kaieteur news

Concerns grow over impacts of Exxon’s operation on fishing industry

AGuyanaLimited(EMGL),is continuing to face questions about the impact of its operations on the local fishing industry, with fishermen complaining aboutlowcatches.

During a public scoping meeting for the Longtail project- Exxon’s eight

development-acitizenasked theoperatorwhetherthereis any direct impact on fishing that can cause reduced catches.

To

er, Mariya Skocik, explained thatstudiesconductedsofar forthevariousoilprojectsin Guyana point to natural

fluctuationinfishstock. She noted that since 2019, ExxonMobil has been conducting a number of fish studies in Guyana. One of those assessments- on fish stock- includes visiting the markets to measure the weight, size, and overall health of the fish. Another study that the company has beenrollingoutisspecificto fisherfolk. “The parallel piece of work that’s happening is around the general fisherfolk, so we have team members that go to the landing areas, interview fishermen (on) what are their fishing practices,howfardotheygo, what are they seeing. So, all of that together does show

that there is natural fluctuation in fish stock,”

Skocik informed the gathering.

Further, she explained that Bank of Guyana reports have also made similar findings where fish catch is concerned The Exxon representative also noted that since data prior to the startupofoilproductionwas limited, Exxon could not compare the information collectedsofartoearlierdata tomakeaconclusion.

Meanwhile, with regard tostatisticsrecordedinother countries where Exxon operates,thecompanynoted that it is practice for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be conducted for each project.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Environmental Manager, “Environmental Impact Assessments are one of the practices that we always implement.We mention that we are committed to safety

Court throws out appeal, orders ‘Guyanese Critic’ to pay Mohameds $52 million for defamation

TheHighCourthasdismissedanappeal of the $52 million filed by social media commentator Mikhail Rodrigues, also knownas“GuyaneseCritic”.

Rodrigues had appealed the GYD$52 million default judgment made in favour of businessmen, Nazar Mohamed and his son, AzruddinMohamed,lastJuly Accordingto areleasefromtheMohameds’attorney,Eusi Anderson,thejudgmentwasupheld,andan injunction remains in effect against Rodriguesandhismediaoutfit,TheyBreak NewsInc.,preventingfurtherdefamationof theMohameds.

According to the release, the Judge described the explanation given by the Applicants, Rodrigues and They Break NewsInc.,as“woefullyinadequate”.

JusticeNilesalsoorderedthatRodrigues paythesumof$75,000costseachtoNazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed for the loss of this appeal. On 14th July, 2024, the CourtgranteddefaultjudgmenttoNazarand Azruddin Mohamed against the Guyanese Critic and his Facebook commentary platform,TheyBreakNewsInc.

The businessmen received judgment in the sum of $52 million and several

and environment, and it’s oneofthefundamentalways toassesstheimpacts,ensure wehaveallthemitigationsto minimizethoseimpacts.”

As such, Exxon was askedwhetherthetrendhere, withregardtolowercatches, is consistent with the company’s operations in other countries. For the oil giant, making such a conclusionwasnotpossible.

“It’salllocation-specific. I would really speculate if I try to compare one location to the other There are so many factors, sensitivity of the fish, fishing practices, what else is happening, if there’snaturalfluctuation,so it’s not apple for apple. I c a n ’ t s a y , ” t h e

Rodrigues known as the Guyanese Critic

injunctions preventing further defamation.

TheGuyaneseCriticandTheyBreakNews Inc.appealedagainstthisjudgmentandlost.

InthelawsuitsagainstRodrigues,which werefiledinMay,theMohamedsstatedthat Rodrigues,atvarioustimesinFebruaryand March of this year, during his morning programme, defamed the father and son. It was explained that in the case of the father, Rodriguesplayedseveralvoicenotesofhim onhisliveonlineprogrammeandlatermade derogatoryremarksagainsthim.

The senior Mohamed, in Court documents, said he was offended by multiple statements made by Rodrigues during his talk show, but particularly took umbragetoRodriguesinsinuatingthatheis a criminal. Mr Mohamed also submitted to theCourtthatRodriguesmadestatementsto the effect that his family was financing the teachersprotestbackinFebruary.According to the businessman, Rodrigues in another programmeinMarch,toldhisaudiencethat theMohamedsdestroyedmanylives.

He said he was also offended by other statements made by Mikhail Rodrigues Similar claims were made by the younger Mohamed.

Environmental and RegulatoryManagerrelated.

A citizen questioning ExxonMobil about the impact of its operations on local fish catches

ExxonMobil operationsandfish

Consecutive studies conducted by ExxonMobil havewarnedoftheimminent danger to marine species, includingfish.Recently,this newspaper reported that anotherstudydonebyExxon confirmed that marine life, including fish, can be affected by poor water quality as a result of the plannedpetroleumactivities.

development- states, “The project might affect marine fishduetothedegradationof water quality as a result of

discharges described above, through acoustic impacts, throughlocalizedchangesin

distribution, and habitat usage due to altered bottom habitats and the presence of Project infrastructure, through attraction to artificial light, and through thepotentialtoentrain(suck in) fish eggs and larvae at coolingwaterintakes.”

Discharge from the project includes ballast water, produced water (which, according to the study, may contain oil, grease,andotherchemicals), domestic and sanitary waste (containing chlorine and bacteria), as well as bilge water (which may also contain oil and grease) These discharges are expected to be treated by ExxonMobil to meet certain standards prior to being dischargedoverboard.

‘Consultations, not confrontation’

- WPA urges sister parties to ‘iron out’ differences

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) urged sister parties, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Alliance for Change (AFC), to iron out their differences, notingthatinsteadofconfrontations,theunits shouldbeworkingtoreachaconsensus.

WPA’sco-leader,Dr.DavidHinds,made the call on Monday, a day after the AFC released its ‘approved conditions’ for any coalitionwiththeAPartnershipfor National Unity (APNU) to contest the upcoming generalandregionalelections.

“As the PPP’s vulnerability begins to manifestitself,WPAreiteratesitsbeliefthata grand coalition of opposition parties stands the best chance of unseating the ruling cabal in a free and fair election. While it is being said in some quarters that the opposition’s baseisnotyetmotivated,webelievethatthat condition is temporary,” Dr Hinds told the media during his party’s weekly press conference.

The WPA co-leader explained that a coalitionthatcompriseswillingpersonswho are guided by a united purpose would be an energisingboosttothebaseinashortperiod oftime.

Despite the findings of the various polls recently conducted, he said the party firmly believesthata unitedcoalitionwill certainly prevail at the upcoming elections once they arefreeandfair

He has urged the parties to get things sortedoutassoonaspossible,as“historywill not be kind to us if we allow short-term differences to blind us to long-term implications.WPArecognises that it is not a central player in the unfolding negotiations,

whichareguidedbyperceptionsandrealities of electoral strength We respect those dynamics.”

Withfivedecadesofpoliticalexperience under its belt, the WPA has cautioned supporters that “there is great danger in substituting the party for the wisdom of the people and the lessons of history We hope goodsenseprevails.”

Among the AFC’s approved conditions for collaborating with the APNU for the upcomingpollsisa60-40splitatalllevelsof government,with60percentofthepositions beingheldbyrepresentativesoftheAPNU.

AFC also outlined that the party from which the presidential candidate will be named will not be permitted to nominate and/oroccupythepositionoftheleaderofthe list.

It said that in keeping with the earlier unanimousdecisionofitsNationalExecutive Committee, held in January this year, party leader Nigel Hughes shall be the party’s presidentialcandidate.

Co-Leader of the WPA, Dr. David Hinds

Mikhail

Businessmen, Nazar Mohamed (left) and his son Azruddin

Kaieteur News

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Hard road to travel

With general and regional elections due this year and could be called at any time now, the opposition parties are inamadscrambletoputtogetherthecoalitionthatbrought them victory at the 2015 polls before they lost power in 2020.

Much has been said about their attempt to rig the 2020 elections.Acase has been filed and is currently before the courts. A commission of inquiry was also held and made somesweepingconclusions.However,whatisbeforeusis the AFC and the PNCR trying to rekindle their love for eachother,thistimenotwithoutproblems,asisexpectedin these types of discussions. What is unfortunate is that leaders on both sides have not guarded the sanctity of their talks, so details of their discussions are now matters of public discourse. What this has done is expose inherent weaknesses in both camps and also add to the frustrations ofmanyoftheirsupporters.

It is also an indictment on the two groups that, since 2020, they are only now working out arrangements for a possiblecoalitiontocontesttheupcomingelections.Many oftheirsupportershavequiterightlyquestionedwhatwere they doing for the past four years that has resulted in them th now, almost at the 11 hour, trying to hammer out a deal. The current opposition, whether they are in Parliament or on the streets, has been lacklustre at best. Their activism hasbeenslowanduninspiring,anditisdifficulttosaythat theyweretoobusytotietheknot.

We do know that successful coalition building is not a walk in the park and although there has been some semblance of a working relationship between the two partiessince2015,therehavebeenalotofinstanceswhen, to the ordinary citizens, the marriage appeared to have alreadybeendissolved.Justthispastweekend,someofthe comments from senior members in both camps on the AFC's 60-40 proposal have left much to be desired. The waytheyspokeabouteachotherappearedtohaveleftlittle roomforanynegotiationoraworkingrelationship.

The process of building a coalition begins with recognising that there are areas of compatible interests in the several groups around the table. While this sometimes occurs naturally, most times there is the need for one or more groups to take the lead in persuading others that a coalitionwouldbetotheirbenefit.

The interests would have to be stated upfront; in our present milieu, for instance, some parties may be more interested in becoming the major political opposition rather than removing the government In addition to having a commonality of interests, the groups would have to be convinced that by working together, they can achieve the goal of achieving office more expeditiously But more pertinently, that the benefits of coalescing would outweigh the costs. This latter contingency has been the sticking point in the ongoing talksintheoppositionranks.Thereisastrongfeelingfrom some quarters that the “baggage” of the PNC from their years in government is too great a burden to be shared, while the PNCR cannot forget the betrayal by anAFC MP whovotedtobringdownthecoalitiongovernmentin2018. In such cases, incentives might have to be offered. There have been suggestions from within and without the political opposition that the PNC forgo the leadership of any ensuing coalition to address such concerns, and the ideaofaconsensuscandidatehasbeenfloated.

Equally, many persons are of the view that the AFC should not be trusted to head the coalition, given its track record.Againstthebackgroundofourpoliticalhistory,itis not unreasonable that the PNC may suspect that under the cover of the stated concerns, efforts are afoot to miniaturise,ifnotsupplant,itsrole.

As the PNCR leader,Aubrey Norton has stated before, while the party is committed to working towards a coalition, “we ain't guh leh nobadee mek deh eyes pass we.” He insisted that the PNCR is well aware that they are better together, but is also “well aware that we carry the

Major populated areas around the country in a state of squalor, disrepute

Dear Editor, As a recent pensioner, I've had more time to kick a few more proverbial bricks on our roads in a few of our majorpopulatedcenters,and like many of us who went abroad, continue to be flummoxed at the dismal, disgraceful state of the environments of our populatedareas.

In spite of the PPP administration's repeated clichés of fostering development and improving living conditions across its litany of budget speeches, these areas- Stabroek, Georgetown, for exampleare more fit for pigs than humanbeings.

The biggest and most easily fixed problem is the absence of public sanitary facilities. In an area of less than one square mile trafficked by as many as 150,000 persons, probably even more, beyond the few urinalsandtoiletsattheback of a foul-smelling and congested Stabroek market, itisimpossibletofindpublic sanitary facilities to relieve our human condition. This situationisvirtuallythesame

for all the major areas I've visited, and is probably no different for those not visited This is not to mention the areas around the market; vendors have virtually overtaken the streets, leaving little carriageway for vehicles They are, however, outdone by the many taxis that bully vendors for space in front of their stalls and add to the congestion in Bourda Market.

A visit to the National Park presents another problem: even with the addition of two to four more toiletsaroundtheParktaking the total number to around twenty, excluding the few urinals, the majority- if not all- is either without adequate water, or have broken cisterns, rendering filthy and unfit for human use in a few hours. The burden of fetching water and cleaning these facilities falls ontheshouldersofthePark's cleaners The facilities beneath the Park's stands have been in a state of filth anddisusesinceforever This has been the condition of the Park's

sanitaryfacility,goingonthe two or more decades now that I have been using it, and I h a v e j u s t o n e recommendation: If the Park's Commissioner knows about the condition of Park's sanitary facilities and has done nothing about it in all these years, or doesn't know about it, to quote Donald Trump, “You're fired!”

Why, after all these years with all the black tanks and pumps coming into the country, do we still have water problems in the National Park? Why the filthy sanitary facilities?Ask the Park's Commissioner This has nothing to do with thecleaners.

Personally, the majority of the Park's sanitary facilities are so old their book value is probably zero or less, and should be immediately be replaced by m o d e r n f a c i l i t i e s

Unquestionably, there needs to be four additional sanitary facilities around the Park, adding around forty to fifty more toilets, plus urinals to ease the distress of patrons, particularly little children whose parents are new to the

Park and are always at wits' end trying to get to the nearest toilet facility in time. Finally, there's no question thattheParkisindireneedof landscaping services, but this will probably have to be addressed by the next administration. This is the condition that foreigners are witnessing when they come into Guyana, more so around our Capital Dumpsite, and the othermajorareas.

N o w , t h e P P P administration might be wondering why the blame for this situation has been handed to them. Rightly, this falls under local and municipal authorities, but the buck stops at the central government. It has always been my contention that the PPP doesn't care, and is primarily responsible for the insufferable state of underdevelopment endured by our men, women and children. Consider the above Exhibit A. Foreigners are w i t n e s s e s t o t h e i r recalcitrant, belligerent incompetence.

Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester

Agriculture very much on PPP/C's agenda

Dear Editor, It is quite pleasant to learn that the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will be investing in some 62,000 acres of land that they want to be transformed into an agroindustrial hub. This is quite refreshing, as most of us are caught up with 'Trumpism' andtheOilandGasSectorin Guyana, and we miss important developmental ongoings.

The overall goal is that when all is done, this agriculturalhubmustbeable

burdenofthework.”

A coalition has a host of benefits in presenting an alternative in politics: the breadth offered by the several partners garners wider support; greater expertise and resources are brought to bear on complex issues; new leaders can be identified and encouraged, andalastingbaseforchange can be forged.In the latter instance, once the groups work together, it becomes more difficult for others to dismiss members' efforts as “special interests”. Most

to help feed both the nation and the Caribbean region, hence the PPP/C's Ministry ofAgriculture is assiduously workingondevelopingthese acres of land, situated from Moleson Creek to the Skeldon belt. In the words of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, “We spoke of expanding, not just converting GuySuCo, but right now we're working and turning 62,000 acres of land into an agro-industrial complex in the Skeldon area.”The way agriculture is seen globally, this kind of

significantly for our local politicalculture,however,in the consensus-building efforts that are a permanent characteristic of successful coalitions, respect for each other's differences has to be forgedasaprerequisite.

One problem with the ongoing efforts that has cropped up is the effects of the disequilibrium of size. No matter how one slices it, the PNC will be the major partner in any block to be formed and should be allowed to at least call the shots.

investment must be creating positive vibes among many Guyanese.

I recall that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentwasadoptedat a time when food insecurity and hunger started to present enormous global challenges that still exist today.And the task to be prepared is quite pressing, as the world's population is expected to growtoninebillionby2050. This means that the demand on global food systems will confront all nations. The answer here is not easy, but the consensus is that if Guyana is to fare well, our leaders must be engaged in seeking to transform our local food and agriculture systems to make them sustainable, resilient and inclusive,todeliveraccessto healthy and nutritious foods.

This kind of involvement ends with the advantage of helping to create livelihoods for small-scale producers

and processors, and protecting ecosystems and combating climate change.

The bottom line is that Guyana will gain long-term benefits, as the plans and execution thereof unfold for these 62,000 acres of land.

Indeed, we can do with a modern agro-industrial hub, as we have much that normallygoestowaste. In terms of effecting all of this, the Guyana Government has already allocated money, and a M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MOU) is set to be signed to commence actual cultivation on the lands. Very soon, this will translate to employment opportunities and increase value-added processing for localproduce.

Editor, it is well-known that any country prioritizing agriculture will be able to foster food security, economic growth, and sustainable development. I think of places like India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Turkey, which have seen significant agricultural transformations and increased farm incomes due to increased input in the agriculturalsector

As Jagdeo pointed out, the farmers in the region collectively have about 40,000 acres of land, and GuySuCo, 26,000 acres. So, “If we can combine the two, that'sover60,000acresof (Continue on page 6)

Unity must never be based on convenience but on necessity

DearEditor,

Wehaveseriousproblems in this country, and it's time weworktogethertofixthem Unitymustneverbebasedon conveniencebutonnecessity We cannot unite solely on the Venezuela/Guyana border controversy while ignoring domestic issues, as the two are intrinsically linked Basic services like education, health, water and electricity are inadequate, non-existent, poor, or not within the reach oftheordinaryman.

For instance, billions were wasted on the GOAL Programme while local institutions like Critchlow Labour College, the University of Guyana, Cyril Potter College of Education, and nursing schools receive littleornothing,andsomeare evenclosed

The underinvestment in public health care is evident, withthegovernmentoptingto send citizens to private hospitals while taxpayers' money funnels into the private sector instead of improvingpublicfacilities In some cases, patients are seen at public hospitals and then redirected to private ones for surgeries This system underminespublichealthcare andexacerbatesinequality

We face grave challenges and can no longer leave it solely to politicians to determine what's best for us, especially when they don't prioritisethecreationofajust and inclusive society We must not remain silent or complicit in the face of wrongdoings, hoping for a few crumbs from the table whenwedeserveafairshare

Workers- past, present and potential- are struggling intheworld'sfastest-growing economy. Many cannot affordthreenutritiousmealsa day, go hungry, or know someone who does. This is unacceptable in 2025! The focus should not solely be on building new roads and bridges but on ensuring decent wages, salaries, and pensions that reflect the cost of living To address these

concerns, we must demand thefollowing:

1 Legislation for Article 13, as outlined in the Constitution of Guyana: Ensure inclusive democracy with more opportunities for citizen participation in decision-making, especially in areas directly affecting theirwell-being

2 Establishment of Constitutional Commissions:

transparency

3 Legislation for Power Devolution: To empower r e g i o n a l a

a l governments, allowing meaningful involvement at all levels as outlined in Articles 75 and 76 in the ConstitutionofGuyana

4 Inclusive National Budget: Appropriation Bills shouldbepassedwithatleast 60% approval from elected Members to promo

inclusive democracy and cross-partycooperation

5 Affirmative Action Legislation: Establish equity in employment, public contracts, education, and socio-economicresources

6 DirectOilBenefit/Cash Transfers: Im

ent structured cash transfers through social programmes guided by the World Bank's main objectives to alleviate poverty and improve quality oflife

7 Eliminate/Lower Income Tax (PAYE): Eliminate/lower PAYE taxes and restore allowances for children Introduce monthly grants for those 18 and older, w i t h e d u c a t i o n a l conditionalities

8 Unemployment Benefits: Create an unemployment fund to support those between jobs, ensuring a basic standard of living. Activate the National Insurance Scheme (NIS ) UnemploymentRegulation

9 Expanded School Meal Programme: Provide balanced meals to all publicschoolchildren,fromnursery tosecondarylevel

10 Improve Medical

Services: Build fully equipped referral hospitals in all regions with trauma centers and diagnostic facilities Increaseinvestment

, including annual health checkups

11 Reduce Utility Costs:

c i t y, transportation,andgasprices R e i n t r o d u c e p u b l i c transportation to create competition and help the vulnerableaccessservices

1 2 P r o p e r t y

Improvement Support: Provide interest-free or lowinterest loans to property o

communities

13 Strengthen National Insurance Scheme (NIS): Address the NIS deficit to safeguard workers' income and provide vital benefits for industrialinjury,sickness,old age,anddeath

In the face of grave d e p r i v a t i o

s , workers/citizens must unite

e Government and Opposition to work in our interest For a threat to one is a threat to all, and solidarity must be demonstratedthroughaction

It is ridiculous that in the world's fastest-growing economy, we are facing g r o w i n g p o v e r t y , homelessness and eroding real wages We all share the same conditions—weather, air, and daily struggles and must come together to ensure a bright future for all, not just thefewatthetop

The future of Guyana must be one of equity and opportunity for all its people. Thisisn'tjustabouteconomic growth,butcreatingasociety where no one is left behind. Wemustnotallowthewealth ofournationtobepillagedby thefew,creatingtwoseparate Guyanas: one for the privileged and one for the rest This is not the path to peace, prosperity, or real development Regards, Lincoln Lewis

Those in high office cannot hide behind ignorance of the facts

Dear Editor,

A letter writer recently argued that the CoI into the Mahdia Fire absolves the Ministry of Education of responsibility for what took place.

AccordingtotheGuyana Chronicle, dated October 5, 2023, Fire Officer in charge of the Mahdia Fire Station who had inspected the dorm several months prior to the fire and had found a number of fire safety concerns, and fire prevention and suppression issues, stated to the Commission, "On numerous occasions it was brought to the REO's attention". This means that the fire safety concerns were raised and the Ministry of Education was made aware of these concerns months beforethetragicfire.

Even if the fire officer's report was buried in paperwork on the desk of the highest official in the Ministry of Education, the REO (Regional Education Officer) was made aware of the concerns on several occasions Appropriate

action was not taken, and corrective measures were also lacking. There must be accountability for such gross negligence.Furthermore,the new schools being built and the renovation occurring at existing schools have not incorporated the safeguards necessary to prevent a repeat occurrence of the Mahdia tragedy This may be considered by some as further gross negligence or worse, it may be argued that it has risen to the level of willful negligence and willful / inten

nal misconduct.Ifanothertragic fire occurs and it is found that the fire safety measures needed to address the concerns raised in the Mahdia fire tragedy were willfully neglected, more serious charges may be brought against the officials whomadethedecisiontonot incorporate the needed fire supp

prevention systems and procedures.

As for the call for the Minister's resignation, the serious matter of the Mahdia

fire tragedy is just one of several serious issues that have been raised As previously mentioned, there is the matter of Dharamlall, the poor improvement in student performance, the disregard for the Teachers' Union and their rights, and m o s t r e c e n t l y, t h e mismanagement of the GOAL Program. These are not partisan issues, and they a r e d e f i n i t e l y n o t unimportant matters that need better management and oversight.

These are very serious concerns that should not be sweptunderthemat.

For these reasons, CRG finds it necessary to make urgent changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Education, which must start with the resignation of the Minister The safety of our children must be the first priority, and those who do not make decisions that support such a position need toberemoved.

With utmost concern, Mr. Jamil Changlee

Diversion through the Juvenile Justice Act:

Leading children/youth away from a life of crime?

Dear editor,

The Juvenile Justice Act (JJA) was revised in 2018, representing a significant step forward in Guyana's approach to handling children in conflict with the law This legislation emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment, diverting children/youth away from petty crimes, which lead to a more productive life for our youngcitizens.TheJJA2018 aligns with international child rights standards, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and other global human rights frameworks. However, while the law in Guyana seeks to create a more childfriendlyjusticesystem,there remains a need for greater

public awareness and consistent implementation throughallstakeholders.

The JJA 2018 defines a childasanyoneunder18and sets clear guidelines for the treatment of juveniles within the justice system. Through projects like DRIVE, juveniles who have committed petty crimes are

supported by diversion programs,rehabilitation,and reintegration into society rather than being subjected to punitive measures

Children and youth who have committed serious crimes are accommodated through government facilitieswhichprovide

(Continue on page 6)

What data informed Mr. Ali's decision to make such a pronouncement?

Dear Editor,

I read, with interest, an articlerelatingtoanoutreach led and hosted by President Irfaan Ali on Saturday, March 29, 2025, in La Grange, WBD. During the event,itwasstatedthatthose who had applied for house lots before January 1, 2025, would receive provisional lettersbySeptember2025.

Upon reading this, I conducted a deep analysis of the current situation facing the government with regard to housing. The government was quite ambitious when it announced the provision of 50,000 house lots within its five-year term. However, it is clear that the government lacks a strategic policy or plan to address the persistent housing issues that they inherited prior to May 2015. It is necessary to remind your readers that the Coalition Government inherited over 50,000 house lot applications. Therefore, when the Coalition Government demitted office in August 2020, there were approximately 40,000 pendingapplicationsonfile.

Housing is a basic necessity for human wellbeing, and while the government, through the CHPA, has a mandate to ensure every Guyanese has accesstoaffordablehousing, the PPP/C seems to believe that allocating a house lot is sufficient.

However, this cannot be consideredatruesolution,as

it is immeasurable. Many people who received allocations still face challenges in building their dreamhomes.

The PPP/C is not being truthful with the people of Guyana. The demand for housing is high, while the supply remains limited throughtheCentralPlanning and Housing Authority (CHPA), which relies heavilyontheGuyanaLands and Survey Commission (GLSC) and non-cultivated lands by GUYSCO. Rather than addressing these challenges, the government has chosen to deceive the people by playing on their emotionsregardinghousing.

Despite the Ministry of Housingandthegovernment boasting of having allocated over 41,000 house lots betweenAugust2,2020,and January 31, 2025, many individuals who applied as far back as the early 2000s are still waiting for a call, let alone an allocation I encourage you, Editor, to reviewthecommentssection of the Ministry's Facebook page or the respective Facebook pages of the Ministers involved Don't justtakemywordforit.

Now, let us focus on the latest pronouncements by Mr Ali regarding the issuance of provisional l e t t e r s W h i l e t h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t i s noteworthy, I have several questions that I hope will generate responses from Mr

Ali or the relevant Ministers atHousing:

1. I wish to remind Mr Ali that I have called on Minister Colin Croal on numerousoccasionstomake public (and disaggregate by region) the locations of the lands and the number of house lots allocated in each category This has not been done.

2 Regarding the provisional letters to applicants, in which areas aretheseallocationslikelyto occur?

3. What data informed Mr Ali's decision to make suchapronouncement?

F u n d a m e n t a l l y , something is amiss in the housing sector Why do I say this, Editor? If the PPP/C inherited 40,000 house lot applications when they took office in 2020 and allocated more than 41,000, then mathematically, they should have fewer than 30,000 pending applications on file, as it is highly unlikely that 20,000 new applications would have been submitted inanygivenyear

In conclusion, I publicly appeal to the people of Guyana not to be deceived by the PPP/C, who will dangle promises of house lots, money, and other incentives in exchange for your support for another five years. I urge you to open your eyes and see through thefalsepromises.

Yours truly,

Annette Ferguson, MP

Norton should remain leader of PNCR and Dr.Terrence Campbell the presidential candidate

Dear Editor,

I have been having various conversations and moving around on this matter, and I would liketopropose Dr TerrenceCampbell as the consensus Presidential candidate from the People's National Congress/Reform, but nottheleaderoftheparty

ERCaddressesrisingtensionsat Mohamed'scommunitymeetings

The Ethnic Relations C o m m i s s i o n ( E R C ) condemned the rising ethnic and political tensions within communities during meetings held by city businessman Azzrudin Mohammed across the country

Thesetensionshavebeen particularly evident in recent incidences in Letter Kenny, Corentyne Berbice, and Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast.

In response to the recent clashes between supporters of Mohamed and groups of protesters, allegedly led by members of the People's Progressive Party (PPP), ERC Commissioner Norris Witter explained on Monday that the Commission's intervention was prompted by a series of actions that unfolded during the meetings.

“One has to be with the altercation between the two groups by Lima and people by the other altercation, where there was actual physical contact, I think it

was Letter Kenny That is one group- the young Mohamed- and the other group was protesting against the Mohamed,” Witter told thispublication.

The commissioner specifically pointed out PPP activist Indira Jaffrally, who openly identified herself as representing the PPP, and who initiated a physical encounter between her and People's National Congress (PNC) supporter, Terrence Moore.

However, he pointed out, “ButitwastheLimaincident thatpromptedthatrelease.”

He said a cautionary statement has been issued in an effort to de-escalate the tensions.Shouldthetensions persist, Witter said appropriate actions may be taken. These actions will be considered if the behavior of theindividualisperceivedto violate laws such as the Racial Hostility Act or the Representation of the People Act.TheERCfirstrelatedits concernsinaletterpublished in Monday's edition of

Kaieteur News, calling for unity among communities andpoliticalparties.

The Commission said it was aware of the rising publicdiscourse,bothonline and offline, which is contributingtodivisiveness.

The letter stated, “As such, the ERC denounces all acts that seek to undermine peace, respect, and understanding in our nation,” further reminding citizens to “act with restraint and engage in constructive dialogue, regardless of politicalaffiliation.”

Stressing that history has shown how hostility and divisiveness can harm the nation's harmony, the Commission called on leaders and supporters of all politicalpartiestoupholdthe principles of peace, unity, and respect for diversity, emphasising that political discourse should never be allowed to cause ethnic divisionsorconflict.

“The Commission remainscommittedtoits

(Continue on page 16 )

Diversion through the Juvenile Justice...

From page 5 rehabilitative and diversion

programs, including counseling and supervision by a Probation Officer or ChildCareOfficer

So, Mr Norton would remain the leader oftheParty,inadditiontowhateverportfolio he may hold in the Coalition government, while Dr Campbell will be the Presidential candidate.

Sincerely,

CitizenAudreyanna Thomas

Agriculture very much on PPP/C's...

From page 4 land to put into cultivation. We can create a massive number of jobs, investment opportunities, and also an agro-processing zonerighthere.” TheVPexplained,“Weare going to have discussions with Suriname, because we need the infrastructure to move theproduct.

Even if they are processing there, using the CorentyneRiver,wehavealreadyengagedin those discussions.” The future beckons as Guyana has the space, personnel and an enablinggovernment. Iseenoobstacleinthe realizationofthisAgroIndustrialHub.

Yours truly, Hargesh B. Singh.

The Act introduces alternatives to detention, including community service, probation, and restorative justice programs. These measures recognize that children's behavior is often influenced by social and economic conditions, and that punishment alone is insufficient to address the root causes of delinquent behaviour. A fundamental aspect of the Act is the establishment of specialized juvenile courts and procedures. Children must be provided with legal representation and treated with dignity throughout legal proceedings. The Act also mandates that law

enforcement officials receive specialized training to interact with juveniles in a manner that is ageappropriate and respectful of theirrights.

The more critical factor t o d i v e r s i o n a n d rehabilitation is family support for the child/youth during these processes While many children have some level of support, it's

c l e a r t h a t m o s t children/youth who are engagedinjuvenileactivities and/or serious crimes lack adequate parental care and adult guidance. In fact, it's evident that most young people who have adequate parentalcareandsupervision are far less likely to engage injuvenileactivitiesandmay never get involved in serious crimes.

Therefore, it is important that families whose children are engaged in juvenile activities and serious crimes make the effort to maintain these connections with the youth, as this is crucial in ensuring that children/youth receive the necessary support during legal and formal psychosocial support proceedings.Inthediversion and rehabilitation process, children/youth who have beenexposedtopettycrimes and/or serious crimes are engagedthrougheducational programs, literacy programs for early school dropouts, CXC classes for those who qualify, robotics classes, and gardening activities through variousagencies.

Over the past two years, ChildLinK has conducted awareness sessions in several communities and schools to prevent youth

crime Discussions with young people about the risks and long-term implications for their dreams and aspirations have revealed a significant level of neglect by families, communities, andfaithorganizations.

Youngpeopleneedmore mentors, champions, and consistent guidance within t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n d communities to help them lead productive lives. Ultimately, the effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act is not just about protecting children's rights but also about fostering a society where young people are given the opportunity to learnfromtheirmistakesand becomeproductivemembers of their communities A justice system that balances accountability with compassioniskeytoshaping asaferandmorejustGuyana for future generations Alongside this, a more c o m p r e h e n s i v e collaboration am

stakeholders is critically needed to create lasting changeforthemanychildren and youth exposed to and engagedinjuvenileactivities andcrime.

Yours sincerely, ChildLinK Guyana

Jordan back in court on misconduct charge for lands sold to BK

Former Minister of Finance under the APNU+AFC Coalition, Winston Jordan, appeared at theGeorgetownMagistrates’ Court on Monday to answer to a misconduct in public officecharge.

The charge, which dates backto2020,waspreviously dismissed in 2023, but was reinstated in 2025 by the Special Organised Crime Unit(SOCU).

Jordan, who was accompaniedbyhislawyers, Dawn Holder-Cush and Roysdale Forde, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

The charge alleges that between February 25, 2020,

and June 11, 2020, while serving as Minister of Finance, Jordan “willfully misconducted himself” by acting recklessly when he signed Vesting Order #69 of 2020 According to the charge,theordervestedover five acres of land situated at Plantation Goedverwagting andSparendaam,EastCoast Demerara, valued at $150 million, for a significantly reducedpriceof$2,425,000.

Thelandwasreportedlysold toBKMarinesLimited,with the sale described as grossly under-priced. The charge further stated that Jordan’s actionsamountedtoanabuse of public trust without reasonable cause or justification.

Jordan was not required toenterapleaatthisstage.

During the proceedings, SOCU’s prosecutor did not objecttobailbutrequestedit besetatasubstantialamount and for Jordan to report to SOCU’s headquarters monthly

However, Jordan’s attorneys said the case was politically motivated. They referenced the case’s previous dismissal by Magistrate Leron Daly and ChiefJusticeRoxaneGeorge intheDemeraraHighCourt.

“It is obvious that this caseispoliticallydriven.He continues to be prosecuted, asisanyonewhoopposesthe

government,” Forde told the court. Holder-Cush also argued that Jordan should not be considered a flight risk and criticised the reporting conditions, dubbingit“embarrassingfor the former Finance Minister.”

The attorneys also informed the court that Jordanisscheduledtoleave Guyanaformedicalreasons between May and June 2025

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Azore granted Jordan $150,000 bail without any reporting conditions. The next court appearance is set for April 23,2025.

Following the court

session, Holder-Cush

addressedthemedia,stating, “Mr Winston Jordan, a former Minister of Finance, is a man of good character

Former Finance Minister

Winston Jordan at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court

He’s been charged yet again with an offence he was dischargedfromtwoyears

Continued on page 15

Man dies after vehicle crushes head ...suspectstill

A2

e, Berbicelabourer tragically lost his life Saturday evening, after he was run over by a vehicle, which crushed his head and caused other injuries about hisbody

The dead man has been identified as Tameshwar Mangru, called “Brian” Police reported that at around 00:58h on Sunday, ranks ventured to the scene, where they saw Mangru lying motionless, with a crushed head and what appeared to be brain matter s c a t t e r e d o n t h e Lesbeholden, Black Bush PolderPublicRoad.

The victim was clad in blacklongpantsandablack jersey

“Thebodywasexamined forfurthermarksofviolence, and it was observed that his

Tameshwar Mangru called “Brian”

left hand appeared to be broken, a wound to his left sideneckareaandbruiseson his left hand,” police reported.

Mangru’s body was picked up and taken to the Mibicuri Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was later taken to Ramoo’s Funeral

Parlour, where he was identifiedbyarelative.

Further examination at thefuneralparlourfoundtwo circularpuncturewoundson the left side of Mangru’s neckandshoulder

“Thebodyalsodisplayed injuries consistent with beingrunoverbyavehicle,” thepolicereportstated.

Several persons in the area were contacted and questioned about the incident.However,nouseful information was obtained. Ranks also canvassed the area for any closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras that may have captured footage, but none were found.

The suspect who allegedly drove over the victim is yet to be apprehended.

Investigations are ongoing.

Former AFC member wanted for fraud

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for a 67-year-old man, for his connection to obtainingbyfalsepretense.

Wanted is Neilson McKenzie, whose last knownaddressisLot8Water

S t r e e t , A g r i c o l a , Georgetown. Police stated that he committed the fraud between March 7, 2022 and October 3, 2023. Anyone who has seen McKenzie or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the nearest police station.

Wanted: Neilson McKenzie

Meanwhile, the Alliance for Change, in a statement, highlightedthatMcKenzieis

not a member of the AFC, noting that in October 2023, he resigned from both the party and his position as a councillorforRegionFour AFC asserted, “He had resigned from the party to pursue other work opportunities. We wish to express that he is no longer affiliated with the party in any way whatsoever, and is entitled to be presumed innocent of whatever allegations have been made against him; until or unless found guilty by a court of competentjurisdiction.”

Freedom of Information is a myth

Ionce thought

F r e e d o m o f

Information meant you could, well, access informationfreely Sillyme It turns out Freedom of Information is a lot like dieting—everyone claims it works, but when you try it, youendupstarving.

Recently, a group of wellmeaning, energetic protestors assembled outside the Office of the Commissioner of Information, demanding greater transparency Admirable effort, except they may as well have been protesting the rain for being wet. The problem is not the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information. The problem is that we exist in a system where information is guarded like the last known recipeforCoca-Cola.

There was a time, long ago, when a humble government worker could walkintoanoffice,demandto see their own personnel file, and actually be handed the folder Nowadays, such a request is met with a blank stare, a bureaucratic smirk, and an invitation to submit an official request, which will be forwarded to a committee that meets once every four years, assuming a quorum is met, and assuming, of course, that the request is not deemed a threattonationalsecurity So, if an employee can't access their own file without hiringalawyer,imaginetrying to get information about, say, government spending, oil contracts, or why a bridge that was supposed to cost $10 million suddenly costs $200 million You can submit a request, but that's just the beginning of a process designed to ensure you forget why you wanted the information in the first place. When Guyana passed

a Freedom of Information Act, some people foolishly celebrated They thought they were getting a shiny new key to the gates of knowledge What they actually got was a decorative, oversized key to a door that doesn't exist.The government, ever so generously, granted the people the right to request information while also equipping itself with an arsenal of reasons not to provide it. And the most popular excuse? National security.Themerementionof national security sends shivers down spines and slams filing cabinets shut faster than you can say "redacted." Want to know how public funds are spent? Sorry, that's a matter of nationalsecurity.Wanttosee anoilcontract?

That might compromise the economic integrity of the State also known as national security Want to know why it took six months and25milliondollarstofixa singlepothole?Classified.

Butlet'ssayyousomehow manage to request the right information, phrased in exactly the right way, addressed to precisely the right department (because if yousendittothewrongone, it disappears into a black hole) You still have to contend with administrative delays The Act doesn't promise a timeframe for responses, which means your grandchildren might receive an official letter sayingyourrequestis"under consideration " And even if—by some miracle—they do respond, the information provided is usually so redacted that it looks like a classifiedCIAdocument

Dem Boys Seh...

The law is often so vaguely worded that it immunizes the executive from any meaningful consequences.

If you don't get the information you asked for, whatcanyoudo?Sue?

Good luck with that By the time your case reaches court,theinformationwillbe so outdated that it will be of historicalinterestratherthan practicaluse.

Here's the truth no one wants to admit: Freedom of Information laws don't create transparency; they create the illusionoftransparency

They allow governments to pat themselves on the back for their "commitment to o p e n n e s s " w h i l e simultaneously perfecting the art o f w i t h h o l d i n g information.

WhatGuyananeedsisnot an imitation of Western legal frameworks What Guyana needsisafundamentalcultural shift one where public officials feel free (or, dare I say, obligated) to release public information without requiring a court order, divine intervention, or an i

e e x p l a i n i n g w h y transparencyisimportant. If the government were truly committed to openness, we wouldn't need a Freedom ofInformationAct

The irony is that the very existence of such an Act suggests that information isn't free at all; it's something you have to beg for, and even then, you might not get it. Instead of wasting time on a law that serves as little more than decorative wallpaper, we should be fostering a culture where transparency is the norm, not the exception. Until then, if you really want to know what's

Therealkickeristhatthere is no serious way to hold the government accountable for refusing to release information

Yuh Laugh Today, Yuh Cry Tomorrow

Dem boys always seh, “Do suh nah like suh,” but some people never learn. Dem love to laugh when people fall down, but whendemtumble,isanationaltragedy Yuh see de same man who laugh when he neighbor gat problems? De next week, he getmoreproblemsthanhecanhandle.

Dem got one fella who used to mock he friend when he bicycle get thief. “Yuh shoulda chain it to yuh waist,” he tell de man, laughing till he belly hurt. But two days later, when somebody disappear wid he car battery, he start hollering like a sopranoindechoir

Dem boys seh yuh must be careful how yuh laugh at people, because karma does keep receipts Yuh laugh when yuh coworker get lock out he own house, but nextweek,yuhkeylostandyuhsleepingin

going on in the corridors of power,yourbestbetremains theold-fashionedway:listen carefully at the rum shop, pay attention to the security guards who overhear everything, and always, always, check who just

de dog kennel. Yuh joke when yuh cousin get a bad haircut, but next time yuh barber turnyuhintoaporcupine.

Some people believe dem invincible. Demseh,“Notme,Iuntouchable!”Butlife is a great equalizer—today yuh laughing, tomorrow yuh looking for sympathy So next time yuh see somebody in distress, instead of giggling like a hyena, lend a hand. Or at least, pretend to feel sorry till yuhreachrounddecorner

And remember, who de cap fit, let dem wear it... but make sure it not too tight, because head swelling with pride does makeyuhdropfaster!

Dem boys seh, mind how yuh laugh, becausedejokedoesalwayscomebackpon yuh. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

mansion on a public servant'ssalary

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

H@RD TRUTHS

Trust who- Jagdeo? Why trust any of them?

PPP General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo gets betterbytheday Itismyjoy to say that today What an extraordinarily dedicated leader he is, that he leaves the honeypots of GT and travelstothebarrenoutlands of Babu Jaan to honour Dr Cheddi Jagan? One doctor remembering another doctor, a real one. GS Jagdeo went to the heart of thegathering. Elections.

It is seizingthemoment. I recall a man trying to interest me in life insurance in a New York Funeral Home. It was on the day of my mother's departure from this earthly vale. Time and place, all wrong; bordering on the blasphemous Likewise, there was the GS with his foaming red tide of raucousness: Elections. He was just warming up, for then Dr Jagdeo trotted out a

strange, dangerous trump card. He spoke of trust. Trust him- may I ask, the man must be joking, right? Relative to elections, three other questions become one. Trust-whototrust,whytrust one party more than the other, why trust at all? It is where my brother Jagdeo and I part company May it not be a parting of Cain and Abel.

Vice President Bharrat

Jagdeo uses the word trust. Straightup,flushintheface: Givemesomethingtograsp, some littlesomethingto vest my trust in with his PPP as government, as ruling party I lower the bar Just as a clean, pristine political party I lower the standards for Dr Jagdeo specifically From his record- former Minister, former Head-ofnd State, the current 2 Vice President, and present national leader without compare- my plea, my position cannot be simpler Give me something to trust in thee, my brother I regret immensely that when I seek the thinnest morsel of trust from him, to detect it in him, there is nothing. Nothing to invest precious trust in him. Empty-handed, I am. Some said he is out to lunch. Others say that he is over his head relative to trust. Still others note that whenever the issue of trust comes up, Dr Jagdeo usually loses his focus, his footing (and his memory). The brackets are used for emphasis, to highlight his grave shortcomings in the departmentoftrust.

Dr J waxed dazzlingly and at length about the f a i l u r e s , h e n c e untrustworthiness, of the PNC. Man, that was such a low standard that it dies prematurely Because, let this be said clearly and sharply, the Opposition has notmanifestedwhyitshould be trusted any more than Jagdeo's tricky PPP Don't tell the African man, Indian man, and Indigenous man

about it afterwards. Tell them by showing them that the PNC (or AFC) can go up in the face of Exxon's commanders here (andinTexas),andsaythisis what Guyanese must have, or else…. It must be said now, not what is promised to bedoneayearfromnow,and then within the first 100 days. That's 100 years into the unknown and the untrusted.

Mr (sorry, Dr.) Jagdeo had himself promised, committed, swore, about whathewasgoingtodowith thatgoddamnedoilcontractthatinfernalbeastfreedfrom thegatesofhelltodevourthe dreams of my people, fellow Guyanese. My people, ah, Dr Jagdeo, I could be a competitor GS Jagdeo took an oath before all Guyanese and said trust me, I will fix the Exxon contract, I will be about honest governance, I will be about clean leadership. Well, my fellow Guyanese (and my fellow Americans and Europeans [pardonthelatter]),whatdid Jagdeodeliveronthosethree counts? What is tricky, or what is trustworthy? Indeed, trust has gone underground, shoved there as though it is some incestuous secret to be kept awayfromGuyanese.

When Dr Jagdeo d e l i v e r s o n h i s commitments, he would be the first man I would trust. Because he has fouled his own chances of embodying trust at some minimal level, anylevel,thenheamountsto the last man in Guyana that I

would trust. In the world even, since Donny Trump, Benny Netanyahu, and Nari Modi are ahead of him. The only one that Bharrat Jagdeo emerges in front of, where trust is concerned, is Nicholas Maduro. Jagdeo has had his opportunities to prove how much he can and must be trusted, and look what he did. Permit me to share a few: IDPADA-G farce and calumny; Wales gas-to-energy secrecy; reality and diminishment of the presidency; Thursday afternoon assaults and batteries (elsewhere, those would qualify as felonies); Exxon's tax receipts Whither trust then, VP Jagdeo? Howcananyonebe sorecklessastotrust?

I want to trust former Head-of-State,Jagdeo. The others across the political spectrum also Give me something, the tangible, the valuable that not one can challenge or deny

This is not about who to trustmore. Itisaboutwhoto trust at all. I could be a believer in and supporter of Bharrat Jagdeo, the leader The man must first manifest what is trustworthy Not even totally, for I will take marginally How I see it, callit.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

Freedom of Information is dead

If the Government of Guyana were truly committed to openness, we wouldn’t need a Freedom of Information Act and citizens would not have to protest in the sun for this. The irony is that the very existence of such an Act suggests that information isn’t free at all; it’s something you have to beg for, and even then, you might not get it. Instead of wasting time on a law that serves as little more than decorative wallpaper, we should be fostering a culture where transparency is the norm, not the exception.

Until then, if you really want to know what’s going on in the corridors of power, your best bet remains the old-fashioned way: listen carefully at the rum shop, pay attention to the security guards who overhear everything, and always, always, check who just bought a brand-new mansion on a public servant’s salary.

New $449.6M magistrate’s court opens at Friendship

Residents along the East BankofDemeraranowhave easier access to justice f o l l o w i n g t h e commissioning of the new Friendship Magistrate’s CourtonMonday

The court will serve some 18,267 residents from Craig to Long Creek, covering legal matters for approximately31percentof thepopulationalongtheEast Bank corridor Previously, manypersonshadtotravelto courts at Providence or Diamond/Golden Grove, which was costly and timeconsuming.

Already, more than 200 cases have been assigned to the new courthouse. The $449.6 million facility was constructed by Romano BuildersInc,andisequipped with a courtroom, magistrate’s chambers, and living quarters for magistrates and clerks Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, saidtheopeningofthecourt

alignswiththegovernment’s broader investments to ensure equitable access to justice.

He noted that there are now over 50 court facilities countrywide Magistrates’ courts have also been c

y, Vigilance, and Mahdia Construction is progressing ontheSoesdykeMagistrate’s Courtandthe$489millionLa

Magistrate’s Court Work is also underway on the $253

ma Magistrate’sCourtinRegion One. Minister Nandlall also announcedasimilarcourtfor Tuschen. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment toensuringeverycitizenhas access to justice, regardless oftheirlocation.

“The administration of justice is crucial to a civilised society…We have now exc

A section of the gathering at the opening ceremony of the new Magistrate’s Court at Friendship, East Bank Demerara

c o n s t r u c t i o n o f magistrates’ courts where they traditionally existed.

We are now at a phase where we are building magistrates’ courts in areas where they never existed before…What morecanagovernmentdo

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall (2nd left) assisted by other officials, unveils the plaque signaling the opening of the new Friendship, East Bank Demerara Magistrate’s Court

Two remanded for robbing Chinese national

A laborer and landscaper were remanded to prison on Monday after pleading not guilty to a robbery under armscharge.

The defendants, 20-year-old JoshuaKreigofLot57‘T’BentStreet, Georgetown, and 34-year-old Navin CamachoofPigeonIsland,EastCoast Demerara (ECD), appeared at the GeorgetownMagistrates’Courtbefore Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Kreig and Camacho allegedly used a knife to rob a Chinese national, Can Ming Su, of $25,000 cash and a car remote control worth $35,000; a total valueof$60,000.

The incident occurred on March 26, 2025 at Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown.Theprosecutionobjected to bail, noting the nature and seriousnessoftheoffenceaswellasthe long-lastingmentalimpactitwillhave onthevictim.

The duo will return to court on April14,2025.

to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring access to justice for all its people wherever they are located?”MinisterNandlall stated.Hesaideverycourtis now equipped with technological systems to record testimony, improving efficiencybyeliminatingthe

need for magistrates to take longhandevidence.

ActingChancellorof the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, described the court’s opening as a significant step inadvancingjusticeservices for residents. Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane

Success Neighbourhood Democratic Council,ShannazRahatalso attendedtheevent.(DPI)

Construction worker dies two years after falling from building

Thirty-six-year-old construction worker Rahbindra Chandradat died on Monday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC),almosttwoyearsafteraworkplace accidentlefthimparalyzed.

Chandradat,ahusbandandfatherofthree, of Better Hope Centre Ground Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), fell approximately 20 feet from a building at a worksite in Turkeyen, on May 1, 2023.The fall resulted inabrokenback,leavinghimparalyzedfrom thewaistdown.

Speaking to Kaieteur News on Monday, Lisa Jaikarran, Chandradat’s common-law wife of 19 years, shared heart-wrenching detailsleadinguptoherhusband’sdeath.She explained that on March 14, 2025, Chandradat was admitted to GPHC due to severe bedsores, a painful injury caused by prolonged pressure on the skin and underlyingtissue.

“WhenIgoandseehimthismorning,he passed away When I went around 6 o’clock inthemorningandIgoup,Istandupoutside alittlebitandthenthenursecomeandtellme thatRahbindrapassedaway RightnowIfeel sadthathepassedaway Ihavethreekidswith him,”shesaid.

Reflecting on their final moments together,Lisarememberedherlastvisittoher husband on March 22, 2025, revealing that theconversationwasfilledwithjoyandhope for full recovery “Last week Saturday he askedtobuyappleforhimandheeat. Wesit down and we gaff. He asked to see his three children and said he want to live for his daughters,”shesaid.

Jaikarranspokeabouthowshemanaged to care for her husband after the accident,

despitethechallenges “Iusedtotrytohelp him because he had bedsores I did everythingforhim Icookedforhim,”she said

She also shared that Chandradat was expectedtoundergoasecondsurgerytohelp him regain mobility, but unfortunately, the cost was too expensive, and the family receivedlittletonohelpsincetheincident.

She described the pain her family has endured since the accident, and how dealing with Chandradat’s death has only deepened that sorrow “When I told my kids that their father passed away, they were so sad. They wantedtocry,butItoldthemeverythingwill bealright,”shesaid.Jaikarran,whocurrently works as a cleaner at a nursery school, expresseddeterminationtocontinueworking hardforherchildrenandtobebothamother andafathertothem.

George; Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Registrar of the Supreme Court Sueanna Lovell; Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram, and Chairperson of theCaledonia/Good

Dead: Rahbindra Chandradat

Joshua Kreig (left) and Navin Camacho at the Georgetown Magistrates’Court

Foreign companies dominate bids for Phase II of Wales gas project

An artist’s impression of phase one of the GTE project

TheGovernmentof G u y a n a h a s received seven proposals for the design, finance and operation of the second phase of the Gas-toEnergy(GTE)Project.

The bids which were opened on Monday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office saw companies and consortiums from countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United Arab Emirates, Guatemala,PuertoRico,and a lone firm from Guyana all vyingforthecontract.

According to the tender opening, the bidders are:

Emirates); consortium –ENKA UK Construction

Limited and Onex Holding

SCS (Luxembourg); Andalusial Energy (United States); J&L Supplies GuyanaInc.(Guyana);CXL Solutions LLC, and LSI Group Sociedad Anomina (Guatemala); CH4 Systems LLC and Lindsayca CH4

G u y a n a I n c (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico); and consortium – LS EngergiaInc.,Controlmatik, E S E S e

and Carlos Caballero (Florida, USA).

The project is being u n d e

n b y t h e government through the OfficeofthePrimeMinister

(OPM) This publication understands that the prime minister’sofficehadissueda tender for the project last year, but discarded that notice and issued a new and updated tender earlier this year

In the new tender, the government revised the number downwards with respect to gas that will be available daily for the project, as well as the expected Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) to be produced. It has, however, increased the electricity generation expected to be producedfromPhaseTwoof thegasproject.

According to the document, the government

Local content summit billed for next week

MBW and Prestige Management Consultants (PMC), in partnership with the Local Content Secretariat through the Ministry of Natural Resources, is set to host the third annual Local Content Summit next weekTuesdayattheMarriotHotel,Kingston, Georgetown.

Thesummitwillbeheldunderthetheme “Collaborate. Invest. Build: Let’s Shape GuyanaTogether”,organizerssaidinapress release.

The Summit’s opening plenary will include His Excellency, President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli as the keynote speaker The Summit lineup will feature speakers from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Local Content Secretariat, and Attorney Chambers. Speakers from Business Support Organizations will come from the Private Sector Commission, Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Women in Energy

Speakers from the Oil and Gas Industry will include representatives from ExxonMobil, SBM Offshore, SLB, Baker Hughes,andHalliburton.

A major focus of the summit will be to provide attendees with practical guidance to identify and navigate the process of establishing strategic partnerships, joint venturesandconsortia,withaspecialpanelof successfulbusinessmenandwomenwhowill share their experiences and strategies for successful joint ventures. These discussions

will be instrumental in helping local businesses understand the intricacies of forming effective partnerships and navigating the challenges that come with them.

According to the release, many forwardlooking companies have invested in supportingthisimportantforumassponsors, including ExxonMobil Guyana which has partnered with the organizers to sponsor the attendanceof75womenwhohavecompleted empowermentandcapacity-buildingtraining programs.OtherkeysponsorsincludeSispro Inc., Brava, Bono Energy, Stena Drilling, Beacon Cafe, Shield Construction, Bourbon Guyana, Deep Ocean, Rafeek & Moore CustomsBrokerageandLogisticsFirm.The organizers extend their sincere appreciation for the support of these companies while noting opportunities are still available for additionalsponsorstocomeonboard.

Further information on the agenda, speakers,aswellasregistrationandticketing information can be found on the event w e b s i t e : www.localcontentsummitguyana.com

The summit is being organized byAnita Ramprasad, (CEO of Prestige Management Consultants) and Abigail Loncke-Watson (CEOofMBW).

Its agenda is poised to take a deeper and realistic look at the challenges, key improvements and opportunities in oil and gas,aswellasthenon-oilsectors.

will be securing from ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL),70million cubicfeet(MMCFD)ofrich gaswhichitintendstousein another Integrated Power PlantandNGLfacility

The previous RFP indicated that an additional fivemillioncubicfeetofgas per day would have been available.

Nevertheless, it noted that interested firms will be requiredtodesign,construct and operate a 300 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant to deliver 2,600 gigawatt hours (GWH) of electricity per annum. The power will be sold to the GuyanaPowerandLightInc (GPL) via a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

In its previous RFP, government requested a 250

MWpowerplant.

Additionally, phase two of the GTE project includes the design, construction and operationofanNGLfacility to produce at approximately 5,800 barrels per day (bpd) of NGL products (propane, butane, and C5+), utilizing 70 MMCFD of “rich gas”. Thisisareductioncompared to the previous RFP, which anticipated 6000 bpd of NGLs. The contractor will be expected to transfer to the government, at no cost, excess “lean gas,” estimated at up to 20 MMCFD, for utilisation in downstream industries, for example, fertilizer production, to be locatedatWales.

According to the office, “phasetwowillbelocatedon no more than 100 acres of

land, immediately adjacent to the existing 300 MW integrated facility The project will be owned and financed100percentbythe private sector, under a project finance structure, which will design and construct the integrated facilities, to a standard and specification that meets and or exceeds that of phase I of theGTE.”

Itnotedtoothatinvestors w i l l r e c o v e r t h e i r investments from the sale of electricityviaa20-yearterm PPAatapriceperKWHand monetisation of the NGLs. At the end of the PPAterm, thefacilitieswillreverttothe GOGatnocost.

Phase II of the GTE project will enjoy the same fiscal incentives as the first phase.

Barber gets bail after discharging loaded firearm

A 22-year-old barber of Albouystown, Georgetown, who was previously charged with two counts of discharging a loaded firearm, appeared via zoom at the Georgetown Magistrates Court, before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Monday

Shakeem David was represented by attorney-at-law Stacy Goodings, who requestedthatherclientbegrantedbail.She told the court that her client was informed thatapoliceofficerwasathisplaceofwork searching for him in relation to a shooting. She said her client, upon arrival, was made aware of the offence, swabbed, and taken intopolicecustodyfordischargingafirearm.

Theprosecutiondidnotobjecttobail,as itwasunpreparedforthecourt’sproceedings duetotheabsenceofthecasefile.

Magistrate Azore granted David bail in the sum of $100,000 for each of the two charges.Heisscheduledtoreturntocourton May12,2025.

David was charged for discharging a firearm at Matthew Layne and Deandre Linton on March 20, 2025 at Alleyne and Sussex Streets, Charlestown, Georgetown. Hepleadednotguilty

The prosecution told the court that the defendantisnostrangertothelaw,ashehas apendingrobberyunderarmsmatterbefore thecourtforwhichheisonbail.

CEO of MBW, Abigail Loncke-Watson (left) and CEO of Prestige Management Consultants, Anita Rampersaud

Shakeem David

No deal yet with APNU, AFC

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) are still locked in talksasthetwosidesironout the details of a possible union, ahead of this year’s NationalElections.

Sources close to the negotiations told Kaieteur News on Monday that the discussions were “positive”.

While the two sides remained tip-lipped on the nature of agreements tied so far, this newspaper understands that negotiators shook hands to extend the previously agreed timelineMarch 31- for a final decision on the future of a Coalition between the parties.

Importantly, both sides haveexpressedawillingness toaddressdifferencestojoin forces against the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government

Following a meeting between Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton and Leader of the AFC, Nigel Hughes on Monday morning, Norton informed the media that the door was not closed to a Coalition.

Leader of the Opposition and PNC/R, Aubrey Norton

He said, “Basically what wehaveagreedtoisthatthe AFC will put their recommendations or their positionsinwritingandthen we will meet to address them.Icansaytoyouthatwe haven’t closed the door on Coalition.”

Meanwhile, Hughes commented, “I think the talkswereveryuseful.Hope is alive and kicking and we look forward to further engagements.”

According to a wellplacedsource,“Thetalksare ongoing and nothing is agreed to until all is agreed. The APNU and AFC are political partners that both

AFC

Leader, Nigel Hughes

wantwhatisbestforGuyana andwewillcontinuetowork hard for an accord that respects both sides and accepted by all sides Guyanese are depending on us and we must deliver to them.”

On Sunday, the AFC announced that it will only agree to coalesce with the APNUifitagreestoa60-40 split, where the AFC will hold40%ofthegovernment positions.

Accordingtoastatement fromthepoliticalgroup,this decision, among others, were made by the party’s National Executive Committee(NEC)onMarch

Sophiamanstabsself

– says he wants to ‘meet his maker’

LastSunday,a38-year-oldmanwhowas under the influence of alcohol, stabbed himselfintheabdomenaftersayingthathe wantedto‘meethismaker’.

Police identified the man as Earl Benjamin of Section ‘B’ Sophia, Greater Georgetown. His injuries are labelled as critical at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation(GPHC).

According to police reports, Benjamin “reportedly inflicted the wound on himself sometime Sunday evening at ‘C’ Field,

Sophia.”

Reports indicate that Benjamin was undertheinfluenceofalcoholatthetimeof the incident and, prior to the self-inflicted injury, had voiced his intention to end his life.

Emergency services were called to the scene and Benjamin was transported to the GPHC by emergency medical technicians (EMT), accompanied by his brother, TrentonBenjamin.

Policeareinvestigatingthematter

Jordanbackincourtonmisconduct...

Frompage8 ago.Afterthat,theDPPwenttothehighcourt seeking to have him arrested and charged under Section 72 of Chapter 101. The Chief Justice, after hearing all submissions, said it wasawasteofjudicialtimebecausethecase hadnomerit.”

Forde added that the charges were “withoutmerit.” “WewouldexpecttheCourt todischargeMr Jordanfromthesechargesas it did before,” Forde said. “Mr Jordan acted as a statutory officer, as required under the law There’s no basis for any imputation of personalwrongdoing.”

ThisisnotthefirsttimeJordanhasfaced legal proceedings in connection with public funds.Hemadehisfirstcourtappearanceon December 2, 2021, when he was arrested on several allegations involving the transaction of State properties. In one case, Jordan was accused of approving the sale of the State’s largest wharf facilities, located at Kingston, Georgetown,valuedatapproximatelyUS$40

30,2025.

The AFC also decided thatthePartyfromwhichthe Presidential Candidate is named, shall not be permittedtonominateand/or occupy the position of the LeaderoftheListandfinally that its Party Leader Nigel Hughes shall be the Party’s Presidential Candidate, in keeping with the earlier

unanimous decision of the NECinJanuaryofthisyear OnJanuary21,2025,the A P N U s i g n e d a M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding (MoU) with the AFC to explore the possibility of coalescing in the upcoming Elections, to be held later this year This collaboration represents the firstphaseofapotentialtwo-

phase approach to the upcoming elections. Phase Two will focus on developing the necessary arrangements, institutions, and mechanisms to govern effectivelyandefficientlyas a unified entity postelection.However,theMoU stipulates that if no agreementisreachedby Continued on page 16

million, for a significantly reduced price of US$500,000.

It was alleged that the purchaser, BK MarinesInc.,paidonlyUS$100,000(10%of the purchase price), and Jordan issued a vesting order, transferring title to the purchaser without any further payment. Investigators also revealed that the vesting order indicated the property was being sold freeofencumbrances,althoughthepurchase price had not been fully paid. Further investigations suggested that a similar property,muchsmallerinsize,hadbeensold privatelyforUS$17million.

Jordan’s legal team has maintained that his actions were in line with his duties as FinanceMinisterandinaccordancewiththe lawgoverningtheprivatisationprocessofthe National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). The defence argued that there is no personal wrongdoing on his part and that the charges against him lackmerit.

WANTED VACANCY

Selling your house lot or unfinished building, give us a call : 216-0671 / 692-8464 or WhatsApp 622-0267.

Truck drivers & welders with mechanical idea & Handy boys. Living accommodation provided. Call : 627-5043 / 639-1315.

We repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call Omar: 654-9711/ 6838734.

Need a grocery shopper, ship chandler or visa application preparer: USA, Canada, UK ETA. 626-7040.

House plan drawing, Estimates, Grubbing of land and Sand filling K.Lakeram Building Contractor. Call 216-0671 / 692-8464 or Whatsapp 622-0267.

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge,air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, tv, microwaves & freezer. Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

2.2 Acre Land at Garden of Eden second Dam E.B.D Opposite GPL Plant 7 Houses on on the right. Contact : 647-2473 / 266-5777

Three bedroom flat house for rent in Diamond. Contact: 679-2406 / 693-9843.

One bedroom apartment for couple or single person. $50,000 monthly, water & free wifi included. Call: 7577371

FOR SALE

Small Farmers mini Tractor, complete plows - coutock plows. Cantact : 624-0646.

Pure breed Rottweiler. contact 639-2828 for more information.

General Domestic, Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 4 day work.

One (1) painter needed. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2. Call: 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com

Kitchen assistant needed. For more info Call: 676-5534 / 618-3696.

AM/ PM cashiers, sales representative, shelf restockers, porters & bond Clerk. Contact: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com.

Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 645-8443.

One Counter Staff between 18-25 years, One person to bake & make roti and puri from 6:30 - 8:30. Call: 501-4769.

Handyman to work 2 days per week. Call: 621-5140.

Males & Females to work at a wash bag in Campbellville, 8am-5pm. Shift available 10am7pm. Call: 604-1980/ 669-4676.

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Sales Representatives. Tel# 226-2621.

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Factory Workers. Tel# 226-2621.

Vacancy at Dyna's Embroidery & Screenprints: We are hring Jr. Accountant. Tel# 226-2621.

TOURS

Suriname Tours- Easter weekend tour to Suriname. WhatsApp/ Call: 639-2663 / 673-2348 for more info.

‘Mohameds have a right to contest elections’

…but

WPA says yet to examine whether it would partake in a coalition with them

Co-Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds, said that his party is yet to examine whether it would partake in a coalition that includes the Mohammeds. He, however, made it clear that his party has no control over who does or does not join the coalition.

Dr. Hinds was asked directly if his party would support the leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, or the leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton, if they should decide on a partnership inclusive of the Mohammeds. He explained that there is no council within the coalition members that can make a decision to admit or not admit persons into it. However, his party has not yet studied this possibility with the businessmen, and the way forward if it occurs.

“We have not studied that, and I suppose there is a lot of sensitivity around the Mohammeds. The fact that they have been sanctioned by the United States of America is a factor that is being taken into consideration, and we have not studied what our position would be if the

Mohammeds (has an interest)…because we have not gotten any hint at the moment that the Mohammeds are even prepared to contest the election, and much more that they’re prepared to contest as part of the Opposition Coalition,” Dr Hinds said.

He went on to say that, should this become an eventuality, then the WPA will definitely have to deliberate on it within the realms of the party before a decision on their participation is taken. Dr. Hinds said that as far as he knows, and from the understanding of the party members, there is nothing that prevents the Mohammeds from contesting the elections in Guyana.

“They have not been sanctioned by the Guyanese government, and we don’t know that economic sanctions disqualifies an individual or a group of individuals from contesting elections. So, we do not want to sit here and to pass judgment on the Mohammeds and to say that they are entangled with the United States and certain alleged actions. We do not want to sit here and pass judgement and say we would not participate in Guyanese elections,” he told the media.

Furthermore, Dr. Hinds explained that, from the party’s reading, the Mohammeds have every right as any other individual or group within society to participate. However, “given the controversy arising out of the sanctions by the United States, we would want to discuss it. Discuss the pros and cons within our party before we arrive at a decision of potentially participating in a coalition in which they are

LAND FOR SALE

& Bent St. Contact Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One Unregistered Nissan X-Trail 2016 model, Mode Premiere. Call : 649-0956.

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, crash, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.

Leyland DAF truck for sale. Contact: 676-6165 / 693-9843

a member.”

He reiterated that they are not disregarding the sanction against the businessmen, but they “respect the right of the Mohammeds as Guyanese to participate in Guyanese elections. We have not seen anything that lawfully prevents them from participating in Guyanese elections… as it relates to us participating in a grand coalition in which they are participating, our party has not discussed it, and we would have to discuss it and make a decision one way or the other.”

Meanwhile, on Sunday, while responding to claims that the Mohameds’ family is aligned with the APNU-AFC, through Mr. Nigel Hughes,

Team Mohamed’s said in a statement, “This is nothing more than a deliberate attempt to manipulate reality. Mr. Hughes had previously stated that he was sought in a professional capacity to represent the Mohamed family on a legal matter. Yet, the Government has seized this opportunity to twist the facts in an attempt to push its own agenda.”

Moreover, Team Mohamed’s said it was deeply troubling that the President of a developing nation, Irfaan Ali, has chosen to amplify unverified claims rather than addressing pressing social and economic challenges. “Guyana continues to (Continued on page 17)

ERC addresses rising tensions at Mohamed’s...

From page 6 mandate of promoting ethnic harmony and stands ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure national unity,” the letter stated.

It continued, “We urge all Guyanese to reject inflammatory rhetoric and behaviour that could heighten tensions, and instead work toward

strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and national unity. Let us move forward together, upholding the values of peace, respect, and understanding as we promote harmony and good relations.”

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has already condemned the actions of the PPP activists, warning that such tactics could undermine citizens’ rights and create a negative atmosphere ahead of the elections. The party also criticised the absence of police presence during the protests, urging the Police ommissioner to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights to peacefully assemble and engage in political discourse.

No deal yet with APNU, AFC...

From page 15 March 31, 2025, to proceed as a coalition, the agreement will end, and no coalition will be formed.

In Phase One, both parties have agreed to collaborate on a common Campaign Political

Platform (CPP). If they reach consensus on the CPP, Phase Two will address the coalition’s governance structure (CGS) and electoral strategy. The MoU outlines several key priorities for preelection agreements, including the creation of a comprehensive political work programme, coordinated public relations and communication efforts, and an integrated fieldwork approach.

Craig (30 acres) Friendship EBD 85x213 ft, Yarrowkabra and long creek Soesdyke Highway

Businessman, Azrrudin Mohamed during a recent meeting with residents in Berbice

Co-Leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)

Dr. David Hinds

Hydromet office predicts “long wet season”

…urges stakeholders in agriculture, disaster management to be prepared

T h e Hydrometeorological

Service of Guyana on Monday issued a public

a d v i s o r y, u r g i n g stakeholders in agriculture, disaster management, and other critical sectors to implement preparedness measures to minimize the impact of the expected weather conditions over the April-May-June (AMJ) 2025season.

According to the advisory, near-normal to above-normal rainfall is expected across most regionsofthecountryduring thisperiod.

The Hydromet office explained, “The transition intothelong-wetseasonwill bring increasing rainfall totals, with significant accumulationexpectedfrom May onward. WhileApril is typically a transition period, the possibility of intense rainfall events and localized floodingremainshigh.”

These conditions may have notable implications for agriculture, water resource management, and disaster preparedness

e f f o r t s C h i e f

Hydrometeorological

Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings highlighted the importance of citizens, farmers, and policymakers remaining vigilant and takingproactivemeasuresto

prepare for and mitigate potential risks associated withincreasedrainfall.

He said, “We encourage all stakeholders to stay updated with our forecasts and advisories to make informeddecisions.”

The forecast for the period includes -normal to above-normal rainfall, with an increasing likelihood of heavy downpours toward and onward of May The Hydromet office said this can potentially lead to flooding in flood-prone

areas. Heavy rainfall events are also possible throughout themonthofApril.

The temperature outlook for the period is expected to be warmer than usual in the daytime, while nighttime temperaturesareexpectedto benearaverage.

Consequently, the Hydromet office said, “The agriculture sector should prepare for waterlogged fields and reduced access to farmlands, while disaster response agencies should remain alert to the potential

‘Mohameds have a right to contest elections’...

Frompage16 facesignificantissues,includingincreasing crime rates—such as armed robberies, carjackings, and gender-based violence alongside inadequate public sector wages, limited police capacity, corruption, and lack of access to quality healthcare and potable water in hinterland communities.

These are the matters that demand national attention, not baseless speculation,” Team Mohamed’s said.The statement went on to note that in an age where social media exposes the truth for all to see, “it is now clearer than ever that the PPPGovernment feels threatened. With so many Guyanese living below the poverty line, struggling to afford basic needs and necessities, it is shamefulthatthegovernmentresortsatthis

timetospreadingmisinformationinsteadof addressingtherealissuesfacingthepeople ofthisgreatnation.Wehavesaiditbefore, andwewillsayitagain—wearenotaligned with any political party. Time and time again, we have made this clear, yet false narratives continue to be pushed.The cries ofourpeoplecannotbeignored…theyneed assistance, they need someone to listen, someone to acknowledge their struggles. But instead of addressing these concerns, the Government chooses to weaponise the state’smachineryagainstus.”

It added, “In closing, we would like to reiterate the fact that, should Mr A. Mohamed decide to run for Office, he is compassionate, capable, confident, committed and competent to do so without theaffiliationofanyotherpoliticalparty.”

Two persons wade through a flooded street in Linden during last year’s rainy season

for flash flooding in vulnerableareas.”

Ithasadvisedallcitizens to stay informed by monitoring official weather updates through its website (www.hydromet gov.gy), social media pages, and mobile alerts Special attentionshouldalsobepaid to short-range forecasts and weather analyses provided by the National Weather WatchCenterforday-to-day

Service said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new

available.

Israel orders Rafah evacuation

…as it continues bombardment of Gaza

(ALJAZEERA) Israel has announced new forced evacuation orders for Rafah in southern Gaza, as the military said it plans to expand its renewed assault ontheenclave.

The military's Arabic language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, announced on X on Monday morning that the army was returning to “fight with great force” in Rafah, one of Gaza's largest cities, and surrounding areas He called on Palestinians to immediately movetoshelterinal-Mawasi on the coast. The area has regularly come under Israeli fire during the war in Gaza, despitebeingdesignatedasa “safezone”.

Shortly after the evacuation order, Al Jazeera Arabic reported that at least two people were killed during an Israeli attack on a

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli attack on a house in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, March 31, 2025 [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]

tent housing displaced people in the area. Last week, the United Nations humanitarian agency (OCHA) reported that

142,000 people have been displaced since Israel renewed its war on the enclave on March 18, breaking the fragile January

ceasefire. Gaza's Ministry of Health has reported that more than 900 people have been killed since the bombardmentresumed.That

hasraisedthedeathtollsince the start of the war in October 2023 to more than 50,000,itstated.

The October 7 Hamas attack on southern Gaza killed 1,139 people, and about 250 were taken captive, igniting the Israeli onslaught.

GrimEidcelebrations

Israeli attacks have continued to rain down on GazaasPalestiniansobserve Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. On Sunday, the first day of Eid, at least 64 Palestinianswerekilled.

By Monday morning, the situation in Gaza had the same grim outlook, with at least nine people having been killed in Israeli attacks. Reporting from Deir elBalah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera's Hind Khoudary

explained that in Khan Younis,theothermaincityin southern Gaza, Israeli forces have attacked “at least seven housesofdifferentfamilies”.

“There has also been endless artillery shelling in the central parts of the Gaza Strip,inNuseirat,andalsoin the area very close to the Netzarim Corridor,” she said, adding that explosions were heard in Deir el-Balah, andthreefarmerswerekilled inthearea.

In Beit Hanoon, northern Gaza, children who once celebrated the joyous occasion of Eid are now spending the holiday in fear

“We're too scared to go near the beach in case the Israelis shell us,” Wissam Nassar told Al Jazeera Hussein Alkafarna added: “We don't feelanyjoythisEid.Wecan't get new clothes, never mind theconstantfearwelivein.”

Trump is now planning a splashy 'Liberation Day' announcement. What he'll say is still up

(CNN) For weeks, President Donald Trump has promoted April 2 as “LiberationDay”inAmerica, when a number of massive tariffs will be announced to fulfill the administration's ambitious economic agenda Theplanhaslargelyremained amystery,however,asTrump and his administration have floated a number of constantly changing and conflicting proposals Now we know a little more about whattoexpect

A very little bit: We now know how it will be announced Maybe

Trump will unveil his tariff plan on Wednesday in his first Rose Garden press conference of his second term, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday The cabinetwillbepresentforthe event,shesaid

“Wednesday, it will be LiberationDayinAmerica,as President Trump has so proudly dubbed it,” Leavitt said. “The President will be announcing a tariff plan that will roll back the unfair trade practices that have been ripping off our country for decades He'sdoingthisinthe

best interest of the American worker”

But Leavitt did not provide any details about whatTrumpwouldannounce She suggested, as Trump has said repeatedly, that the president could announce reciprocal tariffs Wednesday, matching other countries' tariffsdollarfordollar

L e a v i t t n o t e d astronomically high tariffs some countries charge for American products, such as a 250%tariffCanadahasonthe books for American dairy products Although those numbers are often high on paper, they're tariffs that are probably never charged because nations with ultrahigh tariffs import very little fromtheUnitedStates

Still, Leavittsaidthehigh tariffs are unfair for Americans, and the United States should charge the same,inkind.

“This makes it virtually impossible for American products to be imported into thesemarkets,andithasputa lot of Americans out of businessandoutofworkover the past several decades,” Leavitt said “So it's time for reciprocity, and it's time for a

president to take historic change, to do what's right for the American people, and that's going to take place on Wednesday”

Leavitt said it is ultimately up to Trump to decidewhattariffstoimpose He and his advisers have contradicted themselves over the past days and weeks as they have tried to set expectations about what wouldbeannouncedonApril 2 Everythingfromreciprocal tariffs on all countries, the enactment of delayed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada,andtariffsonlumber, copper, pharmaceuticals and microchips have been proposed Trump has already announced auto tariffs that are set to go into effect on April3

But at various times officials and the president have thrown cold water on their own tariff plans. They have suggested, for example, tariffs on various industries and products could be announced as late as June. Last week, Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal reported reciprocal tariffs on just a handful of countries would go into effect And

President, Donald Trump

Trump last week said the tariffs he plans to announce Wednesday would be “far more generous” than what other countries charge the UnitedStates

But on Air Force One Sunday, Trump said his reciprocaltariffswouldbeput in place on all countries as a starting point and then he'd negotiate them down if necessary LeavittonMonday said Trump continues to discuss plans with his team “He has a brilliant team of trade advisers,” Leavitt said Monday, listing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Com

Howard Lutnick, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, trade adviser Peter Navarro, senior aide Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance “All of these individuals have presented plans to the president on how to get this done, and it is the president'sdecisiontomake,” Leavitt added Navarro on Sunday said he expected the United States could raise $600billionayearfromtariff revenue, which would amount to the largest tax increase since World War II However, that math is dubious, because tariffs are designed to shift Americans'

purchasing behavior to buy products that are made in the United States and avoid paying tariffs Also, as economists expect tariffs to hike costs for a large number of products, some inflationwearyAmericans may curtail their discretionary spending and avoid paying tariffs on goods they're no longer buying Thatcouldultimately hurt the economy Tariff threats have sent consumer sentiment plunging in recent months, and Wall Street analysts at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan have said the oddsofaUSrecessionareon therise

SportsMax - Cricket WestIndies(CWI)President Dr Kishore Shallow has moved to shed light on the decision of long-serving West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite to officiallystepdownfromthe role, opening a new chapter for the regional side as the teampreparesforthestartof the ICC World Test Championship cycle against Australiathissummer

DirectorofCricketMiles Bascombe revealed that CWI will not name an immediatesuccessorasthey willneedmoretimetoselect asuitablecandidate.

In a press conference on Monday, Dr Shallow revealed that Brathwaite first indicated his intention to step down during the recent tour of Pakistan PresidentDrShallowshared that Brathwaite had initially

planned to make the announcement before the secondTestbutwasadvised to wait for a more appropriatetime.

“Kraiggisaphenomenal individual, an exemplary captain and ian nspirational leader,” said Dr Shallow

“He told me he wanted to give more to the team by focusing solely on his batting. I convinced him to postpone the announcement

until the timing was better for him, the organization, andthenewTestcoach.”

Brathwaite went on to lead the team to a historic victory in the final Test against Pakistan West Indies’first Test win in that countryinovertwodecades.

“I want to thank Kraigg profoundlyforbeingthetrue leader that he is,” Shallow said.“Heisfullycommitted tocontinuingasaplayerand hasassuredmehehasafew moreyearsleftinhistank.”

Tuesday April 01, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

You may feel a little out of sorts today, Aries. Perhaps you indulged a bit too much last night. However, some excitingphonecallsatmidday might perk you up, perhaps good news from a friend or colleague.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Your hard work is finally paying off, Taurus. A phone call bring good news to you. You should be filled with a new sense of optimism, enthusiasm,andhope.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You'reahardworker,Gemini, withagoodbusinessheadand strong practical sense. However, success in the past few weeks might have you thinking about doing somethingmoreinnovativeto earnyourmoney

CANCER(June21–July22)

Some strange phone calls might come your way, perhapsfrompeopleyoudon't know Investments in real estate, particularly the home, shouldpayoffnow

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

A long-awaited and very welcome call from an older friend might finally come your way today, Leo. News that a goal you've been working toward has finally been reached could come as well.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Thenearfuturelooksgreatfor you, with auspicious omens for success and good fortune regarding career and money

All the hard work that you've doneinthepastmayfinallybe payingoff.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today's celestial energy could findyoumakingplanstotravel for pleasure or possibly business. A young friend or relativemightaccompanyyou. You're likely to accomplish whatever you hope to on the trip,Libra.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Financial benefits may come your way through channels you'veneverdreamedof.This could have to do with investments, settlements, or insurancebenefits.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A friend might approach you with the idea of forming a partnership, and even propose drawing up a tentative agreement. This is definitely somethingworthlookinginto, Sagittarius.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Youcanlookforwardtoanew sense of purpose and higher morale, Capricorn. Ambition, diligence, and a lot of hard work could pay off now You could soon be raking in the benefits.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)You can look forward to a new sense of purpose and higher morale, Capricorn Ambition, diligence, and a lot of hard work could pay off now Youcouldsoonberaking in the benefits. You're feeling strong,

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)

If you've been thinking of buying a new home, Pisces, thisisanexcellenttimetodoit. Surprising developments might clear the way for you. Success through investments ofanykind.

Frompage24 only muster 158 after 40.1 overs elapsed, with Elisha Ramdat (43), Nicholas Lovell(24),DarwinJoseph (21*) and Bhomesh Lall (18)carryingthebatting.

Rambagged3-21ashe continuedtogrowasaparttime bowler while spinner Dave Mohabir (3-27) and Munesh Outar (2-16) lent ideal support on their way tovictory

Brathwaite is currently just two Tests shy of 100 appearances. Shallow added, “I suspect the selectors may give him that chance.I’mnottwistingany arms, but whenever he gets to that milestone, CWI will be right there celebrating withhim.”

In related governance developments, Dr Shallow alsoannouncedthatCWIhas moved forward with recommendations from the WehbyReporttorestructure itsboardcommittees.Aspart of these reforms, the total number of committees has beenreducedbyfour Key among the changes isthemergingoftheFinance a n d C o m m e r c i a l Committees into a single body “We found it difficult to optimize resources when finance and commercial werediscussedinisolation,” Dr Shallowexplained.

Additionally, the Officiating and Venues

Committee has been incorporated into the broader Cricket Committee, chaired by Director Enoch Lewis “We continue to identify areas to strengthen ourgovernanceandimprove efficiency,”Shallownoted.

Dr Shallow also

c o n f i r m e d t h e reappointment of all four independent directors, including Deborah Coyle Patton, Diane Campbell, and Louise Victor Frederick, praising their contributions and the diversity of perspectives theybringtotheboard.

T h e P r e s i d e n t concluded his comments with an assurance that CWI’s annual report and a u d i t e d f i n a n c i a l statements would soon be published online, offering full transparency on the o r g a n i z a t

governanceoverthepast12 months.

name,notmuchcamefrom thebattingorder

Only the late flurry from the unbeaten Persaud who kept his cool during thelatestages,helpedpush D

psychological 150-run mark while staving off the likes of Joseph and Nurse intheprocess.

Apart from Apple who hit four fours in his almost run-a-ballknockandLewis who faced 44 balls with three boundaries to his

Demerara followed up their massive 177-run win over the Select XI on Sunday with another convincing win, ahead of their final match against Berbice on Wednesday at LBIGround.

Windball Cricket Reg. 4 EBD Jagans Memorial underway

Teams assembled prior to the start of play for the opening ceremony. (ASTP)

PlayintheRegion4East

B a n k D e m e r a r a , MCYS/NSC, A. Munroe

Organised Janet & Cheddi Jagan Memorial Windball Cricket got underway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport ground at Timehri. Several teams recorded victories in the latest round ofthecountrywideevent. In results of the matches

playedinthatzone:

Girls:-

Soesdyke Secondary battedfirstandmade21-3.

C o v e n t G a r d e n Secondary 22-1 in 1.5 overs inreply

Camille’s Academy 303. BowlingforYarrowkabra SecondaryVianneyJaundoo 2-6.

Yarrowkabra replied

with 32-1 off 2.3 overs with SusanPatterson16.

S e m i f i n a l s a w Yarrowkabra Secondary 761withVianneyJaundoo38. Friendship Secondary turn in the middle were restricted to 43-0, Jasmin Vyphus13.

IntheBoysdepartment:SoesdykeSecondary521, Kyle Persaud 26,

Part of the Region 4 East Bank Demerara Janet & Cheddi Jagan memorial Windball Cricket action played at the

ground. (ASTP)

AlexanderPersaud14. Camille’sAcademy53-3 with Darwin La Rose 24, Yuvraj Bhagwandin 17 DevonSinghtook2-12. Friendship Secondary 66-0,RavinSingh37,Tyson Nicholas 18 Dora Secondary 46-3 in reply,

Tryia Estado 20, while R. Singhtook2-2. Yarrowkabra Secondary hit 50-3, Leon James 16, JohnBartholomew12.

C o v e n t G a r d e n Secondary 52-1, Vinesh Kalpoo32. In the Semifinal,

Diamond Secondary mustered 49-4, Anek Haimnarine made 19, while Yuvraj Bhagwandin took 28 Camille’s Academy replied with 55-1 off 2.5 overs, Darwin La Rose top scored with 31 & Bhagwandinscored19.

GCB U17 50-Over Inter- County Tournament Round 2…Demerara vs. Essequibo

All-round Demerara keep win-streak

alive with 14-run victory

Demerara completed a 14-run win over Essequibo thanks to a good bowling exhibition led by Parmeshwar Ram with support from a few batsmen yesterdayattheLBICricket Ground.

Demerara posted a modesttotalof172alloutin 46 overs, carried by their young core featuring Emmanuel Lewis (33), inform Shamar Apple (28), opener Parmeshwar Ram (27),MarcelNandu(20)and DaneshPersaud,whoplayed arguablythemostimportant knockoftheteam.

Persaud carried the tail ashehitavital27off49with three fours which gave their team a respectable end

score,beforefallingtosome classy bowling by the CinderellaCountyboys. Spin twins Jathniel Nurse who claimed 3-16 from five overs and leggy Navindra Sankar, who chipped in with 2-34 and fast-bowler Darwin Joseph providedtheshotinthearm with 3-27, which helped to keep the opposition under 200. The Essequibians, who basically set up the game in their favor, misfired terribly losing 4 wickets with less than20runsontheboard. Intheendtheycould (Continuedonpage23)

Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Parmeshwar Ram Elisha Ramdat

2025 NSC/GGA National Long Drive Championship...

Rietema retains Title against stacked field

National Long Drive champPhilReitemaretained his title after some stiff competition on Saturday when the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) in

p

Commission (NSC) hosted their historic 2nd annual longdrivetournamentatthe GuyanaNationalPark.

For the first time since 1966, the unmistakable sound of a golf driver striking a ball echoed throughtheNationalParkon Saturdayafternoon.

U n d e r p e r f e c t conditions, with a strong Atlanticbreezeprovidingan extra challenge, Guyana’s topgolferscompetedforthe prestigious National Long Drive and Straight Drive Championshiptitles.

The event carried an international flair, with corporate tents, sponsors feather flags, a giant replay screen, a luxury car display by Ansa Motors, and complimentary beverages and snacks provided by Guyana Beverages and Sunshine Snacks The partnership between the GGAandtheNSCaswellas the Ministry of Culture, YouthandSportbrokesome new ground as with several major sponsors coming aboard.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninville, congratulated the winners and acknowledged the players who traveled from Regions 2, 3, 5, 6, and

10 to participate “The government of Guyana is placing renewed emphasis on developing nontraditionalsports,andweare delightedtoseegolfgrowing in popularity. With

Essequibo claiming three titles and Berbice securing four, it is clear that golf is now a truly national sport,” hestated.

The Men’s Division saw ExxonMobil’s John Colling leading with an impressive 294-yard long drive, while Roy Cummings set the straight drive benchmark at 268yards.Competitorssuch as Dustin Spivey (256 yards), Rakesh Harry (292 yards), Videsh Persaud (272 yards)and Munaf Arjune (289 yards) fought hard to challenge the leaders, but it was ‘Big’ Richard Hanif who surged ahead with a 304-yarddrive.

The excitement peaked when 13-time Guyana Open Champion Avinash Persaud stepped up. He electrified the crowd with two massive shots, reaching 318 yards and seemingly poised to claim the title. However, defending champion Rietema was yet to take his turn.

Rietema, who also representedExxonMobil,hit his first drive some 297 yards, but he adjusted his approach and delivered a staggering 328-yard shot, reclaiminghislead.

Persaud’sfinaleffortfell just one yard short at 327

yards, securing Rietema’s secondconsecutiveNational Long Drive Championship title Following the tournament,Hussainpraised the increasing participation of young players and women “Thanks to the immense support from the Ministry of Sport, the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission, and our corporatesponsors,wewere abletoprovidefreeaccessto this event, making it even more rewarding We anticipate that the 2026 NationalChampionshipwill be even bigger and better,” said Hussain. Hussain also extended heartfelt gratitude to key organizers and partners, including Mr. Parmanand Persaud, Mark

Berbice Cricket Board U19

Inter club competition begins today with several matches

BySamuelWhyte

InpreparationfortheupcomingU19inter County cricket Competition the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) will today commence theirinterclubU19cricketcompetition.

The competition will be called the BCB/Orvin Mangru U19 Contracting ServiceCricketCompetition.

The teams have been divided into a number of zones with the top two teams in eachzoneemergingtotheknockoutstage.

The BCB has also released a number of rules which clubs are expected to observe rigidly Players participating in the competition must be born on or after 1st September 2005. The games will be of 50 overs duration and will be played using colouredclothing.

Matches are expected to begin at 09:30hrsandtossisexpectedtobespunnot

later than 09:15 hrs. If the captains are not presentatthetoss,theywillforfeittherightto thetoss.Teamarrivingmorethan15minutes late will have that similar amount of time added to the scheduled close. Teams are allowedtohaveatleastonenonBerbicianin theirlineup. Protestswillnotbeallowedon umpiringdecisions.

Teams wishing to utilize the services of umpires, must make contact with the umpire’sassociationatleast48hoursbefore the start of the game. Winning teams are requiredtosubmittheirmatchreportstothe BCBorit’srepresentativesintheirareas.

Teams are also expected to provide their ownlunches.Teamswinningagamewillbe awarded 12 points. In cases where the matcheshavebeenwashedouttheteamswill beawarded4pointseach.Whererulesarenot statedICCruleswillapply.

effortsinmakingtheeventa success.Specialthankswere given to Star Party Rentals, Guyana TV Network, Caliper Drones, Al Wilson Photography, Travelers Sound System, and Playerz Sound System for their essential roles in executing theeventflawlessly

The organizers extend their gratitude to the Ministry of Sport, the N

Tourism Authority, Pegasus Hotel, Suites & Corporate Center, Ansa Motors, Guyana Beverages Inc , Toolsie Persaud Ltd , P

, Roraima Airways, Darthan Investments,the Protected Area

C

Lewis,WalterRodneyofthe NationalPark(PAC),andhis dedicated team Watson Stafford, Bala Vinjimoor, Philip Haynes, Sammy, Dustin, and Steve Mohitram—fortheirtireless

mmission, Sunshine Snacks, Guyana Payroll Solutions Inc , Shangri-La Gardens, Puran Bros, Sterling Products Ltd, Ramchand’s Auto Parts, Digicel Business, Balance Waitstaff, Monnaf Arjune

Construction, WS Cooling Solutions, Quality Print Services, Trophy Stall, S

, P

an SecurityServices,Madewini GardensPools&EcoResort, Nexgen Golf Academy, Guyana Breweries Inc., and WestsideGolfCourse.

Final Scores- Under-13 Category: Boys: Arif Singh (Essequibo); Girls: Adina Arjune(Diamond) Under-17 Category: Boys Longest Drive: Kelvin L

(

; Straightest Drive: Jevon Cognet (Berbice) Girls LongestDrive:ChandaJohn (Berbice);StraightestDrive: NaomiGibson(Berbice) Women’sOpen:Longest Drive Cassandra Phillips (Essequibo), 2nd Mikaila Prince (Georgetown); Straightest Drive: Azumi Reece(Berbice). Men’s Open: Longest Drive: Phil Rietema; Straightest Drive: Avinash Persaud

National Long Drive champ Phil Reitema accepts his spoils from GGA president Aleem Hussain.

Supenaam All Stars successfully defend title in Guinness

Greatest of the Streets Essequibo

Zone championship

SupenaamAll Stars retained their title on the final night of the Guinness Greatest of t h e S t r e e t s Z o n e championship in Essequibo on Sunday at the Anna ReginaTarmac.

d Shooters 4-0 in the final

De

Nicholas McArthur both netted two goals for the champions as they cashed in on a top prize of $400,000 and a Trophy

$250,000 and a Trophy, while Ballers took home

$100,000forthirdplacein

attracted16teams

All Stars had beaten Ballers2-0toadvancetothe final, while Shooters advanced with a 3-1 victory over Road Runners in their semi-finalencounter

In the quarter-finals, Ballers crushed Rising Stars 5-0, Shooters made light work of Henrietta Veterans 4-0, Road Runners got the better of Dominators in a penalty shootout and All

Stars took care of Notorious 4-0.

Prizes were presented by Banks DIH Essequibo B

Lalbachan Narine, Brand Manager Jeoff Clement,

n KissoonlallandCoordinator DamienFortune.

The next leg of the championships will take place in Linden next month

Berbice hosted the opening championship for 2025 three weeks ago in NewAmsterdam

ExxonMobil Guyana, Linden Inter

Schools Football Tournament launched

New Era Entertainment has launched the third edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Linden Inter-

S c h o o l s F o o t b a l l Tournament, which begins on April 4th at the Wisburg SecondarySchoolground.

Mr Ryan Hoppie, Community Relations Advisor of ExxonMobil

Guyana said at the launching,“We’reexcitedto be part of this initiative again Over the years ExxonMobil Guyana has b e e n s u p p o r t i n g

programmes that focus on youth empow

ment through sports, enhancing sport facilities, and national a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l tournaments.Sportisvitalto our lives; it teaches us teamwork, discipline, resilience,andbringspeople andcommunitiestogether.” The tournament will feature Wisburg Secondary School, ChristianburgWismar Secondary School, Mackenzie High School, New Silver City Secondary, Linden Foundation S

Secondary School, Linden Technical Institute, and Harmony S

dary School Teams will be divided into two groups of four for a round robin phase and the two top teams from each group will advance to thesemifinals. The winning team shall receive $400,000 and a trophy, 2nd place $200,000 and a trophy, 3rd place $100,000 and a trophy and 4thplace$50,000.Allprizes

will b

t

kens or enhancement work for the school to the value mentioned.

Wainwright Bethune, President of the Upper Demera

ball Association commended New Era Entertainment and ExxonMobil Guyana for theircommitmenttofootball a n d c o m m u n i t y development, and ensuring the sustainability of the tournament. In his remarks to players, he said “This competition has been an

intensive rivalry over the past two years and with the same commitment and discipline displayed previously we look forward to the same level of competition and the support ofthefans.”

Dawn Mc Cammon Barker, District Education Officer in Region 10, representing the Ministry of Education, reminded the players, “You are not only representing yourselves, but you are also representing your school and should

continue to display high levelsofdiscipline.”

Matches will be held on April 4th, 5th, 9th, 11th, 18th, and the 20th at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground. Games will also be played on April 12th at the Kwakwaniground.Thefinal willbeheldonApril26that theWisburgschoolground.

Additional information on the event can be had by contacting Aubrey Major (Jr.), Director of New Era Entertainment on Tel 592691-5460.

Part of the action between Supenaam All Stars and Shooters in the final of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Essequibo Zone championship.

Supenaam All Stars claim the grand prize after beating Shooters in the final of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets Zone championship in Essequibo.

Roger Callender elected President of the GBBFF following Electoral AGM

The Guyana Body

building and

F i t n e s s Federation (GBBFF) held their electoral Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday last, at Olympic House at XXX Liliendaal,

G

n, Demerara, Guyana. Roger Callenderwasvotedinasthe Federation’s President after defeatingIntiazSatar20-4in the voting that ensued after theirnominations.

Callenderwillhaveashis Vice President Coel Marks, with the other executive members being General Secretary Romelton Siland, Treasurer Shemina Peroune, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Intiaz Satar, Organizing Secretary Tariq Dakil, Executive Director KeavonBess,and Executive

Commit

Members Kerwin Clarke, Yusif Khan, Anthony Mclean, Errol

T

Ramsammy, Dwayne Mars andOmarSatar.

Themeetingcommenced with the Registration of the persons on the List of Eligible Voters; followed by a Call to Order; Treasurer’s Report; President’s Report; Elections of Office Bearers andAnyotherbusiness.

The President and Organizing Secretary both thanked the bodybuilding and fitness fraternity for the opportunity to serve and to deliveronpromisesmade.

The Returning Officer was Olivia Bess, Attorneyat-Law

After election and under any other business Videsh Sookram was appointed an Honorary Life Member of the GBBFF The new President of the GBBFF delivered his thank you speech just before the meetingwasadjourned.

GCB U17 50-Over Inter- County Tournament Round 2…Berbice vs. Select XI

Ramdehol half-century, bowlers hand Select XI 32-run defeat XI

Romario Ramdehol led his team with bat and chipped with a few wickets.

A composed halfcentury from skipper /allrounderRomarioRamdehol coupled with sterling performances from his men withtheball,gaveBerbicea 32-run win over the Select XI yesterday at the Transport Sports Club Ground.

Ramdehol continued to solidify his name as one of the best all-rounders under the age of 19 in Guyana, leading the Berbicians with a run-a-ball 65, with five sixesandfourfours.

The Select XI folded under the pressure of clinical bowling from legbreak spinner Feaz Baksh whostarredwith4-20,while the talented Ramdehol returned with 2-19, both from their respective ten overs.

Thierry Henry (17), Nathaniel Ramsammy (17) and Shane Prince (14) hung aroundbeforetheireventual demise but were integral in the XI crossing the three figure mark on the way to 125 all out after 44.1 overs, after the Berbicians never took their foot off the gas duringdefendingtheirsmall total.

The third and final RoundissetforWednesday from 9:30 hours with Demerara playing the Berbicians at LBI Ground. (CR)

Ravin Boodwah (18) and Adrian Hetmyer (10) were among the double figures scorers who helped the Ancient County team post their 157-10 in 35.5 overs Right-arm pacer Dennis Crossman snared 432 without completing his quota of 10 while left-arm spinner Gibraon Yacoob claimed3-27withoff-break spinner Richard Ramdehol bagging3-31.

The newly elected office bearers of the GBBFF following their elections on Sunday.