Kaieteur News

Thursday Edition

China voices K NEWS support for Venezuela AIETEUR

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

December 18, 2025 - Vol. 18 No. 50 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 32,288

- says it opposes ‘unilateral bullying’

‘No cash grant for Christmas’ - Pres. Ali dangles $100K payout for all adults in 2026 budget After electoral Norton drubbing… signals major APNU shake-up The scene at Wednesday night's fire in Parika.

Youth to spend 5 years in jail for killing DJ Viper ‘Oil boom heightens corruption - AG tells UN, defends awareness free, critical in Guyana’ press

Fire rips through Parika supermarket, nearby building

‘Guyana is not a one-party state’ - opposition warns of democratic drift as Pres. Ali outlines five-year agenda outside of Parliament

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Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

Four charged for obtaining $15M by false pretence

Stephan James

Trevon Lancelot Simpson

Andrew Williams

Abeeka Archer

Four persons were charged and granted bail on Monday in connection with an alleged offence of obtaining money by false pretence.

The case was heard at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore. The accused are: Trevon Lancelot Simpson, 40, a contractor from Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara; Stephan James, 42, a porter from Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown; Andrew Williams, 38, a real estate agent from Triumph, East Coast Demerara; and Abeeka Archer, 40, a land

surveyor from Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara.

The alleged offence, involving a sum of $15,000,000, reportedly took place between November 10 and November 26, 2025, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown. During the proceedings, all four accused pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $100,000 each for Simpson, James, and Williams, while Archer was released on her own recognizance.

The matter was adjourned to January 26, 2026.

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

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‘No cash grant for Christmas’ …PRES. ALI DANGLES $100K PAYOUT FOR ALL ADULTS IN 2026 BUDGET

T

he anticipation of thousands of Guyanese who tuned in to President Irfaan Ali’s more than two-hour national address on Wednesday night ended in disappointment, as it became clear that there would be no cash grant payout for Christmas.

Addressing the nation from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, President Ali spent hours outlining his administration’s vision, policies and plans to a c c e l e r a t e G u y a n a ’s transformation over the next five years. It was near the end of his presentation that he announced provisions would be made in the 2026 national budget for a $100,000 cash grant for every Guyanese citizen aged 18 years and older.

Expectations had been heightened following comments made by Ali during the election campaign earlier this year. In one of his August 2025 campaign speeches, Ali had hinted that Guyanese could receive another cash grant payout before the end of the year if the People’s Progressive Party was re-elected at the September 1 General and Regional Elections.

In the lead-up to Christmas, expectation among Guyanese continued to grow, with many hoping Wednesday night’s address would bring confirmation of the long-anticipated payout.

Opposition parties, including We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), had also publicly called on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government to honour what they described as a promise to deliver the cash grant for the holidays.

“We will have a beautiful Christmas. Look at the smile on my face and know that you will have an enjoyable holiday,” Ali had said at the time. Since that statement, many citizens had been anticipating an announcement confirming a Christmas payout. Despite earlier assurances of ‘a bright and happy Christmas,’ no such cash grant for all adult citizens will be paid out during the holiday season.

Notably, under the first Irfaan Ali-led administration a $100,000 cash grant for citizens aged 18 and older was introduced in 2024. That

President Irfaan Ali payout continued into early 2025 and benefitted more than 600,000 Guyanese.

M o r e o v e r, d u r i n g h i s address, President Ali also noted that the national budget would be presented early next year and would cater for several increases promised in the PPP’s 2025 manifesto.

Ali further stated that his administration’s vision for success does not rest solely on economic progress or wealth accumulation, but also on a fundamental shift in national mindset and values.

“All of this could be lost if we don’t change our mindset and build a more caring and value base society, not a society of want but a society of need, not a society of convenience but a society of structure, deliberate strategies to uphold, uplift and promote each other,” President Ali said.

Railway link Meanwhile, President Ali also revealed that the government is examining possible options for the construction of a massive rail transit system. “In this regard, we are evaluating possible options for a mass transit system, especially to ease congestion in Georgetown, as well as to move cargo from Lethem to Guyana’s Atlantic coast,” he announced at the ACCC. Earlier this year, the head-of-state revealed that the Ministry of Housing is undertaking a feasibility study on the project. The aim is to create a modern, well-connected Guyana, where communities, including those in Guyana’s remote and hinterland areas, can access opportunities and participate in Guyana’s development.

The President also said that as Guyana transitions to a modern and digitally d r i v e n e c o n o m y. H e announced that over 600,000 Guyanese are now integrated into the country’s financial

system. “We firmly believe that everyone should have equal access to participate f u l l y i n o u r e c o n o m y, beginning with the fundamental ability to open a bank account. That is why we drastically simplified the requirement for opening bank accounts,” he told the audience. “These simplified procedures are already in operation. Today, more Guyanese than ever

before are part of the formal banking system. In fact, the number of bank accounts has grown by more than 65,000 since 2020,” President Ali said.

Earlier this year, the president called on Guyanese to ensure they open bank accounts, as the government aims to deliver social cash transfers via the banking system.

Additionally, online banking is operational at four commercial local banks, making the process of creating a bank account much easier, including for those in the hinterland regions. “This is progress in financial inclusion and empowerment that is measurable. Moving forward, to ensure that every Guyanese has access to the banking system, and access to opportunity that exists in Guyana, today, every effort will be made to

encourage them to open their own bank account,” he a f f i r m e d . To f u r t h e r modernise the financial system, President Ali announced that a junior stock exchange will be created.

Financial reform aligns with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Administration’s commitment outlined in its 2025 Manifesto. The government aims to foster a more inclusive financial system that will empower all Guyanese to access the system and to participate in saving and investment opportunities.

China voices support for Venezuela — says it opposes ‘unilateral bullying’ BEIJING, Dec 17 (Reuters) - China opposes “unilateral bullying” and supports countries in safeguarding their own sovereignty, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Venezuelan counterpart on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on the South American country.

Wang said in a phone call with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil that China and Venezuela are strategic partners and that mutual trust and support are a tradition of bilateral ties, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. “China believes the international community understands and supports Venezuela’s position in defending its legitimate rights and interests,” he said.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Zone of Peace in peril The Caribbean's long-cherished identity as a “zone of peace” is facing its most serious test in decades and Guyana now finds itself uncomfortably close to the centre of an escalating geopolitical storm.

The recent warning by Forward Guyana Movement leader and Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir should not be dismissed as alarmist rhetoric. Rather, it should be treated as a sober and timely call for caution, diplomacy and strategic restraint at a moment when miscalculation could permanently alter Guyana's trajectory.

The rising tension between the United States and Venezuela, punctuated by military build-ups, maritime seizures, and increasingly hostile rhetoric, is not an abstract foreign policy dispute. It is unfolding in Guyana's immediate neighbourhood, in waters that sustain regional trade and economies, and against the backdrop of Guyana's unresolved territorial controversy with Venezuela. WaltonDesir is correct to warn that any escalation into open conflict would have “devastating and irreversible consequences” for Guyana. Geography alone ensures that Guyana would not be a bystander in any regional crisis.

The government of Guyana must therefore resist the temptation to view the situation solely through the narrow lens of alliances or short-term security assurances. While Guyana has legitimate concerns about Venezuela's posture toward Essequibo, war or militarisation in the region would not strengthen Guyana's sovereignty or security. On the contrary, it would expose the country to risks it is illequipped to manage.

Walton-Desir's warning about mass migration is particularly salient. Guyana is already grappling with the pressures of rapid economic growth, uneven development and strained public services. A sudden influx of Venezuelan refugees fleeing conflict would overwhelm healthcare facilities, schools, housing, and social support systems. The experience of other countries shows that refugee crises, if not carefully managed, can generate long-term social tension, economic stress, and political instability. For a developing state like Guyana, the consequences could set back national progress by decades.

Beyond humanitarian concerns, there are serious security implications. Conflict in Venezuela would likely trigger the movement of illegal arms, narcotics, and organised criminal networks across porous borders and maritime routes. Guyana's security institutions, while improving, remain limited in capacity. An unstable regional environment would stretch law enforcement and defence resources thin, increasing vulnerability to transnational crime and undermining public safety.

Walton-Desir's critique of CARICOM also deserves careful consideration. The Caribbean Community was founded, in part, to give small states collective strength in a world dominated by powerful actors. Yet, as she rightly notes, the region has too often failed to act with unity and resolve. External powers have historically exploited these fractures, engaging states individually rather than respecting a coherent regional position. In the current crisis, this weakness is once again being exposed.

For Guyana, CARICOM unity is not a luxury; it is a necessity. A fragmented regional response increases the likelihood that Caribbean states become collateral damage in great-power rivalry. The Guyanese government should therefore be actively pushing for stronger CARICOM engagement, not merely issuing statements but advocating for coordinated diplomacy, mediation, and a firm recommitment to the region's “zone of peace” declaration.

This is also a moment for Guyana's leadership to exercise restraint in its own rhetoric and policy choices.

Alignments with powerful allies may offer short-term reassurance, but they also carry long-term risks if Guyana is perceived as a staging ground or strategic pawn in a wider confrontation. Walton-Desir's call for leaders to be “very sober and very temperate” is not a sign of weakness; it is an

PPP and corruption Dear Editor, While going through my cell phone, quite by accident, I came upon an interview with a British broadcaster and President Dr. Irfaan Ali, anyone who knows Guyana could not help being disgusted, apart from his difficulty with grammar, our illustrious president devoted the interview to talking about the previous government dictatorship, he did not provide any evidence, but kept beating the old drum of PNC dictatorship.

He skilfully avoided

what we in Guyana know to be corruption at all levels of his government. The question of the PPP executive member and permanent secretary who allegedly facilitated all sorts of corrupt transactions with respect to gold operations were skilfully sidestepped.

He reminded the British interviewer that they were doing a fantastic job when it comes to food production, but did not recall that it was the Burnham regime that articulated, and worked in difficult circumstances to

achieve food security, the famous FCH plan – feed, clothed, and house the nation.

They have abandoned the Berbice River taxi service. They have had their supporters taken over ancestral lands. Spent millions on the construction of roads, and already more millions are being spent to repair these roads. President Ali told his interviewer that they are dealing with the pressure on ordinary people because of the high cost-ofliving.

The PPP shouted from the roof-tops that they will renegotiate the terrible oil contract, there is a deafening silence on this matter since they took office.

Many citizens can tell you about corruption at all levels, from some policemen on the streets, to the top brass. I ask the question, which is worse; corruption, and failure to give information, or what the PPP claim in the interview to be a dictatorship?

Respectfully, Nigel Bacchus

Tribute to Ron Robinson Dear Editor, With the passing of Ron Robinson, Guyana has lost a legend. With his passing, Guyana's has also lost an avid blood donor.

Having donated more than 100 units of blood. Ron was family at the National Blood Transfusion Service.

He was a simple, humble man, but found a way to quietly and graciously make a difference in the lives of his Guyanese sisters and brothers.

In terms of radio and theatre, Ron Robinson was among the best in Guyana, CARICOM and the Commonwealth. His

contributions to the “orange” economy in Guyana is not only iconic, but his passion, dedication, and work in radio, TV and theatre created a pathway of inspiration.

Radio has always been important in the lives of people of my generation and remains so today. For almost all of my more than 65 years of radio experiences, Ron was a giant presence. As Minister of Health in Guyana at a time when HIV and AIDS was ravaging lives in our country and around the world and at a time when Guyana was shifting away from non-voluntary blood donation and trying to

increase blood donation from less than 2,000 units to more than 10,000 units annually, Ron's communication experience and talents became an asset for public health.

His major contributions to the education and awareness programmes in public health contributed to a “golden era” for public health's education and awareness programmes.

When I first became Minister of Health, Guyana's blood transfusion service depended on coercive methods for blood donation and only collected about 2,000 units annually. By

2010, blood donation was 100% voluntary donation and collected more than 10,000 units annually. Ron was a significant contributor to both the education and awareness efforts and in the voluntary collection of blood. He personally was a champion of change and annually recognised as a champion blood donor, one of a handful 100+ donors.

Guyana has lost a legend. I have lost a friend.

To his family and friends, our prayers are with them.

We pray that Ron walks well in heaven.

Regards Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Our highways to nowhere: A deliberate scheme to enrich the corrupt Dear Editor, In a previous missive, I addressed the super-inflated contract pricing of the proposed lanes addition to the “concussion” highway in a simple cost-comparative analysis, I would now endeavour to expose the perpetual cycle of the transactional aspects of these projects. These occurrences are not attributable to human failure or oversight, but are purely by design to enrich a few.

Observations would

have revealed a pattern that has been practised by the PPP Administration, where issues are created, allowed to fester until it becomes a “pain-point” for citizens, then in comes the “We care team” springing into action to alleviate the pains.

Citizens breathing a sigh of relief, overlooks the optics and plunder.

Editor beyond the fiasco of the Heroes Highway lies the corrupt heart of our national development: this is not an isolated failure, but a

appeal to statesmanship.

History offers sobering lessons. Conflicts rarely remain contained, and smaller states often bear disproportionate costs despite having little influence over the decisions that trigger war. The Caribbean has benefited enormously from decades of relative peace, allowing countries like Guyana to focus on development, integration, and social progress.

Allowing that legacy to erode would be a profound failure of leadership.

The government of Guyana must therefore heed WaltonDesir's warning and act decisively in favour of de-escalation, diplomacy, and regional solidarity. This means engaging Venezuela through lawful international mechanisms, urging restraint from all external actors, strengthening CARICOM's collective voice, and preparing contingency plans to protect Guyanese citizens should tensions worsen. Walton-Desir has sounded the alarm. The government would be wise to listen.

deliberate, recurring scheme. This is the calculated playbook of a cartel—complicit officials and their aligned contractors—who systematically replace technocrats with bureaucrats to turn public projects into private piggy banks. The result is a cycle of inflated contracts and engineered failures, designed to plunder the treasury not once, but repeatedly. Our nation deserves far better than these self-serving actors who build personal wealth on the broken foundations of our country's future.

The already scandalous Heroes Highway project, with its contracts awarded at 40-50% premiums, now reveals the cartel's signature flaw: intentional misdesign.

The plan to add only 4.2km of a third lane, sandwiched in the middle of a 9.4km twolane corridor, is not an error—it is a “designed guarantee” to create chaos, a built-in justification for the next round of "corrective" contracts.

Traffic engineering is clear: this design creates obstructive "lane drops," forcing merges that cause bottlenecks and accidents at both ends of the new section.

“Lane drops” are a critical concern in traffic engineering due to their significant negative impact on both traffic flow and safety. They inherently reduce roadway capacity by forcing a turbulent merging process, which acts as a major bottleneck and generates traffic shock waves that cause severe congestion and queues, especially during peak hours. Furthermore, safety is compromised by the increased necessity for merging maneuvers, leading to a higher risk of rear-end and sideswipe collisions, particularly when the drops are poorly signed, causing driver confusion and erratic manoeuvres. The problems are often compounded when the dropped lane is located too close to intersections (Massy to Haags Bosch (Continued on page 5)

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Jurisprudence in Guyana, CCJ, Privy Council, and America Dear Editor, Is Guyana (Court of Appeal or Supreme Court) and or CCJ Jurisprudence superior to the American Supreme Court and the Privy Council of Britain? The answer is largely opinionated. Some local and Caribbean lawyers and political analysts as well as

politicians prefer the CCJ and local courts over an overseas based one because of nationalism, among other reasons. Most regional lawyers prefer the independent non-partisan Privy Council (PC) over the CCJ as the apex court. The American Supreme Court has no ties to the region.

For the record, court rulings (Court of Appeal – Chancellor's Office) in Guyana can only be appealed at the CCJ (our apex court), not the Privy Council (PC) which Burnham broke off from in 1970. Other Caricom countries (except, Dominica, Barbados,

Belize) have Privy Council, not CCJ, as final court. The American Supreme Court (ASC) pays no heed to the Privy Council or rulings in any other jurisdiction – its jurisprudence is primarily American home grown based on the interpretation of the constitution as drafted by the founding fathers and

There is need for balance; while GDP grows, poverty rises and the fluff continues Dear Editor, Over the years much has been said about our GDP growth, press releases, and celebratory statistics. Yet for many households, life is becoming harder, not easier.

This contradiction exposes a simple truth that deserves honest public discussion.

The fact is GDP can grow while poverty rises if the gains from growth do not reach ordinary people.

GDP measures how big the economy is. Poverty measures whether people can afford to live. Confusing the two has allowed a great deal of fluff to pass as progress.

Allow me to explain, in practical terms, how this happens.

First, GDP growth does not mean income growth for everyone.

An economy can expand rapidly because of oil, mining, or large construction projects—sectors that employ a relatively small number of people. Profits rise, output rises, and GDP looks impressive, but wages for most workers remain

stagnant. Growth becomes concentrated, not shared.

Second, the cost-ofliving often rises faster than wages.

Even when incomes increase modestly, prices can rise much faster, with increases in food, rent, fuel, transportation, and utilities.

A household earning a little more but spending much more is worse off. When basic needs become u n a ff o r d a b l e , p o v e r t y deepens despite growth.

Third, geographically uneven growth is another major factor.

Economic activity may boom in capital cities, coastal zones, or extractive regions while rural and hinterland communities stagnate. Imagine paying 15,000 GYD for a 20-lb cylinder of gas in parts of Region 7, for example.

National averages hide local suffering. GDP goes up, but entire regions are left behind.

Fourth, not all growth creates job security.

Some growth produces insecure, informal work with

no benefits or stability.

Temporary construction booms fade, automation replaces workers, and livelihoods remain fragile.

Poverty reduction should also focus on job security and sustainability, not just output.

Fifth, inequality allows a few to capture most of the gains.

When the top earners take the lion's share of new income, the majority see little improvement. GDP may rise sharply, but if wealth pools at the top, poverty can expand at the bottom. This appears to be our present reality.

Sixth, poverty lines move upward with rising prices.

As the cost of basic needs increases, the poverty line itself rises. People whose incomes have barely changed can suddenly fall below the poverty line. This is not statistical trickery; it reflects real hardship.

Seventh, weak social protection magnifies the problem.

When minimum wages

lag behind inflation, cash transfers stagnate, or public services deteriorate, households must pay more out of pocket for health, education, and transport.

Their effective income shrinks, even in a growing economy. This too is the present reality of many Guyanese.

Taken together, these realities explain why many citizens feel excluded from the celebrated numbers.

Growth without balance is not development. It breeds frustration, distrust, and inequality. The public deserves less cheerleading and more honesty. GDP is not the enemy, but it is not the destination either. Real progress requires policies that link growth to secured jobs, fair wages, affordable living costs, strong social protection, and regional inclusion.

Until that balance is attained, the economy may grow on paper while poverty rises in practice, and the fluff will continue.

Regards Clayon F. Halley

Our highways to nowhere: A deliberate scheme...

From page 4 Rds), and sometimes the lane that is dropped is underutilized by drivers fearing stressful merges, further impacting overall efficiency.

The promised relief is a lie. This glaring flaw exposes the truth: no legitimate traffic impact study was done. Qualified

engineers were sidelined.

Because the goal was never a solution; it was a transaction.

This is the corrupt cycle in action: First, price gouging.

Then, a fatally flawed design that ensures failure. Finally, the predictable demand for more billions to "fix" the problem they created. It is a perpetual motion machine of

corruption, funded by our taxes.

We must see this not as mere incompetence, but as sophisticated theft. It is a coordinated assault on the public good by a cartel of officials and contractors.

They are not building infrastructure; they are constructing a legacy of debt

and dysfunction. It is time we halt this machine, demand an all encompassing investigation, followed by penalties for this plunder, and reclaim our right to projects that serve the people, not the pockets of the corrupt.

Sincerely, Hemdutt Kumar

notes they left behind in debates. The CCJ or Privy Council or our own courts hardly cite landmark rulings of the ASC. The rulings of ASC and PC provide sound scholarship and erudition in contrast with the local court and CCJ primarily because of its history. The ASC is almost 250 years and the PC some 350 although Commonwealth rulings is just a hundred. In contrast, CCJ is just over 20 years old.

Jurisprudence in Guyana and the Anglophone Caribbean is based on English Common law, statues, traditions, and legal precedents of the Commonwealth; rulings of the Privy Council and CCJ of late would also be based on interpretation of common law and other precedent setting decisions.

The legal system in Guyana is grounded on the (largely flawed – filled with contradictions) 1980 constitution that (supposedly). English law is derived from judicial decisions in the UK and Privy Council and lately from rulings in the Commonwealth, by the CCJ, and our own courts though the latter hardly made any landmark decisions like the ACS and PC. A few judgments in Guyana stood out but were controversial and overturned because they can't hold up with logic, common sense, and rationality.

I am not a lawyer, but in my studies of political science two courses on constitutional laws were mandatory, as also two courses on Educational Law

in pursuing my post graduate degree in Education Administration and two courses on international law.

I a l s o t a u g h t constitutionalism course for some two decades. So I am equipped with some knowledge on constitutional law. American and British courts tend to be fair and judicious in contrast with local courts in each Caribbean territory. Courts in Guyana and Trinidad historically have tend to be politically and racially biased.

Legal luminary Fenton Ramsahoye used to laugh at some of the judicial rulings in the Caribbean.

Almost every ruling against his clients were overturned on appeal at the PC. Ditto Ramesh Maharaj; they always look forward going before the Law Lords confident of victory. Most Trinis and Caribbean people also prefer the Privy Council over local courts or the CCJ; off course, people prefer CCJ over Guyana's local courts that historically tend to be politicized. The ASC and PC tend to be neutral although recently the ASC has become too politicized deferring to the executive branch. One is reminded that the ASC has accorded rights to the public that are not specified in the constitution.

It also gave powers to the federal government that are not stated in the constitution.

In contrast with ASC granting maximum rights to the people, local courts have denied or restricted rights to people in Guyana.

As an example, the PC (Continued on page 6)

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 18, 2025

All I want for Christmas…

Dear Santa, I am writing you this letter because I am badly in need of something special for Christmas. I paid for a product-a population census- nearly four years ago and I have not gotten it yet.

But I need it urgently now.

So many have died and they do not know what they left behind. Is the population still 750,000 or is it one million?

Do we have as many migrants as native Guyanese in the country? The President has been harassing

contractors to complete contracts on time but after four years his own government cannot deliver my census report.

By next year, half the decade would be gone, and I would be none the wiser about many important things in Guyana. I know that persons contacted representatives of the seller who said that they were aware of the order but repeatedly could not say when it would be delivered.

Santa, please understand that

I need this product because life is becoming increasingly difficult and I want to make some investment decisions to make my life easier.

Friends tell me that they too would be well served by having the census report.

Christmas is a festive time and is celebrated with lots of lights and carols. But I am groping in the dark because I do not know market size. For me to invest and sing joyously to fellow Guyanese, I need to know the population of Guyana

and to get an idea of its distribution. I need to know average household size and income levels. The cost-ofliving would not come down if I did not know how much to produce and where to compete.

Santa, this information is known to the government and its friends, but it is not available to my friends and me who want the cost-of-living to come down and want to do something to make it happen. I know with certainty that there will be no snow in Guyana. I do not

Jurisprudence in Guyana, CCJ, Privy Council...

From page 5 and ASC asserted that candidates can run for office as independents (although not specified in constitutions) whereas in Guyana the judges ruled the constitution does not say candidates can run as independents for office) and therefore they can't run. The South African Supreme Court also sides with independent candidacies.

Clearly, the Law Lords made more creative, enlightened rulings than Guyanese judges giving rights to the public not specified in constitutions.

Unlike Guyana's judges, w h o a r e s t r i c t constructionist, PC and ASC tend to stretch the meanings of clauses in the constitution and in laws.

The CCJ tends to follow pattern of PC and is likely to overturn rulings of appeal court in Guyana on rights of the individual and independent candidacies.

Also, the ASC tend to grant unlimited free speech unlike in Guyana where judges support libel that American courts would scoff at.

TheUS Supreme Court and the Privy Council have established a large body of

judicial precedent setting decisions (stare decisis) respectively interpreting the American constitution and multiple constitutions of the Commonwealth as well as their laws. They gave clarity to laws and clauses in the constitutions.

The CCJ interprets constitutions and laws of the four territories that accept it as their apex court, and it has not been known for any standout landmark rulings compared with the PC or ASC. The apex courts have been charged with resolving specific disputes and in so doing have provided

guidance for lower courts in deciding cases involving similar disputes.

Freddie Kissoon wrote that Caribbean judgments are superior the Americans and presumably the CCJ. He is wrong.

Privy Council and ASC judgments are considered superior to those of Caribbean courts because of the long history of those courts, expertise of judges and impartiality from influence of politicians, and quality of judgments based on sound reasoning.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

have the same confidence about the building or housing stock in Guyana. Is the housing market saturated or is it in short supply? The census would tell me the occupancy or vacancy rates

and even though the information is dated, I can use it to forecast future trends. It would become easier for me to decide if I should invest in the hotel (Continued on page 21)

Our children deserve better Dear Editor, I have taken note of a Facebook post by President's College, one of Guyana's most prestigious secondary schools, appealing to alumni, friends, and the general public to raise $600,000 to replace deteriorated basketball backboards. This is most unfortunate and, frankly, shameful.

In a country that boasts of being the fastest-growing economy in the world and constantly advertises “unprecedented development” and “record investments” in every sector, it is unacceptable that a top public secondary school must resort to public begging to fix basic sporting infrastructure. We therefore call directly on the Minister of Education and the

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to address this madness immediately.

School infrastructure and sporting facilities are the responsibility of the state not alumni, not teachers, and not students. If the government can pour billions into contracts, consultants, and photo-op projects, surely it can find $600,000 to ensure students at President's College have safe and functional facilities.

This situation exposes the hollow nature of the government's claims of progress and highlights a clear failure in priorities.

Our children deserve better.

Public education should not be reduced to crowdfunding while ministers boast of prosperity.

Yours faithfully, Ganesh Mahipaul, M.P.

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 18, 2025

‘Guyana is not a one-party state’ - opposition warns of democratic drift as Pres. Ali outlines five-year agenda outside of Parliament

L

eader of the Forward Guyana Movement and Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir and Mp Sherod Duncan have issued a stark warning that Guyana's democratic foundations are being deliberately sidelined, as President Irfan Ali on Wednesday outlined his five-year agenda outside the walls of Parliament.

“Guyana is not a oneparty state,” Walton-Desir declared, condemning the President's decision to deliver what is traditionally a parliamentary address on the lawns of the Arthur Chung Convention Centre rather than in the National Assembly.

By long-standing constitutional custom and democratic practice, the

APNU, MP, Sherod Duncan President's address outlining the legislative and policy agenda of a new term is delivered at the commencement of Parliament, before elected Members of Parliament from both government and opposition.

The address is formally recorded in the Hansard and presented in the presence of the diplomatic corps, the

joint services, and representatives of the international community.

“That is the accepted democratic practice in Guyana,” Walton-Desir said.

What is unfolding today, she warned, is a troubling departure from that practice.

Parliament remains e ff e c t i v e l y p a r a l y s e d , Guyana has no formally appointed Leader of the Opposition, and yet the President is delivering a speech historically reserved for the National Assembly, outside of it. “Parliament is not a backdrop for executive announcements,” WaltonDesir stressed. “It is the central institution of democratic accountability.”

Throughout Guyana's history, such addresses have been delivered within the chambers of Parliament,

whether or not opposition members chose to attend.

The integrity of the process mattered because it affirmed the supremacy of Parliament over executive power.

To bypass it now, she argued, signals a dangerous erosion of democratic norms. Equally alarming, Walton-Desir said, is the silence of the diplomatic community. There has been no public insistence on the reconvening of Parliament, no call for the appointment of a Leader of the Opposition, and no pressure for the resumption of parliamentary business.

“This silence should concern every Guyanese,” she warned.

“We are entering a period where we can no longer assume that external actors will defend our democratic

Leader of the FGM, Amanza Walton-Desir institutions for us.”

According to the Forward Guyana Movement leader, the responsibility now rests squarely on the people of Guyana to safeguard constitutional o r d e r, p a r l i a m e n t a r y democracy and the balance of power. “This is not about political theatre or partisan advantage,” Walton-Desir said. “It is about defending

the institution of Parliament itself. When Parliament is sidelined, democracy is weakened — and no nation can afford that.” She concluded with a clear message: Guyana's democracy cannot be reduced to executive rule by convenience. “Guyana is not a one-party state, and our Parliament must not be treated as optional.”

Back in November President said that Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir was out of the country, and as a result, the meeting to elect a Leader of the Opposition cannot be held until he returns.

His comment was made amid threats of legal action from the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, led by businessman Azruddin (Continued on page 21)

Youth to spend 5 years in jail for killing DJ Viper A

23-year-old man is set to serve only five years' imprisonment for the 2023 killing of father of two and popular local disc jockey Brian Pitam, known as “DJ Viper.”

A starting point sentence of 20 years' imprisonment was cut to five on Wednesday when Acting Chief Justice, Navindra Singh delivered his ruling at the Demerara High Court.

Dwayne Thomas, of Laluni Vi l l a g e a l o n g t h e Soesdyke/Linden Highway, pleaded guilty in October to the manslaughter of 28-yearold Pitam, whose death occurred outside a family birthday celebration on January 8, 2023. Pitam was chopped several times during the incident. Thomas was initially indicted for murder but later pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter when he appeared before Justice Singh.

During sentencing, Justice Singh imposed an initial sentence of 20 years' imprisonment. However, after considering mitigating factors, the judge reduced the sentence to five years, inclusive of the time Thomas had already spent on remand.

T h o m a s ' s a t t o r n e y, Madan Kissoon, urged the court to depart from the maximum sentence, outlining several mitigating

Dwayne Thomas sentenced for killing Brian Pitam factors. Kissoon noted that his client cooperated fully with investigators, accepted responsibility for his actions, turned himself in to the police, and pleaded guilty at an early stage. He further highlighted Thomas's conduct while on remand, describing him as wellbehaved, respectful among his peers, and willing to learn a trade. “He maintained good behaviour, showing that he is ready to be reintegrated into society,” Kissoon told the court.

Counsel also asked the court to consider Thomas's age, noting that he was just 19 years old at the time of the incident. He emphasised that Thomas was a first-time offender with no prior convictions or previous encounters with the law.

Kissoon further stated that his client had been “provoked and mistreated” prior to the fatal altercation, while nevertheless

extending an apology to Pitam's family.

Prosecutors, however, stressed the brutal and tragic nature of Pitam's death and its devastating impact on his family. They told the court that Pitam was attempting to defend his father-in-law when he was attacked, leaving behind two children—a one-year-old and an eight-month-old. The prosecution underscored the emotional toll on the family and argued that no mercy was shown during the attack.

“He was attacked with a piece of wood and died as a result of multiple incised wounds. These are the factors the State asks the court to consider,” the prosecutors submitted.

Members of Pitam's family also addressed the court through statements.

His mother, Tracy Douglas, said in part, “I love my son. I bore his death every day. My life changed so much since the day my son died. He left behind two children who will never get to know their dad. Our family is broken apart.” His father, John Pitam, shared, “I am constantly seeing things that remind me of him. My son was not a bad person. I am now the one supporting my grandchildren.” Pitam's wife, Yazeeda Bacchus, added, “I would like justice to be served. My children are still grappling with the

reality of not having a father.” When given the opportunity to speak, Thomas, visibly emotional and holding a testimonial Bible, turned to the family and said, “ From the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry for what I did. Please forgive me,” he said.

Before delivering his final sentence, Justice Singh questioned Thomas about his version of events.

Thomas told the court that during the celebration he was slapped by Pitam's father-in-law. He said he then left the party and went onto the road, but was later followed by the father-inlaw and Pitam. An altercation ensued between Thomas and the father-inlaw, during which Pitam intervened and was attacked instead. In handing down his ruling, Justice Singh remarked, “It's wrong what happened, but you can't pretend how it started... The one who suffers the most isn't always the one in the right.” He questioned why the father-in-law returned to the road following the initial confrontation and noted that Thomas should have gone to the police after being slapped.

The judge described the incident as one involving youths, stating, “We are dealing with young boys,” and concluded that Thomas was “genuinely remorseful”

and under the influence at the time. “He has displayed very favourable conduct,” Justice Singh added.

In determining the final sentence, Justice Singh applied several deductions: six and two-thirds years for the guilty plea, four years for favourable probation, two and one-third years for demonstrated remorse, and a further two years, citing Pitam's involvement in what he described as a “senseless altercation.”

As a result of these reductions, Thomas was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, inclusive of the two years already spent on remand.

Following the sentencing, the deceased's family told Kaieteur News that they were dissatisfied but accepted the court's r u l i n g . “ We a r e n o t comfortable with it, but that is the law,” Pitam's father said.

The prosecution team included State Counsel Simran Gajraj, State Counsel Christopher Belfield, and State Counsel Geneva Wills. According to police reports, the incident occurred while Pitam, a former Kaieteur Radio employee, was attending a birthday party at a family member's home in Laluni along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. The Guyana Police Force stated that

Dead: Brian Pitam, known as 'DJ Viper’ Pitam of Lot 441 Goed Hope, East Coast Demerara, was at the gathering with his 51-year-old father-in-law when an altercation erupted around 21:00 hrs.

Police reported that Pitam was drinking at a nearby shop when three men confronted and assaulted his f a t h e r - i n - l a w. P i t a m intervened and was chopped multiple times before the attackers escaped on motorcycles. His left thumb, index finger, middle finger, and wrist were reportedly severed, and he sustained a deep chop wound to the back of his neck. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by public-spirited citizens but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Thomas was the only individual arrested and charged in connection with the offence.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

PAGE 09

Are the Mohameds properly described as “fugitive offenders”?

T

here has been an exchange of letters, in the Stabroek News, between Surujdai Juglall and the Attorney General of Guyana, Anil Nandlall SC. These letters raise a question that is both legally technical and politically charged: whether it is justifiable to describe either of the Mohameds— Azruddin and his father Nazar – both of whom are resident in Guyana but indicted in the United States and currently the subject of extradition proceedings, as “fugitive offenders.”

At the outset, it is important to separate legal classification from ordinary language usage. Much of the apparent disagreement between the correspondents stems from this distinction.

Juglall’s letter proceeds from a conventional and intuitive understanding of the term “fugitive.” In ordinary legal and lay discourse, a fugitive is commonly understood to be someone who flees from justice, evades arrest, or absconds from the jurisdiction of a court. On this understanding, Juglall argues that a person who remains openly within

Guyana, is before the courts, has been granted bail, and is actively participating in extradition proceedings cannot logically or legally be described as a fugitive.

This position is not without force. In many common-law contexts, including bail jurisprudence and criminal procedure, “fugitive” status is associated with conduct such as escaping custody, f a i l i n g t o a p p e a r, o r deliberately concealing oneself. Juglall also invokes broader constitutional principles—particularly the presumption of innocence and the procedural nature of extradition proceedings—to argue that the label risks implying guilt and prejudging matters that are sub judice.

From this perspective, Juglall’s objection is less about statutory interpretation and more about constitutional restraint, political propriety, and the potential prejudicial impact of language. The Attorney General responds by anchoring his position firmly in statute. He relies explicitly on the Fugitive Offenders Act, Cap. 10:04, and in particular on section 2, which defines a fugitive

offender as: “a person who is accused … of an extraditable offence … and is or is suspected to be in any country or territory, other than the country or territory in which the offence was committed.”

On a purely textual reading, the Attorney General’s argument is legally correct. The statutory definition does not require flight, evasion, resistance to arrest, or breach of bail. It is sufficient that the person is accused of an extraditable offence, and the person is present in a jurisdiction other than that in which the offence is alleged to have been committed.

Given that the Mohameds are indicted in the United States, reside in Guyana, and are the subject of an extradition request, they fall squarely within the statutory language. In this narrow, technical sense, the description “fugitive offender” is not a rhetorical invention by the Attorney General but a term of art used by the governing legislation.

The critical point is that both Nandlall and Juglall are correct within their respective frames of reference. Legally speaking,

DEM BOYS SEH

When de law can’t count or spell Dem boys seh a roadblock is a serious place. Blue lights flashing, ranks standing tall, and everybody pretending they wasn’t speeding. So when a rank stop a driver and say, “Yuh speeding produce yuh documents,” the driver decide to test who really qualified. He say, calm like Sunday morning, “Boss, before I give you mine, leh me see yours.”

The rank get vex. “What documents?” ”Well,” the driver ask polite-police-like, “yuh Maths and English certificates.”

Now de roadblock nearly turn into a classroom. The rank ask how that got anything to do with speeding, and the driver explain that if a man cant pass Maths, how he know what speed mean, and if he cant pass English, how he reading de law he enforcing. Dem boys seh that explanation probably require extra tuition to understand.

Now a recent media report say government giving junior ranks three years to pass CSEC Maths and English. Three years! Dem boys seh some people take three years just to learn how to switch on a calculator, so dem hoping miracles is part of the syllabus. But seriously, Maths and

English aint luxury subjects. Is dem same two things you need to read a charge, spell a name, calculate a fine, or understand that “km/h” aint a new political party.

Dem boys seh if de Force really serious, they should bring remedial classes right in de stations. Chalkboard next to the notice about absenteeism. “Today lesson: difference between their, there, and theyre, and why you cant charge someone parked illegally at Main and Middle Streets while the driver imbibing nearby.

It remind dem boys of de time one traffic policeman stop dem on Urquhart Street for riding bicycle without lights. The man start writing hard-hard, then stop and ask, “What dis street name?”

When dem boys say “Urquhart,” the man pause, scratch he head, look at he pen, and say, “Go round de corner to Main Street. I gon charge yuh there.”

Dem boys seh when law enforcement cant spell the street, cant count the speed, and cant read the charge proper, is not crime preventionthat is comedy policing.

And in this country, de joke is always serious business.

Talk half. Leff half.

under the Fugitive Offenders Act, it is justifiable to describe the Mohameds as fugitive offenders for the limited purposes of extradition law. The statute deliberately adopts a broad and neutral definition designed to capture persons sought by foreign jurisdictions, regardless of whether they fled, cooperated, or remained openly within the requested state.

H o w e v e r, J u g l a l l ’s concern remains valid in a different sense. Outside the confines of the Act, the term “fugitive offender” carries strong pejorative connotations. In political discourse, it commonly suggests deliberate wrongdoing, flight from justice, and moral culpability.

When deployed by a senior law officer in a public and political context, the statutory meaning may be lost on the general public, leaving only the stigmatising implication. The fact that extradition proceedings are ongoing further complicates

matters. While extradition is procedural and does not determine guilt, public characterisations by the Attorney General risk being perceived as prejudging issues that remain before the courts. This concern is heightened where the individuals involved are political actors or prospective officeholders.

It is arguable that the Attorney General’s public description of one of the Mohameds as a “fugitive offender,” though grounded in the statutory language of the Fugitive Offenders Act, could be found to be prejudicial to the fair hearing of the extradition proceedings or to offend the sub judice principle. Given that extradition proceedings are ongoing and involve the exercise of judicial discretion, a court could take the view that repeated or emphatic use of such language by the State’s chief legal officer blurs the line between neutral legal description and implied condemnation.

While it is unlikely that a

court would find the language alone sufficient to v i t i a t e a f a i r hearing—particularly where judicial officials are presumed to be immune to political rhetoric—it is conceivable that a court could regard the statements as sub judice and inappropriate, and recommend or require their withdrawal in the interests of preserving the appearance, as well as the reality, of judicial fairness.

Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that the Attorney General did not purport to invent a new label or act ultra vires; he relied expressly on existing law.

His statement that “it is the law that describes Mr. Mohamed as a fugitive offender” is, strictly speaking, accurate.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Thursday December 2025 Monday May 02,18, 2022

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Anywhere the PPP Govt. turns…

A

nywhere the P P P Government turns, ominous realities that its leadership created arise.

It turns north, and there is the

US salivating to have a go at Venezuela its three hundred billion barrels, other enticements and entanglements.

Founder leader, George

Washington warned of foreign entanglements. His later successor, James Monroe, differed, said here's the Monroe Doctrine. Stick nose in the Americas and its

America's business. Now that Washington has set its heart on reining in Caracas, Guyana finds itself ensnared in the net.

For or against; decide.

The PPP Govt's chief princeling said he is for peace. Say what? Plus, the hole dug, the bundle tied, with both entrapping Guyana in the middle and it can't say boo.

Dr. Ali decided the smart move is to walk the middle ground.

Peace.

Welcome to my world, sir. Trust me, Guyana will get clobbered by both sides.

Tr y t o c h a r t t h a t independent, centrist course, and the pincers close savagely.

Once again, matters distil to for or against. Whichever way the PPP selects, Guyana is in a bind.

I go from north to northwest. There is Maduro.

He wants Essequibo. He wants Exxon and Chevron out of from where he claims is his.

They are only acceptable to him, when working by his side, in his interests, for his conquistador's visions.

When the PPP decided to sellout Guyana, and align with Exxon, the idea was to recruit, pay homage to, Washington. That angry god comes calling. It was there for the PPP (elections). It is now payback time.

Venezuela. Take a stand.

Cut the nonsense about zone of peace. I remind Pres. Ali that special relationships come with special demands.

Together we stand, divided there is bad blood. America isn't the loser. Sanctity of contract is a good start, but not enough.

Zone of peace is an

abomination, anathema to American interests, visions.

Recall that earlier assertion.

The PPP dug a hole for Guyana, from which there is no extrication. All too often, men are too smart for their own good.

As if being hemmed in and pressed against unyielding northern and northwestern walls are not bad enough, there is the roaring, flexing, prowling dragon from the distant East.

China. The PPP borrowed and borrowed like a man who had a big share in a big bank: 22 percent of the national debt is in China's hands. That's not putting eggs in one basket. That's juggling the eggs that one has, and hoping that the eyes stay peeled, and the hands remain steady. America or China, it is the same story that the PPP leadership never seem to learn.

There is no free lunch.

Whether the pawnbroker, the banker, or the Cosa Nostra, they come with their calling card, when it is time to collect the vigorish. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana's newest political phantom (who doesn't walk in the daylight anymore), took exceptional pride in hailing the relationship between Guyana and China.

Respectfully, I think he misspoke, rearranged something.

He was heralding in a subtle way the long, singular relationship between himself and some Chinese mandarins.

Another big hole for Guyana, a big debt hole in which the PPP plunged Guyanese, who must honor the IOU. Worse still, the PPP made matters more difficult

for itself right at home.

From sophisticated points on the globe to domestic backyard. Need I say, there's Mr. Azruddin Mohamed.

Who is he? Which cat dragged him into the house?

It was Freedom House first, where he had VIP standing, no security check.

T h e n t o t h e parliamentary house of the Guyanese people, from where he is blocked from checking-in, taking up his first-class seat as Opposition Leader. Guyanese paid for that seat. The PPP turns to the now muddied and besmirched corridors of parliament and there is Mohamed's picture hanging on the wall, and driving Ali, Nandlall, and Nadir up the wall, off a cliff.

Like Maduro, what to do with Mohamed, is where the PPP Govt finds itself. All the verbal balletic prowess leads to this crisis.

I pleaded with Drs. Ali, Jagdeo, Singh, Nandlall: please remember the people.

Go back to America was the first slur. Which people, was the second?

The same people that the PPP cheated (budgets, infrastructures), that Mohamed excited and comforted.

Those who voted for him, those who voted with their seat (stayed home). Summation: the PPP Govt turns north, west, east, or south and those massive holes that it dug for Guyanese, it made sure to exclude itself.

Whether external or internal, Guyana is in big trouble.

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

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

ECLAC: Guyana drives Caribbean growth as region faces prolonged low-growth cycle T

he Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has warned that the region remains trapped in a cycle of low economic growth, projecting that the main drivers of recent expansion private consumption and external demand will lose momentum in 2026.

According to ECLAC's latest estimates, regional GDP is expected to grow by 2.4% in 2025 and 2.3% in 2026, extending a four-year period of weak performance with average annual growth of just 2.3%. Presenting its annual report, Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2025, the United Nations regional commission noted that private consumption, responsible for more than half of recent GDP growth will weaken as employment growth slows and external

demand softens.

This deceleration is expected to weigh heavily on most economies across the region. Guyana emerges as a regional outlier While most subregions face deceleration, the Caribbean is projected to outperform significantly, with growth of 5.5% in 2025 and a striking 8.2% in 2026.

ECLAC attributes this exceptional performance primarily to the rapid expansion of oil production in Guyana, which continues to reshape the Caribbean's overall growth trajectory.

Guyana's expanding offshore petroleum sector has become the single most important growth engine in the subregion, offsetting weaker performances elsewhere and lifting aggregate Caribbean growth well above regional averages. In addition to oil, the Caribbean's outlook is supported by the

normalisation of tourism and stronger activity in construction, but ECLAC makes clear that Guyana's energy boom is the dominant factor.

At the same time, the Commission cautions that the Caribbean including Guyana—remains highly exposed to climate-related risks and natural disasters, which could constrain longterm growth if resilience and diversification are not strengthened.

Mixed outlook across Latin America South America is projected to grow by 2.9% in 2025, driven largely by recoveries in Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador following contractions in 2024.

Growth is expected to slow to 2.4% in 2026 as performance weakens across most economies. Central America is forecast to expand by 2.6% in 2025, reflecting softer demand

UG to offer masters in transportation management next year

T

he University of Guyana's School o f Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation (SEBI) has announced the development of a Master's degree programme in Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Management, commencing in February 2026.

The programme was developed in response to the growing challenges surrounding transportation, logistics, new road construction, and productivity in a modernising economy, UG said in a press release.

The comprehensive and rigorous 39-credit programme may be completed within either two years as a full-time student or three years as a part-time student, with a curriculum covering areas such as Transportation Policy & Planning, Artificial I n t e l l i g e n c e & Transportation Planning, Public Transport Management, Fundamentals of Transportation Security, and Transportation Geography & the Environment. Participants will also gain practical experience through attachments with several

public and private sector agencies.

Dean of SEBI, Prof.

Leyland Lucas, thanked colleagues w ithin the University, especially Deans Paulette Bynoe and Linda Johnson-Bhola, as well as Drs. Jana Sarran and Oluwasinaayomi Faith Kasim, for their contributions to developing the rigorous and intense futuristic programme.

Prof. Lucas also highlighted the importance of this programme in helping to address many of the transportation and productivity challenges within Guyana. He noted that “difficulties in transportation have both economic and noneconomic costs and affect the competitiveness of our s o c i e t y. W i t h m a j o r expansion in housing along the main corridors, increased civilian vehicular ownership, significant road construction projects, and the need for enhanced port capabilities, persons must be trained to properly develop and manage our transportation system. The rapid transformation of Guyanese society demands a very different approach to t r a n s p o r t a t i o n

management,” Prof. Lucas said.

University of Guyana's Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Paloma Mohamed-Martin, expressed her enthusiasm about the commencement of the futuristic programme, describing it as “a critical response to the training needs of the country and region. This programme joins a number of new generation programmes which have been developed by the University to be offered early in 2026.”

The Master of Science in Transportation Management programme commences in February 2026 and is open to qualified individuals who have graduated from an accredited tertiary institution. The programme will be offered in a hybrid mode and will employ both local and foreign faculty, primarily because of the skills gap currently faced by the University of Guyana (UG), while SEBI identifies local faculty to meet programme needs.

Interested persons are kindly asked to contact Prof.

Leyland Lucas, Dean, School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation, on Tel: 592 642 7322 or email: leyland.lucas@uog.edu.gy.

ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs from the United States.

Growth is expected to improve modestly to 3.0% in 2026, though vulnerabilities persist due to reliance on trade, remittances, external financing and exposure to climate shocks. Across the wider region, employment growth is expected to slow from 2.0% in 2024 to 1.5% in 2025 and 1.3% in 2026.

Inflation, meanwhile, is projected to rise moderately to a median of 3.0% in 2026, remaining below the peaks seen during the 2021–2022 inflationary shocks and broadly in line with central

bank targets.

Risks ahead ECLAC warns that the 2026 outlook is subject to significant external and domestic risks.

These include slower global growth, especially among key trading partners, uncertainty surrounding United States monetary and trade policy, and potential volatility in international financial markets affecting foreign direct investment and remittance flows.

Domestically, weaker labor markets, high debt-servicing costs and vulnerability to natural disasters could dampen growth.

The pace of disinflation and the timing of monetary easing will also be critical for sustaining consumption and investment.

Turning growth into long-term development Against this backdrop, ECLAC stresses the urgency o f e x p a n d i n g macroeconomic policy space and pursuing more ambitious productive development strategies. In a global environment shaped

by geoeconomic fragmentation, climate change and rapid technological change, countries must reduce vulnerabilities while mobilising resources for diversification and resilience.

ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs emphasised that escaping the region's low-growth trap will require bold productive development policies, paired with macroeconomic frameworks that channel more investment into innovation, diversification and quality job creation.

For Guyana, ECLAC's outlook underscores both opportunity and responsibility: the country's oil-driven growth is transforming the Caribbean's economic landscape, but sustaining long-term, inclusive development will depend on how effectively this windfall is managed, diversified and converted into resilience against future shocks.

Countries of the Americas strengthen vaccine cold chain with support from PAHO I n recent months, national immunisation programs in 18 countries and territories across the A m e r i c a s h a v e strengthened their vaccine cold chain systems, ensuring vaccine potency and reinforcing routine immunisation.

T his progress was achieved through technical cooperation from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), with financial support from the Government of Canada.

Through PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds, Canada's support provided approximately 1,000 units of cold chain equipment that includes temperaturemonitoring devices; longterm, passive cold boxes and vaccine carriers designed for complex logistics and environments; and ice-lined refrigerators with freeze-protection technology.

The 18 participating countries and territories include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bolivia,

British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Maarten.

“This new cold chain equipment strengthens the capacity of countries to protect every vaccine dose from the moment it arrives in country to the moment it reaches families and communities,” said Santiago Cornejo, Executive M a n a g e r o f PA H O ' s Regional Revolving Funds.

“These tools help ensure safety, reduce wastage, and expand equitable access to immunisation.

We are grateful to the Government of Canada for its continued partnership to help us introduce the latest technologies and innovations in the region.”

The donation forms part of the PAHO-implemented project that is supported by the Government of Canada, “ I m p ro v i n g E q u i t a b l e Access and Coverage of

COVID-19 Vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The initiative aims to reinforce public health systems and infrastructure across the Region.

PA H O ' s R e g i o n a l Revolving Funds are technical cooperation mechanisms that enable countries of the Americas to procure quality vaccines, essential medicines, and public health supplies at affordable prices through pooled purchasing and coordinated planning.

By working collectively, countries have saved an estimated 50 percent on vaccines and other health supplies, benefiting around 180 million people in the last biennium.

Over the years, the funds have helped countries secure timely access to essential health supplies, supporting progress against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, while also improving immunisation coverage and reducing maternal and child mortality.

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Thursday December 18, 2025

Oil boom heightens corruption - AG tells UN, defends awareness in Guyana free, critical press

A

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall on Tuesday told the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention, that oil has made Guyana more aware of corruption.

Reminding the convention that Guyana is the only English-speaking country on the continent of South America and expressing his gratitude to

the Qatari government for hosting the event, he went on to highlight that Guyana is also a part of CARICOM and the newest petro state in the world.

“It is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, recording a growth rate of almost 50% in 2024.

This newly found petroleum revenue stream has made Guyana even more acutely aware of the pernicious nature of corruption and its destructive impact in every

sphere of human endeavour,” Nandlall said.

In this light Guyana remains committed to participating in the global battle for the elimination for all forms of corruption, with the country reaffirming its unwavering commitment to continued implementation of “the letter and spirit of the United Nations Convention against Corruption.”

The AG went on to say that Guyana has demonstrated a commitment

to combating corruption, as is reflecting in the country being a member of every leading global and regional organization whose mandate aligns with anti-corruption pursuits.

This includes but is notably not limited to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Inter American Convention against Corruption, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the Extractive

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall.

I n d u s t r y Tr a n s p a r e n c y Initiative (EITI), the Commonwealth Caribbean Association of Integrity Commissions and AntiCorruption bodies and others.

Nandlall also highlighted that the country submits to regular reviews, which are carried out by international financial institutions as the Wo r l d B a n k a n d t h e International Monetary Fund. These assessments have repeatedly recognized the “continuous progress made by our government in improving Guyana’s anticorruption credentials, Guyana’s legislative and constitutional framework enshrine a robust regime of checks and balances, which extracts from government, public offices and state agencies a high level of accountability, transparency and adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of their functions.”

The above mentioned also includes an independent auditor general office that carries out audits on expenditure annually of the public funds subsequently presenting its report to Parliament. There is also a statutory framework that governs the receipt and expenditure of revenues generated from the petroleum sector, alongside a broad based administrative and parliamentary oversight.

Not ending there, he went on to say that there is also a public procurement process which has oversights presiding over the award of contracts that are being funded by public funds, “an independent judiciary and a free and critical press, all of which aggregate to form part of Guyana’s anti-corruption, anti-corruption architecture, the United Nations Convention against Corruption rightly places heavy emphasis on the antimoney laundering and countering the financing terrorism apparatus in individual member states.”

In this light, Nandlall said that he is pleased to report that Guyana was the subject of the fourth round of

a mutual evaluation by the CFATF and passed with flying colours, winning an award during the said assessment.

“The case examined was that of a Deputy Commissioner of Police of Guyana slapped with over 300 criminal charges of corruption, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, in line with recommendations emanating from the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Guyana has already begun to place great emphasis on the detention and forfeiture of assets that are proceeds of crime, or whose acquisition are tainted by illicit activities, we are firmly of the view that hitting the asset base of the criminals will be an effective weapon against organized crimes,” the AG said.

Recently, the country has enhanced relations with its international partners to have mutual assistance and criminal matters, as well as extradition as part of the battle against cross border crimes.

He noted that Guyana has acceded to an extradition request from the government of the United States of America “to surrender two fugitive offenders, one of whom is a Member of Parliament indicted in a 50 million US dollars, smuggling and money laundering, anti-Money, money laundering, conspiracy. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, recently announced an intention to establish an anticorruption unit, no doubt with accompanying legislative authority to augment Guyana’s war against corruption.”

In concluding his address Nandlall said that while m u c h h a s b e e n accomplished in the fight against corruption, it is recognised that it is still a work in progress, but his administration is committed to persevere with these efforts, while welcoming guidance and assistance from the regional and global partners.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

PAGE 17

Fire rips through Parika Norton signals supermarket, nearby building After electoral drubbing…

major APNU shake-up

Leader of APNU Aubrey Norton

F

ormer Leader of the Opposition and head of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Aubrey Norton has announced plans for a major reorganisation of the coalition in the new year following its poor showing in the recent elections and loss of its position as the lead opposition.

Speaking on Sunday during PNCR’s programme Nation Watch with host Eden Corbin, Norton said the focus for 2026 will be on “reorganising, revitalising the PNCR and the APNU. When you come out of an election in which you suffer defeat, you cannot just bury your head in the sand,” he added.

He highlighted that the party must confront issues that have accumulated over time, particularly disunity, while also emphasising the need to engage the youth. “What has happened, there were many things that accumulate, including the question of disunity in the party and all of those issues we will have to address,” Norton said.

Norton also addressed the recent wave of resignations within the party, noting that many members joined with the primary goal of securing positions rather than serving the public. “We have allowed too many people to just come into the party and they come, they see position and the end game is position. We have to train party people to ensure that all understand that this thing is about service. Yes, everybody wants to be promoted. Everybody wants to be something. But if that is your major focus, what will happen is that when you don’t get what you want, you think you need to go somewhere else,” he explained.

The announcement comes in the wake of the resignation of former People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Region Two Chairman, Prince Holder, who stepped down with immediate effect citing issues with the party’s leadership. Holder, who served as the party’s regional chairman for seven years, confirmed he will continue his role as regional councillor to support residents and development in Region Two, but will no longer participate in party activism.

Holder’s resignation is part of a broader departure from the party, which has seen several key members step down this year, particularly leading up to the June 2025 elections.

Notable resignations included MPs Jermaine Figueira, Amanza-Walton Desir, Shurwayne Holder, Mervyn Williams, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Dawn Hastings-Williams. Many of the persons who resigned cited concerns about Norton’s leadership.

But Norton has defended his leadership, insisting that they are not a reflection of lost confidence in his abilities.

“One of the realities you have to live with as political leaders is that you will have to make decisions and when you make decisions some of them there will be fallouts. I sense if some of the people who ‘resign’—and I put that in quotation—were in Parliament, they wouldn’t resign. To me, it is not so much an issue of the party and leadership. It’s a question of previously a lot of people that came to a political party came to serve,” he said.

Scenes at Wednesday night's fire in Parika.

F

ire destroyed a supermarket and a nearby building at Parika, East Bank Essequibo Wednesday night.

There were reports of individuals trying to loot stores during the tragedy.

Among the buildings was the Golden House Chinese Supermarket.

The fire reportedy started from a section of the supermarket after 19:00hrs and it began spreading quickly.

Reports from eyewitnesses are that a heavy wind in the area caused the flames to spread rapidly.

One of the owners of a nearby

building that was affected called Hassan Variety claimed that persons were trying to loot as firefighters tried to contain the fire.

The firefighters were able to contain the fire but up to press time they were still on the ground trying to fully extinquish the blaze.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Thursday December 18, 2025

Riyad Insanally elected as new IACHR commissioner

T

h e I n t e r A m e r i c a n Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has announced that the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) has elected G u y a n e s e , D r. R i y a d Insanally as Commissioner.

The IACHR would like to take this opportunity to welcome Commissioner Insanally and wish him every success as a member, the body said in a press release.

Nominated by the Government of Guyana, Dr. Insanally will replace Dr. Christopher Arif Bulkan who recently left the post due to his appointment to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). “I thank Dr. Bulkan

for his service and wish Dr. Insanally all the best as he supports the advancement of human rights across the Americas,” President Dr Irfaan Ali said in a brief Facebook post.

According to the IACHR release, Commissioner Insanally studied Modern Languages and Latin American Studies and holds MA and MPhil degrees from the University of Cambridge, as well as a PhD from Harvard University. He has over 31 years of experience in multilateral diplomacy. From 2016 to 2021, he served as Guyana’s eighth ambassador to the United States of America and fourth permanent representative to the OAS, as

Dr. Riyad Insanally

well as ambassadordesignate, nonresident, to Mexico.

During his time in office in Washington, DC, he held several senior positions

within the OAS and the interAmerican system, including serving as chair of the Permanent Council, the Inter-American Council for Integral Development, and

the CARICOM Group of Ambassadors. Most recently, he served as head of the OAS Electoral Observation Mission for the general elections in Saint Lucia, held on December 1, 2025. He received Guyana’s third highest award, the Cacique’s Crown of Honour (CCH), in the 2019 National Honours, for “long and distinguished service in the field of diplomacy and international relations”.

Commissioner Insanally’s term will run through December 31, 2027.

His candidacy was presented by the State of Guyana following the resignation of Dr. Arif Bulkan, who stepped down during his first term as commissioner after being

appointed judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Nine welders complete BIT training programme M

arking an important milestone in their professional journeys, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), in collaboration with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), hosted the Welding and Fabrication Apprenticeship Graduation Programme on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, recognising the successful completion of training by nine (9) apprentices now prepared to contribute meaningfully to Guyana's skilled workforce.

The Honourable Keoma D. Griffith, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, commended the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation for its foresight and strong partnership with BIT and publicly called on other organisations to pursue similar collaborations.

“I want to thank and commend those in charge of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation for their foresight in collaborating with us to establish this apprenticeship programme.

I also call publicly on more companies to engage with the Board of Industrial Training so that together we can mould and groom the future leaders of Guyana,” Minister Griffith stated.

Addressing the

Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr. Richard Maughn and the graduates graduates, the Minister highlighted the significance and sustainability of the apprenticeship programme, noting the growing demand for skilled labour across the country. “Now more than ever, there is a need for craftsmanship. You have learned a trade, but it is so much more than that. You have been prepared with the competence and ability to transform not only your lives, but this entire country.

You can work anywhere in the region and gain employment in welding.

There is a demand for hundreds of welders across

Guyana, and as development continues nationwide, the skills you have acquired over the last two years will be put to good use,” he said.

In delivering his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Industrial Training, Mr. Richard Maughn, noted that graduates of the programme are wellpositioned to secure employment upon completion, due to the programme's competencybased apprenticeship model.

“As an individual working on behalf of the Government of Guyana to ensure that

UG expands degree offerings with new medical, engineering and marine programmes The University of Guyana (UG) has announced a major expansion of its academic portfolio, rolling out new high-demand degree programmes in the medical and engineering fields, alongside a strategic new suite of Marine Sciences programmes developed in collaboration with global maritime leader Maersk and other key partners.

The transformative initiative is a direct response to the vision of His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and their emphasis on the creation of educational opportunities that lead to Guyanese filling high-demand jobs, while allowing students to study closer to where they live and work.

In a press release UG noted that it has introduced a new Pre-Medical Sciences

programme, as well as Civil Engineering and Construction and Infrastructure programmes, initially in four regions outside of Georgetown.

These programmes will be offered in Regions 2, 3, 6 and 9, making critical career pathways accessible to students across the country.

Additionally, UG said in a major strategic development, through collaboration with Maersk and other maritime and environmental partners, will launch a new suite of marine-related programmes through its newest Institute for Marine and Riverine Ecologies and Economies (IMAREE), which is based in Berbice. This suite is designed to build Guyana's domestic capacity in maritime operations, logistics, marine engineering, and coastal sustainability—sectors vital to the nation's growing

economy.

Other programmes include a Master's in Human and Industrial Relations, a Master's in Transportation Management, and a Master's in Taxation, which are already underway.

As an immediate impact of state-funded education at UG, intake for hard-to-fill, high-demand programmes have been doubled for the 2025 academic year, as all qualified students who applied for these priority programmes have been absorbed and offered places in the current academic year, taking UG's student population to 15,000 at present. Applications for the new Pre-Medical Sciences, Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure, and the forthcoming Marine programmes will open within the next week.

Classes for these new programmes are scheduled to begin in early 2026.

quality training reaches all Guyanese, it was a privilege to work with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation. I recall engaging with the Corporation a few years ago, and to now witness the success of this programme is truly encouraging,” Mr. Maughn stated.

He further stressed that apprenticeship programmes

provide a high level of assurance that participants acquire the competencies required for the world of work, particularly within their specific occupational areas. Mr. Maughn also encouraged graduates to remain appreciative and to give back to those who supported them throughout their training journey.

Attending the ceremony

were the Honourable Keoma D. Griffith, Minister of Labour and Manpower P l a n n i n g ; M r. Wa y n e Wa t s o n ; M r. R i c h a r d Maughn; Ms. Damesha McIntosh; Mr. Bertram Joseph; and Mrs. Telisha Howard-Haynes, Technical Officer Ms. Deborah McBeth, HDEO Officer, Mr. Earl Pestano along with other officials.

For the year 2025, a total of 314 persons benefited from apprenticeship programmes administered by the Board of Industrial Training. Based on BIT's experience, the apprenticeship model not only supports high employment outcomes, but also ensures that graduates are competent of performing effectively in their chosen occupations.

The event served as both a celebration of individual achievement and a reaffirmation of the strong partnership between BIT and DHBC in advancing national human capital development and supporting Guyana's growing industrial sector. (DPI)

Renewable water availability per person plunges 7 percent in a decade as global scarcity deepens, FAO data shows

R

enewable water availability per person has continued to decline by a further 7 per cent over the past decade, while pressure on already scarce freshwater resources is increasing in several regions, according to the 2025 AQUASTAT Water Data Snapshot released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

The update provides a global overview of how water availability and use are evolving, presenting new data on irrigation, efficiency, and water stress reported through the 2024 A Q U A S T AT c y c l e .

Renewable water refers to freshwater that is naturally replenished through the hydrologic cycle, which includes evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

The latest figures show that some regions particularly Northern Africa and Western Asia - continue to operate under extremely limited freshwater endowments. Countries such as Kuwait and Qatar rank among the lowest

renewable water resources per person worldwide.

Freshwater withdrawals have also increased in several regions in recent years, adding pressure to already stressed river basins and aquifers. Agriculture remains the largest waterusing sector globally, accounting for 72 percent of withdrawals in many regions.

A closer look at regional trends and changes in water use The Snapshot uses clear, accessible examples to illustrate how water availability and demand are shifting across regions. In Northern Africa, freshwater availability per person remains among the lowest globally, while withdrawals have increased by 16 percent over the past 10 years. In Western Asia which in the Snapshot includes most Middle Eastern countries - rapid demographic growth and agricultural demand are contributing to increased pressure on limited supplies. By contrast, some regions with comparatively higher water availability still face rising competition

among sectors, particularly where urbanisation and irrigated agriculture are driving demand.

The data also highlights wide disparities in irrigation and water-use efficiency. In parts of Latin America and Asia, irrigation supports a large share of crop production, whereas in SubSaharan Africa irrigated cropland represents only a small fraction of total cultivated land, reflecting persistent gaps in access to water infrastructure. The Snapshot reports improvements in water-use e ff i c i e n c y i n s e v e r a l regions, while levels of water stress remain high or very high in countries where withdrawals regularly exceed renewable supplies.

The report presents updated values for the two indicators monitored under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.4, tracking water-use efficiency and water stress. While efficiency has improved overall, high stress levels underscore the need for continued efforts to manage water sustainably and build resilience to growing demands.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

CAF approves St Kitts and Nevis and Haiti as new shareholder countries Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean has approved the incorporation of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Haiti as new shareholder countries, opening the door for both countries to access agile and flexible development financing, technical assistance, and knowledge programs tailored to the needs of small island and climate-vulnerable states.

With these decisions, CAF will triple its shareholder countries in the Caribbean as compared with 2023.

The approvals were granted during the Board of Directors meeting in Panama City, where CAF approved USD 3.175 billion for new operations across the region in areas such as electricity infrastructure, water security, sustainable transport, support for vulnerable communities,

Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean officials and financing for SMEs and productive sectors.

These approvals help to reinforce CAF's growth and increased development assistance to the Caribbean. In June 2025, during its Board meeting in

Seville, Spain, the institution approved the incorporation of Saint Lucia, and over the past twelve months has welcomed The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada into its

shareholder base. CAF now counts six Caribbean shareholder countries with several others at various stages of the incorporation process.

CAF is committed to continue strengthening its

‘Guyana is not a one-party...

From page 8 Mohamed, over the Speaker's failure to convene the meeting with opposition MPs to elect the leader of the opposition. Speaking reporters President Ali had said: “From what I've seen in the news, the speaker is traveling now, so you don't expect the speaker to convene a meeting while he's traveling or he's on his overseas trip.

So I'm sure that the speaker and the National Assembly, would convene a meeting at the appropriate time and have that process completed.”

Following the convening of parliament, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs explained that while the constitution outlines the process for electing the opposition leader, it does not specify when the meeting must be held. “The constitution doesn't say when the meeting is to be held, if it's at the first sitting or the second sitting or third sitting; it's at the discretion of the speaker,” Isaacs told reporters.

WIN in a statement following the convening of parliament expressed concern that the Speaker's

silence calls into question the impartiality of the parliamentary process. “This unexplained silence stands in contrast to the Speaker's public oath to execute the functions of his office 'without fear or favour, affection or ill will,' and raises legitimate concerns regarding the impartial administration of parliamentary processes,” the party said.

The party said that while the President was swiftly sworn in following the elections, the same urgency should have been applied to the election of the Opposition Leader. As such, the WIN party further accused the administration of deliberately stalling the process.

“The Leader of the Opposition is not symbolic; the Constitution requires that the holder of this office be consulted on major appointments, including the P o l i c e C o m m i s s i o n e r, Chancellor, Chief Justice, and members of the Judicial Service Commission.

Delaying this office undermines the balance of power and signals a disregard for constitutional governance,” the statement

added.

Deeply troubling Also adding his voice to the issue Duncan who said that the central issue with the five-year agenda rollout is not timing, it is process and intent. “A national development agenda is not a private presentation; it is a constitutional matter that belongs in the people's Parliament.

Yet this agenda was unveiled outside a closed N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, bypassing the very institution designed to host national plans, debate them, and hold the Executive accountable.” Duncan said the symbolism of a President standing outside the legislature to announce a multi-year vision is stark and deeply troubling.

“It signals a deliberate choice to avoid parliamentary scrutiny and to treat democratic institutions as optional. In a functioning democracy, such an agenda would be tabled before the National Assembly, subjected to debate, and shaped through representation, not announced as a fait accompli.”

Equally disturbing,

Duncan added is the complete exclusion of the Parliamentary Opposition from this rollout. “This was not accidental. The structure and staging of the event ensured that the Opposition, elected to represent a significant portion of the electorate, was deliberately locked out of a process that should have been national and inclusive. A Five-Year Agenda that excludes dissenting voices cannot credibly claim to reflect the will or interests of all Guyanese.

While the delayed broadcast is a minor detail, it adds to the overall picture of poor judgment and disregard for democratic norms,” the APNU MP said. “Let there be no misunderstanding: formal and rigorous scrutiny of the Government's plan will follow shortly, through the appropriate parliamentary and public channels. Guyanese deserve a future shaped t r a n s p a r e n t l y, d e b a t e d openly, and anchored in democratic accountability, not one unveiled outside locked doors and shielded from immediate examination,” Duncan concluded.

engagement with Caribbean governments and to providing agile and flexible development financing solutions that allow countries to advance their development priorities.

CAF Executive President Sergio DíazGranados expressed his gratitude to the new shareholder countries, highlighting that the incorporation of the two countries reinforces CAF's commitment to the Caribbean at a pivotal moment for the region.

“Saint Kitts and Nevis and Haiti are joining a homegrown development bank that was set up by the region for the region,” stated Díaz-Granados.

Wi t h i t s m a n d a t e t o promote sustainable development and regional

integration, he added that “CAF is more than a bank; it is a bridge that brings Latin America and the Caribbean closer together.

We a r e f o c u s e d o n delivering solutions that reflect the realities of vulnerable Caribbean SIDS. CAF brings a fresh approach to development financing, one that works directly with each country to convert its development priorities into sustained progress and impactful development outcomes for their communities.”

The Board of Directors also confirmed Barbados' compliance with the conditions to transition to a full member country of the institution, joining Trinidad and Tobago as the only other CAF full member from CARICOM. CAF's engagement in the Caribbean has continued to deepen since the establishment of its regional office in Trinidad and Tobago in 2022. Since then, the institution has advanced a broad portfolio of initiatives across the region, including climate financing, resilient i n f r a s t r u c t u r e , modernisation of public services, water security, cultural and heritage tourism, education and digital transformation programmes, initiatives that support the blue and green economy, and many other areas critical to the region's development.

All I want for Christmas…

From page 6 industry or other parts of the hospitality industry? What about investing in the construction and transportation industries? I would be groping in the dark about these and other market opportunities without the census.

As much as I am an adult and I should be unafraid of the dark, I cannot afford to take that chance with my money. So, Santa, I need the census. Also, I know that you are in Guyana from the good times many are already having in the fastest growing economy in the world. From your jolly laugh, I know that

you are not missing out on the fun. Notwithstanding the merriment, please see if you could find time to bring my census report and drop it off at the house or slip it under the Christmas tree if possible. If you are having too much fun and don't want to miss any of it, you could post it online and I would be just as satisfied. Santa, I have been an awfully good person.

So, please see what you can do to help my friends and me to enjoy the season. In anticipation of celebrating a Happy Christmas, Regards Name Provided

PAGE 22

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

Heavy rains worsen conditions for displaced Gazans, UN warns WANTED

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(BBC NEWS) Heavy rains over the past week have compounded the already dire living conditions of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies say.

Unicef spokesman Jonathan Crickx told the BBC that the weather overnight had been “horrendous”, with the rain so intense that he had seen up to 15cm (6in) of water on the ground near his office.

He said he was extremely concerned that children living in tents and makeshift shelters in wet clothing would succumb to hypothermia and other illnesses. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry has said one baby has died from hypothermia and at least 11 other people have died in building collapses caused by the severe weather.

UN agencies have stepped up deliveries of tents, blankets and clothes since the Gaza ceasefire began nine weeks ago, but they have said there is still not enough aid getting in.

The UN and its partners estimate that almost 55,000 families have so far been affected by the rains, with their belongings and shelters damaged or destroyed. More than 40 designated emergency shelters were severely flooded following downpours on Monday and Tuesday, forcing many people to relocate again.

“Last night was really horrendous for the families. The heavy rains were so intense that we could see from our office and guest house 10cm, 15cm (4-6in) of water at some point. And the winds were so strong,” Jonathan Crickx, chief of communications for Unicef State of Palestine, told the BBC’s Today programme on Wednesday.

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Almost 55,000 families have so far been affected by the rains, with their belongings and shelters damaged

“When I drove this morning, I could see that many, many people were trying with buckets to remove some of the water.” He noted that most of the estimated one million people living in tents and makeshift shelters had been displaced many times during the two years of war between Israel and Hamas, and that they had no or very few changes of clothes.

“When I was seeing [children] this morning, their clothes were damp. I could see parents trying to dry some of the blankets they had. But it has been raining almost all of the time in the past four or five days, so it is extremely difficult to keep the children dry,” he said.

“With temperatures about 7C, 8C (45-46F) at night, we are extremely concerned about children getting sick or even worse, dying from hypothermia.”

Many tents were also at risk of being blown away or destroyed by the strong winds accompanying the rain because they were only made from a piece of tarpaulin or plastic sheeting nailed to a fragile wooden structure, he added.

Mr Crickx said Unicef had been able to bring in more aid during the ceasefire to help children cope with the harsh winter conditions, including 250,000 winter clothing kits, 600,000 blankets and 7,000 tents, but that it was not enough. “We are working relentlessly to bring in that aid and to distribute it, but the scale of the needs is so immense that we still have thousands of people and children who are really suffering ev-

ery night,” he warned.

Gaza’s health ministry said a two-week old boy named Mohammed Abu alKhair had died of hypothermia on Monday, two days after he had been admitted to hospital and placed in intensive care. Another 11 people had so far died after the wardamaged buildings where they were sheltering collapsed, it added. A spokesman for the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, Mahmoud Bassal, put the death toll higher. He said in a video that a total of 17 people, including four children, had died because of building collapses and the cold.

He added that 17 residential buildings had collapsed completely because of the wind and rain and that another 90 buildings had collapsed partially. On Tuesday, video footage showed first responders from the Civil Defence recovering the body of a man from the rubble of a building in Shati refugee camp, north-west of Gaza City.

Its roof had collapsed suddenly, according to eyewitnesses.

“We call on the world to solve our problems and rebuild the territory so that people can have homes instead of being displaced and living in the streets,” said Ahmed al-Hosari, a relative of the man, told AFP news agency. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the collapse of damaged buildings due to the severe weather conditions was “deeply concerning”.

It stressed the need for “increased and sustained humanitarian assistance to re-

spond to urgent and longterm needs, including food, shelter and equipment for the repair of critical infrastructure”.

Cogat, the Israeli military body which controls Gaza’s border crossings, has dismissed claims of deliberate aid restrictions as “inconsistent with facts on the ground, and the ongoing co-ordination taking place daily”.

It says that between 600 and 800 lorries carrying humanitarian supplies enter Gaza daily, and that almost 310,000 tents and tarpaulins have been delivered since the start of the ceasefire, along with more than 1,800 lorry loads of warm blankets and clothing.

The UN says a total of 67,800 tents, 372,500 tarpaulins and 318,100 bedding items have been collected from crossings over the same period. The second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas includes plans for the reconstruction of Gaza, along with post-war governance, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the disarmament of Hamas. Last week, Israel’s prime minister said the second phase was close, with only the body of one dead Israeli hostage in Gaza still to be returned by Hamas as part of the first phase.

The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

More than 70,600 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s health ministry.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

PAGE 23

Fish vendor jailed 20 years for 2021 killing of taxi driver Seyon James, aka “Lil Alfey,” sentenced to 20 years for the killing of Kendrick Trim

I

n a case stemming from a June 2021 r o b b e r y, A c t i n g Chief Justice Navindra Singh sentenced Seyon James, aka “Lil Alfey,” to 20 years in prison, halving the original 40-year sentence for the killing of a taxi driver.

The sentence was handed down on Wednesday at the Demerara High Court.

James, a 30-year-old fish vendor, pleaded guilty on December 4, 2025, along with co-accused Kenty Bacchus, called “Trini,” to the killing of Kendrick Trim.

Bacchus, a 38-year-old

welder, was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 years’ imprisonment after Justice Singh ruled that, despite his guilty plea and expressions of remorse, the brutality of the offence, his criminal history, and the impact on the deceased family must carry a heavy sentence.

Trim, a 53-year-old taxi driver of the Belfield Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was found dead on June 31, 2021. According to police, his body was discovered lying in grass at the end of Cul-de-Sac Street, Block One, Ogle, East Coast

Demerara. Investigators said he was dumped from a silver-grey Toyota Premio, bearing registration number HC 5311, which was found parked a short distance away.

During James’ sentencing, Justice Singh explained that although the offence was serious, several mitigating factors justified a lesser sentence than that imposed on Bacchus.

With a starting point of 40 years, James was sentenced to 20 years including time spent already in prison, a lesser sentence after Justice Singh considered several factors including how he was involved in the situation, his belief that he did not inflict any injury to the deceased and favourable probation.

Prosecutors emphasized the gravity of the crime and the loss suffered by the victim’s family. They d e s c r i b e d Tr i m a s a hardworking taxi driver whose final trip ended in tragedy. “That trip led to a senseless murder at the back of Ogle, and his belongings were taken from him after his death,” the prosecution told the court.

They further alleged that

James used a sharp knife to inflict multiple injuries on Trim, leaving behind a grieving wife, three children, and a grandchild.

When given the opportunity to address the court, James expressed remorse, saying, “I am sorry for what I did. I give my best condolences to the family.”

In delivering his ruling, Justice Singh stated, “I believe him when he said he didn’t inflict any injury. I believe that Kenty Bacchus garnered support.”

In arriving at his final ruling, Justice Singh took several factors into account, reducing the sentence by 13T! years for the guilty plea, four years for favourable probation, and 3T! years for the defendant’s demonstrated remorse.

However, he added three more years for emotional impact of Trim’s death on his family, and two years for James’ involvement in the crime, arriving at a final sentence of 20 years.

The prosecution team is led by State Counsel Geneva Wills, assisted by State Counsel Christopher Belfield and State Counsel Simran Gajraj. Bacchus is

represented by Attorney-atLaw Audreanna Stephens, while James is represented

by Attorney Glendon Greenidge.

Earlier in the investigation, James confessed to the police and provided a detailed account of the events leading to Trim’s death. He told investigators that he met Bacchus while previously incarcerated for simple larceny of a cellphone. On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, Bacchus reportedly picked him up from the bus park, and the two went to a snackette on Carmichael Street to buy food.

James told police that he confided in Bacchus about being homeless and in need of a place to stay. After leaving the snackette, Bacchus stopped a taxi driven by Trim, and both men entered the vehicle.

Bacchus sat behind the driver, while James sat behind the front passenger seat.

According to James, upon reaching Ogle, Bacchus grabbed Trim by the neck and choked him “until he passed out.” He said Bacchus then dragged

Dead: Kendrick Trim the driver into the back seat, where he was stabbed multiple times.

James stated that Bacchus removed a gold ring, chain, cash, and a black Samsung cellphone from the victim before driving to another location in Ogle, where Trim’s body was dumped.

James further told police that the car became stuck in mud while Bacchus attempted to reverse, forcing them to abandon the vehicle.

Bacchus reportedly gave him $10,000 and discarded the knife in nearby bushes.

The two men then crossed a bridge, walked to the public road, and later took a minibus to Georgetown.

Police said efforts were ongoing at the time to recover the murder weapon.

Pres. Ali’s mother sues Facebook and ‘Melly Mel’ for CAD$15M over defamation claims The mother of President Irfaan Ali, Bibi Shariman Neshaw Ali, has filed a defamation lawsuit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against Meta Platforms Inc., Facebook Holdings LLC, Facebook Operations LLC, Facebook Canada Ltd and social media personality Melissa Ann Atwell-Holder popularly known as ‘Melly Mel’.

The lawsuit filed by attorney-at-law Selwyn Pieters stems from Facebook publications in which Mrs. Ali was referred to as a ‘gangster granny’ and allegedly implicated in corruption linked to her son.

Ali, a Canadian citizen residing in Ontario in her claim, is seeking general damages of $5 million, aggravated damages of $5 million and punitive damages of $5 million, along with special damages to be particularised at trial. She is also asking the court to declare that the defendants defamed her, order the removal and destruction of any copies or references to

President Irfaan Ali and his mom Bibi Shariman Neshaw Ali

the defamatory publications from any medium accessible to third parties, and grant both interim and permanent injunctions restraining the defendants from publishing or disseminating any statements referring to her by name, depiction or description.

According to the court documents, Ali is a highly regarded and respected educator who taught in

Guyana for decades at several institutions. The filing also states that she is a prominent member of the Guyanese-Canadian community and sits on the Brock Elementary School Board, where she began as a teacher before retiring in 2022 as principal.

The lawsuit outlines that Meta Platforms oversees, develops, directs and operates Facebook and its

related technological products, noting that the platform has billions of users across 157 countries who can post, access and interact with content.

Atwell-Holder is described in the filing as a social media personality who operates the Facebook pages “Melissa Ann Atwell (Melly Mel)” and “592 Media Inc.” The documents state that she has a combined following of approximately 89,000 on her Facebook pages. It further notes that Ali has never met A t w e l l - H o l d e r, n e v e r interacted with her and has had no relationship with her beyond viewing her Facebook posts.

The claim alleges that Atwell-Holder engaged in what is described as a sustained campaign against Ali based on manufactured allegations intended to damage her reputation and professional standing.

Among the allegations referenced are posts and broadcasts of an interview between a journalist and a businessman which, the

Melissa Ann Atwell-Holder lawsuit says, maliciously and recklessly alleged that President Ali is corrupt and that his mother participates in corruption on his behalf, accepts bribes for him and coerces contractors for kickbacks. The filing also states that Atwell-Holder published a photograph of Mrs. Ali with her son, referring to her as a “gangster granny.” The lawsuit further alleges that Meta and Atwell-Holder knew, or ought to have known, that the content would be widely republished and rebroadcast on social media platforms. “ W i d e s p r e a d republication of the defendants’ defamatory

allegations is the predictable result of reporting incendiary accusations against the plaintiff, whose son at the same time was running in the national elections for re-election for the position of President of Guyana. The defendants are accordingly or severally liable for all republication and rebroadcast of the defamatory content,” the document states.

The claim also asserts that the defendants’ products facilitate and promote defamatory content, libel, cyber bullying, harassment, h a t e s p e e c h , misinformation/disinformati on and other harms.

According to the filing, Ali, through her lawyers, previously served Facebook with a notice of intended action, seeking a retraction, apology and damages in relation to the defamatory statements. The documents state that Facebook responded by saying, “it is not clear to us that the content you reported is unlawful as defamation.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 18, 2025

Sweeping US defense bill passes, with Ukraine, Venezuela provisions defying Trump WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. S e n a t e v o t e d overwhelmingly on Wednesday to advance a $901 billion bill setting policy for the Pentagon, sending the massive piece of legislation to the White House, which has said President Donald Trump will sign it into law.

The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorisation Act, or NDAA, is a compromise between separate measures passed earlier this year in the House of Representatives and Senate. It authorises a record $901 billion in annual military spending, with a 4% pay raise for the troops. It also authorises reforms to the system for acquiring military equipment and includes efforts to boost competitiveness with U.S. archrivals China and Russia.

The Senate backed the bill by 77 to 20, with strong support from both parties.

Two of the “no” votes were from Republican senators Mike Lee and Rand Paul.

“This will be the 65th year in a row, the 65th consecutive year, that Congress has come together across the aisle and across two chambers to send the president a bill designed to

A view of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., July 1, 2024.

REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights sustain and strengthen the national defense,” said Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Republican Senate Armed Services Committee chairman.

The House passed the bill last week, by 312 to 112, also with broad bipartisan support.

In a break with Trump, whose fellow Republicans hold majorities in both the House and Senate, this year ’s NDAA includes several provisions to boost security in Europe, despite Trump’s release earlier this

month of a National Security Strategy seen as friendly to Russia and a reassessment of the U.S. relationship with Europe.

The fiscal 2026 NDAA provides $800 million for Ukraine - $400 million in each of the next two years as part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which pays U.S. companies for weapons for Ukraine’s military. It also authorises the Baltic Security Initiative and provides $175 million to support Latvia, Lithuania

and Estonia’s defense. And it limits the Department of Defense’s ability to drop the number of U.S. forces in Europe to fewer than 76,000 and bars the U.S. European Commander from giving up the title of NATO Supreme Commander.

WINS FOR BOTH PARTIES Members of Congress take great pride in having passed the NDAA every year for more than six decades.

The measure’s record price tag is $8 billion more than Trump had requested.

This month a handful of Republicans and Democrats called for the addition of a provision to strengthen military helicopter safety rules, following a fatal crash between an Army Black Hawk and an American Airlines passenger jet that killed 67 people.

Company CEO and Chair Bom Kim declined to attend a parliamentary hearing in Seoul Wednesday.

Anger over that issue was not strong enough to derail the NDAA. Senate leaders have promised to address it in upcoming legislation. The NDAA also repeals the tough “Caesar” sanctions imposed on Syria under its former leader Bashar al-Assad. And it has a provision to withhold a chunk of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel budget if he does not provide Congress with unedited videos of military strikes on boats in the southern Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

T h e T r u m p administration has said the strikes are directed at Venezuelan drug-traffickers.

The Senate vote came a day after Trump ordered a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and

leaving Venezuela, his latest move to increase pressure on Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t Nicolas Maduro’s government. It repeals the 1 9 9 1 a n d 2 0 0 2 Authorisations for the Use of Military Force (AUMFs) against Iraq, an attempt to reassert Congress’ role in deciding to send troops into combat. During his first term, Trump said the 2002 AUMF provided legal authority for the 2020 killing in Iraq of senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

The NDAA does not include funding to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, an idea championed by Trump but a change that cannot be formalised without congressional approval.

However, it includes some of the “culture war” efforts popular with politicians on the U.S. right.

One measure bars transgender women from participating in athletic programs designated for women at U.S. military academies. It also codifies into law executive orders by Trump ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Pentagon.

Putin rejects compromise on Ukraine despite Trump’s push for peace (CNN)- Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a clear indication Wednesday that he will not compromise on his demands for Ukraine to cede territory despite US President Donald Trump’s intensifying push for peace.

In a combative speech delivered as US and European leaders engage in frantic diplomatic efforts to secure a peace agreement, Putin lashed out at Ukraine’s European allies and said Russia would take territory by force if necessary. “We would prefer to do this, and eliminate the root causes of the conflict, through diplomacy,” Putin said at the annual meeting of the

Russian Defense Ministry.

“If the opposing country and its foreign patrons refuse to engage in substantive discussions, Russia will achieve the liberation of its historical lands through military means,” he added.

He referred to regions he is demanding that Ukraine cede, a key sticking point in the ongoing peace talks. This question of territory, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine, has proven difficult to resolve during the peace talks, exposing the competing priorities of Ukraine, the United States, Europe and Russia.

Russia has illegally annexed Ukraine’s Donbas region but has not fully

conquered it. At the current rate of its advance, Russia would not seize the entire region until August 2027, according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, a US-based conflict monitor.

On Monday, Ukrainian P r e s i d e n t Vo l o d y m y r Zelensky said Kyiv will not recognise the temporarily occupied part of the eastern Donbas region as legally or de facto Russian.

The Ukrainian president also appeared to reference the “historical lands” comment that Putin made in his address Wednesday night. “There are other countries in Europe that someone in Russia may one

day call their ‘historical lands,’” Zelensky warned.

“We need real protection from this Russian history of madness.”

Trump has been consistently bullish on the prospect of striking a peace deal, saying this week that “we’re closer now than we have been.”

Ukraine’s European allies are more cautious and have sought robust security guarantees for the country.

Putin was at pains to stress that difference in his speech.

Russia is “engaged in a dialogue with the US,” but meaningful engagement with Europe on peace is unlikely under the current leadership, he said. “I hope

the same (engagement) will happen with Europe,” Putin added.

“It is unlikely that this is possible with the current political elites, but in any case, it will be inevitable as we continue to strengthen. If not with the current politicians, then when the current elites in Europe change,” he said. Putin’s defiant comments came ahead of a key summit this week in Brussels, where European leaders will debate whether to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the importance of reaching an

agreement in a speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday, calling on the continent to take responsibility for its own security and continue funding Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

“There is no more important act of European defense than supporting Ukraine’s defense. The next days will be a crucial step for securing this. It’s up to us to choose how we fund Ukraine’s fight,” von der Leyen said.

Two European proposals are up for discussion for funding Ukraine — one based on using the frozen assets, the other based on borrowing.

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

The paralysis surrounding the election of Guyana's Opposition Leader is an avoidable embarrassment, and Speaker Manzoor Nadir must shoulder much of the blame.

After calm and credible elections, it is a bitter irony that Parliament now appears incapable of performing one of its most basic constitutional functions.

The Speaker's hesitation, absence and procedural contortions have not projected neutrality or authority; instead, they have deepened mistrust and stalled the House.

This is not political gamesmanship, it is a failure of stewardship. The Constitution and Standing Orders provide clear guidance, yet the Speaker seems to have immobilized himself, to the detriment of Parliament's credibility. That the Opposition Leader-inwaiting has been forced to seek CARICOM's intervention speaks volumes.

CARICOM cannot remain silent, just as it was not silent in 2020. The longer this drags on, the more Guyana looks unserious about its own democracy. Enough delay. Parliament must function, and it must do so now.

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10-man Chase stun Kingston College with dramatic comeback victory

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e f e n d i n g champions C h a s e ’ s Academic Foundation produced a theatrical finish against Jamaica’s Kingston College, pulling off a jawdropping 3–2 come-frombehind victory despite losing their captain early in the contest.

Shaquan David, Nyron Barrow, and Mark Glasgow sent the small Chase crowd into celebration as the team maintained its unbeaten

campaign against a wellprepared Jamaican side.

Kingston College showed early signs of defensive resilience, while Chase worked the midfield effectively but struggled with off-target efforts. Both teams displayed technical quality in midfield, with Kingston making more inroads before Chase captain Bryan Wharton was sent off, momentarily dampening Chase’s momentum.

Shortly after the

dismissal, the match took another turn when Barrow launched a fierce run down the right wing, drawing a foul that resulted in a redcard decision.

Shaquan Elliot calmly converted from the penalty spot, putting Kingston College ahead.

Kingston College doubled their advantage when Riley Kevwaroo capitalized on a loose ball to make it 2–0. Chase responded quickly in the

Thursday December 18, 2025 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You should enjoy the intense energy of today, Aries. The mud is finally beginning to clear away. Expose the truth in every issue and get ready for the gremlins that may be unearthed.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today marks the beginning of a new cycle for you, Taurus.

Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly. The time is right for you to act.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Take a cold shower to jumpstart yourself today, Gemini.

It's fine if you laze around a bit in the morning, but by evening, you should be working at full capacity. You will be called into action whether you want to be or not.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today may start out sluggish for you, Cancer, but by the end of the day the energy will move fast and furious. Your thoughts will be buzzing around your head like bees around a hive.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Enjoy the calm morning, Leo, because things are going to get crazier and more energetic as the day goes on. Emotions will run high, and people will be more opinionated than usual.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will experience an intense amount of energy today, Virgo. Your dream state will be more active than usual, and you will find that people are drawn to you like moths to light.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It's time to get up and get moving, Libra. You have tremendous ideas and vision for the future. You have all the information you need. Now all you have to do is act. Step up to the plate and hit one over the fence.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The early part of the day might find you sluggish and indecisive, Scorpio, but later you should be psyched up and ready to go. Today marks the beginning of a new period in which you should set your ideas in motion.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today's energies will get progressively more intense as the day goes on. In the morning, you may be in an easygoing, dreamy state, Sagittarius.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) For the past several weeks you've felt like you've been dragging your heels, Capricorn. Decisions may have been hard to make and people may have seemed wishy-washy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) The morning might find you sitting like a stick in the mud, Aquarius. People might be getting down on you for not contributing, but tell them to be patient. You will be raring to go by nightfall.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Things are moving your way, Pisces. As the day progresses, you will find that the energy intensifies. Conflicts may arise near sundown, but don't worry about it too much.

60th minute as David surged through midfield and finished confidently to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Exactly 20 minutes later, Barrow struck the equalizer, heading home from a welldelivered corner to bring Chase level and lift the crowd to its feet. The Ifill–Glasgow combination then broke the Jamaican resistance, with Glasgow burying his effort at the near post to give Chase their first lead of the match with just five minutes remaining.

Chase held firm to seal an impressive 3–2 victory.

Earlier, Trinidad’s St Benedict’s College and Brazil’s Jose Viera De Sales Guerra were locked in a defensive battle, both teams showcasing disciplined backlines. Josiah Barrow eventually broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, securing a narrow win and keeping St Benedict’s unbeaten in the competition.

In other matches,

Albion Masters face off with Vintage...

From page 31 serving as the standby official.

Here are the full team rosters: Albion Masters: - S. Chattergoon (captain) - D. Bishoo (over 35) - R. Crandon - H. Bridgelall - K. Fraser - M. Chinsammy - M. Hicks - France - R. Gajnabi - S. Marimutoo - J. Velloza - D. Ramdin - K. Mahadeo - T. Jagdeo - N. Deonarine - C. Butts - T. George - N. Singh (over 35) - S. Ramdass (over 35) Vintage Strikers: - Troy Benn - Anil Sookdeo - Andrew Lyght Jr. - Chien Gittens - Cecil Addams - Anand Bharat - Jeetendra Kishore - Hemindra Kowlessar - Vishal Jaigobind - Seymour Evans - Richard Latif - Oslyn Batson - Leroy Bristol -Rajkumar Tejchandradeo - Trevor Benn - Vishal Jaigobind

Secondary also dominated their encounter, dismantling the Anglican Central Educational Authority of the Bahamas 15–1.

Donovan Welcome led the rout with four goals, while Jeremiah Griffith and Dominic Lesprance each recorded hat-tricks. Marvin Sealey and Joel Griffith also added their names to the scoresheet.

The tournament is also sponsored by KFC Guyana.

Suriname Technical Institute handed Annai Secondary their third consecutive defeat, overpowering them 9–3.

Jizzreel Secdoc starred with a hat-trick in the 25th, 30th, and 63rd minutes, while Darian Dors scored twice. Additional goals came from Shheen Nabebux (23’), Sennery Mac-Intosh (34’), Reuel Mesarch (75’), and Jonathan Gomes (80’).

We s t R u i m v e l d t

Chess Stars receive awards following successful IGG

C

Singh, Alexander Zhang, Nicholas Zhang and Aqiulani Swanmadha The GCF also recognized the efforts of the local Women’s team, with Champion Aditi Joshi,2nd place Ciel Clement and 3rd place winner Aniyah Couchman, all having brilliant matches against French Guiana and Suriname.

Guyana’s contingent of young Chess masters are currently engaged in the 2025 CAC, which got underway on December 14.

hess Master Kyle Couchman, the 2025 National Junior Chess Champion alongside his fellow Guyanese were hailed by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) recently following an exceptional 2025 InterGuiana Games.

Team Guyana did well individually and collectively with spots 2 to all the way to 10 in the championship being occupied by Sachin Pitamber, Richardo Narine, Micaiah Enoe, Aditi Joshi, Jerod Roberts, Matthew

Berbice River Bridge Closure to Road Traffic Thursday December 18, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 15:15hrs Friday December 19, 2025

For Ocean going Vessels & Trawlers 15:50hrs For Ocean Going Vessels opening last 1-1½ hrs DATE: 12/17/2025

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G.L.C. 357 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown Tel:226-0753. While every effort is made to ensure numbers are correct, please call the hotline for confirmation, The G.L.C. and Kaieteur News cannot be held responsible for printing errors.

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

Yarrowkabra, St. Rose High win separate Tapeball Tournaments

St. Rose’s Secondary School.

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arrowkabra Secondary edged out Queen’s College by a narrow two-run margin to capture the Bragging Rights Trophy in a tense Tapeball cricket encounter on Saturday at the National Culture Centre tarmac.

Batting first, Yarrowkabra Secondary posted a competitive 77 for 4 in their allotted overs. In reply, Queen’s College mounted a strong challenge but fell just short, finishing on 75 for 6, handing Yarrowkabra a dramatic victory. Action continued at the same venue the following day, where St.

Rose’s High claimed the Sports Ambassador Trophy with a hard-fought win over reigning champions Covent Garden Secondary.

Covent Garden Secondary reached 40 for 4 in the first innings.

However, St. Rose’s High responded confidently, racing to 44 for 5 and sealing the win off the final ball with Orwin Jordan top-scoring with 19 runs, Joshua Sharmar also played a key role in the chase, contributing 17 runs as the tumbled Covent Garden by five wickets.

Meanwhile, the End-ofYe a r C h a m p i o n o f Champions Tapeball cricket

competition is scheduled for Sunday, December 28, at the Queen's College ground, starting from 9:00 a.m. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format, with the coveted Players Trophy up for grabs, along with a cash incentive for the Most Valuable Player from each team reaching the finals.

Event coordinator James Lewis expressed special thanks to the tournament’s corporate partners, including Pure Diamond Inc., Barcellos, Narine & Co., Hand-in-Hand Fire & Life Insurance, CD’s Variety Shop, Colin Klass Associates, A. Ally & Sons, and P&P Insurance Brokers.

Yarrowkabra Secondary School team.

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Thursday December 18, 2025

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Dembele named FIFA player of 2025, Bonmati wins women’s award for third time DOHA, (Reuters) Paris St Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele was named FIFA men’s player of the year in Doha on Tuesday with Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati winning the women’s award for the third year in a row.

D e m b e l e w a s instrumental in PSG’s first Champions League triumph when they beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the final and scored 35 goals last season across all competitions, including 21 in Ligue 1 to finish as top scorer.

The 28-year-old, who won this year’s Ballon d’Or in September, was part of the PSG team which also swept all before them on the domestic front last season

Ousmane Dembele.

(REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) and reached the final of the Club World Cup. Dembele was able to attend the ceremony, as he was already in Qatar for W e d n e s d a y ’ s

Intercontinental Cup final where PSG take on Flamengo.

“I want to thank all my teammates, it just shows that hard work pays off,”

Spain’s Aitana Bonmati during training. (REUTERS/Susana Vera) Dembele said.

“It’s been a fantastic year for me, both individually and collectively. I hope to come back here again next year.”

Bonmati, the Champions

2025 Barbados Tour of Guyana Under-17 40-Over Series…

Gritty Bajans square series 2-2 with finals set for Friday

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brave fightback from Barbados helped them level the series 2-2 following a comprehensive 7-wicket win yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club Ground.

The Bajans clawed their way back into the series after losing the two opening games, before finding their groove in game 3, now forcing the home team into Friday’s final with the series on the line.

After keeping Guyana to 119-8, Barbados wasted no time in getting to their revised target as they wrapped up game 4 in the 23rd over, ending on 106-3 after their allotment was reduced to 26 overs.

Opener Jon-David Green dropped anchor immediately with a boundary-less 27 not out from 62 balls, arguably the most important knock for his side.

Alongside Ky-mani Inniss (17) and Natarie Lavine, who scored 31 off 40 with 4 fours, the trio helped Barbados reach 80-3 in the 17th over.

Guyana made a few inroads but Green continued to march on with his new

Natarie Lavine finished the game as the MVP for Barbados. partner in Zdari Scantlebury who supported with an important innings of 16 not out (1x4), which oversaw the Bajans’ run-trimming process successfully to the end.

Only Jaden Ganpat (117) and Afraz Khan (1-17) managed to get

breakthroughs for Guyana, who earlier scratched their way to a mediocre total with help from some 33 extras.

The home team was led by a half-century stand from the pair of Khan (28) and Captain Sahid Gajnabi (28), who held things together following the early

dismissals of openers Deshawn Ramnauth (1) and Daniel Johnson (2).

The skipper hit just two fours while Khan found the ropes on three occasions, as their time at the crease yielded the most boundaries of the innings.

Inniss soon found his groove after bagging one of the openers earlier in the innings, adding the big wickets of Khan and Afraz Ali to his collection as the medium-pacer went for figures of 3-14 off 6 overs.

Gajnabi fell to a return catch off the bowling of allrounder Lavine (1-10) which turned the innings around for Barbados prior to rain interrupting the flow of things in the 30th over, leaving Guyana stuck on 926.

Lower-order Adrian Emmanuel then ended the game on 13 which helped Guyana cross the 120-run mark. Spinner Anahri Hinds claimed 2-28 which completed another classy bowling outing from the Bajans.

The final match is set for Friday at Everest. (Clifton Ross)

League player of the season, also won the women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time in a row this year, and helped Barcelona win the domestic treble along with reaching the Champions League final.

The 27-year-old also reached the Euro 2025 final with Spain, losing the decider to England on penalties, and Bonmati was named Player of the Tournament.

“Thank you to the players, coaches and fans who have voted for me to win this award,” Bonmati, who is currently recovering from surgery on a fractured fibula, said.

Sarina Wiegman won the best women’s coach award for the fifth time after leading England to retain t h e i r E u r o p e a n Championship title, and Luis Enrique won the men’s coach award after taking PSG to their first Champions League win.

T h e b e s t w o m e n ’s goalkeeper award went to England and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton who played a major role in the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 win with her penalty shootout saves and also won the domestic treble with her club.

I t a l y ’s G i a n l u i g i Donnarumma, who now plays for Manchester City, won the men’s keeper award for his role in PSG’s treble win.

M e x i c o ’s L i z b e t h Ovalle won the FIFA Marta Award for the best goal in women’s football, for her scorpion kick for Tigres against Guadalajara in March.

Santiago Montiel won the Puskas Award for the best men’s goal for his overhead strike for Independiente against Independiente Rivadavia during an Argentine Primera match in May.

Haslington set to host Youth Football Festival from December 25-27

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he Haslington Football Club is preparing for three days of exciting youth football action when it hosts its annual Youth Football Festival from December 25–27 at the Haslington Ground.

The festival will bring together talented young footballers from Haslington, Golden Grove, Melanie, Paradise, and Victoria, promising competitive matches and entertaining football throughout the holiday period.

Teams will compete across the Under-11, Under-

13, Under-15, and Under-17 categories, with medals and trophies set to be awarded to the top-performing teams in each division.

Matches will kick off daily from 11:00 am, offering fans plenty of action to enjoy. Admission is priced at $200 for children and $500 for adults, making it an affordable family outing during the festive season.

With pride, passion, and youth development at the forefront, the Haslington Youth Football Festival is expected to once again be a highlight on the local sporting calendar.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 18, 2025

French court orders PSG to pay Mbappe 60 million euros PARIS, (Reuters) - A Paris labour court on Tuesday ordered Paris St Germain to pay Kylian Mbappe 60 million euros ($70.6 million) in unpaid salary and bonuses, bringing a partial end to one of the most acrimonious disputes

in French football.

The ruling followed months of legal wrangling after the France striker took PSG to court over earnings he said were withheld for April, May and June 2024, shortly before he left the Ligue 1 club to join Real

Madrid on a free transfer.

“We are satisfied with the ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” Mbappe’s lawyer Frederique Cassereau told reporters.

The court found that PSG had failed to pay three

months of Mbappe’s salary, an ethics bonus and a signing bonus due under his employment contract.

Those sums were recognised as due by two decisions of the French Professional Football League (LFP) in September

Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe in action. (REUTERS/ Catherine Steenkeste)

and October 2024, and the judges said PSG had not produced any written agreement showing Mbappe had waived his entitlement.

The judges rejected PSG’s arguments that Mbappe should forfeit his unpaid wages entirely, but also dismissed several of the player’s additional claims, including allegations of concealed work, moral harassment and breach of the employer’s duty of safety.

The court did not view M b a p p e ’s f i x e d - t e r m contract as a permanent one, a decision that limited the scale of potential compensation related to dismissal and notice pay.

LABOUR LAW APPLIES TO EVERYONE “This judgment confirms that commitments entered into must be honoured. It restores a simple truth: even in the professional football industry, labour law applies to everyone,” Mbappe’s legal team said in a statement.

“Mr. Mbappe, for his part, scrupulously respected

his sporting and contractual obligations for seven years, right up to the final day.”

PSG had argued that Mbappe acted disloyally by concealing for nearly a year his intention not to renew his contract, preventing the club from securing a transfer fee similar to the 180 million euros they paid to sign him from AS Monaco in 2017.

Mbappe’s representatives said the dispute concerned the strict application of French labour law and unpaid remuneration, rather than transfer policy.

“Paris St Germain takes note of the ruling handed down by the Paris labour court, which it will comply with, while reserving the right to appeal,” PSG said in a statement. “Paris St Germain has always acted in good faith and with integrity, and will continue to do so.

The club is now looking to the future, built on unity and collective success, and wishes the player all the best for the remainder of his career.” ($1 = 0.8502 euros)

Thursday December 18, 2025

Kaieteur News

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Carey goes from Ashes villain to hero with century in Adelaide heat

England’s Jofra Archer celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Jake Weatherald.

(REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) ADELAIDE, (Reuters) - Hometown hero Alex Carey rode his luck to a first Ashes century to rescue Australia as England’s bowlers toiled in an Adelaide Oval cauldron on a scorching opening day of the third test on Wednesday.

The wicketkeeper’s 106 helped drive Australia to 326 for eight at stumps, with Mitchell Starc (33 not out) and Nathan Lyon, scoreless off 18 balls, having provided stubborn tail-end resistance.

Carey survived a caughtbehind decision on 72 with the help of a glitch with the review technology before going on to score his third test century.

In front of a big family gathering in the sell-out

crowd of 56,298 at his home stadium, Carey raised his bat and his head to the sky in a tribute to his father who died of leukaemia in September.

“It was pretty special to make a hundred here in front of home fans and family, and you know why I was looking to the heavens,” he said.

“I’ll try not to tear up. It was a great moment.

“Dad played the biggest role in my cricket, coached me all the way through and sort of let me go as I got into my older teenage years, but (he) would always shoot a message (like) ‘put the reverse sweep away’”.

Carey was ably backed

by Usman Khawaja, who capitalised on his late inclusion in place of an

Australia’s Usman Khawaja in action.

(REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

unwell Steve Smith by scoring 82 off 126 balls.

The pair combined in a crucial 91-run stand that pulled the hosts from peril after they were reduced to 94 for four straight after lunch.

Trailing 2-0 in the series, England’s hopes of keeping the Ashes alive suffered an early blow when home captain Pat Cummins won the toss and put his team in to bat on a firm wicket begging for a big score.

By stumps, with the temperature still hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95F), England’s prospects appeared bleak after Carey and Starc pushed the hosts past 300.

With day two expected to hit 39 degrees, the tourists

will be desperate for quick wickets in the morning to avert another punishing day in the field.

MISSED CHANCES Yet again, England had moments of ascendancy but were unable to take their chances.

Khawaja was the chief beneficiary, being dropped on three by Harry Brook at second slip with a thick edge off the bowling of recalled paceman Josh Tongue.

A diving Brydon Carse put down a tougher chance to remove Carey for 52 when he smashed Archer into the covers.

Captain Ben Stokes burned two of England’s reviews trying to dislodge Carey, first for lbw when he was on 52 and later for the caught-behind appeal off the bowling of recalled seamer Josh Tongue.

Carey admitted he may have “feathered” the ball but a noise picked up by the “Snicko” technology did not align with the ball travelling by the bat on review of the delivery, so the decision stood.

England bowling coach David Saker said the tourists were hard done by.

“The boys are pretty confident he hit it,” Saker

Australia’s Alex Carey celebrates after reaching his century. (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) told reporters. “Those decisions hurt.”

Wednesday’s cheers for Carey came two years after he became the villain of the 2023 Ashes for throwing down Jonny Bairstow’s stumps in a controversial run-out during the second test at Lord’s.

He was eventually caught for 106 trying to slog-sweep the spin of Will Jacks, sending a top-edge soaring.

It continued a pattern of soft dismissals that kept England buoyed despite the taxing weather.

Both Australia’s openers Travis Head (10) and Jake Weatherald (18) fell cheaply in a six-ball burst before the first drinks break.

A driving Head was caught for 10 off seamer Carse, with Zak Crawley diving to his left at short cover to pluck a brilliant one-hander above the grass.

Weatherald fell trying to pull a sizzling Jofra Archer bouncer only to gift an easy catch behind the wicket.

K h a w a j a a n d Labuschagne steered Australia to 94 for two at lunch but Labuschagne and new batter Cameron Green threw away their wickets in three balls after the break.

Carse caught both at midwicket off the bowling of Archer in near-identical dismissals.

Scores: Australia 326 for 8 (Carey 106, Khawaja 82, Archer 3-29) vs England.

Kaieteur News

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Thursday December 18, 2025

One Guyana/K&S/ President’s Futsal Championship...

Environmental and Technical Solutions Inc. supports tournament E

nvironmental and Technical Solutions Inc. has come on board to support the successful staging of the One Guyana/Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Futsal championships, which kicked off on Tuesday December, 9 with action in the schoolboys and men’s divisions.

F i n a n c e a n d Administrative Manager, Seema Ramsoondar, made

their presentation to Kashif Muhammad in the presence of Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major the Directors of the K&S Organisation.

The company expressed their pleasure at being able to support the event, noting both the senior and junior (schoolboys and girls) segments this year.

The Directors expressed their gratitude for the assistance and promised continued excellence in the

staging of the event. The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports was lauded for their involvement in the staging of the event under the One Guyana brand.

The action in the tournament continues and admission is absolutely free for the schoolboys segment of the competition, which see matches starting from 12:00hrs at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Fifa brings in new £45 ticket for 2026 World Cup BBC Sport - Fifa has introduced a small number of “more affordable” $60 (£45) tickets for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup following criticism of its pricing structure for the tournament.

Wo r l d f o o t b a l l ’s governing body says the new ticket price will be available to a certain number of “loyal fans” of the countries that have qualified for the World Cup. A Fifa official close to discussions said: “We have listened to feedback and this new category is the right thing to do” - adding the decision was unanimous.

T h e F o o tball Supporters’ Association (FSA) has called the previous pricing structure “scandalous”.

The £45 ticket falls in the supporter entry tier and will make up 10% of the allocation for each Football Association whose team is taking part in a competition

being hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Meetings took place over the weekend and early this week with senior officials in Doha, Qatar, where initial feedback on pricing was discussed.

Having raised fans’ concerns over the cost of tickets with Fifa’s hierarchy before the meeting in Doha, English Football Association insiders privately see Tuesday’s announcement as a step in the right direction.

“The entry tier tickets will be allocated specifically to supporters of qualified teams, with the selection and distribution process managed individually by the participating member associations (PMAs),” said a Fifa statement.

“Each PMA will define its own eligibility criteria and application process.

They are requested to

The 2026 World Cup will be taking place across Canada, Mexico and the United States. (Getty Images) ensure that these tickets are specifically allocated to loyal fans who are closely

connected to their national teams.

“In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely supporter value tier (40%) and the supporter entry tier (10%).

The remaining allocation is split evenly between the supporter standard tier and the supporter premier tier.”

F o r E n g land and Scotland, this will mean about 400 tickets will be available for £45 for their group matches.

‘Step in the right direction’ While only around 400 tickets for each of

their group matches at the World Cup will be priced at the new entry tier p r i c e , t h e FA i s encouraged that half of their allocation will now be at what they regard as reasonable levels for a World Cup in the North American market.

FA officials are now said to be working through the night to try to determine how they will decide who gets these tickets and how to reward their most loyal England supporters, with an announcement expected on Wednesday.

“Demand for tickets has been off the scale, more than 20 million requests so far in this latest phase. We have listened to feedback and this new category is the right thing to do,” said a Fifa official close to discussions.

“Making $60 tickets available to more fans, including the most loyal ones who travel, was agreed on unanimously.

“Associations will need to work out who best should receive them.

“It’s a unique tournament and a unique market in the USA, in particular, which allows r e sales on secondary platforms. The demand is sky high.

“No organisation does more to support the development of the game around the world than Fifa. All 211 associations, including the poorest

countries, will benefit from a commercially successful World Cup.” Prior to this move, fans’ group Football Supporters Europe had said it is “astonished” by Fifa’s “extortionate” pricing strategy, and called for ticket sales to be “halted immediately”.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, group stage fixtures all had set prices of £68.50, £164.50 or £219. But its pricing policy, revealed on 11 December, indicated that tickets for England v Croatia and Scotland v Brazil next year were going to cost around £198, £373 or £523.

The cost ramped up considerably in the latter stages.

Quarter-final tickets for all teams are £507, £757 and £1,073, with the semi-finals priced at £686, £1,819 and £2,363.

The cheapest tickets for the final are £3,119, seven times more expensive than in Qatar.

T h e F o o t b a l l Supporters’ Association’s Fans’ Embassy for England fans described the move as “a step in the right direction” in a post on X. It added: “Fan pressure has certainly amounted to something but this still feels low, and the majority of tickets are still far too high. This will only benefit 400 to 500 supporters (per match),

Kaieteur News

Thursday December 18, 2025

PAGE 35

When President’s College has to beg, it’s an embarrassment Hear Me Out

By Rawle Toney President’s College should never have been forced into the humiliating position of seeking public assistance to raise $600,000 to purchase two basketball backboards.

Let that sink in.

One of Guyana’s premier secondary educational institutions, a school steeped in national pride and history, had to turn to social media to ask the public for help to fix a basic sporting necessity.

Not a luxury. Not an upgrade. Two backboards.

President’s College officially opened its doors in 1985, following a vision launched two years earlier by the late President of Guyana, Forbes Burnham.

He did not live to see the institution open, but his intent was for President’s College to be a flagship

school, a symbol of academic excellence.

Fast forward nearly four decades later, and that same institution is publicly appealing for donations to keep its basketball court functional.

That is not just disappointing. It is embarrassing.

Sources at the school have confirmed that formal correspondence was sent to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport as far back as 2023, outlining the issue with the damaged backboards.

To date, those letters have reportedly not even been acknowledged, as the backboards further deteriorated. In a country that continues to speak passionately about youth development, grassroots sport and talent pathways,

how is it acceptable that one of our leading secondary schools cannot get a response for a basic sporting facility request?

President’s College is not an obscure institution tucked away from the national spotlight.

It is a proven breeding ground for elite studentathletes and has produced several youth national players across disciplines.

If we are serious about sport in schools, then this situation exposes a troubling disconnect between rhetoric and reality.

Those who know teacher and coach, Willon Cameron, understand that he is not one to bypass protocol or rush to social media for sympathy.

It is therefore reasonable to assume that the appropriate channels were pursued, the relevant

Albion Masters face off with Vintage Strikers in BMC O40s T20 Final Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devendra Bishoo

T

his Saturday, the h i g h l y anticipated Big Man Cricket final will take place at the stunning Albion ground. As part of their mission to promote cricket across every corner of Guyana, the BMC organizers are excited to host the grand finale featuring Albion Masters a n d Vi n t a g e S t r i k e r s , kicking off at 12 PM. This BMC tournament was again

sponsored by Peter Lewis Contracting & Asphalt Services, Permaul Trading & Distribution, Diamond Fire & General Insurance Co and Trophy Stall.

Leading the Albion team will be captain Sewnarine Chattergoon, alongside notable players like Devendra Bishoo, Royston Crandon, and Michael C h i n s a m m y. A l t h o u g h Vintage Strikers may not boast the same level of high-

profile players from Guyana and the West Indies, they are a well-rounded team featuring softball champions Richard Latif & Chien Gittens, plus the Benn brothers, and Andrew Lyght Jr. This matchup is sure to deliver an exhilarating and thrilling experience for all.

The game will be officiated by umpires Zahir Moakan and Trevor Wharton, with R. Narine (Continued on page 29)

authorities were informed, and patience was exercised…until there were no options left. That alone should concern policymakers.

President’s College is one of Guyana’s leading secondary educational institutions, and it is deeply troubling that, after mak in g th e n eces s ar y requests through official avenues, the school now finds itself publicly soliciting donations for basic sporting infrastructure.

This situation is both insulting and embarrassing for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

A flagship institution of this stature should not be “begging” for assistance to fix something as fundamental as basketball

backboards.

Sporting facilities are not optional addons to education; they are essential components of student development, physical health, discipline, teamwork and youth engagement. President’s College has long exemplified that philosophy through its consistent investment in sport and holistic student growth. When such an institution is left unsupported, it sends a dangerous message, that school sport is expendable, that maintenance is optional, and that institutions must fend for themselves once the ceremonial speeches are done. The responsibility for addressing this matter rests squarely with the Government, through the

Rawle Toney appropriate ministries.

Immediate steps must be taken to replace the damaged backboards and ensure that President’s College has safe, functional facilities for its students and athletes. Allowing a premier secondary school to publicly seek donations for routine maintenance reflects poorly on those entrusted with overseeing education and sport in this country.

This issue should never have reached the stage of a Facebook appeal. It must be r e c t i f i e d u rg e n t l y, decisively, and without excuses.

Nyron Barrow left footer peg Chase Academic back in the game in the 60th minute setting up a superb 3-2 win over Kingston College.

10-man Chase stun Kingston College with dramatic comeback victory - KFC Int’l Goodwill Football poised for exciting finish as Day three concludes rts o p S

Guyana’s Chess stars recently received their respective awards following a brilliant 2025 IGG.

Chess Stars receive awards following successful IGG Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.