President Dr IrfaanAli is among several CARICOM Heads of Government who visited Jamaica on Monday as part of a high-level Goodwill Mission to assess the damage done by Hurricane Melissa.
Half the watchdogs missing: GRA struggling to staff oil oversight
units as ExxonMobil expands
Guyana's premier tax watchdog,
the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA),
remains dangerously understaffed in the very departments tasked with policing the country's booming oil and gas sector
Nearlyhalfthecriticalposts needed to safeguard billions in petroleum revenues are stillvacantahumanresource crisis first flagged in 2023 and now worsening as productionrampsup.
According to the 2024 Auditor General's Report, the Petroleum Revenue Department (PRD), the GRA's frontline unit for oil taxation has an approved complement of 67 officers, but only 39 were on the job bySeptember2025.
The PRD, created in 2020, carries some of the m o s t s e n s i t i v e responsibilitiesinthenation: petroleum tax audits, VAT refund verification, cost recovery assessments, appeals, debt management, and risk analysis for the oil industry Yet,yearafteryear, it continues to operate with majorgapsinitsranks.
While the agency, under
the stewardship of Commissioner General,
Table showing shortages in the Petroleum Revenue Department (PRD).
Table showing vacancies in the Customs Petroleum Unit (CPU).
Godfrey Statia has employed various strategies to train and attract skilled personnel to perform specific duties related to the oil sector, a huge human
resource gap, initially flaggedin2023,continuesto plaguetheentity
Since the establishment of the department, GRAhas c
Crime crashed to decade low - Blanhum
The year 2025 has delivered a historic low for the Guyana Police Force (GPF), with Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirming that serious crimes, break and enter larcenies, and robberies have all fallen to their lowestlevelsintenyears. Presenting the crime statistics at the Christmas
Policing Launch for Division 4 'A,' Blanhum revealedthatGuyana'smost persistent offense over the last decade break and enter larceny saw a dramatic decline this year
Only 190 cases were reported, a staggering drop from 1,287 cases recorded in 2016, the decade's peak.
“There were 269 fewer serious crimes reported in 2025,” Blanhum stated
GRAcontinues internal and external recruitment for the PRD, but the technical nature of the roles has made it difficult to find qualified candidates “Many applicants have not met the required standards in the exam phase. To improve this,theGRAisdevelopinga revised assessment for all candidates to better identify suitable hires,” according to thedocument.
In an invited comment, Mr Statia told Kaieteur News that theAuthority has engaged the University of Guyana(UG)ontheneedfor coursesleadingtoadegree,a masters and a bachelors in petroleum accounting and taxation. He was pleased to reportthatcome2026,these programmeswillcommence and will be available to all interested persons, whether ornottheyseekemployment withtheGRA.
Contractors, exemptions, tariff classification, data analysis,research,inventory monitoring, and report and tradefacilitation.
Thisunittooiscurrently lacking with an approved staff complement of 33 while the actual number of positionsfilledwas23.
trainings with individuals to carryoutthefunctionsstated above.
M e a n w h i l e , h e highlighted that GRA has alsobeenengagedininternal trainingtohelpfillvacancies in the department, however many fail to reach the requiredpassmark.
Blanhum noted 50 cybercrime cases were reportedin2025,morethan double the 23 recorded in 2024.Convictionsincyberrelated offenses also doubled,risingfromsixlast yearto12thisyear In terms of drug seizures, 2025 saw a larger amount of cocaine being seized-223kg compared to last year's 6 kg. There were also a higher number of people being charged with cannabis related offences, with 2025 saw 244 persons
“This year recorded 801 reports, compared to 1,070 in2024—thelowestserious crime figure in the last decade.” Cybercrime also surged in prominence
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum
b e i n g c h a rg e d i n comparison to the 227 for last year “Finally, for the year 2025, more persons were charged with cocaine po ssession-related offenses That is 58 persons when compared with the year 2024where38personswere charged with poking possession related offenses,” Crime Chief
Last year for instance multiple training sessions were held with globally recognised consultants and agencies such as (i) InterAmerican Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT), (ii) Bayphase Limited, (iii) 3t EnerMech (ODITC), (iv) S&PGlobal,(v)BBEnergy, (vi) IMF Extractive Industries (EI) Revenue Administration–Peripatetic Assistance and, (vii)
Ministry of Natural Resources to build capacity toadministerdomestictaxes within the Oil and Gas Sector, including training in principles of cost recovery, benchmarking and offshore operations.
Despitetheeffortsofthe GRA, crucial positions remainvacanttokeepwatch on oil and gas companies operating in Guyana. For instance, 25 tax audit officers are required at the agency while only 10 are currently enrolled Likewise, 19 cost recovery audit officers are required but only 10 were on the job asatMarch30,2025.
According to the AG Report, the Head of the Authority indicated that the
“ M a n y w h o a r e internally trained do not meet the 75% pass mark requiredtobeattachedtothe department. That's always a problem. Even for customs officers and brokers. Even thoughwenowgiveanopen bookexam,nearly90%don't make over 70%, and forty% do not get over 50%,” the Commissioner General explained.
Additionally, Statia noted that while GRA is open to hiring foreigners to fill the vacancies at the agency, they are often expectant of higher wages andsalaries.
CustomsPetroleumUnit
In addition to the Petroleum Revenue Department, GRA also established a separate Customs Petroleum Unit (CPU)inJune2021.
Thefunctionsofthiskey unit include monitoring and verifying customs proceduresrelativetotheOil andGasSector,inclusiveof: entry processing, cargo clearance,qualityassurance, shadowing the valuation process of export oil, valuationofgoodsimported by oil companies, Contractors and Sub-
In the AG report, the Head of the Authority indicated that the staff complement at March 30, 2025 reflects the positions that are critical for the monitoring of oil and gas activities; however, the arrivalofthefourthFloating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel will add more strain to the already struggling department.
Nonetheless, the Commissioner General noted that efforts will continuetofilltheadditional positions to streamline monitoring and inventory control.
He said, “Recruitment for the CPU remains ongoing, but finding qualified candidates is challenging due to the technicalnatureoftheroles. The Authority is committed to identifying and onboarding suitable staff to meetoperationalneeds.”
In 2024, 67 employees ceased working with the GRA. According to the AG report 26 or 39% resigned while 10 or 15% were dismissed due to allegations
r performance,attendanceand punctuality, and breach of procedures.
GRA stated, “Exit interviews indicated that most resignations were due
KaieteurNews
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EDITORIAL
Child sexual exploitation and abuse
Today,theworldpausestomarktheWorldDayforthe Prevention of, and Healing from, Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence. It is a day meant for reflection, but also for reckoning. Because behind the UN declarations and observances stand millions of deeply scarred children whose lives have been forever altered by actsofviolencecarriedoutagainsttheminsilence,secrecy, and shame. According to the United Nations, countless young people across the globe are victims of sexual misconduct and exploitation. These horrors are not confinedtotroubledregionsorunstablecountries,theycut across every nation, every class, and every culture. Children, especially girls, bear the brunt of forced sex, exploitation, and abuse, both online and offline. Conflict zonesaddyetanotherlayerofdanger,whererapeandsexual violence against children become weapons of war The global crises of recent years, COVID-19, armed conflicts, climatedisasters,wideninginequality,andchronicpoverty haveallintensifiedchildren’svulnerability
In places where family stress is high and social protectionsareweak,predatorsthrive.Whenrootcausesare ignored, when institutions fail, children are left exposed. Survivorsofchildabuseoftenfacelifelongimpactsontheir physical, sexual, and mental health. In many cases, the traumainflictedamountstotorture.Yet,theUNpointsout thatmostvictimsneverspeak.Shamemuzzlestheirvoices; fear keeps them silent.Thatsilence is deadly. It means the perpetrator continues unchecked.Itmeansthechildsuffers alone. It means the cycle continues. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda places children’s dignity at its core, calling for an end to all forms of violence, exploitation, trafficking, and torture It demands an end to harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation,practicesthatplacechildrenatimmediateriskof sexual abuse But declarations alone do nothing The promises of world leaders must be matched with action, resources,andunrelentingpoliticalwill Theglobalnumbers are staggering: 120 million girls under 20 have endured forced sexual contact While comprehensive global statistics for boys are lacking, data from several countries show prevalence rates between 3% and 17%. One in four children under five lives with a mother who is herself a victim of intimate partner violence a direct indicator of a violentandunsafehome.Adultswithfourormoreadverse childhood experiences are 30 times more likely to attempt suicide and seven times more likely to be involved in interpersonal violence. And disturbingly, 1 in 20 men admits to engaging in sexualised behaviour online with childrenunder12.
Thesearenotabstractnumbers,theyarewarningsirens. Here at home, the crisis is real. In February, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud disclosedthat275casesofchildabusewererecordedforthe yearuptothatpoint.Lastyear,wesawanappalling4,038 reported cases, spanning physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal abuse, as well as neglect.Anyone who follows the pagesofKaieteurNewsknowsthateachweekbringsfresh horror: a raped toddler, a beaten schoolchild, a discarded infant. The frequency alone is an indictment of our collective failure. It does not matter which school of psychologyonesubscribestoallagreethatchildhoodforms the foundation of adulthood. The adult emerges from the child. When a child is violated, injured, humiliated, or ignored, society pays the price later Damaged children become adults who struggle to form healthy relationships, who battle inner demons, who may themselves become perpetrators or lifelong victims. Traumatic experiences do not vanish; they sink deep into the psyche, resurfacing as
Gold smuggling and the woeful waste in the sugar industry are part of a well known, if not accepted, culture of corruption
DEAREDITOR
Withthestate-controlled media in high gear we
addressbyourHead-of-state at the opening of Guy Expo 2025. I have no doubt that President Ali is sincere and meanswell.However,afatal flaw of any General or Commander-in-chief is a failure to recognise the
subordinates, and his failure to recognise an extant environment.
After listening to his statement about gold
smuggling and under declarations, I wondered whoarethelocalandforeign beneficiaries from these deeds, not to mention the irreparable and shameful d
struction to our environment Guyanese have short memories but we must not forget that poisonous cyanide contaminated the Omai River, a tributary of the Essequibo River, and the continuing pollution of the Madia Creek by ongoing goldminingoperations.
He then launches a broadside against GuySuCo management, I wonder is this the Guyana all of us
know The old folks remind ustheroadtohellandruinis lined with good intentions. Of course, the unforgivable powerfailureisstandardand not surprising for ordinary folks who live in my community
Gold smuggling and under declaration and the woeful waste in the sugar industry is part of a well known, if not accepted, culture of corruption and cronyism. Unless we have the courage, wisdom and sense of patriotism to appoint persons of competence to manage the gold sector and the sugar industry, the statements
made at Guy Expo and else whereringhallow
Events over the past generation or two suggest that we produce and now have a cadre of top and middle management who cling to corruption and political expediency In an earlierpostIsaiddemocracy in our beloved country is now demons mocking like crazy
To satisfy the lofty, and perhaps, well meaning statements of President Ali we need a form of exorcism in the entire administrative body
Sincerely, ElderHamiltonGreen
CommendACE for NYDiaspora Engagement
DEAREDITOR, I write to commendAce Consulting group and ExxonMobil Guyana for its Guyanese diaspora outreach forum held on Friday afternoon November 14 at a Vetro catering hall on Crossbay Blvd in Howard Beach to relate investment opportunities in Guyana
The forum brought together
d i a s p o r a s k i l l e d professionals and private sector leaders and potential Guyaneseinvestorsfromthe greaterNewYorkarea.Such
a forum (involving
ExxonM) to discuss investmentopportunitiesfor diaspora from greater New Yorkareawaslongoverdue. Similar forums were held in Washington and Toronto
The diaspora had long expressedaninteresttohear from ExxonM’s CEO about its investment and related opportunities for Guyanese in the diaspora as well as thoseinGuyana.
Ace Consulting Group
on development in Guyana
a n d E x x o n M o b i l collaborated to host the forum to inform and update Guyanese on various opportunities on investment in Guyana and about Exxon’s operations The forum gave the diaspora an unique opportunity to quiz ExxonM’s CEO about its general operations and investment as well as benefits accursing to Guyana.
Previous engagements were also organised by Ace Consulting Group (of Guyana) in collaboration with ExxonMobil Guyana. Addressing the audience were Ace Consulting PresidentDr RoshKhanand Guyana Consul General in New York, Ambassador Michael Brotherson as well as Guyana ExxonM President (CEO) Alistair
Routledge, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, and four others. They stressedthatGuyaneseinthe diaspora can play a pivotal
disorders, dysfunction, or despair Every childisofequalworth,entitledtothesame social, economic, civil, and political rights asanyother Childabuse,definedasanyact of omission or commission that impairs a child’s development, is made possible because adults wield disproportionate power Whetherthroughphysicalviolence, sexual exploitation, emotional harm, or neglect,abuseisalwaysanabuseofpower In Guyana, physical abuse remains common,oftenmaskedas“discipline.”But corporal punishment that leaves a child bruised, burned, bleeding, or in need of medical attention is not discipline—it is abuse. And it is criminal. As we join the globalcommunityinmarkingthisday,letus
role in investment and growingtheeconomy Dr Khan and Consul GeneralMichaelBrotherson delivered welcoming remarks urging the diaspora to take advantage of opportunities to invest in a (new) rapidly developing and modernising Guyana. They feel that Guyana’s development should be inclusiveofthediaspora.As Dr. Khan stated, these forums were centered around diaspora role in Guyana’s development. As Khan stated, similar forums willbeheldinSouthFlorida and additional ones in Toronto.
Following remarks from Dr Khan and Amb Brotherson, there were two questionandanswerplenary sessions with a moderator.
Robert Persaud and Alistair Routledge were engaged in the first session followed by a few questions from the audience. Four speakers were quizzed by the
be clear: no country can claim progress whileitschildrenremainunsafe.Nonation can boast development while young bodies andmindsarebeingshatteredbehindclosed doors. The protection of children is not merelyalegalobligation,itisamoralone.It demands action by families, teachers, police,courts,andeveryinstitutionmeantto shieldtheyoung.Itdemandsthatwebelieve children when they speak. It demands that we remove predators from positions of access and power And it demands that we stop treating child abuse as a periodic headline and start treating it as the national emergency that it is.Asociety that fails its children fails itself. Guyana must choose whatkindofsocietyitwantstobe.
moderator in the second session Wazim Mola, Senior Advisor of Ace, moderated the two sessions. The two sessions were followed by a reception of drinksandhorsdoevres.
As Ace Consulting President stated in the introduction of the engagement,theobjectiveof this and similar forums was to inform Guyanese in the diaspora of investment opportunities in Guyana to align government national transformation goals Dr Khanstatedthatthediaspora has key resources including skills, technical know-how, money, and insight that contribute to Guyana’s sustainable development He, Robert Persaud, and Amb Brotherson reiterated that the PPP/C government wants to work with the diaspora, to take diaspora expertise and money to help transform Guyana into a modern, developed nation. As they noted, the PPP/C government views diaspora engagementasacornerstone ofsustainabledevelopment. They emphasised that government is pursuing initiatives that will involve partnerships with diaspora on investments in sustainabledevelopment.
ExxonM President Mr Routledge also chimed in that the multinational oil company is keen in s t r e n g t h e n i n g i t s commitment to inclusive nationa
development and engaging Guyanesecommunityas (Continuedonpage06)
TheresidentsofTigerBayhave receivednumerouspromises fromPresidentAlisince2020
DEAREDITOR, Kindly permit me space in your letter column to publish this missive on a matter that I believe is deserving of national reflection.
Thesmallcommunityof Tiger Bay has existed for manyyears.
As a former student attending high school in the Cummingsburg area, I often passed this community while journeying to my mother’s workplace in Kingston I also had schoolmates residing in Tiger Bay What has remained with me both then and now—is the strong sense of socialisation and communitydisplayedbythe residents.
While I acknowledge and appreciate any administration acting in the interest of its citizens, I am still unable to comprehend what motivated the Ali Administration to stage the activities that unfolded last weekend.
ThePPP/Cheldpolitical office for twenty-three consecutive years prior to May2015.
During that period, opportunities existed to addresstheharshconditions under which our brothers and sisters in Tiger Bay lived Although some
residents reportedly received house lots, many faced significant barriers in accessing financing due to stringent eligibility criteria imposed by banks and financial institutions (see:
I n t e r - A m e r i c a n
Development Bank, HousingFinanceChallenges intheCaribbean,2018).Has the government, whether then or now, intervened to rectify these systemic constraints?
T h e C o a l i t i o n Government, during its relatively short tenure, sought to provide some measure of support However, with first oil achieved in 2019, many of the intended developmental programmes could not mature fully, as the 2020 General and Regional Elections were imminent. Despite not returning to office, the PPP/C has since benefitted from the full inflows of Guyana’s petroleum revenues from 2020onwards.Yet,littlehas been done to address the immediateneedsofourmost
vulnerable communities
While over GY$100 billion was reportedly injected into the housing sector, large segments of our population; across urban, peri-urban, and rural areas, continue to live in squalor and under unsanitary conditions (UNHabitat, World Cities Report,2022).
TigerBay,Albouystown, andAgricolastandasvisible examples of areas still grappling with entrenched poverty
We continue to hear of roads, bridges, and cash grants.Butwhathasbeenthe real transformative impact ofthesepoliciesonthelives and living conditions of ordinarycitizens?
This question remains unanswered.
Over the weekend, residents of Tiger Bay were promised that their community would be converted into a “model community,”retrofittedwith playgrounds and improved facilities. However, several questionsarise:
· Is there a feasibility study or blueprint outlining what this model community willentail?
Where will the proposed playground be located?
·Iftheexistingbuildings being used as homes are privately owned, how will redevelopmentproceed?
Additionally, residents weretreatedtoacelebratory event, presumably funded through taxpayer resources andprivatesponsorship.Yet, once the music stopped and the lights dimmed, what followed? Likely, residents returned to their daily realities,stilluncertainabout thefuture.
In reflecting on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), several are immediately relevant to communities such as Tiger Bay—namely SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) (United Nations, Transforming Our World:The2030Agendafor Sustainable Development, 2015).
G i v e n c u r r e n t trajectories, I am not optimistic that Guyana will achieve all 17 SDGs by 2030, much less those most applicable to heavily disadvantagedcommunities, despite the nation’s unprecedentedoilrevenues.
I must also raise a concern regarding the visit
by Minister Priya Manickchand prior to the President’s engagement A
widely circulated photograph showed the Minister posing with children who were halfdressed
Many Guyanese expressed concern, and I a g r e e w i t h t h e i r sentiments Leaders must exercise responsibility in their conduct, particularly in moments that will i n e v i t a b l y b e photographed, publicised, and politically interpreted Ifsuchavisitwereplanned under my leadership, I wouldhaveensuredthatan advisor or team lead e n g a g e d p a r e n t s beforehand to ensure the children were respectfully and properly attired I trust that the Minister will reflect on the feedback shared and strive for better judgmentinthefuture
I conclude with the familiar proverb: “A promise is a comfort to a fool.”
The residents of Tiger Bayhavereceivednumerous promises from PresidentAli since his first visit in 2020. Willtheybemadetobelieve yetanother?
Timewilltell.ByGod’s grace, I will remain vigilant and observe whether these commitments materialise in tangible improvements. It is time for leaders to cease making unkept promises for politicalmileageandinstead take decisive, impactful action to uplift the lives of those in our most underservedcommunities.
Yourssincerely, AnnetteFerguson
Sugar forms the basis of social and economic life in Rose Hall
DEAREDITOR
Active life has returned to the Rose Hall community in Canje Berbice in 2023 whenthesugarestatewasreopened by the PPPC government. The estate was closedin2017byPNCRled government as part of their so-called downsizing operation.Duringthe6-year (2017-2023) closure period Rose Hall was viewed as an economicdeadzone.
During our visit to the sugarestateinOctober2025 we saw motivated management and workers striving to restore economic viability after a six-year closure They expect recovery to take 3–4 years due to a major challenge: a shortage of cane harvesters despite the prospect of attractive earnings
Guysuco’s CEO, Mr Paul Cheong, notes that cane harvesting pays well, with some harvesters earning several thousand dollars per day.
Mechanisation is underwayatRoseHall,with 28% implemented so far to address labour shortage, but theneedforworkersremains urgent. Sugar is crucial for the local, national and international market, and supportingGuyana’sgoalto makeagriculturecentraland reducefoodimportsby25% by2030.Sugarandricehave long sustained Guyana’s ruraleconomy,makingthem essential for meeting the 2030foodtargets.
The PPPC government has placed particular emphasis on revitalising the sugar industry, which faced significant challenges following the European Union’s (EU) 2006 decision to implement a phased 36% reduction in preferential sugarpricing,effectivefrom 2009.
Thispolicychangehada substantial impact on the industry’s viability Anticipating these effects, the EU established the Accompanying Measures Program (AMP) to alleviate the resulting difficulties by allocating €166 million
(US$192 million) between 20
diversification, enhance productivity, modernise equipment, and provide n
disbursement was made in 2016.
D
pite the w
lintentioned efforts by AMP, the sugar industry faced ongoing losses, with earnings dropping from $(US)123millionin2011to $(US) 27.7 million in 2019.
Production
ll from 231,000 MTs in 2015 to 60,204 MTs in 2023. By 2015, the industry had accumulated a debt of $(G) 82billion.Aftertakingoffice in 2015, the PNCR government closed four sugar estates in 2016 and 2017, without conducting a socio-economic impact studyanddespiteopposition from the PPP. This decision resulted in 7,000 workers losing their jobs—including 1,500 from Rose Hall—that affected over 40,000 dependents.Accordingtoan ILO 2021 study, more than 160,000 people were impacted directly or indirectlybytheseclosures.
The allocation of taxpayer funds to the sugar industry since 2011 may be characterised either as a subsidy or as capital investment; in either case, these expenditures have aimed at revitalising the sector
Even if such allocations areconsideredsubsidies,the annual per capita worker subsidy provided to bauxite community at Linden exceeds that (annual per capita worker) allocated to the sugar industry Furthermore, between 1976 and 2000, the sugar sector contributed over $(G) 130 billion to the tax levy fund, which was subsequently used to support other economically challenged sectors.
Given the current difficulties facing the sugar industry,itisappropriatefor
other sectors to provide reciprocalsupport.
The PPPC government decidednottoreopenWales, Enmore, and Skeldon, focusing instead on Rose Hall, which resumed productiononSeptember20, 2023 Rose Hall’s sugar outputreached8,143MTsin 2025(uptoOctober)butwill need about 4 years to turn aroundtheindustry
While certain factory components and equipment at Rose Hall require
production shortfall is
Management, employees, and their union, GAWU, all identify labour scarcity as theprimarychallengefacing the facility Workers are confident that, should the labour issue be addressed, the industry could see significant improvement within three to four years. The Ministry of Agriculture may wish to evaluate the possibility of sourcing immigrant labour from C
ba, Hai
he DominicanRepublic.
Itisalsonoteworthythat both management and
considerable dedication and commitment to the future of
y, expressingastrongdesireto facilitateitsrecovery
This determination was further illustrated through their demonstration of operational processes, such astheconversionofbagasse intosteamtopowerturbines. Bulk sugar as well as molasses is being transported from Albion sugar estate to Rose Hall fromwheretheyareshipped. Like the other estates, sugar is central to the Rose Hall community’s culture, h i s t o r y , a n d economy supporting not justlivelihoodsbutlocallife. Rose Hall, along with the other three grinding estates, d e s e r v e s o n g o i n g governmentsupport.
Yourstruly DrTaraSingh
Theopportunity presentedbydeepspace communicationsystems
DEAREDITOR
, China has recently successfully tested a laser
based deep space communication system that surpasses the current capabilities of Starlink’s system while reducing the associatedcosts.
The laser can transmit from deeper in space and uses only 2 watts (the energy of a household
LED bulb) and can transmit 1 Gbps vs the current approach of lowearth orbit systems that require a large satellite network, more energy and has a median download
speedof67Mbps. (Reference: Daily Galaxy, China Strikes Hard, Novem
6, 2025)
As gove
nts continuetopushtopursue deep space planetary missions such as those being considered for Mars, the impact that this new Chinese technology can have will be significant
According to the referencedarticleChinawill also need to build out its high orbit satellite network and its receiving ground station network The
location of Guyana on our planet may be attractive for our Chinese comrades as an investmentoptionforsucha groundstation.
CRG recommends that our Government open discussions with China in supportofsuchaninitiative. Ifanagreementisachieved, Guyana will be at the forefront of deep space communications.
The potential positive impact on the development of our nation’s engineering and science capabilities cannotbeunderstated.
Bestregards, Mr.JamilChanglee
Road Safety Reform Has Been Parked for Too Long
DEAREDITOR, I have noted with interest the recent announcement by the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the introduction of Auto Control Speed Governors for trucks under the new Auto Control Speed ManagementSystem.
Letmestateclearlythat Iwelcomethisinitiative It is a necessary and overdue step in the right direction If properly implemented and enforced, it has the potential to save lives and bring much-needed disciplinetoourroadways. However, I cannot help but observe that this measure has been a long time coming
The issues the GPF is now attempting to address through this system are the very same onesIhavebeenraisingfor more than a year, both in Parliament and in the press
During the debate on the Motor Vehicles and R o a d T r a f f i c (Amendment) Bill No 9 of 2024 on July 8, 2024, I cautioned that the behaviour of truck drivers and the lack of regulation governing heavy-duty vehicles posed “a clear and presentdanger”tootherroad users.
I specifically urged that the government hasten the regulations on truck operations and enforce strict limits on
speedandoverloading
I also called for stronger public education, because passing laws without ensuring people understand them only breeds confusion andresentment.
Later, in November 2024,Iwrotepubliclyonthe worsening road safety crisis in Guyana. I described how overloaded, poorly maintained trucks driven by fatigued operators were speeding through populated areas, causing destruction, injury,anddeath.
InotedthenandIrepeat now — that it is not enough to blame individual drivers. These tragedies reveal syste
government’s unwillingness to modernise the way we manageourroads.
In that same letter, I called for zero tolerance toward traffic violations, tougher penalties for speeding and overloading, m a n d a t o r y d r i v e r certification, and the use of technology such as tachographs and automated monitoring systems to regulatetruckspeeds.
Today, as we prepare for the rollout of speed governors, it is satisfying to see some of those ideas finallybeingadoptedthough Iwishithadhappenedmuch sooner
It has been over a year since the National Assembly debated and passed the Road Traffic AmendmentBill
Since then, little has
been done to operationalise its provisions While I commend the GPF’s decision to host a sensitisation meeting with truckers on November 19 at Eve Leary, it is my sincere hope that this initiative will not become another pilot programme that loses momentum after the headlinesfade.
G u y a n a c a n n o t continue to lose lives while we move at a bureaucraticpace Every week that p a s s e s w i t h o u t enforcementisanotherweek where families are shattered bypreventableaccidents.
Truckers play a vital role in keeping our economy moving, but road safety is a shared responsibility
This government must act with urgency and consistency, ensuring that these new measures are properly implemented, monitored, and enforced acrossallregions,notjustin Georgetown.
If we are serious about saving Guyanese lives, then we must move beyond talk andtakedecisiveaction.
I,therefore,reiteratemy support for the introduction of the Auto Control Speed Governors and urge the authorities to act with greater alac
ity in imp
ementin
hese measures The time for actionisnow
Regards
Hon.AmanzaWalton, M.P.
CommendACEforNYDiaspora...
Frompage04 strategic partners (through itslocalcontentprogram)in the country’s long-term growth agenda He reaffirmed continued U.S. investment in Guyana’s booming economy He also stated that ExxonM is utilizing renewable energy in Guyana to power their office. He said the entire ExxonM office in Ogle is powered by renewable energy and it also adds energytothenationalgrid.
Mr.Routledgesatedthat Exxon invested some US$60 billion in Guyana. HenotedthatGuyanaisnow producing some 930K bpd and additional production are on stream for next year and every year thereafter through 2028 when Guyana will reach some 1.2 million bpd.
He also stated that the compa
ed thousands of Guyanese and gave billions in dollars in contracts to Guyanese companies. He was asked a
recoveredresultinginhigher revenues for Guyana. He saidthatbyendofnextyear, Exxon should recover most of its investments that will result in Guyana earning higher profit sharing thereafter
Oneofthefourspeakers, Ms Teij Persaud, Exxon Liaison for Government Affairs, highlighted that Exxon and its contractors have employed over 6,200
Guyanese w
ers, prioritises hiring and training Guyanese, essentially 70% of oil and gas’sworkersincountryare
Guyanese with some 1800 Guyaneseworkingoffshore. She and the other three speakers also spoke about opportunitiesforinvestment in Guyana, appealing to them to take advantage of the various opportunities in oil and gas an in other areas to help transform Guyana. Mr. Routledge engaged several attendees for a oneon-one exchange pre and postplenarysessionfielding theirquestions.
The planners and organisers of the forum are applauded for giving the diaspora an opportunity to hear from Exxon and government representatives aswellasfromprivatesector investors on opportunities for investment and employmentinGuyana. Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
Procurement watchdog flags sharp drop
in complaints
...but warns of widespread bidder missteps
The Public Procurement Commission (PPC), in its AnnualReportforJuly2024 toMarch2025,revealedthat only 10 complaints were lodged out of 929 recorded contracts, yet a significant number of bidders are still failing to meet basic statutoryrequirements.
According to the report, four of the complaints were submitted for investigation under Article 212AA(1)(h) and (i) of the Constitution, while six were bid protest reviewsunderPartVIIofthe Procurement Act Article 212AA empowers the
Commission to investigate comp
, a n d mismanagement, and to propose remedial action Part VII of the Procurement Act provides a mechanism for bidders to challenge rejectedtenders.
During the reporting period, the Commission received four complaints, which equate to a 55% decrease as compared with the previous year (20232024) in which nine complaints were received out of 814 awarded contracts. “At the beginning
Tables showing the six Bid Protest Reviews the PPC received between July 8, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
of the 2024/2025 year of operation, there were no pending investigations from the previous year of operation; all investigations have been addressed within thepreviousreportingyear,” theCommissionstated.
Similarly at the end of the current reporting period, there were no pending investigations as all matters were completed. Also, no requests for investigation were withdrawn during the reporting period, and no investigation remained unacknowledged or unacted uponbythecloseoftheyear, theCommissionpointedout.
Detailing the four complaints, PPC stated that “one did not comply with statutory requirements, two did not fall within the remit ofthePPC,andonefollowed the investigative process to completionwithaSummary ofFindingsbeingissued.”
As it relates to the six complaints for bid protest reviews, the Commission saidonequalifiedforreferral totheBidProtestCommittee (BPC) The Committee comprises of Mr Donald DeClou (Chairman), Ms Soshanna Lall and Mr Komal Singh who were appointedinMarch2024.
The one qualified case, t h e P r o c u r e m e n t Commission noted that the complainantwasRiazAkbar G
Tables showing the four complaints for investigation in relation to projects awarded.
Services in relation to a Ministry of Education project which was the extension and renovation to Dormitory Building at St. Ignatius.
The Commission noted that on July 10, 2024, the complainant alleges that the published contract award sumishigherthanwhatwas (Continuedonpage9)
The plan that is detached from reality
PresidentDr Irfaan
Ali’s recent announcement of aplantotransformTigerBay and its environs into Georgetown’s first “model neighbourhood” is, on the surface, a welcome and ambitious declaration. The vision of community love, fortified security, and rejuvenated public spaces is
a siren song for any city plagued by urban decay Who could possibly argue with the ideals of pride, safety, and social welfare?
Yet, for those familiar with the gritty, intractable reality ofTigerBay,thePresident’s vision—long on aspiration and short on detail—invites not just hope, but a heavy doseofprofoundscepticism.
Theghostofpastfailures looms large over this new initiative Those ghosts whisper a cautionary tale that this government would befoolishtoignore.
The fundamental question, the one the President’s announcement carefully sidestepped, is the mostpressing:“How?”How does one conjure a model
Procurementwatchdogflags...
Frompage8
recorded at the bid opening and the awarded contractor was recently awarded 2-3 otherprojects.
Providingastatusonthis reviewasofMarch31,2025, the Commission informed that it is “Awaiting determination by the Bid Protest Committee: Passed over to the Bid Protest Committee on August 21, 2024, in accordance with Section 54 of the Procurement Act, Cap 73:05.”
Further of the six bid protestapplicationsreceived, five failed to comply with statutory prerequisites, thereby not invoking the jurisdiction of the BPC
“This consistent trend of procedural deficiency may suggest lack of awareness amongbiddersregarding:the statutory protest framework, prescribed timeframes and stages, and the sequence of escalationundertheAct,”the Commissionexplained. The Commission further mentioned that while it is responsible for receiving applications, it does not adjudicate the merits of bid protests. That responsibility lies exclusively with the independent BPC, whose decisions are based on law, facts,anddueprocess. Meanwhile, PPC stated thatitremainssteadfastinits commitmenttoensuringthat
all bidders are afforded fair and accessible recourse to challenge procurement decisions.
“ W h i l e t h e l o w qualification rate for bid protest referrals remains a concern, the Commission views this as an opportunity tostrengthenlegalawareness and procedural literacy within the national procurement landscape,” it documented.
The Commission said that through the combined u s e o f e d u c a t i o n , transparency,andprocedural support, it will continue to reinforce the integrity of the public procurement system and uphold the rights of biddersunderthelaw
DEM BOYS SEH
Politician mouth ain’t got no back door
A Guyanese politician land in one village de other day, chest high and smile broad like he done save de world already Heaskdevillagers,“Whay’allneed?”like heSantaClauscomeearly
Devillagemantellheplain-plain,“Boss man,weonlygottwolilneeds.”
“Shoot,” de politician seh, feeling important.
“Fuss t’ing, we got a hospital… but no doctor.”
Before de man could even blink, de politician pull out he cell phone quickquick, press up nuff button, talk loud-loud soeverybodycouldhear Afterabig,fancy conversation, he tell dem, “Don’t worry, a doctorgonreachherebytomorrow.”
Dem boys seh de villagers look impressed… until de politician ask, “And wha’sdesecondproblem?”
De villager clear he throat and seh, “Wellsir…isjustonesmallissue:diswhole villageain’tgotnocellphonesignal.”
Dat story remind dem boys that every election season come with its own weather pattern.Itdoesgotsun,breeze,andawhole lotta hot air And is de hot air from politicians that does raise the temperature morethanclimatechange.Islikedemgata specialfactorysomewheremass-producing promises big, shiny, sweet-sounding promises—that does vanish faster than snowconeinmiddaysun.
Yuh ever notice how campaign time
community from an area with a history as complex and challenging as Tiger Bay?
The area’s very name, likely borrowed from the notorious docks of Cardiff, hints at a past built on transient pleasures. While thesailorsandtheirvicesare long gone, they were replacedbyadifferent,more entrenched set of problems from the 1970s onward: crime, drugs, and the profound challenge of widespreadsquatting.
This is the heart of the Tiger Bay conundrum. The area is now dominated by squatterswhohaveoccupied private lands, building a labyrinth of makeshift homes.
This is not a new problem, and the current administrationisnotthefirst to wield the sword of revitalisationagainstit.
History provides a sobering lesson. The late President Mrs. Janet Jagan, in a well-intentioned effort, attemptedtoliftresidentsout of poverty by offering them house lots and financial assistancetorelocate.
The result was a policy nightmare. Many took the money and the land, yet never moved. When a few did depart, a new wave of squatterspromptlyfilledthe vacuum, like water finding itslevel.TheBharratJagdeo administration also tried its hand and met with similar, dispiritingfailure.
This introduces a thicket of l e g a l a n d e t h i c a l complications Does the government plan to compulsorily acquire these lands, a costly and potentially contentious process? Or does it hope to negotiatewithsquatterswho have, for decades, demonstrated a resilient resistancetorelocation?The notionof“communitylove” seems a fragile tool against the hard realities of land o w n e r s h i p a n d dispossession.
The President’s vision includes “improved public spaces” and recreational facilities This pledge betrays a startling disregard for the geography of Tiger BayandadjoiningKingston. Where, precisely, will these spacesbebuilt?Thereareno vacant fields waiting for the laying of a cricket pitch or theplantingoffootballfield. Every square foot is accounted for, either by a shack, a business, or roadways.
programmes for “social welfare” and “community pride” onto a foundation of illegal land occupation and overcrowding is like applyingafreshcoatofpaint to a termite-infested house.
T
inevitablybreakthrough.
A
Herculeantaskofrelocation were to be miraculously achieved, the cycle of
insurmountable challenge
We know, from bitter experience, that if the currentsquattersaremoved, new ones will inevitably move in, drawn by the vacuumandtheproximityto th
does suddenly turn everybody into miracle workers? Man who can’t even fix he own gate suddenly promising to fix de whole country One fella say he bringing free water, free light, free education, free transportation.Demboyssehatthisrate,all that gon lef to pay for is yuh own coffin—and even that might come wid a subsidyifyuhvoteearly
But leh we talk reality Guyana ain’t short of resources; is short of completed projects. For every promise delivered, ten dehstillwanderingindewildernesslooking fuh a contractor We got roads promised since Burnham time, drainage promised since Jagan time, and accountability promised since Adam and Eve tek de first bite.
What funny is how people does still clap.Weloveagoodpromisemorethanwe loveagoodpepperpot.Butdetruthis:you can’tbuildafutureonemptytalk.Youcan’t developanationonspeeches.Andyoucan’t fullyuhpotwithcampaignvows.
Dem boys seh is time we stop getting high off promises and start asking fiuhtimelines,budgets,andsomeproofthat de plan ain’t scribble pon the back of a napkin. Until then, brace yuhself. More promises coming. Bigger ones. Shinier ones.Andjustlikedelastbatch,demmight end up right where dem always does: in de landof“shortly”and“soon”. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
Given this legacy, it is perplexingtounderstandthe mechanicsofPresidentAli’s plan What will he do differently? The lands in question are not state lands; they are privately owned.
To create such spaces wouldrequiretheverysame relocation of residents that hasprovenimpossibleinthe past. The plan, in its current vagueform,appearstobean architectural blueprint without a designated plot of land The uncomfortable truth, which successive governments have been reluctant to utter, is that the onlyviablemodelforatruly transformedTigerBaylikely involves the large-scale, permanent relocation of its currentresidents.
This is a political hot potato of the highest order, fraught with the risk of appearing anti-poor or heavy-handed. Yet,layering
a permanent,crediblesecurity and administrative presence t
encroachment—acostlyand endless commitment any transformation will be fleeting.
T
PresidentAli’s heart may be intherightplace,hisplan,as
dangerously detached from reality.
It ignores the hard lessons of history and the
communityitseekstouplift.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the
hor and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
H@RD TRUTHS
Bribes: giving and taking, minimising
Guyanese are put on notice. Offeringabribetoa copisacrime. Thetakingof a bribe by a cop, or the demandingofone,isacrime.
Guyanese also heard about “zero tolerance” and being subject to the “full force of thelaw.”
Takingallofthisinhand, corruption in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is under severe assault, should experience some level of minimising following, should everything fall into place. Thesternlanguageis present, and so are the warming public postures How can the GPF, the Guyanese people, and Guyanaitselfgowrong?
String along a police worker with 10%, and he or sheisonthehuntfor10bribe situations before the day is done. It could be on the road, or behind the desk in
the station, the dreaded station; or higher up. A report indicated that the airport is not exempt from suchovertures,actions.
To my fellow citizens, this is said to each one: do not make a fool of oneself, and don't let others make a fool of sensible people
Bribegiving, bribetaking, and bribe arranging are not the exclusive operations center of constables, corporals,andsergeants.
Thus, I caution citizens to take with a heavy dose of castor oil all this inspiring language about who is against corruption, and who has run out of patience with corruption, and who has no tolerance for corruption anymore. Berealisticismy counsel. Swallowsparingly Inswallowinghard,ordinary Guyanese should be on the alert for hidden bones that
can tear their tonsils apart. To say differently, seeing is believing; and when there is living with a radically different type of GPF culture, a clean and professional one, only then there will be grounds for applauding and supporting. I would.Having taken the liberty of advising fellow sojourners on the road, and those law-abiding Guyanese who make themselves small whentheyspotatrafficrank, or a police car, or police shoulder boards overrun with stars, I now extend the same courtesy of giving advice to the GPF, from the toptothebottom. Broadcast on the radio, TV, social media, online media, and paper media, when the attendingrankshouldwritea ticket, and when the circumstance that stands before must be deal with at
the stationhouse. So, when that not-so-nuanced hint, whichisathreatdisguisedas unavoidableproceduralnext steps, surfaces about 'drive to the station,' Guyanese know what the rank can do and should do, and what games he or she is playing. Requests for documents havetheirmoments.
But they are also part of the tension building street dance involving those in uniform and those sitting behind the wheel, or handlebars. Theobjectiveis to shakedown the naïve, the too cooperative, the erring, and those who know all too well how the local police culture works. It is a twoway street, with citizens making their own contributions to the corruption cancer An informedcitizenisahealthy citizen; one who knows rights, the protocols, and when escalations are necessary Give Guyanese what they need, so that they project sober, mature, and lawful citizenship. Educate them. Strengthenthem.
Help them to resistinvitationsto bribing. Help members of the GPF tobeawarethatcitizens have been informed, so they [police] had better followtherules,standards. I readthattheideaissayingno to corruption. I think this could go far in reducing the anxieties of citizens, stiffeningthebacksofpolice ranksandofficers,andbeing donewiththisunhealthyfear of the stationhouse and courthouse Of course, there'sthetradeoff:a$5,000 bribeisafairexchangefora day lost and a larger fine fromsomemagistrate.
Second,thereweresome sounds that GPF street monitors would have ticket bookstowriteupviolatorsof trafficregs.
If that isn't the reality right now, then it must be universal soonest. When there are grounds to issue a ticket, just do it. Citizens would know what is ticketable, and what isn't Everyone could move on. I wrote 'could' because some
habits are hard to discard.
The easy, simple, no-frills, nopenaltywayistoextenda gift,andallconcernedliveto carry on, until the next encounter Bigger visions come from such small unscrupulousbeginnings.
Last, there was an interval when the contact numbers of all GPF c o m m a n d e r s w e r e published. Iwouldurgethe TopCopandnewMinisterof Home Affairs to consider sharing those numbers with the public as part of an ongoing practice. Let it be an open book about who, at what level, is ready to transformprettywordsabout bribes and corruption into deedsthatdenounceboth.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
EU Election Observer Chief presents final 2025 elections report
Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Guyana 2025, Robert Biedroń, returned to Guyana on Monday to present the Mission's Final Report on the 2025 general andregionalelections.
The report was formally handed over to GECOM Chairperson, Justice (ret'd) ClaudetteSingh,duringtheir first meeting which focused on the mission's key
strengthen future electoral processes and the possible
implementation.According to the mission, some of the findings will also be addressed at its press conferencetoday
The final report outlines the EU EOM's observations oftheSeptember1elections, o f f e r i n g d e t a i l e d assessments of the electoral process,campaignactivities, political rallies, and the use ofsocialmediabycontesting parties It also proposes targeted reforms to enhance transparency and credibility infutureelections.
In its preliminary report, released three days after the
Man jailed for 13 years for 2021 murder
A 31-year-old man was onThursdaysentencedto13 yearsinprisonforclubbing anothermantodeathbackin August2021.
Shane Samaroo, also called 'Travis Cortis', was handed the jail term following his trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court. He was accused of killing Faroze Khan, known as 'Eggy', of Carriage Road Rosignol, West Bank BerbiceonAugust19,2021.
Accordingtoreports,on the day in question, Khan was making his way past a grocery store at Bennet Dam, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, when he was pounced on by Samaroo, who, while armed with a piece of wood, clubbed the unsuspectingvictim.
As Khan collapsed to the ground, Samaroo whipped out a knife which he used to stab the already injured man. Post mortem reportsconfirmedthatKhan sufferedapuncturedheart.
OnAugust23,2021,the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF) issuedawantedbulletinfor Samarooinconnectionwith thecrime.
After being on the run
for several months, Samaroo was arrested at Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne Berbice
by law enforcement officials, who also arrested his mother and charged her for harbouring a wanted person.
Defenseattorney,Kevin Edmonson, asked the court toconsidertheyouthfulness and sorrowfulness of Samaroo.
"I'msorryforthepeople who lose their family, I'm
polls, the mission cited several irregularities and highlighted that the undue advantages of incumbency created an uneven playing field during the campaign period.
Sentenced: Shane Samaroo
sorry that Feroze Khan dead.Ibegyuhforonemore chance to go back on the road sir," a seemingly remorseful Samaroo expressedtothejustice.
Justice Kissoon weighedthecaseagainstthe escalation of crimes influenced by alcohol. He stressed that the sale and consumption of alcohol continuestowreakhavocin society, and serve as a catalyst for senseless killings, with one result being that a mother is now forcedtofunctionasmother and father to the three survivingsons,whohesaid have to now confront the challenges brought on by thelossoftheirfather
In addition, Justice Kissoon pointed out the gravity of the offense, which amounted to taking the life of another human, andalsotheuseofadeadly weapon.
Issuingthecourtorders, Justice Kissoon urged that practical measures be implemented for Samaroo to undergo anger management sessions, as well as programmes to reformhisalcoholhabits.
While acknowledging that the campaign was inclusive and competitive with six political parties contesting nationwide and fundamental freedoms largely respected, the mission raised serious concerns about the ruling PPP/C's use of state resources for political gain. According to the EU observers, President Irfaan Ali's announcement of the electiondateonSeptember1 was followed by the rapid commissioningofnumerous public projects, including hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, and various social support initiatives These activities were heavily promotedandintegratedinto the PPP/C's campaign efforts.Thereportnotedthat statemediaandgovernmentrun social media accounts were instrumentalised to amplifycampaignmessages, further blurring the line
between the state and the rulingparty.
EU observers also reported that inauguration events were dominated by PPP/C supporters dressed in party colours, featuring campaign speeches urging support for the incumbent. Concerns were raised about beneficiaries of government socialprogrammesreceiving unsolicited phone calls encouragingthemtovotefor the PPP/C, suggesting possible misuse of personal data. The mission further noted that several social initiatives, such as the mass promotion and bonuses for over 2,800 police officers announced on August 10, were launched just before the campaign period, with the timing raising additional concerns.
The report also highlighted instances of direct pressure on civil servants and part-time government employees, including demotions and transferslinkedtoperceived supportforWINcandidates. Some voters reportedly refrained from openly supporting opposition
partiesduetofearsoflosing employment or social benefits. The EU EOM also underscored Guyana's lack of campaign f
nce regulations,notingthatthere are no laws governing the use of state funding for political campaigns or defining acceptable sources and uses of political donations and expenditures. This regulatory gap, the missionsaid,contributestoa lack of transparency and accountability
Additionally, the campaign period was marked by widespread allegations of direct and indirect vote-buying, particularly targeting vulnerable communities, with accusations primarily directed at PPP/C and WIN candidates. Overall, the EU EOM's findings emphasised the need for significant reforms to ensure a more level playing field and safeguard the integrity of futureelections.
CARICOM leaders land in Hurricane-hit Jamaica
...to push united relief efforts
President Dr Mohamed
Irfaan Ali is among several CARICOM Heads of Government who arrived in Jamaica on Monday as part of a high-level Goodwill Mission to evaluate the impactofHurricaneMelissa and support the country's recoveryefforts.
The delegation was received by Jamaica's Prime Minister and current CARICOM Chair, Andrew Holness, at the Norman Manley International Airport The mission includesthePrimeMinisters of Barbados, Mia Mottley; Grenada, Dickon Mitchell; Antigua and Barbuda, GastonBrown;togetherwith senior officials from the CARICOM Secretariat, the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and other regional and internationalpartners.
The visit underscores a strong demonstration of regional solidarity as
CARICOM leaders, development agencies, and multilateral partners collaborate to assess the hurricane's damage and identify urgent areas requiring support, the Department of Public Information(DPI)reported. Guyanaisoneofthefirst CARICOM Member States to mobilise support for Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa made landfall, bringing widespread flooding, infrastructural damage, displacement, and s
disruption Even before Hurricane Melissa made landfall, President Ali instructed the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Guyana Defence ForcetoworkwithJamaican authorities The Private Sector Commission responded to the president's appeal by assisting in the reliefefforts.
To date, Guyana has contributed: 1. Emergency relief supplies, including food hampers,medicalkits,water
purification tablets, and hygiene essentials for affectedcommunities.
2. Technical personnel from the CDC assisted by providing a rapid needs a s s e s s m e n t a n d humanitariancoordination.
3. Guyana Power and Light dispatched a team of t r a n s m i s s i o n a n d distribution workers to help withpowerrestorationonthe island
4.GuyanaDefenceForce supported with on-theground distribution of relief (Continuedonpage16)
(From right to left) GECOM Chairperson, Justice (ret'd) Claudette Singh, receives the European Union Election Observation Mission's Final Report from Chief Observer Robert Biedroń.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali engages with Jamaica's Prime Minister and CARICOM Chair, Andrew Holness
Outrage over pastor-driver parking clash
...Mayor says no exclusive parking rights granted to Brazilian church
The parapet in front of Universal Church cleared by the council after a heated staff off with a pastor and driver went viral
Workers attached to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on Tuesday cleared the pavement at the corner of Charlotte and Wellington Streets, after a heated standoff between a pastor of the Universal Church and a driver went viral on socialmedia.
Thevideosharedwithmultiple news sites on Facebook showed a pastor attached to the Universal Church located at Charlotte and Wellington Streets threatening a driverafterthemanparkedinfront ofthechurch.
The enraged pastor charged at the driver and accused him of parking in a space reserved for the church. Kidackie Amsterdam who later identified as the driver in the video told the press that the situation exposes the need for regularisation of parking spots in thecity “Iwasthepersoninvolved in my humble opinion this is a matterthatneedstobefollowedby themedia.
The issue of parking and nonparking is an aggravating one.The video demonstrates what kind of aggravation and situation which canariseoutofthesituation.”
Shortly after the video went viral, the City Engineer's Department was promptly deployed to the location and cleared the area of all encumbrances found on the city parapet.Inastatementreleasedvia Facebook, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) sought to remind the citizens that no permission is granted for the placementof“NoParking”signsor any form of encumbrances on city parapets, roadways, or public spaces.
Thecitycouncilurgedresidents and businesses to comply with its regulations to ensure order, accessibility and the safe use of public thoroughfares. City Mayor, Alfred Mentore in a follow up statement clarified that the Universal Church was never granted any special concession for reserveparkingspaces.“…Letme make clear, this council has never given the Universal Church any parking, the Universal Church has never applied to this council for them to have any reserve parking space by this council,” the city mayorclarified.
The Mayor expressed concern and disappointment that the pastor
PoliceinRegionalDivision#2areinvestigatingthediscoveryofa quantityofsuspectedcannabisfoundonSaturdayNovember15,2025 attheQueenstownBurialGround,Queenstown,EssequiboCoast. Ranks,actingoninformationreceived,proceededtothelocation duringwhichasearchwasconductedandfourparcelswrappedin transparentplasticbags,concealedamongbushes,containingleaves, seedsandstemssuspectedtobecannabiswasunearthed. ThesuspectednarcoticswastransportedtotheAnnaReginaPolice Station,whereitwasweighedandamountedto248.6grams,itwas thenlodgedasinvestigationscontinue. The ganja that was seized by police Police dig up 248g of ganja at
actedoutofcharacter “So,itisvery erroneousforthepastortospeakso vociferously about reserved parking and to appear to have reserved parking or have reserved parkingfromthiscouncil.
IwasverydisappointedwhenI saw the pastor behaving with such anger, actingoutsideof thenorm.”
Mentoresaidthathewashappythat city workers were able to act
The out-of-control Brazilian pastor who attempted to block a Guyanese citizen from parking on the city pavement
swiftlytoremovetheencumbrance andsigns.
Schoolboy's tongue slashed in bullying attack
...childgets18stitches,momsaysteachers“didnothing”
The Ministry of Education is now closely monitoring a disturbing incident at Uitvlugt PrimarySchoolwheresix-year-old Demetri Morrison was left with a deep, bloodied gash across his tongue after he was reportedly bullied by a classmate. The child required 18 stitches. His mother, Christina Seeraj, shared graphic photos and videos of her son's injury on Facebook, accusing the school of failing to assist her child after the lunchtime attack on Friday,November14,2025.
According to the mother, the purported incidence of bullying occurredonFridayNovember14th 2025 during lunch time. Seeraj claimed that after the incident, she was called to the school only to meet her child unattended to and bleedingfromthemouth.
“When the parents of six-yearold Demetri Morrison received a phone call from his class teacher andtheparentsarrivedattheschool to find their son in this unattended statenohelpfromtheteachers,”the mother stated in her post on Facebook. She said that she took her son to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he received 18 stitches to his tongue for the injury She noted too that hersoncannoteatsolidsandspeak clearlyasaresultoftheinjury
The woman expressed her frustration at how the matter was handled, noting that when she returned to the Uitvlugt Primary School on Monday morning with hersonseekinganswers“therewas no justice from the Headteacher of
Demetri Morrison received 18 stitches to his tongue after it was slashed by a school bully
Uitvlugt Primary School.” She has therefore called on the Ministry of EducationandthePresidenttolook into the matter “My son is still a baby and I'm pleading for justice,” themothersaidinherpost.
Kaieteur News contacted the MinistryofEducationandwastold that Minister of Education, Sonia Parag has since reached out to the boys'mother
Just last week the Ministry of Education launched a new AntiBullying and Anti-Violence ReportingSystem,givingstudents, parents, and teachers a safe and confidential way to report abuse
and harassment in schools. At the launchMinisterParagsaidthatthe newdigitalplatformwasdeveloped to allow students, parents and staff toconfidentiallyreportincidentsof bullyingorharassmentwithoutfear of retaliation “The platform streamlines communication between schools and the ministry, enabling timely investigations and appropriate intervention while maintaining the privacy of all individuals involved. Its goal is to promote accountability, encourage acultureofrespectandstrengthens overall well-being of students. So today I am proud to announce the launch of that particular online platform that will allow the reportingmechanismtohappenand happen in such a way that it is confidential and the privacy is intact to secure whether it is the student,theteacherorparents,”she announced.
Addressing the problem of bullying in the education system, Minister Parag mentioned that whenshefirsttookuptheportfolio ofEducationMinister,shewasmet with several reports of bullying at schools. “I said publicly that we willhaveazero-toleranceapproach not only as the Ministry of Education but as a Government of Guyanainrelationtobullying,”she stated. In terms of taking steps to eradicatebullyingatschools,Parag mentioned that there have to be a mental shift, a mindset shift to change this issue. “Bullying is by no means right in any form. We must take a zero-tolerance approachtobullying.”
Victims identified in fatal Soesdyke Highway crash- children injured, one driver critical
Two persons killed in the deadly two-vehicle collision at S i l v e r H i l l o n t h e Linden–Soesdyke Highway on Sunday evening have been identified, while several of the injured have been confirmed as children.
Accordingtoapolicestatement issuedonMonday,thedeceasedare Deron Bobb, a female whose age and address remain unknown, and Wayne Clarke, 51, of Grove Village, East Bank Demerara. The crashoccurredataround18:30hrs.
Preliminary investigations revealedthatMotorCarPHH1632, driven by a 28-year-old man of Grove Village, was heading south along the roadway when he reportedly lost control and veered intothewesternlane,collidingwith Motor Car PAG 1280, driven by a 22-year-old woman of Moblissa, Soesdyke–LindenHighway Police stated that the second vehicle had twochildren,agessixandtwo,both fromMoblissaVillage.
“Uponimpact,MotorCarPHH 1632 overturned, causing its occupants to be pitched from the vehicle Emergency Medical TechnicianslaterpronouncedBobb and Clarke dead at the scene,” policesaid. Meanwhile,thedriver of PHH 1632 remains hospitalised
in critical condition at the Linden HospitalComplex.
Thedriverandotheroccupants ofPAG1280alsosustainedinjuries andweretakentothesamehospital for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were subsequently transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where post-mortem examinations are pending.
Kaieteur News understands that two persons were found motionless at the scene, while five others were rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex for urgent medical attention A video circulating online showed several of the injured lying near the wreckage, including a woman
motionless on the roadway and a man unresponsive beneath one of the vehicles Another woman appeared trapped inside the overturned car as passers-by attemptedtoassistuntilemergency respondersarrived.
This latest tragedy adds to a growing list of deadly crashes along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway Between January 2024 and September 2025, Kaieteur News recorded 20 fatalities and numerous serious injuries from collisions on this major roadway Just last month, the newspaper highlighted the alarming rise in fatal accidents Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh previously emphasised that the police have
implemented every possible safety measure but stressed that ultimate responsibility lies with drivers and vehicleowners,whomustexercise cautionanddiligence.
R e t i r e d A s s i s t a n t Commissioner of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Paul Slowe recentlydescribedthehighwayasa “death trap” that requires urgent attention In a letter to the newspaper, Slowe had proposed the creation of a specialised highwaysafetyunit,equippedwith vehicles,safetygear,andelectronic warningsystems,operatingaround theclocktoaddresshazardssuchas broken-down vehicles, erosion, or water-loggedsurfaces.
“The main purpose of the highway patrol must be to identify potentialdangersi.e.,broken-down vehicles, erosion, loose surface, water lodged on the road surface, etc and ensure that adequate warning signs are put in place at a reasonable distance from the potentialdanger Iamsurethatthis m
significant impact on the safety of thisimportantartery,”hesaid.
However, in an interview with Kaieteur News, Singh explained that many of the suggested
measures are already in place, particularlyconstantpatrolling.He notedthatduringtherehabilitation of the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, the police implemented a more structured highway patrol system with traffic-focused operations from each division. “Previously, therewasonlyacheckpointwhere vehicles simply passed through a barrier Now, there is a fixed establishment with a building, mobile patrols by vehicle, and active engagement by ranks,” Singhstated.
He further explained that another measure, the highway patrol base, complements this system. He stated that since the highway serves as a vital link between Region Four (East Bank) and Region Ten (Linden), the two divisionsnowworkincoordination to strengthen traffic management and enhance preventative road safety While acknowledging the rise in fatal accidents along the Soesdyke–Linden Highway, Singh said back then that responsibility also lies with drivers. “That takes away no grievance that there are accidents,butwhenitcomesdown to responsibility, it is not a police issuealone.
The Soesdyke–Linden
(Continuedonpage18)
Thedeceasedpersons; Wayne Clarke and are Deron Bobb
Crime plummets 61% in Region Six
Little Soraya laid to rest
- Commander Bacchus hails record-breaking results
Commander of Regional Police Division Six, East Berbice-Corentyne, Assistant Commissioner Shivpersaud Bacchus has confirmed that crime has decreased considerably in the division, even as he is hailed the region's decisive coordination in the achievement.
Speaking at this year's Region Six Christmas policing plan launch on Saturday, Bacchus informed members of the private sector, joint services and other stakeholders that there has been an impressive 61 percentreductionincrimein thecounty Bacchus revealed that thedivisionwasabletosolve 94 per cent of crimes so far for2025,against49percent for 2024, seeing 61 per cent decrease in all categories of crime in the region.Aseries ofcoldcaseshavealsobeen solvedduringthatperiod,he said.
Healsodisclosedofficial crime statistics for the year 2025incorrespondencewith 2024, noting that there has been a total of nine murders this year, down from 11 last year
For robbery under arms, therewere24suchincidents lastyear,against17thisyear Robbery with violence saw 11 cases in 2024, but criminal activities in that category only saw two
The Guyana Gold and D i a m o n d M i n e r s Association (GGDMA) continues its assistance programme to help small miners re-enter the industry andtoexpandoperations.
The GGDMA on Monday handed over essential mining equipment to six small-scale miners. The association said it remains committed to the sustainability and growth of the local mining sector
matters for 2025, which larceny from person only had one instances compared tothetwoconfirmedforlast year
On the offense of rape, the divisional commander noted a major drop in such incidents, giving figures of 27 cases for this year in comparisontolastyear's67.
Police on the ground in Region Six
procedures.
“We identified our strengths, weaknesses, our opportunities, and of course ourthreats,”headded.
Visibility in all
c o m m u n i t i e s a n d entertainment spots by way of patrols and roadblocks andstopandsearchwasone
“Because of our rigid policing strategies, I see we have a decrease of 56 per cent,”henoted. Astheforcecontinuesits efforts for regional security, some 14 illegal firearms wereconfiscatedfortheyear thus far. For last year, 20 firearms were seized by the police.
Reflecting on the strides made, Commander Bacchus submitted that the ranks in the division committed to a well-coordinated routine that incorporated crime detection and c
prevention measures and s
hods employed which influenced thereductionrate.
Also, the regional division conducts weekly analysis, community engagement, participation and projects, as well social mediaengagementsinwhich sensitisation segments on law enforcement and crime relatedissuesarediscussed.
Serious accidents, however, continue on an upward trajectory in the region This was greatly underscored by Bacchus as he urged persons to practice cautionandconformtoroad
persons use the road wisely and desist from speeding,” Bacchusreasoned.
Regarding narcotics, the police in Region Six have destroyed almost 5,000 kilogramsofcannabisaspart of its continued drug eradicationexercise.
regulationsastheyusethe road.Theroadfatalityrateof itselfhasdeclined,asshown by2025figuresof12tolast year's 14, but serious accidents continue to be a thornintheeffortsofthelaw enforcementagency
“We are encouraging users on the road to be very careful,” the commander stressed. He said, too, that majority of the victims are youngindividuals.
A total of 75 cases of serious accidents have been recordedfor2025,compared to 53 for last year “That figure can be reduced if
Forthisyear,thedivision confirmed a total of 131 cases of domestic violence.
Of that number, there were 91 convictions made and 17 pending. Four cases were referredforcounselling.
On a less sombre note, Commander Bacchus stated that noise nuisance is a frequent issue in the region, and the Christmas season will see a rise in incidences.
Thepoliceareusuallycalled inbutcasesaredissolvedby default.
This is so, since in most cases, the individual reporting the matters are reserved about giving statements, preferring
instead that the alleged offender be handed a warning.Assuch,thecaseis nullified.Thereasonforthis was summed up by the seniorpoliceofficer
“Police don't warn persons Police charge personswhoarecommitting those offences, they are placed before the court,” where a statement is provided from the report. If there is no statement, the police cannot proceed with thematter,heexplained.
Even as citizens are gearingupfortheseason,the commander stressed the importance of vigilance. Citizens are also welcomed to engage the police on critical information that will lend to crime detection and prevention.
Rose Hall and New Amsterdam,twoofthethree towns in Region Six, have been confirmed as crime hotspots.
noting that they are actively pushing for increased production/declarations.
The official handingover ceremony, held at the GGDMA Secretariat, is a direct follow-up to the association's successful Open Day, which was held onFriday,October10,2025.
The Open Day focused on promoting vital matters relating to declarations and compliance, addressing sectoral challenges and
Melinda Parahoo, Jason De Santos, Dolly Wallace,
Moses, Priscilla Milton, and Rich Miles
Senior ranks of 'B'Division Region Six two
GGDMAassistssixsmallminerswithequipment
100 illegal firearms removed from streets so far in 2025 - Crime Chief
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has managed to remove 100 illegal firearm arms from the country's streets,CrimeChief,Wendell Blanhum said on Friday during the presentation of 2025crimestatistics.
TheDepartmentofPublic Information (DPI) reported thatofthe100illegalarms,57 were pistols, the most commonly recovered, followed by 29 shotguns, 12 revolversandtworifles.
Meanwhile,Blanhumsaid the firearms being taken out of circulation is part of the police force's attempt to curb the country's crime rate and theprocurementoftheillegal guntrade.
SpeakingattheChristmas PolicingLaunchforRegion4 'A', the crime chief who appeared virtually, assured that the GPF has intensified its intelligence operations to rid the country of the illegal firearms.
“[The Guyana Police Force is] aggressively pursuing and interdicting illegal networks that supply guns to criminals. During the year 2025 a total of 100 firearms were taken out of circulation. The most
commonly encountered firearms that were seized for the year 2025 were pistols. This type of fun gun is the preferred choice of weapon by serious offenders, since it is easily concealed ” Blanhumsaid.
Thecrimechiefreminded thatGuyanadoesnotproduce firearms while noting that of the100illegalweaponstaken outofcirculationforthisyear, 16originatedfromtheUnited States of America (USA), while 16 came from Brazil. There are 31 illegal firearms still awaiting verification since their markings and serial numbers were deliberatelytamperedwithin an effort to conceal their origin.
It was reported that though robberies have seen a steady decline over the last decade,armedrobberieswere themostprevalentthisyear
Last Christmas, Blanhum reported that the GPF seized over 178 illegal firearms and made significant progress in dismantlingcriminalgangsat the Force's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony.
CARICOM leaders...
Frompage11 suppliesinJamaica.
5 Guyana British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham), together with singerMaxiPriest,througha benefit concert, raised funds andpublicawareness.
DeepeningRegional Cooperation
The Goodwill Mission aims to strengthen regional coordination and provide tangible relief efforts by allowing CARICOM Heads and international partners to witnessfirsthandtheextentof the hurricane's impact President Ali's participation in the Goodwill Mission underscores Guyana's unwavering commitment to stand s
s h o u l d e r w i t h i t s Caribbean partners during times of crisis, advancing a united regional response to the pressing challenges posed byclimatechange.
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Broomes sounds alarm over children roaming bars, adult parties
The Assembly for Liberty and Pros perity (ALP) has issued a stinging warning about what it calls a growing national crisis: the increasing exposure of minors to alcohol, drugs, bars, and adult enter-
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The party says this disturbing trend exposes systemic failures in families, schools, and social institutions, and signals a dangerous erosion of Guyana’s cultural and moral norms. In a statement the ALP said children as young as 13 and 14 were seen entering an event clearly advertised as 18+ only.
Although patrons wore admission wristbands and police officers were present, no ID checks were carried out.
The ALP slammed this as a gross dereliction of responsibility, arguing that the real priority should be protecting children, not simply confirming that someone has paid to enter a venue.
Citing the Protection of Children Act, Cap. 46:06, which makes it an offence for any person to sell, give, or cause intoxicating liquor to be in a child’s possession, the ALP says society continues to knowingly place minors in environments where they can be groomed, exploited, traf-
ficked, manipulated, and emotionally damaged.
To confront what it describes as a deepening national emergency, the ALP is calling for immediate action, which includes: mandatory ID checks at all bars, concerts, and adult-only events; human Services intervention to ensure proper family supervision or temporary guardianship for children repeatedly found in adult spaces, plus counseling and follow-up for at-risk youth.
Additionally, ALP calls for penalties and licensing reviews for venues that admit minors.
The party also calls for visible, public enforcement of the Protection of Children Act, including regular compliance reporting.
The ALP also referenced the government’s planned rollout of electronic ID cards, urging that the new system be designed to prioritise child protection and prevent minors from accessing unsafe loca-
tions and illegal services. But the party stressed that this is not solely a government issue, it is a societal responsibility. Parents and guardians, it said, must take an active role in knowing where their children are, who they are with, and what spaces they are entering.
Children must only attend age-appropriate events, never adult venues where drugs, alcohol, and predatory individuals are present.
The ALP noted that its Blueprint for Prosperity envisions a Guyana where every child is guaranteed safety, structure, and dignity, and argues that national stability depends on shielding children from predatory environments and the systemic failures that endanger them.
The party’s message is blunt: Guyana must wake up. Protecting children is not optional, not negotiable, and not someone else’s job. It is a shared duty and one that the ALP says the nation can no longer afford to neglect.
DDL unbothered by stalled exports of milk products to T&T ...says sales up
The refusal of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) milk products into Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has had no negative impact on the company’s operations.
once we have the capability we intend to pick up from where we left off and pursue the Trinidad market.”
In May this year, DDL revealed that over US$100,000 in milk products was denied entry into T&T over health and safety concerns based on the twin island’s regulations.
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According to DDL’s Executive Chairman, Komal Samaroo, the company has since managed to increase exports even as it awaits certification from Trinidad to allow imports from Guyana.
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He explained, “At this point in time we have provided all the technical information which they have all processed. The final stage remains to be done and that is to visit our facility but because at this point in time we are not in a position to export because we have found other markets, we have decided not to pursue that at this point but
The DDL chairman noted that Trinidad and Guyana have been engaging on a government-to-government level for the products to be certified. “It’s a governmentto-government process. We had nothing to do with it and the government agencies on both sides have completed their work. The final stage is for the agency in Trinidad to visit our facility. They are certifying the country and not the company as such so we have left it there for the time being,” Samaroo added.
When asked if there was a timeline for the visit, he noted that DDL is focused on its dairy project which he aims to be operational by mid2026.
As part of its diversification, DDL is developing its manufacturing business and integrating agriculture with
DDL Executive Chairman,
Komal Samaroo
milk products being a primary feature. In the meantime, the chairman pointed out that the company has increased its exports to Barbados and other Caribbean markets.
According to him, “They have grown beyond what we were expecting and so we thought that at this point in time let’s get our dairy operation going and then we gonna resume the focus on exports.”
In May, the chairman of DDL ventilated his concerns regarding what he described as “extremely onerous and stringent processes” for the im-
GGDMA assists six small miners
From page 14
bearing block, housing, and mats. Additionally, Clifford Moses received a 15 Horsepower Outboard Motor Engine. This initiative was made possible through the donations of Mr. Ronaldo Alphonso, President of the GGDMA, and Mr. Terry Singh, an Executive Member. Three of the recipients were
Amerindians from the Middle Mazaruni Area. “This initiative stresses the GGDMA’s dedication to empowering small miners, enabling them to return to work, and strengthening the overall resilience of the sector. Crucially, the support is coupled with the association’s push for responsible and compliant operations,” the release stated.
portation of animal and animal-based products into Trinidad and Tobago.
In March this year, DDL exported four 20-foot shipping containers to T&T based on an evaluation of the Trinidad market by a Trinidadian business enterprise. The company said it has always utilised the services of a partner in the market who is knowledgeable of the regulations. The DDL chairman explained that while two containers of packaged milk products were denied entry and returned to Guyana, the bottled water products have been restricted from sale pending the completion of an “unconventionally exhaustive examination” of the products.
At the time, DDL was exporting the same products to three other Caribbean states including Suriname, St. Kitts and Barbados without encountering such barriers to trade.
with equipment...
As a condition to getting the assistance, all small miners receiving the items are required to provide evidence of their gold declarations at the end of the year, ensuring that this investment directly contributes to formal sector reporting and regulatory adherence. “The miners were reminded that they must sell their gold to the Guyana Gold
board or licenced dealers and to keep all their records as evidence. The GGDMA believes that empowering miners with tools and promoting compliance are interdependent pillars for a robust and sustainable future. Miners who received the donations expressed their gratitude to the GGDMA,” the release added.
Leader of ALP, Simona Broomes
GTI to get new three-storey building
The government, through the Ministry of Education, is planning to
constructa new three-storey Government Technical Institute(GTI)building.’
Twenty-six contractors
Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids: MinistryofEducation ConstructionofGovernment TechnicalInstitute3StoreyBuilding.
have submitted bids, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office disclosed at
therecentopeningoftenders. Contractors have bid between $559 million and $953 million to execute the
Reconstruction of St. Cuthbert's Mission Primary School.
works. No engineer’s estimatewasprovided.
Additionally, the ministry will be reconstructing the St.
Cuthbert’s Mission Primary School, a project where 34 contractors have submitted bids.
RehabilitationWorksat WestRuimveldtPrimarySchool.
Hamas rejects ‘foreign guardianship’ of Gaza ahead of UNSC vote
(AL-JAZEERA) - The UNSecurityCouncilissetto vote on a US resolution detailing the International Stabilisation Force outlined inTrump’sceasefire.
AHamasspokesmanhas toldAlJazeerathatthegroup rejects the presence of foreignmilitarypersonnelin Gaza, saying it would be exchanging Israeli occupation for “foreign guardianship”.
Meanwhile, Gaza authorities say displaced Palestinians need at least 300,000tentstoshelterinas winter in the enclave deepens.
AnIsraelidronedropped a bomb on a school sheltering displaced people in the Daraj neighbourhood ofGazaCity,northGaza.
Now, the Wafa news agency reports that at least 13 civilians, including children, were wounded Theyweretransferredtothe al-AhliArabHospital,where oneofthemwasdescribedas beingincriticalcondition.
Settlers also set fire to several homes and vehicles in the village of Al-Jaba’,
southwest of the city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, a local official has told the Wafa news agency
Dhyab Masha‘la, the headofthevillage’scouncil, said they torched three Palestinian homes, one shack and three vehicles,
causingextensivedamage.
Villagershadmanagedto extinguish the flames, he added, noting that no one wasinjured.
It comes after settlers were reported to have injured a number of Palestinians earlier today in an attack in the town of
A source at al-Ahli Arab Hospital, also known as the Baptist Hospital, tells Al Jazeera that “a number” of people were wounded when Israeli drones fired on a school shelteringdisplacedpeople i n t h e D a r a j
neighbourhood of Gaza City,northGaza.
Israel violated the ceasefire in Gaza hundreds of times according to local authorities, and continues to kill and wound Palestinians onadailybasis.
Israeli security forces evacuated and demolished an illegal settler outpost in the occupied West Bank, with the authorities citing “severe incidents of violence”.
A large force was deployed to the Tzour MisgavioutpostintheGush Etzion area, south of Jerusalem, video footage broadcast by Israeli media showed.
Heavy machinery could be seen preparing to demolishthestructures,with oneclipshowingabulldozer knocking into the side of a building with people standingontop.
Israeli media said 25 families were evacuated fromthesite.
In recent weeks, attacks attributed to Israeli settlers, notably those living in outposts, have multiplied in
the West Bank, targeting Palestinians, Israeli and foreign anti-settlement activists and sometimes Israelisoldiers.
“Theevacuationisbeing carried out in accordance with the law and the applicableregulations,”said COGAT,theIsraelibodythat runs civil affairs in the Palestinianterritories.
“Criminal activity and severe incidents of violenceatthesiteaffected the security of the area,” it saidinastatement
This is a rare instance ofIsraeliauthoritiestaking punitive actions against settlers,morethan500,000 who illegally live on Palestinian lands and in theirhomesintheoccupied WestBank October was one of the worst months ever recorded f
Palestinians, as they tried to conduct their annual olive harvest Many attackstakeplaceunderthe observation of, or even withdirectaidfrom,Israeli troops.
Teacher killed and 25 girls abducted in gunbattle at Nigerian school
(BBC News) - Armed men have killed a teacher and abducted at least 25 students in an attack on a girls’ secondary school in north-western Nigeria, policesay Theganginvaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, at around 04:00 local time (0300 GMT) on Monday, they said The attackers “engaged police
Victimsidentifiedinfatal SoesdykeHighway...
Frompage13
Highway is still undergoing transformationaspartofthe rehabilitation works We issue traffic advisories weekly, and there are constant lectures delivered todriversacrossRegionTen andtheEastBank.Wekeep preaching to them, reminding them, urging them,”hesaid.
Singh also highlighted the problem of immobile vehiclesleftonthehighway “When immobile vehicles are seen on the highway, theyarenottherebychance.
personnel on duty in a gun duel” before scaling the perimeter fence and seizing the students from their hostel,astatementsaid.
Onememberofstaffwas killedwhiletryingtoprotect thestudents.
A second sustained gunshot wounds and is now receivingtreatment.
Eyewitnesses described a large group of attackers, known locally as bandits, who arrived firing sporadaicallytocausepanic.
y, take photographs, place cones, and issue traffic advisory
This alerts other road users and p
danger,” he explained Singhalsounderscoredpoor vehicle maintenance, speeding,anddriverfatigue as persistent challenges
“When they are not so capable,they feel tired;you to take time off you can’t proceedinthesamemanner Wehaveexperiencedthisin the past Persons have crashed because they were tired,”Singhsaid.
Itistheresponsibilityofthe drivertocall911andreport it to the police, it’s free. Once notified, we take into account that the driver may not have cones or reflectors available. We then respond immedia
Residents told the BBC t h a t t h e g u n m
n subsequently marched a number of girls into nearby bushland. The police said t
tactical units, alongside military personnel and vigilante groups” to the area.
A coordinated search and rescue operation is u n d e r w a y i n surrounding forests and suspected escape routes.
Over the past decade,
schools in northern Nigeria have become frequent tar
This is the first major mass school abduction in Nigeria for more than a year
armed groups, who often carry out abductions to seek ransom payments or leverage deals with thegovernment As well as trying to crack down on the kidnappers, Nigeria has
also banned the payment of ransoms in an attempt tomakeitlesslucrative
This is the first major school abduction since March 2024, when more than 200 pupils were seized from a school in Kuriga,Kadunastate
Sa’ir,northeastofHebron
The attack in Kebbi
Israa feeds Keraz, Kifah, and Jumana [Atia Darwish/Al Jazeera]
BLUNT BLUNT
Bullying of schoolboy
Bullying in Guyana's schools has again been thrust into the national spotlight following the shocking incident at Uitvlugt Primary, where a six-year-old boy's tongue was slashed by a classmate.
No child should ever endure such violence—much less within the supposed safety of a classroom. The disturbing details, coupled with claims that the injured child was left unattended, expose a deeper problem: too many schools still lack effective systems for supervision, intervention, and accountability
The Ministry of Education's recent launch of its Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence reporting system through the MISU platform is a welcome step. Confidential reporting, improved monitoring, and the introduction of Moral and Civic Education can help create safer spaces for students.
But policies and platforms alone cannot protect children unless teachers, administrators, and parents commit to using them responsibly.
Bullying is not “child's play.” It is a threat to safety, learning, and mental health. Guyana must treat it as such firmly, consistently, and urgently before another child is scarred.
NBA roundup: Jazz’s Keyonte George makes last-second 3 to top Bulls in 2OT
Reuters - Lauri
Markkanenscored47points and Keyonte George added 33 — including a gamewinning 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left — to help the UtahJazzrallyfora150-147 double-overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday night in Salt Lake City
Markkanen had his
secondconsecutive40-point game for the Jazz, Isaiah Collier added 16 points and nineassistsoffthebenchand Jusuf Nurkic collected a game-high14rebounds.
JoshGiddeypoweredthe Bulls with 26 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds
Nikola Vucevic added 21 points and 13 rebounds
Matas Buzelis and Ayo
Dosunmu chipped in 18 points apiece. Coby White made his season debut for Chicago and provided a spark off the bench. White, who missed 11 games while rehabbing a calf strain, talliedateam-high27points with eight assists and went 14-for-14 from the freethrowline.
Spurs123,Kings110
De’Aaron Fox poured in 28 points and dished out 11 assistsagainsthisformerteam tohelphostSanAntoniobeat strugglingSacramentodespite star center Victor Wembanyamamissingagame forthefirsttimethisseason.
Tuesday November 18, 2025
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Newspapers may bring knowledge of strange events thatcaptureyourimagination. Youmightwanttolearnmore about the stories and similar events. Your mind is sharp enoughtograspitall.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
A heightened sense of ambition might have you developingyourwritingskills today This could mean learning technical or creative writing. Either way, if you've beenthinkingaboutit.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
A l e t t e r o r o t h e r communication serves as a sort of wake-up call today. A long-termgoalisfinallygoing to be reached. Your ambition should take on a new dimension,possiblygoingfor asecondcareer
CANCER(June21–July22)
Aletter or call from someone you know who's ill and confined to the hospital or home might come today You might decide to pay this person a visit. You may not knowhimorherwell.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Lettersandcallspertainingto yourlong-termgoalsorthose of a group you're affiliated with could take up a lot of your time today You might have to deal with paperwork atsomepoint,
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Alotofpaperworkmightneed doing today You'll feel mentally sharp and able to take care of it easily, though someofwhatneedstobedone may momentarily elude you. Communications.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Recognition could finally come for hard work and goals reached. You're feeling very good about the situation.Your self-confidence and mental strength are high You'll receivealotoflettersorcalls.
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Information on psychology, particularly dreams, could captureyourimagination.You coulddecidetocollectasmuch information as you can. The dark side of the personality maybeespeciallyappealing.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Shorttripsandlongtalkswith your special someone are on the agenda today You may decide to drive into the country,perhapstovisitquaint shopsandrusticrestaurants.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
A lot of paperwork that you need to complete could have younervousandstressed.You might experience some headaches Don't sacrifice your well-being for this. You won't lose your focus if you havetoputoffsometasks.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Ideas you read could inspire you to develop some new ideas of your own. You might want to write these down or share them with others. Some of the ideas you explore might be unclear in someway
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar 20)
The presence of children in your home could arouse your nurturing instincts today You might want to read to them or tell them stories. Stay away
Wembanyamasatoutwith leftcalftightnessafterstarting the first 12 games for the Spurs He missed 36 games last season when he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder San Antonio did not miss a beat without its top player, leading by eight points at halftime before stoking the margin to 19 points late in thethirdquarter
HarrisonBarnesadded20 points for the Spurs, while Devin Vassell finished with 16 DeMar DeRozan led the Kingswith27pointson12-of15 shooting from the floor Sacramento has dropped six straight outings. Mavericks 138,TrailBlazers133(OT) Daniel Gafford’s
The evolution of Guyana’s...
Frompage27 with the level of class and respect they have long earned.
It must be stated unambiguously that this transformation is a direct initiative of Minister Charles Ramson Jr, whose vision for sport in Guyana extends beyond facilities andprogrammes.
Hehasmadeitapriority to uplift the image and standingofeverydimension of sport, including how we honourexcellence.
Equallycommendableis the transparent and structured selection process implementedfortheawards.
By insisting on compliance from sporting associations, the Ministry and NSC are ensuring fairness, accountability, and a standard that strengthens theentiresportingfraternity Thisapproachreinforcesthe integrity of the event and provides athletes with confidence that their accomplishments will be judgedobjectively
The National Sports Awards, a cornerstone of Guyana’s sporting history, hasneverlookedbetter,and all indications show that it willcontinuetoimprove.
contributions on both ends of thefloorprovedcriticaldown thestretch,asDallassnappeda three-gameskidandavoideda winless homestand with its overtimedefeatofPortland
Gafford, limited thus far in 2025-26 by an ankle injury, delivered a seasonhigh 20 points, including four in the final seconds of the extra period. Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington led the Mavericks with 21 points apiece Brandon Williams and Max Christie added 15 and 14 points, respectively Shaedon Sharpe’sinabilitytoscorein the final minute and a half cameataninopportunetime on an otherwise outstanding night for the Blazers guard. He scored a season-high 36 points, just one shy of matchinghiscareerbest,and dished six assists. Sharpe wasleftshoulderingtheload afterDeniAvdija,Portland’s season-long leading scorer, fouled out. Avdija finished with29points,sevenassists andsixrebounds.
Rockets 117, Magic 113
(OT)KevinDurantscoreda game-high 35 points, AlperenSengunaddeda30point double-double, and host Houston claimed an overtime victory over Orlando Reed Sheppard (16 points off the bench) and Amen Thompson (12 points, 10 rebounds) converted four freethrowstosealthevictory Sengun posted 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists Sengun, Thompson, Steven Adams (13 rebounds), and JabariSmithJr (10points,10 rebounds)allrecordeddoubledigitreboundsfortheRockets, who produced a 60-38 advantageontheglass
Franz Wagner led the Magic with 29 points while Desmond Bane added 26. Orlando played without starters Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, both of whom wereoutwithgroininjuries. Inotherresults: Celtics121,Clippers118 Nets129,Wizards106 Warriors124,Pelicans 106Hawks124,Suns 122
(FieldLevelMedia)
Raghunauth, executives return unopposed following GCF National Conference/elections
The Guyana Chess F e d e r
n (GCF) held its National Conference on November16astheyelected theirnewBoardofDirectors forthe2025–2027term.
Incumbentandreturning p r
n t A n a n d Raghunauth and his team returnedtoofficeunopposed following the end of the electoralprocess,whichsaw Vice-President Irshad Moha
, C
mpany Secretary Marcia Lee all returning to continue their good work within the fraternity.
Directors Loris Nathoo, Shiv Nandalall, Davion
Mars and Yolander Persaud will also continue work in their respective posts with Nathoo pulling double-duty as he will serve as the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of theFederation.
GCF has also named
members selected to serve on the Board in; John Lee, Pritima Balgobin, Gilbert Williams, Sabine McIntosh andRobertoNeo.
The Board of Directors further thanked their members for continued support in the development of chess in Guyana as they look forward to two more yearsofproductivity.
Allicock, Amsterdam set for IBA World Championships
in Dubai
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has confirmed that star pugilists Desmond Amsterdam and Keevin Allicock will representGuyanaatthe2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships, set for December 2–13 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The event, which forms part of the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) two-weekfestivalofboxing, marksasignificantreturnfor thepair,whoaredetermined toimproveontheirprevious outing at the sport’s premier globalcompetition.
According to GBA President Steve Ninvalle, both Amsterdam and Allicocksymbolizenotonly the highest standard of boxing in Guyana, but the very best the Caribbean has tooffer
“These two athletes reflect the elite level of our sport. They are among the bestintheregion,andweare confident they will give a strongaccountofthemselves in Dubai, ” Ninvalle affirmed.
Allicock, an Olympian and one of the top talents in Guyana’scurrentgeneration of fighters, enters the World Championships with renewedfocus.
Amsterdam, meanwhile, stands as one of the most accomplished boxers in the Americas, picking up a historicbronzeattheAMBC Elite Championships, the firsteverforGuyana.
Both boxers recently transitioned into the professional ranks, but Ninvalle believes their experience, discipline, and hungerforsuccesswillserve them well on the amateur worldstage.
“They have competed with and defeated worldclass opponents before. We expect them to rise to the occasion against the best in the world in Dubai,” he stated.
The GBA president also h i g h l i g h t e d t h e Association’s continued commitment to its athletes, noting that supporting Amsterdam and Allicock’s World Championships campaignispartofabroader effort to create clear pathwaystoexcellence.
“We promised to stand with our boxers, and we continue to honour that commitment Providing opportunities like this is essentialtotheirgrowthand success,”Ninvallesaid.
Adding even greater motivation is the t o u r n a m e n t ’ s groundbreaking p
e structure, with IBAoffering US$300,000 for gold, US$150,000 for silver, US$75,000 for bronze, and US$10,000 for fifth-place finishers.
Ninvalle applauded the IBA for introducing prize moneyatthislevel,callingit a life-changing opportunity forathletes.
“IBA’s prize money initiative is transformative. ItgivesfighterslikeAllicock and Amsterdam additional incentive to push harder, knowingwhatisatstake,not just for themselves, but for their families and their futures,”hesaid.
T h e 2 0 2 5 Championships will also commemorate IBA’s 75yearlegacy,accompaniedby the IBABusiness Forum on December 12 and the IBA Congress on December 13, creatingalandmarkweekfor thesport.
Steve Ninvalle
GCF president Anand Raghunauth
Harperhostsfruitfulclinicat AlbionforseniorBerbicebatsmen
Some of Berbice’senior batsmen were involved in a one-day batting camp facilitated this past Sunday by former Guyana/Windies all-rounder Roger Harper.
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), under the guidance and expertise of former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper, wrapped up a successful one-day batting clinic for senior players across the Ancient County this past Sunday at the Albion Community Center Ground.
Harper, alongside senior coach Winston Smith oversaw proceedings which featured roughly 25 of the county’stopseniorbatsmen, whowerepresentforthesixhourlongclinic.
Anumberoftopbatsmen attended the session held by Harper, with a few familiar faces even taking to Social Media via the BCB’s Facebook page; to share
their respective thoughts on theconceptandprosofsuch aprogramme.
Among those were senior batsman Adrian Sukwahfollowingtheclinic, in one of the cameo clips posted; said the clinic was a brilliantidea,especiallywith such a huge figure as coach Harperatthehelm.
He outlined that the campisagreatinitiativeand
he hopes to see more such programmesbeingrolledout inthefuture.
Former Guyana senior n a t i o n a l w i c k e tkeeper/batsmanselecteeand among the first of the Sincliar’s to make some noise on the cricket scene; Jason; further described the clinic as edifying as it helps batters to further sharpen theircraft.
Arguably one of Guyana’s top all-round prospectsattheyouthlevel in Romario Ramdheol dubbedthesessionasgreat and said he hopes to be a partofanother;ashelearnt a lot from the former Guyana/West Indies allrounder
Meanwhile, the BCB stated that a clinic similar in nature, but with
RaviEtwarooofCricketZoneUSATrophiesandSportsEquipmentInc.,
onboardwithProject“Cricket
US A b a s e d
Guyanese, Ravi Etwaroo, owner of the popular sports store, Cricket Zone USATrophies and Sports Equipment Inc., has once more provided support for this joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and KishanDasoftheUSA.
Thestoreislocatedinthe Bronx, USAand is regarded as one of the largest cricket retaillocations.
At a simple presentation done recently, project partner, Anil Beharry who was on a short visit to the USA, received from Ravi, onecricketgearbag,onepair of batting pads, one pair of batting gloves and one E4 bat, all for junior cricketers. This project thanked the business for their continued support.
We take this opportunity tocongratulateyouandwish
youwellwithyourE4brand that is growing rapidly aroundtheworld. This initiative is pleased to be part of the development of youth cricket
Over the years, many Guy
project,manyofthemwent on to represent West Indies at all levels. This project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community Wearepleased t o b e p a r t of the development of young cricketersinGuyana.
Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricketinparticular
Todate,onehundredand three players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefiteddirectlyfromcash, ten gear bags, two trophies,
emphasis on the Junior core of batsmen, will roll out under the experienced eyes of Coach Hubern Evans Clinics such as these form a huge part of the BCB developmental programme, led by its president Dr Cecil Beharry along with several executives; who were all presentattheclinic
onceagain
GearforyoungandpromisingcricketersinGuyana”
four arm guards, forty bats, four boxes, six helmets, thirty eight pairs of cricket shoes, twenty two pairs of batting pads, twenty five thighpads,onebatgrip,forty one pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and four pairs of wicketkeepinggloves.Many othersbenefitedindirectly
In addition, two clubs in thePomeroonareabenefited from two used bats Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket CommitteesandCottonTree DieHardalsoreceiveditems amongothers.
We also thank the media fortheroletheyhaveplayed so far in promoting this venture Distribution will continue.
Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
Anil Beharry (left) and Ravi Etwaroo at the presentation.
Team Guyana meet with new ITTF Vice-president during 2025 Islamic Games
Recently elected
International
Table-Tennis Federation (ITTF) Vicepresident and President of USA Table Tennis, Ms Virginia Sung, recently met with Guyana’s Men’s Team at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Guyana TableTennis Association (GTTA)
sent out a heartfe
t congratulations to Ms. Virginia Sung on her
electionasITTFVP
The Association stated via their official Facebook page, that Guyana as a country,looksforwardtothe continued collaboration and partnershipinadvancingthe sport across the Americas andglobally
The GTTA, via its statement, noted, “It’s wonderful to see Team Guyana competing proudly at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia.” Guyana’s contingent faced
stiff competition from November 8 up until the 13th when the tournament concluded.
NFLroundup:StreakingBroncos edgeChiefsongame-endingFG
Reuters - Wil Lutz kicked a 35-yard field goal astimeexpired,andthehost Denver Broncos beat the KansasCityChiefs22-19on Sunday for their eighth straightwin.
Denver (9-2), which overcame 147 yards on 10 penalties,leadstheAFCWest by two games over the Los Angeles Chargers and 3 1/2 overKansasCity(5-5),which haslosttwostraight
The game was tied at 19 when the Broncos drove from their26totheChiefs’15before Bo Nix took a knee to set up Lutz’sfifthfieldgoaloftheday Nix,whowas24-for-37passing for 295 yards, completed two third-downpassestoCourtland Suttonanda32-yardertoTroy Franklin on the drive Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was 29-for-45 passing for 276 yards, a touchdown and an interception KareemHuntran for a score and Travis Kelce hadninecatchesfor91yards andaTD.
Eagles16,Lions9
Jalen Hurts scored the go-ahead “tush push” touchdown just before halftime and Philadelphia turned in another elite defensive effort in a win againstvisitingDetroit.
It was the fourth consecutive victory for the NFCEast-leadingEagles(82), who improved to 11-0 against the NFC North, including playoffs, since Nick Sirianni became their coach in 2021. Hurts passed for135yardsandrushedfor 31.A.J.Brownhadaseasonhigh seven catches for 49 yards The Lions (6-4) outgained the Eagles 317272 but repeatedly failed to
Some of the best tennis players from across the globe featured in the melee, where a little over 100 athletes from 29 nations competed in the Islamic Solidarity Games; which in the end was dominated by the Turkish, who finished with 6 medals in total (2 Gold, 2 Silver,2Bronze). E S P N c r i c i n f o -
Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz (3) kicks the game winning field goal as punter Jeremy Crawshaw (16) assists in the fourth quarter aagainst the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
convert when it mattered, finishing 0-for-5 on fourth downs Jared Goff completed just 14 of 37 passes for 255 yards with a touchdown and an interception His 37 8 completion percentage was the worst of his career
Jahmyr Gibbs had his first career 100-yard receiving gamewith107yardsonfive catches.
Ravens23,Browns16
TightendMarkAndrews scored on a 35-yard run on fourth-and-1 late in the fourth quarter — the first rushing touchdown of his career — to lift Baltimore past host Cleveland Browns on Sunday Lamar Jackson completed 14 of 25 passes for 193 yards and two interceptions as the Ravens (5-5) earned their fourth straightwin.
Quarterback Shedeur SandersmadehisNFLdebut for the Browns (2-8),
playing the entire second half after Cleveland starter and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel went out with a concussion.Sanders,afifthround draft pick out of ColoradoandthesonofHall of Famer and current Colorado coach Deion Sanders, completed four of 16passesfor47yardsandan interception He also compiled 16 rushing yards onthreecarriesandfumbled once, which Cleveland recovered.
Inotherresults: Dolphins16, Commanders13(OT) Packers27,Giants20 Panthers30,Falcons27 (OT)Texans16,Titans 13Steelers34, Bengals12Bears19, Vikings17Jaguars35, Chargers6Bills44, Buccaneers32Rams21, Seahawks1949ers41, Cardinals22 (FieldLevelMedia)
Mitchell’s standout century puts New Zealand 1-0 up
Everyone climbed onto the strugglebusinChristchurch, even Daryl Mitchell whose seventh ODI century cost him a little bit of his good health. A groin injury left himinsidethedressingroom fortheentiretyofthesecond innings, which wasn’t the worst thing ever He could put his feet up and watch New Zealand pull off a seven-runvictory
A two-paced pitch that offered sideways movement throughout the day made batting a distasteful exercise. Mitchell seemed immuneinitiallybutsoonhe was battling not just a disciplined West Indies attackbutalsohisownbody breaking down from the stress. The fact that he was abletoridethosechallenges -andtakeNewZealandtoa total of 269 - made the inningsallthesweeter
Mitchellmusthavefeltit
too. As soon as he reached hishundred,hewhippedhis helmet off and roared the word “yes” with so much emotion even the veins on his shaved head were popping all over the place. Performances like these were once the purview of Kane Williamson or Ross Taylor, two all-time Black Caps legends. Increasingly though, Mitchell has been putting himself up on their level, this 119 off 118 a prime example. No one else was able to make even half of those runs with Sherfane Rutherford’s 55 off 61 the next best score. Conditions at Hagley Oval on Sunday were not for the faint of heart.
West Indies suffered in theirchase,thehelpthatwas already available in the day now exaggerated under lights. Keacy Carty spent mostofhis67ballsasacrash test dummy He would’ve
beenfineifitwasjustswing or just seam or just bounce. Butallthreekeptcombining at the behest of New Zealand’s quicks and all the West Indian No. 3 could do was steel himself for the body blows. The first 10 oversproducedjust32runs. Thenextnine27.Therewere 30 balls in between when only seven scoring shots were possible.And this was the change-bowlers - Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes - in operation.
Shai Hope (37 off 45) and Rutherford fared a little better and New Zealand shelledaseriesofcatchesin thebackend,butWestIndies had fallen too far behind to capitalise.
Scores: New Zealand 269 for 7 (Mitchell 119, Conway 49, Seales 3-41, Forde2-55)beatWestIndies 262 for 6 (Rutherford 55, Jamieson 3-52) by seven runs.
(from left): Chef de Mission – Guyana, Mr. Garfield Wiltshire; Athletes Nigel Bryan, Elishaba Johnson, Ms. Virginia Sung, and Shemar Britton.
Daryl Mitchell walks back after scoring a 118-ball 119. (AFP/Getty Images) Sherfane Rutherford acknowledges his fifty. (PA Photos/Getty Images file photo)
Tucber Park defeat Upper Corentyne CA
by 33 runs in latest
BySamuelWhyte
The Ivan Madray T20
First Division knockout cricket competition for teams in Berbice continued overtheweekend.
In a second-round game, Tucber Park defeated Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) by 26 runs in the game played at theNo69Ground.
Tucber Park batted first andmade133alloutin19.4 overs with Kevin Kisten 43, Joemal La Fleur 21 and Malcolm Mickle 19 being theirprincipalscorers.
Steven Embrack led the bowlingforUCCAwithfour
wickets 4, with Devenand Chatterpaul three and Rishi Persaudsupportingwithone.
Inreply,UCCAwasheld to107-9intheirallotmentof overs with Thameshwar Ram 38, Torran Shivamber 20 and Steven Embrack 17 topscoring.
BowlingforTucberPark, left arm spinner Gilbert Griffith led the way with three wickets, Joemal La Fleur picked up two and MichaAmsterdamone.
In a first round game, UCCAgotthebetterofWest Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA)inagameplayedat Skeldon Results showed
that WBCA batted first and were bowled out for 100 in 18.3 overs with Brian Nurse 33, Shamar Angel 30 and Nikel Fraser 27 being their maincontributors.
Bowling for UCCA, there were three wickets for Davendra Chatterpaul and Omesh Mathurah, while Steven Embrack picked up two.
In reply, UCCA reached 102 for 8 in 18.4 overs with Rishi Persaud 42, Torend Shivamber 20 and Thameshwar Ramoutar 20 notouttopscoring,towinby two wickets. Bowling for WBCA Andrew Dutchin
The evolution of Guyana’s National Sports Awards deserves applause
As Guyana’s s p o r t i n g l a n d s c a p e continues to ascend to new heights,itisonlyfittingthat we acknowledge the institutions and leaders who have committed themselves to elevating the stature of sportinthiscountry
Among the most compellingexamplesofthis p r o g r e s s i s t h e transformation of the National Sports Awards, an eventsteepedinhistory,and nowreshapedwithamodern vision that honours athletes withthedignityandprestige theydeserve.
The National Sports Awards traces its origins to January 10, 1956, when the inaugural ceremony was heldattheWoodbineHotel.
At that historic gathering, the first Sportsman of the Year accolades were bestowed upon Deryck Phang for his exploits in lawn tennis, and
Clem Fields for his accomplishments in athletics and long-distance running, two trailblazers whose achievements set the standard for generations to come. Thatmomentestablished what would become one of Guyana’s most cherished sportingtraditions.
W h i l e p r e v i o u s administrations made attempts to update the
awards over the years, it is underthecurrentMinisterof Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr , alongside the National Sports Commission (NSC) led by Director of Sport SteveNinvalle,thatwehave witnessed the most deliberate, visible, and meaningful evolution of the event.
The ceremony has not been treated merely as an annualobligation,butrather as an opportunity to reflect the value we place on our athletes, the very men and women who carry Guyana’s flagaroundtheworld.
The introduction and gradual increase of m o n e t a r y p r i z e s accompanyingtheawards,a featurethathasnowbecome standard, demonstrate a tangible recognition of athletes’ sacrifices and achievements.
This commitment not only supports athletes materially but also signals
that their work is valued at thehighestlevelsofnational administration.
Furthermore, ongoing discussionstoenhancethese rewards reflect a forwardthinking approach, ensuring thattheawardswillcontinue to grow in step with the expanding demands and realitiesofmodernsport.
This year’s ceremony reached a new pinnacle. For the first time, the awards were hosted as a black-tie gala, and the Pegasus Corporate Suites were transformed into an atmosphere befitting the country’s top sporting performers.
Athletes, administrators, andinvitedguestsembraced the occasion, elevating the nightintooneofcelebration, elegance,andnationalpride.
It was clear that everyone understood the magnitudeofwhattheevent signified, that Guyana is finallytreatingitsathletes
(Continuedonpage23)
Ivan Madray cricket
President of The Berbice Cricket Board
Dr Cecil Beharry (right) smiles as he received the sponsorship cheque for The Ivan Madray T20 cricket competition from Mr Chandradat Chintamani.
three wickets and Shamar Angeltwowickets. In the event of a washout, the BCB will reschedule the game Five (5) overs will constitute a match
In rain interrupted matches, the run rate will bechecked,usingthescore in the current over in progress of the second team and that of the team that batted first, for that
same number of overs, to determineawinner
The Tournament is being sponsored by the Madray and Chintamani families in Memory of the Legendary Ivan Madray, whoplayedtwotestsofthe WestIndiesin1958
Madray,aproductofPort Mourant CC was the third Berbician to play Test CricketfortheWestIndies.
The BCB through its president Dr Cecil Beharry recently received the spon
e competition from Mr Chandradat Chintamani nephew of the late Ivan Madray
Dr Beharry expressed profoundgratitudeonbehalf oftheBCB.MrChintamani, on behalf of his family, was pleasedtobeassociatedwith theBCBonceagain.
The competition began in 2018. Albion CC are the defendingchampion.
World Championships in Dubai
Harper hosts
at Albion for senior Berbice batsmen
Coaching sessions organised by the BCB atAlbion CDC ground with Senior coach Roger Harper (left) assisted by coach Winston Smith.