Kaieteur News

Exxon seeking insurance broker for unapproved 8th oil project

The fourth Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel ‘One Guyana’.

...as questions persist over oil spill compensation

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), operator of the Stabroek Block, has begun searching for an insurance broker for its proposed Longtail development. Its eighth offshore oil and gas project—even though the venture has not yet receivedgovernmentapproval.

Longtail, which is expected to focus on non-associated gas productionandnearbyresources,is projected to produce 250,000 barrels of condensate per day and 1.2 billion standard cubic feet of gasdaily

According to a Request For Information (RFI), the company

“seeks detailed technical information from suppliers for meeting EMGL’s bid selection requirements for Insurance Broker –LongtailDevelopmentInsurance Program in Stabroek Block, Guyana.”

Exxonsaiditmayuseresponses to validate and further develop the team’s recommendations for inclusion in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Insurance Broker – Longtail Development InsuranceProgram.

This process it said allows the companytoseekinputanddevelop a list of qualified bidders before structuredbidrulestakeeffect.

The operator was clear that the RFIprocesswillhelpthecompany to identify suppliers who can provide insurance brokerage to EMGL,whichmayincludebutnot belimitedtoConstructionAllRisk (CAR) programme including: “(a) PropertyDamage(PD):AllSubsea, Umbilical, Riser, Flowlines (SURF)relatedassetexposuresand activitiesonaworldwidebasis;(b) Operator’s Extra Expense (OEE) including control of well, redrilling/extra expenses, seepage and pollution, clean up and contamination exposures and (c) General Third-Party Liability (TPL) (including sudden and unforeseen pollution) covering, interalia,liabilitiesarisingfromall Longtail Development exposures onaworldwidebasis.”

Notably, there was no specific mention of compensation in the insurancepackageforGuyaneseor other citizens who may face losses asaresultofanoilspillthatoccurs

at the project Government previously indicated that citizens willbeforcedtogotocourttoseek compensationintheeventofaspill. It was reported that an oil spill that occurs in the Stabroek Block can not only affect Guyana but at least 12 other Caribbean countries aswell.

Insurance experts however explained that while the RFP does not make specific reference to

compensation, this is usually covered under ‘third-party liability’.Additionally,itwasnoted that ‘pollution’ is usually covered under a separate policy rather than included as these impacts can be catastrophic.

Nevertheless, the operator explained that the PD, OEE and TPL coverages will cover three distinct coverage periods and additionally Maintenance Period (12months),andDiscoveryPeriod (12 months), all subject to the terms,conditionsandexclusionsto beagreedupon.

Exxon pointed out that insurancemustbeprocuredfroman Insurance Company or Companies with “long term unsecured obligations rated at least ‘A-’ by Standard & Poor’s, ‘A3’ by Moody’sInvestor’sService,or‘A-’ Continued on page 9

Govt. defends Exxon and partners bagging five times more profits than Guyana

...says 50% share applies to profit oil after cost recovery instead of “total production, total revenue, or the companies’ reported financial profits.”

The Government of Guyana (GoG) through the

Ministry of Natural Resources on Tuesday explained how the Stabroek Block partners recorded US2.5B in 2025, although the 2016 oil contract allocates a greater share of revenuestothecountry

The fiscal terms mean that Guyana’s profits should exceed that of the partners, yet the three companies recorded five times the revenue that flowed into the country’s oil account in 2025.

Financial statements filed however revealed that Exxonrecordedastaggering US$6B in profit before taxes, while its partners, Hess and CNOOC earned US$4B and US$2 5B respectively- some five times the US$2 5B that flowed into Guyana’s accountthatyear Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat acknowledged the public concernsstemmingfromthe profits reported by the

c

petroleumrevenuesreceived

bytheState. He explained, “Such

understood within the legal and economic framework of the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement.”

B

ed that Guyana does not receive 50% of gross revenue, nor 50% of the companies’ accounting profits. Instead, theministernotedthatunder the PSA, the State first receives 2% royalty on petroleumproducedandsold after which the contractor is

AccusedinBerbiceAK-47

bustgranted$1Millionbail

Stephen Rajah, 33, who was remanded for his involvement in theAK-47s found in Berbice,hasnowbeengrantedbailtothetune of$1million.

BailwassuccessfullysecuredbyRajah’s attorney, Charandass Persaud at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Monday ThisisRajah’ssecondcourtappearance,his firstbeingonMay28,2026.

In his application for bail, Persaud pointedoutthathisclientwasnotfoundwith any gun in his possession, nor were any fingerprints of his found traceable to the weapons. The police, he suggested, seem to be“fishing,”addingthattheranksdidnotsee Rajah stop and dump anything. The lawyer explained that his client was acting in his professionalcapacityasataxidriverwhowas hired to deliver a package. He also argued that his client has a stable job and is not a flight-risk.

Theprosecutionmaintaineditsobjection to bail on several grounds established at the previous session, arguing that the accused was flight-risk,and also asked that the court considerthetypeofweaponsinvolvedinthe matter The prosecution, joined by Ms. Kooblall from the Police Legal Advisor’s Office,alsohighlightedanelaboratescheme between Rajah and others to smuggle weaponsintoGuyana.

At the commencement of the matter, Rajah was without legal representation. He nonetheless submitted a not guilty plea, and wasremandedtoprisonlatelastmonth.

Though being granted bail on Monday, theprosecutionrequestedthatRajahreportto the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Georgetown, which waswithoutobjectionfromhislawyer ReportsconfirmedthatonMay22,2026, 10AK-47rifleswerefoundbypoliceatNo. 11Village,EastBankBerbice.Theweapons werewrappedinplasticandcloth.

Rajah, a taxi driver, was detained as part of a stop-and-search exercise conducted by ranks at the Berbice BridgeAccess Road in Palmyra, but reportedly sped away from the

Steven Rajah, granted bail at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court

ranks. He was subsequently nabbed at Nabaclis,EastCoastDemeraraandarrested. Hewasformallychargedwithpossession offirearmswithoutlicense.

The Goed Fortuin Village, West Bank Demerararesident,isoneoffourmensought by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). He was thefirstsuspecttobehauledinbypolice,as he was arrested on the same day of the discovery Within weeks, police would have further success in the case, when two other men turned themselves over at the CID headquarterswiththeirlawyer

Wanted notices were published for 33year-old Antonio Alonzo Lawrie, of Farm Village, East Bank Demerara, 21-year-old Gregory Persaud, and Ryan Singh called ‘Satan’, of Parika, East Bank Essequibo. LawrieandPersaudarepresentlyincustody, whileSinghremainsontherun.

As per the prosecution’s request, MagistrateMatthiasorderedthathereportto theCIDeveryFridayat9:00ampendingthe outcome of the matter.The matter continues onJune22,2026.

then allowed to recover approved exploration, development and operating costs,upto75%monthly As such, Bharrat explained that the remaining balance, known as ‘profit oil’, is divided equally between Guyana and the contractor group.

“Therefore, where the full cost-recovery ceiling is applied, Guyana’s direct c a s h r e c e i p t i s approximately 14.5 percent of gross revenue: 12 5% from its share of profit oil and 2% from royalty,” the ministersaid.

He pointed out that this does not mean Guyana has been denied its 50% share; rather, the 50% share appliesspecificallytoprofit oil after cost recovery insteadof“totalproduction, total revenue, or the companies’ reported financialprofits ”

Further,heexplained,“It is also important to distinguish between “profit oil” under the PSA and the accounting profits reported by the companies in their financialstatements.”

Assuch,Bharratpointed

to the reason Guyana’s profits only amounted to US$2 5B versus the companies’ US$12 5B “Corporate profits are calculated under accounting rules and may reflect revenues, depreciation, financing structures, tax treatment and other corporate adjustments, w h e r e a s G u y a n a ’s petroleum receipts represent the cash revenues due to the State under the PSA and deposited into the Natural Resource Fund,” according totheminister

Additionally, Bharrat notedthatcostoilshouldnot bemistakenforprofit,asthis representsreimbursementof approved investments incurredtodiscover,develop and produce the petroleum resources.

He said that these

recoverable sums will decline overtime, with a greater share of production expectedtoberecognizedas profitoil,therebyincreasing Guyanashare.

In the meantime, he said “Government remains firm in ensuring that every dollar due to the country is received, that all costrecovery claims are rigorously audited, and that petroleum revenues are transparently managed and responsibly invested for nationaldevelopment.” He said that government acknowledges that the 2016 Stabroek PSA is a “legacy agreement”,whichtriggered the strengthening of fiscal terms, including higher royalties, lower c

nd corporate taxation in future petroleumagreements.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Sexual offences

Therapeofa26-year-oldwomaninWestBankBerbicelast weekisoneofthosecrimesthatshouldmakeeverydecentcitizen angry.According to the victim's account, she was asleep in her homewithheryoungdaughterwhenherbrother-in-lawallegedly entered,grabbedherbythethroat,threatenedtokillbothmother andchild,andthenrapedher

Duringtheordeal,theterrifiedwomanpleadedrepeatedlyfor himtostop.Heignoredher

Afterwards, he reportedly drank a beverage from her refrigerator,boastedaboutenjoyinghimselfandsuggestedthere would be another encounter.The cruelty of the allegations is chilling.Thebrazennessisevenmoredisturbing.Thiswasnota crime committed in a dark alley by a stranger It was allegedly committedbyamanknowntothevictim,insideherownhome,in thepresenceofachildwhowassofrightenedthatshepretended tobeasleepwhilelisteningtothreatsagainsthermother'slife.As Guyanese digest the details of this horrifying case, another national debate is unfolding over government's proposed closed sex offender registry Officials have argued that the names of convicted sex offenders should not be publicly available. The rationale offered ranges from rehabilitation concerns to fears of stigmatisation.

But cases such as this expose the dangerous flaw in that thinking.Asex offender registry exists for one reason above all others:publicprotection.Itisnotintendedtocomfortoffenders. It is not intended to shield reputations. It is not intended to help predatorsavoidthesocialconsequencesoftheiractions.Itexists to provide information that allows citizens to make informed decisionsabouttheirownsafetyandthesafetyoftheirchildren.

Thequestiongovernmentsupportershavefailedtoansweris simple:Whobenefitsfromsecrecy?

Certainlynotvictims.

Certainlynotparents.

Certainlynotcommunities.

When a person is convicted of a serious sexual offence, societyhasalegitimateinterestinknowingwhothatindividualis. Sexual crimes are unlike many other offences.Theyoften leave victimswithlifelongtrauma.Theyfrequentlyinvolvevulnerable persons. Recidivism remains a concern. Families, schools, churches and neighbourhoods deserve the ability to protect themselves.

Imagineaconvictedrapistmovingintoacommunity Undera closed registry, neighbours may never know Parents may never know Single mothers may never know Employers responsible for vulnerable workers may never know Citizens would be expected to trust that the State alone can monitor and manage everyrisk.

Thatisnotrealism.Thatiswishfulthinking.

Thecurrentcontroversyhasexposedatroublingphilosophy: thattheprivacyofconvictedsexualpredatorsshouldsometimes outweighthepublic'srighttoknow Thatpositionturnsjusticeon itshead.

Whatabouttheprivacyofvictimswhoselivesareshattered?

What about the freedom of women who must constantly assessthreatsintheirsurroundings?

Whatabouttherightofparentstoknowwhetheraconvicted predatorlivesneartheroutetheirchildrenwalktoschool?

Aclosed registry effectively transfers risk from offenders to thepublic.Itshieldstheidentitiesofthosewhocommittedgrave violationswhileleavingordinarycitizensuninformed.Nooneis suggesting vigilantism. No one is suggesting mob justice. Convictedoffenderswhohaveservedtheirsentencesretainlegal rights. But the public also has rights—particularly the right to informationnecessaryforpersonalsafety.ThewomaninBerbice willcarrythescarsofthisallegedattacklongafterheadlinesfade. Herdaughterwilllikelyrememberthatnightforyears.Countless othervictimsacrossGuyanahavesimilarstories,someevenmore horrific. It is therefore astonishing that, at a time when sexual violence remains a major national concern, policymakers are contemplatingasystemthatconcealstheidentitiesofconvicted sex offenders from the very people who need that information most.TheState'sresponsibilityisfirstandforemosttoprotectthe innocent.Aregistryhiddenfrompublicviewdoesnotprotectthe innocent. It protects information. And when information about convictedsexualpredatorsishidden,thepeopleleftexposedare ordinary citizens. A society that keeps rapists secret is not standing with victims. It is standing between victims and the knowledgetheyneedtoprotectthemselves.

The board of a State Development Bank must reflect a broad cross-section of

DearEditor, Guyanastandstodayatadangerous crossroads. On one hand, we boast of unprecedented wealth, fuelled by oil revenues and evidenced by a recordbreaking G$1 558 trillion national budget in 2026, with promises of a multi-trillion-dollar economy on the horizon. On the other hand, we are witnessingthecontinuedentrenchment of exclusionary politics that shut out large sections of our population from meaningful participation in the affairs of the State. It is a contradiction that should concern every citizen, for national prosperity means little when large sections of the nation are excludedfromthedecisionsthatshape theirfuture.

Thiscultureofexclusionisevident inthestrainedrelationshipbetweenthe government and the opposition, between the government and sections of civil society, and even between the oppositionandsectionsofcivilsociety This behaviour goes against the fundamental principle that both government and opposition are maintained by the taxes of all Guyanese and entrusted with the responsibility to represent the people, regardlessofpoliticalaffiliation,while collectively protecting and advancing the interests and well-being of the nation.

We are witnessing a situation

Guyanese society

where, too often, political loyalty is rewarded while dissenting voices are ignored.Thisexclusionaryapproachis reflected in the composition of commissions, state boards, public bodies and the denial of state funding. If left unchecked, it risks becoming entrenched in the proposed stateowned Development Bank, transformingwhatshouldbeanational institution into yet another instrument ofpartisancontrol.

We cannot continue on this selfdestructive path According to GECOM's last declaration, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)wasallocatedhalfofthevotes cast,thecombinedoppositiontheother half, and more than a quarter of the voting population did not vote and stayed at home. These are facts that mustnolongerbeignored.

Equally important is the fact that the PPP/C was not allocated unanimoussupport,norwasitgranted sole ownership or exclusive control of thenation.

Guyana's system of representative democracy is built on proportional representation, where political power is allocated according to the votes received and where all significant voices in society are entitled to representation.

The election results therefore conferred upon the PPP/C the

responsibility to govern, but not the authoritytogovernasthoughtheother half of the electorate, or those who abstained from voting, do not matter To behave otherwise is to misunderstand both the spirit of democracy and the obligations that comewithpoliticaloffice.

For years, Guyana has operated under a political culture where a parliamentarymajorityisoftentreated as a licence to govern without consultation,withoutcompromise,and without regard for the concerns of those who did not vote for the governmentoftheday

But our Constitution does not envision such a system. Article 13 speaks clearly to an inclusionary democracy—one in which citizens participate in the management and decision-makingprocessesoftheState and where governance reflects the interests of all the people, not merely thosealignedwiththerulingparty But thisisnothappening.

Citizens are expressing their concerns.Civilsocietyisexpressingits concerns Political leaders are expressing their concerns. There is a growingfeelingacrossthiscountrythat decisions are being made by a narrow groupofindividualswhilethevoicesof workers, pensioners, the young, and ordinarypeople

(Continuedonpage6)

AG Chambers setting unprecedented standards and keeping comity

DearEditor,

It is most pleasing to learn that Guyana's Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, recently, in a most formal manner, presented 'updated' copies of the revised Laws of Guyana to His Excellency,PresidentMohamedIrfaan Ali, and Honourable Prime Minister, Mark Phillips. As was pointed out in the press, this marked a 'major' step in themodernizationandconsolidationof thecountry'slegalframework.

First a word on this event, as too many are wont to treat it with a silly levity I emphasize therefore that countries'mustcontinuouslyupdateits legalframework.’

Thisistoadaptto,andevenadopt where necessary, the relentless 'evolving' technology, shifting social values and mores, and for sure, the almostdailychangingglobalstandards weareimmersedin.

Any lassitude then can lead to a country's economy becoming stagnant, its laws, if not obsolete and irrelevant,atleasttobeingnon-tenable, leaving the particular state to being susceptible and most ill-equipped to handle the plethora of modern challenges.

Theflipsideisthatwhencountries continually update their legal frameworks,itprotects,evenasitleads to an economy that is typically advancing.

I firmly state that what the AG is involvedin(astypifiedinthevolumes

he presented) is that he is bringing Guyanaincollimationwithplaceslike the European Union Australia, Germany, and the UAE, as these countries consistently modernize their lawstokeeppacewithglobalchanges intechnology,datasecurity,andhuman rights.Let'srememberthatGuyanahas to frequently amend laws to govern emerging modern technologies, environmentalstewardship,andsocioeconomic shifts. Some key areas are always demanding legislative reformAI governance, climate change, gigeconomy, employment standards, and dataprivacy

Encomiums then are most deservedly heaped upon the Attorney General and his chambers for being in tandem with reality, and for not allowing Guyana to slumber towards irrelevance.

Iaddasecondwordanditisthatto be in comity and on par with voluminous and continuous legal reforms is a perennially arduous challenge, all because of the massive volumeofnewlegislations,regulatory changes, and shifting case laws. The ongoing relentless global evolution just seems to manufacture significant compliance risks, operational inefficiencies,anduncertaintyforlegal professionals and everyday citizens alike. Navigating this ever-changing legal landscape effectively requires structured systems and targeted approaches. In others words, this calls for legal perspicuity, assiduity and

almostomni-awareness.

For example, just consider what was achieved (please)? It is that “The revised compilation consists of 19 volumes, along with an index and a chronological table of enactments dating back to 1831 the laws have been revised and updated to reflect legislationinforceuptoDecember31, 2022.”Letthatsoakin.

And as per the report in the press, “… the Attorney General's Chambers explainedthattheupdatedcollectionis expected to improve access to Guyana's legal system for legal professionals, public institutions, businesses, and members of the public.” And as expected, and as I intimated,thiskindofworkisongoing, andsoonthelawswillbeelectronically accessible through a user-friendly digital format, a move aimed at increasing public access and improvinglegalresearchcapabilities.” Andweneedthissomuch! I need not go on but just to encouragethepublic,thataccordingto theAG, the revised laws, the recently launched Law Reports of Guyana, covering the years 2008 to 2021, will soon be available for purchase also thatthislegalbestowalofthevolumes forms part of broader efforts to modernize Guyana's legal infrastructure and improve the accessibilityoflegalinformation.”

After all, Readers, Guyana's legal framework

(Continuedonpage6)

REMEMBERING MAY 1964 WITH HONESTY, BALANCE & RESPECT FOR THE HISTORICAL RECORD

DearEditor,

In my statement of June 7, 2026, on the disturbances of May 1964 at Wismar and theSonChapmantragedyof July6,1964,Istatedthatour responsibility is not merely to remember the past but to understandithonestly

The events of the 1960s remain among the most painfulchaptersinGuyana's history If we are to honour thosewhosufferedandthose wholosttheirlives,wemust beguidedbyfacts,evidence, andasincerecommitmentto historicaltruth.

Over a year ago, before issuing that statement last

Sunday, I had the opportunity to engage

Professor Baytoram

Ramharack and Mr Malcolm Harripaul in a thoughtful discussion on the events that shaped our countryduringthatturbulent

p e r i o d . P r o f e s s o r Ramharack observed that public attention is often focusedontheSonChapman

tragedy while the disturbances in Wismar,

Christianburg, and Mackenzie in May 1964 are frequently overlooked. He advanced the position that those events should also form part of any honest discussionofourhistory

I accepted that

observation without hesitation.

The discussion was arranged by Mr Harripaul, whose commitment to preserving the historical recordwasmadeknown.We met at Hymara Park overlooking the Demerara River It was a respectful exchange grounded in a

shared interest in understandingthepast.

Professor Ramharack indicated that the discussion would assist with his forthcomingbook.Irecently observed the launch of that work and intend to read it, not only because I enjoy reading, but because any serious contribution to Linden's history deserves careful examination. I am particularly interested in understanding how Professor Ramharack reconcilesthefindingsofthe official Commission of Inquiry with his decision to title his book “The Wismar Massacre: A Case of Ethnic Cleansing Of Indians In Guyana”. Especially, given hisacknowledgementduring our discussion that the incidents at Wismar in May could not be classified as a massacre.

Iwillalsobeinterestedin seeing how the modern concept of "ethnic cleansing" is applied to eventsthatoccurreddecades before that term entered common international politicalandlegaldiscourse. A phrase that gained prominence during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s,particularlyinBosnia andHerzegovina.

Scholars are entitled to advance interpretations, but those interpretations must ultimately contend with the historicalrecord.

AsRegionalChairman,I supported the establishment of a memorial site recognizing those who suffered in the bombing of the Son Chapman. Later, as

Mayor,Icontinuedeffortsto ensure that commemorative activities were observed at that site Those actions reflectedasimplebeliefthat every community has a r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o acknowledge the difficult moments of its history, regardless of how uncomfortabletheymaybe.

Thepeoplewhosuffered during the disturbances of May 1964 deserve to be remembered. The families who experienced loss deserve recognition. Their place in our history should never be ignored, diminished,orforgotten.

At the same time, we have an equally important responsibility to ensure that history is presented accuratelyandinaccordance with the established record whileworkingtoensurethat theyareneverrepeated.

Professor Ramharack

has noted that the Commission recorded evidence of attacks, displacement, destruction of property, and serious acts of violence. That is true. The Commissionheardextensive t e s t i m o n y f r o m eyewitnesses and affected residents. The matters now being advanced were not hidden from the inquiry

Theywereamongtheissues placed before the Commissioners, who examined the evidence, weighed the testimony and producedtheirfindings.

It is therefore important to return to what the Commission actually established.

The factual record concerning the fatalities of May 1964 drawing directly from the Commission's findings in CHAPTER 4ACCOUNT OF NUMBER OF DEATHS, EXTENT OF INJURIES, LOSS AND DAMAGE Section (a) Deaths, notes that Richard Khan and Paul Mirgin died on May 25, 1964; Gussie Englishwasshotanddiedon the same day while Isaac Bridgewater was killed on May28;andByronWharton died from severe burns sustained when he became trapped in a burning building.

The significance of this observation is not to diminishthesufferingofany individual, family or community Rather, it underscores the importance of grounding public d i s c u s s i o n i n t h e documented findings of the CommissionofInquiry

The deaths of Richard

Khan, Paul Mirgin, Isaac Bridgewater, Byron Wharton, and Gussie English represent a tragic loss of life. They should be remembered with dignity and respect. Their stories r

Guyanese of different backgrounds and that any honest assessment of those events must be informed by t

Commission. A point made by Leader of the People's National Congress Reform, Mr Aubrey Norton, in a letter,hewroteonthe10thof June.

The Commission documented the events in detail.Itidentifiedthosewho died, recorded the dates and circumstances of their deaths, and examined the violence, destruction, displacement, and suffering thatoccurred.

These findings were not abstract.Theywerebasedon sworn testimony and evidence presented before theinquiry

Importantly, the Commission situated the events within a broader context of civil disturbance marked by political and racial tensions It

documenteddeaths,injuries, destruction of property, and displacement. It condemned t h e v i o l e n c e a n d acknowledged the trauma inflicted upon innocent people.

However, it did not classify the events as a massacre,nordiditconclude that they constituted what is today described as ethnic cleansing.

Thatdistinctionmatters.

R

minimize suffering It preservestheintegrityofthe historicalrecord.

The pain experienced by those who lost homes, livelihoods, loved ones, and a sense of security was real. Thedisplacementoffamilies was real. The fear that gripped communities was real.Noneofthisshouldever bedenied.

But neither should history be reconstructed on thebasisofemotionalone.

Facts matter Evidence matters The findings of officialinquiriesmatter

When one examines Guyana during the early 1960s, it becomes clear that t h e c o u n t r y w a s experiencing widespread instability The years 1962, (Continuedonpage6)

How UN Secretary-General is Selected and Guyana's Prospect for top job

DearEditor,

President Irfaan Ali has n

Caroyn Rodrigues Birkett for the United Nations Secretary General (SG) position which becomes vacant on January 1; the election (selection or appointment) takes place monthsbeforethatdate.

The vacancy has been advertised (letter signed from the President of the Security Council and the President of General Assembly sent out to memberstatestonominatea candidate) The position normally goes to a very senior diplomat or foreign minister or (former) head of government (state) with many years of experience in foreign affairs or governance. Anationalfrom one of the five permanent members (Russia, America, France, UK, China) of the

SecurityCouncil(SC)isnot qualified for the position. The position rotates by region – Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America and Caribbean It is Latin America's turn to hold the position So Guyana's nominee is qualified. The last and only time a Latino held the position was Javier PerezdeCuellarofPeru.The term for SG is five years.

Generally,theSGservestwo terms. Ms. Birket has met severalofthecriteriaforthe position Can Guyana's nominee overcome several insurmountable challenges?

Sir Shridat Surendranath

Ramphal's name made the roundoverfourdecadesago (1981) but was rejected in favor of Javier Perez; Ramphal was amply qualifiedfortheposition.

A successful nominee must be acceptable by the fivepermanentmembers(P-

5) of the Security Council (SC)whichalsohastennonpermanentmembers(NPM). The NPM rotates every two years. OfthetenNPM,one isreservedforLatinAmerica and one for the Caribbean. GuyanaservedasNPMfrom Jan1,2024toDec31,2025. Trinidad and Tobago has been elected as NPM from Jan1.Aminimumofnineis required for the SG job. At least four of the NPM must support a nominee for SG plustheP5.CanMs.Birkett winoverallP5?

Countries usually lobbiedothernationstoback theircandidate.Itisunlikely that the Caribbean will

competition will come from Latin American nations Willtheyputupanominee?

A Peruvian previously served as SG; so it is out of contentionalthoughitisfree

AG Chambers setting unprecedented...

Frompage4 must continue to undergo modernization to support its rapid economic transformation and energy boom. Sweeping legislative updates across corporate law, civil procedures,andtheenergysectorwillmake the country's business climate far more robust and accountable Mohabir Anil NandlallSC,MP,astheleadingfigurewhois spearheadingthismodernizationofGuyana's legal framework must continue to drive this massivelegislativeoverhaul,sothatGuyana will be aligned with the needs of a rapidly transforming,multi-billion-dollaroilandgas economy He must keep updating in areas such as modernizing business laws, labor codes, or environmental regulations. These are necessary to drive economic growth, attract foreign investment, and improve societalwell-being.

Nandlall,Iremindallcanbetrusted,ashe has been the central figure in major constitutionalandpubliclawcases.Hislegal advocacy was panegyrically recognised and by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) during the pivotal 2020 election challenges. We honour his pivotal role in drafting and passing many pieces of critical, modern

modernization of the Arbitration Act, antimoney laundering (AML) legislation, and health-related legal frameworks to accommodate Guyana's rapid economic development.

Editor, “If we desire respect for the law, wemustfirstmakethelawrespectable.”That is, it must be relevant and robust in its time andplace.

Yourstruly, HargeshB.Singh

REMEMBERING MAY 1964...

Frompage5

1963, and 1964 were marked by labour unrest,politicalconfrontation,violence,and destruction across multiple regions. The disturbances in Wismar, Christianburg, and Mackenzieformedpartofthatwidernational crisis.Understanding this broader context doesnotlessenthegravityofwhatoccurred. Itallowsustounderstanditmorecompletely As we move closer to July 6, our responsibilityisnottocompeteovertragedy or elevate one community's suffering above another.The victims of May 1964 deserve remembrance. The victims of the Son Chapman tragedy deserve remembrance. Arthur Abraham and his seven children deserve remembrance.The many victims of violence throughout Guyana during that era deserveremembrance.

We must rise above partisan interpretations and narrow political narratives We must adopt a national approach to our history, one that recognizes suffering wherever it occurred and acknowledges grief regardless of who experiencedit.Historyisnotstrengthenedby selective memory, nor is reconciliation advanced by attempts to rewrite established facts.Those who seek to revisit history are

to put up a nominee. Other nations like Brazil and Argentina or even Mexico maymakeanomination.

PresidentAli's challenge will be to convince Latin rulers to support Guyana's nominee. Will they back Ms.Birkett?

Latin nations generally want someone who can communicateinSpanishand theBrazilianswantsomeone who can communicate in Portuguese.

Among the P5, France generally wants a person who speaks French. Many Europeans are multi-lingual – if they know Latin, they generally speak French, Spanish,Portuguese,Italian, among other languages Candidates must publish their CV (education, language ability, experience in governance and diplomacy, and vision statements, etc.) They also must also resign from any UN posts to avoid conflicts of interest Serving as Guyana'sAmbassadoratthe

UN is not a conflict of interest but serving in a position a committee position could be seen as a conflict.

Theselectiontakesplace behind closed doors and usuallytakesseveralmonths and many straw polls to selectsomeoneacceptableto all five of the P5; the ten NPM rarely ever oppose a nominee from their country or one whose country is in good relations with them.

The voting use color-coded ballotssootherP5canseeif any member objects; a “no” from any P5 ends the candidacy of a nominee.

There is a move for total secret ballots among the P5 so that no one knows which country vetoes a nominee.

Because of the history of relations with Guyana, it is unlikelythatChinaorRussia will veto the Guyanese nominee. Franceistryingto court Guyana; it is indetermined how it will vote on Birkett. It is also uncertain whether USA and

UK will vote for Guyana's nominee After several rounds of voting in the SC and vetting, one candidate emerges; the name is sent to the 193 members GA for approval It is usually accepted by acclamation, meaning all members support it with an applause ratherthanarollcall.

There's a growing momentum for a woman to lead the UN. Diplomats say that after eight decades and ninemen,diplomatsfeelitis timeforgenderequalityand representation of women who constitute half of the world's population Prominent female leaders are demanding that the next SG be a female. This brightens the prospect for Birkett The name of Barbados PM Mia Mottley has been making the round; butshewillbeopposedbyat least two P5. Argentina and Brazilislikelytonominatea femaleeach.

Yourstruly VishnuBisram

The board of a State Development Bank...

Frompage4 are being ignored This approach to governance breeds mistrust, division, and alienation.

This is why the proposal for the stateownedDevelopmentBankmustbesubjected to greater scrutiny This is not a matter of whetherGuyananeedssuchabank,because we do. It is a matter of who will control it, whowillsitonitsboard,andwhoseinterests itwillultimatelyserve.Forme,andformany others, it must serve the interests of all the people.

interventionofapoliticiantosecurealoan,or where economic opportunity is filtered through partisan considerations.That would be a betrayal of the very purpose of a developmentbank.

entitled to do so. Scholars should question, researchers should investigate, and citizens should inquire. But, where interpretations departfromestablishedfindings,theyshould expectthoseinterpretationstobechallenged withevidence,facts,andhistory

My commitment remains focused on ensuring that the history of Linden and its people is preserved, understood, and presentedinitspropercontext.Thatrequires honesty about suffering, respect for all victims, and discipline in how we describe theeventsthatshapedournation.

We owe that responsibility to those who livedthroughthoseeventstothosewholost their lives and to future generations who deserve an accurate understanding of their past.In Part Three, I will turn to the Son Chapman tragedy itself, drawing on the findings of the inquest and official investigationstoexaminewhatthoserecords reveal about one of the most tragic and definingmomentsinournationalhistory

Thetruthofourhistoryisnotdiminished bycarefulexamination.Itisstrengthenedby it

Sincerely

Hon.K.SharmaSolomon MemberofParliament

The resources that will capitalise this institution do not belong to the government. Theydonotbelongtoapoliticalparty They belong to the people of Guyana. Every farmer, every worker, every small business owner, every young entrepreneur, and every taxpayer has a stake in how these resources aremanaged.Forthatreason,thegovernance structure of the bank must inspire public confidence.Unfortunately, confidence is in shortsupplyinasocietywheremanyofthose placed in positions of authority behave as thoughtheonlyopinionsthatmatteraretheir own or those of their political bosses. Such arrogancehascreatedawideningtrustdeficit between public institutions and the wider society Ignoringthatrealitywillonlydeepen existing divisions and reinforce the perception that too many institutions serve politicalinterestsratherthanthepeoplethey werecreatedtoserve.

The board of a State Development Bank must therefore reflect a broad cross-section of Guyanese society It must not become another institution controlled by political loyalists Representation should extend beyond government appointees to include voicesfromtheopposition,labour,business, professionalbodies,andothersectorsofcivil society Transparency, accountability, competence, and public trust must be the guidingprinciples.

The people of Guyana should never find themselves in a position where access to development financing depends on political connections, where citizens must seek the

This country belongs to all of us, not to politicians The Constitution itself recognisesthisreality Itprovidesforshared responsibility in governance and acknowledges the role of the Leader of the Opposition within the Executive framework of the State, and organisations such as trade unions at the decision-making table as outlinedinArticle149C.Wearenotrequired toagreeoneverything,butwearerequiredto engageeachother,torespecteachother,and to work towards outcomes that serve the nationalinterest.

The time has come to move beyond the politics of exclusion and domination. The time has come to make Article 13 a living reality rather than a constitutional ornament quotedonlywhenconvenient.Ithereforecall on the Opposition to mobilise the wider forces of the nation labour, business, religious organisations, professional bodies, community groups, and all citizens committed to democracy—to demand a system of governance that reflects the spirit andletterofourConstitution.Forwherethe regimeignorestheotherhalfofsociety,itis your duty and responsibility, together with the people, to resist such exclusion and compel adherence to the principles of inclusionarydemocracy.

Thisisnotmerelyabankingissue.Itisa political issue that requires political leadership.Halfofthisnationcannotbeshut out of a trillion-dollar economy Such exclusion is not only immoral and unjust; it violatestherightsofcitizensandundermines the constitutional obligation to govern in an inclusionarymanner IfGuyana'swealthisto become a blessing rather than a source of deeperdivision,thenallthepeoplemusthave aseatatthetable.

Themomentforactionisnow

Regards

LincolnLewis

Venezuelannationalremandedover23AK-47s

A 2 7 - y e a r - o l d

Venezuelan national was on Monday remanded to prison after being charged in connection with the discoveryof23AK-47rifles and a matching quantity of ammunition at Schoonord, WestBankDemerara.

Jonathan David Gans, a constructionworkerofGreat

Diamond, East Bank Demerara,waschargedwith possession of a firearm and ammunitionwithoutlicence. He pleaded not guilty

Gans was arrested on

Thursday June 11, at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara.Hewasarraigned before Magistrate Rondell

Weever at the Wales Magistrate’s Court, where the charges of Possession of Firearm Without Licence

a n d P o s s e s s i o n o f

Ammunition Without

Licence contrary to Section 16(2)(a)oftheFirearmsAct, Chapter 16:05 were read to him The matter was adjournedto14thJuly,2026. Thursday’s bust, was made by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) when they

intercepted a vehicle along the West Bank of Demerara and found the 23 AK-47 rifles along with a matching quantity of ammunition

...as second major weapons bust raises alarm

manufactured in the USA (UnitedStatesofAmerica).” He added that “the serial number for one of them remained intact,” but noted that “however, the other 22 rifles, the serial numbers were obliterated ” The weapons are currently being examinedbyfirearmexperts at the CID Headquarters’ CrimeLab.

Thursday’s discovery also marked the second cache of AK-47 rifles uncovered within a span of just 21 days, raising fresh concerns over the scale of illegal weapons trafficking intothecountry

Toyota Runx #PSS 4272 at Second Street, Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice, suspected to have beenusedintransportingthe firearms.

Police subsequently issued wanted bulletins for two more men, Gregory PersaudandAntonioAlonzo Lawrie, in connection with the same case Both men latersurrenderedtopolice.

A

inside. Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum told Kaieteur NewsonFridayeveningthat “the weapons were

The first cache ten AK-47 rifles — was found on May 22 along the No. 11 Village Public Road in Berbice.Accordingtopolice, ranks conducting a stop-andsearch exercise along the Berbice River BridgeAccess Road between 01:00hrs and 04:30hrs intercepted a black Toyota Fielder Wagon bearing registration number HC 9018 Acting on

APNU warns of fraud and weak oversight Contractors handed over $1B in overpayment in 2024

-

The 2025 Auditor

General’s Report has uncoveredmorethan$1Bin overpaymentstocontractors,

e x p o s i n g s e r i o u s weaknesses in government oversight, procurement systems and financial management, according to A P N U M e m b e r o f Parliament Dr Terrence Campbell.

Speaking during his party’s press conference, Campbell explained that the report revealed several significant weaknesses in economic management,

r e c o r d k e e p i n g , procurement, oversight and accountability It also highlighted several cases of missing documents, overpayments, poor controls, non-compliance with regulations, and transactions which had no explanation,hesaid.

According to Campbell, this represents an elevated risk of fraud, corruption, mismanagementandwaste.

“The auditors found overpayments totaling

G$1 011B across 86 contracts administered by ministriesandregions.These overpayments occurred on

measured works where contractors received more money than the value of work completed This amounts to a waste of your taxpayers’ money and less moneybenefitsthepeopleof Guyana,”hesaid.

Dr Campbellpointedout that the breakdown shows that in ministries and departments there were overpayments of G$902M across 37 contracts, while in the Regional Democratic Councils it was G$109.99M across 49 contracts. “These are extremely large overpayments and occur because of weak contract supervision, collusion and insufficient verification before payments are handed out,” the APNU front benchersaid.

The MP noted that these are opportunities for procurement fraud and corruption which prompted the Auditor General to call for training on common procurement fraud schemes and contract management because of recurring issues inthisarea.

“Auditorswereunableto examine 120 payment v o u c h e r s t o t a l i n g

available Major entities involved in withholding documentsweretheMinistry of Human Services and S o c i a l S e c u r i t y :

G$693 132M, Region #3: G$127 838M and Region #10:G$56.316M.Thereport states, “it could not be ascertained whether value was received for the sums involved, and whether the funds were used for the purposes intended,” he added.

Another Member of Parliament for the party GaneshMahipauladdinghis

voice to the discussion explained exactly how the overpayments happen Explainingthatyearsagothe Public Accounts Committee (PAC) established that it is because of engineers and technical officers sitting in theirofficesandnotventuring out to measure the work completedtoseeifitmatches what the contractor claims beforepaymentisissued.

He noted that according toproperprocedures,whena contract is awarded to a contractororcompany,asthe worksprogresstheengineers shouldbevisitingtomeasure whatwasdone.

“ s o w h e n t h e contractor receives that first sum…whentheyreceivethat advance payment of the mobilisation sum, which shouldnotexceed15to20% of the contract sum, as they progress, the engineer goes and measure and pay for workthatis,they’repaidfor total measured work Anytime the auditor general engineers go out and find over payments, it’s because theworkswerenotmeasured by the engineer, or if it was measured, it was incorrectly measured,”hesaid.

information gathered, ranks then searched the No 11 Village Public Road area, wheretheyfoundtenAK-47 rifleswrappedinplasticand cloth.

Examination of the firearms revealed markings consistent with 7.62x39mm rifles, and sections appeared to have been tampered with, apparently in an effort to obscuretheserialnumbers.

Investigations led police to identify the driver of motorcar #HC 9018 as 33year-old taxi driver Stephen RajahofGoedFortuin,West Bank Demerara He was laterinterceptedatNabaclis, East Coast Demerara, in the same vehicle, arrested, charged and remanded to prison. He was released on bailyesterday

D u r i n g t h a t investigation, police also discovered an abandoned

surrender, the GPF issued a statement confirming that a search was conducted on Friday, 5th June, 2026, at approximately 17:00hrs in Farm, East Bank Demerara. According to the statement, “during a search at the residence of a 21-year-old washbayattendantofFarm, New Housing Scheme, East B

, suspected to be for a 9mm firearm, was found in a

bedroom.”

The 21-year-old was arrested and questioned in connection with the find Followingthisdevelopment, p

y received legal advice to charge Persaud and Lawrie with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Persaud was additionally charged with illegal possession of firearms Both men have since been remanded to prison.

Jonathan David Gans

The 23 AK-47 rifles and matching ammunition that were seized.

APNU, MP, Dr. Terrence Campbell

CanadianfirmstrikesoverUS$1Mdealtoacquire secondgoldpropertyinGuyana’sboomingOkodistrict

Canadian exploration company Lighthouse Gold Corp. has signed a deal valued at more than US$1M to acquire a second gold property in Region Seven, deepeningitsfootprintinone of Guyana’s fastest-growing miningdistricts.

The binding letter of intent(LOI)thatLighthouse enteredintowitha“vendor” istoacquirea100%interest in the Mariwa/SardineHill -

Lower Cuyuni Gold Property which is located within the highly prospective Oko Gold District–anareawhereother Canadian firms are developing large-scale gold projects.

Thepropertyislocatedin the Cuyuni Mining District No.4,northwestGuyanaand covers over 13 square kilometers (km2) The property comprises of three contiguous Mining Permits Medium Scale (MPMS) which provide the holder withtherighttoexploreand develop mineral resources within the permitted areas, subject to applicable regulatory approvals. In addition to the property itself,theLOIincludesa10kilometre area of interest provision, which will provide Lighthouse with the right to acquire certain additionalmineralrightsthat

maybestakedoracquiredby the “vendor” within the surrounding district during thetermoftheagreement.

Lighthousenotedthatthe property is part of a broader mineralised corridor where artisanal gold miners have been actively mining for more than 100 years and a belt that is host to several significant gold deposits

The company outlined that theacquisitionwillrepresent a strategic expansion of its Guyana-focused exploration portfolio and provides the company with exposure to a historically productive gold district situated within the prolific Guiana Shield, one of the world’s premier goldbearing geological provinces.

Will Rascan, Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lighthouse Gold, stated,“TheMariwa/Sardine Hill - Lower Cuyuni acquisition provides Lighthouse with a strategic foothold in one of Guyana’s emerginggolddistricts.”

“Webelievetheproperty hosts favourable geological characteristics for gold mineralisation and offers exploration upside through the application of modern exploration techniques and the reinterpretation of historicaldatasets,”hesaid.

Rascan further noted,

Will Rascan, Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lighthouse Gold

“Management believes the Mariwa/Sardine HillLower Cuyuni Property is well-positioned given its location along a regional mineralised corridor that hosts numerous historical gold occurrences, active mining operations and early advanced-stage exploration projects The company views the acquisition as an opportunity to leverage historical exploration and success while applying modern geological interpretation and targeting techniques across a consolidatedlandposition.”

The terms of the LOI stipulates that the LOI will

definitive agreement; issuance of 35,000,000 common shares of LighthouseGoldwithinfive businessdaysofexecutionof thedefinitiveagreementand annual cash payments of US$200,000 on or before each of the definitive agreement anniversaries over four years, totaling US$800,000.

be superseded and replaced in its entirety by the terms andconditionsofadefinitive agreement between the parties, which will reflect Lighthouse being granted the right to acquire a 100% interest in the property through a combination of cash payments and common shareissuances.

The consideration payable under the definitive agreement will consists of a US$100,000non-refundable cash deposit payable within five business days of execution of the LOI; US$150,000 cash payment payablewithinfivebusiness days of execution of the

Upon completion of the required payments and the share issuance, Lighthouse will earn a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 1.0% Net Smelter Return Royalty (NSR) in favour of the vendor However, the deal allows Lighthouse to repurchase the NSR at any time for US$4M The transaction remains subject tocompletionofsatisfactory duediligence,executionofa definitive agreement, regulatory approvals and acceptance by the Canadian SecuritiesExchange.

A c c o r d i n g t o Lighthouse, historical exploration spans more than three decades on the Mariwa/Sardine Hill gold propertyandhasidentifieda structurally controlled gold system confirmed by shallow drilling across three blocks with significant exploration upside remaining.

Historical exploration

programmes have been conducted by multiple operators since the early 1 9 9 0 s , i n c l u d i n g International Roraima Gold Corp (1994–1997), Newmont (2004), and Guyana Frontier Mining Corp (2011) The 1997 Roraima Summary Report established the Lower Cuyuni prospect as a drillconfirmed gold zone with consistent mineralisation across all three blocks, forming a coherent N-S corridor approximately 1,500metresinstrikelength.

Lighthouse also disclosed that geological, g e o p h y s i c a l a n d geochemical data outline anomaliesandtargetsbothin saprolite and hard rock that have not been tested to date by drilling. However, the company cautioned that historical results have not been independently verified andshouldnotbereliedupon as indicative of future explorationsuccess. For his part, the interim CEOfurtherhighlightedthat the recent move for consolidationintheCuyuniOko region has highlighted the value of district-scale land positions within the GuianaShield.

TheMariwa/SardineHill propertyislocatedwithinan Continued on page 16

The danger of this bank being seized by private interests

In recent discussions

about the proposed Development Bank, one worrying tendency is emerging: arguments are being stretched to the point where they lose analytical grounding and begin to undermine legitimate scrutiny.Oneexampleisthe claim that the success of the bank will depend on hiring trainedcreditprofessionals. There is considerable truth in this assertion about the need to have trained credit professionals. Even small loans require rigorous

a s s e s s m e n t o f creditworthiness,sectorrisk, repayment capacity, fraud

detection, portfol

o diversification, and monitoringsystems.

Indeed, micro-lending institutions across the world often fail not because loans are large, but because they underestimate the sophistication required to manage large numbers of small, unsecured loans. The administrativecomplexityof thousands of small lending decisions can exceed that of fewerlargecorporateloans.

At the same time, however, it is equally important not to allow this staffing argument to crowd out more substantive questions about policy rationale. If the intention of the Development Bank is to provide zero-interest, collateral-freeloanstomicro and small enterprises, then we must ask what about the

microfinance and small businessloanagencies,such as the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED),andcreditunions. There is a legitimate c

ly subsidised lending at scale could distort the market. Microfinance institutions, credit unions, and small commercial lenders operate on thin margins and depend on disciplined repayment cultures. If a state-backed institution enters the same space offering loans at zero inter

st and without collateral requirements, it could unintentionally crowd out these actors. The result may not be an expansion of credit markets, but a substitution of one set of providerswithanother This is not an argument against public lending institutions per se Development banks exist precisely because markets sometimes fail to allocate capital efficiently to productivesmallenterprises. But the design of such

concessionarylendingisnot carefully targeted, timebound, and linked to capacity-building, it can create dependency rather thanentrepreneurship.

Another concern sometimesraisedisthelongt e r mf i s c a l a n d institu t i o n a

r i s k associ ated with large-

DEM BOYS SEH

scale concessional lending. A bank capitalised with a substantial public injection—reportedly in the range of forty billion dollars must maintain strong repayment discipline toremainviable.

If repayment rates are weak, whether due to weak enforcement or overly optimistic lending criteria, the institution could face chronic stress. Over time, suchstressoftenleadstoone of two outcomes: repeated recapitalization by the state, orpressureforrestructuring, including partial or full privatisation.

In many countries, development financial institutions have at times been restructured in ways thatshifttheirbalancesheets and customer bases into the private sector once they b e c o m e v i a b l e o r strategically valuable. It is therefore not unreasonable for citizens to ask what safeguards exist to ensure that a publicly capitalised institution remains aligned with its development mandateovertime.

The presence of a large small-business sector, perhaps on the order of ten thousand does raise an important strategic question as to what gap is the new institution meant to fill? If the argument is that small businesses are underserved, then the design of the bank shouldbeexplicitlyoriented toward complementing,

Only in Guyana

Dem boys seh Guyanese resilience is a scientific mystery that even NASA done give up studying. Other countries got blackouts and people start forming protest. In Guyana? We gat people mekking ' joke andgatdewholenationinstitches.

Just this past weekend, de power company announce on Facebook that there is a blackout in a particular area and they working hard to fix it. Serious business. Technicalfault,engineersontheground,all ofthat.

You would think that everyone affected would be urging the power company to get the lights on quick. After all, this is World Cupfootballseasonandpeoplewantseethe matches.

However, we had one man who had a different opinion Calm like Sunday morning,heslideintothecommentsandbeg thecompany:pleasedon'trushtoturnonde lights.

Demboyssehtheyhadtoreadittwice. Not because of bad grammar—but because ofhigh-levelemotionalstrategy

The man explain that his ex-girlfriend havingbirthdaypartyinthatsamearea.And he politely requesting that the electricity company take their sweet, sweet time. He suggested closer to midnight was a right time.

Only in Guyana you could have a

rather than displacing, existinglenders.

A privately owned development bank, in particular, would have a clear incentive to target this segment because small businesses provide diversified risk, broad customerbases,andscalable lending opportunities. But precisely because of that attractiveness, it is also a segment that must be developedcarefullytoavoid

predatorycompetition.

Ultimately, the most serious concern is not

overqualified or whether loan caps are too small to

secondary issues. The real

institutional integrity, governance safeguards, and long-term alignment with publicpurpose.

The most important safeguard any society can demand is clarity about ownership If the Development Bank is intended as a public instrument for inclusive growth,thenthereshouldbe explicit and transparent commitmentsthatitwillnot be quietly transferred into private hands or repurposed for narrow commercial interests once its balance sheetbecomesattractive.

That is why the central issue that should preoccupy public concern is not the technical exaggerations abouttrainedstaffbutrather the governance architecture that protects the institution's

mandate. The selection of a C

demonstratedcompetencein small business loans is critical So too is the establishment of legal and institutional safeguards that preventthebankfrombeing “flipped” or captured by powerful economic interests once it becomes capital-rich andoperationallystable.

The views expressed in this article are those of the

necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper

Exxon seeking insurance broker...

Frompage2 byAM Best”. It added that EMGLhas the optiontoutilize,andwillissueasubsequent RFI, for a Local Insurance company for the Longtailplacement.Assuch,ifimplemented the Broker will be placing a reinsurance program.

According to the 2021 Local Content Act,ExxonMobilisrequiredtoutilize100% ofGuyaneseservicesforcustomsbrokerage. The Act also states that 100% of local insurance services should be provided by Guyanese Recently, Kaieteur News reported that the President of ExxonMobil, Alistair Routledge said that the US$600M insurance remains stagnant, with the same conditionsremaininginplace.Heexplained, “On insurance we continue to maintain our insurancepoliciesinplaceasrequiredunder

the Environmental Permit and meeting all those obligations, so no change on that front.”

This is particularly concerning since Exxon wholly owns the company that is providing insurance coverage to Guyana as waspreviouslyhighlighted,creatingfurther tensionaboutthefinancialprotectionandits likely availability in the event of a disaster This is also contrary to the requirements outlinedintheLocalContentAct.

Since the startup of oil and gas production in December 2019, Exxon has maintained its subscription to the limited insurance coverage with Ancon Insurance.Between 2019 and 2026, the company’s operations have grown from 120,000barrelsdailytoawhopping920,000 barrelsdaily

national utility company unknowingly becomeasupportingactorinarelationship drama.Imaginepowerengineersfightingto restoreelectricity,whileonecitizenactively lobbyingfor“extendedblackoutservice.

It seemed like de man was making a joke, Guyanese style.And what better way torelieveatensesituationbymakinglightof it.

Dem boys seh this is Guyanese resilience at its finest. In some places, blackoutmeanschaos.InGuyana,blackout means opportunity for jokes and lightheartedfun.

AndthatisthebeautyofGuyanese.We could be sweating, fanning, complaining about heat, and still find time to turn suffering into stand-up comedy. A transformer could explode and somebody will say, “Well at least now I know which neighbourhasgenerator soIcangothereto chargemyphone.”

Because truth be told, Guyanese don't justsurvivehardship—weremixit.Wetake frustration, add sarcasm, sprinkle humour, andserveitbackwithpeppersauce.

That is why dem boys seh if the lights ever come back on too quickly, don't be surprised if somebody complain that the power company didn't give them enough timetodecandlelightdinner Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

TRUTHS

Carolyn Rodrigues for UN Secretary General: I endorse

Way to go, Excellency Ali Excellency Carolyn

Rodrigues-Birkett is Guyana’s nominee for the prestigious and demanding role of United Nations SecretaryGeneral.

W h y n o t ? S i n c e everybody globally have their eyes on a wedge of Guyana’s riches, here’s an opportunity to do some horse-trading A vote for Excellency RodriguesBirkett is a favorable ballot

cast for a portion of Guyana’spatrimony

There is plenty to share around.TheAli government can be depended upon to be generous Recall that politics, whether at the bottom-house level or the rooftopsoftheworldisabout quidproquos(somethingfor something).Afair bargain, I say Depending on what is gotten for what is given away

T h e G u y a n a Government (PPP) may not like Guyanese born Dr.Arif Bulkan in the role of CCJ jurist Is reported to have

stood in the way of his ascending to another role in Europe, that was a tribute to hisperspicacityandsagacity Indeed, his mind and the mannerinwhichheemploys it will always be two perennialbestsellers.

The hope is that I am g

y, D

, Guyana’s president. Call of the curs, sir Vehemence in politics is pardonable. Up to a point only But the PPP’s thirst for vengeance and the v

viciousness that must accompany it to reinforce should have no place in Guyana’spolitics.Letthatbe monopolized by Donald Trump Let him have exclusive rights to those depravedstandards.

If Guyana is ever going to come within 100 miles of One Guyana, then PPP savagery against Dr Arif Bulkan should not be. Who arethehatersnow,ifnotthe PPP?ButthereisExcellency Rodrigues-Birkett whose name is now entered in the

UN Sec Gen race. supporthernomination for several reasons Notwithstanding her former flair for table-climbing, political gyrating, and other such entertaining antics Whatispastispast.Thereis her nomination to which I lendmyvoice.

First, she is Guyanese. Two, she is female -would make a groundbreaking SecretaryGeneral.Thereisa f e m a l e C A R I C O M

Secretary General, Excellency Carla Barnett

There was a woman Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Janet Scotland. Excellency Rodrigues-Birkett is Guyanese, a woman, and third she is also of indigenous heritage. She is alsofairlyastute.

Politically Recall how she praised former U S Ambassador Brendt Hardt (another devout Roman Catholic), days before her sister ministers in the PPP scorched him with a socalled feral blast, and in his castleofallplaces.

A n u n b e a t a b l e combination; a winner for whom I would vote eight days in every week. It’s the way that the PPP has practiced voting, isn’t it?

After all the horrors that the Spaniards, Dutch, French, British(andnowAmericans) inflicted upon the Incas, Aztecs, Caribs, Arawaks, and other indigenous peoples native to this hemisphere, it is time for some leveling of the scales, a n e x e c u t i v e a n d administrative repatriation ofsorts.

The U.S. has a big say, holdsasignificantamountof sway in things of this nature

(like it does with the ICJ), and it is a special friend of Guyana. So, I am counting for the U.S. to favor Sister Carolyn. China is a partner, ally, and fellow traveler alongsideGuyana. Thus, nothing prevents that superpower from the Orient to throw-down with thumbs up for Guyana’s choice for UN SG. It should be a lock Naturally, it depends on what Guyana is offering in return. Get real, Guyanese. Welcome to the realworld.

Pres. Ali has made his name (such as it is) as a willing soldier when it comes to deal making. This ishisbigopportunitytogive a big hand up to Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. She can dependonhim.Iam. In the spirit of One Guyana,IurgeallGuyanese to rally behind Excellency Rodrigues-Birkett’s nomination. Let us all show Pres. Ali, and the PPP, how it’sdone.Politicsiscastout. Bygonebebygone. If only Guyana worked like this, Guyanese thought like this. What could be a better manifestation of Essequibo belongs to Guyana, Essequibo is OURS!

Where is Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett from if not the storied shores of Essequibo. She is ours. Therefore, the UN SG job should be hers. Whoever seeks to do business here bettergetthatright.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

WIN’sVishnuPandayelectedChairmanofPAC

WeInvestinNationhood ( W I N ) M e m b e r o f Parliament (MP) Vishnu Panday was on Monday

unanimously elected Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) as Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir

convened a series of meetings to establish key parliamentarycommittees.

The meetings began at 10:30a.m.intheChamberof

the Public Buildings, Brickdam, Georgetown, and resulted in the election of

chairpersons fo

fo

Parliamentary Standing Committees and four Parliamentary Sectoral Committees.

Panday, a former

GuySuCo Agriculture Director was elected in keeping with the Standing Orders, which require that the PAC be chaired by a representativefromthemain opposition.

for the different parliamentary committees.

Also representing the opposition on the PAC are WIN MP Nandrani Singh and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) MPs Juretha Fernandes and GaneshMahipaul. G o v e r n m e n t

representatives on the committee are Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, Minister of Public Works

Pensioner hides boy in freezer

...as cutlass gang hunts down father in Rose Hall attack

A quick-thinking pensioner is being hailedaheroafterhidingan11-year-oldboy inside an old freezer to protect him from a gangofarmedmenwhochasedandbrutally chopped his father during a violent attack in RoseHall,Corentyne,onSaturday

The victim, Mahendra Samaroo, recounted that he was with his 11-year-old sonatoneofhisothersons’residencewithin that location around 10:00am, when he noticedaboutninemenchargingtowardshim with cutlasses. One of the men reportedly drew a gun and fired multiple shots at him and his younger son.As the men reached to where he was, Samaroo shoved his younger son in a nearby yard and would attempt to wardoffhisattackers,beforefleeingwiththe menhotonhistail.

The quick-wittedness of a nearby pensionerearnedthegratitudeofthefamily, whorelatedtothispublicationthatjustbefore the commotion became full-blown, the elderlywomanpromptlystashedthechildin an old refrigerator to keep him safe from potentialharm.

Thewomanissaidtobeinhereighties. “She take my son and hide he in a old

The injuries

freezer, or else I don’t know what wudda happentohe.Ifwasn’tforthatlady,hewudda be a dead man,” the father stated in an interviewwithKaieteurNews.

The man managed to evade his attackers but not without injuries. In the ordeal, Samaroosustainedchopstohishead,andhis lefthandandfingers.

“Isehthisisitforme.IsehIdead.”

Hesaidheenquiredfromtheassailantthe reason for the attack, and the man told him thathewillkillhim.Samaroorelatedthatthis could have been a fulfilment had he not escaped by hiding in the bathroom of someone’shome.

He told Kaieteur News that he has no knownconflictwithanyone,andisbaffledas to why he was attacked. His son remains traumatised,headded.

Samaroo is one of two men who were attackedwithcutlassesonSaturday

In videos circulating on social media, multiplemenareseeninpursuitofamanwho waseventuallycaughtafterfallinginfrontof Poonai’s Pharmacy in Rose Hall. The men would swarm the fallen man and deliver severalchops.

Mahadeo, and MPs Suresh SinghandSanjeevDatadin.

A c c o r d i n g t o information released by the Parliament Office, several otherkeyappointmentswere alsomade.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall,SCwasselectedto chair the Constitution Reform Committee, while Minister Gail Teixeira was appointed Chair of the C o m m i t t e e o n Appointments.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips was chosen to head th

Security S

ctor Committee, while WIN MP Duarte Hetzburger was elected C

Committee.

Minister of Human

ServicesandSocialSecurity Vindiya Persaud will chair the Social Services Committee, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram BharratwillleadtheNatural Resources Committee, and WIN’sfrontbencher,Odessa Primuswasselectedtochair the Foreign Relations Committee.

The Parliament Office noted that, under the Sta

chairmanship of several sectoral committees will rotate during the life of the Parliament, including the F o r e i g n R e l a t i o n s

Committee, whic

currentlyheadedbyWIN. It also explained that the Speakerautomaticallychairs theCommitteeofPrivileges, S

Committee,StandingOrders C

Parliamentary Management Committee.

“The constitution of these committees marks an important milestone in the work of the Thirteenth P

g Members to begin their oversight responsibilities,

sectors, and determine whether the execution of

governance and in the best interestofallGuyanese,”the Parliament Office said in a statement.

Man drowns in Mahaica Creek

...as birthday hunting trip ends in tragedy

A hunting trip organised to celebrate a friend’s birthdayendedintragedylast Friday when a Mahaicony man fell into the Mahaica Creekanddrowned.

Dead is 25-year-old Robindranauth Persaud, popularly known as “Robbie”, of Zealand, Mahaicony,RegionFive.His bodywasdiscoveredwashed ashore at Unity Beach on Sunday

Persaud had left home with four friends on Friday for a hunting expedition, whichwasintendedtosecure wild game for a birthday celebrationbeingheldforone ofthegroupmembers.

However,theoutingtook a devastating turn when Persaud reportedly fell into the Mahaica Creek and disappeared beneath the water

“Robbie” Persaud

Despite efforts to locate him, he remained missing until his body was found

WIN’s MP, Vishnu Panday

Speaker Manzoor Nadir convened a series of meetings on Monday to elect chairpersons

twodayslateratUnityBeach. The incident has left relatives, friends and residents of the Mahaicony community inmourning.

Dead: Robindranauth

Govt. gives Kaieteur Block operator 7 days to submit two-year work programme for oil block

…Ratio to approach Min. Bharrat to request more time

The Government of Guyana has given Ratio Petroleum Energy seven days to submit its work programme and drilling timetable for the Kaieteur Blockforthenexttwoyears.

Ratio Guyana Limited (RGL) which serves as operator of the Block has beenatcrossroadsinrelation to the 3 3-million-acre offshore block Ratio Petroleum on Monday disclosed that on 12th June, 2026, it received a letter from Guyana’s Ministry of Natural Resources stating that it is required, within seven days, to address the work programme and timetablerelatingtothenext two years of the second extension period for the oil

block, including the execution of an additional wellintheBlockarea.

According to unofficial translation of the statement, Ratio said in light of the foregoing, it intends to approach the Minister of Natural Resources Vickram B

additional extension for providing its response while continuing negotiations regarding the update of the w

drillingschedule.

In December 2025, the ministryhadaskedRatioand its partner Cataleya Energy Limited (CEL) to indicate whethertheyintendtomake an additional investment or abandon the acreage. Prior to the aforementioned disclosure, Ratio Guyana had notified the government of the portion of the block it is prepared to relinquish while continuing its search tobringinanewpartner

Back in April, Minister Bharrat told this publication that while there is no work programme in place for the Kaieteur Block, the prospecting licence held by Ratio remains valid until 2027 The absence of an approved work programme meansthereisnodefinedset of exploration or drilling activities scheduled for the

blockatthistime.

For some time now, Ratio has been conducting

Resources, in order to postpone the deadline for notifying whether it intends to carry out an additional drilling operation in the Block, and to update the

drilling schedule, including extending the term of the agreementwiththeState.

Kaieteur News had

Limited(EMGL),theformer operator,anditspartnerHess withdrew from the Kaieteur Block, Ratio submitted a request for an extension of theexplorationperiod,citing similar grounds previously used by EMGL – the Coronaviruspandemic.

Under the Kaieteur PetroleumAgreement,when applying to enter the second extension period, RGL and Cataleya Energy were required to commit to

drilling a well before relinquishing 20 per cent of theblock,or,ifpreferred,the entire contracted area. Ratio had been seeking to bring in another partner or several, with the intention of one becoming operator and leadingfuturedrilling.

Since Exxon’s and Hess exit from the block, Ratio has been looking for a new partner The company had disclosed that it contacted n u m e r o u s e n e r g y companies, and while several expressed initial interest and reviewed data, all ultimately declined because of geological risks and challenges related to achieving a commercial discovery Ratio also previouslystatedthatifno

Continued on page 16

Map showing location of Kaieteur Block offshore Guyana

Fake GPL workers charged in $300,000 scam targeting apartment owner

Two men were on Monday granted bail after beingchargedwithallegedly swindling an apartment building owner out of $300,000 by posing as employees of the Guyana PowerandLight(GPL)Inc.

The accused, Mark Calder, 33, a bus driver of Lot 21 Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, and Orlando McPherson, 40, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at theGeorgetownMagistrate’s Courttoanswertothecharge of obtaining money by false pretense.

The duo denied the charge,whichallegesthaton June 11 at Fourth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, they unlawfully obtained $300,000fromFizalAllyby posing as GPL employees. The matter was adjourned and the men were each granted bail in the sum of $75,000.

It is alleged that Calder contacted Ally and claimed that the electricity meter at his apartment building had beenremovedduetoalleged electricitytheft.

According to GPL, the company received a report fromAllyonJune12thathe had been contacted by an individual posing as a GPL staff member, who claimed that the electricity meter at

his apartment building had beenremovedduetoalleged electricitytheft.

GPL confirmed that Ally’s meter had, in fact, been removed from the property on June 11. It is alleged that Calder subsequently demanded $300,000 from Ally to facilitate the replacement of the meter and to avoid escalationofthematter.

Communicationbetween Ally and the accused regarding the transfer of the funds raised suspicion, promptingAlly to report the matter to GPL An investigation was launched and the incident was subsequently reported to the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF).

A sting operation was later conducted, during which Calder was apprehended at the junction ofBrickdamandVlissengen

Road while allegedly attempting to collect the money. Meanwhile, his alleged accomplice, McPherson, reportedly fled the scene but was later apprehended.

In a June 12 statement, GPLwarnedmembersofthe public to exercise extreme caution following the incident involving the impersonation of a GPL employeeandthefraudulent demand for money from a customer Thecompanyalso disclosed that Ally’s electricitymeterhasnotbeen recovered.

G P L r e m i n d e d customerstoremainvigilant and to immediately report any suspicious requests for paymentorinteractionswith individuals claiming to represent the company. Verification can be done by contacting GPL directly on 226-2600 or through its official social media platforms.

Mark Calder

Orlando McPherson

Kaieteur Block

29 bidders in race for $499M Parika waterfront project

The Ministry of Public Works hasreceived29bidsforitsproject, theconstructionofastellingaccess road, waterfront drainage system andparkingapronwhichwillform part of the Parika Waterfront Development Project in Region Three.

The project which opened recen

Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office is estimated to cost $499,041,450.

According to NPTAB, the bidders are as follow: Holistic Contracting & Procurement Inc.$501,709,100; B M Property Investments Inc. - $499,045,400; Basheir&Son’sConstructionInc.$466,917,200; Crown Road & D

s$423,353,150; B K International

Inc - $515,503,100; MJ’s

Contracting & General Supplies$484,932,750; AJM Enterprise$498,138,550; A M I C General C

$476,478,400; Advanced Site Development Inc. - $497,558,100; Aronco S

$600,086,175;D.Chowkai&Sons Construction - $496,749,100; DCSN Construction & General Supplies Inc. - $499,364,200; and Platinum Sales & Services$472,682,500. T

m

n

s & Construction Inc. - $409,686,809; Ivor Allen - $489,463,300; A&S General Contractors Inc -

$43,507,665; R&N Construction Services - $430,279,425; Hana’s Construction,CleaningServiceand Supplies - $473,905,263; J Hussain’sConstruction&Supplies - $478,000,000; Toolsie Persaud QuarriesInc.-$478,209,075;J&M Shipping Inc - $480,375,075; Parijan

$424,353,150; Urban Edge Builders Inc - $594,047,250; M

Construction Inc. - $454,917,200; Extreme Construction Inc -

$

C

$487,805,000; Blue Print Builders Inc - $599,547,250; I Khan

C

$466,216,950;andChung’sGlobal Inc.-$486,002,500.

Acontractorfortheprojectwill be awarded when the tender evaluationprocessiscompleted.

This publication reported that the new Parika Modern Port Facility is an approximately $10.5 billionprojectbeingundertakenby the government through Ministry ofPublicWorksandisexpectedto becompletedin2029.

Phase one of the project which is being undertaken by GAICO Construction, Toolsie Persaud and A&S General Contractors is already underway. Phase one includes land reclamation and sea defence on the North and South sidesofthecurrentstellingandthe construction of the main concrete stelling, all totaling under $5billion.

First concrete poured for the Parika Modern Port Facility and Waterfront development which was announced by President Irfaan Ali on Saturday via his Facebook page.

During a multi-stakeholder engagement and consultation meeting with residents, business owners and other stakeholders at theParikaMarkettarmaclastyear, PublicWorksMinisterJuanEdghill notedthattheoperationoftheferry and water taxi services will not be interruptedduringtheconstruction

phase. Government said the project will transform the Parika stelling into a major regional hub for transportation and socioeconomic activities and enhance operational efficiency, prioritise safety and guaranteecommuters’comfort.

Additionally, the new modern

portisaimedatincreasingtradeand tourismalongtheEssequiboCoast. KaieteurNewsunderstandsthatthe upgrading of the stelling is also to facilitate the arrival of the new Regional Ferry Service that will operateoutofGuyanafromParika.

President IrfaanAli announced last year, that the new facility will includetheconstructionofamarina to support the country’s tourism sector Notably, he said to support the port, some key infrastructure, including the construction of a modern Customs and Immigration office, a modern fire service, a modern coast guard building, a modern police service, and importantlytosupportthefarmers, they intend to invest in a modern storage facility The Parika Stelling, which borders the EssequiboRiver,servesnotonlyas apassengerloadingandoffloading area,butalsoasawaterfrontwhere farmerstaketheirproducefromthe hinterlandtosell.

An artist’s impression of what the modern port facility will look like when completed.

Guyana among Top 20 safest travel destinations in Americas, Caribbean

Guyana has been named among the top 20 safest travel destinations in the Americas and Caribbean, according to a report by travelpublicationTraveland Tour World, which highlightedthecountryasan increasingly secure option for women travelling alone andcruiseholidaymakers.

The report placed

G u y a n a a l o n g s i d e

destinations such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Greenland and Suriname, noting that these countries are providing visitors with greater confidence, comfort and peace of mind at a time when safety has become a major consideration for internationaltravellers.

According to the publication,therankingsare particularly significant for solo female travellers, a rapidly growing segment of theglobaltourismmarket,as well as cruise passengers

seeking destinations perceived as safe and welcoming.

The report noted that the selected countries stand out for offering a secure environment that allows travellers to explore with greater assurance while enjoyingcultural,ecological andleisureexperiences.

For Guyana, the recognition comes as the country continues to market itself as an eco-tourism destination, promoting its vast rainforests, waterfalls, wildlife and Indigenous heritage to attract visitors fromNorthAmerica,Europe and other international markets.

While the report did not provide individual country rankings, Guyana’s inclusion among the top 20 destinations places it a l o n g s i d e s e v e r a l established tourism markets intheregion.

The publication said travellers are increasingly prioritising destinations that combineuniqueexperiences with a strong sense of personal security, particularly women travellingindependentlyand cruise visitors seeking reassurance when planning theirvacations.

Early last month, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce,

Bartica to receive 2.2MW power boost by

end of July

Barticaissettoreceiveanadditional2.2megawatts(MW) of electricity generation capacity by the end of July, as the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) moves to strengthenpowerreliabilityandcaterforincreasingdemand inthetownshipandsurroundingcommunities.

InastatementonMonday,GPLsaidtheprojectformspart of its ongoing efforts to modernise the country’s electricity infrastructure through strategic investments aimed at improving service delivery nationwide.The utility company said a new Cummins Generating Set #4, with a capacity of 2 2MW, will be commissioned by the end of July, significantly increasing Bartica’s ability to meet growing electricity demands. Bartica currently has an installed generationcapacityof5.3MW,whilepeakdemandstandsat approximately3MW.GPLsaidtheadditionalgeneratingunit willimprovethereliabilityandstabilityofelectricitysupply, while also providing reserve capacity to support continued residential,commercialandindustrialexpansioninthetown.

Bartica is also expected to benefit from a 1.5MW Solar Farm, which forms part of GPL’s wider strategy to diversify Guyana’senergymixthroughrenewableenergyintegration.

AccordingtoGPL,thecombinationofsolarandthermal generation will help create a more resilient and efficient electricitynetworkforcustomersintheregion.

“The addition of the new generating set underscores GPL’scommitmenttoexpandingandmodernisingelectricity infrastructure to meet increasing customer demand and support economic development in hinterland communities,” the company said. GPLadded that the investment will place the company in a stronger position to maintain a stable and reliable electricity supply in Bartica while supporting the area’songoingdevelopment.

Susan Rodrigues had announced that Guyana welcomed 39,484 visitors in March 2026, describing the increase as another positive sign that the country’s tourism strategy is deliveringresults.

She revealed, according to a Department of Public Information releass that the steady rise in visitor arrivals demonstrates the continued growth and resilience of Guyana’s tourism and hospitality sector despite o n g o i n g g l o b a l uncertainties.

“We’re extremely excited by the positive increase in visitor arrival numbersalmosteverymonth of the year This, to us, is a demonstration that our strategyisworking[and]the

tourism and hospitality industry is thriving,” she noted. Minister Rodrigues addedthatGuyanacontinues to stand out as a resilient tourism destination because of its rich culture and authenticexperiences.

“So even in the face of thewarinIranandallofthe other global challenges that the world is facing today, Guyana remains a strong, resilient destination deeply rootedinourcultureandour authentic experiences,” the ministersaid.

She also highlighted an increase in domestic travel, noting that more Guyanese are exploring destinations, particularlyintheinterior

Several interior lodges have reported growing n

international and local visitorsinrecentmonths.

The minister said the continuedgrowthintourism arrivals is providing a major

hospitality and tourism industries.

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PAHOcallsforstrengtheningvoluntary blooddonationintheAmericas

On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day, observed onJune14,thePanAmerican HealthOrganization(PAHO) has reiterated its call to strengthenvoluntary,regular, and unpaid blood donation

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across the Region of the Americas as the foundation for ensuring timely access to safe, sufficient, and accessible blood.This year’s campaignisheldunderthetheme “OneDropofHumanity.Give Blood. Save Lives”, highlighting the value of each donation as an act of solidarity that helps save lives and strengthen health systems.

“Every donation is an act ofsolidaritythatsaveslives,” said PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa. “Equitable access to safe blood depends largely on having voluntary, regular donors who can help meet health service needs in atimelymanner.”

Currently,justoverhalfof blood donations in the Region—approximately 51.5%—comefromvoluntary

unpaid donors.

The remainder largely consists of family/replacementdonors,whichlimitsthe availability of a sufficient, stable, and predictable blood supply

Although the Region has made progress in recent years, data show significant differencesinbloodavailability among countries, as well as ongoing challenges in achieving sustainable national blood systems. On average, there are about 15 donationsper1,000population, below the levels needed to achieve self-sufficiency in many countries.

For PAHO, increasing voluntary—particularlyregular—donationiskeytoensuring safer, more sustainable, andmoreresponsivenational

blood systems. Blood transfusions are essentialforemergencycare, complicatedchildbirth,surgical procedures, and the treatment of chronic conditions. However,relianceonfamily/ replacement donors, while addressing immediate needs, does not ensure a continuous supply or allow for adequate planning of services.

Incontrast,countriesthat have established systems based on voluntary, repeat donors achieve a more stable supply, reduce transfusion risks, and strengthen the resilience of their health systems.

Dr. Barbosa noted that health systems face the challenge of ensuring access to safebloodatalltimes,including during emergencies and

disasters.“Overcomingthese gaps requires strengthening public policies and programmes that promote voluntary, unpaid blood donation,” he said.

On World Blood Donor Day, PAHO thanks those who donate regularly and calls on more people to join this effort.

“Donatingbloodisoneof the simplest and most effective ways to save lives,” the PAHODirectoradded.

The Organization urged countries in the Region to continue promoting strategies that facilitate voluntary unpaid blood donation, strengthen national blood programmes and blood services, and help ensure equitable and safe access for all. (PAHO).

Canadian firm strikes over US$1M deal to acquire...

From page 8 area that has recently attracted significant industry attention following the announced combination of fellowCanadianfirmsGMining Ventures Corp. (GMIN) and G2GoldfieldsInc.toconsolidate the companies’ adjacent gold projects in the Oko gold districtintoa7-millionounce gold project controlled by GMIN. That deal is valued at approximatelyUS$2.2Bandis expectedtobecompletedthis month.

The Mariwa/Sardine Hill property is located within the same highly prospective regional geological terrain that continues to attract exploration and development activityfrombothjuniorandmajor mining companies. Light-

house noted that the proximity of the property to other mineral deposits or occurrences does not necessarily indicate that the property hostssimilarmineralisationor thateconomicmineralisation will be discovered on the property

Overthetermoftheagreement, Lighthouse said it intendstoundertakeacomprehensive technical review of thedistrict,includingcompilation and digitisation of historical exploration data; reconstructionofhistoricaldrill holes and geophysical databases, among other things.

The move to acquire the Mariwa/SardineHillproperty comes just months after Lighthouse entered into a definitiveoptionagreementto

acquire 100% interest in the Aurora NW project, consisting of associated mineral rights,permitsandclaims.

In February 2026, Lighthouse entered into the agreement which includes US$100,000incashpayments and the issuance of two million common shares, alongsideaNetSmelterRoyaltytied to annual production levels, as defined under the Guyanese MiningAct and its applicable regulations. SimilartotheMariwa/SardineHill propertyLOI,Lighthouseretains the option to repurchase that royalty but for US$500,000.

SincefinalisingtheagreementfortheAuroraproperty, the company has been preparing the ground for explo-

ration, including assembling a local operational team and logistical support to execute field activities. In May, the company announced that it has moved from acquisition to active exploration at its Aurora NW gold project, commencingphaseoneofits explorationprogrammeatthe projectwhichconsistsoffour prospectingpermitstotalling 19.4 km2 in the Cuyuni–Mazarunidistrict.

LighthouseGoldwasformerly named Alerio Gold Corp. as of December 2025. UponitsarrivalinJune2021, AlerioGoldenteredintoadeal with Goldeneye, to purchase two of the three gold fields first; the Tassawinni and the Harpy gold projects, located inCuyuniMazaruni

Govt. gives Kaieteur Block operator 7 days to...

From page 12 partner is found who can serveasanoperatorandconductdrillingintheblock,and if no further extension is grantedforthedecisiondead-

line, it will find it difficult to make a decision to proceed andcommittodrilling. Notably,asingleprospect has been drilled to date, which resulted in a sub-com-

mercial oil discovery The ExxonMobil-operated Tanager-1well,whichwasdrilled in August 2020, encountered 16metresofnetoilpay,adiscovery of approximately 65

million barrels of oil in the prospect area, based on independent estimates by Netherland, Sewell & AssociatesInc.(NSAI). However, this discovery was considered to be noncommercial as a standalone development. In spite of a number of postponements, ExxonMobilhaddecidednot toexerciseitsoptiontodrilla second well on the block and subsequentlypulledoutfrom theKaieteurBlock.

The agreement for the KaieteurBlockwassignedin 2017,undertheconditionthat the oil companies were only allowedtoconductoilexploration in 40 per cent of the block,tosteerclearofaggressive tactics from Venezuela.

A3Dseismicsurveyacquired for the southern portion of the block covered 5,750 square kilometer (km2) and provided the foundation for a significant prospect inventory on the block.

Police probe multiple theories behind AK-47 busts

...as border smuggling, Venezuelan gang suspicions grow

Police are probing severaltheoriesinrelationto the recent AK-47 busts, Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Wendell Blanhum has confirmed.

Stopping short from what the theories are, the crimeChiefsaid,“Andthose theories are being examined

against information provided by sources, intelligence gathered and evidence”.

Reports have circulated, however, in the local press thatoneofthetheoriesmight bethattheweaponsarebeing smuggled through this country to criminal gangs operating out of Venezuela near the Guyana border Police on Monday charged JonathanGans,aVenezuelan nationalwhowasfoundwith 23 AK-47 rifles at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara.Hewasremanded toprison.

Gans was among three men inside a vehicle, last Thursdayeveningreportedly transportingtheassaultrifles and a quantity of ammunition.

The vehicle was

intercepted by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU). Gans was capturedwhiletheothertwo menescaped.

OnSundaypoliceissued wantedbulletinsfortwomen inconnectionwiththerifles, one of whom remains at large while the other turned himselfin.

Kaieteur News reported on Monday that hours after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued wanted bulletins for businessman Randy Jagdeo and Orlando Gabriel in connection with 23 AK-47 rifles Jagdeo turnedhimselfintopoliceon Sunday However, up to press time Monday Gabriel remainsonthelam.

Blanhum had told

Kaieteur News on Sunday that Jagdeo arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters accompanied byhislawyerandremainsin policecustody Jagdeo,39,isnotnewto lawenforcementscrutiny In May 2025, he was charged with inciting persons to commit treason after

claiming Essequibo belongs toVenezuela,andoverasign displayed at his “Thousand Dollar Store” on the East Bank of Demerara that featured the “One Guyana” logo alongside a map of Guyana excluding the Essequibo region. He was released on $350,000 bail in thatmatter

The businessman also faced a murder charge in 2013 but was freed the following year after prosecutors failed to

establishsufficientevidence.

AFCalarmed

Meanwhile, in a press release the Alliance For Change sought to tie Randy Jagdeo to the PPP, saying this latest incident raises serious questions about accountability and national security

“What is equally concerning, however, is the apparent silence from the People's Progressive Party (PPP).Despitethegravityof theallegationsandthepublic concerns being raised, there has been no visible sanction

or condemnation directed at Jagdeo."

According to the AFC, separate from the 23 rifles currently under scrutiny, Guyanese are still awaiting fullanswersregardingthe10 AK-style rifles intercepted by law enforcement in late May. The party said while authorities succeeded in recovering those weapons, the incident highlighted broader concerns about the movementandcirculationof illegal firearms within the country

“The discovery of these weapons has also fuelled questions about whether other firearms may remain unaccountedforandwhether criminal networks or other unauthorised individuals could have access to similar weapons."

The AFC said national securitycannotbetreatedas a partisan issue, noting that any matter involving highpowered firearms must be addressed with the utmost seriousness, regardless of the individuals involved or theirpoliticalconnections.

"The allegations have sent shockwaves across the

country, given the potential implications for public safetyandnationalsecurity

The emergence of such serious allegations demands a thorough and transparent investigation.

Guyanese deserve answersregardinghowsuch weapons came into circulation, who was responsible, and whether anylawswerebreached.

The Guyanese public deserves accountability, transparency, and reassurance that no one is abovethelaw.”

As deal is agreed with U.S, not all in Iran are convinced that peace is here

Aljazeera- The world let out a collective sigh of relief when the United States and Iran announced that a memorandum of understanding had been agreed to end nearly four months of hostilities on Sunday. But on the streets of Tehran – exhausted by years of sanctions and tensions –the ceasefire announcement has donelittletoinstillconfidencethat thecrisisisover

An agreement between the two sides,tobesignedonFriday,looks set to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, largelycontrolledbyIransincethe war began on February 28, somethingitishopedwillstabilise rattled energy markets. In return, the U.S. will lift a naval blockade onIran'ssouthernports,whichhas squeezed Iran's already embattled economy

Many important and delicate issues still remain to be addressed, such as the future of Iran's nuclear programme, U.S sanctions, and Tehran's frozen assets. These will likelybedeferreduntilalaterdate, leadingtopessimismamongmany in Iran that a long-term resolution willeverbefinalised.

“I think the agreement doesn't have huge benefits for the people because it won't be really enforced in full to bring any stability to our lives,” said Parisa, a university student based in Tehran, who used just her first name for security

reasons. “It might work for now, but both sides will jeopardise it basedontheirowninterests.”

Mehdi, another resident of the capital,saidheisnotoptimisticthat aceasefirewillholdlongtermdue to the number of contested issues thatstillremainunresolved.

“I don't think that the U.S. is willing to accept even the least of Iran'sdemands,”hesaid.

Iranians say that before a potentiallong-termdealisrealised, harsh U.S. and United Nations sanctions – which have made Iran poorer and isolated its businesses from global markets – will need to be lifted. There is the issue of the billions of dollars of frozen overseas Iranian assets and Tehran'sdemandforafeeforships to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and much of the world insist on toll-free passage through the waterway Ukraine strikes eight Russian regions as pressure campaign intensifies,analystsays

A m e m o r a n d u m o f understandingwasreacheddespite recent exchanges of fire between Iran and the U.S., and Israeli opposition to the deal. Israel's bombing of the Beirut suburbs on Sunday, which has been a red line for Tehran, threatened to disrupt work on the agreement and return theregiontoconflict.

Preliminary details of the deal

have also been frustrated by the stance of Iranian hardliners, who wanted the government to take a tougher stance during negotiations and will likely pick apart any perceivedconcessions.

Iranheldoffonannouncingthe dealuntilaftermidnightlocaltime into Monday, in an apparent attempt to ensure the news did not fall on U S President Donald Trump's birthday on Sunday The time difference with the U.S. still allowed Washington to announce the agreement on Sunday, as promisedbyTrump.OnMondayin Tehran'sdowntownValiasrSquare, authorities unveiled a giant black mural depicting slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is slated to be buried in July and who regularly advocated distrusttowardtheU.S.

During nightly gatherings of pro-stateforcesincitysquaresand streets across the country, many have lamented Iran's failure to avenge the U.S. for Khamenei's February 28 killing and opposed any concessions to Washington. Some have heavily criticised the negotiating team and security officials.

Others believe that the coming months will see a resumption of war, so Tehran must maintain the leverage it gained after more than 100 days of conflict with the U.S. andIsrael.

“Inmyopinion,thisagreement will not hold up; the U.S. will violate it again. It's better that we remain firm in our stance, for example,keepclosingtheStraitof Hormuzandnotallowittoopen,”a pro-government woman called MohadesetoldAlJazeera.

The deal also includes halting military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon, which Tehran has insisted should be coveredbytheagreement.

Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, promisedonSundaynightthat“the response of the fighters of Islam is at hand” after Israel's targeting of Beirut. But hours later, the top decision-making body confirmed that the agreement with the U.S., andnoretaliationhappened.

Iranian media said Trump agreedtoimmediatelyliftthenaval blockade, instead of over 30 days previouslynegotiated,inexchange for Iran halting any planned retaliatoryattacksagainstIsrael.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under fire from the opposition, who consider the deal a failure for the country Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country has no plans to withdraw occupying troops from Lebanon, Syria or the Gaza Strip, and will forcefully retaliate if Iran attacks.

TheofficialtextoftheIran-U.S. agreement has not been published, but both sides are already attempting to frame the deal as a victory.

Iranian state television, when announcing the agreement, said, “the U.S. was forced to sign the understanding to end the war with theIslamicRepublicandtheaxisof resistance”.

In the meantime, Iranian markets have welcomed the prospect of an end of direct hostilitiesandthepotentialbenefits that lifting the U.S. blockade will haveontheavailabilityandpriceof importedgoods.

The national currency also strengthenedonMondayforathird day since the start of the working week in Iran, changing hands for about 1.61 million rials per US dollar Ithadhitanall-timelowrate ofabout1.9millionlastmonth.

The price of gold coins also continued to slide in Tehran on Monday, while the capital market alsoextendeditsrun,withtheindex of the Tehran Stock Exchange reachinganewhighofalmostfive millionpointsbytheendoftrading onMonday Itishopedthattheend ofthesiegeonIranianports,lifting of sanctions, and unfreezing of assets will reinvigorate the country's economy, but this will depend on myriad factors, many beyondTehran'scontrol.

CrimeChief, Wendell Blanhum

Businessman, Randy Jagdeo

Wantedsuspect, Orlando Gabriel

Netanyahu and Trump on collision course

...as U.S., Iran agree to halt war

(Reuters) - Benjamin Netanyahu bet that his joint war alongside Donald Trump would topple Iran's clerical rulers and bolster himselfaheadofelectionsat home, as the architect of a U S -Israeli alliance that would reshape the Middle East.

Instead, Israel's longestserving prime minister is on a collision course with Trump as the U.S. president seeks to extricate himself from the war, with both men's goals unmet and Israeli military operations tieddowninLebanon.

For now, Israeli officials havebeencautiousinpublic for fear of angering their most important ally, known for being prickly towards critics.

B u t i n p r i v a t e conversations, the frustration is clear The preliminary agreement is "terribleforIsrael,"saidone seniorIsraeliofficial,giving a frank assessment on the condition of anonymity "And there is no one in the Israelileadershipwhoviews it otherwise, from the prime ministertothechiefofstaff."

Washington says that overthenext60days,whena ceasefire is in place, it will negotiatefulltermsthatwill address U S and Israeli concerns, especially over Iran'snuclearprogramme.

But Israeli officials told Reuters they thought the negotiating period under the deal was likely to be extended, tying Israel's hands from taking military action, while its concerns remainunresolved.

Netanyahu and Trump haverepeatedlyclashedover Israel's refusal to constrain its pursuit of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, where a cessation of hostilities is a key Iranian demand.At the start of the month, Trump described Netanyahu as "fucking crazy" in an angry phone call, ordering him not to strike Beirut while the U.S.

wasseekingadealwithIran.

Netanyahu called off attacks that day, but struck Beirut's southern suburbs a week later, provoking Iranian missile strikes on Israelandapublicrebukeof bothsidesfromTrump.

Hours before the U.S. and Iran announced their interim deal, Israel hit the Lebanese capital again on Sunday, after rockets were launched at Israel from Lebanon, fire Trump described as "small and meaningless".

Netanyahu said that Israel has emerged "strong and steady," with a leadership that stands firm and wise At a press conferenceinJerusalemlate o n M o n d a y , h e acknowledged that he and Trump have sometimes had theirdifferences.

"He is the president of the United States, I am the prime minister of Israel. We many times see eye-to-eye andtherearetimeswhenwe seeeye-to-eyelessso.Iamin charge of Israel's security interests,"Netanyahusaid.

Netanyahu, facing autumn elections he is projected to lose, may be more willing to defy Trump ashecontendswithanIsraeli public that opinion polls showhasgrownscepticalof the U S president's commitment to Israel's security

"This is a pretty stark moment of divergence of interests,"saidDanShapiro, aformerU.S.ambassadorto Israel under the Obama administration,nowwiththe AtlanticCouncilthinktank.

"Hewilltrytonotopenly oppose(thedeal),soasnotto getintoabrawlwithTrump," said Shapiro. "But he will indicate Israel is not bound by it, and Israel reserves its rights."

The memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran is expected to be signed on Friday in Switzerland. While precise terms were not immediately

known, mediator Pakistan said the pact called for a permanent halt to military operations on all fronts, includinginLebanon.

Netanyahu said that Israel ⁠would keep its forces in southern Lebanon and maintain 'freedom of action' againstHezbollahattacks.

"Iran wanted us to withdraw from it but I stood firm,"hetoldreporters."We are keeping our freedom of action and we are keeping the security zone to protect (Israel's) northern citizens," hesaid.

The interim deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz oilchokepointwhileleaving the fate of Tehran's nuclear programme to be resolved during a 60-day negotiation periodtowardsafinaldeal.

Two other issues that Netanyahu and Trump had b o t h d e c l a r e d a s justifications for the war at its outset - curbing Iran's missile programme and ending its support for regional armed groups - are not thought to be on the agendaduringthosetalks.

Three Israeli officials said Israel sees it as very likelythe60-daypactwillbe extendedto90days,withthe U S maintaining its deployment of military assets in the region as it negotiatesabroaderdeal.

Two other Israeli officials said that Israel ⁠was caughtbysurpriselastweek whenTrump first said that a deal with Iran was close. They acknowledged that Israelhashadlittlesuccessin influencingthetalks.

Alloftheofficialsspoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorizedtospeakpublicly Netanyahu, who often clashed with Washington under the administrations of Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden, has long portrayed himself to the Israeli public as being uniquely adept in dealing withtheRepublicanTrump.

During Trump's first

term, Israel secured major policy changes from Washington, which moved itsembassytoJerusalemand backed the Abraham Accords that brought Israel formal diplomatic ties with the UAE and Bahrain. On Iran, Trump ditched a nuclear agreement negotiatedunderObamathat Israel had long complained wastoosoft.

Duringelectionsin2019, Netanyahu displayed

m

billboards in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem showing him and Trump smiling and shaking hands.Butnow,theU.S.-Iran p

d e r m

n

s Netanyahu'scasethataclose relationshipwithTrumpsets him apart from other c

me minister, said Jonathan Rynhold,apoliticalscientist at Bar-Ilan University, near TelAviv

"(Netanyahu) will be unabletosellthisagreement

to the Israeli public," Rynholdsaid.

"The best that he can hope for is that they fail to reach an agreement and the war restarts to Israel's advantagein60days."

According to a poll released on Friday by the Israel Democracy Institute, just 41% of Jewish Israelis think their security is a central consideration for Trump, down from 64% in March.

Eli Cohen, Netanyahu's energy minister, said that Israel would be prepared to act alone if Iran rebuilds its nuclear and missile capabilities, though he said thechancesofTehrantaking that step during Trump's tenurewerelow

"If Iran tries to renew its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes - we will be there and act," Cohen told Israel's public broadcaster Kan.

Chicken imports opened for oil, hospitality sectors despite Guyana's poultry self-sufficiency – Mustapha

Guyanaremainsself-sufficientinpoultry production, but limited imports of chicken parts are being allowed to meet growing demand from the expanding hospitality and extractiveindustries,MinisterofAgriculture ZulfikarMustaphahasdisclosed.

At the recent sitting of the 13th Parliament,MustaphawasaskedbyMember ofParliament(MP)Dr TerrenceCampbellto tell the House, "whether the Ministry has a target date by which Guyana expects to achieve a return to poultry meat selfsufficiency (meeting domestic demand and local production rather than imports) If yes, whatisthedateandrange?”

His second question was to have the Minister state what budgetary allocations suchassubsidiesithasmadeandthesupport programmes like expansion services, infrastructure, biosecurity training the Ministryhasmadeavailableorplanstomake available to accelerate the self-sufficiency target?

Answering the first question Mustapha said that currently Guyana is self-sufficient andabletomeetdemandslocally “However, the expanded extractive and hospitality, sectorshaveincreaseddemandforadditional chickenparts,forwhich,limitedimportsare allowed.”Addressingthesecondquestionhe explained that his ministry is implementing severalbudgetallocation,aswellassupport programmes to accelerate the target for poultrymeatself-sufficiency Thisincludesa zero rate on all poultry inputs that are importedintothecountryinordertoreduce costsforfarmers.

There is also the Parliamentary appropriationof$60M,whichistobeusedto procure vaccines to ensure flock health.

MinisterofAgriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

There are also ongoing refresher courses in biosecurity with training provided, alongside recommendations for improved measures. These include spray races, drivethroughdips,andcratewashers

“Our extension service continues to evolve, utilizing various methods to equip farmers effectively, including a new digital system for real-time tracking to enhance support Climate resilience initiatives include establishing temperature-controlled broilerpensincoastalregionsandexpanding our broiler breeder program this year,” he added.

It was previously reported by this publication that no exemptions or import licences have been granted for poultry products, since the temporary ban that was instituted in 2023 following a bird flu outbreak.

Israeli Prime Minister, BenjaminNetanyahu U.S. President, DonaldTrump

Tuesday June 16, 2026

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19

Enthusiasm and energy will be your allies today, Aries. Something different is in the air and inciting you to move forward.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You're organized and rigorous, Taurus. You plan everything. But with today's energy, you'll be inclined to let the day go by without keepingtoatightschedule.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

A lot of people around you might think that you are a strong individual, Gemini. For example, you stand up against wrongs in the establishedsocialorder

CANCER(June21–July22)

Cancer, you are worried that some of the people close to yourheartmightchange.You have been watching and paying attention to subtle signsandchanges.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You've always been a loner, Leo.You tend to act on your own and you don't trust outside help. Over the last few weeks, however, you've managedtofindpeoplewhohave acceptedyouthewayyouare

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You've always felt the need tocreate,Virgo.Thesimplest tasks can fulfill this need. You'reevenhappyifyousketch onasmallpieceofpaper Over thelastmonthorsoyou'vebeen finishingaproject.

Ashley Khalil has added another international accolade to her impressive résumé after capturing a silver medal for Guyana at the PanAm Masters Squash ChampionshipsinMedellín, Colombia The Guyanese standout finished runner-up after a competitive fourgame battle against Chile's Anita Pinto in the women's final on Sunday Khalil won the opening game 11-5 before Pinto rallied to take the next three games 11-9, 11-5 and 11-7 to secure the continentaltitle.

The silver-medal performance capped an outstandingweekforKhalil, whoproducedaflawlessrun

to the championship match. Along the way, she defeated Nathalie Champlain of the United States, Natalia Diaz ofChile,GraceBirmingham of the United States and KarinaSaltiofColombia,all b y i d e n t i c a l 3 - 0 scorelines.Despitethestrong s h o w i n g , K h a l i l acknowledged t

disappointment of falling one step short of the championship.

“ I a m a l i t t l e disappointed, as I think any athlete would be after reaching a final and falling just short. However, I had my opportunities during the match and wasn't able to execute as effectively as I

GFF Strengthens Global Football....

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Some people around you might think that you have never really matured, Libra, thatyoustillhavethemindof a child. It might not seem obvious at first, but your lightheartedattitude.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

If you analyze your life, you'll see that it has completely changed over the pasttwelvemonths,Scorpio. You've matured as an individual and your actions have been beneficial to yourselfandthosearoundyou.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You may be a little bit disappointedtofindoutthatthe people you think so highly of are in fact mere reflections of yourownpersonality

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

There's a great day ahead of you, Capricorn. You'll be blessedwiththeabilitytosolve problems,andotherswillcome lookingforyoutoday

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Do you feel like your life hasn't changed a bit over the past few weeks?You feel that certain things need to change butyoudonothingbutsitthere

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

There is a fire burning deep insideofyou,Pisces.Itgives youalotofpowerandenergy People around you are receptive to this energy Today a lot of your friends willthriveonyourfire.

Frompage23 as the FIFA Executive Football Summit remains critical to ensuring Guyana remains aligned with international best practices while identifying new opportunities to accelerate football development at all levels. As the global football landscape continues to evolve, the GFF remains steadfast to leveraginginternationalpartnerships,embracinginnovation, andadvancinginitiativesthatcreatelastingopportunitiesfor communities across Guyana. The knowledge gained and relationships strengthened at the FIFA Executive Football Summit2026positiontheFederationtofurtherelevatelocal football,attractgreaterinvestment,andensurethatGuyanese playersandstakeholdersbenefitfromthecontinuedgrowthof theglobalgame.

would have liked at some key moments That's something I will reflect on, learn from, and continue working on as I prepare for future tournaments,” she said Khalil, however, remains focused on the bigger picture and the opportunity to continue developing her game through international competition.

“It's back to the drawing boardnow Therearealways areas to improve, and this experience has given me valuable lessons that I can take into my training and upcoming competitions,” she noted.The silver medal represents another proud achievement for Guyana on the international squash stage and further reinforces Khalil's reputation as one of the country's most successful racquet sport athletes “Overall, I'm grateful for the experience, proud to have represented Guyana, and pleased to come away with a PanAm Masters silver medal,” Khaliladded.

Therese...

Khalil Delivers PanAm Masters Silver for Guyana St.

Frompage25 been restricted to 55 for 4.Beyond the silverware, the tournament highlighted an institutional focus on moderncricketmetrics.The top four schools each received comprehensive equipment bags, agility kits, and electronic scoring tablets.

The integration of tablets is designed to introduce young players to the digital mechanics of online match scoring, bridging the gap between recreational play and data a n a l y s i s A l l 1 6 participating schools also left with baseline fitness equipment.

With this victory, the New Amsterdam-based St. Therese Primary joins Demerara champions West Ruimveldt in the national postseasonlineup.

Thespotlightnowshifts to the Essequibo Zone, scheduledforJune20-21at the Anna Regina National Stadium.

Theregionalchampions will progress to the Champion of Champions tournament later this year, inAugustorSeptember

The ultimate winner of thatnationalphasewillearn anoveltyfixtureagainstthe GuyanaAmazonWarriors.

Veteran Vozinha the Cape Verde hero as keeper shuts out Spain

ATLANTA, (Reuters)Cape Verde keeper Vozinha broke down in tears at the end of Monday's 0-0 ​draw withSpainafterthe40-yearold was mobbed by his teammates following a stunning display as he denied the European champions victory their World Cup opener, and became a social media sensationintheprocess.

"He was overwhelmed with emotion," Cape Verde managerBubistasaid.

"He is quite an experienced player and has struggled throughout all of these years to be here at this worldstage.Itwasalsoacry ofresilience."

Four years ago, Spain began the tournament in Qatarwitha​7-0hammering of Costa Rica and after the draw for this year's competition pitted them against a country making their World Cup debut, a ​similar outcome may well havebeenexpected.

Vozinhaplieshistradein the Portuguese second tier with Chaves, and while this was a major step-up in opposition quality for the veteran, and his country, their defensive record in qualification was perhaps a clue that this ​would be no walkover

Vozinha was an ever-

present in Cape Verde's qualifying campaign, where heconcededeightgoalsin10 games.

Fourofthosegoalscame in one fixture against Cameroon and the keeper kept seven clean sheets, including in all five home matches.

Cape Verde were pinned back in their own half for muchofMonday'sgamebut whenever Spain broke through their dogged rearguard, Vozinha came to therescue.

GREWINBELIEF

Spain threatened to turn the screw shortly before the break, and when the ball came ​back off the crossbar from Ferran Torres's shot, Mikel Oyarzabal looked set to score with a header from the rebound but Vozinha tipped the ball ​over at fullstretch Vozinha got down well to hold another effort fromTorresandthenclawed Aymeric Laporte's header around the post, and the minnows grew in belief as held ⁠Spain scoreless going intohalftime.

As the game progressed, Vozinha's social media following burgeoned with each Spanish attempt he thwarted The Cape Verde keeper had amassed over two million followers on Instagramby3:45p.m.EST

Before kickoff, he had less than 50,000, he estimated when asked during a postmatchinterview

Spain piled on the pressure after the interval, butVozinha plucked crosses andcornersfromtheair,and the Cape Verde fans had a nervous wait when the ​keeper went down injured just before the ​hydration break, after taking a ⁠knock fromafrustratedRodri.

Vozinha returned to the action,andSpaincoachLuis de la Fuente was forced to turntohisbenchinaneffort tosnatchawin.

Lamine Yamal, held in reserve after battling injury, entered​thefrayandinjected

somepaceintoSpain'srather slow,sterilepossessionplay

The 18-year-old winger linked up with Marcos Llorente to set ⁠up another replacement, Mikel Merino, buthistameeffortwasnever goingtotroubleVozinha.

Spain can take some comfort from the fact that when they won the World Cup in 2010 they lost their opener to Switzerland, and after thrashing Costa Rica lasttimetheywentoutinthe last 16, so they ⁠may well ​look back on this result and smile.

Cape Verde celebrated thedrawasiftheyhad​lifted the trophy, and who can blamethem?

The third-smallest country by population to reachaWorldCupfinalshad plenty of noisy supporters inside the Atlanta Stadium, andtheyroseto​acclaimtheir sideatthefinalwhistle,with the loudest cheers reserved forVozinha.

Cape Verde's Vozinha in action as he makes a save.

(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis)

Cape Verde's Nuno Da Costa in action with Spain's Pedri. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jordan Godfree)

GFF Strengthens Global Football Ties at FIFA Executive Football Summit

experiences, ensuring that FIFA programmes continue to evolve in ways that are more inclusive and responsivetotheneedsofits global football community

Reflectingonthesummit,the discussions placed significant emphasis on youth development, talent pathways, the expansion of the FIFA Forward

updates on future plans and implementation strategies aimed at strengthening football infrastructure, administration, and developmentglobally

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) concluded a productive participation at the FIFA Executive Football Summit 2026 in Miami, United States of America, reaffirming its commitment to football development and strengthening strategic partnershipsthatwillsupport the continued growth of the sportinGuyana.

Representing Guyana at the summit were GFF President, Mr Wayne Forde and General Secretary Mr Pushpargha Chattopadhyay HeldfromJune12th-16thon

the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup, the summit broughttogetherall211FIFA Member Associations alongside senior FIFA officials to discuss the present and future of global football. The annual summit serves as a key platform for Member Associations to engagewithFIFAonfootball development initiatives, competition structures, governance standards, and emerging opportunities designed to advance the gameworldwide.

More importantly, it also p r o v i d e s M e m b e r Associations with the opportunity to share their p e r s p e c t i v e s a n d

P r o g r a m m e , a n d preparations for upcoming youth competitions, includingtheFIFAUnder-15 World Cup and the FIFA U15Festival.

Amajorareaoffocuswas the FIFA Forward 4 0 Programme, where Member Associations received

The Federation also participated in discussions with FIFA's Member Associations division led by Mr Jair Bertoni, Director of Member Associations Services (Americas), alongside FIFA Regional Office Lead Mr Jordan Victoire.Theseengagements focused on governance, c o m p l i a n c e , a n d collaborative initiatives that will support the continued advancement of football in Guyanaandthewiderregion.

GFF President Wayne F o r d e n o t e d t h a t participation in forums such (Continuedonpage21)

Sessions also explored the evolving landscape of digital broadcasting and streaming, including presentations involving DAZN, FIFA's official digital platform partner for contentbroadcasting.On the sidelines of the summit, the GFF delegation held exclusive meetings with representatives from DAZN to discuss opportunities related to broadcast and streaming, while also engaging with FIFAofficials on football development and futureprojects.

Wins for Comenius and Stella Maris in Primary schools Windball cricket in Region 4

ResultsoftheNationalSportsCommission(NSC), Ministry of CultureYouth and Sport (MCYS) and the All Sports and Tour Promotion (ASTP) for schools in Georgetownshow inthelatestroundofmatchesthere were wins for Comenius Primary and Stella Maris Primaries.SaintMargaret'sweresentintobatandmade 73-1withKaidenBowenhitting45(8x4s).

Comenius in their turn in the middle made 74-1. Justin Daniels 18, N. Howard 14 and Michael Burnett 10werethetopscorers. Comeniushavenowadvanced tothesemifinals.Inanothergame,StellaMarisPrimary upset West Ruimveldt Primary to advance to the semifinals.StellaMarisinvitedWestRuimveldttotake firststrikeandtheyrattleup101-3.

Stella Maris replied with 103.The matches were playedattheNationalGymnasium.Playisexpectedto resumetoday(Tuesday)withCraigPrimarycomingup against Saint Agnes Primary in a quarter final encounter.The semifinal line up will see Stella Maris playing Comenius Primary, while Rama Krishna Primary will battle with the winner of Craig versus SaintAgnesquarterfinalgame.Thetournament,which is being organised and coordinated by Senior Sports OfficerAllisterMunroe,hasseenthereturnofPrimary School Boys Windball Cricket competition in Region 4.(SamuelWhyte)

Schools preparing for action in the Region 4 Inter Primary Schools Windball cricket competition.

GFF President Wayne Forde (centre right) engages other FIFA members during the summit.

Belgium and Egypt play out entertaining draw in World Cup

BBC Sport - A secondhalfowngoaldeniedEgypta first ever World Cup win as Belgiumrescuedapointfrom their Group G opener in Seattle.

The Pharaohs took the lead in the 21st minute through Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour, who thundered a 20-yard strike into the bottom corner past ThibautCourtois.

minute, under pressure from substituteRomeluLukaku.

Egypt were backed by a passionate support base on theUSA'swestcoastasthey hunted their first World Cup win in eight games, having madetheirtournamentdebut backin1934.

Instead the seven-time Africanchampionsspentthe final moments holding on

andmanagedtoavoiddefeat at a World Cup for only the thirdtime.

Lukaku'spresencedenies Egyptianhistory

Despite being record Africa Cup of Nations winners, Egypt have a poor record across their previous t h r e e Wo r l d C

appearances, and have now failed to win any of their

Beavers FC devour Queenstown in Elite League Qualifiers

Beavers Football Club three-man attack tore apart rivals Queenstown FC as clinical late strikes sealed a commanding victory at theNTCinProvidence.

Sunday evening at Providence, the win belonged firmly to the latter category, as Beavers Football Club delivered a ruthless, commanding display to dismantle QueenstownFC3-0andadvanceinthe2026 EliteLeagueQualifiers.

From the first whistle, Beavers moved with a sense of purpose that their opponents simply could not match. Their three-man attacking unit was electric; pressing high, combining with razor-sharp instinct, and stretching the Queenstown backline to its absolute limits. The opening 35 minutes amounted to a sustained exhibition of attacking football, one that had the NTC faithful on their feet and the Queenstown defence scrambling in desperate rearguard action.

Perhaps a breakthrough long overdue for Beavers Despite dominating the half, Beavers required patience before the deadlock was finally broken. Queenstown's midfield, to their credit, refused to capitulate withoutafight.Thevisitorsthrewthemselves forward in waves, launching several determinedforaysintoBeaversterritoryinan efforttounsettlethehomeside'srhythm.Yet each time, the Beavers defensive unit stood resolute — reading danger early, winning duels both in the air and on the ground, snuffing out every Queenstown spark before itcouldignite.

When the breakthrough finally arrived in the 39th minute, justice had been served. EzamDavid—sharp,assured,andalivetohis

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku celebrates their first goal, an own goal scored by Egypt's Mohamed Hany. (REUTERS/Lee Smith)

eightgamessincetheirdebut 92yearsago.

After going ahead, they nearly doubled their lead before the break when Mostafa Zico's drilled strike across goal was tipped behind by Belgium keeper Courtois.

Playing on his 34th birthday, Egypt captain Mohamed Salah also had a

second-half header wellsaved by Courtois and goalscorer Ashour failed to hitthetargetontherebound.

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia introduced the Red Devils' all-time leading goalscorer Lukaku in the 66th minute - and seconds later his presence spooked Hanyintohiserror

Hamstring injuries had

limited Lukaku to just 40 minutesinSerieAforNapoli

season

A few minutes before the equaliser, his club

Bruyne had struck the

lgium started to take control.

Saint Thomas More set to play for first Primary School Girls Windball Cricket title

opportunityfoundthenettorewardafirsthalf hissidehadthoroughlycommanded.Thegoal carriedwithitasenseofinevitability,yetstill broughtthesmallcrowdtoitsfeet.

Thesecondhalfopenedwithabrief,tense period of equilibrium. Neither side was willingtoovercommitintheearlyexchanges; Queenstown searching for a foothold, Beaverssettlingintothecomposureofateam that knew exactly what they had and how to protect it. The one-goal cushion gave them licensetobepatient,andpatienttheywere.

Butitwasthecalmbeforethestorm.

As the clock wound toward the final ten m

organisation began to show the cracks that a relentless Beavers side had been probing all evening. In the 85th minute, Darius Stephen needed no second invitation. Exploiting a lapse in the opposition's backline with instinctiveprecision,hedrovetheballpastthe Queenstown goalkeeper to make it 2-0, refutinganydoubtsontheoutcome.

Three minutes later, Liangel Machin cappingafineperformancewithdecisivehitbrilliant, composed, the kind of clinical execution that defines knockout football, bringing the final score to 3-0 and sent Beaversthroughinemphaticfashion.

With the final whistle came confirmation that Beavers FC march on to face Timehri Unitedinwhatamountstoavirtualsemifinal on Wednesday evening, with a place in the finalfirmlyontheline.

Another compelling fixture is when CamptonFCtakeonPotaroStrikersingame two.Twomatches.Twofinal'sticketsatstake.

ForEliteLeaguefaithful,itpromisestobe anunmissableeveningoffootball.

ActionintheSmalta,inpartnershipwith NSC MCYS ASTP, A. Munroe organised Return of Primary School Girls Windball Cricket which was last played in 2019, continued with matches at the National Gymnasium.

Saint Thomas More Primary School are now set to play in their first finals in the historyofWindballCricket.

DuringSemifinalsaction:SaintThomas More won the toss and elected to bat and scored 52 - 5 with Mya Pereira 14, Zachera Richmond12.AshantiSmithtook2-wkts.

SaintPius,theschoolwiththeanumber oftitlesintheirname,wererestrictedto38-3. Ashanti Smith scored 10, while Kezia Washingtontook2wktsforthewinners.

In the other game,West Ruimveldt after winningthetossinvitedRamaKrishnatobat andtheymade59-5.

West Ruimveldt replied with 59-1, DaeshiahLaynemade18.

Alsopresentatthevenue,onceagainand witnessed both games was, Guyana's only two times Olympian Table Tennis player, whoalsoplayedWindballCricketduringher Primary school days at Mae's, Chelsea Edghill.

Shementionedtotheschoolsshestoodat the venue like they are now in a semifinal gamebutherschoollostthatmatch.

ThefinalfixtureswillseeRamaKrishna vs.SaintPiusinthe3rdplacematch.

Saint Thomas More then play West Ruimveldtinthefinal.

Bothgamesarescheduledtobeplayedin thenightsoastogivetheparentsthegolden opportunity to witness their children being involved in sports. Date to be announced shortly

Before the Semifinals the captains and the trophy.

Romelu Lukaku the difference maker for dif Belgium. (Getty Images)

St. Therese Primary cop Berbice Zone title in Future Warriors Tapeball

Linden honours its outstanding young athletes

St Therese Primary held their nerve under pressuretoclinchthe2026 Berbice Zone title of the ExxonMobil Guyanapowered Future Warriors Tapeball tournament, sealing a 13-run victory over a resilient Tain Primaryunit.

overs.

on day it became a town

Despite the final defeat, Chichester's tournament aggregateof62runsearnedhim theMostRunsAward.

The result extended TainPrimary'ssequenceof near-misses in the primary schools competition, forcing them to settle for the runner-up spot for a second consecutive year, having previously finished

The individual honours for the zone, however, were dominated by Rose Hall Estate Primary's Mario Ramsammy. The young bowler claimed the Most Wickets and tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards on the back of an exceptional return of 11 wickets infourmatches,coupledwithan economyrateof5.88and25dot balls.

Earlier in the day, Massiah

third in the inaugural edition.

Batting first, St

Therese posted a formidable 81 for 6 from their allocation of eight overs. Christiano Ramdeo anchoredthetoporderwith a composed 20, while Ghani George provided lateimpetuswithavital19.

Despite disciplined spellsfromRomelRamdeo (2-11) and Adriel Chichester (2-13), the target demanded an asking rate of over 10 runs per over

Given Tain Primary's tournament reputation as the only other side to breach the 80-run barrier, the chase was expected to be a close affair However, the St. Therese bowling unit executed their plans clinically

E v e n t h o u g h Chichester threatened to break formatting with a brief 16 and Nicholas Bristol contributed an identical 16, Tain were restricted to 68 for 2 as Melroy Grant (1-10) and George(1-14)squeezedthe run flow in the middle

P r i m a r y s e c u r e d a comprehensive 46-run victory overRoseHallEstatePrimaryin thethird-placeplayoff.

Massiah raked up 79 for 6, built on Khushan Parmanand's 17 and an unbeaten 15 from Rishma Ramjass, despite Ramsammy's excellent 3 for 16. In reply, Rose Hall Estate crumbled to 33 for 5 against disciplinedbowling.

The semi-final stage highlighted the explosive nature of this year's Tapeball tournament as in Semi-Final 1, TainPrimaryblastedtheirwayto 86 for 2 against Massiah Primary,poweredbyascorching 11-ball34fromChichester(1x4, 5x6s) and an unbeaten 29 from RomelRamdeo.

Massiahfoughtbackthrough Ramjass,whostruckafluent16ball 27 (1x4, 3x6s), but Ramdeo's 3 for 11 ensured Massiahwerehaltedat66for6.

In Semi-Final 2, St. Therese Primary made short work of a 56-run target against Rose Hall Estate as Keiron DeJonge smashedabrutalunbeaten27off just 10 deliveries, littered with three sixes and a four, to guide his side home at 59 for 1 in just 4.5 overs after Rose Hall had (Continuedonpage21)

Mario Rammsammy won the MVP and Most Wickets award.

St. Therese Primary held their nerve under pressure to clinch the 2026 Berbice Zone title of the ExxonMobil Guyana -powered Future Warriors Tapeball tournament.

BeaversFCdevourQueenstown inEliteLeagueQualifiers

Beavers Football Club three-man (Ezam David, Darius Stephen, Liangel Machin) attack tore apart rivals Queenstown FC.

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Spain's Ferran Torres in action with Cape Verde's Vozinha. (REUTERS/Claudia Greco)