Pres. Ali dissolves Parliament
By Glenn Lall in his own words
Work of GYEITI stalled for 6 months
...as
bodyquestionsgovt’s commitmenttotransparency
The Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) is blaming the Government of Guyanaforbeinginactivefor thepastsixmonths.
In a statement on Thursday, the body said that this raises concerns locally and internationally over the country's commitment to transparencyintheextractive sector It was explained that the government's silence followed the publication of GYEITI's Sixth Annual Report in December 2024. Sincethen,allfunctionsofthe
Pres. Ali dissolves
Parliament
…says confident in GECOM's ability to deliver free, fair and credible elections
showing, particularly in the absence of a functioning MSG, could lead to suspension from the global initiative The matter has alreadybeenflaggedwiththe EITIBoard.
Concerns have also mounted over the conduct of the GYEITI National Secretariat The current National Coordinator, whose three-year term has ended, is being accused of bypassing properoversightandactingas anarmoftheministry GYEITI said, “The National Coordinator has
body have come to a standstill, with no explanationfromtheMinistry of Natural Resources or the GYEITINationalSecretariat.
It was stated that efforts by civil society groups and industry representatives to clarify the status of GYEITI have gone unanswered. The InternationalEITISecretariat has also made multiple inquiries but received no response.
In January 2025, Policy Forum Guyana submitted a list of civil society nominees to the Ministry, requesting f o r m a l L e t t e r s o f Appointment to the MultiStakeholder Group (MSG). No reply has been given to date.
“Thislackofengagement poses significant risks for Guyana Notably, the production of the Seventh Annual Report is now delayed, jeopardising Guyana's compliance with EITIstandards,”itwasstated.
Notably, the second Validation of Guyana's progressisalsoduethisyear It was explained that a poor
operated as an extension of the Ministry of Natural Resources, raising further concerns given his lack of qualifications or experience in the extractive industries, a n d t h e p e r c e i v e d politicization of the role Since the end of the National Coordinator's 3-year contract early this year, we are unawareofanypubliccallor publicadvertisementinviting suitable candidates to apply for the position of National Coordinator of the National GYEITI Secretariat – which istheprocedureforGYEITI's transparentcontractingofthe NationalCoordinator.”
Further, GYEITI noted that the stalled appointment of the MSG and its nonfunctioning for the past six months, the impending Validation,andconcernsover leadership, competence and independenceoftheNational Coordinator require urgent action. “Continuing silence will undermine Guyana's commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance in the extractive sector,”thebodyadded.
With the 2025 general andregionalelectionsslated to be held in less than two months,PresidentIrfaanAli signed proclamations to th dissolve the 12 Parliament ofGuyanaandtheRegional Democ
(RDC)onThursday
The signing of the proclamations was done in accordanc
with the Constitution of Guyana and paves the way for the elections to be held on September1.
“Free and fair elections are the lifeblood of a
democratic state The upcoming elections represent our country's commitment to renewing the democratic covenant between its citizens and government,” President Ali saidviahisFacebookpage.
The head of state said that elections provide an opportunity for citizens to exercise their democratic righttoelecttheirleaders.
President Irfaan Ali signing the two proclamations to th dissolve the 12 Parliament of Guyana and Regional Democratic Councils on Thursday
“I urge all eligible Guyanese to participate in theupcomingelections,and in so doing, be part of this critical decision-making process of the state,” he added.
Ali, the presidential candidate for the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), said that he remains confident in the
Commission's (GECOM) ability to hold free, fair and credibleelections.
“I all urge all Guyanese to support the work of GECOM,”headded.
KaieteurNews
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
$10M monthly
Addiction to power, to hold onto it by any foul means, seems to be a special element in the PPPC Government's approach to extending its life. The Ministry of Foreign AffairsisreportedlyspendingUS$50,000monthlyonaUSBased lobbying firm, Continental Strategy LLC (Continental), in an effort to paint a contestant in the upcominggeneralandregionalelectionsintheworstlight. Continental'sjobistoselltotheUSCongress,viaaseriesof tweets,thatGuyanesebusinessmanAzruddinMohamedisa NicholasMaduropuppet.
Thereareslandersandinsults,thenthereareafewother weaponsthatgobeyondthose. BrandingaGuyanese,asa 'pro-Maduro puppet' has to rank among those that go to uncharteddepths. Tweetstointimidateandterrorize,while usingthetaxdollarsofGuyanese.
WeknowfromexperiencethatelectionsinGuyanaare notfortheweakofspirit. Butthereshouldbelimitstohow lowthecontestantsshouldgo,andtherearesomeplacesthat they should not go. Attaching the tag of being a 'proMaduropuppet'toaGuyaneseisasmearbeyondmention. Unless there are some solid grounds on which such an insult, such a grievous wound, could be inflicted, then it mustbeavoided,sorepulsiveitis. Wearesearchingfora vilerdegradation,andcan'tfindanycurrently Andforwhat does, the party in government, the PPPC, proceed on this fatefulstep,buttoretainpower,doingwhateverittakes. Whatever the circumstances require, then it will be done, seems to be the settled mantra of the major political partycompetinginthe2025elections. Whenthetaxmoney ofGuyanesehastobespentforthescurrilous,thenspendit, and not lose sleep over it. When raucous objections and hostileconfrontationsinbroaddaylighthavetobecomethe norm to block the Mohamed candidacy and getting his messageacrosstolisteningcitizens,thenletitbe. Citizens in villages are prospective voters, and each one is now a precious commodity to be guarded from the clutches of Mohamed and hoarded for September 1. Therefore, Guyanese watch in amazement from a distance at the spectacleoforchestratedinterruptionsbysupportersofthe PPPCindesperateeffortstorufflethenewpresenceinlocal politicsandderailhispoliticaltrain. IfthePPPCispulling out its hair so frantically locally, there is no telling about howfaritispreparedtogooverseas.
TenmillionGuyanadollarsspentmonthlyfortheskills and services of Continental to ambush a presidential candidate. Guyana'spoliticalsicknessnowmedevackedto America, which means it is now before an international audience. This is so much more than about one man's candidacyinanationalcontest. Itisaboutamanifestation of the reckless extents to which the PPPC Government would go in its quest to retain power It is not one of the Ministry of ForeignAffairs' finer moments. It is about an environment in which there is a significant segment of the Guyanesepopulationanxiousaboutwherethenextmealis goingtocomefrom,orhowtheyaregoingtocopewiththeir bills. Butthereistheirgovernmentspendingtheequivalent of $60 million dollars over a six-month period to peddle itselfbeforetheUSCongress.
According to the PPPC Government's posture, one of the reasons that Continental has been recruited is to raise Guyana'sprofileintheUS. ItisnowobviousthatthePPPC Government has not just descended into the pits, it is into lowcomedyalso. Rev JimJonesandhisPeople'sTemple raisedtheprofileofGuyanaintheUS,inawaythatallmake Guyanesehangtheirheadinshame.
Right now, the arrival of ExxonMobil and its own business machinations have plastered Guyana not just acrosstheUS,butallovertheworld. EvenwhenGuyana had its best opportunity to be a winner, it was so pathetic, that it can't help being a loser ExxonMobil savages the prospectsofGuyanese,andthePPPCGovernmentendorses it, and then goes a step farther It brings onboard Continental, using tax dollars, to savage a political competitor
A Response to ExxonMobil's Letter: Embracing Fact-Based Engagement
DearEditor, Mr John Colling's
c o m m i t m e n t t o "transparency and open, fact-based discussions" regarding ExxonMobil's operations in Guyana is a welcome breath of fresh air His July 2 letter provides an excellent opportunity to a
l questions about the 2024 financial statements of the StabroekBlockpartnersand severalunresolvedhistorical issues.Heboldlyassertsthat ExxonMobil's financial statements comply with International Financial ReportingStandards(IFRS), which unlike US GAAP, is based on the substance over formprinciple.
IFRS 15 requires disaggregation of revenue into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Why is there no breakdown showing what portion of reported revenue represents taxes paid by the Government, sales from 2024 Profit Oil, and prior yearcostrecovery?Howcan stakeholders assess true operational performance
when the composition of revenue is deliberately obfuscated?
Even if cost oil was sold to customers, the proceeds represent recovery of past i n v e s t m e n t s , n o t compensation for currentyearservices.Theeconomic substance is reimbursement, not revenue generation When 65% of reported "revenue" is actually cost recovery from prior years, this fundamentally misleads users about operational performance.
Basic accounting principles require expenditures with future economic benefits to be recognised as assets. The Petroleum Agreement creates contractual rights to cost recovery - guaranteed rightsbackedbylegalforce. Why do the 2024 financial statements fail to recognise t h e s e g u a r a n t e e d recoverable costs as assets? This selective applicationtreating guaranteed recoveriesasuncertainwhile booking deferred tax liabilitiesthatGuyanapaysviolates basic IFRS principles and accounting integrity
The 2024 statements
showsignificantdeferredtax liabilities that will never be paid since Guyana covers these through cost recovery mechanisms Would Mr Colling disclose to
G u y a n e s e w h i c h government agency issued the tax certificates under Article 15.4 of the 2016 Agreement and the total value of those certificates in 2024?The failure to explain that Guyana effectively subsidizes the companies' tax burden while they book these as concrete liabilities represents a fundamental failureofdisclosure.
Whatistheexactvalueof unrecovered costs carried forward as of December 31, 2024? As the operator, how soon does ExxonMobil expect to reach full cost recovery?Thesearematerial facts that stakeholders need to assess the duration and scale of cost recovery impacts on Guyana's revenues.
CNOOC's2024financial statements reveal its involvement in the Gas-toEnergy project. Would Mr Colling disclose the total expenditure of all Stabroek
B l o c k p a r t n e r sExxonMobil, Hess, and
CNOOC - on this project claimed as recoverable cost in 2024, the amount carried forward to 2025, and the total amount of expenditure onthisprojecttowhichthey arecommitted?
When reported profits bear no relationship to the actual profit oil received ($10.4 billion reported vs. $1 9 billion actual entitlement), how do these statements meet IFRS's overriding requirement for true and fair presentation? The statements create more confusion than clarity about the companies' actual financial relationship with Guyana.
IAS 24 contains extensive requirements of disclosures concerning Related Parties. Does Mr Collinghonestlybelievethat the few lines in Note 14 to Exxon'sfinancialstatements meettheserequirements?
M r C o l l i n g ' s commitment to fact-based engagementalsoprovidesan opportunity to address several historical irregularities that have gone unaddressedforyears.
1.In2018,Ianalysedthe auditedfinancialstatements (Continueonpage6)
Crucial GECOM meeting postponed
DearEditor,
With 58 days left to elections and GECOM still to determine whether the incarcerated will vote; how the names of the those reported dead, by the CommissionerofPoliceand the Chief Medical Officer, will be deleted from the voters' list; how the nonresident ballots will be c o u n t e d ; a n d t h e Commission advised on the
procurementofthesensitive and non-sensitive items, among other outstanding criticaltasks.
GECOM's Thursday meeting (July 3) was postponed, not rescheduled, due to the unavailability of the Chairperson. GECOM however maintains its postureofreadiness.
Notably, GECOM never mentions free, fair and transparent elections in its
mantraofreadiness. Therein lies the irony startingwithitsadvicetothe President on its state of readiness to the intended conduct of elections on September1.
ItisthesaidGECOMand the PPP Appointed Commissioners that admonish the Opposition Appointed Commissioners forstormingoutofmeetings in protest of GECOM's
slothful and recalcitrant approachtotheessentialsfor free, fair and transparent elections.
Yet, here is GECOM Chairperson's constructive cancelation of yet another meeting,inthefaceofmuch to be done and resistance to doing much of what's to be done.
Yourtruly, VincentAlexander GECOMCommissioner
LET US SWIM IN REGION 2
DearEditor, It dawned upon me that Region 2 has some of the more naturally gifted swimmersinthecountry On numerous occasions, these athletes (male & female) dominate at the national athletic and swimming championship level, but are r a r e l y r e c o g n i s e d afterwards. I have made the call before since I was convinced that with the necessary logistical and technical support, these swimmers can become world class athletes. Sadly, notmuchemphasishasbeen given to the sport, except
some spontaneous expeditions at privately ownedpools.
The establishment of the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI) in Anna Regina has increasingly attracted students from the hinterland and Region 1; many of whom are naturally potentswimmersduetotheir water prone surroundings and a penchant for fishing and diving. Stadiums are now being built across the country, including in Essequibo I will now suggest that this is complemented with a stateof-the-art swimming pool
right in Anna Regina; south ofthestadiumandnexttothe entranceoftheGDFquarters wherethereisanemptyplot of State land that is sizable enough.Itwillnotonlyserve fortheintendedpurpose,but will benefit other athletes too. Essequibo is gradually becoming a hub for mega sporting events and swimmingshouldbenexton the chart for prominence. It is my hope therefore that a concertedeffortwillbemade to convince the Minister of Sport for such a crucial component of sporting facility to be realized in Region2.
Once the stadium is completed, national and regionalmatcheswillbeheld and a pool will be a fitting and strategic vehicle for players to enhance their strength, conditioning and rehabilitation before and after an intense game. It is necessaryinthismodernera andshouldbepursuedatthe earliest in the interest of p r o v i d i n g e q u a l opportunities and to provide hope to those who wish to learn and advance in swimming from the CinderellaCounty Yoursfaithfully ElroyStephney
Guyana's Fight Against Poverty: Progress Requires Continuity
DearEditor,
In a recent letter publishedbyoneofthelocal newspapers, the author claimed that Guyana's inflation and poverty rates are significantly higher than widely recognised This assertionappearstobebased on fabricated figures and overlooks credible sources like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and Guyana's CentralBank.
In fact, reports from these institutions indicate that both inflation and poverty rates have declined, especially when compared tothelastdecade.Theletter seems less focused on facts
and more aimed at criticizing the government's management of the economy
As the cost-of-living remains a critical issue for many Guyanese, a pivotal question arises for the electorate: Which political party has the credibility and track record needed to lift our people out of poverty and build a sustainable future? The answer lies not in catchy slogans or social media stunts, but in data, effective governance, and real performance Since returning to office in 2020, the PPP/C government, led by President Irfaan Ali, has made more progress in reducing poverty and expanding opportunities
than any previous administration in recent history(IMF,2025a).
Poverty extends beyond m e r e i n c o m e , i t encompasses access to opportunities, dignity, and hope International institutions like the World Bank and IMF define poverty using both national poverty lines and international benchmarks, such as living on US$5.50 per day (adjusted for purchasing power) (World Bank,2020).In2019,before the oil economy began to expand, an estimated 48.4% of Guyanese were living in poverty(WorldBank,2021).
In contrast, recent data indicating the state of poverty is forthcoming, but the IMF's 2025 Article IV Consultation shows a decline since 2020. This is attributed to targeted social transfers, increased public sectorwages,freeuniversity scholarships through the GOAL programme, and broad-based investments in infrastructure, health, and agriculture (IMF, 2025a) These measures reflect a commitment to effective governance, not mere campaignpromises. Historical context paints a clear picture. Under the PNC's rule from 1966 to 1992, the economy collapsed, plunging nearly 90%ofthepopulationbelow the poverty line (Thomas, 1993) When the PPP/C regainedpowerin1992,they initiated the crucial work of economic recovery Under their leadership, poverty steadily declined, hitting a
low of 35% by the mid2000s(IMF,2006).
Fast forward to 2015, when the APNU-AFC coalition (a rebranded version of the PNC) took overagrowingeconomybut q
s progress They increased VAT on electricity, water, and basic goods, introduced hundreds of new taxes, and left the Treasury in deficit (MinistryofFinance,2020). WhenthePPP/Creturnedto power in 2020, they inherited an economy marred by poor fiscal m
uncertainty Nevertheless, despite challenges like a pandemic and global inflation, the PPP/C has d
t economic growth rate in the Western Hemisphere (IMF, 2025b) and has used this growth to improve the lives ofworkingpeople.
Under President Ali's administration, old-age pensions have increased, public servant salaries have risen by over 30% since 2020, more than 200,000 children have received school cash grants, and subsidies have reduced fuel and electricity costs (DPI, 2024). These efforts are not merely one-off handouts; they are part of a strategic approach to reducing poverty and fostering longtermopportunities.TheIMF confirms that these targeted transfers are increasing real incomes and alleviating hardship across the country
(IMF,2025a).
The agriculture sector, long neglected under the APNU regime, is now experiencing a resurgence d
e to
cant
m e n t s i n infrastructure, drainage, farm-to-market roads, and seed capital. As Guyana's non-oil economy grows, demand for local produce, services,andskilledlaboris
increasing, expanding economic participation (CDB,2023). Opposition figures, including Azruddin Mohamed, have emerged, relying on spectacle rather than policy They fail to present a credible economic platform, tested leadership, oraseriousplantotacklethe complex challenges of poverty, infrastructure, or
education Instead, they proposehandoutsandempty populism, offering a fantasy that quickly unravels under scrutiny Theirqualifications are rooted in robbing the TreasuryofGuyana.
While Mohamed may offer cash or cars, he is not providing sustainable solutions for the people of Guyana. He has yet to (Continueonpage6)
Justice Ramlall was a man of principle
DearEditor,
On the 27th June, 2025, another name on the roll of Attorneys-at- Law transitioned to the roll of colleagues of blessed memory This transition occurredwiththepassingof Justice (ret'd) William RajendraRamal.
We at the Guyana Bar Association were saddened atthe passing of yet another legalluminary
Always the consummate teacher, Mr Justice Ramlal started his legal career after first being a teacher in the private and then the public sector in the 1970s, ending his teaching career in 1978 whenhebeganlawstudies.
He spent between 1978 and1984inlawstudiesatthe University of the Indies and the Hugh Wooding law school and was admitted to practice as an Attorney-atLawinGuyanain1984.
Mr JusticeRamlalbegan his legal career at the Attorney General's Chambers where he served as State Counsel and Senior
StateCounselbetween1984 and1988.
Mr Justice Ramlal served as a Magistrate in 1988 and 1989 and then left the Magistracy for a period of private practice between 1989and1991.
Mr Justice Ramlal rejoined the magistracy, where he served with distinction as Magistrate, Senior Magistrate, and Principal Magistrate between1991and2000.
InJuly,2000,Mr Justice Ramlal was appointed a Judge of the High Court, a position he served for the next 16 ½ years, retiring in January,2017.
He served with equal distinction in the criminal andcivilspheres,delivering a number of key legal judgments in constitutional law, commercial law and criminallaw
Evenafterhisretirement, he continued to serve the legalprofessionaschairman of the Police Complaints Authority
He was a man of
principle who took the served rule of law without fear or favour even being willing to challenge the system from within as a sitting judge, seeking the answer from the court when clarification was needed on theabilitytoperformtherole of Chancellor and Chief Justice.
Asamemberofafamily of Attorneys-at-Law, we at the Bar Association of Guyana offer to his sister, former registrar, Ms. Sita Ramlal, his niece, our colleague Ms Arianne McLean, all his grieving relatives, our deepest s y m p a t h i e s a n d condolences. May his soul restineternalpeace.
Bestregards, YashminiSingh(Ms.) Secretary The Bar AssociationofGuyana
GCB stands by endorsement of Pres. Ali despite APNU criticism
The Guyana Cricket Board(GCB)hasreaffirmed itsendorsementofPresident IrfaanAliforasecondterm, in direct response to calls fromtheoppositiongroup,A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to withdraw thepublicendorsement.
In a press release on Wednesday, APNU condemned the GCB's endorsement, calling it inappropriate and politically biased. The political party also said that the endorsement is a breach of the International Cricket Council's code of conduct and could land the GCB in trouble.
“Without hesitation, we denounce this outrageous decision. We note that this endorsement is a logical follow-up to the occasion whentheentireexecutiveof the GCB wore red shirts when they called on President Ali after Bissoondyal Singh's reelection in March 2025,” APNUsaid.
The endorsement came from GCB's president, BissoondyalSingh,whowas
re-elected in March 2025.
Speaking at the Berbice Cricket Board's annual
Monday at the St. Francis Community Developers in Rose Hall Town, Singh declared,“Itiswithabsolute conviction and unwavering confidence that I, as president of the Guyana CricketBoard,andonbehalf of its entire membership, hereby publicly and wholeheartedly endorse the leadershipandpresidencyof H.E.Dr MohamedIrfaanAli and that of the People's ProgressiveParty/Civic.”
The APNU stated that suchactionscompromisethe integrity of the board,
alignment with international cricketnorms.
The party also cited Article 2.4(d) of the ICC Constitution, which outlines strict prohibitions against politicalinfluenceincricket.
However, in a strongly worded statement, the GCB rejected the criticisms and e x p r e s s e d d e e p
di
APNU's position.Theboard insisted its endorsement is not political, but rather a recognitionofthePresident's contributions to cricket developmentinGuyana.
“Let us be absolutely clear: the GCB is an autonomous, apolitical organization committed to thegrowthanddevelopment of cricket in Guyana. Our recognition of President Irfaan Ali is a reflection of hisadministration'stangible, s u s t a i n e d , a n d unprecedented support for cricket and youth development across this n a t i o n T h i s acknowledgment is not political; it is a statement of fact,”theboardsaid.
Addressing the claim of breaching ICC rules, the GCB countered that APNU was deliberately misleading the public “What is outrageous is that APNU is intentionally trying to confuse the public by substituting 'Government AssistanceandCompetence' w i t h ' G o v
Interference.' We are not surprised.”
The GCB praised
President Ali's leadership, calling him “a leader of exceptional charisma, vision, and integrity,” and commended his open-door policy toward the cricket fraternity “Hiscommitment to building One Guyana - a nation where all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or political persuasion, have the opportunitytothrive-iswell known His support for sport, and cricket in particular, is driven by a genuine desire to uplift young people, promote national pride, and foster unity through positive engagement.”
The board highlighted k
s administration, including: Record budget allocations for sports and youth development, upgrades to sporting infrastructure, including cricket grounds and multipurpose facilities, construc
Water woes persist at NCN
DearEditor,
I am writing in response to the letter published on June 22nd by several NCN staff members mostly managers, refuting claims made by an anonymous colleague regarding the appalling sanitary conditionsatNCNandDPI.
Firstofall,Iwishtostate clearly that I am not the individual who penned the original letter I am, however, another employee
o f N C N w h o c a n independently confirm that the core of what was said is indeed the ongoing reality, whichwefacedaily
To attribute the water issue solely to the ongoing works along Homestretch Avenue is both misleading
Guyana's
Frompage5
and dishonest for those staff members This problem predates any construction in the area. For months now, staff have contended with erratic water access, and the situation has only worsened and it's becoming an everydaything.
Letmebeveryclear:the “temporary interruption” described by the signatories of the rebuttal is not temporarytothoseofuswho experience it every day workingthelatehours.More often than not, there is no running water, and when action is taken, it usually involves requesting assistance from the nearby Guyana Fire Service, which comes to fill tanks using rusty, discoloured, and foul-
smelling water that is unfit forbasichygiene.
Staff cannot wash their hands properly, use the restroom in sanitary conditions, nor clean their eatingutensils.
To suggest that concerns raised are “malicious and deceptive” is frankly insulting Rather than addressing the issue, the focus has been shifted to discrediting fellow workers, which further discourages internal transparency and accountability
Thisletterisnotmeantto sow discord but to reaffirm that these health and safety concerns are real Employees should not have to resort to anonymous letters to have basic
Fight Against Poverty: Progress...
pro
present a credible framework for poverty reduction, an economic diversification plan, or any experience in managing national budgets or social welfaresystems.Relyingon personalities rather than policies would betray generations of Guyanese who are striving for upward mobility
For Guyana to continue reducingpoverty,expanding education,creatingjobs,and
international-standard Cricket Academy at Good Hope, provision of cricket kitstojuniorcricketersinall tenregions,andexpansionof grassroots and youth cricket programmes. In contrast, the GCB criticized the previous APNU administration for whatitdescribedasalackof meaningful engagement with the cricket community “Under President David Granger, the Cricket Fraternitywasabletosecure only one meeting which u
ed unproductive and served no usefulpurpose.Infact,under APNU'swatch,theMinistry of Culture, Youth and Sport wasrelegatedtoaminuscule department within the Ministry of Education - a clear reflection of how little prioritytheyplacedonsport andyouthdevelopment,”the boardstated.
Defending its right to endorse the president, the GCB stated, “We wish to remindAPNUthatwehavea right, as an independent and autonomousbody,toexpress our views and our gratitude.
GCB's president, Bissoondyal Singh
It is a fundamental right guaranteed under the ConstitutionofGuyana-the supreme law of the landand, unlike in the past, no one will deny us this right. Our support for President Ali's leadership, although clearly envied by some, is a privilege that we exercise freelyandproudly.”
The GCB further declared,“Westandresolute in our belief that President IrfaanAli'sdedicationtothe development of cricket, sport,andyouthinGuyanais unmatched.”
Handsome Tree airstrip, a worthy initiative
ab
e c
ns, continuity under the PPP/C government is not just desirable; it is essential
s demonstrated that it knows how to govern effectively, spend wisely, and convert GDP growth into peoplecentereddevelopment. The choice before the Guyanese people is not merely between political parties but between policy
andposturing,agovernment with a proven record of accomplishment, and a collection of pretenders lacking a credible vision for thefuture.
Reducingpovertyisnota magical endeavour; it requires sound fiscal management, social investment, and political courage. On all counts, the PPP/Cstandsalone.
Sincerely, Dr Tilokie Arnold Depoo
w o r k p l a c e n e e d s acknowledged, but here we are again I respectfully urge the relevant authorities to investigate this matter fullyandindependently,and fortheadministrationtostop deflectingandinsteadinvest inpermanentsolutions.
Sincerely
Another Concerned NCNStaffMember
DearEditor, It made surprising but pleasant reading, the opening of the airstrip by a private company in Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek. This worthy project, inthemakingforquitesome time,wasawell-keptsecret, as I do not recall hearing or reading about plans to establish an airstrip in that locale. TheCompany,ASL,
must be congratulated and commendedfortheforesight andinitiativeasitplacesthis communityonthemap,soto speak. It is hoped this would be replicated in other communities across the country and companies w o u l d s e i z e t h e opportunitiesavailable.
Regards
ShamshunMohamed
A Response to ExxonMobil's...
Frompage4 of all three companies and found their claimed US$460 million in pre-contract costs atyearend2015exceededby at least US$92 million the total investment shown in their own financial statements?Almostadecade later, this discrepancy remainsunexplained.
2. Esso was the sole contractor under the 1999 Stabroek Agreement. Shell bought in and later exited before discovery Can Mr Colling explain whether the proceeds from that transaction and subsequent sales to Hess and CNOOC were brought into the books of the local branch or were paid offshore? If the latter, that would not only violate the2016Agreementbutraise seriousintegrityissues.
3.CanMr Collingtellus
whether as an external company, Exxon was grantedalicencefortheland on which its Head Office is being constructed and whether the company will recoverthosecostsunderthe Agreement?
The similarities between Mr Colling's letter and the Ministry of Natural Resources' statement a few days earlier is cause for suspicion While using identicaltalkingpoints,they studiously avoid the actual compliance violations repeatedlyraised.
Mr Colling now has a further opportunity to demonstrate his stated c o m m i t m e n t t o t r a n s p a r e n c y I f ExxonMobil's financial reporting truly provides the " c o n s i s t e n c y a n d transparency" claimed, addressing these questions shouldbestraightforward. WhileIsincerelywishto takeMr Collingathisword, having considered his responsesandforthereasons set out, I still hold that Exxon's accounting is indefensibly lacking. As a public interest company, Exxon shows no respect for the people of Guyana, weaponising accounting complexity to avoid informed public scrutiny Just like the Government does.
By 2057, when these companies depart with their profits, our children will inherit the bitter legacy of resource wealth managed through financial statements designed to confuse rather thanilluminate.
Respectfully, ChristopherRam
BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT
If he is so irrelevant, why the desperation?
The government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has seen it fit to spend US$50,000 per month—public funds, not party coffers—to hire a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. Regrettably, it has been revealed that the firm scripted tweets which constitute an attack against a political rival of the PPPC, businessman, Azruddin Mohamed.
The taxpayers of Guyana are now involuntary sponsors of a smear campaign against one of their fellow citizens. And not just any citizen—but a man with the temerity to challenge the ruling party at the ballot box.
Mohamed has announced that he is running for elections this year. This means that he is a Presidential Candidate. The government claims Mohamed is a non-threat, a sideshow, a distraction. And yet, it is believed that it is behind the mobilisation of the tweets against Mohamed. One wonders, if he is so irrelevant, why the desperation?
own words days left for your finger 57
Fifty-seven days before your finger becomes your voice,yourfuture.
Andifsomeofyoutruly understand what these four chaps: Ali, Norton, Jagdeo and Hughes along with ExxonMobil have been doing behind closed doors, you wouldn't just dip that fingerininkcomeElections Day,butalsouseittostarta revolution.
Let me give you facts.
On Monday Kaieteur News carried a headline: 'Guyana earned US$2 6
By Glenn Lall in his
billionfromoilin2024.' In2024,Exxonandtheir partners declared US$13 billion in profits. And what did Guyana their “50% partner” — receive? Only US$2.6 billion. And that includes our miserable 2% royalty
Let me slow that down, incaseyoudidn'tunderstand clearly:OutofUS$13billion in profits, Exxon and their partners handed Guyana US$2.6 billion — that's our halfshareplusroyalty Man,ifyouaskanursery
schoolchildtogiveyouhalf of13,eventheslowestonein classwillsay6½. Sohowin God's name did Guyana end up with 2.6 as our 50% — plustheroyalty?
Who doing this maths? And who could explain this broad-daylight robbery with a straight face? Because whatIamseeinghereisnota 50% partnership—this is a stick-up…withacontract.
But wait, the gunshots didn't go off yet. Out of that US$2 6 billion we got, Guyana had to pay back
GTU slams gov't for refusing to deduct teachers' dues
…cites violation of court order
Th e G u y a n a Teachers Union (GTU) has called out the Ministry of Education and by extension the Government of Guyana for its continued refusal to reinstate the automatic remittanceofteachers'union dues in accordance with ordersmadebytheHighand AppealCourts.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the GTU expressed its deep displeasure and concern regarding the ongoing situation. According to the GTU, this matter has been conclusively addressed in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal of Guyana withrulingsclearlyinfavour oftheGTU.
Despite this, the GTU noted that the Ministry of Education has failed to comply with the court's decisions.
According to the Teachers' Union, following these rulings, judgment documents were officially served on the Attorney General, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, the Regional Executive Officers, and all other relevant authorities. “Yet, no action has been taken to correct the situation.”
Asaresult,theUnionhas alsowrittenformallytoboth the Chief Education Officer andthePermanentSecretary
to urge immediate compliance.
Additionally, the GTU has engaged the Minister of Labour on this matter
highlightingtheurgencyand seriousnessoftheissue.
“The Union sees this continued inaction as a blatant disregard for the authority of two of the highestcourtsinthecountry Italsoreflectsaseriouslevel of disrespect toward the legal system of Guyana and the rule of law,” the statementhighlighted. The GTU therefore calls on the Government
and the Ministry of E d u c a t i o n t o a c t immediately and reinstate the automatic deductions, in full compliance with the court'srulings “TheUnion remains committed to defending the rights of its members and upholding justice within the educationsector”
Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal, rejected the State's application to stay an order by Justice Sandil Kissoon in the High Court which mandated t h e m t o c o n t i n u e deductions and remittance oftheGTUdues TheState had made an application to stay Justice Kissoon's order which mandated the continuation of deductions of union dues and their remittancetotheGTU Appeal Court Judge, Dawn Gregory had highlighted that the GTU would suffer undue prejudice if the stay were granted, stating that the balance of justice lies in favouroftheUnion.
Justice Kissoon had initially granted an interim conservatory order on
US$2.4 billion — to cover Exxon'staxbill. Let me repeat that: ExxonhandedusUS$2.6 billion… and we handed them back US$2.4 billion to pay their taxes. So Exxon doesn'tpayacentinAmerica because we paying it for them.Andwhoagreedtothat insanity?ThePPP ThePNC. TheAFC. Allofthemsatin Parliament and put their signatures to that type of robbery So, what did Guyanaactuallygotin2024 from that oil? US$200 million.
President of the GTU, Coretta McDonald
February 22, 2024 This
order restrained the Government of Guyana from ceasing the deduction of union dues from the wages and salaries of GTU members and required their remittance to the Union due toastrike.
The judge made the orders at the first hearing of thecase,filedbytheGTU,to challenge the Government's decision to deduct pay from the salaries of striking teachers and also blocking the administration from moving ahead with a decision to discontinue the deductionofunionduesuntil the determination of the full case the GTU brought againstthegovernment.
The order was made absolute by the same Judge onApril 17, 2024, when the Court delivered its ruling. However,despitetheseclear judicialdirectiveslastApril, theStatefailedtodeductand remit the union dues as instructed.
TheHighCourtwaslater notifiedoftheState'sfailure to remit teachers' dues to GTU despite a court order instructing the Ministry of Education to maintain the statusquo.
destroyed by ExxonMobil and the other foreign companies.
That's all from a US$13 billion profit pot. A great way to manage a trillion-dollar oil sector, eh? Now here's the real slap in the face — That same year, the Government of Guyana borrowed US$2.4 billion to run the country, to keep Guyana's nose above water Yes—the same amount we paid for Exxon's taxes, we borrowed, with interest These are some headlines Kaieteur News carried last year: '40% of budget to be funded by loans – VP Jagdeo:Jan19,2024. Govt. betting on oil to take U.S. billions in loans for 2024 budget: Jan 23, 2024 Someone, please explain how this oil deal will ever turn Guyana into a Dubai. And where did most of that foreign loan go? To fix the roads, bridges, and
Weareborrowingmoney to build the road for them to rob us smoother—while the leaderstellingustogoplant cassava, beans, onions, and breadfruittopaythedebt.
If that isn't the textbook definition of economic slavery, then I don't know whatis.
And you know what's evenmoredisgusting?
None of them—not one has shown the guts to say they will change that arrangementordeal. Sothis robbery, this insult, this stick-up will repeat itself year after year, until every drop of oil is gone. Exxon and their partners walking away with US$ billions… while Guyana is piling up debts for me and you with generationstocometopay
So come September 1st, when your finger and your eyes meet the ballot paper, you must see a minimum of 25%royaltyonit.Andifit's
not—givethemthebiggest, boldest middle finger this nation has ever seen Because if that 25% isn't there, they are not just ignoring and insulting you, they are abusing your children… and even those not yet born. So, this time, we don't answer insult with silence We answer with action.
Let your voices shake this land louder than any lion, because your silence is the oxygen these thieves have been breathing all along.So, if you want a life that matches the oil wealth being pumped out of our ocean every day, then stop begging.Stoppleading.Stop waiting.
DEMAND IT.
25% royalty — or NO vote. This is the moment with this election to fight for Guyana and your survival. And your finger will decide ifyoukeeplivinglikeaslave in an oil-rich nation or you stand up like the owner of yourownwealthinyourown country Godblessyoutoo.
Govt. to fully reimburse 2025 CSEC & CAPE students for eight subjects
President IrfaanAli announced on Thursday that the government will fully reimburse the examination feesforeightsubjectsforall students who wrote this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations.
The President made the announcement while a d d r e s s i n g t h e commissioningceremonyof the new Christ Church SecondarySchool.
Speaking on the various investment his government is making on the education sector, he said, “You can look forward for the expansionofourCXCgrants fortheeightsubjectsthatwe willpayforandIwanttoday
to make it very clear that those students who pay for thisyear'sCXC,thatyouwill h a v e y o u r f u l l reimbursement for the eight subjects ” Kaieteur News had reported in April this year, that during a public meeting in Region Three at the West Demerara Secondary School, he had initially announced government would pay the full examination fees for eight subjects for students who would sit next year's examinations.
“As I speak to you now, parents are preparing to pay fortheirchildren'sCXCfees. Youarealreadyputtingaside themoney,right?
Well, I have good news for you, with effect from this year's CXC, the governmentwillpayinfull, the cost for at least eight
Ali
subjects for every single child in the public and private school system,” he announcedbackinApril.
This publication reported that, prior to the President's announcement, a parent would pay around $45,000 for eight CSEC subjects
President Irfaan
Thereissomething stirring in the air
You cant quite name it, but you know it is coming.Youcanfeelthatan upset may be in the making in this years elections. I speak, of course, ofAZMO. Yes, the AZMO wagon continues its improbable lurch throughout the rural and hinterland areas of Guyana. TheAZMO wagon is attracting crowds that, while modest, possess a peculiar energy These are not the rented or opportunistic audiences of officialdom, complete with
Uncle Sam got real nephews in Guyana Something is in the air
plastic chairs and curries. These are people who, with theirfeetandtheirpresence, aresaying:Wearewatching. And perhaps, we are weighing.
I do not yet believe that AZMOAzruddin Mohamed, a name now whispered as both joke and prophecywill win a seat. But, candidly, I am beginning to doubt my own belief Because the receptionhesreceivingfrom ordinary citizens defies the script.Andwheneverreality divergesfromthescript,itis the script that must be reexamined.
There is a Guyanese saying: “God dont like ugly.” It is a homespun j u d g m e n t a g a i n s t unfairnessa reminder that the universe has eyes, and sometimes, indignation findsitsownbullhorn.What the working class sees in AZMO is not a saviour, not even a statesman, but a man whoisbeingkickedwhenhe isdown.
They see the venom, the vitriol,thevulgarabusefrom thosewhowieldstatepower, and they say, “This is not right. This is taking it too far.”
DEM BOYS SEH
Dem boys seh Guyanese gone so American, even the bald eagle want to applyfuhresidencyinGuyana.
Twenty years ago, if you walk round andseh“Halloween,”peoplewouldaaskif is some new movie. Dese days, people dressing up like Dracula, Minions and Megan Thee Stallion and parading in Giftland like dem heading fuh Broadway Even lil pikney knocking pon door asking fuhcandy InGuyana!Demboyssehisonly a matter of time before dem start carving pumpkininfrontdemzincfence.
And dont talk ‘bout Labour Day Ask somebody in town if dem celebrating GuyanasLabourDayinMay,anddemgon squint like yuh talkin Portuguese. But mention “Labour Day weekend in New York,” and suddenly everybody got a cousin in Brooklyn and a ticket “booked since February ” Dem boys seh Thanksgiving tek over like a PPP press conference. People roasting turkey like dem living in Washington And dem inviting friends over Yuh never see such stuffing and cranberry sauce since Cable
TV come. Nobody nah thankful fuh GPL, buteverybodythankfulfuhimportedturkey breast.
And Black Friday? Oh lawd. People camping out in front store like dem protesting. Is not even a holiday, but dem lining up 3 oclock in the morning fuh buy flat screen TV dem cant plug in because blackout.
Now tonight is the real joke. July 4th.
Independence Day American Independence Day and dem boys hearing whispers ‘bout fireworks display over de Seawall.Someevenplanningbarbecueand dressinginred,whiteandblue.Demsehis “in solidarity,” but dem boys know is just anotherexcusefuhbrukdietandpostselfie.
DemboyssehifAmericaeverrunoutof patriots, dem could just charter a flight to Guyana. We got people more American thanJoeBiden.Butlehweseehowmuchof demgonrememberMashramaninextyear
Demboysseh,carefulyuhdontwakeup in Georgetown and find out yuh passport nowseh“MadeintheU.S.A.”
Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Anditmaybethat,come electionday,theywillnotso muchvoteforAZMOasvote againstwhatisbeingdoneto him. Thisisnotloyalty This is recoil. This is sympathy bending into solidarity Because,whiletheymaynot like him as their ideal candidate,theylikeevenless thesmugcrueltywithwhich heisbeingpilloried.Andso, in that quietly combustible way that democracies sometimesbehave,theymay decide to send a message not to elevate him, necessarily, but to rebuke those who believe they can destroy a man for daring to havepoliticalambitions.
Butthatsnotthewholeof it. There is another undercurrent, a second draft in the wind. The people gathering around AZMO may be carrying more than sympathy; they may be carrying a grudge a long one,decadesold,againstthe educatedpoliticalclass.The l a w y e r s , d o c t o r s , economists, and engineers who have expertly managed to engineer misery and prescribehardship.
Thereisafeelingamong the working poor that they have been betrayed, not by thugs, but by scholars. And now they want a man who talks not like a technocrat, butlikeaneighbour
The AZMO effect, then, is not about the special talentsofoneman.Itisabout thelongandwearyfailureof asystemthathasbecometoo top-heavy and too tone-deaf tofeeltherumblebeneathits
feet.Asystemsosecureinits own rot that it no longer recognises its smell. And when people point out the stench, it does not clean up. Itattacksthenose.
The ruling party, in particular, seems to take every dissent as a personal slight. Criticism is not an invitationtoreflectbutacue topounce.
Those who raise a different voice are not engaged,theyareerasedorat leasttheytry Butthistactic, once effective, now appears desperate, like an old magician pulling the same rabbit from the same hat, long after the audience has stoppedclapping.
And so, when AZMO hands a cheque to a football club or buys groceries for a family, it lands with disproportionate weight Not because it is transformativebutbecauseit highlights, with almost surgical cruelty, the absence of government in the everyday lives of the governed.
These small acts, which in a functioning system would be merely kind, now appear revolutionary It would be easy, and perhaps comforting, to say that all this will pass that the novelty will wear off, that the old loyalties will hold, that the old machines will deliver But Im not so sure anymore.
Something has shifted. Peoplearetiredofenduring, tiredofbeingtoldtowaitfor the trickle, tired of trusting
systems that never deliver, tiredofhoping.
The AZMO effect may be a symptom, not a cure. Butsymptomstelluswhatis wrong And this one is screaming.The people want something new Or at least, they want something not what they have. They want respect, not contempt. They want to be heard, not managed.
They want leaders who stand and sit around with them,notleaderswhospeak to them from podiums and head tables And in this muddled moment, they are willing to gamble On someone. On anyone. Even AZMO The political establishment, in all its sash and ceremony, may scoff. It may smear and mock and spin and suppress. But what it cannot do is pretend that nothing is happening Because something is happening.
The air smells different. The mood feels different. The crowds act differently And in Guyana, where the winds of change often blow softlybeforetheyblowhard, it would be foolish not to notice.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
H@RD TRUTHS
Fourth of July
Fourth of July in Guyana is now better than Fourth of July in America. Just check with Exxon's Alistair Routledge and his posse operating here by the equator
It's a rollicking time for the swashbuckling Americans celebrating FourthofJulyeveryday120 miles offshore Guyana Want to mess with we, Nicky? Goahead,makethat day happen, we are ready Remember what was just deliveredonTeheran.
LestIforgetmymanners amid the heady, foamy, excitementgeneratedbythis day,IsayHappyFourthtoall my fellow American adventurers in this Oil Atlantis close to the Amazon.
Don't forget the fate of thatcityoflegend,soplease let Guyanese have that full parentcompanyguarantee.
Hoist a cold one for me around those barbeques.
Sorry, no Bud for me. I am moreintotheworkingman's brew: a green bottle from Scandinavia that has the proud name of Heineken.
On this American Independence Day, there is that biggest bundle of joy: a nation that is a total dependent.
Exxon has claimed Guyana as an exemption on its taxes, or a big, fat credit, atleast.
For what it did not pay a dime. Is that some kind of fancybusinessorwhat? The Americans (Exxon) say that it has the binding legal seal of a contract. Wherever no corporate tax is legal, not a high crime, it should be madeone. Retroactively
S p e a k i n g o f grandfathering, at 249 years old,Americaisagreat-great grandfather multiplied by something.
But there is America moving with all the alacrity andagilityofyouthdropping 30,000-pound bombs from
50,000 feet on dangerous places and sending people running for cover In Guyana,theAmericanshave a whole government (opposition, too) dodging heat, diving underground, while making a valiant pretenseofwalkingbetween snowflakes Only
Americanspackthepotency of such an uppercut that can make a sitting president, several former presidents, many parliamentarians, almost all the people in the private sector, and civil societyinclosetoitsentirety danceonapinhead,andstill haveroomtospare. Whata people! What a country! I speaknotofGuyanese. Me! I am sticking to apple pie, God, mother, country, and Exxon. Guess which one comesfirst?
Imagine howAmerica is made great once again Even more gloriously, look who is responsible. What theRussianscouldn'tdowith their Warsaw Pact, nor the
Chinese with their Silk Belt (a porcelain yoke), the Americans have done in the Middle East, cast eyes on Panama, corner India into backtracking, and hold Venezuela on a tight leash. How great is that for a countrythatisashadeunder twoandahalfcenturiesold? What is to be said of a country still going strong at 249 years young, one that hasGuyana'sstrongmen(all fourofthem)eatingoutofits hands? I am keeping close tabs on the USAmbassador, Excellency Nicole D Theriot. Sheneverspeaksa hard word, is rarely seen making the rounds (in the stalking manner of her predecessor), and yet the plenipotentiary's word is law
See that contract managing things out on the ocean,boys,keepfarfromit. Justbesmart,andnotgetany ideasaboutit. Thatispower. That's the presence of a giant. That is why I am
lobbying to be the Exxon Guyana Country Head. No work, no stress The AmericanAmbassador does theheavylifting. Recallthat the business of America is business. Or what once applied to General Motors, nowappliestoExxon:what's goodforExxon(GMbefore) is good for the country [America]. Telling it like it is,that'swhatIdo.
Iamsurethatiswhatthe likes of Bharrat Jagdeo and AnilNandlall(andtheother) have heard, which explains whytheyarealwaysturning sideways, or scurrying for cavestohidethemselves.
Itdoesn'tmatterwhether it is the New American Century, or the New American World Order, all (andImeanall)ofGuyana's politicalmajorshavebroken camp, and retreated deeper into impotency's shadows. Say oil contract and it's a copout. Say ring-fencing, and they wring themselves into
r ag s. Say taxes, and they develop a tormented look. Say, Happy Birthday, America! And they knock one other down, in their hastetodelivertheirgifts. Oil is the biggest. Doesn'tmatterthatitbelongs to Guyanese, and not any politiciantogive.
WhileCheddiJaganwas banned from American precincts, his deplorable descendantshaveredcarpets rolled out for them, into which they promptly bury their noses It's their nauseating way of singing, Happy Birthday, America. America should be retired now It can't, not when Exxon is here. The best I have is 'America! America! God shed his grace on thee…'
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Kaieteur Entertainment Kaieteur
Entertainment
Certified Sampson
has arrived to 'Xperience' Guyana!
Trinidadian social media
sensation Certified Sampson has arrived in Guyana for a packed itinerary of activities scheduled with Xperiences and the Guyana TourismAuthority
"We are thrilled to welcome CertifiedSampsontoGuyana.His visitisnotjustaboutentertainment but also about fostering cultural and business connections," said Matthew Gaul, representative of Xperiences. "This is an incredible opportunitytoshowcaseGuyana's tourism potential and businessfriendlyenvironment."
HisGuyanatourwilltakehim beyond traditional performance venues to include visits to major landmarksacrossthecountry
Certified Sampson, known for his distinctive character-based comedy skits featuring beloved personalitiessuchas"Ezekiel"and "Screws," and boasts nearly 2 million followers on Instagram, will participate in multiple events
including speaking at the EconomeIVBusinessConference onSunday,July6th,andhostinga meet and greet session on Saturday,July5th.
“Despite his busy schedule, Certified Sampson has made it clear that connecting with his Guyanese fans remains a priority
The meet and greet will provide ample opportunities for photo opportunities and personal interactions with fans," Gaul disclosed.
The weekend will begin with Certified Sampson's tours and experiences around Guyana, then a meet and greet session on Saturday, July 5th at 11:00AM at MovieTowne Georgetown as one ofthemostanticipatedhighlights.
Fans can expect photo op
interactionwiththecreatorknown for his character-based comedy featuring personas like "Ezekiel" and "Screws." Merchandise will
also be available for purchase at thevenue.
Sampson's visit underscores the growing influence of Caribbean digital creators in shaping regional entertainment and cultural exchange. His nearly 2 million Instagram followers represent one of the largest social media audiences in the Caribbean contentcreationspace.
What sets this visit apart from typical celebrity tours is Sampson's expressed interest in exploring business opportunities in Guyana.As part of his visit, he will meet with business support organizations and key stakeholders to discuss potential investments and collaborations within the local creative and entertainmentindustries.
Thisbusinessfocusalignswith Guyana'sgrowingreputationasan emerging hub for innovation and entrepreneurshipin the Caribbean region.
follow
Nostalgia: 90s to 2000s Party is filling a void in the local entertainment scene
What started as two friends'solutiontoa musical void in Georgetown'snightlifehasevolved into one of Guyana's most anticipated annual events Saturday, August 2nd, Nostalgia: The Ultimate 90s-2000s Party returnsforitsthirdedition,trading its usual indoor venues for the sandyshoresofMarriottBeach.
The brainchild of Shamar Spooner and Shamer Hescott, Nostalgia first emerged in 2023 at theOutsideLoungeasaresponseto their shared frustration with the local party scene. "We loved the R&B music from that era and the styleofdressing,butseldomfound places we could go out in Guyana to enjoy a wide selection of those songs and dress like that without people looking at us weirdly," recallstheconcept'soriginstory
So they came up with the solution to create their own space where they could control both the musicaldecadeandthedresscode. The inaugural event proved their instinctscorrect,packingthevenue to capacity and establishing Nostalgia as a force in Georgetown's entertainment landscape.
Shamar Spooner, Creator of Nostalgia at the Inaugural edition
Building on that success, Spooner brought the party back in 2024 with a second edition at Tower Poolside, maintaining the event's reputation for delivering authentic throwback experiences. However,thisyear'sBeachEdition represents a strategic evolution in theconcept.
Ateam of friends at Nostalgia 2023
"I wanted to switch things up. I'm sure nobody saw this coming, and a 90s beach party has never been done and I wanted to do it since it gives me more creativity becauseIgettocreatethevibefrom scratchandgivespeopleabitmore freedomtoenjoythemselvesinthis space and immerse themselves in this vibes a bit more than if they were confined to an enclosed space,”Spoonershared.
The gamble appears to be paying off. Social media buzz suggests partygoers are already embracing the challenge of translating 90s and 2000s aesthetics to beachwear The “Instagram girlies” are sharing Pinterest boards filled with inspiration,showcasingeverything from colourful bikinis reminiscent of the era to beach-ready versions (Continuedonpage17)
Tourism officials view such visits as beneficial for promoting Guyanaasadestinationtoyounger audiences across the region who follow digital influencers. For
updates on Certified Sampson's weekend activities and meet and greet details,
official announcements from Xperiences FacebookPage.
earns first gold record in France with Go Down Deh Spice
(JAMAICA OBSERVER) —
Queen of dancehall Spice has earnedherfirstgoldcertifiedsingle in France, as Go Down Deh, her 2021hitsongfeaturingShaggyand Sean Paul, was earlier this week certified for sales and streaming equivalentto100,000units.
The certification was issued by Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique, which translates to Na
PhonographicPublishing(SNEP).
This is the sixth gold certified single in France for Sean Paul. He previously earned gold certifications for Get Busy, Hey DJ with CNCO and Meghan Trainor, Dancing on Dangerous featuring Sofia Reyes, Dynamite featuring
Siaand Boasty withWiley,Stefflon DonandIdrisElba.
Incidentally,SeanPaulhasthree albums that have been certified by SNEP
Dutty Rock hasgonegold,while The Trinity was certified 2x platinum. Tomahawk Technique has agoldcertification.
On the singles side, Sean Paul has Diamond certifications for No Lie (with Dua Lipa) and Rockabye (by Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul and J e s s Glynne) Mad Love h a s a platinum certificatio
n. Shaggy, on the other hand, has only one gold-certified single in France, with Boombastic, while It Wasn't Me was certified platinum. Go Down Deh has more than 303 millionviewsonYouTube. The song was produced by Constantin 'Costi' Ionita and Shaggy It was previously certified platinuminCanadaforthesalesand streaming equivalent of 80,000 units.
One Communications
Guyana gets new CEO
ATN International
(
announced a strategic leadershiptransitionaimed atfurtherstrengtheningthe company's commitment to delivering faster, more
more responsive service to customers across all markets.
Effective July 1, 2025, Dam
n B
ackburn, President of International Operations and CEO of One Communications Guyana, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors for ATN's International businesses and Strategic
A d v i s o r t o AT N International, the company saidinapressrelease.
In this new capacity, Mr. Blackburn will chair the Board responsible for ATN's International operations, strengthen relationships with key
partners, and provide strategic direction on corporate development acrosstheorganisation.
As Damian transitions out of day-to-d
y operations, R
chard Stanton, who has been serving as Deputy CEO, will assume leadership of theGuyanaoperations.
Brad Martin, CEO of ATN International, stated “Over the past four years, Damian's leadership in Guyana has helped us to transform our business Now, we are excited to welcome Damian into this new, expanded role providing strategic insight across all of our international operations. Richard Stanton's continued leadership in Guyana gives us the confidencetodrivegrowth and service excellence as part of our ongoing mission.
$940M Christ Church Secondary School commissioned
ByAllyiahAllicock
Two years after fire destroyedtheoriginalChrist Church Secondary School, located at the corner of Camp and Middle Streets, Georgetown,theMinistryof Education commissioned a $940.7millionschool.
The new school was commissioned on Thursday by President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Education Priya Manickchand Also in attendance were Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Minister of Home Affairs RobesonBenn. Fire, maliciously set,
destroyed the school in January 2023 and the students were relocated to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), Turkeyenforclasses.
President Ali officially declaredtheschoolopen.
“So just two and a half years ago this very institution – Christ Church Secondary School was a victim of a vicious act
Maliciously set on fire, a cruel hand was dealt to this school, its students and its staff. In a matter of hours, decades of memories, traditions and dreams were
The new Christ Church Secondary School which was commissioned on Thursday
reduced to ashes. The blaze disruptednotonlyaphysical structure but the academic pathofhundredsofstudents.
It fractured routine, halted progress and cast uncertainty over the future of the cherished e d u c a t i o n community. But today,withheartsfull ofprideandeyeslifted towards promise, declaredwithouthesitation and without apology, Christ Church is back and back in business, the business of education, empowerment andenlightenment,”hesaid.
Emphasising his government's commitment to ensuring equitable access to secondary education and the investment made to achieve universal secondary education,thepresidentsaid that 40 new secondary schools are being constructed across the country, while hundreds are beingrehabilitated.
President Ali described theinvestmentintheschools as “bridges to opportunity”.
“They are declarations that every child matters, no matter where they are born or what their last name is.
Just days ago, I had the privilegeofopeningthenew St George's School of Sciencesandeverycornerof Guyana,fromeverycoastto the savannahs, I have been opening doors. Doors that willneveragainbeclosedto
ouryoungpeopleandthisis important,”hesaid.
Accordingtotheheadof-state, his government's targetisclearandthatisto achieve universal secondaryeducationbythe endof2026.
“Universalsecondary education by the end of nextyear,thatisnotaslogan. It is a solemn commitment and by the end of this year, weaimtohave100%ofour teachers either trained or in training because quality education demands not just access to buildings but to trainedteachers,”hestated.
President Ali made it clear that secondary education is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity, adding that it is no longer optional but mandatory for survival and success in today'sworld.
(Continuedonpage16)
Loop – A 24-year-old Lightfoot West resident has been charged with unlawful confinement and killing in connection with thedeathofa19-year-oldGuyanesewoman who died after being ejected from a moving vehicle, which he was driving earlier this year.Victor Ince appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel today and was remanded to prison following charges related to the May 7,2025deathofJoyleenAbrahamatJudges Estate According to police reports, the incidentoccurredshortlyafter5:00pmwhen Abrahamsomehowexitedamovingvehicle driven by Ince along a secondary road connecting New Winthorpes to the Jabberwock main road Emergency responders discovered Abraham's body on the south side of the roadway with multiple injuries. A medical doctor pronounced her deadatapproximately6:30pm.
Theyoungwomanhadreportedlyarrived
inAntiguajustdaysbeforethetragicincident that claimed her life. Ince is scheduled to return to court on September 17 for his next hearing.
Students of Christ Church Secondary School among the audience on Thursday.
Dead,
Joyleen Abraham
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand
Jagdeodefendslobbyfirm'sportrayalofMohamedasMaduro'spuppet
- says U.S. officials would not act on baseless allegations
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday sought to defend allegations that Presidential Candidate, Azruddin Mohamed, is a puppet of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, although saying that his government did not provide such information to a US lobbyingfirm.
Jagdeo also said that his government is not always kept informed about the workofthefirmonbehalfof this country. However, public documents filed with the U S Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show that the contract between the Government of Guyana and the firm, Continental Strategy LLC, outlines a b r o a d e r s c o p e o f responsibilities and includes provisions for regular reporting back to the Guyanesegovernment.
The controversy of the lobby firm hired by Guyana emerged after Continental Strategy LLC submitted documents to FARA revealingthatithaddrafteda series of tweets portraying
Mohamed, a businessman and WIN party presidential candidate,asa"pro-Maduro puppet" and a threat to regional democracy. The tweetswerepartofthefirm's lobbying activity on behalf oftheGuyanesegovernment and were shared with a U.S. congressionaloffice.
At his weekly press briefing held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown, Jagdeo explainedthatthefirm'srole is focused on U S engagement related to Venezuela “They have enormous contacts and access to information in the United States of America. This is a major firm helping to fight off Venezuela's threat. They see more than what we have seen. They don't share everything with us,”hesaid.
Jagdeo stressed that the firm was not acting on instructions from the government to target Mohamed or anyone else.
“We don't tell them what to do daily There's no one in government who said, 'go after the Mohameds,'” he asserted. “Their job is to
keep the U.S. government briefed on any threat. Any threattousfromtheMaduro angle or from the border angle.”
Despite Jagdeo's claims thatthefirmoperateslargely independently,publicfilings paintadifferentpicture.The agreement between ContinentalStrategyandthe Government of Guyana stipulates that the firm must provide regular updates to the government. According to the contract: “The Firm agrees to provide lobbying services and Government relationsservicestoClientin connection with federal engagements and advocacy The Firm will present a monthly progress report to the Client and meet as necessary to ensure the proper execution of this Agreement.”
F
governmentisalsoobligated to communicate with the firm. “The Client (Guyana) duty is to provide the firm wi
n necessary to best advance theclient'sobjective.”
Thecontractoutlinesthat the firm would provide
lobbying and government relations services to Guyana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim, accordingtothefiling,isto: (1) increase U.S. trade and investment in Guyana; (2) assist in financial sector reforms; and (3) raise Guyana's profile in the United States. The firm's duties include lobbying, preparing and disseminating informational materials, and engaging directly with U.S. policymakers.
Additionally, Jagdeo defended the lobby firm's portrayal of Azruddin Mohamed, insisting that U.S. officials would not act onbaselessallegations.“Ifa congressman added his name to a tweet, trust me, thereisaconnection.People don'tputtheircareersonthe line for nothing,” Jagdeo said He hinted that the alleged link between Mohamed and Venezuelan
President Nicolás Maduro may be tied to illicit activities: “The connection mightbetotheillegalexport ofVenezuelangold.”
He added that the U.S. Congress has access to intelligence briefings and would not rely solely on lobbyists: “They know what theyaretalkingabout.”
As part of its lobbying activities, Continental Strategy submitted five proposed tweets to a U.S. congressional office, characterisingMohamedina highly negative light. The tweets include: “USsanctioned gold mogul Azruddin Mohamed is running for president in Guyana.
This isn't just a local scandal—it'sawarning.The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold for democracy,notaplayground forauthoritarianinfluence.”
“A sanctioned Maduro
ally running for president in Guyana? This isn't just politics—it's a red flag. The Western Hemisphere must not become a safe haven for authoritarianexpansion.”
“Venezuela's attempt to encroach into Guyana through pro-Maduro puppet Azruddin Mohamed's presidential run is alarming. The Western Hemisphere must remain a stronghold of freedom not a breeding groundforcommunist
(Continueonpage17)
Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo
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10 contractors bid to construct New Care Centre for elderly at Enmore
The Ministry of Human Ser vices and Social Security has received 10 bids from contractors interested in constructing the New Care Centre for the elderly at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
This is according to the information provided by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. With no engineer’s estimate listed, the 10 bidders bid between $601 million and $2.9 billion to construct the building. The bidders are as follow: JOP SP Construction Services$1,843,670,520, Blue Print Builders Inc.$601,090,500, B.M Property Investments
Inc. - $1,417,223,000, Emeralds General Contracting & Distributors - $2,078,986,280, KNS Civil Engineering Contracting Services Inc. - $2,202,295,935, Sheriff Construction Inc. - $618,737,500, Urban Edge Builders Inc. - $1,217,891,500, Qingjian Group Company Guyana Inc.$2,528,691,119.69, STP Investments Inc.$2,437,753,200.30, and Nabi Construction Inc. - $2,953,835,668. This publication had reported that the government in its 2024 budget presentation had mentioned the plans of constructing the elderly home at Enmore. During the presentation of the 2024 National Budget by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni
Singh, it was disclosed that the government is investing in a number of services for the elderly. He noted that a number of specific interventions are targeted at improving the quality of life of the elderly. As a result, he disclosed that in the 2024 some $172 million was set aside to build the New Care Centre home for the elderly. With now contract awarded last year for the project, the ministry however, issued tender seeking proposals to design and supervise the construction of the building. During the opening for bids for that aspect four firms had applied for the contract.
UG’s Architecture Department cops first place at Int’l
Lekol Architectural Competition in French Guiana
The University of Guyana’s Architecture Department has once again copped the first prize at the 5th International Lekol Architectural Competition held in French Guiana from June 24 to 27, 2025.
The Trades and Qualifications Campus of Excellence in the field of Wood, Eco-construction and Ecotechnology of French Guiana organised the international architecture competition for university students with the support of the Territorial Authority of French Guiana (CTG) and the State through the Regional Cooperation Fund (FCR).
According to a press release by UG, this year’s participants included the University of Guyana, Anton de Kom State University of Suriname, and the Federal University of the State of Amapá – Brazil. The goal of the annual competition is to enable students in the architecture sector to design an ecological and solidarity-based project that meets the environmental concerns of the decade. The aim of the competition is to encourage students’ ability to innovate in the field of architecture by offering local populations an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable alternative.
This year’s architectural project was a proposal for a
From page 14
“We are living in an era and an age defined by information, innovation and imagination. The world is no longer powered simply by oil and ore but by ideas, inventions, innovations, and intellect and to compete, to strive to lead in this world of ideas, inventions, innovation, and intellect we must equip our young people with the competence of the 21st century,” the president explained.
Noting that as of 2023, some 250 million school-aged children around the world were out of school, he said Guyana will not be part of these statistics or fall into the
convention centre to be placed on the campus of the University in French Guiana. The design needed to satisfy the best ratio between production cost and architectural efficiency, decarbonised construction, consider urban planning elements, volume and adaptability, functionality, site suitability, and cultural fitness.
The winning design was nature-inspired by the Cayenne Nightjar – a bird spotted only once in French Guiana in 1970. The building bio-mimicked the bird’s features in terms of colour, wings, flight dynamics, and anatomy. Total square footage was 19,000+ with 30% allotted for green spaces. The UoG contingent comprised Head of the Architecture Department, Dr. Anna Perreira; lecturer, Mr. Kurt Gonsalves; and finalyear BSc. Architecture students Ms. Kiana Persaud; Mr. Aditya Mohanlal, and Mr. Denish Ramnarin.
The department held an internal competition with final-year students, which saw an unprecedented 10 groups of three students each from both 3rd and 4th years developing designs. From January to mid-May 2025, part-time lecturers Mr. Godfrey Proctor and Mr. Kurt Gonsalves guided the students during their design studio classes
cracks of neglect or under-investment. Meanwhile, Minister Manickchand said that when the original structure was destroyed in January 2023, it was a devastating moment not only for the education family but for the school which was accommodating some 560 students at the time. Noting it was a worrying moment, she recalled that following the fire, President Ali called an urgent meeting with her and her team to discuss the way forward to not only rebuild Christ Church but also St. George’s High School. Manickchand said that following the meeting with the president, the process to identify contrac-
with the help of Dr. Perreira to develop their designs. The winning team was selected via a jury comprising members of the Architecture Department’s faculty.
The final jury comprised Ms. Jenny Sanchez (Vice Dean of Research & Outreach, Faculty of Arts, National University of Colombia, Bogotá Campus); Architect Ms. Caroline Marie-Calixte (Agence Néor Architecture Guyane), who developed the design requirements for the competition; two other local architects; one civil engineer; the Chief of the University of French Guiana; and the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers (CNAM), France.The secondplace of the Lekol Competition went to Brazil, with the third place going to Suriname. Head of UG’s Architecture Department, Dr. Anna Perreira, said: “I feel proud of the success the department has accomplished in this architectural competition as it signals the expertise the department possesses and the calibre of students in the programme. The opportunity to compete with other universities and win not only brings credibility to the department but also the University of Guyana.”
“What is unique about how we prepare ourselves for this competition
tors, and the construction of the modern school began. “It is not only about building schools, we are making sure that once your children come into the school, we are going to have solidly trained teachers for them,” the minister said. In June 2023, the education ministry signed seven contracts totalling $688.1 million to rebuild the school.
That aside, the education minister disclosed that in Georgetown alone, the number of trained teachers has increased since 2020, noting that at that time, there were 73% of trained teachers. However, there are currently 98.5% of teachers trained in
is that the entire cohort first competes internally amongst themselves to then identify the best proposal which will represent the university’s submission. The competing universities do not adopt this approach; however, it allows us equal opportunity for the students to prove and apply their knowledge and skills. As HOD, my aim is to continue enhancing the programme through such exposure to competition and academic application,” Dr. Perreira said. This is the second first-place win for Guyana since competing in 2023. Last year, Guyana took home the first prize for sustainability in construction for its design of an engineering and architecture faculty for the UoG campus by the competition organisers. The Department of Architecture expressed its appreciation to the lecturers and students who assisted team UG in successfully representing the University of Guyana, the organisers of the Lekol Architectural Competition, and the French Ambassador to Guyana and Suriname, Mr. Nicholas de Lacoste. The students will be making a presentation of their project at this year’s departmental finalyear dissertation presentations in the Engineering and Technology boardroom.
Georgetown. The threestorey building consists of 20 classrooms to accommodate between 30 to 40 students each. There are eight laboratories, a library, an auditorium/ multi-purpose indoor area, male and female washrooms, a main staffroom (inclusive of lunchroom, washroom and showers), a sick bay, a canteen and a storage room, to name a few.
The school also consists of fire prevention and retardant mechanisms and components. Some of these include, but are not limited to, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and some materials that will be used that are not highly flammable.
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‘SplitbetweenUScompaniescontractedfor –Jagdeo GTEprojectwillnotaffectcompletion'
Lima Sands farmer charged for allegedly killing friend
Vice
President
Bharrat Jagdeo
s t a t e d o n Thursday that the
Government of Guyana (GoG) is aware of a split between the joint venture
involving CH4 and
Lindsayca, the two companieshiredfortheGasto-Energy(GTE)project.
TheGTEproject,located inWalesontheWestBankof Demerara, includes a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt powerplant.
Natural gas will be transported from the offshore Stabroek Blocks Liza oilfield via a 12-inch pipelinetothesite,where50 millioncubicfeetofgaswill be converted to electricity daily
B a c k i n 2 0 2 2 , government hired CH4 (Texas) and Lindsayca (Puerto Rico) for the
An artist’s impression of the GTE project
construction of the power plant and NGL facility at a costofUS$759million.
At his press conference, the Vice President said, in relation to the concerns raised about the partners parting ways, “We've been hearingaboutthebreakupof the consortium, and we're told that this is to facilitatebecause they have internal disputes- to facilitate the completionoftheprojectby thatdeadline.”
He outlined that the split would allow the companies to accelerate work due to “internal wrangling” that had affected the pace of implementation of the project. “So I'm told that it's a positive thing that is happening, but the technical people have to examine that,”Jagdeoadded. Earlier this week, StabroekNewsreportedthat according to sources, the
partnersareexpectedtopart ways, noting that this raises further questions about the progress of the most expensive public sector project in the country's history Notably, Jagdeo stated that the timeline for theprojectremainsthesame; mid-2026.
The GTE project was initially slated for completion by the end of 2025. Then, in February, Head of the GTETaskforce, Winston Brassington, said that a more realistic target would be the first half of 2026.
However, a few months ago, Prime Minister (Retd) Brigadier Mark Phillips estimated that the project would be completed in the second quarter of 2026.The governmenthaspromisedto slashelectricitybillsby50% through the US$2 billion project.
Jagdeo defends lobby firm's portrayal of
Frompage15 dictatorships.”
A23-year-oldfarmer,on Thursday, was remanded to prison after being charged withmurder
The accused, Saif Majid of Lot 491 Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast, appeared before Magistrate Tamieka Clarke at the Suddie Magistrates'Courtwherethe chargewasreadtohim.
Majid is accused of killing 46-year-old Gary Melville called 'Tonna' of Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast. He was not required to plead to the indictable chargeandwasremandedto prisonuntilJuly29,2025.It was reported that Melville died between 20:00h and 05:30honJune27,2025.
“Enquiriesdisclosedthat the now-deceased man and thesuspect were friends and both resided in the same area,”policesaid.
A female shopkeeper
told investigators that the suspect, along with the victimandotherswenttothe shop, where they drank alcohol. The woman said thatthesuspectwasdrinking a bottle of High Wine while the victim was drinking 592 beers.Theywerebothseated atthesametable.
The shopkeeper said she overheard the suspect complaining that Melville burnt him with a cigarette after which she saw the two men in a scuffle. Shortly thereafter, the shopkeeper said she saw the suspect bleeding from his head and thevictimontheground.
Another female in the shop intervened and 'parted' the two men. Melville was then seen walking in a northern direction after leavingtheshop.
About ten minutes later, the suspect hopped on his
Accused: Saif Majid (Guyana Police Force Facebook page)
motorcycle and left in the samedirectionasMelville. At around 05:30hrs on Saturday, a 48-year-old woman from the area was walking on the Lima Sands public road when she saw Melvillelyingmotionlesson the eastern side of the road. She raised an alarm and the policeweresummoned. Majid was arrested on June28,2025.
Postponement of GECOM meeting worries Opposition Commissioners
…say critical decisions still to be made
With 57 days
l e f t t o elections,
Opposition-nominated
G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, has expressed concernsaboutChairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, being missing in action as the Commission is stilltodetermineanumberof criticalissues.
#G
yana #Venezuela #FreedomFirst”
“Maduro's sanctioned puppet Azruddin Mohamed running for president in GuyanaisVenezuela'slatest attempt to creep into a sovereign democracy The Western Hemisphere must reject authoritarian influ
“ U S - s a n c t i o n e d businessman Azruddin Mohamed, seen as sympathetictoMaduro-style politics.”These tweets were included in Continental Strategy's public filing with the U S Department of Justice.
Nostalgia: 90s to 2000s Party is filling a void in...
Frompage11 of iconic millennium looks The Beach Edition promises to maintain
Nostalgia's signature nostalgic atmosphere while introducing a fresh coastal twist. Set against the backdrop of Marriott Beach at 6:00 PM, attendees can expect the same carefully curated playlist of R&B hits that made the previous editions successful, now accompanied by ocean breezes.
Spooner Entertainment's decision to move the party outdoors reflects both
confidence in the brand's established following and a willingnesstoinnovate.The beach setting offers expanded creative possibilities for both organizers and attendees, potentially setting a new standard for themed events intheregion.
With multiple sponsors backingtheeventandsocial media anticipation building, this year's Nostalgia looks poisedtocementitsposition as a staple of Guyana's entertainment calendar For those who remember when TLC ruled the airwaves and
frosted tips were the height of fashion, Nostalgia beach party promises to be the ultimate trip down memory lane.
The event's evolution fromafriends'nightouttoa major annual celebration demonstrates how authentic concepts can resonate with audiences hungry for genuine experiences As partygoerspreparetheirbest beach-meets-millennium outfits, one thing remains certain: Nostalgia continues to prove that sometimes the bestwayforwardisastylish stepbackintime.
In a letter to the press, Alexander noted that GECOM's Thursday meeting (July 3) was postponed, not rescheduled, due to the unavailability of the Chairperson. He noted, however, that GECOM maintains its posture of readiness.
He also noted that while the GECOM and the PPPappointed Commissioners have admonished the Opposition-appointed Commissionersforstorming out of meetings in protest of GECOM's slothful and recalcitrant approach to the essentials for free, fair and transparentelections,Justice Singh's cancelation of yet anotherimportantmeetingis notmetwithsimilaroutrage.
A l e x a n d e r h a d previously explained that GECOM is actively c o n s i d e r i n g t h e methodology for the removal of the names of unregistered dead persons from the Register of Registrants.Atameetingon Tuesday, he said GECOM continuedthatdiscussion.
He said the Elections
Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh
Commission is seeking advice from the Attorney General on the use of Form 12 for the deletion of names s u b m i t t e d b y t h e CommissionerofPoliceand the Chief Medical Officer. Form 12 is a method that is provided for in law for the removalofthenamesofdead persons via a verification process. This newspaper understands that GECOM hasaconsensuswiththeuse of Form 12 for the removal of names Additionally, Alexander explained that whiletheReturningOfficers (ROs) and Supernumerary Returning Officers (SROs) have been approved, the approval of Deputy Returning Officers (DROs) and Deputy Supernumerary Returning Officer (DSROs) and other staff will be considered when the spreadsheets on those applicantsarepresented.The sheetsshoulddetailthebases for the recommended appointments.
K a i e t e u r N e w s
Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander
understandsthatthebriefing ofthepotentialcontestantsis scheduled for July 19. Last month, Deputy Chief Election Officer (CEO), Aneal Giddings, told members of the press that more than 1,000 names of deceased persons have been removed from Guyana's voters'list.
Thisisbasedonthelistof registered deaths submitted by the General Register's Office(GRO).Giddingssaid the removals were based on updated records received from the General Register Office, and the cleansing of the list remains an ongoing process.
Giddings had claimed that GECOM has been stepping up preparations for the country's general and regional elections set for September1,2025.
“Wearemakingsurethat the list reflects only eligible voters,”Giddingssaid.“This ispartofourcommitmentto ensureafree,transparentand credibleelection.”
GECOM
Israel kills more than 300 in Gaza in 48 hours as focus intensifies on GHF
Aljazeera - More than 300 Palestinians have been killedbyIsraeliforcesinthe last 48 hours, according to theGazaGovernmentMedia Office,whichsaysIsraelhas “committed 26 bloody massacres”inthatperiod.
At least 118 Palestinians were killed and 581 others injured in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours, the enclave’s Health Ministry said on Thursday At least 73 of those were killed since dawn, including 33 aid seekers at the controversial
Israeli and United Statesbacked Gaza Humanitarian Foundation(GHF)aidsites. Thirteen people were killed when Israeli forces attacked a tent in al-Mawasi in the south, while 16 were killedandmanywoundedin an attack on Mustafa Hafez
Gaza’s Government Media Office says Israel has committed ’26 bloody massacres’ in the last two days
School, sheltering displaced people west of Gaza City, medical sources told Al Jazeera.
Ahmed Mansour, a displaced Palestinian taking shelter in the school building,said,“Wewokeup to fierce [Israeli] air strikes. It felt like an earthquake. People say it was a drone attack, but the sound was horrifying, relentless shelling. Missiles were so destructive that they set everything on fire. Victims were left burning for hours withouthelp.Thereisnoone here to save us.” Gaza The Government Media Office statement on Thursday said the attacks over the last 48 hours had targeted civilians insheltersanddisplacement centres overcrowded with tens of thousands of displacedpeople,publicrest areas, Palestinian families inside their homes, popular markets and vital civilian facilities, and starving civilianssearchingforfood.
Reporting from Deir elBalahonthelatestkillingsof Palestinians near GHF aid centres, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said, “People describedscenesofhorroras they wait for hours just hoping to get their hands on basic food supplies, only to be met with sudden and unprovoked gunfire I’ve beenspeakingtoanumberof survivors this morning, and they told me such heartbreaking testimonies and they shared the horrific scenesthatunfoldednearthe GHF-runaidcentres.
“They told me that there was no prior warning, no prior indication – just gunfire ripping through the c r o w d , d e s p e r a t e Palestinians scattered for cover as bullets flew They told me that emergency services and medical teams were not able to access the area due to the intensity of the gunfire This absolutely reflects the collapseofthehumanitarian
landscape here in Gaza,” he a d d e d . G H F ’s U S contractors reportedly using live fire US contractors ostensibly guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza have been using live ammunition and stun grenades as hungry Palestinians scramble for food, according to accounts and videos obtained by The Associated Press news agency
Two US contractors, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity, said they were speaking out because they were disturbed by what they considered dangerouspractices Theysaid the security staff hired were often unqualified, unvetted, heavily armed and seemed to have an open licence to do whatevertheywished Later Thursday, GHF releasedastatementofdenial “GHFlaunchedanimmediate investigation when the AssociatedPressfirstbrought these allegations to our attention Based on timestamped video footage and swornwitnessstatements,we haveconcludedthattheclaims in the AP’s story are categoricallyfalse”
“Atnopointwerecivilians under fire at a GHF distribution site The gunfire heard in the video was confirmed to have originated fromthe[Israelimilitary],who was outside the immediate vicinity of the GHF distribution site It was not directedatindividuals,andno one was shot or injured,” it claimed without providing evidence A recent report from Israeli outlet Haaretz detailed Israeli troops, in their words, confirming that Israeli soldiers have deliberatelyshotatunarmed Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza after being “ordered” to do so by their commanders.
Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, said theGHFis“notjusttoreplace the humanitarian mechanism
run by international organisations for decades in Gaza, but it’s also to apply maximum pressure on the civilian population”. Odeh alsonotedthatIsraeliNational SecurityMinisterItamarBenGvir has said this week that too much aid is going to Gaza and that none should enter to ensure an Israeli victory Dr Mads Gilbert, a Norwegian emergency medicinedoctorandprofessor who has provided healthcare inGazaformorethan30years, told Al Jazeera that the GHF operation“ispartofthe[Israeli militaryforces]’andtheIsraeli governmentplantoethnically cleanseandtofulfiltheirgoal ofgenocideinGaza”
“This has nothing to do withalleviatingstarvationin Gaza,”Gilbertsaid.
Describing the aid from GHFasa“dropintheocean” and a “sham operation”, Gilbert added, “The distribution organisation is aimedatusingfoodasbaitto attract starving people, to terrorise them and to kill them.Theshootingofpeople infoodlinesisawarcrime.”
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has called for investigations into the killings and wounding of Palestinians trying to access foodthroughGHF UNRWA notes that while it operated about 400 sites across the besieged enclave, GFH has set up only four “megasites”,threeinthesouthand oneincentralGaza–nonein the north, where conditions aremostsevere.Inaposton X, UNRWA called for the UN to “do the work” in distributingaid.
M o r e t h a n 1 3 0 humanitarian organisations, including Oxfam, Save the Children and Amnesty International, on Tuesday demanded the immediate closureoftheGHF,accusing it of facilitating attacks on starvingPalestinians.
People walk over debris at Mustafa Hafez school, sheltering Palestinians displaced by the war, following an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City [Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP]
Trophy Stall onboard for MCYS
One Guyana Domino Cup
Long standing supporter of sports, Trophy Stall, has lentsupporttothesuccessful hosting of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport ‘One Guyana Domino Cup’ whichissetforSundayatthe National Track and Field Center,Leonora,Region3.
Theentityhassponsored the first-place trophy for the
eventwhichissetcommence at13:00hrs.
Yamona Rajpaul of Trophy Stall said they are pleasedtobeassociatedwith the tournament and wished the teams well. She added that they are also looking forward to a successful competition.
Prem Persaud of the organising committee expressed gratitude to the sponsors.
Lall,7000,GoodTimes.
To date, 30 teams have registered for the tournament- Allstar of Wakenaam, West Side, Pacesetters, Moody 6, Parika,Frankies,Determine, Shatters, Leguan, Cold Fusion,Tone,Upsetters,Big
The winning team will take home a trophy and $500,000,runnerupatrophy and $250,000, third place a trophyand$100,000.
The MVPand the player that share the first double love will receive $10,000 each.
Among the sponsors are Hussain Security Service, Fire Side Grill, Jacobs Jewellery, Trophy Stall, TELCO, Haseeb Hamid Welding and Fabricating, Tony’s Jewellery, F and H Printery,LeonardLeungand FaziaAutoSale.
Friday July 04, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Thingsshouldgowellforyou todayaslongasyoucankeep thedramatoaminimum.You can jump over any hurdle in your way, so don't worry aboutathing.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may have to bring yourselfdowntogroundlevel in a rather sobering fashion, Taurus. Maybe you're forgetting an important piece of a goal that you've been shooting.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Youhaveatremendousability to understand the inner workings of any situation, Gemini.Youmayneedtogive someone a reality check to makesurethey'reonthesame pageasyou.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Don't say anything about someone behind his or her backthatyouwouldn'twantto say if the person were standing right next to you, Cancer Feelings are easily hurtonadaylikethis.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
When it comes to decisions, Leo, do what's best for you today Don'tfeellikeyouneed to perform certain tasks just because of guilt over a past situation. Do things because you want to, not because you feel obligated to someone else.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
It's time to settle down from the rapid-fire activities of the past few days and retreat to a quieter state of mind, Virgo. Take care of the details you failed to attend to while you wereouthavingfun.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
This is an excellent day in which your thinking is clear and your emotions stable, Libra Use this powerful combination of a solid frame ofmind.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Turn your energy inward today, Scorpio Make a detailed list of what you need togetdoneinorderofpriority It's time to take inventory and get organized. Detail-oriented projectsarefavored.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Your head and heart are working in concert today, Sagittarius.Thingsarecoming together just as you expected them to. Have confidence in yourself.Morethanlikely.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Get in touch with your vulnerable side today, Capricorn.Don'tpretendtobe someone you're not. Realize that you can be yourself and still have a good time without needing to hog all the attention.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20–Feb 18)Thisisyourday,Aquarius, sodon'tletanyonetakeitaway from you. The key will be to get a head start on whatever goalsyouwishtoaccomplish. Don't waste time thinking about exactly how you're goingtoaccomplishthem.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)
Open up and reveal more of yoursensitiveside,Pisces.The more willing you are to share withothers,themoretheywill feel comfortable sharing thingswithyou.Yourheadand heartareinagreement.
Stars set for Tour of Guyana ahead...
Frompage24
Region 9, where they’ll venture deep into the Rupununi to explore the hinterland There, they’ll experience life among indigenous communities, learn about traditional customs, and relax at the sereneandcaptivatingKumu Falls It’s a journey that promises cultural depth and scenic wonder, showing a different but equally important sideofGuyana
Romario Samaroo of the League’s event management team expressed the league’s passion for this initiative, stating, “This tour isn’t just about cricket; it’s about culture, nature, and connection Guyana is more than a host country; it’s an experience, and we want the world to see that From waterfallstowildlife,theGSLis proud to showcase Guyana’s eco-tourism alongside its sporting excellence This uniqueexperiencewillunfold during the first two weeks of July, just ahead of the highintensity tournament action
The GSLT20 runs from July 10 to 18, and in addition to global cricket among various league champions, will featureGlobalSuperConcerts over the course of several nights featuring local and regionalstars
While stocks last, fans can purchase tickets for Guyana Amazon Warriors matchesandhavetheoption of buying tickets for the Caribbean Premier League. Tickets start at $1,000 and areavailableatthelocalbox office at 233-234 Camp Street, Georgetown, or at GSLT20.com.
Prem Persaud of the organising committee and Yamona Rajpaul display the first-place trophy.
2025 CWI Rising Stars Regional U-19 Championships Round 1 Guyana vs. Barbados
Dorne,CarterandGittens pilotBarbadosto139-runwin
A couple of classy knocks,onefromBarbadian skipper, Joshua Dorne in particular, helped orchestrate a commanding 139-run win over the Guyanese yesterday when the first round bowled off at theElquemedoWillettPark, Nevis.
The Bajans had a robust batting innings, posting a daunting 287-6 after 50 overs. Dorne led a string of scores as he hit 63 but not beforeburlyopenerZachary Carter set the tone with his 62. Wicket-keeper Gadson Bowens punched a 41-ball 43, while Shaquan Belle ended not out on 39, with KevionNewton(33)helping to complete a good batting inningsbyBarbados.
Guyana’s bowling struggledabitasfiveoftheir wicket-takers conceded between40-60runseachoff their spells, with the exception of Romeo Deonarain(1-12).
Chasingalmost300fora victory, Guyana were snuffed out for 148 in the 32ndoverandonlygotthere
R’jai Gittens snared 4 wickets for Barbados.
duetoaspiritedknockfrom all-rounder Shamar Apple wholedwitharun-a-ball38 (2x42x6).
Afraz Ali Budhoo (23) and opener Deonarain (19) were the other main scorers amidst a dismal batting approachbytheGuyanese. Their chase started off a bitwatchful,especiallyafter losing their top-order in Rampersaud Ramnauth (3) Deonarain(19)andRomario Ramdheol (9) inside 12 overs. Apple and Budhoo regained control of the ship, takingthescorepastthe100 - mark before the latter was out caught which left Guyanascramblingtoregain control at 109-4 When
in Jamaica
Guyanese athletes Jelicia Wright, Cleveland Thomas, and Timothy Smith, along with their coach Jonathan Fungudes, arrived in Jamaica today ahead of tomorrow’s CARICOM 10K Road Race in MontegoBay
The team, accompanied by James Cole, General Secretary of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), paid a courtesy visit to the National Sports Commission (NSC) before departing Guyana. There, they met with Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, and NSC Commissioner, Christy Campbell. Ninvalle disclosed that all expenses related to Guyana’s participation in the event were fully covered by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission. He noted that Guyana has had strong performances at the CARICOM 10K in previous years and expressed confidence that this year’s team would continue that tradition Ninvalle added that the Government of Guyana fully supports the athletesand,onbehalfofthenation,wished them the best of luck in the “Land of Wood andWater.”
The 10K and 5K races, along with a 5K walk, will begin at 6:30 am (Eastern Caribbean Time) from the Montego Bay ConventionCentreinRoseHall,St.James.
The road races are among the fringe
All-rounder Shamar Apple had a good first round with the bat for Guyana.
Apple lost his wicket after looking set, the wheels automatically fell off as Guyana lost a bundle of wickets in a hurry, thanks to Baptisteandcompany Dorne capped off an excellent game with figures of 2-27, while Xaundre Baptiste(2-22)andstarwith theball,medium-pacerR’jai Gittens (4-26), maintained the necessary pressure required to keep their opponentsatbay Guyana will look to rebound and rebuild come this Sunday, when they face the USA U-19 team from 10:00h at the St. Paul’s Sports Complex, St. Kitts. (CliftonRoss)
Guyana’s CARICOM 10K team arrives
…teamvisitsNSC priortodeparture
events being held in conjunction with the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, under thechairmanshipoftheMostHonourableDr AndrewHolness,PrimeMinisterofJamaica.
The winner of the Open 10K Race will receive USD $1,000, while the second- and third-placefinisherswillearnUSD$500and USD$250,respectively
Additionally, the top male and female athletes in the 10K will be awarded the CARICOM Chairman’s Trophy (Male) and the CARICOM Secretary-General’s Trophy (Female).
The2024editionoftheCARICOMRoad Races was previously cancelled due to the impactofHurricaneBerylonGrenada. At the 16th CARICOM Road Races in 2023, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago dominated the podium. Guyanese distance runner Attoya Harvey won the Overall Female category and captured the CARICOMSecretary-General’sTrophy Samantha Shikla (Trinidad and Tobago) and Laura Lynn Limery (Saint Lucia) finishedsecondandthird,respectively Trinidad and Tobago swept the men’s division, with standout Nicholas Romany claimingtheCARICOMChairman’sTrophy His compatriots Donnel Francis and Tafari Waldron secured the second and third positions.
Alzarri Joseph grabs four-fer as Windies, Australia evenly poised after day one in second Test
SportsMax - Alzarri Joseph’s four-wicket haul ensured West Indies stayed in the contest as Beau WebsterandAlexCareyboth struck half-centuries for Australia to leave things finely balanced after an absorbingopeningdayofthe second Test at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada onThursday It was a day in which momentum swung back and forth before settling into a state of tense equilibrium, after Australia chose to bat on a surface that offered
early movement and later eased out. They posted 286 alloutin66.5overs—atotal th
s dominance nor concedes control.
Australia’s innings was anchored by two gritty halfcen
u Webster, who made 60, and Alex Carey, who made 63, while Joseph’s 4-61 kept thingsinteresting,alongwith Jayden Seales, who had 245.
West Indies openers Kraigg Brathwaite, in his 100th Test, and John
Campbellmadetheirwayto the middle but walked back to the pavilion soon after as badlightbroughtthedaytoa
Kennard memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Pre-Emancipation Horserace Meet now set for July 27th
The Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC)Pre-EmancipationHorseraceMeet issetforSunday27thJulyattheirracetrack atBushLotFarm,CorentyneBerbice.
Atotal of six races are on the day’s card with the E2 and lower one-mile race the feature event. The winning horse will race away$500,000andtrophy
Othereventsontheday’scardaretheHand LowersevenfurlongsRacewhichwillseethe winnerracingawaywith$400,000andtrophy There is a race for I3 and lower horses for a winner’spurseof$300,000andtrophyoverfive furlongs ThehorsescompetingintheLOpen contestwillbebattlingoversixfurlongs.The
winning prize $300,000 and trophy Two years old Guyana bred Open animals have fivefurlongstocoverastheycompeteforthe $300,000 and trophy available for the top runner IntheJandlowerrace,theanimalswillalso becompetingforthewinnerstakeof$300,000and trophyinthesixfurlongscontest Horsescanbe enteredbycontactingSatishBowanon610-0250, Isaac Dalloo- 689-0629, T Jagdeo- 618-7278, Campton Sancho 682-8550 or Ropnauth Sewsankar-678-6722oranyotherexecutiveof theclub WiththeabsenceofaGuyanaHorse RacingAuthority(GHRA),theeventwillbe conductedundertheaegisoftheKMTC. Racetimeis13:30hrs. (SamuelWhyte)
Cameron Green and Travis Head gradually steadied the innings. Green (26), who was given a life after being putdownbyJohnCampbell, inevitablyfelltoSeales’final ballbeforelunch.
close without a ball being bowled in the West Indies innings.
Earlier, the tourists got off to a brisk but shaky start asSamKonstas(25)showed promise before he fell to Anderson Phillip, while Usman Khawaja (16) and Steven Smith (three) departed cheaply, both undone by the sharp pace of AlzarriJoseph.
Australia’s top four, including Smith and Khawaja, were back in the pavilion with less than 60 runs on the board, but
Head (29) attempted to counterpunch and edged a sharp delivery from Shamar Joseph to Shai Hope behind thestumpstoleavethescore at 110-5 From there, Webster and Carey combined for a crucial 112run sixth-wicket partnership that dragged the innings backfromthebrink.
Carey, in particular, looked fluent, as he continued his good run of formfromthefirstTestwith 10boundariesandasixinhis 81-ball stay, while Webster absorbedpressuretoholdthe inningstogether
However, the West Indiesclawedtheirwayback late in the day as Carey miscued one from Justin Greaves and was caught by Brathwaite at a pivotal moment.
Captain Pat Cummins (17) misjudged the bounce ofanAlzarriJosephdelivery andwasbowled,afterwhich Seales had Mitchell Starc (six)caughtbehind.Webster, intryingtomanagethelower order, came back for a second and was run out by Keacy Carty, and Nathan Lyon (11) offered some resistance, but Australia were eventually dismissed justshyofthe300-runmark, with Josh Hazlewood finishingunbeatenon10. With a traditionally unpredictable Grenada pitch and history on the line—the last three Tests have been won by the team batting second West Indies will nowlooktocapitaliseonday two, but Brathwaite and Campbellareexpectedtolay a strong platform to bring thathopetofruition.
Scores: Australia 286 (Carey 63, Webster 60, A. Joseph 4-61) against West Indies.
Alzarri Joseph got low bounce to dismiss Pat Cummins. (AFP/Getty Images)
Stars set for Tour of Guyana ahead of tournament
The ExxonMobil
Guyana Global Super League (GSLT20) is taking cricket beyond the stadium and into the heart of Guyana’s breath-taking landscapes and vibrant communities.
In a bold and exciting move, the league’s stars from across the globe will embark on a series of regional tours that celebrate the essence of eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and local connection. From towering waterfalls to untouched hinterlandvillages,theGSLis embracing the beauty of Guyana while giving fans acrossthecountryachanceto interact with their cricketing heroes in unexpected and unforgettable ways Kicking offtheadventure,playersfrom
allteamswilljourneytogether to the legendary Kaieteur Falls,oneoftheworld’smost majestic single-drop waterfalls This shared experiencewillbeasymbolic momentofunity,ascricketers from different corners of the globestandtogetherinaweof one of nature’s greatest wondersrighthereinGuyana
T h e d e f e n d i n g champions, Rangpur Riders outofBangladesh,willthen head into Region 7, where they will explore the majestic Essequibo River and make their way to Baganara Island Amidst lush greenery and golden riverbanks, the Riders will soak in the scenery and engage with local communities, bringing cricketing spirit to the heart
of the region. Meanwhile, CentralStags,championsof New Zealand’s Super Smash, will take to the streets of Georgetown on twowheels.Theirtourofthe Garden City will include visits to several national heritage sites and monuments,atasteoficonic local dishes, and casual interactionswithcitizens.
Over in Region 6, Australia’sBigBashLeague (BBL) champions, Hobart HurricanesXI,willembrace the wild, setting out on a bird-watching expedition alongtheCanjeRiver
Their day will be filled withthesightsandsoundsof exotic birds, peaceful water trails and the excitement of fishinginthelocalchannels. Most importantly, they’ll
meet with fans and families in the region, celebrating community through shared storiesandlaughter
Also in Region 6, the beloved Guyana Amazon Warriors will return to their roots with a nostalgic tour through New Amsterdam and Albion. In this historic region, the Warriors will immerse themselves in “country life”, sampling traditional dishes, visiting cherished landmarks, and playing a few overs of cricket with Berbice All Stars in an atmosphere of celebration and homegrown pride.
Nottobeleftout,theDP World International League T20 (LT20) winners, the DubaiCapitalswilltravelto (Continuedonpage21)
The WBA Caribbean Heavyweighttitlefighttook place on Labour Day (June 19th) in Trinidad in 2015. The guest of honor was the famousRobertoDuran.
On that night Guyanese boxer, Mitchell Rogers, defeated Trinidad and Tobago boxer Kerston Manswell.
Unfortunately, footage of the fight was released for broadcast and was put on “The back burner,” so to speak. Thepromotersofthe fight were Golden Eye Productions and Floyd TrumpetPromotions.
Now,after10years,with the advent of streaming site GoldenEyeTT com, the material has finally been uploadedforviewingviapay per view Former boxer and former Kaieteur Sports journalistMichaelBenjamin hadwrittenonthethenfight, “Manswell was a tough customer and survived knockdowns in the 11th and 12throunds.Thewinearned
Mitchell Rogers after his victory
Rogers the World Boxing Federation Caribbean heavyweighttitle.” Sham G. Ali and Tara Singh of Market Moguls TT/GY, Media and Advertising, a company out of Trinidad have been instrumentalinobtainingthe fight footage some 10 years later and are promoting the showing of the fight so boxing fans could get a first handlookatwhattranspired backthen. Thefightisbeing s t r e a m e d o n GoldenEyeTT.com.
“Be afraid Be very afraid. I am not looking for second.”
Thosewerethewordsof SuperStock B Competitor Alain Hopkinson ahead of thisweekend’ssecondround oftheGuyanaMotorRacing and Sports Club’s Circuit championship.
Hopkinson was upbeat afterlastweekend’spractice sessionandoptedtosendan ominous message to his rivalsaheadoftheJuly5and 6 event. “I’m not going to look for second. In the first event, I made two mistakes andthatwon’thappenagain. I can assure you, that won’t happenagain,”hesaid.
He urged fans to come out to the South Dakota Circuit and witness the action live as it is a battle they will not want to miss, saying, “Like always, the bikersalwaysbringthevibe, they always bring the spills and thrills, more thrills than spills”As the current leader of the 2025 championship, he explained, “There is no comfort in being at the top.
Stayingfocusedisamust.To stay ahead of the class, I havetomakesureImakeall thecorners,mycallnameis run-straight because I tend to overshoot most of my turns under pressure. I just gottomaketheturnsnow.”
“Thisiswhatyoualways wish for, this is what you alwaysaimforwhenyouget into anything, especially motorcycle racing in Guyana We are always pushing for greatness,” he admitted.
The superstock B rider stated, “When you’re out there racing, it’s tunnel vision, you don’t see anything else, everything justfliesbysofastbutit’sa great feeling. I wouldn’t givethisupforanythingelse unlessit’sfamily.”
The second round of the Guyana Motor Racing and SportsClub’sCircuitRacing Championship is sponsored by GUYOIL, Tropical Shipping, ENET, Shaw C
Caricom Classic 2025 Chess Team Tournament Underway Trinidad and Tobago leads after four rounds
areon3.5points, followed by Guyanese Arysh Raghunauth, and KataleyaSamon3points. Suriname’s Thie-Yen Fung and Guyanese Mahir Rajkumar,andAlekUbaldoSingharealsoon3points.
RoundFourHighlights: GuyanaTeamBlosttoa seasoned Trinidadian contingent featuring FM Joshua Johnson, FM Kevin Cupid, WCM Zara La Fleur and WFM Ysvett Hermoso
Trinidad and T o b a g o i s currently leading the CARICOM Classic Chess Team Tournament after four rounds The tournament is being held at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Georgetown,Guyana.
The Guyana Chess Federation, in collaboration with the CARICOM Secretariat, is hosting this second installment of the CARICOM Classic from July 1st to July 6th, 2025. Ten teams from CARICOM nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, Dominica, Suriname, the Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, and host nation Guyana, are competinginthenine-round classicalround-robin tournament.
Jamaica is in a close second, with Suriname trailinginthirdplace.Sitting infourthplaceistheGuyana A team, with Barbados, the Cayman Islands, and St. Lucia close behind. With fiveintenseroundsstilltobe played, the tournament will be an exciting and challenging test for the competitors.
Representing Guyana in the tournament are three distinct teams. The Guyana A Team features CM Taffin Khan, Kyle Couchman, WCM Aditi Joshi, and Ciel Clement.
The Guyana B-Team comprises CM Sachin Pitamber, Keron Sandiford, WCM Sasha Shariff, and AniyahCouchman.
To ensure continuous play and avoid byes in each round, a third team, the Guyana Junior Team, was added. This team comprises of Ricardo Narine, Kishan Puran,ItalyTon-Chung,and AnayaLall.
RoundoneHighlights:
In Round One, Guyana Team A was paired with Jamaica,whileTeamBfaced Suriname.
In the encounter with Jamaica, Khan and Joshi of the home team scored two draws, while Clement and Couchmanwentdowntothe Jamaicans.
CouchmanlostaRookin exchange for a weaker Bishop to his opponent FM ShreyasSmith.
Faced with numerous threats to his monarch, and unable to improve his weakened position, Couchmanacceptedtheloss.
Clement put up a stubborn fight with her Jamaican opponent, Kaia Gayle that lasted 54 moves. The match ended with the fighting Kings and two pawns each per side on the board
Gayle’s advancing King posed a serious threat to eliminating Clement’s two pawns, resulting in Clement’s loss.
In the same round, Keron Sandiford, Aniyah Couchman, WCM Sasha Shariff,andCielClementof Guyana Team B lost their matches to the Surinamese visitors.
RoundTwoHighlights:
Pitamber lost his match to Gabriel Sixtus of St Lucia Almost all of Pitamber’s chess pieces were captured, leaving his King and a Bishop on the board.
T h e S t L u c i a n dominatedtheboardwithhis King, a Knight, and four pawns unopposed and to be promoted. Pitamber finally gave up the struggle on the 50thmove.
Shariff maneuvered her King and Queen to checkmate her St. Lucian opponent,KiaraLambert,in a match that ended on move 51.
RoundThreeHighlights:
In Round Three, Surinamese Jason Yeung went down to Khan in a matchthatlastedlessthan40 moves.
Yeung was lured by his opponenttocapturematerial and appeared to have secured an advantage However, Khan skillfully maneuvered his active Bishop to support a pawn march,whichoverwhelmed Yeung’s Rook and centralizedKinginthefight. Despite his best efforts, Yeung conceded the loss on move37.
The other three
Surinamese team members, Ethan Tjin Kon Kiem, Alexandra, and Victoria Kaslan, drew their matches withtheirGuyaneseTeamA counterparts, Joshi, Clement,andCouchman.
Meanwhile, Guyana
Team B, Pitamber, Sandiford, and female players Aniyah Couchman and Sasha Shariff faced Barbados.Couchmanlostto Channon ReiferBelle after 16 moves in a match that ended in checkmate. Shariff also lost to her Barbadian opponent Lashay Springer, whilePitamberscoredawin overEmarEdwards.
Inanendgamewithonly Kings and pawns on the board, Pitamber succeeded in promoting one of his pawns into a powerful Queen, creating havoc and forcing Edwards to resign. Sandiford drew his match with Barbadian Kemp Lynch.
The CARICOM Classic Junior U16 Tournament is also underway, with Mileke Sinckler from Barbados leading the way with 3.5 points after four rounds, followedbyRavishRamesar andKy-maniWijnhardfrom Suriname with 3.5 points. Aaron Jaikaran and Noah Clarke,bothfromBarbados,
Couchman also conceded to their counterparts from the twin-islandRepublic.
Guyana Team A was paired with Barbados and was able to score a win and two draws against the Bajans.KhanandJoshiboth drew their matches with Emar Edwards and Chanon Reifer-Belle respectively However, Kyle Couchman defeated Kemp Lynch, but Clement lost to female playerLeshaySpringer
Rodriguez Johnson checkmated Pitamber’s Kingwithafinalpawnpush in a duel that lasted 43 moves.
SandifordfacedCupidin thesameroundandtensions mountedduringtheirmatch. In a precarious position, Sandiford resigned his King on move 29, anticipating a winning Rook, Queen and Bishop combination attack byhisTrinidadianopponent. Female players Shariff and
The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to express its profound gratitude to the generous sponsors whose support has been instrumental in the
CARICOM Classic Chess Team and the CARICOM Junior U16 Tournaments: Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Topco and Savannah Milk, Apan Energy, Industrial Safety Supplies, NTS Amega
Global, Movements Family Restaurant, NeuroSpine Services Inc., CB Group of Companies, C&V Shipping, SD&L Accounting, Enet, Guyoil, Queensway Security, Sterling Products Ltd, Power Producers, Marcis and Company, Crown Mining, Nand Persaud and Company, and NK Enterprise Inc. Thanks to the supporters who also donatedtothe Federation
A special note of appreciation and gratitude goes to the Pegasus Hotel Guyana, our official hotel and the magnificent venue sponsorfortheCARICOM Classic2025 Rounds five and six resume tomorrow, Friday, July 4th, at 10 AM and 4 PM The excitement is building as we eagerly awaittoseewhowillclaim the coveted title of tournamentwinner!
Part of the action as Guyana face off against Suriname.
Guyana’s CARICOM 10K team arrives in Jamaica
From left: Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, Cleveland Thomas, Jelicia Wright, Commissioner Jelicia Christy Campbell, Coach Jonathan Fungudes andAAG General Secretary, James Cole. Campbell, AAG