President Ali backs stronger US-Guyana medical alliance
…as Govt injects $2B into agri sector
UK sign defence pact
…“You can’t die with me!” – child recalls mom saying Mother dies after rescuing 5-yearold son in Berbice boat mishap
boost security cooperation Judge blocks GRA from seizing Mohameds' luxury vehicles until ruling on tax evasion case ...GRA to appeal court’s order; cites risk to asset preservation not assured
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, April 12 –04:30h-06:00h and Sunday, April 13 – 04:45h-06:15h.
APRIL
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, April 12 –16:10h-17:40h and Sunday, April 13 – 16:40h-18:10h.
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Light to thundery rain showers are expected until the early-afternoon hours and at night, with sunshine in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.
Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.68 metres and 5.36 metres.
High Tide: 15:57h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.
Low Tide: 09:33h and 21:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.64 metre.
Farmers to get one bag of fertiliser for every acre cultivated – Pres Ali
…as Govt injects $2B into agri sector
n a bold move to further strengthen Guyana’s agriculture sector, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced a G$2 billion Government investment to provide free fertiliser to farmers across the country. Each farmer will receive one bag of fertiliser for every acre cultivated, in a bid to enhance production and ease input costs.
Speaking at a public meeting at the Hydronie Market Tarmac, Parika, on Friday, President Ali emphasised that this initiative reflects the Government’s long-standing support for agriculture, a sector he said is pivotal to national food security and economic resilience.
“This is not only this year — this has been our effort continuously since we came into office,” the President said, referencing similar support initiatives rolled out in 2023 and 2024, including an initial $1 billion fertiliser grant.
This year’s renewed support continues the Government’s efforts to drive agricultural productivity, which President Ali noted has already seen marked improvements under his administration. Between 2020 and 2024, productivity increased from 5.5 tonnes to 6.1 tonnes per hectare, a growth he attributed to “strategic policy interventions and the hard work of farmers.”
Additionally, the free fertiliser initiative is part of the Government's broader plan to empower rural communities, maximise land use, and support climate-resilient food systems. President Ali noted that farmers are now better positioned than ever to produce more efficiently and contribute to Guyana’s growing reputation as the agricultural hub of the Caribbean.
“These investments are directly supporting our farmers — helping them to increase output, reduce costs, and improve livelihoods,” he said.
As global food prices remain volatile and input costs challenge small-scale producers, the move is likely to be welcomed by farmers across the country, especially those grappling with fer-
affordability.
The Ministry of Agriculture is expected to roll out the fertiliser distribution programme in the coming weeks, with priority given to registered farmers and cooperatives.
This move follows several in the past including financial assistance, support for transporting and marketing agricultural produce, and efforts to secure minimum prices for paddy.
In fact, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo unveiled an ambitious plan to support other small sectors, including agriculture and mining. He noted that small farmers, particularly those with limited land holdings, often struggle to grow wealth from their land due to insufficient support. He pointed out that the Government is working on policies that will provide these small farmers with additional support and access
to new opportunities. For example, the Government is examining ways to assist farmers with access to new land, particularly land that has been reclaimed and drained to avoid flooding. The Government’s plan to build two large drainage canals in Berbice will help address these issues by draining tens of thousands of acres of previously unusable land. “These are lands that have been unoccupied for a long time. Now, they will be opened up for distribution to farmers, especially small farmers,” Jagdeo said.
“There are complaints from small farmers about leasing Government land. They say that the people leasing the land to them –often living abroad – are charging them $40,000 per year to lease an acre, which cuts into their profits,” Jagdeo explained.
Government also plans to construct a fertiliser facility right here in Guyana that will significantly bring down the operational cost for farmers.
As the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) commemorates a year of meaningful service, a new direction is emerging — one that aligns technical competency with a more profound human skill: the ability to resolve conflict. At Friday’s anniversary celebration, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton outlined an ambitious yet necessary evolution for BIT’s training programmes, an evolution that reflects both the complexity of today’s workforce and the enduring need for social cohesion.
This is a deliberate shift in mindset and methodology that would set the tone for how to prepare the next generation of workers, not only to operate machines or handle tools, but also to navigate disagreements, build consensus, and repair relationships. In essence, BIT is seeking to do more than create skilled labour; it is committing to the formation of responsible, emotionally intelligent citizens.
Hamilton captured the urgency of this vision with characteristic clarity: “It’s not just about training to get a job; it’s about learning how to solve problems.” This distinction is critical. Too often, technical and vocational education is siloed from the soft skills that make work environments functional and dignified. The introduction of conflict resolution into the heart of BIT’s curriculum acknowledges that employability is not only a function of proficiency, but also of adaptability, empathy, and the capacity to handle interpersonal dynamics.
The call for innovation and creativity in training is not just about teaching new trades; it’s about reimagining what it means to be prepared for the world of work. This reimagination must include emotional intelligence as a cornerstone of vocational excellence. And BIT, with its national reach and credibility, is uniquely positioned to lead this cultural transformation.
The broader governmental support for this pivot toward conflict resolution cannot be overlooked. Since 2021, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry has been laying the foundation through its “Train the Trainers” initiative, focusing on community support and counselling. That initiative, targeted at both ministry staff and the Support and Heal Network (SHN), has shown that structured conflict resolution training can reach deep into the grassroots. When this effort is mirrored at vocational training institutions, it ensures that both community members and workers are equipped with similar language, tools, and approaches to addressing disputes.
Moreover, the expansion of restorative justice practices into the school system in 2024, through the partnership between the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Education, signals a systemic push toward accountability and empathy. Led by the Restorative Justice Centre, this initiative aims to replace punitive discipline with dialogue and mutual understanding — ideals that must be replicated in training centres and workplaces alike.
Together, these efforts form a continuum from schoolyards to job sites, where conflict is not something to suppress or ignore, but to address constructively. BIT’s decision to align with this national movement is not only timely, but vital. The modern workplace demands more than competence; it demands character.
The Board of Industrial Training’s impact is already farreaching. BIT has planted seeds of transformation. With over 12,700 persons trained in the past four years — 60% of whom are women — this is not an institution dabbling in social responsibility; it is a driver of national development. To layer conflict resolution atop this foundation is to build stronger communities, healthier workplaces, and a more resilient nation.
But implementation must be intentional. Trainers themselves must be adequately prepared. This is where the “Train the Trainers” model would be indispensable. It is not enough to add a workshop on conflict to the curriculum; resolution must be embedded in the very philosophy of instruction. Trainers must model patience, neutrality, and constructive dialogue in their interactions with trainees. Only then would conflict resolution move from concept to culture.
In a society as diverse and dynamic as Guyana, equipping citizens with the tools to navigate difference is not a luxury; it is a necessity. BIT’s renewed focus promises a future where hands are trained not only to build, but to bridge.
Taxing dreams vs funding futures: Who really has you in mind?
Dear Editor,
The year was 2017, and VAT on private education had just been announced, prompting a natural public outcry. I remember signing and sharing the popular petitions with my mother, and urging neighbours to come on board as signatories.
Infamously dubbed “The Brain Tax”, this measure charged parents a 14% tax per child to attend private learning institutions, placing a burden on working families who lacked confidence in the public school system, and thereby widening educational inequality.
I am the eldest of three sons in a household run by my mother and my grandmother. At the time, I was 14 when I publicly warned the Coalition in a Kaieteur News article that the measure would cost them votes in the next election, making personal disclosure of my young sibling attending a private primary institution — having lost our dad just months prior. My warning, like many others from civil society and students, was initially ignored.
According to figures reported by Demerara Waves, Government aimed to collect approximately $350 million through this draconian tax before its eventual repeal in 2018. That very year saw the then Government strongly proposing capping
the number of CSEC subjects students could sit, with one commentator dubbing it a “Brain Cap”. Thankfully, public backlash led to its quiet withdrawal before implementation.
In the 2022 Budget Debate, when responding to heckles about extensive Coalition tax measures, former Minister Khemraj Ramjattan stood in the Parliament and hollered: “Aaaand it is not an over-taxation, but you cyant undertax people!” That line alone summed up the entire APNU-AFC’s guiding praxis in Government: Tax their parents, cap children’s dreams, and label it “Change” and “The Good Life.”
Contrast this with President Ali’s recent move to cover in full the cost of up to eight CSEC subjects for all students —public or private. What does this mean? 1) No more worries about the high cost of exam fees. 2) The financial burden on students sitting exams — whether in public or private schools — is virtually eliminated, promoting equal access for all. 3) Students can now enroll in more subjects with fewer financial constraints, fostering greater academic ambition and excellence. This move bridges the gap in educational inequality.
This Government is
sending a clear message: “Your potential and ambitions are being invested in; and with that, so is your success.”
This is a game-changer, and young people must take full advantage of this opportunity . Contrast this with the “Brain Cap” and 14% VAT on private educa-
tion prior to 2020, and this leaves me with two pivotal questions, which I hope can solicit the public’s input. Question 1: Who talks up youth empowerment and upliftment?
Question 2: Who actually practises it?
Sincerely, Nikhil Sankar
Guyanese back Exxon against Venezuelan intimidation
Dear Editor,
A release from an ongoing survey being conducted by me for NACTA in Guyana on contemporary issues has found overwhelming support among Guyanese for ExxonMobil against Venezuelan aggression.
The Venezuelan Navy intercepted and tried to stop an Exxon floating, production , storage, and offloading vessel from operating in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone in February, and threatened the crew. The Guyana Government condemned Venezuela’s unprovoked and unwarranted action against Exxon.
The international community also, including US Secretary of State Marco
Rubio and France, Germany, Canada, UK and Caricom nations, among others, condemned Venezuela’s intimidatory tactics against Exxon, that has been exploring, drilling and producing oil in offshore Guyana waters.
And a meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers in Ottawa in March also condemned Venezuela’s threatening behaviour against the Exxon floating vessel and Guyana. They all urged restraint by Venezuela, appealed to that country to cease and desist from its threatening actions, and respect the judicial undertaking of the World Court, where the border controversy case is being addressed.
The Juliet Griffith Daycare turned the Police Sports Ground into a wonderland of colour and cheer as little ones celebrated Easter with kites, eggs, hats, and plenty of giggles. From high-flying creations to thrilling games of musical chairs, it was a day full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories (GPF photos)
Guyanese back Exxon...
A ruling is expected by 2026.
In a visit to Guyana late last month, Secretary Rubio issued a stern warning to Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro against any plan to attack Guyana or disrupt Exxon operations in Guyana’s economic zone.
According to the survey that polled 630 Guyanese adults to reflect the demographics of the population, everyone, including left wingers, is very pleased with the support extended to Guyana by USA on the border issue. And Guyanese have expressed gratitude for the publicly announced support being offered by the Trump Administration and the frank comments of Secretary Rubio on Venezuelan threats, intimi-
datory tactics, and military aggression against Exxon and Guyana on the border controversy.
Guyanese describe Venezuela Government’s interception of the Exxon vessel in Guyana waters as an ‘unwarranted’ provocation, and as defying World Court advisories in a manner that lead to escalation of tensions in the region. They all stand with Exxon on oil production in Guyana waters.
In the poll, Guyanese views of America are very positive. Guyanese say relations with USA are very important to them personally, as most of them have family members in America, and those relations are important to Guyana in general, as they provide an umbrella against any attack from Venezuela.
Every Guyanese supports closer relations with Washington. They would like to see Guyana strengthen ties with America, and even to have a pact and linkage with USA for defence cooperation and protection against Venezuela, and to bolster regional security.
Respondents are also pleased that President Ali is working closely with USA on the border controversy and on global issues. Voters overwhelmingly approve of how President Irfaan Ali has been handling relations with Venezuela and America.
The survey conducted by me was analyzed at 95% Confidence Level, and has a margin of error of 4%.
Sincerely,
Dr Vishnu Bisram
Page Foundation
Things to do today
Prepare 5th section 1 ½ hours
Review 4th section 30 min.
Review 3rd section 20 min.
Review 2nd section 10 min.
Review 1st section 10 min
• Prepare Section Five of your material by reducing it to revision notes. Read, summarise, practise questions, review practice questions, correct mistakes, make flashcards, teach back. Demonstrate your mastery of the topics you know by heart by first explaining them in your own words and then successfully answering a question on the topic similar to those asked in past exam papers. If you do so successfully , count this topic as one you know.
• Review your revision notes for Sections One, Two, Three and Four, spending more time on the latter sections. Demonstrate your mastery of the topics you know by heart by first explaining them in your own and then successfully answering a question on the topic similar to those asked in past exam papers. If you do so successfully , count this topic as one you know and eliminate it from the list of things you need to know.
As you review the prior sections, your review cards should be getting smaller and smaller as you further reduce the information and transfer the knowledge from the card to your brain. Be confident, and eliminate from your to-know pile things that you already know thoroughly.
Reviewing exam types It’s easier to remember things if you know how you will be required to use the knowledge you have.
Your exams are divided into two papers Paper 1 – multiple choice
Paper 2 – short answer and essay questions
Here is a list of key words commonly used in exams Here’s a rundown of some common essay title keywords.
Analyse
Requires an answer that takes apart an idea, concept or statement in order to consider all the factors it consists of. Answers of this type should be very methodical and logically organised.
Compare
Requires an answer that sets items side by side and shows their similarities and differences. A balanced (fair, objective) answer is expected.
Consider Requires an answer in which the students describe and give their thoughts on the subject.
Contrast Requires an answer that points out only the difference between two items.
Define
Requires an answer that explains the precise meaning of a concept.
Describe Requires an answer that says what something is like, how it works and so on.
Discuss Requires an answer that explains an item or concept, and then gives details about it with supportive information, examples, points for and against, and explanations for the facts put forward. It is important to give both sides of the argument and come to a conclusion.
Evaluate/Assess
Requires an answer that decides and explains how great, valuable or important something is. The judgement should be backed by a discussion of the evidence or reasoning involved.
Explain Requires an answer that offers a rather detailed and exact explanation of an idea or principle, or a set of reasons for a situation or attitude.
Explore
Requires an answer that examines the subject thoroughly and considers it from a variety of viewpoints.
Illustrate
Requires an answer that examines the subject thoroughly and considers it from a variety of viewpoints.
State
Requires an answer that expresses the relevant points briefly and clearly without lengthy discussion or minor details.
By Lorna Goodison
Her son was first made known to her as a sense of unease, a need to cry for little reasons and a metallic tide rising in her mouth each morning. Such signs made her know That she was not alone in her body. She carried him full term tight up under her heart. She carried him like the poor carry hope, hope you get a break or a visa, hope one child go through and remember you. He had no father. The man she made him with had more like him, he was fair-minded he treated all his children with equal and unbiased indifference. She raise him twice, once as mother Then as father, set no ceiling On what he could be doctor, earth healer, pilot take wings. But now he tells her he is working for you, that you value him so much you give him one whole submachine gun for him alone. He says you are like a father to him she is wondering what kind of father would give a son hot and exploding death, when he asks him for bread. She went downtown and bought three and one-third yards of black cloth and a deep crowned and veiled hat for the day he draw his bloody salary. She has no power over you and this at the level of earth, what she has are prayers and a mother’s tears and at knee city she uses them. She says psalms for him she reads psalms for you she weeps for his soul her eyewater covers you. She is throwing a partner with Judas Iscariot’s mother the thief on the left-hand side of the cross, his mother is the banker, her draw though is first and last for she still throwing two hands as mother and father. She is prepared, she is done. Absalom
Questions
1. Summarise the poem 2. What type of poem is it?
3. Describe the tone, mood, atmosphere, and persona 4. List two examples of imagery, metaphor/simile and all the figures of speech found in the poem
5. Describe how the poem makes you feel
6. Suggest an alternative title for the poem and state why it is appropriate
Guyana, UK sign defence pact to boost security cooperation
resident Dr Irfaan Ali
Pon Thursday received a courtesy visit from the Minister of State in the Defence Ministry of the United Kingdom (UK), the Right Lord Vernon Coaker, at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.
Coaker was accompanied by the UK’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller.
During the high-level engagement, discussions centred on deepening and expanding bilateral relations between Guyana and the UK. President Ali described the UK as a stable and longstanding partner, noting that both nations are united in their shared values, principles, and commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
Ali emphasised the significance of Coaker’s visit, pointing out that it comes at a crucial moment not only for Guyana but also for the wider region.
Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Ministry of Defence of the UK of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The agreement aims
security, defence exchanges, training, coordination, collaboration that we have today; and that is remarkable,” President Ali had expressed.
to strengthen cooperation in the field of defence.
Present at the meeting were Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister, Mohabir Anil Nandlall; Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan; and National
Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia.
In July 2024, President Ali had said that the defence and security partnership between Guyana and the UK has reached unprecedented levels, describing the relationship as “remarkable”.
“I want to highlight the growing strength of our relationship at the security and defence level. Never in the history of our relationship would we have had the type of military,
While noting that this partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering peace and stability in the hemisphere, the Guyanese leader had lauded the British Government for the unwavering support it had given to Guyana in the border controversy with Venezuela.
This support was also referenced by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, as she at the time had reminded of the prompt visit to Guyana by the UK’s
Unpaid $1.2B taxes
Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories, David Rutley in December 2023 shortly after Venezuela’s controversial referendum on the Essequibo region.
During that visit, the British Minister had met with President Ali to reinforce the UK’s steadfast support for, and solidarity with, Guyana.
While in Guyana, Rutley had expressed the UK’s unequivocal backing for Guyana against Venezuela’s territorial claims. Further, he had expressed that the border between the two countries had been settled over 120 years
ago, and that sovereign borders must be respected. This support was further demonstrated when the UK deployed the His Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Trent, an offshore patrol vessel, to Guyana later in July 2024. The purpose was to carry out routine defence cooperation and exercises with the GDF and the Coast Guard. Also in 2024, Guyana had hosted the UK and Caribbean Heads of Defence Conference, a two-day event which had seen top security personnel from the region and UK recommitting to continued collaboration and the maintenance of peace in the hemisphere.
Judge blocks GRA from seizing Mohameds’ luxury vehicles until ruling on tax evasion case
...GRA to appeal Court’s order; cites risk to asset preservation not assured …Govt stance on family “illegalities” has always been consistent – VP Jagdeo
The High Court has issued an interim interlocutory injunction barring the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) from seizing several high-end luxury vehicles owned by prominent businessmen Azruddin Mohamed and his father Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, pending a full judicial review of the agency’s $1.2 billion tax evasion claim.
On Friday, Attorney-atLaw Siand Dhurjon, representing the Mohamed family, confirmed that Justice Gino Persaud extended an initial restraining order and granted further legal protection for the Mohamed’s vehicles—including a Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Roadster and two Toyota Land Cruisers, until a substantive hearing on May 15, 2025.
“The injunctions will last until the hearing and determination of the substantive matter. The substantive matter is what we have filed to quash the assessments and to prohibit any seizure or other enforcement action,” Dhurjon said.
The court’s ruling temporarily halts the GRA’s efforts to seize the vehicles, which the agency alleges were imported under false declarations and breaches of the re-migrant scheme—a programme designed to grant tax exemptions to eligible returning residents.
However, in a late press release regarding Friday’s rul-
ing, the GRA stated that it will lodge an Appeal against the ruling, since the preservation of assets is not assured, and no bond has been lodged as is usual in these circumstances
The release also noted that the extension of the Restraining Order has been issued pending a full trial, intended to maintain the status quo, and should not be interpreted as a final court decision.
The Authority reiterated that it has in its possession irrefutable evidence of the said breaches, and the understatement of values of the other vehicles, and will vigorously defend the said matters presently before the Court.
The legal action follows a tense April 5 stand-off at the Mohamed family's Houston, Greater Georgetown residence, where GRA officers, accompanied by police ranks, attempted to seize the vehicles after months of failed negotiations and repeated notices. They were met by a hostile mob that blocked the entrance with other vehicles, forcing officers to retreat.
According to GRA, efforts to resolve the matter amicably had included three letters and direct email outreach, all of which went unanswered.
The agency maintains it has "irrefutable evidence" of tax breaches and is pursuing the matter “without fear or favour.”
The vehicles at the centre
of the controversy carry staggering unpaid tax liabilities, including $479.7 million for a 2020 Ferrari; $371.7 million for a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster; $320 million for a 2023 Rolls-Royce; $61.4 million for a 2023 Range Rover, and $24.6 million each for two Toyota Land Cruisers, pushing the total close to $1.2 billion.
PPP has never protected criminality Meanwhile, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has strongly rebutted suggestions that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has shielded the Mohamed family from prosecution. During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo accused opposition figures and select media outlets of hypocrisy, recalling past claims that the PPP was “protecting” the Mohameds— claims now contradicted by opposition support for the businessmen.
“The PPP has never condoned wrongdoing,” Jagdeo declared. “Back in 2022, I publicly stated the party would not allow any businessman involved in illegal activities to tarnish our reputation. That included Azruddin Mohamed.”
Jagdeo further blasted the opposition People’s National Congress (PNC) and their media allies for what he called “a 180-degree reversal” in narrative. He noted that the same opposition leaders who once
labelled the Mohameds as a “criminal cabal protected by the PPP” are now rallying around the family, portraying them as victims.
“The tables have turned,” Jagdeo remarked. “They are now meeting with the Mohameds, defending them online, and flooding social media with troll accounts pretending to show public support.”
Moreover, he cited opposition-affiliated figures, accusing them of pushing misleading headlines, including one recently labelling a non-PPP individual as a “PPP official” in connection to United States (US) inquiries related to the Mohameds.
“Roshan Khan, who is not a PPP member, was labelled a
PPP official just to fit the narrative,” Jagdeo said. “It’s dishonest.”
GRA defends its actions
While the Mohameds claim they are being politically targeted, the GRA insists its actions are routine and grounded in law.
President Dr Irfaan Ali greeting Minister of State in the Defence Ministry of the United Kingdom, the Right Lord Vernon Coaker, at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown on Friday
Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, along with Minister of State in the Defence Ministry of the United Kingdom, the Right Lord Vernon Coaker, signing the MoU while Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan; UK’s Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller among others, look on
Mother of 2 charged with theft of over $600,000 from former employer
Aformer clerk of the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, is now on bail after she was charged with stealing more than $600,000 from her former workplace.
Toni Parris, 24, of Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared on Friday before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where she was arraigned for larceny by a clerk or servant.
It is alleged that on November 27, 2024, Parris stole $643,060 from the hospital while employed as a clerk. She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Her attorney, in a bail application, told the court that Parris is a single mother of two young children - ages four and five - and that she is now earning a living as a hairdresser after being let go by the hospital in December 2024.
The lawyer stated that her client followed proper procedures on the day in question, placing all funds into the designated vault, as per hospital protocol.
Additionally, the defence
Charged: Toni Parris
pointed out that the area where Parris worked was under surveillance and also insisted that she poses no flight risk.
However, the prosecution opposed bail, emphasising the serious nature of the allegation. The prosecutor stated that according to information from the hospital, some 16 patients had conducted business on the day in question, but Parris failed to submit a required financial report.
They claimed that although a security camera was reportedly positioned at her workstation, it was not operational at the time of the incident.
In response to the prosecutor’s statement that the theft occurred on Parris’s birthday,
Magistrate McGusty asked whether it was being suggested that the money was taken as a birthday gift, since the prosecutor had mentioned it was her birthday. The prosecutor replied, “Not really,” but maintained that the timing was suspicious.
The court heard that
Parris had previously been granted station bail after being arrested and remained in the region for more than four months after the initial investigation.
Magistrate McGusty released Parris on $75,000 bail. The case will continue on May 9.
Judge blocks GRA...
In a statement issued after the court’s temporary restraining order on April 5, the agency defended its practices as consistent with those applied to public servants, diplomats, and businesses, noting similar high-profile seizures in the past—including that of Bai-Shan-Lin’s luxury vehicles in 2016.
As legal proceedings unfold, attention now turns to the upcoming May 15 hearing, which could determine whether the GRA can proceed with enforcement, or whether the Mohameds will succeed in overturning the tax assessments.
In 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had announced that it sanctioned against
Nazar Mohamed and his son, Azruddin Mohamed, several of their companies, and a Guyanese Government official, Mae Thomas, for their roles in alleged public corruption in Guyana.
According to a statement from OFAC, this is related to the evasion of taxes on gold exports, noting that between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilograms (kg) of gold from import and export declarations, and avoided paying more than US$50 million (over $10 billion Guyana dollars) in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.
Since being sanctioned, the Mohameds have never directly addressed the sanctions imposed by the US Government.
Remembering…
…an old politician
And here your Eyewitness thought that with all the stress in the lives of politicians: agonizing every minute, 24/7, about whether people gonna vote for them or their corruption would be exposed!! - they’d be prime candidates for early visits from the Grim Reaper with the scythe!! But Eusi Kwayana, who just celebrated his ONEHUNDREDTH birthday, has proven to be an exception to the rule!!
How the heck did he do it?? Well, he’s a walking poster boy for clean living. Seems this man doesn’t drink alcohol; stopped after WWII ended in 1945, when he was twenty; eats mostly uncooked stuff, like nuts and fruits; and gets his full night’s sleep!!
Sadly, your Eyewitness is just the opposite: he enjoys his vino; loves his food well cooked; and just can’t get no sleep!! Your Eyewitness –who’s no spring chicken, thank you!! - can just imagine what it must’ve been like to grow up in the 1920s. Did we have a ‘swinging 20s’, like your Eyewitness read had happened in America?? Well, maybe we did, since it was said that Kwayana – who was born Sydney King – was quite a swinger in rural Buxton, where he lived!! So, what happened?? Did he, like Saul on the way to Damascus, hear a booming voice from the sky to keep him on the straight and narrow??
Well, almost!! Buxton always had a vibrant political culture born out of the village movement, and from where early leaders like a fella named Fredricks had gone abroad and returned with ideas about lifting up the African community. He formed the Negro Progress Convention to do just that. King was exposed to those ideas, but had also – like all Africans, such as Critchlow – become attracted to the ideas of that Biblical -looking prophet Karl Marx and the brave new world being created in Russia based on those ideas, and was transformed.
The 1943 return of Cheddi Jagan, who also was influenced by Marx to mobilise politically, captivated the young King, and the rest, as they say, is history. King helped Cheddi get elected to Parliament in 1947, and became a PPP candidate and minister in the 1953 Government at the tender age of 28!! In the PPP split of 1955, he first went with Cheddi’s faction, then joined the newly-formed PNC after Burnham lost the 1957 elections.
Seems he was quite miffed when Cheddi put up Balram Singh Rai against him when he ran as an independent out of the East Coast Constituency!! That “betrayal” by Jagan was never forgiven, and King reverted to the Black nationalism of his youth: became Eusi Kwayana and formed several “African” organizations to support Burnham and take on Cheddi!! Hell hath no fury like a protégé scorned!!
…blackouts
One of the distinguishing – NOT distinguished!! –features of the PNC’s twenty-eight years of dictatorship were blackouts!! That phenomenon’s been one every Government since has tried to solve, so as not to hear about being taken back to “Burnham days”!! The PPP tried every which way to keep the promise, but on Thursday, there it was again –blackout!! Now, we’re told the problem wasn’t generating capacity, but was technical; meaning we now have enough power to satisfy total power demand, and not to practise “load shedding”.
What we’re beginning to appreciate is that keeping a stable and reliable power supply in a country as far-flung as ours ain’t simple. There’s the generating side, that uses the generators we’ve been sourcing, including the power ship. But there’s also the transmission of that power to us the users, the technicality of which is very highly underrated. Luckily, Government’s now treating this aspect separately as it rushes to complete new power generation at the Wales Gas-to-Shore Plant.
We’re slowing reaching the no-blackout goal!!
…the poor
Pressie just announced that fees for writing the CSEC and CAPE exams in high schools would now be paid by the Government!! When the PNC boasted about “free education”, they ignored exam fees, which balked many a poor student.
FRPM PAGE 7
Top prison officials urged to rethink approach to prisoners
…as Benn calls for more humane treatment for inmates
Recognising that prisoners are often treated significantly worse that other demographics in society— a call to action was made for prison officers particularly those in high positions to re-evaluate their approach when dealing with inmates.
On Friday the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) hosted its annual Chief Officers’ Conference. This two-day conference brings together senior officers and stakeholders in the correctional system to review achievements, address operational challenges, and plan strategically for the year ahead.
The conference agenda includes reviews of the 2024 performance, work plans for 2025, infrastructure and operational updates, and strategies to enhance inmate welfare and corrections. Themed sessions and working groups are ex-
pected to set the tone for reforms aligned with the GPS’s mission of fostering safe, modern, and rehabilitative correctional environments.
Speaking at the opening ceremony was Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn who highlighted that for decades persons within the prison system are oftentimes treated in the most inhumane ways. However, as the country continues its prison development agenda Benn stressed the importance of prison officers finding better avenues to manage persons within the system.
“We cannot develop if we don't respect each other and care for those who fall off, if we don't bring them back to a position where they could be safe, where we could turn them out wholesome, or even if we have to keep them forever. To make the society and the communities and even
themselves safe, we cannot continue in a vein of cruelty to ourselves and our people. The mission of the prison service is to secure those persons who pose serious risks to the society, to themselves, and their community, and to turn them out better persons and useful persons in this society.”
Minister Benn added, “So we have to be able to change the approach and the mindset of the prisoners, but the change we want to see in the prisoners and in the prison, system is a change that has to come from us.”
Meanwhile, also delivering remarks at the opening ceremony was Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot who revealed that most prison incidents occur due to a lack of standard operating procedures (SOPs). As such he urged the seniors present at the event to ensure that they are well round-
ed and au fait with the various practices and procedures needed to smoothly run the prison system.
“Changing culture and mindset for corrections and that's why you are the driving force for the enforcement of SOPs. You are the ones who work daily in the prison operations. You are the one who understand what is required from the prison routine and that's why as you meet today, as we discuss the fundamental thing that you need to understand is you need to change your culture and your mindset.”
“You are the ones who's supposed to be setting the right standard at your level. You are the ones who's supposed to be ensuring that those below you understand what is required. If you don't understand what your basic role and function is, it's a dif-
ficult task for you. Once you understand that, it therefore means it puts you on the platform to be the driver, to be the enforcer and when you look at all the incidents that occurred over the period, it is because of lack of enforcement of those SOPs and regulations.”
In early 2025, the prison population in Guyana was 2,032 inmates. Women made up a small percentage, with 69 incarcerated. The Ministry of Home Affairs reported a
significant increase in prison population, reaching just over 2,000.
Moreover, the GPS over the years has prioritised rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society through various training and development programmes. These programmes focus on skills development, literacy, and psychological support to equip inmates with the tools they need for a successful transition back into the community.
Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot
Some speed limits are “unusually low”; specialists need to relook at them – Jagdeo
Vice President (VP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has admitted that some of the speed limits established for various roadways are “unusually low” and suggested that the “specialists” re-look at them.
“You don’t want to go overboard in any direction. So, speed limits that are safe, but don’t become so cumbersome that everyone will get charge because they are so unusually low on a highway,” the VP said in response to questions during his press conference on Thursday.
However, he noted that this is something which specialists need to examine, not politicians.
Speed limits are currently set at 100 km/h on highways, 50–80 km/h on rural roads, and 50 km/h in urban areas. In 2009, the then Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, implemented the existing national speed limits.
Rohee at the time had said that the implementation of new speed limits was as a result of calls made by several members of the public. Organisations such as the National Road
Safety Council, the National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO), Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and the Police Traffic Department, had participated in consultations.
The newly built Heroes Highway currently shows speed limits of 80km/h and under.
On April 7, the Government launched its e-ticketing system and within the first 12 hours, over
250 violations for speeding were recorded.
Almost $2 million in fines was generated by the state within those first 12 hours following the launch of the e-ticketing system countrywide.
According to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s April 7 social media update, there were 259 speeding violations; 29 for failure to wear seatbelts, and one for driving while using a mobile device. One driver, captured on radar at a dangerous 152 km/h along the East Coast, is already being summoned to court.
Traffic Chief Singh has told Guyana Times that there are two types of radar devices being used as part of the system, and drivers should not confuse them.
He explained that radar speed signs, which display a driver’s speed in real-time, serve as a traffic calming measure designed to encourage safer driving.
However, the speed cameras, which are part of the Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS) Project, are mounted above and across roads and are responsible for automatically capturing speeding violations and generating tickets.
“The cameras, it’s two different things you’re seeing on the highway. One is a traffic calming measure which the speed radar sign and the speed cameras which are linked to the safe road intelligence system is mounted above and across the road… On the Covent Garden Road, you will see it across the road, it’s mounted above where you were driving. It’s not mounted parallel to where you’re driving. The thing that is parallel which is on a post and gives you an orange number based on the speed you’re traveling as a traffic calming measure. That’s a speed radar sign,” Singh explained.
CANU nab Colombian, Venezuelan with over 5kg cocaine in Georgetown
Oquantity of cocaine.
Acting on information received, the CANU officers conducted an operation at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown on Friday.
During the opera-
tion, two foreign nationals: a Colombian and a Venezuelan, were intercepted and searched. The search revealed a quantity of cocaine, which weighed 5.536 kilograms (kg).
Investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, CANU agents unearthed a quantity of marijuana on Thursday at a residence at Bakershop Dam #75
Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
During a search of the residence, the cannabis, which weighed 100 kg, was found. Two persons are currently in custody assisting with investigations.
Search for 2 missing Berbice fishermen continues
Family members of the two West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) fishermen who have been missing since Wednesday, along with officers of the Marine Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Coast Guard, continued their search on Friday for the men.
On Wednesday, 17-yearold Visual Parmanand and
32-year-old Daniel Inchanally both of Cotton Tree, WCB left Crabwood Creek (CWC), at around 15:30h on Monday, and were expected to sail along Guyana’s Atlantic coast to the estuary of the Berbice River, where they were to moor the boat at the ThreeDoor landing site at D’Edward village.
They have not been seen since.
The boat was discovered Wednesday along the Tain foreshore by a fisherman. At the time, a bag containing the teenager's belongings, including his cellular phone, was in the boat, and the 60hp engine was still on the vessel.
The boat owner and fisherman, Mahindranauth Parmanand, who is also the father of the teen, said it was a new boat he had made, and had purchased a new engine,
Daniel Inchanally and Visual Parmanand
hoping to put it into operation that Wednesday.
The search for the missing men began Wednesday morning and continued up to Friday. Up to press time, they had not been found.
Parmanand, who owns two other fishing boats, said police used a drone in aiding them in the search, while the Coast Guard assisted in the search in the Atlantic.
He said that on Friday, they searched along the Coast from where the boat was discovered at Tain, going east to Number 37 Village and west from Tain to Albion.
According to Parmanand, they have planned to search the beaches stretching from Rosignol to Abary along the WCB.
The search is expected to continue today.
fficers attached to the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) have arrested two foreign nationals after they were found in possession of a
The cocaine found on the two foreign nationals
Pres Ali backs stronger US-Guyana medical alliance
President Dr Irfaan Ali has hailed the deepening of United States (US)-Guyana partnership in health care, as a model for transformational international cooperation, praising the visiting Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025, during a special luncheon at State House.
The President’s remarks came as the second deployment of LAMAT medical professionals—comprising 60 US Army and Air Force doctors, nurses, and technicians—executed a two-week mission across five major medical facilities in Guyana, including the Port Mourant Hospital, the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Cheddi Jagan Dental School.
“It is because both Guyana and the United States, we are both taking a deliberate strategy in our foreign policy, in our securi-
ty, in our economy to build out this relationship capturing all of these values and these characteristics that you spoke of”.
“Our partnership with the United States is one that we value immensely. It is based on mutual commitment to regional peace, prosperity and development. Whether it is through support for maritime space, disaster preparedness or humanitarian purpose, the United States continues to be a steadfast partner to Guyana. We also recognise and appreciate the support of all those who made this mission possible. From the planners and coordinators to the logistics team and trainers, your contributions have not gone unnoticed,” Ali said.
Over the last two- weeks, the LAMAT team delivered essential medical and dental services in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, aimed to strengthen healthcare capacity and bilateral ties.
Among the highlights of the mission was a land-
mark paediatric eye surgery performed on a twomonth-old child—described by President Ali as “a first in Guyana’s medical history”— that restored sight and offered new hope to the family.
According to the Guyanese leader, such procedures emphasise the importance of knowledge transfer between Guyana and the US.
“The significance of your presence lies not only in what you do but in what you represent. Missions like these are fine examples of the value of modern defence cooperation. No longer is defence cooperation confined to joint exercises or military operations. It now embraces a broader more inclusive vision. One that encompasses humanitarian missions, civil military exchanges and people-to-people connections,”
“The words like partnership, doing it together, building trust, collaboration, success together, building bonds of friendship, support and continuity…Those are the words that define the rela-
tionship between the US and Guyana. Those are the words that define what we are building in this strong bilateral relationship,” the President said.
In his address, Ali also expressed hope for the ex-
pansion of future US missions to include more remote and hinterland regions, ensuring equitable health access for all Guyanese.
“Guyana looks forward with anticipation to hosting similar missions in the future. We see them as valuable opportunities to not only improve the well-being of our people but to continue building the bonds of trust and cooperation between our two countries,” he added.
All or nothing: APNU-AFC coalition deal hinges on single sticking point – PNCR
Executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Ganesh Mahipaul on Friday emphasised that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) partnerships negotiations are all or nothing, stating there will be no agreement unless the PNC/R secures its position on a single pivotal issue.
Responding to questions during the PNC/R’s weekly virtual press conference, Mahipaul confirmed that the outlook continues to be bleak, establishing that no matter how much ground the talks gain, it will all be in vain unless the PNC/R gets its way.
“Nothing is agreed until all is agreed. So even if we have 999 things agreed upon and one isn't agreed on, nothing is agreed,” Mahipaul outlined.
Although Mahipaul did not explicitly state what the deciding condition is, he did signal that it concerns the coalition’s presidential candidate, as he reaffirmed the PNC/R’s position that only its leader, Aubrey Norton, can be the presidential candidate or can select who the candidate will be.
“The PNCR and the APNU reposed the confidence in Aubrey Compton Norton as the presidential candidate and if there is any change from that it is Mr Norton who would have to make that change so the
party and the APNU partnership repose that confidence in him and that's because we feel very confident that he possesses what is necessary to take us over the line,” Mahipaul affirmed.
Both the PNCR, which is the biggest member of the APNU Coalition, and the AFC have been silent on the way forward with coalition negotiations since a previous agreement deadline expired on March 31. Since the deadline expired, the two sides have put no timeline cap on further discussions.
“There isn't any focus necessarily on a direct timeline,” Mahipaul said.
Despite months of negotiations, the choice of presidential candidate for any resulting coalition remains at the forefront of the stalemate between the two sides.
The PNC/R has explicitly maintained that it will not budge from its stance that Norton be the presidential candidate.
In a statement in March, the AFC released its terms calling for their Leader Nigel Hughes to be the presidential candidate. The AFC also demanded a 40-60 power split of positions in APNU’s favour, and that the presidential candidate’s party should not hold the Leader of the List position, which controls parliamentary appointments and removal. On Friday, Mahipaul would
only say that the PNCR has responded to the AFC’s demands.
“Yes we have responded and our communication between the AFC and ourselves. We are having lots of communications so to speak, but it remains confidential it's a process,” Mahipaul noted.
Guyana Times understands that the PNC has rejected this proposal pointing out that the presidential candidate must be from the PNC.
The AFC and APNU first joined forces in 2015 under the Cummingsburg Accord, revised in 2019 with fewer concessions for the AFC before expiring in December 2022. The coalition won the 2015 elections but lost power after a no-confidence motion in 2018.
Originally, the AFC held a 40 per cent stake in the coalition, which was reduced to 30 per cent in the 2019 revision. The party’s declining influence was reflected in its poor performance in the 2018 local Government elections and its perceived role in the no-confidence motion’s passage. Following their 2020 election loss, the APNU/AFC alliance officially ended in December 2022 when the Accord was not renewed.
On March 31 it was reported that despite months of negotiations, APNU and the AFC remain deadlocked over the terms of a coalition for the 2025 elections, with
Cop on $90,000 bail for alleged assault, illegal gun possession
Aserving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 44-year-old Kevon Denny, found himself before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court once again, this time facing charges of allegedly assaulting his former partner and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred on April 16 at Jamoon Drive, West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown. Denny, who appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, was not required to enter a plea.
According to the prosecution, on April 16, Denny allegedly assaulted Christine Baird, his former lover, during an altercation at her residence. He was also allegedly found to be in possession of an unlicensed .38 pistol at the same location.
Attorney-at-law Leslie Sobers, representing the cop, told the court that the allegations arose following the breakdown of a relationship between the two. He claimed that the dispute stemmed from Denny attempting to retrieve his personal belongings, which Baird reported-
Charged: Kevon Denny
ly refused to return. Sobers further argued that his client poses no flight risk and requested that he be released on self-bail.
However, an attorney representing the virtual complainant, Casside Nurse, had challenged those assertions, stating that Denny had left no belongings behind. Additionally, the prosecution aligned with Nurse’s position and objected to self-bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the need for accountability.
After hearing the submissions, Magistrate McGusty granted $15,000 bail for the
assault charge and $75,000 for the firearm offence. The matter was adjourned to May 9.
This is not the first time Denny has faced charges. In 2009, he was among a group of policemen charged with stealing millions of dollars recovered from suspects linked to the high-profile robbery and murder of gold dealer Dweive Kant Ramdass.
At the time, Denny, then a Cadet Officer stationed at the Leonora Police Station, was charged alongside other ranks for allegedly stealing $4.3 million during a roadblock operation at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara (WBD). The money, which belonged a businessman was part of a larger sum reportedly recovered during the search. Prosecutors then had alleged that while $5.8 million was initially seized, only $1.5 million was officially lodged, raising suspicions about missing funds.
Investigators also charged Jermaine and Collin James for allegedly misleading police during the probe, including providing false information about the vehicle used in the suspected removal of the stolen cash.
the choice of presidential candidate for a Coalition Government remaining at the forefront of the stalemate.
The two parties, which previously coalesced for the 2015 and 2020 elections, had set a March 31 deadline to finalise an agreement. However, as the deadline passed, disagreements persisted. Though both sides attempted to present an optimistic out-
2
look, statements and comments from members of either side continue to suggest little progress toward a mutual agreement.
Just days before the March 31 meeting of the two parties, PNC/R Leader Aubrey Norton, whose party is the largest faction in APNU, made it clear that the PNC/R would not accept what he described as disrespect or external dictates given that the PNC/R
carries “the burden of the work”. Delivering remarks at the PNC/R General Council Norton told the gathering of PNC/R members that: “We ain’t going to let nobody take their eyes pass we. I want to make this commitment to you that this party will not allow anybody to ride on our backs. We are prepared to engage and be reasonable but we are not prepared to bend over backwards.”
die, 2 seriously injured in separate interior accidents
Two persons are dead and two others seriously injured following separate road accidents in Regions Nine and 10, within a 24-hour period.
The fatal crashes occurred in Nappi Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), on Thursday night, and along the Mabura Road, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), on Friday.
While police have not is-
sued statements on the accidents, it was reported that in Mabura, one man died and another was seriously injured, following an accident involving a logging truck along the 5-miles stretch of the Mabura Road on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Marvin Williams of Ideal, Soesdyke-Linden Highway. He was reportedly traveling in the company of Dion Wilson, a porter, who sustained serious injuries.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident on Thursday night, a motorcyclist was killed and another man seriously injured following a headon collision in Nappi Village, Region Nine. Dead is Hamlet Henrico, while Deon Mac Donald was left critically injured. Reports indicate that one of the motorcycles involved was not equipped with lights, which may have contributed to the crash.
Fraudster jailed for $30M investment scam
Cfraudster Dave Rajeshwar Persaud, also known as Dave Persaud or Raj Persaud, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court, after being found guilty of obtaining GY$30,000,000 by false pretence.
Persaud, who was the subject of multiple fraud and money laundering investigations, was convicted under Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, following a charge brought by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). According to the case presented in court, the fraudulent act took place between September 4 and 8, 2023. During that period, Persaud, with intent to defraud, convinced a woman to invest GY$30 million, sourced from her late husband’s life insurance policy — into a fictitious business venture, claiming she would receive a 50 per cent profit within two weeks.
Persaud had claimed the funds would be invested into his company, “Dave Persaud Investment Co.,” and promised the complainant a return of GY$15,000,000 within two weeks. However, that never materialised.
Investigations revealed that in August 2023, Persaud approached the complainant at her East Bank Demerara (EBD) property under the pretence of renting the premises. During his visit, he claimed to be a businessman involved in grocery importation and distribution, as well as the owner of an auto dealership.
Gaining the complainant’s trust, Persaud further encouraged her to promote the investment opportunity to other residents in the community, promising unusually high returns of between 50 per cent and 80 per cent on investments through his so-called company, none of which actually existed.
Following the two-week deadline with no returns on her investment, the com-
plainant questioned Persaud about the promised profits. However, she never recovered the $30 million she had invested. It was later discovered that the entire operation was a Ponzi-style scheme.
SOCU began an extensive investigation and manhunt for Persaud, who fled the jurisdiction between September 2023 and April 2024, seeking refuge in neighbouring Brazil.
onvicted
Dave Rajeshwar Persaud, aka Dave Persaud or Raj Persaud
The accident that occurred in Nappi
The accident that occurred in Mabura (Photo credit: Mark Goring)
Mother dies after rescuing 5-year-old son in Berbice River boat mishap
…“You can’t die with me!” – child recalls mother saying
Origins Fashion Festival homegrown, backed by huge investment – Tourism Minister …dismisses “false claims” by Marrisa Wilson NY
Tourism, Industry & Commerce Minister on Friday shut down defamatory claims made by Guyanese-American, New York based fashion designer Marissa Wilson about its ‘Origins’ Guyana Fashion Festival.
One person is now dead after a boat capsized in the Berbice River early Friday morning. The mother of two reportedly pushed her 5-year-old son out of the boat, before being trapped inside the upturned vessel.
The incident occurred during the dark hours of Friday morning with two children – the 5-year-old and a 7-year-old – and five adults on board; all but one survived.
The dead person has been identified as 30-yearold Kayandra Lindie of Main Street, Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice.
Lindie, who was a cook at a New Amsterdam hotel, was travelling with her 5-year-old when the incident occurred in the vicinity of De Veldt Village, Berbice River.
The now dead woman’s brother, Kesseon Lindie, told this publication that it is still unknown what caused the
boat to capsize.
“The boat hit something, but nobody is sure what it is because the place was dark. So nobody is sure if it is a log or a water animal, we are not certain,” he explained.
Lindie left home Thursday to visit Sand Hills – a village along the Berbice River – to return on Friday. It was on her way back that the tragedy occurred.
“Her son was in the boat and what he said was that his mother pushed him out of the boat and said, ‘You can’t die with me’ and when she go to come out she stifled and died in the boat,” the brother disclosed.
Boat captain, 34-year-old Aldwayn Den Harte, of Sand Hills Village; Michael Tappin, 27, of One Mile Extension, Linden, and Naomi Walcott 25, of South Sophia, Georgetown, who is a Human Resources Ministry employee, received
Linden sawmill dump fire
injuries and were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital.
Seven-year-old Harlington Bell, a student residing at Sand Hills Village, and “Maffie” (only name given), were the other passengers in the boat. They were also taken to the hospital, examined, and found not to be in need of medical attention and hence sent away.
Den Harte told investigators that while navigating near De Veldt Village, he felt an impact at the engine area, following which he lost control of the vessel, and it subsequently capsized.
Reports are that a passing passenger boat was able to rescue the four adults and two children who were in the water. None of them reportedly wore life jackets.
Police ranks from Central Police Station in New Amsterdam have since visited the scene and an investigation is currently in progress.
Sawmill operators advised to halt operations as 2nd fire is ignited
More than 72hrs after a blaze erupted at a sawmill waste dump in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), industrial operators who use the area have been advised to halt all operations until further notice. According to reports from the Home Affairs Ministry, the fire at the site of the Waaldijk Sawmill in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, which broke out Wednesday evening (April 9, 2025), has been contained but not yet fully extinguished. As such, crews are working diligently to prevent any resurgence or spread of the blaze.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) are strongly urging all surrounding sawmill operators to temporarily cease operations. This comes as emergency efforts continue and risks remain high in the immediate area.
This appeal follows a recent incident in which a nearby hut caught fire and was severely damaged. Preliminary reports indicate that the fire was triggered by negligent disposal of fresh timber waste by a nearby sawmill operation. The waste was placed too close to the fire's edge,
where it ignited and spread to the shed, resulting in significant destruction.
Firefighters reported that there are approximately ten sawmills operating in close proximity to the fire zone, further compounding the risk. The cooperation of all operators is deemed critical to ensuring the safety of personnel, equipment, and surrounding property.
Emergency response teams remain actively engaged to extinguish the inferno. The public is reminded to stay clear of the area while firefighting and containment activities are ongoing.
The response follows after Wilson took to her social media page to accuse Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond of ripping off her concept completely. In fact, the New York- based fashion designer stated that the event is being politicised.
“Three years ago, I pitched a proposal directly to Guyanese Minister of Tourism, a runway show to celebrate Guyanese culture, to grow the local fashion industry, and to bring tourism to the country…It is designed to support the president's re-election campaign, not the fashion community.”
“They are using my brand, Marissa Wilson New York, and my name, to suggest credibility while ignoring every actual aspect of the proposals and the strategy that will actually make real impact in the potential of the local Guyanese fashion industry. So, I want to be very crystal clear. I do not support the Origins Guyana Fashion Festival.” Wilson said.
However, on Friday Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond during a live broadcast on her social media page debunked Marissa’s defamatory remarks about the festival.
According to Minister Waldron, the Origins brand was developed by a team of Guyanese industry practitioners and event organisers, assembled by the Ministry to advance the Government’s investment in support of Guyana’s emerging fashion industry.
The Minister revealed that Wilson and her team were contacted by a representative of Alex Graham, who is the Event Director of the inaugural Origins. Mr Graham met virtually with Marrisa and her team
on March 13, 2025. In that meeting, the goals of the Origins Guyana Fashion Festival were first shared and there was a meeting of minds on the goals and on a general approach about how Marissa, her brand, and her team could participate.
In an effort to demonstrate how they can participate in the Origins Guyana Fashion Festival (with no scope of participation being settled), Marrisa and her team provided a 3-minute video to be shown at the launch and to have the Origins brand included in some of their images. The images were never used but the video was shown during the launch event.
On March 31, 2025, and based on further conversations, for the first time, Marrisa’s team submitted a proposal, inclusive of costs, outlining how her team could contribute to the inaugural Origins Guyana Fashion Festival.
However, the comprehensive proposal covers some areas that are already being handled by other Guyanese fashion creatives; as a result of these clashes, internal discussions were still ongoing regarding the scope of Marrisa’s participation. It is during these deliberations that Wilson responded with the erroneous and mischievous video that has now been reposted by several others.
In her response, Minister Waldron stated, “Marrisa’s work and achievement are outstanding, and it is there-
fore disappointing that someone of Guyanese roots, who had an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the industry here, quickly choose to go public with distortions, exaggerations, and lies, in response to our effort to include her and her team.”
She added, “The Government of Guyana is firmly of the view that Guyana is not just a land of natural beauty and economic potential; we are a force in fashion, creativity, and culture. As such, this festival is a visionary initiative, spearheaded by Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, to give our designers a global platform. It is a declaration that Guyana’s fashion industry is ready to shine, and we invite the world to take notice. We will remain committed to the task and continue to work to deliver a world class show in May.”
Serving as a catalyst to propel Guyana’s unique flare and the rise of local designers a new platform—the Origins fashion festival is set to be a transformative experience, promoting couture like never seen before.
Happening May 2–4, 2025 at the historic Railway Courtyard in Georgetown, this landmark three-day fashion event celebrates innovation, heritage, and the future of fashion in Guyana, offering emerging and established talent a high-profile platform to shine on a national and global stage.
Fraudster jailed for $30M...
A wanted bulletin was issued, and with regional cooperation, he was eventually apprehended and returned to Guyana to face charges.
In June 2024, he was officially charged with obtaining money by false pretence and remanded to prison pending trial.
Delivering her ruling on Friday, Magistrate Fortune found that all elements of
the offence were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. She described the scheme as a calculated act of deception that preyed on a grieving widow’s trust and financial vulnerability.
The matter was prosecuted by SOCU Prosecutors Aaron Daniels and Neville Jeffers.
Speaking on the conviction, SOCU Head, Deputy Commissioner Fazil
Karimbaksh, noted that this case represents one of several ongoing investigations involving Persaud, who has been linked to a string of serious financial crimes in Guyana.
Karimbaksh reaffirmed SOCU’s commitment to pursuing offenders who engage in large-scale financial scams, and exploitation of innocent citizens for personal gain
Dead: Kayandra Lindie Undertakers removing Lindie’s body from the waterfront
Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond
Around the World OIL NEWS
OPEC hikes output, trade wars have US oil producers wary of 'drill baby drill'
President Donald Trump moved on his first day in office to increase U.S. oil and gas production, but the country's oil industry is actually starting to think about cutting output and jobs due to a double whammy of higher crude output from OPEC and on-again, off-again tariffs that have dented demand.
Trump campaigned on the motto of "drill baby drill," and the national energy emergency he declared on his first day of office was designed to make it easier for companies to increase production, while he instructed officials to do everything they could to bolster the industry.
Instead, the market has been rattled by a steep slump in U.S. crude futures to near $55 a barrel this month from about $78 the day before Trump was sworn in. Many companies say they cannot drill profitably if oil prices fall under $65 a barrel.
New tariffs will make it more expensive to buy steel and equipment, industry watchers said, which could further discourage drilling unless oil prices rise substantially.
"They've definitely opened the door for the OPEC countries to gain market share here, and it's an inadvertent, self-inflicted wound," said Roe Patterson, managing partner of Marauder Capital, a private equity firm investing in U.S. oilfield services sector.
"It was counter-intuitive for the administration to think that oil companies would 'drill, baby, drill' when prices were lower," he added.
"In reality, even a company operating on $40 break even acreage would be inclined to slow down activity when prices fall below $65 per barrel, as their level of dividend coverage would be at risk," said Matthew Bernstein, a vice president at Rystad. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Israeli military organises tourist tours of newly occupied Syrian territory
Israel’s military is organising hiking tours for civilians in newly occupied Syrian territory during the Passover holiday, local media has reported.
The twice-daily tours in the contested Golan Heights will run for a week beginning this Sunday. Tickets sold out almost immediately.
Under a military escort in bulletproof buses, small groups will travel up to 2.5km into Syrian territory that was off limits until the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) seized the Golan buffer zone after the fall of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December.
Small plane crashes in Boca Raton, Florida; all 3 on board killed
All three people on board a small plane were killed when the aircraft crashed in Boca Raton, Florida, on Friday morning, according to local officials and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The "aircraft had apparently some mechanical issues and went down here on Military Trail," Michael LaSalle, assistant fire chief for Boca Fire Rescue, said at a news conference. "Also, there was a car on the ground."
One man in the car suf-
fered non-life-threatening injuries, LaSalle said. "He hit a tree because of all the debris and the fire."
The Cessna 310R took off from Boca Raton Airport and was heading to Tallahassee International Airport, the FAA said. It was in the air for a little less than 20 minutes before it crashed, according to Flightradar24.
Dillon Smith was at his office when he saw the plane flying "extremely low".
"I just saw it drop below the trees" and "heard a boom," Smith said. He said his office windows shook and he saw a "fireball." (Excerpt from ABC News)
China raises duties on US goods to 125%, calls Trump's tariff strategy a 'joke'
China hiked its levies on imports of U.S. goods to 125% on Friday, hitting back at Donald Trump's decision to single out the world's No.2 economy for higher duties, while dismissing the U.S. president's tariff strategy as "a joke."
"The U.S. side's imposition of excessively high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, runs count-
er to basic economic principles and common sense, and is simply an act of unilateral bullying and coercion," China's Finance Ministry said in a statement.
The tit-for-tat increases stand to make goods trade between the world's two largest economies impossible, analysts say, with import duties above around 35% wiping out Chinese exporters' profit margins and making American offerings
in China similarly overly expensive.
"Even if the U.S. continues to impose even higher tariffs, it would no longer have any economic significance and would go down as a joke in the history of world economics," the Finance Ministry's statement added.
"If the U.S. continues to play a numbers game with tariffs, China will not respond," it added. However it left the door open for Beijing
to turn to other types of retaliation, reiterating that China would fight the U.S. to the end.
UBS analysts said in a note that China's declaration that it would not retaliate in kind against any further tariff increases was "an acknowledgment that trade between the two countries has essentially been completely severed". (Source: Reuters)
Nigeria bans airing of song criticising president
The Nigerian authorities have banned broadcasters from playing the song Tell Your Papa, which criticises the country's leader.
Artist Eedris Abdulkareem's lyrics slam President Bola Tinubu and urge his influential son, Seyi, to let his father know
"people are dying" through hardship and insecurity and there is "hunger" in the country.
In a letter to TV and radio stations, the National Broadcast Commission (NBC), which issues licenses and regulates the industry, ordered the track not to be played, saying it violates the
country's broadcast code.
The NBC said it considered Tell Your Papa's content to be "inappropriate" and "objectionable" adding that it falls short of public decency standards.
Released earlier in the week, the song has gained a lot of attention on social media in Nigeria and has
sparked debate regarding the economic and security situation in the country. As the licensing authority, the NBC can sanction broadcasters for ignoring its orders. In the past they have fined stations and suspended licenses for violations. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Over 1,000 rounds of ammunition seized in St Mary Parish area, Jamaica
More than 1,000 rounds of ammunition were seized by police during an operation in the Castleton area of the St Mary, Jamaica, parish on Thursday.
The St Mary police did not indicate whether or not
In response to questions from Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the IDF said that the tour was “inside Israel”, rather than Syria, although the visits take place in the Golan Heights demilitarised buffer zone, internationally recognised as Syrian territory.
The IDF began a heavy bombing campaign across Syria targeting the regime’s weapons stockpiles shortly after Assad fled the country, while ground troops advanced in violation of a 1974 agreement. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967 and now controls hundreds more square kilometres of Syrian land.
an arrest was made in connection to the massive seizure. A statement on the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Facebook page said during a targeted operation in Devon Pen, Castleton, law enforc-
ers seized 591 rounds of 12-gauge cartridges; 318 rounds of .38; 78 live 9mm rounds and two spent casings; 76 rounds of .45; 11 rounds of 5.56; seven rounds of 7.62; 4 rounds of .22; one round of .303, and 9 firearm magazines.
Law enforcers said the operations form part of continued efforts by the police to disrupt the trafficking and storage of illegal weapons and ammunition in the parish. (Source: Loop Caribbean Jamaica News)
Venezuelans arrested; drugs, ammo seized during anti-crime exercises in Trinidad capital
Nine persons, including five Venezuelan nationals who are in the country illegally, were arrested on Thursday after police found in their possession a Beretta pistol loaded with a magazine containing 15 rounds of ammunition, wrapped in a pair of camouflage pants.
The arrests were made
during an anti-crime exercise conducted by InterAgency Task Force officers in the Port of Spain Division in Trinidad and Tobago.
A report from the TTPS (Trinidad and Tobago Police Service) said the officers proceeded to an abandoned structure at East Dry River, and following a search, they also discovered a crate con-
taining 50 rounds of assorted ammunition and one magazine.
Meanwhile, officers attached to the City Police Strike Team, assisted by personnel of the Canine Branch, conducted an exercise on Wednesday evening at the Duncan and Nelson Street Plannings.
Police say the intel-
ligence-led operation resulted in the discovery of quantities of ammunition, cannabis, and cocaine. Officers also recovered several cellular phones believed to be linked to numerous reports of Larceny in the Port of Spain district.
(Source: Loop Caribbean T&T News)
Israeli military vehicles on Mount Hermon, where day-trippers will be taken in bulletproof buses on trips organised by the IDF
The site of a small plane crash in Boca Raton, Fla., Apr 11, 2025
Patience, intelligence and direct, bold communication will help you make your way toward your goal. If you want something, it's up to you to go after it with logic, practical application and determination.
Pay attention to detail. Monitor changes to ensure that you get what you want. Apply government or corporate incentives to improve your home's functionality.
Develop outlets for your skills, and market yourself for success. Stick to the script and be careful not to exaggerate. Honesty and integrity will help build reliability and good work relationships.
You'll impress someone with your savvy way of dealing with people and working efficiently. Set high standards, and everyone will want you on their team.
Sit tight, tidy up loose ends and learn about something you want to pursue that will help improve your life. Put more thought and energy into using your talents to subsidize your income.
Join forces with an organization, club or someone who can help you bring about positive change. Social events will boost your morale and could lead to promising partnerships.
Slide into your comfort zone. A more efficient lifestyle or living space will help lower your overhead, leaving more cash for personal use. A unique offer is worth checking out.
Stay focused on your responsibilities. You'll be subject to criticism if you are too accommodating. Don't make a move or reveal your plans until everything is in place.
Bypass anyone or anything that is aggravating you. You want to keep your head clear and fend off disrupters and those who want to exploit you. Attend social events that involve health and fitness.
Do your research, verify facts and refuse to give in to emotional manipulation. Attending an event that offers something you've never encountered will change your perspective.
Check your bank balance, investments and transactions. Review your current job situation and think about how you get along with your cohorts. Invest in yourself and your living space.
Promising too much or taking on unnecessary debt or responsibilities will meet opposition. Treat partnerships with respect, and offer incentives and compromises.
DCB U19 Inter-Association Super 50 Tournament…
G/t Cricket Assn overpower
West Demerara counterparts
Shiloh Adams has showcased his batting prowess with a remarkable innings that has led the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) to register a commanding performance against the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) in a match of the Demerara Cricket Board Under-19 Inter-Association Super 50 tournament played at the Meten-Meer-Zorg ground and before West Demerara fans on Friday, April 11th, 2025.
Having won the toss, GCA elected to bat, and laid the foundation for a solid innings through a 51-
In the secondary school edition, both girls and boys were given the opportunity to compete in windball cricket as the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (MCYS) National Sports Commission (NSC) Sports Officer A. Munroe organized the inaugural Janet & Cheddi Jagan Memorial in Bartica at the Dagg Point Ground. In speaking with the students, they were all happy for the MCYS NSC tournament and the team of officials traveling to Bartica to give them this opportunity to play Windball Cricket.
In the boys’ edition, Bartica Secondary was sent in to bat, and they made 24-6. Travis Da Silva, with figures of 2 for 1, was the standout bowler for Three Miles Secondary. Three Miles Secondary chased the target score, easily reaching 25-0 in 2.1 overs. Ishmel Williams top-scored with 11.
Bartica Secondary batted first and scored 46-4 in the girls’ version; Athalia Simmons led the scoring with 14 and Kamandra Tracy added 11. Rennea Fordyce reduced the batting side with figures of 2 for 6. Latifa Cornet’s outstanding batting of 36 helped Three Miles Secondary win easily in reply. Off only 3.4 overs, the batting team scored 50-0.
The Windball competition also had fixtures played at the Parika Salem Community Ground on East Bank Essequibo. As the fourth school in this year’s championship to win a double, Parika Salem Secondary School players did not let their parents and other supporters down, who were rather noisy during both matches.
Parika Salem males sent Uitvlugt Secondary School into bat first, and it was a disappointing performance from
the batting side. They could only muster a total of 38-2, with Akesh Mohamed (16) & Kevin Suraj (12) being the main contributors. Revaldo Persaud had good bowling figures of 1 for 7.
Parika, in reply, made light work of Uitvlugt’s bowling attack, reaching 39-0 in 2.4 overs, with Shazim Mohamed top-scoring with 23.
The Zeeburg Secondary School chose to bat first in the ladies’ Janet Jagan Memorial game, scoring 36 all out in the five overs. No player scored in double digits for the batting side . For Parika Salem, the bowling effort was outstanding overall, with Alesa Hill taking 3 for 4, Reshana Blake taking 2 for 2, and Shomika Mattias taking 2 for 6. In the end, the Parika women easily achieved the 37-2 and winning the game with Navta Calistro getting 13 as the highest score.
run opening stand between Romeo Deonarain and Shiloh Adams. Udesh Seetaram and Navendra Sankar produced brilliant bowling spells to drag the WDCA team back into the game. Key batsmen Emmanuel Lewis, Johnathan Van Lange and Shamar Apple were all dismissed for disappointing scores as Sankar’s tally of 4 wickets for 44 runs and Seetaram’s tally of 3 for 38 kept WDCA in contention for the win.
Adams’s returns of 94 runs from 104 balls, which included 7 fours and 5 sixes, were key to GCA achieving a respectable total. Ryan Latif with 29 and Dave Mohabir with 24 helped GCA to record a total of 223 all out in the 48th over.
The WDCA run chase began in the worst possible way: with Renaldo Grenville trapping Seetaram lbw with the first ball bowled. The hosts never got into the game thereafter, as they con -
stantly lost wickets and were completely outplayed and outclassed throughout the innings. Arvin Suknanand, with 18, was the only WDCA batsman to reach double figures.
Eventually the WDCA innings folded for 84 runs in 29 overs, and they lost the game by 139 runs.
Riyad Latif, who led the GCA bowling attack, had figures of 3 for 19; and Captain Van Lange and Jayden Dowlin each took 2 wickets.
rchrivals Rose Hall
ATown Pepsi A (RHT Pepsi A) and Albion Community Centre (ACCCC) confronted each other in a match of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-21 InterClub 50 Over tournament played last Friday at the Area H Ground on the Corentyne.
What eventuated was a low-scoring match in which the RHT Pepsi A was able to register a defeat on the ACCCC, and a bowler from either side was able to claim a five-wicket haul.
The match was delayed for half an hour by the absence of umpires, but the action commenced after both teams agreed to each provide an umpire. Thereafter, there was no major incident.
With the pitch being full of moisture due to overnight showers, ACCCC won the toss and elected to field. RHT Pepsi A were immediately set back when Simon Gaffoor was trapped LBW by left arm spinner Kumar Deopersaud without troubling the score, and were eventually bowled out for 100 runs made in 28.5 overs.
National U17 batsman Romesh Bharat contributed 21, Jeremy Sandia 26, and Jonathan Rampersaud 18. Sandia and Rampersaud added 30 for the 4th wicket before Rampersaud was unfortunately run out while he was well set.
Off spinner Afraz Budhoo returned impressive figures of
5 for 18, leg spinner F. Baksh took 2 for 13, and off spinner Leon Cecil took 1 for 35. Needing to score 101 from 50 overs, ACCCC lost opener Tameshwar Mangal LBW to off-spinner Jonathan Rampersaud for nought in the first over.
The impressive Ari Afrizal Kadir was then caught at
mid-on by Romesh Bharat off Matthew Pottaya for 10, and Berbice Under-19 player Damion Cecil was bowled by former national player Jeremey Sandia for 9 to leave ACCCC at 16 for 3 in the fifth over.
The elegant Afraz Budhoo and Leon Cecil added 16 for the fourth wicket before Rampersaud trapped him LBW for 9 to leave ACCCC reeling at 34 for 4. They were eventually bowled out for a meagre 63 in 21.4 overs as the RHT Pepsi A trio of national junior spinners applied pressure from both ends. Rampersaud took 5 for 26 from 9.4 overs, Pottaya took 2 for 19 off 6 overs, and Sandia took 1 for 9 from 6 overs.
Three Miles Secondary School female team
Action at the Parika Salem Community ground between Zeeburg Secondary and Parika Salem Secondary schools
Jonathan Rampersaud
The winning Rose Hall Town Pepsi A Team
Shiloh Adams made 94 from 104 balls
West Indies Championships… Fifties from Paul, Permaul power GHE; Jangoo responds in kind
After recording a strong performance on Friday against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in their Round 7 clash being played in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Guyana Harpy Eagles (GHE), defending champions in this tournament, have been left eyeing a drawn result today (Saturday) in what would be the final day’s play of this match.
Should nothing wildly dramatic and exciting happen at the Queen’s Park Oval in T&T today, the Harpy Eagles would have to settle for points shared with the Red Force, after their batters Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul had taken them to a strong total on Friday.
Day 3 at the Port-ofSpain venue saw the Harpy
FL Sport gives financial boost to Guyana U-15 quartet
In a significant show of support for the next generation of Guyanese cricketers, FL Sport has provided a timely financial contribution to four members of the national Under-15 squad as they prepare for the West Indies Rising Stars 50-Over Championship in Antigua and Barbuda.
This boost will benefit Richard Ramdeholl (captain), Patrice Fraser, Usain Fredricks, and Shahid Ramzan, all key members of the team that will begin its campaign on April 15.
John Ramsingh, Director of FL Sport, presented the funds to the promising young quartet on Friday. He encouraged them to continue their dedication to excellence, both in their personal development as athletes and in their role as representatives of Guyana on the regional stage.
Highlighting FL Sport’s commitment to giving back to the cricketing community through their corporate social responsibility initiatives, Ramsingh assured the remaining members of the Guyana Under-15 squad that strong performances during the upcoming cham-
pionship could open doors for future support from his company and other potential sponsors.
Speaking specifically about the four recipients, Ramsingh emphasized their demonstrated discipline and undeniable talent, which they showcased during recent domestic tournaments. He expressed his belief that even modest financial rewards at this stage can serve as a powerful motivator, inspiring these young athletes to set even loftier goals and strive for more significant achievements in their burgeoning cricketing careers.
Ramsingh also offered advice to the youngsters, urging them to remain focused on the fundamentals of the game and diligently follow their coaches’ guidance. While acknowledging the nation’s collective hope for a victorious campaign, he encouraged the players to prioritize giving their absolute best effort and to savor the experience of representing their country as they embark on what he envisions as long and successful careers in cricket.
Looking ahead, Ramsingh hinted at poten-
tial opportunities for some of the talented Under-15 players to gain further exposure by featuring in the upcoming Cricket For Charity match, a highlight event of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, another prominent tournament organized by FL Sport.
Furthermore, he expressed his strong hope that players who have come through the ranks of the Future Warriors for Primary Schools tournament, a grassroots initiative powered by ExxonMobil and also organized by FL Sport, will continue their development, transition to hardball cricket, and ultimately mature into future national cricketers.
Guyana Under-15 Squad: Justin Dowlin, Lomar Seecharran, Luke Amsterdam, Shahid Ramzan, Arif Bacchus, Richard Ramdeholl (captain), Nathaniel Ramsammy, Jathniel Nurse, Usain Fredricks, Brandon Henry (vice-captain), Reyaz Latif, Patrice Fraser, Rafael McKenzie,
Management:
Eagles resuming their innings at 269-5 with Kevin Sinclair and Keemo Paul at the crease. Sinclair got to 35 off 69 before perishing, but Paul struck 47 before a hit on the helmet forced this all-rounder to retire hurt. However, after Ronaldo Alimohamed and Ashmead Nedd could add only 19 and
22 runs respectively to the GHE tally, Paul returned to convert his score to 93 off 126 balls before falling agonizingly short of a century.
Veerasammy Permaul struck 52 runs off 94 balls before the Harpy Eagles were bowled out for 463 in 132.3 overs.
Kary Pierre was the
star of the Red Force bowlers, claiming 4-119 from 44 overs, while Jyd Goolie picked up 2-29 from 11.3 overs.
The Harpy Eagles left the Red Force a 223-run deficit to chop down with the afternoon session and a day’s play left in the match, and the Red Force were off to a solid start after losing Kamil Pooran early for 7 runs. The pair of Cephas Cooper and Amir Jangoo buckled down for a 77run partnership before the second wicket was taken. Jangoo brought up his half century in 90 balls, but fell soon after, as he chipped down the track against Sinclair’s bowling and had his stumps disturbed by Tevin Imlach instead. Five overs later, the day’s play ended with Cooper unbeaten on 26 from 91 balls while Bryan Charles had 1 from 11 as the Red Force cruised to 101-2 in 35 overs. Sinclair had returns of 1-7 from 5 overs, while Ronaldo Alimohamed had 1-24 from 8 overs.
The hosts, however, are still trailing by 122 runs with 8 wickets remaining. Should the Harpy Eagles win or manage to force a draw in today’s final day, they would have secured their third consecutive West Indies Championships title and 8th in 10 years.
BK Group remain supportive of Bartica Easter Regatta
The BK Group of companies are again supporting the annual Bartica Easter Regatta in a tangible way. Recently, Group CEO Kyle Tiwari handed over their contribution to Ms. Shondel Gilkes and pointed out that it was their way of maintaining and supporting an institution.
“We, here at BK Group of Companies, have a very rich tradition of supporting this event that has become more than a staple. It’s a tradition and institution which is looked forward to on a yearly basis. We are pleased to continue support of this event, and we look forward to another exciting year of competition in and out of the water,” the CEO has said.
Tiwari further stated that it’s an activity in which the community of Bartica and even small business persons outside of the community look forward to make some extra cash, which underscores the importance of the event.
Ms. Gilkes in response, expressed to Tiwari and his company the gratitude of the Bartica Easter Regatta Committee and its Chairman Kenneth
Williams for their continued partnership and support of this huge community event. Regatta 2025 is being held under the theme “Dat Is It”, and will see a number
of sporting and other activities being held apart from the marquee sporting event, the power boat races, which have been returned to a twoday event, April 20-21.
Prosper Jacobus.
Yeuraj Khemraj (Coach), Terry Newton (Manager)
CEO of BK Group of Companies, Kyle Tiwari, handing over sponsorship to Bartica Easter Regatta Committee member Shondel Gilkes in the presence of colleague Sheldon Kyte
Veerasammy Permaul hit a half-century
Keemo Paul put up a big score but fell short of a century
From left: Richard Ramdeholl, Shahid Ramzan, John Ramsingh of FL Sport, Usain Fredricks, and Patrice Fraser
xciting Pakistani opening batsman Saim
Ayub will make his return to Guyana Amazon Warriors’ (GAW) colours this July, when the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 tournament is contested.
A senior official in the franchise has made this disclosure to this publication.
After missing out on T20 action with the Guyanese franchise in the 2024 season, Ayub would be making his long-awaited return for the first of two tournaments in which the Amazon Warriors would be competing this year.
Ayub had been a staple at the top of the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ batting lineup in 2023, racking up
478 runs in 13 matches to end as the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) second-highest run-scorer; second only to teammate Shai Hope, who had 481 runs.
A top score of 85 and an average of 43.45 had made Ayub one of the most loved and anticipated international talents on the Amazon Warriors’ lineup for local fans, and the franchise has been more than thrilled to disclose that he would be returning to again light up the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) in a matter of months.
The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 is set to take centre stage in Guyana from July 10th to 18th 2025.
Saim Ayub is returning to the Guyana Amazon Warriors this July
Saim Ayub smashed the winning runs in the Amazon Warriors’ maiden CPL final victory
