...more than 400,000 people who rely on UN-supplied meals will be affected, WFP warns
tells
‘Autopsy postponed’ ...asfamilydemandsindependent pathologist,observers
Protests expand to OP, Leonora Station Cops sweep for evidence after fire at hotel
amid Israeli blockade Man accused of abducting Adriana Younge, loses contracts;
to sue Police Force Commander transferred over mishandling of probe
The new Oil Spill Billwhichwillbe tabled in the National Assembly on Monday,willaddressfulloil spill liability by oil companies, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed on Thursday.
The piece of legislation willgivethegovernmentthe ability to comprehensively address the cause and consequencesofanyoilspill thecountrymayencounter Ongoing public debate questions how adequate the insurance is to cover an oil spill.Thefirstlinebeingthe US $600 million, and then a $2 billion parent company, and whether it should have been capped in the first place.
Jagdeo told the media that the new law will give full coverage as “there's no cap on the liability because you're responsible for cleaning up the spill, and you're responsible for the losses caused by…to the countryandtothepeople.”
He said there is also a mediation mechanism enshrinedwhereaboardwill be established with two representatives from the government and one from theresponsibleoilcompany Accordingtohim,ifaperson isdirectlyaffectedbyaspill andthereisaclaim,itcould beresolvedthere.
The vice president explained further, that it is notbindingtoeitherparty,as
it does not prevent them from,ortakeawaytheirright toapproachthecourttoseek recompense. “So, they can choose to bypass that mechanism and go directly to the high court, say a fisherman is affected they can go directly to the high court or they can go to the board.”
S h o u l d t h e recommendation or resolution of the board be agreeduponbybothparties, it becomes binding, Jagdeo stated. If at some point one partydecidesitcannotwork, the high court option remains.
“So, we put in place a mechanisminthelaworthe proposedlawthatwillallow people, our people, to seek recompense should they haveanyeconomicloss. And of course, the company would have to be responsible for cleaning up thedamagecaused,”thevice presidentadded.
Jagdeo stressed that since ExxonMobil has amassed substantial assets worth over US$10 billion, the government thought it necessary to make the companyresponsibleforany spill Guyana may have, “particularly in our territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone responsible for the cleanup and the consequences of, including people disruption to people'seconomicactivity.”
He reminded the media
that the legislation was p r o m i s e d a n d t h e government has been workingonitforsometime, to broaden the scope to includecompaniestransiting Guyana'swaters.
There was no law covering a spill caused by vessels, as there was a big focus on the environmental permits for operators and others in the oil and gas industry from a production perspective.
“But now the new law willgiveusthatcoverage,so we can hold responsible not just those who produce petroleum, but also those whotransportit,shouldthere beaspillcausedbyeitherof thetwoparties,”hesaid.
After months of delay, government said last week that it was tabling the Oil Pollution, Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility Bill 2025 in theNationalAssembly
The bill establishes a modern and comprehensive legal framework to prevent oil spills, enhance national preparedness, ensure timely and effective response, and hold responsible parties accountable for damages caused, the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported.
T h e p r o p o s e d legislation,referredtoasthe 'Oil Spill' Bill, was outlined by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC,
An18-yearoldwomanwasonThursday evening pinned to a wall and robbed at gun pointalongLombardStreet,Georgetown.
Sherry Mahadeo, an employee of StabroekNewsoflot2546ParfaiteHarmony, West Bank Demerara was robbed of her cell phonevalued$28,000and$5,000cash.
According to police reports, the incident occurredaround20:15hrs.Enquiresrevealed thatMahadeohadexitedaroute#31minibus onLombardStreetandwaswalkingalongthe samestreetwherethesuspectapproachedthe young lady armed with a gun. He appeared from a nearby shed on Leopold Street. “The suspect then took out a black handgun, pointed same at her and pushed her into the wall of a building and demanded she hand over her belongings which she did,” police said.
Public spirited citizens tried to help, but
the suspect made good his escape after proceeding east onto Leopold Street. Police confirmed that no shots were fired nor was anyoneinjured. “Thescenewasvisitedatabout21:45hrs byapartyofpolicemen.”Policewereunable toretrieveanyCCTVcameraandthesuspect has not currently been located. Several persons were questioned assisting with investigations.
during his weekly
programme 'Issues in the News'onTuesdayevening.
With the expansion of Guyana's oil and gas industry, a strong legislative system is needed to protect the environment and ensure everyone involved in petroleumactivitiesoperates safely,DPIsaid.
“This bill ensures that every person and or entity involved in any petroleum activities, including drilling, exploring, producing, storing, handling, transportation of petroleum products, oil and gas, et cetera, shall be held to the highest standards of operational safety and e n v i r o n m e n t a l responsibility.”
“The bill also enshrines liability for those who may be responsible for any form of oil spilling or any negligent oil operations that lead to damages of any kind,”heexplained.
The bill specifically protectstherightofordinary people or communities to take companies to court if their property, livelihoods, or the environment they
dependonisharmed.
The bill was crafted in keeping with international standards for the petroleum industry, reflecting its m o d e r n n e s s a n d effectiveness.
“You will recall that it took quite a while in preparation and that's because of its complex nature and because of the carethathadtobeexercised when treating with this bill.
Once the bill is laid in the National Assembly it wouldbecirculatedwidely,” MinisterNandlallnoted.
Back in December last
year, Jagdeo had expressed optimismthatthebillwould be tabled, despite telling reportersatoneofhisweekly press conferences that the Attorney General's Chambers had been “very delinquent” in completing the final draft of the legislation.
“I've been pressing them… they've been very delinquent at this but I've been pressing them to get this done, because we made certaincommitmentsthatwe want this tabled before the endoftheyear,”Jagdeohad said.
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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
China has made its position clear It is not taking any sideinGuyana-Venezuelabordercontroversy Inkeeping with its earlier call for noninterference by outsiders, and that dialogue between Guyana and Venezuela is of paramount importance, China took the opportunity to let Guyana,andtheworld,knowitsstandingpolicy
In the words of China’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Guyana, Huang Rui, “If you actually follow the Chinese foreignpolicies,allthosepolicies,aslongaspossible,you willsee,firstofall,weneverinterveneininternalaffairsof any nation. The second principle is we always respect [other countries] sovereignty and territorial [integrity], that’sall.”
On absorbing those carefully weighed words, many wouldconcludethattheChinesemindtheirownbusiness, nevercastcovetouseyesonothernations’territory. Orthat China is a model of self-restraint regarding how other countries conduct their affairs. Meaning, that it doesn’t stickitsnose whereitdoesn’tbelong. Whetherso or not, we think that the Chinese government, through its senior diplomat Huang Rui, is sending a nuanced message to America.
The veiled hint in the Chinese message is that the US has overstepped in Guyana, and has overplayed its hand withGuyanabeingthebiggestbeneficiary Venezuelahas been neutralized, asAmerica keeps up its direct pressures on the Maduro regime, while working through a Guyana thatisdeepinitsclutches,andonlytoogladforsuperpower backing.
AsecondmessagefromtheChinesecouldbecloserto home, which is to the Government of Guyana. In blunt terms,stoprelyingsoheavily,exclusively,onAmerica,and becarefulaboutprovokingVenezuelatoofarthroughsuch action. WethinkthatasmuchasGuyananeedsasecurity blanket, it has gone too far with the PPPC Government’s slavish surrender to America. With a view to the rate of Guyana’s dependency on its American champion, the leadersofthiscountryhaveallbutgivenuponanypridein national sovereignty and decisions that go into national self-determination. Fromeveryindication,Guyanaisnow exposed to Venezuelan backlash from what that country mayconsidertobeAmericanexcess.
Americanoverreach,asoriginatinghere,andopenly,if not excitedly, welcomed here. One aggressive move too many by friendly outsiders, and Guyana could find itself trapped in the middle of what is outside of its control. A stateofreducedtensionsandneighborlyrelationsaremuch desired, but both Guyana and Venezuela have to work without pause to achieve those. When outsiders get involved too deeply, and it could change the delicate balancethatexistsinthehemisphere.
Thisissomethingthatwewillsay,notwithstandingthe Chinese position on noninterference. Big powers like China and America have their range of interests, and the priority that they give them. Guyana’s leaders must be sensiblesoasnottobedrawninalmostwhollyontheside ofanysinglepower,orallowthemtomakeourchallenges theirbattles.
Big powers always have their strategic visions and national motivations, and China and America are no exceptions. China has a presence in both Guyana and Venezuela, so public neutrality helps it to balance its own interestsinatrickysituation. Itdoesn’twanttojeopardize itsinvestmentsherenorthere.
In fact, and as based on the way that the Chinese operate, the superpower from the East is most likely keen onbroadeningitspresenceinbothGuyanaandVenezuela. Therefore, it is in Chinese interests to keep both sides believingthatitistakinganonalignedandnoninterference approachtothelongstandingbordercontroversy Whybe toofriendlywithoneside,andriskbeingseenasanenemy bytheother
DEAREDITOR,
Today, like many Guyanese especially mothers, fathers and young people, we share the sorrow of the family ofAdrianna Younge, a pre-teen who lost her life under suspicious and the most troubling of circumstances, during what was supposed to be a funfilled day out with her family The accusations and clear mis-direction by officersoftheGuyanaPoliceForceare mostworthyofanindependentinquiry
ThisCommissionisonlytooaware
of the honoring in the breach by the Guyana Police Force in incidents involving violence against women and girls. As yesterday also brought the news of the horrific slaughter of the DeCruz women which too revealed a disconnect between reports and appropriate actions by enforcement agenciesleadingtoatragicendforthis family Thesedeaths,especiallythatofa child,arechillingineverywayandhave shockedthecommunitiesandthenation asawhole.Whatistobedonetoaddress
these profound failures of law enforcement?
WeattheCommissionundertaketo increase our vigilance, our advocacy and our voices to engage the many factors that underpin the lack of confidencein those who have sworn to serve and protect us all. We call on the administration to continue to make every effort to bring justice toAdriana Younge so those who are directly responsible and or who aided and abetted them in the killing of this child arebroughttojustice.
Women and Gender Equality Commission
What happened at Tuschen this week constitutes a straw that broke the camel’s back
DEAREDITOR,
Some months ago, I had cause to be in an establishment owned by a known businessman and supporter of the current administration We discussedmattersofconcern for myself and people generally I told him that no one in their right senses will want us to return to the Maginot lines, riots, and disturbances, which characterized Guyana in the early60s.
Butwithsomeamountof confidence, he said, “Mr. Green, don’t bother. This Government is confident that no set of circumstances can bring people out on the streetsagain.”Iaskedhimif he understood the significance of the story aboutthestrawthatbrokethe camel’sback.
First, in any democratic society,oursecurityforcesin
particular, the Police Force, mustbesoledandsoconduct itself that the general public irrespectiveofpoliticalparty loyalty must enjoy the confidence of our police force.
The leadership of a Police Force, particularly, in a relatively small but wealthy society must be led by persons and persons, not perceived to be Party loyalists.Theuniquemanner in which the current Leader of the Police Force was ordained, is of course well known.
We need not go into details of the importance of thequalityoftheHeadofan Institution Among those who wish young President Aliwell,calluponhimtoact bravely and in the national interest of the Cooperative RepublicofGuyana
We are getting fed up with pious pronouncements
toinvestigate.Icanfillpages with incidents under the watch of the PPP
Slaughtered young men, including the Bacchus Brothers, the Henry’s cousins torture and murder, Courtney Crum-e-wing, the unsolved murder, of one of their own, Min Satwadeyo Sawh, RonaldWaddle, three persons killed at the Wismar/McKenzie Bridge, thetworecentincidents,just a few weeks ago, the young man who died whilst in the careoftheMinistryofYouth & Sports, the mystery of Paper Shorts, are just a few Alllivesmatter What happened at Tuschen this week constitutesastrawthatbroke the camel’s back. The time for Platitudes, Promises and Pecuniarypalliativesisover.
Concerned citizens picketed againsttheCommissionerof Information and this is
trivialised in the same way when a Guyanese citizen of great substance, David De Caires, did a protest at the Arthur Chung Convention C e n t r e a g a i n s t discrimination of his newspaper we heard the samesoundofdismissal. What is happening at Tuschen, E B Essequibo mustbeawake-upcalltoset things right, also a wake-up call to the Opposition to be reminded of the old wisdom “United we stand, Divided we fall. Wemustnotfailour descendants.Theyexpect us tobeproverbialmenandnot mice, not to succumb to the glitter of a few dollars, and beconsumedbyawell-oiled, well-funded propaganda machinery
Tothosewhoareafraidto speak up do so, not to be guiltyofthesinofsilence.
HamiltonGreen Elder
DEAREDITOR,
Withjustacoupledaysto gobeforevotingonMonday, the general election in Trinidad and Tobago has no clear projected winner It is going down to the wire accordingtoreports.
There are closely fought seatsinTrinidadwithneither major party, PNM or UNC, having an unassailable lead in battleground or marginal seats.There is also a closely fought seat in Tobago Severalseatsaretossupsthat can go either way, and there could also be a couple of surprises This makes it
difficult to project a winner (in these swing seats and winningaminimumof21of the 41 sets to form government).
There is a half dozen other parties contesting the electionincludingoneledby Basdeo Panday’s daughter, Mickela and another party led by former HomeAffairs
Minister and Police
Commissioner Gary Griffith. None of the small parties, except those partnered with UNC, meaning all of their candidates, with will lose theirdepositsof$5000TT;a
Perhaps it may be too late, because Guyana has outsourced responsibility for its destiny Further, it is still unclear as to the degree to which Guyana and Venezuela fit into the Chinese blueprint. We think that the leaders of this countryhaveputitintoabind. Guyanesemaythinkthatthey have the best protection. But is it really for them? Noninterferencesoundsgoodonpaper,butwhoupholdstheir end of that commitment, when their ambitions are threatened?
candidate must win 12.5% votes to retain deposit Trinidad and Tobago, unlike Guyana,hasthefirstpastthe post system. Guyana has a PRsystemwithnodepositto contest a seat. As partisan voters’ comment, voting for the small parties is turning out to be a waste of one’s vote. Supporters of small parties view it as a way to r e g i s t e r o n e ’ s disenchantmentwiththetwo major parties. The support for the small parties could impacttheoutcomeinafew swingseats.
The main issues are the economy and crime with respondents generally favoringtheUNCoverPNM tohandleboth.
In terms of leadership rating, veteran UNC leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar is nowatherbestsince2015in terms of acceptance, favorability or likability,
popularity, and for Prime
Minister, a dramatic turnaround from recent years. Several former MPs, once critical of her leadership, have returned to campaigning for party candidates in marginals Kamla’s opponent Stuart Young has also galvanized his party critics to campaign for candidates in marginal seats. Voters say the newly mintedPNMleaderhasbeen charming voters and audiences on the campaign trail and in his TV appearances, mixing and mingling with voters everywhere. Young voters, including Indo Trinidadians as well as business people, includingIndos,areattracted to him. A section of swing voters also gravitates towardshim.
In terms of popular support,PNMhaslost Continued on page 5
DEAREDITOR,
In early January, media reports indicated that 2024 saw a 33% decline in
domestic v
nce homicides, crediting initiativesbytheMinistryof HumanServicesasplayinga role in this reduction. These initiatives are definitely needed, but the question needstobeasked,howtruly effective are they, and by what standard is this perceivedreportedreduction celebratory?
Four months into 2025 and our nation continues to be gripped by femicide These are not isolated tragedies, it is a systemic crisis rooted in misogyny, patriarchal power, and institutional failure. From thebrutalmurdersofMaline, Waveney and Sueann LaCruz, to the callous burning of Meson Ronaldo, the shooting of Kenesha Vaughn, and the mysterious death of eleven-year-old Adrianna Younge, we see that no one is safe from the excessesofviolence.Asseen in the case of Bibi Fazila Ally, who made repeated reportstothepolice,thereis very little support for those who seek help from the institutions that have a duty toprotectthem.
These deaths will be counted in the 20
domestic violence murders.
Maybe there will be another reported decrease in the rate of violence celebrated despite the clear femicide that has been occurring for years. These deaths of course, are merely the tip of the iceberg, these are cases that make the news because of how gruesome they are. There are many women currentlyexperiencingabuse who will soon join the everexpandinglistsofthosewho losttheirlivesatthehandsof abusers.Formany,livesfree from violence have long beenanillusorydream. T h e p a t t e r n i s heartbreakingly clear Women report abuse, seek help from authorities, and are either dismissed or offered inadequate protection Government o ff i c i a l s p r o m i s e accountability for police who fail to act on GBV reports,yetwomencontinue to die after their pleas for help go unheeded. Despite the government’s allocation of $150 million in 2024 to combat Gender-Based Violence, the system fundamentally fails to protectwomen’slives.
Guyana, despite its increasing budgets for responding to these threats,
continues to utilise mechanisms that simply are notworking.Thereisastark absence of adequate safe housingforwomenandgirls
who are fleeing violence. OutdatedHealthandFamily Life programs do not touch on gendered power dynamics and how those play out in our relationships with each other, leaving m a n y v u l n e r a b l e . Accountability mechanisms are weak, with reports often not taken seriously until a lifeislost,andeventhen,itis quickly replaced in the mediacycle.
Addressing femicide requires confronting the interconnected systems that enable this violence: patriarchal structures that normalise male control, economic systems that trap women in dangerous relationships, and a justice system that repeatedly prioritizes men’s freedom and reputations over the safetyofwomenandgirls.
The government must declare femicide a national
a comprehensive reform of its GBV response strategies We need specialised courts handling GBV cases with trained personnel and t
approaches Safe housing across the country must be accessible to women fleeing violence, regardless of their economic status. Prevention programs addressing toxic masculini
st be implemented widely, and transparent accountability
systems for tracking cases mustbeestablished.
Our communities must also act Reject the normalisation of violence. Believe survivors. Intervene when you witness abuse. Hold the men in your lives accountable for their words and actions. Guyana will never be a developed nation ifitsmostvulnerablearestill livinginfearofviolence,and their abusers do not receive swift consequences. Gender justice is a fundamental part ofajustsociety
Insolidarity, SherlinaNageer
Christine Samwaroo, TheBreadfruitCollective
Arian Richmond, Youth DevelopmentGuyana
SalimaHinds
KahdijaHiggins
RushelMaughn
NwakanmaOsakwe
SandiBowen
TiffiniLegall
ShaniaWilson
RenataBurnette
MaleyhaJoseph
GraceHutson
YolandaFrance
KeziaCooper
BrittanyNoel
ToshiaThomas
AngelWebster
FeliciaMonderson
SunitaSamaroo
NiaLatoyaWilliams
MaeveRamsay
ShabakiSingh
RebekahSingh
JuanitaJordan
Glenn must make a greater presence in
DEAREDITOR,
OntheCorentyne,peoplearefedupoftheneglectofthe regionandtheliesfromthePPP Therulingpartyispenalizing ten-dayworkerswhodon’tshowupforPPPralliesorwhodid notputonredtee-shirtsforlastMarchmemorialatBabuJohn. It was bussed in crowd. More and more people are turning away from PPPbecause of abuse of power and awarding of contracts to friends, families, and partners. The PPP is no longerthepartyoftheJagan’s.
People want change. People are talking about Mr Azruddin Mohamed and Mr Glenn Lall. Azruddin came several times to Corentyne, most recently last Monday We were looking forward for Mr Glenn Lall to visit our community We are so pleased that he visited Port Mourant. He received a very warm reception. People voiced their concernsabouttheharshnessoflifeanddifficultiesofmaking endsmeet.Peoplearegladthatheisthinkingofcontestingthe 2025generalandregionalelections.Theylookforwardfora greater presence of Mr Glenn on the Corentyne. They have greatertrustandfaithinhimtoturnaroundtheirlivesthanPPP leadersIrfaanandJagdeo.
Mr Glennisremindedthatthefruitofsuccessisnotina bottlethatyoucanopenanddrink.Youhavetodotheworkon thegroundtowinthepublic’sconfidenceandgarnersupport. He must visit communities all over the country asAzruddin hasbeendoing.
PeoplelookforwardforwhenAzruddinandGlennwould cometogether Thatisawinningcombination.
Yourstruly, TerrenceMoore,PastorLeonBenjamain
Frompage4
groundfrom2020ineveryseatexcept.TheUNCpartnership hasgainedsupportincludinginconstituencieswonbyPNM. PNMsupportershavebeencomplainingthatsomeofitsMPs havelosttouchwithitsbase.Asaresult,Kamlahasbeenable to attract more nontraditional support than in 2020. Overall, UNChasregisteredmoregainsinsupportthanPNM.Butthis does not necessarily mean that either party will lose seats it holdsormakegainsfromtheotherasthecontestsaretight.
Supportersofbothmajorpartiesareconfidentofvictory Anynumbercanplayinthisunpredictableelection.
Yourstruly,
VishnuBisram
‘Autopsy
Amecia Simon, the devastated mother of 11year Adrianna Younge, has appealed to President Irfaan Ali to assign international investigators to probe her daughter's death, as the family does not trust the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF).
In an interview with Kaieteur News on Friday morning, the woman shared brief details of her meeting with the Head of State on Thursday evening. Simon said President Ali assured relatives that there will be justiceforthechild.
Shehowevershared,“To be honest this family (hotel owners) have so much of linkage and whatever that likeIain'table.”
Thebodyofthe11-yearold girl was pulled from the Double Day International Hotel pool on Thursday morning by her father, SubrianYoungeamidheated protestaction.Thechildwas reported missing around 14:00hrs on Wednesday during an outing with her grandmother Despite repeated appeals for the Policetoconductathorough search of the premises, family members claim this was not done. Furthermore, the GPF later admitted to issuing an inaccurate statement which indicated thatthechildlefttheHotelin aredandblackToyotaRaum the evening she went missing.
Relatives remained adamant that little Adrianna had not left the Hotel as surveillance footage reviewedfromaneighbour's camera only showed the childentering.
To this end, the woman said that made it clear that the family does not trust the GPF to probe her daughter's death.Shebrokedownasshe explained, “I told him (President Ali), I said the Guyana Police Force failed us. They helped to kill my child, from the Commander rightdown.Theyknowwhat wasgoingonallthetime.”
SheaddedthatAlididnot deny the family of any if its requests, including for independent investigators to
...asfamilydemandsindependent pathologist,observers
DEAD:AdrianaYounge
probethematter
Meanwhile, the woman confirmed that a Post MortemExamination(PME) has not been completed on thechild'sbodybuthasbeen postponed to Monday The PMEwasinitiallyscheduled tobeconductedonFriday Simon who struggled to providetheupdateexplained that the family has since agreedtoallowapathologist from Barbados to conduct the PME, however, they have requested that the examination be postponed untilMonday
“We said we don't mind this person that they are bringing but we want to get somebody as well. So, we have Dr Caleb and we are gonna get somebody else because we don't want nobodytodotheirownthing andthentheywillsayohshe drown,”themothercried.
Dr Caleb (only name given) is local doctor, according to Simon. The family is also seeking the expertise of an overseas medical doctor to observe thePMEonMonday Sofar, the family has not set a date tolaythe11-year-oldtorest.
Meanwhile, the family's Attorney, Darren Wade in a statementonFriday evening reiteratedthefamily'slackof confidence in the GPF to conduct an impartial and thorough investigation into thematter Consequently,the Lawyer said the family is demanding that the Government of Guyana (GoG) invites the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)ortheScotlandYardor
the Royal Mounted Branch ofCanadatoinvestigatethis matter.With regard to the Pathologist from Barbados, Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul, relatives are calling for the GoG to disclose whether he possesses postgraduate training in anatomical pathology “Furthermore, if such qualifications exist, we request confirmation as to whether he holds a subspecialty in forensic pathology, and if so, where he received his training in these disciplines,” the Lawyeradded.
He explained that his office is presently in c
pathologists based in North America.
The Lawyer noted that the group is currently determining which one will
traveltoGuyanaforthePME to be done on Monday As such, he appealed, “We are asking the government to havethemedicalboardready and prepare to grant all
necessary approvals, after t h e n e c e s s a r y document
presented.”
Additionally, Wade has requestedthattheGPFmake
contact with the family through his office as relatives have complained that they are uncomfortable with the approaches being madebyOfficers.
Th e Z a d o k
Ministriesheaded by Bishop Juan
Edghill has implored on the Guyana Police Force to free itself from corruption and fulfilitsdutieswithintegrity
Zadok Ministers Fellowshiphasexpressedits deep sorrow and called on the Police Force for the fair dispensing of justice, considering the recent heartbreaking and tragic shootings of 21-year-old RonaldoPetersand32-yearoldKeonFogenayinLinden and the murder of 11-yearold Adrianna Younge in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.
“We implore to be free fromcorruptionandtofulfill t h e i r d u t i e s a n d responsibilities with integrity and diligence Justicemustbeservedfairly forall,ensuringthatvictims andtheirfamiliesfindsolace in the truth,” the statement said.
In a statement, the organisation reminded that “Jesus spoke about the importance of neighbourly love in the Gospel of Mark 12:31- “You shall love your neighbourasyourself.”
To this end, the Minister's fellowship stressed that love drives the support of one another and extendscompassiontothose inpain.
“Weidentifywithyouin thesedifficultandsadtimes. Inatimewhendarknessmay seem prevalent, we must reject all forms of evil and s t a n d u n i t e d i n righteousness,” Zadok added.
The body said that the recent incidents point to the urgent need for prayer, healing and unity within the society
“Aswestandtogetherin solidarity with those who mourn, Zadok Ministers Fellowship rejects all forms of evil and commits
Bishop Juan Edghill
ourselves as believers in the LordJesusChristtoholiness and righteousness as we foster an atmosphere of neighbourly love and support.Together,letuspray for peace, justice, and a better future for all the affected families and our beloved country,” Zadok Ministriesstated.
In this regard, the body calleduponallchurchesand believers to unite in prayer forthenation.
“On Sunday, April 27, 2025, we encourage every congregation to dedicate special time during their services to seek healing, restoration, and to eliminate every form of evil from our nation and be guided by the Scriptures,” the statement said.
The body offered condolences to the affected familiesandcommunities.
Aprotest which erupted on Thursday at the Double Day Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo moved to the Leonora Police Station and the Office of the President on Friday, as family membersandsupportersdemanded justice for 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.
Thechildwasfounddeadinthe Double Day Hotel Pool on Thursday morning with strange marksaboutherbodyandface.She had disappeared the day before during a swimming trip with her grandmother
After the child's body was discovered on Thursday morning, the Hotel was set ablaze, as angry protestors torched vehicles and hurled glass bottles towards the business Looters also helped
inthepool.Whilewewereouthere and everything was going on, somebody come and say look they just throw something in the pool and we go in and see the girl. By time then we see smoke on this building. They light the evidence. So, the Police prevent us from saving Adrianna's life They prevent us from having access to saveAdrianna'slife.”
The woman said the Police did notsearchthepoolandalsorefused to shut the building down Furthermore, it was only until the sniffer dogs arrived that the child's body surfaced. While surveillance cameras were seen around the building, relatives said they were told the equipment was not functioning.
Meanwhile, other protestors accused the Police of “being in
themselves to chairs, mattresses, plants, beverages and other items from the burning building. On Friday morning when this newspaper visited the location, the two burnt buildings were still standing, with the pool full of debris.
At least four vehicles torched the previous day were still at the location.
In the meantime, protestors moved to the Leonora Police Station and the Office of the President At Leonora, family members including the aunt and mother ofAdriannaYounge called for the removal of Regional Commander, Khalid Mandall over thePolice'shandlingofthemissing childreport.
Outside of the Region Three Police Division Headquarters at Leonora, protestors recalled that thePolicerefusedtodrainthehotel pool the said night the child went missing.
Further, questions were raised regarding the Police's refusal to shutdownthehotelthateveningto searchforthe11-year-oldgirl.
Wendy Stuart, an aunt of Adrianna Younge told Kaieteur News, “We searched, nobody was
Double Day pocket” while others shoutedthattheyallowedamurder andhelpedto“coverup.”
The thoroughfare was later blocked by protestors at the Leonora Station. Further along the WestCoastofDemeraraatMetenMeer-Zorg, another section of the publicroadwasblockedbyburning tyres later in the evening. Police were on the scene and reportedly arrested persons for disorderly behaviour
Inastatement,PresidentIrfaan Alisaid,“Thereisnowayblocking public roads, burning public i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , a n d inconveniencing citizens will help little Adrianna's cause or those interestedinthetruth.
These actions are now politicallyinstigatedandwillnotbe accepted. They are unlawful and unhelpfulandactionwillbetaken.”
OfficeofthePresidentprotest
Meanwhile, the protest continuedoutsidetheOfficeofthe President (OP), as Simona Broomes, leader of the Assembly Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), alongside Members of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir and Christopher Jones, and other party members, who demanded the
r e s i g n a t i o n o f Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken and former Commander of RegionThree,KhalidMandall.
The protestors related their outrage over the Police Force's actions and called for accountability at the highest levels ofgovernment.
Broomes,aformerministerand women'srightsactivist,allegedand criticized the police force for coveringupaseriouscrime.
She said, “They investigating lies,whatrubbishthepolicetalking what bomb shell and they reviewing their system of communication, it is not the first time police selling lies and being called out So, the Police Force onamissiontocondonecrimeand none of us are safe, including our children, none of us are safe, so if youdehhomeandfeelyousafeand you got money, you lie, none of us aresafe.”
Broomes continued by calling for immediate action. She added, “I come out here today (Friday) because Hickens must go home, andAli (President IrfaanAli) must go home, Ali must stop with this Ferriswheelthing.”
Holding placards that read,
"What is justice? Is there any justice for the poor?" and "Police Commissionermustgo,”protestors voicedtheirdissatisfactionwiththe authorities.
Broomes further said, “No justiceforthepoor,(ifitwasa)rich man child he wouldn't have got weouthereunderthisthree,evenif the child did dead by accident and did drown, the whole pool did emptyonetime,muchlesspoliceto saydon'tgoin,helpmeletitmake sense, help me make it make sense.”
Reflecting on the deep impact the police's actions had on the nation, Broomes explained, “Guyanese, these are dark days and what I witnessed yesterday because of the lies and the distraction of the Guyana Police Force, when that body appeared in the pool and the family and the community saw and witnesses that, Guyana could havebeeninadifferentplace.”
Additionally, Walton-Desir, who expressed her personal heartbreak over the loss of Younge said, “I am a mother first and foremost and I am out here because my heart bleeds because Adrianna is
our daughter becauseanyonewho has children could have been our child.”
“So, I am renewing my call outside of the Office of the President for Irfaan Ali to require the regional commander to resign, to call for the commissioner of police to resign, ” the parliamentariansaid.
Her colleague, Christopher Jones said, “This is information emanatingfromtheGuyanaPolice Force and then yesterday we had a familymemberwhorecountedthat the Guyana Police Force have indicatedtothem,theyjustsawthe girlatthebusshedwithaclearview of getting them to move from the premises.”
Meanwhile, one protestor sharedhisconcernsaboutthesafety of children in the country, emphasizing the broader implications of the case. "What happened to Adrianna could happen to any of our children," he said.
He called on all Guyanese to join in the fight for justice, urging, "Protestwhereveryouare.Itcould be Berbice tomorrow or Linden again.Wecan'tletthiscontinue."
As chants of "enough is enough" rang out from the crowd, protestors made it clear that they wouldnotrestuntiljusticeisserved forYounge.
To that end, the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) called for the dismissal of theCommissionerofPolice.
The party said, “We reiterate ourcallfortheimmediatedismissal oftheCommissionerofPoliceand those complicit in this systemic failure to protect our children and all citizens Additionally, we demand that the owner and all othersinvolvedin,andcomplicitin this senseless murder of an innocent child at the Double Day Hotel be held fully responsible for their part in this egregious crime andfacethejusticesystem.”
(See more photos on centre)
Canadian mining company Gold Port Corporation has announced the completion of an access survey for its Groete Gold Copper Project in Guyana, markingamajorsteptoward reactivating exploration at the site amid historically highgoldprices. The company revealed
Friday, that the access road construction project is now out for tender to local contractors Once completed, it will facilitate the deployment of a MP Powerdiamondcoredrillrig to the site to commence a new drilling campaign. The planned programme aims to bothconfirmandexpandthe
project's existing resource, which is already recognised as one of the largest undeveloped gold-copper zonesinthecountry
The project area is strat
cated approximately10kilometers fromtheEssequiboRiveron the west bank After a detailed site review, Gold
Eastern zone target area (Picture taken from Gold Port Corporation website) (Soaring gold price entices)
Port identified Manaka Landing, deep-water dock facility accessible from Parika, as the optimal route fortransportingsuppliesand equipment.
A road currently runs from Manaka Landing to within 13 kilometers of the projectsite.Theconstruction initiative will complete this final stretch and include the building of bridges across White Creek and Black
Creek, two small streams in thearea.
Gold Port said once completed, the access road will allow for efficient transportation of drill cores to Georgetown, improving logistics as the company seekstounlockfurthervalue from its Groete property Gold Port is also currently expanding its management t
upcoming drill campaign.
Thecompanysaiditalready owns the necessary drill equipment in-country, streamlining project execution.
This latest development follows the company's renewed interest in the project spurred by skyrocketinggoldprices.
GoldPortCorporationis a 100 per cent owner of the Groete Gold Copper Project (Continuedonpage22)
A peculiar thing has happenedintheworld.Once upon a time, funerals were solemn affairs. People wept. Peoplesniffled.Peoplewore black and looked miserable. They were supposed to Now, it appears, people are dyingjustsootherscanhave anexcusetodressup.
I attended a funeral recently—oratleastIthinkit was a funeral. There was a hearse,acoffin,andamanof the cloth saying vaguely hopeful things about the afterlife.Buteverythingelse suggested I’d mistakenly wandered into a Vogue photoshoot that had taken a darkturn.
Now, I am not against style.Imyselfonceowneda turtleneckthatmademelook likeanunderpaidmime.But I draw the line at stiletto heels and sequined minis at theburialground.Somehow funerals have become the newfashionweek.
Apparently, this is not unique to Guyana. A pastor in Barbados, clearly traumatized by what he saw—perhaps a mournful woman in fishnet stockings or a man in leather pants —decided to throw in the liturgical towel. “Wear what youwant,”hepleaded.“Just wear something.” He didn’t saythatlastpartoutloud,but Isuspectitwasimplied.
Traditionally, black and white were the colours of mourning Somber tones Respectful hues. Now we have mourners in blazing crimson, electric blue, and what can only be described as“CarnivalGold.”Andthis
isjustthemen. Women, on the other hand, are dressing like they’re auditioning for a movie role Plunging necklines. Skirts so short they’re practically suggestions.Atoneservice,I swear someone mistook one of the mourners for a pole dancer. And the sunglasses! Everyone wears them. Rain or shine. Indoors or outdoors. Mourning or m e r e l y m i l d l y inconvenienced Entire congregations sit in dark shades, looking less like bereaved relatives and more likeaMafiasummit.I’mnot sureifthey’rehidingtearsor eye-rollingatthelatestoutfit toenterthepews.
Then there’s the headgear Oversized hats, designer caps, and, in one memorable instance, a fascinator with feathers that could scare off poultry Funerals have become a head-to-toe spectacle. And with these accessories, the question is no longer “Who d i e d ? ” b u t “ W h o designed?”
Old timers are horrified. Back in their day, a funeral was about reverence, respect, and polyester suits with lapels the size of small aircraft wings Nobody drank. Nobody danced.And nobody showed up looking liketheywereontheirwayto a beachfront cocktail party They’re calling for a return to the basics simple clothes,mutedtones,andfor heaven’ssake,coveredbody parts.
But alas, it may be too late.We now live in a world where fashion trumps funereal A time when mourners wear Louis Vuitton to lament. We’re no longer burying the dead; we’relaunchingposthumous runway shows.And judging bythefashionbudget,you’d think the deceased was a socialite and not someone whose last job was security atahardwarestore.
Even funerals of known criminals once sparsely attended for fear of guilt by association are now the hottest events in town Processionsfeaturebooming music, beer bottles clinking inrhythmwiththebass,and mourners grinding as if to resurrect the deceased through the sheer force of choreography You half expect the priest to shout, “Raise the roof!” midhomily
Respecthasgoneoutthe window Drivers no longer yield to funeral processions; they honk. Some even try to overtake them. Hats are no longer tipped but glued on with branding labels prominently displayed. It’s less of a final farewell and moreofasponsoredevent.
But let’s not be hasty Perhaps this new funeral fashion is merely an existential cry for help. A way for mourners to say: “Yes, life is fleeting, but at least my clutch matches my heels.” Maybe cleavage is a coping mechanism. Maybe theminiskirtsaregriefmade manifest—very short, very tightgrief.
Rainfallin’steadysteadynowadays,and Guyanadonereachthattimeofdeyearwhen a lil drizzle does turn into a flood — especially in town. Georgetown does get so waterlogged, some people start askin’if de citycouncilapplyin’fuhriverstatus.
Now every time de rain fall, certain things bound to happen. De trench gon’ overflow, de canal gon’ start lookin’ like soup, and of course, people gon’get splash out like dem is part o’ de Atlantic Ocean. Dem boys seh one drop in a pothole and de wholestreetgetbaptize!
But hear nah, dem boys got a serious message today Too many drivers flyin’ through flooded roads like dem auditionin’ fuhFast&Furious:FloodEdition.Andwhen dem do dat, dem don’t only mess up dem owncarunderbody—demalsospraypeople walkin’ or ridin’ on de road like dem is mosquitoes.
Dem boys seh it got people who leffin’ home neat and nice, shirt and pants crisp, headin’to work or school, only fuh end up
Still, one cannot shake the image of some future funeral, possibly in the year 2030, when a mourner turns upinaswimsuit,sunglasses, and holding a coconut cocktail. When questioned, she’ll reply, “Darling, it’s what he would’ve wanted. Helovedthebeach.”
And maybe that’s true. Maybewe’rethestuffyones. Maybe in this brave new world, celebration has replacedmourning,stylehas
substituted solemnity, and tradition is just a dusty coat no one wants to wear anymore.
But deep down, I yearn for the old funerals—the ones where silence spoke, grief was dignified, and no one’s dress required doublesidedtape.
lookin’like dem come out a swamp. It ain’t fair, man. People ain’t gettin’ wet from de rain — dey gettin’ wet from y’all careless drivin’!
Nowweknowsomeahy’allain’tdoiton purpose.Butstill,tekyuhtime!Yuhknowde potholedehdey Yuhknowdewatercoverin’ de road. Slow down! Ease off de gas pedal! Showsomeconscience,showsomedecency Itain’tonlyaboutyuhgettin’whereyuh goin’fast.Isaboutnotruiningsomebodyelse dayjustbecauseyouinarush.Demboysseh whenyuhsplashamanandhebusscusspon yuh,don’tblamedeman—blameyuhself. So during this rainy season, drive like yuhgotsense.Lookoutfuhpeoplewalkin’, ridin’, and tryin’fuh reach somewhere dry Cause when yuh drench people, it ain’t just water it’s mud, stink water, and embarrassment.Drivewithheart.Don’tmek peoplefeellikedemlivin’inaduckpond.
Demboysseh,tekyuhtime—ortekde blame!
Talkhalf.Leffhalf!
Until then, if you see a funeralprocessionwithbass speakers, confetti, and mournersdressedlikeextras from The Great Gatsby, don’t be alarmed. It’s just another glamorous goodbye in the age of high-fashion funerals.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
ThePPPisrunning scared. President Ali and General SecretaryJagdeoarerunning scared. Scaredofwhat,may I inquire? Scared of whom, is my second simple question? Will somebody, all those Guyanese so inclined, cut the nonsense, please?
Trash talking is okay, since it is elections all over, everywhereoneturns. Butit is time to have a real talk, a
heart-to-heart with Guyanese.
I could understand that the PPP is running scared. Runningscaredoflosingthe regional and general elections. But all of its people,noexceptions,getto carrytheirrichpickingswith them.
All those millions and billions, and not a cent left behind to provide a clue of the havoc wreaked by some professional thieves, the insatiablygreedy.
Here is the crux of my thrust today. Okay, so the PPP is running scared becausethereisthehighrisk
of losing, but there are no other risks to the happiness andprosperityofitscrooked people. Iguaranteethatrisk free climate and condition, postelections.
Here are the facts, as based on the most recent precedent, a very informativeone.
The PNC was in power from2015to2020,alloffive long years, and I challenge anybodyanywhere-thePNC, the AFC, the APNU, the whatever-to name one PPP stealer and confidence
trickster, one PPP underhanded dealer and cheater, who was charged and tried and put away for a long time. Or stripped of theirill-gottengainswhilein office and jailed for a short time. Go ahead, get me started.
NameonePPPconvicted felon, one jailbird. The recordisthere,andblackand white don't lie. Computer filescanbedeleted,butwhat is on paper is much more difficulttoerase. Herearea few examples to support my assertions.
Onefinefellowhadover adozenchargesplasteredall across his face. Instead of being sent up the creek, he wassentupstairs.
Another was close to getting dumped on with numerous charges on a matter that had to do with billions in phone cards, or somethingofthatnature,and heneverwentanywhere,but to the money heaven of the PPP
From the most reliable sources possible, it was shared that some big people in the then ruling PNC held conversationswithsomebig people in the PPP, and both themanandthebillionswent theirmerryway
Long before the USA's Donald Trump wrote his book about the Art of the Deal, thePNCandPPPwere atit,andshowinghowgood they were at that endeavor Poor David Arthur Granger, the people he held close to his bosom blew him up. Meanwhile, it took a rank outsider like me, who never evenshookhishand,toplug myfingerinthedyke,while
the corruption waves of his ownpeople,incollaboration with the PPP, washed over the seawall. There were other charges and they all went down that same road where disappearing acts becamethenorm.
I was treated to the rare privilege of listening to genuinely honest and principled PNC men (there are a few of such stalwarts) who complained bitterly
about how ministers stonewalled their moves, second-guessed their initiatives, and applied the kiss of death to one welldevelopedcaseafteranother involving PPP men and women.
Imaginethat,andatthat time the PPP had no oil moneytostealandshareout to its PNC aiders and abettorsincrime.
Well, it didn't have as much,topayproperhomage to accuracy. To give an indication of the good work ofthatgroup,andhowclose itcametoputtingsomemen in pinstripes of a different kind, as soon as the PPP
came back into office, it was down withthatunit,andout withit.
W h e n t h a t investigating agency went out of business, the PPP took over the corruption business I wouldn't be surprised if somesharingofthepeople's moneyisgoingonunderthe table between the PPP and PNC.
So, it is back to the question: how is the PPP running scared? Why shouldit,whenitspartnersin crime are around to do the necessaries?
Thieves are rarely separated from their wealth inthiscountry Perpsaretoo slick to maintain custody of what they stole, or claims to ownership.
The skeptical can check their memories, the news, andregistry.
I've said it before, and I say it again. The PPP and PNC are part of the same exclusive club, of the same bloodbrotherhood. Cutone andtheotherbleeds.
F o r f u r t h e r confirmation, note how manyinthePPPhaverushed to join the same secretive Lodges populated by the PNC. Don'tbefooledbythe anticsofDrs.AliandJagdeo when they rail against the PNC It is the fake medicines of quacks, their games. Observe also how thePNChasbeensoftonthe PPP, while the rulers have made themselves into oil masters, raid the national treasury
Because of all the above reasons, therefore, the PPP has nothing to be scared about. Itlosestheelections, it still wins. Superstars and bottomfeedersinthePPPget tokeepalltheirloot. Whata setup! Whataracket! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
A 40-year-old man was on Friday placed on $50,000bail,whenheappearedattheGeorgetown Magistrates'Courtforassaultinghissister Lennox Kidram of Lot 25 North Sophia, Georgetown, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore. The charge alleged that on April 24,2025,atLot29NorthSophia,Georgetown,he assaulted and used threatening behavior towards his sister Pamala Kidram. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. He told the court that he was cuttingdownacoconuttreeandatthesametime his sister was passing when a branch fell and hit her Asaresult,shewenttothestationandmadea report.
The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the defendant will interfere with his sistersincetheysharethesameaddress.
MagistrateAzorereleasedLennoxon$25,000 bail for each of the two charges totaling 50,000. He then told the magistrate that he does not have themoneytopaybail. “Meain'tgotnomoneyon me,Ican'tpaynobail,”themansaid.
Magistrate Azore then informed the accused that he will remain in police custody until he is abletopostbail.
Defendant Lennox Kidram at the Georgetown magistrates' Court on Friday
Several items were stolen from the Ministry of Labour's Berbice branch earlier thisweek.Accordingtoapolicereportissued on Friday, the break-in occurred between 15:30 hrs. on Tuesday and 07:30 hrs. on Wednesday at the ministry's two-storey concrete building located at Lot 228 Grant Vryman'sErven,NewAmsterdam,Berbice.
The stolen items include one desktop computer, a backup battery, and a water pump.Police stated that the building is securedbywoodendoorswithexternallocks, aswellasinternallysecuredglass.A52-yearold cleaner, who is responsible for opening andsecuringthepremises,toldpolicethatshe locked up the building around 15:30 hrs. on Tuesday.“Upon returning at 07:30 hrs. on April23,shediscoveredthewesterndoorand a window open. She immediately raised an alarm, and the incident was reported to the police,” the report said.Police ranks visited the scene and confirmed that the mentioned items were indeed missing. CCTV footage fromthesurroundingareahasbeenretrieved and is currently under review.Investigations areongoing.
Parmanand Ramdial known as Ramzan Ramdial, the suspect in the triple murder at Waiakabra, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was not a licensed firearm holder, police revealed on
Friday
Years of domestic violence endured by 26year-old Maline LaCruz came to a tragic end Wednesday night, when her estrangedhusband,Ramdial, agoldsmith,openedfireand killedher,hermother,sister, and injured her brother Ramdial died by suicide
Thursday
Maline's 50-year-old mother, Waveney LaCruz, and 17-year-old sister, SueAnn LaCruz were killed on the scene. Her 23-yearold brother, Ceon LaCruz, remains hospitalised with gunshotwounds.
InastatementonFriday, the police said checks conducted at the Guyana Police Force's Criminal Records Office (CRO) confirmed that Ramdial was notalicensedfirearmholder It was disclosed too that detectives canvassed the
area and reviewed CCTV footage which showed the now-deceased returning home,followedshortlyafter
motorcycle The footage capturedthesuspectentering thehomebehindthevictims. Audio from the CCTV recorded the sounds of an argument, followed by several loud explosions Police said they later conducted a search at Ramdial's West Ruimveldt residence,butfoundnothing i
m recoveredfromthescenehas since been sent to the ballisticsectionforanalysis.
Moreover, several individuals have been interviewed as part of the ongoinginvestigation.
This publication had reported that the tragedy unfolded in the presence of
Maline'sthreechildren,ages three, four, and eight, who witnessed the massacre and escaped unharmed. Ramdial reportedly ingested a poisonous substance after committing the crime and was pronounced dead at the DiamondDiagnosticCentre.
Investigators recovered a 9mm Beretta pistol at the scenealongwithspentshells andabottlebelievedtohave contained the poison he consumed.
Maline received injuries to the breast, left and right sidesofherback,andonein
thethroat.
suspectedgunshotinjuriesto the left side of her
breast,andrighthand,while SueAnn received injuries to herleftbreast,rightsideand centre of lower back. Ceon received gunshot injuries to hisleftshoulderandjaw
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand said Wednesday, that the new secondary schoolsbeingbuiltcountrywidewillinclude Technical and Vocational Education and Training(TVET)facilitiesforstudents.
During her remarks at the opening ceremonyoftheNationalSTEAMFair2025, the minister said the government is creating access to secondary schools and will change thequalityofeducationbeingoffered.
“SorightinBartica,you'regoingtohavea PracticalInstructionCenter Rightatthehigh schools that we're currently building, there areroomsandfacilitiesthataregoingtoallow for CVQs (Caribbean Vocational Qualification) that allow children to get a leveloneCaribbeanVocationalQualification Certificate. So, if you're not the child who wantstheacademiccertificatefromCXC,we have choices again from CXC, but we're providingit,”sheexplained.
According to the minister “access to education, a higher quality of education, a more varied education, is what we're setting abouttoachieverighthere.”
RegardingTVETinGuyana,theministry earlierthismonth,launchedforthefirsttime, a national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy geared at equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge needed for employmentopportunities.
The policy was developed through collaboration between the Guyana GovernmentandtheWorldBank.Thepolicy willspana10-yearperiod(2025-2035).
At that launch, Deputy Chief Education Officer responsible for Technical and Vocational Education, Dr Ritesh Tularam noted that with sectors like construction, manufacturing, public administration and services growing rapidly, the government understands that it is important to invest in technicalandvocationalskilldevelopmentat alllevelstoprepareacompetentcompetitive labour force with the requisite skills, knowledge and competencies to meet the ever changing and future skills needs of Guyaneserapidlyemerginglocallyaswellas theCaribbeanregions.
Smoking truck on Saffon Street
Accident on the corner of Saffon and Sussex Streets Saf
AtruckburstintoflamesonSaffonStreet,Georgetownon Friday,momentsafterleavingamechanicshop.
The truck driver told Kaieteur News that after fixing the air conditioner, (AC) the truck caught fire, forcing him to jumpout.
“I just went and fix thisAC and the man mussy connect
some wrong wire and now the truck on fire,” the driver claimed.
While the reporter was still on the scene, a second truck stoppedtorenderassistance,thenaminibusheadingsouthon Saffon Street, was hit by a third truck that was turning onto SaffonStreetfromSussexStreet.
AformerSherriffsecurity officer was on Friday remandedtoprison,whenhe appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court on a murder
Akeem Blackman of Jonestown Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, appeared before senior magistrate FabayoAzore.
Blackman was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which alleged that onApril 4, 2025 on Seawall Road, Kingston Georgetown, he murdered BalramPersaud.
The prosecution told the court that on the day in question, the defendant and thenowdeceasedmanhadan altercation at the Kingston Seawall around the bandstandarea.
Asaresultoftheincident, the accused dealt the victim several blows to his head
Defendant Akeem Blackman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday
A
e remandedBlackmanuntilhis next court appearance, scheduledforJune6,2025.
ud succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.
Deon Jeffrey, a 25-year-old contractor of Parfaite Harmony, West Bank Demerara, (WBD), is preparingtotakelegalaction against the Guyana Police Force(GPF)fordefamation, afterhewasfalselylinkedto theabductionof11-year-old AdrianaYounge.
Younge disappeared whileonaswimmingouting with family at the Double Day Hotel located at
We
thorough checks in the pool and the hotel that day, her body surfaced Thursday morninginthepool.
Jeffery was accused by police of being involved in the abduction of Younge, after a red and black Toyota Raum he was renting, was identifiedasthevehicleused intheincident.
In a statement released on Wednesday night, police claimedsurveillancefootage showedthechildleavingthe Double Day Hotel and entering a Raum bearing registration number PSS 4684, which was seen heading toward Vreed-enHoop.TheCommandCentre in Region Three supported the claim based on its surveillance feed. However, police have since admitted thereportwasinaccurateand have launched an internal investigation into how the misinformation was disseminated.
Speaking with Kaieteur News Friday, Jeffrey related the treatment he received from police when he was apprehended.
According to him, on Wednesday, he was at home
fortheentiredayandhadnot traveledtotheWestCoastor evenintotown.Jeffrey,who works in construction, said he had taken the day off and only left home briefly in the morningtodelivereggsfora friend in the area before returning home. He said he remainedtherefortherestof the day and assured that more than 10 persons can confirmhisalibi.
On Thursday morning, Jeffreyrelatedthathegotup around 05:00h, to take his brother and his brother's partner to Georgetown However, at about 05:45h while approaching the DemeraraHarbourBridgein heavy traffic, he was unexpectedly stopped by a policecorporal.
Jeffrey recalled that the officer pointed toward his vehicle and began dragging metal barricades in front of it, preventing him from movingfurther
“(He) tell me that how I hit somebody child in Tuschen, then I go, who child I knock down?
Because I know I did not go upinthewestcoast,”Jeffrey
TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) is asking relatives to come forward to identify a man'sbodywhichwasfound on April 17, 2025, at Green Field North, East Coast Demerara(ECD).
Police said that the body is at the Memorial Gardens FuneralHome.
“Relatives or anyone with information that may assist in identifying the deceasedareaskedtocontact the following numbers 2292750 or 225-8196,” police saidinthereport.
said.
“So, he say pull in the corner and he was hoggish towardsme,youknowinthe waynothowapoliceshould operate, I go in the corner becauseyouknow,youcan't drive away from them becauseitspolice.”
A female officer then approached and informed himthattheincidentwasnot a hit-and-run, but rather, an alleged abduction, and that his vehicle was reportedly
involved.
Jeffrey said he immediately denied any involvement and explained thathewasnowherenearthe area at the time in question. Nevertheless, he was escorted to the La Grange Police Station, where he remained detained for the e n t i r e d a y u n t i l approximately 18:10h, without being formally charged or presented with evidence.
He explained, “All they told me when they release me is that some of the information is not accurate andIamfreetogo,that'sall theysaid.”
The contractor lamented that the false report had severely impacted his (Continuedonpage22)
The body of the man that is to be identified
Protesters continue call for justice over the death of 11-year-old Adrianna
Cr i m e s c e n e investigators
were on Friday seen sweeping for evidence
at the Double Day International Hotel where
11-year-old Adrianna Younge was found dead in the pool, hours after it was partiallydestroyedbyfire.
Younge's floating body wasfoundinthehotel'spool hoursafterpolicestatedthat she was seen leaving in a black and red Toyota Raum duringanallegedabduction.
Police have since admitted to releasing an “inaccurate”reportaboutthe abduction.
Themajorhiccupcaused public outrage across the countryandprotestsinfront ofthehotelatTuschen,East BankEssequibo(EBE).
When word spread that Younge was found dead in the pool after it was already searched,protestorsstormed the building and began vandalizing the property by hurling glass bottles at glass structures.
Crime scene investigator sweeping for evidence at the Double Day Hotel on Friday (Photo Credits: Yasmeen Ba)
Wade in a statement on behalf of his clients wrote, “As a consequence, I am instructed by my clients as I herebydotodemandthatthe State of Guyana invites the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Scotland Yard or the Royal Mounted Branch of Canada toinvestigatethismatter.”
Other demands include family's disapproval of Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul-a pathologistappointedbythe government-to conduct Younge'sautopsy
Wadealsorelatedthathis office,“isincommunication with North America-based pathologists and they working among themselves for one pathologist to travel toGuyanaovertheweekend or possible to do the postmortem examination on Monday.”
Concerns were raised thatthefireandtamperingof the crime scene can destroy evidence that could have helped solve the mystery behindYounge'sdeath.
N e v e r t h e l e s s , investigators showed up on
Not long after thick, black smoke was seen emanatingfromthebuilding and Kaieteur News learnt that it was set on fire Firetrucks and firefighters responded but could not reach the building resulting in the building being completelydestroyed.
Friday and cordoned off the building with crime scene tape.Somewereseenjotting information on note pads while others took photos The investigators were also seen walking through ruble and debris presumably lookingforclues.
Policeareyettodisclose any details about ongoing investigations but have
revealedthatthehotelowner and staff were detained for questioning.
In a statement released by the Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken late Friday It was disclosed too that the Commander for the district, recently promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall was transferred to the East Bank ofDemerarapolicedivision.
He disclosed too that a numberofpoliceranksinthe Region Three district are beingquestioned.
“At this juncture, the
investigators are still interviewing persons who can assist with the investigations,” Hicken said beforelateradding,“Guyana Police Force will provide updatesastheinvestigations unfold.”
Hicken's statement on ongoing investigations was just moments after the relatives of the pre-teen via their attorney Darren Wade said that they do not have confidence in the police force to carry out an impartial and thorough investigation.
Arequestwasalsomade for the government to instructthemedicalbroadto grant all the necessary approvalsforthePathologist totravel.
Itisuncleariftherequest has been met but Hicken in his statement said, “It is significant to note that the Guyana Police Force is also awaiting the arrival of another independent pathologist who was identified by family members of the deceased to perform the post-mortem examination.”
TheAlliance for Change (AFC) has called on the Government of Guyana to ensureagenciesactswifterto thoroughly investigate cases ofdomesticviolence.
The party is also asking for legislation to be strengthened and faster prosecutionofperpetrators.
On Friday, during their weeklypressconference,the partyexpresseddeepsorrow over the recent murder of three women on the LindenSoesdyke Highway, noting that it underscores the persistent and devastating issues of domestic violence inGuyana.
Member of Parliament, BeverlyAlerttoldthemedia that, “This heinous act, which has left families and communitiesinmourning,is astarkreminderoftheurgent need for collective action to address gender-based violenceandprotectthemost vulnerable among us Domestic violence is a scourge that knows no
AFC Member of Parliament, Beverly Alert
boundaries, affecting individuals across all regions, ethnicities and s o c i o - e c o n o m i c backgrounds.Itisaviolation of human rights and a threat to the safety and well-being ofoursociety.”
Shesaidthecrisisshould be confronted with unwavering resolve, to ensure perpetrators are held accountable and the necessary support and
justiceisgiventovictims.
“In light of this, the AllianceforChangecallsfor one, strengthened law enforcement,immediateand thorough investigations into all cases of domestic violence with swift prosecution of offenders,” Alertsaid.
Support services should also be expanded and enhanced across shelters to include legal aid and counselingforthesurvivors, especially in the rural and underserved communities. Shesaidthereshouldalsobe community engagement as well as grassroot education campaigns to challenge harmful gender norms, p r o m o t e h e a l t h y relationships and encourage reportingofabuse.
Furthermore, there should be legislative action, continued review and reinforcement of laws to close gaps in protection and ensure stricter penalties for offenders,shenoted.
Forty-five-year-old Police Sergeant Philbert Kendall, was on Friday remanded to prison for the murder of 21-year-old RonaldoPetersofLinden.
Kendallwasnotrequired to plea to the indictable charge, when he appeared at theGeorgetownMagistrates'
Court before Senior MagistrateFabayoAzore.
The prosecution told the court that on the day in question, the accused was the officer in charge of the
WismarPoliceStation,while thedeceasedwaswantedfor an alleged sexual activity with a minor Prior efforts made to arrest Peters were unsuccessful, the court heard.
On April 7, 2025 at approximately 17:00hrs, the sergeantwhowasattiredina white t-shirt, black police regulation pants and black shoes, received information of As a Peter's whereabouts result, the officer armed himself with a 9mm pistol
OnApril 23, a tragic act of domestic violence unfolded at Waiakabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, which left a mother and her two daughters dead, and her son criticallyinjured.
The deceased have been identified as 25-year-old Maline LaCruz, her mother Waveney LaCruz, and her sister Sueann LaCruz Maline's brother, Seon LaCruz, survived the attack but is currently hospitalised in critical condition after sustaininggunshotwounds.
The suspect in the triple murderissaidtobeMaline's husband, Ramzan Ramdial, a goldsmith. He reportedly consumed a poisonous substance and died the followingday
K a i e t e u r N e w s understandsthatheallegedly opened fire on the four victims at their residence beforefleeingthescene.
In a heartbreaking twist, Maline had publicly spoken out about her abusive relationship just three monthsprior.
In a Facebook post
sharedinJanuary,shewrote, “6yrs 7 months living with this individual and this is whatlhavetofaceeventhoI ran for my life he keeps coming after me. He keeps abusing me mentally, emotionally, physically and verbally
At this point, this is my lastoptiontogethelpandto get out of this abusive relationship and to get my childrenawayfromhim.”
Thewomanhadattached CCTV footage to show the abuse she suffered at the handsofherhusband.
In wake of calls for his removal following allegations of mishandling investigationsintothetragic death of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge, Assistant Commissioner of Police Khalid Mandall has been transferred from Region Three.
Mandallhas beenposted to Regional Division 4B, East Bank Demerara; a post heoccupiedbefore.
A c c o r d i n g t o information released by Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Siwnarinewillnowbetaking Mandall's position Siwnarine was formerly the head of the division at RegionThree.
and 15 rounds from the Wismar Police Station and left along with two constables in a private minibusinsearchofPeters.
According to the prosecution, when Kendall arrived at One Mile Four Corner, he exited the front passenger seat of the bus with the firearm pointed at Peters, who was bracing a motorcycle at the corner of theroad.
Peterssawtheofficerand (Continuedonpage23)
Mandall has been accused of mishandling the investigation into the disappearance and death of the11-year-oldgirl. Younge was discovered dead in a pool at the Double Day International Hotel and Bar on Thursday hours after she disappeared Concerned citizens joined her relatives to protest in front of the Leonora Police Station on FridaycallingforMandallto befired.
Several persons blamed the Divisional Commander for the child's death. After newsbrokethatMandallhad been removed Kaieteur News contacted Amecia Simon, the dead child's mother, who said that she is glad to hear that Mandall is no longer Divisional Commander of Region Three.However,thewoman said that she is angry about the manner in which the police handled the investigation.
The distraught woman revealed that she was allowed to see the owner of the hotel.“I tell them that I want see Son (the hotel owner) who is in custody at Leonora and they allow me to see him. I ask he why he didn'tgivemebackmybaby whenIaskforshe.Heknows me, we is from the same villageandhejustlookatme in me face without remorse and say he aint do nothing,” themothersaidtearfully
The woman recalledthat itwasCriminalInvestigation Department (CID) officer (name withheld) who gave the family false information that the child had left the hotel in a strange car, has sincedisappeared.
“Me aint see he back since he said that he going and look for this man with this Raum that my daughter supposedly left this hotel with. I can't trust no police officer because they taking pay from Son [the hotel owner]. He pocket deep so they police does collect a salary from him. So they
were protecting him all along,” the distraught womansaid.
Thewomanisconvinced that her daughter's disappearanceisnoaccident. “It was planned out and the police,staffandhotelowners know what happened to my daughter.”
“When we were looking for my child …the same (CID rank) said that the ownertellhethatthecamera aint working that none of them camera's aint working…I tell the officer why he don't shut down that place leh we search and he said who me? You want me to lose my job? I can't do that,”thewomanadded.
Simonmaintainsthather familywillfightuntiljustice isserved.
“We are camped outside oftheLeonoraPoliceStation because we want to make surethatmandoesnotcome andgonowhere.Wehearing that they want to move him toDenAmstelbutwewillgo theretoo. Islikeahcantrest knowingthatmydaughteris dead…”
The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Seven intends to spend approximately $121 million to construct a doctors’ living quarters at Eteringbang, WaramadongandKaburi72Miles.
The bids which were opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office revealed that the living quarters for Eteringbang is estimatedtocost$45.9million,Waramadongitisestimated at $42.4 million and at Kaburi 72 Miles it is estimated at $32.7million.
This publication understands that the doctors’ living quartersarebeingconstructedincommunitiestoreducethe commute time, allowing for quicker responses to emergenciesandincreasedavailabilityforon-callduties.
Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:
RegionalDemocraticCouncilofRegionSeven
ConstructionofdoctorlivingquartersatEteringbang.
Frompage21 ranintoayardandattempted to jump over a steel gate. He was followed by the officer whosubsequentlyshothimin hiswaist.
Peters was then picked up and placed into the bus and taken to the Wismar Police Station, and then to the Linden Hospital Complex where he died while receivingtreatment.
The matter was reported and an investigation was carried out by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the charge was later issued. The defense was led by attorney PatriceHenry
Hetoldthecourtthathis client is Sergeant of Police with regulation number 18047, and has served the force for some 26 years with anunblemishedrecord.
He was last stationed at the Wismar Police Station wherehewasinchargeofthe inquiresoffice.
TheattorneysaidKendall was executing his duty and requested all video footage fromthepolice.
Magistrate Azore remanded Kendall until his next court appearance on May9,2025.
Peters was killed by Kendall on the evening of April 7, 2025. Kendall had claimed that the young man waswantedforrape.
Healsoclaimedthatinan attempt to arrest Peters, his firearmwentoff,causingthe fatalshot.
However, surveillance footage which showed him running behind Peters with a guncounteractedthepolice's claim.
Shortly after, the police officer was seen fetching the injuredmanbyhisclothes.
That shooting death had evoked a massive protest in the township the following day, where another man, 32year-old Keon Fogenay, was shot in the eye and killed by anotherpoliceofficer
Police said Tuesday that investigations into the killing of Fogenay are still ongoing, as other witnesses are expected
o be i n t e r v i e w e d b y investigators to complete the case before the file is submittedtotheDPP
He said that with the limitedfootagehisofficehas seen, he is surprised at the charge.
TrinidadExpress-Fourmenwere fatally shot by police in three separate incidents across Trinidad and Tobago withinaspanof10hoursonFriday
The most recent incident occurred around 10a.m. in St. Mary’s, Moruga, whereShumbaJamesandVishamRyan Lochanwereshotdeadfollowingwhat policedescribedasaconfrontation.
The men were in a Nissan Tiida when they allegedly opened fire on officers near B’s Sports Bar, close to SaundersTrace.
Officersreturnedfire,injuringboth men,whowerethentakentothePrinces Town District Hospital. They were pronounceddeadonarrival.
Policealsoreportedthatatleastten bullet holes were found in one of the police vehicles involved in the exchange.
James, had previously testified against police officers in the high-
profile2011killingofAbigailJohnson, Alana Duncan, and Kerron “Fingers” Eccles. The accused officers were acquittedinNovember2023.
Earlier in the day, shortly after midnight, Devon Sotio, 44, was shot dead in Longdenville after a chase and crash.
Officers conducting a routine roadblock along the Caparo Brasso Valley Road attempted to intercept a silver Toyota Soluna after the driver reversed at high speed upon approachingthecheckpoint.
Police from the Central Division Task Force chased, during which the suspect reportedly changed direction, evaded the officers, and continued southboundathighspeed.
The pursuit ended on Gail Trace, wherethesuspect’svehiclecrashedinto aparkedToyotaCorollawagon.
Police say a man dressed in a blue
coverallexitedthecarandpointedwhat appeared to be a firearm in their direction Fearing for their lives, officers discharged their weapons Sotio, a resident of Clifton Street, East Dry River, Port of Spain, and Gail Trace, Longdenville, was taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre, where he waspronounceddeadat12:28a.m.
Arevolverwithtwoliveroundswas reportedly recovered from the front passengerseatofthevehicle.
InTobago,shortlyafter9a.m.police fatallyshotamanidentifiedasRonelle Marcelle,alsoknownas“Ratty”,inthe vicinityofEgyptJunction,Bethel.
Police say Marcelle, who was wanted on several outstanding warrants, attacked an officer with a cutlassandknifewhenapproached.He was shot and taken to the Scarborough General Hospital, where he was pronounceddead.
- more than 400,000 people who rely on UN-supplied meals will be affected,WFP warns
Aljazeera - The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) says its foodstocksinGazaarecompletely depleted, as Israel’s aid blockade continuesforaneighthweek.
In a statement on Friday, the WFP confirmed it had “delivered its last remaining food stocks” in Gaza to local kitchens, which it anticipates will run out of food entirely“inthecomingdays”.
More than 400,000 people in GazarelyonWFPaid,leavingthem with little recourse if this lifeline fails, the organisation’s Palestine representativeAntoineRenardtold AlJazeera.
“We [local NGOs] are all running short,” he said. “We are beingdepleted.”
Since March 2, Israel has fully blocked all aid supplies, including food, medicine and fuel from entering Gaza, defying a 2024 World Court order to facilitate the entryofhumanitarianassistance.
Foodstockpiledduringanearly two-month ceasefire earlier this year has largely been exhausted, while prices for what little food is leftontheopenmarkethavesurged by 1,400 percent, according to the WFP
Reporting from Gaza City, Al
Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud said hunger and malnutrition were widespread.
“People are hungry They’re alreadyrationingsupplies,”hesaid. “It’s not just the organisations, it’s also families running out of supplies.”
It’s “hard to imagine” how hundreds of thousands of families who have relied on daily meals providedbytheWFPare“goingto getby”,headded.
Gaza’s Government Media Office has warned the dwindling food supplies could push “thousandsofPalestinianfamilies” intostarvation.
It reported that 52 people, including50children,havealready died due to hunger and malnutrition, while more than one million children go hungry every day ‘Intolerable’
Despitethehumanitariancrisis, Israel has shown no signs of reversing the blockade. Last week, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel would keep blocking aid, describing it as a tactic to “pressure”Hamas.
Israel’s military has repeatedly accusedHamasofexploitingaid–a
Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen. (REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa/File Photo)
claimthegroupdenies–andargues it must keep all supplies out to preventthefightersfromgettingit.
However,evensomeofIsrael’s closest allies have publicly condemned the strategy On Wednesday, Germany, France and the United Kingdom collectively called the action “intolerable” and warnedthatitisincreasingtherisk of “starvation, epidemic disease anddeath”.
Israeliattackskilldozens
As the food crisis deepened, Israeliattackscontinuedacrossthe war-battered enclave. At least 78 people were killed in the past 24 hours, Gaza’s Government Media OfficesaidFriday Thisincluded15 victims of air raids on homes in
Khan Younis, and a woman killed byaquadcopterattacknearJabalia refugee camp, according to local mediareports.
Meanwhile,effortscontinuedto revive stalled ceasefire talks in Cairo, where a Hamas delegation was expected to meet with EgyptianofficialsonSaturday
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu toldAFPthatthegroup’sdelegation inCairowouldbeheadedbyKhalil al-Hayya He reiterated that Hamas’s weapons “are not up for negotiation”.
Sofar,thetruceefforthasbeen deadlocked, with Hamas insisting onapermanentceasefireandIsrael offeringonlytemporarytrucesand demandingthatHamasdisarm.
Butmediatorshavebegunwork on a proposal that would include a five-to-seven-year truce following the release of all captives in Gaza and an end to fighting, Reuters reported, quoting several informed sources.
Sincetheceasefirecollapsedon March 18, Israeli attacks have killedmorethan1,900Palestinians, many of them civilians, according to health authorities in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced as Israel seized what it callsabufferzone.
At least 51,439 people have been killed and 117,416 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since it began in October 2023, according toPalestinianauthorities.
ABOARDAIRFORCE ONE, April 25 (Reuters)U S President Donald TrumpsaidonFridaythathe pushe
M
Netanyahutoallowfoodand medicineintothedevastated GazaStrip.
No aid has been delivered to the Palestinian enclavesinceMarch2.Israel has said it would not allow the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza until Palestinian militant group Hamas rel
es all remaininghostages.
Earlier on Friday, the U N Wo r l d F o o d Programme said it had run outoffoodstocksinGaza.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether concernsabouthumanitarian aid access came up in his phone call with Netanyahu earlierthisweek.
U.S. President Donald Trump. REUTERS/Leah Millis
“Gaza came up and I said, ‘We’ve got to be good to Gaza ... Those people are suffering,’”Trumpsaid. When asked whether he raised the issue of opening up access points for aid into
Gaza, Trump replied “We are.”
“We’regoingtotakecare of that. There’s a very big need for medicine, food and medicine, and we’re taking careofit,”hesaid.
Asked how Netanyahu responded,Trumpsaid:“Felt wellaboutit.”
The war in Gaza was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and took some 251 hostages,accordingtoIsraeli tallies.Sincethen,morethan 51,300 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gazahealthauthorities.
“Hunger is spreading in Gaza, malnutrition is deepening in Gaza, injured people and other patients remain untreated in Gaza, and–aswehavesaidbefore – people are dying,” U.N. spokesperson Stephane DujarricsaidonFriday
Calabar High School team of Jamal Stephenson, Shaquane Gordon, Dijon Swaine, and Khamani Gordon won the 4x100m relay.
SportsMax - Calabar High School lit up Franklin Field with a clinical and commanding display to win their ninth High School Boys’ Championship of America 4x100m relay title onFriday’sseconddayofthe 129th Penn Relays Carnival, tying the all-time record for mostwinsintheevent.
The Red Hills Roadbased team featuring JamalStephenson,Shaquane
Gordon, Dijon Swaine, and Khamani Gordon executed smooth baton passes and powered to victory in 39.79 seconds, a time that firmly cemented their place in Penn Relays history
’s dominance in the event and puts them in elite company, t
the Jamaican teams with the most 4x100m titles in the prestigious relay carnival’s storiedhistory.Boys&Girls High in New York and MercersburgAcademyoutof Pennsylvania also have nine titles.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Whetherornotyou'reartistic, Aries, inspiration for music, painting, writing, or other creative projects could come to you thick and fast today Writedownyourideas.There couldbesomanyyoumaynot beabletorememberthemall.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Agroupactivitycouldinvolve anumberofpeople,including someclosefriends,whoshare y o u r i n t e l l e c t u a l , philosophical, or spiritual interests,Taurus.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Today you might be in the public eye along with some close friends and perhaps a love partner. You may be giving a speech, leading a discussion group, or be the centerofattentionataparty.
CANCER(June21–July22)
A new and exciting person, possibly someone from a distant state or foreign country,couldcomeintoyour life today The conversation couldmakeyouawareofnew fields of interest that you find fascinating.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Some unusual dreams could have unexpected side effects, Leo. They could spark new ideas for creative projects or possible innovative concepts to advance your career or sociallife.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Some unusual dreams could have unexpected side effects, Leo. They could spark new ideas for creative projects or possible innovative concepts to advance your career or sociallife.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Work might take up a lot of yourtimetoday,Libra,perhaps job related, perhaps chores around the house. Friends or family may join you, and their conversationcouldhelprelieve someofthetedium.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)
Muchofyourdayislikelytobe spentinthecompanyoffamily, close friends, and a current or potentiallovepartner Business partners could be involved. Thisshouldbeaverypleasant, stimulatingdayforyou.
SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)
Today's aspect might tempt youoffcourseanddisruptyour balanced lifestyle with tantalizing new ideas and projects. This can be curtailed through mindfulness - yoga is recommended.
CAPRICORN(Dec22–Jan19)
Walkingdownapathoffireisa little bit like what this week may be like. The planetary alignment presents an opportunityforwhateverlooks scary to be overcome through focus and determination. Give yourselfthebenefitofcourage.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Thefavorableaspectoftheday gives you ample energy with whichtoworkyourmagic.The seducer in you is charged and ready to strike - and woe to anyonewhocrossesyou!
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
The planets today strengthens yourresolvetogetthingsdone. Aim that arrow exactly where you want to go. Your aim is assistedbythistransit,butyour eagerness to see things end well might cause premature judgments.
BySamuelWhyte
The inclement weather had the final say in the Port Mourant Turf Club (PMTC) planned one-day Easter horseracemeetwhichwassetforlastSundayApril20th.
After completing all preparations, the venue at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice was inundated with continuous rainfall which left the surface impossible for horseracing.
There were eight races carded for the day while cash, trophiesandotherincentiveswereupforgrabs.
ThefeatureeventwasopentoallhorsesinGuyana.
Theothereventswereforanimalsclassifiedthree-yearoldandOpentoGuyanaandTrinidadbredhorses.
An event for E and lower non-winners in Guyana. One forGclasshorsesanotherforanimalsclassifiedHandlower thathasn’twonsinceAugust2024.
Archbishop John Carroll of Washington, DC, briefly disrupted the Jamaican sweepbysnatchingsecondin 40 04s, while Kingston College finished third in 40.16s.
ExcelsiorHighalsoputin a strong showing to clock 40.36s for fourth, ahead of Edwin Allen (41 01s), Jamaica College (41.04s), St ElizabethTechnical(41.06s), William Knibb Memorial (41.10s),andBlueMountain of Pennsylvania (41 78s), who rounded out the finalists.
Meanwhile, St George’s CollegewontheHighSchool Boys International final in a new record of 40.64s. The team of Raheem Collins, Tyreece Foreman, Nathaneil Abraham, Naethan Bryan erased Excelsior’s previous markof41.04ssetin2023.St Augustine’s of Bahamas and Herbert Morrison from Western Jamaica copped silver and bronze as both crossedin41.19s.
OneforhorsesclassifiedJandKandlower AraceforJ3 and lower maiden horses that is also open to 3 years old Guyana Bred animals. The final event was for animal classifiedLandlower
TheTrophyStallwasoneofthemainsponsors.
Frompage33
Six” for ICC WCWC 2025 (2022 to 2025) - Australia,
India, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka - ICC Pakistan 2025 Qualifier was WI Women’s 2nd chance to qualify for ICC WCWC 2025 Somehow, WI Women ignominiously blew that possibilitytoo. Therecanbe no excuses for that abject failure!
Unfortunately, and very disappointingly, there has been appalling dishonesty about the non-qualification of WI Women to the “big dance” in India later in 2025
Despite the crap uttered
by people intimately associated with WI cricket, written on Instagram etc., and, almost apologetically, aired by Caribbean commentators and scribes, WIWomenDIDNOTMISS that qualification because they DID NOT GET 167 runs in 10.0 overs, against Thailand, in that final game. How did Thailand get 166; 30runstoomany?
WI Women MISSED that qualification because, extremely lackadaisically, WI Women LOST TO Scotland Women, a much lesser team, in their first game of ICC Qualifier Pakistan 2025. Had WI Women beaten Scotland
Women, they would have sailed through to the main event in India, even if WI Women had still lost to Pakistan Women later
There would have been no need for CRAY, IBM or UNISYS computations, to the 3rd decimal point, to calculateplacings.
“Each game at ICC WCWC 2025 Qualifier Pakistan 2025 is an event,” said Ireland Women’s Orla Prendergast What a massive understatement Each game, in a tournament with ONLY six teams, is morelikeaFINAL. Thereis no room for errors or comebacks; five games to make your mark and make much more money Everything starts at the beginning!
Few time-shortened sporting situations start badly and recover ICC WCWC 2025 Qualifier Pakistan 2025 was a 100 meters sprint - boom, out of theblocks,zoom!
One such exception was Atlanta’s 1996 Olympics’ 100 meters Men’s Final. At 50 meters, T&T’s Ato
Boldonled. Hefinished3rd. Canada’s Jamaican “Big Boy”DonovanBailey;9.840 seconds, world record; powered the tape, with Namibia’sFrankieFrederics 2nd.
Dribbling diatribes suggested that WI Women desperately wanted to qualify for ICC WCWC 2025 in India. Were they really ready for the intensity and top performances needed for that harrowing eventinPakistan?
Cricket West Indies, Team Managers, Coaches, and especially Captain Hayley Matthews MUST answerandexplainTHAT!
Said WI Women’s Captain Hayley Matthews: “We let ourselves down.” Bestunderstatementof2025 so far! Ms. Matthews and her squad let 8 million Caribbeanpeopledown!
Eliminated from ICC WCWC 2025, WI Women forfeited an astronomical
opportunity at winning US$5m for the squad. That thought alone must be a highly ghoulish continuing waking nightmare, ala film Director Alfred Hitchcock’s work. I, really, certainly hopeso!
CWI MUST have an extremely serious inquiry Personnel must be accountable; fired too; “failure to achieve the objectives for which one was hired” (a concept that does not exist in the Caribbean). Expect us minions never to know Everything done is almostconclavequiet. Realities,though,rancor WI Women missed ICC WCWC 2025 by 0 013 points! So, mathematics and excellentfinancesgohandin glove like foo-foo and dumplings Ask stock marketpersonnelaroundthe world. Money maketh man and woman! Cheers! Enjoy!
Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) came alivethisEasterashundredsoffamilies gathered on Easter Monday for an unforgettable day of vibrant fun, community spirit, and cultural celebration.
From the early hours of Monday morning,theskiesabovetheclubwere dotted with dazzling kites of every shape and size. Children ran across the lush fields with wide smiles, laughter echoing as their creations took flight. Parents and grandparents looked on withpride,someevenjoininginthefun, rekindling childhood memories and creatingnewones.
What truly set the LGC Easter celebrations apart this year was the perfect blend of tradition and entertainment Alongside the kiteflying, the grounds were transformed into a festive fairground featuring
bouncy castles, trampolines, face painting, children’s races, and giveaways. Music filled the air as DJs kept the crowd dancing, while food vendors satisfied every craving with deliciouslocaldishesandsweettreats.
The event was not limited to residents of Lusignan; families travelled from Linden, Berbice, Essequibo, and other parts of Guyana, all eager to be a part of what has now become one of the country’s most popular Easter destinations. Visitors praised the peaceful atmosphere, the warm hospitality, and the wellorganized line-up of activities that cateredtoallagegroups.
Speakingattheevent,businessman
Bhagwandin shared a few words with attendees:
“It’samazingtoseesomanypeople
here, not just from Lusignan, but from all across the country This is what communitylookslike—peoplecoming togethertocelebrate,tosharejoy,andto make memories. It’s a reminder that with unity and love, we can build stronger, happier communities. Thank youallforcomingoutandmakingthis Easteronetoremember.”
As the day came to a close, kites slowly descended, children clutched their prizes, and families left with full bellies and full hearts. The Lusignan Golf Club had once again proven that it’s not just a place for sport—but a space where Guyanese culture, togetherness,andjoycantrulythrive.
Withplansalreadyintheworksfor evenbiggereventslaterthisyear,LGC continues to soar—both as a golf destination and a community hub for all.
The much-anticipated Deputy Mayor’s Football Cup received a powerful boost on ThursdayastheGuyanaBeverageInc.(GBI) officially joined the tournament’s lineup of sponsors through its popular Turbo Energy Drinkbrand.
In a brief but meaningful ceremony at GBI’s headquarters in Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the company solidified its commitment to the event by handing over a set of shining trophies to tournament coordinatorLennoxArthur Thepresentation was made by Turbo’s Sales Coordinator, Nedrie Wharton, marking a significant contributiontowhatpromisestobeanactionpackedshowcaseoflocalfootballtalent.
The tournament, scheduled to kick off with four electrifying nights of Inter Ward/Village football on Wednesday and Thursday at the Eve Leary Ground (commonly known as the Police Ground), willfeature32ofthecountry’stopteamsina seven-a-side,straightknockoutformat.With Turbo now named the official beverage sponsor, players and fans alike can look forwardtohigh-energymatchupspoweredby oneofGuyana’sleadingenergydrinkbrands.
“In keeping with the GBI’s social responsibility,weareprivilegedtobeapartof this initiative, as young sportsmen realise
their dream in this exciting Inter Ward Football tournament,” said Wharton during hisremarks.
Arthur,receivingthetrophiesonbehalfof the organising committee, expressed sincere appreciation for the partnership. “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Turbo brand for coming on board as the official beverage of this epic tournament. Thisismorethanjustafootballcompetition, it’saboutbrilliance,camaraderie,andunityin asafe,competitiveenvironment,”hesaid.
SettorunfromApril30toMay14atEve Leary, the tournament has generated considerablebuzzamongfootballfanseager to see their community teams battle for braggingrightsandglory
Turbo Energy Drink now joins an impressivelineupofsponsorssupportingthe event, including: One Communications, Reunion Gold, Star Rental, John Fernandes Ltd.,CaribbeanContainersInc.,International Pharmaceutical Agency, Pegasus Hotel, Superbet, NAMILCO, Gafoors, Massy Distribution, King’s Liquor Guyana Inc., China Trading, E-Net, Eddie Bobcat, Busta, Sari Products, Sterling Products, BK International, Toolsie Persaud Ltd., C&CL, JCATradingInc.,Dr CollinWatson,andthe OfficeoftheCommissionerofPolice.
Windward Island Infernos skipper Alick Athanaze hit a classyhalf-century,thefirstof thetournamentwhichpropelledhisteamtoa comeback 25-run win over the Guyana Rainforest Rangers yesterday at the Brain LaraCricketAcademyGround.
The West Indies left-hander carried the Infernoswithhisfieryknockof97notoutoff 57ballswithfivefoursandsevenhugesixes, whilehissupportcameintheformofDillon Douglas who scored 26 (3x4). Guyana’s bowling was led by pacer Nial Smith who claimed3-28alongwith2-34fromtheyoung seamerJediahBlades.
The Windwards skipper made amends afterlosingaclusterofwicketsandplayeda captain’s knock up until the very last ball he faced,finishingofftheinningswithanumber ofboundariestocarryhisteamto166-6.
Guyana misfired terribly after a century stand from opener Adrian Sukwah who stroked a classy 57 off 43 (6x4 1x6) and KevlonAnderson who hit three sixes and as manyfoursinhis58off43balls.
Nootherbatterreacheddoublefiguresas leg-spinner Darel Cyrus bagged 4-37 with support from Ryan John who captured 2-16, keepingtheRainforestRangersto141-9after 20overs.
The next match will see the Rangers looking to rebound against the home team Trinidad and Tobago Legion tonight from 19:00h.(C.Ross)
Guyana’s Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan, the reigning National Chess Champion, and Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender, 2024’s NationalWomenChampion, have returned home following their participation in the 2025 Subzone 2.3.3 Absolute and Women Chess Championships, hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association from April 11th to April 18th, 2025.
IntheAbsolutecategory, International Master OrlandoHusbands(2291)of Barbados emerged as the overall champion, finishing withanimpressive7.5points out of a maximum of 9. Representing Guyana, CM K h a n d e l i v e r e d a commendable performance, securing 5 5 points and finishing in 15th place amongacompetitivefieldof internationalplayers.
Candidate Master Jessica
While entering with an ELO rating of 2023, Khan experienced two setbacks, losing to Trinidad’s Vassell (1664) in the opening round and to strong contender FM RyanHarper(2125)inround eight Nevertheless, he demonstrated his strength with wins over Trinidad’s Sookraj (1586) and
Jamaican players Mckoy (1729), Stephenson (1861), and Belinfante (1898). He drew games with his Trinidadian opponent Bisnath (1891), Jain (1910) from Jamaica, and FM
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)
has announced the official schedule and team selections for the 2025 GCB Under-19 Inter-County Super50Championship,whichissettobowl offtoday,Saturday,April26,2025.
This year’s tournament will feature four teams: Demerara, Berbice, Essequibo, and theGCBSelectXI.
Following the recent spell of inclement weather, these are the revised dates for the tournament, carefully adjusted to ensure fair play and competitive balance across all participatingcounties.
TournamentFixtures:
Saturday,April26
EssequibovsDemerara–ImamBacchus Ground
BerbicevsSelectXI–PoliceSC
Sunday,April27–RestDay
Monday,April28
SelectXIvsDemerara–LBI
BerbicevsEssequibo–PoliceSC
Tuesday,April29
DemeraravsBerbice–PoliceSC
SelectXIvsEssequibo–LBI
Final–DateandVenuetobeconfirmed
TeamSquads:
DemeraraUnder-19:
Sachin Balgobin (Captain), Jayden Dowlin (Vice Captain), Shiloh Adams, Vickash Wilkinson, Ryan Latif, Nicholas Shiopersad, Romeo Deonarain, Shamar Apple(Wk),WavellAllen,KelvinRaymond, UdeshSeetaram,NityanandMathura,Neeraj Bani,VemolLall,EmmanuelLewis
MoncurfromtheBahamas.
BarbadianWFMHannah Willson (1847) delivered a stellar performance in the Women’s category, dominating the field and clinching the championship withacommanding8points outofapossible9.
WCM Jessica Callender (1568)finishedin14thplace with a total of 4.5 points, whichincludedtwowinsand five draws with only two losses.
After losing her first round against WCM ReiferBelle(1816)fromBarbados, Callender secured victories against Grenada’s Flanders and WCM Wahid (1588) from St. Lucia. Callender drew with Aruba’s Moreno Mora (1678), Trinidad’s Dolly(1596),Duffrin(1558) and Ali, and WCM Zara Majid (1576) from the
C a y m a n I s l a n d s
Neighboring Suriname’s WCM Kaslan (1740) won against Callender in the eighthround.
Callender described her firstSubZonetournamentas an incredible experience, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e opportunity to compete against top players from eightnations Sheexpressed her excitement at losing onlytwogames,notingthat her toughest match was in the first round against
, Barbadian WCM Chanon Reifer-Belle.
Khan commented that the nature of the games was of a high standard and quite challenging. He welcomed the experience of playing against other talented chess playersfromothercountries.
Standby Players: Deonarine Dindyal, Lakeram Sukhdeo, Moin Persaud, Shane Prince,SyaadLakeram,ArvinSukhnand
EssequiboUnder-19:
RaqendraRamrattan(Captain)Godbaran Chulai, Shazim Mohamed, Bruce Vincent, Ronaldo Jeffery (Vice Captain), Teddy Wong,GlodewinHenry,JelroyBrown,Ovin Persaud,MahendraSankar,NicholasLovell, Benny Persaud, Harold Daniels, Saif Samaroo,AshtonSimmons
Reserves: Trivel Evans, Andres Fraser, Nafron Gill, Saheed Baksh, Shazim Mohamed
BerbiceUnder-19:
Rampersaud Ramnauth, Sanjay Algoo, Matthew Pottaya (Vice Captain), Salim Khan,OkasieBoyce,KevinKisten,Damion
Cecil, Afraz Ali Boodhu, Ari Afrizal Kadir, Micah Amsterdam, Daniel Joseph, Rashad Gaffur,KumarDeopershad,RomeshBharrat
Coach:GregoryCrandon
Manager:RajendraBeharry
GCBSelectXI:
Romario Ramdeholl (Captain), Parmeshwar Ram (Vice Captain), Jonathan Mentore, Kishan Silas, Dave Mohabir, JoshuaBoodram,AvishkarBeharry,AdilAli, Devon Wharton, Raj Tika, Andres Fraser, NatronGill,TrivelEvans,SaheedBakshand ShazamMohamed
The GCB extends its best wishes to all players and officials involved in the tournament and looks forward to a competitive and exciting showcase of youth crickettalent.
Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, D
Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, Saint KittsandNevis,SaintLucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and the U.S.VirginIslands.
The champions of each t o u
automatically earn the right to participate in the next FIDEWorldCup.
The Guyana Chess Federation congratulates Khan and Callender on their achievements and continues to champion the growth of localplayersastheycompete internationally
The tournament featured top players from across the
The action promises to be intense tonight.
- Spaniards only perfect team from two wins ahead of quarterfinals
Tonightisthefinalnightintheroundrobingroupstagesof this11theditionoftheLindenGreatestIntheStreetsfootball tournament and after two nights Group D’s Spaniards is the onlyteamwithaperfectrecordwithtwowinsandsixpoints. Eachofthesixteenteamshaveplayedtwogamesandhave onemoretonighttocompletethepreliminaries.
At 7.00pm the action starts with a Group D game where Spaniards, who are virtually through with six points, face ExcuseTheRushwhoareonzeropointsaftertwodefeats.
Thatgamewillbefollowedat7.30pmwithTurfPresident taking on Coomacka United in a Group C clash, where Coomacka have a win and loss for one point, as opposed to TurfPresidentwithtwodrawsfortwopoints.
Gamethreeat8.00pmpitsinGroupBrivalsYMCAand withawinandalossagainstHardBallManagementwhohave twodraws.At8.30pmthebattleisbetweenGroupA’sRealist Ballers who have a win and a draw for one point, facing Bomberswhohaveanidenticalrecord.
Then at 9.00pm the action is between Group D’s High RollerswhohaveawinandalossforthreepointsfacingLA Ballerswhoalsohasasimilarrecord.
At 9.30pm it’s another encounter where Assasa Ballers andDCBallerscollideinaGroupBmatch.DCBallersareon fourpointsfromawinandadrawwhileAssasaBallersareon two points from two drawn games. A Group A clash is the penultimate game of the night where Group A’s teams Pro Ballers meet champions Silver Bullets at 10.00pm. The Bulletshavefourpointsfromawinandadrawandopponents ProBallersareononepointfromadrawngameandaloss.
The final preliminary game is in Group C where Young Gunners with two draws for two points take on Swag Entertainment who are on four points having won one and drawingtheotherplayedsofar
After tonight’s matches the final eight teams to battle on thequarterfinalsnextWednesdayattheRetrieveHardCourt willbedetermined.
The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) on 24thAprilselectedtheTeam for the Rugby Americas North (RAN) International 15s Tournament between Guyana and the Cayman Islands today, Saturday, 26th April, 2025, at the National Park Rugby Groundat2:00p.m.
T h e Te a m w a s encamped at the Royal International Hotel & Mall, MandelaAvenue.
They have been in training for the event and will hope of a good showing against the CaymanIslands.
Team:
RondelMcArthur
OdidaDouglas
TyressePrescod
KevonDavid
DevonCharles
19.OsbertRobertson 20.SeanPhillips 21.MarlonSmall
DelmarHeadley
James
JermainJoseph
BY:ColinCroft -FormerGuyana, LancashireCCCandWI InternationalCricketer
Lastweek,threesporting events brought mathematics and much money into magnificent luminescenceWest Indies Women at ICC CWC 2025 Qualifier in Pakistan, 2025 Boston MarathonandSaudiArabian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jedda.
Iloveallsports,buthave affinity for soccer, cricket, athletics, cycling, tennis, swimming, boxing and Formula1. Veryfortunately, I have been able to experience many sports at the highest levels, and met many supposedly important peoplealongtheway,around theworld.
For Boston’s Marathon 2025, Kenyans Sharon Lokedi and John Korir won Women’s and Men’s races, each winning US$150,000. Almost unbelievably, Ms Lokedi clocked 2 hours, 17 minutes, 22 seconds, the fastest time ever, by more than two minutes, for the 26 22 miles (42 10 km) Boston Marathon Women. Setting that new record, Ms. Lokedi added another US$50,000, making her victory total US$200,000, for less than three hours of hardwork.
For the mathematically challenged,MsLokedimade an astonishing US$87,375 per hour, for her run. Oil company executives do not do that well By extrapolation, that is a p p r o x i m a t e l y US$3,495,000, per 40-hour week, nearly US$14 million per month, exactly why professional athletes, world over, in any sport, train so damned hard. Financial spoilsareenormous.
In Formula 1; Jedda, SaudiArabia,fifth2025race, fifty laps, total approximate distance310km(192miles); McLaren’s Oscar Piastri’s total time was 1 hour, 21 minutes 6 758 seconds (approx.avg.speed137mph / 220 kph), beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 2.843 seconds. Third was Ferrari’s Charles
LeClerc, 8 104 seconds behind Max. Tire choiceshard, medium, soft - and electrifying2to4-secondpit stops,makebetterresults.
Placings, 1st to 10th, havesevereconsequencesin Formula 1, for teams and well-paid drivers. Points at season’s end for car construction companies and driversnetmegamonies.
McLaren, 2024’s Constructors’ Champion, earned US$161m. Most Formula 1 drivers average around US$40m per year With bonuses for winning races, by sheer seconds, thosefinancesamplify Max Verstappen’s total 2024 incomewasUS$75m!
Thesixth2025Formula1 race is next weekend in Miami, Florida, 250 miles (400 km) from my home. I might take a quick gander, MCO (Orlando Int’l to MIA (Miami Int’l), to witness t h o s e e x t r e m e l y extraordinarily fast “road airplanes”careenaround!
WestIndiesWomen’s WoesinICCQualifierin Pakistan2025
Now to WI Women’s inability to qualify, at ICC 2025 Pakistan Qualifier, for ICC WCWC 2025, in India (September and October 2025). Howthehelldidthis happen? Why did WI Women descend so low, in four years, that they had to play in a qualifying tournamentanyway? Do not try to kill the messenger Colin Croft was not playing in Pakistan. WI Womenwere!
Rated No. 6 by ICC but havingfailedtoget“Top Continued on page 26
