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Friday July 31, 2026
Bloomberg reports:
Oil curse hanging over Guyana’s head ...says country falls short on structuring tax and contract terms to capture full value of its resources
Bloomberg captured “shanty dwellings” in Guyana, the World’s fastest growing economy.
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l o o m b e rg , a n American media powerhouse renowned for business and markets news, data and analysis to name a few has warned that the oil curse is hanging over the world’s fastest growing economy with Guyana falling short in several key parameters laid out in the Natural Resource Charter. In a July 29 report, Bloomberg’s Juan Spinetto details his recent visit to G e o rg e t o w n w h e r e h i s attendance of the nation’s Independence Flag Raising Ceremony was flatly described as a “fiasco...more than an embarrassment.” Shifting attention to the nation’s resource management, Bloomberg assessed Guyana’s trajectory against dozens of benchmarks laid out in the Natural Resource Charter, a set of principles developed in 2010 by economists and policy experts to help resource-rich countries turn commodity booms into lasting prosperity. That analysis found that Guyana meets four principles on accountable public decision-making, investing revenue for citizens, smoothing revenue volatility, and international harmonisation. Additionally, it partially fulfills those on building an inclusive national strategy, state enterprise accountability, public spending efficiency and diversification. The report however highlights that Guyana “falls short on transparent and competitive rights allocation, local content
participation, upholding the highest corporate environmental, social and human rights standards, and structuring tax and contract terms to capture the full value of its resources.” Notably, this largely corresponds with the findings of the 2021 Resource Governance Index, a diagnostic tool created by the New York-based Natural Resource Governance Institute to assess how commodity producers manage their resources. Bloomberg highlighted that Guyana was placed in the “weak” performance category, with an aggregated score of 56 out of 100. “As a new producer, Guyana is still developing the institutional framework to successfully govern its oil and gas sector. With weakness evident in value realisation, revenue management and the overall enabling environment, the government should prioritise the development of a robust resource governance framework,” the report concluded. It was explained that Guyana’s biggest gaps are institutional. To this end, it was suggested that the country establish a stateowned oil company that could help the government capture a larger share of revenue from oil. Notably, the report cautioned that doing so before the necessary institutions are in place risks creating another vehicle for waste, political favoritism and graft. Further, Bloomberg said, “executing megaprojects requires meticulous, longContinued on page 6
Kaieteur News
Friday July 31, 2026
PAGE 03
Pres. Ali dodges media …as he swears in COI panel ...held no press conference on ferry disaster
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ince the MV Barima capsised on July 18 while en route to Port Kaituma, leaving 73 people confirmed dead and at least 30 others still missing at sea, President Irfaan Ali has not faced the local media. Following his return to the country after the tragedy, President Ali has relied on video statements to address the nation rather than press briefings. Apart from those broadcasts, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has taken the lead in publicly addressing the disaster on behalf of the Peoples Progressive Party C i v i c ( P P P / C ) administration, hosting a series of press briefings. On Thursday, the fivemember Commission of Inquiry (COI) established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy was sworn in at State House. It should be noted that no invitation was extended to the local media to cover the ceremony. The proceedings were instead streamed on President Ali’s Facebook page, and a link to the broadcast was subsequently shared with members of the media by Director of Public Information Edward Layne. The commissioners took their oaths before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman. Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize, who will chair the inquiry, was sworn in virtually as he is currently out of the jurisdiction. The remaining commissioners: Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica, Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and To b a g o , D r. A n d r z e j Jasionowski of Poland, and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago were sworn in during the ceremony. S i n c e t h e t r a g e d y,
Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer
Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, Attorney-at-Law with expertise in Admiralty and Maritime Law
Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago questions have been raised about the 87-year-old v e s s e l ’s m a i n t e n a n c e , seaworthiness, regulatory oversight, the manifest and whether the vessel was overloaded with passengers and cargo. The commission has been mandated to investigate the circumstances
Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize to serve as Chair of the COI
Captain Hamada Fouda, Senior Maritime Surveyor and Compliance Auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica surrounding the disaster and make findings, observations and recommendations before submitting a written report to President Irfaan Ali. While government mulls leaving the MV Barima on the seabed, the COI members are tasked with inspecting the condition and maintenance history of the vessel, including its seaworthiness, analysing the influence of weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, n a v i g a t i o n , communications, and other environmental or operational factors that may have contributed to the incident. In his address, President Ali underscored the qualifications of the commissioners, highlighting that the panel comprises experts in law, marine engineering, maritime
President Irfaan Ali (centre) and the four COI members that were sworn-in at State House on Thursday. operations, maritime regulation and disaster investigation. “Their experience, competence and integrity will enhance the professionalism, depth and credibility of this inquiry,” he said, adding that the members meet the highest benchmarks of impartiality and objectivity. President Ali assured the commissioners that the government would provide all necessary administrative, technical, financial and logistical support to facilitate a thorough and independent investigation. Moreover, he stressed that the country continues to
grieve the devastating loss of life while seeking answers. “That tragedy brought immeasurable grief to families, communities and to our entire country. Even as we continue to mourn those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with the survivors and their loved ones, we have an equal solemn duty to establish the truth,” President Ali said. He further outlined that the inquiry is intended to provide a comprehensive account of the disaster. President Ali added, “Our nation deserves a full, fair and impartial account of what occurred, why it occurred and what must be
done to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.” Moreover, the head-ofstate noted that the commission has been given a broad mandate to examine every relevant aspect of the tragedy. He added that the findings are eagerly anticipated by the nation and the families of the victims. “The nation awaits such report. The families who have suffered unimaginable loss await these answers. Future generations deserve the assurance that every lesson that can be learned from this tragedy will indeed be learned,” President Ali said.
Kaieteur News
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Friday July 31, 2026
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor-in-Chief: Nigel Williams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Don’t Bury the Truth It is remarkable how quickly the government’s position shifted. Soon after the MV Barima disaster, President Irfaan declared that his government will do everything in its power to ensure passengers are rescued, bodies and recovered and families get closure. Today, the same administration is singing a different tune of leaving the ill-fated ferry that sank on July 18,.2026 on the seabed as a memorial. The difficulties faced by divers were repeatedly cited. The nation was told, in effect, that the chapter was closing. Then Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed publicly offered to finance and coordinate a full salvage operation using international expertise. Suddenly, the Government announced that the families would decide whether the vessel should be raised. That abrupt reversal raises a troubling question. If salvage was always an option, why now it is left to the families to decide. No one disputes that the wishes of grieving families matter. They should matter. They have endured unimaginable pain. Many are still waiting for the remains of loved ones. But this tragedy ceased being a private family matter the day more than a hundred lives were placed at risk aboard a state-operated ferry. It became a national disaster demanding national accountability. The MV Barima is no ordinary shipwreck. It is a potential crime scene. Somewhere inside that vessel may lie the answers to the questions haunting Guyana. Were the navigation systems functioning? Was the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon operational? Was the Search and Rescue Transponder working? Were the life rafts serviceable? What was the condition of the engines? Did mechanical failure contribute to the disaster? Was the vessel carrying cargo beyond what it should have? These are not matters that can be settled by speculation or witness recollection alone. Physical evidence often tells a story that memories cannot. Every day that the vessel remains underwater increases the possibility that crucial evidence deteriorates or disappears forever. That is why the argument that a Commission of Inquiry can proceed even if the vessel is never recovered is deeply unsatisfactory. A Commission should have access to every available piece of evidence before reaching conclusions. To knowingly leave perhaps the most important exhibit on the ocean floor risks reducing the inquiry to an exercise built on incomplete facts. This concern is not confined to the parliamentary opposition. Opposition parties have already criticised the manner in which the Commission of Inquiry was established, arguing that there was no consultation and calling for an internationally recognised marine casualty investigation alongside the COI. Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. has likewise questioned whether the process can genuinely inspire public confidence, saying that appointing foreign commissioners alone does not make an inquiry independent if key stakeholders were excluded from its formation. Those concerns become even more significant if the vessel itself is left where it lies. Government insists it has “nothing to hide.” If that is indeed so, then recovering the MV Barima should strengthen, not weaken its position. The surest way to silence allegations of negligence, regulatory failure or official misconduct is to allow the evidence to speak. A vessel resting beneath the Atlantic cannot answer questions. A recovered vessel can. There is another reason why recovery matters. Guyana has suffered too many national tragedies where lessons were promised but accountability proved elusive. Citizens remember inquiries that produced lengthy reports while confidence in public institutions continued to erode. This Commission of Inquiry cannot afford to become another exercise where conclusions are questioned because critical
Edghill and others must go DEAR EDITOR, On July 18, 2026, the MV Barima capsized off the Pomeroon River with some 100 Guyanese dying. This is our worst maritime disaster. By Gazette Order dated October 21, 2025, Mr. Juan Anthony Edghill was assigned responsibility for “Shipping and Harbour Services” as Minister of P u b l i c Wo r k s . H e i s accountable to the people of Guyana through his appointment by President Irfaan Ali. As part of this role, he oversaw the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD). In the final scheme of things, all of this rolls up to the Office of the President and as one US President once said, “the buck stops at this desk.” Through Cabinet Memorandum CP (2026) MOPW08/02, Mr. Edghill appointed: · Ms. Rosalinda Rasul – Chairperson (Head of Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs). · Ms. Yurlander Hughes – former Personnel Manager, now Acting General Manager-T&HD. · Ms. Annaser Hamilton
– Materials Expeditor and Credit Union Board member. · Ms. Louise Williams – Director of Ports at MARAD (the regulator). · M r. I n d r a n a u t h Haralsingh – former Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism. · Mr. Dhanraj Singh – overseas-based Guyanese who has no experience in marine transport. · Mr. Jonathan LaCruz – Civil Engineering Graduate (who graduated 2022). Does any of these persons possess maritime crisis management certification or extensive operational risk expertise except maybe the representative from MARAD, Ms. Louise Williams. But Ms. Louise Williams is both a regulator (MARAD) and a Board member of the operator (T&HD). Is it ethical for the regulator to regulate themselves when the public’s lives are involved? T h e C h a i r p e r s o n ’s Record Ms. Rosalinda Rasul was Country Manager of EZjet Air Services, when the United States Department of
Transport suspending its licences in November 2012 (see Stabroek News article), leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Simultaneously, the owner was engaged in criminal proceeding brought against him by the US Government. Ms. Rosalinda Rasul now Head of Diaspora Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under Mr. Robert Persaud. She has very limited maritime experience. But by some stint of luck or connections, she chairs Guyana’s principal ferry operator, the T&HD. The Acting General Manager’s Record Ms. Hughes is a former Personnel Manager at T&HD. She now runs an operation that received in 2024 GUY$1.2 billion in operational subsidies and GUY$5.1 billion in capital contributions— a total of GUY$6.3 billion from the taxpayers by way of the National Budget. In return, the travelling public received a piece of metal floor to sleep on aboard the MV Barima. The T&HD “raked in GUY$1.2 billion in revenues” in 2024, as was
reported in the Guyana Ti m e s a n d t h e o t h e r newspapers. But the employment costs were GUY$1.4 billion and another GUY$1.3 billion was needed to pay for fuel. (See the Ministry of Finance website). The company ran a GUY$6.3 billion loss operations in 2024, sustained entirely by taxpayers. It has ZERO independent capital revenue. Its survival depends on central government gifts, not its own performance. The governance model perpetuated by Ms. Rosalinda Rasul and her General Manager aims to keep fares artificially low as a disguise for serving the poor. The truth: “nothing cheap is good.” Without radical restructuring, future emergencies are a foregone conclusion at the T&HD. Demands for Action 1. Mr. Juan Anthony Edghill and Ms. Yurlander Hughes must vacate their positions until the Independent Commission of Inquiry complete its work, and based on those findings, then we shall know what the Continued on page 5
Let us not have to wait for a change of govt. for the MV Barima to be raised DEAR EDITOR, In March 2025, the remains of two Indigenous women – Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran – who were murdered in 2022 by Jeremy Skibicki, a serial killer, were found after a search of a landfill in the Canadian province of Manitoba. Their murders had gone undetected for months until a man looking for scrap metal in a bin outside Jeremy Skibicki’s apartment found partial human remains, identified as belonging to a third Indigenous woman, Rebecca Contois. Manitoba Police and authorities suspected that Skibicki had deposited the remains of his victims in garbage bins, which then were dumped into the Prairie Green Landfill, north of the city of Winnipeg, The RCMP and the
provincial government initially declined to search the landfill for the remains of the women, and a federal government study concluded that a search could take three years and cost up to CAD 184 million (USD 128 million). The families of the murdered women never gave up calling for the landfill to be searched. In October 2023, Wabanakwut “Wab” Kinew from the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation in Northwestern Ontario was elected as the 25th premier of Manitoba. Wab Kinew, pledged CAD 20 million for a search of the landfill that began in December 2024. The funds were matched by the federal government. In late February 2025, search crews recovered human remains, later identified as
evidence was left beyond reach. No responsible government should fear the fullest possible investigation into the country’s worst maritime disaster in decades. If international expertise is available, whether through the Government or through credible offers from elsewhere, it should be objectively evaluated. The objective must not be political victory for one side or defeat for another. The objective must be the truth. A memorial has its place. But memorials are built after
those of Ms Harris and Ms Myran. Their bodies were returned to their families for burial. In March 2025, the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives (PC), who had rejected a landfill search when they formed government, issued a formal apology in the legislature to the families. “Our government erred. It’s as simple as that,” said interim PC Leader Wayne Ewasko. Premier Kinew has said that “many Canadians always understood that this was the right thing to do to search the landfill”. “But now, we can also say with confidence, that this was also the realistic and reasonable thing to do,” Wayne Ewasko added. Editor, the Indigenous women, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, did not die
while traveling in a Stateowned and run ferry. They died at the hands of a psychopath. But the Premier of Manitoba understood that their lives were sacred. Excavators and people worked in the winter months (December 2024-February 2025) to dig up and examine hundreds or thousands of tons of garbage – ‘a needle in a haystack’ – to retrieve the bones of the two Indigenous women, Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. Editor, please let us not have to await a change of government for the MV Barima to be raised, and for the remains of the precious souls inside to be returned to their loved ones for dignified burial, and for our nation to begin healing. Sincerely, Janette Bulkan
every reasonable effort has been exhausted—not before. To declare the seabed a permanent resting place while the vessel still holds possible evidence would risk creating not merely a monument to the dead, but a monument to unanswered questions. The families deserve closure. The nation deserves accountability. The Commission deserves every available piece of evidence. Raise the MV Barima. Do not bury the truth with it.
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Friday July 31, 2026
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Barima tragedy demands more than sympathy: It demands accountability DEAR EDITOR, Who must account for the dozens drowned in the Barima tragedy, one that should have been avoided? It is not that a hundred drowned or cannot be accounted for. It is because many who survived the tragedy were not on the manifest. And there were c l a i m s o f s h i p c a rg o overloading. A 87 year old boat, consigned for major overhaul and repairs, was sent to the ocean in rough waters. Why? Who is responsible for this disaster? Who should be held accountable for this mishap – the government, the President, the PM, the Ministers, public, others? It is not a question of criminal guilt but political accountability and moral responsibility. The latter two concepts are at the heart of democratic governance. This is constitutional propriety not a question of personal culpability. President Ali administration is responsible for all affairs. Specific responsibility for the ship and transport falls under Indar Deodat and Juan Edghill. Should both be held accountable? Should both be asked by the President to resign or simply fired? The opposition and protesters are right to call for their heads. And what should be the role of the public in this disaster other than say they are sad,
feel sorry? In any other country, both Ministers would have been fired long ago for their failures in road construction (pot holes and uneven surfacing), airport c o n s t r u c t i o n d e l a y, electricity black outs, high cost of energy, countless road fatalities, allegations of corruption, among others. In a functioning democracy, ministers take responsibility for serious policy failure that impacts on the lives of the nation, particularly when lives are lost. The Barima disaster is the largest man made in the country and region’s history. The public must not be silent. A democracy is tested not only in winning elections but by the manner in which the elected accept responsibility when public institutions fail. In England, they do. This concept is at the heart of the repeated crises surrounding national disasters, so many in the country over the last six years, and no one was held accountable save when Nigel Dharamlall was forced to resign over repeated rape scandals. Is it true also that his family business supply cement and office supplies to the government? The central question is not whether Indar and Edghill personally overloaded the boat or loaded the boat with passengers not on the
manifest or steered the old boat to disaster. The question is whether the political heads of the Ministries responsible for the boat and for transportation and for rescuing passengers should accept political and moral responsibility when the system under their authority fails. Helicopters were not sent to rescue lives. Ministers are known to claim credit for successful schemes and national achievements. They cannot disclaim responsibility whenever their policy fails. And for both Ministers, they repeatedly failed in a variety of projects, too many to list. The distinction between criminal guilt and moral and political accountability lies at the heart of democratic governance. The gravity of the offense and magnitude of the disaster with so many deaths require some kind of ministerial accountability. The political heads of ministries responsible for the Barima disaster and for water transport must accept responsibility when a grave failure of 100 killed occurs within the system under their charge. The Ministers may be innocent of a crime unless it is found they were involved in fraud relating to the manifest and load. Yet they must be held responsible as the political head of a system that failed
the nation. Oversight was not properly exercised that led to boozing and smoking weed. When a tragedy happens, the right and honorable thing to do is for the head to resign. Resignation is not an admission of criminal guilt. It is an acknowledgement that public office carries public responsibility and accountability. Authority and accountability are fused. It is reported that individuals are arrested for criminal reasons like overloading the boat, not having passengers on the manifest, consuming alcohol, smoking weed, etc. Also, the government announces a COI and some workers are suspended or still in lock up. The tragedy may lead to reforms. But
none of these actions address the issue of accountability in a democracy: who was politically responsible for oversight to make sure that the system was secure and trustworthy? Lives were at stake. Failure was not an option. Responsibility cannot be pushed away. Authority and accountability are fused. One cannot exercise authority and not want accountability for actions. The President is the head of the government and responsible for the overall political direction. Indar Deodat and Juan Edghil were given the responsibility to oversee affairs of ferry and marine transport. They must be held responsible for failures. Accountability has
failed at the level of the presidency also. The President is not acting politically responsible by not firing the two Ministers. This is hubristic. And he will pay a price. Leadership must be exemplary: those who hold public office must accept responsibility. If the two Ministers refuse to step down, the President must answer. Democracy is strengthened when power accepts its duty to be accountable. Citizens too have a responsibility. When those in power fail to accept accountability, the public cannot remain silent. They have a right to take action, take to the streets for change. Yours faithfully, Nathan Barton
Edghill and others must go From page 4 next steps for them are. 2. The entire Board, under Ms. Roalinda Rasul, must be sacked for abandonment of oversight, failure of duty of care, and ineffective corporate governance. They have failed Guyana. It is good to see that an independent Commission of Inquiry must be led by a nonGuyanese maritime professional with competence in internal controls, port
management, and occupational safety, has been appointed, we should give them the space to do their work. May the souls of those lives lost rest in peace and may all the living who are suffering mental trauma right now find mental people. The mental destruction from this accident is just too much and we must change the way we operation on the waters and on the roadways. Regards, Vishnu Prashad
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Friday July 31, 2026
ExxonM to conclude another exploration well next month
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xxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is currently conducting exploration drilling operations at Rockhead-1 well, within the Stabroek B l o c k o f G u y a n a ’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The oil giant has already unlocked 46 discoveries in the prolific basin with a number of exploration wells still being drilled. According to a Notice published by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in Kaieteur News o n We d n e s d a y, t h e exploration drilling activity at Rockhead-1 is expected to conclude on August 31, 2026. Currently, the MODU Stena Carron is engaged in the drilling activity located a p p r o x i m a t e l y 11 5 . 2 nautical miles or 213.4 kilometers off the Coast of Guyana. It covers an area of 0.29 square nautical miles or one square kilometer. This is the fourth exploration well the company has announced so far for the year.
Notably, Guyana will be required to foot the expense associated with the drilling activity, irrespective of if the operator finds oil. Exploration drilling at Goby-1 by the energy giant was slated to be completed t o d a y, J u l y 3 1 , 2 0 2 6 according to MARAD in a previous notice. The company also previously announced its plan to hunt for more oil at the Barreleye-3 well site in Stabroek and the Goatfish-1 well site. ExxonMobil first struck oil in commercial quanitities off the country’s coast in 2015. It has since announced a string of successful discoveries which have p u s h e d t h e c o u n t r y ’s estimated oil reserves to about 11.6B barrels. Guyana has been paying Exxon millions of USdollars to explore the basin for hydrocarbons, a cost which experts argue should not be borne by the state. In 2025 alone, the company’s financials show that Guyana was forced to pay $26.6B for exploration activities by the company. Notably, oil-producing
states around the world, including neighbouring Suriname have blocked oil companies from recovering costs spent to hunt for oil. Guyana on the other hand, not only allows Exxon to recover costs for wells successfully drilled, but even dry holes encountered in the process. The sweetheart deal signed by ExxonMobil in 2016 allows the company to recover costs related to its exploration activities, even if those efforts do not produce oil. This provision, along with several others, have been criticised by both local and international experts in the past, who are adamant that all companies take on financial risks as the cost of doing business where they operate. While the company racks up billions in exploration expense, shortening profits that should flow into Guyana’s account, the country is kept in the dark regarding the oil giant’s annual hunt for oil. The Stabroek oil deal requires the operator to not only submit its yearly
President Ali signs Guyana Development Bank Act into law DPI - President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Thursday assented to the Guyana Development Bank Act 2026, officially bringing into force the legislation that establishes the country’s newest financial institution and paving the way for thousands of small and medium sized businesses to access financing, mentorship and technical support. The Act, which was passed in the National Assembly on Monday, creates the legal, institutional and President Dr. Irfaan Ali signs the administrative framework for the Guyana Development Bank Act. (DPI) Guyana Development Bank to begin operations as a key pillar of the government’s strategy to expand entrepreneurship, stimulate investment and strengthen the productive sectors. With the president’s assent, preparations can now advance for the rollout of the bank’s flagship financing programme, under which eligible milestone in the government’s efforts to entrepreneurs will be able to access loans of up to $3 million without the need for remove long standing barriers that have prevented many aspiring entrepreneurs from collateral and at zero interest. Beyond financing, the bank will offer accessing affordable capital. The legislation was passed in the comprehensive business development services, including assistance with National Assembly after being piloted by preparing business plans, improving Senior Minister in the Office of the President financial management and strengthening with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh, who said the operations. The support is designed to help Bank would unleash a new wave of entrepreneurs grow sustainable enterprises entrepreneurship by making affordable that can eventually qualify for financing financing available to thousands of small businesses that have traditionally faced through the commercial banking sector. The legislation marks another significant challenges accessing credit.
exploration plans to the government of Guyana (GoG), but an annual budget to meet its work programme. This information is concealed by the government while the nation’s oil revenue is
The MODU Stena Carron drillship is being used by ExxonMobil for the exploration activity
shortened to meet this expenditure. During its most recent engagement with the media on 9th June, 2026, ExxonMobil was asked for an update on its exploration plans for the year but did not
provide a comment. The company’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, John Colling explained to the media that he was only prepared to address the company’s 2025 financial performance.
Bloomberg reports:
Oil curse hanging over... From page 2 term planning, something that Guyana isn’t yet fully equipped to do.” It pointed to the US$2B Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project as a prime example, t h e c o u n t r y ’s l a r g e s t infrastructure development in the country’s history. The report highlighted that the massive project is running about two years behind schedule and has seen costs escalate after encountering major soil challenges. It also noted the construction of the specialised Paediatric and Maternal Hospital, one of the 12 state-of-the-art hospitals government hopes to complete by 2028, which is delayed, reportedly because of changes of ownership in the construction company. When it comes to government corruption, Bloomberg said that this remains a recurring complaint. In fact, Guyana ranks 84 out of 182 nations in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with little improvement in recent years. Notably, it explained that government has so far navigated corruption allegations largely unscathed, but a new controversy has raised the political stakes. In early July, Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), Azruddin Mohamed expose President Ali’s ownership of 150-acre ranch on the Linden Highway, raising questions of conflicts of interest and personal enrichment, prompting the Leader of the Opposition to call on the Head of State to resign. The President later acknowledged owning the
property but explained it was acquired prior to him taking office and has been properly disclosed to the authorities. To this end, the report said, “Even so, the lingering question for many is how members of the political elite managed to amass such vast wealth in such a short time. Meanwhile, Mohamed, who is one of Guyana’s richest persons, and his father have themselves been sanctioned by the US and indicted on allegations that they evaded millions of dollars in taxes and royalties through fraudulent gold exports and related money-laundering schemes.” For his part, the President told the media entity of his plans to turn Guyana into a major global energy supplier while diversifying the economy. His futurist vision encompasses everything from AI investment, digitisation and technology to producing Netflix Inc. series. “All of these areas are working together in futureproofing the economy, so the economy is not dependent in any way, shape or form on one area of growth...it is broad. It is highly integrated, and it’s what I would say progressive,” Ali told Bloomberg. The news outlet pointed out that while the President’s plans look “impressive on paper” much of it sounds “like a carefully rehearsed TED Talk.” “It’s fair to wonder whether delusions of grandeur have overtaken execution. Grand visions usually stumble where they m a t t e r m o s t : implementation. Guyana’s weak bureaucracy, fragile
institutions and shortage of skilled workers pose real obstacles to its president’s sweeping plans,” the report cautioned as it went on to note that the welldocumented pathogenesis of the resource curse offers ample reason for skepticism. Meanwhile, an ExxonMobil spokesperson defended the lopsided oil contract with Guyana. The company stated, “The agreement was negotiated with the Government of Guyana and reflected competitive terms at a time when there were significant exploration, technical and price risks.” WIN Opposition Member of Parliament, Odessa Primus was also featured in the report. She said, “The contract is not necessarily in the best interest of Guyanese... Exxon has to look out for their best interest. And they have done so very well. Clearly whoever’s getting paid over there to negotiate these contracts deserves a raise to pay.” Bloomberg said, “Yet if this unprecedented flow of money and profits fails to translate into better living standards, Exxon will likely become a target of public frustration. Fairly or not, many Guyanese view Exxon as a power behind the scenes, giving the company the unofficial role of arbiter of modern Guyana. That perception could fuel public resentment and demands to rewrite the favorable contract the company secured in 2016. Productionsharing contracts in neighboring Suriname generally impose a 6.25% royalty on gross oil output; Guyana charges just 2%.”
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . The oil curse B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B . . L LU ...BLUN . T B . . N . T U L N T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U BBL T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday July 31, 2026
Kaieteur News
Bloomberg’s opinion on Guyana’s management of its oil resources has merely amplified what this newspaper has been warning for years. When an internationally respected publication concludes that Guyana is exhibiting many of the classic symptoms of the resource curse weak institutions, poor transparency, growing inequality and the concentration of power—the Government can no longer dismiss such concerns as partisan attacks. Bloomberg’s assessment should be taken seriously because it comes from independent observation, not political allegiance. Kaieteur News has repeatedly raised questions about governance, procurement, accountability, the lopsided oil contract, and the widening gap between spectacular economic growth and the daily struggles of ordinary Guyanese. Oil wealth alone cannot build a nation; strong institutions can. If these warnings continue to be ignored, Guyana risks becoming yet another petro-state where billions flow through the economy while too many citizens remain spectators instead of beneficiaries. The time for complacency has passed.
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Friday July 31, 2026
‘You can’t have both’ ...Todd challenges parallel COI, murder prosecution of MV Barima crew ...warns COI testimony could prejudice trio’s murder trial
T
he legal team representing the three Transport and Harbours Department (TH&D) employees charged with murder over the deadly MV Barima disaster is preparing to challenge the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) position that criminal proceedings can run alongside the Commission of Inquiry (COI), warning that such a course could prejudice the accused and undermine their constitutional rights. With the five-member COI sworn in on Thursday and his clients on remand facing 72 counts of murder, attorney-at-law and A Partnership for National U n i t y ( A P N U ) parliamentarian Dexter Todd maintained that instituting the murder charges “is not only unacceptable, it is
Attorney-at-law Dexter Todd premature.” During a press conference Todd referenced a statement by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, which states that criminal proceedings and the COI can proceed concurrently. “More importantly our concerns from a legal standpoint are
that there is an acceptance by the Director of Public Prosecutions that two parallel investigations are acceptable under our laws,” Todd stated. Notwithstanding the explanation from the DPP’s Chambers, Todd argued that such a position is neither tenable nor supported by Guyana’s legal framework. “Our position from the legal standpoint is clear that the posture adopted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and that of the government is one which is formed outside of the laws of Guyana particularly in the scenario where you are dealing with casualties at sea,” he noted. “We have been given instructions to challenge that position in the court,” he added, signalling an impending legal challenge. Outlining the legal
Captain, Kevin Price, called “KP”
Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts
Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson
team’s position, Todd said the MV Barima tragedy falls within the scope of a marine casualty and should therefore be dealt with under the relevant maritime legislation. On the evening of July 18, the MV Barima capsized and left more than 70 people confirmed dead and at least 30 others still missing at sea. “This capsising of the MV Barima fits under a marine casualty…our position, therefore, is clear that the treatment of this matter falls squarely under the guidelines of the Guyana Shipping’s Act and all other subsidiary legislations. Our legal architecture does not permit without an inquiry being held to jump into any other piece of legislation that is our criminal law or as the persons are charged under the common law,” Todd expressed. He stressed that where legislation specifically governs the conduct of a particular matter, there should be no reverting to the common law. The charges against Captain Kevin Price, known as “KP”, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson were instituted as murder charges under the common law. When asked whether he would advise his clients not
to participate in the COI, Todd said that, in the absence of the Commission’s Terms of Reference, there are serious considerations as to whether they should do so. He explained that his clients’ participation would depend on several factors, the first being whether the State is prepared to stay the criminal proceedings. To d d s a i d a n o t h e r consideration is whether the COI will effectively operate as a preliminary inquiry and whether, under its Terms of Reference and the governing legislation, it intends to examine the conduct of the seafarers or crew members. “Now if they are going to be dealing with the conduct of them, then we have a legal challenge. We have a matter which is facing the courts, the criminal courts, and we have the COI. What will stand down? Will the COI stand down or will the criminal court stand down? We can’t have it on both sides because, of course, the investigation as the legislation contemplated is one which will have to have the accused persons speak,” he noted. Todd further questioned whether any testimony his clients give under oath before the COI could later be used in the criminal
proceedings they are already facing. “So, every step of it, you are seeing that there are going to be legal challenges. The third limb is that the law, there’s a body of law which supports that matters which are subjudice, no other tribunal or court or commission can look or interfere with any matters touching and concerning what a court is dealing with at the point in time,” the lawyer said. His main contention is whether adequate safeguards will be put in place, given that his clients are already facing criminal charges and will likely be required to appear before the COI. “So, there are a number of considerations that we will have to make before there is a definitive decision as to whether they can appear before the COI or not. The fourth consideration is that there is protection under the constitution in which they have a right not to incriminate themselves and they can invoke that. That is also an important consideration,” Todd said. He added that, at this stage, the legal team does not have sufficient information particularly the Terms of Reference, to determine whether the accused should participate in the Commission’s proceedings.
Kaieteur News
Friday July 31, 2026
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If it was a big wave, will they still want heads? There is something increasingly troubling about the rush by some people to demand the heads of two Ministers over the M.V. B a r i m a t r a g e d y. T h e problem is not that Ministers should never be held accountable, but that accountability should come after the facts are established, not before. One of the two Ministers being targeted does not even have ministerial responsibility for the maritime sector at present. Yet that has not stopped the calls for his resignation, as though the mere fact that he is a Minister is sufficient to make him responsible for a vessel that sank. This begins to look less like a search for accountability and more like a search for somebody to blame. It suggests that some people have already decided who must carry the political consequences before the Commission of Inquiry has had an opportunity to determine what actually happened. That is a serious problem. A Commission of Inquiry exists precisely because, in a tragedy as complicated as this one, there may be several competing explanations and the country needs facts rather than assumptions. But some of the critics
appear to have solved the mystery already. They seem to know who is responsible, what went wrong, who should resign and, in some cases, who should face criminal charges. One wonders, therefore, why we are bothering with an inquiry at all. Why wait for the Commission to examine the vessel, its condition, its maintenance, t h e w e a t h e r, t h e s e a c o n d i t i o n s , t h e c r e w, n a v i g a t i o n , communications, passenger b e h a v i o u r, r e g u l a t o r y oversight and everything else that may have contributed to the tragedy? And why wait for the police investigation to establish what happened and why charges have already been filed against three members of the crew? If the verdict has already been reached in the court of public opinion, perhaps the investigators can simply ask the politicians for their files. This is not an argument for protecting Ministers from accountability. Quite the opposite, Ministers must be accountable, but accountability must be proportionate to their actual responsibilities and based upon evidence. There is a difference between ministerial culpability and political responsibility. A Minister
who personally ordered an unsafe vessel to sail, ignored a known danger or deliberately disregarded a regulatory requirement cannot hide behind the machinery of government and say, “It was not me.” But a Minister does not become personally culpable for every operational failure within an agency merely because that agency falls within his portfolio. If that were the standard, every minister would be permanently responsible for every mistake, accident, breakdown and act of negligence committed anywhere within the governmental system. Resignation should ordinarily follow an established failure of responsibility, not simply the occurrence of a catastrophe. So let us conduct a little thought experiment. Suppose the Commission establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the Barima toppled because of exceptionally adverse weather and sea conditions, and suppose the evidence demonstrates that this was essentially a natural disaster rather than a man-made one. Suppose further that the Commission finds that the vessel was properly maintained, that the relevant regulations were followed, that the crew acted
Dem Boys Seh...
Facebook done investigate everything Dem boys seh Guyana really wasting money with this Commission of Inquiry into the M.V. Barima. Why spend money on judges, naval architects, marine engineers and maritime experts when we got Facebook and WhatsApp? By now, every mystery surrounding the Barima has already been solved by people who never see the vessel, never inspect the engine room and never come within a mile of the ocean. Yet somehow dem know more than the engineers, surveyors and investigators who actually have to put their hands on the evidence. One Facebook expert already know that water was coming into the vessel through a hole. Another WhatsApp professor know exactly where the hole was and, if you give him another ten minutes, he probably could tell you the size of the bolt that was supposed to plug it. Then you got the maintenance specialists. Dem know the Barima was not properly maintained, although most of dem maintenance experience come from changing oil in a car or calling a technician when the air-condition stop working. Then there are the cargo experts. They know the vessel was overloaded with cargo destined for Suriname instead of Port Kaituma. How they know this? Simple.
Somebody send it in a WhatsApp group. And naturally, there are the navigation experts. These fellows know that the vessel hit a sandbank in the ocean two weeks before the tragedy. Not only do they know it hit the sandbank, they probably know the exact angle at which it struck. Put all the stories together and Guyana has more versions of what happened to the Barima than we have WhatsApp groups. So why bother with a Commission of Inquiry? After all, what could the Chairman and his fellow Commissioners possibly discover that Facebook has not already decided? That is the real problem. For these socialmedia investigators, the COI is not going to discover the truth; it is only going to interfere with the truth they already know. The Commission could spend months examining documents, interviewing witnesses, inspecting the vessel and analysing technical evidence. But if its findings disagree with a WhatsApp voice note from “somebody who know somebody who does work down de wharf,” then clearly the Commission got it wrong. Dem boys seh Guyana got a new system of justice: first send the verdict on WhatsApp, then investigate the evidence. Talk half. Leff half.
reasonably in the circumstances, that there was no ministerial policy failure and that no government official could reasonably have prevented what happened. Here is the question for those demanding resignations today: Would you still demand that the Ministers resign? And what if the final conclusion is that a massive wave struck the vessel at precisely the wrong moment and caused it to topple? Would the demand for resignation still stand? Would the Minister suddenly become responsible for the sea? Would he be expected to resign because the Atlantic produced a wave of sufficient force to overwhelm a vessel? If the answer is yes, then we have moved beyond accountability into something else. We have reached a position where the conclusion does not matter because the political verdict has already been determined. That is what makes the present headhunting so dangerous. It creates the impression that the purpose is not to discover the truth
but to find a politically convenient culprit. The country deserves better than that. The families of those who died deserve better than that. They deserve an investigation that follows the evidence wherever it leads, whether that evidence points to human error, negligence, regulatory failure, mechanical failure, operational failure, bad judgment, a combination of causes or simply an extraordinary act of nature. And if the evidence ultimately establishes that a Minister failed in a duty that properly belonged to him, then let the consequences follow. If it establishes that an agency failed, then those responsible should answer; if it establishes criminal conduct, the courts should
deal with it; and if it establishes that the tragedy was unavoidable, then we must have the courage to accept that conclusion too. That is the meaning of a genuine search for truth. You do not begin by choosing the culprit and then ask the evidence to catch up. So before demanding another Minister’s head, perhaps the most important question is also the simplest: What if it was a big wave? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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FridayMay July02, 31,2022 2026 Monday
Poll puts Rodrigues 2nd in race for UN top job July 30 (Reuters) - A first informal U.N. Security Council poll on Thursday showed former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as the early frontrunner in the race to become the next secretarygeneral of the United Nations, followed by former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, diplomats told Reuters. A r g e n t i n a ’s R a f a e l
Grossi, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, was in a surprise third place among the seven candidates for the post, a diplomat said. In the non-binding “straw poll” voting by the 15 members of the Security Council, Grynspan received 10 “encourage” votes to nine for Rodrigues-Birkett and seven for Grossi. The candidates are seeking to replace Antonio
Guterres of Portugal when he steps down at the end of this year after two five-year ‘terms. Guterres’ successor faces the task of revitalizing an organization in crisis and declining stature, amid growing pressure to reform what critics say is a bloated, costly bureaucracy and reduce duplication across its agencies. In the straw polls, of
which multiple rounds are expected, Security Council members in secret ballots are asked whether they “encourage,” “discourage” or have “no opinion” on each candidate. Diplomats said Grynspan also received one “discourage” vote and four no-opinion votes. Rodrigues-Birkett received two discourage votes and four no-opinions, while Grossi received two discourage votes and six noopinions. In the early rounds of straw polls, identical ballots are cast, allowing diplomats to see overall levels of support and opposition without revealing whether negative votes came from one of the Council’s five veto-wielding permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States whose support is vital. The other candidates are former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, former Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former Senegalese President Macky Sall, and Ugandan diplomat Olara Otunnu, who entered the race last week. ‘ Bachelet received six encourage, five discourage and four no-opinions; Sall six encourage, seven discourage and two noopinions; Espinosa five encourage, two discourage and eight no-opinions; and Otunnu two encourage, five discourage and eight noopinions. The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told reporters after the meeting the voting was confidential and added: “We’ll let the process play out ... We need a SecretaryGeneral that is going to reform this institution, that is going to make it leaner, more
Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett
Candidate for the position of United Nations secretary-general, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, speaks during the “UN Town Hall: The Next Secretary-General” event at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., July 23, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz fit for purpose, more relevant on the international stage.” MULTIPLE ROUNDS ‘EXPECTED Two diplomats said the results were encouraging for Grynspan - assuming her single discourage vote did not come from a vetowielding permanent member of the Security Council, while another added: “Birkett is the surprise there. If the two discourage are not P5, she could sneak in.” Another diplomat said the straw poll revealed “no consensus” on any one candidate. Historical precedent suggests multiple rounds of ‘polling could continue in the coming weeks and conclude in late September or early October. The process
could take longer if no consensus candidate emerges. Other candidates can still join the contest. At a later stage in the process, the five permanent members use ballots of a different color from elected members that reveal whether a candidate has received a “discourage” `vote from one of them. The Security Council ultimately adopts a resolution, traditionally behind closed doors, recommending an appointment to the 193member U.N. General Assembly. This needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes. Subsequent General Assembly approval has long been seen as a formality.
Kaieteur News
Friday July 31, 2026
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Family of 3 homeless after fire destroys South Ruimveldt home
A fire tender at the scene of the fire A family of three is homeless after a fire of unknown origin tore through their two-storey wood-and-concrete house at Lot 172 Sunflower Circle, South Ruimveldt Park, on Thursday morning. Occupant Lennox Samuels said the blaze broke out around 8:30 a.m., just as he was stepping out the door. “I was just leaving when my girlfriend shouted, ‘Fire in the house!’” Samuels recalled. He said he rushed back upstairs in a bid to save their belongings but was quickly driven back by thick smoke and intense flames, forced to flee empty-handed. Samuels said he was unable to salvage any of his possessions, including equipment and materials tied to his business. He estimates his losses at millions of dollars. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in a statement posted on its Facebook page said that it when firefighters arrived at the scene, the building was “fully engulfed in flames, with nearby homes under threat”. “Firefighters immediately commenced coordinated firefighting operations and worked swiftly to contain the blaze, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to adjacent properties,” the GFS said. The fire gutted the upper flat of the home, while the lower flat sustained water damage from firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigators say the probe is continuing.
Congregational Union hopes for speedy convening of MV Barima COI …Hopes findings can bring closure to families The Guyana Congregational Union has extended condolences to the families of those who died in the MV Barima disaster, describing the July 18 tragedy as an unprecedented loss of life for the country and expressing hope that the newly named Commission of Inquiry (COI) will begin its work “very soon.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Union said the country had never before recorded the loss of so many Guyanese lives in a single disaster, and mourned what it called a significant loss of human potential, pointing in particular to the many young people and children who
died when the vessel capsized en route to Port Kaituma, Region One. The statement reflected at length on the manner of the tragedy, noting that both young and old passengers died together in rough, dark waters, and said the circumstances surrounding Continued on page 16
The destroyed South Ruimveldt Park house.
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Friday July 31, 2026
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Friday July 31, 2026
GPHC gets 25 maternity hampers from Rotary Club of Garden City The Rotary Club of Garden City Georgetown recently handed over 25 maternity hampers to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in observance of Maternal and Child Health month. In close collaboration with the maternity ward, healthcare professionals identified mothers who would benefit most from the initiative. These women are from communities across Guyana.
In a release from the Rotary Club, it was explained that the hampers are intended to provide practical support and comfort to mothers and their newborns during this important stage of their journey. C o n s e q u e n t l y, e a c h hamper was carefully prepared with a wide range of essential items for both mother and baby, including clothing, toiletries, hygiene products, blankets, towels,
nappies, baby care items and other newborn necessities. Supporting the initiative was the Rotary Club of G a r d e n C i t y f a m i l y, corporate partners, businesses, friends and individual donors who contributed items and financial support towards the preparation of the hampers. Their collective generosity ensured that mothers and their newborns received practical assistance at a time when it is needed most.
Representatives of the Rotary Club of Garden City and GPHC with the donated hampers. Club President Pearson Burch-Smith noted that “This small project reflects what can be achieved when people come together in service to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.” The Rotary Club of Garden City extended its sincere appreciation to everyone who supported this initiative, expressing its mission to strengthen families, uplift communities and create lasting impact across Guyana through
service above self. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Garden City (Georgetown), its service projects and upcoming
initiatives, follow the club on its social media platforms and join us as we continue creating lasting impact in our communities.
Kaieteur News
Friday July 31, 2026
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‘Seaworthiness of MV Barima was MARAD’s responsibility, not charged crew’s’ - Dr. Todd
A
ttorney-at-law and APNU Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Dexter Todd said on Thursday that determining the seaworthiness of the recently sunken MV Barima was never the responsibility of the crew members now facing murder charges, but rather that of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). D r To d d m a d e t h e comments at a special press conference addressing the case of the three surviving crew members who have been charged in connection with the disaster. He was responding to questions on whether the men had disclosed any information a b o u t t h e v e s s e l ’s navigational aids, sea bridges, or overall seaworthiness. While he stopped short of revealing the substance of his discussions with his clients, citing professional e t h i c s , D r To d d w a s unambiguous on where accountability for the vessel’s condition rests. “None of the parties charged are to determine seaworthiness of that vessel,” he said. “Seaworthiness of the vessel carries a particular procedure, and that has to be determined by, of course, MARAD, which [holds] the power, and of course [is] informed by the subject minister.” The press conference followed an emotionally c h a rg e d s c e n e a t t h e Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, where Captain Kevin Price — at the helm of the MV Barima when it sank on July 18 —
broke down while being escorted into the building, insisting the vessel was unfit to sail. “I ain’t deserve this, Father God. I want you to answer my prayers here this morning, Father God. I ain’t deserve this, Father God,” Price cried out as he was led in, handcuffed. The 40-year-old, of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara, appeared alongside fellow crew member Rondell Dwayne, 42, of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson, 33, of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara. All three have been jointly charged with murder in relation to the ferry disaster. Speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy, Price told reporters the vessel he had been assigned to operate was 87 years old and plagued with defects. “Everybody knows is an old vessel the government give me to wuk, 87 years old is that vessel,” he said. According to Price, the MV Barima was missing critical safety and emergency equipment mandated for maritime operations. He said the anchor was non-functional, the vessel had no radar, no search-and-rescue t r a n s p o n d e r, a n d n o Emergency PositionIndicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) — a satellite-linked distress device used to alert search-and-rescue authorities during a marine emergency. He further alleged that the vessel’s life rafts had been expired since 2022, despite a prior Maritime
inspection that did not result in the vessel being decommissioned. “Those life rafts expired since 2022, and Maritime did an inspection and did not write off that vessel,” Price said. The MV Barima capsized on the night of July 18 while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, killing 73 people, including children, with at least 30
more still missing at sea. In the weeks since, the disaster has triggered mounting public scrutiny over the vessel’s m a i n t e n a n c e h i s t o r y, regulatory oversight, passenger manifest, and whether it was overloaded with passengers and cargo. Survivors and relatives of victims have alleged overloading; government authorities have denied the claims.
Attorney-at-Law Dr. Dexter Todd
Kaieteur News
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Friday July 31, 2026
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...duped contractor, machine operator out of $2.6M A driver who collected over ‘$2.6 million from a contractor and a heavy-duty machine operator, promising to help them get their firearm licences was jailed on Wednesday after pleading guilty to obtaining money by false pretence. Police in a press release said that David Singh called ‘Dave’ 41 of Eccles New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was arrested on Sunday July 26, 2026. He appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court. Singh pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment. Reports are that Singh told his victims that he can help them get their firearm licences for a sum of over $2.6 million. After convincing them, they paid the money and he later got them their licenses but they turned out to be fake. Singh then disappeared and the men reported the matter police. A wanted bulletin was issued and he was later arrested.
Jailed for selling fake firearm licences, David Singh.
Man crushed to death by reversing construction truck at Haslington A 54-year-old Golden Grove man is dead following a road accident on the Haslington Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara, on Wednesday evening, police have confirmed. Police say the accident occurred at around 17:20 hrs and involved a motor lorry owned by China Railway Construction, which was engaged in paving works on the southern carriageway at the time. The lorry was being driven by a 36-year-old Chinese national residing at Lusignan, East Coast
wound up pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act, Cap. 89:01, Laws of Guyana, will be on the 12th 1 bedroom studio, 1 two August, 2026 at 2 pm at Siskin bedroom apartment with two (Guyana) Business & Legal bathroom in Paradise ECD. Services Inc., East Half I Contact #614-9295 Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, Located at 422 Blk Y' Sec A' Guyana, for the purpose of Golden Grove E.B.D. Fully receiving a statement of the grilled, parking space and AC, affairs of the Company and two bedroom; One toilet and considering matters relating bathroom. Call#662-9008, to the winding up of the Company. The purpose of the 609-9178, 647-844 meeting is to consider the affairs of the Company and matters relating to its voluntary winding up. Creditors are required to submit particulars of their claims against the Company, together with supporting NOTICE documents, to the Liquidator DOLLA GUYANA INC. (In prior to or at the meeting. Voluntary Liquidation) The Liquidator of the Company No. 9455 NOTICE Company is Ms. Danielle R. OF CREDITOR’S MEETING Anthony Siskin (Guyana) Companies Act, Cap 89:01, Business & Legal Services Laws of Guyana NOTICE IS Inc East Half I Hadfield Street, HEREBY GIVEN that a Wortmanville, Georgetown, meeting of the creditors of Guyana. Dated this 29th day DOLLA GUYANA INC., of July, 2026. Danielle R. which is being voluntarily Anthony Liquidator.
Demerara. According to preliminary investigations, the vehicle was reversing when pedestrian Shawn Gittens, an unemployed resident of Golden Grove, reportedly walked behind it and was struck. Emergency Medical Technicians responded to the scene, where Gittens was examined and subsequently pronounced dead by a doc-
tor attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. His body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary, where it is now awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police have served the driver with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. He remains in custody, assisting investigators as the probe continues.
Congregational Union... From page 11 the loss have made it difficult for families, friends, and sympathisers to move forward. Turning to matters of faith, the Union invoked several passages of Scripture to offer comfort to the bereaved, including a request for divine mercy drawn from Psalm 85:7, and an assurance from Psalm 23 that grieving families need not fear even in the darkest of circumstances. On the matter of accountability, the Union noted that members have already been named to a Commission of Inquiry into the disaster and said it trusts the panel’s eventual findings and recommendations will bring “some degree of comfort and satisfaction” to grieving families and the wider Guyanese public. The statement closed with a further extension of condolences “in this hour of grief and pain.” The MV Barima capsized on the night of July 18 while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One, killing 73 people, including children, with at least 30 more still missing at sea. Two crew members, including the vessel’s captain and the goods superintendent have since been jointly charged with murder in connection with the disaster.
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Friday July 31, 2026
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Faulty design, weak foundation doomed Port Kaituma wharf from the start - Mahipaul APNU Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul says the Port Kaituma Wharf was structurally compromised before construction even began, blaming a flawed design and an inadequate foundation for the failures that have since forced sections of the facility to be rebuilt. In a letter issued Thursday, Mahipaul said the project was undermined from the outset by poor engineering decisions and insufficient site investigation — not by any failure on the part of the contractor. Mahipaul used a simple analogy to explain the core problem: building on unstable ground. “Imagine trying to build a house on soft mud instead of solid ground. No matter how well you build it, it will eventually start to sink or fail. That is essentially what happened here,” he said. He placed the responsibility for the design squarely on Caribbean Engineering and
Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Ganesh Mahipaul Management Consultants Inc. (CEMCO), stating that the contractor had simply built according to the drawings it was given. According to Mahipaul, the steel piles meant to anchor the wharf were never driven deep enough to reach firm ground, leaving them embedded in soft mud instead. Compounding the problem was the site itself. The wharf was constructed on land known as “Log Pond,” the former location of a sawmill, where old logs,
timber waste, and other debris remain buried beneath the surface. Mahipaul argued that this history called for far more thorough ground investigation than was carried out. “The soil testing was inadequate. Not enough test holes were drilled, and not enough samples were taken to properly understand what lay beneath the surface,” he said. Beyond the foundation issues, Mahipaul identified several design errors that added unnecessary strain to
an already weak structure: The concrete retaining wall was larger and heavier than necessary, adding extra pressure on the foundation. He said too that the steel rods and anchor piles used were the wrong size and grade. And that the engineers underestimated the amount of backfill required, and too much fill material was placed behind the wall. That excess weight ultimately proved too much for the structure to bear. “The supports failed. Some of the steel tie rods snapped under the pressure, causing sections of the retaining wall to collapse,” Mahipaul said. He noted that temporary repairs — similar to emergency works previously carried out at Kumaka — could have allowed vessels such as the MV Ma Lisha to berth safely in the interim, but that option was never pursued. Mahipaul was emphatic that the contractor bore no responsibility for the failure, having built the wharf in line with the drawings and
quantities specified by the consultant. The real issue, he argued, was a design built on faulty assumptions and undermined by inadequate site investigation and engineering error. “When a structure is built from a defective design, even good construction cannot prevent failure,” he said. He went further, questioning why the consultant continues to receive major government contracts despite what he described as serious engineering failures at Port Kaituma. “If CEMCO was responsible for such serious engineering failures at Port Kaituma, why does the company continue to be entrusted with major public projects in Guyana? C u r r e n t l y, t h a t s a m e consultancy firm has oversight of the Gas-toEnergy transmission and substations network,” he said. Mahipaul’s letter adds to a string of concerns already
raised about the $1.4 billion Port Kaituma Stelling project. Stabroek News reported in August 2024 that Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had confirmed CEMCO acknowledged design flaws after fissures developed in the structure, requiring remedial work. At the time, Edghill said the additional costs involved were not yet clear. “We are now looking at the solution we think we have found. We are now remedying that… I can give you the assurance it will be completed and the people will have the service they deserve,” Edghill told the Sunday Stabroek. The wharf’s troubles have taken on greater weight in the wake of the MV Barima tragedy on July 18, which prompted questions over why the ageing vessel remained in service rather than the newly acquired MV Ma Lisha. Speaking at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Continued on page 18
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Friday July 31, 2026
Brazil’s president confirms two U.S. govt. officials were denied visas over election interference fears BBC - Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has confirmed that his government has denied visas to two US officials who planned to travel to Brazil, accusing them of trying to interfere in October ’s election. “We had to deny visas to two young folks they were sending to Brazil to meddle in Brazil’s elections,” Lula said on Wednesday. Two state department officials were due in Brazil in late July for what they said was a visit regarding freedom of expression and religion, and election integrity. They were also expected to meet the rightwing candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. Previously, the US state department has called the
Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. (Getty Images) suggestion they sought to undermine Brazil’s elections a “baseless lie”. Brazil’s election will pit the 80-year-old incumbent left-wing President Lula da Silva against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of Jair Bolsonaro, a former president who was handed a 27-year prison sentence for
plotting a coup after losing the last election. Jair Bolsonaro was banned from running for office even before his coup conviction last year because he repeatedly spread unfounded claims that the electronic voting machines could be rigged - both after his win in 2018 and during
the 2022 campaign. He once notably cast doubt on the integrity of Brazil’s election system to a room full of foreign diplomats. And after he lost in 2022, his supporters violently stormed Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace on 8 January, 2023 - Brazil’s version of the 6 January Capitol riots in the US. A few weeks ago, his son Flávio - who has received endorsements from Argentina’s President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - told a room of diplomats that Brazil’s machines have the same origin as Venezuela’s, and cited a CIA report about electoral fraud in that
country. Flávio Bolsonaro later denied he was questioning the integrity of the system, saying he instead wanted as many international observers as possible. But following the meeting, the Brazilian government blocked visas for a US delegation citing concerns they would try to cast unfounded doubts on the election. That included two senior state department officials, who have been identified as Riley M Barnes, an assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights, and labor, and Samuel Samson, a deputy assistant secretary in the same section. F l á v i o B o l s o n a r o ’s claims about the country’s electronic voting machines
have been refuted by Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court. Brazil has its own system which has been praised by experts as one of the most secure in the world. Electronic voting has been used in Brazil since 1996, with no systemic fraud ever recorded. The machines use fingerprints to verify voters’ identity to stop people voting on behalf of others, or registering twice. Each machine also prints a paper copy of its tally and displays that, so anyone can compare it to the official count. The results are independently audited. Experts are also invited ahead of time to try hack the machines or find irregularities, to try and reassure the public.
U.S. and Iran trade missile barrages as hopes dim for a quick resolution to the five-month conflict CAIRO (AP) — The United States and Iran each fired barrages of missiles Thursday, as the pattern of back-and-forth strikes took hold again and hope dimmed for a quick end to the fivemonth conflict. Following a few days of respite, fears of a wider war have grown, with renewed fighting threatening to engulf even more countries. Jordan said Thursday it intercepted Iranian missiles for the second consecutive day, while Kuwait said a strike in the northern part of the country killed one person. Also this week, drones caused fires on ships at an Egyptian port, and Saudi Arabia said it came
under fire from Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The war — which in its early days President Donald Trump said would last four to five weeks, although he warned it could take longer — has caused the price of fuel to spike and roiled the global economy. As months have passed, concerns have deepened about using up the stockpile of weapons the U.S. needs to defend its bases and allies. The war is unpopular among Americans, and a new AP-NORC poll says Trump’s approval rating on Iran has dipped slightly since last month. The recent pause in fighting, which began over
Faulty design, weak... From page 17 Edghill explained that the US$12.7 million MV Ma Lisha — which arrived in Guyana in April 2023 to boost river transport for hinterland communities — has yet to make its maiden voyage to Port Kaituma because the wharf built for it developed structural problems after the soil shifted. “The only reason why the MV Ma Lisha has not yet made a maiden journey to Port Kaituma is that we have built out the wharf for that boat to berth and everybody in the area knows there was significant movement of the soil and we had to break out a whole section and have it reconstructed,” Edghill said. He added that extensive work had been carried out on the MV Barima, which, prior to the July 18 tragedy, had been the preferred vessel for residents and business operators travelling to and from Port Kaituma.
the weekend and spurred hopes among mediators of diplomatic progress, ended with increasing missile and drone attacks across many countries in the Middle East. “We note with concern that the security situation remains precarious,” said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, whose country has been a key mediator. Talks “are ongoing to normalize the situation, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz,” he told reporters. The U.S. and Iran trade strikes An Iranian strike hit a Chinese firm’s building in K u w a i t o n T h u r s d a y, severely damaging the structure and killing a worker, Kuwait’s military said, hours after Jordan’s air defenses shot down five missiles launched from Iran. No injuries were reported from Jordan’s interception, the country’s state-run Petra news agency said, quoting the spokesman for the country’s armed forces. Both Jordan and Kuwait host American troops. The attacks came after the U.S. military said it completed “a heavy wave of strikes against Iran” in response to an earlier Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base
in Jordan. U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces struck dozens of targets belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance and defense sites. Iran’s official IRNA news agency said three people were killed and two were wounded in a strike on the island of Qeshm, which lies off the Iranian mainland in the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial waterway for the world’s energy supplies that has been at the center of the conflict. The latest barrage came after the U.S. partnered with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to strike Iranbacked militias in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters and six Iranian advisers. Fires reported on two natural gas vessels at an Egyptian port Also on Wednesday, British maritime security firm Ambrey said drone strikes ignited fires on two natural gas vessels at the Egyptian port of Damietta. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the strikes on a U.S.-owned floating storage facility and a Greek-owned tanker. No injuries were reported. The office of the
Egyptian prime minister said initial investigations showed the fires had been caused by a drone. In a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly said investigators were able to recover traces of the drone and will try to determine where it came from. Egypt, a close U.S. ally and regional mediator, has until now been spared direct military action during the war. A strike by Iran or its allies, if confirmed, would mark a significant widening of the conflict. The Iranbacked Houthi rebels in Yemen have denied they were behind the attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi didn’t outright deny Iranian involvement but said: “Egypt is an important friend and partner in the region, and its security is of utmost importance to us.” “We must all be vigilant against Israeli plots and false-flag operations designed to undermine regional peace,” he said on X. “The threat is clear, mutual, and fearful of Muslim solidarity.” The war has wreaked havoc on the global economy The conflict has wreaked havoc on the global economy as energy shipments through
the Strait of Hormuz have ground to a near halt. Much of the diplomacy around ending the war has focused on reopening the strait, through which 20% of oil and natural gas shipments passed in peacetime. The already limited traffic through the strait has plunged to wartime lows during the recent exchange of strikes, from 82 ships during the week of July 1319 to just 39 from July 20-26, Lloyd’s List Intelligence, a shipping data and analysis firm, said in an webinar. Fighting elsewhere has squeezed energy supplies further. Saudi Arabia has accused Iraqi militias of firing drones against its oil facilities over the past days. An umbrella group of Iraqi militias initially denied the allegations, while the Houthi rebels said they had attacked Saudi energy facilities as part of a separate but related conflict. The Houthis have also declared a blockade of Saudi shipping and threatened to choke off another crucial Middle East trade route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the Red Sea into the Gulf of Aden. That route became even more important during the war, as Saudi Arabia used it to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
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Friday Thursday JulyNovember 31, 2026 24, 2022
PLAY Int’l Launches Youth Basketball and Leadership Tour across Guyana PLAY International will be staging the 2026 Toni Burnett Youth Cultural Exposure Tour, taking place across Guyana from yesterday July 30 through August 5, 2026. The week-long i nitiative will bring experienced coaches and mentors from the United States together with local basketball clubs, schools, and community leaders to provide young athletes with basketball training, leadership development, mentorship, and educational workshops. The tour will make stops in: July 30 (yesterday) — Kwakwani Kwakwani Basketball Club July 31 (today) — Linden Kid Rock Basketball Club August 3 — East Berbice-Corentyne
Skeldon Line Path Secondary School August 4 — West Demerara D-Up Basketball Academy August 5 — Georgetown The Bishops’ High School The coaching team is led by Pierre Godette, a former Guyana National Basketball Team player and educator with more than 20 years of coaching experience. He is joined by Mari Dortch Diaz and Adrian Dixon, both experienced coaches and mentors committed to youth development on and off the court. The tour is directed by PLAY International Founder and Executive Director Michaela Burnett, a former Guyana national basketball player who has supported basketball and youth development in Guyana since 1994.
Friday July 31, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You have to reach out and help a friend (or even a stranger) in need. They might not be able to ask in a way that makes sense to you, but your intuitive side helps you make the most of what you've got.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your display of adaptability is sure to help your people to relax and see that there are far more options than they had realized at first. Make sure that your time is spent on what matters most.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You and a friend or maybe a colleague are on the same path, even though it might not seem that way at first. See if the two of you can brainstorm ways to work together toward common goals.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You have much more power than you realize, and it's easier than ever for you to make things happen. You should be able to get your dreams a little closer to reality, and that can make life much simpler.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should put off anything important for another day, especially if it involves communication. It's not like you're tongue-tied, but you should find that people are harder to reach.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You can't seem to find that positive attitude that was so helpful the other day. The good news is that it's right where you left it, but you might have to wait a while before you can head back to retrieve it.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Big issues remain unknown to you, so get out there and figure them out. You may find that you have plenty of energy for such a challenge, and actually seek out new mysteries to solve.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You're just not reaching that one important person. Maybe they're ducking your calls, maybe they just don't get what you're saying. Try some totally new way to make your point and deliver it.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're in the middle of a firestorm of some kind, and might have to deal with several overreacting people at the same time. Try not to get too caught up in it all, as things can change quickly.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your value system is more fluid than most, and now is the perfect time to check out what needs to change. You may find that some of your oldest beliefs are in dire need of a shift.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Opinions matter, and you need to treat them all with more or less the same respect. That can be difficult, but at the same time you should find that all your people feel better about the process.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) New ideas are perfect for a day like today. Give one a whirl! You might find a better way of doing things, or you may just find that things can be radically different and better without much more effort.
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P and P Insurance Brokers onboard with Kennard Memorial Turf Club Emancipation meet on Sunday All preparations have been completed and systems are in place for the much anticipated Emancipation horserace meet, organised by the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC). The event, which is slated for this Sunday 2nd August, is turning out to be one of the major attractions for the Emancipation weekend. Leading Insurance Brokers P and P Insurance Brokers Company has come on board in a big way as it heads the list of sponsors in bankrolling the mega event. The P and P Insurance Breakage which was founded and is headed by popular businessman, Community and Sports activist and entrepreneur, Bishwa Panday, is known for its Philanthropy as it continues its benevolence with a substantial input into the event. The seven race meet has over $10 million dollars in cash, trophies and other incentives up for grabs. The Emancipation Cup, which is open to all 3-year old and over horses, is the feature event for the day. With a $1M winner’s money and trophy available for the top horse over a distance of one-mile, a star studded field is expected to participate. Among those looking to take an early lead are Hot and Lucky, Gryphon and Front Line Warrior. A mouthwatering encounter is anticipated in the E class non-winner’s event and also open to F and G class horses over seven furlongs for a winning purse of $500,000 and a trophy. The lineup includes Stormy Vi c t o r y, C o n v e r t e r, Turmalina Negra, Qurbaan Kingdom and Oy Vey are among the top entries slated to battle in the Co-feature event. The horses classified H and lower will see the winner taking home $400,000 and a trophy in the 7-furlong event. There is an event for three-year-old Guyana Bred maiden horses and three years old Guyana Bred maidens’ winner of one. The winner will be taking home $400,000 and a trophy. The distance is one mile. Guyana-Bred two-yearold maiden (division One) horses will be running for a
Kennard Memorial Turf Club ready for the action. winner’s purse of $350,000 and a trophy over 5 furlongs. There is a similar event for 2 years, Guyana bred maiden (division two) horses. The race for the L Class Open animals also carries a winning purse of $350,000 over 7 Furlongs. An exciting and action packed day of racing is anticipated especially since the KMTC is one of the premiere horse
racing venues in the country. The Champion and runner-up Jockeys, top trainer and stables will all receive accolades, compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and the organisers. The day’s event will be conducted using the rules of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club. Bugle time is 12:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
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West Coast Warriors beat Toolsie Persaud Ltd. joins IMC Over-40s Cricket World Cup as Silver Sponsor Whim Boyz by 104 runs
Kevin Christian West Coast Warriors secured a dominant, 104-run win over Whim Boyz last Sunday when action continued in this year’s Commonwealth Cricket League 30-over tournament at Kissena venue, New York. After winning the toss and decided to bat
first, Warriors rattled up a formidable 225-7 at the end of the allotted 30-overs while Whim Boyz, in reply, only managed 110 all out in 27.2 overs. Former Guyana youth player and skipper Kevin Christian led the way for Warriors with a delightful, 44-ball 68 featuring four sixes and three fours. He got excellent support from Rajendra Khan with 54 and Shiv Sangalemaa who also chalked up an attacking half-century (50). Christian and Khan rebuilt the innings with a 125-run partnership after the early loss of opener Youghestir Bachan (5). In the field, Randy Narainasaani was the standout bowler for the Whim Boyz, slowing down the Warriors’ scoring momentum by picking up 2-23 (4). When Whim Boys batted, multiple batters had decent starts but failed to carry on as Rajendra Latcha hitting a top-score of 29 while Hemraj Seepersaud and Azeemuddin Khan added 22 and 21 respectively. Christian proved his all-round capability nabbing three wickets for 14 runs in 3.5 seam-bowling overs on a responsive pitch. Javed Shafeek, Akib Mullin and Avi Dhanpaul supported with two wickets apiece to help lock down Whim Boyz’s chase for a victory with some tidy bowling. Meanwhile, West Coast Warriors have advanced directly to the playoff semifinals after finishing the Group Stage at the top of the table (22 points). Their remarkable tournament run was powered by Bachan, who finished as the competition’s leading run-scorer (455), and Shafeek, who secured the tournament’s top wicket-taker (28) title. The playoff segment starts on Sunday.
CWIMA Finance representative, Cher Meghoo (left), receives the sponsorship check from General Manager of TPL, Ray Sukhnandan in the presence of other TPL officials, Ms Toveena Somwaru & Ms Elizabeth Forde. Georgetown, Guyana —Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) is pleased to welcome Toolsie Persaud Limited and its Group of Companies as a Silver Sponsor of the IMC Over-40s Cricket World Cup Guyana 2026. Toolsie Persaud Limited is one of Guyana’s leading privately owned manufacturing and construction-materials groups, with longstanding operations in quarrying, forestry, sawmilling, concrete production, manufacturing, hardware distribution and marine transportation. The company’s sponsorship will support the staging of this historic international tournament, which will bring 16 teams to Guyana for 72 matches from October 15 to November 2, 2026. CWIMA Chairman Rajendra Singh expressed the Association’s appreciation: “We are grateful to Toolsie Persaud Limited and its Group of Companies for supporting
this historic international tournament. Their partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to cricket, national development and the promotion of Guyana on the world stage. Corporate support such as this is essential to delivering a worldclass event for the participating teams, supporters and communities across Guyana.” The IMC Over-40s Cricket World Cup will feature former international, first-class and leading masters cricketers representing countries from around the world. Matches will be played at venues across Guyana, with local and international television and digital coverage showcasing the tournament and its sponsors throughout the Caribbean and beyond. CWIMA proudly welcomes Toolsie Persaud Limited and its Group of Companies to the tournament’s growing family of corporate partners.
Avi Glazer visits Guyana to see his team Desert Vipers in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League Manchester United and Desert Vipers Owner Avi Glazer was in Guyana on Tuesday night to watch his team take on the Perth Scorchers in the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League. Before the contest, he met Vi p e r s c o a c h A z h a r Mahmood. Additionally, Glazer and Paul Voigt, the Managing Director of Lancer Capital, co-owner of the Vipers, also visited the majestic Kaieteur Falls. They also met with President Irfaan Ali and VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss opportunities for mutual cooperation, especially Avi Glazer met Vipers coach Azhar Mahmood before the match. in business and sport.
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Greaves’ recent Flying Ace Cycle Club Emancipation road-race historic performance, set for Sunday around New Amsterdam new ICC ranking huge Former National cyclist and business man Franco pluses for Windies Crawford (left) and his son Franco Crawford junior hands over sponsorship to Coordinator and Shamar Joseph also in World’s top 10
By Clifton Ross After chunking out a huge piece of cricket history for himself, West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves was recently rewarded for his record-setting heroics with the ball versus Pakistan as he broke into the ICC top 10 list of Test allrounders in the world; a welcome shot in the arm for a team that has been on a strong wave this year. Just days ago, Pakistan looked immovable after Shan Masood dropped a majestic ton, but when his team needed a hero, the 32-year-old Barbadian all-rounder answered the call by rewriting cricket history books with two back-toback spells which won the game for his team. Always a nifty operator with the ball, the Bajan had always shown his potential as a possible ‘Ace up the sleeve ’, so to speak, with his 31 Test wickets coming at an average of 29.03 while keeping his Economy Rate well under 4 runs per over after just 17 matches played. By the time Pakistan knew what hit them, the mediumpacer’s returns told the entire story: 5 overs, 5 maidens, 5 wickets, including Pakistan’s key players like Mohmmad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali. Legendary England fast-bowler Stuart Broad’s record of four consecutive wicket-maidens was also shattered in this swoop move by the Windies utility player, who singlehandedly triggered a spectacular Pakistan collapse, finishing with career-best first-innings figures of 5/27. Coupled with his 202* against New Zealand in Christchurch, as well as his recent 180 against Sri Lanka, Greaves remains a key figure in the Test team not only with bat but now possibly finding his role as the team’s x-factor or secret weapon during tough situations in a Test match. Alongside his match figures of 5/27 and 2/12, which secured a 90-run win for the West Indies, a new milestone was etched next to his name as he shot eight spots to 9th in the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings. His world record of 5 consecutive wicket-maidens in a single Test innings has somehow given the Windies additional momentum coming off a strong 2026 thus far, with even more ground to cover going forward collectively. Guyana’s Shamar Joseph is at number 10 on the list. Joseph has shown his ability with the bat adding to his fast bowling accolades.
By Samuel Whyte The Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of Berbice will be continuing their busy schedule this Sunday August 2nd when it stages its annual Emancipation Cycle Road Race in Berbice. The 10 laps, 40 miles, event will be held around the town of New Amsterdam. The race is expected to pedal off at 13:00hrs. The event is for cyclists o f R e g i o n 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and Region 6 (East Berbice Corentyne) only. The riders will pedal off from in front of the Level Up Bar at Charles Place and Republic Road, New Amsterdam, proceed along Republic Road, turn left into Vryheid Street, left into Main Street, proceed along New Amsterdam into Stanleytown, left into Tacama Turn and back into Republic Road. That sequence continues ten times before finishing at the point of origin at Level Up Bar. Prizes are expected to be awarded to the first eight finishers; the first three juniors, first three juveniles, first three veterans and first three females. There are expected to be 10 prime point prizes up for grabs. There is expected to be an event for BMX riders. Among sponsors on board so far are Crawford’s Auto Dealership, Kascon Engineering, Mayor Wainwright Mc Intosh, Sawa Investment, Decon Engineering Services, Steve
Trophy Stall Golf Challenge set for Saturday at Westside Golf Course T h e We s t s i d e G o l f Course will host the Trophy Stall Golf Challenge tomorrow, Saturday, August 1, with dozens of new and experienced golfers expected to compete in an exciting afternoon of skillsbased competition. Organized by the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf, the event forms part of the continued effort to make golf accessible to people of all ages while promoting greater participation in the sport across Guyana. Competitors in the Men’s, Women’s and Junior categories will test their abilities in the Longest
Drive, Straightest Drive and Nearest to the Pin challenges, with players competing for trophies and bragging rights. Trophy Stall has been a longstanding supporter of golf and numerous other sporting disciplines in Guyana. Managing Director Ramesh Sunich praised the rapid growth of the sport, stating, “We have been supporting Mr. Hussain and the development of golf for more than 10 years. Based on the rapid growth of the sport under his guidance, Trophy Stall believes golf will become a major sport in Guyana.” The company offers a
wide selection of trophies, plaques, medals and banners from its new South Road location and its Bourda Market outlet. The competition is open to the public, with tee-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to attend and enjoy the action from the restaurant overlooking the course. Located just off the Crane Roundabout on the Schoonord Highway, the Westside Golf Course is Guyana’s only public golf facility featuring a fullservice restaurant open to the general public, with no membership or reservation required.
coach Randolph Roberts (right).
Auto Spares, J and R Trucking and Contractor Services and among others. The Mayor of New Amsterdam Wainwright McIntosh will lead the cyclists in a lap around New
Amsterdam before the start of the race. Mayor Mc Intosh will then send the cyclists on their way. Prizes will be presented to the winners by Mayor Mc Intosh immediately after the race.
The event will be coordinated by founder and president of the FACC and veteran coach Randolph and Former National cyclist Franco Crawford, who is also among the sponsors list.
2026 Beharry Secondary School’s Under-19 T20 Cricket tournament…
Bollers (51 & 3-16), Dindyal (45 & 5-4) pilot Annandale to Zone 6 title Zone 6 East Coast Demerara Finals: Annandale Secondary beat Golden Grove Secondary by 142 runs Sterling performances with bat and ball from the inform duo of Joshua Bollers and Ruel Dindyal handed Annandale Secondary School the Zone 6 title after dismantling Grove Secondary yesterday in their finals played at QC Ground. In dominating fashion, Annandale Secondary surged to their Zone 6 crown after destroying Grove who failed to chase down the 162-5 off 20 overs made. It was a batting clinic led by national youth batsman and opener Bollers who scored a classy 51 off 50 (4x4), as he steadied the top order during a tough passage before Dindyal helped to turn the match around. Dindyal, who was Man-of-the-match from a few games ago after returning mindboggling bowling figures, copped another MVP award after first belting a much-needed 30-ball 45 (3x2 2x6) which gave the middle/lower order some life while taking his school past the 150-run mark. Two wickets from Grove’s Jeremiah
Moses was his team’s best return as they were blown away for 20-10 by the 7th over, with no player getting double figures. The two national youth all-rounders then returned to put on a clinic with the ball, as Dindyal (5-4) was brilliant again alongside Bollers (3-16), who single-handedly won the crown for their school, with none of the opposition batters getting close to individual double digits scores.
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Kaieteur News
Friday July 31, 2026
MCYS/NSC launches landmark Sports Seminar at ACCC - discussing governance, workforce development, tourism and Sport ecosystem Ministry Steven Jacobs p r a i s e d t h e government’s investment and existing programmes, citing the GOAL Programme’s success. “When we invest in infrastructure, we continue to bring all of this year. We are pushing and working for sports programmes which we launch in the country,” Jacobs said, adding that educational Knowledge transfer session! Several sport administrators got an opportunity to table pathways will include plans, ideas and structures while discussion tangible development pathways to better certificates and govern respective sporting disciplines through Government-funded 2-Day Seminar. master’s degrees tied to sports administration. Addressing the main purpose of the seminar, Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jr. framed the seminar as a turning point in G u y a n a ’s s p o r t s trajectory. “We all have to row in the same direction. To unlock our greatest sporting potential. We’ve taken all the responsibility of leadership in the sports sector for the country. In your own ways, in every possible way, you all play extremely important roles in the leadership and development of sport, sportsmen and women in the country,” he said. “ We h a v e h a d moments of brilliance Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports in collaboration with the National Sport Commission, Deakin University and Global Super and lots of worldclass talent. Today is a League tip off a well-attended 2-day Sports Seminar aimed at historic turning point raising the bar in sports governance and sport ecosystem. for us — a shift in focus as we move into a new phase of sports In what policy makers are Professor Campbell Jamieson; the sports industry to the calling one of the largest sport Professor Pamm Phillips, the Lead partnership. The university, which administration and organisation.” Ramson also urged gatherings of its kind, the Ministry Facilitator of the programme; educates roughly 60,000 students of Culture, Youth and Sports, in Minister of Sports Charles annually and operates multiple administrators to raise standards partnership with the National Ramson; Minister within the campuses including recent sites in across governance, performance Sports Commission, Global Super Ministry Steven Jacobs; and India and Indonesia, will provide and operations, noting that, League and Australia’s Deakin Assistant Directors of Sport academic pathways and research administrators usually are the first University, hosted a landmark two- Franklin Wilson and Melissa collaboration to support local point of contact with athletes. “They depend on you to function athletes and administrators. day Sports Seminar at the Arthur DowRichardson. Professor Campbell Jamieson professionally so athletes can “The event is about knowledge Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Thursday aimed at lifting transfer and laying the groundwork in his featured address, highlighted double down on their plans and standards across Guyana’s nine for sports tourism and a better Deakin’s international reach: “We become worldclass. We all have to sports ecosystem,” said Jamie c u r r e n t l y h a v e o v e r 3 0 0 raise our game.” core sport disciplines. Organisers say, the seminar’s The seminar brought together Stewart. “It is an ambitious event professional athletes studying with sports administrators, coaches, lead for Guyana — built by Guyana and us. We make students study masters most valuable outcome is the direct athletes and policy makers for operated by Guyana. Hopefully and sports management and e n g a g e m e n t b e t w e e n l o c a l focused sessions on four strategic after these two days it will be a various other sports courses online a d m i n i s t r a t o r s a n d D e a k i n pillars: building a proper sports catalyst for continued evolution from South America and countries academics, creating pathways for e c o s y s t e m , w o r k f o r c e and transformation of Guyanese throughout the world.” He also education, research partnerships noted Deakin’s strong standing in and career opportunities beyond development, sports governance sport.” Deakin University, based in sport science and management the field, court, track or arena. and sports tourism. For the Ministry, they expect Attendees included Jamie Melbourne and established in the research. Meanwhile, during his opening this knowledge transfer to form the Stewart, Director of the Global mid1970s, brings more than 50 Super League; Deakin University years of research and experience in remarks, Minister within the g r o u n d w o r k f o r s u s t a i n e d
Minister of Sports, Charles Ramson Jr.
Minister Steven Jacobs speaking at yesterday’s opening.
Professor Campbell Jamieson of Deakin University speaking at yesterday’s seminar.
GSL Director, Jamie Stewart sharing his expertise during yesterday’s opening of historic 2-Day Sports Seminar. improvement in governance, athlete development and sports tourism in Guyana. The seminar concludes today with a recap of yesterday’s sessions before moving into the Sport Tourism and Leveraging Events aspect and workshops discussion, aimed at building Guyana’s Future Sports System.
Friday July 31, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
MCYS/NSC launches landmark Sports Seminar at ACCC - discussing governance, workforce development, tourism and Sport ecosystem Justin Greaves and Shamar Joseph have made strides to the top 10 on the ICC allrounders rankings in Test cricket. (Cricinfo)
Greaves’ recent historic performance, new ICC ranking huge pluses for Windies Shamar Joseph also in World’s top 10 Annandale Secondary won their Zone following a comprehensive win yesterday.
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Trophy Stall Golf Challenge set for Saturday at Westside Golf Course
2026 Beharry Secondary School’s Under-19 T20 Cricket tournament…
GGA President Aleem Hussain and Trophy Stall CEO Ramesh Sunich during the presentation.
Bollers (51 & 3-16), Dindyal (45 & 5-4) pilot Annandale to Zone 6 title
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