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Govt. seeking $57.5B more, three months after passing Budget 2025 -turnsupheatonPresidentAliover AdrianaYounge’s,otherunresolveddeaths
study gold project’s superb potential –CanadianminingfirmCEO No guarantee of communities; in light of aggression by Venezuela - AFC safety for indigenous Canadian investigator does not have enough for Adriana Younge’s case - family lawyer
ByShaniaWilliams
Chantingcallsforjustice and holding placards and printed T-shirts with the faces of lost loved ones, citizens joined Members of Parliamentandsupportersof the A Partnership for National Unity andAlliance for Change (APNU+AFC) and the People’s National CongressReform(PNCR)in a protest on Friday morning outside the Office of the President on Vlissengen Road,Georgetown.
The demonstration, which began with a small
group of opposition members, quickly expanded innumber,ascitizensrallied in solidarity, demanding accountabilityandjusticefor astringofunresolveddeaths involving civilians and police action. These include the recent death of 11-yearold Adriana Younge, and other controversial cases such as those of Ronaldo Peters, Keon Fogenay, the Henry Boys, and Quindon Bacchus.
At the forefront of the protest was PNCR Leader
Aubrey Norton, who criticised the government
and law enforcement for theirfailuretodeliverjustice in numerous high-profile cases.
Protest outside the office of the President on Vlissengen road
“We cannot allow this casetogocold,”Nortonsaid,
referring toAdriana’s death.
“If you go from the Henry Boys, Haresh Singh, Quindon Bacchus, all of them,theessenceyouhaveis a promise for justice, but justicewasneverdelivered,” he told Kaieteur News duringtheprotest.
Norton emphasised the need for systemic reform within the Guyana Police Force.
“Theyneedtooperateas professionals so that there is no need to cover up anything,”hedeclared.“One of the problems you have nowisthatthepolicearenot willing to investigate the
matter Theyhadnottakena statementfrompeopleuntila weeklater Theyareseeking to cover up the crime. I ask the simple question, what doesthegovernmenthaveto hide?”
FamiliesShare PainandFrustration
Among those present was Collin Bacchus, the grandfather of Quindon Bacchus, who was shot and killedbypoliceinJune2022.
“The government is failing Guyanese The government is failing Adriana. The government is failingmygrandson,the
Continued on page 9
Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh on Friday, tabled Supplementary Paper Number One of 2025 in the National Assembly, seeking an additional $57.5 billion more, a mere three months after passing this year’s nationalbudget.
According to the financial paper seen by this newspaper, the government is seeking a total of $57,492,615,275 to support the activities of state bodies. These include, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM); the MinistryofPublicWorks;MinistryofHuman ServicesandSocialSecurityandtheMinistry ofHousingandWater
Included in the $29 5 billion supplementary provision for OPM is $3 billion in additional resources for the $100,000 cash grant and $28.8 billion more fortheGas-to-Energy(GTE)project.
The Ministry of Public Works is set to receiveanother$4,952,000,000forroadsand sea defence works; while $217,456,275 is requested by the Ministry of Human Services.Thehousingministryisseeking$12 billion more to facilitate an expanded work programme.
In total, the government is requesting $11,017,456,275 for current estimates and $46,475,159,000forcapitalestimates.
The finance minister has asked the NationalAssembly to consider the financial paperatthenextsittingoftheparliament.
The move by government to seek additional financial resources comes just
three months after the $1.382 trillion budget wasapprovedintheNationalAssembly.
This year’s budget was passed on February 5, 2025 following five days of debatesandfourdaysofdeliberationsbythe Committee of Supply, where parliamentarians carefully scrutinised budgetaryallocationsforeachagency
Dr Ashni Singh presented the budget on January 17, under the theme ‘A Secure, ProsperousandSustainableGuyana.’
Notably,thebudgetis20.6percentlarger thanlastyear’sfiscalframework,whichwas $1.146trillion.
After the consideration of the financial paper,thisyear’sbudgetwillbeincreasedtoa massive$1,439,492,615,275.
Guyanese are steaming across social media platforms, expressing outrage over commentsbyVicePresident,BharratJagdeo duringhisThursdaypressconference,where hedescribedcitizenshereas“stupid.” Jagdeo,whoisalsotheGeneralSecretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), was at the time addressing the sanctions imposed by the United States on businessman, Azruddin Mohamed and family After turning his attention to the implicationsforpersonswhoassociatewith the Mohameds, Jagdeo said, “And this countrygotsomereallystupidpeople,really who are pushing that line and then hanging on to something that the US Ambassador said, pointing out the different kinds of sanctions...”
Anumber of Guyanese have hit back at theVPforhisdisparagingremarks.Seesome comments made below by citizens in response to Jagdeo. (The names of these individuals have been withheld for obvious reasons.)
“I does sorry for the people of ego. It confirmedthatnomatterwhatyouhave,you willstillfeelempty.”“Youright,isthestupid onesputyouthere.” “Thatissotruebecause youisleaderandyouisthebiggeststupidest one, you sell out Guyana already so you in care.”
“I think he’s talking about his supporters.” “Yep, he’s telling us how he really feels, I wonder what his supporters
…limits citizens filing for compensation to one year
ByDavinaBagot
T
he Oil Pollution
Prevention, Preparedness, ResponseandResponsibility Bill was on Friday evening passed in the National Assembly, shielding parent companies of petroleum operatorsfromoilspillcosts.
Following a four-hour long debate at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Lilliendaal,Georgetown,the governmentwithitsone-seat majority managed to push theBillthroughdespitecalls from the opposition for the Bill to be sent to the Special Select Committee for refining.
Leadingthedebateonthe opposition side, Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, Shurwayne Holder pointed to the fact thatthenewlawprotectsthe ‘parent’ of oil companies from costs associated with a spill.
formerly called EEPGL, renamed ExxonMobil Guyana It is a limited Liability Company with no realassetsexceptthoseinits possession that are already owned by Guyana through thepetroleumcontract.”
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall
AssemblythatifEMGLfails to cover the costs associated with an oil spill, then the parent company is completely off the hook, as companiesarenotallowedto transferliabilities.
Limitedtimeforclaims
Moreover, Patterson highlighted Clause 23 of the new law, which limits citizenstooneyeartofilefor compensationafteraspill.
It states at 23 (1)
“Without prejudice to any other action with respect to
Vice President, Bharrat
think.Theoilmoneytheyarestealinggetting toJagdeohead,hecaninsulteveryGuyanese now.”
“Ithinkheiscorrecttoapointcausethat (is) what we voted for him to disrespect us daily, sell out our country, misrepresent us, and live lavishly while lots of citizens go hungry Weneedtowakeup,wiseupandend the disrespect. Use the power in your index finger and tell this fool we no longer tolerating their bullsh*t. They don’t respect the citizens of Guyana. Such a shame and blatantdisrespect,itcanonlycontinueifwe allowit.Unityispower,let’suniteandtake ourcountrybackandshowthePPPGuyana don’tbelongstothem.”
HecitedPartVI(6)ofthe new law, which addresses liabilityorwhathedescribed as “the backbone of PPP’s deceit.”HequotedClause17 of the Law which states, “A responsiblepartyisliablefor alldamagescausedbyanoil spill incident, removal and removal costs, and restoration of environment as far as practicable, and for any costs arising therefrom orconnectedtherewith.”
Holder pointed out that while this section sounds brilliant, the government waged war in and out of the courtroomagainstthepeople of Guyana for an unlimited Parent Company Guarantee.
With elections now nearing, the Opposition MP said the government seems to have awakened from their slumber to champion full liability coverage. However, thisisnomorethana“hoax”.
Holderexplainedthatthe law establishes that the “responsible party” has full responsibility for any spill even as he went on to describewhotheresponsible partyis.
“In the case of the oil rigs,theresponsibleparty,as established by this bill on page9,istheoperatorofthe facility or the holder of the exploration and production license. In other words, Mr Speaker, it is the subsidiary of Exxon, a “Limited Liability Company”
“So what they can do, if the oil spill is of a significant magnitude such that they are unable to cover it financially, they can file for bankruptcy leaving Guyana to hold onto nothing.” - Shurwayne Holder
Holder went further into the Act as he drew the Assembly’s attention to Clause 21, which makes it clear that there shall be “no transferofliability”.
I t s t a t e s “ A n indemnification or any like agreement shall be invalid for the purposes of transferring the liability of a responsible party under this act.”
To this end, the MP told his colleagues that one may be persuaded to believe that this is exceptional, however “this is where the con job is operationalized.”
Holder explained that ExxonMobil Guyana as a limitedliabilitysubsidiaryof the Parent Company Exxon Mobil Corporation will now be shieled from liabilities, while the company that virtually owns nothing will beheldresponsibleforcosts.
He warned, “So what theycando,iftheoilspillis of a significant magnitude such that they are unable to coveritfinancially, theycan file for bankruptcy leaving Guyanatoholdontonothing. Thisishowthisgovernment isdeceivingthisnation.”
MPDavidPattersonalso highlightedsimilarconcerns in his contribution to the debate. He told the National
the same matter which is lawfully available, a person affected by an oil spill incident to which this Act applies,mayfileaclaimwith the Oil Spill Incident Board of Inquiry in accordance withthisPart.”
Section 23 (2) however goesontoexplain,“Aclaim under this section shall not be filed later than one year after the discovery of the oil spill incident or the discovery of the damage arising from the incident, whicheverisfirst.”
To this end, Patterson questioned the limitation outlined in the Oil Spill law, especially when claims are still being filed more than a decade after a spill occurred in the United States Gulf of Mexico.
Regionally, he pointed outthatfisherfolkinTobago are still claiming losses, following a spill early last year
As such, he pointed out, “You are asking our fisherfolk…the honourable AG (Attorney General) is sayingthathehastocarrythe mighty Exxon to Court. In other countries, the time to file a claim is not so limited ashere.”
TheParliamentarian Continued on page 19
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Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210
The Reporters without Borders (RSF) Index for
2024 indicated that Guyana scraped out four spots from 77th place to 73rd on the chart. To advancefourspotsisbetterthanfallingbythatsameamount or more. It is well-received, as paltry as it is, but an improvementby14spotswouldhavebeencauseforsome optimism.
And,iftheincrediblecouldhaveoccurred,viz.,Guyana advancingbyfourtimesfour(16)placesontheRSFIndex, then some rejoicing would be in order, with kudos to the PPPCGovernment,andPresidentIrfaanAli.
Thoughcreepingfrom77thplaceto73rdhassomething goingforit,weatthispaperthinkthat,atbest,pressfreedom hasstoodstillinGuyana.
At its worst, press freedom could be said to have declined in the last year President Ali himself has been hostile to press professionals, as we ourselves have experienced. Vice President Jagdeo, who is a vast repository of crucial information, has been abrasive, disdainful. Theformerpresidenthasoutdonehimselfwith hisabusesandexcesses,whichmockanyclaimsaboutpress freedomsinGuyana.
Leaders and agents of the PPPC Government love to proclaim the ‘return of democracy’ in Guyana, but thrive through operating in secrecy In true democracies, governmentleaderslookatindependentpressprofessionals asassets,asfiltersthatworkintwoways. Oneistopursue the vital issues of the nation in a dogged manner, so, two, there is ventilation of the positives and negatives, as they occur
A vibrant press is an organ of democracy, one that is welcomed. AlthoughtheStatemedia,forobviousreasons, could find itself handcuffed, the independent sections of private media have a duty to bridge the gaps between policiesandpractices.
In other words, what government leaders promise will happenisactuallybearingfruit. Leaders,whoaresecurein theforthrightnessoftheirownstandardsandactions,donot feartheindependentmediaandthefullestfreedomsforthe press. Theyencourageitbytheirownexamples,andbythe messagestheysendtheirloyalistsanddefenders.
Ontheotherhand,whengovernmentleadersoperateina stealthy manner around tough questions, or with a pronouncedbiasagainstcertainsectionsofthemedia,then pressfreedomsareunderattack.
The touchiness of the president and vice president aroundpertinentquestionsgivethemaway Whatisitthey havetohide? Whydotheyandtheirsubordinatesgoonthe defensivewhenconcernsaboutthebiggestissuesinGuyana areraised? Journalistsshouldneverfeelasthoughtheyare doingtheirworkinasharktank,whenseekingtogettothe factstoinformthepublic. Butasharktankithasbeen,and almostonafull-timebasis,sinceweeklycomesclose. Now thereseemstobeadeterminedpresidentialdrivetohandcuff the press (independent sections) still more, with plans that canonlybesinisterforGuyanese.
Cunningly visions on the drawing board to muzzle the press can only advance already conspicuous leadership malaise. Unfairness in the allocation of State advertisementsdoesnotenhancepressfreedom,butseeksto draintheoxygenoutofit. Beingselectiveinwhichmedia houses are invited to press conferences held by the government to share breaking news does not build press freedom,butdiminishesit.
When press professionals, who go after and share information that leaders prefer the public not to know, are vilifiedonsocialmediaandotherchannels,thatcanneverbe saidtobeconducivetofreedomofthepress. Itisseekingto pick the free press apart, and then convert it into a docile poodle. ThePPPCGovernmenthasmorethanitsshareof friendlymediaassets,yetitisasignofitsfears,thatthereis thiscompulsionbytoshutdownthefewindependentvoices
DEARE
DITOR
, The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) continuestocloselymonitor what is widely perceived to be a breakdown in trust and confidence between the Citizenry at large, many of whom are Union Members, and State Institutions Circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two youths in Linden and little Adriana Younge at Tuschen on the East Bank Essequibo serve asprimeexamples.
This breakdown in trust and confidence extends to the employer/ employee relationship, which includes the inordinate delay in the ful
Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Forexample: 1. The Collective Agreement signed on December 10, 2024, between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Government of Guyana providing for, inter alia, an eight percent (8%) acrossthe-boardincreaseinwages and salaries effective January 1, 2025. However, as of May 15, 2025, this agreement is yet to be honoured.
2 Despite repeated complaints by the Guyana Public Service Union, the Government of Guyana continues to maintain several persons on contract
occupying substantive positions Additional to undermining security of tenure, this questionable action stagnates upward mobility.
R e g a r d i n g t h e aforementioned deaths, law enforcement was viewed as being either directly responsible for committing the act, as in the cases in Linden, or aiding and abetting, as in Little Adrianna’scase.
Further,whiletheUnion firmly supports the prosecution of criminal activities under appropriate sections of the Law, the a r b i t r a r y a r r e s t , arraignment and detention of persons on charges of
inciting terrorism, as a consequence of protest action and or picketing exercises, is cause for furtherconcern.
Noteworthy is that the perceived breakdown in trust and confidence has come at a time when we are experiencing an elevated threat to our territorial integrity on the western frontier, which requires a unitednationalposture.
Hence, while the Union remains concerned as it relatestothestateofaffairs, it is hopeful that the relationship can be speedily improved through dialogue and appropriate corrective action.
GPSU
,
A New and United Guyana (ANUG) expresses its deep concern over the recentincidentontheborder with Venezuela in which troops from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came under fire from armed individuals.
This unprovoked act of aggression underscores the urgency of national unity in thefaceofexternalthreatsto
our sovereignty and territorialintegrity
ANUG unequivocally condemns any act of violence against the brave
menandwomenoftheGDF whostandasthevanguardof ournation’ssecurity
Wecallonallcitizensto rally together in support of our Armed Forces, recognizing their critical role in protecting our national patrimony against incursionsandthreats
We urge the Venezuelan Government to honour international treaties and respect international laws by taking decisive action to prevent further incursions by directed armed gangs or military factions, operating along the Guyana-
VenezuelanBorder Guyana remains committed to resolving the ongoing border dispute through peaceful means and in a c c o r d a n c e w i t h InternationalLaw
The matter of the border is currently before the International Court of Justice(ICJ),andweurgeall parties to respect the decisions of this esteemed body
In addition,ANUG calls upon Guyana’s incumbent government to prioritize the safety and welfare of our armed forces by ensuring
equipped, trained, and supported in carrying out theirvitalduties.
It is imperative that all necessary resources be mobilized to secure our borders and maintain peace andstabilityintheregion.
Now,morethanever,we must stand as one nation, united against any external threattooursovereignty
We appeal to every citizen to remain vigilant, steadfast, and committed to defending our beloved country
ANUG
EARE
, After listening to both theLeaderoftheOpposition andtheGeneralSecretaryof thePPPitisapparentthatthe political divide is widening. Referring to each other as trash and resorting to name calling only worsens the situation.
In my humble opinion they are both correct and incorrect on many key issues, but unfortunately neither has shown the political maturity needed to listen to each other’s perspective. Neither has all
stillaround.
of the answers and neither should try to project the image of being the maximum leader of the Nation. Instead, they should listentoeachotherandseek solutions together When there is an opportunity to learn from each other, there is also an opportunity for cooperation and personal growth Differences in opinion should not result in finger pointing and harsh words. Our Nation’s best interest should be the priority above all other considerations.
A government that does what benefits citizens will be cheeredbyeveryone. Whenitdoesn’t,itsleadersseethreats everywhere, fear their shadows. When lawsuits are weaponized against media professionals, it isn’t about reputation. It is about scaring off those probing for facts. When restraints multiply, Guyana’s press freedoms aren’t strengthening,theyareweakening.
Yes, we should not be preparing to party at a concert instead of focusing on preparing to strengthen our national security Yes, weshouldnotbemakingthe death of a child a political issue.Yes,thecircumstances leadingtoherdrowningneed tobeclarifiedanddetermined by a thorough investigation Yes, a longstanding member of a political party that dedicated her life’s work to serving her country should notexperiencetheabsenceof hercolleaguesatherfuneral Yes, agreements made must b e h o n o u r e d a n d participationbyeachsideof the aisle in key committees mustoccur Inclusivityinthe governance of our Nation is arequirementthatwasputin place to avoid the current pitfalls before us. It is also very clear to all impartial
observers that neither side has all of the answers, and togetherasonenationwitha shared destiny we must be united to gain the strength provided by understanding additional perspectives on the same issue. The anger and passion that has led to the rejection of political cooperation must be overcome and redirected towards our external enemies. In unity there is strength. We must rebuild our relationships within the House of Parliament and with our sidelined allies of the past if we truly want to maintainpeaceintheregion and strength within our borders.
Sincerely, Mr.JamilChanglee Chairman
TheCooperative RepublicansofGuyana
DEAREDITOR
, As a proud son of
Guyana’s Indigenous heritageandaformerelected Chief, I reaffirm my unwavering support for the authority of Amerindian
Village Councils as enshrinedintheAmerindian Act of 2006, and for the foundational rights guaranteed to all Guyanese underourConstitution.
The National Toshaos Council (NTC) plays a vital role in safeguarding the autonomy, traditions, and governance systems of our FirstPeoples.
I welcome its recent public advisory as a timely reminder that entry into Amerindianvillagesmustbe guided by law, rooted in respect, and carried out in consultation with Village Councils, whose authority mustneverbeundermined.
At the same time, I believe it is essential to uphold and defend the right ofallAmerindiancitizensto participatefullyandfreelyin
the political life of our country, including the right tobemembersof,support,or engage with any political partyoftheirchoice.
This right is a sacred pillarofourdemocracy,and itmustbeprotectedwiththe same vigilance as our cultural and governance norms.
The Liberty and Justice Party stands firmly for the empowermentofIndigenous voices in national decisionmaking, and we encourage respectful, lawful political discourse within all communities.
Political participation should never be seen as a threat to Indigenous governance but rather as a complement to it, provided that visits to villages are c o n d u c t e d w i t h transparency, with prior approval from the Village Council, and in a manner consistent with established lawsandcustoms. We also urge our fellow Guyanese to avoid
politicising Indigenous governance and instead focus on building mutual respect, informed dialogue, and partnerships that uplift our communities in every region
As a political leader and former Chief, I recommit myself to walking in full respect of Amerindian law, culture, and leadership, whil
y,
a n d constitutional freedoms for allGuyanese,especiallyour Indigenous brothers and sisters
Ittakethisopportunityto remind the general public t h a t I n d i g e n o u s Communities and lands are private properties held communally – similar to someone owning a private home.
As such, in a similar manner, when you wish to entersomeone’sprivateyard orhouse,permissionmustbe sought and be granted from the owner lest you are
chargedfortrespassing.
It is the same for Indigenous Lands and Villages.
Under Part II of the Amerindian Act, it clearly states; Part II, Entry and Access, 5(1): “A person, otherthan a person referred to in section 8, who wishes to enter Village Lands shall apply for and obtain the permission of the Village Council.”
The act also grants unto the Toshao, the authority to represent and act in the best interest of the Village and sometimessuchactionsmay conflict with the interest of some, something that I can speak intimately and knowledgeablyabout.
The Constitution of
Guyana also empowers and gives that right to the Indigenous Peoples under Article 149G. “Indigenous Peoples shall have the right
promulgation of their culturalheritageandwaysof life.”
Let us work together
toward a future where governance, tradition, and democracy coexist in harmony, and where every citizen, regardless of heritageorpoliticalbelief,is empowered to shape the destiny of our beautiful nation.
Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall SC on Friday met with over 70 persons whose lands / occupation will be affected on the East Coast corridor
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, said the g o v e r n m e n t w i l l compulsorily acquire lands on the East Coast of DemerarawheretheGuyana Power and Light (GPL) transmission cables will be run to transmit electricity generated under the Gas-toEnergyproject.
In a statement Friday, Nandlall said he met with over70personswhowillbe affected by the project. He
said the corridor will extend from Goedverwagting to Columbia, Mahaicony, to as far as No. 53 Village on the CorentyneCoast.
In a press release, the Attorney General explained that the government intends to compulsorily acquire these lands and pay market value in accordance with law He noted that the same process used by the government for similar exercises in recent times for other national projects shall beutilised.
Accordingtotherelease, thefirstbatchofpersonsthat met with Nandlall are from Goedverwa
ing to Columbia,Mahaicony
The release noted that the government will be taking every effort to ensure that the process is consultative and fair; that the
compensationandthatthey are accorded all the protective safeguards guaranteed to them by the constitutionandlaw
A 20-year-old man was on Thursday remandedtoprisonforthemurderofDexter Francecalled‘Chiney’.
SteveWilliamsalsoknown‘Shortman’of Khan Hill, Mabaruma, North West District, Region One appeared at the Bartica Magistrates’Court where the murder charge wasreadtohim.
Williamswasnotrequiredtopleadtothe indictable charge which alleged that on May 11,2025atagoldminingcampsitelocatedin WrongTurnBackdam,PuruniRiver,Region sevenheallegedlymurderedFrance.
HewasremandeduntilJuly10,2025.
On Tuesday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a statement requesting assistance in properly identifying the now deceased The body was subsequently identifiedbyFrance’sbrother.TheGPFnoted thatthedeceasedisbetween40and45-yearsoldandhislastplaceofworkwasthePuruni Riverarea,RegionSeven.
On Friday, police said that France and
Williams worked together and were reportedly involved in an argument, when Williams armed himself with a cutlass and choppedFranceinhischest.
On Wednesday May 14, 2025 a postmortem examination was conducted on France’s body and his cause of death was determinedtobethechopwoundhereceived in his chest. The post-mortem examination wasconductedbyDr NehaulSingh.
ThePPP’sobsessionwithcontrolhas beenputondisplayforalltoseeby VicePresident,BharratJagdeo.The politicianwhobelievesthatall83,000 squaremilesofGuyanaandeverything thereonbelongstohim,hasnowdecided thatthefamilyof11-year-oldAdriana Youngeshouldnotreceiveacopyof herpreliminarypostmortemresults. HesaidonThursdaythatthefindings havealreadybeensharedbythepolice, thesamegroupofpeoplethatAdriana’s familyhaslostcompleteconfidencein. Whyshouldagovernmentdecidethat thegrievingmotherandfatherofthis childshouldnotreceiveacopyofher deathfindings?Jagdeohasstretchedhis mouthtoofar.Hehascrossedtheline hereandshouldbecalledoutforsame! Thefamilydeservesanswers,nota coverup,andAdrianadeservesjustice!
The family of the late Adriana Younge has raised serious concerns over the qualifications and experience of Canadian investigator, Leonard McCoshen, a retired officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who was recently appointed by the Government of Guyana to assist with the investigation intothechild’sdeath.
In a statement issued by attorney Dr DexterTodd on Friday, during a meeting held at the Marriott Hotel,
McCoshen met with
Adriana’s parents, and the family’s lead attorney, Dr. Todd. While the Canadian e x p e r t e x p r e s s e d condolencesandthankedthe family for their time, Dr Toddusedtheopportunityto challenge the adequacy of McCoshen’s expertise for what he described as a “complex and highly specialised”investigation.
McCoshenclarifiedthat he had been retained by the Government of Guyana, not the Guyana Police Force,
and had been provided with all relevant documents, photographs, and video footage pertaining to the case.Heinformedthefamily that his next steps would includeathoroughreviewof the materials followed by interviews, culminating in a report that would be s u b m i t t e d t o t h e government. However, he could not guarantee that the familywouldreceiveacopy of that report, which raised concern from the grieving relatives.
Dr. Todd, while expressing appreciation for Mr. McCoshen’s presence, questionedhissuitabilityfor thetask.
“Dr Todd inquired from Mr Mc Coshen whether he was a Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI) or had any training in that area, since such knowledge is essential in homicidal drowning cases. Mr Mc. Coshen confirmed that he did not have such training,” thestatementread.
Further, Dr Todd concludedthattheCanadian investigator’s experiences and qualifications are not sufficientforAdriana’scase.
“Dr Todd outlined to Mr Mc.Coshenthatbasedonthe complexity of the matter at hand,his(Mr Mc.Coshen’s)
e x p e r i e n c e a n d qualifications may not be sufficient for a thorough investigation,butrathermay r e q u i r e g r e a t e r specialisations He recommendedtheneedfora more competent forensic specialists’group,” Dr Todd said.
Furthering the family’s concerns,Dr Toddcriticised the lack of transparency
regarding the full composition of the investigation team and emphasised that the Guyana
Police Force lacks a trained Medicolegal Death Investigation(MDI)capable ofcoordinatinganevidencebased inquiry “…He then asked whether Mr Mc Coshen was prepared to recommend to the Government of Guyana that a competent team of specialists should be selected which can satisfy the complexity of this investigation Mr Mc Coshencommittedtoraising thesequestionsandconcerns w i t h t h e r e l e v a n t authorities,” the statement read.
During the meeting, Dr Todd also addressed technical limitations, stating
thatMcCoshenmaylackthe skillsrequiredtoreconstruct the scene ofAdriana’s death which is a key step in understanding the sequence of events leading to her tragic death “Dr Todd further raised the fact that Mr Mc Coshen himself doesnotpossessalltheskills needed to rebuild the scene or scenario of the incident and that will further hinder his investigation,” the statementread.
Pressing on the need for transparency and clarity, Dr Todd reiterated the family’s request for the preliminary autopsyreportsoitcouldbe reviewedbyotherexperts,as well as details about the forensic tests already conducted or still pending. He cautioned that without this information, the family might be forced to consider exhuming the child’s body forindependentanalysis.
Another concern raised wasthefailureofauthorities todetermineanapproximate timeofdeathwhichthethree pathologists involved had beenunabletoconclude.Dr Todd emphasised that an anthropologist might be needed to assist in the investigation.“HeaskedMr Mc.Coshenifhewaswilling torecommendsucha
Continued on page 9
With a contractor yet to be identified for the design and construction of a medicine regulatory and laboratory and office complex,theMinistryofHealthhasrecently received four bids from consultancy firms interested in providing supervision services fortheconstructionofthatfacility
Accordingtoinformationprovidedbythe National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, the ministry tendered for the Professional Engineering Consultancy Services for the Supervision of the Construction of new MedicinesLaboratory
In response, the following firms, Vikab (Guyana) Limited, Sizwe Jackson Consultancy Service, GR Engineering Company Inc., and Ai Architects have submitted their technical and financial proposals.
This publication had reported that the health ministry had initially went out to tender seeking a contractor to undertake the designandconstructionofthebuilding.
During a previous tender opening in February,itwasrevealedthattwocontractors out of China are competing for the contract. They are CAMCE – Sinopharmintl consortium who bid US$22,094,220.89, and Shangdong High-Speed Dejian Group Company Limited who bid US$23,676,720
fortheproject.
During this year’s budget presentation, Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh revealed that some $2.9 billion wassetasideforthatproject,amongothers.
“Design and construct a Medicines Regulatory Laboratory and Office Complex, a national neurological rehabilitation centre and a centre of excellence for cancer treatment for which a sum of $2.9 billion is budgeted,”heannouncedinJanuary
Back in March, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony outlined the government’s strategic plans to enhance the healthcare sector, focusing on pharmaceutical manufacturing, legislative reforms, and the introduction of advanced medical technologies.
He stated that the government’s vision is to position Guyana as a key hub for pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing. “He noted that legislative reforms are underway to modernise the Food and Drug Departmentregulations,whichcurrentlydate backto1974.Thesechangeswillimprovethe regulatoryframeworkformedicines,medical devices, and vaccines, creating a more conduciveenvironmentforinvestmentinthe pharmaceuticalsector,”theministrynotedin apressreleaseatthetime.
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has clarified its decision to file additional Affidavit in the matter by which it is suing businessman Azrrudin
Mohamed for evading millions in taxes on his luxurycarimport. Thetaxagencyinapress release Friday, said in keeping with the laws
administered, engaged its counterpart(s) in the United States of America (USA) through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), in keeping with the Mutual
Frompage2
boysfromLinden,theHenry boysfromBerbice,”hesaid.
Expressing disbelief at the slow pace of the legal proceedings, Bacchus added:
“It has been three years now Whyhaven’ttherebeen a conviction? Why a coverup? Every turn, a cover-up. What’s going on? I have no confidence in the judicial system!”
Another grieving parent present at the protest was BasilHenry,fatherofIsaiah Henry, one of the two teen cousinsbrutallymurderedin September 2020 Henry spoke openly about the enduringpainandfrustration his family continues to face nearlyfiveyearslater
“Fiveyearshavepassed, andmybeliefisthatbecause of the carelessness and incompetence of the police force,andthecompetenceof whattheyhavedonewiththe case and holding the innocent in jail and not tryingtogettherightperson that has murdered those boys,”hesaid.
Drawing parallels between his family’s grief and that of SubrianYounge, Adriana’s father, Henry described the deep emotional instinct both familiesexperienced.
“Wehavebeenthereand wearestillgoingthroughit. JustasSubriansaidhefeltit in his belly, the same thing happened to my wife.When wesonwasmissing,shefelt that something had gone wrong,”thefathersaid
He added that the recent events surrounding Adriana Younge’s death have reopened emotional wounds forhisfamily
“This movement for Adrianahastouchedmeand remindedmedeeplyofwhat we’vebeenthrough.
Youtrytoforget,butyou can’t. The pain and the hurt behind Isaiah and Joel are still there. The police could have done better I’m still waiting for justice, still looking forward to justice forIsaiahandJoel.”
AdrianaYounge
The tragic death of 11year-old Adriana Younge remains one of the most painful and controversial
cases currently under investigation. Her lifeless body was discovered on April 24, 2025, in a swimming pool at the Double Day International Hotel, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, less than 24 hours after she had been reported missing while on a familyouting.
Anautopsyconductedby three international forensic pathologists, Dr Shubhakar Karra Paul of Barbados, Dr GaryCollinsoftheU.S.,and Dr Glenn Rudner of Mount Sinai Hospital concluded that Adriana died from drowning However, her bodywasfoundinanupright position with visible marks on her skin, raising suspicions of foul play, which her family believes has not been thoroughly investigated.
Compounding public concern, the Guyana Police Force initially issued a misleading report claiming Adriana had been abducted, whichwaslaterproventobe false.The family and public havecriticisedthepolicefor their slow and questionable handlingofthecase.
Othervictims,samecry Ronaldo Peters and KeonFogenay
On April 7, 2025, 21year-oldRonaldoPeterswas fatally shot by Police SergeantPhilbertKendallin Linden.
PoliceallegedPeterswas wanted for rape, and the officer’s firearm discharged during an attempted arrest. However, CCTV footage contradicted this narrative, showing the officer chasing and later dragging Peters’ injuredbody
The incident sparked widespread protests, during which Keon Fogenay, 32, was also shot dead by another officer To date, no chargeshavebeenbroughtin connection with Fogenay’s death.
The Henry boys and HareshSingh
The murders of Joel Henry,18,andIsaiahHenry, 16, in September 2020, shocked the nation The cousins were found mutilated in the CottonTree Back-dam, West Coast Berbice.
Thebodieswereseverely mutilatedandanxwasfound engraved in their foreheads. Police had arrested three suspectsandoneofthemhad given the investigators a video confession admitting to the crime. So far two persons were remanded and arecommittedtostandtrial.
Two suspects, Vinod Gopaul and Anil Sancharra, have been committed to stand trial for the double homicide. During protests over the killings, Haresh Singh, 17, a relative of a person of interest, was also murdered, another case still withoutresolution.
QuindonBacchus
Quindon Bacchus, a 23year-old father, was gunned down by Lance Corporal KristoffDeNobregaonJune 10, 2022, during a sting operation in Haslington, East Coast Demerara DeNobregainitiallyclaimed Bacchus fired first, but ballistic evidence suggested the weapon found on Bacchuswasnotinworking condition An autopsy confirmedhewasshotseven times, mostly in the back. DeNobrega has since been committed to stand trial.
Twootherofficers,Thurston Simon and Dameion McLennon, were also charged for allegedly attempting to pervert the courseofjustice.
OngoingProtests
Since Adriana’s death, protests have erupted across the country demandingjusticenotonly for her, but for others who have died under suspicious or violent circumstances involvingpoliceaction
Friday’sprotestwasyet another example of the growing frustration among citizens, families, and opposition members who say that justice in Guyana remainselusiveformany
The crowd called for i n d e p e n d e n t investigations, greater transparency, and accountability from both the police and the government Despite promises from authorities, many families say their grief is being compounded by silence, cover-ups, and bureaucraticdelays
Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, Chapter 15:05 forinformationpertainingto the purchase and the importation of one 2020 Lamborghini Roadster SVJ motor vehicle imported into Guyana.
On May 14, 2025, the GRAsaid their counterparts respondedtotherequestand submitted the copy of an invoice, amongst other documents, evidencing the true purchase price paid for the said 2020 Lamborghini RoadsterSVJmotorvehicle. This invoice corroborates the evidence before the HonourableCourt.
Upon its receipt, the Authority said in keeping with the duty owed to the Court, immediately filed a Supplementary Affidavit to havethiscriticalinformation
admitted into evidence
According to the GRA, the importer also signed the “FormC32A–Customs”by declaring that all particulars in his declaration were true and complete, and acknowledged that the authority can review and reassess the values in keeping with the Fifth Schedule, within seven (7) years, should further evidence be obtained based on the findings or further investigation.”
Hence the reassessment and demand letter for payment of the additional taxes by the GRA based on thefurtherevidenceobtained astothefalsifiedinvoiceand values
Thetaxagencycontinued “This information, among others, has corroborated and
further confirmed that upon importation, the invoice and price submitted were false, andthedeclarationandtaxes weregrosslyunderstated”
The GRAsaid “On May 15, 2025, the Honourable Judge refused to admit into evidence, the information obtained from the USA DepartmentofJustice(DOJ) in the Judicial Review proceedings, and advised that his reasons for doing so willbeforthcomingatadate inSeptember2025.”
Asaresult,theAuthority said in keeping with its statutory duty has on May 15,2025,institutedcriminal proceedings in accordance with; inter alia, Section 218 (e) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01, for fraudulent evasion and declarations.
Canadian investigator does not have...
Frompage8 specialist to assist. Mr Mc. Coshen noted that this may be part of the conversation he will have with the authorities,”Dr Toddsaid.
Dr Todd had informed the investigator that after three weeks since Adriana’s death,thefamilywasnotyet interviewed by police. “Dr Todd further inquired whether Mr Mc. Coshen was doing the investigation independently from start to finish, since the Guyana Police Force lacks the competence, integrity and
expertise is many areas needed for a thorough investigation in this case.
Mc Coshen stated that those interviews would be d o n e d u r i n g h i s investigations.
Dr Todd closed the meeting by renewing the family’s demand for a c o m p e t e n t , m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y investigative team to be assembled. McCoshen, in turn, promised to seek answersandplannedtomeet with the Crime Chief later thatdaytofurtherdiscussthe caseandtheconcernsraised.
Mr Mc Coshen was shocked to learn that weeks after the discovery of the body of the deceased, the father of the deceased, who waspresentatthehotelfrom thetimethealarmwasraised that she was missing, and whoremovedherbodyfrom the pool at the Double Day H o t e l , w a s n e v e r interviewedby investigators or a statement taken from him. In fact, neither parent was ever interviewed by investigators,”thestatement read.
Many have had encounters in life when their peers try their best to hurry past an uncomfortable situation. We have (I have) seen others in various walks of life play all kinds of tricks to steer away from a ticklish development.
Plushopfromonefoottotheothertoget awayfromwhattheyknowisalivegrenade with the pin pulled. Plus, how they seek to distract,ortoduck,whathasthepotentialto expose them, if they open their mouths, if they allow the conversation to go on for another minute. I point to President Ali, for thereheis. Hecastsasicklylight. Inhisbest brushoff, rush-off mode re the ongoing AdrianaYounge’s agony He cuts a shabby figure. Cryforaday,thenhustleawayfrom that before the next day The president desperatelywantstopushthisbehindhim,if notkickfromthespotlight. Becausetohim, itmaynotamounttomorethanthethunderof noisesanddisputesoveronedeath;thedeath of a citizen that is best gotten over quickly, and moved on from even quicker A death that gives every impression of being the M word.
I have bad news for Pres. Ali. The environment,atmosphere,circumstancesare not in that frame of mind. There is no cooperatingwithwhathewishesfor,whathe gives the impression that all of this business aboutAdriana Younge’s horror story should be yesterday news. It is not, honorable one. TheytellmethatPresidentAlihasaPhD. Thenheshouldn’tbesodense,orpretend
atbeingso. Iamawarethathisshadowcan beheavy,buthisheadshouldn’tbesohard. A child is dead, and it wasn’t from sickness. Cantheterror,thehorror,thedishonorofher last few hours on this wretched earth be imagined? This is where my brother, the national leader, Mohamed Irfaan Ali should be. He was the picture of care and compassionwhenheracedtoTuschen. The switch he dug up then has apparently malfunctioned since; or has been turned off. The presidential mind is now out of town; hence, out of bounds. The paramountcy of theAdrianaYoungecaseandtheintegritythat shouldaccompanyit,believedtobethere,is notthere.
Forthepresidenttosaytheequivalentof ‘ah deel wid dah awreddy, suh ah dun wid dah’disturbs the death of this child, now an international symbol of the rottenness of Guyana, the Guyana Government, the PPP Government, the Ali Government. Mr Ali comesdangerouslyclosetothatstatewhenhe triesthatoldlineofhis:overandout. Geton with it. Especially in the context of certain Guyanese. When President Ali is in that groove,hedoesn’tprojectoneness. Thereis untold crassness that he draws to himself, wraps himself in; maybe unknowingly, definitelycallously
For the president’s edification,Adriana’s deathandtheattendanthazycircumstancesis of more than one death, one mystery, one coverup, and one presidential moment of focus. It is of the national cesspool that is
Guyana The national cesspool that flourishesunderhisleadership. Thenational cesspool that he now owns. Whether Irfaan Ali wants to or not, he owns the national cesspooloffilth,ofdecay,ofallthathasgone wronginthiscountryinthelastfiveyears. I scrap the leader, and urge the man, to revisit and re-travel the words he used in his inaugural five Augusts ago. One word is singledout,allthatisneeded:accountability Therehasbeennone. Thepeoplehechanged, arranged,rearranged,indifferentspotsinan array of national institutions have degraded and deranged this country and its peoples. TheGuyanaPoliceForcemustbeinthefront of the line because it is the most incredible, the unintelligible. The national police apparatus,nowinshreds,isbutamicrocosm of the plagues that have devastated this society And Adriana Younge’s death has now gathered and exposed all those corrupt components in their worst lights and for all theworldtosee.
No!Mr PresidentAli. NO! Thisisnow larger than the life of Adriana Younge so slicklystolenfromher,fromhervillage,from her family, from her country This is larger than the police and its woes. This is about dirty money and what it buys. Access to power Access to protection. Access to the national-political-commercial compound thatempowersthoseinsideitscharmedcircle tocheat,tocorrupt,andeventokillprobably One leader spoke of culture, and there is the death dance of Adriana, against her will, against her hour, against all that is human.
This is what I think our dearest brother Irfaan wants to smartly click his heels and dash away from, so that Adriana’s death becomes a closed chapter in the shortest order Heisentitledtothinkofhimselfasthat slick and that smart. But I have news for ExcellencyAliandhisPalaceGuard:heisn’t. Allofthemfusedtogetheraren’t. Thisisthe tangledwebweavedbythePPPGovernment, many of such webs. Now they come back withavengeancetotrapthoseresponsiblefor their existence. I regret to inform President Dr MohamedIrfaanAlithatthereisnoplace torun.
Hehasrunoutofplacestohide. Because of his own weaknesses and failures, which now return in unstoppable strength to haunt his every step, his every word. Due to his impotent leadership, his attractions to the soundsofemptybarrels,thesearepricesthat thepeoplesofthiscountryhavetopay The strangedeathofAdrianaYoungewasthefirst expression, the stranger developments that followed, are but the first glimpses of how Guyana has self-destructed under Pres.Ali’s stewardship. Try running away from that, skipper Ahdunaaldathadtobeedun. Such wasthelastfarcewoundinggrievously
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflecttheopinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Canadian firm, G Mining Ventures Corp. (GMIN)
said the recently published feasibility study confirms the Tier-1 production potential of its flagship Oko Westgoldproject,locatedin Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni)Guyanawhich,is set to deliver strong returns, andlowproductioncosts.
During the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call on May 15, president and chief executive officer (CEO)
Louis-Pierre Gignac, stressed the strength of G Mining’s performance and project pipeline, especially with the addition of the Oko West project which is
estimatedtoyield4.3million ouncesofgold.
Gignac noted that the feasibility study confirms Oko West’s Tier 1 potential.
The study outlined a production outlook of 350,000 ounces annually over 12.3 years. The Oko West Project is currently considered an “advancedstage exploration project” and is expected to produce gold from both open pit and undergroundmining.
According to the company,theproject’sall-in sustaining cost (AISC) is estimated at US$1,123 per ounce. At a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce, the
project’safter-taxnetpresent value (NPV) stands at $2.2 billion, with an internal rate ofreturn(IRR)of27percent and a payback period of 2.9 years. That value rises to US$3.2 billion and a 35 per centIRRifgoldpricesreach US$3,000 per ounce, accordingtoGMining.This places the Oko West project among the lowest-cost gold projectsintheregion.
Moreover, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy Dušan Petkoviæ
said the feasibility study resultscloselymatchedthose of thepreliminaryeconomic assessment released seven months earlier, reinforcing confidenceinthedepositand developmentstrategy
“The April feasibility study confirmed Tier 1 productionpotentialandwas closelyalignedwiththePEA (Preliminary Economic Assessment) released just sevenmonthsprior,whichis a strong validation of the quality and thoughts we put
into our technical work,” saidPetkoviæ.
He also highlighted the project’s sensitivity to gold prices and the company’s conservative approach to valuation.
Petkoviæ added, “Oko West is one of the few development-stage projects in the Americas with a productionprofileexceeding 300,000ouncesperyearand one of even fewer that has reachedtheFeasibilityStudy stage It is truly a rare American asset, whose closest comparison in our view is Kinross’Great Bear project, another large-scale, open-pit and underground operation.”
G Mining expects to r e c e i v e i t s f u l l environmentalpermitbythe end of Q2 of 2025, paving the way for a formal constructiondecision.
First gold production is targeted for late 2027, with the company projecting a transition to intermediate producer status by 2028, exceeding 500,000 ounces annuallywiththehelpofthe OkoWestproject.
The project’s initial capital cost is pegged at US$972 million, with US$650 million in sustaining capital required overthelifeofthemine.
GMIN has been advancing works with a focus on extending the mine life and assessing underground mining potential for the project Notably, the Environmental
Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement (ESIA) for Oko West were submitted to the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November2024.
Earlier this year, GMIN received an Interim Environmental Permit for the project, paving the way for early construction activities and the company has advanced permitting efforts toward securing the full Environmental Licence fromtheEPA.
In March, GMIN initiated early works at Oko West, including site preparation for a barge landingontheCuyuniRiver and the construction of a permanent camp to support future development The company is also expected to execute works on main access and internal roads, airstrip, permanent camp facility, water and sewage treatment plants and power g e n e r a t i o n a n d communicationtower Notably, GMIN has officially started the process tosecureamininglicencefor itsOkoWestgold.Alongside the mining licence application, GMIN has also begun seeking other critical permits needed to bring the project to full-scale operation These include approvals for port operations, fuel use and storage, as well as the installation of transmission and telecommunications towers.
More than 200 young aspiring teachers on
Thursday attended the Cyril Potter College of Education’s (CPCE) annual open day event, where they explored programmes and expressed interest in becoming qualified trained educatorsinGuyana.
The event which was held at Guyana’s premier teachertraininginstitutionat Turkeyen,sawinattendance many individuals who are alreadyservinginthepublic education system, but are desirous of becoming formally trained and certified teachers through CPCE’s nationally recognisedprogrammes.
The open day was held underthetheme:‘Mastering
theartofteaching’.
Speaking to a packed audience at CPCE’s auditorium, Director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Oma Ramdin, told the prospective applicants that the noble profession is seeking teachers who will makeadifference.Shenoted that teaching is not merely a profession,butacalling.
“The fact that you are hereisthatyouareinterested in becoming a trained teacher and that is an exciting thing. On behalf of CPCE, I want to send a heartfeltwelcometoeachof you, it is both a joy and honour to have you here today,”sheexpressed.
Cyril Potter College of Education’s (CPCE) on Thursday held its Open Day event at its Turkeyen Centre, attracting hundreds of aspiring teachers.
She added that it marks the beginning of an exciting and transformative chapter intheirjourneyaseducators.
“As Guyana’s premier andonlyteachinginstitution, CPCE has a proud legacy preparing educators to meet the evolving and diverse needs of our nation’s children. As you heard, Guyana is on a mission to traineverysingleteacherand that alone should tell you how important we see the Cyril Potter College of Education, because this is the only institution that exclusively train our teachers,”shestated.
During her remarks, she mentioned that CPCE’s programmes span across the countryfromthecoasttothe hinterland, ensuring every aspiringteacherhasaccessto quality training Among those,theyareproudtooffer newdynamicareasofstudies
includingHealthandFamily Life Education, Literacy Education, Special Needs EducationandTechnicaland Vocational Education and Training.
These programmes she said, reflect their unwavering commitment to be inclusive, relevant and forwardthinking.
Alluding to the theme, the director noted that masteringtheartofteaching means, “you have to be creativeandinnovative.”
In further explaining whatthismeans,shetoldthe aspiring teachers that each student is unique and that teaching requires flexibility to respond to different learn styletodifferentcapabilities among the students and to differentcircumstances.
“Teaching requires more than knowledge after you graduate from CPCE, it doesn’tendthereitdemands empathy, dedication and a deep love for learning Teaching isn’t a skill to be
mastered, teaching is an art tobeloved,”sheadded.
Reiterating that CPCE offers diverse and specialised programmes and is committed to 100 percent trained teachers, she noted they have flexible learning modes, which include both onlineandfacetoface.
Committed to having every school equipped with trainedteachers,theNCERD Director briefed that the governmentisbuildingand Continued on page 17
ChiefofDefenceStaff,BrigadierOmarKhan,MSS,said the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has completed its internal processintothetragicDecember6,2023helicoptercrashthat claimedthelivesoffivemilitaryofficers,butwillonlyrelease itsfindingsaftertheofficialreportfromtheMinistryofPublic Works is issued. Brigadier Khan made the statement on Thursday,duringamediabriefing,whenaskedforanupdate on the investigation into the crash that killed pilot-incommand and veteran aviator, Lieutenant Colonel, Michael Charles,ColonelMichaelShahoud,LieutenantColonelSean Welcome, Staff Sergeant Jason Khan, and Brigadier (ret’d) GaryBeaton.“Wewereastakeholderoftheinvestigationby thenatureofGuyana’slaw TheMinistryofPublicWorkshas thatmandatetodirectandinvestigatethatincident.Wewere justastakeholder.”
KhanconfirmedthattheGDFhadestablishedaBoardof Inquiry,whichcompleteditsinternalinvestigationandmade recommendations.HenotedthattheGDFhasalreadyactedon therecommendationsemergingfromitsinternalreview
However,whenaskedaboutthenatureofthosefindings, Khanresponded,“Iwillmakethatavailablewhentheofficial report is issued.” He outlined that the GDF’s final position remainscontingentonthereleaseoftheofficialreport.“The board of inquiry is meant to have that report when it’s completed, we did what we had to do, but there is a part in which we have to have the official report to take into consideration to complete our report,” the Chief of Defence Staff said. Back in January, Minister of Public Works, Juan EdghillhadrevealedthattheGuyanaCivilAviationAuthority (GCAA) was awaiting feedback from stakeholders on the deadlyGDFcrashreport.StakeholdersincludedtheGDF,the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Transport Canada,BellHelicopters,andtheGCAA.
MinisterEdghilltoldreportersthatthedraftreportonthe helicopter crash was completed in record time He commended the NTSB of America for its cooperation throughouttheinvestigation,emphasisingthattheboardhad givenprioritytoGuyana’scase.OnDecember6,2023fiveof sevenoccupantsoftheGDFBell412helicopterdiedwhenthe aircraft crashed in the jungle between Arau and Ekereku in RegionSeven.LieutenantAndioMichaelCrawford,apiloton boardtheaircraft,andCorporalDwayneJohnsonsurvivedthe crash.Shortlyafterthecrash,Edghillhadappointedaspecial investigatortoprobetheincidentandatanewsconferencelate December2023,hedisclosedthattheBlackboxofthechopper hadbeensenttotheUnitedStates(U.S.).
“I, as Minister of PublicWorks under the CivilAviation Actof2018,(I)havefulfilledmyobligationsinappointingan accident/incidentinvestigator.”Atthat,timeEdghillalsosaid thathehadapprovedthetraveloftheinvestigatortotheUSto transportanddelivertheblackboxtotheNTSB.“Theblack boxwassentsothatthereadingswouldbeabletoinformthe investigation[team]asitrelatestowhathappened,”hesaid.
Minister Edghill had spoken of the strong collaboration between the NTSB and the investigative team, acknowledging the critical importance of the matter, especially given the tragic loss of several of Guyana’s finest soldiersinthecrash.
A male vagrant was found lying motionless on the easternpavementonKirkpatrickStreet,Georgetowninthe vicinityoftheGuyanaPostOfficeCorporation(G.P.O)on Fridayevening.AccordingtoastatementfromtheGuyana Police Force (GPF) the deceased was seen lying among other vagrants on the said street, clad in a grey track pants andtopless.Policesaidthataccordingtopersonsinthearea, at approximately 06:00 hours the now deceased man was seenvomitingandhyperventilating.
The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) was subsequently summoned and the victim was pronounced deadbyDr RampersaudoftheGeorgetownPublicHospital Cooperation (GPHC). Several persons in the area were questioned and the body was examined but no marks of violence were seen and no foul play suspected. CCTV cameraswereseeninthevicinitywhichwillbeviewed.The body was taken to the Memorial Garden Funeral home awaiting identification and postmortem examination. Investigationisongoing.
Alliance for Change
(AFC) advisor on Indigenous and Amerindian Affairs, Laura George, has calledontheGovernmentof Guyana to provide clear information, guidance and guaranteestotheindigenous people living in border communities.Hercallswere made in light of the planned May 25 elections by Venezuela to elect a governorfortheEssequibo.
George highlighted that “Article36.1and36.2ofthe United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, states that indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations, and cooperation—including activities for spiritual, cultural,political,economic, and social purposes—with theirownmembersaswellas otherpeoplesacrossborders. It further states that, in consultation and in cooperationwithindigenous peoples, effective measures shallbetakentofacilitatethe exercise and ensure the
implementation of this right.”Shereasonedthatthe indigenous peoples, especially those along the borders Guyana shares with Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname, have been maintaining these relations as they lived beyond those borders before they were formallyestablished.
T a k i n g i n t o considerationthethreatsthat lieahead,aswellastheMay 25 planned election, George said that clear answers will be needed in the upcoming National Toshaos Council, on how the government intendstosupport,andshare information on its means of protection. Shestressedthatthelevel of protection currently offeredtoresidentsofborder communities is not convincing enough. “They know the extent of the army personnel, Guyana’s army personnel base there. They have a very clear idea of the extent of arms…they have there…we’realsoverymuch awareofthelackofeffective protection and services that we’ve (been) given prior
during(recent)incidentsthat have affected our army personnel. So, they're very concerned.”
George told the media that as of last Thursday, residents of Arrau, Kaikan andothercommunitiesalong thoseareasreportedthatthey were afraid to sleep. They reported that “there were three boatloads of army personnelthathadatleast40 in each boat—Venezuelan soldiers They further learned that it was a change of the guard that takes place fromtimetotime.”
Looking at these numbers in comparison to the number of Guyanese troops present at the border base, George said the promise of protection is not convincing and the numbers shouldbefurtherrampedup.
Inspiteofherreports,the Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan has a different version in relation to the situation in the communities.
Kaieteur News reported on Friday, that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) had intensifieditsborderpatrols,
especially along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven, following three armed attacks on its troops by men in civilian clothing at the Guyana-Venezuelaborder
The incidents occurred over 48 hours, prompting calls from the Guyanese Government for Venezuela tolaunchafullinvestigation.
At a media briefing on Thursday afternoon at Base C a m p Ay a n g a n n a , Georgetown, Brigadier Khan, confirmed that the attacks occurred between Tuesday, May 13, and Wednesday, May 14, while GDFtroopswereconducting routine riverine patrols between Eteringbang and Makapa.
Despitetheattacks,Khan assured that patrols would not be suspended He outlined the military’s duty under the Defence Act and the principles of upholding nationalsovereignty,stating, “We have an obligation as soldiers…this is a mission we take seriously, and will continue to patrol…and to eliminate any threat to our people.”
Advisor to the Alliance for Change (AFC) on Indigenous and Amerindian Affairs Laura George
Moreover, Brigadier Khanalsomentionedthathe was part of a team that visited four border communities over the past twodaystoengageresidents.
“The community and the villagers in those locations were happy, not scared… happy that we visited. Our conduct in those gaps is to patrol by foot and boat, ensuring that we defend our borders and ensure that no one is illegally coming across, especially on the border with Venezuela,” he stated.
Khan described the area wheretheattacksoccurredas
astretchoftheCuyuniRiver that is sparsely populated. He added, “It’s an area that wehavenotedovertheyears wherethesearmedmenstop civiliansandextortmonies.”
Asked whether the attackers were part of the Venezuelan military disguised as civilians or a criminal gang, Khan declinedtospeculate.
“We share the border with Venezuela, and we expect Venezuela not to violate our sovereignty, but we are prepared for any eventuality, and that’s why wewillcontinuetopatrolthe entireborder,”hesaid.
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2025/158-FD-PET-DEM IN THE HIGH COURTOF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE
FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL
JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION
Application NO. FD-158 BETWEEN ( WILLIAMS) LESLEY ANN nee
CADOGAN petitioner / Application –and(WILLIAMS) RENNIE BRYAN Respondent TO : RENNIE BRYAN WILLIAMS
Formerly of Lot 2811 South Ruimveldt ark Youth Place Georgetown, Guyana.
TAKE NOTICE that on the 12th day of February, 2025 a petition for divorce was filed against you by LESLEY ANN WILLIAMS nee
CADOGAN the petitioner/Applicant in the family division of the high court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FUTHER TAKE
NOTICE that as part of an order made on the 25th day of April, 2025 the petitioner/applicant was directed to effect service of her petition on you by publication of thid notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana. AND FUTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-law at Registry of family division of the high court at Georgetown, demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the petition together with rekated documents. AND FURTHER TAKE
NOTICE that if you desire to defend this divorce, then apon receipt of the certified copy of the petition, you must file an
A man was on Friday remanded to prison for the murder of Chandradeo Singh, who was robbed and shot on March 31, 2025 at Hill Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.
The accused, Akeem Mullin, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty who read the indictable charge to him.
The matter was adjourned to June 13, 2025.
Meanwhile, on April 10,
Acknowledgement of service, notice of intention to defend (Forns are available at the registry), Answer and / or Cross petition via the online portal, https:// ejudiciary.supremecourtcourt.gy within 35 thirty-five days from the date of the final publication of this notice . your access code is 3uEzN3
TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for directions hearing on Wednesday the 16th day of July, 2025 at 9:00 am before the Honourable madam Justice Priscilla ChandraHanif in person and/or via Zoom Meeting ID: 337 040 4877 & Passcode : 123456. IN DEFAULT of you filing an Acknowledgement of service/Notice of intention to defend, Answer and/ or Cross petition in the court petition the court may proceed in your absence and may make any order it considers appropriate, including granting the divorce. The registry of the family division of the high court is located at the law court (Georgetown, Demerara). The office is open to the public between 8: 00am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 to 2:30 on Fridays except on Public holidays and on such other days as the registry is closed.
Dated the 30th day of April, 2025.
2025, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued wanted bulletins for 31-year-old Ryan Goodluck, whose last known address is Lot 928 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), 21-year-old Tyrese Mullin whose last known address is Lot 25 Hill Street, Albouystown and 22-yearold Damion Bobb, whose last known address is Bareroot, Bachelors’ Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The three men are ac-
cused of shooting Singh while robbing him of his gold chains and an undisclosed amount of money. At the time of the robbery, Singh was reportedly playing cards in front of a shop located next to the alleyway that leads to his home with Reyaz Ali and Mark Soodoo.
Singh, who resided at Lot 26 Hill Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, died on April 1, 2025 while undergoing a surgery.
A20-year-old man identified as Omari Nichols was on Friday afternoon killed in an accident at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Details surrounding the accident are sketchy at this time, but Kaieteur News un-
derstands that it involved a motorcycle.
A cellphone recorded video of the aftermath showed the victim lying on the road bleeding from the head.
Investigations are ongoing.
Sophia man on $150,000 bail for obtaining money by false
A 22-year-old Sophia man was on Friday released on $150,000 bail, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with obtaining money by false pretense.
Leandro Samaroo, of Lot 5 Dennis Street Sophia, Georgetown, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty who read the charge.
Samaroo was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that between February 19 and April 8, 2025, at Dennis Street Sophia,
Georgetown, he obtained $300,000 from Latifa Marks by falsely pretending he was in a position to sell her a food cart. The prosecution had no objection to bail, but requested that the accused report to the Brickdam Police Station.
Magistrate McGusty granted Samaroo bail on condition that he report to the Brickdam Police Station every fourth Friday of every month between 9-11am. The matter was adjourned to June 6, 2025.
Dr StevenBerkowitz,an expert in the field of psychiatry at the University of Colorado, USA, told the High Court in Georgetown o n F r i d a y t h a t a Psychological First Aide (PFA)evaluationwhichwas administeredtotheteengirls who survived the horrific Mahdia School Dormitory fire, was not sufficient to determine whether they had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD).
Dr Berkowitz was the second US trained expert to becalledtothewitnessstand in the trial of two girls who survived the Mahdia School dormitory fire, which claimed the lives of 20 children,onMay22,2023.
Theparentsaresuingthe state for in excess of $10 million for inter alia, emotionalandpsychological damage they sustained as a resultofthehorrificordeal.
The lawsuit explained that the girls who were 14 years old at the time, were trapped inside the grilled buildingwheresomeoftheir
friends, and siblings were burntalive.
In his evidence led beforeJusticeSandilKisson, Dr Berkowitzsharedinsight in his area of expertisepsychiatry The witness spoke of the impact the traumatic events could have on survivors including adults, adolescents and children.
Based on a line of questioning posed by attorney Eusi Anderson, the psychiatrist told the court that the initial methods used toevaluateteenagesurvivors of Mahdia fire, provided a limitedscopeofdetermining deeperpsychologicalissues.
The survivors were seen by s t a t e - a p p o i n t e d psychologists who made some initial interventions usingthePFAapproach.
The doctor noted that whilethePFAapproachisan appropriate initial first aide response to the trauma, it is meant to be administered withthefirstcoupleofweeks of a traumatic event or incident, but must be
Dr. Steven Berkowitz Professor, Psychiatry-Adult Psychiatry, University of Colorado, USA
followed up with suitable monitoringandevaluation.
Dr Berkowitznotedthatin thecaseofthesurvivorsofthe Mahdia dorm fire, while the girls had some psychological examination after their first threedaysintheIntensiveCare Unit,theyneededtobefurther monitoredtodeterminedeeper psychological/psychiatric issues The doctors explained that people who live through traumatic events such as the Mahdia School fire, often present with deeper psyche issuesthatsurfaceovertime. These issues would lead to
A 38-year-old tattoo artist was on Friday remanded to prison for allegedly stealing over $200,000 in items from a daycare.
Nicholas Choy of Lot 1 6 8 R o b b S t r e e t , Georgetown appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Acting Chief MagistrateFaithMcGustyto answertoaBreakandEnter andLarcenycharges.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that on May 12, 2025 at Lot
106 Croal Street, Georgetown, he broke into theYMCADaycareandpreschool and stole one microwave valued $37,000, one black industrial fan valued$25,000,threedouble
bed mattress valued $54,000, one black water dispenser valued $25,000, one roll of garbage bags valued $1,200, one JBL roll speakervalued$31,000,one smallfanvalued$9,000,one garbage bin valued $19,000 and a quantity of school supplies valued $77,000; totaling$277,200.
Choy told the court that he did not break into the daycare.“Icomehomefrom workandIsawajunkywith a garbage bin and I say hay wa you get deh and he drop debinandrun.WhenIwent
to see what went inside the policerollupandarrestme.I is ah business man ma’am I is do tattoo ma’am,” the accusedsaid.
The accused told the courtthathewasfoundwith the garbage bin because he took it from the vagrant to seewhatwasinit.
“The junky dropped the binwhenIsaidheywauget deh,”Choysaid.
M e a n w h i l e , t h e prosecution objected to bail
patients needing cognitive behavourialtherapyandEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy The latter is a psychotherapy treatment primarily used to help individuals process and resolvetraumaticmemories, particularly those related to PTSD.
Based on the data provided,DrBerkowitzsaid he is unclear what type of therapy was used on the students after their initial evaluation by local psychologists. Henotedthat there was “no mention of these.”
Accordingtothedoctor, there are trauma specific therapy meant for survivors of catastrophic events. He explained that once administered correctly, therapycanleadtoproviding a safe path to recovery for patients. Asked to provide specific instances, the witness alluded to children who survived Hurricane Katrina that underwent the therapy “Sixty percent of
those patients no longer met the criteria for PTSD after theyreceivedtreatment.”
Thedoctortoldthecourt thatbasedonhisknowledge of the efficacy of the PFA
approach which was administered, the survivors of the Mahdia school dorm fire; the success rate of method of this type of therapy is just around 20 percent.
Further, the doctor stressed that the follow up monitoringevaluationofthe survivors of the event was essential since PTSD symptoms do not appear immediatelyafteranevent.
“Itusuallytakesabout30 days before the symptoms show up,” Dr Berkowitz added. He opined therefore that initial evaluation could not be enough to determine the true nature of the girls’ emotionalandpsychological healthafterthefire.
U n d e r c r o s s examinationbystatecounsel Darshan Ramdhani, the witnesswasaskedhisviews
on the virtual evaluation of the survivors conducted by Dr Amber Mc Donald. Dr Mc Donald who evaluated both survivors mentioned in the lawsuit, determined that they presented with symptoms of PTSD, and stressrelateddisorders.
Ramdhani sought to determine from Dr Berkowitz whether a virtual evaluation of the girls was sufficient to determine diagnosis. In response, Dr Berkowitz said that Dr Mc Donald has “fair enough” experience and knowledge tomakethedeterminationin avirtualsetting.
Accordingtothedoctor, the evaluation is guided by internationally acceptable bestpracticesandguidelines for diagnosing anxiety, trauma and stress related disorders.
He said an evaluation can typically take between an hour and an hour and a half to conclude.The doctor revealedtoothatthetherapy sessionstakejustaroundthe sametime.
Frompage13 would soon complete some 20 new secondary schools mostly which are found in thehinterlandregions.
Nicholas Choy
stating that there is video evidence of Choy taking the items According to the prosecution, Choy also took abathinoneofthedaycare’s showers before escaping Some of the stolen items were recovered in Choy’s garbagebin.
Further, Choy was previously charged for a similaroffense.
Magistrate McGusty adjournedthemattertoJune 6,2025.
“What does that mean for you, that mean we need you to work in those schools,”shesaid.
Encouraging those interested teachers in considering working in the hinterland regions, the Director said that the Education Ministry is rewardingteacherswhotake up the post through a threepointpromotionalapproach.
“ Yo u g e t t h r e e promotionalpointsforevery four years spent in the hinterlandandifyoudidnot
know, to those young aspiring teachers, being promoted in the profession is all about points. So you havetobequalified,haveto be experienced in order to get a promotion and so you aregettingpoints,whileyou are getting to learn about anotherregion,”sherelated.
In a release from the Education Ministry, the agency stated that the Cyril Potter College of Education continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the Ministry of Education’s vision for quality education throughprofessionalteacher preparation.
Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the
C P C E w e b s i t e a t
http://www.cpce.edu.gy for application details and additionalinformation. It was shared that CPCE is also expected to host Open Day activities at severalother locations across the country including atVreed-en-Hoop inRegionThreeonMay20, New Amsterdam and Rose Hall in Region Six on May 21, Anna Regina in Region Two on May 22, and both Linden in Region 10 and Belladrum in Region Five onMay23.
Notably, dates for o u t r e a c h t o t h e hinterland regions will be announced soon
BBC - Nearly 100 people, including children, have been killed in a largescale Israeli ground, air and sea attack launched early Friday in north Gaza, the Hamas-runcivildefenceand residentshavesaid.
The civil defence said at least nine homes and tents housing civilians had been bombedovernightandithad received dozens of calls frompeopletrapped.
Witnesses also reported smoke bombs, artillery shelling and tanks in Beit Lahia. Israel’s military said it was “operating to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure sites” in north Gaza and had “eliminated several terrorists” over the past day This marks the largest ground assault on north Gaza since Israel resumed its offensive in March Basheer alGhandour, who fled Beit Lahia for Jabalia after the attack, told the BBC people were sleeping when suddenly“intensebombing” hitovernight.
“It came from all sidesairstrikesandwarships.My brother’s house collapsed. There were 25 people inside,”hesaid.
He said 11 people were injured and five killed, including his nieces, aged five and 18, and a 15-yearold nephew He and others tried to free relatives from therubble.
“My brother’s wife is still under the rubble - we didn’tmanagetorescueher Because of how intense the bombing was, we had to flee,” he said. “We didn’t take anything with us - no furniture, no food, no flour Weevenleftinbarefeet.”
Anothersurvivor,Yousif Salem, told reporters he and his three children had “just escaped death” “An air strike hit our neighbours’ home - none of them survived,”hesaid. He said artillery shells began hitting near their house as they were trapped inside. When he tried to leave, a quadcopter drone openedfire,hesaid.
He made a second attempt under heavy shelling, he said. All roads were blocked, but they managedtofindasideroad.
“We escaped only minutes before Israeli tanks encircledthearea,”hesaid.
According to local residents, the attack began with smoke bomb barrages followedbyintenseartillery shelling from nearby Israeli positions. Tanks then began advancing toward AlSalateen neighbourhood in westernBeitLahia.
Witnesses reported that Israeli armoured vehicles surrounded a school sheltering hundreds of displacedcivilians.
Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets early Friday over several areas in north Gaza calling on residents to evacuate the areas immediately, raising fears the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was expanding its military operation in one of Gaza’s most densely populatedregions.
The evacuation orders
Palestinians struggle to get their food rations outside a crowded distribution centre in Beit Lahia on 15 May (Getty)
sparked panic among families who have been displaced multiple times since the war began. Many havenowhereelsetogo.
“I swear I don’t know where we’re going,” said Sana Marouf, who was fleeing with her family on a donkeycartinGazaCity
“We don’t have mattresses,blankets,foodor water.”Shesaidshehadseen people “torn to pieces” overnight. “It was a black night.Theywererelentlessly bombing us.” The attack in north Gaza comes after Israeliairstrikeskilledmore than 120 people, mostly in the south, on Thursday The IDF said on Friday it had struckmorethan150“terror targets” throughout Gaza over the past day, including anti-tank missile posts, military structures, and centres where groups were planning to “carry out terrorist attacks against IDF troops”.
Israel’s government has pledged to intensify operations in Gaza and indefinitely reoccupy the StripifHamasdidnotaccept a proposal for a temporary ceasefire and the return of remaining hostages by the end of President Donald Trump’sregionaltrip,which concludedonFriday
While there has been no sign of a breakthrough with negotiating teams still in Doha, local media say that Arab mediators have been pushing for more time to give talks a chance A ceasefirebetweenIsraeland Hamas agreed in January broke down when Israel relaunched air strikes on GazainMarch.
Israel also implemented a total blockade on humanitarian aid, including food, that has been widely condemned by the UN as well as European and Arab countries.
In south Gaza, the IDF said it had dismantled Hamas structures and shafts and killed “several terrorists” who Israel said had planned to plant an explosive device While Friday’s powerful overnight strikesandreportedadvance by ground troops west of Beit Lahia are significant, this does not yet look like Israel’s threatened major militaryoffensive.
The deteriorating situation in Gaza has drawn concern from the US this week. Boarding his flight home from the Middle East, Trump said the US needs to “help out the Palestinians” and acknowledges “a lot of peoplearestarving”.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration was “troubled” by the humanitariansituation.
Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz last month said the blockade was a “main pressure lever” to secure victory over Hamas and get allthehostagesout.Thereis growing evidence that Israel’s10-weekblockadeis having an increasingly detrimental humanitarian impact. Aid organisations and residents say people in Gaza are now starving. A recent UN-backed report said Gaza’s whole population – some 2 1 millionpeople–isatcritical risk of famine. The Israeli government has insisted there is no shortage of food in Gaza and that the “real crisis is Hamas looting and selling aid”. Israel and the US have proposed allowing in and distributing aid through private companiesaplanrejectedbytheUN.
Israel launched a militarycampaigntodestroy Hamas in response to the group’s cross-border attack on7October2023,inwhich about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were takenhostage.
At least 53,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’sHamas-runhealth ministry. Fifty-eight hostages are still being held in Gaza, up to 23 of whom arebelievedtobealive.
Frompage3 called for the Bill to be sent to the Special Select Committee, but this was eventuallyvotedagainst. Notably,theMinisterof Natural
ces, Vickram Bharrat, in his contribution to the debate, boasted that Guyana has been recognized by a
petroleumsector These included the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, Organization of American States, and the
s Transparency Initiative validationreport.
He also urged the OppositionMPstoseepass the past and move on from topics such as oil spill insurance and guarantee since the government was now making a greater move in the direction of a law to hold the responsible party to account for all costs.
M
implemented by the GoG to prevent an oil spill from occurring in the first place t
catastrophic event These include the installation of Blow Out Preventers (BoPs)atthewellsandone of 13 capping stacks around the world being in-
country AGaddressesconcerns Meanwhile,theAttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, add
ns previously raised by the OppositionMPswithregard to liability and timeline to makeaclaim.
He explained that the broad term ‘responsible party’ includes any person owning, operating or chartering a vessel; for
facilities, it includes the operators or licensees; and even for abandoned or decommissionedfacilitiesor vessels, it includes those who were responsible immediately prior to
a b a n d o n m e n t o r decommissioning.
As such, Nandlall argued, “These are not ordinary provision, but we made sure we inserted them theretoensurethatthereisa catchment of liability and liability is not eluded in a quickway.”
Shifting his attention to the limited period for compensation as flagged by Patterson, the AG said the Act does not limit claimants tooneyear
He explained, “This thing says may be filed not later than one year after discovery
So you can discover 10 years after the incident. The damage that you suffered can occur 10 years after the spill,butwhenyoudiscover it,youhaveoneyeartomake a filing. That distinction is lostonthegentleman.”
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.
CANCER(June21–July22)
If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.
opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Mixyourrealitywithabit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allowyourfeettocomeoffthe ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.
Also contributing to the debate from the government side were Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Minister withintheMinistryofPublic Works, Deodat Indar, and Minister of Public Security, Robson Benn On the opposition side, Sherod Duncan also joined with Holder and Patterson to op
legislation.
Raekwon Noel delivered an unprecedented performance at the inaugural PanAm Aquatics Championships in Colombia, winning a historicfourgoldmedals.
After clinching gold in both the 100m and 200m butterfly events, Noel continued his dominance by winning the 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle, setting a newnationalrecordineachevent.
He advanced to the finals in the 100m backstroke by breaking the previous national record with a time of 56.88 seconds,surpassingtheoldmarkof57.72.
Inthefinals,NoeloutpacedColombia’s
Gabriel Hernandez (57.04s) and Puerto Rico’s Suil Quinones (59.27s), adding another PanAm Aquatics title to his growingrésumé.
The Guyanese Olympian claimed his fourth gold in style, clocking a blistering4:00 66inthe400mfreestyle
Noel, a freshman at Indiana University, is representing Guyana alongside 16-year-old Shareefah Lewis at the prestigious event, which features athletes from 31 countries and is organized by PanAm Aquatics, the governing body for aquatic sports in the Americas
(BBC Sport) - Only captains will be allowed to approach referees during Premier League matches fromnextseason.
The top flight is set to adopt new guidelinesapprovedbythegame’slawmakers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB),inMarch-thatstate only one player from each team, usually the captain, is allowed the approach the match official. Under the regulations, referees can instruct players not to approach them, and show yellowcardstothosewhodo so without permission and behave in a disrespectful manner
Intheeventthatateam’s captain is a goalkeeper, clubs will provide an alternative representative beforekick-off.
This does not, though, prevent players from speakingtorefereesatother pointsduringgames.
The initiative has been used in all three Uefa club competitions this season as part of a trial process following its introduction at Euro2024lastsummer
Although Premier League clubs are still being consulted, the rules are expectedtoberatifiedatthe Premier League annual general meeting next month andintroducedatthestartof the2025-26campaign.
IFAB will include the guidance in the 2025-26 LawsoftheGame,effective from1July2025.
An IFAB spokesperson told BBC Sport: “At this stage, they are not a compulsorypartoftheLaws of the Game, although Ifab
strongly recommends their adoption at all levels following their successful implementationbyUefaand various national FAs and competitions.”
The Women’s Super League - controlled by Women’s Super League Football (WSL Football)could also adopt the guidance The English Football League (EFL) has guidanceinplacethattwoor more players surrounding a match official in a confrontational manner will resultinayellowcard.
Newhandsignalsand captain-onlyzones?
D u r i n g U e f a competitionsthisseason,the signal used to indicate the use of ‘only the captain’ guidelines is one arm extended,showingtheflatof the hand. “This signal may be adopted by other competitions, but currently thereisnomandatorysignal at the highest levels of the game, as different countries may have varying views on what signal best suits their football environment,”
a d d e d a n I F A B
spokesperson The governingbodyaddeditwill review this further to determine whether a standard signal should be introducedinthefuture.
In junior, veterans, disability and grassroots football, referees will signal a captain-only zone by raisingbotharmsabovetheir head and crossing them at thewrists.
Uncrossing their arms andmovingtheminfrontof their body with their palms open in a forward pushing motion will indicate players
mustnotapproachthem.
Thezonewillextendfor four metres (four-and-a-half yards)aroundtheofficial.
Under the guidance, referees have the power to initiate a captain-only zone at any stage during a match, although it is expected they will mainly do so following majordecisions.
Whyisthisbeing introduced?
It’snosecretrefereesand officials at all levels of the game are facing more abuse thaneverbefore.
In 2023, the Premier League,theFA,EFLandthe referees’ governing body, PGMOL, introduced a new ‘participant behaviour charter’whichgavereferees new powers to issue yellow and red cards where behaviour fell below expectedstandards.
Despite that, serious allegations relating to the assaultandattemptedassault ofmatchofficialsinEnglish grassroots football in 202324 increased by 32% from thepreviousseason.
Trials of body cameras on referees are also being carriedout.
In March, IFAB said the aimofthenewguidanceisto “ p r e v e n t m a j o r confrontations” and reduce intimidation of officials by “creating a secure and calm zonearoundthereferee”.
IFABadded:“Creatinga captain-onlyzonewillfocus responsibilityonthecaptain to encourage their teamm a t e s t o b e h a v e appropriately The captain must take responsibility for helping ensure that their team-mates respect the captain-onlyzone.”
WI Test VC,
Jomel Warrican (Photo: CWI)
St John’s, Antigua –CricketWestIndies(CWI)is pleased to announce the appointment of Roston Chase as West Indies Test Captain for the upcoming homeseriesversusAustralia inJune,withJomelWarrican named asVice-Captain.The appointments were unanimously approved by the CWI Board of Directors during its meeting held today,May16,2025.
This announcement follows the completion of a groundbreaking, robust and structured process to evaluateandrecommendthe next captain and vicecaptain of the West Indies Testteam.
Recognizing the critical roleofleadershipinshaping team culture, driving performance, and ensuring long-term success, CWI adopted a data-informed,
framework to guide the selection This marks a significant evolution in how leadership appointments are
accountability,transparency, and alignment with modern cricketingstandards. Theprocessbeganwitha shortlist of candidates selected based on factors including Test experience, leadership qualities, and captaincy credentials. The shortlisted players included: John Campbell, Tevin Imlach, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase,andJomelWarrican. Shai Hope, the current ODI and T20I captain,
considerationtofocusonhis existingleadershiproles.
Each candidate went
assessment process that included psychometric testingtoevaluateleadership style, behaviour, and overall suitability for the role, as wellasstructuredinterviews focusedontacticalapproach, communication skills, and team culture. The interview panel consisted of Head Coach Daren Sammy, Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe,andChairmanof the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee, EnochLewis.
T h e f i n a l recommendation was based on a weighted scoring system across six key areas: leadership, respect within theteam,cricketknowledge, personalconduct,mediaand communication skills, and the results of the psychometric evaluation The top-ranked candidates were recommended as captainandvice-captainand subsequently approved by theCWIBoard.
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow praised the integrity and innovation of theprocess.
“Thisselectionprocessis o n e o f t h e m o s t comprehensiveandforwardt h i n k i n g w
undertaken
deeply
professionalism, objectivity, and strategic thinking that shaped the final decision. It sets a new benchmark for leadership appointments in WestIndiescricket.”
Head Coach Daren Sammy also expressed his strong support for the new captain.
“I fully endorse this appointment Our new captain has earned the respect of his peers, u n d e r s t a n d s t h e responsibility that comes withtherole,andhasshown
the leadership qualities we need to take this team forward. I urge fans across the region to rally behind h
ding somethingspecial.”
These appointments signal a clear strategic direction for the Test team, reinforcingteamcultureand positioning the West Indies to compete more effectively ontheglobalstage.CWIalso sees this process as a model
aincy appointments across all formats.
Cricket West Indies commendsallcandidatesfor their professionalism and commitment throughout the processandlooksforwardto the positive impact this new leadership approach will have on the continued resurgence of West Indies cricket.
Roston’s first outing as captain will be the “WI Home: Full Ah Energy” home seri
t Australia, with the first matchatKensingtonOvalon June25,2025.
SetfortheSt.Stanislaus College Auditorium on Sunday May 19, 2025,
Fitness Express is continuing its long-term support of powerlifting in Guyana.
Under a new President now, Paul Meusa who took overthereinsofthefederation from Franklin Wilson two weeks ago, Meusa’s first assignmentwillbetheGuyana Amateur Powerlifting
Federation (GAPLF) Intermediates and Masters competition
In congratulating Meusa onhisascendancytothehelm ofthesport,Owner/Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie McDonald said that he was morethanhappytomaintain his company’s commitment to the development of the sport, stating that Fitness Express has been backing powerlifting since it restarted under the then
President, Peter Green who wassucceededbyEdCaesar and subsequently, Gordon Spencer
“It’satraditionforushere at Fitness Express to continually back the progress oftheathletes Wearesatisfied thatourcontinuedinvestment has seen the sport rise and our athletes become consistent meddlers for Guyana. We’d love to see this maintained under your
stewardshipandascontinue toempowerthefederation.”
Meusa expressed the gratitudeofhisnewexecutive and all the athletes whilst committing to continue building and developing the s p o r t S u n d a y ’ s Intermediates and Masters competition will take place at Saint Stanislaus College withtheweigh-inofathletes beginning at 06:00hrs, liftingtimeisfrom09:00hrs.
The Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) is swingingopenits gateswiderthaneverbefore, launching new efforts to makethegameofgolfmore inclusive across Guyana With a strong focus on engaging women, juniors, and first-time players, the club is rolling out programs aimedatgrowingthesport’s reach and deepening communityimpact.
Oneofthemostexciting developments is the club’s recent engagement with a groupofenthusiasticwomen who’ve dubbed themselves theFairwayLadies.
This vibrant mix of business professionals and women from the diplomatic corps—many of whom are
completely new to the sport have expressed a keen interest in becoming partoftheLGCcommunity
“We’re planning to engage them by providing coaches and introductory sessions to the game,” said LGC Secretary Chet Bowling. “Our goal is to eventually launch what we hope will become a Women’s Golf League
These women are excited, andwewanttocreateaspace where they can learn, play, andgrowwithinthesport.”
B o w l i n g a l s o highlighted the club’s dedication to jun
or development through its upcoming Annual Summer Camp, scheduled for July andAugust.
“We’re currently in the planning stages and have reached out to Republic Bank, who sponsored us in
2023, to come on board again It’s an extensive program where we run clinics across Regions 4, 5, 6, and 10. Some of our members volunteer to travel and conduct those clinics, which all lead up to a grand finale at the Lusignan Golf Club.”
These initiatives reflect LGC’s broader mission to break down the traditional barrierssurroundinggolfand make the sport accessible to e v e r y o n e f r o m schoolchildren in rural areas to women seeking new recreationaloutlets.
Withtheclubcontinuing to host major tournaments and build partnerships, its outreach and inclusivity efforts show that the Lusignan Golf Club is not justavenueforeliteplayers, but a community hub for all Guyanese who want to experience the joy and challengeofgolf.
AsBowlingemphasized, “It’sallaboutbuildingagolf culture in Guyana one that’s welcoming, engaging, and truly representative of the diverse talent and potential we have across the country.”(LGCRelease)
Day three of the 2025 Kraft Mac and Cheese Squash Tournament brought thrilling matches and highleveljuniorsquashactionon Thursday at the National Racquet Centre. The event serves as a key warm-up for junior players preparing for next month’s prestigious CASAChampionshipsinthe CaymanIslands.
Afterthreedaysofintense competition,standoutplayers JustinTenPow,EmilyFungA-Fat, Tiana Gomes, Jude Gobin, and Kaylee Lowe remain firmly in contention fordivisionaltitles
In the Kraft Cheesiest division, Justin Ten Pow remained unbeaten after a five-game thriller against DemetriusDeAbreu
TenPowtooktheopening game 11-8, but De Abreu rallied impressively to win the next two, 11-9 and 11-6, putting him ahead 2-1 Ten Pow, showing grit and smart shot selection, leveled the matchwithan11-9wininthe fourth Despite De Abreu’s strongstartinthedecider,Ten Pow switched into championship mode and closed out the match with a commanding 11-5 win to enter day four as the frontrunner
Emily Fung-A-Fat impressedintheKraftSpiral divisionwithadominant3-0 win over senior contender Reagan Rodrigues, showcasingexcellentfitness andfocus.KayleeLowealso made a strong statement,
Jibril Alli swings aggressively to secure game point against senior contender Lydia Fraser
dismantling Egan Bulkan 11-8,11-5,11-3.Meanwhile, Christopher Lowe cruised pastRobEdwardsinstraight games to continue his campaignconfidently
IntheKraftThreeCheese division,NijadBacchuseased pastAzarielMasonwitha3-0 sweep,whileKaidenAlliupset Lucas Persaud in straight games:11-7,11-9,11-7
The White Cheddar categorysawNamishrajSingh outlast Javon Daziel 3-1, and Giovanni Grant overpower ZaharaBellewithan11-6,117,11-3scoreline
The Kraft Thick and Creamy division featured dominantdisplaysfromNidal Bacchus, Zoey McDonald, and Tiana Gomes Bacchus defeated Maxwell Viapree 11-2, 11-7, 11-6, while McDonald blanked Rafael Brathwaite 3-0 Gomes continuedherstrongrunwith a statement win over topseeded Tehani Munroe,
battlingthroughafour-game test:11-7,11-13,11-9,11-3.
In the Kraft Original division, Jude Gobin and Azaria Proffit picked up important wins against IngramEdwardsandConnor Jacobus, respectively, as the raceforthefinalsintensifies.
Elsewhere, Shiloh Asregado and Ethan Bulkan eachregisteredkeyvictories in their respective categories.
Thetournamenthasnow shifted to the Georgetown Club, with the final rounds promising a dramatic finish onSunday Sponsored by Kraft Mac and Cheese, the tournament continues to spotlight the nation’s rising squash stars astheypreparetotakeonthe region’sbestatnextmonth’s CASAChampionships.
Stay tuned for more detailedmatchcoverageand updated results in our next edition.
CIC Insurance
B r o k e r s (Guyana)Inc.has joined hands with the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) for the upcoming Independence T10 Cup on May25attheLBIGround.
The highly anticipated event by the DCB is geared toraisefundstofacilitatethe growth and development of cricket in the county At a simple presentation ceremony at its location at Lot A52, Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, Assistant General Manager of CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc Preneta Bharosay made a financial contributiononbehalfofher company to Vice-president of the DCB, Puneet Jaigopaul.
Bharosay said CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc. is a leading insurance
Assistant General Manager of CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc. Preneta Bharosay (second right) presents the sponsorship to Vice-president of the DCB, Puneet Jaigopaul in the presence of other DCB reps DavteerthAnandjit (left) andAnil Beharry
brokerage and risk management firm providing the absolute best in claims advocacyservices. Shestatedthatwhilethey develop innovative and industry-focused insurance
solutions tailor-made to protect businesses, they are also keen on supporting activities that make a positive impact, hence the decision to align with the
what’srightforyourbusiness and focus on achieving your long-term goals,” Bharosay said of CIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc
Speaking on behalf of the DCB, Jaigopaul indicated that the board is extremely gratefulforthesupportofCIC Insurance Brokers (Guyana) Inc and all the other businesses that have embracedthetournament
Already onboard are L Mahabeer and Son Cambio, Office Express, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and GeneralBusinessServicesand Naven’sConstruction
DCB’s Independence T10 Cup. “As your partners you can rest assured that your assets and liabilities are adequately covered so you have the freedom to do
He urged cricket fans and the general public to patronize these establishments, so that theycancontinuetoextendtheir benevolence to events such as the Independence T10 Cup Eight first division teams from the county will
compete for top honours, with the format being a one game knockout. Six teamsLusignan,LBI,BetterHope, Enterprise,HerstellingAand Helena One and Two- are already confirmed, with the other two to be revealed in thecomingdays.
Total cash prize of G$500,000 and trophies will be up grabs at the one day event Whiletheteamswillbe represented by players within the respective associations, eachteamisallowedtwoguest players from other counties The champion team is guaranteed G$250,000 cash plus trophy; the runners-up G$150,000 and trophy, while thelosingsemi-finalistswillbe receiveG$50,000each Onthe individual side, Man-of-theMatch in the semi-finals and finalwillreceiveatrophy Action will bowl off at 10:00h and conclude under floodlights.
