Gazadeathtollsurpasses66,000
As
Sispro Inc , the s t a n d - a l o n e G u y a n e s e companythatparticipatedin the country's inaugural oil block auction launched in 2022, will be among four companies set to sign contractsinOctoberwiththe GovernmentofGuyana.
This was disclosed by Minister of Natural Resources,VickramBharrat, during a recently aired interview on Starting Point, OilandGasEdition.
Minister Bharrat acknowledged that finalising the Production SharingAgreements (PSAs) for the auction took some time, explaining that governmentwastaskedwith updating and creating a new model PSA with improved termswhencomparedtothe PSAgoverningExxonMobil Guyana Limited's (EMGL) StabroekBlockoperations. Hesaidnegotiationswith the companies also added to the delays. “It took a while, too,becauseitgoesbackand forth Most of these companies are not in Guyana, so most of the time is virtual. Most time it is based on their availability,” hestated.
According to the Minister, Government could have proceeded with
contracts for some companies earlier, but instead chose a uniform approach. Bharrat said, “We
didn't want a PSA for X company, a PSA for Y company, a PSA for R company.We wanted a PSA that will be signed by all companies. That is industry standard, and that is world class, and that will bring better benefits to Guyanese in comparison to the 2016 StabroekBlockPSA.Sothat tooksometime.”
In December 2022, President Irfaan Ali launched the country's inaugural bid round for 14 offshore oil blocks. When bids were opened, it was revealed that six companies had submitted proposals for eightblocks.Governmentin 2023 awarded eight blocks toSisproInc.;TotalEnergies,
in consortium with Qatar Energy and Petronas; Liberty Pet
um Corporation; Cybele Energy Limited; International Group Investment Inc ; ExxonMobil Guyana Limited,HessandCNOOC;
, comprising Watad Energy
n DrillingCompany
In 2024, four companies accepted the terms of the new PSA. Minister Bharrat said that with negotiations completed, government is nowmovingtoformalisethe agreements. “We have already made contact with those companies They knowthemselvesbynow,so
we're looking to sign that agreement in October with those four companies,” he noted.
HeconfirmedthatSispro isamongthem,adding,“I'm very proud that it's a Guyanese company, especially our women folk getting involved in the oil and gas sector It shows that we'reexpandingthewaywe
think, and taking risk and wanttobeinvolvedintheoil andgassector.”
Sispro Inc. was awarded a shallow water block, S3, and a deep-water block, D2. Minister Bharrat noted that the PSA to be signed with Sisprowillcovertheshallow water block He added, “Then at some point in the future,onceweconcludethe
negotiation,deep-waterone, we will move forward with that.” Notably, the fiscal regime of the new PSA requiresthepaymentofa10 percentroyaltyanda10per cent corporate tax. The cost recovery ceiling will be capped at 65 percent in a givenyear,whileprofitswill be shared 50/50 between companiesandthestate.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams
Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
PresidentAli gave his inaugural address and has since namedhiscabinetofmostlyoldfaces,withasprinklingof newones. ThePPPCGovernmentisalreadyonthemove, with a concerned eye on that low voter turnout from this year'selection. Oneministerisstrenuousinherstatements thatalong-delayedschoolinRegion10willgetdone.
Another minister reportedly let off some steam at contractors,whoareslowonmeetingdeadlineswithschool projects in Region Seven. All of this is moving along in a bustle of ministerial activity, but there is something that is missing, that can now be considered overdue, and not by a smallmargin. Parliamentshouldhavebeenconvenedmore than three weeks after the elections, more than two weeks sincethegovernmentnameditsnewteam. Itistimethatthe new Opposition parties in parliament show what they are madeof,howmuchtheywillholdthisgovernment'sfeetto the fire. This begins with a new Leader of the Opposition takinguphismantleinparliament.
An opposition leader can only be chosen when parliament opens its door to manage the business of Guyanese. The delay, which we at this paper believe is alreadytoolong,ishamperingtheOppositionfromgetting intogear ItalsokeepsinsuspensewhothenewOpposition st leader will be. From the results of the September 1 elections, the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader, Azruddin Mohamed is the almost automatic choice for Opposition leader, since the other parties do not have the votes to challenge him. Because the PPPC Government's leadershipcanbesotricky,itisnotirrationaltothinkthatthe delay in convening parliament could be intended to keep himcoolinghisheels,andlethisfrustrationsbuild. Itcould bethatthegovernment'stacticistoplaywithhismind,allow his anxieties to multiply Our position is different, and it is onebackedbyGuyanesevoters. Parliamentshouldbeback in action at the earliest, or an announcement to that effect forthcoming, so that the Opposition could demonstrate to Guyanesewhatisdifferentaboutitthistime. ThePNCRhas anewparliamentaryleader,andGuyaneseshouldsoonget toseewhatherepresents. It'stimethatthenewLeaderofthe Opposition issue is settled, and he steps up to represent Guyanese,andfulfillthepromiseshemadeonthecampaign trail and afterwards. Now that the elections of 2025 are over,thematterofwhoisthenewOppositionLeadershould alreadyhavebeenfinalised.
The WIN party and its leader are due the fullest and clearest space to operate in their new spots, because the numbersareintheirfavor Asurprisenumberofvotershave spokenandthatshouldbetheendofthematter Thismeans that WIN and Mohamed now has an obligation to do their best for those who gave them their trust and their hopes. There are some sensitive matters to be addressed, and in whichtheWINleadershouldbeallowedameaningfulsay There is a disagreement stirring relative to opposition commissioners at GECOM Next, there is the Constitutional Reform Commission, to whichWIN should be able to nominate its own people. In addition to those, WIN has a mandate from the people to do all that is in its powertohelpthePPPCGovernmentkeepitspromisesmade to citizens. Like the WIN parliamentary team, the PNCR's has its share of new faces, beginning with its leader, Terrence Campbell. The path before the two major Opposition groups is to work together for the benefit of Guyanese. Theyshouldn'tgetembroiledinbattlesoverturf and title that weaken both, ties them up unnecessarily Neithershouldforget,norgiveshortthrift,tothepresenceof theForwardGuyanaMovement'sAmanzaWalton-Desir It wouldbetotheiradvantagetohaveherontheirside. Last, butnotleast,alltheOppositionpartiesmustworkdiligently andhonestlyforaconstructiverelationshipwiththeruling PPPC Government. Azruddin Mohamed and Terrence Campbell and those in their respective groups, along with Walton-Desir, now have to deliver Convene parliament now
DearEditor, Complaintswereleveled about the condition of the national stadium at Providence. It is also the subject of an editorial of another paper (Sep 26) Fans consistently stated that (the stands and washrooms) are poorly maintained and outdated The complaints of fans and commentaries are justified. Government has committed a lot of funds on sporting grounds. Is governmentgettingvaluefor the money spent? Anyone who visited the Providence stadium over the last few yearswon'tdisagreewiththe comments and editorials about the deplorable conditions at the stadium I wasapatronannuallyoverthe
last several years Aside from not having enough washrooms, several are in disorder or disrepair And those actually working (flushing),theyareunkempt, plain dirty The washrooms stink in virtually all of the stands;onehastotightenthe nose,usefast,andrushout.
One can hear the complaint of every user; he did what he had to do, spat, andmovedon. Notonlythe taps were working to wash hands; the basins were stained. The washrooms in the VIP and VVIP are in much better condition perhaps because they are serviced by private handlers; the commoners don't have access to these Some of the local cricket grounds are in
better conditions than the national stadium and have much friendlier and cleaner wash rooms. It is quite true thatelementsofthestandsin thestadiumarefallingapart. Seats are missing. There are cracks on the wall and even on the flooring. There are very little amenities in the stands.And worst of all, the stands don't reflect the cultureofthecountry.
And parking has been a seriousproblem;notenough space for the number of vehicles especially in high intensity, rivalry games like Guyana versus T&T There arehugecrowdsandlinesto purchase snacks.Theoverall stadium needs a facelift and upgrading. Cricketorsports organisers should invest
some funds to make it a world class stadium similar tothoseinSouthAfricaifnot like those inAustralia, New Zealand, and UK When there are games, someone should be in charge of ensuringthatwashroomsare in working order; washrooms should be cleaned continuously during games as in stands of developed countries. Also, the Government should begin to think of parking space outside of the stadium enclosure. Having noted the above issues and problems, they did not deter spectators from enjoying every single game Guyana played and havingafuntime.
Yourstruly, VishnuBisram
DearEditor Guyana's 2025 general election delivered results no one could have imagined a decade ago. The governing PPP/Cexpandeditsmajority to36seats,APNUcollapsed to just 12, and WIN, a firsttime party, claimed 16 seats in a debut that signalled stunning voter realignment and changes in decades old voting patterns. And under thisallliesatellingnumber: turnoutfellby11.8%evenas the electorate grew by 14.6%.Thisparadoxofmore eligible voters, fewer actual votes – speaks to leadership quality,notpayingattention, not doing your homework, takingyourbaseforgranted, neglectingtheneedsofyour constituents, shifting loyalties, apathy and opportunism. A look into thisnumberrevealsthevery different attention given to the its underlying drivers by the two major parties going into the election, with one party giving high priority to it and the other seemingly unfocused–resultinginvery differentoutcomes: The Numbers Tell the Story
Of Guyana's 2,792 polling divisions, 2,112 recorded lower turnout compared to 2020. In more thanhalfofthose,thedecline wasintherangeof10-25%astaggeringdropthatsignals not just inconvenience or indifference, but outright disengagement. Theeffectswereuneven. In the 680 divisions where turnoutincreased,thePPP/C captured77%ofthem.WIN picked up 13%, APNU just 10%. These figures confirm that the governing party not
only preserved its core but alsosucceededinmobilising new support, especially in places like North Georgetown, once firmly in APNU's column By contrast, in Region 10APNU's former bastion -the collapse was total. APNU failedtowinasinglepolling division,whileWINtook35 andPPP/C7. Forapartythat had long assumed its base wasunshakable,themessage f r o m v o t e r s w a s unmistakable: loyalty has limits.
APNU's Freefall
The steepest losses came where APNU once stood tallest Years of drift under DavidGrangerleftcracksthat widened under Aubrey Norton's uninspired leadership Promising MPs defected Grassrootsactivism withered Strategic direction wasabsent
The data shows that APNU's undoing was not simplydefectionstoPPP/Cor WIN It was abstention In manyofitsstrongholds,more than one in four voters who had once turned out simply stayedhome
The party did not just lose it was abandoned Had the party under Norton been paying attention or doing its strategic analysis they would have seen from the 2020 election that the disengagement had begun –many Georgetown North districts2020votetotalswere lowerthanin2015 Although APNUstillwonthedistricts, theatrophyhadbegun.
PPP/C's Resilience
The PPP/C's steadiness has attracted less attention than APNU's implosion or
WIN's breakthrough, but it may be the most important lesson of all By holding its base and mobilising turnout where it mattered, the governing party expanded its majority even in an environment of broad disillusionment.Thatdoesnot mean PPP/C is immune. A shrinking pool of engaged votersisathreattoeveryparty. Butin2025,itwastheonlyone that avoided the worst of the disengagement and the numbersproveit.
WIN's Opportunistic Surge WIN's debut captured headlines,thoughitwasless about strategy than opportunity Led by wealthy businessman Azruddin Mohamed, the party offered no clear platform or governing experience Its appeal rested on timing, resources, and a social media-driven campaign that attractedyoungervotersand disaffected working-class citizens. While WIN's rise wasreal,itwasfragile-built more on personality and circumstancethansubstance or policy Whether it can convert this momentum into lasting political legitimacy remainsuncertain.
Stillitssurgehasstriking significance. BothWINand the ruling PPP/C led by Indian Guyanese, while APNU has long been rooted in Guyana's Afro-Guyanese base The 2025 results suggest that, while racial identity still matters, socioeconomic discontent and generational change may be redrawingthepoliticalmap.
Lessonsfrom2025
Theelectionunderscores severalkeylessons:
1 Disengagement is decisive.Partiescancollapse not only when voters switch sides, but when they stop showingupatall.
2 Leadership matters APNU's failures were compounded by Norton's inability to inspire or unify, accelerating the party's decline.
3 Mobilisation pays PPP/C's ability to bring out its voters, even in difficult conditions,proveddecisive.
4 Demographics are shifting. Young and mixedrace voters are the fastestgrowing segment of the electorate, and their choices—orabstention—are increasingly shaping outcomes.
Voter Disengagement
The drama of 2025 tempts us to focus on party fortunes: APNU's collapse, WIN's surge, PPP/C's quiet strengthening. But a critical partofthestoryisthevoters who stayed home. A party and a democracy cannot thriveifeachelectionbrings more eligible citizens but feweractualparticipants.
ForGuyana'sdemocracy, questions ahead include whether WIN can sustain and whether APNU can rebuild.
The latter depends on whetherAPNU has learn its lesson. The first step of a disenchanted base is to abstain, moving is not easy for many people who had a lifetime association with the party, but we have seen it happen with more than half of its base. The party has someseriousworkathand.
Regards RonCheong
Supporting farmers isn't a handout, it's an investment in Guyana's food security, rural livelihoods, and national stability.”
DearEditor, I read with concern the recent article by former Minister Winston Jordan, “Subsidiestoricefarmers,a misuse of taxpayers' money.” While we can all agree governments must be prudent with public funds, theargumentthatsupporting our agriculturalproducersis wasteful overlooks both whatricefarmingmeansfor Guyananowandwhatithas meant historically under
governments that neglected r u r a l p r o d u c e r s Itisabsolutelyessentialand critical that Guyana supports its farmers, rice growers, sugar workers, the entirefarmingcommunityin a sustained and meaningful way Agriculture is not a luxury, it is a backbone of food security, employment, rural livelihoods and national stability When farmers receive subsidies, whether in the form of free
y,
premium support, or price supports for paddy, it is not handouts so much as investments in the food supply chain, in rural communities, in poverty
n maintaining domestic production capacity These are not costs to be lightly d
foundational to a balanced, inclusive, and resilient
DearEditor,
I started thinking about the many positives of the solargridinBataviathatwas commissioned by PM Phillips. This Batavia VillageSolarGridinRegion Seven is really the realisation of a landmark, G$300 million initiative, that will deliver 24-hour renewable electricity to the C u y u n i - M a z a r u n i communityforthefirsttime. For sure, the residents have tobeinveryhighspiritswith this piece of governmental
infrastructure Upon
learning about this developmental input, my mind raced to some of the many benefits that inhere with Residential Solars: Solarpanelsareincreasingly becomingaffordable;People can save money by going solar; People can keep the lightsonwhenthegridgoes down; Solar will often increasethevalueofpeople's home; and Solar systems workinavarietyofclimates. Hence, the incentives are really overwhelming to moveinthisdirection.
The project was launched in 2021 and executedbyCNOOC(China National Offshore Oil Corporation) Petroleum
Guyana Limited, in partnership with the GovernmentofGuyana,and it is in keeping with the government's agenda to expand'cleanenergyaccess' inhinterlandandIndigenous communities What is especially commendable is thatGuyanaisrightupthere in this area of 'reaching remote communities' with this kind of technological intervention. As a matter of fact, globally, over the past decade, local Indigenous leadership and effective government policies have been positive catalysts for
energysecurity,jobcreation, andenergyefficiencyforfarflungcommunityresidents.I think we are all aware that clean energy has addressed fundamental challenges in remote community energy systems, including high costs, unstable and inefficient electricity and heating,andpollution.
I therefore join the celebrants and residents as theirjoywascapturedinthe PM's words that “Today, we celebrate both the completion of an energy project and the dawn of a new chapter in the lives of this community It is a milestone marked by light, opportunity, and sustainable p r o g r e s s , ” a s t h e installationswillnowpower more than 125 households, thereby ensuring that every family in Batavia will now havereliableelectricity
On the bigger front, and as the PM intoned, schools andhealthfacilitieswillalso benefit from the round-theclock power, as “Reliable 24-hour electricity will transform daily life Teachers and students can utilise modern tools, health services are now fully powered, and families will havethedignityandsecurity ofstablepower.”
Now for a word on the country's Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, where this is an example of Guyana's LCDS'framework,intended to map the path of a new growth trajectory in a nonpollutingway.Somethingto be proud of is the fact that Guyana's constant domestic energy transition continues to be one of the most ambitious in the world. At thisrateandwithmoresolar grids, it is estimated that by 2030, the country's energy use is projected to increase
economy
Tosaythatsubsidiesare a “misuse” of taxpayers' money misses context U n d e r t h e A P N U administrationtoomanyrice farmers and sugar workers wereleftwithoutdependable support. Many communities f e l t
g
e d a n d underserved.Thepoliciesof the previous government often undercut rather than uplifted agricultural producers. If current
subsidies are criticised now, I dare to ask where was the concern then, when those producers had little or nothing?
Furthermore, Winston Jordan's critique must be measured against the reality that those who now voice concerns about what the PPP/C government is doing hadlittletosayordidlittleto act when farmers and sugar workers were suffering under neglect. The
newfound voicesof concern are more than ironic and, in many cases, they ring hollow Those critics have beenbootedfromlegitimate r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o r marginalised because their policies and values simply do not align with what a
demands.
We should not pit taxpayerinterestagainst
(Continuedonpage6)
ve-
) yet greenhouse gas emissions will stay flat or be reduced, while electricity costs for citizens and businesses will decrease. Since 2020, solar energy installation has
momentum is a good omen for Guyana. Afterall, the “Batavia's electrification is not just about power—it is about progress. With clean energy as the foundation, communities will be better equipped to shape their own future.”
Yourstruly, HargeshB.Singh
DearEditor,
Thericeglutontheworld market is a blessing in disguise. During this period of heightened tensions and potential war we as a nation have an opportunity to build our grain reserves in anticipation of supply chain disruptions and shortages. For this reason, the stockpilingofourlocalgrain shouldbeencouraged.
CRG supports this effort and would encourage the governmenttodosoinaway wherethequalityofthegrain ispreserved.Weshouldalso be ensuring that our farmers
are able to meet break even targets for their production. Maintaining the viability of the industry during this period of potential war is essentialtoensuringthatour citizens have the food
wartime.
The opportunity to pursue aged basmati rice productiondoesalsoprovide the added benefit of increasing the value of the grain if not used during the period of storage. We must alsolookatotherareasofthe agriculture sector, such as
the area of legumes for additional stockpiling opportunities. Hopefully, Guyana will beinstrumentalinhelpingto reduceregionaltensionsand aid in removing the current threat of conflict. Once this has been accomplished free market forces should be allowedtocontinuewiththe minimum food reserves maintained The positive impact of a free market economy on the cost of living should not be overlooked.
Bestregards, Mr.JamilChanglee
The Guyana Water
Inc
rated ( G W I )
s announced that the prolonged dry season has severely impacted water supply across several hinterland communities, particularly in Region One, where a number of surface water sources have been depleted.
In a press release, GWI said the situation has forced adjustments to pumping schedules to manage limited capacity Residents of Santa Rosa have already been affected by changes to their
waterdeliveryschedule.
“GWI assures residents that these changes are temporary and are being carefullymanagedtosustain service while longer-term solutions are being implemented,” the company stated As part of its response, GWI highlighted an aggressive groundwater development programme to reduce dependence on surfacewater Anewwellhas been completed in the Rinconarea,whileworksare ongoingonanotherinMora, along with two additional wells in the Santa Rosa
Islands. These projects are expected to advance within thenextmonth,GWIsaid. Meanwhile, GWI also reported falling water levels in other key sources, including the Mabaruma Springs.Theutilityhasurged residents to conserve water and share information widely within their communities to ensure preparedness.“GWIremains committed to providing safe and reliable water service to hinterland residents and will continuetoupdatethepublic as works progress,” the statementconcluded.
DearEditor,
I have noted with great concern the continuing carnage on the roads of Guyana Whilst the evidence shows that this s i t u a t i o n e x i s t s countrywide, it is clear that the Linden Soesdyke Highway has become a death trap and therefore should be given urgent attention.
Supporting farmers isn't a handout...
As a former Traffic Officer (Traffic Chief), I would like to make a suggestion with regards to the Linden Soesdyke Highway
TheGuyanaPoliceforce should immediately establisha“HighwaySafety Unit”. This unit must be basedonthehighwayandbe equipped with sufficient resources, manpower, vehicles, safety equipment, etc andoperateona24-hour basis Atalltimestheremustbe
a minimum of two vehicles well equipped with traffic cones, highly reflective warning signs, portable electronic warning signs, etc. travelling in opposite directions(Crisscrossing).
The main purpose of the highway patrol must be to identifypotentialdangersie broken-down vehicles, erosion,loosesurface,water lodged on the road surface, etc.andensurethatadequate warning signs are put in
place at a reasonable distance from the potential danger
I am sure that this measure, if immediately implemented, can have a significant impact on the safety of this important artery
Yourstruly, Paul Slowe CCH, DSM, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired). Former Chairman of the Police ServiceCommission.
Frompage5 farmer wellbeing. A smart, f o r w a r d - l o o k i n g government and citizenry sees that investing in agriculturereturnsdividends allowing more stable food prices, reduced import dependencies, better rural incomes,andsocialstability Ifsubsidiesaremismanaged, yes, they ought to be monitored, audited, and optimisedbutnotthrownout asinherentlywasteful.
I therefore urge the public, the media and policymakers to recognise that support for farmers is not a luxury but rather a necessity for economic
diversity, food security, and social justice Historical neglect under the APNU administration cannot be used as cover for criticism when efforts are finally being made to do right by theagriculturalsectors It should also be taken into account that subsidies must be transparent, well-targeted and e f f i c i e n t b u t t h e a l t e r n a t i v e , t h e abandonment of our rural producers is far costlier in terms of social, economic, a n d p o l i t i c a l repercussions
Sincerely, StephenFelix
ByShaniaWilliams
De s p i t e
widespread concerns about low voter turnout at the September 1, 2025 General and Regional Elections, official figures from the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission(GECOM)tells amorenuancedstory
Atotalof442,550ballots
were cast this year, approximately 37,511 fewer than in 2020, but still the second-highest turnout in over three decades, with the exceptionof2020.
According to GECOM,
there were 757,690 registered voters in 2025, meaning that 315,140 did
not cast a ballot While critics point to this as evidence of low turnout, results from the previous elections argue that the figure falls within the historicalrangeforGuyana's elections since 1992 Political analysts suggest that2020wasanoutlieryear, marked by heightened political tensions and mobilisationthatdrovevoter numbers to their highest in modernhistory
Also a lacklustre campaign by the APNU coalition fuelled by its inability to form a coalition with the AFC to contest the elections could have also keptvotersaway In 2020, there were
661,378 registered voters, with 480,061 ballots cast. Comparatively,2025sawan increase of nearly 100,000 registered voters but only 37,511 fewer ballots cast. This suggests that while morepeoplewereeligibleto vote, overall participation remained consistent with historicalpatterns.
Reviewingpastelections one can observe how voter turnout has shifted over the years. In 1992, a total of 308,852 ballots were cast from 384,195 registered voters. Five years later, in 1997, turnout increased to 408,057 out of 461,481 registered voters. In 2001, 403,734 ballots were cast from a pool of 440,185
registered voters, while in 2006thenumberdroppedto 341,426 out of 492,369 registered voters. The 2011 elections recorded 346,717 ballots cast from 475,496 eligible voters. By 2015, turnout rose again, with 416,055 of 570,708 r e g i s t e r e d v o t e r s participating. The highest voter turnout in Guyana's recent history occurred in 2020, when 480,061 ballots were cast from 661,378 registered voters In comparison, the 2025 elections recorded 442,550 votesfromamuchlargerlist of757,690registeredvoters. While the number of registered voters steadily
Some of the voters who casts their ballot at the 2025 general and regional elections
increased,actualturnouthas largely remained within the samerange.
Observers note that framing the 2025 turnout as “low”overlooksthebroader historical context: in reality, Guyanesecitizenscastmore votesthisyearthaninnearly everyelectionsince1992. In fact, 2025 ranks second in total ballots cast, behind 2020, followed by 2015, 1997, 2001, 2011, 2006, and then 1992 However,despiteSeptember 1 being declared a national holiday, reports from across the country described polling stations as sparsely attended, with voters arrivinginsmallnumbers.
For this year's elections, more than 250,000 registered electors in key stronghold districts of the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) did not turn outtovoteonpollingday In District Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), of the 116,876 registered voters, only 71,561 cast ballots. The PPP secured 48,055 votes, WIN earned 12,969, APNU received 8,992, while smaller parties like FGM, AFC, and ALP shared the remainder There were 311 spoiled ballots, 17 destroyed, and 563 rejected. In comparison, 72,942 ballotswerecastin2020. In District Four (Demerara–Mahaica), historically dominated by APNU, the PPPwon for the first time. Out of 323,436 registered electors, only 182,209 voted The PPP received 87,536 votes, APNU 46,956, and WIN 41,607, with the remaining divided among smaller parties The district also recorded743spoiledballots, 76 destroyed, and 1,417 rejected.
In District Six (East Berbice–Corentyne),61,624 of 111,554 electors voted. The PPP maintained dominance with 41,320 votes,followedbyWINwith 12,623, APNU with 6,223, andotherstrailing.Atotalof 466 ballots were spoiled, 26 destroyed, and 650 rejected. In District Ten (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice), APNU lost its traditional hold to WIN. Of 38,460 registered voters, only 21,195 participated. WIN led with 10,458 votes, followed by APNU with 5,334 and PPP with 4,260. Theremainingvoteswentto smaller parties. The district also recorded 186 rejected ballots, 8 destroyed, and 91 spoiled.
ThePeople'sProgressive PartyCivichaswonthe2025 elections.Butitdidsointhe manner of a gambler who spends a fortune on the roulettewheeltowalkaway with a few chips clinking in hispocket.
Technically, it was a landslide. A victory margin oftenpercentormoreisthe definitionofalandslide.But tolookattheresultswithout the varnish of official pronouncements is to recognisesomethingfarless flattering. What the PPP achievedwasnotalandslide butamudslide,thekindthat buries a village under the weight of its own excess, leaving behind wreckage insteadofrenewal.
Despiteholdingthehigh ground of incumbency, despite the parade of ribbon cuttings and photo opportunitiesatfreshlybuilt schools,hospitals,andwater treatment plants, despite a cash grant giveaway, the PPPC emerged with fewer than10,000morevotesthan in 2020. And considering there was 37,000 plus new voterstoonlywinby10,000 more votes than in 2020 shows that the PPPC underperformed.Youcannot blame the low voter turnout becauseintermsofnumbers it was only 22,000 persons less that voted in 2025 than in2020.
F i v e y e a r s o f unprecedented oil-fueled growth, five years of unrelenting spending, and the reward: a marginal improvement that reeks of political stagnation Five yearsofhandouts;fiveyears of building roads and other
infrastructure;fiveyearsand yetthegrowthofPPPCvotes over that of 2020 was just more than 9,000 The leadership will, of course, declare victory in booming tones. The surrogates will remindusthatthenationhas never seen such economic expansion, never witnessed such infrastructural development. But the returnsspeaklouderthanthe campaign boasts. After building an empire of concrete and asphalt, after danglingcashandcampaign promises,thepartymanaged only a trickle of additional support.
The much-vaunted party machinery including the newlyformedpartyclusters, the operatives and the tents outside of the polling stations, all proved incompetent In East Berbice, the party lost votes comparedto2020.Votersin strongholds stayed home, indifferent, unconvinced, or simply weary of promises that trickle upwards to the oligarchs and foreign contractors but never seep downtothesmallmaninthe market, the clerk in the offices, the cane-cutter whose sweat once oiled the party'sengine.
What explains this failure? The answer lies in the concentration of power at the top, a leadership that brooks no dissent and toleratesnodebate.Oneman is assumed to dictate policy with the air of divine right. The clusters were never vibrant because the spirit of collective action has been smo thered by political opp ortunismandpersonal
ambition. Clusters cannot replace the traditional grassroots activism of the party It cannot erase the mistrustbythesupportersof its leadership who roll up to seethefaithfulinthePrados, andwhospeaktothemfrom aheadtableandlectern.
And here lies the real danger.The electorate, even when cowed by tribal loyalty, is not blind. They can see the widening gulf between the promises of inclusivity and the practice of exclusion They can measure the distance between the grand speeches about prosperity and the barren reality of rising costs of living. They can feel, in their empty pockets, the betrayal of a government that courts billion-dollar investors but ignores the indigenceoftheverypeople who voted it into power They see also political gr
pper
ng rewarded at the expense of theloyalfaithful.
For the PPPC, the message of this election is clear The strategy of governing for the few while pretending to govern for the many has reached its limit. Thebenefitsofgrowthhave notfiltereddown;theyhave been siphoned off, concentratedinthehandsof contractors, cronies, and the nouveaux riches while the poor still remain with bowl in hand waiting for the infrequentcashgrants.
ThePPP'spoorshowing, maskedasalandslide,isnot a reflection of its strength. Rather, it is a warning of its fragility A government that
Demboyssehlongtimewhenyuhseea funeralpassin',peopleusedtopulltodeside of the road, tek off dem hat, and bow dem head. Dat was respect.These days, nobody gattimefuhrespect.Demgattimefuhroad rage. Is like people competing fuh see who couldblowhorndeloudestwhilethehearse strugglinfuhturnoutdestreet.
But leh we talk plain. Plenty ah dem funerals today creatin dem own disrespect. Funerals turn into roadblock exercise now Yuhcan'tevenknowifisaburialoratraffic protest Cars double-park, triple-park, whole stretch of road done block. People spillin' out from parlour to pavement, from yardtoroadside.Anddemwhodrivin'pass does feel like dem stuck in a baby pram, pushin'oneincheveryfiveminutes.
Dem boys seh respect is good. But yuh cyan respect de dead by disrespectin' de livin'.Wuhkindatributeisdatwhenyuhgat
treats the small man as an afterthought risks not only political erosion but eventualpoliticalcollapse.A partythatforgetsitsrootsin the struggles of sugar workers and farmers will find,soonenough,thatthose rootshavewithered. Iftheleadershipdoesnot reverse course if it continues to conflate economicgrowthwithsocial justice, to confuse infrastructurewithequity,to mistake handouts for empowerment then the mudslide of this election
may well become the landslide of the next, sweeping the party from power
The PPP is standing on shifting ground, but instead ofshoringupitsfoundations among the people, it is buildingtowersfortheelite. It is an old story, and it always ends the same: with defeat and humiliation. The partyhasitsvictory,butitis a hollow victory. The election results do not celebrate the PPP's dominance; they expose its decline.Andunlesstheparty
listens to the whispers of discontent buried in the numbers, the mudslide it now dismisses will become theavalancheitcannotstop.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
people missin' dem appointment, people missinflight,andsickpeoplestuckinataxi while dem pain gettin' worse? The man in the coffin done gone. He ain't complainin' bouttraffic.Isdelivin'wholefffubawl. Andlehwebehonest.Someahy'allwho blockin'deroadatfuneraldon'tevenknow de deceased. Yuh just come fuh lime, see who wearin' what, and taste if de cook-up nice after burial. Dem boys seh dat ain't mournin.Lehwetryrememberdeoldway Pull aside, let de procession pass neat and decent. If yuh park, do it where yuh ain't blockin'halfderoad.Andifyuhgather,keep inside,notoutpontheroadlikeyuhownthe highway
Dem boys seh show respect by makin' space, not by makin' chaos.After all, death already hard. No need fuh add traffic to de sorrow Talkhalf.Leffhalf.
The name Charlie Kirk wasknown. Butthatwasit, from hearing about him Theyweremorethanenough forme. Fewweretheissues on which Charlie Kirk and I agreed. Few there could have been. But he had the right to say what he did, no matter how much I differed. Now he's gone, and battles rage about the forces responsible for his foul murder May his soul find eternalrest.
Charlie Kirk, like a speedingfatalprojectile,has gonefromrightwingheroto newest Republic martyr Heralded in death, the manner of it. He is now bigger in death's embrace, thanhewasinlife. Alive,he madecrowdsswoon.
H e c o u l d n ' t b e intimidated into silence. Now his memory is being sanctified. Heroesarefound forever-readyhalos.
I u n d e r s t a n d
Republicans consecrating him A martyr for conservativevalues;thenew America's standard-bearer Depending on how it is looked at, and who is doing the looking, many saw strains of greatness in what Charlie Kirk represented, projected,withsuchsingular passion.
His great blend of conviction and vision about whataNewAmericashould be at its core, on its face. Greatness longed for; a d i s t i n c t i o n i n a n
interconnected world that has now lost its power to welcome, inspire. Who is called? Who isn't, who shouldn't be… And who shouldn'tevenbeallowedto remain.
I appreciate, even endorse,theRepublicansfor heralding their fallen Spartan. But leaders in the Roman Catholic Church, an organisation plagued and decimated by its own selfdestruction, and inaction? How to fathom Cardinal Dolan, who saw a moderndayStPaul.
Perhaps, what Timothy Dolan should prioritise is thatthickpredatorydarkness that paralyses a once preeminent organisation Dolan introduced a layer of mystery to Charlie Kirk's passing that is akin to those layersofblindnesshobbling his own Church. A Church thatisaboutimmigrantsand fraternity and equity Like Kirk, Dolan has been gifted withamoraluniverse,which entitles him to speak freely Hedid.
Freedom of speech, that most hallowed of amendments. Whokilledit? Why kill it? Who fears it, resistsit?
Everyone loves freedom of speech. But, there's the irony, closer to hypocrisy, when most from that same loud crowd has a problem with free speech, when exercised in an unblinking, unfiltered, and unstoppable
way The pros who utilise their right to free speech havebecomeanendangered species. Charlie Kirk's fall stands as a man victimised for his beliefs, such as they were. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel(moreonhimlater) was another who got felled by foul winds, for his comments on Kirk. This isn'ttheAmericathatIknow CharlieKirkisgone,but his memory isn't going anywhere. Jimmy Kimmel wasgone,butisback. How d
Commissiongetssoworked upthatitschairmanactually threatened the American BroadcastingCorp?
Free speech or a freefor-all that developed into a firefight?
Everyone is as one with Evelyn Beatrice Hall's 1906 memorialising of Voltaire's thinking, until they lose interest, or their own interests are under the gun. Recall: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your righttosayit.”
N o w a d a y s , notwithstanding such grand commitments,thepracticeis to surround, suffocate, scorch, skewer, then submerge in a barrel of tar (or quicklime) those whose words and positions don't meet with approval. What happened to disagree without being disagreeable? Or dangerous? Or, to take
thistothelimit,deadly? Let me help: that's done and gone. Itiseitherfor(150%), or against by any number that could be counted, or imagined.
There is neither discussion nor negotiation. For or against, with no middle ground, no meeting of the minds A nuke obliterated that middle square.
They demand and command, erect the barriers relative to who should neither speak nor write, nor present,anythingatall.
Thosewiththeleversin Guyana (like the FCC chair in America) say it's democracy, freedom, and whatshouldbe.
No one has died yet, though some have been
Before America turned, Guyanawasalreadythere. It isn't what is said, nor how it issaid. InGuyana,itiswho isthespeaker,orwriter Ask me, and be ready for a library There's democracy, a constitution, the shadowy r e a l m o f cyberspace and the protections of cyber laws. Inspiteofthose, the plunderers of free speech are princes of the land. They prosper from deciding who should write where,whoshouldn't.
er assassination. It's a short stepfromthatkindtotheone that drips red. Charlie Kirk died in Utah for being who hewas. Heretherearethose who prefer that Guyanese standfornothing. Withthat thereisgrappling,resisting.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
AstheAtlanticHurricaneSeasonreaches its peak, more than 47 disaster management professionalsfromacrosstheCaribbeanand beyond have joined forces to launch the region's first Shelter Technical Working Group.
Led by the Caribbean Disaster and EmergencyManagementAgency(CDEMA) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the new platform will strengthen emergency shelter operations, ensure fair aid distribution, and promote safer, more inclusive responses for people affectedbydisasters.
Tamara Lovell, Community Resilience SpecialistatCDEMAexplained
“The purpose of this group is really to framethisasastartofwhatweconsidertobe a shelter management community for the Caribbean. Out of that, we're also hoping to have a core group that we can establish to really advance shelter management considerationsgoingforward.”
Weekly meetings since launch have fostered a strong, collaborative community, ready to tackle urgent shelter needs. Both IOM and CDEMA have committed to ensuring that local organisations and communities are at the heart of all shelter planning and response, recognising their essential role in making shelters safer and more inclusive for vulnerable groups and ensuring no one is left behind. Key partners
includingnationaldisasteroffices,localcivil society and non-governmental organisations fromacrosstheCaribbeanareparticipatingin thegroup.Theworkinggrouphaslauncheda WhatsApp community for instant updates and peer support, alongside a dedicated website for sharing resources, technical guidance,andnews.
Upcomingsessionswilldiveintocritical topicssuchasqualityofreliefgoods,genderbasedviolence,cashsupport,andsustainable sheltersolutions.
The group will also coordinate technical support, organise training opportunities, and mobilisereliefsuppliesforrapiddistribution if disaster strikes. Organisations including IOM, ShelterBox, GSD, UNICEF and Red Cross have already stockpiled emergency itemslikeplasticsheets,toolkits,solarlamps, tents, generators and hygiene materials at CDEMA's Logistics Hub in Barbados. JanWillem Wegdam, IOM's Emergency Coordinator for the Caribbean, closed the meetingwithacalltoaction:“Let'sshapethis agendatogether
Let's make this a welcoming community where your ideas and energy drive impact and where we enjoy working togethertowardasaferCaribbean.”
TheworkinggroupissupportedbyIOM undertheRESILIENTCARIBBEANProject funded by the European Union, which was launchedvirtuallybyIOMon16September
Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips has hailed China's lasting friendship with Guyana across several sectors and pointed to opportunities for collaborationinthehousingsector
Addressing a ceremony to commemorate the country's 76th anniversary Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, the Prime Minister outlined China's achievements, noting that it is among the countries developing nations look to as they explore pathways to achieve national developmentobjectives.
He highlighted the GuyanaChina relationship as a source of fruitful collaboration, cooperation, andunderstandingformorethan50 years. “This spirit of partnership andmutualcooperationhasproven especially valuable as Guyana enters a new chapter of unprecedented growth and opportunities At this pivotal moment in our nation's history, Guyana is
mic developments,” Prime Minister Phillipsnoted.
China's Ambassador to Guyana, Yang Yang
development,”henoted.
He also pointed to China's role in Guyana's infrastructural development, including the new Demerara River Bridge which is s
h
,
construction of six regional hospitals across the country and contributions in education, where Chinese scholarships are given to Guyanesestudents.
Phillips further noted that Guyanaisemergingasasignificant player in the global energy landscape, with projections indicatingapossibleincreaseto1.2 millionbpdby2027.
“This would create new opportunities for international investments and partnership… we are acutely aware that true
The Prime Minister recounted that Guyana has moved from discovery in 2015, to first oil in 2019, and to its current production of over 660,000 barrels per day (bpd). Notably, Chinese company, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block, alongside the operator ExxonMobil Guyana Limited(EMGL)andHessGuyana ExplorationLtd.
development requires more than just extracting resources from the ground.Thiseconomicrevivalalso involvescreatingacomprehensive, long-term development plan that translates our natural resource wealth into broad-based, sustainable and inclusive growth,” henoted.
Phillips stressed that for this journey, Guyana not only seeks investorsbutstrategicpartnerswho can bring vision, expertise, and a
collaboration.
“
a renowned for its leadership in infrastructure, developing new technologies and sustainable development, remains a valued partner Thetangibleimpactofour current collaboration is evident in several sectors.As a consequence, we are working on projects in
, modernisation of agriculture, digital technologies, and in the prom
“Looking to the future, we see promising avenues for collaboration One particularly attractive investment opportunity lies in Guyana's housing sector,” the Prime Minister noted. In the first term of the Irfaan Ali-led administration, over 50,000 house lots were delivered. In this current termthegovernmenthaspledgedto deliver some 40,000 homes and also clear the backlog for house lots.
Phillips stated, “We can significantly benefit from China's expertise in this sector by leveragingitsextensiveexperience in large-scale, affordable housing constructionandurbanplanningto comprehensively develop our infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, China's Ambassador to Guyana, Yang (Continuedonpage15)
Repairs to the Paruima Airstrip in Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, are expected tobefinishedwithinthenext two months, according to Minister of Public Works BishopJuanEdghill.
The approximately $400 million airstrip, which replaced the former grass patch landing area, was transformed into a durable all-weather concrete strip to better support the movement of passengers, goods and services.
However, shortly after completion, surface defects were identified during the liability period, leading to temporary closure. Minister Edghill explained that the contractor, International Import and Supplies, was instructed to correct the issuesattheirownexpense.
He noted that the company has gone beyond the original scope of repairs.
“Out of his [the contractor's] goodwill, he has decided not justtofixtheareathathadthe defects, but he is putting in a new layer of stone,” the minister stated during a recent engagement When reopened, the upgraded airstrip is expected to
Amerindian village of Paruima.
Residents had long faced challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, which made landing aircraft on the g
impossible,butthiswillonce again be a thing of the past.
Meanwhile, the ministry is advancing similar works on other airstrips in Region S e v e n , i n c l u d i n g Eteringbang, Karisparu, and Ekereku Bottom to enhance hinterland transport and accessibility (DPI)
Jelicia Leitch, the 25-year-old mother of one who was doused with acidearlierthismonth,saidhersoonto bethree-year-oldchildhasnotseenher since the attack, as she is afraid the childmaybecomeafraid.
Leitch, a cashier attached to the Balwant Singh Hospital, was bathed with the corrosive substance on September 3, while she accompanied her colleague to purchase lunch. She recently shared some details with 'Big Smith News Watch' about her life beforetheincident.
Leitch said she met the alleged attacker,KeronDaniels,whilehewasa bus driver back in March. She said he would always “flirt” with her, whenever she was a passenger She admittedthatshesmiledbackabit,but didnotthinkitwasserious.
Theconductoronedaytoldher,“he saidthatthedriverlikeyou,andIsaid, notme.Idon'tlikewestsideman.The conductor gave him my number He messagedmebackaroundMarch.And then we started talking. We started messaging.Andso,hesaidhelikedme howhewassingle.”
LeitchsaidDanielstoldherthathe onlycommunicatedwiththemotherof his children because of the kids, and thathewouldsleepinthebus,ashefelt uncomfortable in the home Subsequently, she said he began sleeping over at her place and she wouldcookforhim.
“…then he just started off the distance,outofnowhere.AndItellmy friend,andshereachedouttohim,and hesaidthat'chirrenmotherandchirren father don't done.' That was his exact words. And I feel used,” she said tearfully
Leitch said she was working as a chefatAmicirestaurantandhadasked afriendtoreachouttothemotherofhis children to inform her about the
Jilicia Leitch recovering well from acid attack
relationship.
“She said she always suspect something, because he would always be in the bathroom, hiding and talking on these things, you know And even said, oh, they were supposed to leave the country…because ticket done buy and so, you know, it ended right there. We ain't had no cuss out, no police wasn't involved. He move on. I move on,”sheexplained.
The woman said she has been speaking to her child via phone each day “I would call her like every morning before she goes to school on video call. But I wouldn't like turn on the phone for her to see my face, becauseIdon'twanthertogetscared.I don'tknowifshe'dseeme,”shesaid.
On the day of the attack, Leitch's colleaguehadaskedhertoaccompany her to the supermarket to purchase lunch It was then that Daniels allegedly doused them with the corrosiveliquid.
“I feel like somebody just walked like I decided, and threw this thing on me,andmywholeskinstartedtoburn.I didn'tknowwhatitwas,soIwentinto thebar IthadtwoIndianwomen.They
ownedthebar AndIsaid,auntie,thisis some water This is some water My skinburning.Andthentheywatchme. Theyclosethedoor,andtheywaslike, go, go, go, go, without even helping me. So, I ran down the road to the Chinese supermarket and I grabbed like,twobottleswaterfromthefridge. And I started like, throwing it all over my face. And it had people in the supermarket, they grabbed water too,' Leitchrecalled
Last Friday, Leitch confirmed she underwent three surgeries and was deemedstableenoughtobedischarged. “I'm getting discharged today So far, myfaceandskinarehealingwell.The surgeries were a success and doctors said I am stable enough to go home,” shetoldKaieteurNews.
Leitch revealed that she regained vision in her left eye after doctors initially feared her cornea was permanently damaged. “When I first cametothehospital,theeyedoctortold methecorneawasdamagedandwould need a transplant. But on Wednesday, when the doctor came back to see me, he said the cornea is no longer damaged,ithadimproved,”shesaid. However,shestatedthattherewasa low possibility that she would be able toseefrombotheyesagain.
Despite her progress, Leitch expressed fear about returning home while the alleged attacker remains out on bail. “I want to go home but I'm frightened.Idon'treallyhaveanyone,” shesaid.
Daniels was charged with Throwing Corrosive Fluid with Intent and appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty on September 18, where he was granted $500,000 bail The decisiondrewsharpcriticismfromthe GuyanaPoliceForce,whichdescribed itas“gravelydisappointing”giventhe (Continuedonpage17)
Tour operator couple, Keiran Samuels and Shebana Daniels, from SantaAratak Mission, were inspired to design a 'sanctuary' where the love of nature,culture,andadventurecreatesan unforgettableexperience.
The dynamic duo's vision was to createasafespacetoliveandraisetheir children, but this soon changed when theyfeltthatmorepeopleshouldbeable toexperiencetheleveloftranquillity
Waia Lodge was subsequently established, providing an experience calledWaiaGreenEscapes.
It is an invitation for people to escapeanddisconnect,allowingthemto rejuvenate in the natural environment and engage in thrilling activities that promote bonding. The Journey begins (Continuedonpage17)
The Guyana Police Force has confirmed that several of its ranks stationed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) are under investigation for alleged extortion.
According to reports, the
demanding money from a passenger in order to release herlawfulitems.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the police said that CCTV footage and other evidence have corroborated the allegation. “The officers involved have been placed under close arrest while the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) carries out a full investigation,” policesaid.
The statement further
emphasised the force's
corruption “To strengthen
Government of Guyana has ordered that from today, all law enforcement officers operating at ports of entry, whether at airports or other border points, will be required to wear body cameras.”Thepolicestressed that any officer found guilty of extortion or bribery will facethefullforceofthelaw
“The public is reminded thatnopaymentofanykindis requiredtoclearlawfulitems through CJIA or any other port. If anyone is asked for money, report it immediately to the n
st pol
ce authority,”policestated.
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has echoed the sentiments of the Working People's Alliance (WPA) saying that the Carter Price formula which determines the makeup of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has outlived its usefulness.
Party chairman, David Patterson told journalists Friday that the AFC and countryareconcernedabout the functioning and compositionofGECOM.
“There have been proposals submitted by the Alliance for Change and other stakeholders for the inclusion of other persons, other than political parties, into the commission, the recommendation was to allow (the expansion of)
GECOM to include two or three members of civil socie
n by a transparent process.And we do hope that this shall be looked at in the future,” he said.
Patterson explained that the formula was derived in the1990'sandenshrinedinto theconstitution,however“It has long outlived its usefulness,andwedothink, as a modern country with resources, that we have a more inclusionary representative GECOM should would be, should be implemented.”
He said his party made recommendations before to include term limits for both c
chairman.
According to him, a commissioner should serve
David Patterson
fiveyearswitheligibilityfor reappointment. The chair, however, should serve only sevenyears.
He said AFC believes thatbyrotatingthechairand
Frompage11 Yang, in her address, highlighted her country's achievements over the years ininfrastructure,innovation, technology,andotherareas. She noted that this year also marks the 53rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Guyana “Our traditional friendship continues to
strengthen, and exchanges andcooperationacrossmany fields are deepening and producing real results,” the ambassadornoted.
Ambassador Yang Yang added that exchanges in technological innovation, culture, and education and training continue to deepen between Guyana and China, as both countries maintain
commissioners,therewillbe better representation and implementation of policies andrecommendations.
AFC's concern was already expressed by coleader of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), Dr David Hinds, who said that current make-up of the commissionwasoutdated.
“No constitution could adequately anticipate sharp changes in electoral behaviorandtheirimpacton institutions.
Infact,theverymake-up of GECOM as enshrined in the constitution may have outlived its usefulness,” he stressed.
The way the 2025 elections were conducted and the outcome of the recent elections, as well as the aftermath, raises once again the issue of constitutionalreform.“Ithas
close coordination on international affairs She said, “The foundation for d
strengthening.
China encourages its enterprises to invest in G
industrial upgrading and
standards of the Guyanese people.”
Frompage12 riseinviolentattacksagainstwomen. In response, acting chief magistrate, Faith McGusty condemned what she called “inaccurate and misleading” police statements,notingthatprosecutorshadfailed to present critical CCTV evidence despite claiming to possess it. While prosecutors initially asserted that video footage linked Danielstothecrime,hisattorneysarguedthat the masked attacker could not be clearly identified.As a result of the prosecution's failure to produce the footage, bail was granted at $250,000 for each of the two charges Daniels faces. He is scheduled to returntocourtonOctober22,2025.
Frompage14
with a boat ride from the Timehri docks throughtheshadedKamuniCreek,wherethe tour guide shares insights on the flora and fauna in the area. While gliding through the wetlands and savannahs, the guide also sharesstoriesofHopeTown–Guyana'sfirst Chinesesettlement.
The package also comprises wildlifeand bird watching, village tours of SantaAratak Mission, fishing, paddle-boarding, trail biking and nature walks Additionally, visitorscanincludeaDemeraraRivertourin the package to conclude the experience by viewing the sunset scenery over the mighty DemeraraRiver
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues attended the launchofthenewtourismproductalongwith members of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) at the beachfront of the Waia Lodge on Saturday Minister Rodrigues commended the couple
for their outstanding achievement and emphasised the importance of investing in sustainableprojectsthatwillboostGuyana's tourismsector
“We already have such a beautiful raw product, that is our culture, our landscapes, our heritage and our people. If we can package that to welcome international visitors or Guyanese returning home… I think that Guyana's tourism sector can be extremelysuccessful,”shesaid.
The Minister noted that the offerings of theWaiaGreenEscapespackagecapturethis year's World Tourism Day theme To strengthen cultural and economic ties, a memorandum of understanding was also signedwiththeChineseEmbassyinGuyana, reaffirmingthegovernment'scommitmentto cultural preservation while creating new opportunities for sustainable tourism development. Minister Rodrigues and other specialgueststookpartinvariousactivitiesin the itinerary, aimed at creating lasting memories.(DPI)
beentwenty-fiveyearssince Guyana had its last meaningful constitutional reformexercise.
Since that time there have been calls for another look at the rules and laws that govern our country, especially in the areas of governance and election,”
DrHindssaid.
The politician noted that bothmajorpartieshavepaid lip service to the issue as neither has made a move with a sense of purpose to ensure the much-needed reform In addition, the
commissioninthelastyears of the previous term of government, in his eyes, turned out to be nothing more than an election gimmick.
SalesRepneeded,ages1830years.Knowledgeofvehicle model will be an asset.Contact:619-1237.
Job openings: Truck drivers,ACTechnician,Excavator and Skid Steer Operator To apply send applications via Whatsapp: 6891111/608-2114.
Drivers to drive Canter & Porters to work in Warehouses. Experience will be anasset.Call:673-7373.
WantedoneMaid.Call:6801282.
OnemaleGardenertowork atNewHaven,Belair.7am4pm Mon-Fri & Sat if required $6600 per day. Call: 611-7839.
Live-inWaitresstoworkin a bar. Contact : 221-2785/ 659-1930, whatsapp availableonthecellnumber
Supervisorforsupermarket and Accounts clerk for Charity, Excavator Operators for Pomeroon. Contact :688-0417/654-7162/6875814/223-5273
Security, Males sales clerk, CashierforCharity.Cookto work T A & S Fastfood in Charity.Contact:688-0417/ 654-7162/ 687-5814/ 2235273
Wanted one sales person, age20-30years.Call:6807402.
Care giver for elderly Woman in Georgetown. Tele:650-5496.
TRUCK TIRES 295/ 75R22.5$40KEACH.FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL/WHATSAPP:+592688-3201.
1HondaCRV,includesTV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage PTT Series (first owner).Call:649-0956.
GeneralDomestic,Applyat Keyfood Mc Doom Village nexttothepostoffice.4day work.
VacancyforHotel&Restaurant Manager and Accountant.ApplyinpersonLot29 SussexStreet,Georgetown. Tele:757-8231.
Security Guard for Day / Night applywithwrittenapplication at Cameron & Sheperd / csmain@cameronands hepherd.com
Now hiring 2 Experienced CashiertoworkatF&RSupermarket,LocatedinVreen en hoop. Weekly $40,000. Call:619-0707/617-2822.
Vacancy exist at American Construction Inc - Canter driver to procure & delivery construction materials to site.Call:225-5818/656-0603 (Whatsapp)
Carpenter,Mason,Painter andLabourerneeded.Contact : 683-4700 / 712-4700.
VISAApplicationforUSA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Naturalisation guidance + application filling & BuildingPlans.Tel:626-7040.
Topflattorent,onlyforbusiness, 29 Creen & Durban Street,Newburg. Contact : 604-9875.
Office space in Sheriff Street,QuamniaStreet.ContactRay'sRealty627-9685.
TheFoodandAgriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) last week released a new report assessing progress on 22 indicators under the Organisation’s custodianship spanning six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 5 (Gender Equality), 6 (CleanWaterandSanitation), 12 (Responsible ConsumptionandProduction),14(Life BelowWater),and15(lifeon Land).
Theindicatorsincludethe new measure on Minimum DietaryDiversityforWomen, approved as a new SDG indicator under FAO custodianship by the UN Statistical Commissionearlierthisyear
According to the report, the world is close to achieving one-quarter of the relevant targets, while another quarterremainsfarorveryfar from completion. For the remaining half, countries in general are moderately positioned to meet them.
The report benefits from thehighestavailabilityofdata on the food and agriculturerelatedSDGindicatorstodate, which reached 65 percent in 2025, up from 62 percent in 2023 and only 32 percent in 2017.
“We need to redouble our efforts to achieve food security, improved nutrition and sustainableagriculture,while
ensuringthesustainabilityof our natural resource base. This report sheds light on which objectives and which regions have achieved the most progress and which haveseenadeterioration,and canthereforeserveasaguide for galvanising efforts on those areas lagging furthest behind,” said José Rosero Moncayo, FAO Chief Statistician.
Highlightsofthereport:
Globalfoodinsecurityremains far above 2015 levels: about 28 percent of the global population – nearly 2.3 billionpeople–weremoderately or severely food insecurein2024comparedto21.4 percent (1.6 billion) in 2015. Meanwhile, an estimated 8.2 percent of the global population may have faced hunger in 2024. From a progress assessmentlens,theworldisfar fromthetarget,whereasithas also registered deterioration since2015.
Globally, between 2019 and 2023, only 65 percent of women of childbearing age achievedminimumdietarydiversity (MDD-W), with subSaharan Africa and Central Asia and Southern Asia lagging.Fromaprogressassessment lens, the world is at a moderate distance to the target,whereasithasregistered deteriorationsince2015. Despite a modest decline
in2023,theincidenceoffood priceanomaliesremainsthree times higher than the 2015–2019 average due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and weather-related disruptions. From a progress assessment lens,theworldisveryfarfrom the target, with deteriorating trendsince2015.
In low- and middle-income countries, small-scale foodproducersearnlessthan half of what their non-smallscalecounterpartsmake,with annual agricultural incomes oftenbelowUSD1500(constantPPP2017).
Women face significant disparitiesinlandownership; in nearly 80 percent of surveyed countries, less than half of women have secure land rights, and men are often at least twice as likely to own land. The world is at a moderate distance to achieving productive and sustainable agriculture, while also having registered slight improvementtowardsachieving productive and sustainable agriculturesince2015.
Thenumberofanimalgenetic resources secured in conservationfacilitieshasincreased. However, only 4.6 percent of local breeds and 17.2percentoftransboundary breedsarekeptwithsufficient material to reconstitute the breed in case of extinction.
Theglobaltrendinwater-
use efficiency (WUE) has shown significant improvement, with a 23 percent increase between 2015 and 2022, mainly driven by economic growth. Water stress worldwidehasremainedrelatively stable, at 18 percent as of2022.
However,acloserexamination at the regional level reveals a more concerning picture, with Western Asia and Northern Africa grappling with severe water scarcity
There is a growing trend towards the adoption of internationalinstrumentscombatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Nonetheless, the concrete impactsofthesemeasuresare slow to emerge, as the proportion of global fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels continued to decrease, dropping to 62.5 percent in 2021, down from 90 percentin1974.
While the world’s forest area continues to diminish, falling from 31.9 percent in 2000to31.2percentin2020, therateofdeclinehasslowed compared to previous decades. Despite progress in sustainable forest management, the rate of forest loss remainshigh,mainlybecause of the expansion of agriculture for crop and livestock production.
GENEVA(ILONews)–Despitemajorgainsineducation, poverty reduction and productivity over the past three decades,entrenchedinequalities, fragile trust in institutions and slow progress in key areas continue to hold backsocialjusticeworldwide, according to a new International Labour Organisation (ILO)report.
The study, the state of social justice: A work in progress, published ahead of theSecondWorldSummitfor Social Development in Doha inNovemberandmarking30 yearssincethelandmark1995 CopenhagenSummitonSocial Development,findsthatwhile the world is wealthier, healthier and better educated thanin1995,thebenefitshave not been evenly shared and progressinreducinginequality has stalled.
Key achievements since 1995 include halving the rate ofchildlabouramong5-to14year-olds (from 20 to 10 per cent), reducing extreme pov-
erty from 39 to 10 per cent, raising primary school completion rates by 10 percentage points, and achieving, for the first time, social protection coverage for over halfoftheworld’spopulation.
However,thereporthighlights stark and persistent deficits: 71 per cent of a person’s earnings are still determinedbycircumstances of birth such as country and sex;informalityhasfallenby only two percentage points in two decades and still affects 58 per cent of workers; the gender labour force participation gap has narrowed by just three percentage pointssince2005andremains at24percent;atcurrentrates, it will take a century to close the global gender pay gap.
Trust in institutions has been declining worldwide since1982,reflectinggrowing frustration that effort is not being rewarded fairly, says the report. The ILO warns that unless action is taken to strengthen the social con-
tract, this erosion of trust could undermine the legitimacy of democratic systems and global cooperation.
The findings come at a timeofprofoundtransformation. Environmental, digital and demographic shifts are reshaping labour markets at unprecedented speed. Without deliberate policies, these transitions could deepen inequality With the right measures, including investment inskills,socialprotection,fair wage systems and active labour market policies, they canbecomeenginesofinclusionandresilience,highlights the study. “The world has made undeniable progress, butwecannotignorethatmillions who remain excluded fromopportunityanddignity at work,” said ILO DirectorGeneral Gilbert F. Houngbo.
“Social justice is not only a moralimperative–itisessentialforeconomicsecurity,social cohesion and peace.”
Thereportcallsforurgent action to tackle unequal ac-
cess to opportunities, ensure fairer distribution of economicgains,andmanageenvironmental,digitalanddemographic transitions so that no one is left behind. It stresses the need to place social justice at the core of all policymaking–fromfinance and industry to health and climate – and to strengthen cooperation among governments, international institutions and social partners to deliver coherent responses to global challenges. These findings will feed into discussions at the upcomingWorldSocialSummit inNovemberandsupportthe work of the Global Coalition for Social Justice in advancing fairer, more inclusive societies.TheGlobalCoalition isanILO-ledplatformbringing together governments, employers, workers’ organisations and other partners to accelerate action and cooperation towards achieving social justice and decent workforall.
h
TheGuyanaPoliceForce
allegations of child exploitation involving a 15year-oldstudentandapolice corporal stationed at Mabaruma Police Station, RegionOne.
The investigation was prompted by a Facebook postlinkingapolicecorporal totheGrade11student,who is 15 years and 11 months old.
According to reports shared on Saturday by Credible Sources, concerns were raised that the officer wasallegedlyinvolvedinan inappropriate relationship with a minor, reportedly a 16-year-old girl from Wauna According to information provided by a concerned citizen to the news entity, the officer and thechildwereallegedlyseen entering hotels and other locations together, sparking fears of child exploitation and abuse of authority, the news entity wrote Residents have since called for a thorough investigation to protect the welfare of the student and to safeguard the integrity of the Guyana PoliceForce.
In a statement issued on Sunday, police confirmed that an investigation had
allegations against the rank.
“A preliminary interview was conducted with the studentinthepresenceofher mo
h
During the interview, the student stated thatsheneverhadanysexual relationswiththepoliceman, who is a family friend. Her mother confirmed this relationship and expressed her belief in her daughter's story Both the student and her mother provided written statements,”policesaid.
The Commander of Regional Division One also engaged the School Welfare Officer for the region, Reha
who interviewed the student and her mother. They both maintained their position. However,themotherrefused to allow a m
cal examinationofherdaughter, insisting that the Facebook post was intended to embarrass the child. Chan noted that without the mother's consent, her investigationcouldnotmove forward.
Despite this setback, child protection NGO Blossom Inc has been invitedtoconductaforensic interview, which was scheduled for 11:00 hrs yesterday. Police have assuredthattheinvestigation remains active and will be expedited.
AmanonSunday died after he was reportedly struckbylightninginKako, RegionSeven.
In a Facebook post,
Kako's Toshao Romario Hastings said, “Lightning struck a man dead in Kako about an hour ago.” Up to press time, no other informationwasreleased.
(AL-JAZEERA) Twoand-a-half-month-old Eid Mahmoud Abu Jamma has diedduetomalnutritionand inadequate medical treatment.
Hewasamongdozensof children to die of malnutrition this year in Gaza, as Israel severely restricts food and medical aidfromentering.
Last week, the enclave's healthministryreportedthat 440 people, including 147 children, had died of starvation or malnutrition duringthewar Israel's assault on Gaza has seen at least 66,005 people killed and 168,162 wounded since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, attacks, and about 200 were takencaptive.
At least 40 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks
on Gaza on Sunday, including at least 10 displaced Palestinians in the Nuseirat refugee camp and 15inGazaCity
Israeli forces are destroying “infrastructure, residential houses,
buildings, neighbourhoods, which is making it difficult for medical teams to reach injured people and those trapped under the rubble”, accordingtoourteamonthe ground.
Settler attacks have become a near-daily occurrence for Palestinians intheoccupiedWestBank. Often protected by the Israeli army, settlers attack Palestinians' property, set houses on fire, steal livestockandvandaliseolive trees.
TheWafanewsagencyis reporting that today, settlers attacked P
stinianregistered vehicles south of
Nablus, while other settlers establishedanillegaloutpost on Palestinian-owned lands west of the town of Deir Istiya, northwest of Salfit. The settlers stormed an area west of Deir Istiya at dawn and set up tents, after they wereseencarryingoutwork and preparations at the site during the day The outpost isinanareadenselyplanted with olive trees, putting the lives of olive harvesters at risk Israeli settlers have sharply increased the number of outposts across the occupied West Bank. Last year, they set up more than60.Thiscompareswith ayearlyaverageof11during the previous decade, accordingtoPeaceNow The establishmentofsettlements is aimed at fragmenting the contiguity of Palestinian territory Meanwhile,Hamas has issued what it calls a “warning” that the lives of two captives held in Gaza City are in danger as Israeli tanks push deeper inside several neighbourhoods of the besieged urban centre, where tens of thousands of Palestinians are trapped by Israel's ground invasion and bombardment.
lost with fighters holding Omri Miran and Matan Angrest after “brutal military operations and violenttargetingintheSabra
neighbourhoods during the last48hours.”
The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian group, said on Sundaythatcontacthasbeen
i army as it systematically destroys Gaza City and displaces hundreds of thousands of starving Palestinians once again.
Israel said 48 captives remaininGaza,20ofwhom arealive.Butthecountryhas refused to stop the war despite being increasingly accused of committing genocide and as Israeli familiescallandprotestfora comprehensive deal to end the war and bring back all captives.
Theirpleashavenotbeen heeded by Israeli Prime M
government, and relatives and supporters are blaming the government for their prolongedcaptivity
The political wing of Hamas said in a statement earlier on Sunday that the group has not received any new ceasefire or peace proposals from mediators Qatar and Egypt, even as United States President Donald Trump continues to predict an imminent ceasefire,whichhehasdone several times in recent weeks.
“The lives of the two captives are in real danger, and the occupation forces must immediately withdraw to the south of Road 8 and halt aerial sorties for 24 hours starting from 18:00 this evening (15:00 GMT), until an attempt is made to extractthetwoprisoners,”it said Hamas released a “farewell picture” of captives in Gaza this month inanotherattempttostopthe Israe
Reuters) - Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday dismissed the U.S. decision to revoke his visa and accused Washington of violating international law over his criticism of Israel's warinGaza
TheUS saidonFridayit would revoke Petro's visa after he took to New York's streetsonFridaytojoinaproPalestinian demonstration and urged US soldiers to disobey President Donald Trump's orders "I no longer have a visa to travel to the UnitedStates.
Idon'tcare.Idon'tneeda visa becauseI'mnotonlya Colombian citizen but a Europeancitizen,andItruly consider myself a free person in the world," Petro saidonsocialmedia.
"Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law," he added onapostonX. Israel has repeatedly deniedgenocidechargesover itsactionsinGazaandsaysit is acting in self-defense Images of starving Palestinians, including children,havesparkedglobal outrage against Israel's assault on Gaza, which has killed 65,000 people, according to Gazan authorities, and internally displaced the entire population of the enclave.
Multiple rights experts, scholars and a U.N. inquiry say this amounts to genocide Israel calls its actionsself-defenseafterthe October 2023 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and in which over 250weretakenhostage. Petro,addressingacrowd of pro-Palestinian protesters outside UN headquarters in Manhattan,calledforaglobal armed force with the priority to liberate Palestinians and urged US soldiers "not to point their guns at people Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity."
Musician Roger Waters, addresses pro-Palestinian demonstrators alongside Colombian President Gustavo Petro, at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza outside U.N. headquarters during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 26, 2025. REUTERS/Bing Guan
The State Department posted on X that it would "revoke Petro's visa due to his reckless and incendiary actions."
Colombia's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said in a statement that using visa revocation as a diplomatic weapongoesagainstthespirit of the UN, which protects freedom of expression and guarantees the independence
of member states at U.N. events.
"The U.N. should find a completely neutral host country that would allow the Organisation itself to issue authorisation to enter the territory of that new host State,"theministrysaid Petro is not the first Colombian president to have hisUS visarevoked In 1996, then-President Ernesto Samper's visa was canceled over a political scandalinvolvingallegations that the Cali drug cartel had funded his presidential campaign.
Relations between BogotaandWashingtonhave frayed since Trump returned to office Earlier this year, Petro blocked deportation flights from the U S , prompting threats of tariffs and sanctions The two sides laterreachedadeal
The Government of Guyana has given its blessing to ExxonMobil and its partners for a seventh oil project. Yet, once again, this approval comes without a single adjustment to the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement that continues to bleed this country of billions.
How many times must Guyanese be reminded that the contract was poorly negotiated, that it gives away our patrimony for crumbs, and that successive approvals only deepen the injustice?
This is not progress; it is surrender. ExxonMobil and its partners are allowed to pump more oil, reap super-profits, and leave Guyana with the scraps, while our leaders cheer on.
No attempt has been made to correct the glaring deficiencies—no ring-fencing, no increase in the meagre 2% royalty, no safeguards against runaway costs.
Instead, we are told to celebrate “development” while the oil giants tighten their grip .Each new project should have been an opportunity to demand better terms. Instead, Guyana has been locked into silence, watching its wealth siphoned away.
The approval of this seventh project is not a triumph; it is another sad reminder that the government is unwilling to stand up for the people.
Opener Lomar
Seecharran
produced a masterclass in stroke play, blasting a majestic 144 to steer Demerara to a commanding win over Essequibo in the second roundoftheGCBU13InterCounty Tournament yesterday.BattingattheLBI
Ground, Seecharran
stampedhisauthorityasone of the country's brightest young batting talents, striking 19 fours and two sixes in his 101-ball knock. His innings set the perfect platform for Demerara's mammoth 269-6 from 40 overs.
Makai Dowlin chipped
in with a well-played 45, whileMarioSinghremained unbeaten on 26, ensuring Demerara kept the scoreboardpressurehigh.
EssequibobowlersWade Ferrier (2-20) and Fayyad Baskh (2-29) managed to claim some respectability in whatwasotherwiseabatter's day.
In reply, Essequibo's chase faltered badly Only Ferrier (16) and Marcus Thomas(16)reacheddouble figures as the side was bundledoutcheaply
Ashton Collins (3-15) a n d N a t h a n i e l Ramkhelawan (3-1) ripped throughthebatting,sealinga 194-run victo
y for Demerara, who remain unbeateninthetournament.
Over at Lusignan, B
dominance with a crushing 213-run win over the GCB SelectXI.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
In a philosophical or political conversation,youdon'thesitate to offer your thoughts Your examplesmaybeextreme,but yourprinciplesaresound
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
Youshouldbeinagoodmood, although you might have a hard time fully expressing yourself.Perhapsyoufeellike there is someone keeping an eyeonyoureverymove.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
You may get the feeling that despite all the hard work you've accomplished, something is still missing, Gemini. There's still a long road ahead, regardless of the goalsyou'veattainedsofar.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Freedom may be a theme for youtoday You'rebeginningto question what it is you're tryingtofreeyourselffrom.A person? Job? Commitment? These may be the very things youstarttosearchforassoon asyou'refreeofthem.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
You'retheliquidthattakesthe shape of its container, Leo. Even though this may seem like the most nonconfrontational way to do things, you may find that it's actually a cause of great frustrationforyouandothers
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Youmayfeellikeapuppythat has been let outside for the first time, Virgo. The air is warm and you're full of energy You're ready to run over the fields and hills Unfortunately,you'retiedtoa stake and you can't move beyondaten-footradius.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Youmayfeelastrangetension. Itseemsthatnothingyousayor do is quite right, Libra. As much as you may try to do the correct thing, you can't make thingsclickthewayyou'dlike.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)
It may be hard for you to maintain your self-discipline. Your childlike nature wants to go out and play Emotionally, you're anxious to let loose and followyourplayful,instinctual nature.
SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)
Ifyou'reunclearaboutthetopic of discussion, say so Asking questionsisanimportantpartof learning You shouldn't be afraid to ask. Communication maytakeonaserioustone,and intellectual discussions are likelytogetheated.
CAPRICORN(Dec22–Jan19)
Youmaybeshywhenitcomes to expressing your emotions today,Capricorn.Thiscouldbe a rare thing for you. Other people may wonder if somethingiswrong.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Youmaynotknowwhichway to turn,Aquarius. You may be emotionally weighed down by sentimental feelings and memories that bind you to the past You may also feel restrictedbyauthorityfigures.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Your mind may be going in manydifferentdirections,with fantastic ideas about how things should be done, Pisces.
T h e d i f f i c u l t y i s communicatingtheseideasina way that makes sense. Others mayseeyouasathreattotheir authority
undonebyafieryspellfrom Adrian Emmanuel, who returned astonishing figures of7-12insevenovers. The tournament continues on Tuesday with third-round action, but the spotlight remains firmly on Seecharran, whose breathtaking century was easilythehighlightofround two.
Skipper Shahid Gajnabi led the charge with 78, supported by Jaden Ganpat (38) and Afraz Ali (32), as Berbice posted a healthy 253-7afteroptingtobatfirst.
Despite a spirited effort fromAaronDaCosta(2-52), theSelectXIneverlookedin the contest. Their batting collapsed spectacularly for just 39 all out in 23 overs,
Frompage21 for boxing in Guyana,” Ninvallehighlighted.
While Linden remains a priority, Ninvalle revealed that the GBA is also exploring opportunities on the East Coast of Demerara, with Buxton earmarked as a potential site for another gym.
“New Amsterdam has shown us what happens whenweallowforconsistent representationatthenational level, how much talent can come to the front of development, which then helps us on the regional and internationalstage,”hesaid.
Ninvalle underscored that decentralizing the sport is critical if Guyana is to produce boxers capable of makinganimpactbeyondits borders.
“Our vision is simple, whichistoensurethatevery major community has a chancetoproducetalentand contribute to Guyana's nationalboxingprogramme. Linden is a priority, Buxton is on our radar, and we will continue to expand,” Ninvallenoted.
He explained that the GBA will roll out a number of programmes designed to spread opportunities across the country, ensuring that communities outside of Georgetown are not left behind.
Western Tigers Football Club brought the curtain down on their 2025 Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League campaign in emphatic style, thrashing Ann's Grove United 6–0 at the weekend. Despite the convincing win, the West Ruimveldt side once again had to settle for a fourthplace finish, mirroring their performance from last season. Samuel Garnett was thestaroftheshow,nettinga hat-trick with strikes in the 30th, 45th, and 55th minutes William Europe (71'), Dwayne James (84'), andDanielWilson(88')also found the back of the net as Western Tigers dominated fromstarttofinish.
The victory sealed a season tally of 10 wins, 4 draws, and 4 defeats, with
the Tigers scoring 49 goals andconcedingjust19. Their 34 points placed them comfortably above m i d -
a l s Monedderlust (23 points) and Santos (22 points), but shortofthetopthree.
With the league officially wrapping up on October 19, Western Tigers'
campaign
eady complete, leaving them to reflect on another season of consistency,butonewherea title challenge proved e
Guyana Defence Force (GDF) FC r
m
nded everyone of their firepower with a 9–0 demolition of Fruta Conquerors Football Club.
Abumchi Opara led the routwithfourgoals(10',43',
49', 80'), while Queancy Fraser (61', 90'), Stephen McDonald (69'), Makhaya Jarvis (75'), and Shakeem Welcome (85') also got on thescoresheet.
The result pushed GDF to 35 points, one clear of GuyanaPoliceForceFC(34 points),settingupanintense battle for second place behind runaway leaders Slingerz FC, who have already sealed the title with 43 points from 15 matches and three more games in hand.
At the other end of the table, Mainstay Goldstar's struggles continued, ending theseasonwithoutawinand at-3pointsduetosanctions, while Ann's Grove, Den Amstel, and Fruta Conquerors remain stuck in thelowerhalf.
Horseracingreturnedto the ancient county in grand style yesterday with the staging of the Clash at D' Big Yard Horse Race Meet at the Port Morant Turf Club, a much-needed revival following the anticlimactic finish of this year'sGuyanaCup.
Andfittingly,itwasthe country's leading stable, Slingerz Racing Stables, thatstampeditsclassonthe day's marquee event, compliments of Ritorna Vincetori, saddled by jockey Ronaldo Appadu.
The headline race, sponsoredbyOBLLounge, carried a lucrative $4 million purse, and with a field stacked with the best thoroughbreds from the Guyana Cup, save for the notable absence of Data Man, anticipation among thefanswasfever-pitched.
When the gates opened f o r t h e o n e - m i l e showdown, the four-yearold Brazilian bay colt
Ritorna Vincetori, representing Slingerz Racing Stables, broke smartly and tracked the
leaderswithpoise. Jockey Appadu kept Ritorna Vincetori patient, allowing the pack to set a brisk early tempo. But as thefieldsweptintothefinal turn, the Ritorna Vincetori shifted gears, unleashing a devastating stretch run that had the Berbice crowd on theirfeet.
The victory not only delivered $2 million to owner Javed Ali but also cemented Slingerz Stables' reputation as the premier racing stable in Guyana for thepasttwoyears.Thewin was celebrated like a coronation, with fans acknowledging the stable's relentless pursuit of excellenceontheturf.
Hot on the winner's heels was Loyal Company, out of Jagdeo Stables, who pressed the pace valiantly but had to settle for second place and $1 million Spankhurts, flying the flag of J's Racing Stable, showed grit to finish third, securing $500,000, while Stat, representing Master Z'sStables,roundedoutthe topfourtoearn$250,000.
By Rawle Toney
I have nothing against cricket Everyone from the Caribbean loves cricket, even if they aren't particularly skilled at playing it, including me CricketispartofourDNA.
However, while cricket enjoyswidespreadattention and investment, there is a critical conversation we musthaveabouthowsports development in Guyana is approached.
To o o f t e n , o u r investments are heavily skewed toward cricket, sometimesattheexpenseof
other sports where communities have already demonstratedclearstrength.
A strategic, data-driven approach to sports
investment is needed, one that nurtures existing talent in communities where it naturally flourishes while thoughtfully introducing or expandingdisciplineswhere thereisuntappedpotential.
Players like Leon Johnson, hailing from St Cuthbert's Mission, and KeemoPaulfromSaxacalli, emerged from these communities to represent both Guyana and the West Indies with distinction in cricket.
T h e i r s u c c e s s demonstratesthattalentcan indeed be unearthed from these regions But it also underscores the importance of channeling investment into sports where communities already have a strongfoundation.
Take football, for
example It is the sport w h e r e i n d i g e n o u s communities in Guyana haveexcelledthemost
P
Just this past Saturday,
A
announcedthatformerWest
r s Ramnaresh Sarwan and Roger Harper would work w i t h i n
u s communities to strengthen their representation in Guyana'scricketstructure.
This is encouraging news Using respected names like Sarwan, one of G u y a
figures, is a smart way to inspireyoungathletes
The announcement, madeattheHeritageGames dur
a
Heritage Month at the Everest Cricket Ground, r
n
commitment to extending cricket's reach nationwide and giving our national teamsadeeperidentity
But, it is important to note that the Heritage Games are best known for theirfootballtournament
F o o t b a l l i s overwhelmingly the most popular sport among
President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, has set his sights on reviving the sport of boxing in Linden, with a s t r o n g f o c u s o n reestablishing a gym in the mining town that once produced some of Guyana's topamateurpugilists.
Ninvalle, speaking on the future of the sport, stressed that while Berbice, p a r t i c u l a r l y N e w Amsterdam, has shown a resurgence in recent years, Linden must also play a central role in the national boxingprogramme.
“Boxing has long been a cornerstone of sports in Guyana, and Linden has made its share of contributions We can't continue to speak of development if we have a community like Linden not involved in the national development of the sport,” Ninvallesaid.
The GBA president
noted that Linden's decline in the sport began after the passing of coach Dirk Alexander, who once operated the Young Lions Boxing Gym at Half Mile, Wismar Alexander'sworkhelped shape the career of Cleavon Rock, one of Linden's most celebratedamateurboxers.
In 2008, Rock made history when he secured Guyana's first-ever medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games, a silver in Pune, India.Thatmedalalsostood as Guyana's only podium finish at those Games for sometime,untilemulatedby KeevinAllicockin2017.
Guided by Alexander, Rock went on to enjoy a successful amateur career, giving Linden and Guyana international recognition in thesport.
H o w e v e r , w i t h Alexander's passing, the gym closed, leavinga major void.Attemptsweremadeto
indigenous communities, and its players have made significant contributions to Guyana's sporting landscapeateverylevel.
In August, for instance, apredominantlyindigenous U14 girls' team represented Guyana at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series They wentundefeatedinthegroup stage before falling to French Guiana in the semifinals in a performance that highlights the strong foundation of football in thesecommunities.
While cricket has a presence,footballcontinues toproducethemostnational team players and remains the sport indigenous communitiesactivelyplay
Targeted, strategic
investments in sports must reflect these realities For example, Linden is receivingsignificantcricket infrastructure funding despite the community historically excelling in football, basketball, and trackandfield.
Per capita, Linden has produced more Olympians and international athletes than any other part of Guyana but mostly in athletics, football, and basketball,notcricket.
This is not to suggest that cricket should be neglected Farfromit Butif our goal is to maximize talent and competitiveness, communities should be supported in the sports wheretheyalreadythrive.
Guyana cannot lead the
world in every discipline, but we can become highly competitive in those sports where our people have provenstrength
President Ali's passion forsportsisundeniable His commitment to advancing Guyana's sporting sector is clear Still, it is equally important that his advisors present a full picture that indigenous communities would benefit immensely from structured football facilities and stronger collaboration with the GuyanaFootballFederation. Strategic investment in football, alongside cricket andothersports,willensure
fillthegap,withindividuals like Orlon Rogers trying to resuscitate the sport locally, butthoseeffortsfellshort.
Ninvalle believes now is the time for a structured revival.Tothisend,theGBA willbeworkingcloselywith form
Figueira, along with other stakeholdersintheregion,to establish a sustainable programmeinLinden.
“Linden has given us championsbefore,andthere is no reason why the community cannot once againbecomeastronghold
(Continuedonpage19)
The Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup
trophy during the presentation ceremony that wasdelayedbymorethanan houraftertheybeatPakistan byfivewicketsinthefinalon SundayinDubai.
Their refusal was becausethetrophywastobe presented by Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairmanofthePCBandthe InteriorMinisterofPakistan.
“We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, whohappenstobeoneofthe main leaders of Pakistan,” BCCI secretary Devajit SaikiatoldANI.
“So, we decided not to take it from him. But that does not mean that the gentlemanwilltakeawaythe trophy with him, along with themedals.
So,itisveryunfortunate and we hope that the trophy and the medals will be returned to India as soon as possible. There is an ICC conference in November in
Dubai In the next conference, we are going to launch a very serious and very strong protest against the act of the ACC chairperson”
While the match ended around 10 30 pm Dubai time,inathrillingfinal-over finish, the wait for the presentation went on until closetomidnight.
While it was not immediately clear what was prolonging the delay, it was thought to be because the Indian team did not want to receive the trophy from Naqvi.
This was a change of planfromtheACC'soriginal intention.Astatementonthe organisation's website on Saturday said that Naqvi intended to hand over the trophytothewinners.
Once the presentation ceremony began, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma received theirindividualawardsfrom other dignitaries on stage, andPakistancaptainSalman Agha accepted the runnersup cheque from Naqvi, after
whichtheceremonycameto anend.
“Ihavebeeninformedby the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)thattheIndiancricket team will not be collecting theirawardstonight,”Simon Doull, the presenter for the host broadcaster, said at the ceremony “So that does conclude the post-match
presentation.”
At the press conference after the ceremony, India captain Suryakumar Yadav saidhehadnotseenanything likeit.
“I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket, started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, that too a hard earned one,” Suryakumarsaid.
He added, “I feel we deserved it I can't say anythingmore,I'vesummed it up really well. If you tell me about trophies, my trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys with me, the support staff, those are the real trophies throughout this journeyintheAsiaCup.”
Suryakumar said the team had taken the decision nottoreceivethetrophyand that“noonetoldustodoit.”
O n c e t h e g a m e concluded, the Pakistan players walked off the ground into the dressing room while the Indian players stayed on the field.
The stage for the presentation ceremony was not set for an extended
periodoftime.
India's captain Suryakumar Yadav pretends to carry a trophy he refused to receive
(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
In due course, Naqvi appeared, and spent a significantamountoftimein animated discussions with officialsonthegroundwhile the crowd thinned out, though a large number of Indianspectatorsremained.
After nearly an hour the stage was set up with Naqvi and other dignitaries taking their place. An official then removed the Asia Cup trophy from its place on a raised dais, and walked off the ground with it without explanation. The Pakistan team then emerged before the ceremony, conducted by Doullcommenced.
The Indian players who received their individual awards did walk up to the stagewhereNaqvistood,but did not acknowledge him, and received their awards fromotherofficialsonstage. Naqvi,notably,wastheonly one of the dignitaries who did not applaud the Indian players who came up to receive their individual awards.
The Pakistan players came up to receive their runner-up medals, with captain Agha accepting the
cheque, which he posed for with Naqvi. After the postmatchinterviewswithDoull were concluded, the dignitariesallleftthestage.
The Indian team and officialsthentooktheirplace on the podium, where they celebratedtheirvictory With no actual trophy in sight, Suryakumar and the rest of thesideheldupanimaginary trophy as part of their celebrations.
India's stance to not accept a trophy from Naqvi was expected well in advance.Theyhadrefusedto shakehandswithPakistanin any of the three games they played this tournament, either at the toss between captainsorafterthematches. While Pakistan coach Mike Hesson and captain Agha both criticised India for it, India's position did not change.
Things became heated, especiallyduringthesecond game in the Super Fours, with several verbal spats between the sides Suryakumar was fined for remarks he made following the first game, and Haris Rauf for his actions in the second.(ESPNcricinfo)
Shemar Britton once again proved why he is Guyana's premier table tennis player, storming through the competition at the Guyana Table Tennis
Association (GTTA)
N a t i o n a l S e n i o r Championships to claim the Men's Singles title with an undefeatedrun.
Brittonwasinaleagueof his own last evening at the National Gymnasium, displaying precision, pace, and tactical brilliance as he dismantled every opponent instraight-forwardfashion.
The national ace closed the round-robin format with a flawless 14 points, brushing aside challengers
Jonathan VanLange, Elishaba Johnson, Nigel Bryan, and the rest of the field without dropping a match.
The victory cemented Britton as the undisputed Men'sSingleschampion,but
remarkable triple crown performance at this year's championships.
E
tournament, he had already captured the Men's Doubles
VanLange, and the Mixed
Olympian Chelsea Edghill, underlining his dominance
Championships.
In the final standings, Johnson(13points)finished runner-up, showing grit and
VanLange secured third placewith12points.
Joel Alleyne battled valiantlytoplacefourth,but no one could match the relentless form of Britton, who controlled rallies with his punishing forehand drives and smart variations inspin.
Withhisflawlesssweep, Britton reasserted his status
at the top of the local game, while sending a clear message ahead of upcoming regionalassignments.
The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) marked a historicmilestoneonSaturday evening, celebrating its 60th AnniversarywithagrandGala event that honoured six legends of the sport through induction into the newly established Squash Hall of Fame.Theceremony,heldas part of a three-day weekend of activities, united generations of squash players, many of whom returned from abroad to pay tributetothecommunitythat helpedshapetheirformative years.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Guyana Squash Archival Project (GSAP), a new committee tasked with chronicling and preservingtherichhistoryof Guyanese squash from its inceptiontothepresentday
The inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2025 comprises six towering figures whose contributions havedefinedthesportlocally and regionally; Ron Hughes, Mike Watkinson, Madhu Wellingkar, Josephine Whitehead, Carl Ince, and Nicolette Fernandes Their portraits now adorn the National Racquet Centre, a lasting symbol of their
Dennis Dias received a Life Time Achievement Award
dedication and inspiration for the next generation of athletes. A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Dennis Dias, who received the Lifetime AchievementAwardforover 50 years of service and unwavering commitment to thedevelopmentofsquashin Guyana.MinisterofCulture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson jR, praised the establishment of the Hall of Fame, describing it as a catalyst for unlocking dreamsandmotivatingtalent development across disciplines Guyana's squash legacy extends well beyond its borders The country has long been a powerhouse in Caribbean squash, producing players w
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, at the GSA Gala event
regional championships and represented the nation with distinction. Among them is Nicolette Fernandes, widely regarded as one of the finest players in the Americas during her international career Fernandes not only blazed a trail for women in the sport but also placed Guyana firmly on the global squash map with her achievements. The Hall of Fame serves not only as recognition of past achievements but also as an investmentinthefuture.
By permanently enshrining the legends who built the foundation of the sport,theGSAisensuringthat theircontributionscontinueto inspireyoungplayerstocarry forward Guyana's proud
