New HomeAffairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond shares a light moment with her predecessor, Robeson Benn on her first day of the job yesterday
Govt. willing to meet with CGX to facilitate investment
…butmaintainsCorentyneBlocklicenceexpired illegally occupying land Mohamed to take legal action against govt. contractor for
Govt. to push for gender-based crimes to be non-bailable -MinisterPersaud …asfalloutovercrushingelectionsdefeatdeepens
Trump says:
Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat, has clarified that any future engagement with the joint venture (JV) between CGX Energy Inc. and Frontera Energy Corporation will focus on determining the wayforward.
During a sideline interview with Kaieteur News on Saturday night at State House shortly after being sworn in for a second term, Minister Bharrat confirmed that the ministry didreceiveacorrespondence fromtheJV He said it was then decided to have a meeting with CGX and Frontera, “at some point in time.” Last month,theJVdisclosedthat it received a final communication from the Government of Guyana informingthemofthestate's willingness to possibly a final meeting. The JV said government maintained its position and rejected the oil companies'claimsregarding the status of the Corentyne Block licence, reaffirming that the JV's interest in the Corentyne Block had expiredonJune28,2024.
“At this time, I can't say
whatthatengagement,when itwillbeorwhatnaturethat engagementwilltake,butwe maintain our position that the licence has come to an endandweareopentotalks on how do we move forward,”theministersaid.
Minister Bharrat noted that while the government maintains its position, it is willingtomeetinvestorsand
facilitate investment. He s t r e s s e d t h a t t h e government's role is to facilitate investment in the
we're willing to meet with any partner once it's in the interest of Guyana and development of our country,”theministeradded.
After more than two decades of exploration, the JV finally struck oil at the Kawa-1 well in January 2022. Just ahead of the June 28, 2024 deadline for the b l o c k ' s a p p r a i s a l programme, the JV submitted a Notice of Potential Commercial Interest to government for the Wei-1 well, on June 26. The government later said stringent conditions would need to be met to retain the block. In March 2025, the government issued a 30-day notice and gave the oil companiesachancetomake
cut ties with the JV in relation to the Corentyne Blockandsaidthatitisofthe view that there are no reasonable grounds to grant an extension to CGX and Frontera for their exploration and appraisal obligations.
country's best interest. “As you know, we are government that facilitates investment and investors, so
Government was open to good-faith negotiations w
timeframe.
Government eventually
However, the JV has maintainedthatitsinterestin the Corentyne Block remains valid, even after receiving a formal communication from the government stating that the Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) and Petroleum Agreement had ended.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456
Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS
Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
The ink had barely dried on her new instruments of office when Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand rolled up on the construction site of the new Bamia Primary School on Sunday
Shewouldlaterpostonherministry’sFacebookpage:“Just visitedthesiteofBamiaPrimarySchooljustoutsideofLinden in Region 10 which is being built by the Ministry of Local GovernmentandRegionalDevelopment Thisschoolwillbe completed and the children will enjoy the benefits that the government intended No ifs and buts It will finish The contractors have been made aware that they either finish the projectinaccordancewithournewlysettimelinesorsomeone elsewill”Sheaddedaftermeetingwiththecontractors:“We can’t continue that So, we’ve just had a meeting with the contractor and their subcontractors and gone through all the things that need to be done, and we’re going to be putting someoneherefullytomakesurethatthesefinishingworkswill befinished,becauseforthelongestwhileI’vebeenreadingthat they are close to finishing But I’ve also seen other schools wherethereisn’tapush,andotherbuildingsthatthelastlegof finishingtakesforeverWecan’taffordthathere,”sherelated
The unfinished Bamia Primary School has become more than just a construction site; it is a towering monument to nepotism, incompetence, and the kind of transactional governance that continues to blight this nation Nearly four yearson,thechildrenofBamiaarestillforcedtosqueezeinto crampedanduncomfortableclassrooms,whiletheunfinished facilitystandsnearbyasanuglyreminderofhowpoliticstoo oftentrumpsthepublicinterest
From the very start, the project was riddled with controversy It was not entrusted to capable builders with proven track records, but rather to a motley crew of entertainers-turned-contractors—handpicked not for their competence,butfortheirsympathiestotheadministration. The result is what we see today: delays, excuses, and a bungledprojectthatshouldhavebeencompletedyearsago. When citizens had complained and criticise the gifting of thiscontracttothecompany-St8mentInvestmentInc,the governmentpushedback,justifyingthecontractawardand evenassuringthatthecontractorwascapable.
It is ironic, yet instructive, that the very first task of ManickchandinhernewportfoliowastomarchontotheBamia schoolsiteanddemandanswers Herpredecessor,SoniaParag, hadallbutabandonedtheissue,neveroncedemonstratingthe urgency or care that the situation demanded Manickchand’s visit and stern warning to the contractors that they either completetheprojectorgetoffitwasnotonlynecessary,but long overdue The people of Bamia and indeed the nation should take note This was never just a school project gone wrong-itisanexampleofhowgovernancefailswhencontracts are handed out on the basis of political loyalty rather than competence Itisacautionarytaleofwhathappenswhenpublic resourcesaretreatedasspoilstobedistributedamongfriendsof the government We have seen too many examples of this in President Irfaan Ali’s first term and we await the promised reformsandwaragainstcorruption
WewelcomeMinisterManickchand’sintervention.Her presence has brought some measure of confidence to a communitythathasbeenlongneglectedandfrustrated.But words and warnings, though powerful, must now be matchedwithresults.ThenewOctoberdeadlineshehasset thecontractormustbeadheredtoandthechildrenofBamia must not endure yet another school year without the facilitiestheydeserve.KaieteurNewshaslongwarnedthat nepotism and corruption breed inefficiency and squander thehopesofordinaryGuyanese.TheBamiaPrimaryfiasco isevidenceenough.Ifthegovernmentisseriousaboutgood governance,letthisBamiafiascobethecatalysttosignala break from the culture of mismanagement and corruption. ThechildrenofBamiadeservebetter Thenationdeserves better
, Reference is made to your editorial, “Foreign Preference” (Sep 12) commenting on low turnout and Exxon. There is no relationshipbetweenthetwo subjects and oil contract did notfigureinthecampaign.
The editorial is spot on that many voters felt “disgusted and betrayed and sent a message of condemnation by abstaining from voting”. That much I picked up traveling around the country on voting day and querying from nonvoterswhytheydidnotvote. The turnout was lower than in2020andearlierelections in terms of percentage; the turnout was significantly lower in African (Mixed) communities than in Indian areas.
Lowturnouthadnothing to do with oil, S&P Global and Exxon. And the Exxon contract was not among the reasons offered for not voting or how people voted. People were still driven by party loyalty, leadership, personality, and past governance. People looked
at leadership and decided PPP’s Ali and Jagdeo and WIN’sAzruddinwerebetter thanAPNU’s;PPPgoverned better than the preceding coalition There was African-Mixed cross over from APNU to PPP and WIN; the latter got the bulk of PNC’s base which was predicted based on surveys in the party’s strongholds. Also, many PNC supporters could not bring themselves to vote for APNU, WIN, PPP, and AFC, ALP, and FGM, and they decided to stay home Significant number of Amerindians wentforWIN.
You mentioned S&P Global, a trusted and respected company that offerssectorspecificmarket dataandgreatanalytics. You stated, citing S&P(I did not see the report), that Exxon’s exe
election”. In any country, during an election there would be tensions among competing parties, voters, and foreign investors; investors are perennially worried about retrieving
their investment And in Guyana case, Exxon is on record of investing over US $40Bandplananother$20B. Theforeign(andevenmany local)investorswereneutral, meaning they did not take sides in the elections Generally, foreigners don’t meddle in internal politics andcertainlynotelectionsso as not to alienate itself from politicians. And Exxon and other foreign (and even local) companies are commendedfornotshowing anysleightofhand,ifindeed they had preferred a particular party in the election. The election never figured in investors’ talking points They publicly showednopreference.
Regardless of which party would have won the election, the winner would not have pursued a policy thatjeopardisesthepresence of Exxon and other foreign investors. Foreign investment is key to Guyana’s development. It was responsible for Guyana’s phenomenal g r o w
modernisationsince2018.
The editorial is correct that PPP pursued a politically savvy policy (nimble footing) on Exxon contract, not wanting to disruptthestatusquo.Sodid theparties.
Oil and Exxon was hardly mentioned in the campaign.Itdidnotfigurein the platform speech of any leaders. It was a backburner issue WIN and APNU mentioned in policy statements that they would discuss the issue of accountability with Exxon but offered no specifics. As the editorial rightly stated, “nopartywoulddoanything to disturb or cripple the contract”. And all parties agreed to accelerate exploration and production of oil and gas. It is in Guyana’sinterest.Whatever government and opposition do,theymustnotdeterfuture investment in the country in fossil (oil and gas) exploration.Oilacceleration is our passport to rapid development.
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
When we change the way we look at things
DEAREDITOR, Dr Wayne Dyer once lectured, “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”Theelectionisover and a new Cabinet has been sworn-in.
A few Permanent Secretaries have been disclosed along with those who will be the President’s advisors.
Changes are inevitable just as death is. Tax is no longeroneoftheinescapable necessities in life Some know how to dodge the taxman Reinstalling, reshuffling, reassigning or replacing, will redirect the reshapingoftheCabinet.
Peter D’aguiar on the 1964 Election – I should have seen what’s gonna happen…I shouldn’t have beensonaïve…”Aseizureof power by fraud, not an election.”
The sociopolitical studentsandGuyanesewary of Guyana’s history would recall the name and person, in some cases, of Peter D’aguiar, the Portuguese leader of the United Force Party that was responsible for coalescing (colluding?) withBurnham,thePNC,the British and the CIA to help keep Dr Cheddi Jagan and thePPPwereoutofpowerin 1964until1992. Is there déjà vu for
Terrence Campbell, the business magnate? Is he dangerously traversing the daunting route D’aguiar once took with the devious PNC?Ishebeingusedorset up by the deceptive PNC disguisedastheAPNU?
Will it be a matter of time before he realizes that he is doing the dirty work for a disoriented party which cannot diffuse their electorate anger? Some things don’t change, they justbecomedifferent
D’aguiar was also a business entrepreneur who managed a prosperous and profitable company that has survived to be one of the most flourishing business enterprises to date
D’aguiarwasappointed as Finance Minister but it was only a matter of time before he refused to cooperate with Burham in his election rigging schemes and reigned in 1967 Disgusted with Burham’s corruption, D’aguiar joined Jagan and walkedoutofParliamentin 1968
That was the end of his political love affair with BurnhamandGuyana.
Aubrey Norton has been booted as LOO, having lost to the Sanction Man from WIN who now becomes the
new Leader of the Opposition
The man who refused to shake the President’s hand will no longer occupy a seat inParliament but will maintain the reign over APNU Will this memberoftheMCCbeable to stand Gordon’s “guts”, play second fiddle and take his orders? Will he retaliate and be objective to reality and not subjective to biasness? Now that the rain has gone, will the new APNU faces be able to see clearly?
Aubrey Norton wants some to be close to his heart Therearestillafew who see through his eyes “Lick bottom” shares the same podium with him and will now be his m o u t h p i e c e i n parliament
The worst possible alternative will occupy the seattoremindGuyanesethat somethingsdon’tchange.
A u b r e y N o r t o n
perhaps realized the strengths, weaknesses, abilitiesandthreatsposed b y h i s i n t e r n a l competitors and has silenced them through the process of elimination Many will not be seen in Parliament
Thestreetfighterknows how to survive by playing dirty Manyranfromhimfor
theirownhealthandnotwith tails between their legs! Retreatingfromadangerous situationwasawisedecision which enabled some to survive, fight another day a n d p r e s e n t m o r e opportunities.
Theoldmonster’shead is not ready to submerge AubreyNortonisinsisting on his three blind mice to continue sitting, serving andserenadingthesinister sanctity of the PNC as GECOM Commissioners The APNU and AFC had occupied 31 seats in the last Parliament and were theonlyOpposition
Now, APNU will occupy 12 seats and AFC none WIN will have 16 seats and Amanza-Desir willoccupy1seat Yet,the APNU wants to have the wholehogandnotshare WillNortonnotchange thewayhelooksatthings? Where is the honest Rangerandhissoulsearch forintegrity?
Guess the old watch dogs and war lords for the PNC are still sleeping! If APNU continues in the same trend as the past porousPNC,therewillnot be the compliment for a complete cricket team for thenextseries! Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall.
D
, It is always difficult and challenging to receive proper and reliable services in Guyana when dealing withbothprivateandpublic sector institutions. I have interacted with GTT, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission,the National Accreditation Council and National Insurance Scheme over the years and I would ratetheirserviceasmedium to substandard. GRA, GPL and the Immigration Office are special cases that stand alone and warrant their own commentary However, they
symptom symp
oms: disorganization,inefficiency
and a lackadaisical approach. For now, I would like to describe my experiences with four of the aforementioned institutions whicharelistedbelow.
I wish to bring to your attention the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company rebranded as One Communications.Myrecent interaction with them has been totally frustrating and disappointing.
On 14 August 2025 I visitedtheirFogartylocation to pay for a modem and to reconnectmyDSLservice.I spent at least 90 minutes completing this transaction. The service was marked by disorganisation, and inefficiency to customer care.
Customer faces were filled with frustration and disgust as a result of the limited number of cashiers on duty and the long line.A slight commotion broke out when a walk-in customer bypassedthequeueandwent directlytothecashier
Due to connectivity issues, I was transferred from one cashier to the next where I paid for my modem onlyandwasprovidedwitha
receipt ($9,000). I did not pay my reconnection fees sinceIhadinsufficientcash. As observed, most cashiers
were experiencing connectivity issues and powerdisruption.
On20August2025Ipaid the reconnection fee ($14,300) for my DSL serviceandwasassuredthat my service would be restored within the next 48 hours. From the 22 August 2025to3September2025,I reported the matter 4 times about not receiving service. The online agents log my complaint but no corrective action.Thelastagenttriedto resetmyrouterinternallybut wasunsuccessful.
EachtimeImadecontact with online support, I am at least 116 persons in queue waitingtobeserved.WhenI amconnectedwithanonline agent, the agents ask the same question as the AI chatbox; however, these answers were already provided to the AI chatbox. The average time spent on receiving assistance inclusive of waiting time wouldbeatleast80minutes.
On 3 September 2025 both my wife and I once morereachedouttothemon 0488 and 0664. The staff affirmed my wife that a technician would be dispatched within two weeks. I was elated that the technician came the following day at 6 am. He examined the router configuration and returned with a colleague at around 10am.
Before leaving, they successfully resolved the situation and explained the DNS had to be reset. On 8 September 2025, I received an invoice requesting the paymentof$9,892dueon17 September 2025 or service willbediscontinued.WhenI queried the invoice on 11 September, 2025, it was explained that I was billed
foramodem($9,000)which I originally paid for Now I am required to provide my receipt to resolve this issue which I cannot locate, but I canidentifythestaffwhomI made payment to. Despite being a Certified Public Accountant it’s not my nature to keep receipt for everytransaction.
I thought I could rely on their internal systems, but that is even hopeless and I just waste a thought. This situation adds yet another layer of frustration to an already exhausting experience with
Communication. I believed that by rebranding as One Communication would lead toanimprovementinservice quality. However, it has become evident that despite the name change, the underlying issues remain unchanged.
It appears that upper management believes a new name can mask operational inefficiencies, but it serves as a superficial disguise for deeper systemic problems. The public sector mentality and culture still remains. A leopard cannot change its spots.
I urge everyone who conducted a payment with One Communication at the Fogarty location on 14 August 2025 to double check their accounts to ensure they are correct and that all payments have been accountedfor Youmaybea victimofinternalfraud.
At this point One Communication presents One Big Problem to the wholeofGuyanapresenting more problems than solutions.
GUYANALANDSAND
On another soaring and chronic issue, I wish to divert your attention to the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. I believe that this Institution has outlived its usefulness, is inept, unethical and highly inefficient. The manner and waythisInstitutionoperates aresymptomsofgreaterand underlying systemic problems which continue to plague this nation This agency is riddled with poor and unethical practices whichnoonewantstoweed out. Over the years, it has continuedunabated.
Forthepast20yearsmy father, Tekaram Misir, has been trying to obtain title to his rice lands. In 2004 he engaged Mr. Michael Huston, a sworn land surveyor, from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to survey and divideaplotofricelandand to file his application for title.Whilst the process was executedbyMr Hutson,my fatherdevelopedsubsequent concerns as to the accuracy anddivisionofhisriceland. Acting on my father’s concernsIdecided,in2005, t o r e m e a s u r e a n d recomputedthedivisionand allocation of the rice land. My computation revealed that my father received at least one acre less which confirmedhissuspicion.
Thelandwasnotdivided equally as intended; the other party received this portion.Whatwasdescribed on the application was totally different from what physicallyexists.
Subsequent follow-ups by my father revealed that
his application for title was never filed. After repeated and constant running to and from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to rectify this matter, he was further advised that the entire process had to be redone which also meant incurring the same surveying costs once more. My father complied with all their requirements, and they are extremely slothful in grantinghistitle.
To address their slothfulness, my father visited senior government officials within the Current Administration. Despite the government’s intervention, the instructions have not been acted upon by Commissioner Enrique Monize and Mr. Michael Hutson.Myfathernowisin poor health. More than 20 years have passed, yet no titlehasbeenissued.
To add insult to injury, overtheyearsmyfatherhas been paying rice cultivation fees and rates and taxes for land not within his possession.Thisistheplight of a poor and uneducated man.
Itisverychallengingfor the common man to receive proper service here in Guyana and even harder whenyouareuneducated.
Regardless of the controversies surrounding staff at public institutions, it is evident that inefficiency and unethical practices are often overlooked and, in most cases, even rewarded throughpromotiontohigher positions.
National Accreditation CouncilofGuyana
Mybriefinteractionwith this institution revealed that
their systems are outdated and they are lagging behind time.Giventherapidpaceof development, this is a precariouspositiontobein. In2023,Isoughttohave myforeignMScinForensic Accounting evaluated for equivalency to Guyanese academicstandards.
After compiling all required documents and traveling to their Barima Avenue location, I was told by the staff that I needed to deposit an evaluation fee of $ 5 , 0 0 0 i n t o t h e i r commercial bank account located on Water Street. It was a hassle to travel to the NAC location, and an additional inconvenience to get to their bank and wait in linejusttomakeapayment. Like other employees, I am also required to seek approval for time off to c o n d u c t p e r s o n a l transactions.
IaskedthestaffifIcould paycash,butshetoldmethat customers had to deposit funds into their bank account.
Then the deposit slip mustbepresentedasproofof payment. It’s their policy I told that it was terrible that management did not trust their employees to collect $5,000 in cash. Due to the difficulties and inefficiency, I did not proceed with this evaluation.Onthesameday, I contacted a NACES evaluation member, uploaded my qualification online, paid by debit card and received my academic equivalency report within twodays.
The NAC policy did not caterforeventualitieswhere personswouldbeunaware
(Continuedonpage06)
(AL-JAZEERA) The emergency Doha summit of Arab and Muslim leaders has issued its final declaration, saying it would standbehindQatarasittakes steps to respond to Israel’s “cowardly” attack on the Gulfnationlastweek.
Six-year-old twins were among the 51 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza City, when Israeli strikesalsokilledthreeGaza journalists Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters that Monday’s summit represented the unity of the ArabIslamicranks.
“Arab and Muslim leaders have come together to express their unified stance against the Israeli attack on Qatar They assertedthattheattackonan Islamic and Arab country andmemberoftheUNisan unprecedented escalation and a threat to international peace and security,” alAnsarisaid.
“This emergency summit in Doha is not a dependency summit, but a message to the entire world that as Arab and Islamic countries, we reject any aggression, and we assert that the Palestinian cause would remain central until
Palestinians
thePalestinianpeopleregain theirfullrights.”
Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said the summit and its proceedings reflect“thestatus,respect,and appreciation enjoyed by Qatar” Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin HamadAlThani has warned against Israel’s expansionist vision of the Arabregionashelambasted the country for last week’s
deadly bombing of Doha, calling the assault “blatant, treacherous,andcowardly”.
“My country’s capital was subjected to a treacherous attack targeting a residence housing the families of Hamas leaders and their negotiating delegation,” the Qatari emir saidinhisopeningspeechat theemergencysummitofthe A r a b L e a g u e a n d Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC).
“Our citizens were
surprised, and the entire world was shocked by the aggression and cowardly
terrorist act,” he said, referring to the global condemnation of the
September 9 attack that killedsixpeople.
“Wearedeterminedtodo whatever is necessary to preserveoursovereigntyand confrontIsraeliaggression.”
Doha, a close US ally that hosts the largest United States military base in the region, has dubbed the unprecedented attack “state terrorism” The strike targeted Hamas leaders gathered to discuss a USbacked Gaza ceasefire proposal The Palestinian groupsaysitstopleadership survived the assassination attempt.Sheikh Tamim said Israel’s actions showed it had no genuine interest in peace, adding that Israel is attempting to “thwart the negotiations” aimed at ending Israel’s war in Gaza, which has killed more than 64,800 Palestinians
“Anyonewhopersistently
(Continuedonpage18)
Frompage05 of this requirement If managementwere proactive and forward thinking, a simple solution could be devised in which cash is collected on premises, a receipt issued and collections are promptly deposited followed by the implementation of additionalsecuritymeasures if needed. Many institutions have this basic model. An ideal model would be an online system like those used by NACES members. GiventheNACstructurethe idealmodelwouldtaketime to realize, however, making a simple start by amending the policy will allow for greaterefficiency
Over the years, my dealings with the National InsuranceSchemehavebeen frustrating and completely disappointing. I’ve always found their service to be slow, with long wait times and their environment congested You have to spend an inordinate amount of time to execute a simple transaction. Even after the transaction is completed, staff call to request additionaldocumentationor your claims will not be reimbursed. In my cases, I found these additional requirements to be petty, ridiculous and time consuming. In my recent dealingwiththem,Iwassick
andsubmittedamultitudeof receipts for reimbursement.
Mysurnamewasmisspelled on one receipt by a single letter, instead of an “i” the doctor placed an “e” then probably realizing his error addedadotontop.TheNIS office rejected this claim. When I questioned it, the staff said the correct name hadtobestatedoritcouldbe a different person. I asked how this issue can be rectified. The staff replied that I should obtain another copy of the doctor’s receipt withmycorrectname.Asan employee, I have to request time off to return to the doctorandthendropitoffat NIS, where I join another longline.
Many times I have reasons to question the sanityofthesestaffandhave to conclude that they are sicker than those medical c l a i m s t h e y a r e investigating I complied with their because it was a differentmedicalconditionI developedandwantedtolog it as an audit trail for future reference in their records as proof of a pre-existing condition to avoid future medical claim rejection in the absence of a history On otheroccasions,Idon’tseek reimbursement due to constanthassle.
The NIS office staff shouldunderstandthatwhen patientsaresickandinneed of medical attention, their health comes first, not the
accuracy of their receipts.A sickly person cannot check every detail on their receipt. Yourinternalpolicymustbe adaptable and designed to a l l o w r e a s o n a b l e exceptions. Furthermore, while I don’t mind waiting forserviceatanyinstitution, slow and inefficient internal processes adds to customer frustration.
The level of confidence and trust placed in institutions is slowly diminishing.Institutionsand their actors must be held to higher standards of accountability and stewardship.Actorsmustbe trust worthy and honest and theirrecordsmustwithstand public scrutiny The delivery of services should be smooth, transparent and efficientwithminimalroom for corruption and fraudulent behavior The systemmustbebothforward looking and dynamic in order to accommodate the evolvingenvironment. Stronger governance, ethicalleadershipandrobust internal controls are increasingly important acrossallinstitutions. It is difficult to regain trust and confidence once theyhavebeenlost. Yoursfaithfully, GANESHRAMMISIR CertifiedPublic Accountant FCPA,FCCA,ACA, CMA,CPFA,CFE
Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party and businessman, Azruddin Mohamed said he plans to take legal action against a government contractor who is occupying his private property to store heavy equipmentandmachineryat Zeelugt,RegionThree
Accordingtoareleaseon his Team Mohamed's Facebook page, titled 'PPP Government Escalates Political Victimisation Against Opposition Leader AzruddinMohamed.'
The statement reads, “What you are looking at hereisthemostblatantform ofpoliticalvictimisationand abuse of property rights. This is a family property in Region Three that has been undertransportfornearly15 years under the name of Azruddin Mohamed The precursor to this gross infringementofrightsbegan when the PPP government during the campaign season illegally erected a massive billboard of Irfaan Ali on Mohamed's private property without consent. That act of disregard has since escalated.”
According to the statement,immediatelyafter GECOM officially declared theresultsofthegeneraland regional elections, a government contractor by
the name of “Romain Bhagwandin” moved his heavy machinery and equipment onto the Mohamed'sproperty
Without any lease, title, or legal authority, the Mohameds explained that
“Neitherthegovernment minister nor the village council has any authority whatsoever over this property AretheMohameds now expected to go out of pocket to hire attorneys to remove this individual who is brazenly flouting the law under political protection?” theMohamedsargued.
property According to him, the contractor informed him thathewasgivenpermission by the NDC and the public works ministry to use the land.
thecontractorhasbeenusing ittostoreandrunabusiness involving hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment openly and illegallysquattingonprivate property.
“Whentoldtovacatethe
property, Bhagwandin's response was that Deodat Indar the Minister of Public UtilitiesandAviationandthe Village Council gave him permission to occupy Mohamed's property,” the releaseexplained.
In a telephone interview with this publication on Monday, Mohamed and his father Nazar Mohamed confirmed that the property is in Azruddin Mohamed's name and that at no point in timewaspermissiongivento havehispropertyusedbythe contractor
The senior Mohamed informed this publication that he had contacted the contractor and asked him to come off their private
“Hejustwentontheland as soon as they declare that PPPwontheelectionsandhe justwentonthelandsandhe started to clear up the land and brought in all these equipment. I called him and he told me that he got permission from the council and he also got permission from ministry of public works,”herelated.
According to him, “I called the Regional Chairman,Ayubeandhesaid heknowsnothingaboutthat, I sent a message to Indar he read the messages but he didn't respond ”This
(Continuedonpage9)
The local public service isacuriousmachine.Itfeeds itselfdailyonbillions,grows fatonitsowninefficiencies, and yet insists that it exists forthepurposeofservingthe public.
We nod and accept this because what else can we do? The truth is that the public service is a vast contraption of clerks, bosses, advisers, and retired politicians living out a second pension on the taxpayers’ dime It has ceasedtobeaboutservice.It hasbecomeaboutitself.
But the Public Service Ministry is now been rebrandedastheMinistryof Public Service and GovernmentEfficiency The name is optimistic, almost comic Efficiency is not something you associate with the public service Efficiency has to be infused intoanailingpublicservice, like medicine to a sick patient.
And yet here we have a newMinister Hisisthemost difficult of all Ministers: to bring order to disorder, clarity to clutter, service to an institution known for
disservice.
Thetroubleliesnotinthe rhetoricbutinthereality For decades the public service has been bloated with sinecures comfortable chairs filled by men and women whose only qualificationisloyaltytothe ruling party or gratitude for past political service. They are not there to answer telephones,processlicenses, or design systems. They are there because the political classbelievesthebestwayto honour loyalty is with a salary,adesk,andatitle.Itis a form of state-sponsored retirement, paid from the pocketsoftaxpayers.
The local public service has never been celebrated for an ethic of service. Too often it is known instead for indifference, delay, and a culture that prizes process over outcome This reputation is not helped by the presence of some staff memberswholackthebasic skills or temperament for theirposts.
H e r e l i e s t h e contradictions. One cannot reform a service while continuing to stuff it with
ornamental appointments and degutting the public serviceofincompetents.
The ordinary citizen knows this well. He sees it when he stands in a line, clutchingaform,waitingfor the blessing of some clerk who delights in stamps and signatures. He sees it when hereturns,weekslater,tobe toldthatanotherdepartment must approvethe paper, and another after that. Behind each layer of delay is not merely inefficiency but design. The red tape is not accidental—it is cultivated. Itgrantssmallofficialsgreat power It creates a world in which a favour must be begged,inwhichthesystem may be bent but never simplified.
And all of this comes at staggering cost. Nearly a billion dollars a day flows into this bureaucracy It is a sumsovastthatonescarcely graspsit,excepttoknowthat it is ours, taken from our taxes, our fuel, our bread. Theserviceexists,intheory, to ease the lives of citizens. In practice, it impoverishes them.
The new Minister is
Frompage8
publicationwasinformedthatthecontractor has since cleared the land and has since appliedloom,sandandcrusherrunonit.
Kaieteur News on Monday called the Regional Chairman, Ishan Ayube, who related that he called the Tuschen/ Uitvlugt NDCChairmanregardingthismatterandhe wasinformedthatnopermissionwasgivento thecontractortousetheMohamedsproperty Meanwhile,effortstocontacttheminister provedfutile.
Whenaskedwhatactionswillbetakento have the contractor removed from his property,Mohamedsaid,“Wewilltakelegal action,becausehegottomovehisthingsoff
the land. We’re not going to allow them to bullyus.”
Noting this is blatant political victimisation of the Mohameds, the release alsostatedthat,“Theoppositioncallsonthe PPP government to immediately cease its campaign of intimidation and abuse of propertyrights.Weappealtoallpartiestoact with integrity and to desist from any further illegal occupation of Mr Mohamed’s property The people of Guyana and the internationalcommunitymusttakenote:this is not simply a dispute over land, but yet anotherexampleofthePPP’smisuseofstate influence to punish those who dare to challengethem.”
Life dem seh is shart Suh is betta tuh live gud with dem around yuh. Why pick fight and trouble when life is shart and yuh should be enjoyin every moment instead of hurtin yuhheadoversomeonedat yuhhate.
Some ah we, however, likegatplentyenemies.We doesmanufacturedemasif we gat a production line. And most time is yuh frien who does become yuh enemy One day somebady isyuhfrienanddenextday, you and dem fall out over
stupidness.
But deh gat some people don’t gat friens nor enemy Dem does live longeranddemdoesendup lonely It remind dem boys aboutdestoryofdeoldlady wah go to Church one
Sunday She listen attentively to wat de pasta sah.
Towards de end of de service, de pasta asked de congregation, “How many of you have forgiven your enemies.” About eight in every person raised dem hands. De pasta notice dat deoldladydidnotraiseshe
asked to cure this with digitization, with apps and websites.Butwhatuseisan appwhentherealproblemis not technology but bloat?A digital form submitted to three different departments isstillthreeformstoomany A pensioned politician twiddling his thumb all day is still unnecessary Efficiency is not found in gadgets It is found in pruning.
Yet pruning is precisely whattheMinistercannotdo. Totrimthebureaucracyisto confront the political class. To remove sinecures is to remove friends of the party
The Government has no appetite for this fight Reform is a word used to charm the public, not to unsettletherulingelite.
So, we find ourselves in the familiar position: a new Minister with a new brief. Butthesunwillnotriseona servicesodeeplyentrenched in its habits The contradictionistoosharp.As long as the public service is treatedasaretirementhome for the faithful, no reform cantakeroot.
This is the quiet tragedy of governance.We live with a system that consumes our resources, frustrates our patience, and rewards inefficiency Wearetoldthat change is coming, but change never arrives Instead, more names are added to the payroll, more retirees are given desks, more advisers are tucked into ministries where their advice is neither sought nor
needed. The service grows; theserviceslows.
Perhapsoneday,insome future administration, there will be courage enough to cut rather than to add, to serve rather than to shelter Until then, the Ministry of Public Service Government Efficiency will remain a contradiction in terms: a grandtitlepinnedtoapatient thatrefusesthecure.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
hands.Soheturntosheand ask: “Are you willing to forgiveyourenemies?’
De old lady answer, “I don’thaveany.”
“That is very unusual. How old are you?” ask de pasta.
De old lady answer, “I am96yearsold.”
“And you mean to tell me,” sah de pastor, “that in all those years, you did not have enemies. Come and tellushowyoudonothave anyenemies.”
“I outlived de bitches,” replydeoldlady Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
He is ah PPP maan. No red shirt needed, no identifying marks, save for one. Demographics. Itwas the same across the street. He is a PNC maan. Again, no green shirt, just membership in a section of theGuyanademographic. It has been so for the last 75 years. By those automatic conclusions, the late
Sarah
Browne,
Minister of Amerindian Affairs
Cammie Ramsaroop could havebeenmisidentifiedasa PPP powerhouse, and the departed Dr Roger Luncheon fingered as a 'strang' PNC presence Guyanese are in for a tougher time now, reflexive interpretations got more difficult. Enter WIN. Oh Lord! What was simple and streamlined is now tangled andcomplicated.
Who is PPP? Who is PNC? Some indigenous gravitatedtoWIN,andmore than a sizable section of African Guyanese took the plungeforWIN. Despiteall the chatter of crossover
votes, few were the GuyaneseofIndiandescent, who took a step in any direction, other than toward thePPP
Nonetheless, the puzzle hasn't gone anywhere: who isPPP,whoisPNC?
The neat lines of separation, accurately or ignorantly, are not as neat, and easily recognisable, as before.
The hard, immovable conclusions that made politicalidentificationsucha no brainer (for some folks) havenowblurredintoabitof a lumpen, unrecognisable mass. Why did this new guy had to raise his hand and complicated what was straight and true for decades? Is that easing of racial tensions, by the unlikeliest of sources?
Probably
The Amerindian
P e o p l e s Association has e x t e n d e d w a r m congratulations to the newly appointed Minister ofAmerindianAffairs,Mrs. SarahBrowne-Shadeek.
“We encourage you to prioritise strengthening and protecting Indigenous Peoples' rights, preserving and promoting our cultural heritage and supporting meaningful and sustainable development in our communities,”theAPAsaid inabriefstatement.
“We wish you every success in this critical role and look forward to oppor
p
Ah! This state called democracy can be tricky Since I'm on a self-imposed sabbatical, I can't say much about the treachery of those who were trusted to do the right thing, but bypassed theirmemoriesintherushof
events. Now there is Mr WIN and his team, and his hordes of supporters, an eclectic spoonful from Guyana's racial stew Sixteen seats in parliament after a few months of stepping into the local political cauldron is some achievement, regardless of whatanybodythinksofhim. The fact that he attracted votes from the traditional PNC base and also from the PPP interior resting places cannot be taken lightly, can help reduce racial tension, since identification about who is who now blurs. In addition,hedidcollectsome people who are oldline PPP, which says something. It's notquiteuniversalappeal,as yet.
But inroads have been made. The PPP is rocking back and forth publicly, while the PNC is still trying tofigureoutthenameofthe meteorthatstruckitshead.
Toenlightenthelazyand low turnout citizens of Guyana, it was the illuminating figure of PPP General Secretary, Dr BharratJagdeo,whoopened anewcanofwormswiththe strangestofdeclarations. He preferstowooandworkwith the PNC (longstanding hatreds notwithstanding) thanwithWIN.
Iinterpretthatvisionary
development as a move by the PPP to partner with the PNC to encircle WIN and reduceittoscrapmetal.
For one thing, Dr Jagdeo is morbidly afraid thatthePPPcouldendupin the same boat as the PNC. Thatis,theboatoflostvotes.
The gamechanger would be if the PPPis generous to the masses with oil money Jagdeoisgoingtobeclosing in on three score and ten years, so he could take a break and spend his earnings, whatever the sources. On the other hand, PresidentIrfaanAliwouldn't evenbe50by2030,sowhat prospects for the rest of his life, other than count his cash? Frankly, I don't see him being too pleased about being Leader of the Opposition.
Personally speaking, that's why Dr Jagdeo made his preemptive move with a public signal to the PNC. Stopcryingandgetmoving. JoinwiththePPP
This WIN beast must be stopped in its tracks, not allowed to gain any additional momentum. If not both the PPP and PNC could be transformed into museum fossils. Why, the guy could take over the whole damn place! Worse
still, he could put an end to racial tensions; or, at least, keep such at much lower levels. At levels where the PPP and PNC couldn't rekindle to any great heat. Meanwhile, what is his rainbow of supporters going to do, fight among themselves? What commenced as election competition could become a dream. Martinechoes….
Now the racial map has been redrawn, but the job is incomplete.
The PPP could regain some ground, but that depends on its generosity withoilcash. Sacrificeswill have to be made, with insiders forced to collect less.
AsforMr WIN,hehas the cards. Say the right things, and leave the big boys to gang up on him and further expose themselves, from nakedness to weakness.
He captured the biggest weaponofthebiggergroupracialtensions.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
v
a n d collaborative partnership to advance the collective priorities of Indigenous Peoples across Guyana,” the statement concluded Browne previously served as parliamentary secretary andhailsfromRegionOne. Herappointmentisseenasa recognition of her deep connection to Hinterland communities and their priorities.
…Norton says analysing how emerging parties take PNCR's votes
Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Aubrey Norton said his party has already commenced a review of the APNU's performanceattherecentlyheldgeneral and regional elections, and will be developing strategies to understand the reasonwhythepartylostvoteswiththe riseofnewpoliticalcontenders.
Addressing the media during the APNU's press conference on Friday, Norton was asked about the areas the Coalition will be focusing on at the parliamentary level, and its new approachnowthatithaslostitsplaceas themainopposition.
At the September 1 general and regional elections, APNU acquired some77,988votes,givingtheCoalition 12 seats in the national assembly The party in 2020 raked in 217,920 votes, takingup31seatsinparliament.
InamovethatdethronedtheAPNU asthemainoppositionparty,newcomer WeInvestinNationhood(WIN)copped 16 seats, also winning APNU's
strongholdRegion10andcomingclose to the PPP in the other regions.APNU suffered a massive defeat losing 139,932ofits2020votes.
Norton said he has proposed reviewing the way APNU has been operatingwithnewparties,amongother things, and figuring out what he terms the phenomenon of why when new parties emerge, the support base of his partyappearstogoinanotherdirection. The Coalition leader said this year's losses was not the first in an election cycle.
“May I say this. One of the things thatemerged,thatI'velookedat,which neverdawnedonmebefore,wasthatin the 1957 elections, we did well. Then came the 1961 elections, in which the United Force (UF) emerged as a new party,andwelostseatstothem.In2006, the AFC came as a new party, and we lost seats to them again. In 2025, WIN came as a new party We lost seats to them.
It's not the first time, it's not the
second time, it's the third time. It has happened, under the leadership of ForbesBurnham,ithappened;underthe leadership of Robert Corbin; and now undermyleadership.So,itissomething we have to analyse and look at today, how we move forward” the politician stated.
Norton suggested that the issue is probablysignalingthatthesupportbase might be more welcoming of new persons This, he noted, must be analysed.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand visiting the Haags Bosch Landfill located on the East Bank of Demerara.
Foul odour, smoke from Haags Bosch dumpsite to be addressed
Newly appointed
Minister of Local Government and Regional
Development, Priya Manickchand on Monday pledged to address the complaints raised about the foul odour and smoke emanating from the Haags BoschLandfilllocatedonthe EastBankofDemerara.
The ministry in a release statedthattheyhavereceived complaints from residents of the Providence and Eccles catchment areas about the odour coming from the dumpsite, which has been contributing to air pollution. Following the complaints, Ministerconvenedameeting with the Waste Solutions
Manager, Operational Supervisor, and officials from the Ministry, during which she assured that the matter,willbeaddressed.
Manickchand visited the landfill area on Monday and inavideosaidthattheodour andsomearebigconcernsfor many residents. She noted
thatthegovernment'splansis tohavecommunitiessafeand looking and smelling good, buttherearesomeissuesthat havetobedealtwith.“Iknow the residents of Eccles and Prospect and Windsor have complained about the scent and smoke, and we're trying tomanagethat.
I've had a meeting with the engineers and the management of this landfill site,”shesaid.
AccordingtotheMinister someoftheissueshavebeen asaresultofthedevelopment that's happening in Guyana.
“We'vemovedfrom400tons perdayto1200tonsperday We'vemovedfromabout100 trucks dumping here to three to 400 trucks dumping here. So we have to now increase o u r c a p a c i t y o f management.”
In addressing the issues, Manickchand said they are going to be looking at solid waste management in NDCs and in smaller villages, as wellasinthelargeregions.
InourMonday,September15,2025edition,photographs oftwoaccidentvictimswereinadvertentlypublishedinthe advertisementtotheright Weregretthiserror,whicharose duringthelayoutprocess,andextendoursincereapologyto thecompanyconcerned.
(Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Monday that the U S military carried out a strike on an alleged Venezuelan drugcartelvesselheadingto theUnitedStates,thesecond such strike carried out againstasuspecteddrugboat inrecentweeks.
He said three men were killed in the strike, adding
that it occurred in international waters. Trump providednoevidenceforhis assertion that the boat was carryingdrugs.
"This morning, on my Orders,U.S.MilitaryForces conducted a SECOND Kinetic Strike against
positively identified, extraordinarily violent drug trafficking cartels and narcoterrorists in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility," Trump said inapostonTruthSocial.
"Theseextremelyviolent drug trafficking cartels POSE A THREAT to U.S. National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital U S Interests," Trump said. U.S.
Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is the
military's combatant c o m m a n d w h i c h encompasses 31 countries through South and Central AmericaandtheCaribbean.
The post also included a nearly30-secondvideo,with markings of "Unclassified" onthetop,whichappearedto show a vessel in a body of waterexplodingandthenon fire.
LateronMonday,Trump said that "we have proof, all youhavetodoislookatthe cargo that was spattered all over the ocean, big bags ofcocaineandfentanyl."
Reutersconductedinitial checks on the video with an AI detection tool but the video was partly blurred, making it impossible to confirm if the video was manipulated.
However, thorough verification is an ongoing process, and Reuters will continue to review the footageasmoreinformation becomesavailable.
The Venezuelan communications ministry didnotimmediatelyrespond toarequestforcomment.
The latest strike comes
amid a large U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean. Five U.S. F-35 aircraftwereseenlandingin Puerto Rico on Saturday a f t e r t h e T r u m p administrationordered10of thestealthfighterstojointhe buildup.
Trump, speaking with reporters on Monday, suggested operations could becarriedoutonlandagainst suspecteddrugsmugglers.
"When they come by land, we're going to be stoppingthemthesameway we stopped the boats," Trump said. "But maybe by talking about it a little bit, it won'thappen."
Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told sailors and Marines on a warship off Puerto Rico that they were not deployed to the Caribbean for training but instead sent to the "front lines" of a critical counternarcoticsmission.
On Monday, Hegseth, in a post on X, suggested an expansive mission for the
Trump said the strike was carried out against ‘confirmed narco-terrorists’.
Photograph: Truth Social/Donald Trump
U.S. military against drug traffickers: "We will track them, kill them, and dismantle their networks throughout our hemisphere —atthetimesandplacesof ourchoosing."
Trump has ordered the Department of Defense to renameitselftheDepartment of War, a change that will require action by Congress. The new name would apply to Hegseth as well, altering his title to "Secretary of War."
Hours before Trump's post, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that recent incidents between his country and the United Stateswerean"aggression", opens new tab by the U.S. and that communications b e t w e e n t h e t w o governments had largely ended.
T h e T r u m p administration has provided scant information about the first strike on September 2, despite demands from U.S. lawmakers that the government justify the
action. It has alleged those onboard were members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and said 11 people werekilled.
The Pentagon has not publicly said what type of drugsthatboatwascarrying or how much, or even what typeofweaponswereusedto carryoutthestrike.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have told Reuters that the boat hit on September 2 appeared to be turning aroundwhenitwashit,afact that has raised questions among some legal experts about the legality of the strike.
Trump shared a video at the time of that first strike that appeared to show a speedboat exploding at sea.
A Venezuelan official later suggestedthatthevideowas created with artificial intelligence.
AReuters review of that video'svisualelementsusing a manipulation detection tooldidnotshowevidenceof manipulation.
government, which says it has deployed tens of thousands of troops to fight drug trafficking and defend thecountry,hassaidnoneof the people killed in the first strike belonged to Tren de Aragua.
Maduro has repeatedly allegedtheU.S.ishopingto drivehimfrompower
Last month, the United Statesdoubleditsrewardfor information leading to the arrest of Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminalgroups.
Thedecisiontoblowupa suspected drug vessel instead of seizing the vessel andapprehendingitscrewis highlyunusual.
Under the Constitution, the power to declare war belongstoCongress,butthe presidentisthecommanderin-chief of the armed forces and presidents of both parties have conducted military strikes overseas without congressional approval.
Atragicgasexplosionin 'C'FieldSophiahasclaimed the life of a 36-year-old mother of four, Harriet Ray, while leaving her 13-yearold son, Jaden Jarod, bedriddenandinseverepain.
Theincidentoccurredon September 4, 2025, while Ray was cooking at her roadsidefoodshop.Bothshe and her son suffered serious burnsandwererushedtothe GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation(GPHC),where Ray was listed in critical condition. “There's nothing thatcouldhavebeendonefor her My sisters' skin was fallingoff,therewasnothing tocoverherup,”Ray'ssister
Annette George told KaieteurNewsonMonday
Ray unfortunately succumbed to her injuries over a week later on Saturday, after receiving treatment in the Intensive Burn Care Unit at GPHC. Her son, a student of CharlestownSecondary,was dischargedlastThursdaybut is unable to walk, attend school, or care for himself. Doctorshaveadvisedthathe will need up to nine months torecover Ray leaves behind four childrenages16,15,13,and 9 Since her death, the childrenhavebeenplacedin thecareofhersister,Annette George,whoisnowjuggling the responsibilities of her own family while mourning thelossofhersister
Following the tragedy, the family announced plans to take legal action against Massy Gas Products, the company that supplied the gas cylinder involved in the explosion George emphasised that her family will go to any length to get justice for Ray and her children.
On the day of the incident, Massy Gas in a statement said the company
conducted an initial assessment and stated that theLPGcylinderwasintact, showed no signs of leaks, and still had a full rubber seal. The company claimed that the explosion was caused by a nonrecommended and defective regulator that released gas even when in the OFF position The company replaced the regulator, hose, andclipswithapprovedones after the incident, and urged customers to use only certifiedcomponents.
However, George countered this narrative,
saying the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) also inspected the gas cylinder and found gas was indeed leaking. “We have videos showing that,” she told Kaieteur News. She also lamented that since Ray's passing, the gas company has not contacted the family orofferedsupport.
George described the harrowing aftermath of the explosion, explaining that
J a d e n r e m a i n s i n excruciatingpain.“Hischest isburning,hisface,hisback, hisfeetareburning.Hecan't really walk, every time you puthimonhisfeet,itwould shock him. We have to do everything for him,” she explained.
Thelosshasalsotakena psychological toll on the children. George shared a heart-breaking moment when one of her nephews broketwofingerspunchinga wallingriefafterlearningof his mother's death. “They can't catch themselves because they keep believing that she was going to come out of the hospital,” George saidthroughtears.“Itishard. Ican'tevenmendtheirhearts totellthemthattheirmother wasgoingtobealright,”she said. “I look at him in burden and I can't even help them. They keep asking, 'Aunty, where is mommy?' and I have to tell them, 'Mommy is no longer with us.” My little niece even asked if I'm their mother fromnowon.”
Heartbroken but determined, the family has vowedtopursuelegalaction against the gas company, seeking justice for Ray and herchildren.“We'retryingto find a lawyer because we need justice for her and the kids,”Georgestated. “Who could replace another mother back into their heart and play that part? No one can do that. No amount of money can't compensate my sister's life. We need justice andatleastpreventthisfrom happening to another family of going through this gruesome hurt, this pain. Thatisouraim,”shesaid. George emphasised that thefamilywillgotothevery end to hold the company accountable.“Iamwillingto gotoextentthattheyshould payfortheconsequencesfor whattheyaremakingpeople facing.Idon'tmindgoingto the last. My sister needs justice, my nieces and nephews need to be
compensated because they are pretty little and nothing can't replace their mother,” shesaid.
She made a public plea for authorities to urgently investigate the matter and calledonMassyGastorecall gas bottles from dealers nationwide. “I ask for the companytopullbackallthe gas bottles from the main distributors across the
country,pullitbackfromthe market and do a thorough investigation. AndIthinkis fairthatMassyfeeltheblunt consequences,andputsafety measures in place for the public,”shesaid.
Unfortunately,thisisnot the first time a gas bottle explosion involving Massy gas products has resulted in thedeathofitscustomers.
On April 19, 2025, a
Adventure, along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, died following a gas explosionattheirhome.The victims, 34-year-old Kevon Codoganandhis20-year-old reputed wife, Mezona Ronaldo were badly burnt after a gas bottle allegedly caught fire, while they were cooking. Theyweretakento (Continuedonpage16)
Minister of Human ServicesandSocialSecurity
Vindhya Persaud will be advocatingforsomegenderbased crimes to be nonbailable in an effort to curb and fully eradicate the scourge of domestic violencehere.
In his inaugural address over a week ago to kickstart his second term President Irfaan Ali had vowed to “kill” the scourge of domestic violence. Ali said his government will be empowering women, youth andtheelderly “Andwewill intensify our fight against domesticviolence–wemust kill this now,” President Ali said.
Following up on the president's promise after her swearing in at state house Saturday night, Minister Persaud disclosed that there will be additional discussions on the issues of bail for these types of offences, as it is something she feels “very strongly about. “…maybe this could be considered eventually as anoffencethatdoesnothave bail, or the bail is higher
becausetoooftenpeopleget out,”Persaudsaid. The Minister said her Ministry continues to work with law enforcement agencies to fight the problem.Shesaidatleast50 per cent of the members of theGuyanaPoliceForcehas been trained to handle these situations. “So it's not only one or two police officers will have the knowledge at the station to take reports, write case reports, but everybody, because I think the response needs to be sensitive to what is coming. It's very, very serious,” MinisterPersaudstressed. In terms of additional support for victims, Persaud said the Ministry has been providing rentals for survivors so that they are neither forced to stay or returntothesituation.There arealsoplanstoincreasethis capacity as well as amplify the counseling and therapy sessions.
There will also be the continued provision of free training to assist with employment, as there are several cases where
survivors are unemployed. This means that they do not h a v e f i n a n c i a l independence.“…alotmore emphasis will be placed on that, because when children are in the equation, that is usually a consideration for personstostayinthesekinds of, you know, violent relationships… in all of the shelter arrangements we have,childrenarealsotaken careof,”Persaudadded.
InthenewFamilyActof 2024, provision is made for domesticviolencevictimsto stay in their home while the perpetrator has to leave Minister Persaud expressed that she is hopeful that this piece of legislation will continue to be utilised to its fullestinthecourtsystemsso that there could be expeditious delivery of justice.
Sheaddedthatworkwill continue to develop the community network, as it is not a one agency job. “This has been for there for a long time. So, we started the community advocate network in the hinterland and the coastal area, so that
wecouldhavepeopletrained to work with us on the ground.”
Deadlyyear!OnSunday, a Crabwood Creek Corentyne, Berbice man went berserk brutally chopping his common- law wife of 15 years to death beforeendinghisownlifeby consuming a poisonous substance. Dead are Alisha Narine, 36, and Ram Singh, who according to police reports,ingestedapoisonous substance after committing the heinous act. The police confirmed that Singh died while under guard at the Number75VillageHospital, Corentyne.
The dead woman's sister divulgedthatforalltheyears the couple was together, Alisha suffered endless physical abuse at the hands ofSingh.
“Healwaysill-treatsher, beat her, threaten her. Last couple months (ago) he threatened she in the market andtriedtojooksheupright infrontofeverybodyandthe security guard in the market catch he and he was four monthsinprison.”
MinisterofHumansServicesand SocialSecurity, Vindhya Persaud
Even though she
underwent endless cycles of assault,thedeceasedNarine, a domestic worker, always warmed up to Singh's apologies and assurances of changing, her sister told this newspaper Multiple pleas forhertoendtherelationship with the abusive man were dismissed, the sister shared ingrief.
From January to late August,13womenlosttheir lives in domestic violent
encounters. In January, 16year-old Janelly David was beaten to death and left in a hammock in Region One by herpartnerEonMoore.Also in the same month, 34-yearoldBibiFazilaAlly(34)was killed by her ex-partner Bidraj Ganesh. Her body was left in a pool of blood and was discovered by her eight-year-oldson. InFebruary,27-year-old, KeneshaVaughnwasshot12 (Continuedonpage16)
The People's N a t i o n a l Congress Reform (PNCR) has been dealt another blow following the resignation of longstanding member and Chairman, ShurwayneHolder
Holder, a former
Member of Parliament officiallysteppeddownfrom his position on Monday In anemailaddressedtoPNCR leader Aubrey Norton, Holder wrote, “I hereby tender my resignation as Chairman of the People's National Congress Reform with immediate effect I would like to thank you as Party Leader, the Central Executive Committee, and themembershipoftheParty fortheconfidencereposedin meovertheyears.Iwishyou and the Party well in your efforts to rebuild and revitalise.”
When contacted by KaieteurNewsforcomment, Holder declined to go into detail about his reasons for resigning.Hestatedonlythat he has no political plans at the moment and intends to focus on his family and personal development.
Holder previously served as a PNCR Member of Parliament from 2020 and played a central role in the APNU+AFC campaign,
particularly on the Essequibo Coast and across Region Two, where he also served as the lead party representative.
However, he was not chosen as one of 12 candidates selected to serve in the 13th Parliament, a decisionthatappearstohave triggered discontent within theparty
Onthesameday,another member of the PNCR,
Robert Maison, also confirmed his resignation. Maison, who has been involvedwiththepartysince the era of former leader Desmond Hoyte, currently serves as a Councillor for Constituency Seven (Stabroek-Bourda) at the GeorgetownMayorandCity
Council and is an executive of the PNCR Georgetown District. Despite resigning fromthePNCR,Maisonsaid he will continue in his council role until the end of histerm.
Maison, speaking with Kaieteur News on Monday, noted that he followed party protocol in submitting his resignation to Norton, stating, “Based on the structure of the party that I have been a part of since 1 9 9 7 , I r e s i g n e d accordingly ” He also revealed that his resignation wasinprotestofhowHolder was treated, describing it as “disrespectful” that he (Holder) was excluded from the list of parliamentary candidates.
M a i s o n f u r t h e r expressed frustration over theinternaldecision-making process, claiming that his namewasremovedfromthe PNCR's national top-up list byCarolSmithJoseph,with Norton's knowledge Instead, he was placed only onaregionallist,amovehe felt undermined his contributionstotheparty
These resignations come shortly after another highprofile departure, that of Mervyn Williams, a longstanding executive member of the PNCR Williams announced his resignation during his weekly Nation Watch programinaninterviewwith newly appointed MP TerrenceCampbell. His exit from both the party and its Central Executive Committee reportedlycaughtleadership andmembersbysurprise.
Despite the wave of resignations and growing discontent within the party ranks,PNCRLeaderAubrey Norton has remained silent. Multiple attempts by Kaieteur News to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
The departures follow the PNCR-led coalition's recent announcement of the 12 members who will
represent the party in the 13th Parliament over the next five years. Notably, Norton will not be returning
toParliamentbutwillremain as party leader The parliamentary team will be led by Terrence Campbell
and includes returning MPs Coretta McDonald, Ganesh Mahipaul, and Nima Natasha Flue-Bess. Several newcomerswillalsojointhe ranks, including political commentator Dr David H
Rupnarain, Sherod Avery Duncan, Linden Mayor Sharma Raheem Solomon, a
y and peace ambassador Dr Dexter Todd, gospel artiste and
Andrews, and PNCR ViceChairman Vinceroy H Jordan, who represents RegionFive.
This announcement comes on the heels of the PNCR and its coalition
APNU's disappointing performance in the September 1 elections. The newly formed We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)party,led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, secured 16 parliamentaryseats,pushing APNUtothirdplace. The ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), led by President Irfaan Ali, won 36 seats, securingAliasecondtermin office.
As Norton continues to grapplewiththefalloutfrom the party's electoral defeat, henowfacestheunexpected resignation of one of the PNCR's most longstanding members.
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Washington, D.C., 15 September 2025 (PAHO) –Drowning remains a significant and largely unaddressed public health crisis in the Americas, with new analyses from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) revealing that 77% of countries lack national drowning prevention strategies.
Data collected across 26 countries in 2023-2024 underscore the urgent need for action to combat this preventable cause of death in the Region. In a report, PAHO said in 2021 alone, more than 17,000 people died from drowning in the Americas, accounting for approximately 6% drowning deaths globally. Although the regional mortality rate is lower than the global average (1.6 vs. 3.8 per 100,000 people), the report emphasises that mortality is inordinately high among the most vulnerable groups, such as children under 5 years of age and adults over 70.
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transport, although with significant variations in scope. These developments show the potential of multisectoral interventions to save lives.
“Drowning is a preventable tragedy,” highlighted Dr. Anselm Hennis, Director of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO. “This new report provides a valuable information that allow us to understand progress, identify gaps, and guide life-saving interventions. Multisectoral commitments and strengthened national governance are essential to advance drowning prevention in our Region.”
Major obstacles in the region
countries reported formal mechanisms to bridge government and non-government stakeholders, in order to promote the overall effectiveness of their respective efforts.
Data collection also remains a major challenge in understanding the scope of the problem. Only 65% of countries reported collecting data on drowning deaths through their civil registration and vital statistics systems. This limited monitoring capacity hampers efforts to identify common risk factors and the most affected populations.
Despite these challenges, progress is being made in several countries. Over 70% reported having early warning systems for disasters and search and rescue programs, and a growing number are conducting public campaigns on water safety and child supervision. Additionally, 92% of countries indicated having regulations in place for the safety of passenger water
One of the main findings of the report is the limited national governance mechanism for drowning prevention. Only 11 countries (42%) reported having a designated government focal point responsible for coordination, and only 8% indicated having government-led national strategies.
While various sectorsincluding health, maritime safety, police, disaster risk management, lifesaving associations, and non-governmental organisations - are actively implementing drowning prevention measures, their efforts are significantly hampered by a lack of coordination. Only 27% of
The analysis also identified significant gaps in the Region’s regulatory frameworks. Only nine countries have legislation requiring pool fencing, a proven measure to reduce drowning risk among children, and most do not regulate private pools. In addition, just 8% of countries have incorporated swimming and water safety instruction into national school curricula. Although regulations for water transport exist in most countries, less than 10% of the laws reviewed require passengers to wear life jackets, an essential measure to prevent fatalities in the event of an accident. There are also regulatory gaps regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol near bodies of water.
Key interventions:
progress and challenges Actions specifically aimed at preventing child drownings remain limited. Only 23% of countries promote physical barriers to restrict young children’s access to water, and just 15% offer supervised childcare programs. At the global level, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that large-scale implementation of two key interventions—preschool childcare services and basic swimming instruction in schools—could prevent up to 774,000 drowning deaths and nearly one million nonfatal cases by 2050. This investment is projected to yield a substantial economic and societal return, with approximately nine dollars gained for every dollar invested.
The analysis, produced as part of WHO’s first Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention, provides a detailed overview of progress and gaps in the Region of the Americas.
The findings underscore that drowning prevention requires coordinated, collaborative multisectoral action. With sustained commitment, greater investment, and evidence-based strategies, it is possible to save thousands of lives—especially among the groups most vulnerable to drowning.
From page 13 the GPHC but succumbed to their injuries. Ronaldo died on Friday while receiving treatment, while Codogan died early Saturday morning.
In January, a tragic gas bottle-related explosion claimed the lives of a couple from Foulis, East Coast Demerara. The victims, 58year-old Manu Sukhu and his 55-year-old wife, Basmattie Ganpat, suffered extensive third-degree burns during the incident, which occurred on January 4, 2025, at their Fifth Street home. Both were admitted to the hospital the same day, with Ganpat sustaining burns to 80 per cent of her body and Sukhu to 68 per cent.
Despite medical efforts, they died three days apart from their injuries.
On December 17, 2024, another explosion in Little Abary, Mahaicony, Region 5, destroyed part of a home after a Massy gas bottle reportedly leaked. According to Oneka Williams, parts of their home, including the back door and walls, were blown apart. Massy representatives later denied the gas cylinder was at fault, despite initial police investigations suggesting otherwise.
On November 29, 2024, a similar incident occurred when a gas bottle exploded at a home in Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. The woman
From page 14 times by her husband Marlan Da Silva during an argument, while he was allegedly intoxicated at their Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Also, in the same month Shameeza Mohamed was brutally beaten by her son-in-law Parsuram Arjune subsequently succumbing to her injuries.
The month of April saw five women losing their lives: Mezona Ronaldo was set on fire by her partner Kevin Cadogan and subsequently succumbed to her injuries. Reports from family members revealed that he had cut her hair off a few weeks before.
Also, in April Maline La Cruz, her sister Sueann La Cruz and her mother,
involved, Necolece recalled the explosion happening after she lit the stove. “I thought the fire was all over me. My first thought was, ‘Oh my gosh, the gas bottle exploded,’” she said. Afterward, Massy Gas representatives attributed the explosion to a faulty regulator but denied any fault on their part. In another incident earlier in the year, businesswoman Jaiwantie Samaroo suffered severe burns after a gas bottle exploded in her shop. Her husband, Randolph Pereira, suspected the gas bottle was leaking overnight and filled the shop with fumes, leading to the explosion when Samaroo attempted to light the stove. Pereira noted that after the explosion, Massy Gas sent five representatives, who focused more on removing the gas bottle than on the well-being of his wife
Despite these incidents, there have been few regulatory changes. In January, multiple government agencies, including the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), launched investigations into the alarming pattern of gas bottle explosions. However, no significant improvements or safety reforms from Massy Gas were observed.
Waveney La Cruz lost their lives at the hands of her expartner Parmanand Ramdehol, when he shot them at their Waiakabra Village, Soesdyke – Linden Highway.
In the same month, 30year-old Marissa Beete was shot by her ex-boyfriend Ghalee Khan who was a convicted drug trafficker. In July, Jenel Pollydore (26) was shot
dead at a wedding by the father of her child. In August, Teekadai Solomon was shot at least 10 times by her husband Alroy Solomon who then turned the weapon on himself ending his life. He also shot their son during the ordeal. In the same month, 45year-old Bibi Shazida Hanif was stabbed to death by her ex-husband Martin True.
(Reuters) - High hotel prices for Brazil’s COP30
climate summit in November have prompted theUnitedNationstourgeits staff to limit attendance,
while government
delegations are still scrambling to find rooms withintheirbudgets.
The move comes as
d e l e g a t i o n s g r o w increasingly concerned
about the cost of accommodation in the coastal Amazon city of Belem hosting COP30 Brazil is working to nearly double available hotel beds, but soaring prices for accommodationhavestoked c a l l s f r o m s o m e governments to relocate the conference, which Brazilian officialshaverejected.
“In view of the capacity constraints in Belem, I would like to kindly request that heads of the United Nations system, specialised agencies and other relevant organisationsreviewthesize of their delegations at COP 30 and reduce numbers where possible,” the U.N.
climate secretariat’s (UNFCCC) executive secretarySimonStiellsaidin adocumentpublishedonthe UNFCCCwebsite.
In a statement, Brazil’s COP30 presidency said it
had reaffirmed its
commitment to securing 15 single rooms with rates between US$100 and US$200, maintaining the standards adopted at other COPs. Brazil also said it supports the request of the country representatives to increase the UN per diem ceilingforBelém-currently set at $144 - to match the
A drone view shows the “Parque da Cidade”, one of the principal venues to host COP30 in November, in Belem, Brazil June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Marx Vasconcelos/File Photo
ratesofotherBraziliancities such as Rio de Janeiro ($229), São Paulo ($234) andParaty($435).
N e a r l y e v e r y governmentintheworldwill gather at the annual U.N. summit to negotiate efforts tocurbclimatechange.
Butdevelopingcountries havewarnedthattheycannot a f f o r d B e l e m ’ s
accommodation prices, which have soared amid a shortageofrooms.
At a meeting of countries’ representatives andU.N. officials last month, the UNFCCC asked Brazil to subsidise hotel prices to ensure rooms for $100 per day for delegates from the world’s poorest countries
and $400-$500 per day for othercountries,accordingto an official summary of that meeting,seenbyReuters.
Miriam Belchior, executive secretary to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s chief of staf
ter the meeting that Brazil was already bearing significant
costsforhostingCOP30and could not provide further subsidies.Brazilhasoffered poorernationsroomscapped ataround$200pernight.
C o u n t r i e s ’ representatives and U.N. officials are due to meet again this w
to d i s c u s s t h e a c c o m m o d a t i o n situation for COP30
Frompage06 and systematically targets a negotiating party is working to thwart the negotiations,” hesaid.
Sheikh Tamim accused Israel of waging what he described as a war aimed at destroying Gaza, which has been under unrelenting Israeli bombardment for the past23months.
“TheIsraeliwaronGaza has turned into a war of extermination,” he said “Israel wants to make Gaza uninhabitableasapreludeto displacingitspopulation.”
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim, reporting from Doha, said: “There’s been firm support at this summit for Qatar and condemnation of Israel over the attack,
which members say undermines security and stabilityintheregion.”
Qatar has been a key
mediator in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas since Israel launched its military offensiveinGazainOctober 2023.IsraeliactionsinGaza have been dubbed genocide
by numerous rights organisations, including the International Association of GenocideScholars.
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) members, including Israel’s closest ally, the US, condemned the Israeli attack on Doha on Thursday
Addressing the UNSC, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said that Doha would not tolerate further breaches of its securi
and sovereignty. “Israel is undermining the stability of
the region impetuously,” he said.
Netanyahuhasthreatenedto attackHamasleadersagainif Qatar does not expel the Palestinianleaders.Duringa meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu on Monday repeated that Israel will hit Hamas“wherevertheyare”.
Thethreatscomedespite USPresidentDonaldTrump assuring Sheikh Tamim last week that “such a thing will not happen again on their s o i l ” T h e Tr u m p administration has said that the attack on Doha did not “advance Is
ael’s or America’sgoals”.
Rubio is set to travel to Qatar on Tuesday, a senior USStateDepartmentofficial says.
(CNC3) Venezuelan
President Nicolás Maduro has questioned who is influencing Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, accusing her of making “almostlikeadeclarationof war”againsthiscountry
Maduro was speaking at the media conference on Monday.
“Who is behind this? Who is whispering in the earsofthislady?Howisshe able to declare this?” he asked.
Speaking to reporters, Maduro linked PersadBissessar’s comments to UnitedStatesSenatorMarco
Rubio, describing him as “thelordofdeathandwar,of hate,” and accusing him of spreadingviolence.
“I am sure the people of Trinidad and Tobago are againstthis.
We are neighbouring countries. You know that Trinidad and Tobago was sold by the Spanish Empire to the British Empire a few y
Venezuela,”hesaid.
Maduro said Venezuela andTrinidadandTobagohad shared“alifeofcooperation and brotherhood” until now, adding, “There has never
been a governor of Trinidad andTobagotothreatenawar againstVenezuela.”
Delcy Rodríguez, who had warnedTrinidadandTobago and Guyana not to “dare” assist the United States in what she described as “perv
Venezuela.
The US has deployed warships and troops to the s
ean, describing the move as part of a counter-narcotics operation.
Persad-Bissessar fired back, saying she would “dare” to do whatever is necessary for the people of TrinidadandTobago.
Maduro called on
Trinidad and Tobago’s political, social, and economicsectorsto“impose relationsofrespect”between the two countries, warning that Venezuela’s armed forceshavedefenceplansin place “to guarantee our sovereignty and preserve peaceofourcountry.” Maduro continued to accuse the US government of using artificial intelligence to manufacture the video which showed a pirogue being blown up. He said at this time, communication between his government and the United Statesisnon-existent.
CARICOM could save US$1.3 billion by cutting US import dependence: Study
(Barbados Today) A new regional private sector study has found that Barbados and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states could save approximately US$1.3 billion per year by diversifying their import sources away from the UnitedStates.
The CARICOM Private SectorOrganization(CPSO) study suggested that engaging alternative import
markets is crucial, particularly as escalating reciprocal US tariffs increase costs and expand theregionaltradedeficit.
The region currently serves as America’s thirdlargest import partner Nearly 70 per cent of final imported goods—valued at US$7 7 billion originate fromtheUS.
These findings were presented during a recent hybridforuminStKittsand Nevis titled: Derisking CSME Imports: Examining theScopeforGoodsMarket Fulfillment from NonTraditionalSources.
CPSO Chief Executive Officer and Technical Director Dr Patrick Antoine presentedthefindingsfroma comprehensive study revealingtroublingtrendsin the region’s goods trade deficit with the United States.
The deficit increased by approximately US$200 million between 2022 and 2023, followed by an additional US$300 million increase from 2023 to 2024. Projectionsindicateafurther
US$500 million expansion between 2024 and 2025, evenwithoutconsideringthe tariffimpacts.
The new tariff regime, imposing 10 per cent to 15 percentdutiesonpreviously duty-free goods, will drive costsupwardbyasignificant degree.
The study projects that with the implementation by the US of 15 per cent reciprocaltariffsonTrinidad and Tobago and Guyana in July, the region’s forecasted export-revenue loss would increase to US$653 6 million.
“While trade openness supports economic activity and consumer welfare, overdependence on a single source of imports clearly does not benefit us,” Dr Antoinesaid.
CPSO Chairman Gervase Warner, in his remarks, also referred to the region’s substantial reliance on US imports, noting, “CARICOM consistently ranksthirdintermsofimport share from the US, positioned closely behind MexicoandCanada.”
He pointed to specific examples, including the Bahamas, which sources over 60 per cent of its imports from the US, and St Kitts and Nevis, where 47 per cent to 51 per cent of import trade originates from theUS.
The CPSO warned that US tariffs will likely trigger additional cascading effects through duties imposed on goodsenteringtheUSbefore transshipment to the
Caribbean.
T h i s s e c o n d a r y inflationary pressure, combined with rising domestic labour costs, threatens to increase living and business costs throughout the region while also posing threats to the competitiveness of Caribbeantourismofferings.
The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) f a c e s p a r t i c u l a r vulnerability, with member states collectively sourcing justover44percentoftheir importsfromtheUS.Unlike some CARICOM States, which import raw materials forprocessingandre-export, ECCU Member States primarily import finished goods, offering limited opportunities for valueaddedproduction.
Dr Patrick Antoine
To enhance economic resilience, the CPSO recommends strategic i m p o r t m a r k e t diversification, which could deliver substantial cost savings, protect consumers from price volatility and improve competitiveness in key sectors including manufacturingandtourism.
The comprehensive analysis undertaken by the CPSO examined 1,251 product lines worth over US$9.1 billion, identifying significant opportunities to reduce US import dependence.
The study found that 32 per cent of non-fuel goods (including food products) and 23 per cent of mineral fuels could be sourced more c
Remarkably,94.7percentof non-fuel imports and 85.8 per cent of total imports (including fuel) could be competitively sourced from othersuppliers.
It identified several alternative markets with substantial potential, including Malaysia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, South Africa, Estonia, Bulgaria, Portugal andMexico.Notably,certain marketssuchasSouthAfrica and Turkey offer large volumes of goods at approximately half the US price.
Theanalysisprojectsthat the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)couldrealiseannual savingsofUS$1.3billionon US imports, representing 16.4 per cent of total import value.
Thelargestopportunities exist in the machinery and electricalequipmentsectors, both critical to construction, foreign direct investment and broader economic development.
To capitalise on these opportunities, the study emphasised the need for improved trade facilitation and port logistics. An assessment of weekly liner connectivity from 17 potential supplier countries revealed that Jamaica’s Port Kingston maintains the h i g h e s t r e g i o n a l connectivity, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Port of Spain rankingsecond.
H o w e v e r, m a n y Organisations of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
ports, including in St Kitts andNevis,havelimitedorno direct liner connectivity, creating significant barriers to developing new trade relationships.
The CPSO stressed that Eastern Caribbean countries must also prioritise port infrastructure upgrades if they are to capture import diversificationbenefits.
ECCB Governor T i m o t h y A n t o i n e reinforced the urgency of movement toward these solutions
He challenged the region to leverage its strategic geographic position between the Americas, Africa and Europetoestablishitselfasa bidirectional trade logistics hub This transformation could create a new growth engine alongside energy security initiatives and digital transformation efforts.
The CPSO said the results of the research can contribute to strategic responses by CARICOM, t a r g e t i n g t h e diversification of import and export markets, leveraging the locational advantages of CARICOM states, and introducing urgent policy changes to benefit from the shifts in regional and global supply chains.
The event was hosted b y t h e C P S O i n collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank at the bank’s headquarters in St Kitts andNevis (EJ)
Today, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) Women’s team will wrap up what has been a challenging campaign at this year’s Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League, when they take on the undefeated Barbados Royals at the P
Stadium,from15:00hrs.
T h e d e f e n d i n g champions, Royals, have a perfect record of three
consecutive wins and lead the points table with six and the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) are in second with two wins and twolossesforatotaloffour points while TKR have lost their consecutive matches and have missed out on the playoffs.
The battle today still has slim p
f a consolation win for TKR while there is game time
before Wednesday’s finale for the defending champs andacompleteshutoutofthe prelimgamesonthecardsto achieve.
TKR will have to navigate the disciplined Royals bowling attack that will be led by the inform Chamari Athapaththu with the likes of Sheneta GrimmondandAfyFletcher while having to get past the bats of Qiana Joseph and
Shabika Gajnabi of Trinbago Knight Riders
BRcaptain,ChinelleHenry O n W
d a
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
People may be tired of your harsh attitude, Aries. This doesn't mean you should necessarilychangeyourways or who you are. Just be more aware of how your words affectothers.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You may feel the need to act aggressively regarding this climactic period in your life, thanks to long-term trends. There's expansive energy todayencouragingyoutotake action,Taurus.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Try not to be harsh and judgmental today, Gemini. You don't understand others' perspectives and the codes they live by. Differences are no reason to find fault with people.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Long-termtrendsarecoming to a favorable point for you, Cancer This is a good day to examinethemandmakesome moves forward in pursuit of yourgoals.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
This isn't a day to sit around and wait for good fortune to come to you, Leo. It's time to make it happen. Get off the couch and get moving. Now that you've internalized, contemplated,
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Get ready for action, Virgo, becausetodaycouldbeafastpaced adventure sure to keep you on your toes.Your desire to fight and conquer is probably much stronger than usual,
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
It may seem like people are trying to pick fights with you today, Libra. Any opposition youencountermayhavealoud roar,butinreality,there'svery littlebitetofear
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Kick up your heels and get moving, Scorpio. The fastpacedenergyofthedayisjust what you need to get things done. You're ready to take action. You have power and strengthbehindyou.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Itmayseemlikeeveryoneelse has a purpose and project except you, Sagittarius.While everyoneischargingoutofthe gate, you may still be unsure thatthisistheraceyouwantto run.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
This is a great day for you, Capricorn You'll find that long-term trends are coming together harmoniously Connections are being made when you share good times andlaughterwithclosefriends andotherpeople.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Don't let others push you around today, Aquarius People may talk themselves up,butthere'slittlebehindthe words. Be careful that you don't misfire. This is a day to careaboutyouandyourneeds.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Stay positive and radiant today, Pisces. This is a great day for you to take control. Connect with others on group projects and feel free to offer creative input. Let the artist withintakethespotlight.
, S
er 17, the tournamentculminatesatthe same venue from 14:00hrs when the defending champions take on the Warriors,whoarestillinthe hunt for a Massy WCPL Title.
Barbados Royals: Chinelle Henry (C), Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Kycia Knight, Steffie Soogrim, Shamilia Connell, Sheneta Grimmond, Qiana Joseph, Trishan Holder, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Webb and ShreyankaPatil.
Trinbago Knight Riders squad: Deandra Dottin (C), ShabikaGajnabi,Shawnisha Hector, Rashada Williams, Nerissa Crafton, Jahzara Claxton, Zaida James, Jannillea Glasgow, Keila Elliott, Abigail Bryce, Samara Ramnath, Jess Jonassen, Lizelle Lee, Shikha Pandey and Salonee Dangore.
As the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) enters the final quarter of its calendar, the nation’s top junior blueliners are set to take center stage in what promises to be a thrilling week of hockey action. The National Junior Hockey Tournament bullies off today, September 16, and runs through September 21, hosted at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.
This annual tournament isthepremierstageforrising hockey talent in Guyana,
with matches scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM overtheweekend.Theevent will feature high-intensity matchups across three divisions: Under-13 (mixed), Under-17, and Under-21(maleandfemale). In a generous show of support, Sunshine Snacks and Igloo Ice-Cream have returned as co-sponsors, r e i n f o r c i n g t h e i r commitment to youth development through sport a n d c o m m u n i t y involvement. “The energy around this tournament is
always electric. It’s more than just hockey—it’s about building character, discipline,andnationalpride from a young age,” said a GHB official “We’re excitedtowelcomefansand familiestowitnessthefuture of Guyanese hockey in action.” According to the latest figures from the organising committee, over 20 teams are expected to compete this year Current registration includes 10 Under-13teams,8Under-17 teams, and 5 Under-21 teams, showcasing a strong turnoutacrossallcategories.
The Under-13 division, which features players as young as seven, remains a cornerstone of the tournament The GHB emphasizesthisagegroupas vital to building confidence, nurturing talent, and laying thefoundationforlong-term growthinthesport.
Several athletes in this year’s tournament have already donned the national colours, representing Guyana at both Junior and Seniorlevels.Theirpresence offers inspiration and a valuable benchmark for peers and younger players
looking to follow in their footsteps.
A d d i n g t o t h e excitement, senior national teams will take the court each night after the junior matches as part of their build-up to the upcoming NationalSeniorTournament andtheprestigiousDiamond Mineral Water International
Hockey Festival, which celebra
s its 20th anniversarythisyear Fans, families, and hockey lovers are encouraged to come out and support the
of tomorrow as they battle for championship glory and a place in Guyana’s hockey history
Former Guyana youth player Fazil Gani hit an impressive 52 to help an Ontario Round-Arm SoftballCricketAssociation (ORSCA) Avengers beat Assassin by 14 runs in the inaugural final on Saturday at Hanover Public School ground,Brampton.
The right-handed batter Gani struck three sixes and four fours as Avengers talliedupacompetitive1376fromtheallotted15-overs.
Assassinrespondedwith 123alloutin14.2overswith Gani picking up a wicket as well to crown a fine allround performance Assassin had won the toss butdecidedtobowlfirst.
Ganioccupiedthecrease for 37 balls and also shared an outstanding, 68-run second-wicket stand with opener Navin Latchman whoscoredasuperb43.
They two came together after Imtiaz Abjal (19) departedwith29runsonthe board.
Veteran left-arm bowler Mark Nazir grabbed two wicketsfor15runsfromhis maximum three overs for Assassin and Muniram
Karan also accounted for twovictimsbutheconceded 26 runs in his three-over stint.
Assassin began their chase badly after former Guyana first-class Captain Damodar Daesrath was out for 5 at 6-1 and then soon after Yadram “Lara” Bogh onlyadded1.
Pugnacious opening batsman Kumar Dudnoth scored a fighting 23 and 21 apiecefromAzibAlliHanif andKaran.
Lindon Persaud gave Assassin hopes of overhauling the target with 21 in the latter part of the fixture.
Ricky Sukhai took 2-20 from 2 2 overs while Sanjeev Ramnarine (2-22) and Latchman (2-34) assistedhimwiththeball.
Gani was named the MVP for his excellent, allrounddisplay Hereceiveda trophy while the team also collected a trophy and $1500 for their winning effort.
Therunners-upsidewas alsogivenatrophy T h e f o u r - t e a m tournament was run by the
Nowthatthefinalgroup game of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has culminated and saw the Guyana Amazon Warriors emphatically defeat the BarbadosRoyalsonSunday night to secure a spot in Wednesday’sQualifier1,the scriptfortheplayoffsisnow set.
This meant that early CPL front-runners, the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) were relegated to thirdandwillhavenofurther room for error if they are to makeitthroughtheplayoffs to the final Given that finishinginthetoptwogives the Kings and Warriors two chances to reach the final, there is some form of comforttoworkwith.
It’s time for the eliminator, which means TKR will take on the improving Antigua and Barbuda Falcons The winners of that match will take on the losers of the gamebetweentheKingsand the Warriors. Falcons had a
Shakib Al Hasan still has the opportunity to make a greater impact for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (Getty Images)
bag of mixed results this season,winningfivegames, losingfour andbeingon the endofaNoResult,butitwas enoughtogetthem11points and into the top four for the firsttime.
TKR, on the other hand, always a tournament favourite, has won six matchesandlostfour,which
got them 12 points and a third-place finish at the end oftheGroupstage. Earlierintheseason,the Falcons did well to defeat TKR in a home match, but theplayingfieldwasleveled once again when TKR exacted revenge on the Twin-Island Republic shortly after. This has the
Colin Munro is TKR’s leading runs scorer this season (Getty Images)
makings to be an intriguing match with players still pressing to make an impact in the closing moments of thetournament.
O n M o n d a y , representatives of the teams in the playoffs had the opportunity to share their thoughts on how they believe they can be successful.
TKR captain Nicholas Pooran said, “We believe if wehavetobesuccessful,we have to beat everyone Playoffsisadifferenttypeof cricket, different type of pressure and we are accustomed to that. So we are looking forward to the next couple of days. But
fromagroupperspective,we know we have our work cut out for us. Coming here to Guyanahasn’tbeeneasyfor us in the last couple of years.”
“We know the surface overhereisabittricky,both first innings and second innings, so that something we need to sit, discuss and planhowweactuallywantto goaboutourinningsonboth sides.”
Meanwhile, Falcons captain, Imad Wasim said,
“Our journey has been fantastic. Our first box has been ticked, getting into the playoffs. Three wins away from the finals and these conditions, they suit us. All theteamsarefantastic,soon a given day, whoever can beat whoever But the thing is we just want to showcase good talent, enjoy the game and entertain the fans. But ultimately play in the right spirit and good luck to whoever wins the tournament.”
Theeliminatorbowlsoff at20:00hrs
The West Indies
senior men’s cricket team will embarkonapackedoverseas schedule to conclude 2025, with high-profile series across Asia and Oceania following a blockbuster summer at home against AustraliaandPakistan.
TheMeninMaroonwill play 22 international matches across all formats between September and December, highlighted by a historic bilateral T20I series against Nepal in Sharjah –the first-ever meeting between the two nations. That series begins on September 27 and runs until September30.
The team will then shift focus to the longer format, starting their second assignment in the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle with a much-anticipated tour of India.
It will mark the West Indies’first Test visit to the subcontinent since 2018 Matchesarescheduledatthe Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (October 2–6) andtheArunJaitleyStadium inDelhi(October10–14). Following India, the Caribbean side heads to Bangladesh for a limited-
overs series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is from October 18 to November 1, withvenuestobeconfirmed.
The calendar then climaxes with a demanding
The West Indies will have a busy end of the year.
all-format tour of New ZealandfromNovember5to December 22. The series includes five T20Is, three ODIs, and three Test matches, spread across
Auckland,Nelson,Dunedin, Christchurch, Napier, Hamilton, Wellington, and MountMaunganui. Thecompletescheduleis asfollows:
Nepal vs West Indies T20Is(Sharjah,UAE)
·1stT20I:September27
· 2nd T20I: September 29
·3rdT20I:September30
WestIndiesTourofIndia
· 1st Test: October 2–6, Ahmedabad 2nd Test: October 10–14,Delhi
West Indies Tour of Bangladesh
· ODIs: October 18, 20, 23
· T20Is: October 27, 30; November1
WestIndiesTourofNew Zealand
·T20Is:November5–12
ODIs: November 15–21
Tests:December2–21
Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that the squads for the Nepal and India series will be named shortly
With four consecutive overseas tours lined up, the West Indies will be tested across conditions and formats,astheylooktobuild momentum heading into 2026.
D e s p i t e s i t t i n g comfortably atop the GFF Elite League table and already assured of the championship, Slingerz Football Club head coach Jamaal Shabazz insists that the official coronation will only come after his side secures victory against MonedderlustonOctober4.
The Vergenoegen-based giants dismantled Fruta Conquerors11–0onSunday, a result that further underlined their dominance inthisyear’scampaign.With thatvictory,Slingerzmoved to 43 points from 15 matches, 12 clear of their nearest challengers, the GuyanaPoliceForceFCand WesternTigers,whoaretied on31points.
“Itwillbepresumptuous of me to comment as if we hadalreadywontheleague,”
Shabazz remarked, downplaying celebrations despite his team’s commandingposition.
“The players and my support staff have done a tremendousjobingettingus tothebrinkinanticipationof the Elite League title,” the Trinidadianstated.
Slingerz FC have been the only undefeated team in the two-round Elite League thisseason.
Their record is nearly flawless, with their lone blemish coming in the form of a draw against Western Tigers. Every other opponent hasbeenbrushedaside,with Shabazz’s men showcasing discipline in defense and flairinattack.
Their statistics speak volumes; 92 goals scored and only three conceded across 15 matches, giving them a staggering +89 goal difference. That balance of ruthless finishing and defensive steel has put them
on course to setting a new record for the most goals scored in a national league season under the GFF’s watch.
“Scoring 92 goals thus far and only having three scored against you is a tremendous feat,” Shabazz said.“Threemoregamesand a win in the next will officially give us the league title.”
Business Still to be Done
Slingerz FC’s title destiny will likely be
confirmed against Monedderlust, but their pathdoesn’tendthere
The club must still face stern tests in their final two fixtures against the Guyana Police Force on October 11 and the Guyana Defence Forceintheirclosinggame Interestingly, in the first half of the season, Slingerz edged both military teams bynarrow1–0margins
This is Shabazz’ first time coaching at the club level in Guyana, and he has wasted little time in stampinghisauthority
His philosophy has translated into consistency,
mentality
ForShabazz,themission has always been to return Slingerz FC to the pinnacle of domestic football and deliver their second Elite Leaguetitle.
When the dust settles after the Monedderlust fixture on October 4, Slingerz may finally be able topopthechampagne.Until then, their coach’s message remainsonofrespectingthe processandfinishtheleague unbeaten.
- action continues next weekend with $750k pot up for grabs
The Westside Golf
Course came alive this past weekend as dozens of players,families,andseveral international competitors joinedlocalsforthethrilling $500,000 Hole in One GuyanaGolfChallenge.
Top local golfer Richard Hanif (Guyana) and visiting golfer Ian Bahadursingh (Trinidad) came closest to capturing thegrandprize.
Withnowinnerdeclared, the prize will now roll over to next weekend, increasing to $750,000 and raising the stakesevenhigher
The CPL tickets were won by Stephanie Affonso, who produced the nearest-to-the-pin shot of the tournament
Adding s
y
e
d excitement to the event, Mi Amor Models dazzled in spectacular golf outfits
as they joined in the action, enjoying their
experience. The tournament was proudly supported by Sterling Products Ltd,
Guyana Beverages Inc, andSunshineSnacks
The Westside Golf Course remains Guyana’s
membership golf facility, featuring a unique layout
beginners and seasoned players
The venue provides clubs, balls, and coaching at affordablerates,makinggolf accessibletoeveryone. Conveniently located
and
Slingerz Football
Club will be
c r o w n e d champions of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League, wrapping up the title race in emphatic styleafterdismantlingFruta Conquerors11–0attheGFF National Training Centre at Providence on Sunday evening.
With three games still to play,theVergenoegen-based club is guaranteed the championship following the 2–2 draw between the GuyanaPoliceForceFCand the Guyana Defence Force FC, which was also played onSunday
The result leaves Slingerz sitting uncatchable at the top of the table on 43 points from 15 matches, 12 clear of their closest rivals, PoliceForceFCandWestern Tigers, who are tied on 31 points. Even with three matchesinhand,noteamcan surpass the clinical and consistent Slingerz outfit that has dominated the league from start The match against Fruta
Conquerors, from the opening whistle, Slingerz imposed their authority, slicing through their opponents with precision, pace,andpurpose.
The goals began early whenLloydMatthewsbroke the deadlock in the eighth minute,settingthetonefora long evening for the Conquerors’defence.
Moments later, a defensive miscue forced Keyshawn Dey to turn the ball into his own net in the 17th minute, doubling Slingerz’lead.
The floodgates then opened, with Slingerz’ star striker Kemar Beckford delivering a masterclass in finishing.
The Jamaica Beckford struck in the 24th, 30th, and 54th minutes to complete a stunning hat-trick, reaffirminghisreputationas oneofthedeadliestforwards inGuyanesefootball.
Not to be outdone, Trinidadian Derrell Garcia added a brace of his own, scoringinfirst-halfstoppage time(45’+2)andagaininthe
Derrell Garcia had a brace in Slinger FC’s 11 – 0 win
Benjamin (29’), Darron Niles(48’),SolomonAustin
(79’), and Raushan Ritch (89’)alsoetchedtheirnames on the scoresheet,
completingthe11-goalrout.
By the final whistle, Slingerzhadnotonlybagged three points but also cemented their dominance with a staggering +89 goal difference,havingscored92 goals and conceded just threeallseason.
Conquerors was enough to make a statement, the confirmation of their league triumph came in the second game of Sunday’s double header, when the Guyana Police Force FC and the Guyana Defence Force FC were forced to share the spoils in an exciting 2–2 draw Both sides, sitting second and fourth respectively,enteredtheclash knowing that only a win could delay Slingerz’ coronation
However, the stalemate left them both stranded too farbehind,handingSlingerz thechampionshipwiththree games still on the calendar against Monedderlust, Guyana Police Force and GuyanaDefenceForce.
Slingerz FC’s title success is as much about their consistency as their flair
Underpinning their campaign has been a watertight defence, the best in the league, conceding a merethreegoalsallseason.
Combined with a relentless attack that averages over six goals per game, the balance has proven impossible for opponentstohandle.
The victory also underscores the depth of talent in the squad. From Beckford’sclinicalfinishing to Garcia’s midfield dynamism, Benjamin’s creativity, and Austin’s defensive solidity, every player has contributed to makingSlingerzacutabove the rest. With three fixtures left,thenewchampionswill now turn their attention to finishing the season unbeaten and possibly setting new scoring records in the process Having already netted 92 times, the 100-goal mark iswellwithinreach
Former national
cricketer Steve Jacobs is ready to serve in his new role in public service, having been sworn in over the weekend byPresidentDr IrfaanAlias MinisterwithintheMinistry ofCulture,YouthandSport.
The appointment, followingPresidentAli’sreelection, represents a significant milestone in Jacobs’s journey, from national athlete to businessman, city official, and now a government minister
At37,Jacobsstepsintoa newly created post within the Ministry, where he will work alongside Charles Ramson Jr , who has returned as Minister of Culture,YouthandSport.
A prominent figure during the recent People’s Progressive Party/Civic
campaign, Jacobs is expected to focus on initiatives that empower young people, promote
culture, and foster national pride.
N
S p e a
the swearing-in ceremony, Jacobs expressed gratitude fortheopportunitytoserve.
“I will bring an athlete’s perspective to the Ministry ofCulture,YouthandSport, and most importantly, a commitmenttoempowering youngpeople,”Jacobssaid.
Jacobs’s sporting career spans over a decade A stylish batsman who later evolved into a reliable offspinner, he represented Guyana’s senior cricket teamfrom2006to2017and played in the Caribbean PremierLeagueforboththe Guyana Amazon Warriors andtheJamaicaTallawahs.
Off the field, his credentials are equally noteworthy
Jacobs is a Level II c
cket coach, Vice President of the Malteenoes Sports Club, and Vice President of the India-
Guyana Chamber of Commerce.
He also captained the West Indies Under-19 team and pursued studies in Sports Management at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. He is currently completing a Master’s d e g r e e i n P u b l i c AdministrationandPolicy
Beforethisappointment, Jacobs served as a City Councilor, representing Constituency Two – Kitty andSubryanville,arolethat reinforced his dedication to publicservice.
Jacobs was among 25 ministers sworn in at the State House on Saturday evening.
His appointment also recalls a notable precedent in Guyana’s history, where legendary West Indies and Guyana batsman Roy Fredericks served as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport from 1980 to 1985.
…Sunshine Snacks and Igloo Ice-Cream onboard