Former Chronicle photographer handed two-year suspended sentence for sexual assault charge
CJIA launches probe into alleged bribery scandal ...restateszerotoleranceforcorruptionatairport
Chevron eyes bigger payoff from US$55B Hess deal …Stabroek Block seen as crown jewel
As the elections for Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of all ten
Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) take place today,alleyesareonRegion Four (Demerara-Mahaica), where tensions are high and political power hangs in the balance.
The decisive vote could comedown totheonebeing held by Forward Guyana
M o v e m e n t ( F G M ) representatives Tiffini Stoll. Region Four, the most populous in Guyana and a key electoral battleground, has traditionally been dominated by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
However, this year's disappointing performance bytheAPNUhasshiftedthe balance of power. The
P
Party/Civic(PPP/C)secured 87,028 votes, followed by APNU with 46,770, and the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, with 41,936 votes.
At the conclusion of the 2025 General and Regional Elections, PPP/C emerged with17seats,justshortofan outright majority APNU captured9seats,whileWIN secured 8 With FGM's singleseat,AmanzaWaltonDesir's party, now holds the deciding vote that will determinewhetherPPP/Cor the combined opposition take control of the Region FourRDC. Theoppositionparties,if united, would hold one seat more than the PPP/C. The faith of the governance
between the council lies b
F G M representativesoftheregion TiffiniStoll.
The PPP/C has the followingrepresentativeson the Region Four RDC:
Appalsamy, Neemwattie Baldeo,Arlington Belgrave, Winston Cumberbatch, Rehad Drepaul, Saleesha Gafoor, Devi Jagroop, Eresha Melville, Edray Morian, Deoraj Nauth, Alana Persaud, Roopnarain
P
Odessa Haynes, Dillon Andrew Mohamed, Robin Nadata Althea Simon, Shirley Hermina Witter, Sheik Mohamed Muazziz Yaseen,andTulsieRabindra Singh.
WIN is represented by: Corwin Alexander Austin, JennelNatoyaFrank-Leitch, Akeem Terrence Fraser, Latoya Kenenisha Joseph, Savion Lloyd Paddy, Shadirra Jane Pugsley, Roshana Adassa Rose, and Felica Alicia SheriffForrester.
contested outcomes, forcing partiestonegotiatealliances.
Ramcharan, Raghunandan Singh,andDavidWilliams. R
s of
APNU include: Terence Adams, Ravoldo Romario Birbal, Marcia Amanda Chattoor-Gordon, Jasmain Cassey Hackett, Shaneika
FGM leader Amanza Walton Desir, when contacted for a comment on collaboration, Walton-Desir refused to comment at the time. Beyond Region Four, theOfficialGazetterevealed that Regions Eight and Ten are also facing closely
In Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), both the PPP/C and WIN won seven seats each, while APNU gained just one. The final decision on regional leadership there will depend on which side APNUchoosestoalignwith.
Meanwhile, in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), long considered an APNU
stronghold, the WIN party made significant inroads, capturing nine seats with 10,262 votes. APNU followed with five seats (5,370 votes), PPP/C with three (4,197 votes), and FGM with one (818 votes). Though WIN is poised to lead, it will also need the support of one of the other parties to secure formal leadership.
Canadian mining company TajiriResourcesCorp.isbrimming with optimism over its Yono Gold Project in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Guyana, following promising early exploration results.Theprojectsitsadjacentto gold-rich properties containing nearlyninemillionouncesofgold, includingG2Goldfields'OkoMain Zone and Ghanie deposits and G Mining Ventures' Oko West deposit.
On Tuesday, the company announced the first results from auger sampling at the majorityownedYonoGoldProject.
According to Tajiri, results from approximately 60 percent of augersamplinghavebeenreceived, indicating widespread gold anomalism across the entire property ThecompanysaidYono's gold anomalies compare favourably in scale with those overlying GMIN's Oko West project.
The largest indicated gold anomaly, the 1 5 km-long “ridgeline” anomaly runs diagonallythroughtheentireYono property Company Chairman Dominic O'Sullivan said, “Today is very exciting for the Company and our supporters. For me the big take homeisrevealed…whereYonocan beseentolieunequivocallywithin the same domain of gold
enrichment, that hosts nearly 9 million ounces along Yono's easternflank.”
O ' S u l l i v a n a d d e d , “Considering all the facts: Widespread gold anomalism, multiple zones of higher gold anomalism approaching 5 km in strike, a good smattering of highgrade results coughing out of a regolith where strong leaching of surface gold is expected; Yono's potentialtohostthenextdiscovery inthedevelopingTier1Yono-Oko gold district, should not be underestimated.”
The Yono Property consists of
one Mining Permit covering 122 hectares (301 acres). In its NI 43101 Technical Report released earlier this year, Tajiri noted that Guyana is home to two international airports and several smallerairstrips.Thecompanysaid accesstoYonocanbeachievedvia multiple routes using a combination of air, road, and boat with travel times ranging between fourand12hours.
Within a two-kilometre radius of Yono, there are three known deposits with Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE), G2's Oko Main Zone and Ghanie to the north and
east, and GMIN's Oko West to the south.
G Mining Ventures (GMIN) –OkoWestGoldProject
G Mining Ventures (GMIN) is the 100 percent owner of the Oko WestGoldMinewhichisestimated to hold 5.4 million ounces of gold located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).
Earlier this year, GMIN received an interim permit which allowed it to start early construction.Themainprospecting licence (PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres) However,GMINlaterrevealedthat
it expanded its land holdings in Region Seven to 71 square kilometers.
Lastmonth,GMINreceivedthe environmental permit from Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Oko West project. The five-year permitisvalidthroughJuly2030.It authorises the construction and operation of Oko West, which is expected to create an average of 1,270directpermanentjobsduring its lifetime. The feasibility study for Oko West outlines a long-life, low cost, and high-margin operation. The company had said that the Oko West project is targeting an average annual production of 350,000 ounces of gold over a 12.3-year mine life. Gold production at Oko West is slatedtocommenceby2027.
GMIN's President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LouisPierre Gignac last year said that if gold prices remain high when production commences at Oko West, Guyana could receive corporate taxes. Gignac said that unlike his father's previous involvement with Omai's gold project,wherethecompanydidnot paycorporatetaxestoGuyanadue to low prices at the time, he is confident that Oko West will benefit from the current high gold prices. As such, he had expressed (Continuedonpage9)
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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Stranger things have happened, but many were of the viewthatthenewPPPCGovernmentwouldbeacutabove itspastexamples. PresidentIrfaanAlisetexpectationsata highlevelinhissecondinauguraladdress. Theroadaheadis clear with the victorious group enjoying as clear a field as any recent government with an unassailable seven seat majority in parliament. What is coming out of the government, however, is that it is going to be the same old business as usual mentality and practices, and with a little twist here and there to keep everyone on their toes. The convening of parliament gives early confirmation of what couldbeinstore,withthepresidentseeminglycomfortable takingadvantageofallthetimethattheclockallowsheand histeam.
Theconstitutionallowsafour-monthmaximumbetween parliaments,whichthePPPCGovernmentissettotaketothe lastday Ithasthatright,butthegovernmentandthecountry are better served with parliament being convened earlier One of the weak points in the previous PPPC Government was its tendency for secret dealings, with another being developments that generate suspicions about corruption in action. The $865M Belle View pump station contract, proper accounting for oil billions withdrawn from the NaturalResourceFund,andclarityontheexpertbackingfor theUS$2BWalesgas-to-Energyprojectstandasthreeofthe moreconspicuousexamplesofwhatleavecitizenswiththeir mouths open in amazement. Why would any government feel comfortable continuing with that type of modus operandi?
Considering that there were what could be termed seismicshiftsintraditionvotingpatternsinthenowfinished st September1 GeneralandRegionalElections,anywinning party,anyincominggovernment,wouldbeverydetermined to start out on the right foot immediately Convening parliament at the earliest would send a clear signal to the population, especially eligible voters, that the leadership means business, and it just wants to get things done right, withtheteescrossedandI'sdotted. Parliamentistheretobe the screening floor, through which pending and new businessdevelopmentsofthestatepass,aregivenathorough examination, before any matter could proceed. Given the parliamentary posture of the government at present, it is obviousthattheAligangismorecommittedtowardsgoing in the other direction. It has given itself the equivalent of four months to operate as the sole presence, authority, and decision-makeronmattersthatcouldhavemuchimpacton thelivesofcitizens.Weatthispaperassertthatthepresident is erring when that four-month parliamentary void is taken thefullestadvantageof. Didn'tthepresidentandhisfellow comradesnottakenotethat,thoughtheywon,theelectorate was not overwhelmed by any of the competing political parties, save for the possible exception of the We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)phenomenon? PresidentAliisonhislast term,sohemaynotbepayingtoomuchattentiontothethreat thatWINposesin2030. Buttherearesuretobeothersinthe PPPCwhohavetheirownvisionsaboutthatbattlenowfive yearsintothefuture,andhaveaninterestindoingthingsby the book from the start. Parliament is that open book that revealstoallthemannerinwhichGuyana'sbusinessisbeing conducted. Sensitive issues are not locked away in the hierarchyofthegovernment,andGuyaneselefttodealwith a blank slate. There is parliament convened, and representatives of the people, the various parties that won seats, having their say It is unfortunate that the returning government doesn't seem to have grown any wiser, or intendstocarryitselfanylessarrogantly.
Withparliamentnowontracktogettoitsworkinearly November,thequestionishowmuchcanbedone,withthe festiveseasonrightaroundthecorner. WhenGuyaneseare in that frame of mind, their attention is focused elsewhere, with less thanhealthyinterestin what theirgovernment,or parliament, is doing. Their summation is that it is only so muchnoise. Perhaps,that'swhythegovernmentisbenton keepingparliamentdarkuntilNovember
Response to: “Schools along the East Coast are experiencing wide disparities in meals provided under the National School Feeding Programme”
DearEditor,
The National Breakfast Programme welcomes public scrutiny, as this initiative is funded by the people of Guyana and exists to serve our nation's children However, in responding to recent commentary, it is important toseparateisolatedincidents from systemic realities, and to ensure that the facts of howtheprogrammeoperates areaccuratelyreflected.
The suggestion that all schoolsalongtheEastCoast are experiencing wide disparities in meals creates animpressionthateveryone of the 31 schools has been
wanting This is not a conclusion that is supported by
he fac
W
e unfortunate incidents may have occurred at one or two schools,itisbothinaccurate andunfairtogeneralisethese isolated experiences across the entire corridor The verificationrecordsandfield logs maintained by the programme do not reflect widespread disparities as claimed.Equallytroublingis the assertion that caterers submit invoices for individual items such as a pastrycutinhalfatfullprice. That claim is wholly untrue, as the modality of the Breakfast Programme supports no such process. Every caterer is paid a fixed cost per breakfast inclusive of juice. Access to payment
is strictly dependent on the submission of a fortnightly Dietary Tracker Sheet, stamped and signed by the Head teacher of the school. This sheet certifies the number of meals delivered, the time of delivery, and whether the meals met the required standard No tracker, no payment. It is a system built on verification, notspeculation.
At the programme's relaunch in 2022, a single standardised menu was piloted. The lesson quickly learned was that Guyana's communitiesdifferinsupply cycles, day to day availability, and cultural (dietary) preferences In some areas, staple items could not be procured consistently,andrigidmenus risked leaving students dissatisfied or meals undelivered.Toaddressthis, schools now prepare customisedmenusguidedby a master list developed with nutritionists and the Carnegie School of Home Economics and agreed to by the Head teacher. This ensures that meals are nutritious, culturally appropriate, and within the fixed cost per meal, while alsotakingintoaccountwhat studentswillactuallyeat.
Oversight of the programme is layered and constant.TeachersandHead teachershavetheauthorityto accept or reject meals on delivery, with their decision
recorded on the tracker sheet. Head teachers and teachers are also provided with a daily breakfast, serving as a built-in mechanism of tasting and quality control, thereby ensuring that the meals presented to students are identical in quality and content to those received by staff.OntheEastCoast,two dedicatedfieldofficers,visit schools monthly, engage directly with students and staff, and monitor caterer compliance Caterers' kitchens are inspected without notice each term, and all caterers must maintain valid Food Handler's Certificates monitored by sanitary officers. In addition, every school displays QR codes and hotline numbers so that parents can submit complaints or feedback directlytotheSecretariat.At ascaleofover51,000meals daily, challenges will arise, butthemechanismsarethere to identify and address them quickly
The programme is also one of Guyana's community based employment initiatives, supporting more than388caterers,95percent of whom are women Importantly, when the current administration restructured and expanded the programme, it did not discard those who had workedintheearlier5Bpilot for the East Coast launched u
) APNU+AFC government
Instead, those East Coast caterers were brought forwardintothenewsystem, ensuring continuity and fairness, while also opening opportunities through p
applicants. This balance has a
caterers to continue serving whilewideningparticipation toothers,strengtheningboth livelihoods and community trust.
Sinceitsexpansionfrom 11,000 beneficiariesin 2022 to more than 51,000 today, the National Breakfast Programme has had an undeniableimpactonschool attendance, classroom concentration, and community employment. We remain committed to transparency, equity, and accountability, and we welcome constructive feedback that helps us to improve In fact, I also warmlyinviteMs.Shaniato list the isolated schools she believestobeaffectedtoour WhatsApp Support Desk at 707-1199, so that we may directly investigate and address the concerns in the best interest of our students andinthegenuinenessofour desiretoalwaysdobetter
Sincerely
MahendraPhagwah Coordinator, National BreakfastProgramme
DearEditor,
In the wake of the U.S. indictment and possible extradition proceedings involvingMr NazarandMr Azruddin Mohamed, I wish to contribute a perspective rooted in both constitutional principle and international legalpractice.
This letter does not seek to defend or condemn any individual. Its purpose is educational: to situate the matter within the broader framework of what every State owes its citizens, and what the international system expects of sovereign nations.
TheState'sCoreDuty of Protection
Thefirstandmostsacred duty of any State is protection: the safeguarding of life, liberty, and property
for each citizen under its jurisdiction This duty is codified not only in moral terms but also within constitutional and international instruments When a State fails in this protective function, whether by omission, collusion, or external submission, it compromises its own legitimacy and weakens its sovereignty The Guyana Constitution reinforces this protective principle in severalways.
Article 138 guarantees protectionoftherighttolife.
Article 139 ensures personal liberty except by dueprocessoflaw
Article149D andrelated clauses guarantee equality before the law and freedom from discrimination. Article 154A,introducedinthe2003 r e f o r m s , d i r e c t l y incorporates international human rights instruments into domestic law, including the International Covenant onCivilandPoliticalRights (ICCPR), which Guyana ratified in 1977 These provisions establish that every citizen enjoys protection not only from private harm but from any action of the State that jeopardizes liberty without fairprocess.
Domestic Law and Extradition Guyana's extradition regime operates under the Fugitive Offenders Act (1988, amended 2024) and through bilateral treaties, including the U S –U K Extradition Treaty (1931), which continues to apply to Guyana as a successor state.
That treaty and domestic statute provide for extradition only when the allegedoffencesarecriminal in both jurisdictions and where judicial oversight is guaranteed. However, under Section 13 of the Act, extradition shall be refused if it appears thattherequestis“politically motivated”orifthepersonis “sought for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing him on account of his race, religion, nationality, or political opinions " This clause directly echoes Article 3 of the European Convention on Extradition (1957) and similar provisions globally, reflecting an international consensus that extradition mustnotbeusedasatoolof (Continuedonpage6)
DearEditor,
I am usually sensitive to the plight of small operators in any industry who are simply trying to make a living, but in this instance, I aminnowaysympatheticto this particular group and theirproposedstrikeaction.
There can be no sustainable advancement of a country that faces labour shortages while two ablebodied citizens are being used to transport just fourteen people. While the minibus service provided much-needed relief to Guyana's transportation crisis of the 1980s, this sector has, over the years, become more of a societal burdenthanapublicgood.
1.PriceRelieffor Consumers Operators claim that maintenance is expensive, buttheyconvenientlyignore
t h a t l o w
u e l prices approximately 30–35% cheaper at the pump—have not translated into fa
Consumers have seen no relief.
2.DisrespectforLawsand Order
Collectively, this sector has little to no respect for traffic laws, road etiquette, or passenger safety Buses are overloaded, music is blasted at indecent levels, and reckless overtaking has becomeroutine.Theaverage commuter feels more trappedthantransported.
3.ADeclineinServiceand PublicConduct
The minibus system has descended into nearlawlessness. Bus parks are
, becoming breeding grounds forharassment,disorder,and criminality Many of these
operators treat passengers notasvaluedcustomers,but asprey
4.EconomicDishonesty
Whenever fuel prices rise, fares immediately increase. Yet when prices fall,notacentispassedback to commuters Constant
, accidents, and breakdowns arenottheresultofinjustice, butindiscipline.Ifoperators managed their businesses responsibly, they could maintain profitability even atcurrentrates.
5.SocialConsequences
This sector has normalized indiscipline, disrespect,anddisregardfor authority Itisoneofthefew spacesinGuyanawherebad behaviour goes unchecked. This has damaged public trust and degraded our collectivesenseofsafetyand order
The time has come for the Government to take decisive action and restore structure to our national transportation system Guyana once had an effective public transport service—and we can again. TheStateshouldreintroduce a modern public transport modelfeaturing:
· L a r g e r , government-managed buses operating on scheduled routes.
· Trained, certified drivers working in shifts to provide 24-hour, reliable, andaffordableservice
· Clean, safe, and organizedbusstops.
· C l e a r f a r e structures, GPS tracking, and accountability systems for passengers and drivers alike.
With our booming
DearEditor,
The Government of Guyanahastakenboldsteps tofulfillitsmandatethrough cabinetoutreachesandtown hall-style gatherings aimed at addressing citizens' concerns.
While these efforts demonstrate a commitment to public engagement, experience shows that this approachisneitherthemost effectivenorsustainable.
Mobilizingministersand their teams to be physically present across regions is a costly and time-consuming exercise. More importantly, it detracts from the policy makers' primary function of governance and strategic
decision-making Such outreachestoooftenresultin superficial engagement, with many issues left unresolved or inadequately addressed.
Worse still, these events tend to be perceived as political grandstanding rather than genuine service delivery
A more effective model would be to establish independent, statutory task forces endowed with clear mandates to receive, coordinate, and resolve citizen complaints and concerns. These task forces would operate sectorwise covering health, infrastructure, utilities, and
more functioning as permanent, professional bodies empowered to enforce timely responses directly with relevant agencies.
Such entities would employ modern complaint management systems to track issues from initial report through resolution, ensuring transparency and citizen verification at every stage.
Crucially, penalties would be imposed for noncompliance, guaranteeing accountability within the system Ministers would shift to high-level oversight roles, focusing on policy, while the task forces handle
frontline service delivery
Thisapproach,whichbuilds onexistingexampleslikethe P u b l i c U t i l i t i e s Commission,wouldresultin more efficient government operations, reduced politicization of citizen co
y improved public trust and satisfaction.
Guyana deserves a
s sustainable, efficient, and truly addresses the needs of its people—statutory task forcesofferapromisingpath f o r w a r d
Sincerely
Regards HemduttKumar
economy and vision for modernization, we must act like the developing nation we aspire to be A professional, disciplined, and publicly managed transportnetworkwouldnot only serve the people—it wouldrestoreorder,dignity, andsafetytoourroads.
It's time for the reckless cultureofprivatetransportto
give way to responsibility and reform. Guyana cannot claim progress while clinging to systems that belong to the past. Let us reward professionalism, enforcediscipline,andbuild a transport system that reflects the modern Guyana wealldeserve.
Sincerely,
Suraj“Ted”Nazir
DearEditor
I would like to share a suggestion regarding the annual Diwali Motorcade organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. This event remains one of the most beautiful celebrations of light, culture, and creativity in our country, bringing people together fromallregions.
However, I believe the Sabha should consider adopting a fairer system for judging the floats, particularly in Region 4. While it is wonderful that floats from other regions such as Essequibo and Berbice are welcomed to participate in the grand motorcade at LBI, they should not be judged alongsidethosefromRegion
4. Each region should have itsowncompetition,andthe winners could then participate in the national motorcade for display purposes only — not for judging.
This approach would help maintain fairness among participants within their respective regions while still fostering unity andnationalprideduringthe main event. It would also ensure that the hard work of localteamsisrecognizedon equal terms I hope the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha gives this suggestion due consideration as it continuesto uphold our rich culturaltraditions.
Yoursfaithfully, Name withheld by request
By Dr. Karen Cummings
Today,October10,2025, marks World Mental Health Day It is a time when the world pauses to bring awareness to this important issue,andtoremindcitizens oftherighttoaccessquality mental health care. It is also anopportunitytoensurethat
a
, including a vibrant and skilled workforce, are available to give support to i
a l s a n d communities suffering from any form of mental illness. This year's theme is captioned “Access to Services- Mental Health in C a t a s t r o p h e s a n d
According to World Health Organization (2025), 11Billionpersonslivewitha mental health condition whichistheleadingcauseof disability globally, and a significant contributor to years lived with disability andearlydeath.Itisreported thatoneineveryfivepeople
is very likely to have a mentalhealthcondition.
Recent conflicts in the Gaza Strip, with Israel and Palestine, the War with Russia and Ukraine, and Guyana's own sovereignty being threatened can instill fear in the populace. The fear of not knowing what will happen next, the rising
Mandatory training for employees in the Public Service will enhance the delivery of services to Guyanese and unlock other benefits, says Zulfikar Ally, Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation.
costofliving,theclarioncall by certain sections of the citizenry for an increase in c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r transportation service provided, migrants displacement, an increase in domestic violence, climate hazards- like heatwavesleading to trauma, anxiety, a
And the Mental Health Protection and Promotion Bill - Bill No 7 of 2022 passed in the National Assembly, the question remains-Is enough being done? Is enough being done as it relates to the treatment andcareofaprisonerwitha mental illness, and persons found wandering in our streets?
Zulfikar Ally, Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation
Appearing on 'Beyond the Title' on the National Communications Network (NCN), Minister Ally outlinesseveralchangesthat will be implemented to improve the Pubic Service for the benefit of all Guyanese who access their services. The minister noted that the government has heard the concerns raised by
Guyanese during the recent election campaign These include accessing services over lunch hours and being able to track the process of their application online for things like licenses. “Those are all very realistic expectations from people; …wehavetochangeandwe have the capacity to change it,”theministersaid. He noted that President Dr Mohamed IrfaanAli has giventhepeopleofGuyanaa commitment to bring government services up to first-world standards
“Change is never easy, but whenitrollsout,everyoneis behindit,”hestated. He noted that the changes will not leave anyone out of a job, but the improvements will be in their best interest “The change that we are bringing is one where we will make thesystemmoretransparent, wewillmakeeveryonemore efficientinwhattheydo,and we are going to up-skill everyonetoensurethatthey areintouchwiththemodern world.AI,forexample,allof (Continuedonpage12)
Frompage4 politicalpersecution.
Thus, while the Executive may receive and process an extradition request, the final determinationbelongstothe judiciary. The High Court and Court ofAppeal remain the constitutional buffers againstarbitrarysurrenderof citizens to foreign jurisdictions.
Any deviation from that process would amount to a constitutionalbreach.
Guyana's International Obligations
Although Guyana has not acceded to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees nor its 1967Protocol,itisboundby the ICCPR and the Convention Against Torture (CAT) both of which impose duties to prevent the transfer of any person to a countrywheretheymayface persecution, torture, or denialofdueprocess.
Thisduty,knownasnonrefoulement, has achieved the status of customary international law, binding even on non-signatory states.
The UN Human Rights Committee, in its 2020 and 2023 observations on Guyana, noted with concern
the absence of national asylum procedures and warned that deportations or extraditions undertaken without safeguards could violateArticles6and7ofthe ICCPR(therightstolifeand to freedom from torture or cruel,inhuman,ordegrading treatment).
T h u s , G u y a n a ' s international reputation depends not merely on cooperation with powerful states, but on upholding these universal norms Diplomats and international observers judge sovereign maturity not by compliance alone, but by balance: fidelitytolawandprotection ofcitizens'rights.
The Political and Diplomatic Context
International law recognizes that extradition can be politicized. States have at times softly facilitated the exit of individuals deemed inconvenient, often to avoid domestic controversy while signaling cooperation abroad.
p
Latin American history
ous examples from Peruvian politician Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre's asylum in the Colombianembassyin1949
to modern instances where dissidents were permitted to “leave quietly” under diplomaticarrangements.
Such actions, however, come at a reputational cost: they suggest that the State prefersexpedientdiplomacy to principled governance. In
Guyana's case, this perce
particularly damaging, as ourlegalinstitutionsarestill consolidating post-colonial independence and regional credibility
TheWayForward
Given these domestic a n d i n t e r n a t i o n a l parameters, I respectfully submitthatthegovernment's handling of the Mohamed case must adhere to the followingprinciples:
1 J u d i c i a l Independence: No extradition should proceed without exhaustive judicial review Political expedience must yield to constitutional duty
2 Transparency: The public deserves to understand the process and reasoning behind any extradition decision, as secrecybreedssuspicion.
3. Reciprocity and Fair Trial Guarantees: Guyana must demand explicit written assurances from the
requesting state concerning humane treatment, access to counsel,andfairtrial.
4 Protection from Political Retaliation: Where the accused's political or business connections create potentialconflictofinterest, an independent oversight mechanism should be established.
5. Legislative Reform: The absence of asylum and refugeelawsisaglaringgap. Parliament should enact comprehensive legislation incorporating nonrefoulement and political asylum safeguards, thereby strengthening both sovereigntyandreputation. Conclusion
The extradition of any citizen is not a simple administrativeact;itisatest of the Republic's legal and moral architecture. Guyana must show that it can cooperate internationally without compromising the protective core of citizenship.
IftheStateabandonsthat duty, citizens may seek protectionelsewhere.
But if the State upholds bothjusticeandsovereignty, it earns the respect of its peopleandtheworldalike.
Respectfully
Dr WalterHPersaud
emergence of diseases, and tothepeoplewiththeeffects of Long- Covid Symptoms, theseofwhichcanalltrigger anunwantedmentalstate.In other words, no matter how small the circumstance or currentevent,theeffectscan all take a toll on everyone's mental well-being and emotional stress levels, across life cycles, and with variedexperiences.
Today on this World Mental Health Day, efforts must be made to have vulnerable people realize the importance of sitting and talking and seeking help Church groups, Community groups, Social Workers Associations must be vigilant and proactive to identify relevant cases in a timely manner to address mental health concerns and ensure families build resilience and recover from crises. With several health professionals trained in Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP), the Ministry of Health possessing a National MentalHealthActionPlan,
The Mental Health and PromotionBill-BillNo7of 2022 has imposed an obligation on the Minister of Health for prompt interventions to be taken and guarantee that the relevantpolicies,measures, and programs relating to mental health are implemented The clarion call goes out on World Mental Health Day 2025, for us all to respect the dignity, autonomy, and privacy of our citizens with mentalillness.
L e t u s l a b o u r collectively to ensure that there is the integration of mental health services in our Primary Health Care Settings across the ten developmental regionswith intersectoral cooperation, collaboration, communication, and continuity to avoid any potential catastrophe and emergency in this land of ours with a growing economy I salute you on WorldMentalHealthDay
DearEditor, Gold reserves are physical gold held by national central banks to act as a financial safety net, supportingnationalcurrency valueandprovidingabuffer againsteconomicinstability (Google.com) Now, with all the news gold is making and with the historical record-breaking performanceofbreakingthe US$4000barrierforthefirst timeinhistory,itleavesalot towonder,andyes,alsotobe excitedabout.
However, I would like for us to think of the long termandwhathappenswhen thesepricesfall,orwhenwe in'hardtimes',etc.
So, growing up I have seen many movies, read about and listened to the news about America and its gold reserve. I also learnt in school that gold is one of Guyana'smainresourcesand earner of foreign currency, andisofhighquality.
Asaconcernedcitizen,I would really appreciate if someone with the relevant authority would respond to thisquestion,sinceIamsure that I may not be the only personwithsuchaquestion. So here is my question; 'Whydoesn'tGuyanahavea goldreservewithallthegold weproduce?'
Withregards, SethSampson
HOUSTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Chevron (CVX.N) CEO Mike Wirth
told employees on Wednesday that he believes
t h e c o m p a n y w i l l outperform publicly stated financial targets given to investors following the acquisition of smaller oil producerHess,whoseprized assetincludesa30%stakein Guyana's Stabroek Blockone of the world's most prolific offshore oil discoveries.
The No. 2 U.S. oil producer closed its $55 billion purchase of Hess in July after triumphing in a lengthy arbitration battle against larger rival Exxon Mobil(XOM.N),opensnew tab. Upon closing the deal, Chevron said it expected $1 billion in synergies and raised its free cash flow guidance for 2026 to $12.5 billionfrom$10billion.
"In our last number of acquisitionsthatwe'vedone, once we've closed the deal, we actually find more value,"Wirth said during an
boost to its oil and gas reserves and future growth prospects.Chevronwillhost an investor day on November 12 to formally provideupdatedguidanceto shareholders.
Wirth said the company was continuing to examine possible projects to power largedatacentersintheU.S. when asked by Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Chief Executive Officer of Chevron, Mike Wirth
internal town hall meeting, audioofwhichwasheardby Reuters. "I fully expect the (Hess) deal will meet and exceed what we've committedexternally."
Hess'crownjewelwasits 30% stake in the prolific Stabroek Block in Guyana, an oilfield that Exxon operates and is estimated to hold at least 11 billion barrels of oil. Completing the acquisition gave Chevron a much-needed
Laura Lane about conversations he held with Big Tech executives like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Meta (META.O) CEO Mark Zuckerberg. "They need a lot of power," he responded."Thescaleofitis almosthardtodescribe."The
cial intelligence has driven electricity demand to new heights, and Chevron is looking at projects that would not be connected to the existing power grid that Wirth said is fragile and unabletohandletherequired powerloads.
The meeting with employees took place days
afteralargefirebrokeoutat Chevron's 285,000 barrelper-dayElSegundorefinery insouthernCalifornia.There werenoinjuriesinthefire. Orsted expanded rapidly overthepastdecade,buthas recently faced higher costs fromsupplychaindisruption andinflation.
Internal data shows that staff is not consistent in completingsafetychecklists
before beginning work, Wirth told employees, adding that fatalities this year have been mostly among the company's contractor workforce and that Chevron needed to ensure they were properly trained.
"What we need is more consistent and disciplined exec
processes,"hesaid.
Asked about the town h a l l , a C h e v r o n spokesperson said “our talented workforce is an essentialpartoftheongoing successofourcompany,and weengageregularlytoalign on strategic priorities and our shared purpose to safely provide affordable, reliable, ever cleaner energy that enableshumanprogress.”
-
A new report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has sounded the alarm that Caribbean nations, including Guyana, are dangerously lagging in science, technology, and
(STI) spending less than one percent of GDPon research and development compared to global leaders like the United States (3.6%) and China(2.6%).
ECLAC's latest analysis points to what it calls a “critical gap” between the region's ambitions for economic transformation and the weak investment, coordination, and policy design supporting STI. The reportstressesthatwithouta stronger innovation ecosystem, Latin America andtheCaribbeanriskbeing left behind in the global greenanddigitalrevolutions now driving economic competitiveness.
For countries like Guyan
h is experiencing one of the world's fastest-growing economies due to its oil boom, ECLAC warns that l
ng-t
prosperity depends on investing beyondextractivesectors— particularly in research, clean energy technology, a g r i c u l t u r e , a n d manufacturing innovation
“The impact of STI policies depends not only on greater resources, but also on the design, operation, and coherence of the strategies, institutions,andinstruments involved,”thereportsaid.
Currently, regional STI spending averages just 0.56% of GDP, a figure
ECLAC describes as “alarmingly low” given the scaleoftheenergytransition and the global shift toward digital economies The CommissionsaysCaribbean governments must increase financing,modernizepolicy frameworks, and build
strongeruniversity–industry partnerships to bridge the innovation divide. It also calls for stronger technical andpoliticalcapacitywithin nationalSTIagencies,more consistent evaluation and accountability, and a regional framework for cross-border collaboration on science and technology initiatives.
Clusters,Cooperation ECLAC highlights cluster initiat
businesses,universities,and governments as a powerful mechanism to stimulate productivityandinnovation. The report identifies 712 activeclusterandproductive articulation initiatives across 20 countries in the region,mostconcentratedin agriculture, manufacturing, tourism,andICT However, ECLAC notes that such initiatives “do not occur spontaneously” and require deliberatepolicydesignand long-term investment It urges Caribbean nations to anchor cluster projects in national development strategies and to maintain policy continuity beyond politicalcycles.
$2.8TrillionNeeded
In one of its starkest warnings,ECLACestimates that Latin America and the C
cumulative investments by 2030 to meet climate goals while sustaining economic growth.Thereportdescribes this as both a challenge and an opportunity, one that could position the region as a global powerhouse in decarbonizationand (Continuedonpage12)
InGuyana,nothingis ever just an issue. It is always a weapon. Whetherthematterconcerns oil, elections, or gold, both sides of the political divide sharpen their talking points likeknivesandturnoneach other
And so, it is with the latest revelations about alleged gold smuggling, a controversy that, according to the Americans, stretches from 2017 to 2024. This period conveniently spans the governments of both APNU+AFCandthePPP/C.
Predictably, both sides arescramblingtowashtheir hands clean. The opposition insists that the alleged infractions occurred mostly under the PPP/C’s tenure, whilethegovernmentpoints out that the Americans’ timeline begins squarely underAPNU+AFC’s watch. Eachsideisanxioustoshow the other as corrupt,
complicit, or asleep at the wheel. But neither seems interested in asking the one question that should trouble usall:inwhoseinterestsare theAmericansreallyacting?
Why, for instance, is Washington suddenly so keen on gold smuggling fromGuyanawhenforyears that same gold entered the United States legally and without so much as a raised eyebrow?
If the Americans were truly intent on averting gold smuggling out of Guyana, where were their alarms all along? Why did they not share intelligence with successive governments — both the coalition and the current administration—so that the alleged smuggling could be stopped at its source?
No, the sudden moral outrage seems oddly timed. It just so happens that Guyana’s gold exports have
shifted.TheUnitedStatesis nolongerthetopdestination. The United Arab Emirates, nowtheworld’slargestgold buyer, has eclipsed them. And suddenly, the Americans have found religion on the issue of gold smuggling. It is hard not to notice the pattern. When Guyana’s gold flowed to American refineries and vaults, Washington didn’t complain.
They knew what was happening For years, individuals hand-carried gold to the United States when only the government hadlegalauthoritytoexport it. TheAmericans knew but they did not stop it. They didn’t seize the shipments, didn’t detain the couriers, didn’traisearedflag.Itwas businessasusual.
Only when the PPP/C government liberalizedgold exports, allowing private persons to export gold, and
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optimismaboutpayingcorporatetaxestothe government, contingent on gold prices remaining high. G2 Goldfields Inc. – Oko Project
InAugust,G2Goldfieldsannouncedthat the Ministry of Natural Resources and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission approved the issuance of two large-scale ProspectingLicences(PL).
G2 PL’s includes the company’s highgrade Oko-Ghanie Gold Deposit. The PL encompasstheOkoandGhanieDeposits,1.5 million ounces indicated and 1.6 million ounces inferred, with a combined area of approximately 17,451 acres and replace 11 separate medium-scale mining permits previously held in the name of Guyanese entrepreneursthroughoptionagreements.
Notably, the PL have a three-year term withtworenewalrightsforoneyeareachand provides for the right of occupation and
exclusive right to explore for gold and preciousminerals.G2notedthatoverthelast two years, comprehensive environmental baseline studies have been conducted via third party consultants. The company noted that these studies were designed to recommend actions for effective project design,regulatorycomplianceandtosupport the preparation of an Environmental Social ImpactAssessment(ESIA).
Effective March 1, 2025, G2 disclosed that there was a 60% increase in indicated gold resources, bringing its estimated recoverablegoldto1.5millionounces,anda 49% increase in inferred resources to 1.6 million ounces. Located within an 83,967acre property, the Oko Project consists of threemainmineralisedzones:thehigh-grade Oko Main Zone (OMZ) in the north, the bulk-tonnageGhanieZoneinthesouth,and the more recently identified Oko Northwest Zone.
Did you know that we have more animals
being killed on our roadways than humans?
Thisallcameaboutbecause there was time when cattle had more rights on de road thanmotorists.
Burnham used to tell yuh dat de animals must be allowed to cross the carriageways and that motorists must give way to them.
But the one thing he failed to control was the stray animal population.
Today, the population of stray dogs and cats
increasing faster than the human population Dese dayswhenyuhdriving,yuh doesgattobeonthelookout fuh three things: speeding m o t o r i s t s , d r u n k pedestrians and stray animals.
De colonial authorities had a solution to this problem.Demhadasquad–a mysterious animalcatchingsquad. These unsung heroes would cruise around the neighbourhood, rounding upstraysfasterthanyoucan say,“Wholetthedogsout?” What they did with these captured creatures remains
the market shifted eastward to the UAE did the United States suddenly rediscover itsscruples.Theconcern,we are told, is about royalties not being paid in Guyana. ButsincewhenhastheU.S. Treasury cared about Guyana’s lost revenue? The Americans’ concern seems toariseonlywhentheirown economic dominance is threatened – when the gold, instead of enriching their refiners and bankers, begins toenrichsomeoneelse’s.
Wehaveseenthismovie before. Years ago, under a p r e v i o u s P P P / C government, the United States raised alarms about gold smuggling not because they were worried about Guyana’s loss, but because they had issues with the company handling the proceeds of gold sales entering their financial system. Their interest then, as now, was about who controlled the flow of money,notwhetherGuyana wasbeingshortchanged.
Fast forward to today, and a letter in yesterday’s Stabroek News epitomizes the foolishness that now grips our national debate. It triumphantly cites the seizureofagoldshipmentin theUnitedStateslastJuneas proof of wrongdoing under thePPP/C’swatch.Butthere is no evidence that this shipment was smuggled out
of Guyana. The U.S. seized it because it was linked to a person sanctioned under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regime
The gold wasn’t seized for being “smuggled” It was seized because, under American law, the assets of sanctioned persons are frozen. In other words, the Americans were protecting their sanctions policy, not Guyana’s integrity Their
concern was about compliance with their regulations, not the sanctity of our export laws.Yet both our major parties are too busy scoring points against each other to notice that while they fight over whose administration was more culpable, theAmericans are quietly pursuing their own interests.Astheyalwaysdo.
Instead of blaming each other, both sides should accept that lapses may have occurred under both administrations and take decisive action to prevent futureabuse.
Reinstating government control over gold exports may be one way to bring ordertothesector.Buteven that will mean little if we continue to allow ourselves tobepawnsinageopolitical contest that has little to do withourwelfare.
T h e t r u t h i s uncomfortablebutclear:the UnitedStatesisnotwaginga
crusade to protect Guyana’s revenues. They are safeguarding their financial interests, ensuring that global gold flows and the powerthatcomeswiththem remainwithintheirorbit.
The timing of their concerntellsthewholestory Whenthegoldcametothem, they were silent. When the gold began to go elsewhere, theyspoke.
It is a curious form of morality that depends on direction And so, while Guyanese politicians bicker across the aisle, each accusing the other of treachery, the Americans quietly sit back, holding the goldandwritingtherules. It is the oldest lesson in international politics: when two small parties fight among themselves, the strongerpoweralwayswins. Until we learn that lesson, we will continue to dig our gold,exportourwealth,and argue over scraps - while otherscounttheprofits.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
a mystery – perhaps they sent them out for adoption. Or perhaps they did the cruelalternative.
Fast forward to today, and we find ourselves yearning for the return of the colonial squad, armed withnetsandleashes,ready to restore order to our chaoticroads.
De problem however is notjusttheroads.Thereare far too many stray animals roaming the streets and far too little attention being paid to rescuing their animalsandputtingthemup foradoption.
TalkHalf!LeffHalf!
E x p l o r a t i o n i n
Suriname's Block-5 will begin this month, the country's state-owned oil
company Staatsolie announcedonWednesday.
According to a release from the company, Chevron Suriname Exploration Limitedisexpectedtobegin drilling the Korikori-1 well, w h i c h i s l o c a t e d approximately 78 km offshore,inthenorth-central part of Block 5 at a water depthofaroundfortymeters.
“Block 5 is operated by Chevron (40%) in partnership with Paradise Oil Company (POC) (40%) and Qatar Energy (20%).
Suriname's National Environmental Authority (NMA) granted Chevron a permit for the drilling operationsattheendofJuly 2025 The well will be drilled by the Noble Regina Allen rig which is expected to arrive in the first half of October,”thestatementsaid.
Drilling operations will take place over a 90-day period,andtheintentionisto confirm the presence of hydrocarbons within the
subsurface.Whenthewellis successfully terminated and data acquired, there can be initial indications and estimations made on the quantity and quality of any hydrocarbonspresent.
Supplies to the rig with the inclusion of fuel and consumables will be done from Surinamese port facilities at the shore base. This will contribute to increasing the opportunities for local entrepreneurs and suppliers of goods and services to participate in Suriname's offshore oil and gas industry from a local contentaspect.
“Block5islocatedinthe western part of Suriname's shallow offshore area and forms part of the SurinameGuyana Basin. The block covers an area of approximately 2,200 km² and lies 45 to 82 kilometers offshore, north of the Nickerie district Water depths range between thirty andsixtymeters,”Staatsolie added In October 2021, Kaieteur News reported that Staatsolie announced on October 13, 2021, that it is
The locations of Suriname's oil blocks, including Block 5
poised to sign a Production SharingContract(PSC)with Chevron for the rights to explore, develop and produce in the shallow waters offshore the Dutchspeaking country By utilising a bidding round as opposed to a one-on-one negotiationandawardofthe block,Surinamewasableto garnerseveralbenefitsforits offshore concession, which hasnodiscoveries.
One of the major achievements is that it was abletosecureUS$30.8Mfor ablockthatspans2,235km2. Also of significance is the
fact that Staatsolie, for the first time in its history, will participate as a partner in offshore activities since it retained a 40 percent participation right from the moment the PSC is signed.
The cooperation was confirmed by the signing of the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) in which the conditions are specified. The agreements enable Staatsolie to have more influence in the decisionmaking process and mean that Staatsolie will cofinance as a partner in the possible development and
productionphase.
K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that Chevron showedinterestinBlock5at the Suriname Shallow
Offshore Bid Round 2020/2021.Inthistendering round, interested companies
bid for blocks in the socalled shallow offshore, the seaareaupto120kilometres from the coast and with a water depth of up to 100 metres. Chevron made the most favourable offer for Block5.
Dead, Sudesh Singh Remanded Balram Bessessar
A 49-year-old labourer from the West Coast of
Demerara, Balram Bessessar, called “Navin,” hasbeenremandedtoprison for the brutal murder of his 15-year-old stepson, SudeshSingh.
B e s s e s s a r , o f Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was arrested on October 3, 2025, after allegedlychoppingtodeath Singh, also known as “Joel,”attheirfamilyhome in Stewartville. He was subsequently charged with murder.
sta
According to a police
y, B
r appeared before Magistrate SinghattheVreed-en-Hoop Magistrates' Court, where the indictable charge was read to him. He was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to prison. The case was adjourned to October 10, 2025, for furtherproceedings.
Police investigations revealed that the fatal confrontation stemmed
from a dispute over a bicycle Reports indicate that the teen had borrowed his stepfather's bicycle, during which the chain reportedly slipped off When confronted, an argument ensued between thetwo.
During the altercation, the suspect allegedly ran into the kitchen, armed himself with a cutlass, and returned to attack Singh, choppinghimthreetimesin theneck.Aftertheincident, Bessessar reportedly walked out of the yard and turned himself in at the Leonora Police Station, wherehewasarrested.
Police said that upon arriving at the scene, they found the teen lying motionlessunderthehouse, face-up and bleeding from multiple neck wounds. A cutlasswasdiscoverednear his body Singh's remains were taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital for examination before being transported to the Ezekiel FuneralParlour
The Cheddi Jagan Airport (CJIA) has launched a full-scale investigation into allegations of bribery and extortion involving overweightbaggagefeesfor
Caribbean Airlines passengers, assuring the public that the matter is being treated with “the utmostseriousness.”
In a strongly worded statement, the airport management confirmed that it is working closely with Caribbean Airlines and law enforcement authorities to probe the claims made by a passenger who alleged that airport personnel solicited payments outside official channels. CJIA reminded travellers that all official fees, including overweight baggage charges, must be paid directly to the airline and accompanied by an
official receipt “No payment should ever be made to any individual officerorstaffmember,”the releasestated.
Passengers are being urged to immediately report anysuspectedactsofbribery or corruption to the nearest
police station, CJIA Security, or via: Email: cjiac@cjairport-gy com, Phone:+592699-9074.
Meanwhile, the airport highlighted the ongoing effectiveness of its Security
Unit, which between JanuaryandSeptember2025 successfully recovered and returneddozensoflostitems to passengers, including: 80 laptops; 32 mobile phones; 106 pieces of luggage; 15 travel documents; 30 electronicdevicesandcash.
CJIA's Public Relations
Officer, Ms Shunza Samuels, reaffirmed the airport's zero-tolerance stanceoncorruption,stating that integrity and accountability remain at the coreofitsoperations.
“ThesuccessofthisUnit is a direct reflection of the professionalism and integrity we uphold,” she said. “As we reaffirm our zero-tolerance stance on
Immigration Officers at the CJIAare now mandated to wear body cameras
corruption, we remain focused on transparency, accountability, and service excellenceineveryaspectof ourwork.”Theprobecomes amid growing public concernoverirregularitiesin baggage handling and passenger treatment at regional airports, with CJIA promisingswiftanddecisive actiononcetheinvestigation concludes.
The CJIA statement comes two weeks after the Guyana Police Force confirmed that several of its ranks stationed at the CJIA wereunderinvestigationfor allegedextortion.According to reports, the officers were caught demanding money from a passenger in order to release her lawful items. In thestatementpolicesaidthat CCTV footage and other evidence have corroborated the allegation. “The officers involved have been placed under close arrest while the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) carries out a full investigation,”policesaid. The statement further emphasisedtheforce'szerotolerance stance on corruption. “To strengthen accountability and t r a n s p a r e n c y, t h e Government of Guyana has ordered that from today, all law enforcement officers operating at ports of entry, whether at airports or other border points, will be
required to wear body cameras.”
The police stressed that any officer found guilty of extortionorbriberywillface the full force of the law “Thepublicisremindedthat no payment of any kind is required to clear lawful items through CJIA or any otherport.Ifanyoneisasked for money, report it immediately to the nearest police authority,” police
stated.
As a follow up on the matter Commissioner of P o l i c e a n d C h i e f Immigration Officer Mr Clifton Hicken, along with Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO), Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford visited the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where they met and interacted with immigration ranks In a subsequent
release the police said that the visit was in the wake of allegations that Police ranks at CJIA demanded money from a passenger in order to releaseherlawfulitems.The Government of Guyana has since instructed that all law enforcement officers operating at any port of entry, whether at airports or other border points, will be required to wear body cameras as a measure to
enhance accountability and transparency
Thepoliceforcealsosaid it is deeply concerned about thegrowingnumberofcases where persons attempt to “buytheirwayout”oflawful procedures by slipping officers money or so-called “tokens of appreciation ” “Offering a bribe is a criminal offence. Both the giver and the receiver are guilty under the law,” the GPFstressed,remindingthe public that bribery erodes j u s t i c e , w e a k e n s accountability, and destroys trust in law enforcement.
The Force reaffirmed its “zero tolerance” stance on corruption, noting that internal mechanisms are in placetodetectanddealwith rogue cops.Any rank found accepting bribes will be prosecuted, while civilians who offer inducements will also be hauled before the courts.
The statement urged citizenstoreportincidentsof b r i b e r y v i a t h e Commissioner's Secretariat hotlines.
Local and international law enforcement authorities arepayingcloserattentionto the group responsible for making a death threat against Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) Director,JamesSingh.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the official launchofGuyana'sNational Early Warning System (EWS) at the Ministry of Health, Singh said that investigators are in possession of information that provides clarity on who issuedthethreats.
“In this field there is always a threat and this one is more pronounced.We are working with our counterparts both locally and internationally the threatisstilltherebutIthink wearemoreawareofwhatis going on and those organizationsthatarebehind it have been getting a lot more attention within Guyana and externally,” the CANUDirectorstated.
Singh said that based on intel, CANU can safely say that most of the drugs coming to Guyana are from our neighboring country Venezuela.
“Venezuela is a narco
state and I would say that theyhaveavestedinterestin intimidating us, as they normally do to allow the drugstoflowfreelybecause obviously,theyarenotdoing enough to allow the flow of drugs whether by sea or by air.”
Last August, it was announced that CANU had heightened security after receiving information of a death threat against its director
Singhhadconfirmedthe death threat stating that, “A threatagainstthedirectiveis a threat against the entire organization so we have heightenedoursecurity…”
Atthattime,hedisclosed that CANU heard about the threatbutinvestigatorswere unable to say where the criminalnetworkwasbased.
“We just know it's a Spanish network,” Singh told Kaieteur News while revealing that the threat is linked to several drug seizuresCANUmade.
“Itisasaresultofseveral seizureswehavehad,which foreign nationals have been arrested and [placed] before the court. So, coming out of that we heard some information…wehavebeen
following up on it,” the CANU Head had told KaieteurNews.
Singh assured that he won'tallowthethreattostop him from performing his duties.
“Thenatureofthethreat is something we deal with every day in this kind of business,” he said while adding, “We can't let traffickers dissuade us by suchthreats.”
Notwithstanding, Singh told Kaieteur News that the death threat “will not be takenforgranted.”
“Ialreadyspokewithmy officers they are aware of whatisgoingonandwehave warnedthemtobevigilantin everything that they are doing,”hedisclosed.
We Invest in Nationhood ( W I N ) candidate, Mark Goring, says he is confident that he will have the backing of councillors outside of his party to secure the position of Regional Chairman for Region 10, when elections areheldtodayinLinden.
Speaking to this publication on Thursday afternoon, Goring acknowledged that WIN does not have an outright majority in the region to secure both the Chairman and Vice Chairman positions.
However,hestated,“We don'thaveabsolutemajority, but I believe I have the supportofothercouncillors, outside of WIN ” When pressed further, Goring declined to disclose the names of the councillors from outside his party, who he believes will help him secure the Regional Chairmanpost.
The elections, which were initially scheduled for Wednesday, were postponed to Friday at 1 p.m. at the Watooka Guest House Goring,aformermemberof
the Alliance For Change (AFC), previously served as theRegionalViceChairman ofRegion10.
Region 10 (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice) has traditionally been a stronghold of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) However, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was dethronedintheregionatthe 2025RegionalElections,by newcomer WIN, led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed.
This publication had reported that of the 38,460
Frompage6
thenewtechnologiesthatare theretomakeourworkalot easier, are implemented,” theministerstated.
We will see a fully integrated public service, allowing employees to access their records through an online portal He mentioned that all public servants should have access totrainingandsaidthatthere should be a system to track participation, so no one is leftbehind.
The minister said the goal is to remove personal bias from promotions and training opportunities by replacing managerial discretionwithatransparent, merit-based system where work advancement depends on objective criteria such as work record, training, and punctuality rather than personal preference or favouritism.
Minister Ally said that the implementation arm of
electors on the Official List of Electors (OLE) for Region 10, 21,195 voted. WIN received 10,458 votes, followed by APNU with 5,334, People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) with 4,260, Forward Movement Guyana (FGM) with 662, Alliance for Change (AFC) with 210, and Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) with 85. Notably, of the ballots cast, 186 were rejected, eight destroyed, and91spoiled.
Goring had previously attributed his party's victory intheregiontothehardwork and determination of his team. “We were able to win this election because of one, thelovethatthepeoplehave forMr AzruddinMohamed, it was truly remarkable, but the work had to be put in to really bring out the people andgalvanisethem,because thesameloveisbeingshown to him throughout the country, but in Region 10, it takes a special team of volunteers and strong leadership from myself to really bring it home,” he previouslyexplained.
the ministry will supervise majorprojectstoensurethat people are doing the work for which they are employed.
“We can't start projects and just allow them to go with the normal speed of things; you have to ensure that people are doing their work, engineers are doing their work, supervisory consultants are doing their work and working in the interestofthegovernmentof Guyana,” Minister Ally stated.
Hesaidthegovernment's approach is to shift Guyana to a digital age. “Whereby every young boy, every young girl, every citizen, at the comfort of their home can enjoy government services,eitherthroughtheir phones or their iPad or their computer,andtheymustnot feel that government services are burdensome,” the minister stated on the NCNshow (DPI)
Frompage8
resilience For Guyana, alreadypositioningitselfasa future green energy hub, ECLAC recommends embedding productive
development policies (PDPs) into its climate commitments and ensuring that national investment priorities reflect this dual focus on sustainability and
innovation “Green and i
cies represent a major opportunityfortheregionto establish itself as a global power in decarbonization and resilience,” ECLAC said, while urging urgent actiontostrengthennational capabilities for managing thistransition.
A fifth Floating
Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) is expected to arrive in the second half of 2026 to support the Uaru project, ExxonMobil's fifth deepwater development in theStabroekBlock.
The announcement was made last week by Vice President and Production Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), HuzefaAliataneventhosted bytheGeorgetownChamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
During his address, Ali provided an update on ongoing projects and planned developments for thelucrativeoilblock.
With the company's fourth project, Yellowtail, already on stream, all attention has been turned to the next in line, Uaru. The project will be operated by theErreaWittuFPSO,being constructed by Japanese shipbuilder,MODEC.
TheVPsaid,“Toremind you all in terms of what's ahead of us, that Uaru Project, which is project number five, is well on its way with a projected arrival into country in the second halfofnextyear.”
ExxonMobil received governmentapprovalforthe US$12.7B project in April, 2023.
The Errea Wittu FPSO was designed to process approximately 250,000 barrelsofoilperday(bpd),it also has the capacity for gas
treatment(540millioncubic feetperday),waterinjection (350,000 barrels per day), andhandlingproducedwater (300,000 barrels per day). It w i l l b e d e p l o y e d appr
kilometersoffshoreGuyana, at a water depth of 1690
meters and it will be able to store around 2 million barrelsofcrudeoil.
Errea Wittu means 'abundance' in the Warrau language. Construction of the vessel officially commenced in November 2023, with the first steel
cutting ceremony for the vessel's topside modules in Singapore, followed by a similarmilestoneinChina.
Ali expressed gratitude totheGoGforitssupportas he pointed to the recent approval of the company's s e v e n t h p r o j e c t , Hammerhead “We are thankful the support of the government and for the country of Guyana We recently completed or received approvals for the Hammerheadenvironmental permit and production license and with those milestones earlier this month, we're well on our wayalsotoprogressthatfor startup in 2029,” the ProductionManagernoted.
Todate,ExxonMobilhas made 46 discoveries in the 6.6 million acres block, as pointed out by Finance Minister,Dr AshniSinghin h i s 2 0 2 5 B u d g e t presentation. In 2024, some five new discoveries were announced by the oil company
By 2030, Exxon expects to have total production capacity of 1.7 million oil equivalent barrels per day fromeightdevelopments.
In the meantime, ExxonMobil is also making preparations for its sixth development, Whiptail, which is already sanctioned by the government of Guyana (GoG). According to the Production Manager, that project is on target for startup which is anticipated in2027.
The spring water
c a t c h m e n t system currently being set up in Micobie Village,RegionEightis80% completed, Chief Executive Officer(CEO)oftheGuyana Water Inc. (GWI), Shaik Bakshsaid.
“Works still in progress, its 80% completed roughly and in one week's time it should be completed,” Baksh told Kaieteur News onThursday
Headded,“Wehadtoget some stones to put at the bottomofthespringandthat caused the delay.” He noted thatassoonasthestonesare providedthewatercompany would be able to finish the job and have the water supply restored to the village.
Whileworksareongoing on the spring water catchment system, the GWI
CEOsaidthatthereisasmall spring in the area that residentsusetoaccesswater
A few weeks ago, KaieteurNewsreportedthat the nursery and primary schools in Micobie Village were closed due to the lack of water in the village Toshao Julie Singh at that time detailed that the entire village was without water, but noted that GWI is addressingtheproblem.
The water situation at MicobieVillagewasbrought to the fore by leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed on Monday via his Team Mohameds Facebookpage.
Notwithstanding the challenges, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) intervened and had sent in barrelsofwaterforstaffand children to use. It was at the
same time that GWI announced that it was establishing a spring water catchment system in the community
“We wish to clarify the facts of the situation and update the public on the interventions currently underway to ensure a sustainable solution for the community,” the agency noted.
GWI explained that Micobie is currently served by an existing well situated
inthevillage. “This well has been supplying water on a continuous basis to the residents but is high in iron and may appear discoloured attimesduetothevolume.It is important to note that residents including the schools in the area were not
GWIstated.
The agency noted that the construction of this spring catchment is being donethroughacollaboration among GWI and theVillage C
operational, the spring
complement the availability of potable water to the
challengesposedbythewell water quality, GWI has already commenced the establishment of a spring water catchment system,”
Micobie Primary and Nursery Schools as well as householdsinthearea.
“ G W I r e m a i n s committed to ensuring that all Guyanese, including our hinterland communities, haveaccesstosafewater We understand the critical importance of water to schools, not only for sanitation but also for programmes such as school feeding,”theagencynoted.
Two armed motorcycle bandits escaped with $300,000 in cash, two bottles of 12-year-old rum andthreecartonsofDunhill cigarettes after robbing the L-Mart Supermarket at Red Road, Providence, East BankDemerara(EBD). The robbery took place
around 15:00 hrs on Wednesday Investigators reported that the owner of the s u p e r m a r k e t , Q i u Yousheng, was conducting business when the bandits arrived on a red and black motorcycle bearing registration number CL
3925.
Thepillionriderentered thesupermarketandpointed a handgun to Yousheng before going behind the counter and stealing the cashandotheritems.
Theduothenmadegood their escape in a western direction.
LONDON, Oct 8
(Reuters) - Britain's King Charles has said he was considered "rather dotty" for voicing concern about damagetotheenvironmentin the past An upcoming documentary film aims to chartthespreadofviewsonce seen as eccentric, and bring themtonewaudiences.
The 76-year-old monarch first spoke of the dangers of "indestructible plastic containers" and the pollution from "endless cars and aeroplanes" in the early 1970s, well before protecting the planet became a m a i n s t r e a m topic "Remarkably few people around the world know the full depth of The King'slifelongbattletobring nature and humanity into harmony," the film's director Nicolas Brown said in a statement.
"Finding Harmony: A King's Vision" will explore the history of Charles' belief that nature is at the core of human wellbeing and emphasise the urgent need to protectit.Thefilmisduetobe released early next year, a counterweight to scepticism about environmental issues voiced by U S President DonaldTrump.
The film will feature Charles' projects at his Highgrove residence and Dumfries House - part of his charity, The King's Foundation - and further afield in India and Guyana. "Nature is our sustainer - we are a part of Nature Therefore,whatwedotoher, we do to ourselves," Charles saidinthestatementfromthe charity His environmental campaigning has already inspiredbothhissons.Heirto the throne PrinceWilliam set up the Earthshot charity, which offers multi-million pound prizes to help fund environmental technologies,
( J A M A I C A OBSERVER) Three songs from three iconic Jamaican artistes across different generations have been named among Rolling Stone's250greatestsongsof the21stcentury
while his younger son Prince H a r r y c h a m p i o n s conservation and wildlife causes. The film will be available on Amazon's (AMZN O) Prime Video, marking the latest move by the royal family to embrace global media platforms
Earlier in October, William appeared on an Apple TV show, while Harry, who is no longer a working royal, has a contractwithNetflix.
Koffee, Gyptian and Sean Paul all made the shortlist with tracks the iconic music magazine considers monumental beats intime.
Koffee'sinfectious2019 hitsingle, Toast,wasthefirst local track featured on the list. Coming in at number 203, Toast was described by Rolling Stone as an “invigoratingbanger”witha “righteous refrain and an invincible hook”. Produced by IzyBeats, the single took the local and international airwaves by storm and was (Continuedonpage22)
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni K. Singh, has welcomed the United Kingdom Export Finance's (UKEF)decisiontoincrease its financing capacity for Guyana from £2.1 billion to £3billion.
The minister hailed the significant increase as a powerful signal of the UK's strong and growing confidence in Guyana's robusteconomictrajectory
In a press release, Dr
Singh said the enhanced support from UKEF is expectedtoassistinramping up development in priority sectors identified by the GovernmentofGuyanaover the next five years
Furthermore, Guyana's private sector is also expected to benefit from additional financing to expand their operations and form strategic partnership withBritishcompanies.
The Minister has expressed gratitude on behalfoftheGovernmentof
Guyana, to the UK Government for their support over the years, whichhasbeeninstrumental in fostering collaboration between the two nations, as Guyana continues to accelerate its development and solidify its position as a leading investment hub in theRegion.
The United Kingdom on Wednesday announced that it had increased its export credit ceiling for Guyana from £2 1 billion to £3 billion, signalling growing confidence in the country's economic expansion and fiscal stability The
announcement was made by the UK Export Finance (UKEF) the UK government's official export credit agency during a meeting with President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, attended by a UKEF delegationandHisMajesty's D e p u t y T r a d e Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, JonathanKnott.
A c c o r d i n g t o a statement, the higher financing capacity “reflects the UK's confidence in Guyana's econom
c trajectory and fiscal sustainability, and marks a
bilateral relations between the two nations.” President Ali,inoutlininghispriorities for UKEF support, said the announcement comes at a “pivotalmoment”asGuyana ramps up infrastructure d e v e l o p
t a n d strengthens its position as a m a j o r i n v
destination.
“The British High Commission looks forward to supporting sustainable growth and shared prosperity through this collaboration between the UK and Guyana,” the statementconcluded.
The Ministry of Education on Tuesday honoured 62 schools for achieving Compliance Excellence under its School
L e a d e r s h i p a n d Management (Part One) standards,amajormilestone in the drive to strengthen
accounta
y and governance in the nation's educationsystem.
Hosted by the National EducationInspectorateUnit,
the inaugural Compliance Award Ceremony was held at the National Centre for Educ
Development (NCERD) auditorium, recognising schoolsfromRegionsThree, Fou
Georgetownformeetingkey criteria in leadership, m
institutional efficiency during the 2024–2025 academicyear
According to a Ministry of Education press release,
inspectors visited 328
compliant, with 63 schools
standards The Ministry announced that a separate awardceremonywillbeheld inthatregiontohonourtheir outstandingperformance.
Heads of some of the schools that were recognised
Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), M
commended the awardees
management Assistant Chief Education Officer (Inspectorate), Ms Renita Barnes, applauded the educatorsandadministrators whoembracedtheMinistry's
vision of stronger systems and better outcomes. “This initiative reflects our shared mission of ensuring every school is well-managed, well-led, and focused on results,” Ms Barnes said “We are not only measuring compliance;wearefostering growth and accountability acrossthesector.” NCERD Director, Ms (Continuedonpage22)
Minister Winston Jordan has hit back at criticisms over his recent statements on the rice sector, insisting that small farmers should not exit the industry but
unfavourableglobalmarket conditions.
In a detailed letter responding to Agriculture M
Mustapha, who had called his comments “reckless,” Jordan clarified that his
misunderstood.Hesaidthat whileworldricemarketsare currently oversupplied, asking farmers to increase output under such conditions would force the government constantly to
emphasised that Guyana's rice farmers have already benefited from extensive government support, including free fertilizer, duty-free machinery, cash
transfers, insurance subsidies, reduced drainage and irrigation rates, ferry toll waivers, and compensation for paddy spoilage.
Further escalating price subsidies,heargued,would strain the national treasury amid a rising cost of living. Highlighting lessons from countries like Brazil, Australia, and Thailand, Jordan noted that only farmers with storage capacity or access to valueadded production rice flour, rice cakes, and packaged goods could expand without suffering losses. Others, he advised, should focus on scaling back temporarily and diversifyingintoothercrops or productive ventures
Jordan questioned the government'slabelingofhis remarks as “reckless,” asserting that his intention was never to encourage farmerstoabandonrice,but rather to align production
with market realities and protect both farmers and taxpayers The former minister also noted the importance of transparency and clear communication with rice farmers, warning that ignoring global market signals could leave the governmentperpetually“on the back-foot” and the sector vulnerable With global rice prices under pressure and domestic s
message is clear: Guyana's small farmers must adapt, notabandon,iftheindustry istoremainviable.
Mustapha had insisted that the PPP/C government has always been the only honestrepresentativeofrice farmersinthehistoryofthis country PresidentIrfaanAli
d a comprehensivestrategythat includes increasing the national storage capacity across rice-producing regions to allow Guyana to stockpile up to 5 million tonnesofrice.
PresidentAlialsospoke aboutinvestinginbetterrice varieties to deliver higher
competitiveness in global
introduction of agribusiness diversification Thiswillincludehigh-value initiatives such as cage farming for crabs to boost cash flow and reduce risks for farmers. “The PPP/C Government will not abandon rice farmers Instead, it is investing in infrastructure,research,and diversification to ensure that Guyana's rice industry emerges stronger and more resilientinthefaceofglobal challenges. Mr Jordan and hisCoalitioncolleagueshad their chance and chose neglect.
Today, they stand exposed as opportunists attempting to politicise the very sector they once abandoned,” Mustapha had said.
Former Guyana Chronicle Chief
Photographer, Vishawamnauth “Adrian” Narine, on Thursday, was
handed a two-year suspended sentence by MagistrateOrinthiaSchmidt
at the Georgetown
Magistrates' Court, followingtheconclusionofa sexual assault case in which the victim received compensation.
However,confusionlater arose regarding the court's ruling. On Friday, Kaieteur News was informed that t h e r e h a d b e e n a misunderstanding between the information initially provided by the victim and police, and the magistrate's actualdecision.
On Friday, the Principal Magistrate clarified that Narinewasgivenatwo-year suspendedsentence,notthat thecasehadbeenstruckout, andthatearliermediareports on the matter were
inaccurate.
Sexual assault cases are heard in chamber and as such, reporters are not privy toargumentsandstatements made therein and rely heavily on counsel to indicate what transpired. On Thursday, when court proceedings began, journalists were escorted outsidethecourtroom.
C o n s e q u e n t l y , journalistswereinformedby thepoliceprosecutorandthe
victim that compensation had been accepted, and that the matter was concluded. Later, the police prosecutor further informed this publication that Narine's family was expected to returntocourtat13:00hrsto deliver the compensation to thevictim,endingthematter
However, it was subsequently confirmed that additional proceedings occurre
er the compensation was handed over
D u r i n g t h o s
proceedings, Magistrate Schmidt ruled that Narine would serve a two-year
meaning he will not be imprisoned unless he commits a similar offence withinthatperiod.Ifsuchan offence occurs, Narine will be s
immediatelyfortwoyears.
Narine was originally arraigned in August 2024 before Senior Magistrate
FabayoAzoreontwocounts ofsexualassault,towhichhe pleadednotguilty
The charges stemmed from incidents in December 2023, when a female colleague reported that N
Followingthecomplaint,the management of the Guyana Chronicle placed Narine on administrative leave and
collaborationwithpolice.
On September 25, 2025, Magistrate Azore found Narine guilty of one of the charges,specificallyrelating to an incident on December 22,2023.
He was represented by attorneys Jermaine Jervis andBernardDaSilva.
Whenhefirstappearedin court, Narine was granted $
conditions preventing him f
approachingthevictim.
A 44-year-old labourer of Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast, Region Two was on Tuesdayremandedtoprison for allegedly raping a child undertheageof16.
The accused, Davinan OwenWilliams,appearedat t h e A n n a R e g i n a Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Tariq Mohamed wherehewasnotrequiredto plead. Heisscheduledtoreturn to court on October 22, 2025.
Twenty-nine-year-old
Keyon Benons was on Wednesday fined $100,000 after he pleaded guilty to d a m a g i n g a businesswoman's property at Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast,RegionTwo.
Benons, a labourer, appearedattheAnnaRegina Magistrates' Court before MagistrateTariqMohamed.
The Magistrate told the labourerthathemustpaythe imposed fine or will spend threemonthsinprison.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is planning to construct a multi-purpose court at Patentia,RegionThree.
According to the bids, which were opened recently at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), three companies have applied for
thecontract. With no engineer's estimate provided, bidders have bid between $10 million to $17 million to executetheworks.
In addition to that, the ministryintendstoconstruct a parking lot at the National Gymnasium and construct a fenceattheGuyanaNational Stadium,justtonameafew
MinistryofCulture,YouthandSport RehabilitationofBelleWestYouthfriendlyspace.
Constructionofasphaltdriveway attheSyntheticTrack,Region10.
Upgradingofsanitaryfacilitiesintheorange standattheGuyanaNationalStadium.
SealingofventilationofACunits intheNewSquashCourtbuilding.
ofmultipurposecourtatPatentia.
Sales Rep needed, ages 1830 years. Knowledge of vehicle model will be an asset. Contact: 619-1237.
Job openings: Truck drivers, AC Technician, Excavator and Skid Steer Operator. To apply send applications via Whatsapp: 6891111 / 608-2114.
Drivers to drive Canter & Porters to work in Warehouses. Experience will be an asset. Call : 673-7373.
Wanted one Maid. Call: 680-1282.
One Porter to work on Hauler Truck needed. Call: 611-7088 for more info.
T RUCK TIRES 295/ 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL/WHATSAPP: +592-688-3201.
1-256 KVA Caterpillar Generator. Contact: 622-3940
Plants for sale Dragon fruit, Sago Palm & Alo Vera. Call Tony: 664-1856.
3 AB DICK offset printing press-Model 360,370, & 9810 in good working Condition, price : $300,000$500,000. Call : 624-7436 / 621-5140.
1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.
Mercedes Benz, E220 Diesel 2009 Manual Transmission, six forward gears. Call : 6211634 / 637-9541.
VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Naturalisation guidance + application filling & Building Plans. Tel: 626-7040.
BBC - New York Attorney General Letitia James has been criminally indicted on federal charges by a grand jury.
James, who led a civil fraud investigation against Trump in 2023, was indicted in Alexandria, Virginia, according to the BBC’s US
Vacancy for Hotel & Restaurant Manager and Accountant. Apply in person Lot 29 Sussex Street, Georgetown. Tele: 757-8231.
1-Driver. Contact : 622-3940
One clerk for TSI Eccles office English 1, Maths 2 call 615-9132 or email application to techserigy@yahoo.com
Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 2350, Car/ Van licence Call 6159132.
Maid for East Bank area call 615-9132.
One (1) female cleaner for Eccles office call 645-8443
Vacancy exists for a Canter Driver to procure and deliver materials to construction sites around Georgetown. Call: 225-5818 / 656-0603 (Whatsapp)
Room Attendant & Desk Staff needed. 25-45 years old at 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198.
Vacancy for one tiler to tile a small amount of tiles. Call : 615-9132.
Upper flat 3 bedroom for rent, Located Herstelling New Scheme East Bank Demerara. Contact: 265-3095 / 696-1994.
partner, CBS News.
The federal grand jury received the case on Thursday.
The charges against her were not immediately clear, but it has been reported that she was indicted over mortgage fraud allegations.
The BBC has contacted James’ office for comment.
Trump appointed Lindsey Halligan, his former personal attorney, to oversee the case after another US prosecutor, Erik Siebert, resigned. Siebert was reportedly ousted after he told the justice department he had not found sufficient evidence to charge James.
The justice department has been investigating James for mortgage fraud, alleging she falsified bank and property records to receive better loan agreements, an administration official told the BBC.
Officials with the Federal Housing Finance Agency accused James of claiming a property in Norfolk, Virginia, as her primary residence in 2023 - when she was the top New York prosecutor - to secure a lower interest rate on a loan.
Mortgages for primary residences typically
come with better terms. James said she had made a mistake with the form and later sent an email to the bank stating that it was not her primary residence.
Trump last month called on US Attorney General Pam Bondi, who leads the justice department, in a social media post to prosecute his political opponents, including James.
“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” he wrote.
James was one of several Trump adversaries named in that post. He also called on Bondi to investigate former FBI Director James Comey, who pleaded not guilty on Wednesday after being charged with making a false statement to Congress.
The justice department has also reportedly opened investigations into Trump’s ex-national security adviser John Bolton and California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.
In the civil fraud case brought by James, Trump was found liable of falsifying records to secure better loan deals, leading to a $500m (£375m) fine.
The penalty was thrown out by an appeals court, which called the fine excessive, though it upheld that Trump was liable for fraud.
From page 15 arguably the hottest single released in 2019. In fact, as a ‘toast’ to the song’s dominance, the single was named on former president of the United States of America Barack Obama’s favourite songs of 2019 list. The song was also included in his summer playlist for that year. As the song continued to its global ascension, so did the then 19-year-old reggae sensation. Koffee made history that same year by becoming the youngest solo reggae act to receive a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category for her debut album Rapture. She ultimately won the Grammy when the announcements were made in 2020.
Outlining that its list is a “wide-ranging mix of different styles, different beats and dif-
ferent voices”, Rolling Stone’s also included Gyptian’s 2010 mega-hit, Hold Yuh. The song’s inclusion comes weeks after Gyptian defended the track’s popularity amid discussions that Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj made the song a global hit. In an interview in late September, Gyptian said that while Minaj’s addition did introduce the song to a wider audience, the track was already a mainstream success. In fact, the entertainer stated that it was the song that made the rapper bigger and not the other way around.
Rolling Stone, in its assessment, seemingly agreed. In highlighting why the song made the cut, the music magazine said that although Hold Yuh “inspired many of the Caribbean’s hottest stars — including the song’s Jamai-
can-American producer, Ricky Blaze, and icons like Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Mantano and Nicki Minaj — to render their own versions, Gyptian’s delivery in particular, drenched in passion and rasp, has always been most memorable”.
Describing the track as “equal parts sweet and sensual”, Hold Yuh has become a contemporary classic and was therefore deserving of its place at number 125 on the list of 250 greatest songs of the 21st century. The track ranked above global hits from Meg Thee Stallion, Miguel, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Rihanna. As it continued to share its picks of iconic 21st-century bops, Rolling Stone said its criterion was not solely based on popularity or airplay, but also musical brilliance and originality. So it should come as
no surprise that one of Jamaica’s most decorated and globally recognised musicians, Sean Paul, would be featured.
Rolling Stone may have had quite the brain-racking experience trying to narrow down which of the Grammywinning deejays’ tracks to shortlist but they decided on platinum-selling, Billboard chart-topping hit, Get Busy. Landing at number 92 on the list, Get Busy ranks ahead of songs from Taylor Swift, Destiny’s Child and Burna Boy and is the only song from a Jamaican artiste to break the top 100. Released in 2003, Get Busy is featured on producer Steven “Lenky” Marsden’s Diwali rhythm, and is labelled by Rollingstone “one of those anthems that serve as a clarion call to the dance floor”.
From page 18
Oma Ramdin, stressed that compliance is more than a checklist — it’s the backbone of national education progress. “When schools function efficiently and meet the standards set out by the Ministry, they create a foundation for innovation and excellence,” she stated. “The progress we are seeing is a testament to what can be achieved through strong leadership and teamwork.”
The Ministry of Education extends congratulations to all the awardees and reaffirms its commitment to building a culture of accountability and excellence across Guyana’s education system. The National Education Inspectorate Unit plays a key role in ensuring quality assurance and continuous improvement within the educa-
tion sector. By monitoring and assessing schools’ performance in leadership, management, and teaching stan-
dards, it helps strengthen the overall effectiveness of Guyana’s education system, ensuring that every child has
access to a safe, well-managed, and high-performing learning environment. Recognised Schools
Once the pride of the Caribbean West Indies cricket has become a symbol of wasted talent, poor leadership, and administrative decay. The recent debacle Nepal and last week's humiliation in India in the first test underline some of the challenges the team faces.
The team that once made giants tremble now struggles to string together basic partnerships or bowl with discipline. The collapse isn't sudden it's the result of years of neglect, arrogance, and shortsightedness by those entrusted with its stewardship.
While other nations invest in youth systems and domestic professionalism, West Indies cricket remains trapped in politics, insularity, and outdated thinking. Players seem more Interested in franchise leagues than in wearing the maroon cap with pride. The board, instead of rebuilding trust and vision, appears content with excuses and cosmetic changes.
The once-feared fire has been replaced by flickers of mediocrity. Fans who grew up on the glory of Lloyd, Richards, and Lara now watch with disbelief and heartbreak. Until accountability replaces complacency and purpose replaces profit, West Indies cricket will continue its tragic drift into irrelevance. This is not merely a sporting crisis, it is a cultural one. The region deserves better. The people deserve a team worthy of its proud legacy.
BBC Sport - Nadine de Klerk hit a blistering unbeaten84from54ballsas South Africa produced a stunning comeback to beat co-hosts India by three wickets at the Women’s WorldCup.
Havingslippedto81-5in reply to India’s 251 all out, the Proteas looked destined for a second defeat in three games before De Klerk’s intervention.
The all-rounder dismantled an increasingly bewildered India attack, launching five sixes on her way to her highest internationalscore-thefifth of those blows sealing the win with seven balls to spare.
C a p t a i n L a u r a Wolvaardt started the South Africa recovery, hitting a
patient 70 from 111 balls, with her 61-run stand alongside Chloe Tryon laying the foundations for DeKlerk’slateonslaught.
Tryon, who made 49 from 66, put on another 69 withDeKlerkinquicktime before the latter saw the job through to leave India fans andplayersalikewondering how the game had got away fromthem.
For much of the second innings, it was India who would have expected to be talking about battling back to claim victory after wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh had bludgeoned 94 from 77 torescuethemfrom102-6.
However, even her remarkable innings was not enough thanks to the clean hittingofDeKlerk.
The result means South Africa go level on points with India, who miss the chancetogotopofthetable as Harmanpreet Kaur’s side suffertheirfirstdefeatofthe tournament.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Have you been waiting to execute some paperwork regarding money? If so, you might finally be able to do it today Yoursignatureonthese documents may represent the first step to increased income aswellasawholenewlife.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Transformation of your life, even your very being, may have been in the works for some time. Today you could finally see it made manifest. Dreamscometrue,perhapsin an unconventional and unexpectedmanner
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Haveyoubeenconcentrating strongly on spiritual studies for a while? Do you meditate regularly? If so, don't be surprised if insights and revelations come to mind today Writethemdown.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Today you'll meet a very compatibleandexcitingcircle of new friends. These people may be from foreign countries, or they might be involved in professions in religion,law,oreducation.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Today an opportunity may come your way that causes youtoconsiderchangingyour career Nomatterwhatyou've beeninvolvedwithuptonow, educationcouldattractyou.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
New beginnings are heralded today, particularly where travel, education, and legal matters are concerned Difficult decisions may need to be made. Don't agonize overthem.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Yourdreamsmayholdthekey to your future financial success. Though the symbols that your unconscious sends couldbeobscure,itwouldpay you to try to make sense of them.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
The primary focus today should be on romance and commitment. Have you been thinking about getting married? If so, you could be surprised to learn that your significant other has been thinkingthesamething.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Anewadditiontoyourroutine may be in the works.Whether this involves work that producesadditionalincomeor is of a voluntary nature, you can expect your tasks to changeinsomeway
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Anewromanceisdefinitelyin theair Thiscouldbearenewal ofheromancewithinacurrent relationshipor,ifyou'resingle, someone new and exciting mightcrossyourpath.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Have you been thinking aboutmoving?Perhapsyou've even bought a new home. Whatever your situation, you may execute some paperwork today, perhaps an agreement with a realtor or contractor, or maybeescrowpapers.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)
Anew,excitingneighborcould move in near you. If you're single, this person might be a potential romantic partner If you aren't, you could make a newfriend.
Next stop The Mouttet Mile,...
Frompaga35 aone-mileassignment.
Of A Revolution (USA, 6yo)Aprovensprinterunder Joseph, back to winning formatGulfstreamthisyear
after a long layoff, connections are aiming him at a Grade 1 sprint on the Jamaicanprogramme.
Why this matters for JamaicaandGuyana
circuitthatkeepsGuyanaon the marquee alongside JamaicaandtheU.S.
“The logistics can be rough,” One Guyana’s o w n e r s h i p g r o u p acknowledged, “but this is the first step into Jamaica. Wewanttokeepracinghere and, in time, make it easier forJamaicanstablestocome toGuyana.”
Ghosh’s dazzling knock invain
After Australia had showntheirstrengthindepth with match-winning centuries fromAsh Gardner and Beth Mooney saving them from shock defeats already in this tournament, W e d n e s d a y i n Visakhapatnam looked like beingIndia’sresponse.
Ghosh’s brilliant counter-attacking knock looked like it was going to turn something of a crisis situation at 102-6, after a collapse of 5-19, into a comfortablewin.
Coming in at number eight, the 22-year-old accumulated steadily alongside Amanjot Kaur before exploding into life after that partnership was broken.
Ghosh was irresistible, hitting58from33ballsafter the fall of the seventh wicket, and showing herself to be a 360 player with boundaries all around the ground.
A n y w i d t h w a s unceremoniously punished but anything too straight would travel, too - the margin for error for South Africa’s bowlers was razor thin.
Ghosh might not have quite have been able to matchGardnerandMooney, as she narrowly missed out on a maiden international century, but the innings seemed certain to prove everybitasimportant.
For around 40 overs of the chase it was. Then De Klerkhappened.
Scores:SouthAfrica252 for 7 (De Klerk 84*, Wolvaardt 70, Rana 2-47) beat India 251 (Ghosh 94, Tryon 3-32, Kapp 2-45) by threewickets.
The Mouttet Mile day is now a magnet for international stables, aided by “Win and You’re In” qualifiers and that U S media pipeline. Jamaica’s operator SVREL has been explicit about using these levers to build fields and grow sports tourism; the 2025 conditions formalize the 8 local 8 international split and the NYRA-based invite to ensure high-caliber entries.
For Guyana, One Guyana Racing’s intends to have a breakout season
After winning the Barbados Gold Cup with Harrow in March, a first for Guyanese connections the stable is nowplottingamulti-country
Theroadahead
Upon release from quarantine around Oct. 26, Nautical Star will build toward Dec 6 and the Mouttet Mile, while Of A Revolution points to a toplevel sprint. With Nunes directing the local prep and Joseph’steamcollaborating, One Guyana Racing believes their FloridaKingston pipeline can deliveranotherstatementon theCaribbeanstage.
One thing is certain: the Mouttet Mile keeps getting biggerUS$300,000onoffer, split local/international fields, and FOX Sports coverage and Guyana is determinedtoberightinthe thickofit.
Th e G u y a n a
F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) yesterday announced the much-anticipated return of its Year-End Super 16 Tournament, which is set to kick off on December 6 and climaxonJanuary1,2026.
Thisyear’seditionmarks therevivalofthetournament for the first time since January 1, 2022, when the
FLASHBACK! GDF FC celebrating their GFF Year-End Super 16 tournament win after defeating Western Tigers on penalty 5-4 kicks.
Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Football Club defeated Western Tigers at theNationalTrackandField Centre to lift back-to-back titles.
According to sources at the GFF, this year’s edition will feature nine Elite League clubs along with seven clubs from Regional Associationsparticipatingin the ongoing or recently
concluded Senior Men’s Leagues for the 2025–26 season.
E a c h R e g i o n a l Association that has either commencedorcompletedits senior men’s league will be allowed to nominate at least one representative club to jointheEliteLeaguesidesin c o n t e s t i n g t h e championship.
The final number of
participating teams from each region will depend on the status of their leagues, whether active, completed, orinactive,andtheirofficial points standings as verified bytheGFF.
W h i l e t h e f u l l tournamentdetailsareyetto be announced, the return of Year-End football has already stirred excitement across the football
community
Year-End football, thanks to the pioneering efforts of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, has been deeply woven into the fabric of Guyana’s sporting culturesince1990.
It has long stood as the country’spremieroff-season spectacle, bringing together clubs,communities,andfans in a festival of football and
fiercecompetition. However, under the current GFF administration, the once-cherished competition had become almost non-existent, with inconsistent hosting and waningfanfare. Itsabsenceleftavoidin the local football calendar, one that players and supportersalikehavefeltfor fartoolong.
Though, in the grand scheme of things, it still ended in a loss for the Tucville- based outfit; Fruta Conquerors Football Club’s Women showcased magnificent defensive tactics onWednesday night, limiting the usual flow of goals for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Women FC when the Women’s Division One Leaguecontinued.
Fruta Conquerors’ defensive masterclass came in the second fixture at the G u y a n a F o o t b a l l Federation’s(GFF)National Training Center (NTC), ProvidenceonWednesday Missing their usual goalkeeper, Karen Jupiter was promoted to the goal’s custodian. Her stature may have costed them the first strike, when GDF’s Sherrilyn Kingston’s shot from the half- way mark
sailed over Jupiter’s head into the top- right corner of thenetinthe8th.
Glendy Lewis netted a doubleinthe14thand23rd, supported by a 24th minute strike off the boots of Shenessa Cornelius for GDF’s4-0scoreatthehalf.
However, in the second segment, GDF was only allowed one goal which came from Sandra Johnson in the 47th; as Jupiter and Akiliah Blucher teamed up to stifle the League’s most prolific scorers. A such, at the end of 60 minutes, GDF had to settle for a 5-0 win rather than their usual teen hauls.
Alleia Alleyne (27th), Ashanti Smith (36th) and Leandra Henrito (53rd) all added their names to the scoresheet while two own goals on the part of Den Amstelboostedtheirtallies.
The nail- biting Women’s football action will continue tonight with another doubleheader at the Providence venue At 18:00hrs Western Tigers goes toe to toe with Ann’s Grove United FC while at 19:30hrs,Monedderlustand River’sViewFCwillmatch skills.
The teams in the Women’s Division One League are competing for a historic$1Mgrandprize.
Priortothatgame,itwas theShinellePearsonshowat the NTC, as the Guyana Police Force (GPF) forward steered her team to an 18-0 drubbingofDenAmstelFC. Pearson found the back of thenetinthe6th,12th,14th, 31st, 43rd, 53rd and 57th minutes.AmandaMcKenzie notched a hattrick in the 18th, 25th and 40th while Whitney King had a similar achievement in the 28th, 44thand45thminutes.
The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) is preparing to revolutionize regional motorsport with the introduction of a GT3 Spec class at the South Dakota Circuit on Sunday November 2, 2025 While Group 4 will remain unchanged, this move addresses the longstanding challenge of stagnant growth in the Caribbean’s top tier For years, the region has struggledtoattractnewGroup 4 machinery, which has limited its competitiveness and fan excitement In 2023, GMRSC shifted its focus beyondtheCaribbeantoLatin America and the broader motorsport world, where the GT3 has become the global benchmark Featuring iconic machines s u c h a s Lamborghinis, Ferraris,
McLarens, Audis, and Porsches, GT3 racing draws fans worldwide and delivers consistent, world-class competition.
Aheadlinebattleisalready on the cards, as Trinidad and Tobago’s Franklyn Boodram will go head-to-head with Guyana’sMarkVieirainGT3 machinery at the Caribbean Clash of Champions Joining themonthegridwillbeJunior Mohamed’s AJM’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, adding even more excitement to what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated races in recentmemory Thisclashof GT3 titans, Vieira’s Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Boodram’s Renault Sport R.S. 01, and AJM’sGT3entry,willserve as the headline race of the event, marking a new chapter in Caribbean motorsport.Withafewmore
carsexpectedtojointhegrid, this debut will be a critical testnotonlyforGMRSCbut for other teams across the regionwhowillbewatching closely to see how the new classunfolds.
One of the significant strengthsofGT3racingisits regulation under FIA standards, which provide detailed technical rules for every car This makes GT3 racing far easier to manage compared to Group 4, where balancingperformance(BoP) between different vehicles hasbeenaconstantchallenge
Unliketraditionalsix-lap sprintracesatSouthDakota, GT3 races will feature longer distances, allowing these high-performance machines to warm up their tires and deliver peak performance properly Teams will also bring full trackside engineering crews, as the complexity of GT3 operationsmakesshortsprint races unattractive This shift will introduce fans to the authentic endurance-style racing environment that definesGT3worldwide With growing interest in the GT3 Americas Series, Guyanacouldsoonhostaleg of the championship Introducing GT3 is not just about adding a class; it’s aboutprovingthattheSouth DakotaCircuitandGMRSC are capable of staging international-grade motorsport. For fans, the future looks thrilling: the roar of GT3 engines, longer wheel-to-wheel battles, and thepromiseofGuyanabeing placed firmly on the international racing map (GMRSC release and photos)
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has announced that SRKN Engineering has officially submitted the final package ofbiddocuments,drawings, and related materials for PhaseOneoftheBlueWater ShippingStadiumProject.
This submission representsamajormilestone in the realisation of one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Guyana’s sporting history, marking another decisive step toward delivering a state-of-the-art national football facility that will serve both elite and communitylevelfootball.
The public tender process for the project will be launched locally and internationally, in strict alignment with FIFA Forward Regulations and procurement guidelines This approach ensures a transparent, competitive, and globally compliant process,reflectingtheGFF’s commitment to governance and quality assurance in footballdevelopment.
Phase 1 of the Blue Water Shipping Stadium Projectwillinclude:
•Theconstructionoftwo mini-pitches located along
the Hadfield Street boundary
• Installation of perimeterfencing.
• Foundational and supporting infrastructure works, and other key facilitiesrequiredto operationalise the two mini-pitches, which will be utilised for grassroots football development, c o m m u n i t y f u t s a l tournaments and FIFA Football for schools (F4S) programme. These initial works will establish the foundation upon which the full stadium complex will be built, creating new opportunities for youth and community
An artist impression of the GFF Blue Water Stadium in Georgetown.
engagementwhilelayingthe groundwork for a modern nationalfootballhome.
F o l l o w i n g t h e submission of the final tender documents, the projectwilladvancethrough severalimportantstages:
• FIFA Review: The completepackage,including all architectural and engineering drawings, will be submitted to FIFA for technical review to ensure
c o m p l i a n c e w i t h international design and constructionstandards.
• GFF Technical
Evaluation: The GFF’s internal technical team will conduct a detailed review, focusingondesignaccuracy, c o s t p a r a m e t e r s , sustainability, and functionality Consultations willalsobeheldwithSRKN to clarify and refine any outstandingelements.
• Joint planning with Blue Water Shipping: Once all feedback has been incorporated,theGFF will meet formally with the management of Blue Water Shipping to finalise the Phase One rollout plan,
including timelines, resource commitments, and coordinationmechanisms.
The GFF remains in constant communication with Blue Water Shipping and FIFA, and is making every effort to launch the public tender process as soon as possible, with the goal of commencing construction before the end of 2025. The Federation underscores that, once the consultation, review, and due diligence processes are completed, it will move swiftly to advance to the
constructionstage.
GFF President Wayne Forde expressed his appreciatio
e continuedpublicenthusiasm surrounding the project, stating:“Iamdeeplymoved by the eagerness and optimism shown by the football community and the wider public to see this facilitycometofruition.The Blue Water Shipping Stadiumisenvisionedtobea standard-bearer for sporting infrastructure in Guyana, one that embodies excellence, inclusivity, and nationalpride.”
He added, “This progress would not have been possible without the steadfastpartnershipof the BlueWater Shipping management and the continued support of the Government of Guyana Together, we are not only building a stadium, we are buildingasturdyfoundation for the growth and development of Guyana’s football.”
The GFF extends its gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for their continued trust and patience as they work diligently to deliver a facility that will transform the football landscapeofGuyana. Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.
ByRawleToney
Let me start by saying thattheBlueWaterShipping Stadium Project is, without question, one of the most transformative initiatives everundertakeninGuyana’s footballhistory
It’samonumentalstepin the right direction, a longoverdue investment that could finally give footballers, fans, and the entirefraternityarealhome. Georgetown,inparticular, has cried out for something likethisfordecades,aproper football facility that could inspire the next generation, host international matches, andgiveourgametheplatform ittrulydeserves
For that, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) must be commended This is the kind of bold, visionary project that could change the landscapeoflocalfootballfor generations It’s what we’ve been asking for and its more certainly what the game needs.
So, kudos the GFF leadership, President Wayne Forde, and his executive committee But here I am again,overayearlater,asking the same questions I asked in my #HearMeOut column on
September 26, 2024 It’s almostdéjàvu
The GFF has announced another milestone, another “decisive step,” another “phase” of progress on this BlueWaterShippingStadium
Andwhiletheheadlinessound promising, the story behind them remains frustratingly incomplete
I know the GFF reads every column, every article, and every critique that speaks about their lack of transparency They’ve proven that they can respond. But they’ve also proven that they can be selective in what they respond to. And that’s the problem Football needs trust, as much as it needs
Bluewater Shipping Stadium.
d accountabilitythatcontinues to hover over the GFF is preciselywhysponsorshipin football has dwindled, why support has dried up, and whythegame,thoughrichin talent, remains poor in management Corporate Guyanaisn’tblind;sponsors invest where there’s credibility,notconfusion.
Now, the Federation proudly announced that SRKN Engineering has submitted final bid documentsanddrawingsfor Phase One of the project, a massive step, no doubt.And they also mentioned that the publictenderprocesswillbe launched locally and internationally, in line with FIFA Forward Regulations andprocurementguidelines.
That sounds great on paper But as with so many things in Guyanese football, the words sound grander thanthedetailswe’regiven. So, let me ask, again, whatexactlyisthedealwith BlueWaterShipping?...what doesthispartnershipmeanin practical, financial terms?...How does the GFF benefit?And for the naming rights, how much is Blue
ByCliftonRoss
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) made a huge move yesterday as it unveiled local security-servicegiant,Queensway, as the official title/tournament sponsorofthisyear’sMen’sSenior Inter-County Super50 Championships.
The ceremonious event was hostedatthehistoricHerdmanston Lodge,wherehostJohnRamsingh acknowledgedthoseinattendance, which featured a mixture of players, coaches and managers, as wellasotherGCBexecutives.
Those officials included CWI Director Shaun Massish, National U19headcoachandGuyanaHarpy Eagles Assistant Coach, Garvin Nedd, former Guyana and West Indies Test batsman Travis Dowlin,amongothers.
For the players present;
Raymond Perez, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Matthew Nandu,
Richie Looknauth, Nial Smith, Raymond Perez, Romeo Deonarine, Johnathan Van Lange to name a name were among the invitees.
Theround-Robinruleswillsee two teams inevitably clashing in the finals, with games being live streamed compliments of FL Sports.
GCB Operations Manager Anthony D’Andrade during the opening remarks, thanked Mr Mohamed Qualander for solidifyinghispartnershipwiththe board. He outlined that hosting their tournament in places like Essequibo is crucial, as it marries into boosting the sport’s growth withinruralareas;amovewhichis part of President Irfan Ali’s n a t i o n w i d e c r i c k e t reform/development programme, set to heavily target Guyana’s indigenouscommunities.
This season, the tourney will
An artist impression of what
Water Shipping paying the Federation?
Because, honestly, if you Google the cost of any major stadium project anywhere in theworld,you’llfinddetailed public information; who’s payingforit,wherethemoney iscomingfrom,andwhatthe partnership entails. Even if it’sthesmallestFIFAProject insomefar-flungnation,the data is there, open, accessible,andaccountable. ButbetweentheGFFand BlueWaterShipping?Silence Notafigure,notaframework, not even a hint of how the economics of this “gamechanger” work And that’s
feature a bonus points system, which,accordingtoD’Andrade,is a new addition and provides a bit more challenge to the approach of games.
During his feature remarks, Queensway CEO and new title sponsor, Mohamed Qualander, saidhewashonoredtobeapartof thecompetitionasitcoincideswith his company playing a role in making the game more attractive while providing a sustainable environmentfortheplayers.
“Cricket is a very integral part ofGuyana”,statedtheQueensway boss who made a huge announcement as it relates to provisions being put in place on behalf of his company, to ensure necessary accommodation and transportation being provided for kids from the respective counties whowillbeabletoattendmatches as part of their inter-development process He noted, that with
what’stroubling
I’m not here to discredit the project, quite the opposite. I believe in it. I wanttoseeitbuilt.Iwantto see our national teams, our clubs, and our communities benefitfromit.Iwanttosee schoolboys and grassroots players walk into a facility that makes them proud to wear the colours of the GoldenJaguars.
But as powerful as this project could be for the game, transparency would be just as game-changing. Because when you keep stakeholdersinthedark,you don’t just risk criticism, you
president Ali’s drive to push Guyana’s cricket system to the moon, the nearly constructed stadiuminBerbicewillallowmore games to be played in the ancient county.
In closing, he believed that with everyone onboard the local cricket system can be stronger, adding that the most important thing is to have an impact on Youths; with focus on developing cricketattheschoollevels.
Dowlin, a former Guyana and West Indies Test player noted that while he’s not been a part of the fraternity due to other commitments, now with two kids playing currently at the Junior levels, he was once again back in the mix but following a call from the GCB, he plans to resume officialcricketdutiesasoneofthe managers/developmentalcoaches.
Meanwhile, the final feature address by GCB president
risk alienating the very peoplewhosustainthesport.
It’stimetheGFFrealizes thatfootball’sbeautyliesnot only in the goals scored on the field, but in the honesty andclarityoffit.
So yes, the Blue Water Shipping Stadium will be a landmark But the real victory will come when the GFF understands that openness and accountability are just as important as infrastructure.
Until then, here I am again, still asking the same questions And I’ll keep asking until the answers come.
BissoondyalSingh,focusedonthe importance of such a major sponsorship deal, something he saidhassolidifiedaspotasGuyana faces an upward trajectory movement when it relates to growth.
Singh said this senior tournament “where Stars are born”, is the ideal platform for players to showcase their talents, especially given its historic importance on Guyana’s cricket calendar He expressed heartfelt appreciation to Qualander for sponsoringthisyear’sevent,citing that the support goes beyond sponsorshipasitshowsgreatbelief intheGCBanditsplayers. Singh, in closing, urged the players to show heart and passion while maintaining respect, further urgingfanstocomeoutandwatch their favorite county teams relive past rivalries as they do battle for thecrown.
A s t h e P e t r a Organisationgearsupforthe 2 0 2 5 s e a s o n , k e y stakeholders gathered yesterday at Republic Bank’s New Market Street headquarters to officially launch the Sixth Annual Republic Bank Under-18 Schools Football League Thetournamentisscheduled tokickoffonOctober19and runthroughtoNovember30 inGeorgetown.
This highly anticipated eight-team tournament continues to serve as a crucial platform for local school teams, offering them theopportunitytoqualifyfor the prestigious International GoodwillSeries.Inaddition
toattractivecashprizes,both the champion and runner-up willsecurespotsinthePetra Organisation’s year-end internationaltournament.
RepublicBank(Guyana)
Limited has once again partnered with Petra to host this transformative youth league, providing young footballers with a safe, structured environment in whichtodeveloptheirskills and compete meaningfully
The league acts as a springboardforpersonaland athleticgrowth,recognition, and opportunity, leaving a lasting impact on both participants and their communities. Thanks to its proven track record and positive developmental outcomes, the Republic Bank U18 Championship is widelyregardedasGuyana’s premier youth football league.Itscontinuedsuccess ismadepossiblethroughthe support of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and several corporate sponsors. Speaking at the launch, Head of the Allied Arts Unit, Nicholas Fraser,
underscoredthesignificance of the league, stating: “The main purpose of this league is to identify and develop players.Itsconsistentrollout ensures our young footballers remain active throughouttheyear.”
He added, “At the Ministry of Education, we are committed to nurturing theskillsofourstudents.We look forward to the continuation and growth of this tournament in the years ahead.” Petra Organisation Co-Director, Troy Mendonca, echoed similar sentiments: “Leagues like this are important They provide structure for our youth, creating short- and long-term benefits both on andoffthefield.”Duringhis address, Mendonca also announced the schools that will compete in this year’s league: Abram Zuil Secondary, Three Mile Secondary, Bush Lot Secondary, President’s College, Charlestown Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, and defending champions Chase’s
AcademicFoundation.
The tournament will span seven weeks, culminating in awards for the top four teams Individual accolades will also be presented, including Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper,TopScorer,and MostDisciplinedTeam.
Meanwhile, Republic Bank’s Internal Audit Manager,OralRose,praised the tournament’s expanding reachanditspositiveimpact: “As a sports enthusiast, I
find it inspiring to see how this tournament has made a difference, reaching far beyondGeorgetownandinto variouscommunities.Asthe competition unfolds, let’s play with passion, purpose, andenjoyeverymoment.”
He continued, “Through our social investment initiative, The Power to Make a Difference, we remain committed to investing in people, communities, and potential. This league is a shining e x
commitment, a space where talentmeetsopportunityand teamwork fosters both characterandconfidence.” Rose concluded by reaffirming the bank’s continued support: “Our partnership with the Petra Organisation is more than justfootball. It’s about empowering youth to dream big, work hard, and embrace values that endure long after the finalwhistle.”
The Guyana Chess Federation’s (GCF) Grand Prix series kicked off last weekend with a recordbreakingturnout.Sponsored by I-CEE and held at the David Rose Special School, the event attracted over 50 participants the largest numbereverforaGrandPrix tournament After four intense rounds, Keron Sandiford, a former Junior ChessChampion,leadswith four points in the Open
Category, while reigning Women’s Chess Champion, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi, leads with four points in the FemaleCategory In the Open Category, Kyle Couchman, Jaden Taylor, and Candidate Master (CM) Sachin Pitamber are all on 3 5 points. Shiv Nandalall,Alex Ubaldo-Singh, Ethan Lee, and Joshua Gopaul follow closely with 3 points each.
Kishan Puran, Micaiah Enoe, Kim Shing Chong, and Gilbert Williams are on 2.5points. In the Female Division, Treskolé Archibald, WCM Sasha Shariff, Chelsea Harrison, and Angelina Yhap follow with 3 points each. Girls’Under-12 Chess Champion, Kataleya Sam, andWCMJessicaCallender, a former Women’s Champion, are both on 2.5 points.CielClement,Natoya
Boodhoo, and newcomer Madison Spencer are on 2 pointseach.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has launched its qualifying process for the 2026 Chess Olympiad with a major tournament.Thiseventisthe first in a series, with points awarded to the top ten f i n i s h e r s i n e a c h competition A player’s cumulative score across all qualifying tournaments will
ultimately determine their place on the Olympiad Team. This inaugural Grand Prixhasattracteda
talented participants, setting the stage for a highly competitiveandchallenging journey to secure a national spot. Cash prizes totalling $100,000willbeawardedto thetopthreefinishersineach category The tournament continues on Saturday, October 11, and Sunday O
remaining four rounds. The topeightboardsoftheOpen Categoryandtopfourofthe Female Category are livestreamed on lichess.org by John Lee, FIDEArbiter and Technical Director of the GCF. Full results and pairings can be viewed on ChessResults.com.
The GCF thanks its sponsor, I-CEE, for its continuedsupportofchessin Guyana and the David Rose SpecialSchoolforproviding
Guyana’s Senior champion club, Victory Valley Royals, returned to Linden and showed their p r o w e s s a s t h e y extinguished Block 22 Flames,62-53,whenthetwo teams clashed in the final of the Nigel Hinds Senior Basketball League which wasplayedlastSundaynight at the Community Hard CourtinRetrieve,Linden.
The recently minted National Senior Club
champions were efficient in their showing after taking leads in the game at the end of the first quarter 14-8, at half tine 36-18 and finished the third cruising with a 5033 cushion, and romped homewinners62-53toclaim the$400,000firstprize. Evenwithoutstarplayers Harold Adams and Orlan Glasgow the Royals were abl
a
ays offensively and deny entry passeswhenplayingdefence.
TheFlames’JonathanClarke was able to launch triple 3s but the overall team play fashioned by national back court player Yannick Tappin and ably supported by Kobe Tappin and Vibert Benjamin were too much for the Flames.
Tappin led the way for the winners with 21 points and was named the MVP of the final with Kobe Tappin getting 16 and Benjamin inside registering nine
points.TheFlamestopshots were Jonathan Clarke who nailedin21pointsasShemar Savoury got 16 and Shawn Cameronnettedeight.
For taking second place theFlamesgot$200,000
At the presentation held afterthefinalPresidentofthe L A B A , M s D a w n McCammon-Barker, warned that clubs must take stock of their players’ indisciplined behavior She said this is a warning, that such behavior
seenraisingitsuglyhead,will not be tolerated However, shewasinhighpraiseforthe former president of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Mr Nigel Hinds, who again sponsored the seniorleagueinLinden
The leading LABA official said: “This tournament was sponsored by Mr Nigel Hinds, our sponsor last year who came backonboard.Whilehewas asked to sponsor the first
prize of $200,000, he doubleditto$400,000.
In fact, the total prize money this year was $750,000 and an additional $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 t o w a r d s administrative costs, for which the association is grateful of The third-place playoff game staged before thefinalwaswonbyAmelia’s Ward Jets, who defeated CentralMackenzieKings6852, to take away $100,000 andthelosers$50,000.
Local Draughts players returnedhomefromTrinidad &Tobago’s1stinternational open draughts tournament
and females World championshipgames.
The games were played at the Commerce Building, Couva Trinidad Players from all over the globe gathered for that big event. There was a gala opening with the PoliceYouth Corps drummers, nagara and other culturalevents.
The games were played over a nine-day period with nine rounds each per participant. In the Open category 18 countries with 43 players vied for honours. ThelocalboysfromGuyana battled with higher classed opponents. Grand Masters International (GMI) from Israel, Ukraine, Latvia, CameroonandotherMasters International (MI) from France, Suriname and Trinidadtookpart.
G r a n d M
AlexanderShvartsmanfrom Israel won the open tournament with 14 points.
Shvartsman is the World’s triple crown winner in three categories of the game. In 2nd position was GMI
Guntis Valneris from Latvia with 14 points too. The 3rd place went to GMI Iurii
Anikeev from Ukraine with 13points.The4thplacewent to Masters International Thomy Lucien Mbongo from France with 12 points.
MI Roberts Misans from Ukraine with 12 points settled for 5th, while Jean Marc Ndjofang GMI from Cameroon took 6th. Ndjofang is the current
African Continental Champion. In the female world championship Viktoriya MotrichkofromtheUkraine
was crowned world champion, while Saiya Gangsuhe from China was
placed 2nd Yulia Makarenkova from Ukraine settledfor3rd.
L o c a l D r a u g h t s
Association president Mr J i a r a m a n d R a v i Rampersaud,whoisbasedin Grenada, finished on 8 pointseach,4pointsshortof vying for the number 4 p o s i t i o n F l o y d Cumberbatch from Linden, who lost the first three matches,camebackstrongly to accumulate 7 points. Dr IvorEnglishPresidentofthe Transport Sports Club finished on 6 points. Dr. Englishmissed5gamesdue to a call in Jamaica. All players were awarded certificates of participation from TTDCAand the world bodyFMJD.
From right: Dr. Ivor English, Ravi Rampersaud, Floyd Cumberbatch and Mr. Jiaram.
According to president of the Association, Mr Jiaram, the local players did wellsinceit’sthefirstouting for Cumberbatch, English and Ravi. Writing down the moves(Annotations)andthe use of clocks were compulsory and created a setback since some of the playerswerenotaccustomed toit. Mr Jairam was the only Guyanese to have FMJD ratings.
April 2026 The games would be open in three categories; Men’s, women’s andyouths.
T h e o t h e r b i g internationalgamewouldbe the 23rd Panam Draughts in ParamariboSurinamesetfor
Mr Jiaram is presently seek
overn
intervention in providing a suitable place to conduct training to youths and females. Thanks is expressed to T
sponsoring Jerseys with logosforthetourinTrinidad. Specialthanksalsotothe NSC.
Jamaica Observer -
GEORGETOWN to KINGSTON - The One GuyanaRacingLLCteamis raisingthestakes.Freshoffa landmark Barbados Gold Cup triumph earlier this year,thestablehasaccepted Jamaica’s invitation to the Mouttet Mile festival at Caymanas Park Jamaica One Guyana Racing has confirmed two arrivals from the SaffieA. Joseph Jr barn in Florida, The newly imported Nautical Star for the Mouttet Mile and Of A RevolutiontargetingaGrade 1sprint.
Both horses touched down in Jamaica yesterday (Oct 9) and have been admittedtoquarantineunder local protocols. They are expected to be released around Oct 26, giving roughly six weeks of preparation for Jamaica’s biggest day in racing on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. The pair will be handled locally
by champion trainer
Anthony “Baba” Nunes, who confirmed the horses “have arrived and settled well” and said he is eager to “get them out and into a steady training schedule oncequarantineclears.
“The One Guyana combination with Saffie Joseph is unstoppable,” one co-ownersaid.“Thisisabout competing across the Caribbean and South
America and bringing recognition to Guyana’s racing as it climbs. We’re gr
& Entertainment Limited (SVREL) and the wider Jamaican racing fraternity for the opportunity, and we look forward to Jamaicans campaigning in Guyana as well.”
Jamaica’s showpiece is growing fast. The Mouttet Milehasquicklybecomethe richest race in the Englishspeaking Caribbean The 2025 purse is US$300,000, with the feature staged on Dec. 6 at Caymanas Park. This year’s fourth running retainsa16-runnercap,with eight slots for Jamaica domiciled horses (before Jan. 1, 2025) and eight for internationals including a reserved berth for a NYRAbased runner as part of the sport’s expanding U S bridge.
That bridge is real, NYRA and Caymanas Park struck a partnership to place the Mouttet Mile on FOX Sports’ “America’s Day at the Races” broadcast, widening the race’s U.S. footprint and elevating Jamaica’s visibility with Americanfans.
The firepower: Saffie Joseph Jr & Anthony “Baba”Nunes
Saffie A Joseph Jr, Barbados born and Florida-
based, is in rare form. He clinched his 13th consecutive training title at Gulfstream Park this summer, underscoring a run that has included the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) withMathWizardandafirst Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup in March with Harrow owned in partnership with One Guyana Racing
signaling the stable’s regionalintent.
On the ground in Kingston, the horses will be conditioned by Anthony “Baba” Nunes, a three time Jamaican champion trainer (2019–2021) who recently notched his 1,400th career winneratCaymanasParkas hemountsanothertitlebidin 2025.FewknowtheMouttet
Mile course and calendar better
The most anticipated arrivals for the converted race, Nautical Star (USA, 5yo)Ahigh-class runner for Joseph in the U.S., most recently campaigned for C2 Racing Stable LLC; brings graded-level seasoning and tacticalspeedthatsuits
(Continuedonpage29)
“Cricket
