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Guyana ups growth projection

to

15.2%

…afterstrongmid-yearperformance

…7non-oilsectorsexpandwhilefisheries,diamondminingseedeclines

Guyana's economy is expanding faster than initially expected, recording a robust 7.5 percent real growth in the first half of 2025 and prompting governmenttosharplyrevise its full-year projection upwardto15.2percent.

According to the longdelayed Mid-Year Report

laid in the National Assembly on Monday, the surge was powered not only by continued expansion in the oil and gas industry but also by strong double-digit

gains across seven traditional non-oil sectors, signaling what officials

describe as growing resilienceanddiversification inthewidereconomy.

The report said the 7.5% growth in the economy was fueled by the expansion of the oil and gas sector, complemented by strong performances across the non-oil sector, which grew by 13.8% during the period.

Government said, “As we moveintothesecondhalfof the year, prospects for 2025 remain strongly positive, with a focus on sustaining growth in the non-oil economy while the oil and gassectorcontinuestoramp up.”

Notably, overall growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been revised upward with government now projecting 15.2% growth instead of 1 0 6 % f o r 2 0 2 5 Additionally, growth in the non-oil sector has also been slightly revised from 13.8% to 13 9% Consequently, 2025 will be the fifth successiveyearofexpansion in both the overall and nonoileconomy Sugar

During the first six months of 2025, the sugar growing industry is estimated to have expanded by 136 7 percent when compared with the first half last year The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) produced 15,954 tonnes of sugarinthefirstcropofthis year, compared with only 6,739tonnesduringthesame period in 2024. The report said heavy rainfall, labour shortages and cane quality affected further expansion fromoccurring.

Meanwhile, government noted that it is still targeting an overall production of approximately 101,000 tonnes of sugar for 2025, with the second crop being traditionallythelargerofthe twocrops.

Rice Favourable weather conditions resulted in a 13.9% expansion of the rice growing industry in the first halfoftheyear TheGuyana Rice Development Board ( G R D B ) r e p o r t e d production of 410,194 tonnes of rice equivalent in the first six months of this year,comparedwith362,030 tonnes in the first half of 2024. The Mid-Year report states, “On account of favourable weather conditions, the yield achievedforthefirstcropof 2025 was 6.6 tonnes per hectare, aligned with what wasachievedinthefirstcrop oflastyear.”Itaddedthatthe production target for 2025 remains 804,000 tonnes of

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh laid the Mid-Year Report in the National Assembly on November 3, 2025.

rice, with a growth target of 12.4 percent, buttressed by continuedsupporttofarmers andrenewedeffortstosecure new and more attractive

markets.

Crops

According to the MidYear Report, the other crops subsector is estimated to

have grown by 7.4 percent duringtheperiod.Therewas reportedly increased production of vegetables, coconuts, fruits, root crops, and spices. The document explained that the positive performance is due to favourable weather conditions, expansion in acreage cultivated, and expansion in shade house cultivation Additionally, growth for this subsector is now projected at 11 9 percentfor2025.

Livestock

All livestock products saw increased output, resulting in an expansion of the subsector, which is estimated to have grown by 11.7% during the first six

months of 2025. Growth for the year is now projected at 7.2percent.

Forestry

It is estimated that the forestry sector expanded by 6.2percentinthefirsthalfof this year The Mid-Year Report states that at the end of June, 211,807 cubic metres of timber products wereproduced

Thegrowthtargetforthe sector is maintained at 1.3 percentfor2025.

Bauxite

Withproductiontotalling 1.7milliontonnesinthefirst half of 2025, the bauxite mining subsector recorded a 133.1% growth. The MidYearReportexplained,"This (Continuedonpage8)

KaieteurNews

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

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EDITORIAL

The election of the LOO

ParliamentwasdulyconvenedonMonday,butthereelectedSpeaker,ManzoorNadirdidnotsummonameeting of the opposition MPs for them to elect a Leader of the Opposition(LOO)aspertheconstitution.

Thiswasnotanoversight.Notamereschedulingdelay Notsomeharmlessproceduralshuffle.Itwasacalculated political manoeuvre. Yes, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, dutifully spouted technicalities: the Standing Orders do not specify that the election must happen on the first day, precedent shows it has happened later in other parliaments, nothing says it must be immediate. Fine. But Guyanese are not gullible. Weseeexactlywhatishappening.Thegovernmentandits loyal functionaries are aggressively hostile toward Azruddin Mohamed, the presumptive Opposition Leader and are now playing for time, hoping to deny him legitimacy,power,andaconstitutionalfoothold.

Let us be blunt: this delay is a direct assault on constitutional order It has nothing to do with precedent, protocol, or parliamentary courtesy Monday's sitting was short,extremelyshortandtherewasabsolutelynorational reasontheelectioncouldnothavebeendonerightthenand there.The government was in a hurry to swear in its own MPsandsettleintopower Theonlythingtheywerenotina hurry to do tellingly was allow the opposition its constitutionalrighttoleadership.

The Constitution does not create the Leader of the Opposition as decoration. The office is not symbolic or optional It is a critical democratic safeguard, a counterweight to executive excess, a voice for the nearly halfoftheelectoratethatdidnotvotefortherulingparty, and a constitutionally embedded force of accountability When you interfere with that office, you interfere with representation. When you delay that office, you delay democracy

Those now benefiting from this delay including the Speaker are placing partisan allegiance above democratic duty It sets a dangerous and corrupting precedent: that government can weaponise parliamentary procedure to silenceitsopponents.Thattheconstitutionalprocessexists only when it suits those in power We know why this is happening. The government does not want Azruddin Mohamedsanctionedbusinessman,WINpartyleader,and nowsworn-inMPtoascendtothepost.Hislegaltroublesin the United States are their go-to justification. Mohamed and his father have been indicted in Miami on financial crimesandarecurrentlyoutonbail.Butindictmentsarenot convictions.EventheClerkadmitsthis.Moreimportantly, the government has no authority to decide who the oppositionselectsasitsleader TheConstitutioniscrystal clear: the Leader of the Opposition is chosen by the opposition,notbytheExecutive,notbytheSpeaker,notby political puppeteering from Freedom House. Mohamed himself said after taking the oath: “Of course, I am the presumptiveoppositionleader.”

HeaskedtheSpeakerwhentheelectionwouldbeheld. What did Nadir do? He walked away No answer No explanation. No respect. WIN formally wrote to the Speaker requesting the meeting be convened on Monday The Speaker received the letter He dismissed it with vagueness. The Clerk acknowledged that the request is only being “considered.” Considered? The Speaker does not get to consider constitutional commands. He must comply Meanwhile, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo professesinnocence.Heinsistsgovernmentisnotdelaying anything. He says the Speaker must run the process. Conveniently distancing himself just enough to maintain deniability, while the Speaker does exactly what benefits him most. Guyanese have seen this movie before. When poweristhreatened,thosewhowielditscrambletoshiftthe rules,stalltheprocess,orbendinstitutionsintoshieldsfor their political comfort. The government's message is unmistakable: If they cannot control the Opposition, they

Roopnarine's vicious criticism of Jagdeo is silly and baseless

DearEditor, It is rather unfortunate that one Mr Leyland Roopnarine in New York continuestocriticiseandcast aspersions on the Honourable Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who has served Guyana extremely well as President for more thantwelveyears. Without a doubt, Jagdeo is a superb and very thoughtful leader and a skillful and consumate politician However, Mr Roopnarineseemstobelieve otherwise and has disrespected the Vice President However, Mr Roopnarine has failed miserably or has ignored completely to take into considerationallthepositive things Jagdeo has done for the country and its people that have led to billions of dollars in investment across the country This is an indisputablefact,andIhope Mr Roopnarinewouldcease and desist from his trivial, groundless and childish attacks on the Vice President.

He ought to know that Jagdeo has embarked on

several important and successfulprojectsandsolid infrastructure developments that have benefited all Guyanese,regardlessofrace or political party affiliation. One of those projects is Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which Guyana is receiving millions of dollars in annual payments for protectingthecountry'shuge rain forests. Jagdeo is the first leader in the world to develop such an ambitious and worthy venture which has madeGuyana a globally recognised country and the title adorned to him as “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations. It is one of the most decorated and colorfultitleseverbestowed onaleaderbytheUN.

To enhance economic and infrastructure development in Guyana, Jagdeo implemented several k e y p r o j e c t s : H e successfully launched the Guyana Power and Light ( G P L ) e x p a n s i o n programme to provide electricityaccesstoresidents in the interior regions of the country He initiated the

Amaila Falls Hydropower

Project to promote renewable energy to the people of Guyana And although this was a grand project that would have benefited the people immensely, it was rejected and voted down in Parliament by an anemic, jaded and selfish APNU opposition. If the Amalia Falls Hydro Project had developed, it would have resulted in reduced power outages and lower electrical rates for the citizens. The former Head-of-State had invested heavily to develop t h e C h e d d i J a g a n International Airport expansion for increased tourismandtoaccommodate larger wide-bodied aircraft. He has also invested in road infrastructure to connect the remote regions of the countrywiththecoastalbelt to boost trade. He promoted the establishment of the Guyana Oil and Gas sector foreconomicgrowthandhas enhanced agricultural initiatives to improve food security and production for exports. Not to mention that Dr Jagdeo has successfully

built the Berbice River Bridge, extended the Rupert Craig four-lane highway on the East Coast of Demerara and to the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport.

Mr. Leyland Roopnarine continues to dwell in the pass. His blistering attacks on Dr Jagdeo is futile, baseless and cannot be substantiated. It is not only untrue, but Roopnarine is completely blind and backward not to see, hear or recognise the invaluable, cherished and long-lasting a c h i e v e m e n t s i n infrastructure and economic developmentbyJagdeowho has served Guyana with pride, dignity and courage. Let me be clear, Jagdeo has served his country and its citizens well, but Mr Leyland Roopnarine is on a pathetic, path to rupture, destroyedanddisavowedDr Jagdeo great achievements toGuyanaHeshouldinstead prai

s outstanding service, patriotismanddevotion,and most of all his deep love for thecountry

Sincerely, BobbyGreaves

When the rich play Robin Hood: Populism's Challenge to Democratic Integrity

DearEditor, I wish to draw attention to a striking and somewhat paradoxical phenomenon unfolding in every different partoftheworld:thecaseof Thailand's former Prime M i n i s t e r T h a k s i n Shinawatra, and that of Guyana's businessmanpolitician Azruddin Mohamed. Both men are immensely wealthy, both emerged on popular platforms that appealed to poorer and marginalised voters, and both now face serious legal and integrity challenges. And yet in each case a substantial popular followingpersists. The question this raises for our own context is: why doessuchpopularitycoexist

with serious allegations of wrongdoing, and what does that mean for the health of democracy? In Thailand, Thaksin's political rise was dramatic A telecoms magnateturnedpolitician,he launched the partyThai Rak Thai Party in the late 1990s and swept to power in 2001 on the promise of transforming the lives of rural and low-incomeThais. He introduced the “30 baht” ($1) health plan, rural credit s c h e m e s , v i l l a g e development funds and micro-loanstofarmers. His appealtovotersinThailand's northandnortheast,whohad long felt excluded from the Bangkok-based elite, was profound.

What is important is that

will try to cripple it. But power does not belong to the government.ParliamentdoesnotbelongtotheSpeaker And theConstitutiondoesnotbelongtothewhimsofthosewho fear accountability Guyana's democracy is not defined by electionsalone,itisdefinedbythechecksthatholdleadersto account. If a government can deny those checks, even temporarily,thenwearenotlivingunderconstitutionalrule but under political convenience masquerading as governance And Guyanese must remain vigilant, relentlessly, because today, the target is Mohamed, tomorrow,itcouldbeourveryrighttooppose.

a significant part of his popularity was built before many of his large programmes had matured.A wealth-backed outsider promising to deliver change tappedintoademandthatthe established political order hadneglected.

Andyet,fromtheoutset, Thaksin was shadowed by accusations: conflicts of interest(hisbusinessempire

benefitted under his government), abuse of power, crackdown on critics and questionable corporate transactions. Ultimately, he was removed by a military coupin2006,wentintoselfexileandwaslaterconvicted of corruption and abuse of power Nevertheless, even after the convictions, his support base remains significant in large parts of Thailand'selectorate.

In Guyana, the case of Azruddin Mohamed presents a similar pattern.

Although relatively recent, Mohamed has builta profile as a businessman-politician withconspicuouswealthand visible philanthropic gestures in housing, sports andcommunitygiving.Heis publicly portrayed as a champion of vulnerable and underservedcommunities. At the same time, he faces serious legal allegations: undervaluation of luxury imports (a Lamborghini declared at US$75,300insteadofnearly US$695,000) and tax evasion with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for over GY$383 million in taxes. Inaddition,heandhis father have been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury under allegations of goldsmuggling worth over 10,000kgandtaxevasionof more than US$50 million. Despite these weighty claims, Mohamed's party, theWeInvestinNationhood (WIN) Party, has secured significant electoral support and a real presence in Parliament as the pending Leader of the Opposition. Crowds have even gathered to cheer him outside court hearings.

So, the paradox: serious allegations of corruption, fraud,abuseofpower,and (Continuedonpage5)

A National Call for Proactive Fire Prevention in Guyana

DearEditor,

In the recent weeks, Guyanahasonceagainbeen shaken by a string of tragic

and avoidable fire incidents a devastating blaze that reduced a three-storybuildingtoashes, and most recently, a terrifying explosion at a gas station that didn't have an

n

system, killed one and injuring several other citizens when a strategically placed bomb was detonated a cowa

ct of terrorism. These events are stark reminders that fire protection in our nation

preventive We cannot continue to treat fire safety

asanafterthought.

S u c c e s s i v e administrations have relied onthesame“response-only” approach—dispatchthefire tender after the blaze has alreadyerupted—whilethe structural causes of these d

a i n unaddressed Firefighting equipment and stations, are merely implements in

When the rich play Robin Hood...

Frompage4 yet robust popular support.

Why does this happen? In both Thailand and Guyana, severalfactorsseemtoalign.

One, a long-standing sense of exclusion among large sections of the populations who are rural, remote and economically marginalised, means that a wealthy outsider promising changelooksattractive.

Two, the wealthy candidateuseshisresources, visibility and philanthropy to build a personal brand of “someonewhocandeliver”. In these cases, wealth and flamboyance are not a disqualifierbutactuallypart of the appeal. Three, the charges against them, however serious, are often perceived by supporters as part of an “establishment” plot or simply as less important than the promise ofchange.

M e a n w h i l e t h e opposition comes from the status quo who feel challenged by the new populistforce.

But there are key caveats. In Thailand, the opposition to Thaksin was strong: the Bangkok-based middle class, royalist establishment and military

formed a powerful countermovement. In Guyana too, the governing party and otheroppositionvoiceshave expressed unease about Mohamed's rise and about the implications of his political movement for transparency, accountability andeconomicstability What must be critically observed is whether the popularity of such figures leadstodurableinstitutional reform, or merely a shift in patronagenetworkswiththe same risks of elite capture and abuse masked by personalgiving.

For Guyana, in particular, this comparison holdsinstructivelessons. It is vital to watch not only the charismatic individual but the structures thatsurroundthem.Thefact that serious charges do not automaticallyderailpolitical support underscores how muchthe“socialcontract”in manypartsoftheworldmay be based on visible benefits rather than institutional integrity

In a country entering an oil-wealtheraandgrappling with questions of inclusion, the emergence of someone l i k e M o h a m e d i s unsurprising. But the

reactive mode and though essential,arenotsolutionsin themselves. True fire safety begins long before flames ignite.

question is whether his movement strengthens governance, transparency and equal opportunity, or simply provides a new face for long-standing structural issues.

In conclusion, the parallel between Thaksin Shinawatra and Azruddin Mohamed is neither perfect nor identical, but offers a cautionary mirror Two rich men, flashy in style, championing the poor, gaining significant followings despite serious legal and ethical challenges. For civil society, the media andthecitizenryinGuyana, the challenge is clear: to viewpopularityandpromise not as substitutes for accountability and institutions.

The strength of democracy lies not just in who is in power, but how power is exercised and how transparent and sustainable theoutcomesare.

Yourssincerely, Dr.WalterH.Persaud

ThePresentReality: Guyana's current fire protection system operates with almost no proactive safeguards. Most public and private buildings are not equipped with basic suppression systems such as sprinklers, smoke or heat detectors, emergency lightingsystemsorchemical basesuppressionunits.

Public assembly venues, malls, restaurants, and gas stations places where large numbers gather often lack even the most elementary automatedfirecontrols.This grim status quo exposes the public to constant danger and undermines confidence innationalsafetystandards.

WhatNeedstoChange

Fire Prevention must be embedded into the very design and operation of every building through legislation and strict enforcement.

We need immediate reform of Guyana's Fire and Building Codes to make the followingmandatory:

Automatic sprinkler systems in all buildings aboveasinglefloorandinall public or commercial

structures.

Early-warning sensor networks — smoke, heat, and flame detectors linked to audible and visual alarm systems. Automatic gas and fuel shutdown systems at gas stations, kitchens,andindustrialsites.

F i r e - r e s i s t a n t construction materials for critical infrastructure and newdevelopments.

Emergencylighting,exit signage, and public evacuation systems tested routinely

Ongoing certification and inspection regimes to ensure compliance, not just during construction but throughoutthebuilding'slife cycle.

PassiveSystemsThatSave Lives

Passive fire protection works silently but effectively, activating only when danger is detected — withouthumanintervention. Thesesystemsinclude:

Sprinkler networks that release water or foam automatically when heat sensorsaretriggered.

Firecurtainsandbarriers that compartmentalise flamesandsmoke.

Thermally activated vents to control heat and preventflashover

E a c h o f t h e s e technologies functions as part of a fire prevention ecosystem a network designed to stop small incidents from growing into catastrophes

ACalltoPolicymakers andCitizens

Fire prevention is not a privilege,itisarightofevery citizen The government must lead by enacting stronger fire codes, mandating suppression systems, and holding buildingownersaccountable for safety.At the same time, citizens must demand these changes and comply with new safety standards willingly,understandingthat prevention saves both lives and livelihoods Guyana cannot afford another tragedy before taking real action.

Let this call to action mark the beginning of a safer, smarter approach — onewherefiresafetyisbuilt in,notcarriedonatruck.

Siamese dry pipe systemsthatallowtendersto connect to an outside connection and distribute water inside Clean agent suppression systems using inertgases(forserverrooms, control centers, or sensitive equipment).

Sincerely, HemduttKumar

Gov't and citizens must do more to arrest garbage crisis in Georgetown

Dear Editor,

The deteriorating state of garbage disposal in the city of Georgetown

demands urgent and sustained attention from

b o t h t h e C e n t r a l

Government and the citizenry

While the City

C ouncil has made commendable efforts under constrained resources, the challenges of maintaining a

clean and healthy

e n v i r o n m e n t a r e compounded by limited financial support from the CentralGovernmentandthe irresponsible behaviour of some residents and vendors. Effectivewastemanagement must therefore be seen as a shared responsibility among

a l l s t a k e h o l d e r s , government, private sector, and citizens alike (United

Nations Environment Programme[UNEP],2023). It is undeniable that the Central Government

must be called out for not providingadequatefinancial and logistical support to the municipality Without consistent allocations for waste collection, equipment, and human resources, the City Council's capacity to maintain cleanliness is severely undermined However,citizens,including vendors, must also take responsibility for ensuring that unwanted waste is properlydisposedof.

Clean streets and public spacesarenotpossiblewhen individuals continue to dump indiscriminately, cloggingdrainsandcreating unsanitary conditions (WorldBank,2022).

Following the return of local democracy in 2016, after two decades of neglect

under the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the Coalition Government reintroduced local government elections

and held two such exercises within five years. During that period, the city saw marked improvements in environmentalmanagement. Garbage was collected regularly, and receptacle bins were strategically placedacrossmaincorridors such as Regent Street Additionally, the restoration of public landmarks like the 1966 IndependenceArch on Brickdam and the Georgetown Cemetery reflected a renewed civic pride and environmental discipline (Kaieteur News, 2018).

H o w e v e r, p o s t -

August 2020, the city has seeminglyrevertedtoitsold ways. A simple walk along Orange Walk reveals the pervasive stench from the Bourda Market area, where overflowing bins; often filled with coconut shells and other refuse, block roadways and hinder traffic flow Suchconditionsarenot

Guyana's inflation remains under control

DearEditor,

I read with interest Mr Sherod Duncan's recent letter titled “Food inflation 7.5% in past year: lived reality much higher.” While hisconcernforthewelfareof Guyanese households is commendable, his portrayal of the country's economic situationdoesnotaccurately reflect the broader facts or the progress Guyana has made in stabilising prices and protecting consumers amidglobalchallenges.

According to the Bureau of Statistics, food inflation stood at 7.5% over the past year, a figure derived from internationally recognised statistical methods and verified by independent observers. This rate, though not negligible, is moderate by global standards, especially considering that manydevelopingeconomies have experienced doubledigitinflationinthewakeof global supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs Guyana's overall inflation rate of about 3.8% demonstrates prudent fiscal and monetary management bythegovernment. It is important to note

that inflation does not affect all commodities equally While the prices of some staples such as rice or eggs may have fluctuated, others haveremainedstableoreven decreased.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) represents an averagebasketofgoodsand services, ensuring that national figures reflect the total cost of living, not isolated market anecdotes. Selective examples of price hikes, while emotionally resonant, do not provide a fair picture of the national trend.

Furthermore, the government has not been indifferent to the pressures faced by working families.

Targeted subsidies, cash grants, and tax relief measures have been implemented to ease the burden on households, especially those most vulnerable. The government also continues to invest heavily in local agriculture, food security, and infrastructure to reduce import dependence and stabilise food supply structural measures that yield sustainable relief

only unpleasant but also hazardous to public health (StabroekNews,2024).

With Minister Priya Manickchand now heading the Ministry of Local Government, some commendable initiatives have been implemented to address waste in areas like Kitty and within school environments.

Herengagementwiththe Mayor, His Worship Alfred M

consultation, collaboration, communication, and cooperation are essential to resolvingtheseissues.

Yet, these efforts require more than dialogue; they r e q u i r e s u s t a i n e d investment, logistical consistency, and a clear policy direction One-off n a t i o n a l c l e a n - u p campaigns, while useful, do notaddressthesystemicand behavioural roots of the g a r b a g e c r i s i s (Environmental Protection Agency[EPA],2023).

beyondshort-termfixes.

Mr Duncan's claim that the government celebrates oil revenues while ignoring ordinary citizens is misleading. In reality, oil income has been used to fund social programmes, public sector salary increases, and pension adjustments, reflecting a commitment to inclusive growth. The government's Human Development and cost of living initiatives demonstrate that national prosperity is being directed tow ard improving household welfare, not enrichingafew

In conclusion, while no one denies that global inflation has affected daily life, the narrative that “lived reality” is far worse than official data suggests is an overstatement Guyana's inflation remains under control, its economy robust and its policies targeted toward protecting the most vulnerable Constructive criticism is welcome, but it must be grounded in facts, notimpressions.

Yoursfaithfully, AConcernedCitizen Georgetown,Guyana

that affect the wellbeing of o

communities. Georgetown's challenges cannot be effectively resolved when partisan considerations overshadow public interest.

The citizens of Georgetown deserve a clean, safe, and livable environment, and this can only be achieved throughgenuinecooperation

b e t w e e n C e n t r a l Government, City Hall, and theresidentsthemselves.

education campaigns, enforce existing sanitation by-laws, and take decisive action against delinquents. While I acknowledge the Council's challenges, the time has come for firm and consistent enforcement. As citizens, we must recognise that“thecitybelongstous.” Theenvironmentisashared heritage, and maintaining it begins with personal accountability

At this point, itistime to stop playing politics with the city and to focus on addressing the core issues

D u r i n g a w a l k through several main corridors this week, I was disheartened by the callous disregard some individuals show towards their surroundings. Even sacred spaces such as the Lutheran ChurchbetweenNorthRoad andAlexanderStreetandthe Bedford Methodist Church have become victims of indiscriminate dumping Similarly, the open spaces around Stabroek Square are once again accumulating waste, a visible reminder of civicindiscipline.

The culture must change. The City Council must intensify public

We readily comply with sanitation laws when abroad; it is time we apply thatsamerespectfororderat home As the Christmas season approaches, both the CentralGovernmentandthe City Council must ensure that a contingency plan is in place to prevent garbage pile-upsandthepotentialfor publichealthcrises. There has been much discussion about major drainage projects, yet the garbage situation remains equally urgent If left unchecked, it threatens not onlythecity'simagebutalso the health and dignity of its people.

Yours sincerely,

Annette Ferguson

Promises and Performance: Housing Still Fails the Delivery Test

DearEditor, The Mid-Year 2025 Report provides a useful g l i m p s e i n t o h o w Government programmes are performing halfway through the fiscal year In housing, it reveals a persistent gap between policy ambition and measurable delivery The Ministry of Housing expended G$ 58 billion by June 2025, over half its yearly allocation, yet delivered only 265 completedhomesandissued 2,052titles.Thosearenotthe outputsofa“modelhousing strategy”; they are evidence ofasystemstillstrugglingto turnmoneyintoroofs. Itistruethatthenational housing framework is presented as “phased” and multi-dimensional, combining land allocation, construction and subsidies. On paper, that appears sound.Butprogressmustbe

judged by outcomes, not by PowerPoints.Apolicycanbe well-intentionedandstillfail its citizens if execution is opaqueoruneven.Thesame report that praises inclusion also shows two-thirds of all allocations concentrated in Regions 3 and 4, while hinterland regions continue to lag behind The data therefore undercuts the narrative of spatial balance that the administration so oftenrepeats.

Even the touted “affordability tiers” deserve closerscrutiny Wearetolda low-income family can accessahomeforaslittleas G$ 100 000, yet the State spendsaboutG$5millionto develop each lot. Without a transparentsubsidyformula, income-qualification criteria, and contractor disclosure, citizens cannot tell whether these interventions reach those most in need Nor can

Parliament evaluate valuefor-money when unit costs are hidden behind headline targets.

Guyanese deserve more than annual targets and slogans They deserve a transparent accounting of how public resources translate into real, livable communities complete with roads, drainage, water, and security The Mid-Year 2025 Report should prompt theGovernmenttopublisha detailed implementation matrixshowingcostperunit, regional distribution, and deliverytimelines. Housing is not merely a construction statistic; it is the foundation of national dignity Until performance matches promise, the country's housing success will remain anunfinishedstructure.

Yoursfaithfully, SherodA.Duncan,M.P

APNU's Shadow, MinistryofHousing

FIU uncovers $2B ‘dirty money’ trail

…says cash linked to bribery, tax evasion, gold smuggling, money laundering

More than $2 billion in

suspicious transactions linked to bribery, tax evasion, precious metal smuggling, and money laundering were flagged by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)in2024,accordingto data contained in its latest annualreport.

The report shows that seven cases of corruption and bribery accounted for $786 45 million, eight casesoftaxevasiontotaled $583 45 million, nine cases of smuggling precious metalsamountedto$485 64 million, and six cases of money laundering reached $20152 million, a combined totalofjustover$205billion

Other suspicious activities included eight cases of drug trafficking valued at $686 33 million, sixtycasesofgeneralfraud worth $245 55 million, and seven cases of investment fraud exceeding $3 3 billion, among other activities

Overall, the FIU received 208 Suspicious

Transaction Reports

Matthew Langevine, Director of Financial Intelligence Unit (GUYANA)

(STRs) in 2024, up from 180 the previous year, a 15 6%increase

According to section 18(4) of the (Add spelling) AML/CFT Act a reporting entity must send STRs to the FIU Guyana whenever it suspects or has reasonable grounds to suspect that funds, a transaction or attempted transaction are connectedto the proceeds of criminal activity, money laundering, terroristfinancingoffencesor when funds are suspected of being used for terrorist acts orbyterroristorganisations. Notably, the STR must

be submitted as soon as possible but not later than three days after forming that suspicion and wherever possible before the transaction is carried out

Additionally, reporting entities are required to take reasonable measures to ascertainthepurposeofthe transaction, the origin and ultimate destination of the funds involved and the identityandaddress,ofany ultimatebeneficiary

T h e t w o m o s t commonly cited suspicious activities in STRs received were general fraud, and structuringtransactions

FIUsaidthisindicatesa continued trend of fraudulent and structuring activities as key drivers of suspicious financial behaviour Notably, those two types of suspicious activities accounted for 39 4 per cent of all STRs submitted to the FIU in 2024.

Whiletherewasa15 6% rise in the number of STRs reported in 2024, the overall value of those STRs fell by over 90% It

Guyana ups growth projection to...

Frompage3 outcomecanbeattributedto ramped-up production of metallurgical grade (MAZ) bauxite by the bigger of the two large producers in the sector.”

Without naming the companies,governmentsaid the larger firm reported

1,609,403 tonnes of production this year, compared with 145,335 tonnes during the same

p e r i o d l a s t y e a r

Additionally,itnotedthatthe smaller operator produced

1 1 8 , 9 1 4 t o n n e s

Notwithstanding the strong performance in the first half of theyear,somechallenges persist, including prolonged rainfall, which constrained truepotential.

The sector is now projected to grow by 65.9 percent, with an overall production target of nearly 4.3milliontonnesfor2025.

Gold

A 10.9% growth was recordedforthegoldmining subsector in the first half of 2025. The Mid-Year Report said higher declarations were reported from the singlelargeproduceraswell as the small- and mediumscaleminers.

“AttheendofJune,gold

declarations totalled 208,757 troy ounces, comparedwith188,160troy ounces in the first half of 2024.

Declarations from the lone large producer grew to 71,316 troy ounces, and purchases by the Guyana Gold Board to 86,935 troy ounces,” according to the document.

Combined, these offset the decline in declarations from the licensed dealers, which fell from 66,220 troy ouncesinthefirsthalfoflast year,to50,505troyouncesat the end of June this year

Notwithstanding, the sector's growth target for 2025 remains unchanged at 17.2percent.

Fisheries

The fisheries sector is estimatedtohavecontracted by 1.9% during the first six months of 2025, on account of lower marine shrimp output.TheMid-YearReport states that there was growth in both marine fish production and aquaculture output.

“With respect to marine production,fishoutputgrew by 16 1 percent when compared with the first half of 2024, reaching 11,404 tonnesattheendofJunethis

was reported that the total value of STRs fell sharply from$153 3billionin2023 to$14 2billionin2024.

“This was driven by the fact that most of the fraudrelated STRs originated from the subsector of PaymentServiceProviders (PSPs), where the individual transaction valuesarerelativelylower, when compared to transactions and financial activityfromotherregulated sectors,”itwasstated.

Moreover,FIUsaidthat it is not only the high and increasing number of STR received, but also the

increase in 'intelligence reports' shared with law enforcement that were related to various types of fraud

year Marine shrimp production, however, fell by 42.4percentto5,520tonnes, on account of lower production of industrial seabob shrimp and prawns, whichfellby87percentand 58.6 percent, respectively,” thedocumentindicated.

Further,itwasexplained that the lower-than anticipated production of shrimp was due to low fleet activity,compoundedbylow catch rates. To this end, it was noted that the outlook for the subsector has been revised, with growth now estimated at 2.1 percent for theyear

Diamond

Similarly, a 22 6% declinewasalsorecordedfor diamond output in the first sixmonthsoftheyear

Thereportsharedmerely a one-liner on diamonds, omittinginformationsuchas the total production for the yearcomparedwiththesame period last year It however shared that sand and stone declarationsareestimatedto have grown by 8.1 percent

and 95 5 per

manganese production grew by 31.4 percent to 165,381 tonnes, during the first half oftheyear

Suspected activities and value of STRs compared

“The achievements of the unit during 2024 have brought great pride and satisfaction not only to the FIU team, but to all our AMLCFT partners locally, r e g i o n a l l y a n d internationally

These achievements will serve collectively as a further inspiration to strengthen our resolve to deliver on our mandate to aid in the detection, prevention and deterrence of ML, TF and PF,” FIU stated in the 2024 annual report

“Many of these cases were perpetrated via social media and / or digital platforms It is for this reason, we focused on increasing the knowledge of the public and more importantly training and providing feedback to reporting entities on these emerging trends, through typologies and red flags. This effort allowed for preventative, corrective and / or mitigating measures to betakeninatimelymanner,” itwasstated.

with contract splitting - AG report GPF breached Procurement Act

The 2024 Auditor General's report has found thattheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) has breached the ProcurementAct of 2003 by splitting contracts and awarding62contractsworth $15.047million.

Contract splitting is a practicewhereasinglelarge project is divided into smaller components. This is done so that each smaller contract is kept under the value threshold that triggers a formal, competitive bidding process or a higher levelofmanagementreview This in turn, allows for the avoidance of formal procurement rules

increasing the risk of procurement f

includingkickbacksandbidrigging. The Procurement Act 2003 Section 14 states, “A procuring entity shall not split or cause to split contracts or divide or cause to divide its procurement intoseparatecontractswhere thesolepurposefordoingso istoavoidtheapplicationof any provision of this Act,” thereportsaid. Nevertheless, it was observed from the sample selectedduringtheauditthat the act was breached by the GPF with the 62 contracts awarded for several projects

throughout the Force Looking at the values of these contracts, it gives the

he payments were deliberately s

vided to avoid adjudicationbytheNational Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

“The Police Force's responsestatedthatthehead of the budget agency indicated that measures are put in place to avoid any reoccurrences The audit office recommends that the head of the budget agency complies fully with the Procurement Act 2003,” the reportfurtherstated.

The shock of my life

Afew days ago, I almostfaintedat the wheel It wasn’tbecauseoflowblood sugar,orthepriceoffoodin themarkets,oreventhesight of a police roadblock at the endofthemonth.

No, it was because of an infomercial from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). A calm, soothing voice came over the radio urging citizens to report incidentsofelectricitytheft. Now, I nearly drove into a trench Not because I

disapprove of civic responsibility,butbecauseit struck me with the force of 220voltsthatinGuyana,it’s far easier to steal electricity than to get a legal connection.

Yousee,GPLlivesinan alternate universe, a bureaucratic Neverland where wires are sacred, formsaredivine,andlogicis optional.To get a legitimate connection, you must first embark on a spiritual journeythroughthemazeof paperwork. The paperwork required for a connection is

staggering.Youneedacopy ofyourID,alandtitle,your birth certificate, the birth certificate of the house, and possibly a sworn statement from the midwife who delivered you just to prove you exist at that address. If you live with your parents, GPLwill demand proof that youarenotmerelysquatting in your own bedroom. You must show tenancy documents or affidavits to prove that you have been thereforanextendedperiod. Extended, in GPL time, means since before electricitywasinvented. And heaven help you if your parents live overseas. Imaginecallingyourmother in Brooklyn to tell her she mustsign,notarizeandDHL a document authorising you toputconnectametertothe house so you can have light toseeyourdinner

Meanwhile, over on somegovernmentreserveor parapet, there’s a squatter who can’t spell “affidavit” butsomehowhasasparkling new meter and a water connection. Nobody knows

how it happens, but it happens with the regularity ofsunrise.Thesquattermay not have a title deed, a lot number, or even an address, butthereheis—glowingin the dark while you, the lawabiding citizen, sit by candlelight filling out GPL Form No. 47B: Application fortheRighttoApplyforan Application.

This is Guyana’s grand irony: the system rewards illegality with convenience and punishes legitimacy with paperwork GPL’s mottomightaswellbe:“The more honest you are, the dimmer your lights.” And now they want us to report electricity theft? Please. That’s like asking people to report rainfall in the rainy s e a s o n . I n s o m e communities, the only thing more common than illegal connectionsaremosquitoes. Before GPL lectures the public about morality, it shouldtakeahardlookinthe mirror,preferablyunderone of its own flickering bulbs.

The company cannot continue to preside over a

DEM BOYS SEH

Progressdoesmek peoplerunmad

Progress does mek some people glad. But it does also mek some peoplemad.

Dependingonwhichsideofdepolitical divide yuh deh, yuh does sing and dance when yuh see progress. But some people nah wan see progress when dem side nah dehpuntop.

And suh every time dem read bout progressdemdoesgettraumatised.

Is dat wah happening in Guyana. Deh gat people wah happy with progress. And yuhgatoneandtwowahdistressbecauseof deprogress.

AllGuyanesewantprosperityandsome awe leaders does also pray fuh progress. BurnhambinmeetGodinadreamin1970 and he bin ask God, “God when will Guyanaseeprosperity?”

Godtellhe,“Indenext200years.” Burnham cry because he know dat he wouldn’tdehroundtoseedeprogress.

JaganbinmeetGodinadreamin1980, HetoobinaskGod,“WhenwillGuyanasee prosperity?” God tell he in another 200 years.Jaganstartfuhcrybecausehetuhbin knowhecan’tlivedatlang.

Jagdeo also meet God in a dream in 2000. He ask God de same question, “God when will Guyana see prosperity?”Godanswerhe,“Indenext 200metres.”

Now Jagdeo bin wan know if was somemistakeGodmek

HeaskheselfifGodmistakemetres fuh years.WhydidGodsayindenext200 metres?

So he pray and ask God fuh explain how Guyana can meet prosperity in de next200metres

Luckily fuh he, God answer he De Creator tell he, “Guyana does move forwardonemetreeveryyear

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

systemsotangledinredtape that it makes the national grid look simple. If it were easier to apply for a visa to Mars than to get legal electricity in Guyana, who, really, is responsible for the theft?

The answer lies in the culture of bureaucratic absurditythathastakenroot in our public utilities Insteadoffixingtheprocess, the institutions prefer to fix the citizens with lectures about “responsibility” and “law and order.” But what law and order exists when the law itself is designed to e x h a u s t y o u i n t o submission?

GPL’s customer service is an Olympic sport in patience.Youtakeanumber, you wait in line, and you

watch the staff move with the speed of a candle melting. There’s a form for everything and a reason for nothing. They’ll ask for your mother’smaidenname,your grandmother’s baptism certificate,andaphotograph of your front step for verification purposes All this,justtoturnonaswitch. Then,afterweeksofchasing documents,payingdeposits, and whispering prayers, they’ll tell you that the electrical inspector has to visit.Andyet,thesquatterat the corner somehow bypasses all this divine intervention. No affidavits, no site visits, no photocopies.Hislightshines bright, legally or otherwise.

So, when I heard that

infomercial urging citizens to report electricity theft, I laughed the bitter laugh of experience.BeforeGPLcan preachmorality,itmustfirst fix its own system by simplifying the process, treat honest customers with respect, and make legal connections easier to obtain thanillegalones.Untilthen, theircampaignwillremaina shocking example of irony inhighvoltage.

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

H@RD TRUTHS

A king dismisses a prince

This is what leaders do. Last week, a king kickedoutaprinceoutfrom hishome,strippedhimofhis luscious titles, and pushed him off the peeragerolls. It matterednotatallthatitisa biological brother Sometimes, brothers can go toofar,makeadamnfoolof themselves, become a disgracetothewholefamily Unfortunately, blood ties and all, there is only one optionleft. Outgoeshe.Too much time had elapsed already Out on his head, and cast out into the outer darkness,aworldawayfrom palace, pomp, and pageantry, and the other perquisites that go with those. Itisthewayitshould be.

Frankly, and with every regardtotheresidentBritish High Commissioner to Guyana,andotherBritishers

here for the joy of being around at this time, I have little regard for that cherished institutions of theirs,themonarchyandthe raunchy,rollickingmembers of a family long out of control.

Elizabeth Regina must be shivering in her resting place, disturbed that all her strenuous efforts, her good works, to hold things together, have come to this sorry and shabby juncture.

King Charles III acted with authority and aplomb and, onthisoccasionofresolve,I lookonthemankindly Iturnmygazeandlookat Guyana, and ponder when has such definitive action ever been taken here. In Guyana's equivalent of the Britishroyalfamily,thelocal political aristocracy, especiallywhenitsmembers have the reins of power in their hands. Who has the

PPP Government ousted from among the ranks of its political blood brothers and sisters? Who has the PNC, in any form-PNC, PNCR, APNU, or APNU/AFCwhen in power sent packing with a hard boot to the behind? Despite a world of corruption, I challenge both parties,IinviteallGuyanese with a functional brain in their skulls, to name one fromthosebandsofbrothers andsisters,whohavebeena disgrace where taxpayer's money is concerned in this country, and who has been terminatedforgoingtoofar Justone! Guyana'spolitical royalty is that immaculate that it doesn't have one “teef”, one conman, one abuser

Here in Guyana, the brothers coverup for their brothers; even when there is the irony that the protectors are likely to be in need of

much covering up for themselves. Allforone,and allforall,insomeofitsbest renditions,iswhatGuyanese havehadtolivewithdecade after decade, and under one government after another Leaders lookout for their own;theprotectedoneskeep thesecretsofleaders. It'sall in the family, and with the population going along. A kingcouldhavethestomach andstandardtogetridofhis brother, separate him, however painfully, from all those glorious titles and glorious perches. But here thelocalkingshidebehinda blizzardofwords,aseriesof conjobs,tokeepthePPPand PNCfamiliesintact. Forthe skeptical, I urge recalling almostallofthosefarcesthat are called Commissions of Inquiry (COI) Linden Inquiry MahdiaInquiry To lump those shams under the banner of COI should be

made into a crime. Then, there was that US$214 million Exxon audit, where the real intellectual author was spared a public flogging. And on and on, it was and is in merry olde Guyana.

The point is that a few other men in a few faraway placesaremoved,interribly egregious cases, to abandon relationships (biological or political)andletthehammer drop on the head of the offending.

In Guyana, one political king wiggles, another mastermind of a leader jiggles,anditisthesameold self-enriching business goingonwithbarelyapause. When the outrageous are protected by local kings, they are protecting themselves, keeping their ownskeletonssafe. Theyall holdonehead,sothatnoone loses his or her head. Thus,

Mahipaul demands expanded audit of public spending

The Auditor General currently examines only a small slice of government spending, in many cases a mere10to25percentoftotal expenditure by Budget Agencies Yet, even within this restricted sample, his reports continue to expose alarming levels of financial abuse, mismanagement, and blatant disregard for procurement and financial laws,sosaidAPNUMember of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul

He said if massive improprieties are being unearthedfromjustafraction of the books, then it is urgently necessary that the

Auditor General widens his scope. In a statement issued to the media on Wednesday Mahipaul said When red flagsappear,thepublicpurse must not be shielded by sampling limitations, noting that taxpayers deserve full a n d u n f i l t e r e d accountability, not selective auditing that leaves billions of public dollars in the shadows. “The people of Guyana deserve to know how every cent of their tax dollars is being spent, and it is unacceptable for massive leakages, wastage, and possibleactsofcorruptionto go unchecked simply becausetheyfalloutsidethe

...says“if a fraction shows hundreds of millions missing,imagine the rest”

sampleaudited” “Ifinjustafractionweare seeing hundreds of millions spentlooselyandcontraryto the financial laws, one can only imagine what might be uncovered in the remaining Intheinterestoftransparency, accountability, and good governance, I therefore call on the Auditor General to expandthescopeofhisaudits whenever his findings raise red flags The credibility of our financial management system depends on the independence and vigilance of his office, and the people expect nothing less than a thorough and fearless examination of public

Pres. Ali promises new measures by year-end to empower

Tthere is the kind of democracy of which a selfenricher like John Hess could celebrate, while his company's financials are a mazeofmysteries. Taxes. In Great Britain, King Charles III could take the courageous and momentous step of dispatching his own siblingintothewilderness. I respect him for that action. In Jolly Old Guyana, the kings here are the embodimentoftheopposite, i.e.,coveringupandcursing those who say that the corruption is in many ministries and still spiral above those fields of dirty deeds that trick and cheat Guyanese.

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

expenditure,” the statement read NDIA

Meanwhile, in another statement, Mahipaul turned his attention to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), saying that the findings of the Auditor General's PerformanceAuditReporton theentityaredeeplytroubling and underscore the urgent need for stronger systems of accountability and oversight across public agencies in Guyana.

approximately 51% of the sampledexpenditure”

Guyanese

he government will soon announce a series of comprehensive measures for households and other vulnerable groups beforetheendoftheyear,inkeepingwithits commitment to improving citizens' livelihoods The announcement was made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Wednesdayduringaninterview “Iamgoing to announce, before the end of the year, a series of measures, not only looking at cash grant, but looking at the total empowerment ofeveryGuyanese,whetheryouaresomeone living with a disability, the elderly, children, women, small businesses, farmers – every category,”hestated

Toensureeveryonebenefits,PresidentAli encouragedGuyanesetoopenbankaccounts, asthiswouldallowforthesmoothandefficient paymentofgrants Lastyear,thegovernment distributed $100,000 in cash grants to every adultGuyanese Thatinitiativecomplemented the$50,000BecauseWeCarestudentgrant,the $100,000 Newborn Grant, and several other social support programmes implemented by the PPP/C administration during its 2020-2025term (DPI)

The MP said the report paints a picture of serious administrative and governance deficiencies within the NDIA including theabsenceofaformalasset management policy, prolonged vacancies in key leadership positions, poor d o c u m e n t a t i o n o f maintenance expenditure, andincompleteorinaccurate asset registers “These weaknesses not only compromisetransparencybut also risk the misuse or misdirection of taxpayers' money It is alarming that, during the period under review, over G$66 billion was expended on asset maintenance, yet the NDIA was unable to produce payment vouchers for

Moreover, Mahipaul said assetswerefoundunmarked, unaccountedfor,andinsome cases, serviceable and unserviceable equipment were stored together in clear breach of the Stores Regulations “The Public AccountsCommitteemustbe ready to rigorously examine thesefindings ThePAC'srole istoensurethatpublicfunds are expended with integrity, transparency, and value-formoney,andthateveryagency entrusted with public resourcesisheldtoaccount.I thereforecallfor:Continuous examinationofagenciessuch as the NDIA by the Audit Office to determine whether public resources are being effectively and efficiently managed; Implementation of all 22 recommendations madebytheAuditorGeneral to strengthen governance, record-keeping, and internal control systems; and An expansion of performance audits across other critical agencieswithintheMinistry of Agriculture and beyond, to evaluate whether national resources are achieving the outcomes for which they were allocated, ” MP Mahipaulsaid. He said performance

audits, unlike compliance audits, focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and economy, noting that they help Parliament and the public understand whether agencies are not only following the rules but delivering real results “For a country investing heavily in infrastructure, agriculture, and flood management, such audits are indispensable The Opposition reiterates that accountability is not an act of opposition, it is an act of patriotism Taxpayers deserve assurance that their hard-earnedmoneyisbeing spent prudently, that assets are properly managed, and thateverydollarcontributes meaningfully to national development

We will therefore continue to advocate for greater transparency, the fullimplementationofaudit recommendations, and the s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f institutional governance throughout the public sector” APNU Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul

‘Terror Crew’ Remanded Prosecutorssaysuspectsformedpartofawell-coordinatedterrorcell

Four Venezuelans and three Guyanesewereremandedtoprison on Wednesday, following their appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court for the deadly October 26 bombing of the Mobil Gas Station on Regent Street, Georgetown.

The prosecution outlined that all the suspects acted in alliance with the main suspect, 33-year-old Venezuelan Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, who was identified as the primary orchestratoroftheattack.Theother sixindividualswereeitherawareof the plan, aided Poedemo, or assistedintransportinghim.

The accused are: Wayne Correia, 44, Guyanese; Ramesh Pramdeo, 51, Guyanese; Krystal LaCruz, 33, Guyanese; Jennifer Rodriguez,33,Venezuelan;Johnny Boodram, 27, Venezuelan; and Alexander Bettancourt, 44, Venezuelan.Theyappearedincourt onthesameday,buttheirhearings were conducted at different locations. Poedemo, Bettancourt, LaCruz, and Boodram's case was heardbeforeChiefMagistrateFaith McGusty at the Georgetown District Court, while the cases of Rodriguez, Corriea, and Pramdeo wereheardvirtuallyattheLeonora Magistrates' Court by Magistrate AliciaGeorge.

Poedemo faced a separate charge He was accused of committing an act of terrorism on October 26, with intent to threaten the sovereignty and security of Guyana or strike terror to the people by using an explosive substance by placing it at the mobile fuel station on Regent and King Streets, Lacytown, Georgetown, which caused the death of six-year-old Soraya Bourne. He was not required to enterapleatotheindictablecharge.

Meanwhile, Bettancourt, LaCruz,andBoodramwerejointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in carrying out the bombing. They were also not required to enter a plea. All were unrepresentedexceptBoodram.

Boodram's attorney, Mikel Puran, argued that his client,a taxi driver, had no knowledge of the bombing and was merely hired by LaCruz to drive her and two Venezuelan men to Georgetown. Pooran claimed that Boodram was innocent and that his arrest was an abuse of the judicial process, as police had not followed proper procedures.“Itisanabusetobring him before the court and he has no knowledge,”Pooranstated. Nevertheless, the prosecution opposed to bail on grounds of public interest and safety to the

The explosion occurred at the Mobil Gas Station at the corner of Regent and King Streets, Georgetown

public. The four accused were remanded and scheduled to return on November 12, for further proceedings.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez, Correia, and Pramdeo were jointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo between October 24 and 29 at East Bank Essequibo. They wereallegedtohaveassistedinthe

bombing, although their lawyers deniedanyinvolvement.

Attorney Bernard Da Silva, representing the two Guyanese nationals, Correia and Pramdeo, argued that his clients had no connection to the bombing. Da SilvaexplainedthatCorreia,ataxi driver,wasinPomeroonatthetime, and had made a phone call to

theexplosiontookplace.Theyhad no agreement to assist in any way with the explosion,” Da Silva stated. Thelawyerarguedthatboth of his clients had no prior antecedentsandarenotflightrisks.

However, the prosecution counteredDaSilva'sclaims,stating that the accused were aware of the plan, including communications betweenPoedemoandLaCruzafter the bombing The prosecutor argued that, following the bombing, the main suspect contacted LaCruz, who is in a relationshipwithhim.LaCruzthen pickedhimupanddrovehimtoher home before taking him to Rodriguez's residence. During this time, Poedemo used LaCruz's phone to contact individuals in Venezuela,askingformoney.After dropping Poedemo off at Rodriguez'shome,LaCruzleftand returnedtowork.

The prosecutor also mentioned a boat used to transport Poedemo, which had allegedly been sold to one of Da Silva's clients. The prosecution also strongly objected tobailcitingtheseriousnessofthe offence, the penalties attached to the offence and the interest of nationalsecurity

Inresponsetothegravityofthe charges, Magistrate George emphasised the seriousness of the offence and the need for national security All three accused were remanded,andtheirnextcourtdate wassetforNovember24.

Meanwhile, Da Silva speaking with the media, emphasised his stance with the terrorism act. “I condemn in the strongest possible form the act of the bombing. I will not represent anyone who would havecommittedtheactofterrorism againstthestateofGuyana.”

Pramdeo, asking him to transport twoVenezuelans,whowereknown tothemasgoldminers,toahotelin Essequibo and leaving them. He said Pramdeo was not involved in thebombingandhadnoknowledge ofthesuspects'intentions.“Hewas not the taxi driver that brought the Venezuelans to Georgetown. He wasnowherearoundtheareawhere

Last week, additional details from the investigation from the Guyana Police Force revealed that the suspects had entered Guyana illegallyviaabacktrackrouteinthe PomeroonRiverbeforetravelingto Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and eventually to Georgetown. Police also discovered that two of the Venezuelan suspects had used a visittoaKFCrestaurantascoverto conduct surveillance on the gas station before carrying out the attack Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that Poedemo and his accomplice had links to a gang in Venezuela, known as “R,” which has ties to the notorious Sindicato gang, responsible for violent cross-border crimes.While the motive behind the bombing remainsunclear,investigatorshave not ruled out the possibility of organized transnational criminal activitybeinginvolved.

Wayne Corriea Jennifer Rodriguez Johnny Boodram

Krystal LaCruz

Ramesh Pramdeo

AlexanderBettancourt

Alleged bomb planter

Daniel Poedemo seen as mastermind

Brazilian gold raider invade Iwokrama

...twoarrested,othersdroppassportsandrun

A joint operation to clamp down on illegal gold mining inside the Iwokrama ProtectedAreahasledtoyet another arrest, underscoring the continuing invasion of Guyana's most treasured rainforestreservebyforeign criminalelements.

In a press release

IWOKRAM said on November 1, 2025, a mission involving the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Police Force, and

I

national Flaviano TeixieraCosta, who was detained after being found mining i l l e g a l l y i n t h e internationally recognised conservation zone His capture follows months of ongoingoperationsaimedat driving out illegal miners who continue to ravage the forest'sprotectedlands.

Iwokrama officials say thatwhileillegalmininghas slowed compared to last year, the threat remains severe with more foreign nationals crossing Guyana's porous borders under the guiseof“tourism”toextract gold from a forest where mining is absolutely prohibitedbylaw

Several miners fled into the jungle as enforcement teams arrived, but officers

recovered passports identifying other Brazilian nationalslinkedtotheillegal operation: Jailson Ferreira; Lima Iago SilvaAlves; Jose Antonio Rodrigues Dos

Santos and Jose Do Santos Silvino.

Investigators believe these foreign nationals entered Guyana pretending to be vacationers, only to disappearintotheinteriorto dig for gold within a protected ecosystem critical to Guyana's environmental future.Iwokramaiswarning once again that mining anywhere in the reserve is a direct breach of the IWOKRAMA ACT 1996, whichcarriesstrictpenalties for those who damage the protected area. The Centre stressed that illegal mining destroys fragile ecosystems, pollutesrivers,andthreatens the livelihoods and traditional activities of local c

Brazilian national: Flaviano

Teixiera-Costa

c

underminesGuyana'sglobal standing as a nation

8, 2025

s

protection, especially as it pursuesinternationalclimate financing. “Iwokrama will not tolerate these violations,” the Centre declared, adding that it reserves the right to publish the names and photographs of offenders caught degrading the protected forest.

The organisation expressed its gratitude for the continued support of state agencies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources, GGMC, Guyana Police Force, Protected Areas Commission, and Environmental Protection Agency

Just last week the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) extended its support to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission(GGMC)forits crackdownonillegalmining and smuggling in Guyana, but it did not mention the activities at IWOKRAM Instead, the GGDMA noted recent enforcement efforts (Continuedonpage16)

Scenes of illegal mining activities at Iwokrama

Jose Do Santos Silvino was apprehended during an operation on October

Melissa leaves big bill behind

...Economist estimates infrastructure damage from hurricane could hit J$2.5

(Jamaica Gleaner) At least one economist has indicated that the damage to the country's infrastructure, spanning housing, water, e l e c t r i c i t y , telecommunications, and roads could reach an estimated US$16 billion (J$2.5trillion)orpotentially up to at least 75 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Economist Keenan Falconer said yesterday that with GDP expected to fall precipitously in the wake of Melissa's impact, the debtto-GDP ratio, governed by legislated fiscal rule since 2014, would rise in the mediumterm.

Henotedthatthecountry was on target to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 60 per centbyMarch2026.

Thedebt-to-GDPratiois a country's public debt to its annual economic output

Corentyne carpenter remanded for killing drinking partner

expressedasapercentage.

“In these instances, the legislation allows for a suspension of the rules so that the Government can recalibrate its fiscal position forthefuture,”hesaid. In a stateme

o Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said a preliminary estimateofMelissa'simpact, based on benchmarks of

infrastructure,isestimatedat between US$6 billion (J$963 billion) and US$7 billion(J$1.1billion),which isequivalentto28percentto 32 per cent of the GDP for fiscalyear2024-2025.

Theprimeministersaida pre

suggests that short-term economic output could decline by eight to 13 per cent.

“It is a major hit to our

Remanded: Emmanuel 'Joel' Ramsammy

Emmanuel 'Joel' Ramsammy, the man who reportedlyattackedandkilled his drinking buddy on Sundaywithapieceofwood, was remanded to prison on Wednesday

He was charged with the murder of 56-year-old Imran Kadir, called 'Shut Pon Shoulder', a laborer of King Street,BelvedereSettlement, Corentyne, Berbice after the two were engaged in one of theirusualdrinkingsessions.

Ramsammy, a 32–yearold carpenter, also of King Street,BelvedereSettlement, appeared at the Reliance Magistrate Court, to answer thechargewhichallegedthat he murdered Kadir between SaturdayandSundaylast.

The case was heard before Magistrate Michelle Matthias, who, citing the seriousness of the matter, denied bail for the accused who was also without representation. He also did notsubmitaplea.

The matter will next be

declared, saying the country had never experienced a disaster of this magnitude withthiseconomicfootprint intermsoftheimpact.

Noting that the initial estimate is conservative, the prime minister noted that to lose 30 per cent of the country'sGDPissignificant. He said in another few weeks,thecountrywouldbe providedwithamoreprecise estimateofthedamage.

The administration is

anticipating a temporary slowdown in economic activity, particularly in the most affected parishes, with agriculturaloutputdeclining sharply in the short term as farmersbeginreplantingand livestockoperationsrecover

Holness said while the tourism sector is resilient and working swiftly to recover, it will require targeted support to restore capacityandconfidence.

He said small and m

heard at the Albion

Magistrate's Court on November18,2025. According to police

reports, Kadir and Ramsammy were imbibing alcohol at Ramsammy's homewhenthehostallegedly began to hit Kadir and chase him from his yard. Kadir left and returned to his own home.

Shortlyafter,Ramsammy went to Kadir's home, where he dealt the man several blows with a piece of wood, and then returned to his own home.On Sunday morning, Kadir was discovered dead byoneofhisneighbourswho hadvisitedhishometocheck onhim.

The police were summoned, and Ramsammy was shortly after taken into custody, while a bloodstained one-by-four piece of wood,supposedlythemurder weapon,wasalsorecovered. Kadir resided at the propertyaloneashisrelatives aresaidtobeoverseas.

trillion

especially those in retail, manufacturing services and the creative industries, have sustained significant losses andwillrequireliquidityand recovery support to rebuild inventories, repair their facilities, and restart operations.

Falconeragreedwiththe preliminary double-digit decline in economic output, notingthattheinitialimpact of the hurricane is not dissimilar to the economic

experienced with the COVIDpandemic.

“Given that there is significant infrastructure

(Continuedonpage16)

Economist: Keenan Falconer

Israel kills two Palestinians

(AL-JAZEERA) The Israeli army says it has killed two Palestiniansinseparateincidentsin centralGazaearliertoday,claiming they had approached soldiers “in a manner that posed an immediate threat”.

In a statement, the military accused the men of crossing the ceasefire's yellow line near Israeli positions and were “eliminated” shortlyafterbeingspotted.

Dozens of Palestinians have been killed since the October 10 ceasefire began for breaching or coming too close to the so-called yellow line, which is the name Israel has given to the line behind which its forces have withdrawn. Little information has been given aboutthelocationofthisline,andit is still being physically marked on the ground, presenting another deadlyhazardforPalestinians.

Meanwhile,theIsraeliarmyhas launched raids and intensive artilleryshellingwhilecarryingout demolitions in southern Gaza, colleaguesonthegroundreport.

Israeliforcescarriedoutraidsin the occupied West Bank, entering thetownsofNilinwestofRamallah and Beit Furik east of Nablus, according to the Palestinian Wafa newsagency

InNilin,troopsstormedseveral neighbourhoods, stopped residents and checked their IDs, sparking confrontations with Palestinians in thearea.Noinjuriesorarrestswere reported.

Separately, Israeli forces entered the centre of Beit Furik, firing stun grenades and tear gas, localsourcessaid.

According to Al Jazeera's correspondent on the ground,

confrontations broke out in Beit Furik,aswell.Therehavebeenno reportsofinjuriesorarrests.

UN data shows continued demolition of Palestinian homes acrossWestBank

demolitions targeting Palestinianowned structures in the occupied WestBankiscontinuingunabated, according to OCHA's demolition anddisplacementdashboard.

Since 2009, thousands of structures, including homes, livestockshelters,watertanks,and donor-fundedbuildings,havebeen demolished or seized by Israeli authorities, fuelling displacement

Palestinians walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City on Sunday [FIle: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]

environment,OCHAsaid.

According to the data, in 2025 alone,atleast1,434structureswere demolished, displacing more than 1,800people.

Muchofthedemolitionactivity is tied to areas where Palestinians face near-impossible access to Israeli building permits, particularly in Area C and in occupied East Jerusalem. OCHA says this pattern effectively restricts Palestinian development and population growth in those zones.

Al Jazeera has spoken to displaced Palestinians at a soup kitchen in Khan Younis, southern Gaza,wheredesperatefamiliesare reliant on sporadic aid deliveries forsurvival.

The ceasefire agreement was (Continuedon page16)

Sophia man killed by reputed wife during fight

A domestic dispute turned deadly on Wednesday evening at Lot 890 B Field, Sophia, leaving 25-year-old Akeem Evans dead,allegedlyatthehandsofhis23-year-old reputedwife,Jenoria“Heaven”Browne.

According to police reports, the murder occurredaround18:10hrsatthelowerflatofa two-storey house owned by Evans' parents. Evans, a labourer, reportedly had ongoing arguments with Browne, stemming from suspicions that she was involved with other men,saidhissister,MellissaStuart.

Eyewitness Renetta Blake recounted that Evans ran out from the family yard bleeding fromastabwoundtohisleftchest,tellingher that Browne had attacked him. Browne reportedlyfledthescene,crying.Ataxidriver later transported both Evans and Browne to Georgetown Public Hospital, where Evans was pronounced dead on arrival. Browne allegedlyleftthehospitalimmediately

Police on scene observed blood stains throughout the flat, including on a speaker box, living room floor, and table. Cannabis leavesandseedswerealsoseizedforforensic

testing. The murder weapon has not been recovered, and Browne remains at large as investigationscontinue.

The body of Evans was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination, while police continue to question witnesses and collectevidence.

Two drown after boat sinks in Puruni River

Two men have died after the boat they were in sank in the treacherous Puruni River Wednesday afternoon. Dead are Patrice Grimmond and Evis Robin(agesandaddressesareunknown atthistime).

The incident occurred around 16:00hrs,astheboatwastravelingfrom Surie Mouth Backdam to Puruni Landing when it reportedly developed mechanicalissues,policesaidinapress release.

Policesaidpreliminaryinformation indicates that the vessel which was carrying four occupants, encountered m

h

nica

d

culties and subsequently became unbalanced resulting in it capsizing. Two of the individuals on board managed to swim to safety However, Grimmond and Robin, initially were reported missing, buttheirbodieslatersurfaced.

Ateamofpolicerankswasdeployed to the area to carry out investigations andassistinsearchandrecoveryefforts. Deceased, Patrice Grimmond

Dead:AkeemEvans

Govt. seeking bids for new Diamond Surface Water Treatment Plant

The Government

o f G u y a n a through the

GuyanaWaterInc.(GWI)is seeking bids for the design and construction of a new Surface Water Treatment PlantatDiamond,EastBank Demerara(EBD).

This is according to a request for bids issued by GWIonNovember4.

According to the notice, theGuyanaGovernmenthas received a loan from the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank toward thecostofClimateResilient

Water Infrastructure Improvement Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the contract –Design, supply, installation and commissioning of surface water treatment facilitiesatDiamond.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the facility willbea30millionlitresper day (MLD) surface water treatment plant and the construction period is expectedtobe24months.

Bids for the project are expected to open on December 16, 2025 at the National Procurement and

Tender Administration Boardoffice.

BackinMarchthisyear, GWIinapressreleasestated that under the Guyana Climate Resilient Water

Supply Improvement Programme,thisinitiativeis being carried out in collaboration with the InterAmerican Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency(JICA).

Once completed, the newDiamondSurfaceWater Treatment Plant will significantly enhance water access for thousands of residents along the East Bank corridor, ensuring a more resilient, sustainable, and efficient water supply system.Theprojectwillalso reduce groundwater abstraction and improve climate adaptability through modern infrastructure and non-revenue water (NRW) reductioninitiatives.

As part of the broader Guyana Climate Resilient Water Supply Improvement Programme, the project will be supported by key infrastructure investments, including investment in

water treatment and transmission,whichseeksto construct a modern water treatment facility, raw water intake infrastructure, and 30km of new transmission mains.

GWIhadmentionedthat it remains committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable water services while adapting to the challenges posed by climate change.

GW'sCEO,ShaikBaksh in the statement had reaffirmed the company's dedication to delivering improved service quality to residents across the country, stating, “This partnership

ICA represents a major step forward in ensuring a sustainable and climateresilientwatersupplyforour growingcommunitieswhich we are witnessing through

d expansion.

The new Diamond Surface Water Treatment Plant is a key component in our vision for a modern and efficient water system,” he related.

Fisherfolk to receive $150,000 grant,

tax-free support – President Ali

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced a major support package for the nation's fisherfolk, including a $150,000 cash grantforeachfishermanand the removal of taxes on key materialsusedinthesector

“We're going to give $150,000 to every fisherfolk out there to help them as an incentive and subsidy from the Government,” the headof-state said during an interviewonWednesday

He explained that the initiative is part of his administration's ongoing

efforts to strengthen the fishingindustryandimprove livelihoods in coastal and riverine communities In addition to the direct cash support, fuel, seines, and otheressentialmaterialswill now be tax-free, helping to reduce operational costs for fisherfolk This latest initiative builds on a series ofgovernmentinterventions in the fisheries sector In 2022, over $1.1 billion in grants was distributed to more than 7,500 fisherfolk acrossGuyana.

Thegovernmenthasalso

been upgrading landing and processing facilities, providing training, and promoting sustainable and climate-resilient fishing practices. According to the 2025 Mid-Year Report prepared by the Ministry of Finance, the agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector grewbyninepercentinthe firsthalfoftheyear

The report also confirmed that further investments and incentives will continue to be directed towardthesekeyareasofthe economy (DPI)

Over $3B in medical supplies still to be

The Ministry of Health is still to receive some $3.6billionworthofmedical suppliespaidforin2024,the Auditor General report has revealed.

According to the report, which details Guyana's financial accounts for 2024, the health ministry was allotted some $10 216 billion under line item 6221 for drugs and medical suppliesfor2024.

Thedocumentstatesthat the amount was then increasedbyvirementsinthe sumof$102.889millionand a supplementary allotment of $3.687 billion, giving it a revised total of $14 006 billion.

According to the report, amounts totalling $13.993 billion were expended and included in this amount was $117 482 million for warrants, $102 million for the Linden Hospital Complex and $89 230 million for the Georgetown PublicHospitalCorporation.

The AG noted that a differenceof$13.684billion was paid to suppliers. In a table, the AG detailed the payments to suppliers, deliveries, and outstanding deliveries at the time of reporting in September 2025.

A table presented by the Auditor General showing the payments to suppliers, deliveries, and outstanding deliveries at the time of reporting in September 2025.

According to the table there were 18 suppliers listed, and out of that a m o u n t , s i x h a v e outstandingdeliveries. The six suppliers are WesternScientificCompany Limited which has outstanding deliveries a m o u n t i n g t o

$1,519,060,000; New GPC which has the largest outstanding deliveries totalling $2,054,467,000; Linden Medical Supplies GuyanaInc.

; Diamed Caribbean Inc. has outstanding supplies worth $ 3 6 5 , 0 0 0 ; M

DistributionGuyanaInc.has $423,000; and UNFPA which has $11,497,000 in supplies outstanding to the ministry.

“As shown in the table above, at the time of reporting in September 2025, outstanding deliveries totaled $3.607 billion while

excess deliveries totaled to $70.510M. It should be noted that the ministry submitted additional Invoices, stores received notes and delivery notes for drugs and medical supplies valued at $951.393 million.

The audit office is in the process of validating those

deliveries,” the auditor generalreported.

Responding to the auditor's finding, the health ministry explained that due to space constraints, it is normalpracticeinthehealth supply chain to expect changesindeliverytimesfor medicinesandsuppliesafter contracts are signed, due to unexpecteddemandpatterns as a result of pandemics, short shelf life of medical supplies, natural disasters, and illness profiles “Therefore, the ministry stagger

bove deliveries to suit current needs,”thereportadded.

In addition to those findings, the AG reported that there were outstanding d

suppliers totalling $13.851 million and $80.231 million for 2022 and 2023 respectively

The ministry stated that in relation to these two suppliers, its legal department is in the process of closing these contracts with the suppliers for the outstandingdeliveries.

Initsrecommendationto the ministry, the audit office advised that head of the budgetAgencytakeactionto ensuresuppliersofdrugsand medical supplies honour theircontractualobligations.

High Court dismisses GTUC's bid for police to be allowed to join union delivered to Health Ministry - AG report repor

The High Court has dismissed the Guyana Trades Union Congress' (GTUC) application which requested the Court to declare sections of the law that forbid police officers from joining the union unconstitutional.

The Applicant argued thattheprovisionsinSection 46 of the Police Act Cap. 16:01ands.2(2)oftheTrade UnionRecognitionAct,Cap. 98:07 which prohibit members of the Guyana

Police Force from

associating with and belonging to a trade union, violate their fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 147(1)oftheConstitution.

The GTUC argued through its lawyer Darren Wade that Article 147(1) guarantee every citizen the righttofreedomofassembly, association, and to form or belong to trade unions or other organisations for the

protectionoftheirinterests. In ruling on Friday, Justice Gino Persaud agreed with the Attorney General's submissions, that the restrictions, provided for by Article 147(4)(a) of the Constitution, are lawful and constitutional. He held that limitations onthefundamentalrightsof police officers to associate withandtobelongtoatrade unionarejustifiedastheyare necessary for defence,

public safety and public order

In his ruling, the Judge stated: “In the present proceedings, the State has convincingly demonstrated that permitting officers to engageinindustrialactionor labourdisputewouldforma graveandtangiblethreatthat would affect the effective functioning of the apparatus and machinery of the State […]aprohibitionisnotonly reasonablebutnecessaryina

democratic society for the preservationofpublicorder, national defence and public

safety The State's submissions underscore that police officers occupy a c r i t i c a l a n d n o nsubstitutable role of upholding the rule of law, protecting life and property and maintaining societal stability Theirparticipation in industrial actions could severely undermine public confidence,disruptessential

services and endanger the very fabric of our constitutionaldemocracy.”

TheJudgealsonotedthat police officers' fundamental rights to associate with and belong to trade unions are not circumvented since, under Section 43 of the Police Act, members of the Forcehaveaccesstobenefits and representation through the Police Association, which performs functions similar to those of a trade union Additionally, the Applicant sought a declarationthattheStatehad failed to pay salaries, benefits and other emoluments to certain officersoftheGuyanaPolice Force who were allegedly promoted on the 28th June, 2021 However, the Applicant failed to establish thatanysuchpromotionwas effectedonthatdate.

The Applicant further failed to produce any

evidence demonstrating its legal authority to act on behalfofthoseofficers.

Commenting on the ruling in his programme 'Issues in the News,' Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC noted “They neverchallengeditinallthe y e a r s b u t t h e y persuaded Darren wade, Attorney-at-Law, to rush to thecourttofilethisfrivolity, trying to knock down provisions of the Trade Union Recognition Act and provisions of the PoliceAct that speak to the prohibition of police officers joining organisations such as trade unions.”

Consequently, the Judge ruled that the Applicant did not have any legal standing torepresentthosepersonsor sufficient interest to seek such relief Costs were awarded to the Attorney General in the sum of $250,000.

‘$6.6B Drain Disaster’

…AG report exposes shocking waste, missing records at NDIA

Ad a m n i n g Performance

Audit has found that the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) burned through a staggering $6 6 billion between2021andmid-2024 to “maintain” drainage and irrigationassets,whilemajor gaps in oversight, planning and accountability were left tofester

The audit report, tabled Monday in the National Assembly, revealed ballooning maintenance costs,from$1.079Bin2021 to $2.461B in 2023, but no proper systems to show taxpayers are getting value for money In fact, assets records were badly kept, criticalinformationmissing, and more than 30 key management positions including CEO, Deputy CEO, Legal Officer and Manager of Operations — were left vacant for years. Shockingly the report highlighted that there were notable gaps in planning, monitoring and verification processes of the authority, withkeystaffarearemaining vacant. The NDIA is a department under the Agriculture Ministry whose primary responsibility is drainage, irrigation and flood control across the country. “There was a

significant increase in the NDIA expenditure for maintaining its assets over the years, from $1 079 billion in 2021 to $2.461 billion in 2023 However, there were some concerns that clear systems to guide asset management operations may not be in place, which could make it challenging to ensure the best value is achieved from spending on asset maintenance activities,” the report stated The Performance Audit was conducted from 1 January 2021 to 31 June 2024 with the aim of determining whether NDIA's asset management system is efficiently and effectively managed to achieve its objective This specific type of audit was selected based on the significance of the “concerns highlighted by citizensinthemediaoverthe yearsregardingtheeffectsof floodingontheirlivelihoods andconsequentlosses,(and) the substantial increase in NDIA expenditure for maintaining its assets from 2021 to 2024,” the report added.

Nevertheless, the NDIA has ensured that the necessary machines and equipment for drainage and irrigationareavailableacross all regions of Guyana and

“between 2021 and 2024, over $66B was allocated to maintain these assets in working condition. At the same time, there are still notable gaps in planning, monitoring, and verification processes and key positions werestillvacant.”

Additionally, it was discovered that management records were either not presented or not properly maintained while formal documentswhichweretoguide operations as well as support soundassetmanagementwere not fully in place During the Performance Audit, it was discovered that there was a shortage of staff and key positions unfilled, with the Authority having over 30 vacant positions in its organisational structure annually

“Positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Secretary/Legal Officer, Manager of OperationsandMaintenance, amongothers,werevacantup to September 2024 when the audit field work was concluded. These were necessary for the effective management of assets,” the reporthighlighted.

In the report, it was recommendedthatfillingthe

documentation, alongside oversight, and structured asset management systems presentsopportunitiesforthe Authoritytoensuresustained performance of these asset investments.

Assetregister

Another critical area whichisnotintactistheasset register This is maintained by theAuthority, however, it wasfoundtobelackingvital information,asaresultofnot beingaccuratelyandproperly maintained Keyinformation suchasthelocationofassets along with their serial number, identification number, and transfer details was not evident. Therefore, the Authority cannot properly track the assets owned and controlled, the reportcited.

The asset management system is not properly monitored and evaluated as a result the report said that, “Ass

d a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of the system usedtomanageassetswasnot done As such, information provided for decision making may not be accurate, stakeholders would not be reliably and adequately informed, and the

effectiveness of the Authority's performance

wouldnotbeaccurate.”

In order for all of the issues to be addressed the Audit Office made 22

recommendat

improvement.

Through the full implementation of the recommendation,NDIAwill be able to better manage its assets.Itisimportanttonote thatthis“auditdidnotfocus on the equipment located in Regions No. 1, 7, and 8, the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f infrastructure, the purchasing of equipment, assessing the fairness and accu

y of NDIA's financial statements, or evaluating the broader policy frameworks of the Ministry of Agriculture or environmental impact,” the report.

APNUweighsin M e a n w h i l e A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member or Parliament (MP) Ganesh Mahipaul, in a statement to the media on Wednesday, called for continuous examinationofagenciesand for the NDIA to implement a l l 2 2 o f t h e recommendations stated in the report. Mahipaul said that, “The findings of the Auditor General's Performance Audit Report on the National Drainage

and Irrigation Authority (NDIA)aredeeplytroubling and underscore the urgent needforstrongersystemsof accountabilityandoversight across public agencies in Guyana.”

“I therefore call for: Continuous examination of agencies such as the NDIA by the Audit Office to determine whether public resources are being effectively and efficiently managed;implementationof all 22 recommendations madebytheAuditorGeneral to strengthen governance, record-keeping, and internal control systems; and an expansion of performance audits across other critical agencieswithintheMinistry of Agriculture and beyond, to evaluate whether national resources are achieving the outcomes for which they wereallocated,”theMPsaid.

Mahipaul explained that unlike compliance audits, performance audits are focused on efficiency, effectiveness and the economy. In this way they help parliament as well as the public understand whether or not the agencies are following the rules and deliveringrealresults.Since Guyana is a country that is investing heavily in infrastructure, flood such auditsareindispensable.

Democrats dominate first big votes of Trump’s second term, but uncertainties remain

(Reuters) - Democrats took a victory lap on Wednesday after sweeping the first major elections

since Donald Trump returnedtotheWhiteHouse, a much-needed balm for a wounded party that had spent much of the last year desperately trying to find its footing.

A new generation of Democrats, including the 34year-old New York City

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, won closely watched contests in New Jersey,NewYorkandVirginia, while California voters resoundingly approved a new congressional map aimed at improvingDemocraticoddsof winning the US House next year

Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the

House, boasted that Republicansgot“wipedout” inapostonXonWednesday

T h e i m p r e s s i v e performance - including lower-profile victories in

swing states Pennsylvania andGeorgia-gaveaboostof momentum to Democrats, who remain locked out of power in Washington after losing the presidency, the HouseandtheSenateayear agotoTrump’sRepublicans. But most of the biggest contests took place in Democratic-leaning states, and there are still plenty of pitfalls for the party to confront before the 2026 midterm elections next November

The Democratic brand r e m a i n s b r o a d l y unpopular, according to opinion polls While Trump’s approval rating has fallen, voters are still split between the parties; a Reuters/Ipsos poll in late Octoberfoundrespondents were equally likely to say they would vote for a Republican or a Democrat for the House if the electionwereheldthatday

Intraparty tensions may also persist Mamdani, a

, energisedyoungvotersasan

insurgent, while Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill,thetwowomenwho won the Virginia and New Jersey governor races, are both moderate Democrats with national security backgrounds. However, all three candidates focused intensely on economic issues, particularly the cost ofliving,anissuethathelped propel Trump to the White House last year but has remained top-of-mind for voters.

“Ithinkthelessonforthe president is that it’s not enoughtodiagnosethecrisis inworking-classAmericans’ lives,” Mamdani said at his first press conference as mayor-elect on Wednesday “Youhavetodeliver.”

UNITYVSUNANIMITY

Trump, a brawler by nature, wrote on social media just after midnight in allcapitalletters,“...andsoit

begins!” On Wednesday morning, the White House posted a campaign-style video celebrating the oneyear anniversary since Trump regained the presidency, writing, “The golden age of America is heretostay.”

Democrats have argued that the party can succeed with candidates of all ideologicalstripes,aslongas they focus on the problems thatmattermosttoeveryday Americans.

“There’s many different ways of being a Democrat,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken MartintoldReutersaheadof theelection.“Nooneshould confuse unity with unanimity.”

Mamdani,thefirstMuslim to be elected mayor of the biggest US city, defeated former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, who ran asanindependentafterlosing the nomination to Mamdani earlierthisyear Cuomo,who

resigned as governor four years ago after sexual harassment allegations that he has denied, painted Mamdani as a radical leftist whose proposals were unworkableanddangerous.

Mamdani has proposed raising taxes on corporations and the wealthy to pay for ambitious policies such as frozenrents,freechildcareand free city buses Republicans havealreadybegunportraying Mamdani as the new face of theDemocraticParty

“His election is proof that the Democrat Party has abandoned common sense and tied themselves to extremism,” Republican National Committee ChairmanJoeGruterssaidin astatement.

While Sherrill’s and Spanberger’s victories were perhaps unsurprising in Democratic-leaning states, the double-digit margins of their wins far exceeded Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ performancelastyear

Both candidates had soughttotietheiropponents to Trump in an effort to harness frustration among Democraticandindependent voters over his chaotic tenure.

More than one-third of voters in those states said opposingTrumpwasafactor in their vote, according to exit polls conducted for a consortiumofU.S.networks and the Associated Press. T h o s e v o t e r s overwhelmingly cast ballots fortheDemocrats.

For Republicans, Tuesday’s elections were an early warning sign that the party may struggle to mobilise Trump’s coalition whenheisnotontheballot. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that problem in a social media post on Wednesday, saying Republicansmustdoabetter job of turning out the less reliable voters that backed Trumpin2024.

BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT BLUNT

A President who speaks, but not to the nation

President Irfaan Ali continues to avoid the one forum that truly tests leadership: an open press conference. Instead, he opts for cozy sit-downs with friendly media, carefully curated conversations that shield him from scrutiny while allowing major policy decisions to be selectively disclosed.

Yesterday was a prime example. The President chose a Newsroom interview, not the national podium, to announce a significant cash grant for rice farmers and fisherfolk. Decisions involving billions in taxpayers' dollars should not be exclusive scoops, handed to favoured outlets. They are matters of State that demand equal access for all media and by extension, the entire population.

Dr. Ali has at his disposal the full machinery of the State: DPI, NCN, his Office's media unit. Yet, much like his first term, he continues to govern by controlled messaging rather than transparency. The President pledged openness. The country still waits. Accountability cannot flourish where questions are unwelcome.

WIwinthrillertogo1-0updespiteMitchellSantner’slatefireworks

ESPNcricinfo - Quick

Matthew Forde provided a spark in his return from injury before West Indies overcame a late whirlwind from skipper Mitchell Santner to defeat New Zealand in the T20I seriesopener West Indies did eventually clinch the lowest total successfully defended at Eden Park in a T20I, but theyweremadetoworkhard afterSantnerclubbed55not out from 28 balls to almost power New Zealand to an

incrediblevictory Romario Shepherd, however,heldhisnervewith the ball in the final over to ensureWestIndiesdrewfirst blood in the five-match series Roston Chase produced a fine display of spin bowling on a small ground, picking up 3 for 26 togowiththehandheplayed in West Indies’ two biggest partnerships earlier in the day HewasnamedPlayerof theMatch.

Havingbeenrestrictedin

good batting conditions less than a week after cleansweeping a T20I series in Bangladesh, West Indies appearedsetforatoughstart to a tour that comprises all threeformats.ButFordewas menacing in his return from a shoulder injury as West Indies tore through a meek New Zealand batting effort. It was a disappointing start forNewZealandintheirfirst matchsincetheretirementof KaneWilliamsonfromT20I cricket It was a major

turnaroundafterWestIndies’ batting order had earlier struggled on a surface with much more bounce than in Bangladesh Captain Shai Hopeovercameaslowstartin the powerplay to top score with 53 off 39 balls to lead WestIndies’recoveryfrom43 for 3 This series is seen as important preparation for the short-handed teams as they build towards a T20 World Cup that is just three months away Meanwhile, there was anold-schoolfeeltothegame withDRSnotinplace due to technicalissues.

Thursday November 06, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Overall,theforecastfortoday is fairly good. The aspects seemtofavorfiguringoutthe meaning of all that's transpired over the past several weeks It's an opportunity for you to take a leisurely

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Have you felt somewhat lost forthepastfewdays?Thefog maylifttodayandenableyou to situate yourself at last. You'reprobablyeagertosettle a question that has nagged at you and interfered with your judgment.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You may have been feeling somewhat disillusioned. Perhapsyoulostsightofyour goals or misplaced your faith in yourself. You'll feel some reliefbeginningtoday

CANCER(June21–July22)

Youmightbetemptedtosettle certain matters by radical means. The visionary part of you means you're painfully aware of the world's wrongs. You see no reason not to take actiontocorrectthem.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today will be fairly calm in terms of outside events, but yourinnerworldislikelytobe in a rush of activity Today you wish you could find the solutiontoyourheartachesas well as your career predicaments.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You have a lot of thinking to do about your professional goals, Virgo. You'll go over the elements to see if there isn't some way to approach thingsdifferently

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Youjustcan'tdoeverythingat once, Libra. How do you expect to reduce your stress and recuperate while at the same time continue to be a superstar performer in every areaofyourlife.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Thisisagoodmomenttoadapt your logic and reason to reality, Scorpio. If you don't, you're going to run into some

Everyone knows that you find newideasplentiful.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

It'sgoingtobealittledifficult t

u

y, Sagittarius. You, who can be easily influenced by others, will be listening to and criticizing everything that peoplesay

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Haveyoubeenreviewingyour f

m

y

y

ately, Capricorn? Of special interest is your cultural background. What educational, social, and religious environment were you born into? What are its values?Intheend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to elevate your senseofself,Aquarius.You're justasgoodasanyoneelse,so why don't you believe it? The problem is that you're very sensitiveabouthavinganego. Even though you know everyonedoes.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today your intellectual and expressive abilities should receive a boost from the planets.It'sanexcellenttimeto organize your thoughts about presentingaproject.

FordesparksWIin comebackgame Forde hadn’t played any competitive cricket since July,butshowednosignsof rust in a brilliant opening burst.Hebowledbeautifully withthenewball,especially from around the wicket to troubleDevonConwaywith deadlyswing.

Forde was finally rewarded when he cleanbowled Conway with an inswinger that hit top of off stump.Hecontinuedtobeall over New Zealand’s top order, finishing with 1 for 9 off his first three oversmarked by 14 dot balls - in the powerplay But his performance was soured slightly after conceding 23 runs to a rampaging Santner inthe18thover Santner’snear miraculousheist

After a horrific collapse of 7 for 37 from 70 for 2 in thetenthover,NewZealand appeared set for a crushing defeat at 107 for 9 in the 17th.ButSantnerturnedthe chase on its head by smashing seven boundaries andasixinanine-ballflurry asthesparsecrowdstartedto finditsvoice.

With New Zealand needing20runsoffthefinal over,Santnercouldnotscore off the first two deliveries bowled by Shepherdalthough the second ball should have been called a wide due to height - before clubbing a six to give New Zealand hope But it ultimately proved too tough ataskdespitearecordtenthwicket partnership for New ZealandinT20Is.

Hope fires after slow start

Havingcomeofftoursof Bangladesh and India, West Indies had the tough task of quickly acclimatising to the different conditions in New Zealand. Their top order made a rough

strugglingtohandletheextra bounce as Brandon King, AlickAthanazeandAckeem Auguste holed out after miscues.Hopehadtosteady theinnings,andheenteredthe match after s olid performances across formats in south Asia But he was sluggishtobeginwith,unable to find timing much to his frustration on a true surface Hope scored only 11 off 17 balls in the powerplay, with West Indies making just 32 runsoffthefirstsixovers He finallydecidedtogoforbroke againstJimmyNeeshaminthe seventh over as the run rate finallyliftedoversixanover It got him going, with Hope starting to clatter the

smaller boundaries and bringing up his half-century in style by clubbing Zakary Foulkes for six over long-off ButHopewascleanbowledon the next delivery, undone by Foulkes’ variation as he missed an attempted swipe overthelegside WestIndies’ inningsnevertrulygotrolling, but it did receive a lift from Rovman Powell, who smashed a couple of huge sixes after being dropped twice in the outfield by MichaelBracewell

Scores: West Indies 164 for 6 (Hope 53, Powell 33, Duffy 2-19) beat New Zealand 157 for 9 (Santner 55*, Chase 3-26, Seales 332)bysevenruns.

Six disciplines set for 2025 Inter...

Frompage27 awesome I see all the upgrades done since three years ago when we were herefortheIGG.

Everything is now upscale, including the hotels, so I know all the athletes and delegationswillhaveagreat experience.”

Meanwhile, Ninvalle reaffirmed Guyana’s readiness to host the event, as Guyana’s Director of Sport pointed out, “I’m happythatwecanstagethis year’s IGG at a very high level.Everyonewaspleased with what we have to offer,

andnowit’stimetofocuson having a competitive Games.”

The Director of Sport added that the NSC will collaborate with the various national federations to ensurethatallsystemsarein place to prepare athletes to defendhomesoil.

First held in 1967, the Inter Guiana Games remain one of the region’s longestrunning youth sporting exchanges, aimed at fosteringunity,cooperation, and mutual understanding amongtheyoungathletesof theGuianas.

Seejatan highlights team work following GMRSC Race of Champions haul

Following a massive haul last weekend at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Race of Champions, Group twochampionShanSeejatan placedthegloryatthefeetof his team. The multiple time Group2champion,whoalso participated in two other classeswasnotshyaboutthe hardworkputinbyhisteam overtheweeksleadingupto theevent.

VitzCup

“Iofcoursehavetothank Balram (Ramdeo) and his teamforputtingtogetherthe Toyota Vitz (for the Vitz cup). I think the work that went into that car to get it whereitwasonracedaywas amazing.” Hepickeduptwo wins and one second place finish in the class including some dicing with longtime rivalRameezMohamed.

“I have to say that I enjoyedtheVitzCupforthis weekend.There was a lot of

closeracinginthatclassand I can safely say that we for sure had to work hard for those wins. Again, I can’t thank the team enough becauseoftheworktheyput in.”

SportsTuner

“Sports tuner stared off badlyforusaswehadaDNF inthefirstracewhenwehad a ‘touch-up’with one of the guys in one of the corners, which resulted in the tyre coming off the rim and forcingustoretirefromthat one.”

“Race two I came back strongly against a stacked field and managed to clock the fastest time of that race, albeitIfinishedsecondbutI wasstillhappywiththat.”

“The final race of that classwaswhereIgotthatall elusive win in the class and that felt good considering where we had started the day.”

Kevin Sinclair hits brilliant 175 as BCB two days semifinals ends in

The semifinal match of the Berbice Cricket Board two days first division tournament between the Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour [RHTNTF] and Young Warriors ended in an exciting draw at the Cumberland Ground last weekend. Albion defeated Tucber Park on first innings points to advance to the final, while the RHTNTF and Young Warriors semifinals would be replayedataneutralvenue.

YoungWarriors won the tossandaskedthevisitorsto take first strike after play was delayed by two hours due to early morning rain.

National players Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair gave their team a solid start byputtingon104forthefirst wicket. Junior Sinclair was trapped LBW by left arm spinner Trevon Stanislaus forawell-played54withten delightedboundaries.

West Indies test player KelvonAnderson joined his fellowtestie,KevinSinclair, and they added 80 for the second wicket before off spinner Martin Singh had Anderson caught behind by Carl Gilgeous for 40, which included two sixes and five fours Sinclair reached

anotherfirstdivisioncentury in the ancient county when hestruckhisninthboundary He went on to score a chanceless 175 as his team declared on 403 for eight wickets. He received solid support from Javed Karim 44, Jonathan Rampersaud 40, Skipper Clinton Pestano 35andRomeshBharrat20. Sinclair struck sixteen fours and seven massive sixesinhisfivehoursstayat thecrease.Itwasaninnings full of determination and commitment.

Left arm spinner Trevon Stanislaus took two wickets for 116 from thirty overs, West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer took 2 wickets for 21 runs from four overs and skipperSudeshDhanai1for 77 from 20 overs. Hetmyer was making a return to the BerbiceFirstDivisionscene after an absence of five years.Thehometeamgotoff to a horrible start to their innings and were soon reduced to nought for two wickets as off spinner Matthew Pottaya dismissed Romario Ramdehol and Vishal Mohabir in his first over off successive balls. Shimron Hetmyer joined opener Martin Singh and they added 60 for the third wicket before Hetmyer was

GroupTwo Seejatan was not shy aboutthankinghisgrouptwo chief mechanic either, with the Honda Civic being the ‘cartobeat’inthatclass.

draw

caught by Romesh Bharrat off the bowling of Junior Sinclair for 21. The Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour bowlers were able to take wickets at regular basis but former junior player Seon Hetmyer led a fight back with a solid 106 with twelve delightful boundaries.

With sixty minutes remainingintheday,Sudesh Dhanai was joined by number eleven batsman AmirKhanandtheyaddeda lastwicketpartnershipof73 to make sure the match ended in a draw in rapidly fading light. Dhanai ended on 61 not out, while Khan, who scored a century in an earlier round was unbeaten on 35. Young Warriors was 360 for 9 when the umpires calledplayinfadinglight.

Bowling for the visitors were Junior Sinclair with two wickets for 65 runs, Matthew Pottaya two wickets for 30 runs and left arm spinner Keith Simpson 2 for 76, while Kevin Sinclair and Jonathan Rampersaud took a wicket each.

The match would be replayed on a date to be set by the cricket competition committee of the Berbice CricketBoard.

“Again, we knew that comingintothisweekend,we would have a target on our backsandalotofguyswould be gunning for us so we couldn’t afford to get it wrong. And that’s where Brian(Ten-Pow)andhisteam camein”

“We were able to ensure that we bettered our lap

record from earlier this year by close to half a second which shows that we found improvements in the car To do that on a weekend where wewerealsotryingtoremain consistent isn’t easy,” He added. Shan’s 1:23.937 unofficially replaces the 1:24.681 second time set in theAprilracemeetthisyear

“There are other guys I needtothank,RajivRajaram, mytunerforthecarswasable to root out some key issues leading into the weekend that couldhavebeendisastrousand

the other guys Ravi, Stefan, Anthony,Bomber,allofthem put their heads together and madesurethatwecameouton topattheendofthedayandI oweittothoseguys.”

Seejatan picked up two wins from two races on the day as the third race in the class was cancelled due to fadinglight.

His sponsors last weekend, Special Auto the Filter Shop, Top Power Racing, Transpacific Motor Spares and Blue Springs water

FloydCumberbatch defendsDraughtscrown

ThesecondlegoftheNationalDraughts Association Annual championship was playedlastSundayatTransportSportsClub Pavilion. Floyd Cumberbatch from Linden with 22 points won the Tournament and defendedhistitleforthesecondconsecutive year Aubrey Rowe, who is from the B divisionandhadachancetoplaywiththeA group, performed extremely well. Rowe ended with 20 points to secure the second place. Godfrey George and Steve Bacchus both ended with 15 points, but George defeatedBacchusinatiebreakertotakethe nod.Trophiesandgiftsweregiventowinners

in both the B andAdivisions by Puran Bro. Inc,M&MSnackette,A.AhmadHydraulics Bagotstown, Y2K Pawn Shop of Regent Road Bourda and Elias Gentle Attorney at Law

Thefinalleginthechampionshipisbilled for November 16th 2025 at the same venue. Sponsors are reminded to verify their involvement in aiding the success of the event.

Thegamewouldbecontestedonthe100 square Boards.All players in this format of the game are asked to be at the venue at 10.30amsharp.

(From right) Navin Meighbarran, Floyd Cumberbatch, Steve Bacchus, Aubrey Rowe, Ivor English and Godfrey George.

The Vitz cup proved hard work at times. (Photo from Mike.592)

The Group two Honda Civic that reset the lap record The Vitz cup proved hard work at times. (Photo from Mike.592)

Shi-Oil celebrates Ryan Rahaman’s dominance at South Dakota

Shi-Oil,alocally-owned fuelimporteranddistributor, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Ryan Rahaman, who was officially crowned the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Champion Driver for the SportTunerClassfor2025.

Theannouncementcame as the GMR&SC wrapped up its 2025 racing calendar on Sunday, November 2, at the South Dakota Circuit, where Rahaman, fueled by Shi-Oil, delivered a dominantperformance. He claimed two firstplacefinishesandonethird-

place finish in the Sport Tuner Cup, sealing his position as the class champion.

n’s consistency reflected both his exceptional driving skill and the strength of the partnership between athlete

andsponsor His success, Shi-Oil s a i d , s y m b o l i z e s unwavering commitment to powering performance and excellence in Guyanese motorsport.

“At Shi-Oil, we take immense pride in fueling champions,” the company statedinarelease.

S h i - O i l f u r t h e r highlighte

Rahaman embodies the

e, consistency,andpassionthat drives our brand His dedication to the sport and his ability to perform at the highestlevelexemplifywhat it means to be a true competitor.”

The Rahaman family name carries deep roots in Guyana’s motor racing h i s t o r y, s p a n n i n g generations of drivers who have made their mark both locallyandregionally

Shi-Oilnoteditspridein standingalongsideRyanand

the Rahaman family as they continuetoupholdandbuild upon that remarkable racing legacy.

“Congratulations, Champion,” the company’s

message concluded. “Your successisatestamenttohard work,determination,andthe unbeatable drive that keeps Guyana’s motorsport heritagealiveandthriving.”

Cadogan’s five setup easy win for GBTI GCC

Gymnasium, with early victoriesforSaints,OldFort, GBTI GCC, and Old Fort Inferno as the 2025 edition of the tournament began in finestyle.

The action opened with two thrilling Men’s Second Division encounters. Saints came out strong, taking a 2–0 lead at halftime against Hikers Cadets thanks to

early field goals from Jonathan Liverpool (2nd minute) and Baraka Garnett (14th).They continued their dominanceinthesecondhalf withTroy Hodge (17th) and

EzekielMoses(21st)adding to the tally before Garnett sealed the 5–0 win with a p e n a l t y c o r n e r conversion his second goalofthematch.

The second men’s clash between Old Fort and GCC Outlaws proved an evenly matched contest from the firstwhistle.GCCdrewfirst blood through Aldo Meleridez in the 5th minute via a powerful penalty corner, but Old Fort quickly responded as Donnel Alleyne equalized two minuteslater GCCregained the lead in the 18th through Grant Fernandes, but Yannick Norton turned the gamearoundwithabrilliant brace in the 20th and 28th minutestosealahard-fought 3–2victoryforOldFort.

Over in the Women’s Open Division, GBTI GCC cruised to a commanding win over the National Over40s side, powered by a sensational performance from Abosaide Cadogan Cadoganopenedthescoring just four minutes in, before Maria Munroe leveled the

match in the 18th minute. Cadogan then unleashed a flurry of goals, scoring four times between the 27th and 30th minutes to put GCC firmly in control. Shebeki Baptistepulledone backfor the Over-40s in the 38th minute,butRebeccaFerreira roundedoffthe7–2routwith alatebrace.

The night concluded with Old Fort Inferno asserting dominance in the final Women’s fixture, defeating Hikers 4–2 Keitanna Percival opened thescoringinthe6thminute, while Marisha Fernandes equalized for Hikers in the 30th after a resilient defensive battle Inferno thensurgedaheadwithgoals from Minsodia Culpepper (32nd) and captain Carolyn Deane, who netted twice in the37thand40thminutesto sealthewin.

Fanscanlookforwardto more thrilling action as the championship continued yesterday through Sunday, November 9, with all matches taking place at the NationalGymnasium.

GCC’s Kirsten Gomes sees her shot go wide against the Over-40 national selection. (GHB photo)

Ryan Rahaman carrying the chequered flag at the South Dakota Circuit on November 2 (photo: GMR&SC)

Shi-Oil sponsored Ryan Rahaman, the 2025 Sport Tune Cup champion (photo: newsroom)

Olympic National in action at the Gávea Racetrack in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday.

Th e Brazil–Guyana racingconnection continues to grow stronger, thanks to Slingerz Racing Stable, owned by JavedAli,

one of Guyana’s most

owners.

Ali has tapped into Brazil’s deep pool of t

h the expertise of trainer Lenio Roberto Vieira, whose influence has already left an indelible mark on Guyanese racing, especially

World Aquatics threatens to suspend GASA over failure to approve new Constitution

…GASAissued 30-day notice

BYRAWLETONEY

The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA)isonceagainunder scrutiny, this time from the sport’s global governing body, World Aquatics, which has issued a stern w a r n i n g o v e r t h e Association’s failure to formally adopt its revised constitution.

In a letter dated October 31, 2025, addressed to GASA President Yolema Phillips, World Aquatics Executive Director Brent J. Nowicki expressed concern that the version of the constitution reviewed and a p p r o v e d b y t h e international body has not yetbeenratifiedbyGASA’s GeneralAssembly

According to World

Aquatics, while the proposed text of GASA’s new constitution meets its governance standards and membership requirements, the failure to adopt it formally places the Association in breach of its membership obligations under the World Aquatics Constitution.

T

cautions that noncompliance within 30 days ofthecorrespondencecould leadtosevererepercussions, including suspension of GASA’s World Aquatics membership rights, loss of eligibility for World Aquatics funding and development support, and restrictions on participation i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l competitions sanctioned by WorldAquatics.

“Member Federations are required to maintain statutes consistent with World Aquatics rules and principles of good governance,” Nowicki emphasised.

He added, “failure to approve and implement the revised constitution within 30 days may constitute a breach of membership obligations.”

The development comes at a time when GASA’s administrative and governance practices have already drawn local and regionalcriticism.

Both the Guyana Olympic

(GOA) and the National Sports Commission (NSC)

behind the success of Olympic Kremlin, the 2024 GuyanaCupandPresident’s Cupwinner

N o w f i r m l y established at the Gávea Racetrack in Rio de Janeiro, Slingerz Racing Stable’s colours have become increasingly familiar in the winner’s circle

That trend continued on Monday night, when Ali’s Olympic National stormed to victory in the Much Better Classic (Listed – 1900m, dirt), contested as thesecondraceofthecard.

Breaking sharply from the gates, Olympic National immediately seized the lead and dictatedthepace,stretching thefieldastheyroundedthe

backstretch.

When the race entered the home straight, the chestnut colt never took his foot off the gas, maintaining a relentless galloptothewire.

Under a confident and well-judged ride by Leandro Henrique, the son of Camelot Kitten out of Olympic Havana (by DubaiDust)—bredbyHaras Regina—cruised home an effortlesssixlengthsclearof hisrivals.

T r a i n e r L e n i o

Roberto Vieira has been instrumental in blending

B r a z i l i a n professionalism with Guyaneseracingambition,a partnershipthathaselevated bothregions’profiles.

Vieira, who was

“discovered” by Slingerz Racing Stable, continues to deliver standout results for the team both in Guyana and now on Braziliansoil.

An elated Javed Ali celebrated the victory with his team, calling it a milestone moment for SlingerzRacingStable. He expressed optimism about pursuing Group-level victoriesinBrazilinthenear future.

Beyond Olympic National, Ali’s growing stable features other promising classic contenders, including Galo White, Ravi Da Loga and Navy ofWar, as he continues to build an international operation grounded in excellence

Slingerz Racing takes first place in Brazil with Olympic National Trophy Stall onboard with ExxonMobil Futsal Championship

have previously withdrawn recognition from the Association,citingfinancial irregularities, constitutional violations, and a general lackoftransparency

World Aquatics’ latest communication signals a growing impatience with GASA’s internal stalemate and could have far-reaching implications for Guyana’s swimmers, who depend on international membership for eligibility at major meets, including the World Championships and the OlympicGames.

The letter concluded with an appeal for urgent c

technical and procedural support to help finalize theadoptionprocess

As the clock ticks on the 30-day deadline, GASA’s executive now faces mounting pressure to convene its General Assembly and bring its constitution in line with international governance s

swimming fraternity into deeper administrative uncertainty

The excitement is building in the mining town ofLindenasallroadsleadto the Retrieve tarmac for the much-anticipated kickoff of the fourth ExxonMobil FutsalChampionship,which gets underway tomorrow eveningfrom6:30p.m.

Addingaspecialtouchto thebuildup,TrophyStallhas partnered with New Era Entertainment, donating the magnificent championship trophy during a brief presentation held on Tuesday at the company’s South Road location. The s y m b o l i c g e s t u r e underscores the growing prestige of the tournament, whichcontinuestobeoneof the most eagerly awaited events on the local futsal calendar

This year’s edition will feature sixteen teams,

divided into four groups of four, engaging in an intense round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarterfinals, where the competition is expected to heatupevenfurther.

The championship winner will not only lift the coveted trophy but also take h o m e a h a n d s o m e $1,500,000purse

The second-place team will collect $750,000, while third and fourth-place finishers will receive $350,000 and $200,000 r e s p e c t i v e l y, a l l accompanied by trophies in recognitionoftheirefforts.

Tomorrow’s opening nightpromisesathrillingstart tothetournament Following the traditional March Past, fans will be treated to four excitingencounters

The action begins with Team Fearless facing Stabroek Ballers in the curtain-raiser before the official opening ceremony Themomentumcontinuesas Young Gunners battle Westside Ballers in match two, followed by an electrifying showdown b e t w e e n H a r d b a l l Management and Bomberz. Theevening’sfinalewillsee YMCA ‘A’ squaring off against HH Ballers, capping off what is expected to be a memorableopeningnight. Action continues on Saturday November 8th, Wednesday 12th, Friday 14thandSaturday15thatthe same venue. Quarterfinals and semifinals are set for Friday 21th and Saturday 22nd while the grand finale happens on Saturday 29th November

Six disciplines set for 2025 Inter...

Frompage27

Broadcasterdeclaredthat,“Competitionisa key component of development of any athlete, so when the opportunity to collaborate with the GCAto provide such a platform for the young cricketers there was no hesitation in responding in the affirmative”

La Rose added that he hopes the Tournament serves as a catalyst for other Associations to follow in light of

the fact that the West Indies Cricket has removed U-17 competition from its annual calendarofcompetitions.

“I would love to hear in 3 year’s time someone

competition gets in on the National under19team

That would be worth more than the sponsorship’s contribution from Enline Security Logistics set to be officially launchednextyearJanuary”,thePROstated.

ESL Georgetown Cricket Association U17 Cricket Competition launched

…Nine teams to vie for top honours

The Georgetown C r i c k e t Association (GCA) on Tuesday

November4,2025launched its Under-17 Cricket

To

e Security Logistics (ESL) as part of its continued commitment to youth d

advancement of cricket in Georgetown.

The tournament which bowls off on November 15, 2025 will feature nine clubs competing in a round-robin

Six disciplines set for 2025 Inter Guiana Games

…Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana sign protocol agreement

Following the signing of the p r o t o c o l agreementforthe2025Inter Guiana Games (IGG) betweenofficialsofGuyana, Suriname, and French Guianayesterday,ithasbeen confirmed that six disciplineswillbecontested at this year’s event, scheduled for December 5–7.While French Guiana’s officials were unable to attendthesigninginperson, they joined the proceedings virtually to formalise their commitment Meanwhile,

representatives from Suriname and Guyana met face-to-face in Georgetown, where they held detailed discussions on the organisation and logistics of the Games before officially inkingtheagreement.

Basketball, futsal, chess, volleyball, swimming, and track and field will see competition among studentathletes from the three participatingnations. With the exception of futsal, all other disciplines will feature both male and female athletes between the ages of 14 and 18. In total, 137 athletes will compete at thisyear’sIGG.

A c c o r d i n g t o

Anielkumar Ghisaisoobe, President of Suriname’s School Sports Federation, the body representing Guyana’s Dutch-speaking neighbours at protocol meetings, preparations are wellunderwayfortheevent. On the sidelines of his meeting with Guyana’s Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, at the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Middle Street, Georgetown, Ghisaisoobe expressed excitement about theupcomingGames,noting h

organisation. Hehighlightedthestrong

bondsharedamongthethree Guianas, adding that the IGG provides “a great learning experience for the children participating. The whole experience is a learning process for them, and for us, that is very important.”

A venue inspection was conducted at the National Gymnasium, the National Track and Field Centre, the National Aquatic Centre, and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, as Ghisaisoobe praised the condition of the facilities. He remarking on the upgrades since the last GamesheldinGuyana,“It’s notjustcomfortable—it’s (Continuedonpage23)

cricketers Tournament Coordinator, Deputy Police Commissioner Ravindradat Budhram highlighted that the initiative provides a meaningful avenue for young people to be positively engaged through cricket, while promoting teamwork, discipline and socialinteraction.

He noted that such competitions allow players to grow both as athletes and as responsible individuals.

consistency while giving teams a second opportunity to reach the final, helping youngplayersappreciatethe importance of sustained performance and strategic p

competition.

R

The participating clubs are the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO), Agricola, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Malteenoes, Bel Air/Rubis, Transport, Queen’s College, and Everest Cricket Club (ECC)collectivelyengaging more than 100 young

PresidentoftheGeorgetown Cricket Association (GCA), Mr AzadIbrahim,expressed gratitude to Eline Security Logistics for its partnership, emphasizing that such corporatesupportisvitalfor sustaining youth cricket and fostering community developmentthroughsport.

Chairman of the GCA’s Competition Committee, Mr Shaun Massiah, explained that this year’s tournament will conclude with a playoff stage featuring Qualifier 1, the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, leadinguptotheFinal.

He noted that this

sponsor,Mr GuowieLouof Eline Security Logistics made the official donation andextendedbestwishesto all participating teams as they prepare to compete for

upcomingtournament

The GCA Under-17

To

valuable developmental experience for emerging players reinforcing the Association’s mission to

sportsmanship and youth engagement through the game Also speaking at the launch,whichwasheldatthe MYO upper pavilion, was thePROforEnline,AllanLa Rose. TheseniorSports (Continuedonpage27)

50-over format played in white clothing with the traditionalredball.

GCA and sponsors officials among others take a photo during the presentation of the sponsorship at the launch of the event.

From left: DoS Steve Ninvalle, Suriname's Anielkumar Ghisasoobe and NSC's Christy Campbell.

Shai Hope rebuilt with a half-century after three

Co-owner of the Trophy Stall Elizabeth Sunich (left) presented Co-Director of New Era Entertainment,Aubrey Major Jr with the winner’s trophy ahead of tomorrow’s kickoff.

Jayden Seales helped trigger New Zealand’s batting collapse. (AFP/Getty Images)

GASAPresident Yolema Phillips

WorldAquatics Executive Director Brent J. Nowicki.