall emphasized that though the government has appointed McCoshentoassistpolicein Adriana's probe, the GPF remains, “the sole exclusive a n d p r e m i e r l a w enforcement agency in Guyanatodealwithcivilian crimes.”
MANAGEMENT TO BLAME...
Frompage4 the person for not doing so despite having it on his/her desk since February An undertaking to have it done thesamedaywasmadeandI terminated the call after the normalpleasantries.
On April 22nd, I did a Life certificate online and was told that it would have been valid for three (3) months and would be processed accordingly On May 9th, 2025, I visited the NIS at Brickdam and after waiting approximately 30 minutes, I was told by the attending staff that the Standing Order done in Januarywasenteredintothe system onApril 30th, 2025. More than three (3) months afteritwassubmitted.
Irequestedsomeformof official confirmation since I was advised on two (2) previous occasions that it was in the system, so I have noreasontohaveconfidence in her utterances She muttered some foolish arrogance, to which I a d v i s e d h e r w a s unacceptable.
I requested to see the relevant Manager, who was very prompt in responding. She spoke with me and confirmed that indeed the entry was made on April 30thandapologizedforsuch a long delay. When I enquired about the Life Certificate that was done on April22nd,Idiscoveredthat as of May 9th, it was not in
the system and she i m m e d i a t e l y t o o k appropriate action to have thatsituationcorrected.
Incredibly, as a consequence of my further enquiries, I made another startling discovery which can best be described as ludicrous.IwastoldthatNIS did not make future payments for eligible
persons residing overseas and that for these persons to have their NIS payments deposited into their account monthly,theywouldhaveto complete a Life Certificate everymonthbeforethe10th.
Now I was told whilst waiting to see the clerk, as well as three (3) other overseas-based Guyanese, that the Life Certificate for overseas-based Guyanese was valid for three (3) months, while for Guyanese residents it was six (6) months.
And to make matters worse, I discovered on Wednesday, 15th May, that my sister's Life Certificate, which was submitted on January29th,2025,wasalso not in the system. When I produced a copy of the Life Certificate, no proper explanation was given except to say the Camp Streetofficedidit,anditwas not sent to Brickdam to be processed. In fact, it is my understanding that Life Certificates done to the number in the Camp Street office take ages to be sent across to the Brickdam office to be processed Hence, my sister has not received her NIS payment sinceNovember2024.
Now I am acutely aware that there is a large number of overseas-based Guyanese,andtheworkload can be tremendous, but that isnotanexcuseforthelevel of incompetence on display here.
It is clearly a combination of incompetent staff and poor management from the standpoint that adequate measures have not been taken to arrest a situation which is obviously beyond the capacity of the individuals currently operating in the relevant department.
If the volume is beyond the capacity of the current department, then it is
necessary action to alleviate the bottle neck and allocate resources to relieve the situationsothatpersonswho havepaidtheirNISforyears can be able to receive their m
n
es without the unnecessary hassle. You are drawing lucrative salaries when the month comes, yet you cannot deal with the inefficiencies that frustrate peopledayinanddayout.
IcanneverforgetwhenI w a s e n s u r i n g m y contributions were accurately recorded, I was toldthatitwouldhavetaken two (2) years for it to be entered in the system, and indeed,aftertwo(2)years,it wasdone.Howonearthcan these situations continue to plague Guyanese after all these years? Surely the principle of the learning curveisabsenthere.
What is the use you having an efficient system for doing the Life Certificates, and the process of recording it is highly inefficient?Whatsensedoes it make? You guys are operating like management skillsandcommonsenseare a luxury beyond your affordability You cannot continuetooperateinsucha ridiculous manner and continue to frustrate people day in and day out. I can imagine what those hardworking and efficient staff aregoingthrough.Icanhear, seeandfeeltheirfrustration, and to be honest, I feel deep sympathy for some of them because I know that they work hard and deserve better
The NIS problem is a management problem. Top Management has to take
responsibility for this nonsense There is a managementfunctioncalled “Controlling”, and if that were being carried out, the areas that need additional resources would have been identified and the inefficiencies corrected. But on the contrary, you get the distinct impression that it is just left there to continue untilitcollapses,thenaction will be taken, to the great inconvenienceofthepublic.
This NIS story is good for a comedy, but it is very disgustingandembarrassing for an organization and the nation. From taking four (4) months to process a Standing Order, five (5) months and counting to processaLifeCertificate,to misleading the public about the span of Life Certificate for overseas-based Guyanese, I will add arroganceandincompetence byafewforgoodmeasure.
That these things are happening is unacceptable, and it behoves the General
M a n a g e r a n d h i s
management team to urgently address this situation. You can start by fixing the Camp Street
b o t t l e n e c k a n d establishing/implementing a proper Performance Appraisal System, which should be used to justify promotion and salary increases. Across-the-board increasesencouragelaziness and incompetence of those so inclined and demotivate the hard-working and efficient staff within the system.
T o h a v e t h e s e inefficiencies continue unaddressedisanindictment against management, and they need to be addressed withalacrity Yourstruly, EricWhaul.
may have done work in the Regionbefore.”
H e a d d e d t h a t McCoshen's presence in Guyana is based on a commitment made by President Irfaan Ali to the Younge's family to bring a foreign element to assist withtheinvestigations.
“It is to add objectivity, to boost public confidence, to assure the family that the government is committed to ensuring that a professional, objective investigation will be concluded,” theAttorney Generalsaid.
Further, in addressing publicscrutinyandconcerns over the investigator's
connection with McCoshen, Nandlallsaid,“Theregional component of that Royal Police Force here in the C
gentleman. The government doesn'tknowthatperson.He was recommended from the Caribbeanitself.Ibelievehe
Despite McCoshen's appointment, the Younge family and many members ofthepubliccontinuetocall for a foreign law enforcement body such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), RCMP, or Scotland Yard to spearheadtheinvestigation.
When asked why the government had not contacted those agencies, Nandlall replied, “I would not be able to answer that question and I don't think it makesadifference.”
(Continueonpage22)
Despite constitutional...
Frompage5 private)
Ÿ Governmentcontract
Education and socioeconomicresources
Education Reparative Justice: Cancel student loan debtforUniversityofGuyana students and refund those who have already paid Income Tax Reform: Eliminate income tax for workers to increase disposable income and economic participation
IncreaseMinimumWageand Old Age Pension: to reduce financial hardship, particularly among the u n d e r s e r v e d a n d underprivileged
Ÿ OilRevenueand
Ÿ SocialTransfers
Direct Oil Benefit
Programme: Implement cash transfer programmes using oil revenues to support vulnerable populations, in line with World Bank guidance on social safety nets
Ÿ Healthcareand
Ÿ Education
Universal School Meals: Provide a balanced daily lunchtoallstudentsinpublic schools from nursery to secondary Parentsmayoptin orout
HealthcareAccess: Build and equip main referral hospitals in all ten regions, featuring:
Ÿ Traumacentres
Ÿ Intensivecareunits(ICUs)
Ÿ Diagnosticfacilities
Ÿ
U t i l i t i e s , a n d
C o m m u n i t y Development
Ÿ PublicTransportation: Reintroduce a national public transportation systemtoreducecosts, improve access, and support vulnerable populations Utility Cost Reduction: Lower the cost of electricity, fuel,andtransportation
C o m m u n i t y Revitalisation: Offer direct and indirect cash transfers, including interest-free or low-interest soft loans, to help property owners improve and maintain their homes and communities National interest is not only whatthegovernmentdictates it is but what serves the common good History has shown this government does not negotiate with good intentions Thus,wewantto see active planning and immediateimplementationas aconditionforthosewhothe government now see as valuable to make their lives expendable We are forewarned that the government has a track record of entering into negotiations, making agreements, finding ways to undermine same and not deliveringaspromised Regards, LincolnLewis
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UN Warns 14,000 Babies in Gaza Could Die Within Days
Without Immediate Aid as Humanitarian Trucks Arrive
Time News - An injured baby brought to Al Awda HospitalinGazacityafteran Israeli airstrike on the Al Hassayna school on May 19.Moiz Salhi - Anadolu via GettyImages
Thousands of babies in Gaza could die within days without immediate food and medical aid, the United Nations has warned, as Israel allowed a limited number of humanitarian trucks into the besieged enclave for the first timeinweeks.
TheU.N.saidonTuesday had been granted permission to send “around 100” aid trucksintoGazafollowingan 11-weekblockade.
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that 14,000 babies in Gaza could diewithin48hoursiftheydo not receive urgent nutrition and care. Five trucks entered on Monday, he said, describing the situation as “catastrophic” and the current aid flowas“adropintheocean.”
“This is not food that Hamas is going to steal,” he toldtheBBC.“Weruntherisk of looting, of being hit by the Israeli offensive. We will be impeded, we will run huge risks, but I don’t see a better idea than getting that baby food in, to those moms, who at the moment cannot feed their own kids.”Before the warbegan,anaverageof500 aid trucks entered Gaza each day That changed on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly assault on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking approximately250hostages.Inretaliation, Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza, immediately haltingtheentryofallgoods, including humanitarian aid. The blockade marked the start of a prolonged crisis, with only a fraction of previous aid levels allowed in
since.
The deepening humanitarian crisis comes amid renewed offensive. On Tuesday morning, at least 38 PalestinianswerekilledinIsraeli airstrikeswithina30-minute span,Gaza’sHealthMinistry said.Onthesamedayaidwas partially restored, the U.K., France, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s restrictions on humanitarianaccessas“wholly inadequate.” The statement called for an end to the militarycampaignandwarnedof “further concrete actions” if Israeldidnotcomply Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded on Tuesday, accusing the Western leaders of rewarding “the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7” and said Israel would continue its military operations until “total victory is achieved.”Later on Tuesday, theU.K.saiditwassuspending negotiations with Israel onanewfreetradeagreement, and that the Israeli ambassador had been summoned to formallyreceivethemessage.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision during a speech in the House of Commons, urging Netanyahu to end the blockade and military offensive. “Theworldisjudging.History willjudgethem,”Lammysaid.
Earlier this month, Israel formally announced an expansionofitsmilitaryoperations in Gaza, stating its ultimate goal was to occupy the entire territory Airstrikes intensified following former President Donald Trump’s tour of the Middle East over theweekend.300Palestinians were killed in airstrikes duringthe72hoursbeforeMonday morning, May 19, accordingtoGaza’sHealthMinistry As of Monday, the
Psychiatrists detected Chronic ....
From page 8 confusion, and difficulty understanding their role in the future. He said they wouldn't adaptnormallyinlifewithout adequate treatment.
Hewasaskedspecifically whether a patient's academic performance is a factor to be considered when weighing a PTSD diagnosis.
The psychiatrist explained that “there is no one answer to this question as while one patient's academic progress would decline as a result of the trauma they suffered;foranotherpatient,their academic work will progress as they will tend to focus on school,taketheirfocusoffthe trauma and actually perform betteracademically.”
In the latter case, he explainedthatthepatientwould tendtousetheiracademicsto hide PTSD symptomatology Respondingtofurtherqueries from the lawyer, he said too
Health Ministry said that the total death toll since the war began stood at more than 53,000.
In Deir al Balah, Oday Basheer runs one of only threecommunitykitchensstill operating in the area.
“Starving people is the mostviciousweapontheyare using on us,” Basheer told TIME.“Youcan’tfunctionif you are hungry all the time. Everyone is fighting for food.”Basheer, who says several of his cousins, close friends, and an uncle have beenkilledinrecentairstrikes, described a constant state of fear.“You can’t be sure that your house won’t be destroyed. I keep looking at the sky, at the drones that monitor us. Just one press of a button and you can be killed in a second. Your memories will vanish and you will just be a number.”He added that his kitchen, once producing six pots of food a day, now makes 15—each serving about 250 people. But soaring prices for basic supplies are further hampering their efforts. Since March 18, the price of flour has risen by 5,000%, while cooking oil is up1,200%.“100truckswon’t be enough to cover anything,”hesaid.“Idon’tthink our kitchen will get anything from these trucks.”
$25Butterand$40Eggs: TheSearchforFoodinGaza
The U.N. and aid organizations have warned that the worseninghumanitarianconditionsarebeingexacerbated by continued bombardments of critical infrastructure. On
Tuesday,MedicalAidforPalestinians called for urgent protection of Gaza’s healthcarefacilitiesfollowing the bombing of Nasser Hospital in KhanYounis.
“Nasser Hospital is the backbone of what healthcare remains in southern Gaza,” the group said. “The hospital has been targeted twice in the last week and, with each assault, risks being shut downentirely,pushingGaza’s health system closer to total annihilation.“Theattackdamagedmedicalsuppliesessential for lifesaving treatments and is a further violation of internationallaw.Itmarksyet another assault in Israel’s campaign to systematically dismantle Gaza’s health system,” it continued.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Israeli strikes also hitAlAwda hospital in northern Gaza on Monday TwoclinicsinKhan Younis were forced to close after one was “directly attacked.”
OCHA also reported that on Tuesday, Israeli authorities issued new evacuation ordersaffecting40neighborhoods in Khan Younis— about 23% of Gaza’s total area. “Thousands of people and hundreds of humanitarianfacilities,includingwells, pumping stations, health facilities, and schools, are impacted,” the agency said.
Since Israel ended the ceasefireinmid-March,more than half a million people have been displaced across Gaza,accordingtotheU.N.
RCMP retiree has powers like local police
From page 21
that misdiagnosis for PSTD is possible when patients fail to reveal certain details that arecommonwithotherillness such as bipolar disorder
The doctor noted too that the evaluating psychiatrist, Dr AmberMcDonaldisanexcellentandknowledgeableat herjob.Dr.Berkowitzsaidtoo that based on the data provided,medicalissuessuchas pain and physical injuries onlyservedtoexacerbatethe symptomsofPTSDinthepatients. He noted that in this case, the girls suffered burns on the bodies.
“One of the girls expressed feeling ashamed and having to cover up because of what she looked like because of the burns… but to answer your question, both girls have PSTD and other psychological disorders that it will not go away without treatment,” Dr. Berkowitz said.
He continued: “I don’t know. Maybe they wanted somebody quickly When you want to engage agencies or officers who are formerly part of agencies, you have to go through a process. This guy was retired and apparently he does this, he offers this type of service, and as I said, he does this in the region in particular.”Further, when pressed on whether it is legal for foreign investigators to serve in official police capacities in Guyana, Nandlall did not provide a direct legal explanation.However,heexpresseddoubtsaboutsuchmove.
“As a matter of policy, we have a Police Force here that is authorized by our Parliament to be the premier enforcement agency in the country. I will not advocate a derogation from that policy objective of the legislation unless Parliament changes it. You have a police force that you are relying upon to maintain public order and law and order in your country and to quell disturbances and to maintain peace. That police force consists of human beings. There are men there who are highlyqualified.”Hecontinued,“Thesemenworkhard.They work dedicatedly And then, through no fault of theirs individually, they are side tracked because some public demand arises and their role is now superseded by some external agency that possibly can’t even do the job that they can do. And then when all the work is finished and the higher remuneration package is paid out and the glory is shown upon theseexquisitegroupingsthatcomeintothecountryandgoes out back with the glory and the money, we depend upon this grouping here to continue to put their shoulders to the wheel. Isthatfairtoanyinstitution?Isthatfairtoourpoliceofficers? So as a matter of policy, I don’t advocate that.”
TheAttorney General concluded his view with a personal reflectionstating,“Mychildisasvaluableaseveryone’schild. So why investigators must come from overseas for the child of one parent but mustn’t come for the child of another?And when will we stop? And which country can sustain a programme or a tendency or a policy of that type? None. No sovereign nation in the world that I know of condones or supports that type of arrangement.”
GuySuCo blames heavy rainfall, labour shortages for first crop shortfall
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has a t t r i b u t e d i t s underperformance in the 2025 First Crop to heavy rainfall and ongoing labour shortages, saying the shortfall cannot simply be blamedonleadership.
In a statement on Monday,thestate-entitysaid that it is undisputed that GuySuCo's first crop production stood at 15,980 metric tonnes, falling short ofthetarget.
“But this must be analyzedinthecontextofthe prevailing circumstances and not be attributed to lack of leadership by the CEO [Chief Executive Officer (CEO),Mr.PaulCheong,”it wasstated.
Infact,GuySuCoblamed heavy and persistent rainfall for severely negatively impacting their harvesting schedule, factory efficiency, andfieldaccess.
“Recorded rain fall has significantly surpassed the long-term average with
Berbice estates recording 212% and Demerara 160% of the established long term mean(LTM)with53%ofthe available days being classified as wet days,” it wasstated.
The entity argued that this is the reality of increasingly erratic climatic conditions negatively affecting agricultural operationsglobally GuySuCo also defended its decision to continue harvesting despite difficult field conditions, especially at the Albion estate. “The
harvesting, particularly at Albion, was made to reduce losses by attempting to take out as much ripen canes as possible in the safest and most economical way Leaving canes unharvested would have been even more disastrous, both financially and agronomically,” it was stated.
Further, the corporation also noted improvements in factory performance and cane yield. GuySuCo said, “TC/TS (Tons of cane per ton of sugar) at Albion
during the favourable harvesting days reached as lowat11.38.”
Itwasalsodisclosedthat thefactorydowntimeacross the industry reduced significantly by 22% when compared to similar period in2024.Further,caneyields in2025increasedby11%in theindustry
Moreover, labour availability remains a pressing issue. The entity said, “GuySuCo, like many agricultural enterprises globally, is grappling with declininglabouravailability; this is not a new issue, and certainlynotofMr.Cheong's doing. The Corporation has embarkedonmechanization, notonlytofillthelabourgap but to improve costefficiencyovertime.”
L o o k i n g a h e a d ,
projections This year, government allocated $13 billion for GuySuCo. The corporation noted that at the end of the first crop GuySuCo had indeed utilized a portion of the allocation, but not the exaggerated figure of $9 billion.
GuySuCoChief ExecutiveOfficer(CEO), Paul Cheong
GuySuCosaiditispreparing for the second crop by reviewing timelines, field operations, and logistics to recover as much as possible from the canes that will be carried over However, this shortfall comes despite am
Duringthe2025national budgetpresentation,Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said the sugar sector is projectedtogrowby115.4% this year, with a production target of approximately 101,000metrictonnes.
This follows a 21.8% contraction in 2024, when GuySuCo produced 47,103 metric tonnes caused by the impact of El Niño, compounded by labour shortagesacrosstheindustry throughouttheyear
Airstrikes kill 55 in Gaza as international criticism of Israel grows
(Reuters) - Israeli forces killedatleast55Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday, local medics said, continuing to bombard the enclave despite mounting internationalpressuretohalt military operations and allow unimpeded deliveries ofaid.
Britainannounceditwas suspending trade talks with Israel and summoning its ambassador over "egregious policies" in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, while European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas askedforareviewoftheEUIsrael trade deal, according toDutchnewsagencyANP
The war, now in its 20th month,hasleftGazainruins and its population facing a worseninghungercrisis.
It has strained Israel's relations with much of the
world and those with its closest ally, the United States, now appear to be wavering.
The United Nations said no humanitarian aid had beendistributedyetinGaza, although Israel eased its 11week-old blockade on Monday.
"Israeli authorities are requiring us to offload supplies on the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom crossing and reload them separately once they secure ourteam'saccessfrominside
G a z a , " s a i d U N spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
He said four trucks of baby food were dropped off onthePalestiniansideofthe borderonMonday,andthata few dozen trucks of flour, medicine, nutrition supplies andotherbasicitemsentered
GazaonTuesday
Israel's military said 93 UN aid trucks entered Gaza on Tuesday via Kerem Shalom "after a thorough securityinspection".
Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas militants in Qatar appeared to falter again, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he had decided to bring back the seniornegotiatingteamfrom Dohaforconsultations.
H a m a s a c c u s e d Netanyahu of entering the talksinbadfaith,pretending to participate in a bid to mislead global public opinion "No real negotiations have taken place since last Saturday," the Palestinian Islamist groupsaidinastatement.
Meanwhile, Israel conducted further airstrikes
UK government suspends free trade talks with Israel over Gaza war
─ EU also voted to review trade agreement with Israel due to the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza.
(Al-Jazeera) The British government says it will suspend new free trade negotiations with Israel due toitsmilitaryconductinthe war on Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in recent days under bombardment, a new ground offensive has beenlaunchedandstarvation is widespread. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary David
Lammy said the United Kingdom was imposing additional sanctions on illegalIsraelisettleroutposts in the occupied West Bank, whiletheIsraeliambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, has also been summoned to the Foreign Office This comes as the European Union voted to review its trade cooperation deal with Israel, the bloc's foreign policychiefKajaKallassaid
on Tuesday The actions came a day after the UK, France and Canada condemnedIsrael'shandling of the war in Gaza and assaultsandraidsintheWest Bank. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer ramped up his pointedcriticismofIsraelon Tuesday, saying the level of sufferingbychildreninGaza was“utterlyintolerable”and repeating his call for a ceasefire.
Military vehicles drive their way from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border into Gaza, as seen from Israel, May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen Purchase LicensingRights
on Tuesday across the densely populated enclave and medics said the sites hit included two homes where children were among the 18 dead, and a school housing displacedfamilies.
Israel's military, which on Monday warned those in
the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis to evacuate to thecoastasitpreparedforan "unprecedented attack", had no comment Israel says Hamas
buildings for cover; Hamas deniesthis.
In Gaza City, Reuters
footage showed men, women and children sifting through the rubble of the Darajneighbourhoodschool where they had been sheltering, and where charred pieces of clothing and a red teddy bear lay amongscatteredbelonging
Motorcycle gunmen kill Mexico City mayor's private secretary and adviser
(CNN) The private secretary and an adviser to the mayor of Mexico City were shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle in an attack in the Mexican capital Tuesday
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz died“duringadirectattack,” i n t h e M o d e r n a neighborhood.
Brugada, as mayor of Mexico City, holds the country's second most powerful political office after the country's President Claudia Sheinbaum Brugada and Sheinbaum are allies in the Morenaparty
Mexico City and federal authorities said they are
investigating the motive for theattack,andareanalyzing surveillance footage to identifythegunmen. T
Attorney General's Office said the attack took place when the two officials were on their way to work and their vehicle was intercepted.
The attack took place between Calzada de Tlalpan andNapoleónStreet.
Footagefromthecrime scene showed a forensic team inspecting a vehicle withseveralbulletholesin thewindshield
Brugada said her government was “deeply saddened” by the loss of t h e i r c o l l e a g u e s , describing Guzmán as a
wonderfulandkindwoman, and Muñoz as one of the smartest people she's ever met.
Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the loved ones of the two officials during her press conference Tuesday morning and offered her support to the investigation.
“We will get to the bottom of this situation and ensure justice is served,” Sheinbaumsaid.
The president said both Guzmán and Muñoz had been “working in our movement (the Morena party) for a long time; we haveknownthem.”
Sheinbaumaddedthatno further information was availableatthistime.
U.S. ready to support GDF to...
Frompage9
had moved to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for provisional measures to restrain Venezuela from holding the elections The court subsequently handed down its order on May 1, 2025. In th
provisional measures and prohibited Venezuela from taking any action in relation tothecontestedarea. InrelationtoVenezuela's upcoming elections, Ambassador Theriot said, the U.S. fully supports the ICJ's provisional measures for Venezuela to halt its elections, and noted that the
U.S. is extremely unhappy thatVenezuelahasmade“illadvised decision” to go aheadwiththeelections.
She disclosed that soon the U.S. State Department will issue a strongly worded statement on Venezuela's planned election that will make extremely clear where theUSstands.
Ambassador Theriot said, “Everyone should see the sham for what it is. It's saber- rattling from the Maduro regime, nothing more and no amount of bluster or saber-rattling changes the fact that the United States will always stand shoulder to shoulder withGuyanainsupportofits sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The Guyana-Venezuela border controversy is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Despite a December 2023 agreement betweenPresidentIrfaanAli and Venezuelan President Maduro committing to regional peace, on March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana's waters and approached Exxon's Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the oil-rich Stabroek Block and radioed thattheFPSOwasoperating indisputedterritory
Plans for Independence...
Frompage30
guaranteed$200,000andthe female winner $100,000 in cash, along with trophies, while cash incentives and trophies will be given to the runner-upteams.
Also,prizeswillbeawarded to the MVP, player of the final, best bowler, and best batsmaninaninningsineach category
Several teams have already shown their interest in p
g, and registration closes on 23rd
May Interested teams can contact 657-2022 for registration Teams would not be allowed to enter the competition after the closing date.
Accordingtotherelease, there will be lots of side attractions during the day forfans Whiletherewillbe bar-b-que on sale, a wellstocked beverage bar, and music to entertain the spectators S u p p o
, Danzies Fashion & Auto Sales, KT Fabrication and Construction Company, RoraimaDevelopers,and4S TruckingServices.
Several teams have already shown interest in
, and registration closes on 23rd May Interested teams can call657-2022toregister Teams will not be
competition after the closing date.
Frompage31 deliveredthemostdominant performanceof theday with a commanding 7-0 victory over Wisburg Secondary Scouts from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) were present at both Providence and Wisburg grounds closely observing the matches, identifying promising players for international opportunities and development pathways laterthisyear.
The preliminary rounds will continue this Saturday, May24,2025,withmatches scheduled at the following v
Providence Ground, Region 3 -W
SecondarySchool,Region5 -Number5FootballGround,
Wednesday May 21, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Is it possible you're too demanding, Aries? Today's planetary aspects may be asking you this question You're choosy about the people you spend time with, andyouhaveatendencytoask themtogotoofarforyou.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Today's a day to daydream, although this may not be an activity you usually do. You may even feel as if you're on vacation Let's just hope people don't ask you a lot of difficult questions, because youranswerswillbeanything butclear
GEMINI(May21–June20)
If you have someone special inyourlife,Gemini,todayisa perfect day to stop playing at beingyourpartner'sparent,as yousometimesseemtodo.
CANCER(June21–July22)
You won't be able to fix your indecisiveness, Cancer You just need to give yourself sometime.Thedirectionyour life is taking isn't clear at the moment There are great changesgoingoninsideyou.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
You have a strange and wonderful day ahead, Leo. Once you've finished your work, you may want to either draw or write something that willhelpyouremembertoday foralongtime.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
You have a nice day in store, Virgo.Peoplemayseemmore attentive to your needs and generally very pleasant. You maynotbeusedtothiskindof treatment!
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Today is a day for healing and reconciliation. You may have been feeling abused and mistreated lately by someone (orafewpeople)inyourfamily overthepastfewweeks.You're now ready for a new start, becauseyouworkedthingsout.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Youmayfeellivingyourlifeis like crossing a desert, but fortunately, Scorpio, today brings your oasis Take advantage of it! Some people you've met over the past few weeks could turn out to be more interesting than you originallythought.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Certain questions about your family life aren't as cut and dried as you might think, Sagittarius. This can be the casewhenemotionsareatplay
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Capricorn, you may have had someconfusedemotionsabout your relationship or family over the past few days. You maynothavebeenabletofully expressyourworriestoothers. But today these emotions will findawaytocomeout.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
If every day were like today, life would be heaven! This is potentially a wonderful time for you. You may find the answers to problems that have beenathorn.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Pisces, you don't have to be at everyone'sbeckandcallallthe time. This is exhausting, and youlosecontactwithyourself. You should try to take some timeouttoday
Region10-WisburgGround.
This year's tournament features the largest number of participating schools in the nation, cementing its place as Guyana's premier
tournament for the second yearrunning.
The primary goals of the GFF–Blue Waters Shipping U15 Girls' Championship are: 1. I
participation of girls in football
2. Extendthereachof
FortheGTA...
Frompage29 disheartening, it's tragic. We owe our youth better.We owe Tianna Springer better Guyanaismorethanwickets, boundaries, and centuries. It is a nation of exceptional talent across tracks, fields, courts, pools, and rings.And until our government, especially agencies like the Guyana Tourism Authority, act accordingly, we will continue losing the very athletes working hardest to carryourflag.So,totheGTA, next time you reach for the Brand Ambassador contract, trylookingbeyondthecricket pitch.Youmightjustdiscover therestofGuyana.
Team Guyana...
Frompage26
largesse of several donors namely: H E President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Army Chief Brigadier O m a r K h a n , Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Ho
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, President of the
Munroe, Mr Ramsay Ali, CEO of Sterling Products, Queensway Security Ltd, Crown Mining, Industrial S
, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority andCaribbeanAirlines Participating countries this year are Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Jamaica, US Rifle Team, Canada, UK andthehostnation.
T h e I n d i v
a l competition which will run for three days shot off on Tuesday morning, following t
g ceremony
the FIFA Football for Schools(F4S)Programme
3. Create a national scouting platform for
international competition laterthisyear
4. Promotethegrowth offemalefootball
This impactful initiative is made possible by the generous support of Blue Waters Shipping, the Ministry of Education, and the ongoing dedication of parents and teachers across Guyana.
Team Guyana arrive aiming to retain
Short and Long-Range titles; aim for individual glory
The Guyana National R i f l e A s s o c i a t i o n (GuyanaNRA) Team to the 2025 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting
Championshipshavearrived safeintheLandoftheFlying F i s h , B a r b a d o s
The team which arrived on Sunday have settled down
andareinhighspiritshaving completed satisfactory training over the last few weeks at the Timehri Rifle Ranges Team Captain
Dylan Fields shared that he is confident that his team is preparedandonlynowmust deal with the conditions on the day, which includes lots of rain in Barbados now The twelve-member team is madeup of for thefirst time in 20-years, two female shooters, Kay-Ann Ghanie and Althea Alleyne The other members of the team are Captain Dylan Fields, Vice-Captain Leo Romalho, Manager/Coach Mahendra
P e r s a u d , L e n n o x Braithwaite,RyanSampson, Peter Persaud, Sherwin Felicien,RobertoTewariand thetwoUSAbasedriflemen, Sigmond Douglas and John Fraser
The GuyanaNRA team's journey has been madepossiblethroughthe (Continueonpage25)
Kay-Ann Ghanie (right) and Althea Alleyne.
SuperBet back in support of Kares One Guyana T10
SuperBet Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to community cricket, supporting the third edition of the Kares One Guyana T10TapeballBlast.
The popular Tapeball tournamentissetto'blastoff' onJune28inBerbice.
InaTuesdaypresentation to FL Sport organisers, SuperBet solidified its position as a key partner by securing title rights for the live stream of select matches.
Representatives from SuperBet expressed their delight in continuing to support the tournament, highlighting its reach into communitiesandfamilies.
They emphasised the tournament's "bottom-up approach" to fostering cricketdevelopmentinafun andinnovativemanner
Beyond their corporate social responsibility, the companies noted their consistent impression of the tournament'squalityoverthe pasttwoseasons.
John Ramsingh of FL Sportexpressedhisgratitude toSuperBetGuyanafortheir continued support and acknowledged the product's immense value to all corporatepartners.
R
tournament's expanded reach, noting that its spread across all counties, divided into four zones, will g
audience both in person and throughonlineplatforms.
Meanwhile, registration for the third edition is underway, and based on the enthusiastic response, FL Sportanticipatesreachingits target of 80 participating teamssoon.
The registration fee is GY$30,000.
Prospective teams and individuals seeking further information can contact
Akeem G
ne via WhatsApp at +592-6352235 or vis
Individual player performances are also significantly incentivized with attractive cash prizes andawards.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will receive GY$150,000 and a motorcycle. Prizes of GY$100,000 aredesignatedfortheplayers withtheMostRunsandMost Wickets.
The Player-of-the-Final at the Nationals will earn G Y $ 7 5 , 0 0 0 w h i l e GY$35,000 will go to the Super Striker and the player withtheBestEconomyrate.
he tournament's official social media pages under “One GuyanaT10TapeballBlast.” The tournament scheduleispoisedtounfold across the country throughout June and July, culminating in the grand finals at the National Stadium, Providence, on Sunday,August3
The Georgetown/East Coast Demerara zone can accommodate up to 32 teams.
The team limit for each zone, except for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerarazone,is16. Some zones may be extendedbeyond16.
T h e K a r e s O n e Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast boasts a lucrative prize structure to reward zonal success and national championship aspirations
The ultimate national championwillbeawardeda staggering GY$1.7 million, while the national runnersu p w i l l r e c e i v e GY$700,000
The two losing semifinalists will each receive GY$300,000, and the losing finalists at the zonal level w i l l a l s o r e c e i v e GY$100,000each.
The winning team from each zone will pocket GY$300,000 and earn automatic qualification for thenationalfinals.
Someoftheseimpressive prizes will also include custom-made trophies and televisions, adding to the prestige of individual achievements.
Tournament Schedule:
·BerbiceZone:June2829 East Bank/West DemeraraZone:July5-6
·Georgetown/EastCoast DemeraraZone:July19-20
· Essequibo Zone: July 26-27
John Ramsingh (left) of FL Sport and Joshua Hussain, Marketing Representative for SuperBet Guyana.
Anthony Drayton wins Inaugural Chess 960 Freestyle Tournament
After nine intense rounds of a thrillingvariationofclassicalchess thatpromotes creativity and innovation, FM Anthony Drayton emerged victorious in theinaugural 960 FreestyleChessTournamenthosted bytheGuyanaChess
Federation (GCF) and sponsoredbyBravaSolutions.The event was held on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at the Exhibition Centre, Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, Kingston, Georgetown, compliments of the GuyanaPegasusHotel.Drayton,no stranger to first place podium, played unbeaten, claiming first place with an impressive eight and a half points. His draw came in a matchup against long-time teammate CM Taffin Khan. Khan, the defending champion in the upcoming National Open Championships, secured second place with seven and a half points. HisdrawwasagainstDrayton, and his sole defeat came from current Junior Champion Ricardo Narine.
Fourteen-year-old CM Sachin Pitambersecuredthirdplacewith7
points, further solidifying his position as one of the country's mosttalentedjuniorchessplayers. HisonlylossesweretoDrayton andKhan.
Fifteen-year-old Kyle
Couchman secured fourth place with six points after losing to Drayton, Khan, and Pitamber Kyle's tenacity and passion for chess are unmistakable as he continues to establish himself in localcompetition.
Ricardo Narine, not one to be left behind, finished fifth with six points after suffering three losses. Oneofhisnotablewinswasagainst Khaninthesixthround.Narinehas proven that his growing skills are pavingthewayforexcellenceinhis risetothetop.Thetwenty-year-old losses were against Pitamber, Drayton, and Couchman, Woman Candidate Master Jessica Callenderwonthebestfemaleprize afterfinishing with 5 points after four losses. Callender continues to challenge herselfto grow and develop, making her one of the most successful young women withinthelocalchesscommunity
The tournament saw notable
1st Place Winner FM Anthony Drayton receiving his reward from Mr. Lloyd Harmon, Brava Solutions.
performances from Alek UbaldoSingh, a young upcoming player, who also gained six points Matthew Persaud, a newcomer to the scene, gained five and a half points, while Joshua Gopaul, and Kishan Puran rounded up the top ten with five points each. Top five winners were presented with cash prizes sponsored by Brava Solutions and were presented by Mr Lloyd Harmon. Speaking to
the chess players, Harmon congratulated them and indicated his support to the development of young minds, for which chess servesasanidealplatform.
TheGCFwishestothankBrava Solutionsfortheirkindsupportand looks forward to a continued partnershipinchess.Thetoptwelve boards were live-streamed, thanks totheskillsofFIDEArbiter
John Lee, who continues to
provide the federation with innovative and technological support. Thanks to the assistance of National Arbiter Kim Shing ChongandsupportfromEthanLee andItalyTon-Chung.
President of the GCF, Mr Anand Raghunauth, lauded the tournament as a success, noting its effectiveness in prompting chess players challenged players to depart from their usual strategies and unconventional thinking from theinitialstagesofthegame.
The GCF extends heartfelt thankstotheGuyanaPegasusHotel for generously providing the tournament venue. Mr Brandon Badal, the hotel's Managing Director and an avid chess player, championed the freestyle chess tournament, introducing players to a challenging twist of varied chess openingsineverygame.
Chessactioncontinueswiththe N a t i o n a l O p e n C h e s s Championships, set to begin on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, at the David Rose Special School. For more information on how to join the federation, visit the website, guyanachess.gy
#HearMeOut For the GTA, it's “cricket or nothing” to be Tourism Ambassador
By Rawle Toney
Let'sbeclearfromtheoutset,if Gudakesh Motie had been signed asaBrandAmbassadorbyaprivate entity,thiscolumnwouldn'texist.I would've probably reposted the press release, added a well-placed emoji,andmovedon.
Buthewasn't.
He was signed by the Guyana Tourism Authority, a government agency, funded by taxpayers, tasked with representing the full diversity of our nation, not just its cricketstatistics.
First, it was Shemar Joseph. Now, it's Gudakesh Motie. And once again, as though guided by a committee of cricket-only enthusiasts, 400m prodigy and global sensation, Tianna Springer, has been entirely overlooked.And we'reexpectedtoapplaud?
Let'saddresstheelephantinthe room, tone-deafness of these decisions and how they are slowly choking the visibility and value of every other athlete in this country, because this isn't just about photo opsandtravelstipends.
This is about messaging. And right now, the Government, through its agencies, is sending a message loud and clear, “If you're notacricketer,you'renotworthyof being our (Sports) Tourism Ambassador.”
Yes, cricket is Guyana's most historically celebrated sport. But history also once thought slavery was right, and we saw how that turnedout.Historyshouldneverbe the justification for systemic bias, especially not when athletes from other disciplines are putting Guyanaontheglobalstageinways wehaven'tseenindecades.
Let's talk about Tianna Springer
She's 17. She's already made history on the track. She didn't catch the eye of a local soft drink brand or a regional sponsor, she caught the attention of Adidas, a global sports powerhouse. They signed her to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal, something reserved for elite, world-class athletes.
Ask yourself, how many Guyanese athletes, in any sport,
have earned that kind of global validation before their 18th birthday?
T h e G o v e r n m e n t ' s response?...cricket.Literally Letmebeclear,again,thisisn't about Motie. He's an outstanding cricketer and by all accounts, a commendable individual The problem lies in the way governmentagenciesoperate,asif cricket is the only sport that matters, and the long-term impact that has on the rest of our sporting landscape.
Think I'm exaggerating? Let's zoomout. Nameoneothersportin Guyana that receives millions of US dollars in government support for a single tournament. I'll wait. Youknowwhothelargestinvestor insportisrightnowinthiscountry?
ExxonMobil And even they, despite dabbling in schools' football, have planted both feet squarelyoncricketturf.
So, when the Guyana Tourism Authority announces yet another cricketer as a Brand Ambassador, what they're really saying is, “We didn'tdoourhomework.Wedidn't
Rawle Toney
readtheroom.Andwedon'tbelieve in the 90% of athletes working tirelessly to make this country proud.” What about Omari Glasgow, the football phenom lighting up Major League Soccer withtheChicagoFire?Whatabout Malachi Austin, a rising star in trackandfield?
What about Raekwon Noel, easilyourmostdecoratedswimmer in the last decade. And here's
anothername,EmanuelArchibald. National long jump record-holder Guyana's first and only Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games 100m gold medalist. Pan Am bronze medalist. Two-time Olympian.FromRegion10,aplace thatshouldhaveerectedastatuein hishonourbynow Andyet,stillno recognitionfromtheGTA. What else do these athletes need to do? Win a Grammy? Set a world record? At the heart of this issue is representation Brand Ambassadorships offer visibility, financial support, and national validation But when they're handed out by a government agency, those selections must be thoughtful,strategic,andequitable. We cannot continue rewarding mediocrity in one sport (yes, I'm takingashotatWestIndiescricket) while ignoring excellence in others.
Because the harsh reality is, young athletes in Guyana are beginning to believe they must switchtocrickettobeseen,funded, orvalued.That'snotjust (Continueonpage25)
Plans for Independence Cup Softball Cricket in Berbice moving apace
Plans are moving apace for the hosting of the inaugural “Independence Cup” softball cricket on Monday, 26th May at the Whim Community Centre Ground in Region 6 from 9 am.
According to the organisers the one-day tournament will be played basedonaone-gameknockout format and each innings will consist of 10 overs, round arm and wrist bowling, and will see both maleandfemalecricketersin action.As to the previous release, the organisers said that teams are asking for the fiberglass bats to be used, and it was given the green light to be part of the competition, and the supreme balls will be used forthetournament.
Thewinningmaleteamis (Continueonpage27)
David Singh, manager of Optical Works handing over one of the trophies to Ms. Yamona Rajpaul of trophy stall who represented RS Sports.
Marian Academy dominates as GFF–Blue Waters Shipping U15 Girls' Championship continues in thrilling fashion
Th e G u y a n a
F o o t b a l l Federation–Blue Waters Shipping U15 Girls' Championship continued in thrilling fashion over the weekend, with exciting actionunfoldingacrossboth the Georgetown zone and Region 10. The tournament is now officially the largest girls' football tournament in Guyana for the second c o n s e c u t i v e y e a r showcasing the rising footprint of youth female footballacrossthenation.
In the Georgetown zone, MarianAcademydelivereda dominant performance, registering a perfect record ofallthreeoftheirgamesto
top the group. Last year's r u n n e r - u p , N e w Campbellville Secondary, followedcloselybehindwith two victories out of three, sufferingtheironlydefeatto tournament newcomers Christ Church Secondary, who also claimed two wins fromtheirthreematches.
Standoutplayerswerein full display, with Skylar DeNobrega of Marian Academy leading the scoringtallywithfourgoals. Serina Cox of New Campbellville added three goals, while Kayla Jack of Christ Church netted two crucial goals, being the sole scorerforherteam.
This year's Georgetown
Jonathan Van Lange continues a proud DCC tradition
Jonathan Van Lange will lead the Guyana U19's.
By Statistician
Charwayne Walker
The National Cricket Selectors have appointed DCC's Jonathan Van Lange captainforthisyearRegional under19 Tournament in St. K i t t s Va n L a n g e appointment will continue a proud DCC Tradition of players from the house of Legendsthathadthedistinct honourofleadingGuyanaat theRegionalunder19level.
First to proudly wore the National Arm Band at the Regionalunder19Levelwas Mark Harper, who was calling plays when Guyana contestedtheRegionalYouth Championship in St. Kitts July1977.
Mark's brother and present DCC President, Roger Harper, was the man in charge at 1980 Milo sponsoredRegionalunder19 ChampionshipinBarbados.
Michael Howard continued the DCC show
zone also welcomed three newcomers: Christ Church Secondary, Tutorial High, and Lodge Secondary, adding fresh energy and competitiveness to the tournament.
Over in Region 10, matches held at theWisburg ground saw both Mackenzie HighandLindenFoundation Secondary notch two wins apiece.LindenFoundation
(Continueonpage25)
when Jamaica hosted the 1987 Northern Telecons Championship.
Troy Cornelius was Guyana's skipper when the Land of the Majestic Kaieteur Falls hosted the 2001 Regional Youth Tournament.
BrianSattaurledGuyana to the 2014 Regional under19 honours when the tournamentwashostedinthe LandofManyWaters.
Ashmead Nedd was the mancallingplaysforGuyana under19's at the 2019 Regional Youth tournament in Jamaica. It should be noted that the first time Guyana won the Regional under19 Championship in August 1968 the man at the Helm was the late DCC and GuyanascholarKeithAaron but on that mission, he was representing Queen's College. Will Van Lange emulate is predecessor and bring the Bacon home, only Timewilltell.
Kayla Jack Skylar DeNobrega
Serina Cox
Short and Long-Range titles; aim
Sports Anthony Drayton wins Inaugural Chess 960 Freestyle Tournament
The Guyana NRATeam at the 2025 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships in Barbados.
(Left to Right) Lloyd Harmon, CM Taffin Khan, FMAnthony Drayton, WCM Jessica Callendar, Kyle Couchman, CM Sachin Pitamber, Ricardo Narine.
