Kaieteur News

Palestinian health minister reports 29

VP Jagdeo defends controversial Oil Spill Law with no

...29 children,elderlypeoplekilled ashungergripsbombardedenclave deaths in Gaza ‘starvation-related’ unlimitedparentCo.guarantee

Businessman charged with

...over Facebook statement, doctored map of Guyana inciting treason

…butacceptsthatit’scriminalto haveanagreementwithzerotax Oil minister says tax-free ride to Exxon can’t change

Randy Jagdeo

Jagdeo defends controversial Oil Spill Law with no unlimited parent company guarantee

Although the recently passed Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, ResponseandResponsibility Billmakesnomentionofan unlimited parent company guarantee to shield Guyana from bearing the burden of thecostsofanyoilspill,Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohas defended the controversial law

During his weekly press conference on Thursday at Freedom House, the chief policymaker for the sector respondedtoconcernsraised thisweekbyseveralpersons regarding the lack of comprehensive coverage in theeventofanoilspill.Some stakeholders even argued that the Bill was passed to undoaHighCourtrulingfor unlimitedoilspillprotection.

He explained that while critics interpret Clause 21 to mean that parent companies will be shielded from liabilities under theAct, this was not the case. Clause 21 states, “An indemnification or any like agreement shall beinvalidforthepurposesof transferring the liability of a responsible party under this act.”

To this end, Jagdeo explained, “So they are saying this indemnification

is invalid, so the indemnification from the parent guarantee in the past is invalid. If you read the whole sentence, it says, “for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party under the act” It definesthis.Soifyouarethe party responsible for the spill,youcan'tgoandsignan agreement or say, I have an agreement with someone else and transfer that liability You're responsible for it. You can't transfer the liability Has nothing, absolutelynothingtodowith the parent guarantee, that indemnification.”

Furthermore, the VP pointed to Clause 27 of the law,whichmakesitclearthat evidence of financial assurance shall be provided to the satisfaction of the

competent national authority According to 27 (1)ofthelaw,“Aresponsible party shall maintain and provide evidence of financial assurance to the

satisfaction of the

Competent National Authority.”

Meanwhile, 27 (2) goes on to say, “Financial assurance shall be in

accordance with the

PetroleumActivitiesActand the Environmental ProtectionAct.”

To this end, Jagdeo a r g u e d t h a t t h e Environmental Protection Act requires the licenced operator to take full responsibility for liabilities undertheAct.Heexplained, “If your assets can't meet those liabilities, you have to now give me a document which shows that you can cover all the liabilities from theparentcompany.”

Itisimportanttonotethat the VP made no mention of an unlimited parent company guarantee but rathera“document”fromthe parent company In large operations such as oil p r o d u c t i o n , g i a n t corporations such as Exxon Mobilcreatelimitedliability companies(child)tooperate in the host country. This, therefore, requires the child company to sign off on contracts, protecting the assets and resources of the parent company in the process.

Recognising this loophole, the former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams, inserted a provision into the Development Permits for Exxon The Permits required an unlimited parent company guarantee (a signed document by Exxon Mobil Corporation) assuring that the giant would handle all costs that the limited companyfailstocover Itwouldalsobeapposite to note that the Government of Guyana (GoG) has appealed a ruling by High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kisson,forExxontoprovide anunlimitedguaranteefrom

theparentcompanytosatisfy all costs. Moreover, it was after the May 3, 2023 ruling that government modified the previously issued permits, including a new provisiontoreversetheneed for an “unlimited guarantee”.

It was reported that Condition 14 3 of the Yellowtail Permit states, “Theaboveindividuallyora combinationshallatleastbe

guided by an estimate of the sum of the reasonably crediblecosts,expenses,and liabilitiesthatmayarisefrom any breaches of this permit. Liabilities are considered to includecostsassociatedwith responding to an incident, clean-up and remediation andmonitoring.

The estimation is not expected to address unidentifiableorinestimable costs which may be

compensation for loss and ongoing damage to other parties,andwhichareableto be pursued through civil action.”

The Liza One, Liza Two and Payara Permits were modified to feature this new provision introduced by the People's Progressive Party (PPP)regime.

The first two Permits for the Liza One and Liza Two oil projects were approved by the previous Coalition government, while the third project, Payara, was approved by the PPP government. These Permits did not previously feature this provision After this change was exposed by Kaieteur News, Jagdeo defendedtheinsertionofthe new requirement that forces citizens to fight for oil spill compensationinCourt.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

KaieteurNews

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Guyana's oil race car

Thosewhoareintoracecarsarehighriskoperators High riskbringshonorablerecognitionandrichreturns Aracecar performing at high speeds is how a senior ExxonMobil manager described Guyana's oil wealth, and how his companyiscoaxingeveryelementofaccelerationoutofit

“Likearacecarthatblazesfromzeroto60injustafew seconds,Guyana'soilindustryhasrampedup–andramped upsafely,I'lladd–fromzerobarrelsto650,000perdayinthe five-and-a-halfyearssincewestarted That'sreallyfast,and we are not stopping anytime soon” Speaking with all the confidenceandswaggerofanIndy500driver,oraFormulaI veteran, was Hunter Farris, Senior Vice president for Deepwater at ExxonMobil Upstream Company We at this paperareweighingwhetherwhatFarrisjustdeliveredwasan ExxonMobilcommercial,orhejumpedintotherealmofthe supernatural Oilisariskybusiness,onewheremanythings can go wrong, and there was the ExxonMobil manager chatteringawayinbreathlessracingcarterms

“Zeroto60injustafewseconds”shouldalarmGuyanese, whoknownothingabouttherisksthatExxonMobilistaking offshore Guyanadoesn'thavetheknowledge,doesn'tdothe kind of oversight necessary, to ensure that the company's operationsarewellwithinstatedsafetylimits NoGuyanese should be comforted by Farris's assurance of “ramped up safely ” PuttingtoomuchconfidenceinwhatExxonMobil sells,leavingittoitsowndevices,isarecipefortrouble,of whichwehopethereisnone Whatelseisanysanecompany spokesperson is expected to say “ramped up” unsafely? “Rampedup”riskily,andexposethecompanytojeopardyfor that slip, for that probable truth, of which Guyanese leaders areclueless,andevenmorecareless?

Mr Farrisisright,withtherecordsupportinghiswords ExxonMobilhasrampedupdailyproduction,thenratchetedit upagain,seeminglyatwill,andwithoutanyrestraininghand fromtheGovernmentofGuyana ExxonMobilhasspedup itsoperationsandproductionlevels,atracecarspeeds From all indications, the company hasn't been overly concerned about cautionary flags, since all that it is interested in is collectinganothercheckeredflag,theonegiventowinners “Zeroto60injustafewseconds”iswhatithasbeen,andjust liketheExxonMobilmansaid

ThisiswhattheGuyanaGovernment,anditsone-manoil managementteam,BharratJagdeo,shouldprioritizeinterest andenergies Thatis,tobevigilantandrestrainthecompany from its likely reckless throwing caution to the winds mentality Instead, the PPPC Government and its oil super ministerJagdeoprioritizestillingthevoicesthathighlightthe dangers that this country face. Unofficial Guyanese watchdogs are targeted by government officials, while ExxonMobil is given a free hand, the freest, to carry on howeveritpleases,regardlessoftherisksinvolved.

HunterFarriswassoexcitedthathecouldn'thelphimself (ordidn'tcareto),soheletthecatoutofthebag “Wemoved reallyfastandwearenotstoppinganytimesoon” Meaning, that Guyanese can expect to hear announcements from ExxonMobil about higher and higher production levels in shorterandshortertimespans

Therealityisthatthemoreoilthatisproduceddaily,the higher the profits for the company to report to its many stakeholders Whatever the speeds and whatever the risks thathavetobetaken,ExxonMobilismentallygearedtofull steamahead Thecompanywasjusthandedapricelessgiftby thePPPCGovernment Twistitorturnit,ExxonMobilhasjust beengiventhegreenlighttooperatehoweveritchoosesona virtuallyliability-freeenvironment

No financial consequences attached to ExxonMobil's parent, should there be a massive oil spill in its Guyana operations The recent Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility bill passed in Guyana's parliament confirmed how much the PPPC GovernmentisenslavedtothewillofGuyana'sAmericanoil master With ExxonMobil handed a blank check on how it canoperateoffshore,“zeroto60injustafewseconds”now looks pedestrian ExxonMobil is ready for zero to 100 (or 180)inlessseconds

Guyana has enough stone to supply all of its current needs

DearEditor, InaKNletterofMay21 on the above referenced subject, Mr Hamilton Green, Elder and a former Works and Hydraulics Minister in a previous Guyana Government expressed the view that "Guyanahasenoughstoneto supplyallofitscurrentneeds andthatimportationofstone fromSurinameappearstobe amechanismforsomesetof personstomakemoney". There can be no doubt that the Guyanese economy and its industries would benefit from imported qualitystonefromSuriname and elsewhere if the cost is

lower than that produced locally However, the Government has to ensure that Suriname and other suppliers of stone are not being subsidized and dumping their cheaper products on the Guyanese market since this will have the adverse effect of closure of several of the local quarriesandputtingmanyof theiremployeesoutofwork.

Guyana has many locationswherequalitystone could and are being mined and processed for the local market at a price that users are willing to pay If the margin is good, developers (as the gold miners have

found) will be vying for permitstoopennewquarries alloverthecountry.Butthis is not so as mining is an expensive operation and needslargecapitaloutlay

Mr Greenclaimsthatthe local quarries produce enough stone and aggregate to meet local needs and to evenexport.

If this was so one wonders why a foreign mining company like Grassaico would establish a subsidiaryinGuyanawithas Mr Greenthinksanapparent saturatedmarketforstone?

Of course, Grassaico is oftheopinionthatGuyanais a vibrant market for stone

with handsome profits to be made. Hence the reason for its investment. Finally, Mr Green stated that the Suriname President and other officials hailed development of the project GuysureASI as a deepening of economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries. Mr Green should have elaborated on these fauxpasgoodwillsentiments expressedbytheSurinamese GovernmentsinceGuyanese fishermen are still waiting forananswertotheirrequest for permission to fish in Surinamesecoastalwaters.

Yourstruly, CharlesSohan

GPA election overdue, again

DearEditor, Newspaper columnist

Mr FreddieKissoonerredin his May 21, 2025 column titled 'The silence over the atroc

s of antigovernment minds' when he stated: “So Ms. [Nazima] Raghubir is now in her fifth year as president which is constitutionally not possible.”

The fact is, she is in her th8 year as President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), despite only being elected twice to serve four years. Permit me to explain. Ms Raghubir was first elected on January 7, 2018, and should have vacated office or sought re-election

on January 6, 2020 in keeping with the two-year Constitutional limit on the Presidency

H o w e v e r , h e r ManagementCouncildidnot hold elections until May 14, 2023–morethanthreeyears after the constitutional deadline. So, in her first term,sheservedasPresident for five years and four months, despite the Constitutional limit of two years.

Having been re-elected on May 13, 2023, Ms R a g h u b i r a n d h e r Management Council have again failed to call election within the Constitutional deadline which was last week. So,sheis,infact,intoher th8 year as President despite only being elected twice to serve for four years in keeping with the GPA's Constitution Another violation of the GPA's Constitution under the current President was the election of Ms. IvaWharton and Ms. Ariana Gordon–both of whom were not constitutionallyqualifiedfor full membership – to the Management Council Despite not being qualified for full membership, these two individuals were not only allowed to vote, but were 'elected' to the ManagementCouncil.

Editor, Mr Kissoon raises an important point in hiscolumnaboutholdingall state actors accountable in society Just recently, the GPA released a convoluted epistle which assailed and rebuked President IrfaanAli for merely suggesting that the evolution of the media and the impact of AI on journalism need to be academicallystudied.

The same GPA that continuestoparadeitselfasa watchdog and protector of TheFourthEstate,evenasit continues to flagrantly violate its own Constitution withimpunity

Yoursfaithfully, RavinSingh

GPA elections will be held soon

DearEditor, I have taken note of the Assistant to the First Lady, Ravin Singh's interest in the holding of the Guyana Press Associationelections.

This election, like many others,isimportantandIcan

assure him that the press executive is working to ensurethatelectionsareheld verysoon.

I am very pleased that Mr Singh has taken an interestintheGPAthatgoes beyond his laughing emoji on social media on GPA's statements on critical issues relating to the state of the mediainGuyana.

ImayevenurgetheGPA executive to consider reaching out to Mr Singh in an effort to find a public location for this meeting, as he is responsible for shortlisting applications for the use of public spaces aroundtheseawalls.

Sincerely

NazimaRaghubir Journalist

The 12th Parliament of Guyana has regressed under Mr. Manzoor Nadir

DearEditor, Ireadwithmuchinterest the letter by Speaker Manzoor Nadir, dated May 22, 2025, and captioned “The time of scrutiny of financial papers were never limited,”whichrespondedto my letter published in your newspaperonMay19,2025.

Mr.Editor,Iwillnotengage inatit-for-tatexchangewith Mr Nadir, as the official records of the National Assembly will clearly

demonstrate how the business and affairs of the House are managed, particularly regarding the treatment of the Opposition. I will reiterate, Speaker Nadir is not impartial and consistently demonstrates bias. Furthermore, the 12th Parliament under his leadershiphasbeentheworst in recent history, and any semblance of Parliamentary Democracyhaseroded.

SinceMr Nadirsawfitto

p r o v i d e t a b u l a t e d information, it would have been equally appropriate for himtosupplystatisticsatthe meetings of parliamentary committees in accordance with established procedures and practices. For example, the Committee on Security has never been convened since the 12th Parliament commenced.TheCommittee onAppointmentshasnotmet sinceApril2023.ThePublic Accounts Committee (PAC)

meets irregularly The ForeignServicesCommittee hasmetfewerthantentimes, and the same applies to the Economic Services Committee.

Let me address the contentsofMr Nadir'sletter, which does nothing to change my position. First, it is important for readers to understand that the 12th Parliamenthasoperatedasa rubberstamp,despite (Continueonpage5)

Norton Leader of the PNCR: Why he should stay with elections being four to six months away

DearEditor, I read letters in the Kaieteur News titled 'Aubrey Norton Leader of the PNC/R: Why he should go' and in the Village Voice online and 'Why Aubrey Norton should step aside for another presidential candidate' by one Hector Stoute Jr As a citizen who would also like to see a formidableoppositiontothe PPP/C government in the upcoming2025 Generaland RegionalElections,theseare my arguments on why Aubrey Norton should remain as the presidential

candidate for the Coalition, atthisstage.

Mr Stoute as a retired memberoftheUSArmy,and Ithinkonewhohashadsome combat experience, would appreciate the difficulties in removingaGeneralfromthe frontline of a battlefield in themiddleofintenseassault in a war I have not had any combat experience, and I holdnobriefforMr Norton, but my experience over the years with decision-making, processes, organizational behaviour, societal behaviour and people generally, have taught me

some fundamental things, such as the difference between the right decision and the best decision under thecircumstances,aswellas timingiseverything.

Elections will be held between September to November in about four to six months, and the

Opposition has two key disadvantages:One,theyare not in government with unlimited resources at their disposal;andtwo,theyhave thealmostimpossibletaskof building, managing and sustaining a coalition If Aubrey Norton should step

aside,whowillbeputasthe presidential candidate? Yes, there are options, Dr Terrence Campbell as a consensus candidate or Mr Nigel Hughes from theAFC buttherewillbemajorissues with this approach. I have come to accept that Aubrey Norton is a leader with followers and any decision on whether he remains the presidentialcandidateor not will have fallout. Dealing with this fallout can run for months into elections with emotions running high and much unnecessary disruptions.

The 12th Parliament of Guyana...

Frompage4 numerousconcernsraisedby Opposition members A simple review of the Supplementary Financial Papers from 2020 to 2024 and an analysis of the quest

n

d by Opposition members to Government Ministers would reveal the way Speaker Nadir treats the Opposition. For emphasis, therecordwillalsoshowthat when members attempted to ask questions regarding already-spent funds, they were advised to focus only on funds being requested, this also occurred during budgetdebates.

IsuspectSpeakerNadir's posture may shift during the 104thSittingoftheNational Assembly on Friday, May 23, 2025, when the first Financial Paper for 2025 is scheduled for scrutiny For the public record, I wish to statethatatnotimehasthere beenagreementbetweenthe Government and the Opposition regarding the scrutiny of Financial Papers (for the exception of budgets, where there is agreed timing for agencies). Therefore, my letter of May 19,2025,reflectsthebroader reality of how theAssembly functions.

Regarding Mr Nadir's comments about motions and questions, I, like many colleagues, have had motionsinitiallyapprovedof by him and placed in the Order Paper. However, on both occasions when my motions, focused on addressing the high cost of living, were scheduled for debate, they were inexplicably withdrawn on the grounds that they contravened Standing Order

22. In other examples, noconfidence motions against Dr Frank Anthony and Mr Manzoor Nadir in 2021 simply disappeared We were informed that these motions were being reviewed by the Attorney General'sChambers. Additionally,areviewof theOrderPaperforthe104th Sitting of the National Assembly will reveal asterisks beside motions by Ms Geeta ChandanEdmond, MP, on the killing oftheHenryboys(published onDecember12,2020),and Mr DavidPatterson,MP,on Natural Gas Flaring (published on February 26, 2021).Mr Nadir'sexcusefor not proceeding with these motions was that they were sub judice. However, it is critical to note that these motions were submitted, approved, and placed on the OrderPaperwellbeforeany court proceedings had begun.

Turning now to the questions mentioned by Mr Nadir, I acknowledge his statistics on the number of questions submitted and

approved However, he failed to explain why many questionsare'watereddown' and why he permits Government Ministers to give responses that, in my view, are both unacceptable and inappropriate in a Parliamentary Democracy I could cite numerous examples, but in the interest ofspace,Iwillhighlightjust one: the infamous “200 new taxes.”

I have attached the response provided by Dr AshniSingh,whichSpeaker Nadir allowed, for your readers to judge for themselves.

In conclusion, I wish to state firmly and without hesitation that I stand by

every word written in my letterofMay19,2025.Iama responsible individual, and all my claims are factchecked before publication. They can withstand any scrutiny Once again, I emphasize, the 12th Parliament of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has regressed under the micromanagement of Mr ManzoorNadir

It appears even the decisiononwheremealsare ordered from for National Assembly sittings is made unilaterallybyhim,despitea committee chaired by him, that is supposed to make suchdecisionscollectively Yourssincerely, AnnetteFerguson,MP

ManyPNCmembersand supportersfeltthattheygive an opportunity to a 'relative outsider' David Granger and arenotsatisfiedwithsomeof what obtained under his government from 2015 –2020, hence, many of them are cautious about putting another 'outsider' as the presidentialcandidate.

From a more practical standpoint,thePNC/Risthe largest opposition party and theonlypartyatitsbestthat can challenge the PPP/C at anelection,atthispoint.Mr Aubrey Norton was elected astheleaderofthatpartyand therefore has the legitimacy to run for president. The party Congress also made a decision that only he can change that position. If attacking him could have made him change his mind that would have happened already In my view,Aubrey Nortonhasmadeuphismind andmanyPNCmembersand supporters have made up theirmindsalso,sowhatare thenextbestoptions,let'sbe pragmatic.

I would suggest building a strong team around him. Aubrey Norton surely has weaknesses, but he also has strengths. Time is of the essence, so let's focus on

whatwehavecontrolover,at thisstage,ifthegoalistowin the upcoming elections.The p

C

n government top leadership team is as follows: Aubrey Norton as President; Nigel Hughes as Prime Minister, First Vice President and MinisterofLegalAffairsand Attorney General with

constitutional reform or Nigel Hughes as Prime M

President and Minister of H

constitutional reform; Dr Terrence Campbell as the Second Vice President and Senior Minister of Natural Resources and Coalition Manager (Meaning that Dr. Campbell will have the responsibility to ensure that the Coalition is managed, sustainedandisfunctionalas a government); Dr Yog Mahadeo, Senior Minister, Public Communication (Alsowithresponsibilityfor Information Technology C

Innovation) or Senior Minister of Business (Commerce and Industry); Ganesh Mahipaul, Minister ofGovernanceand (Continueonpage6)

The East Coast Crawl ‘No increase in LCDS money for Amerindians this year’-Jagdeo

DearEditor,

AsaresidentontheEast Coastcorridorwhotraverses the road daily to get to Georgetownforwork,Ihave overtime made several observations that I think are noteworthyofaddressing.

Having to navigate the morning and afternoon traffic on the East Coast corridor is more than just a challenge. Stating this on one'sCVwouldimmediately secure them a job as a chauffeur for anyone who knowshowpatient,cautious and skillful one must be, to avoidcollision(s),etc.

We must agree that the traffic situation is caused by numerous factors, some of which we must thank the Government of Guyana for (positive factors) For example, the increase congestion is due to more and more vehicles being on the road, the PPP/C government have made policies that have made it more affordable for persons toowntheirownvehicle.

Today more than ever beforeitiseasierforpersons to purchase their own vehicles and this is evident duetothenumberofvehicles currentlyontheroad.Iknow a friend who bought his car in March 2025 with registration number PAK in the900seriesandatthetime of writing this letter two months later the registration number is at 8000 and counting.

That is 7000 cars in just two months, and this has been the trend since 2020. Thisshowsprogressisbeing made, real development and how affordable it is now for everyone.

Not ignorant to this fact, the government has been investing tremendously in infrastructure.Itisevidentas everywhereyouturnthereis s o m e r o a d u n d e r construction.

OntheEastCoastweare currently seeing the reconstructionandwidening of the railway embankment into a four-lane highway from Sheriff Street to Enmore and even beyond. Thisisaprojectthatwemust

thankthePPP/Cgovernment for, though we know the inconvenience we face with itsconstruction.Thisproject once completed will reduce the traffic congestion by atleast50%(speculated).

While construction progresses on the railway embankment, drivers face significant challenges traversingtheonlymaineast coast public road (Rupert Craig Highway) As of recent the Guyana Police Force and Traffic Chief MahendraSinghhasopened a third lane in the morning headingtoGeorgetown.This starts from LBI and ends at UGRoad.Whileitisagood idea and helps with the trafficcongestionitwouldbe betterifadditionalmeasures areappliedtothis.

Forexample,mini-buses and trucks especially should not be allowed in the third lane. When these trucks and busesenterthethirdlaneand they stop, it also stops and slows down the entire line behindthem.

Preventing these categories of vehicles from using the third lane would allow a more efficient flow of traffic all the way to the city Trucksandbusesshould be restricted to one lane on the southern carriage way Added to this, the third lane is started from 7:00 am, however,bythistimethereis alreadyasignificantbuildup of traffic on the roadways. As such, the third lane should be opened from at least 6:30 am to “prevent” theheavybuildupandallow formorefreeflowingtraffic. The same methodology can beadoptedinreverseforthe afternoon traffic proceeding EAST

Other measures that can be put in place includes the introduction of staggering work hours Government shouldencouragebusinesses andofficesbothinthepublic and private sector to adjust and adopt to more flexible start/ end times for work to reduce the peak hours of traffic. TakingabitofUrban Policy and Planning into perspective, government should also consider

decentralising. Government should relocate some of its services including NIS, GRA(LRO),etc.andoffices outofGeorgetown.

This will significantly reduce daily commuting to thecity,reducecongestionin and around the city and also promote productivity and efficiencyofofficestosome extent. In some areas, both public and private sector should introduce and promote remote working where feasible, allowing personstoworksomedaysat home and some in office.

This will also aide significantly in curbing the trafficsituation.

Additionally, the world currently is being technologically transformed in every aspect and AI is becoming more prevalent in everyday life. Alluding to this the government can use innovative traffic cameras andsensorspoweredbyAIto monitor and adjust traffic signalsdynamically Further, a mobile app should be developed with real time maps and activity updates withanalertsystemtonotify driversoftrafficcongestions

(accidents, blocked roadways, etc ) and alternative routes available sothattheycanplantheirtrip accordingly

In concluding, I cannot blame the government for whatishappening.Itisclear thattheyhavethefutureand development of this country in their best interests, somethingonlythePPP/Cis known for. What we as citizensshouldunderstandis

inconvenience is the price we pay However, the governmentandpoliceforce canmakeitlessburdensome by taking into consideration

the recommendations mentioned earlier These little and quite inexpensive changes can practically reducethetrafficcongestion for everyone. We must play our part in being good, DISCIPLINED drivers and roadusersandenforcingthe fiveC's.

We must acknowledge that though the police force (Traffic Dept.) may make some mistakes, they are doing what is humanly possible. It is also noteworthy to recognise them for their efforts in the rain and sun everyday trying to control the traffic and bring some ordertoourroadways.

Sincerely

ByShiveshPersaud

The over 200 hundred Amerindian Villages attending the ongoing National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference will receive the same amount money they were allocated thisyearfromGuyana'sLow Carbon Development Strategy(LCDS)fund Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo made the announcement while addressing Toshaos at the conference being held at theArthurChungConference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown According to him, Guyana received less LCDSmoneythisyearthanit

Toshaos in the Dome of the ACCC during their interaction with Guyana's VP on Tuesday.

did in previous years. “The first year was 22.7 million US dollars, the second year was23.27millionUSdollars and this year it will also, although we have received less this year, we have kept the23.27millionUSdollars to be given to the communities”, Jagdeo told the Toshaos. He continued, “Sointhefirstyearitwas15 percent as we agreed, in the secondyearitwas26percent lastyearbecausewereceived lessforthatyearandthisyear it'sover21percentnearly22 percent of the resources that you are getting because of

lowerreceiptsthisyear” The monies will be divided up between the villages using the same formula like last year-based ontheirpopulationsizes That is between 10 to 35 million dollars for each village However, this year, Government will grant each villageGYD$3Mforhousing upgrade According to the Vice-President the $3M is to honourarequestmadebythe Toshaos during last year's NTC council Villages will alsoreceivethesamethe$1M theyhavebeenreceivingeach yearforsportsdevelopment

Norton Leader of the PNCR...

Frompage5

Parliamentary Affairs; and AmanzaWalton-Desirasthe MinisterofForeignAffairs. However, if by May 31, there is no agreement on a coalition between PNC/R and AFC, then the proposal for a coalition is as follows: A PNC/R+APNU Coalition which could include the following:AubreyNortonas President; Dr.Yog Mahadeo as Prime Minister and First Vice President and portfolio on Public Communication with responsibility for Information Technology

Communication and Innovation; Dr Terrence CampbellastheSecondVice President and Senior Minister of Natural Resources and Coalition Manager (Meaning that Dr Campbell will have the responsibility to ensure that theCoalitionismanaged, sustained and is functionalasagovernment); Ganesh Mahipaul, Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs; and AmanzaWalton-Desirasthe Minister of Foreign Affairs.

If the PNC/R+APNU Coalition wins, ministerial positions can be offered to the AFC, such as Nigel Hughes as a Senior Minister

of Legal Affairs and Attorney General with responsibility for constitutional reform or Minister of Home Affairs with responsibility for constitutional reform and David Patterson as Minister ofPublicWorks,etc.

AFC members and supporters can also be offeredpositionsasadvisors, ambassadors, on state boards,etc.

A key tactic in negotiationistogiveupone big thing, let's say, for ten other smaller, but important things. Let's move on from who should be the presidential candidate, and hopefullygainmanysmaller but equally important concessions,suchasastrong diverse leadership team aroundAubreyNortonasthe presidential candidate. May wisdomprevail.

Sincerely, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

I am on the ground, and there is no more time to waste on who should be the presidential candidate, a decision has to be made, now Thefalloutfromtrying to force Aubrey Norton to stepasidewouldbeaserious distraction from developing a winning team and programme for governance and development. On the point of a vision and development policy positions, plan and programme,thereareseveral ideas,concepts,planswhich can be translated into a substantial manifesto and nationaldevelopmentplan.I am saying to the PNC/R, AFC, APNU, coalition, opposition you can take our 'Building Our Dream Guyana' concept and programmeandrunwithitas a campaign and national development theme. Also, we have developed a framework for a 10 to 15 years 'National Economic and Social Development Strategy/Plan' which is proposedtobebuiltoneight areas: The Green Economy, Blue Economy, Agricultural Economy, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas Economy, Knowledge Economy, Service Economy, and Natural Resources Economy; take it and run withit.ThePPP/Chastaken o u r i d e a s a n d i s implementing them which has validated that the ideas are sound This is our contribution to the coalition government.

Govt. hopeful of opposition’s support

…reminds citizens that

it is treasonous to participate in Venezuela's elections for solidarity motion

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is hopeful that theparliamentaryopposition will support a motion of solidaritytobedebatedinthe NationalAssemblytoday

Speaking during his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo noted that the motion is to reaffirm Guyana's stance on the territorial integrity, amid

Venezuela's growing provocation in relation to Guyana's Essequibo region. However, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton, lastweekhintedthathisteam will not support the motion. He said that they will not lend support to the Government of Guyana (GoG) only at the State's convenience with regard to the ongoing border c o n t r o v e r s y w i t h neighbouring Venezuela. In atelevisedstatement,Norton expressed concern over the sidelining of the Opposition in Parliament and outside of the National Assembly, where planning and preparation efforts are concerned at the political level.

He explained, “We have made a number of proposals to the government in previous debates in the parliament and in meetings with the President, all of which the government failed tohonour.”

WithVenezuelaplanning to hold elections in the Essequibo Region on May 25, 2025, which would inevitably be preceded by preparatory acts, including acts within Guyana's Essequibo region, affecting theGuyanesepopulationand Guyana's sovereignty over its territory, the Opposition Leader expressed frustration that government, in response, is planning a concert and a Motion in Parliament.

“We were aware that Venezuela is going to have these elections, or rather sham elections, and the government did absolutely nothing, but now, suddenly, they are telling us about a concert and a motion in parliament,” Norton said The leader added, “We are deeply concerned that the government has no plan to ensure Venezuela is kept at bay It is ridiculous, as far as

we are concerned, that while the Venezuelans are seeking to hold an election purporting to have a governor in Essequibo, the Guyana government is inviting us to a concert. It makesabsolutelynosense.”

On May 25, Venezuela plans to hold regional elections on Guyana's Essequiboregion.

“The Parliament will debateasolidaritymotionon this issue, and I expect that, inkeepingwithourtradition, that that would receive the unanimous support,” Jagdeo said.

The Vice President also stated that he expects a unitedstanceinfavourofthe territorial integrity of this country to be mirrored across the country, regardless of their political affiliation, religion or race.

“This fraudulent regime in Venezuela must see all of Guyana speaking with one voice on this matter,” he said.

He reminded of the People's Progressive Party's stance, while in opposition, of critical support. Jagdeo explained, “Even in the toughest days of the dictatorship, when we had undemocratic elections and the regime was repressive, the People's Progressive Party coined a term called criticalsupport.

We will keep criticizing youonyourpoliciesbecause we did not support your economic policies and otherwise, but we will give full support on borderrelated matters or where it concerns the territorial integrityofourcountry.”

In relation toVenezuela's regional election, Guyana h a d m o v e d t o t h e International Court of Justice (ICJ) for provisional measures to restrain Venezuela from holding the elections The court subsequently handed down its order on May 1, 2025. In the order, the Court reaffirmed previous provisional measures and prohibited Venezuela from taking any action in relation tothecontestedarea. Jagdeo addressed the latest moves by the Nicolás Maduro administration, including plans to hold what he called fraudulent elections. He reminded that theICJhasissuedtwosetsof

provisional measures, the first in December 2023, explicitly instructing Venezuela not to alter the statusquointheregion.

“The ICJ issued new provisional orders, reaffirming the earlier one, that no action should be taken on the part of Venezuela to disturb what existstoday,whichisthatwe control the entire 83,000 squaremilesofthesovereign state of Guyana,” the Vice Presidentoutlined.

Jagdeo stated that Maduro is using the border controversy as a tool to distract Venezuelans from domesticissues.

He said, “Venezuela will goaheadwithit,becausethis is Maduro's way of deflecting from all of his concerns at home, raised by peopleathome,andthereare many concerns, there is economic decline, there are global sanctions against the country

Theyriggedtheelections massively, there is locking up his opponents in Venezuela, and so he often uses the border issues to deflect attention from those matters.”

Further, he also issued a s t r o n g w a r n i n g t o individuals who may consider participating in Venezuela's planned elections in Essequibo, stating that such actions would be considered treasonous.

“The Chief of Staff has made it clear, and I wish to endorse his decision that should there be any attempt by any Venezuelan who's living here to purport to vote in those elections, they will be rounded up and deported… and if ther are Guyanese who engage in that treasonous act, they too will face consequences,” Jagdeowarned.

Despite a December 2023 agreement between President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Maduro committing to regional peace, on March 1, 2025, a Venezuelan naval vessel entered Guyana's waters and approached Exxon's Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel operating in the oil-rich Stabroek Block and radioed that the FPSO was operating in disputed territory

M o r e o v e r, h e a l s o condemned oppositionalignedfigures.

He accused them of spreading Venezuelan propaganda.

He said, “And I want to urge these political commentators from some of them from the opposition, to

stop spreading Venezuelan fake news and propaganda, s o m e o f t h e m unconscionablyoverthepast

fewdays,Idon'tknowifthey think this will harm the PPP, they keep spreading the Venezuelanpropaganda.”

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

The saddest thing of all

Linden to get US$22.5M solar farm

Theminingtownof Lindenisslatedto receive Guyana's largest solar farm to date, worth a whopping

US$22.58M. The contract wassignedonWednesday In a statement, Prime Minister Mark Phillips affirmedthatthegovernment is committed to delivering equitable and sustainable development. The 15-MW installation will comprise threesolarfarmsatBlock37

(4 MWp), Dacoura (3 MWp), and Retrieve (8 MWp)—forming part of the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (GUYSOL) Programme.

Theprojectalsoincluded an 11 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the “new Linden Electricity Company Inc (LECI) substation, a new 13.8kV transmission line, and upgrades to interconnection infrastructure to improve

electricitystabilityinRegion Ten.”

ThePrimeMinistersaid: “ThisistheGovernmentthat made a promise to bring developmentandtoimprove the livelihood of all the people of Guyana, wherever they live, wherever their community is located, whoevertheyvotedfor—we are not interested in that. What we are interested in is bringing five years of development to the people, and this is testimony to our commitmenttothepeopleof Guyana and the people of Linden.”

Hefurtherexplainedthat the GUYSOL project is funded via resources the country earned through its

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips

forest partnership with Norway, which secured US$220 8M for climaterelatedinvestments.Someof these funds are being used for sustainable energy initiativesnationwide.

It was disclosed that it was decided by government

US$83.8M from the above mentioned fund would be allocated to develop utilityscale solar projects across the country, with the Linden solar project being the largest such installation in Guyana's history, after the rest had been use for Amerindian land titling, home solar equipment for indigenouscommunitiesand hinterlandICTaccess.

“The Linden solar project is expected to produce more than 20,210 MWh of clean energy annually, contributing to an estimated $1.2bn in savings onelectricitysubsidieswhile mitigating over 17,200 tonnesofCO₂emissionsper year,”thestatementsaid.

Prime Minister Phillips added, “In the next development cycle we will be building out a transmission line to also connect Linden to the D e m e r a r a - B e r b i c e Interconnected System. We will also be funding the Amaila Falls That is a projectthatwecommittedto completing.”

He also encouraged the residentsoftheminingtown

tolookattheprojectasmore than an energy solution, it should also be viewed as a foundation for economic development, as improved electricity access will create and expand microenterprises and small industries “What we need and that's the message we're sharing everywhere in Guyana, where we have similar projects—isforpeopletoget involved in microbusinesses and utilise the power being provided. That iswhat,asaGovernment,we want to do bring development to the people, wherever the people are located,”hesaid.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of GPL Inc.,Mr KeshNandlall,who said that, “This project is of critical national importance. The people of Linden—and indeed, all of Guyana—are counting on its timely and high-quality delivery We expectstrictadherencetothe agreedtimelines,thehighest standardsofengineeringand safety, and full cooperation with GPL and local stakeholders.”

Justice must not be selective

An 11-year-old girlisdead.That isheartbreaking. That is a tragedy no parent should ever face. Her name mustneverbeforgotten.But neithershouldthetruth.

Thechilddrowned.That is what the autopsy says.

D r o w n i n g N o t strangulation. Not assault. Drowning.That is the cause of death. The investigations will have to establish, if it can,themannerofdeath.

The child went missing at the pool. The same pool whereshewaslaterfound.A day after – 20 hours to be exact.Herbodywasfoundin the water People are questioning whether she drowned in the pool. Or elsewhere. And was then dumped into the pool. But conclusions have to be backed by evidence. The policefumbled.Theyissued a statement that claimed videofootage,aboutthetime she went missing, showed she left the hotel in a car Then they admitted that this was a mistake, presumably because someone input the wrong date in reviewing the camera footage. That is an aspect that needs clarification, and for those responsible to be held accountable.

When the child was found in the pool, it proved that the police’s original version was false. It proved that they got it wrong Horribly wrong. And the public got enraged. But not all anger is justice. Then

came the madness. Looting of the hotel. Arson at the hotel. Then of the private residence of the owner The hotel is gutted to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Allofthishappened in broad daylight. Police stood and watched. Cell phone cameras rolled People carted off goods Mattresses. Liquor Chairs. Evenaswivelchair Nobody stopped them Nobody arrested them. Perhaps, they couldn’tatthetime.Perhaps the police feared a greater escalation if they did Perhaps!

The hotel owner’s home wasnext.Burned.Flattened. A neighboring building was also destroyed.Whereis the justice for the owners of theseproperties?

The girl’s death is a tragedy But so is this. One family grieves a lost child. Another family and a neighbor watch as their investments and life’s work respectivelygoupinflames. People are throwing aspersions based on mere suspicion. No evidence has yet been made public proving that the hotel was involved in the death of the child.Noonehaspresenteda shred of evidence No witnesses. No confessions. Nothing Just rage Just suspicion. Just gut feeling belief and speculation Nothing. That is not justice. Thatisrevenge.Thatismob rule. And what about the workersofthehotel?Dozens of them. All now jobless.

Their salaries gone. Their future uncertain Who is speaking for them? Where are the cries for justice for them?Justicemustnotwear blinders. It must not bend to anger It must not choose victims.Itmustserveall.

We cannot become a society where suspicion is a death sentence. We cannot letragereplaceevidence.We cannot let the loudest voice decideguilt.The11-year-old girl deserves justice. Yes. But so do the others. The hotelowner Hisfamily The neighbor whose house was destroyed.Theworkersnow unemployed. They too are victims. We must say this aloud. We must not whisper it.Noonedaresspeakforthe hotel.Noonewantstoseem insensitive. But silence is cowardice Silence is injustice too. You do not right one wrong with another Youdonothonoura dead child by burning a man’sproperties.Youdonot find the truth by destroying livelihoods. That is not justice. It is mob rule. What of the looters of the hotel? The footage is there. Some faces are visible. Goods in hand. Somewithnomasks. Noshame.Yetnoarrests.No charges. Is this how we do justice now? We must ask hardquestions.Havewelost ourmoralcompass?

A child is dead. It is tragic But we cannot become savages. We cannot pretendthearsonandlooting were about justice. They were not. They were about

DEM BOYS SEH

Traffic does teach you thing yuh ain’t learn in church

East Coast traffic is not just a national headache. Is a life lesson. Is a whole university degree in patience, tolerance, and finding new cuss words every morning without repeatinglastweekown.

Dem boys seh if yuh could survive that East CoastcrawlfromLusignan toGT,yuhcouldgetajobas a Formula 1 driver—or at leastasadiplomat,‘causeit tekrealskilltosmilewhile people cutting in front yuh likedemownderoad.

But leh we give credit wherecreditdue.Thanksto the PPP/C, every man, woman, and dem pickney couldaffordacarnow One mansehheregisterhecarin MarchwithPAK9000,and byMaydethingreachPAK 16,000 Dem got more

PAKs pon de road than paracetamolinapharmacy. And dem building road too—everywhere yuh turn gotsometrenchfullupand some new bypass coming. But till de bypass done bypass, is back-to-back bumperhugging.Isdeonly time Guyanese does show unity—when we jam up together in traffic like sardine.

But don’t worry, traffic got it sweet side.Yuh does finallygettimetomeditate on yuh sins or yuh lotto numbers Some people doeslistentooldR&Band cry quietly when Whitney sing “I Will Always Love You.” Others does blast chutneyandothersdoeseat dem breakfast, lunch and dinnerwhilestillintraffic. And lemme tell yuh,

rage.About criminality also that took advantage of the rage. And that rage found a target A man with a business.

A family Staff Investments. He became the villain. Without evidence. Withouttrial.Isthatjustice? We must say this again and again: Justice is not selective. Justice is facts. Justice is process. Justice is

balance. Those who burned the hotel must be found. Those who looted must be prosecuted. Wemustmourn thegirl.Wemustgrieve.But wemustalsothink.Wemust also be fair Let us not bury reasonwiththechild.Letus not burn our principles with the hotel. Justice must serve everyone.Oritservesnoone atall.

(The views expressed in

nobody more creative than aGuyaneseexplainingwhy dem late. Dem traffic tales does mek Grimm Brothers looklikeamateurs.From“a donkeycrossderoadslowslow”to“dethirdlaneain’t openyet,”demgotexcuses morethandemgotgasinde tank.

Dem boys seh if traffic get any worse, people gon start packing hammocks and cooking pots in de car Some even practising remote working from de driver seat Laptop on dashboard and Zoom in trafficlight.

Butremember,trafficis not punishment Is preparation—forwhenyuh reachheavenand demanat degatetellyuh,“Holdonlil bit.Delinelong.” Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

Will the president, or won't he?

Will he, or will he not?

That's where all roads end withGuyana'sspankingnew Oil Pollution Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Responsibility bill passed in parliament. The power of the PPP Government's oneseatmajoritydelivers.

The bill is long in title, and short in protecting Guyanese, shorter in its

s u b s e r v i e n c e t o constitutional compliance,

a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l obligations. Tirelessworker on behalf of Guyana's interests, Attorney Melinda Janki pinpointed the shortcomings in the oil spill bill that awaits presidential assent. Ms.Jankihascalled on PresidentAli to withhold assent. I am fully with her, butamawareofwherethisis going, that inevitable stroke ofthepresidentialpen. As in the instance of

another attorney, Mr Christopher Ram, I admire attorney Janki's interest in and insights on this country And for the most part, the inputsofboth,too. Mr Ram wenttoworkonthatoilspill bill now waiting for the seal of assent, with a highpowered microscope and a scalpel. He tore it apart, from what was in it (the tricky language, misleading sheen,) to what was not in it

(parent company insulation and exemption). I wish thosewouldproducetheone result that proves that Pres. Ali, the PPP Government, and Guyanese and their interests coalesce into an undivided ONE, an unbreakable oneness. What could be more indicative of O n e G u y a n a t h a n presidentialassentwithheld? Holdingonehead,operating with one vision, driving towardsonedestiny

Ms. Janki marshaled her reasons for withholding of presidentialassent. Theyare form

e, carry considerable weight, should be listened to, earn the distinction of a presidential nod of agreement. She

international. Andtowhatis nothing but a not-so-welldisguised Government of Guyana protection racket (my words). This Exxon get-out-of-jail bill (and it is nothing else, not one damn thing else at its core) is the most blatant manifestation of the governmentalcommercial conspiracy that Guyanese have ever seen, would eversee. In theNew Yorkoftoday,therearethose 'no bail, no jail' situations from its raw streets that create so much carnage, so many citizen fears. But, at theleast,thosefingeredhave to turn up in court, have a hearingbeforeajudge.

In Guyana, and with ExxonMobil America (not that shell called Exxon Guyana), whatever the magnitude of a potential oil spill, ExxonMobil America has just been granted complete immunity by that oil spill bill. Forget aboutno court appearance, no claimcanbemadeagainstit. In pure Brooklynese: no nuthin'. This is what the parade of PPP Government

parliamentarians are proud of, ensured that they held down the offensive scents that took over them, during what passed for four hours of debate. Four hours over what could inflict 4 billion, or40billion,orasmuchasa horrifying 400 billion, should neighbors and their prime livelihoo

devastated. One particular neighbor, more known for c

s than friendliness, could go so far as to take the position that severe damage to their land andlivelihoodhasoccurred, and it is so intolerable as to qualifyasanactofwar

From all appearances, there is evidence that the Guyana Government, the PPP Government, is not overly concerned about the bankruptcy of this country, or the insolvency of its destiny Iwouldsaythatthe only thing that the PPP Government and PPP leadership is obsessed about is staying where they are. No experiment that troubles Exxon. No initiative that costs Exxon one dollar beyond its calculations Neither energy nor courage nor commitment to national duty that causes Exxon to look at the PPP leadership with reservations No temptingoftheFates,which means not pushing the Americans too far, or at all. This is the democracy in actionofwhichJohnHessof the Hess Corporation loves to prattle. History reminds Guyanese of the Native Americans, what was promised to them, done to them, and how they ended up. So will PresidentAli, or won't he? Assent to the oil spill bill, as tabled, recommended,byMs.Janki. Though I endorse her callto the maximum, reality raises itswarninghead. WerePres.

Ali to withhold assent, it wouldbeofthehead-of-state issuing a no-confidence decision on his own government. I take this further: on his own leadership. Forhecouldnot be so far out to sea, as to be unconscious of its compilation, its last draft construction The same could be said of Vice President Jagdeo, legal qualifications or not, who had to give it his vigilant review, his own final blessing. AsJagdeogoes,so does Attorney General Nandlall,whomayholdthis oil spill bill (the Exxon Exemption Provisions law) as one of his more prized products With respect, Prime Minister Phillips, a Guyanese who was once responsible for defending Guyana'sterritorialintegrity, had the dirty duty of dismantlingitslastdefenses. Whenhepilotedthatoilspill bill, he dropped the equivalent of a nuclear device on the face of all Guyanese. It's time for the last word. This oil spill bill was never about protection forGuyanese. Itisallvested in the matter of political survival. I come full circle: presidential assent for the bill. Will President Ali or won't he? He will not withhold assent. For then whatwouldhebe? Atraitor to his VP andAG and party machinery For he would have interfered with ExxonMobil America present profitability and futureprosperity Itisbetter, safer,toassent.

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

‘We will not rest until justice is served’

The family of 11year-old Adriana

Younge, who tragically died under mysterious circumstances,

has reaffirmed their commitment to seeking justice,despitefacingpublic criticism and objections from government officials overtheirdecisiontopursue asecondautopsy

Adriana's father, Subryan Younge, confirmed thatthefamilywillcontinue to press for answers surrounding her death, including flying her body to the United States for an independentexaminationby Americanpathologists.

Adriana's lifeless body was recovered from a swimming pool at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, East Bank

- Adriana's family says in continued push for second autopsy

Essequibo, on April

24—nearly 20 hours after she was reported missing duringafamilyouting.

The initial post-mortem examination (PME) was conductedonApril28atthe GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC) by government-appointed Barbadian pathologist Dr ShubhakarKarraPaul.

Two additional international experts Dr Gary L Collins, Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Delaware, and Dr Glenn A. Rudner of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York also reviewed the case. All three concluded that Adriana died by drowning.

However, they were unable to determine the exact time of death, and the toxicology report is still pending.

Despite these findings, the family has not yet received the preliminary autopsy report, leading to increasedconcernsaboutthe transparencyofthecase.

Speaking in a live interview that circulated on social media, Subryan defended the family's decision to seek a second

autopsy “This is very simple,”Subryansaid.

“If I bring three doctor, one, two, three doctor, for givemearesult,andallthree doctor come to say, 'Subryan, this foot here break,'andIunderstandthat thesedoctorsaythatmyfoot break—sonow,ifIgobring three more doctor to check back this same thing, I supposetohearthemtellme, 'Subryan,thefootbreak.”

He further emphasized that the family's pursuit of a

second autopsy is not politically motivated. “I don'tseewhypeoplemaking this thing hard and so difficult.

AllIaskingforisjustice. Idon'twantnoonetoseethis aspolitics. I don't know nothing about politics. I looking for justice for my 11-year-old daughter I want to know what happen to my 11-yearolddaughter.”

However,thedecisionto conduct a second autopsy has drawn

government officials Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Nandlall, SC, expressed scepticism during hisweeklyprogram.

“Whether another postmortem or forensic procedure would produce anythingofvalueisamatter for those pursuing that course of action,” Nandlall stated.

“My information is that it will be of very little or no value.”

He also questioned the necessity of a second autopsy,pointingoutthatthe first examination involved

, internationalexpertswhoall r

conclusion.

Despite the pushback, the Younge family remains firm in their decision to conduct a second autopsy and uncovering the truth surroundingAdriana'sdeath. Preparations are currently underway to have Adriana's body flown to the United States either later this week or early next week for the second post-mortem examination.

Adriana's father, Subryan Younge

Four contractors bid to rehabilitate Cliff Anderson Sports Hall's roof

The Ministry of Culture, YouthandSporthasreceived four bids from companies interested in rehabilitating the Cliff Anderson Sport Hallroof.

The ministry, having spent over $300 million to rehabilitate the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall since 2022, sought bids for the project. The ministry stated that this aspect of work is estimatedtocostanother$24 million.

Bids which were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office revealed that the following contractorsarevyingforthe contract: BM Property

Investment Inc -

$25,682,790, Gerald Construction Company (tender document not completed), VI Enterprise$ 2 3 , 9 9 0 , 0 8 5 , a n d Sovereignty Investments

Construction Services$21,768,128

Kaieteur News reported that the ministry initially c o m m e n c e d t h e rehabilitationprojectin2022 to modernise the sporting facility

BackinNovember2022, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson told this publication that a contract worth $97M, to redesign of the front section ofthebuilding,whichwould be reconstructed was a w a r d e d t o E C S Construction & General Supplies.

That contract covered only the first phase of the project The minister explained that the works at the sports hall would be carried out in phases that wouldrunconcurrently

Thispublicationreported that in December 2022, the National Procurement and

Tender Administration Board(NPTAB)awardedan initial contract for the installation of the HVAC systems at the facility That $89,840,020 project was a w a r d e d t o E C S Construction & General Supplies.

Aside from the $97 million contract and the $89 million contract for the HVAC,theNPTABhadalso awarded a contract in December 2022

electrical installation. That project was awarded to A. Ogransein&Sonstothetune of$31,409,000.

Following that, NPTAB awarded a $60,324,675 c o n t r a c t t o S & K Construction Consultancy Service & General Supply for the completion of the northernfaceofthebuilding.

In January, Minister RamsonSpeakingtoldthe (Continueonpage22)

Court tosses Brutus' lawsuit against EPA for permit to operate sand pit

Chief Justice (Ag) RoxaneGeorgeonThursday dismissed the case filed by f

C

mmissioner Calvin Brutus to compel the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)togranthima mining permit for sand pit mining The Judge also ordered that Brutus pays costsinthesumof$250,000 beforeJuly31,2025.

EPA was represented by attorneys: Sanjeev Datadin, Niomi Alsopp and Mohanie Anganoo Brutus was representedbyattorney,Earl Daniels Last March, Kaieteur News reported that Hicken and Brutus had each secured11.7acresoflandfor their respective sand mining projects in Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/Linden Highway and had submitted their applications to the EPA for permission to proceed with theiroperations.

The EPA refused the application by Brutus and Commissioner Clifton Hicken after Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the applications by the two officers will not be granted. Brutuslaterfiledalawsuitto compeltheEPAtogranthim

Former

Assistant Commissioner Calvin Brutus

thepermittooperatethesand pit.

In his affidavit in response to the lawsuit, Executive Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram noted Brutushasnotfulfilledallof the statutory requirements for his application to be consideredinfull,muchless granted.

The EPA Head in the document noted that the applicant (Brutus) has failed to satisfy the requirement of Regulations17(2)oftheEPA to enable him to be granted an environmental permit “ T h e E PA o n t h e understanding that all the relevant documents would be forthcoming had commenced the process and takenstepswithaviewthata

final consideration of the applicationwouldtakeplace but the relevant documents were not presented. “The EPA director said the applicant never provided a lease in his name which permitted the activity for whichhewantedtodo.

The document stated further“thatthelanduseand matters related thereto come under the purview of other state agencies and not EPA, andtheEPAhasnotreceived therelevantdocumentsfrom theotheragencies.”

According to the EPA Head as far as possible, the EPAseekstobeproactivein granting permits and authorisationsasrequiredby the Statute that guides the agency'soperations.

In this regard, Parsram explainedinhisaffidavitthat itisnotuncommon,asinthe present case, for the EPA to commence with its public consultation and other matters whilst an Applicant is still to provide the prescribed statutory documents.

Henotedthatthisisdone with the expectation and understanding that those documentswouldbe (Continueonpage14)

The front section of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall that has been refurbished.

Oil minister says tax-free ride to Exxon can't change …but accepts that it's criminal to have an agreement with zero tax

Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat, while addressing the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference on Wednesday, accepted that it is “criminal” to give ExxonMobil a tax-free ride foritsoperationsinGuyana's lucrative Stabroek (oil) Block.

However, according to the oil minister, the deal cannot be changed, but Guyanese can look forward to better fiscal terms in new oil agreements for other

blocks During his presentation at the conference presently being held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Lilieendaal, Georgetown, Bharrat noted that many Guyanese would ask him why his government is not changing the bad deal that it hadcriticisedinthepast.

“I have been to a lot of communitiesandpeoplesay, whywedon'tchangeit…soI will explain why we don't change it”, Bharrat told the Indigenousleadersattending the conference. In making hiscasewhythegovernment cannot change the oil

c o n t r a c t t h a t h a s shortchanged Guyana, Bharrat said, “You have to understand the

erm renegotiationmeans,thatthe two-partygottocometothe tableandagreeonnewterms and conditions is not the government saying, oh we want this we want that.” He thenshiftedalltheblameon the previous coalition administration that signed it backinJune2016.

Hethenwentontorepeat that his PPP/C government hadonlypromisedtochange future oil deals and not the Stabroekdeal-aclaimthatis still being questioned today because there is a recorded video suggesting that changingthedealwasoneof

SecretaryofthePartyandthe country'sVice-presidentwas recorded criticising the then government for selling out Guyana's patrimony before promisingthat“wewilllook backatthedeal”. Bharrat, however, in his address on Wednesday, said that the promise was to only change future oil deals. “So,

government (in 2020), we said that we are going to change the fiscal regime or the benefits that come to a countryinfutureagreements that we sign, because in Guyanawaters,itisnotonly theStabroekblock,thereare many other blocks The Stabroek block is just one block”,Bharratclaimed.

“There is the Kaieteur, thereistheCanje,thereisthe Orinduik,Kanuku,Roraima, Berbice, Demerara and many other blocks, but only

because we are producing fromtheStabroekblockthat one is highlighted all the time, there are many other blocks,” Bharrat continued. Theoilministerthenwenton to point out the differences between the fiscal terms of the lopsided Stabroek Block contract with the ones the government has included in its new agreements that it plans to sign for other oil blocks “And what are differences in the old agreement It has two percent royalty that come to

Guyana that is what the APNU+AFC signed, ” Bharrat said before adding, “The one that we will sign with new operators, it says ten percent of royalty must cometoGuyana,anincrease of 8 percent, so additional benefitsforus.”

Criminal contract Bharrat then described the tax-free ride granted to ExxonMobilintheStabroek Block Contract as “criminal”. “…And in the oldagreementandyougotto listen to this because this is

almost criminal that the APNU+AFC sat down with these oil companies and put in that agreement zer0 percent tax…imagine that”, Guyana's oil minister told the Toshaos. “In the new agreement, we say oil companies must pay 10 percent tax. It's criminal to doanagreementandputzero percent tax,” Bharrat added. He said that if Guyana wantedabetteroildeal,then it should have ensured it got one when the coalition signed the contract in 2016. “And yet the same people, they even come in the Parliament and say yall got to change it, why didn't you negotiateatthatpointintime and ensure you had a proper agreement, that is what they should have done,” he argued. It should be noted that the government has managed to make some minorchangestothecurrent Stabroek Block deal like taking control of Guyana's decommissioning fund- a fund that was held by ExxonMobil-butisrefusing to engage the American oil giant on ringfencing and taxes.

Guyana's Oil Minister, Vickram Bharrat, addressing Toshaos at the ACCC on Wednesday.

Businessman on $350k

bail for inciting treason

...over Facebook statement, doctored map of Guyana

A 3 9 - y e a r - o l d businessman was charged with inciting persons to committreason,wasgranted $350,000 bail on Thursday when he appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates'Court.

RandyJagdeoofLot159 Third Street, Alexander

Village, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate DylonBesswherethecharge wasreadtohim.

He was not required to plead to the indictable offence.

The businessman is

accused of making a Facebook comment suggesting that Essequibo belongs to Venezuela Further,hehaddisplayedon his 'Thousand Dollar Store' located on the East Bank of Demerara a 'One Guyana' logo alongside a map of Guyana that excluded the Essequiboregion.

Despite the prosecution objecting to bail Magistrate Bess granted it on condition that Jagdeo reports to the Head of the Police Cyber CrimesUnitatEveLearyon the third Friday of every month.

Jagdeoisforbiddenfrom making social media posts andwasrequiredtolodgehis passportwiththecourt. The matter was adjournedtoJune16,2025.

Kabakaburi Mission to get $31M health post

The Amerindian community of Kabakaburiinthe Upper Pomeroon River of RegionTwowillsoonhavea health post to serve its residents.

The health post is e s t i m a t e d t o c o s t $31,690,000.

The project, which went out to tender through the Regional Democratic CouncilofRegionTwo,was opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, where it was revealed that seven contractors have appliedforthecontract.

According to NPTAB, the bidders are: Payless GeneralStore-$31,478,510, Andrect Engineering & Construction - $30,857,280, Paramlall G

b

dhan Contracting - $26,943,130, Laurenzo Barber Shop, Weeding, Supplies & Contracting Services$31,058,405, Ganesh Jeet Contracting Services$30,379,670, S Singh Contracting Service$30,199,880, and Visho's Hollow Blocks & Trucking Service-$30,199,880.

T

understands that the project will be funded by this year's Regional Administration's $

programmesandprojects. Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, said on numerous occasions that t

constructing health centers and posts across the country to complement the regionalhospitalsandensure modern facilities for healthcare workers across theregions. T

expanding the range of public healthcare services provided to citizens, enhancing accessibility for communitiesnationwide

Court tosses Brutus...

Frompage12 forthcoming in a timely manner and in instances whereitisnotdone,andthe statutory requirements are not met at the time of final consideration by the EPA sought would have to be refused. Further, the EPA Headsaidithascometothe attentionoftheEPAthrough publication in the daily newspaper that Brutus is on aseriesofcharges. Hesaid this raises the general consideration of whether anyofthefundsinvolvedin this project offends the

money laundering process or are the proceeds of a crime Additionally, Parsram denied the allegations that the EPA's decision is somehow being influenced by the President and Vice President of Guyana. According to Parsram, the EPA is empowered to make decisions and to deliberate upon all matters relating to licensingandpermitswhich it is responsible for issuing inrelationtotheactivitiesof the public. He noted “The Application made by the

Applicant is made against the backdrop that he was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force who wasenteringintoabusiness venture for which he suppliednopermissionfrom the Force for so doing.” As such, the EPA Head noted that in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act and its Regulations, the power to grant a permit as soughtbytheApplicantcan only be considered in full after the Applicant has submitted to theAgency all ofthenecessarydocuments.

Randy Jagdeo

Kaieteur Entertainment Kaieteur

Entertainment

Miss World Guyana into finals ZalikaSamuels

In a moment of national pride, Miss World Guyana Zalika Samuels has secured her place among the finalists of the 72nd MissWorldcompetition,markinga significant achievement for both the young woman and her homeland.

The Lindener earned her finalist position by placing in the Top 20 during the competition's highly competitive Head-to-Head Challenge, a crucial component that automatically advances successfulcontestantstothefinals. This achievement represents not onlypersonaltriumphforSamuels but also a historic moment for Guyanaontheinternationalbeauty pageantstage.

The Head-to-Head Challenge has evolved into one of Miss

World's most significant and respected segments, moving far beyond traditional beauty competition formats This intensive public speaking and interview challenge requires contestants to demonstrate their communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and passion for socialadvocacy D

, contestants are grouped and compete in pairs or small groups, where they must articulate their thoughts on global issues while presenting their "Beauty with a Purpose"projects.

These presentations, often broadcast online to global audiences, allow delegates to showcase the depth of their advocacyworkandtheimpactthey

hopetocreateintheircommunities andbeyond.

Samuels' success in t challenge demonstrates he ability to connect with both judges and international audiences while effectively communicatinghervisionfor socialchange.

The challenge serves

showcases contestants' intelligence and advocacy skills,influencesadvancementin the competition, and provides global platform for contestants promotetheircauses.

The Miss World Guy

Samuels' achievement, posting on their official

The organization's message continued with a call for national support: "Join us in celebrating his amazing journey and rooting for our contestant as she strives to bring home the crown! Let's show our support and pride for Guyanaonthisglobalstage! Go,Guyana!"

As Samuels advances to thefinals,shecarrieswithher the hopes and dreams of an entirenation.Hersuccessinthe ead-to-Head Challenge ositions her as a serious contender for the Miss World crown,havingprovenherability o articulate her vision and connectwithdiverseaudiences.

a c e b o o k page: "We are beyond thrilled to announce that our very own representative has madeittothefinalistsofthe72nd MissWorldcompetition!Thisisa monumental achievement for Guyana, showcasing not only beauty but also the incredible talentandstrengthofournation."

For Guyana, Samuels' achievement represents more thanindividualsuccess. Itshowcasesthenation's ability to produce women of substance who can compete effectively on the world's most prestigious beauty p a g e a n t s t a g e H e r advancement to the finals serves inspiration for young Guyanese men and demonstrates the country's growing presence in international competitions.As the competition progresses toward the final crowning ceremony, Guyanese citizens and supporters worldwide will be watching with anticipation, hoping to witness their representative make history by bringing home the Miss World crownfortheveryfirsttime.

Miss W orld

Guyana Zalika Samuels

Quinton Pearson's 'Spirit of Eldorado' captivates the world

...historicmomentasGuyanesedesignercreates groundbreakinginternationalsensation,putting thenation'screativetalentontheworldmap

In what may be the most significant cultural moment for Guyana on the international stage this year, Miss World Guyana 2025 Zalika Samuels has taken the world by storm in India, wearing a gown that has shattered expectations and redefined what it means to representanationthroughfashion.The "Spirit of Eldorado" creation has gone viral across continents, marking a watershed moment for Guyanese creativityandnationalpride.

The stunning creation, designed by Guyanese fashion designer Quinton Pearson of House of Pearson, features the distinctive silhouette of Guyana's map outlined in intricate gold embellishment across the bodice, making it instantly recognizable to viewers worldwide The timing couldn't be more poignant, coinciding with Guyana's 59th Independence Anniversary on May 26th and amid ongoing territorial tensions with VenezuelaovertheEssequiboregion.

ALaborofLoveand NationalPride

For Pearson, this moment represents the culmination of years of dreaming and three months of meticulouscraftsmanship."Asthiswas my first time ever gracing the Miss World global stage as a Guyanese

designer, I wanted to make a bold statementaboutourrichcultureandour growing economy," Pearson explains. "Iwantedtocreateapiecesoiconicthat it would be remembered and appreciatedbyallofGuyana."

The designer's vision extended far

beyond simple patriotic symbolism. Throughweeksofresearchandcareful planning, Pearson transformed the gown into what he describes as "a wearable canvas of our homeland." Everyembellishmentservesapurpose, gold beads and crystals meticulously placed to outline Guyana's major river systems including the Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice, Mazaruni, and Cuyuni. Close observers can even identify the locations of waterfalls, includingtheworld-renownedKaieteur Falls,andmajorgoldminingareas.

The cascading ruffled cape, which flows dramatically behind the gown, serves as a tribute to Kaieteur Falls, bringing movement and majesty to the designwhilereinforcingtheconnection toGuyana'snaturalwonders.

PerfectTimingfor aPowerfulMessage

While Pearson insists the timing is "truly uncanny," the gown's debut during this significant period in Guyana's history adds layers of meaningtoanalreadypowerfuldesign. Born and raised on the Essequibo Coast, the very region at the center of the territorial dispute with Venezuela, Pearson brings personal connection to hispatrioticexpression."Thisgownisa symbol of prosperity and hope, (Continuedonpage21)

Miss

W

orld

Guyana

2025

Zalika

Samuels

Tom Cruise gives Cannes another thrill with latest

‘Mission: Impossible’

(CNN) Tom Cruise was last at Cannes in 2022, when the film festival gave him an honorary Palme d'Or and,inreturn,gotoneofthe last bona fide Hollywood starstogracetheirredcarpet as he launched “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Fighter jets swooped overhead, and Cruise, who hadn't been to the festival in 30yearsatthatpoint,flashed that megawatt smile. Before you knew it, “Maverick”

US actor and producer Tom Cruise arrives for the screening of the film "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.

actually willing to do just aboutanycrazythingIcould think of,” he said, gesturing to Cruise. “I'm grateful for your support, your friendship, your insanely unquestioning devotion to thiscraft,andmostofallfor your artistry,” McQuarrie, a four-time director in the “Mission” franchise, added.

Cruise for his part noted McQuarrie's expansion of the franchise's ambitions while looking forward to

soared past one billion dollarsattheboxoffice.

Which needed the other more – the festival or the star? It doesn't matter, the formulaworkedsowellthey commissionedasequeltothe whole spectacle On Wednesday night, Cruise ascended the steps of the Palais de Festivals once moreforthegalapremiereof “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” As the cast assembled on the red carpet,anorchestrastruckup a live rendition of Lalo Schifrin'sthemetune,Cruise flashed that smile and… well, as Jerry Maguire once said,“Showmethemoney.”

The film, which leans heavy on the franchise's three-decade legacy, played well with the audience Inside the Grand Theatre Lumiere, there was sporadic applause throughout for Cruise's spy Ethan Hunt, series regulars Simon Pegg andVingRhamesandnewer recruits including Hayley Atwell.

Prolonged applause during the credits gave way to some words by director ChristopherMcQuarrie,who recalled being “one of those kids who didn't quite fit in” whenhewasgrowingup.

“A lot of my life was imaginative play I got to grow up and have my very own action figure, who was

'ROMAIN'S REIGN'

...Gold standard artiste hailed by colleagues as leader of reggae's next chapter

( J A M I A C A OBSERVER) “Dem nuh makedemlikewenomore and me nah show off. You're committed to keeping it clean, committed to sweet melody and we are proud ofyou.”

Thosewerethewordsof reggae singer Tarrus Riley as he heaped praises on fellow entertainer, Romain Virgo.

Riley was speaking during the recently concluded Mother's Day concert hosted by Virgo at Hope Ga

was a common thread throughout

the event as several of Virgo's colleagues dubbed him the 'future of reggae music' while lauding him for remaining a positive forceintheindustry

“Romain Virgo is a good youth, a humble youth.Ilovehisspirit,”said Capleton.

“I took him on his first majortourandhehasbeena positive light in the music for years now He's consistent, produces good music and he's destined for greatness. Him affi reach far.”

Capleton, one of the headlineactsontheRomain Virgo and Friends Live

event, said he is extremely proudoftheartiste'sgrowth and is particularly happy that Jamaica has embraced thesingerandrewardedhis efforts with unwavering support.

“Jamaica love him and that's clear That make me feelgoodfiseetheloyalty I love his progression and thatpeopleareapartofthat.

His music brings a message, it speaks to the soul and that speaks for itself,”Capletoncontinued.

“He doesmusic with love, discipline, dedication and perseverance and selfdetermination.He'sayouth (Continuedonpage22)

making “a bunch of other kinds of movies” with the director

The comment further muddies the picture of whether this is the final “Mission: Impossible” film. Itwasunclearfromthefilm's marketing if that were the case, and it remains unanswered even after watching all 165 minutes of the movie. Shot in the UK, SouthAfricaandSvalbardin the Arctic, “Final Reckoning” picks up where 2023's “Dead Reckoning” left off, with Cruise's Hunt pursuing the destruction of pervasive AI enemy The Entity

Thestakes,alreadyhigh, a r e r a t c h e t e d u p significantly;arguably,Hunt and co. have never faced a graverscenario.

An exposition-heavy opening third, prone to repetition, offers a wobbly scaffolding on which Cruise and McQuarrie hang some truly spectacular set pieces. If the film spent less time worrying about explaining itself – or drifting into a reflective, sometimes somber mood – it might be more straightforward and morefun.

Thatsaid,whenCruiseis firing all cylinders, in the well-advertised acrobatic biplane scene, and a (Continuedonpage22)

Reggae

artiste

Romain

V irgo

SOCU breaks up gold smuggling

operations in Mahdia

…Brazilian nabbed with $17 million cash, raw gold

AB

d o n Wednesday by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for an alleged gold smuggling operation in Mahdia,RegionEight.

A substantial quantity of

, documents and over $17 million in cash were seized duringtheoperation.

According to a statement from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), SOCU led a joint operation in Central Mahdia, which resulted in

the arrest of Brazilian businessman

DaSilva at his business place, Filhao Shop.

Deputy Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, the head of SOCU, indicated that SOCU officers were able to halt the alleged smuggling

operation before the seized gold was transported across theborder

“This latest success is part of the continued efforts bylawenforcementagencies to disrupt the illicit gold t

f

gu

d Guyana's mineral resources. The outcome of yesterday's (Wednesday) operation reinforces the seriousness with which national security agencies are responding to i

e g a l m

n g a n d smugglingactivities,”police said.

The Police Force stated that “this incident also adds to a growing list of cases

unlawfully within Guyana's gold-miningregions.”

“In March 2025, two Brazilian nationals were arrested in Lethem, Region 9, during an operation that led to the seizure of a large quantity of gold and over Gy$26 million in cash. In a separate operation in April,

nationals, along with a CubanandaGuyanese,were taken into custody after authorities confiscated more than Gy$30 million in gold and Gy$31 million in cash,” policesaid.

Notwithstanding the busts, the police said that the increasing frequency of the incidents raises serious concerns about the scale and organisation of transnational gold smuggling networks operatinginGuyana.

Osmil

Brazilian businessman, Osmil Da Silva

Documents that were found in Osmil Da Silva's place of business

The money that was found in Osmil Da Silva's place of business

The gadgets that were found in Osmil Da Silva's place of business

Elections fraud trial… Parag questioned over repeated objections during vote tabulation

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag faced intense crossexamination on Thursday in the ongoing 2020 election fraud trial, as defence attorney Nigel Hughes questioned her role in repeatedly objecting to proceedings during the vote tabulationprocess.

T h e p r o c e e d i n g s continued before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court. Parag's

testimony focused on her role during the contentious tabulation process at the Ashmins Building in March 2020. She was pressed by Hughes on whether she had any legal authority to stop the tabulation, as she had previously objected to inconsistencies between her Statements of Poll (SOPs) and those being read out by GECOMstaff.

Parag testified that she stood up during the process to raise objections, amounting to 21 times, after

noticing that the numbers she had on her SOPs were notmatchingtheSOPsbeing read by Michelle Miller Despite her objections, she stated that Miller continued

tabulation process should have stopped after an objection “I made 21 objections and they continued”,shesaid.

According to her account, the tabulation process initially started at ballot box number 4001 and

continued up to 4021, before restarting again at 4001. She c o n f i r m e d t h a t t h e objections she raised were acknowledged, as the process was restarted However, she noted that it was eventually paused again around 21:30 hrs when, as sheputit,“theGECOMstaff who was there Michelle Miller and Bowman said they were tired ” She estimated that the process had continued for about four to five hours before it was halted.

Hughes challenged

Parag'sclaimthatshehadthe right to halt the process, asserting that only the Returning Officer (RO) had the authority to determine how the tabulation proceeds in the event of objections. “Do you know that only the Returning Officer has the p o w e r t o s t o p t h e tabulation?”Hughesasked.

He then cited paragraph 84 of the Chief Justice's ruling: “It would be for the RO to decide how he would treat with any objections or challenges raised. Even the PPP said that Mingo had to decide.”

Hughes emphasised that persons present during tabulation, including party agents, do not have the authority to interfere with decisions by the RO

Quoting further from the Chief Justice's ruling, he said:“Suchdecision-making is not within the remit of persons who are entitled to be present. Otherwise, they would be usurping the powers and responsibilities of the RO pursuant to Section 84 ” He pressed Parag again, asking: “So do you accept that no matter what the GECOM official's decision was right or wrong when looking in retrospect,theywereentitled to make that decision on objections?”

Parag responded, “Yes, I accept the RO did make the decision.”

P a r a g w a s a l s o questioned on whether the PPP/C had made any formal written requests regarding the SOPs before March 5, 2020 She admitted that there were no documented requests prior to that date andthatshehadnotseenany written correspondence b e f o r e t h e c o u r t proceedings,acknowledging a l a c k o f p r o p e r documentation Although Parag claimed to have alerted then-ElectionsAgent Zulfikar Mustapha and sought his intervention during the disputed tabulation, she conceded during cross-examination that she failed to document the events, providing neither photographic nor audio evidence, and bringing no SOPstocourt.

She recounted that the tabulation process at Ashmins Building began on March 3, 2020. On March 5, Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo attempted to declare results using a spreadsheet instead of the SOPs, which triggered strong objections

, Sonia Parag

Ministerof Local Government and Regional Development

Describing the scene, Parag said:

“Therewasalotofchaos and shouting, to a point where Mingo's voice could not be heard.” Despite the commotion,shetestifiedthat Mingo went ahead and declared results using a spreadsheet, in direct violationofacourtorderthat mandated the use of SOPs forthetabulationprocess.

D u r i n g c r o s sexamination in the ongoing election fraud trial, defence attorney Dexter Todd questioned Parag about the o r i g i n a n d u s e o f a spreadsheet allegedly used by GECOM officials during the 2020 election tabulation process.Toddquestionedher ability to identify specific SOPs and serial numbers linked to ballot boxes. She was unable to provide a definitive answer regarding anyparticularSOP When asked about the official declaration of the election results in March, April, or May 2020, Parag admittedshe could not recall the exact dates or details The case involves several high-profile defendants: former Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission ( G E C O M

, K

, Clairmont Mingo; former Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers; former Minister of Health,

Scrutineer, Carol SmithJoseph;andformerGECOM staff members, Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Michelle Miller, and Denise Babb-Cummings.The group is accused of conspiring to rig the March 2, 2020 elections, specifically in relation to events at the A

proceeding concluded and will be continued today at 9:30hrs.

Four men arrested for cocaine and weed found in Supenaam

Four men were arrested on Tuesday after police seized 51.98 grams of cocaine and 12 25 grams of cannabis during a patrol at Supenaam, RegionTwo.

Police, in a statement, said that ranks were conducting a patrol at approximately 23:17 hrs when they noticed the four identifiable men at 'Dunchie's Shop' in the vicinity of the Farmer's Wharf at Supenaam, Regiontwo.

Asearch was conducted in theareawhereofficersfounda

transparent plastic bag containing several pieces of white rock-like substance, believed to be cocaine, and anothertransparentplasticbag containing leaves, seeds and s

e cannabis The quartet denied ownership of the drugs when they were shown to them by theofficers.

“The four men, along with the suspected narcotics, were subsequently taken to the Aurora Police Station,” police said.

Quinton Pearson's 'Spirit of Eldorado'....

From page 16 reminding every citizen that theytoocanshineinwhatever they do," he reflects "It

represents ou

shared responsibilitytobuildGuyana into the par

d

e we envision." The designer sees fashion as more than aesthetic expression "I've always believed in the power of creativity and innovation. I knowweallloveourland,our home, our Guyana," he says, positioning his work as both

cultural and political statement during a time when the country's territorial integrityfaceschallenge. International Recognition and Local Inspiration

The global response has

e x c e e d e d P e a r s o n ' s expectations International designers have reached out to praise the gown's innovation and originality, particularly impressed by how he successfully incorporated a geographicalmapintoelegant

evening wear without crossing into costume territory. "That kind of recognition has given me a real confidence boost," Pearson admits "As designers, we work tirelessly to create beautiful work, so when it's appreciated beyond your expectations, it's truly rewarding."

Perhaps more meaningful to Pearson has been the

response from fellow Guyanese designers and the broader local creative community Having recently participated in the inaugural Origins: Guyana Fashion

Festival 2025, he sees this moment as part of a larger movement within the country'sfashionindustry AVisionfortheFuture

Pearson hopes his success will inspire other Guyanese designers to pursue international opportunities

"My dream is to see more Guyanese designers given thesekindsofopportunitiesto show the world that we have what it takes to create worldclass fashion," he says. His message to aspiring designers is one of persistence and selfbelief "With the right investment in our brands and inourselves,theskyisjustthe beginning. It always starts with us. We need to believe in our ability to do great things andnevergiveup."

As the Miss World competition continues and voting opens for the World Designer Award Fashion Shoot, Pearson's "Spirit of Eldorado"standsasmorethan just a beautiful gown. It represents a nation's pride, a designer's vision, and the poweroffashiontotellstories that resonate across cultures and continents. The six races that live together in harmony in Guyana, as Pearson puts it, now have a powerful ambassador in this golden tribute to their homeland, one that has captured the world's attention and reminded everyoneofthecreativetalent flourishing in this South American nation. Miss World Guyana 2025 continues to represent the country at the Miss World competition in India.

The cannabis that was found

The cocaine that was found

WANTED VACANCY

Hick's ville hotel & suitesreceptionist (shift position) hotel attendant (shift position) call : 227-7714 / 6400673 / info@vegeworld.net

Vegetarian Garden- Factory workers, merchandisers porters. call : 227-7714 / 640-0673 / info@vegeworld.net

Domestic (Live in option available), female cook and male & female workers for the interior :660-9093 / 6749999 / 661-5992.

Workers wanted for 6'' Land Dredge. Call : 688-3844.

Urgently need one female Bartender & Cook to work in the Interior. WhatsApp/ Call: 723-0686/ 633-0410.

One office clerk / Cashier needed @ Mon Repos ECD. Send all applications to leonardjettoo@gmail.com / call 711-0059/ 220-3459.

Wanted One driver to work at Anita's Auto Paint &Motor Spares in Grove. Age 3040. Contact: 226-1287/2261270

Single male seeks live-in domestic must know to cook well. Salary $100,000. Call: 603-9085.

One Hauler Driver needed. Call: 611-7088/ 639-6106.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

SERVICES

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

VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Natrualisation guidance + application filling, ECT. Tel: 626-7040.

For low cost repairs for AC units, refrigerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.

One (1) electrician for Eccles. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) female cleaner for Eccles office. Call: 645-8443.

One (1) female cleaner for Eccles office call 645-8443

General Domestic ,Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 5 day work

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

Vacancy for Elderly Caregiver @ Republic Park. Please Call or WhatsApp: 656-1875/ 233-5160.

Hiring Sales girl aged 18-35 years old at Christine's Variety. Contact : 626-8003.

Messenger / Office assistant Applications with Police clearance to Messenger to Cameron & Shepherd / csmain@cameronand shepherd.com

Hiring Truck Drivers (Manual), Mon to Fri, training provided, WhatsApp Eve Anderson Recruitment 645 3463 / 734-5269

We’re Hiring Laundry Attendant @ 130, 5th Street, Alberttown Call or WhatsApp 592.726.9547 For more information

Vacancy for Sales representative & Office assistant. Call : 719-2012 / 227-0176.

FOR RENT

A/C Space to rent, can be used for workshops, seminars, private tutoring, Counseling & meetings. Call: 2271028 / 652-2344.

FOR SALE

Mix German Shepherd pups for sale. Call / Whatsapp: 648-0111.

Tom Cruise gives Cannes another thrill with latest...

From page 17 nightmare-fuel deep sea diving sequence, he’s a marvel to behold. The actor has long been in a category of one when it comes to his onscreen pursuits, and this is no different.

It’s no easy task for a director to keep up with Cruise, but McQuarrie does admirable and inventive work, and wisely lets the action do the

talking when the film is at its best.

Despite the positive notices at Cannes, “Final Reckoning” will face stiffer headwinds than Cruise hanging off the side of an airplane to reach profitability.

The film reportedly cost around $400 million, and studio Paramount will no doubt be nervous given “Dead Reckoning” relatively

underperformed. The 2023 film, originally billed as “Dead Reckoning – Part One,” grossed $571 million worldwide – down from the franchise’s peak of $792 million for “Fallout” in 2018 – although it was faced with the box office tidal wave of “Barbenheimer” shortly after its release, something the latest movie has steered clear of.

Will “Final Reckoning” be a

critical and commercial slam dunk like “Maverick”? Paramount will care more than Cannes and more than McQuarrie. The festival got its star, and the director got to play with his action figure once more. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 14 ahead of its release in cinemas from May 23.

Four contractors bid to rehabilitate Cliff Anderson...

From page 12 media that, the government had, at that time, invested some $321 million in various works being executed on the building.

He disclosed that for plumbing works, approximately $7.6 million was spent, and that was done by KNV Designs Construction. Another $4 million was spent to

replace an area which had rotten boards in a concrete structure. Further, he mentioned rehabilitation work was done on the roof by Rishma and Sisters Enterprise for $9.4 million. Rehabilitation was also done on the side walls for $7.9 million, which was executed by R. Persid Construction, and ceiling works for $12 million. Notably, the minister ex-

plained that in relation to the installation of Airconditioning (AC), which was initially awarded for $89 million, “We had to terminate that project in 2023. They completed about $65 million worth of works, but we terminated the project because they were delaying, it was poor performance so it delayed. It is not that they

weren’t doing quality work, it is that they were taking too long.”

To complete the installation of the AC, he explained that a second tender was done and a $37 million contract awarded. Additional works to be done included the parking lot and the installation of bucket seats.

‘ROMAIN’S REIGN’ Tom Cruise gives Cannes another...

From page 17 we have strong hopes for and we know more things ago happen fi him.”

Veteran singer Ghost shared similar sentiments as he too highlighted Virgo’s catalogue of wholesome songs. Ghost shared that in an era where the industry is inundated with lyrics promoting violence and immorality, Virgo’s music is a breath of fresh air.

“Romain has picked up the baton of those before him and we acknowledge him. The youth love music and his contributions are great. He is the future of this reggae music and lover’s rock,” said

Ghost. “Life and music evolves and grows and pass onto the next generation. Romain is one of them and I love him and appreciate him. He’s a clean artiste with clean music in a time where the industry nuh embrace that enough.” Speaking of clean music, Virgo, in his set at the Mother’s Day event, shared that he made a promise to himself at the beginning of his career to always spread positivity. He says that promise remains intact as he continues his journey.

“The life that I live, there’s nothing to hide. This is just me. The fact that as artistes we are on so many different

platforms at different points in our lives, it must reflect in the music. It’s just my morals and values reflecting in my music to be honest. Growing up in a poor community with the kind of values mommy and other family members would set, I know I had to live up to that and so over the years, I’ve wanted them to be proud of me,” Virgo told the Jamaica Observer.

“Whenever I think about anything, a song, I think about home first. Once home is OK, I feel good. I want my mommy to feel proud of every single song I put out. I want her to be able to drive around in her car and listen

to it.” Virgo went on to state that other than making his family proud, he has a responsibility as a human to use the power of music wisely. “We have a responsibility as humans, as artistes with this power that we call music to sing quality. There is a road and channel for every form of music but at some point as artistes, we have to get serious especially when we see some of the craziness happening around the world. We have to start making music to uplift the minds of the people and make them feel good. That’s why I make sure that whatever I do, people feel uplifted and empowered.”

Bonded by work and love, Israeli Embassy colleagues’ lives cut short by gunman

This undated

AssociatedPress-They were colleagues, and they were a couple, days away fromamarriageproposal.

But the interwoven lives of Yaron Lischinsky and SarahMilgrimwerebrutally cut short Wednesday evening, when the two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot while leaving a reception for young diplomats at the Capital JewishMuseum.

The suspect told police he “did it for Palestine,”

according to court documents filed Thursday as he was charged with murder He didn’t enter a plea.

Milgrim, a 26-year-old AmericanfromKansas,had devoted her burgeoning career to bringing people together to look for ways to promote peace and combat climate change, those who knewhersay

Lischinsky, a 30-yearoldIsraelicitizenwhospent some of his childhood in Germany, had a deep attachment to Israel and an interest in bridging cultural andreligiousdivides.

He had bought an engagement ring and was just days away from proposing to Milgrim on a planned trip to Jerusalem, according to Israeli AmbassadorYechielLeiter

“Ayoung couple with a brightfuture,planningtheir life together,” said Ron Prosor, a veteran Israeli

diplomat who knew Lischinsky

person, mixed with a very, very kind and gracious willingness to serve other people.”

Lischinsky helped found the Israeli-German Society’s youth forum, a c c o r d i n g t o i t s counterpart in Germany, and he took a job at the Israeli Embassy in Washingtonin2022

There, he worked as a research assistant whose responsibilities included keepingtrackofimportant events and trends in the Middle East and North

A

profilesaid.

He said he advocated for interfaith dialogue and i n t e r c u l t

understanding and was an “

deepening Israel’s ties with the Arab world through the U S -brokered agreements known as the AbrahamAccords.

YARON LISCHINSKY

Lischinsky grew up partly in the German city of Nuremberg and moved to Israelat16.Heservedinthe Jewish state’s military “and chose to dedicate his life to the state of Israel,” said Prosor, who taught Lischinsky at Israel’s Reichman University Lischinskyearnedamaster’s degree in government, diplomacy and strategy there.

“HeembodiedtheJudeoChristian values and set an example for young people worldwide,” Prosor said on X. A friend, David Boskey, recalled Lischinsky as someone unafraid to broach hard questions in order to interrogate his own convictions.

He met Lischinsky in 2017 in Jerusalem at a M e s s i a n i c J e w i s h congregation, where they would often end up talking togetheraboutlifeandfaith, Boskeysaid.

The Messianic movement popularly known as Jews for Jesus — incorporatesJewishsymbols and practices, but Israel considers Messianic Jews to bepracticinganotherfaith.

“He was looking to see where he was going to go in life, asking questions about calling and about identity andaboutwhathewasgoing tostudy,wherehewasgoing to work, what he wanted to pursueinlife,”Boskeysaid. He described Lischinsky as “a truth-seeking type of

said she loved asking questions,enjoyedinsightful conversations and “was filledwithsomuchlove.”

After graduating, Milgrim worked at a Tel Aviv-based organization centered on technology training,entrepreneurialand conflict dialogue for young Palestinians and Israelis, according to her LinkedIn profile.

It said she had been trained in religious e n g a g e m e n t a n d peacebuilding by the United States Institute of Peace, an organization that promotes conflict resolution and was created bytheU S Congress

After earning a m

n international affairs from American University in 2023, she went to work at

On Instagram, his bio included a yellow ribbon symbolizing the struggle to free the hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that ignited the warintheGaza Strip.

Milgrim’s Instagram bio also had a yellow ribbon, as wellasapassage,inHebrew, from the biblical Book of Deuteronomy: “Justice, justiceyoushallpursue.”

SARAH MILGRIM

Milgrim was an American citizen, according to Israel’s former ambassador to the U S , Mike Herzog. She hailed fromOverlandPark,Kansas, where a former youth director at Congregation Beth Torah remembers a brilliantgirlwithaperpetual smileandasenseofpurpose.

“She had a passion for Judaism and for Israel, and she wanted to do some good, ” said Marcia Rittmaster,theformeryouth director She recommended Milgrim for a Jewish leadership internship upon the young woman’s graduationfromhighschool.

Milgrim went on to the UniversityofKansas,where she earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in 2021 and was a warm, uplifting presence at Shabbatdinnersandholiday gatherings at the Chabad CenterforJewishLife.

“She believed in connections, in building community and bringing people together,” Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel said. He

the Israeli Embassy, where h e r j o b i n v o l v e d organizing events and missionstoIsrael

Among them was an Earth Day gathering last month that highlighted Israeli companies and nonprofit groups doing climate work, recalled attendee Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, a philanthropist

a n d a M a r y l a n d Commission on Climate Change member She said s h e a n d M i l g r i m brainstormedbyphonejust this past week about ways to inform journalists about

innovationsinIsrael

Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, said Milgrim was a point person for herorganization with women’s groups, LGBTQ communities and multi-faith groups “She accomplishedsomuchinher shortlife,andshedeservesto be remembered for all the things she brought to this world,”shesaid.

Before her work at the embassy, Milgrim was s

Arabs and Israelis could promotepeace,Katzsaid.

“We knew something like this could happen,” she said “I just don’t think we thought it would happentoher.”

“ S h e w a s exceptionally talented, exceptionally passionate, really kind, extremely well-organized and very effective.Andshe’sthekind of young leader that, really, this nation and the world needs,”Mizrahisaid.

handout photo provided by the embassy of Israel in the U.S. shows staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Isralei citizen Yaron Lischinsky, right, and U.S. Citizen Sarah Mildrim, who were shot and killed while leaving an event at a Jewish Museum in Washington. (Embassy

Palestinian health minister reports 29

‘starvation-related’ deaths in

Majed Abu Ramadan says 29 Palestinian children, elderly people killed as hunger grips bombarded enclave.

Aljazeera - At least 29 children and elderly people have died from “starvationrelated” deaths in the Gaza Strip in recent days, the Palestinian health minister says,warningthatthousands moreareatriskaslimitedaid begins trickling into the bombardedenclave.

Majed Abu Ramadan told reporters on Thursday thatearliercommentsbythe United Nations aid chief to the BBC that 14,000 babies could die without desperatelyneededfoodaid, were “very realistic”, but couldbeanunderestimation.

Israel has allowed limited deliveries of humanitarianassistanceinto Gaza amid a wave of international condemnation ofits11-weektotalblockade on the territory, which spurred warnings of mass famine.

But UN officials have saidtheaidenteringGazais “nowhere near enough” to meet the needs of the population in the war-torn enclave.

About 90 truckloads of

aid entered Gaza on Thursday,butAbuRamadan said most of what was allowed in was limited to “flourforbakeries”.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday afternoon that “a handful of bakeries in Gaza are baking bread again after receiving limited supplies overnight”.

“This is a critical first step–butassistancemustbe scaled up. More essential food is needed to push back the risk of famine. Bread alone is not enough for people to survive,” the agencysaidinapostonX.

The president of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Younis alKhatib, had earlier said manyPalestinianshadyetto receive any supplies so far

“No civilian has received anythingyet,”al-Khatibtold reporters.

He said most of the aid trucks are still at the Karem Abu Salem crossing, known asKeremShalomtoIsraelis, insouthernGaza.Aslimited deliveriesentertheStrip,the

continued to launch attacks across the enclave, with medical sources telling Al Jazeera that at least 51 Palestinianshavebeenkilled sincedawnonThursday

At least 53,655 Palestinianshavebeenkilled and more than 121,000 others injured since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, according to theGazaHealthMinistry

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee also announced new forced evacuation orders for Palestinians in Jabalia and Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.HesaidinapostonX t

“significantly expand its militaryactivity”inthearea.

‘Dropintheocean’

Reporting from Deir elBalah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’sTareqAbuAzzoum said that while Palestinians havewelcomedtheinfluxof aid,itisa“dropintheocean” compared with the population’sneeds.

“Fivehundredaidtrucks areneededonadailybasisin

Gaza

order to avert the current food crisis in the territory,” AbuAzzoumexplained.

Still, Gaza resident Ahmed Abed al-Daym said the aid trucks were a “positive sign” amid dire conditions.

“Our homes are empty –there is no bread, and our children are going hungry,” hetoldAlJazeera.

“In many households, bread has completely disappeared. What people urgentlyneedisasteadyand sufficient flow of flour and

s e n t i a l s Unfortunately, the limited aid that has entered so far fallsfarshortofmeetingour needs ” Another resident, ReemZidiah,saidthatdueto themassstarvationthatGaza isenduring,nooneissafein thebesiegedenclave.

“All of us here in Gaza, we don’t think about tomorrow because we don’t know what will happen tomorrow – whether we’re going to live or die,” Zidiah toldAlJazeera.

Meanwhile, Action

AgainstHungerteamsonthe ground in southern Gaza warned that there was less thanaseven-days’supplyof food to prevent acute malnutritioninchildren.

Natalia Anguera, the humanitarian group’s head of Middle East operations, said “flour has come in and some bakeries in the south haveresumedoperations”. However, she stressed that “specific nutritional supplies reserves for childrenunderfiveareabout torunout”.

Bank of Canada head warns of weak growth if tariff uncertainty persists

BANFF,AlbertaMay22

(Reuters) - Bank of Canada

GovernorTiffMacklemsaid on Thursday he expected second-quarter growth to be “quiteabitweaker”thanthe firstquarter,andthatitcould be worse in subsequent quarters if the uncertainty

around U S tariffs continued.

Macklem, who was addressing a televised press conference along with Canadian Finance Minister F r a n ç o i s - P h i l i p p e Champagne in Banff, citing the joint communique

released earlier, said the uncertainty had come down to some extent but more needstobedone.

“I expect the second quarter will be quite a bit weaker,” Macklem said of GDPgrowth,addingthathis forecastforthemonthsafter

the second quarter would depend on the scope and extentoftariffs.

“Canada is keen to sit downwiththeUnitedStates and work through our differences, come to agreement, get that clarity, (then) we can get back to growthclearly,”hesaid.

“If things move in the other direction, it’ll do worse,” he said, referring to GDP growth in the subsequentquartersiftariffs continue.

The central bank last month forecast annualized first-quarter GDP would be 1.8% but did not give any other projections, citing uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy

Statistics Canada is due to issue first-quarter GDP data on May 30. It had forecast annualized first quartergrowthof1.5%.

Macklem said he expected exports to hold up

growth, give

hat companies had rushed to send goods to the U S before tariffs took effect in April, but prevailing uncertainty was hampering i n v e s t m e n t s a n d consumptionthatwouldtake atollontheeconomy

He had previously refrained from giving any outlookontheeconomy

“I think the more we can get uncertainty down, themorewecanbeforward looking as we move forward in our monetary policy,”Macklemadded

In a joint statement released by the G7 finance leaders’, the countries

uncertainty had declined from its peak, and they wouldworktomakefurther

progress

U S President Donald Trump’s tariffs have roiled financial markets and disturbed decades of global tradeorder

But a joint communique by the G7 leaders was hailed as progress by ChampagneandMacklem

A

e did not mention tariffs, Macklem said the levies were on the minds of the leaders and govern

discussions included a

ng dialogue around tariffs and on fixing the problems in globaltradingsystems

“There was a clear messageinthecommunique that we are committed to continuing to reduce that uncertainty, and that includes around trade and tariffs,”hesaid.

Palestinians wait to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Gaza City, May 21 [Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]

Passage of horseracing Legislation has brought no big hoorah - Things

With the news that the longa w a i t e d Horse Racing Legislation has been passed in the National assembly a few monthsago.Therehavebeen no major developments, if anyatall,nofurtherwordon the progress, plans and the wayforward.

seem to be at a standstill even as

race meets planned

With the anxiety and expectation that was brewing over the passage of the Legislation, one would have thought that by now therewouldhavebeensome progress.

The main aim was to

It is not certain if a copy ofthebillhasbeencirculated or to whom it has been circulated. However, since the passage of the muchanticipated Legislation whichwasinthemakingfor a long time, things seem to beatastandstill.

revamp the horseracing industry

Wi t h n o t m u c h uniformity in terms of rules and regulations and persons doing their own thing, the Legislation is expected to regularize things and bring the“SportofKings”tosome semblanceoforder

A Governing Body should be appointed to take charge like other sporting activitiesandPlayersandare

expectedtosticktotherules which are expected to be wideranging.

However, except if things are happening in the b a c k g r o u n d , t h e Government seems not in a hurrytogetthingsgoingand t h e P l a y e r s s e e m comfortablewiththewaythe situationis.

In the meanwhile, Horse Race meets have been planned and it is left to be

GOAPC Annual Pre-Independence...

Friday May 23, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

It's time to stop acting like you think others want to see you act, Aries. The planetary configuration confirms that it's time to express yourselfyouremotions.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Your energy is high and your stamina particularly strong today Workingoutorplaying sports could appeal to you now Running or aerobics could offer valuable exercise and clear your head to allow fornewideas.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

A reunion with a family member who has been away oroutoftouchcouldgenerate some powerful emotions, Gemini. Memories could comefloodingback.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today your mind is likely to be on travel, Cancer You might have to spend a lot of time running errands in the car You could also be planningalongvacation.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Todayyoumightdecidetoput insomeextrahoursonthejob or take on an extra project of somesortinordertobringina little more money Since you're feeling strong and energetic enough to move mountains,Leo.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Passion and determination mark today Your energy shouldbehigh,Virgo,andyou should feel strong and powerful. This is the perfect day to give whatever goals you've been trying to accomplishthatonelastpush towardcompletion.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your inner power and awareness should be acute today, Libra. Some intense dreams and revelations could come from deep within, allowing you to release old traumasandphobias.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Working toward goals you share with others could bring you closer together as friends andlovers,Scorpio.Thewhole isdefinitelymorethanthesum oftheparts.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Today you might face a task that seems as workable as emptying the ocean with a teacup. But with help from others, you will not only be able to handle it but also produceexceptionalresults.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Thedesiretotravel,perhapsto visit a close friend, may come up today, Capricorn.You may put a lot of energy into exploringthepossibilities.You might also want to travel to placeswhereyoucangetsome artisticinspiration

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Expect a lot of activity in your home today,Aquarius.A group, perhaps a large one, hosted by you or a family member could meet there and provoke stimulating conversations.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)

The desire to meet with a romantic partner and look and feelyourbestcouldgiveriseto a lot of short journeys in your area.Perhapsyouwillwantto work out, buy some new clothes,orgetahaircut.

seen whose rules will be usedoriftheLegislationwill kickin.

The standard thing is if there are Legislation/ Rules inplacethenitshouldbethe operativefactor

One cannot suspend or by pass the Legislation. But thereisnoBoardorGuyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) in place, so what’s next.

In the meanwhile, horse

Frompage28 Commission (GGMC), Guyana Fire Service, BureauofStatistics,Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), MinistryofAgriculture,and OfficeofthePresident.

Also vying for domino supremacy are teams representingtheMinistryof Tourism, Ministry of Health, Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Parliament, Supreme Court Marshalls, and several others.

Theeventiscoordinated by the ever-energetic James “Uprising” Lewis, who has long championed the use of sportsasaunifierwithinthe publicservice.

This year’s tournament is made possible through support from organizations including Toolsie Persaud L i m i t e d a n d t h e CommissionerofPolice.

owners reasoned that they have spent millions of dollars importing, breeding and upkeeping their horses, paying workers etc, and needs something to do. So, theyarepushingahead.

Thequestionis,willthe blame game continue. It is lefttobeseen.

Let’s hope things get better and does not descent intoanarchy

(SamuelWhyte)

King to Royals, McCoy to Falcons in High-Profile CPL Trade Ahead of 2025 Draft

Sports Max - The Barbados Royals and the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons have finalised a major transfer deal ahead of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), with Brandon King joiningtheRoyalsandObed McCoy moving to the Falcons.

TheCPL’spre-drafttrade windowallowsfranchisesto negotiate player transfers aheadoftheofficialdraft,set for next month. This latest exchange sees both teams strengthen their rosters with proven performers as they gear up for a highly anticipatedseason.

Brandon King, a consistent force in CPL cricket, brings a wealth of

experience and runs to the Royals. The stylish righthanderhasscored1,837runs in the tournament so far and wastheleadingrun-scorerin 2019. He followed that up withanotherstandoutseason in 2022, where he amassed over 400 runs and was named Player of the Tournament, guiding the Jamaica Tallawahs to the title.

His arrival gives the Royals a reliable top-order optionandapotentialmatchwinner as they look to r e b o u n d f r o m a disappointing 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, Obed McCoy strengthens the Falcons’bowlingattackwith his sharp left-arm pace and

bowling attack.

death-over prowess. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines native has 56 wickets from 52CPLmatches,withabest season coming in 2022, when he picked up 15 wickets for the Royals. His ability to swing momentum

with key breakthroughs makes him a valuable asset astheFalconslooktobuilda competitivesquad.

These moves mark a clear signal of intent from both teams as they reshape their line-ups for the upcomingCPLseason.With King bolstering the Royals’ battingandMcCoybringing firepower to the Falcons’ bowlingunit,fanscanexpect fireworks when the tournamentgetsunderwayin thesummer

GOAPC Annual Pre-Independence Knockout Domino competition tips off today

The Georgetown

Office Assistant

P r o m o t i o n Committee (GOAPC), in collaboration with several government ministries, will kick off its highly anticipated annual preIndependence knockout Domino Competition today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International

Cooperationparkinglot.

This year’s tournament promises high energy and fierce competition as teams from across various governmentagenciessquare off for the coveted Minister ofAgricultureTrophy

The event is more than just a game it’s designed to promotesocialcohesionand camar

Defending champions National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) return to protect their title, facing stiff competition from a packed field that includes Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Guyana GeologyandMines

(Continuedonpage27)

derie among ministries and government departments.

Brandon King joins the Royals. Obed McCoy strengthens the Falcons’

NBAlegendHakeemOlajuwontoengage localBasketballfraternitytoday

Two-time NBA Champion and Hall of Famer Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon, who is in Guyana, courtesy of the GovernmentofGuyana,will

meet with the local basketball fraternity today That interaction is fixed for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall(CASH)from5:00pm.

Olajuwon, a 12-time NBAAll-Star and the 1994 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), is visiting as part of the government’s ongoing effortstodevelopbasketball inthecountry

The entire basketball fraternity has been invited and a large number of players, coaches and other officialsareduetobepartof thatinteraction.

Matthews shines through defeat; embraces role as guiding light for young Windies side Captain fantastic:

SportsMax - The scoreboard told a familiar tale as West Indies Women tasted another defeat by eight wickets to England in the opening T20I of their three-match series. But amidst the disappointment, Hayley Matthews again stoodtallwithacenturythat served as a beacon of excellence in an otherwise tough outing on a chilly eveninginCanterbury

As has been the case many times before, the performance left the West Indies captain with mixed emotions. On one hand, her brilliant 67-ball 100 was a display of grit and flair, but on the other, it proved insufficient to lift her fledgling squad over the finish line as England easily racedto150-2inresponseto their146-7.

“Obviouslyaprettygood start for myself personally, and I am glad I was able to getsomeruns.Butthisisjust the beginning of this series, soIwouldlovetocarrysome of this form into the remainderofitandnothave this be my best knock,”

Matthews said in a postmatch interview on Wednesday

Her innings, which had 16 fours and a six, was anotherdemonstrationofher immense quality However, Matthews admitted she felt thenervesassheapproached the milestone in the final

over—untilafortunatemiss off the final delivery by England pacer Emily Arlott gaveherachancetoregister her third T20I century and the first by a West Indian womanagainstEngland.

“Yeah,itwasquitenervy actually going into that last over But I just had to keep going hard and try to get as many runs on the board as possible. And yeah, I am pretty thankful that Arlott didn’thitanystumpsforthat lastballthere,”sherecalled.

Despite the defeat, Matthews continues to embrace the weight of responsibility that comes with captaincy—especially with a starting team that featured several young talents promoted from the domesticranks.Theabsence of experienced campaigners such as Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, and Chinelle Henry left Matthews leading a group still learning the ropes of internationalcricket.

“I think I just have to keepencouragingthem,”she said when asked how she will rally the squad for the nextmatch.

“We’ve obviously got a very young group that played today, especially within the 11... It’s such a steep climb coming to international cricket, especiallyagainstateamlike England versus our regional competition.Soitisgoingto

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles RamsonJr.,hadearliernoted the significance of the visit ofthelegendininspiringthe local basketball community

and strengthening developmental plans for the sport.The 62-year-old NBA legendisexpectedtoengage those in attendance in a scheduled two-hour long discourse where he is

expected to share his great insight and field crucial questionstoaidthelearning curve of those involved in thesport.

Widely regarded as one of the most skilled and dominant big men in NBA history, Olajuwon’s illustrious 18-year career includes back-to-back championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and1995.

His signature footwork, shot-blocking prowess, and finesseintheposthavemade himaglobalbasketballicon.

His visit to Guyana marks a rare and exciting opportunityforthecountry’s basketball stakeholders to learnfromalivinglegend,as thegovernmentcontinuesits push to elevate the sport at alllevels.

be tough for them sometimes; we just have to encourage them as much as wecan.Theyaretrying,and they will continue to try. So hopefully we can see some of them build some confidence and have one or twobrightsparksthroughout theseries,”sheadded.

While for some the captaincy might seem burdensome, Matthews, 27, carriesaquietprideinbeing the leader of this evolving team—a torchbearer for the next generation, much like herownidolStafanieTaylor oncewas.

“I think as West Indies captain, I’m in a fortunate positiontonotonlyjustbea leaderoftheteambuttobea role model for a lot of these younger girls coming in. A lotofthemdolookuptome, and I cherish it a lot and the impactthatIcanmakeonnot only them but also the other onesathomewatching,”she shared.

“So, yeah, I do love being able to perform and lead from the front. And I think that’s something that I learned from Stafanie Taylor I remember growing up as a young girl and watching her perform and, I guess, carry a lot of the weight of the team on her shoulders,andIadmiredita lot.It’sprobablyoneofthose qualitiesthatIdidtrytotake fromheraswell,”Matthews noted.

NBA Legend, Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon during his playing days.

Number of sponsors on board for Blairmont Community Centre Independence Cricket festival and Day of sports

- Fixtures set final to be played under floodlights

Anumber of sponsors have finalized their sponsorship for the inaugural Blairmont

Community Centre Independence Cricket festivalandDayofsports.

Theday’sactivity,which will have cricket and a number of other sporting events,issetforSunday25th May at the Club facilities, Blairmont, West Bank, Berbice.

Thecompetitionwillbe known as the inaugural Floodlight Independence Cup -Doomsday- 100Balls cricket and Festival. It is expected to get started at 09:30 hrs A reserve day is set for Monday 26th May 2025

Amongthesponsorsare -Money Mobile Guyana

(MMG), Vickram Singh and Son Construction Services, JS Engineering Service and Supply, Millat Sporting Goods, A Allys andSons,MarvanPrashad, Nick N

C

M

, ThomasMcDonald,Derick Narine, Zamin Khan and NadeshBasdeo Ricky & Sons Business Establishment, (TTT) Singh Travel Service, Keebie Arts, Hassan Bakery, Arshad Jewellery, Green Massive, Mr Rex, Green for life Gym and P l a n t S h o p , M S B Complex, Rickey Barber Shop, Mark and Nimala Tyre Shop, Ravin Welding & Fabrication, SP Fitness, Anthony Tony, Nick Ramsaroop, Team Elevate, Mr T, Baksh Travel

A Representative of Singh Travel Service hands over sponsorship to one of the organisers.

Coordinator Shabeer Baksh at right receives sponsorship from a representative of the fitness Gym.

Service, Big Yard Wash Bay, Shawn Pereira Clothing and Big B’s Restaurants.

The teams expected to take part in the day

activity are -Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC), Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Cotton Tree Cricket Club (Die Hard), Young Warriors, West Berbice Superkings and the home teamBlairmontBlazers.

T he fixture has been drawn and shows - W e s t B e r b i c e

Superk

versus Albion CCC,CottonTree Die Hard playing GCC and game 3 will be between Blairmont Blazers and YoungWarriors. The winners will advance while t

losers will be knocked out

A halftime show is a

Chutney kin

B

nty Singhandothers.

The final will be played after the halftime show. There will be live

commentary. Other attractions on the day will include a Domino Competition, 3/sid

, Cartoon Character Walk Around.

T

exposition booths of the spo

Services

will rec

ve autographed Amazon Warriors Shirts by National and West Indies player Gudakesh Motie (SamuelWhyte)

Cricket West Indies Mens’ Academy Team to face Sri Lankan counterparts in exciting home series in Antigua

SportsMax - Cricket West Indies has announced the upcoming Academy home series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka

from7Juneto26June2025. The tour will feature two four-day first-class matches andthree50-overmatchesto be played in Antigua at the

Coolidge Cricket Ground and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium,respectively This series is part of the long-term strategic plan for

Bryan and Sahadeo complete Coaching Certification and Training scholarship at University of Jain

Former national men’s table tennis champion and multiple Caribbean title holder, Nigel Bryan and tennis sensation Krystian Sahadeohaveaddedanother accolade to their storied careers, by successfully completing a prestigious coaching certification and training scholarship at Jain University in Bangalore, India.

Bryan was one of two players selected by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) to participate in the coach enrichmentprogramme,part ofabroadernationaleffortto developlocalsportingtalent. The programme not only focused on advanced coaching techniques and m o d e r n t r a i n i n g methodologies, but also offered exposure to highperformance environments alongside elite international athletes.

The initiative was made possible through a scholarship under the Government of Guyana’s GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Culture,

YouthandSport(MCYS)in collaboration with the N a t i o n a l S p o r t s Commission and national sporting bodies like the GTTA.

S

B

yan expresseddeepgratitudeand pride. “I am overjoyed to share that I have successfully completed the coachingprogrammeatJain University Thisopportunity wastrulyablessing,andIam gratefulfortheguidanceand strength that brought me through this journey,” he said Reflecting on the rigorous training, Bryan shared that the experience demanded intense discipline. “Many mornings began at 4:00 a.m. as my colleagues and I trained relentlessly, adapting to a new environment and pushing through countless challenges. The sacrifices were many, but every step wasworthit.”

The former champion also participated in his first World Table Tennis (WTT) event during his time in India. He described playing in the WTT Contender Series in Chennai against

Hong Kong’s Yiu Kwan as thehighlightofhisjourney Bryan also extended heartfelt thanks to the many supportersandorganisations who made his achievement possible.“Iwanttosincerely thank the National Sports Commission,theGTTA,the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Guyana Olympic Association, the BNMT Table Tennis Club, Coach Krunal, Jain University, Mr Steve Ninvalle, my wife Merissa Bryan, the Guyana Police Force, and my incredible

encouragement has meant more to me than words can express.”AsBryanprepares for a return to international competition in 2025, his recent certification marks a major step forward not only in his personal journey but also in the development of tabletennisinGuyana.

Jain University is internationally recognised for its forward-thinking approach to education and sports training, and continues to play a pivotal role in shaping future athletesandcoaches.

CWItocreateapathwayfor the region’s brightest talent to develop while being exposed to international competition. These matches are at an opportune time for the Academy players who recentlytookpartinthe2025 WestIndiesChampionship. DirectorofCricketMiles Bascombeseestheincreased value in having competitive cricket for the Academy team.

“These matches serve as a critical component in the development of our emerging players.There is a strategic plan in terms of bridgingthegapbetweenthe junior and senior levels and the games against Sri Lanka will be used to continue sharpening and equipping our best prospects for the

Subasinghe is excited at the prospects of the players puttingtheirskillsonshow

committed to learning, development, and long-term growth. Over the past seven months, our players have made steady progress both onandoffthefield,growing as cricketers and as young men. This series against the Sri Lankan Emerging Players is an important opportunityforustotestour

international team, identify areas we can develop, and continue building for the future of West Indies c r i c k e t ” Allmatchesinthisserieswill

be free to the public Antiguansareencouragedto comeoutintheirnumbersto support the West Indies Academy team, take in the live action, and enjoy a uniqueopportunitytoseethe region’s brightest talent competeatahighlevel.

MATCHSCHEDULE

7-10 June: 1st four-day match at SVRS @10am AST/9aminJamaica

14-17June:2ndfour-day match at CCG @10am AST/9aminJamaica

21 June: 1st 50-Over match at SVRS 9:30am AST/8:30aminJamaica

24 June: 2nd 50-Over match at CCG 9:30am AST/8:30aminJamaica

26 June: 3rd 50-Over match at CCG 9:30am AST/8:30aminJamaica

Cricket West Indies has announced the upcoming Academy home series between the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Triple blow for Caribbean cricket as Windies A fall to South Africa A in ODI opener

SportsMax - On a day thatcastagloomycloudover Caribbean cricket, West Indies A suffered a 42-run defeat to South Africa A in their first One-Day match at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, which completed a hat-trick of losses for the region’s teams across formats and venues on Wednesday

While the senior men’s side crumbled to a 124-run loss to Ireland in their ODI series opener in Dublin, and the women’s team were brushedasidebyEnglandin aT20IinCanterbury,theAteam’s spirited chase under the St. Lucian lights fell short despite flashes of resilience.

Havingwonthetossand opted to field in the daynight fixture, West Indies A allowed South Africa A to pile up 283 before being dismissed for 241 in 44.1 overs—themarginmasking

whatwas,forlongperiods,a competitivecontest.

SouthAfricaA’s innings was underpinned by a series oftimelycontributions,none more crucial than a trio of half-centuries from Jordan Hermann (53), Sinethemba Qeshile (55), and Jason Smith, who unleashed a counter-attacking55offjust 44 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Their knock was matched in flair byRivaldoMoonsamy,who struck five fours and two sixesinacomposed49.

West Indies A’s bowlers started well, as Jediah Blades removed Lesego Senokwane (four) in the second over with nine runs on the board However, Moonsamy and Hermann steadied the innings with a 93-run second-wicket stand and gradually applied pressure on the Caribbean bowlers. But when Darel Cyrus ended Hermann’s 47ball knock, which had eight fours and a six, Kevlon Anderson followed up with the wickets of captain Marques Ackerman (four) and Moonsamy, as South Africa A slipped to 125-4.

Still, Qeshile and Smith swung the momentum back in the visitor’s favour with an 85-run stand that pushed them past the 200-run mark andoncourseforatotalover 300.

H o w e v e r , t h e momentum again shifted when Blades accounted for Smith and Bjorn Fortuin (one), while Kadeem Alleyne removed Qeshile and Tristan Luus (16) after Marquinho Mindley had Mihlali Mpongwana (four) caught, as South Africa lost theirremainingwicketswith littleresistance.

Blades ended with 3-39, whileAlleyneandAnderson hadsimilarfiguresof2-44in sevenovers.

WestIndiesAbegantheir chasetentatively,astheylost Alleyne(17)with24runson the board at the end of the power play However, CaptainAlickAthanaze’s33 spearheaded a 61-run second-wicket stand with Anderson before he was removed by Mihlali Mpongwana.

Anderson, who had six boundaries in a fluent 47ball 45, followed shortly

after,andfromthere,West Indies A suffered a familiar sharp slide to 123-5 Kevin Wickham followedupwithasprightly 39, while wicketkeeper Kemol Savory (26) and tailenders Darel Cyrus (28) and Marquino Mindley (27) injected late life into the innings. The innings was defined by a recurring f a i l u r e t o s t i t c h substantial partnerships, with wickets falling in clumps just as momentum was building By the time Cyrus and Mindley produced a late rally with a 60-runninth-wicketstand,it was not enough, as the middle-order collapse proved fatal. South Africa A’s bowlers shared the spoils efficiently, led by Mpongwana’s 3-37, while the experienced Bjorn Fortuin (2-45) and Tshepo Moreki (2-20) offered support

Oliver Hinckson Memorial over-40 to kick off May 25

Afeast of veteran footballing talent is set to gracetheGFFArtificialTurf at the National Training Centre in Providence this Sunday, 25 May, as the Oliver Hinckson Memorial Knockout Over-40 Football Tournament takes centre stage.

Presented by Thomas UnitedMasters,theone-day event promises a nostalgic trip down memory lane, coupled with competitive action, kicking off at 10:00 AM and concluding at 8:30 PM.

Eleven teams ladened w i t h e x p e r i e n c e d campaigners will vie for supremacy and a raft of attractive prizes The participating sides include Beacon FC, Charlestown United, Club 45, Guyana DefenceForceMasters,and HeatofOak(Berbice).They will be joined by Linden Elite Masters, N T C

Masters, Park Squad, the hosts Thomas United Masters, Mainstay Masters, andWestsideMasters.

Thestakesarehigh,with the victorious team set to pocket a handsome $200,000, generously donated by The Hinckson Family,alongwithacoveted trip for 20 people to the Koriabo Island Adventure Resort.

The runners-up will not leave empty-handed, receiving$75,000,whilethe third-placed team, sponsored by Guyana Breweries, will collect $50,000.Aprize of $30,000 is allocated for the team finishingfourth.

Individualbrilliancewill also be recognised The tournament’sMostValuable Player(MVP)willreceivea $20,000 voucher from Tami’s Online Store. Both theBestGoalkeeperandthe Most Goal Scorer will each win an ATV ride from The

Off Road Experience and SavannahTours, in addition to a Sunset ATV Tour for two, also from Savannah Tours & T.O.R.E. Trophies for these individual awards, as well as for the thirdplaced team, are sponsored byGuyanaBreweries.

O r g a n i s e r s a r e encouraging fans to attend, promising a day of entertainment with the tagline: “Lace your boots! Bring your vibes! Enjoy the fun!” Attendees can also look forward to a fully stocked bar, along with BBQ, Ital food, and natural juices available for purchase. The tournament has garnered significantsupport from the business community, with additional sponsors including the G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation, Banks DIH (Banks Beer), Full Works (BlueSpringWater),and3S LegacyEnterprise.

Jediah Blades had three wickets.

VNContractingServices supportsIndependence CupSoftballCricket

Mr. Varunesh Uvraj Gopaul of VN Contracting Services handing over sponsorship to Ms. Tiffany LaRose of RS Sports.

Plans are moving apace for the hosting of the inaugural “Independence Cup” softball cricket plans onMonday,26thMayatthe Whim Community Centre Ground in Region 6 from 9 am.

According to the organisers the one-day tournament will be played basedonaone-gameknockout format and each innings will consist of 10 overs, roundarmandriskbowling, and will see both male and femalecricketersinaction.

As to the previous release, the organisers said thatteamsareaskingforthe fiberglass bats to be used, and it was given the green light to be part of the competition, and the supreme balls will be used forthetournament.

The winning male team is guaranteed $200,000 and thefemalewinner$100,000 incash,alongwithtrophies, while cash incentives and trophieswillbegiventothe runner-up teams Also, prizeswillbeawardedtothe MVP, player of the final, best bowler, and best batsman in an innings in

eachcategory

Several teams have already shown their interest in participating, and registration closes on 23rd May Interested teams can contact 657-2022 for registration. Teams would not be allowed to enter the competitionaftertheclosing date.

Accordingtotherelease, there will be lots of side attractionsduringthedayfor fans. While there will be bar-b-que on sale, a wellstocked beverage bar, and music to entertain the spectators.

S u p p

VN Contracting Services, Danzies Fashion & Auto Sales, KT Fabrication and Construction Company, Roraima Developers, and 4 STruckingServices.

Several teams have already shown interest in participating, and registration closes on 23rd May Interested teams can call657-2022toregister Teams will not be allowed to enter the competitionaftertheclosing date.

Sports

Triple blow for Caribbean cricket as Windies A fall to South Africa A in ODI opener

Bryan and Sahadeo complete Coaching Certification and Training scholarship at University of Jain

NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon to engage local Basketball fraternity today

Bjorn Fortuin had 2-45.

Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon

Hayley Matthews again stood tall with a century

Newly certified Table Tennis officials, Nigel Bryan (right) and Krystian Sahadeo share moment in India.