Govt to request banks roll out new tools to innovate services – VP Jagdeo – moves to “drag it out of the Stone Age” See
Govt to inject “enormous resources” to crack down on gold
from Venezuela – Pres Ali
– as US warns of threat from the illicit activity
Haimpersaud tops Region Two’s NGSA, places second nationally
pedestrian killed in late-night crash on East Coast Police find ganja in makeshift stand at Plaisance Jewelz by King’s Hotel
President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, June 29 – 05:15h - 06:45h and Monday, June 30 – 20:55h - 22:25h
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Sunday, June 29 – 06:35h - 08:05h and Monday, June 30 – 07:15h - 08:45h
BRIDGE OPENINGS FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times –05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily
Benefits to continue multiplying every year under the next PPP/C Govt – Pres Ali
– unlike former APNU/AFC Administration that took away benefits
arning citizens to beware of Opposition politicians coming to them, hat in hand with lofty promises they have a track record of not keeping, President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that under the next People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), benefits will continue to multiply every year.
The President was at the time addressing a massive audience of more than 12,000 persons at the PPP/ C’s Fundraising Dinner on Friday in Region Four.
At the time, the President was laying out some of the ways in which his Government will ensure that persons benefit directly from the Government’s oil and gas sector, including through co-investment opportunities where the Government partners with the private sector and creates instruments for citizens to invest their money and get a return.
“When we have these co-investment opportunities, in the gas project, in the fertiliser plant, and we're able
ter and electricity subsidies from pensioners.
“You know, when people come to you today and tell you, ‘Ohhh, if we're elected you will get more pension. You will get more cash grants. You will get higher paying jobs. You will get more jobs. You will get more house lots. You will get cheaper electricity and water. You will get a transportation grant…’. When they come and tell you these things, they are not telling you anything new. Because your party has already done that. Has already done that to you. And you know that this party does not take back benefits,” he reminded.
“You can be assured that those benefits will be multiplied. Every single year, under the PPP/C Government. So that is nothing new. We are talking about the next phase of development. The exciting journey of transformation that lies ahead of you. When you can sit in your homes. And with your digital card, transfer money from your wife's account to
Ali stated.
The 2025 General and Regional Elections are set for September 1. Nomination Day has already been announced for July 14, 2025, which will allow for the submission of Lists of Candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.
On the designated day, the Chief Election Officer (CEO) will be available to receive the Lists between the hours of 10:00h (10am)
to give you an opportunity, through a safe investment, to leverage your asset with a return of 10-12 per cent, then you are going to get the full benefit of that wealth transfer in the creation of value for your property. These are the things we're talking about,” President Ali declared.
But with Guyana currently in an election campaign season, the Head of State warned that opposition politicians will be rolling out numerous promises, despite their shoddy track record of 2015-2020, when A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) failed to keep many of its promises.
This is against a PPP/C Government that has demonstrated its commitment in the 2020 to 2025 period to keeping its promises. From delivering 50,000 house lots to dramatic increases to wages and salaries.
And according to the President, the trend will continue into the next PPP/C Government where they multiply, not take away benefits – a jab at the former APNU/AFC Government that took away a number of benefits in their five years of office, including the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant and wa-
and 14:00h (2pm) at the Umana Yana, High Street,
Kingston, Georgetown. Several important deadlines accompany the submission of these lists. The following day, July 15, is reserved for notifying the CEO in writing of any death or withdrawal of a candidate. Also on this day, the CEO will inform representatives and their deputies of any defects found in submitted lists.
By July 17, corrected lists must be submitted, and further notification of any withdrawals must also be made.
On July 18th, GECOM will issue notifications regarding the approval or non-approval of the candidate lists. Parties dissatisfied with disapprovals may lodge appeals with the High Court by July 20th.
On July 21, representatives and their deputies must inform the CEO in writing of any joinder of lists. The entire process culminates on July 23 with the gazetting of the approved lists. The notice was issued under the hand of GECOM Chairperson, Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, and dated June 2nd, 2025.
your account or your account to your account,” President
President Irfaan Ali speaking at the fundraiser
PPP General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo greeting attendees
Humans are driven to reason inductively: they experience something occurring in a pattern and draw conclusions as to the likelihood of it happening again. We see the sun rising in the east every morning, and we predict it will rise again tomorrow morning in the east. At the more mundane –but visceral – level, having had experiences either personally or from their reading that violence has accompanied most general elections, they can be forgiven for being in trepidation of a recurrence after this upcoming Sept 1st general election.
In Guyana, the genie of ethnically directed political violence was let out of the bottle as far back as February 16, 1962 – not long after the 1961 elections – by the PNC and other forces and has never been put back since. On that fateful day, subsequently dubbed “Black Friday”, following months of protests in Georgetown by thousands of supporters of the Opposition PNC and UF, ostensibly against the PPP’s “Kaldor Budget”, after failing to attack that party’s Robb Street HQ, they started to loot and burn business places owned by Indian Guyanese. They focused on Robb, Regent, Water, High and Camp Streets and Stabroek Market. Before they were finished, fifty-six buildings had been destroyed by fire, twenty-one damaged, sixty-six both damaged and looted, twenty-nine market stalls damaged and five cars burnt. Hundreds of Indian Guyanese were beaten; one police officer and four looters were killed.
Black Friday 1962 pretty much created the template for all subsequent political riots – confined to Georgetown and executed by the PNC’s support and direction of urban lumpen elements. The Wynn Parry Commission noted in their sanitised report: “The rioters were not drawn from any one particular race or political party, nor were the victims from one particular class. The looters belonged to the category of irresponsible individuals, consisting for the most part of hooligans and criminals, who in moments of excitement and mass hysteria throw away the inhibitions of a civilised society and seize the opportunity of preying upon their fellow citizens.”
Because the PNC were to rig all elections between 1964 and 1985, new elections-related, politically directed riots did not rear their heads until 1992 with the return of free and fair elections. That does not mean there was no political violence, but these were meted out condignly as “choke and rob” and “kick down the door banditry” to opponents of the PNC by the state’s coercive apparatus, organised pro-Government goons, such as the House of Israel, disrupting political meetings. In 1992, the incipient violent protests were not allowed to spread beyond an attack on elections HQ after it became apparent that the PNC was losing the elections. However, President Jimmy Carter, whose centre was observing the elections, was caught in the mayhem and made a call to the White House. PNC leader Desmond Hoyte was “persuaded” to call out the army.
After losing the following 1997 elections, claiming election rigging, Hoyte reverted to the 1962 template and launched violent protests in Georgetown that resulted in the familiar arson and lootings accompanied by beatings of Indian Guyanese perceived to be supporters of the PPP. The PPP’s term of office was truncated by two years, and a raft of constitutional changes were enacted to give the opposition PNC a greater input into the political system.
But rather than dampening the violence, Hoyte launched a “slow fyah; mo fyah” strategy that escalated the protests beyond Georgetown and exacerbated both their intensity and volume. This political violence was then ratcheted up to a level never encountered in Guyana: a band of hardcore prison escapees in 2002 ensconced themselves in Buxton, from where they launched attacks on policemen and neighbouring Indiandominated villages. They called themselves “freedom fighters” for African Guyanese, which meant they were pursuing a political agenda by attacking innocent citizens judged to be supporters of the PPP Government. This gang was not eliminated until 2008, by which time hundreds of persons had been killed by the security forces and armed vigilante gangs, dubbed “Phantom Squads”.
Post-elections political violence is being prefigured by opposition assertions that the Government will rig the elections.
Virtue-signalling climate budgets don’t meet urgent human needs
B y B jorn L om B org
The international development system is in disarray. Aid budgets have been slashed in the UK and abroad, USAID has been gutted, and the development banks like the World Bank divert ever more of their funding to climate even as global poverty reduction has slowed.
Hunger still afflicts 733 million people; conflict has displaced over 120 million. Easily treatable malaria still kills nearly 600,000 annually, mostly children.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Guterres and many state leaders descend on Seville in Spain to drum up billions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 169 sprawling targets to reduce poverty, improve health, advance education, protect the planet, and promote peace. President Trump’s decision to withdraw is being decried as isolationist. Yet, the real isolation is the SDG agenda’s detachment from reality.
A US representative declared, “The United States rejects and denounces the… Sustainable Development Goals.” Far from a reckless retreat,
this rejection offers lumbering development giants a chance to replace a failing framework with one that works.
The SDGs were doomed from the beginning, when they were adopted by the United Nations and endorsed by world leaders in 2015. The preceding Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) essentially had eight clear targets, like halving extreme poverty and cutting child mortality. This helped drive remarkable progress: global poverty fell from 36 per cent in 1990 to 10 per cent by 2015.
By contrast, the SDGs are a bloated wish list lumping vital goals like eradicating malnutrition and poverty eradication alongside countless vague promises like “promoting sustainable tourism” and fostering “lifestyles in harmony with nature”. By refusing to prioritise, the UN ensured none would succeed.
Inevitably, this behemoth agenda is “alarmingly off track”, according to the UN’s own secretary-general. Only 17 per cent of the goals are on pace to be met by 2030. On average, the world will be more than half a century late in fulfilling its prom -
ises.
Achieving the full list could additionally cost up to a spectacular $1015 trillion each year. In an era of fiscal restraint, this is fantasy. The UN’s refusal to focus attention on what matters most has squandered credibility and cash.
My think tank, the Copenhagen Consensus, worked with more than a hundred top economists and several Nobel Laureates to identify 12 proven development solutions that deliver the greatest benefits for a low cost. These are policies such as efficient learning through structured teacher plans and targeted tablet learning; delivering effective mosquito nets to tackle malaria; agricultural research to drive higher yields, more income and fewer hungry people; and better legal protection to ensure poor farmers’ rights over their land, increasing productivity.
In total, politicians could set aside just £26 billion a year – a rounding error compared to the cost of the SDGs – to deliver immense benefits. Focusing on these 12 policies would save 4.2 million lives annually and make the poorer half of the world more
than £800 billion better off every year. Each pound invested would deliver an astounding 52 pounds of social benefits.
As it reels from swingeing aid cuts by the UK, US, and Europe, the United Nations and international development industry could seize this moment by rallying global political support around a compact set of 10-15 targets that maximise impact for the poorest. This means hard choices: saying no to low-value goals, redirecting virtue-signalling climate budgets to the most urgent human needs, and embracing cost-benefit analysis to maximise the return on every dollar.
Trump’s exit from the SDGs is an opportunity. The question is whether the United Nations Secretary-General and political leaders have the courage to grab it. The world’s poorest don’t need 169 unrealised promises and more political hot air. They need efficient development. (The Telegraph UK)
Bjorn Lomborg is president of Copenhagen Consensus and visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. His new book is “Best Things First”
Work progresses apace on the construction of the new four-lane high-span Demerara River bridge that is expected to be completed by August 31 this year
Govt to inject “enormous resources” to crack down on gold smuggled from Venezuela – Pres Ali
– as US warns of threat from the illicit activity
President Irfaan Ali on Friday night committed to putting the necessary measures in place to curb Venezuelan gold from being smuggled into Guyana.
This comes as Guyana received an advisory from the United States earlier on Friday about the threat that this illicit activity poses by funding the Nicolás Maduro regime.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the United States Embassy in Georgetown to celebrate the 249th anniversary of America’s independence, the Guyanese head of state disclosed that the US reminded all of its partners about this serious threat from Venezuela.
“Only today, the US reminded all of its partners about the serious threat with Venezuela, as it relates to gold smuggling. And we have received that advisory today, and we want you to know that we are putting enormous resources into ensuring that the threat of illicit gold smuggling that could help to empower or safeguard undemocratic forces is uprooted,” President Ali stated on Friday evening.
Local authorities have long suspected that Venezuela is smuggling gold into Guyana to be laundered through various networks here.
In recent years, there has been a widespread crackdown on gold smuggling in Guyana with a series of operations targeting foreign nationals suspected of being involved in unlawful mining activities here.
According to President Ali, the US, through its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, has been supporting ongoing efforts to enhance law enforcement and security cooperation with Guyana as well as the wider Caribbean.
He pointed out that the March 27, 2025 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscores the joint commitment between Washington DC and Georgetown to addressing common security challenges.
“The MoU builds on our long-standing partnership and aims to deepen collaboration in areas such as counter narcotics and the fight against transnational organi-
sed crime and strengthening security and defence cooperation,” President Ali stressed.
Back in June 2024, the US sanctioned Guyanese businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, along with their businesses: Mohamed’s Enterprise, its subsidiary Hadi’s World, and Team Mohamed’s Racing Team, over gold smuggling and public corruption allegations.
According to the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Mohamed’s Enterprise smuggled some 10,000 kilogrammes of gold out of Guyana between 2019 and 2023, thus avoiding paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes.
Shortly after the sanctions, Guyana had requested the relevant information and documentation from the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to assist local investigations on the allegations of falsification of import and export documents, evasion of taxes, and bribery of customs and government officials to facilitate illicit gold shipments and the award of government con-
tracts.
In addition, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had also requested information, dating back to 2015, from the US’ Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Some nine months after that request, local law enforcement agencies, including the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and GRA, received a ‘sufficient volume’ of evidence to take action against the businessmen.
Attorney General Anil Nandlall, S.C., had told reporters at the time that “the law enforcement agencies in Guyana, along with the Guyana Revenue Authority, have expressed the opinion that they have a sufficient volume of evidence, information, data, and documents… to proceed [and] act upon it. GRA, I suppose, will act upon the allegations of tax evasion. The Guyana Police Force, through its appropriate departments, will act upon other aspects of the data or evidence… So, that will take place shortly.”
Nandlall added that this is an ongoing investigation, and the local authorities are
continuing to work with the US on this matter.
Meanwhile, in addition to the Mohameds, the US had also sanctioned former Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae Thomas, for public corruption. Thomas, who was moved to the Labour Ministry before being sent on administrative leave in June last year, remains on admin leave.
In OFAC’s June 11, 2024 sanctions, Under-Secretary
of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson, said, “Today’s action underscores our commitment to holding accountable those who seek to exploit Guyana’s underdeveloped gold sector for personal gain… Treasury, in close coordination with our partners in US law enforcement, will continue to take action to safeguard the US financial system from abuse by corrupt actors.”
PNCR MP Jermaine Figueira resigns from Party
Opposition PNCR
Member of Parliament (MP)
Jermaine Figueira, late Saturday, tendered his resignation from the Central Executive and Membership of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Representative of the party in the National Assembly of Guyana, with immediate effect.
Below is the full text of his
letter of resignation:
To: The Leader and the Central Committee Members Congress Place, Sophia, Georgetown Subject: Resignation from the Central Executive and Membership of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Representative of the Party in the National Assembly of Guyana.
Dear Mr Aubrey Norton,
With respect to the above caption, I, the undersigned, hereby tender my resignation with immediate effect.
Sincerely, Jermaine Figueira
While no mention was made of a reason or reasons for his resignation, Figueira had earlier Saturday made
Critique of NGSA score increases seems dishonest
Dear Editor,
A recent editorial in a PNC-aligned newspaper is making false allegations and questioning the recent announcement that NGSA (National Grade Six Assessment) scores have gone up. This is not surprising because PNC folks cannot acknowledge or give credit for the enormous allaround improvements that have taken place in so many sectors in Guyana. “Good” is evil spoken of, and much “awfulizing” takes place. The Opposition are experts at making good things seem bad. That’s their job. Darned if you do and darned if you don’t. All is not perfect, and there is much to be fixed, but we have made great strides in the past five years, and honesty requires that we give credit where credit is due.
A newspaper cannot just make false allegations without any evidence whatsoever that the improvements
in student scores in all areas and the percentage passing the exam are not real. That seems like a grudge and jealousy that educational outcomes are rising at a time when we need massive reforms in education for all our people to be prepared to share in national prosperity.
What the PNC side missed is the minister of education’s remarks that the goal is to create strong high schools in every region so that students can attend neighbourhood schools.
I have been a strong critic of the NGSA and have called for the dismantling of this colonial-era relic used to place students in schools. The construction of so many new schools under the Ali administration is unparalleled in our history. These new facilities will lead to better equity among high schools and reduce gaps between coastal and riverine and interior schools, to which the Government
seems strongly committed.
The Government has been investing in huge resources in new school construction and support programmes and wants a return on our investments. As a nation we need to work together to improve matriculation rates across the country, improve accountability for teachers, administrators, parents, and students, and fix the broken, inefficient regional system on whom we depend to ensure quick, efficient services to schools in the regions.
The PNC side would do well to act in the national interest and encourage the Teachers Union allied to their agenda to support better accountability in schools. While we celebrate the high achievers at NGSA, let’s have a strategic plan to create a rising tide of school reform that raises all boats. Enormous work has to be done in that regard. Education is everyo-
ne’s business.
As has been oft repeated, it takes a whole village to raise a child, as the African proverb says. The village idiots cannot help us. It takes all of us – the Government, public and private schools, the business community, all political parties, all churches, NGOs (non-Governmental organisations), all parents, and students – everyone – to work hard and be united in the common purpose of creating a world-class educational design.
Can the PNC and all political parties be magnanimous in committing to such a lofty idea of reimagining education? As I have said, “A hole in the boat is a hole in the whole boat.” Are we all willing to plug holes, regardless of who is in the Government, for the good of our entire nation?
Yours sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall
note of what he called “a quiet but powerful shift” in Guyana’s political landscape, where he alluded to the recent group of women in the
PNCR who “broke ranks with the People’s National Congress (PNC) to chart their own course and establish new political parties.”
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GRW 2025 - Nikkei Guyana
Movie - Imagine That (2009)
Indian Movie - Milan Talkies (2019)
Indian Movie - Koi Jaane Na (2021)
Movie - Stargirl (2020)
The Healing Touch
Movie - Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024)
President Irfaan Ali speaking at Friday’s reception to celebrate the United States’ 249th Independence Anniversary in Georgetown
Resigned: Jermaine Figueira
How can we recycle plastic more sustainably?
Plastic is all around us: in our toothbrushes, pens, cars, and even clothing! It is very useful. But plastic trash ends up in the environment and is bad for animals and humans. It can take hundreds of years to break down. Recycling this plastic can take a lot of energy and often still leaves waste. Is there a better way to break plastic down and reuse it to make new plastic?
Well, there is an enzyme that “digests” plastic in the same way
that can break down these plant molecules. Looking at the DNA in compost site samples to find enzymes that might help us break down plastic, seven different enzymes were found! First, each enzyme was placed in a container with plastic. The enzymes were left to break down the plastic molecules for 24 hours at different temperatures. Then the amount of plastic that was broken down was measured. Enzymes
that humans can digest food. Using this enzyme to break down used plastic means we will need much less energy to recycle plastic. Plus, we can even use the products of the process to make plastics that are just as good as new ones!
Plastic is very important. We use it for food containers, clothing, bags, and much more! Can you count the number of plastic things you use every day? Unfortunately, most plastic waste ends up in landfills. We only recycle a small amount of plastic because it’s hard to do. Plastics are separated, melted down, and then reshaped into new plastics. This process needs high temperatures and takes a lot of energy. It also produces harmful pollution. Plus, recycling decreases the quality of the plastic. This means we can only recycle plastic a few times before throwing it away.
A closed-loop system would be much better for the environment. In closed-loop recycling, plastic would never end up in a landfill. Instead, it would be recycled forever. To do this, we need to make sure the quality of plastic stays the same during recycling.
Enzymes can help!
Enzymes are like little machines working inside your body and in the environment. Enzymes help all kinds of chemical reactions happen, including breaking down molecules into smaller molecules. When you eat, enzymes help break down food into smaller molecules your body can use.
Plants contain molecules that are similar to the plastic molecules we wanted to break down. In compost piles, microscopic organisms produce enzymes
#3 and #7 were found to break molecules down faster than the other five.
These two enzymes were compared to another enzyme that is already known to break down plastic. Some more tests were done using the best enzyme: how fast it worked, its shape and how stable it was as well.
Once the best enzyme was chosen, there was one final experiment done: breaking down a plastic takeout container.
Results:
1. The best enzyme was Enzyme #7.
2. After 24 hours, Enzyme #7 had digested almost 100% of the plastic!
3. Enzyme #7 works best at 70°C, about the same temperature as the air inside a hot clothes dryer. This is a lower temperature than we usually use to recycle plastic. Recycling at a lower temperature can save a lot of energy!
4. Enzyme #7 worked the most quickly between the 4th and 8th hours after it started breaking down the plastic.
5. Enzyme #7 can break down plastic into very pure molecules. The broken-down molecules were then used to make new recycled plastic.
This is an example of closedloop recycling.
It is important to make sure you are recycling any plastics you can. But it can be even more important to reduce how much plastic you use. Here are a few ideas:
· Try to reuse plastic containers. They can be great for drawer organisation, gift boxes, or even small planters!
· Bring your own reusable
shopping bags to the grocery store.
· Choose to buy items that have no or reduced amounts of plastic packaging.
· Consider joining an environmental group or starting one at your school. You can help raise awareness about actions that we can take to reduce the use of plastics.
Glossary of Key Terms
Closed-loop system – a system that circulates resources so nothing is wasted. Everything is used and then remade into a useful product again without needing any new materials.
DNA (Deoxyribose Nucleic
Acid) – the genetic material found in all of our cells. This information gets passed on from organism to organism.
Enzyme – a structure that speeds up chemical reactions. They exist in every living organism. Enzymes help you digest food and help plants with photosynthesis.
Molecule – the smallest unit of a substance that has all the properties of that substance. A single water molecule, H2O, has the properties of water.
Thermostable – when a molecule maintains its structure at a wide range of temperatures.
(www.sciencejournalforkids.org)
ENDING PLASTIC POLLUTION IN GUYANA
…EPA Director talks up ‘circular economy’
The global community converged to observe World Environment Day under the theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’ on June 5, 2025, and, in Guyana, a month-long series of activities has been embarked on, aimed at curbing plastic waste products being disposed of wantonly in the community.
The Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a recent interview, pointed out that the emphasis on ending plastic pollution predates this 2025 theme and, in fact, goes back to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, launched at the end of 2022/early 2023, which speaks to a policy of the “circular economy”.
A circular economy is a model of resource management that aims to minimise waste and maximise the lifespan of products and materials. It shifts away from the traditional use-and-dispose practice and, instead, emphasises reuse, repair, remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling.
Environmental impact
This approach, Mr Parsram explained, reduces environmental impact, conserves resources, and even creates new economic opportunities.
“That policy has catapulted the EPA in going forward, in terms of how we address waste in general,” said Mr Parsram. “And it's a simple thing, you know; we can design out waste from what we do and what we produce. Waste isn't a thing, and it shouldn't be a thing. There's value in every product that we develop.”
He said this is the essence of the circular economy – a principle that spans from “cradle to cradle” rather than from “cradle to the grave”, thereby moving away from the “take, make and dispose or pollute” cycle.
“We can take, make, reuse, recycle and keep it in perpetuity. For example, in the biological cycle, you can have products, like your shoe soles, for example. You can make it with products that, eventually, degrade and go back to nature.
“There's also what you call a technical cycle. You make a washing machine or chair. How can the producers and manufacturers design these products so that they don't get disposed of?
“The idea is that if your washing machine is beyond repair, you don't just throw it away. You perhaps can return it to the producer or to the manufacturer, who can then repurpose, redo, or refix it and then put it back out in the market so that those things can be kept in perpetuity. So, this is where we're going. We're promoting the circular economy all around,” the executive director said.
Mr Parsram said the EPA is taking a very pointed and progressive approach to do this type of thinking and practice. “We can't do it alone. We need the help of all stakeholders: the children, the businesses, our government agencies, and all citizens as a whole,” he said.
“So, you'll see more of us going through this campaign. You'll see us on the sea walls; you'll see us ramp up our efforts aimed at education awareness, but you'll see us boost our efforts for
Negative attitude
Mr Parsram said he has observed that, in many instances, people demonstrate very negative attitudes and behaviour toward the environment, particularly how they treat Guyana’s canals, rivers, and oceans.
“We discard plastic; we discard garbage in general. And so, the EPA at this juncture decided that enough is enough. We need to take a stance and educate people, strengthen our awareness campaigns, and improve our enforcement efforts, as well as collaborate with key agencies and all citizens.
“Plastic itself is not the problem. It is how we dispose of and treat garbage that has led to this crisis of plastic pollution,” he stated.
Mr Parsram noted that the EPA is spearheading efforts to change public attitudes, starting with actions to eradicate littering at the seawalls and extending to broader national behavioural shifts. He said the EPA is building a platform to instil environmental values in young people, who, in turn, will influence their families and communities.
“Plastic harms the environment, the fishes, the marine mammals, and the wildlife in general – and it looks terrible as well,” Mr Parsram said. “So, I ask that everyone join us. Let’s change our attitude toward the environment. Let’s look out for each other. Let’s end plastic pollution now.”
Figure 2. EPA's Green Theatre Production 2025, at the National Culture Centre (Education and Awareness about the Effects of Plastic Pollution).
Govt to request banks roll out new tools to innovate services – VP Jagdeo
– moves to “drag it out of the Stone Age”
As part of an aggressive plan to innovate the local financial sector in the new term, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) regime plans to request that commercial banks in Guyana introduce new tools that would make banking services more accessible and efficient.
“...using the Central Bank and the financial sector reforms – [we intend] to introduce new tools... that would simplify banking services and make people get financing easier,” Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed during a recent press conference.
The governing PPP/C has outlined ambitious plans to roll out a series of financial vehicles to support various categories of citizens in its next term in office. This, coupled with initiatives for the innovative transformation of the coun-
try, requires the local banking sector to catch up.
“I’m really looking forward to the financial sector innovation that would transform this country: simplifying transactions from your phone. You can open up bank accounts from your phone. Just imagine, people who live in the hinterland or anywhere on the coast; you don’t have to go into the banks and all of that…
I’m anxiously waiting for us to roll out this. We’ve been planning for this,” the VP stated.
Jagdeo pointed out that while there are so many companies supplying this financial technology service, the Government prefers to have the local banking sector innovating their operations.
Previously, VP Jagdeo had lamented on the current state of the financial sector and the need to “drag it out
of the Stone Age”.
As Guyana undergoes an unprecedented economic transformation, there have been steady complaints about the largely old-fashioned and archaic operations at the various commercial banks in the country.
In addition to citizens’ complaints, the local private sector has also been calling for the financial institutions to update their systems to meet the evolving needs of Guyana’s growing economy.
Only in February, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) stated that the country’s financial sector is in dire need of modernisation and urged local financial institutions to streamline updated systems that cater to the evolving needs of Guyana’s growing economy.
“The challenges being experienced by the business community that is heavi-
Police find ganja in makeshift stand at Plaisance
Ranks attached to the Sparendaam Police Station on Friday discovered 128 grammes of marijuana in a wooden makeshift stand/tent at Britton Street Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
During the operation, a blue metal tin containing a black plastic bag with 36 transparent Ziplock bags with the cannabis was found. The ganja was weighed and amounted to 128 grammes.
Police have since questioned two teenagers who were sitting on a culvert located about 50 feet away from the stand/tent where the drugs were found, but they have denied ownership.
World-class museum to be built in Georgetown as part of comprehensive city redevelopment plan
Aworld-class national museum will be built in the Capital City of Georgetown to celebrate Guyana’s cultural heritage, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced on Friday.
Speaking at the commissioning of the King’s Hotel and Residences on Water and Quamina Street, President Ali said the undertaking will be part of a comprehensive city redevelopment plan that will see Georgetown restored to its former glory as a ‘Garden City,’ a Department of Public Information (DPI) news report stated.
President Ali explained that the project reflects the Government’s vision of transforming Georgetown into a “walkable, green, efficient city” that will be supported by drainage im-
provements, smart transportation systems, and an upgraded security architecture.
“To support this investment, very soon, you will see an ad in the newspaper for a new world-class museum.
We have identified an area that many of you believe is an eyesore, close to my office. That is an area where we are going to put this magnificent new na-
tional museum, to celebrate who we are,” the President said.
The transformation of Georgetown will be linked to Guyana’s premier Silica City — the first sustainable and technologically advanced city located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
“We have to get it done in the next five years,” the President promised.
VP Bharrat Jagdeo ly reliant on the financial sector include delays as a result of the paper-based and bureaucratic systems, as well as challenges in access to finance—which includes access to capital as well as access to foreign exchange,” the GCCI had said in a statement.
According to the Georgetown Chamber, Guyana’s development and improvements to the ease of doing business cannot be treated apathetically and must be regarded in a conscientious manner, especially given the interlinked nature of the financial sector and the country’s economic development.
“It is therefore imperative that the Bank of Guyana take up the mantle on addressing the existing gaps as it relates to the demands of the economy and business landscape and the ability of the banking sector to deliver the level and quality of services needed. In that same vein, the Chamber also urges local banks to examine the needs of the country and clientele and implement mechanisms to provide improved services,” the GCCI had noted.
On the other hand, however, local commercial banks
are being urged to expand their lending portfolios.
Just two weeks ago, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, had implored the local banking sector to move away from the risk-free lending practices and be more aggressive in its offerings, especially to the private sector.
“The banking sector has historically been conservative, erring on the side of risk aversion, which is not necessarily a bad thing, because we want strong banks and strong balance sheets, and we want them to maintain good quality portfolios. But there is room, I believe, for the banking sector to be more aggressive in relation to lending to the Guyanese private sector,” Dr Singh asserted.
He was at the time interacting with representatives from a 19-member Jamaican business mission that were in Guyana on a two-day visit to explore potential investment opportunities here.
According to the minister, the Government has been working with the local banking sector to allow them to be more aggressive in their lending portfolio.
On the policy side, to facilitate this, Dr Singh explained that the Guyana Government has already enacted legislation specifically to allow movable assets to be accepted as security for loans.
“So, that legislation is enforced right now,” he noted.
Back in December 2024, the Security Interest in Movable Property Bill 2024 was passed in Guyana’s National Assembly with the aim of establishing a modern, comprehensive framework for secured transactions involving movable property.
Historically, the requirement for immovable property, such as land, as collateral made it extremely difficult for low-income individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as vulnerable groups to obtain credit. This new law now transforms the lending environment and enables economic opportunities for all, thus creating a more inclusive and efficient financial system in Guyana.
The legislation simplified the use of movable assets, such as equipment, inventory, crops, intellectual property, and receivables, as collateral; streamlined the registration and enforcement process by establishing an Electronic Collateral Registry to replace outdated manual systems; and increased credit access for SMEs, women entrepreneurs, and individuals without immovable property, fostering financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Common interests…
…with US
In front of Pres Ali, who was attending an early commemoration of the US July 4 Independence bash at her home, Ambassador Nicole Thieriot took time to place Venezuela in her sights. She reminded our President of the tremendous close cooperation between her country and ours – “the closest it has ever been”!! –especially in the defence sphere! Now this is high praise indeed – considered against the background of Burnham once delivering our country as a client state to the US in exchange for being handed power!
The Ambassador took pains to enumerate and elaborate on several of the areas in which our forces had collaborated during the past year. On top of the list was that show of force coinciding with the March visit of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, when our GDFS SHAHOUD and the USS NORMANDY sailed side by side. In the wake of the madman conducting an election for a governor and legislators for Essequibo – which he claimed to have annexed – “TAKE THAT, MAD MADURO!! was the not-so-subtle message!! To a madman, whatever goes on in his head is real!!
The Ambassador also raised the perennial and vexed issue of Venezuelan gold evading their sanctions by being smuggled into Guyana and sold here! Mad Maduro had worked out an arrangement with the Sindicatos gang back in 2016 – when he escalated his claims to Essequibo – for them to control Venezuela’s Orinoco’s Mining Arc (Arco Minero del Orinoco — AMO), a 112,000-squarekilometre strip of rainforest that includes an extensive stretch along the border with Essequibo. These are the same gang members who’ve taken on the GDF on the Cuyuni recently. The gold smuggling helps keep both the gangs and Mad Maduro’s regime afloat. Pres Ali promised to put more resources into stemming this self-inflicted wound on our body politic.
And just the day before, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau – who’s also of Spanish descent –dressed down the leaders of the OAS for abdicating their responsibilities to the crisis in Haiti – and more so to what Mad Maduro was doing next door!! Addressing the OAS General Assembly – held in Antigua and Barbuda –Landau pointed out:
“As recently as last month, the Venezuelan regime ran another sham legislative and regional election that lacked transparency and fairness and included a controversial vote purporting to elect Venezuelan representatives to govern Guyana’s Essequibo state. If this organisation is unwilling or unable to respond to or remedy the situation where a regime openly thumbs its nose at international norms and threatens the territorial integrity of its neighbour, then we must ask, What’s the point of the organisation?”
Looks like now that Iran got a wake-up call, their ally Mad Maduro might be next!!
…and animals?
This election season is pushing some wannabe leaders over the brink!! Ambition should be made of sterner stuff!! Take one of the new contestants, who thought that he could buy his way to the presidency just like he bought his way to owning a Lamborghini and a stable of expensive cars. By hook or crook – mostly by the latter!!
But he forgot that for elections to office, rules were set up ages ago – and they just can’t be bent by throwing money at them. For instance, going back to the days when folks couldn’t read or write, candidates could select a symbol to be placed next to their party’s name – to give a hint to their supporters. The custom became a law.
So, this moneybags candidate picks the jaguar as his symbol and boasts about it on his campaign stops. But told by GECOM that animal was off limits – he now claims it’s a leopard!! He doesn’t know they’re different?? Check their florets!!
…in Mid-East
Ever wondered why the Arab Governments in the Mid East haven’t made common cause with Iran against Israel – which seems determined to wipe out the Arab Palestinians?? Blood isn’t thicker than their hatred of Shia identity!!
Distortions of Hindu concepts
RUS-Guyana trade reaches record high US$4.7B
in 2024
Becent events show that there remain many misunderstandings of Hindu practices. What follows was published over thirty years ago in a local newspaper in an attempt to clarify some of them: “Every Sunday morning across Guyana, thousands of Hindus stream into their village mandirs to participate in congregational worship. Not many realise this practice is an acceptance of the Christian method of worship, foisted on us during the plantation period when Sunday was the only “day off”. Sanaatan Dharma, the ‘ancient way of life” which accepts the infinite variety of the human condition, would never specify the same ten minutes of chanting, two minutes of meditation, etc., for everyone. While adaptations are inevitable, one must be aware of the sources.
We can look at the words Hindus now use to conceptualise their practices. Having been stripped of their language in Guyana, most Hindus are forced to use English to both study and promulgate their practices. Two problems arise out of this. Firstly, and sadly, most of the translations of Hindu sacred texts [Shastras] and compilations of dictionaries were done by Christian missionaries or others imbued by the ethos of Christianity. Consciously or unconsciously, their biases infuse their works. Secondly, all languages, including English, have their own history, and their words reflect and project that history.
Take the word “religion”, which is substituted for “Sanaatan Dharma” in the West. The Abrahamic religion Christianity, with its “one book, one god and one way”, totally defines man and his existence. They promote, for example, the “separation of Church and State”, as if man’s activities can be so neatly compartmentalised. They ignore contingencies like England’s Henry VIII and his tussle with the Pope, which helped create that dichotomy. Sanaatan Dharma, which never had the problem of a theocracy since Brahmins could not be kings, had a holistic view of society and its governance.
In fact, every Hindu ruler had a religious preceptor and the Niti Shastras [texts elaborating the duties of rulers], religion, economics, and much more. “Dharma” is a very exhaustive concept and covers the gamut of man’s activities and possibilities … Duties, laws, rights, morality, and truth are only some of the words suggested. Dharma is both a way of life and a view of life; there is no facet of man’s existence that is untouched. Thus, there is no separation between dharma and, say, cosmology or philosophy. Dharma does not end with attending Sunday’s “service” in the mandir.
“Idol” rather than the Hindu word “murti” is another problem word. Christians and Jews use it in the sense of a “false god” because in their history, their people actually worshipped specific images as gods. Their conception of a “one God” came out of a long and tortuous road, as, among other things, one tribe arose victorious over the other tribes, and their god was made supreme. Hinduism never had this problem since, in its earliest conceptions of God, images were never used.
In their earliest text, the Rig Veda, there is no mention of images used in worship. It is only used much later, when, in an effort to explain the lofty Vedic conception, those stylised icons were utilised for the masses. These icons were always seen as representations of a deeper reality, never as the reality. The map was never confused with the territory. For example, to convey the concept that God was infinite, Vishnu, whose name means “All-pervasive”, is always painted blue to symbolise infinity because the common man could analogise the blue sky which he saw every day and knew was infinite. In their minds many modern Hindus, accepting the word “idols”, are a bit sheepish about their faith’s “murtis”.
There are so many other words which dominate Hindu thought, but instead of conveying Hindu concepts, distort and subvert them – ‘evil’, ‘heaven’, ‘hell’, ‘demon’, ‘sin’, etc. I’ll conclude by briefly looking at the word “God”, which is at the centre of “religious” thought. Because of the hegemony of Christianity in Guyana, most Hindus “see” God as some old bearded man floating somewhere “up there”. The notion of a Nirgun Brahman, of a God beyond human categories of space, time, qualities, etc., is rare. The notion that it is only our need to conceptualise that creates an Ishvar or personalised God is little appreciated. The notion that they are simply attempts to suggest the infinite capacities of God, which give us the different manifestations portrayed, is frequently overlooked.”
ilateral relations between Guyana and the United States (US) continue to strengthen with trade between the two countries growing to an all-time high of US$4.7 billion in 2024. This was revealed by US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, during a reception hosted on Friday evening in Georgetown to celebrate the upcoming 249th Independence of America.
Ambassador Theriot hailed the strong diplomatic ties her country shares with Guyana, adding that a testament to this is the new record set in bilateral trade between Guyana and the US.
“Our commercial ties also continue to deepen and expand. Over the past
growth and shared prosperity,” she asserted.
Military cooperation
She went on to outline that the US-Guyana partnership goes far beyond commercial ties, and is evident especially in the way both countries work together to promote peace, security and prosperity within the region.
One powerful example of this Ambassador Theriot noted is the strong military and security cooperation between US and Guyana, which is at the strongest it has ever been. In fact, this year the two countries partnered to host the Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team – an exercise that brought high-quality medical care to over 1,700 local
year, we’ve reached another milestone: bilateral trade in physical goods alone surpassed US$4.7 billion – a new record. The number of US companies working with Guyanese partners continues to grow, along with sustained investment across many sectors,” she posited.
According to the US diplomat, over the past year, the two countries celebrated many new ventures ranging from company launches and grand openings to groundbreaking partnerships. These include a new USbranded hotel, the launch of a new primary and secondary school partnership, a US company now offering Guyana’s first-ever industrial 3D-printing, and the entry of another US company specialising in welding and machining services.
The ambassador declared that this commercial partnership will be further strengthened.
“...we’re definitely not slowing down. We’re collaborating on critical infrastructure projects, including the transformative deep-sea port, road and rail project. These are nation-building investments that can shape the trajectory of a country for generations to come. As Guyana’s preferred partner, the United States is honoured to be part of that journey, and we are committed to helping build a legacy of
patients at five medical facilities across Guyana.
The diplomat further stated that the US and Guyana’s military-to-military partnership spans training, exchanges and acquisitions in key national security areas, such as the joint development of coastal radar capability for the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coast Guard.
Ravi Dev
US Ambassador Nicole Theriot and President Irfaan Ali share a light moment at Friday’s reception to celebrate America’s 249th Independence Anniversary
A section of the gathering at the United States’ independence anniversary celebration in Georgetown on Friday
Jewelz by King’s Hotel opens for business; to create jobs, boost tourism
Anew era of luxury hospitality in Georgetown was heralded with the opening of Jewelz by King’s Hotel — a state-of-the-art facility developed by the family known for its prestigious King’s brand.
The investment goes beyond family achievement, marking national progress by creating jobs and supporting economic growth.
On Friday evening, top Government officials including President Irfaan Ali, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and other dignitaries witnessed the launch of this impressive hospitality facil-
ity. The hotel is another investment by the Persaud family, who are behind the internationally recognised King’s brand. King’s is Guyana’s leading luxury retailer, known for exquisite and intricate pieces of jewellery and luxury goods such as clothes, watches, and other accessories.
Speaking at the launch, President Dr Irfaan Ali emphasised that this achievement is not merely a family accomplishment but one for the entire nation, as it creates jobs and bolsters economic growth.
“This is Guyana’s achievement. If we try to
narrow this to a family achievement, we would be doing an immense disservice to the sacrifices, time and investment of this family, because they did it for Guyana. They did it for the development and advancement of our country. So today we are celebrating Guyana, and I’m proud to be part of this team celebrating Guyana,” the President noted.
“I had the privilege of pre-touring this hotel. It is not just a hotel; it is a luxury home away from home. Every detail in this hotel reflects a personal priority for quality, and you will see it for yourself,” he added.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to public-private partnerships, citing the opening of Jewelz King’s Hotel in Georgetown as a symbol of the new era of development and opportunity that Guyana is entering.
The Guyanese leader outlined a bold vision for economic expansion and infrastructure development, emphasising the Government’s target to accommodate three million people passing through the economy by 2030.
“By 2030, we aim to accommodate 3 million passengers passing through this economy. We need to reach that number because of the infrastructure that we’re building. I can’t tell
all these doctors to come back here, all the lawyers, all the engineers, all the nurses, if we’re not creating the demand for the services that they’re going to invest in. We have a duty to do everything to get people passing through this economy, to create the demand that is needed. And that is what we’re going to do. Don’t worry, I’m far from finished,” he declared.
The President also mentioned that he highly believes also in the power of public-private partnership. He added that the hotel symbolises a new era — one where high rise doesn’t replace heritage. They stand beside it, complementing the old charm of a city once called the Garden City. We
are going to make it the Garden City of the world.” With initiatives like these underway, Guyana’s tourism sector is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to the Head of State, visitor arrivals have skyrocketed from just over 86,000 in 2020 to more than 371,000 last year, with projections now standing at 420,000.
We started by unlocking our skies. Nine new airlines began flying to Guyana since 2020. Nine new airlines —don’t just come.
The economics must make sense, their feasibility studies must make sense, that is why they come. Guyana makes sense. Investing in Guyana makes sense. And that is just a simple fact.”
US-Guyana trade reaches...
“The sight of the GDFS SHAHOUD sailing alongside the US Navy Cruiser, NORMANDY, during Secretary [of State, Marco] Rubio’s March visit was clear proof of the strength of our cooperation and the mutual commitment to our shared security,” she asserted.
According to the Ambassador, US and Guyana also expanded law enforcement partnership this year with knowledge exchanges and joint activities involving the New York Police Department (NYPD), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) working hand-in-hand with the GDF, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).
“Our agencies work incredibly well together, highlighted by the DEA-CANU seizure of thousands of kilos of illegal drugs in August [2024]. Joint operations like these strengthen our collective security and make Guyana a regional leader and a stabilising force in South America and the Caribbean,” she stated.
Youth empowerment
Beyond these areas, the US-Guyana partnership also focuses heavily on human resource development here especially as it relates to the potential of Guyanese youth. The Ambassador said the US exchange alumni continue to have a profound impact – from advancing sustainable agriculture in Mocha Arcadia to mentoring students in career development.
She added that programmes like Steps Towards Literacy, launched by the 2024 Youth Ambassadors, are fostering a love of learning among students, while sports initiatives have empowered over 250 athletes
and helped two talented athletes earn scholarships to US universities including national sprinter Malachi Austin, who got a full ride to the Ambassador’s alma mater – Louisiana State University (LSU).
Moreover, just last month, 25 new Peace Corps volunteers arrived in Guyana – making the total surpassing 40 volunteers currently in the country. The US diplomat noted that the work of these volunteers focuses on childhood literacy, adolescent health, and environmental education. They collaborate with schools, community groups, and Government Ministries to create lasting impact, she added.
Friday’s independence celebration was themed ‘A Night in New Orleans’ – a vibrant city within Ambassador Theriot’s home state of Louisiana.
“Like Guyana, New Orleans is a melting pot of identities and influences — African, French, Spanish, and Caribbean — that blend into a vibrant tapestry that shapes its identity and unique energy. Beyond their cultural wealth, New Orleans and Guyana share a legacy of resilience …let’s celebrate not only the ideals of independence but also the enduring friendship between our people. Like the city of New Orleans, our greatest strength lies in the harmony and appreciation of the many influences that shape our nations and our shared values,” the US Ambassador shared.
Among those in attendance at the reception were Prime Minister, Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd, along with several other Cabinet Ministers, senior Government officials, opposition politicians, and other members of the local diplomatic community.
The Jewelz by King’s Hotel at Waterloo & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Guyana on the right track with energy transition – Former Colombian Energy Minister
– says much potential exists for gas, other sources of cleaner
B y J arryl B ryan
Guyana has received plaudits for its efforts at transitioning to cleaner energy from former Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy, Diego Mesa Puyo, who himself is well versed with cleaner energy sources, having played a key role in Colombia’s own energy transition between 2018 and 2022.
Under the government of then Colombian President Iván Duque, Mesa pushed through laws, negotiated public/private partnerships and spear-
headed policies aimed at transitioning Colombia away from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy. It is a journey that Guyana is very familiar with, and in an exclusive interview with this publication on Saturday, Mesa, who has since transitioned to the field of academia, noted the parallels between his country and Guyana and made it clear that Guyana was on the right track with its own efforts.
“I think there are a number of parallels. I would say the most important one is the natural en-
dowment. Both countries are endowed with natural resources that are critical to the power sector. Hydropower, which is the main source of electricity in Columbia. You have a lot of potential for hydropower in Guyana,” he explained.
According to Mesa, who prior to politics worked for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and after politics is now a Visiting Fellow for Columbia’s Centre for Global Energy Policy (CGEP). Guyana also has much potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and, last but certainly not
least, gas.
“You also have a lot of potential for solar PV in Guyana, which is something that Colombia has been developing quite intensely over the last six or seven years. You also have some potential for wind power, which is something Columbia has been working on.”
“And as you just mentioned, gas power. So as far as the development of the petroleum sector, also being able to use domestic gas resources to replace more expensive and more polluting sources of energy,” he also explained.
He also stressed the importance of having the right environment in place to attract private investment that will push these energy transition projects forward. According to Mesa, Colombia’s own energy transition was done through private investment, though the country
energy
which also included other resources like low- and zero-emission hydrogen, as well as geothermal energy. In other words, public sector policies played a key role in leveraging private investment.
While geothermal energy is contained in the
already had a significantly robust power sector since the 1990s.
“The key here is to make sure that you have the right environment in place to bring in investment and develop these resources in a sustainable manner. And again, that’s where I see parallels. Understanding that these resources are critical for energy transition, they need investment to be able to develop them,” Mesa explained.
“The power sector operates according to the market. In 2018-2019, we introduced Power Purchase Agreements for renewable energy that make this sector very attractive for private investment. There were also changes in the legislation to incentivise investment into solar, wind and battery storage.”
Mesa also reflected on Colombia passing an energy transition law in 2021,
earth’s crust, the depth at which drilling has to occur to access this energy source is often a major factor in how costly this exercise is. Meanwhile, low- and zero-emission hydrogen is a reference to various energy sources, ranging from using clean energy sources to produce hydrogen and the use of fuel cells to producing fossil fuel-based hydrogen with carbon capture implemented to ensure low emissions.
In Guyana, a number of initiatives have been implemented at all levels to push the energy transition. There is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s flagship Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project, which, when completed, will see a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant and a natural gas liquids (NGL) facility being built at Wales, West Bank
Demerara (WBD), by the United States (US)-based LNDCH4. ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) has already finished constructing the gas pipeline, and the transmission lines and substations required for integration of the project are significantly advanced, with completion anticipated next year. Additionally, a Phase Two that will see another power plant and NGL facility being built out is also planned.
There is also the 165-MW Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP), which was the flagship initiative of the Bharrat Jagdeo-crafted Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) during his time in office as president.
Additionally, the government has been embarking on a massive drive to distribute solar PV systems to persons living in hinterland areas as part of its policy to get more citizens using rooftop solar PV technology to not only provide them with reliable energy and reduce their utility costs but also to ensure renewable energy is normalised on a national scale.
Former Colombian Minister of Mines and Energy Diego Mesa Puyo
Model of the GtE Project
ERC honours winners of essay competition countering hate speech
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Saturday hosted a simple award ceremony for its National Essay Competition, held in observance of the International Day for Countering Hate Speech 2025.
Youths from schools in Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice were announced as the main prize winners after a rigorous judging process by literary critic Al Creighton.
Seventeen-year-old Kareem Baksh, a student at Anna Regina Multilateral School, Essequibo, was adjudged the first-place winner. Christina Campbell, 16, of Manchester Secondary, East Berbice, Corentyne, was awarded second place, while joint third place was shared by Afiyah Jabbar, 15, of School of the Nations, Georgetown, and Emanuel Hinds, 17, of New Campbellville Secondary, also in Georgetown.
The announcement was made during the presentation ceremony at the National Library, Georgetown, to honour the winners.
The competition, which ran for about a month, was organised by the ERC in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Systems in Guyana. It was open to students aged 12 to 17, who were invited to submit essays under the timely and important theme: “Countering Hate Speech: How can we fortify bonds
among the ethnic groups?”
The remarks from ERC
Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack highlighted the essence of the initiative, noting that it formed part of a series of activities executed under the Commission’s Countering Hate Speech Campaign launched in June 2024.
“Initiatives such as this Essay Competition ensure that our youth, as future leaders, have a platform to amplify their voices and put forward solutions that we and society at large can adopt to foster a Guyana free of hate speech.” Moeenul Hack stated.
“The solutions outlined in the essays were centred around the importance of education and align excellently with the work of the ERC, as we too believe in the power of education to counter hate speech. Over the past two years, the ERC has engaged over 160 schools, reaching more than 17,700 students across all ten regions of Guyana. This,
among several nationwide initiatives, has targeted several stakeholder groups in a multifaceted approach to address hate speech, particularly race- and ethnicity-based,” he added.
The Chairman also emphasised the importance of putting the proposed solutions into action, explaining that “As we approach the 2025 General and Regional Elections, the significance of this work becomes even more urgent. In such politically charged periods, the risk of hate speech, particularly on the basis of race and ethnicity, intensifies. Let us take guidance from the voices of our youth and recommit ourselves to preserving peace, promoting mutual respect, and protecting national unity during this critical time.”
UN Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau commended the winners and was vocal about the damaging implications of divisive remarks, especially on social media.
“Your voices are powerful, and your words can inspire change. Standing up to hate does not require grand gestures. It begins with everyday actions: how we speak, how we treat others, and how we stand up for what is right. What may seem harmless can sometimes contribute to the spread of harmful narratives. Have the courage to speak up when friends cross the line; don’t laugh it off. And do not hesitate to call out disrespectful behaviour, even from adults.” she asserted.
The three main prize winners received cash prizes and certificates amount-
ing to over one hundred thousand dollars. A total of 29 remarkable entries were received, and the young Guyanese shared their insightful perspectives on the theme.
Competition judge Al Creighton emphasised that the scores were not far apart, citing the overall high quality of the submissions.
The Ethnic Relations Commission reiterates its commitment to its constitutional mandate of promoting harmony, understanding, and good relations among all Guyanese.
The National Essay Competition is a key com-
ponent of the ERC’s public education and awareness programme aimed at eradicating discrimination and encouraging respect for persons of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds. In closing, the Commission challenged all to live the values articulated in these writings, to think before typing or speaking, to act with respect, and to have the courage to challenge prejudice wherever it is encountered.
The winning essays will be made available to the general public on the ERC Facebook page and website.
UN Resident Coordinator Jean Kamau presents one of the winners with a certificate of achievement
Prize winners display their certificates of achievement
ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack speaking at the award ceremony
Kalissa Haimpersaud tops Region
Two’s NGSA,
places second nationally
– Aspiring entrepreneur earns place at Queen’s College
Eleven-year-old Kalissa Haimpersaud, who hails from Pomona Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has brought immense joy to her family, school and region after securing first place in Region Two and an impressive second place nationally at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). She attained a remarkable total of 487 marks.
A student of Huis’t Dieren Primary School, Haimpersaud credits her outstanding performance to consistent hard work, determination, and a strong support system. She expressed deep gratitude to her parents and teachers, whom she says continually motivated and reminded her of her potential.
“My biggest motivation came from my parents and teachers. They constantly remind me of my potential and never stopped believing in me,” she shared.
Guyana’s premier secondary institution.
Haimpersaud, who aspires to become an entrepreneur, described the moment she received her results as one of satisfaction and elation. She has been awarded a place at Queen’s College,
“I felt satisfied and elated after hearing the good news… I didn’t expect I would top my region,” she said.
Her Grade Six teacher, Sareena Seemangal, played a pivotal role in her academ-
ic preparation by providing additional lessons and ongoing support.
Kalissa remained committed throughout, dedicating extra time to revis-
ing challenging topics and staying focused on her study schedule.
Outside of the classroom, Haimpersaud enjoys reading and has a particular love for Mathematics, a subject she finds both stimulating and enjoyable. According to her teachers and peers, she is known for being intelligent, loving, caring, encouraging, and supportive.
Her proud parents, Parbattie BabulallHaimpersaud and Khaishar Haimpersaud, expressed heartfelt joy upon receiving the news of her accomplishments.
“When we heard Kalissa topped Region Two and placed second nationally, we were completely overcome with emotion. There were happy tears, hugs, and even a little dancing,” they recalled.
They supported their
daughter throughout her journey—academically, emotionally and spiritually—by helping her maintain a healthy balance between study and rest, creating a positive home environment, and reminding her that effort and dedication were more important than the final score.
The top student also expressed appreciation to all her teachers throughout the years, particularly her nursery school teacher, Ms Gloria Jairam and every educator from Grade One to Grade Six, all of whom played meaningful roles in her academic development. Her advice to other students, especially those from smaller communities, is heartfelt and powerful: “Never doubt your potential. Stay focused, work hard, and believe in yourself. Success comes after hard work.”
With Minister of Education Priya Manickchand during the NGSA results release
Region Two top student, Kalissa Haimpersaud
From top CSEC performer to teacher
– Dave Chowtie launches Math Camp to inspire understanding over memorisation
The flame ignited by educational pursuits is one that continues to light the way for the next generation, as 17-year-old Dave Chowtie is proving that mathematics isn’t just about numbers, symbols or formulas—it’s a way of thinking. And it’s this mindset he hopes to pass on through a brandnew summer programme he’s launching this July.
Dave Chowtie was one of the country’s top performers at last year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
He wrote 29 subjects and secured 23 Grade Ones and 6 Grade Twos. Chowtie attended Queen’s College in Georgetown and tied with two other CSEC students who also earned 23 Grade Ones.
At an age where many of his peers are just navigating what’s next after high school, Dave is preparing to host a full-scale summer maths camp designed not only to improve grades but to change perspectives.
The core philosophy behind this initiative, Chowtie says, is that students should not rely on memorisation or cramming—a method he considers only a small part of the learning process—especially when it comes to truly excelling in maths.
Speaking during a recent telephone interview with this publication, Chowtie explained the spark that funnelled this flame to undergo this mission.
“I realised a lot of children struggle with math and kind of run from it. I wanted to help children on a larg-
er scale, apart from those I teach, and that is why I started this. Plus, I really, really like math. I want to share my perspective of math and my love for math with those children.”
Dave, a top performer in both General Math and Additional Math at CSEC, has been teaching for the past year. Through this experience, he noticed a worrying trend: many students were just memorising rather than truly learning.
His personal journey in mathematics mirrors the transformation he now seeks to inspire. Initially, he too leaned on memorisation, but that changed as the subject became more complex.
“When I initially started studying math, it was more about memorisation. But as I moved to higher levels, I
realised that can’t work. It’s more about understanding how things work, recognising patterns, and trying to understand concepts,” he said. “That is what really helped me get through my courses at Queen’s College, especially with the higher levels of math I pursued.”
The camp, which runs from July 7 to July 11, will be held Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The curriculum merges the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) General Mathematics syllabus with elements of Additional Mathematics. Dave’s goal is not just to help students pass their exams—but to encourage them to pursue Advanced Math.
“Math is something you really need to practice, things like past paper work are im-
portant. Trying to get different perspectives and different ways to work on problems— math taught me there are multiple ways of arriving at a solution.”
When asked about this year’s record-breaking NGSA math results, Dave was full of praise:
“I think it was great— it was the best result so far, and I applaud everybody that would’ve been a stakeholder in getting those results.”
Looking to expand the programme’s impact beyond just academics, Dave has also invited guest professionals—doctors, engineers, lawyers, and others—to provide career guidance and inspire students.
Now, as he prepares to lead his first cohort of students through the intensive camp, he reflects on what
teaching really means to him.
“Teaching and helping them is a very fulfilling experience. It’s satisfying to know that you can help someone go from zero to a hundred.”
For those wondering why they should sign up, Dave doesn’t promise quick fixes— but rather a powerful shift in how students view math and their own capabilities.
“It’s not just about math scores,” he said, “it’s about confidence, curiosity, and creating a mindset that understands, rather than just remembers.”
In a world racing ahead with technology, data, and logic, Guyana might just have found one of its most promising young mentors— and his classroom is open this summer. For further details, email: mapsguyana@gmail. com
TPanJam returns with nostalgic theme
– celebrating village life and cultural togetherness
he acclaimed PanJam concert is set to return for its seventh consecutive year, bringing communities together under the heart-warming theme “PanJam In De Village”.
Scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at Parc Rayne, this year’s concert takes on special significance as it celebrates the authentic village spirit that has always been the backbone of Guyanese culture.
The 2025 edition focuses on recreating the communal atmosphere of historic Guyanese village gatherings. “PanJam In De Village” aims to transport patrons back to the golden days of village life, when communities gathered spontaneously around the sweet sounds of steel pan and the rhythmic beating of drums, where cultural boundaries dissolved and everyone became family.
“This year’s theme isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about rediscovering who we are as a people,” said Reon Miller, founder and
creator of PanJam.
“The village concept resonates deeply with Guyana’s multicultural fabric. PanJam 2025 aims to recreate that authentic village atmosphere where cultural appreciation wasn’t taught; it was lived. At a time when our nation is experiencing unprecedented growth and change, we need to remember these values that have always made us strong,” Miller said. Regional sensation Joshua Regrello makes his highly anticipated return to the PanJam stage, bringing his signature style and energy. Adding an exciting new dimension to this year’s concert is the internationally acclaimed Juke Ross, whose presence promises to elevate the village experience with his unique artistry.
The incomparable Carlvin Burnett also returns; joining him is Nekeita, who together make a dynamic duo highly capable of transcending the energy of the audience.
Reon Miller and Roy Stewart during their performance at PanJam 2024
Lima Sands man found dead, murder suspected
– friend arrested as Police launch murder probe
Police in Regional Division Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are investigating the alleged murder of a 46-year-old labourer whose body was discovered early Saturday morning along the Lima Sands Public Road, Essequibo Coast.
The deceased has been identified as Gary Melville, of Lima Sands, who reportedly died sometime between 20:00h on Friday June 27 and 05:30h on Saturday, June 28.
A 23-year-old farmer, who is said to be known to the victim, has since been arrested and taken into custody.
According to reports, Melville and the suspect were friends and residents of the same village. Police were informed by a female
shopkeeper that the two men, along with others were consuming alcohol at her business place on Friday evening. She said the suspect was drinking high wine, while Melville was drinking 592 beers.
During the drinking session, the shopkeeper recalled overhearing the suspect accusing Melville of burning him with a cigarette. An altercation reportedly ensued, during which the suspect sustained a head injury and Melville fell to the ground. A female patron then intervened and separated the two.
Melville subsequently left the shop on foot, heading north, while the suspect departed about ten minutes later on his motorcycle, heading in the same direction.
At approximately 05:30h on Saturday, a 48-year-old woman who was walking along the Lima Sands Public Road discovered Melville’s body lying motionless on the eastern side of the road. She immediately raised an alarm and contacted the Police.
Ranks who responded to the scene observed visible injuries to the deceased’s body, including wounds to the back of both hands, right knee, both feet and his face. Melville was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was subsequently transported to the Suddie Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
The suspect, who was found with injuries to his hand, head, and knee was
arrested and escorted to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, where he received treatment before being returned to Police custody.
71-year-old pedestrian killed in late-night crash on East Coast
– Motorcyclist hospitalised, businessman in custody
A71-year-old pensioner was killed late Friday night in a tragic collision involving a car and a motorcycle along the Le Ressouvenir public road, East Coast Demerara.
Dead is Ramroop Sadaram of Lot 273 Success Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
The accident occurred around 23:45h on Friday and also left a 27-year-old motorcyclist from Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD, hospitalised with injuries.
The incident involved mo-
tor car PAB 9943, driven by a 48-year-old businessman from Good Hope, ECD; Sadaram, who was a pedestrian; and motorcycle CN 8838, ridden by the 27-year-old construction worker.
According to police, the businessman was heading east along the northern driving lane when he allegedly heard a loud motorcycle sound, looked into his wing mirror, and then felt a sudden impact to the front and rear of his vehicle. He immediately stopped and reportedly saw two men lying on the roadway, both with visible injuries.
Emergency Medical Technicians were summoned to the scene. Sadaram was pronounced dead at the scene, while the motorcyclist was found conscious and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he remains under treatment.
The driver of the car is currently in police custody, assisting with the investigation. A breathalyser test was administered, returning readings below the legal limit.
Investigations continue to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
Wedding house murder suspect remanded after nine years on the run
Aman accused of brutally stabbing a father of two to death during a wedding house brawl nearly a decade ago was remanded to prison on Thursday, bringing a long-awaited step toward justice for the victim’s grieving family.
Dave Ramnauth, also known as “Shandy,” a 28-year-old fisherman of Lot ‘B’ 21 Portuguese Quarter, Port Mourant, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Mathias at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Courts, where he was charged with the murder of Surendra “Sham” Nauth, who was killed in 2016 during a violent altercation at a wedding celebration in Williamsburg, Corentyne.
The charge, which is indictable and falls under common law, was not required to be answered by the accused. Ramnauth was remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned to July 15, at the Albion Magistrate’s Court for report and statements.
The incident occurred on January 17, 2016, at a wedding house in Williamsburg backdam, where 29-yearold Nauth, a labourer at the
Albion Sugar Estate had gone to visit his wife’s relatives. Despite his brother’s warnings to stay home, Nauth left his Albion home that night to briefly attend the event.
According to his brother Rabindra Nauth, who spoke with the media, Surendra had earlier called twice, prompting him to head to the wedding location, where he saw Surendra dancing. Moments later, chaos erupted.
Eyewitnesses said a man, now believed to be Ramnauth, had allegedly slashed the tyres of a car parked outside. When confronted, the suspect reportedly became enraged and
attacked Nauth’s brother-in-law, Totaram Bhola, 25, slashing him across the forehead. He then stabbed Surendra Nauth in the abdomen, causing the father of two to collapse.
Rabindra, who chased the suspect without realising his brother had been injured, said he later returned to find Surendra unconscious in the back seat of a car. He was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, then transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Bhola was critically wounded but survived.
The suspect, before the incident was recently released from prison for a wounding
conviction. Police quickly identified him but believed he had fled the country, possibly to Suriname, and efforts to capture him over the
years were unsuccessful, until now.
New intelligence led officers to a home in Stanleytown, Berbice where
the suspect was arrested on June 22. He was then formally charged with murder and taken before the court that same day.
Four arrested in Berbice armed robbery plot
Four men from Georgetown were arrested on Thursday afternoon after police intercepted their vehicles and uncovered an unlicensed firearm, thwarting what is believed to have been a planned robbery at a Chinese supermarket in New Amsterdam.
The suspects, aged 18 to 29, were travelling in two motorcars from Georgetown when they were stopped around 14:00h by a senior police officer and ranks at the Berbice River Bridge access road. A search of one of the vehicles led to the discovery of a .38 revolver hidden in a compartment beneath the steering wheel,
The firearm that is suspected to be used in a plot to rob a Chinese supermarket
along with five matching rounds of ammunition.
The men were immediately taken into custody and are assisting police
with the ongoing investigation. Authorities believe the swift interception prevented a serious crime from occurring.
Dave Ramnauth Dead: Surendra Nauth
There will also be performances from soloists Ray Sparman and Clayton Daniels and saxophonists Roy Stewart and Jesse Schultz.
The evening’s epic crescendo will feature an unprecedented steel band clash between Ansa McAl Parkside Steel Orchestra and Pan Groove Steel Orchestra.
This tune-for-tune battle embodies the friendly competition that has always driven village panyards to excellence, where respect and camaraderie triumph over rivalry. The showdown promises to capture the authentic spirit of village music competitions, where the entire community would gather to witness musical greatness unfold.
Patrons are encouraged to embrace the village aesthetic, thinking simple, authentic and colourful. The venue will be transformed to reflect village life, in -
corporating traditional decorations and local cuisine to enhance the cultural atmosphere.
“We’re not just putting on a concert; we’re recreating a cultural experience,” Miller explained. PanJam 2025 continues to be supported by partners who understand the importance of cultural preservation and community building.
This year’s sponsors include the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Potsalt, Massy Distribution, Absolut, IBGL Insurance Brokers, the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, News Source, Gabriella The PR Girl, and Xperiences.
Physical tickets are available at Massy Providence, MovieTowne, Montrose, Vreed-en-Hoop, Ruimveldt and Giftland locations; IBGL on Carmichael Street and upstairs at Oasis Café. E-tickets are on the Potsalt Events App or www.potsalt.events.
Trinidadian Guinness Record Holder Joshua Regrello during his performance at PanJam 2024
T&T: Oil spill forces 57 residents to evacuate
Fifty-seven residents from a Marabella, Trinidad & Tobago community have so far been evacuated following an oil spill in the Marabella River.
They are currently being housed at the Royal Hotel, as Heritage Petroleum Company Ltd continues clean-up operations.
Guardian Media was told that the company received a report about the oil spill around 10 a.m. yesterday and traced the source of the leak to a 12-inch pipeline near the Brian Lara Stadium.
A Heritage official said the leak has been contained, and clean-up operations are ongoing at various points along the river course.
San Fernando West MP and Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath, Claxton Bay MP Hansen Narinesingh, and councillor John Michael Alibocas visited the scene.
They assured that Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal
has been apprised of the situation and said they are working assiduously to ensure the residents are safe and comfortable, and that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible.
(Source: Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
B’dos judge to decide whether ex CLICO boss must stand trial on theft charges
The fate of former CLICO Life Insurance Company chairman Leroy Parris is now in the hands of a High Court judge, who will decide whether he must stand trial on theft and conspiracy charges.
Justice Michelle Weekes on Friday reserved judgment in the matter, after hearing closing submissions from Parris’ attorney, Hal Gollop, KC and legal counsel for the State, Roger Forde, KC.
In 2023, Magistrate Manila Renee sought to commit the 79-year-old Parris to face a judge and jury for his alleged theft of more than $3 million from CLICO. But the former insurance executive applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the magistrate’s decision, while at the same time requesting an injunction to halt the indictment from proceeding.
Justice Weekes had granted the injunction, pav-
ing the way for a full hearing of Parris’ application for judicial review.
In the No. 8 Supreme Court on Friday, Gollop argued there were sufficient grounds for judicial review.
Parris is accused of stealing $3.33 million from CLICO International Life Insurance Limited between December 1, 2008, and April 27, 2009. He is also charged with conspiracy to defraud CLICO by inducing the company to pay out the money to the law firm of Thompson and Associates.
Prosecutors allege that between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, Parris was involved in a conspiracy to cheat the Commissioner of Inland Revenue by failing to submit tax returns or account for income taxes for the 2009 tax year. Between December 1, 2008 and April 27, 2009, Parris engaged in money laundering of $3.33 million, the prosecution claims.
The former insurance executive who was in court on Friday, has maintained his innocence throughout. He has been on $1.5 million bail since his first appearance before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court in June 2020. (Excerpt from Barbados Today)
J’ca Toll Authority intensifies effort to keep stray animals off highway network
The Toll Authority of Jamaica is intensifying its effort to improve road safety on the nation’s toll roads, with a renewed focus on reducing animal-related hazards.
As part of its core mission to ensure road safety, the Authority’s Inspectorate Department has been actively addressing the growing issue of stray animals on the highway network.
Senior Toll Inspector at the Authority, Delon Wauchope, told JIS News that one of the main responsibilities of the Toll Inspectorate Department is to ensure that the roads remain safe for all users.
One of the recurring and serious concerns faced is the presence of animals on the highway, he added. He informed that there have been frequent sightings of stray dogs, cows, goats and cats, which pose significant risks to motorists, especially during night-time travel.
“One of the things that we have been trying to do as the Authority, is to not only strengthen the infrastructure, like fencing to keep the animals off the highway, but to also reach out to the communities,” said Wauchope.
“Anywhere we find that has a high frequency of animals, we put up animal cross-
ing signs or other markers, so that motorists themselves can be aware of what’s happening,” he continued.
Wauchope further informed that the Toll Authority monitors and tracks all data related to highway safety, including animal sightings and animal-related crashes.
“We also work with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to collect data, not only on how often we see animals but how often people are being prosecuted for these animals,” Wauchope said, reinforcing the point that based on the Toll Roads Act, animals are prohibited on the toll roads.
(Source: Jamaica Star)
Suriname: Rabin Parmessar sworn in as acting Speaker of the Assembly
Rabin Parmessar on Saturday was sworn in as Acting Chairman of the National Assembly in the presidential palace. He made the promise in the hands of President Chan Santokhi. The promise was presented to him by the director of the Interior, Nasier Eskak.
President Santokhi noted during his speech that Parmessar is taking on a responsible task. “With this first ceremonial act, the door of democracy is opened,” said the president, looking ahead to the swearing in and admission of the elected representatives today.
The swearing-in of the remaining members will take place today at 10:00 under the leadership of Parmessar. The first public meeting of parliament will follow at 13:00. During this session, credentials will be checked and members will be officially admitted. The swearing-in is part of this procedure.
In view of the special nature of the meeting, special guests have also been invited, including representatives of government institutions
and the diplomatic corps. In addition, a large public interest is expected. For this reason, a covered screen will be placed on the grounds of the Assembly Building so that the public can follow the ceremonies live.
Parmessar expects that the events will proceed without any significant problems. It is certain that Ashwin Adhin (NDP) will be nominated as chairman of parliament on behalf of the new coalition, which consists of the NDP, NPS, ABOP, BEP, PL and A 20. The vice-chairman position will be filled by the
ABOP. It is also expected that the VHP, as the only opposition party, will nominate candidates.
The swearing in of new members and the election of a new leadership also heralds a new political era with new power relations. According to Parmessar, this process is already physically noticeable in parliament, because the exchange of seats and the placing of nameplates of the members has already taken place on Friday. The opposition sits to the left of the chairman and the coalition to the right.
(Source: Star Niews)
Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel hacked security cameras to track, kill FBI informants – US CDB study reveals procurement
delays, oversight gaps, and weak capacity undermining Caribbean development projects
Although there are areas of good practice and emerging strengths, a new baseline assessment commissioned by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has revealed that persistent procurement delays, institutional capacity constraints, procedural inefficiencies, and oversight issues remain key factors hampering the implementation of development projects in the region.
While the study, which reviewed 35 CDB projects across ten Caribbean countries, yielded some encouraging data it also pointed to fragmented stakeholder coordination, disjointed communication, limited CDB engagement and insufficient on-the-ground readiness as factors negatively affecting project outcomes.
The findings were central to a high-lev -
el seminar recently convened by the bank, entitled “Accelerating Project Implementation to Reduce Poverty,” which brought together Caribbean policymakers, private sector leaders, and global development experts. The discussion focused on unlocking institutional and systemic bottlenecks to expedite project delivery and maximize development impact. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Global)
Ahacker working for the Sinaloa drug cartel was able to obtain an FBI official’s phone records and use Mexico City’s surveillance cameras to help track and kill the agency’s informants in 2018, according to a new US justice department report.
The incident was disclosed in a justice department inspector general’s audit of the FBI’s efforts to mitigate the effects of “ubiquitous technical surveillance”, a term used to describe the global proliferation of cameras and the thriving trade in vast stores of communications, travel, and location data.
The report said that the hacker worked for the Sinaloa drug cartel, run
by Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, who was extradited to the United States in 2017.
The report said the hacker identified an FBI assistant legal attaché at the US embassy in Mexico City and was able to use the attaché’s phone number “to obtain calls made and received, as well as geolocation data”. The report said the hacker also “used Mexico City’s camera system to follow the [FBI official] through the city and identify people the [official] met with”.
It added that “the cartel used that information to intimidate and, in some instances, kill potential sources or cooperating witnesses”.
The report did not identify the alleged hacker, attaché or victims.
The US embassy in Mexico referred questions to the state and justice departments, who did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The FBI and a lawyer for Guzmán did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
The collection of granular location data from people’s phones by a wide variety of commercial and official actors, combined with ever-growing coverage of surveillance cameras, has posed a thorny problem for intelligence and law enforcement officials, many of whom rely on confidential informants.
(Source: The Guardian)
The source of the leak was traced to a 12-inch pipeline
Former CLICO Life Insurance Company chairman Leroy Parris
President Chan Santokhi congratulates Rabin Parmessar
OIL NEWS
TotalEnergies buys 25% stake in offshore Suriname to expand $10.5 billion development
TotalEnergies has acquired a 25% stake in Block 53 offshore Suriname from Spanish company Moeve, it said on Friday without giving financial details.
The purchase expands Total's position in one of the world's top exploration hotspots, where the French firm is already the first mover among oil majors.
Block 53 is adjacent to Total's $10.5 billion Gran Morgu development, which received a final investment decision in October and is estimated to hold more than 700 million barrels of recoverable resources.
The South American country has yet to produce hydrocarbons, but has ambitions to emulate neighbouring Guyana, where a consortium led by Exxon Mobil has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas.
Gran Morgu, a 200,000-barrel-per-day capacity development, is expected online in the first half of 2028.
Total said Block 53 contains an oil and gas discovery made in 2022 by partner APA, Baja-1, on the border of Gran Morgu, which can feed into already-planned infrastructure and extend the production plateau of its existing project.
Baja-1 contained 34 meters (112 feet) of net oil pay when drilled to a depth of 5,290 meters (17,356 feet) below sea level, according to APA.
The French oil company has already spent more than $1.4 billion on exploration in Suriname, and the floating offshore production unit for Gran Morgu will be one of the firm's largest, it has said. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Death toll rises after Pakistan hit by flash floods and heavy rains
Heavy rain and flash flooding across Pakistan have killed 32 people since the start of the monsoon season earlier this week, according to the disaster management officials.
Flash floods and roof collapses over the past 36 hours have claimed the lives of 19 people, eight of them children, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial disaster management authority said in a statement on Saturday.
Of the total deaths, 13 were reported in the Swat Valley. At least 13 people have
been killed in the eastern province of Punjab since Wednesday, the area’s disaster management authority said.
Eight of the deaths were children, who died when walls and roofs collapsed during heavy rain.
Flooding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also damaged 56 houses, six of which were destroyed, the disaster authority said.
The national meteorological service warned that the risk of heavy rain and possible flash floods will remain high until at least Tuesday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Around the World
Trump issues blistering response after Iran threatens US
President Donald Trump issued blistering remarks in response to Iran’s Supreme Leader claiming victory over Israel and, by extension, the US In a loaded public message, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had also threatened to attack more US Military bases, further splintering the Middle Eastern country’s relationship with the US
“Look, you’re a man of great faith. A man who’s highly respected in his country. You have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell,” Trump said as he addressed the Iranian Supreme Leader during a White House press conference on Friday.
Trump issued an even stronger response on his social media platform, Truth Social, later in the day, and doubled down on his stance once more when he reposted his message early Saturday morning.
In the lengthy post, Trump accused Khamenei of publicly sharing a “lie” by claiming Iran achieved a victory over Israel. He reaffirmed his much debated viewpoint that the US strikes “obliterated” the three key nuclear facilities it targeted on Saturday, June 21. Trump also seemingly made reference to previous reports that stated the White House turned down a plan by Israel to try and kill Khamenei.
“His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the US Armed Forces... terminate his life. I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death,” Trump said, lamenting that Khamenei would not “thank” him for this. “During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery. The sanctions are biting! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately
dropped all work on sanction relief.”
Trump concluded his charged social media message by saying “Iran has to get back into the world order flow” or else things “will only get worse for them.”
“They are always so angry, hostile, and unhappy, and look at what it has gotten them. A burned out, blown up country with no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around them. They have no hope, and it will only get worse! I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with honey than you do with vinegar. Peace!"
(Source: Time via MSN)
Top Chinese general ousted from body that oversees China’s military
Atop Chinese general has been dismissed from the body that oversees the Chinese military in the latest sign that Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive has reached the highest echelons of the armed forces.
Miao Hua, a senior admiral from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy, was the director of the political work department of the central military commission (CMC), making him responsible for ideology and loyalty within the armed forces. The six-person CMC is one of the most powerful institutions in China and is headed by Xi himself.
On Friday, a statement
from the Chinese government confirmed that Miao had been dismissed. He was suspended last year and placed under investigation for “serious violations of discipline”, a byword for corruption. He was expelled from the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament, in April.
The dismissal makes Miao one of the highest-ranking CMC officials to be purged since the 1960s, and the latest in a rush of senior military figures targeted.
He Weidong, a vicechair of the CMC, is also reported to be under investigation. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
Trump victorious again as US Supreme Court wraps up its term
The US Supreme Court on the last day of rulings for its current term gave Donald Trump his latest in a series of victories at the nation's top judicial body, one that may make it easier for him to implement contentious elements of his sweeping agenda as he tests the limits of presidential power.
With its six conservative members in the majority and its three liberals dissenting, the court on Friday curbed the ability of judges to impede his policies nationwide, resetting the power balance between the federal judiciary and presidents.
The ruling came after the Republican president's administration asked the Supreme Court to narrow the scope of so-called "universal" injunctions issued by three federal judges that halted nationally the enforcement of his
January executive order limiting birthright citizenship.
The court's decision has "systematically weakened judicial oversight and strengthened executive discretion," said Paul Rosenzweig, an attorney who served in Republican President George W. Bush's administration.
Friday's ruling said that judges generally can grant relief only to the individuals or groups who brought a particular lawsuit.
The decision did not, however, permit immediate implementation of Trump's directive, instead instructing lower courts to reconsider the scope of the injunctions. The ruling was authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, one of three conservative justices who Trump appointed during his first term in office from 20172021.
"President Trump secured
the relief he sought in most of his administration's cases," George Mason University law school professor Robert Luther III said.
The Supreme Court's next term begins in October but Trump's administration still has some emergency requests pending that the justices could
act upon at any time. It has asked the court to halt a judicial order blocking mass federal job cuts and the restructuring of agencies. It also has asked the justices to rein in the judge handling a case involving deportations to so-called "third countries." (Excerpt from Reuters)
Commuters make their way through a flooded street after heavy rainfall in Karachi on June 28, 2025
Miao Hua was the director of the political work department of China’s central military commission
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
GEMINI (MAY 21June 20)
(June 21July 22)
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) (March 21April 19)
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov. 23Dec. 21)
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
PISCES
(Feb. 20Mar. 20)
Too much, too far, too many; avoid excessive behavior in all aspects of life. Your best path forward is the one that engages in discussions that broaden your perspective.
Mixed emotions will cause discord. When you feel your anger mounting, remove yourself from the situation quickly. A change of heart will lead to new beginnings.
Aim to please and to help bring about positive change. Protect yourself from situations that threaten your physical and emotional well-being. Trust your instincts.
Avoid letting outside influences distract you from finishing what you start. Change is difficult, but once you adopt a simpler lifestyle, you can engage in what makes you happy.
Focus more on learning, expanding your circle and challenging your mind and the creative process. Refuse to let outsiders force manipulative tactics on you, causing inconsistency and emotional setbacks that can be costly.
Emotional energy is building and requires an outlet to push you in a positive direction. Take the initiative, volunteer to help a cause and be the one to make a difference.
Stop and assess what’s happening from afar. If you are too close to an emotional situation, you will get sucked into something you find taxing. Direct your energy toward home and professional enhancements.
A change will influence your emotional outlook regarding partnerships and who you trust and value. Trying something new will show you the path to personal happiness and money management.
Activities that require mental and physical agility will keep you out of trouble. Avoid situations that allow others to back you into an emotional corner.
Avoid unsavory situations that disrupt relationships with friends or relatives. A physical change that updates your image will boost your morale and give you the confidence to share your thoughts.
You want to strive to stabilize your life, not disrupt it. Set a budget, and refine and design how you see your space changing to suit your lifestyle and the modifications you want to pursue.
You have more clout than you realize. The impression you make will be gratifying and fetch support from friends and lovers alike. A change of scenery will spark your imagination and invite interesting encounters.
ARIES
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
Pickles
AQUARIUS
CANCER
CAPRICORN
AAG Senior Championships 2025…
Archibald goes sub-10; Springer claims women’s sprint title
The second day of the Athletics Association of Guyana’s (AAG) National Senior Championships brought the National Track & Field Facility to life with a series of exhilarating performances on Saturday, particularly in the highly anticipated 100m finals.
In front of an enthusiastic crowd, Emmanuel Archibald of the Police Progressive Sports Club delivered a show-stopping performance, storming to victory in the men’s 100m final with a blistering, wind-assisted time of 9.98 seconds (+2.4 m/s). His impressive run placed him ahead of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Akeem Stewart (10.11s) and teammate Ezekiel Newton (10.21s), capping one of the most com-
petitive sprints of the day.
Archibald’s win followed a commanding semi-final display where he clocked 10.15s to top his heat, setting the tone for what would be a memorable finale. Joining him in the final were strong contenders from both the GDF and Police camps, with the semi-final rounds seeing standout performances from Shamar Horatio (10.17s), Newton (10.22s), Revon Williams (10.44s), and Noelex Holder (10.44s).
On the women’s side, rising sprint sensation Tianna Springer continued her stellar form, clinching gold for the Police club in 11.52 s. Springer edged out GDF’s Tonya Rawlins (11.77s) and Akela Dover of Running Brave Athletic Club (11.82s) in a tightly fought contest
that reaffirmed her status as a promising national talent.
Beyond the headline sprints, the day’s events showcased a wide array of athletic prowess across track and field disciplines.
GDF’s Simeon Adams captured the men’s 400m title in 48.70s, narrowly ahead of teammate Joshua Lam (49.25s) and Police’s Tishawn Easton (49.95s). In the women’s race, seasoned athlete Aliyah Abrams cruised to victory in 53.73s, followed by GDF duo Keliza Smith and Kenisha Phillips.
In middle-distance action, Matthew Gordon of the Police club claimed the men’s 1500m title with a time of 4:07.02, while Donnel Fraser of Upper Demerara Schools triumphed in the women’s race in 5:40.89.
The Biggest Boxing Spectacle of the Year Set for August 9
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, will deliver the biggest boxing event of the year on August 9.
This event will showcase Guyana’s finest professional and amateur boxers, providing fans with entertainment and a dazzling display of boxing talent. A special halftime show with local music and fashion will bring a new dimension to the promotion of the sport, which will be exclusively broadcast on Guyana TV Network and Kalingo TV.
The card is headlined by four of the country’s most celebrated fighters: worldranked super flyweight world title contender Elton Dharry, Olympic standout Keevin Allicock, former WBC Caribbean champion Dexter Marques and internet sensation Laured Stewart.
The undercard will feature a mix of emerging amateur stars from across Guyana in matchups that promise fireworks and fierce competition as the next generation of boxing talent steps into the spotlight.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr expressed his pride in the growth of boxing in Guyana: “Guyana is ranked as one of
the top countries per capita in producing world champions in boxing, and it is our mission to ensure that we continue to build our legacy. The Government of Guyana will continue to open opportunities for athletes to excel on the world stage, and this promises to be an amazing event.”
This boxing event is sanctioned by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and promoted by Elton Dharry
Promotions, Nexgen Global Promotions and Pine Grove Promotions, NY. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; Sheriff Group of Companies; Guyana Tourism Authority; Comfort Sleep; Jack Bharat; and Ramchand’s Auto.
A limited number of VVIP and ringside tickets are available. To reserve, please contact the Guyana Boxing Board at 226 9094.
Field events also delivered standout results. GDF’s Ameka Eastman led a dominant showing in the wom-
en’s discus, securing the top spot with a throw of 34.57 m.
On the men’s side, Jemaine Simmons ensured another discus victory for GDF with a mark of 42.34 m. Marquez Miggins (Running Brave) and Royston Ross (Team Nice) also earned podium finishes.
In the hurdles, GDF’s Tony Ogle edged out the competition in the men’s 110m event with a 15.01s effort, while teammate Toyan Reymond won the women’s 100m hurdles in a close finish over Police’s Leoni Adams, 16.39s to 16.42s.
The day’s competition concluded with the men’s
4x100m relay, where GDF’s ‘B’ team blazed to victory in 41.60s, powered by smooth baton exchanges and strong anchor legs from Stewart, Newton, Ogle, and Keiron De Souza. Upper Demerara Schools and Police Progressive Sports Club finished second and third, respectively.
As the Championships gear up for their final day, anticipation is high for more standout performances. The Athletics Association of Guyana commends all participating athletes, coaches, and officials for their commitment to excellence and sportsmanship.
Sammy fined for criticising third umpire Holdstock
est Indies coach
WDaren Sammy has been fined for his criticism of third umpire Adrian Holdstock during the opening Test against Australia in Barbados.
Sammy was angered by two decisions, in particular, that went against West Indies on the second day: Roston Chase’s lbw, upheld by Holdstock despite a suggestion of an inside edge, and Shai Hope’s inside edge that was brilliantly caught by Alex Carey, who was ruled to have held the catch cleanly. On the first day, Holdstock ruled a low catch to Hope off Travis Head was not carried.
Speaking after the second day’s play, Sammy said he had held concerns
about Holdstock’s umpiring from the recent ODI series in England.
“You don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you’re wondering about certain umpires,” he said. “Is there something against this team? But when you see decision after decision, then it raises the question.”
support personnel, match official or team participating in any international match”.
He was fined 15% of his match fee for the level one offence. One demerit point has also been added to Sammy’s disciplinary record, his first offence in a 24-month period.
Sammy was found to have violated Article 2.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in an international match or any player, player
Sammy admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Javagal Srinath. Level 1 offences carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum of a 50% match fee fine, along with one or two demerit points. Captain Chase was equally critical of the decisions when he spoke after the match, but there has yet to be any mention of a sanction against him.
Holdstock is due to be an on-field umpire for the next two Tests in Grenada and Jamaica, with the TV role split between Nitin Menon and Richard Kettleborough.
Head Coach Daren Sammy was fined 15% of his match fee
Elton Dharry
A look at the 100M podium featuring, from left, Akeem Stewart’ Emanuel Archibald, and Ezekiel Newton
Aliyah Abrams is the Women’s 400M champion
SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2025
GSL unveils trophy inspired by Guyana’s natural heritage
The Global Super League T20 trophy draws its inspiration from Guyana’s deep commitment to nature and sustainability. At its heart lies the majestic Kaieteur — an iconic symbol that perfect-
ly embodies this dedication. The breath-taking Kaieteur not only serves as the centrepiece of the trophy but also represents the enduring spirit of cricket intertwined with the preservation of Guyana’s rich and vibrant
natural beauty.
Simply put, this unique design celebrates both the excitement of the game and the vital importance of environmental stewardship, reflecting the Global Super League’s vision of sporting
excellence harmonised with ecological responsibility.
ExxonMobil U14 kicks off with exhilarating action
Scores of secondary schools’ football teams donned their colourful uniforms on Saturday morning in a march pass ceremony that marked the commencement of the ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under-14 football competition.
Initially slated to start two weeks ago, inclement weather had hindered organisers from getting the 2025 tournament underway.
Now in its sixth year, the U14 tournament will see 56 teams from Regions 1 through 7, with 20 competing across the two divisions.
During Saturday morning’s opening ceremony at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, ExxonMobil Guyana Production Engineer Ralph Fraser spoke on the title sponsor’s behalf, reiterating their commitment to sport.
“I’m excited to be here to kick off another Petra Football tournament. It has been six years now that ExxonMobil Guyana has sponsored this competition, and every year, we see new talent and great sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Supporting youth empowerment through sport is a focus for ExxonMobil. For over a decade we’ve been investing in communities, enhancing community grounds in some of the remote regions, supporting sports in schools, and supporting regional competitions and even international tournaments,” Fraser noted.
The ExxonMobil production engineer further stated, “Why sport? Because it plays such a vital role in our lives, especially team sports. It certainly played a role in mine growing up; I think balance is the key.”
Also delivering remarks was Education Ministry Head of Allied Arts Nicholas Fraser, who explained why the Ministry continues to support such initiatives.
Fraser expressed, “I think you’d be asking why the Ministry would be so keen on working with schools and, in particular, football. Now, it’s well known that we would really like to support schools in terms of your cognitive development, in terms of your
academic achievement. It is also well known that football and other activities that relate to the expressive arts also help in your development as a student, so your affective domain is also important for us to develop.”
When the on-field action began, Marian Academy’s girls drew first blood in the tournament, defeating Bushlot Secondary’s girls
7-0, while in the boys’ tournament Cotton Field overcame South Ruimveldt Secondary 2-0.
The ExxonMobil U14 action is billed to continue next weekend with more group stage action. The teams are competing for a $400,000 grand prize in both categories that will go towards a school project of their choosing.
Sanjay Sharma, the founder of Loka Lifestyle Pvt Ltd., who also designed the ICC Awards, explained, “While researching for inspiration for the GSL trophy design, what struck me was the awareness of and importance placed on nature in Guyana. The country’s more than 300 waterfalls simply had to be part of the design. I felt this trophy needed to be alive like the waterfalls and bring joy to all. What better way than to have the waterfalls represented by one in the middle of the two cricket stumps?”
This unique design celebrates both the excitement of the game and the vital importance of environmental stewardship, reflecting the Global Super League’s
responsibility.
Early days, but confidence still high for
Ryan Rahaman
With the time swiftly counting down to the second round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Circuit Racing championship, battle lines are being drawn.
One such line is one of cautious confidence from current Sport Tuner group leader Ryan Rahaman. Rahaman, who leads the class championship with his Toyota Vitz over Azas Hassan and his Toyota Levin, spoke to GMR&SC Media recently ahead of the upcoming second round.
“Rain might be a big factor in the race meet, and that will add a twist to the whole standings, but consistency is the main thing. Between Adrian (Fernandes), myself and Azad, we are always the three front runners,
and I would want to say it’s a good rivalry between us. We all go out to win; nobody goes out to get second; it’s always to win.”
Speaking about his preparation, he sounded a warning to his competitors, saying, “I’m very happy with the way the Vitz is working, and they all have to look out for that little black pocket rocket in the mirror.”
He also encouraged fans to come out to witness the event at the South Dakota Circuit on July 5 & 6.
“I hope the fans will come out to see this rivalry. This is a rivalry that has been going on for about three years now. I won the last championship; Azad won the year before that, so it’s one of the most keenly
contested groups on the programme. We have always had close racing, and the fans know that.”
The second round of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Circuit Racing Championship is sponsored by GUYOIL, Tropical Shipping, ENET, Shaw Construction, XL Engineering, and Prem’s Electrical.
Ryan Rahaman
Snippets of the boys and girls U14 action which kicked off on Saturday
The ExxonMobil Guyana GSL T20 symbol of supremacy
GMRSC Circuit Racing Championship round two…
vision of sporting excellence harmonised with ecological
Fmr Guyana National Team captain guides Inter Miami CF Academy to 2025 MLS NEXT CUP Titles
Inter Miami CF Academy U-17 team under the stewardship of its coach, former captain of the Golden Jaguars, Christopher Nurse, capped off a remarkable season by winning the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup title in Nashville two weekends ago.
The U-17s kicked off their playoff run with a 1-0 win over Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth in the Round of 32, followed by a 2-1 victory against Cedar Stars Academy Bergen.
They continued their streak with a 1-0 win over Baltimore Armour in the quarterfinals and won in a 6-5 win in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals.
They sealed the championship with a thrilling finale, defeating Weston FC
in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout to bring home the title.
However, Nurse, who has been with the team for the past two and a half years, told the Guyana Times sport that it has been an incredibly rewarding journey watching the young unit evolve both on and off the field.
Since taking over the team, they have participated in multiple high-level competitions, including league fixtures, showcases, and the MLS NEXT Cup, which is their main national championship platform.
Nurse explained that over the last two seasons, the team has consistently competed at the highest level. “This season, in particular, has been special, culmi-
nating in a final appearance at the MLS NEXT Cup, placing us as the top team in the nation. It’s a reflection of the growth, dedication, and belief the players have shown throughout,” he told the Guyana Times.
With the recent win, Nurse could not hold back his emotions.
“It was an emotional and proud moment. The boys earned it through hard work and togetherness. There was a lot of excitement, but also maturity; they celebrated with the right perspective.”
He, nevertheless, recounted the mindset of the team heading into the tournament. “We went in with belief and a quiet confidence. We respected every opponent but never doubted our identity or our ability. The mindset was clear: one game at a time, stay connected, and be relentless. We put our faith and trust in God.”
A nurse who has years of experience playing soccer has contributed to his role as a coach, friend and mentor.
“My playing background, especially with the Guyana National Team, taught me a lot about resilience, leadership, and the pride of representing something bigger than yourself. I try to pass those values on to the players every day. This journey isn’t just about soccer; it’s about character and growth.”
“I’m incredibly proud, not just of the result, but of the process. Success is never just about the final whistle. It’s about the way we’ve grown, how we’ve overcome adversity, and the standard we’ve set for ourselves and future teams. It’s a big moment, and one we’ll carry forward with pride,” he added.
When asked about his strategy for keeping the team motivated and focused, he responded, “We’ve built a culture that’s player-driven. The boys hold each other ac-
countable and set the tone. Our job as staff is to challenge them with purpose, support them through setbacks, and remind them of what’s at stake, not just in soccer, but in life. That balance has kept them sharp and driven.”
Now that the team has won the tournament, he will allow the team to enjoy the moment, after which their focus will be shifted to preparations for the next season.
For Nurse, his team is his top priority. “Right now, everything is about the team.
Personally, I’ll take time to reflect after the tournament, but I’ll always be committed to developing young players, growing the game, and pushing the standard wherever I am.”
The London-born Golden Jaguars player was appointed as captain of the Guyanese team in 2011, leading up to Guyana’s FIFA World Cup 2014 campaign. In 2021, he was appointed the newest agent of change in football, following his ascension to the MLS Next Equity Action Committee. (Bhisham Mohamed)
The team during one of its sessions prior to game time
