Issuu

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 6565

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

“It is non-negotiable”

Page 3

– Pres Ali on reliable water service at Coomacka Mines

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: US extradition request

Committal hearing for US-sanctioned LOO, father to P8 resume today $1.6M copper cable used for light display stolen from BJ Demerara River Bridge

...suspect caught

P10

City Hall’s secret tax write-off to PNC must be P11 investigated – AG "Toy gun" bandit nabbed after P10 attempting to rob teen of motorcycle

…as 2-day Cabinet Outreach to Region 10 kicks off

Sisters jailed for 47 years for killing mother of 3

MV Barima tragedy P2

CoI set to begin public hearings later this month

Page 11

Police destroy $22.8M worth of ganja found along Canje Creek

Page 9

Be wary of "fast boat" Teens busted air pistol, politicians trying to with unregistered motorcycle escape jail – Pres Ali tells Amerindians ...as AG raps “reckless” claims by Opposition lawyers to MV Barima tragedy families Page 7

P14

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MV Barima tragedy

CoI set to begin public hearings later this month

…as rules of procedure being finalised

he Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that was set up to probe the July 18 capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima is finalising arrangements to commence public hearings in the coming weeks. A statement on Wednesday said, “…the Commission is working assiduously to commence the Inquiry later this month.” Following their appointment on July 30, the five-member Commissioner immediately commenced preparatory work necessary to progress on the very broad mandate given to them. Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize

will chair the proceedings along with Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica, Trinidadian Attorney-at-Law Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, and Rear Admiral (Retired) Hayden Pritchard from Trinidad and Tobago. Providing an update on their work since being appointed over a month ago, the Commission disclosed on Wednesday that it has so far made a preliminary in-person survey of the accident site, identified the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) to hold public hearings, and established a secretariat for administrative, research, and logistical support.

The five-member Commission appointed to probe the MV Barima tragedy

However, the Commission is still working on acquiring data and information from a number of public institutions, including the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Transport and

Harbours Department (THD), and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, that are likely to have information on the capsizing of the Barima, in accordance with the requirements of

international maritime conventions and the regulations made under the same and the Guyana Shipping Act. Additionally, a preliminary analysis is being conducted on the doc-

umentation received to date regarding various aspects of the seaworthiness of the ferry vessel, such as the conditions under which she sailed and crew operation during the voyage. Works are also ongoing to compile a list of potential witnesses and prepare a preliminary schedule for interviewing them, while a dedicated public website for the CoI is being established to promote transparency and accessibility.

Rules of Procedure

Moreover, the Rules of Procedure are being drafted to govern how the Commission will approach its work. TURN TO PAGE 7

NEWS 3

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS BRIDGE OPENINGS The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, September 3 – 08:10h–09:40h and Friday, September 4 – 09:25h–10:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

“It is non-negotiable” – Pres Ali on reliable water service at Coomacka Mines …as 2-day Cabinet Outreach to Region 10 kicks off Soesdyke-Linden Highway – we’re now getting the section from Splashmin’s all the way down to the East Bank Road done. The Roundabout is to start soon. And more importantly, the infrastructure for lights on the highway… will come on,” the Public Works Minister stated.

WEATHER TODAY Sunny skies are expected during the day, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East-North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres. High Tide: 08:31h and 20:46h reaching maximum heights of 2.41 metres and 2.45 metres. Low Tide: 14:17h reaching a minimum height of 0.87 metre.

Housing

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing residents of Coomacka during Wednesday’s Cabinet Outreach

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026

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esidents at Coomacka Mines in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) will soon be benefitting from improved water services as the Guyana Government moves to undertake a massive investment in the community. This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday morning during the first stop of his two-day Cabinet Outreach to Region 10. Addressing residents at Coomacka Mines along the Demerara River, he acknowledged the water woes the community has been facing. In the past, at least seven water boreholes were assessed, but all came out dry, while an eighth one produced water of bad quality. Recently, however, there was “great success” at Old England, and according to President Ali, while this will be an expensive undertaking to build out the necessary infrastructure there, it will be done. “It will now cost a lot more money, because we'll have to build one and a half kilometres of transmission to get [the water] back here from there. I said to GWI, ‘It is non-negotiable. Let us go there, get the well done, and build a transmission and bring it into here,’” the Head of State noted. Among the other interventions made by President Ali at Wednesday’s engagement was the delivery of a school bus – a commitment he had made previously after hearing about the challenges faced by students in

Coomacka when travelling to school. Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, who handed over the school bus to the Region’s Department of Education on Wednesday, said the bus will provide safe, reliable and accessible transportation for the children in Coomacka, helping to make their journey to and from school safer and more convenient.

Infrastructure

Moreover, President Ali also noted that plans are also in place for the continued expansion and improvement of the road network in the community, with two kilometres (km) of new paved asphaltic road all the way to New England to be completed before the end of this year. This will complement the three km of road already constructed in the area. In fact, Edghill, who had joined the Head of State for the meeting at Coomacka, pointed out that more than $100 billion has been expended in recent years on infrastructure development across the Upper DemeraraBerbice region. “Linden and Region 10 are two of the regions that is benefitting more per capita based upon the amount of persons that are living in this area. Some very major and transformative things are happening. By the end of September, the new four-lane [Wismar/ Mackenzie] bridge will be ready. We are 80 per cent complete with the LindenMabura road… The

Meanwhile, in the area of housing, President Ali assured that everyone with an application in the system will get their house lot, as the Government moves to fulfil the region’s housing needs. In fact, the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is working towards clearing the backlog of house lot applications in Region 10 by the end of 2027. According to Housing Minister Collin Croal during Wednesday’s Coomacka meeting, there are over 3000 pending applications from Region 10 in the system. He said the next phase of allocations in the region is expected to commence in the coming months, with priority being given to applicants who have acknowledgement letters dated 2025 and prior. Minister Croal also provided an update on the regularisation process of an area in the Coomacka community, revealing that

some 154 lots have been identified and an occupancy survey has already been completed. “We have recognised 154 lots, and we have done the occupancy survey. We now have to redo the plan,” the Minister explained. He noted that verification and resurveying are expected to be completed by the end of September. Thereafter, the Ministry will commence the necessary legal process to have the plan formally recognised, paving the way for the transfer of the lands and ultimately providing residents with greater security of tenure.

Opportunities

Nevertheless, President Ali went onto outline a number of other developmental plans for the community, including in the area of agriculture with the construction of a cold storage facility as well as support for swine and poultry production. In fact, the Head of State pointed out that with the Guyana Development Bank set to come into operation soon, they have already started discussions with several groups of young people in the region about accessing zero-interest no-collateral financing to invest in transportation services, tourism and agribusinesses. TURN TO PAGE 5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Workplace safety cannot remain an afterthought

nother fatal accident at a construction site has brought Guyana’s workplace safety standards into sharp focus, raising yet again serious questions about whether sufficient measures are being taken to protect workers whose livelihoods depend on some of the country’s most hazardous occupations. The death of 36-year-old Cuban national Yordan Garcia Roland in a construction site accident on Tuesday is a stark reminder that workplace safety cannot be treated as a matter of convenience or secondary importance. Two other Cuban nationals, Troy Estriado, 33, and Yusvani Ramirez, 37, were injured in the incident and required medical treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The Labour and Manpower Planning Ministry has launched an investigation, with Occupational Safety and Health Officers visiting the worksite shortly after the incident and later visiting the GPHC. The investigation is expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident and whether the required occupational safety and health measures were in place and properly observed. Such investigations are necessary, but the issue extends beyond determining what happened at one construction site. Workplace accidents, particularly those resulting in serious injuries or death, are occurring too often to be regarded as isolated incidents. Each incident should prompt scrutiny of safety practices, enforcement mechanisms, and the responsibilities of every party involved in a workplace. Construction remains one of the sectors where workers face significant risks. Employers and contractors therefore carry a clear responsibility to ensure that worksites are properly managed, hazards are identified and addressed, workers receive appropriate safety training, and necessary protective equipment and procedures are provided and enforced. Workers, too, have responsibilities, as safety rules must be followed, protective equipment must be used properly and dangerous conditions must be reported. However, responsibility cannot be shifted disproportionately onto workers, particularly where employers or contractors have failed to establish and maintain safe working conditions. Accountability must be central to Guyana’s approach to occupational safety and health. Where investigations establish breaches of safety requirements, appropriate action must follow. Regulations have little value if violations are not detected, enforcement is inconsistent, or breaches carry no meaningful consequences. The Ministry’s ongoing “Putting Safety First” campaign and its “Putting Safety First in the Construction Sector” seminar series are therefore important initiatives. Engagement with employers, contractors and workers can strengthen awareness of safe work practices, legal requirements, and accident prevention. Yet awareness alone cannot resolve the problem. Education must be accompanied by regular inspections, effective enforcement, and consequences for non-compliance. The construction industry cannot afford a culture in which safety measures are considered only after an accident has occurred. Safety must be integrated into every stage of a project, from planning and procurement to execution and supervision. Contractors and employers must recognise that meeting occupational safety requirements is a fundamental responsibility attached to employing people and placing them in potentially dangerous environments. The Ministry’s investigation into the September 1 accident must therefore be allowed to establish the facts without interference. If shortcomings are identified, corrective measures and accountability should follow. Where no breaches are found, the findings should nevertheless provide useful information for strengthening prevention measures across the sector. The tragedy also underscores the need for sustained oversight as construction activity is expanding, and with increased development comes the need for stronger attention to worker protection. The call from Labour Minister Keoma Griffith for employers, contractors, and workers to prioritise workplace safety and take every necessary precaution is timely. As the Ministry continues its investigation and efforts to strengthen occupational safety and health standards, employers and contractors must understand that safety is not optional.

Guyana’s rich Indigenous traditional attire was showcased during the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month at the Sophia Exhibition Site on Tuesday (DPI photo)

Meta, modern-day parenting and mental health By Caroline Ravello

s I spent time reading up on Meta’s settlement of the US’s teen/child harm case, so many adverse issues from social media usage came to mind. Some I have addressed over the years, and many have prompted my own reduced use of these social media platforms. First and most notable, in this August 2026 US$18 billion settlement, Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has agreed to the multistate settlement without admitting any wrongdoing on its part. In fact, Meta upholds that it has invested substantially in including safety features and say that the claims made by the US states are “unsubstantiated” (edition.cnn. com). The states lawsuit accused Meta of intentionally producing “dangerous products” which cause addiction and harmed children’s mental health. In his opening statement, a lawyer for the group of attorneys general that represented the states said that Meta’s business model relies on “hooking young people and exploiting their data and attention.” Meta is accused of usings mechanisms such as an infinite scrolling feed, algorithmic recommendations and frequent notifications as part of the device that keeps people spending inordinate amount of time on the

platforms. Earlier in August, in another case, a New Mexico judge deemed Meta a “public nuisance” saying its effect was like that of air pollution, in ordering Meta to pay just under US$1 billion for its failure to warn the public about dangers its platforms posed to children (bbc.com). Many who responded to the former judgement pointed out that the real dangers for teens/ young adults may not be on these Meta platforms suggesting that Tik Tok and Snapchat pose greater threats since they were more widely used by that age group. Meta’s call for TikTok and YouTube and the states attorneys general to follow suit with implementing changes on usage on their platforms bears out this suggestion. Meta said in their settlement release that “teens move fluidly between dozens of apps a day.” “All platforms should empower parents and support teens by putting the same measures in place, because we know that when teens are restricted on one app, they simply move to another,” Meta wrote. They urged adopting similar standards to “ensure teens use social media in a healthy and responsible way” (about.fb.com/ news). As part of the deal, Meta has agreed to make changes to its platforms, such as establishing daily

time limits for teen users, a default block or night mode between midnight and 6am and many other useful “restrictions” to help manage the mental health fallout from use, misuse, overuse and abuse (See Meta agreement link below). While these changes are in the US, Meta would do well to consider a global overhaul to ensure that teens everywhere receive a similar level of protection. That is my pipe dream for 2026 and beyond. While many or all the initiatives in this settlement are welcomed, I must agree with the commenters who say that parenting should be the first barrier to the intrusion of these apps into the mental space of our children. But parenting by phone and social media is such a thing in today’s world, I do not know where to start or even if I should start. As I write, I remember a younger friend asking me to create a mobile hotspot at a sports day. I unhesitatingly allowed her the hookup. It would take a while before I realised that her under-five had been on a device for over an hour – in a sports and family day. I switched off the data. It was only at that time that the parent got up and took the child to the bouncy castle, face painting, and sundry other play and pleasure activities that were being offered for children.

It is a simple example, but I cannot tell you the depth of grief I suffered. And I am now given to suffering silently because I no longer have the capacity for the ire of parents who think I am intruding on their parenting, or that I “do not understand they are tired,” or that “this is the only way to keep the child quiet.” I am an advocate for parental control first. I also understand the convenience of which parents speak, but I am more concerned that many of the parents around me are not educating themselves sufficiently about the dangers of the use, overuse, misuse and abuse of devices and apps. There are so many other avenues and creative exposures that make better contributions to our children’s development, but parents will say to me that I do not appreciate their limitations, and they may well be right too. Know this: I fully appreciate all the good things that social media and these platforms may offer. What I fear is the epidemic of mental health issues that social media use, misuse, overuse and abuse can have and will inflict on us. And I am growing older in that world that will be governed by those growing up, being educated (and some even adopting foreign accents) on this behemoth. (T&T Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

News

Service delivery begins at new Housing Ministry headquarters

he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) within the Housing Ministry has officially commenced operations at its new headquarters, marking the start of the phased transition of departments and services to the new facility. Several key departments are now fully operational from the new location at Plantation

Houston. These include the Community Development Department, which previously operated from the old Dairy Bar Building, and the Planning Department, which is critical for the processing of Planning Permission. The Community D e v e l o p m e n t Department provides several critical services to the public, including

matters relating to regularisation, relocation and community development. Also, all services previously offered at the Camp Street Annex have been fully relocated to the new headquarters. Additionally, allottees wishing to uplift their Certificates of Title/ Transports or seeking assistance with matters relating to these documents are asked to visit

the new headquarters. Moreover, all persons with queries or concerns relating to informal settlements (squatting) and Special Projects are asked to visit the Houston office. The relocation of these departments forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to consolidate its operations and improve the overall delivery of services to citizens.

2 plead not guilty to 2021 Albion backdam murder …jury empanelled, State to call 19 witnesses

wo men were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice Gino Persaud at the Berbice High Court for the 2021 murder of a labourer who was reportedly attacked in the Follow-Up, Albion backlands, and subsequently died in hospital. Harrynarine Harilall, called “Screech”, and Kumar Richiram, called “Gangster”, both pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared virtually from prison. The indictment alleges that Harilall and Richiram, acting together, murdered 53-year-old Vishnu Dalchan, called “Tongman” or “Tony”, between April 4 and April 23, 2021, in the county of Berbice. Dalchan was a labourer of Follow-Up, Albion. Following the reading of the indictment and the men’s pleas, a 12-member jury comprising 10 men and two women was selected and sworn to hear the case. Harilall is being represented by Attorney-at-

Harrynarine Harilall, called “Screech” (left), and Kumar Richiram, called “Gangster”

Law Kevin Morgan, while Attorney-at-Law Charlyn Artiga is appearing for Richiram. State Counsel Merissa Edwards is prosecuting. The prosecution is expected to call 19 witnesses during the trial. Those witnesses include civilians from East Canje, Black Bush Polder and the Corentyne, along with police ranks and Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh. The presentation of evidence is scheduled to commence on September 8. Before releasing the

jury on Wednesday, Justice Persaud gave the panel strict instructions not to discuss the case with anyone or among themselves until permitted to do so by the court. The Judge also warned jurors against conducting independent research into the case, following commentary on social media or reading newspaper reports concerning the matter. He explained that their responsibility is to listen to the evidence presented by witnesses during the trial and ultimately determine,

on that evidence, whether the two accused are guilty or not guilty. Reports following the incident in 2021 indicated that Dalchan was found unconscious in the Follow-Up, Albion backlands, after reportedly being injured during an altercation. He had reportedly sustained injuries to his upper body and was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for treatment. As a result of the seriousness of his injuries, Dalchan was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died days later. Harilall was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the killing, appearing before the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court in August 2021. The matter has now reached the Berbice High Court, where Harilall and Richiram are being tried jointly for Dalchan’s murder.

“It is non-negotiable...

“We want Linden to be a hub. We're going to work through the Development Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture to have one of the major tunnel host programmes in Linden, where you are supplying your own poultry, where you are supplying the

hinterland. We want one of the largest swine productions here in Region 10. We want to launch a massive swine production farm area…through the Development Bank, bringing groups together for cold storage, construction and other services,” Ali asserted.

According to the president, it is critical that residents from the region be active participants in and benefit from the development and transformation taking place across the Upper Demerara-Berbice region. Highlighting that bil-

FROM PAGE 3

lions have already been spent across Region 10 over the last five years, President Ali reiterated the PPP/C government’s commitment to ensuring the prosperity of the region that is traditionally known to be an Opposition stronghold.

On Tuesday, Housing Minister Collin Croal, accompanied by Minister within the Ministry Vanessa Benn, Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen, and Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA Dr Martin Pertab, was on-site to oversee operations and assess the transition. The officials engaged staff and reviewed the operational arrangements in place to ensure that services continue with minimal disruption as the relocation progresses. The move is being undertaken in phases, with additional departments and key service areas expected to transition to the new

headquarters over the coming days. Members of the public are asked to exercise patience during this period as the Ministry works to ensure continuity of services and a smooth transition. Further updates will be provided as other departments commence operations from the new headquarters. The new building, which spans approximately 150 feet in length and 105 feet in width, sits on a two-acre plot measuring 214 by 407 feet and can accommodate some 400 persons. Its design includes a spacious parking area capable of accommodating over 100 vehicles.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Islam for Guyana 06:30 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 10:00 Stop Suffering 11:30 TVG Music Break 12:00 Movie - The Wedding March (2016) 13:30 Movie - The Snow Queen 4: Mirrorlands (2017) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Voice of Islam 21:00 Grey's Anatomy S10 E1 22:00 The Rookie S4 E1 23:00 Modern Family S5 E3 23:30 Modern Family S5 E4

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Foundation ◄

Page

Perimeter of circles

The perimeter of a circle is known as the circumference of a circle. Circumference = π×d = 2×π×r What is the circumference of a circle? The circumference of a circle is the distance around the circle. Circumference is a special case of perimeter. Both describe the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional shape, but circumference specifically refers to the perimeter of a curved figure or arc. Therefore it only applies to circles, ovals, ellipses, arcs, etc. Circumference of a circle formula: There is a specific relationship between the diameter of a circle and its circumference. If you multiply the diameter of a circle by π you will calculate the length of the circumference. This is true of all circles. Therefore the below formula is for the circumference of any given circle: π×d As the diameter of the circle is twice the radius we can also use the below formula: 2×π×r

Which formula you use will depend on whether you know the diameter or the radius of the circle.

Example What is the circumference of a circle with radius 3cm?

By Carolyn Forché

Use the relevant formula to calculate the circumference of the circle. Give your answer clearly with the correct units. Practice questions

Circumference =2×π×r =2×π×3 =6πcm =18.8 cm(1.d.p) OR Circumference =π×d =π×6 =6πcm =18.8 cm(1 dp) Recap In order to calculate the circumference of a circle: Find the radius or diameter of the circle.

Is the gold in my jewellery real?

ave you ever looked at a piece of gold jewellery and wondered "Is it real?" To answer that question, you might first have to decide on the definition of "real". Gold jewellery is usually described

in karats (kt). 24-kt gold is pure gold. While theoretically it is 100 per cent gold, most countries allow a one per cent margin for impurities. Pure gold is relatively soft and easily dented, which means that jewellery made

from pure gold is easier to accidentally damage. So gold is often mixed with a variety of metals, including copper, zinc, and silver, to make jewellery of different physical strengths, karats, colours, and monetary values. There are also cultural influences over what people think of as "real" gold jewellery. In some countries, "real" gold jewellery is usually 21-24 kt. In the United States, "real" gold jewellery is normally 10 kt, 14 kt, or 18 kt. However, looks are rarely a good way to judge

if a piece of jewellery contains a significant proportion of gold. Pieces that are less than 9 kt (the international cutoff for "real" gold jewellery), or that are gold-plated (meaning they have a thin layer of gold put over the surface of a lessexpensive metal), or that are even made of brass, can still have the shiny appearance of yellow-gold.(Adapted from sciencebuddies.org – Veselin Dobrev, OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc; Sandra Slutz, PhD, Science Buddies Alumni) TO BE CONTINUED

We weren’t told as children there is no going back. But we are allowed to keep with us a few times and places thin as tissue paper in the mind. Finding these in the mind is like moving through a forest at night. We do this alone in our rooms in the dark by light of an open door. Then a thought comes like a bird landing on a blanket. Someone else’s papa coming toward us with his belt off. “Ever since he came home from the war,” we would say of him. While we children hid in the holes we had dug in the fields, in the houses we built in the trees. This is a house of spider-lace and blankets filled with down from geese that once flew in the clouds. In the carpenter’s atelier, there is the beginning of a boat that will someday move along the river. It will take on water in the rain but will never sink. It will know what it is doing among the reeds. It will sail even in a heavy dew. As light a river as that. Wondrous to be floating in a boat we have made from oaks sealed with pitch. Wondrous to think that we are all floating in a boat we ourselves have made. Our river, glazed with light, moves more swiftly for some than others. It is not bottomless. Not without a vast sea into which it will vanish at the end. Strange, after so many centuries, to be alive at the end.

(Source: Poetry [September 2026])

Include the line “We don't have time for this” in your story.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS 7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Be wary of “fast boat” politicians trying to escape jail – Pres Ali tells Amerindians …as AG raps “reckless” claims by Opposition lawyers to MV Barima tragedy families

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has cautioned Amerindians to be aware of politicians with selfish motives, who turn up in speedboats to exploit them in times of tragedy. Speaking at the launch of the Amerindian Heritage Month on Tuesday evening, the Head of State pointed out that some politicians exploit the legitimate concerns and grievances of the Indigenous peoples when their true interests are elsewhere. “I say to you, our Indigenous brothers and sisters, be careful about those who suddenly appear among you when there is a crisis. Arriving in fast boats, bearing hampers and expressions of sympathy, presenting themselves as champions of your interests. Be especially careful when people seek to turn your legitimate concerns into a vehicle for their own political or personal survival. Do not allow your grievances and aspirations to become somebody else’s escape route for their own legal troubles. Do not allow your concerns to be used as a ticket to avoid jail,” Ali declared. His remarks come on the heels of United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed recently travelling to Region One (Barima-Waini) in his go-fast boat to meet with survivors and families of the victims of the July 18 MV Barima tragedy. Mohamed, along with his father, Nazar Mohamed, is currently facing extradition to the US over allegations of gold smuggling and financial crimes. The fatherand-son duo are currently out on $150,000 bail as they continue to fight their extradition. “Sometimes the gravest danger is the person who comes smiling, bearing gifts, and claiming to be your friend. Gifts can be temporary. Sympathy can be convenient. Political promise can disappear when a crisis has passed.

Yes, we feel the hurt. We acknowledge the hurt of a great tragedy. But… this Government [and] this president will stand with you in every season, in every moment, under every weather. We shall not waver,” the Guyanese Leader declared. The MV Barima, a passenger and cargo ferry, sank on July 18, 2026, off the coast of Guyana near the Pomeroon River, claiming 73 lives, with another 30 persons still missing. Some 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident. President Ali has since launched the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience, and Trust (HEART) Initiative to offer longterm, multistakeholder assistance to the survivors and families of victims of this tragedy.

“Reckless” claims

Meanwhile, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall recently condemned what he describes as “reckless” claims being made by some Oppositionaligned lawyers to those impacted by the MV Barima tragedy. “These lawyers are making reckless, foolish and careless allegations against the Government, accusing the Government of trying to hoodwink these persons in offering them compensation. And the way that they are doing it is also reprehensible,” he highlighted during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday. Nandlall added, “Not only is what they are alleging completely without factual foundation, but the manner in which they are doing it is offensive to all the known canons of ethics and in breach of their legal obligations under the Legal Practitioners Act…these lawyers are essentially going out there and trying to attract; it’s like they are soliciting and touting these persons to become their clients, and those are criminal offences.” The AG explained that

President Dr Irfaan Ali

the Government has appointed a team of lawyers, led by Eamon Courtenay of Belize, to determine the modalities relating to financial assistance for the survivors and the victims’ families of the July 18 tragedy. The team, which includes local practitioners such as Pauline Chase, Ronald Burch-Smith, Kamal Ramkarran and Ganesh Hira, has already done a lot of work in this regard, Nandlall said. “Replacement of all legal documents, beginning to administer the estates of persons who have died to ensure that the legal interest of their beneficiaries is protected…

dealing with applications to declare dead those who are missing and cannot be found. And that’s a very technical process. Meeting with all relatives to take the requisite information in relation to understanding who the beneficiaries are and who the affected persons are; that process is ongoing while the legal research is being done to create the requisite framework and for the legal advice to be given to the Government for the Government to offer recommended financial assistance,” he outlined.

“Not compensation”

Nandlall also stressed that the financial assistance “is not compensation” and “is not intended to be compensation.” He further contended that the Government is admitting liability but is offering long-term and shortterm support for those affected. He added that affected persons are entitled to seek their own legal advice, saying that “naturally every person who will be engaged will be advised that they have

a right to retain and instruct lawyers of their choice, if they wish.” However, Nandlall cautioned those persons against falling into traps, noting that “when you see these notifications on Facebook of giving what purports to be free legal advice and appear to be offering sagacious guidance, it is a wolf in sheep’s clothing; that’s what it is.” Specifically, he cautioned persons against accepting legal representation arrangements that could ultimately require them to pay lawyers a substantial percentage of their financial assistance or compensation. He pointed to previous cases in which politically aligned lawyers had entered into similar arrangements. Nandlall also reminded us that some of the lawyers offering what could be considered as free legal advice are also representing individuals who have been charged in connection with the deadly ferry accident. Already, more than $75 million in financial assistance has been dis-

tributed to families under the HEART initiative, another support programme announced by President Ali for families and survivors of the tragedy.

Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

Since its official launch back in July, the initiative has coordinated assistance for more than 750 affected persons across Regions One through Ten, providing support ranging from funeral and memorial expenses to housing, education, legal and psychosocial services. The HEART initiative is being led by Lead Coordinator Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepherd.

CoI set to begin public hearings...

FROM PAGE 2

These rules, it was noted, will ensure that the Inquiry is open to all, transparent, orderly, fair and effective and will be published shortly. According to the Commission, it fully recognises and understands the immense public interest in the circumstances of the MV Barima tragedy and the resultant loss of life. But even as it commits to work independently, impartially, thoroughly and expeditiously, the Commission underscored the importance of doing so within the terms of its mandate and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. Those rules, it pointed out, are in the final phase of completion. “The Commission considers it essential that the relevant technical, documentary and witness evidence be properly identi-

fied and assessed before the public hearings commence to ensure that the proceedings are efficiently and effectively conducted. It is also very important that all persons with relevant information have a fair opportunity to contribute to the Inquiry,” it stated. As the necessary preparatory groundworks continue, the Commission is committed to providing further details on the commencement, conduct and schedule of public hearings once those are finalised.

Answers being sought Meanwhile, as the five-member Commission prepares to start its work, Amerindian Affairs Minister Sarah BrowneShadeek on Tuesday said she is confident that the CoI will deliver the answers being sought.

“To the families and friends of the MV Barima tragedy, you are close to our hearts. You are in our prayers, and we stand by you every day. And we have every confidence that the Commission of Inquiry will provide the necessary answers for you,” Shadeek stated during the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month at the Sophia Exhibition Centre on Tuesday evening. The MV Barima had left Port Georgetown on July 18 with some 179 persons onboard, en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), when it capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast. While 76 persons survived the horrific ferry accident, 73 others have been confirmed dead, and another 30 remain unaccounted for. So far, three crew members, including the captain

of the vessel, were charged and remanded on 72 counts of murder. President Dr Irfaan Ali subsequently appointed the five-member commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and submit its findings, observations and recommendations to the Guyana government. In the meanwhile, the government is providing widespread support to the survivors and families under the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust (HEART) initiative, which will provide long-term, multistakeholder assistance. The government is also moving to salvage the sunken vessel and has already received several Expressions of Interest (EoI) last month. Those proposals are being examined.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US extradition request

Committal hearing for US-sanctioned LOO, father to resume today

he extradition committal hearing for United Statessanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, will resume today before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The hearing comes after months of litigation at various levels of the court and several other filings by the US-indicted father-son duo’s lawyers, Roysdale Forde, Siand Dhurjon, and Damien Da Silva. Over the past months, the Mohameds have sought to prevent the extradition hearings from resuming by appealing a decision of Chief Justice (acting) Navindra Singh in a separate constitutional matter they had brought before the local courts. That matter challenges the legality of certain provisions of the Fugitive Offenders Act. On August 26, the Court of Appeal ruled that it would hear the appeal on October 13. However, the court also directed that the Magistrate must proceed with the extradition proceedings while refraining from making a final determination until the Court of Appeal has ruled on the constitutional matter. Dissatisfied with the order, the Mohameds moved to the CCJ to appeal that decision. In fact, the Mohameds asked the CCJ for several orders, including to stay the extradition committal hearing, all of which were dismissed. On July 29, the CCJ had also dismissed an appeal by the Mohameds challenging the Authority to Proceed (ATP) on the grounds of alleged political bias. Speaking on the case, Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Tuesday highlighted that recent rulings by the Guyana Court

Lookin’…

United States-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

of Appeal (CoA) and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) have “unequivocally” cleared the way for the Magistrate to proceed with hearings on the United States’ extradition request for the two men, who are wanted to face financial-crime charges. Speaking during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, Nandlall emphasised that the rulings by the two courts “now pave the way unequivocally for the Magistrate to resume the hearing”. In fact, the AG noted that the Magistrate is now acting under orders granted by the courts, expressing that “the Magistrate ought not to be in doubt”.

Constitutional challenge

The current appeal considers the Mohameds’ constitutional challenge to certain provisions of the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act. Justice Singh found in February that Section 8(3)(B) of the Act was inconsistent with the Constitution of Guyana while upholding the constitutionality of the other provisions challenged by the Mohameds. The Mohameds, however, filed an appeal in the CoA, where they also sought a stay of the proceedings before Magistrate Latchman

pending determination of their substantive constitutional appeal. The State, led by Nandlall, opposed the application and urged the CoA to allow the extradition proceedings to continue. The State opposed the application on the basis that allowing the Magistrates’ Court proceedings to continue would not undermine the Mohameds’ constitutional appeal or result in their immediate surrender to the United States. It argued that the men would retain access to legal safeguards, including appellate review, habeas corpus and bail, while another stay would cause further delays to the already interrupted extradition proceedings. The CoA subsequently allowed the committal proceedings before Magistrate Latchman to continue but barred her from making any final disposition in the matter pending the determination of the constitutional matter.

Political bias

The CCJ had previously granted an interim stay on March 25, 2026, temporarily halting the extradition proceedings while it considered the Mohameds’ appeal challenging the ATP on grounds of alleged political bias.

The stay remained in effect until July 29, 2026, when the CCJ dismissed the appeal and discharged the interim stay, clearing the way for the proceedings before the Magistrate’s Court to resume.

Crimes

The extradition proceedings stem from a formal request made by the US in October 2025 for the surrender of Azruddin and Nazar Mohamed. A US federal grand jury in Florida indicted the two men on allegations including wire and mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and customs violations. The US is seeking their extradition to face prosecution on the federal charges. The allegations are linked to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax-evasion scheme. US prosecutors have alleged that the men evaded taxes and royalties on more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold through falsified customs declarations and the reuse of export seals. The Mohameds have remained on $150,000 bail each since their arrest in October 2025, with conditions requiring them to surrender their passports and report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

…in all the wrong places

FC’s Prime Ministerial candidate at the 2025 General election (whose party couldn’t even muster up a SINGLE SEAT!!) Laura George, criticised the Government for “not looking” beyond the colourful celebrations, traditional dances, and cultural showcases to confront the “deeper realities” facing Indigenous peoples. Fair enough – our Indigenous Peoples certainly shouldn’t be reduced to costumes, cassava bread, and a few speeches about heritage!! But your Eyewitness wonders whether Laura George, who insists she’s an “Indigenous rights activist”, has been living under a rock?? Maybe one with those Timehri Rock carvings to give herself “authenticity”?? Of course, Indigenous communities have still got problems – nobody sensible is suggesting otherwise. Land rights, employment, education, healthcare, environmental protection, economic opportunity, and preservation of culture all deserve serious attention. But in each case the PPP Government – increasingly so after oil revenues started coming in – has made revolutionary improvements!! We can do worse than start with land titling, which was mandated by the Brits at independence, but which the PNC dragged their feet as if they still had the ball and chains of slavery!! The PPP had now given title to almost every village that has applied where they can show their occupation “from time immemorial”. Across the hinterland, Government programmes have been rolling out roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, housing, water systems, electricity projects (fuel, solar, and water-driven), agricultural support, community infrastructure, and all sorts of economic initiatives!! There’ve also been major investments aimed at bringing hinterland communities into the wider national economy rather than leaving them as picturesque dots on an Indigenous Peoples’ Day map!! But there is something increasingly tiresome about the foreign-funded and controlled Indigenous activists like George portraying Amerindian people as if they’re permanently trapped in a documentary called “The Forgotten People of Guyana”. They aren’t to be reduced to a convenient source of lucrative grants, conference papers, consultancy fees, and NGO reports describing how desperately they need another NGO report!! Because if she’s somehow missed the massive development push the PPP Government has been taking into Amerindian communities, maybe somebody from the AFC who have survived their implosion should send a drone to locate her rock?? Of course, none of this means Indigenous communities have suddenly entered Manoa – Raleigh’s mythical City of Gold!! They’ve got legitimate concerns about all sorts of things they want – like every other citizen!! Development should always be questioned, and Governments should always be held accountable for whether the money actually produces lasting improvements. George should take a little trip beyond the conference halls and take a hike to the Indigenous villages, and she’ll see the problem aint that our native peoples are moving forward very rapidly!! Maybe she’s been looking under the wrong rock??

…back at medical care

With the explosion of hospitals across the country under the Irfaan Ali Administration, healthcare’s entering a brave new world. Your Eyewitness’ thinks it’s always a good thing to look backwards – not only to look at what preceded but perchance to learn from both opportunities seized or missed!! Our Georgetown “Big Hospital” was founded at the abolition of slavery – but not to look after the newly freed folks, but the British sailors who already had a military hospital from 1796!! “Seaman’s Ward” dates from 1838!! There was also a hospital built in New Amsterdam in the 1880s – a beautiful wooden structure that was unfortunately allowed to fall into ruin! Our regional hospitals followed the Sugar Plantation hospitals – which were geared more to ensuring indentured labourers returned to the fields than healing them!! Finally, private hospitals were pioneered when the Catholic Church in 1944 acquired a nursing home called “Colonna House” – run by an Italian doctor, Dr Romiti – and dubbed it St Joseph Mercy Hospital.

…at wokeness

Pressie mentioned he’s considering a local refinery – being at the mercy of expensive foreign supplies when we got our own crude. A woke yellow journalistic bird just denounced this as bad for the WORLD environment!! While complaining about local inflation!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police destroy $22.8M worth of ganja found along Canje Creek

ome $22.8 million worth of ganja was found and set on fire on Tuesday, during a drug eradication exercise at Long Savannah, Canje Creek, Region Six. Based on reports received, three cannabis farms covering approximately 10.5 acres, with an estimated 53,500 cannabis plants ranging from four inches to six feet in height, were dis-

The seedlings found during the operation

An aerial shot of one of the farms

covered during the operation. The first farm, which measured about six acres, contained a total of 30,000 cannabis plants, a makeshift camp, a drying area, and about 20 pounds of dried cannabis. The second farm, measuring four acres, had about 20,000 cannabis plants, along with two makeshift camps and a nursery containing 9600 cannabis seedlings in 75 trays. In addition, the third

farm, measuring about half an acre, contained an estimated 3500 cannabis plants. Furthermore, a single-barrel shotgun, four shotgun cartridges, and a multi-coloured haversack containing three rounds of matching ammunition, two live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and one live round of .32-calibre ammuni-

The shotgun that was found during the operation

Hammocks and other items being destroyed

tion were found during the exercise. The cannabis plants were uprooted and destroyed along with the makeshift camps, drying area, and dried cannabis. The estimated cost for the cannabis plants stands at $13,043,800, while the plants in the nursery are estimated at $1,626,240. The dried cannabis is suspected to be worth $8,164,656, for a total of $22,834,696. At the time of the operation, no arrests were made.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Toy gun” bandit nabbed $1.6M copper cable used for light display stolen from after attempting to rob BJ Demerara River Bridge teen of motorcycle ...suspect caught

probe is underway into the alleged theft of 90 feet of 4/350 KCMIL copper cable, valued at approximately $1.6 million, from the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The theft reportedly occurred sometime between 00:00h on August 23, 2026, and 09:00h on September 1, 2026. The bridge is equipped with LED lights attached to steel poles along its high span and powered by a generator beneath the bridge. The lights are used to display various colours and were last operated on August 23, 2026.

The toy gun that was found in possession of the suspect

However, at about 18:30h on August 31, 2026, an electrical maintenance engineer attempted to illuminate the bridge in the co-

lours of Trinidad and Tobago’s national flag in observance of that country’s Independence Anniversary, but only the lights on the north-

ern side were functioning. The engineer and his team inspected the southern side of the bridge the following day when it was discovered that the copper cables had been cut and removed from the metal trunking box. As such, the matter was reported to the Providence Police Station, which led to a full-scale investigation. Detectives are currently reviewing CCTV footage as investigations continue. On Wednesday night, a man was caught with copper-cutting equipment under the bridge and arrested.

20-year-old man carrying a toy gun was arrested on Tuesday after he attempted to rob a 16-yearold trainee mechanic at La Grange Old Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Based on reports received, the teen had advertised the sale of his motorcycle on Facebook Marketplace during August. As such, the suspect reportedly contacted him and requested to inspect the bike. After the inspection, the suspect informed the teenager that he would return on September 1 to complete the purchase. However, on the day in question, the suspect

made arrangements to meet the teen to complete the transaction, but instead, he whipped out a handgun and held the teen at gunpoint, during which he demanded that he hand over the keys to the motorcycle and a mobile phone. Nevertheless, the teen put up a fight and managed to escape, but not before raising an alarm. The suspect reportedly attempted to flee but was pursued and apprehended by residents. A search of his body led to the discovery of a toy gun, which he used to threaten the teenager. He was taken into custody pending charges.

NEWS 11

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sisters jailed for 47 years for killing mother of 3 O

ver four years after 22-year-old mother of three Vanessa Anderson, of B Field, Sophia Squatting Dam, Greater Georgetown, was fatally stabbed, two sisters have been handed lengthy prison sentences for her murder. Tiffenee Greaves, 33, was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment on Monday, while her sister, 25-year-old Jamacy Jason, received a 24-year prison term. Greaves was convicted by a jury at the Demerara High Court, while Jason admitted to the killing and was sentenced separately after pleading guilty to the charge. Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty presided over Greaves’ trial and sentencing, with State

Tiffene Greaves (left) and Jamacy Jason

Counsel Joy Williams representing the prosecution. The killing followed a long-running dispute between Anderson and the sisters, who lived in the same street and were her neighbours. A Police statement issued following the incident said the neighbours

had an ongoing issue, with the sisters frequently accusing Anderson of calling the Police to search their home. According to the Police account, the dispute escalated at about 18:30h on August 8, 2022, when Anderson was in front of her yard and was approached by

City Hall’s secret tax write-off to PNC must be investigated – AG

ttorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has said that the multimillion-dollar tax write-off secretly approved by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for the business arm of the Peoples National Congress (PNC) amounts to a financial crime, and must be investigated. A few years ago, it was reported that the PNC’s headquarters, Congress Place, located in Sophia, Georgetown, owed some $6 billion in rates and taxes to the M&CC. On Tuesday, sources informed sections of the media that the City Council had approved a major tax write-off for Maikwak Limited, the business and property-holding arm of the PNC. The company now only owes some $20 to $25 million in rates and taxes. During his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday evening, Nandlall criticised this decision, highlighting that the City Council is dominated by PNC politicians.

“Where are all the moral masqueraders? Don’t they see the prostitution here? Don’t they see the legal perversity? Don’t they see the conflict of interest? Don’t they see the violation of natural justice? Don’t they see the bias? This decision cannot stand; it’s absolutely unlawful. Whether the City Council has the power or not, the City Council cannot singularly choose one rate payer that happens to be its political masters and write off taxes that are owed by that political master,” he contended. In this regard, Nandlall called for an investigation, noting that the secret tax write-off can be considered a financial crime. “This has to be inves-

tigated; this amounts to a financial crime. Billions of dollars of taxes are being written off, and nobody knows about this. It’s leaked, somehow in the newspapers, in the press,” he said. When the issue of the PNC’s outstanding debt was initially raised a few years ago, Nandlall had contended that City Hall, which often cries of being cash-strapped, should consider write-offs for the less fortunate instead of political parties. In September 2024, it was reported in the media that the land where the PNCR’s Congress Place headquarters is located, which is owned by Maikwak, had owed the M&CC $6.7 billion in rates and taxes for Congress Place.

the two sisters. An argument subsequently developed, during which the younger sister took a knife from her elder sister and stabbed Anderson twice, once to the upper left side of her back and another time to her left shoulder. Anderson stumbled backwards into her yard and eventually collapsed. She was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination later found that Anderson had sustained multiple stab wounds, including injuries that penetrated her aorta and lung. The evidence before the High Court established that Greaves sup-

Dead: Vanessa Anderson

plied the knife to Jason, who inflicted the fatal wounds. Justice KumarChetty consequently found Greaves to have been a secondary participant in the joint enterprise rather than the person who carried out the fatal stabbing. In determining Greaves’ sentence, the court took into consideration that she had no previous convictions and

had received a favourable probation report. She had also completed vocational training and obtained certificates in plumbing and craft. The 23-year sentence is to be reduced by the time Greaves spent on remand. The Judge also directed that Greaves be provided with access to educational and vocational programmes during her incarceration to assist with her rehabilitation. The sisters were initially remanded to prison after they were arraigned before a magistrate in August 2022. Following a preliminary inquiry, they were committed to stand trial at the Demerara Criminal Assemblies for the capital offence of murder.

(President Dr Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana urges greater youth role in global peace, decision-making

uyana has called for greater youth participation in global decision-making, peacebuilding, and other key United Nations (UN) processes, while highlighting the need for increased investment in education, skills, health and employment opportunities for young people. The position was outlined by Guyana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Trishala Persaud, during Wednesday’s debate on the report of the United Nations Youth Office. In a statement posted by the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the UN on its social media page, Persaud welcomed the annual debate and commended the work of the Youth Office in advancing its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan and the UN Youth Strategy, as well as the implementation of Security Council resolutions on youth, peace and security. Guyana also welcomed efforts to increase youth participation in major UN processes, including

the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and sessions of the Human Rights Council. Persaud said Guyana encouraged the Youth Office to facilitate greater youth participation in other major international meetings, including disarmament conferences. She also highlighted the Office’s efforts to strengthen coordination and accountability across the UN system through engagement with UN country teams and targeted outreach to young people. Guyana further welcomed initiatives, including the Youth Compass on youth mental health and well-being and the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals programme. Turning to the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda, Persaud recalled that Guyana co-authored, with Sierra Leone, UN Security Council Resolution 2807 (2025), which focused, among other areas, on increasing youth participation and leadership in

Guyana’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Trishala Persaud, during Wednesday’s debate on the report of the United Nations Youth Office

peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, recovery, and reconstruction. “We look forward to its implementation,” Persaud said, stressing that the international community, including the Security Council, must demonstrate confidence in young people as peacebuilders. She noted that many young people experience conflict first hand, making their involvement important to achieving

sustainable and peaceful outcomes. At the national lev-

el, Persaud said Guyana regards its youth population as an asset and a vital partner in national development. She said the Government has prioritised youth development and participation, with investments directed towards education, skills training, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. According to Persaud, young Guyanese are also participating in policymaking and implementation. She said the Secretary General’s report reflects progress in institutionalising meaningful youth participation but also points to the need for more action-

able solutions. Guyana particularly noted recommendations aimed at reaching young people with limited or no access to opportunities while creating safe and inclusive spaces for their participation in decision-making. “We must continue to invest in our youth – their education, skills, health and employment – towards unlocking their full potential,” Persaud said. She reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working with the UN Youth Office and other stakeholders towards building an inclusive, equitable and sustainable world with young people at the centre.

Teens busted with air pistol, unregistered motorcycle

wo teenagers aged 17 and 19 were arrested on Tuesday for having an unlicensed air pistol in their possession during a Police operation at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). According to reports, on the day in question at about 17:30h, ranks from the Tuschen Police Station acted on information received and proceeded to Sheriff Street, Tuschen. Upon arrival, the ranks observed the two teenagers sitting in

The air pistol found on the 17-year-old

The motorcycle that was confiscated by the Police

front of a warehouse and acting in a suspicious manner. As such, the Police conducted a search on them, during which a black and silver air pistol was found on the 17-year-old. In addition, the ranks also observed a red and black motorcycle bearing registration number JCA 4 at the location. The teens were taken to the Tuschen Police Station, along with the motorcycle and suspected air pistol, as investigations continue.

NEWS 15

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Student deliberately started deadly Mahdia dorm blaze – State tells court …rejects negligence claims

he State has rejected allegations of negligence and wrongdoing arising from the May 2023 Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory fire, which claimed the lives of 20 children. The position was contained in a defence filed on August 31, 2026, by Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC, in response to a lawsuit brought by the eStates and representatives of 11 of the children who died in the tragedy. The matter is before the High Court in Demerara under the title The EStates of Ariana Arlene Edwards and others v The Attorney General of Guyana. The defence denied the allegations contained in the claim and asked the court to dismiss the proceedings. The State is represented by Nandlall, King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani and Attorneyat-Law CV Satram, while the claimants are represented by Attorney-atLaw Darren Wade. The lawsuit stemmed from the fire that destroyed the female dormitory on the night of May 21, 2023. According to the Defence, the fire started at about 23:00h, after which the House Mother and others responded to screams coming from the dormitory. The Government said the Matron took “reasonable action to facilitate the safe exit” of students, while several students escaped or were pulled from the building through windows. The Defence said firefighters and civilians rescued 28 persons from the burning building. It Stated that the fire was reported to the Mahdia Fire Station at about 23:12h, after which fire officers went to the scene and attempted to extinguish the blaze. The Government maintained that injured students were transport-

ed to the Mahdia District Hospital for emergency treatment. The Defence also detailed the Government’s emergency response following the fire.

All hands on deck

It said that shortly after midnight, a doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was informed of the tragedy and asked to organise a medical response. A team comprising two burns specialists and two Emergency Room doctors was assembled at Eugene F Correia International Airport to travel to Mahdia. The Defence further Stated that by approximately 01:15h on May 22, President Dr Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and other senior Government officials were at Eugene F Correia International Airport awaiting transportation to Mahdia. “Preparations were also made for the transport of these doctors, Government officials, and medical supplies into Mahdia,” the Defence Stated. By the time the medical aircraft arrived, medical personnel were treating injured students at the Mahdia District Hospital, while most critically injured students had already been transported to the airstrip for evacuation to Georgetown. The Defence Stated, “Indeed, by this time, the Government had mobilised doctors, nurses, pilots and other flight crew, members of the Guyana Defence Force, Cabinet members, and their teams – all in an effort to have all hands on deck to assist with the swift and careful treatment and evacuation of the students at the Mahdia dormitories.” The Defence submitted that the Mahdia Fire Station had extinguished

Some of the victims of the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory fire

the blaze by about 03:00h and discovered the bodies of 14 deceased persons inside the dormitory. It added that 19 injured students remained at the Mahdia District Hospital, including 13 who were considered stable and six who were critical. All 19 were subsequently transferred to the GPHC for advanced medical care. One student was later transferred to Mount Sinai Health Center in New York for specialised treatment.

Financial assistance

The Government also said it fully covered funeral and burial expenses for the deceased students and the five-year-old boy who died in the blaze. The Defence further addressed financial assistance offered to families of victims and injured survivors. According to the Defence, the Government offered families of the deceased lump-sum financial assistance of $5 million, separate from the assistance provided immediately after the fire. For injured survivors, the Defence Stated that $3 million was offered to students whose injuries were assessed as serious by medical doctors, while $500,000 was offered to those whose injuries were deemed less serious.

The Government said the lump-sum assistance was separate from the immediate support provided after the fire and was intended, among other things, to assist with medical treatment and medication required outside public medical facilities. The Defence Stated that the AG and his team travelled to Mahdia on July 3 and 4, 2023, to meet with families and explain the financial assistance offer. Families that accepted the offer were asked to sign agreements acknowledging that they had received independent legal advice from a lawyer of their choice. The Government said the exercise was repeated on July 31 and August 1, 2023, and that all families of the victims, except two, had accepted the offer of financial assistance. On fire prevention, the Government said measures had been in place before the tragedy. The Defence Stated that during Fire Safety Week in October 2022, members of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) had visited Government agencies in Mahdia, including the school dormitories, where fire-safety training had been conducted. Teachers and students had been taught

how to use fire extinguishers and had been provided with evacuation plans for the school and dormitories. The Government further Stated that fire drills had been conducted once per month at the Mahdia Nursery and Primary and Secondary Schools.

Deliberate act of a 3rd party

The State rejected the allegation that it had exposed the now deceased students to an unreasonable, foreseeable, or avoidable risk of death or serious bodily injury. It maintained that the Police investigation had established that the fire was caused by “the deliberate, intentional, and malicious act of a third party”, identified as a student housed in the female dormitory following the confiscation of her cellular phone. The Defence submitted that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) subsequently recommended that the student be charged and that, by July 4, 2023, she had been charged with 20 counts of murder. The Government maintained that the circumstances surrounding the fire did not establish negligence, a constitutional violation, or impropriety on its part. The Defence Stated,

“In all the circumstances, as tragic as the events of 21st May, 2023 at the Mahdia Female Dormitory were, the Defendant denies any allegation of negligence, constitutional violation or impropriety on the part of its servants and/ or agents.” The State also described the lawsuit as “specious, misconceived in law” and asked the court to dismiss it with costs. The filing comes as the compensation dispute returns to the High Court, following an earlier decision by Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh to allow the families’ claims to proceed to a full hearing rather than have them struck out. The substantive hearing is expected to address the circumstances surrounding the compensation agreements, including whether the agreements were legally valid and whether the families were bound by the terms attached to the Government’s compensation offers. The related matters are scheduled to return to the High Court for a Case Management Conference (CMC) in November 2026, when directions for the further conduct of the proceedings are expected to be given.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Venezuela's Maduro asserts immunity, Barbados to host 3rd Caricom urges US Judge to dismiss charges regional conference on reparation

usted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro urged a US Judge on Wednesday to ‌ dismiss criminal drug-trafficking charges against him, arguing he should be immune from prosecution as the Head of a sovereign country. The charges, filed in Manhattan federal court, formed the basis for the January 3 operation in which the US military raided Caracas and captured Maduro. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial starting June 1, 2027 if his effort to dismiss the case is unsuccessful. The principle that sitting Heads of State are immune from prosecution abroad is a longstanding tenet of international law seen as fundamental to diplomacy. Maduro's push to persuade Manhattanbased US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to dismiss the case will test US courts' general reluctance to apply international law in criminal cases. Legal experts have told Reuters that Maduro faces an uphill battle. Washington has not recognised Maduro as Venezuela's President since 2019, and courts tend to defer to the President and his Cabinet in disputes over who is recognised as a foreign country's leader. US criminal cases in-

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is escorted, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan for an initial appearance to face US federal charges including narcoterrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others, at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, in New York City, US, January 5, 2026 (Reuters/Adam Gray file photo)

volving ‌Heads of foreign States are extremely rare, but cases similar to Maduro's are generally not favourable to him. In 1990, a federal judge in Miami rejected former Panamanian military leader Manuel Noriega's attempt to assert head-ofstate immunity in part because he never officially held the title of President. The United States stopped recognising Maduro in 2019, when he was inaugurated after a 2018 election the US said was rigged. The US also called his 2024 re-election fraudulent. Maduro says both votes were fair and has long accused Washington of seeking his

ouster to gain control of the South American country's oil wealth. Since Maduro's capture, his vice president and socialist ally Delcy Rodriguez has run Venezuela and increased cooperation with the Trump Administration. Last month, the two countries reached an unprecedented deal that would see the US take over around one-fifth of Venezuela's oil reserves. Prosecutors have until October 2 to respond to Maduro's motion to dismiss the indictment, and Hellerstein will hold a hearing on the dismissal effort on November 17. (Reuters)

Nicaraguan Congress passes Ortega-backed reform excluding Opposition from elections

i c a r a g u a ' s Congress on Tuesday passed a constitutional reform that bans Opposition parties from participating in elections and extends the presidential term from six to seven years, an initiative that had previously drawn criticism from ‌the United States and other countries in the region. The reform, backed by co-presidents Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, cleared its first vote in National Assembly. Murillo announced on Monday that the amendment will be ratified in a second vote

starting January 18, as Nicaraguan law requires constitutional changes to be approved by two separate legislative sessions before taking effect. The reform also extends the terms of co-presidents and other elected officials, as well as the Heads of the Army and Police, from six to seven years. On July 19, Ortega publicly stated that "there won't be any more elections" in Nicaragua to prevent the Opposition from "seizing the government" again. Several Central American countries, as

well as Bolivia, Brazil and Chile, criticized Ortega's announcement, considering it a new democratic setback, while the United States urged the international community to isolate the Nicaraguan ‌Government and Panama withdrew its ambassador from Managua. Nicaragua has been in a deep political crisis since April 2018, when the Government repressed a series of anti-government protests, leaving more than 300 dead and thousands injured and triggering a mass exodus of Nicaraguans. (Excerpt from Reuters)

arbados will host the third C a r i b b e a n Community (Caricom) Regional Conference on Reparations later this month, the Caricom Secretariat announced on Wednesday. The September 1719 conference will be held under the theme “Reparatory Justice as the Coming Enlightenment” and will be hosted by the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC), the Barbados Government, and the Caricom Secretariat. “This major Caricom forum on reparations follows the adoption of the landmark United Nations Resolution A/

RES/80/250 on 25 March 2026, which declared the trafficking and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as “the gravest crime against humanity”, the secretariat said. It said that the conference will provide practical guidance on implementing the revised Caricom Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice: A Manifesto for the Coming Enlightenment, while highlighting new perspectives in reparatory justice emerging from African and Caribbean political discourse. “It will assess global progress in the reparations movement, particularly in the context of the 25th Anniversary of the

Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, and the African Union Decade for Reparatory Justice,” said the organisers. In addition, the organisers said that the conference will strengthen collaboration among Caricom, the African Union, civil society, and the global African Diaspora. It aims to invigorate political, diplomatic, and community participation in the regional and international movement for reparatory justice, ensuring that the momentum for change is sustained and broadened. (CMC)

Behave or stay home! – T&T PM posts video clip condemning lawless acts by citizens

rime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar has again described Trinidad and Tobago as a “lawless dump”, urging “criminals and belligerent individuals” to stay home if they can’t behave so law-abiding citizens can enjoy themselves. Her comments accompanied a Facebook video posted Tuesday showing one of several disorderly incidents at the FOC: The Awakening breakfast party in Chaguaramas on Independence Day. Patrons became unruly after Police and fire officials shut down the event at Pier 2 around 7 am, two hours before its scheduled end, citing overcrowding. Angry revellers hurled paint bottles, water bottles and cans of tuna, distributed earlier by sponsors, at people on stage, including senior Police Officers who made the announcement and the DJs. The decision also angered ticket holders outside the venue. Some pushed down a section of steel fencing and forced their way into the event. In the video shared by Persad-

T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at Monday’s Independence Day Parade at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain (Faith Ayoung photo)

Bissessar, Police and firefighters were seen retreating to avoid being trampled during the ensuing stampede. The event was reportedly closed after an estimated 6500 people attempted to gain entry to a venue said to have a capacity of about 4000. As more patrons arrived and tensions escalated, authorities decided to shut down the event in the interest of public safety. In her Facebook post, Persad-Bissessar wrote: “Trinidad and Tobago,

the irresponsible behaviour seen in the video clip occurred over the Independence weekend. The majority of citizens are decent, law-abiding people who should not have to live in a lawless dump because of criminals and belligerent individuals.” Although several people were detained on Sunday for using obscene language and engaging in disorderly conduct, no charges were laid. (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Guardian)

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Around the World

US-Iran strikes raise fears of renewed war across the Middle East

A screengrab from a video obtained from social media on September 1, 2026, shows a view shortly before what US Central Command (CENTCOM) says was a US strike on an Iranian military target (US Central Command/Handout via Reuters)

ears of renewed escalation gripped the Middle East on Wednesday after the United States and Iran

exchanged their biggest barrage since July, with Washington striking Iran's southern coast and Tehran firing at US bases

across the region. With the US threatening further strikes, Iran accused Washington of hitting a wedding party, killing ‌ four persons and wounding dozens. Its Health Minister later said 18 persons in total had been killed and 108 injured in the latest wave of US strikes. The US military said it struck air defences, radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications sites on Tuesday. Iran reported hits on multiple targets near the Strait of Hormuz. The flare-up threat-

ens to deepen a conflict that has dragged on since the US launched strikes on Iran in February, disrupting global energy supplies and drawing opposition from a majority of Americans ahead of November's congressional elections. Iran struck what it said were US assets in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq, and said its aim was now to drive US forces from the vast network of military bases they have maintained for decades across the Middle East. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China’s Xi urges new Middle East security framework during rare Egypt visit

hinese President Xi Jinping has called on Middle East countries to oppose external influence and consider reshaping the region’s security order. Xi’s remarks on Wednesday to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, on his first visit to Cairo in a decade, come as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region amid the United StatesIsrael war with Iran. “We must uphold the principle that the people of the Middle East are the masters of their own affairs, oppose external interference [and] support regional

countries in strengthening dialogue on peace and security,” Xi said in a meeting with el-Sisi, according to Chinese State news agency Xinhua. The talks covered the six-month US-Israel war on Iran, with both Presidents urging “diplomatic solutions” to reach a “comprehensive agreement to end the war”, according to a statement from el-Sisi’s spokesperson. Sisi’s office also said the two countries signed an agreement to launch the third phase of the EgyptianChinese industrial zone at the Suez Canal, which officials say already hosts 200

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and his Egyptian counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are photographed during their meeting at the Ittihadia Presidential Palace in Cairo, Egypt on September 2, 2026 [Egyptian Presidency/AFP]

companies and investments worth approximately US$4 billion. The new investments – for which Egypt has not announced a figure – give Beijing even greater influence in the canal zone, a critical artery of global

trade, as conflict in the region chokes traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which passes between Oman and Iran, and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which separates Yemen and the Horn of Africa. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

WHO Chief warns Ebola response must ramp up to stem DRC outbreak

The number of people killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo from the disease exceeds 3000 amid a response funding gap [File: Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/Reuters]

he head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that every transmission chain needs to be identified and broken if the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is

to be contained. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Wednesday, Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that until every chain is broken, the epidemic “will continue to pose a threat to

[the] DRC, its neighbours and the region as a whole”. The number of people killed in the DRC by the disease exceeded 3000 on Wednesday, according to official government data. The outbreak is the fastest-growing in history, as well as the deadliest and largest the DRC has ever experienced. The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has warned that efforts to contain the virus are “below established response targets” and that the majority of cases are occurring outside of known contacts, comprising up to

80 per cent of new cases. Response efforts have been further complicated by conflict in the DRC’s mineral-rich regions, poor infrastructure, strikes by unpaid healthcare workers and cultural traditions, including burial practices, that have contributed to the spread of Ebola. On Wednesday, Dr Tedros said that it remained unclear how many individuals came in contact with the virus prior to their deaths. “That means there are chains of transmission we don’t know about,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Bond selloff deepens as oil prices and public debt fears jolt markets

ond prices continued to slide in Asia and Europe on Wednesday, pushing borrowing costs to multi-decade highs as the Middle East conflict drives up energy prices and layers concerns about inflation on top of worries about ballooning government debt. Sovereign bond yields are a reference point for asset prices across financial markets and the higher price of money means elevated mortgage rates for consumers and tough choices for Government spending ‌as funding costs climb. Japan's 10-year yield was perched above three per cent for the first time in 30 years, while rising gas prices meant German 10-year Bund yields were stuck at their highest since 2011 and Britain's equivalent was at its highest since 2008. Yields rise as prices fall and vice versa. Brent crude oil hit a one-month high on Wednesday after the US and Iran traded strikes, while European natural gas prices are at their highest since early 2023. Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest crude exporter, said on Wednesday that an Iranian attack on an oil tanker owned by its national shipping company had killed two Filipino seafarers. Sidr, owned by Bahri, was one of two supertankers carrying Saudi oil reported to have been hit late on Monday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has threatened tankers attempting to sail through the narrow waterway without authorisation, impeding energy exports from neighbouring oil-rich Gulf countries. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh triggered a sharp rise in bets on a September rate hike with ⁠a hawkish speech last week in which he acknowledged there had not been enough progress on inflation. (Excerpts from Reuters)

From street names to supply chains, Canadians pull away from US as rift grows

or more than 20 years, Diane Hosker has lived on Trump Avenue in Ottawa’s leafy west end, a neighbourhood with New York-themed street names including Central Park, Bloomingdale Street and Gotham Private. Hosker was never a fan of the name, which was chosen when US President Donald Trump was ‌ known primarily as a Manhattan real estate developer. Now, amid the worsening trade war and escalating verbal threats, the city council is moving to rename it. Trump's latest actions — imposing new tariffs on goods from Canada and signing an executive or-

der renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America" — have triggered a renewed surge of anger and patriotism in a country better known for being easygoing. Some Canadians have boycotted US products and stopped travelling south of the border since Trump returned to office in early 2025, but his renewed attacks on Canada are prompting what may be a more permanent rupture between two longtime allies. From street names to supply chains to vacation bookings, Canadians are severing everyday ties in ways that could outlast the trade dispute. (Excerpt from Reuters)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20)

Do things your way. Use your ingenuity and discipline to ensure that whatever project you take on has your signature. What you do will help you gain momentum and recognition. Focus on what you know you can deliver. Put your energy toward finishing what you start and presenting and marketing your skills and achievements personally. Don't take risks.

(June 21-July 22)

Say less, listen more. Truth and facts matter, and getting it right the first time will help you get what you want. Reach out to those in key positions. If you gather information, an opportunity will come your way. Keep your plansto yourself. Changes at home or to your personal life require secrecy. Focus on how you can make your surroundings and lifestyle more convenient.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Keeping a steady pace will get you to the finish line. Take pride in what you do, and give credit to those who help you along the way. Partnerships look playful and fruitful if you maintain equilibrium.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

Pay attention to detail. Jumping into something will have its pitfalls. Question everything, and listen to your inner voice. Fend for yourself, and do what feels right.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Relax, gather your thoughts and take time to rejuvenate and pamper yourself. Distance yourself from drama, and give yourself a chance to breathe and to sort through any confusion or difficulties you are experiencing. Give yourself a chance to live, learn and experience new people, places and pastimes. Engage in what brings you joy and makes you think. Look at controversial situations from a distance. Listen to suggestions, but do what makes you happy. Problems with those you associate with will lead to emotional differences and a change of heart. Put your energy into how you earn your living. Take care of paperwork that's about to be outdated. Negotiate with those you do business with, and don't be afraid to ask for and get what you want in writing.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

You'll be tempted to overspend by trying to make someone you love happy. Offer affectionate gestures instead. Going into debt if you don't have to will lead to regret.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Take a back seat and watch the world go by. Taking a break will give you time to think and to consider what's next for you. Put your energy into self-awareness and finding your bliss. Choose practicality.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Steve’s Jewellery partners with IMC Over-40s Cricket World Cup

teve’s Jewellery has been named the Official Jeweller of the International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-40s Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in Guyana in 2026. The partnership was announced by the Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA), organisers of the international tournament featuring 16 teams and 72 matches. As part of the agreement, Steve’s Jewellery will provide a special prize for the Player

of the Tournament. The company will also serve as the preferred jewellery destination for players, officials and supporters attending the World Cup. “We are delighted to welcome Steve’s Jewellery as our official jeweller," Tournament Director Raj Singh said. “Steve’s represents Guyanese craftsmanship and enterprise, offering an excellent platform to showcase the quality of our local businesses to an international audience.” The partnership was formally recognised during

a presentation at Steve’s Jewellery in Georgetown. Singh received a specially crafted gold chain featuring a diamondstudded cricket bat pendant. The commemorative piece was designed and made by the company’s master jeweller, Steve Naraine. Located at 301 Church Street, South Cummingsburg, opposite the Bourda Mall, Steve’s Jewellery offers locally crafted gold, diamond and sterling silver jewellery. Its pieces are made using

Tournament Director Raj Singh (left) receives a specially crafted gold chain featuring a diamond-studded cricket bat pendant from master jeweller Steve Naraine of Steve’s Jewellery

white and yellow gold ranging from 12 to 22 karats, with diamonds and other gemstones set by hand. The company has been certified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards since 1999 and has also received the Bureau’s Platinum Manufacturer Award for quality. The 2026 tournament will bring together Masters Cricket teams from around the world for one of the largest international cricket competitions to be staged in Guyana.

T&T’s Valley Boys support youth cricket gear initiative

he Valley Boys Sports and Cultural Club’s Over-50 cricket team of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has made a cash donation to the “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana” project. The contribution was presented at the end of Valley Boys’ goodwill tour match against North Soesdyke. The visiting club, which has existed for more than 60 years and is described as the oldest cricket institution in T&T, recently completed its tour of Guyana. Speaking on behalf of Valley Boys, Pramesh Seheult said the team was impressed by the initiative and the number of young cricketers it has assisted over the years. “We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular,” Seheult said. Anil Beharry, who manages the project jointly with Kishan Das of the United States,

The Valley Boys Sports Over-50 cricket team have made a cash donation to the “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana” project

thanked Valley Boys for its support. He said the money would assist the project in purchasing requested cricket equipment that is not currently available. Since its establishment, the initiative has directly assisted 107 male and female players from Guyana’s three counties. Many others have benefited through donations made to clubs, schools, academies, cricket boards and community organisations.

Several beneficiaries have progressed to represent Guyana and the West Indies at various levels, further demonstrating the project’s impact on youth development. So far, the project has received or purchased $843,146 worth of cash support and an extensive collection of equipment. The items include 13 coloured uniforms, a set of stumps, two trophies, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 40 pairs of

batting pads, 49 bats, 48 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicketkeeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, 15 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, a fibreglass bat, a floppy hat, 18 boxes, and four individual white balls, 13 boxes of red balls, a bat cone, batting inners and 28 footballs. Former national wicketkeeper-batsman Sheik Mohammed also contributed equipment

valued at more than $600,000. Direct distributions to players have included cash, 11 gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 43 bats, five boxes, six helmets, 38 pairs of cricket shoes, 23 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, a bat grip, 42 pairs of batting gloves, wicketkeeping pads, and four pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Two clubs in the Pomeroon received two used bats, while the Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam cricket committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard received a box of red balls each. Cold Fusion Cricket Club received 13 coloured uniforms, while Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club was presented with six boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, junior batting pads, wicketkeeping gloves and inners, and two sets of stumps and bails. Other organisations and communities assisted include the Essequibo Cricket Board, the town of Lethem, Upper Corentyne male and female teams, Just

Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy, the West Demerara Cricket Association, Georgetown Cricket Club, Bush Lot United Sports Club, Blairmont Cricket Club, St Cuthbert’s Mission, Port Mourant Cricket Club, the Demerara Cricket Board, and Precision Sports. Support also reached Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive, JC Chandisingh, Tagore Memorial, Berbice High, Skeldon Line Path, and New Amsterdam secondary schools. All new and used cricket equipment is distributed free of cost. Recipients are chosen based on talent, skill, discipline, and commitment to education, while club officials help the organisers to identify promising players. Progressive and properly managed clubs with youth programmes are also considered for assistance. Distribution will continue across Guyana. Persons interested in contributing may contact Beharry on 623-6875 or Das on +1-718-664-0896.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Davion Mars

avion Mars survived a difficult position and mounted a strong counterattack to defeat Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender in Round Three of the Pegasus Weekly Chess League on Monday evening. The victory at the Atlantic Meeting Room of the Pegasus Hotel kept Mars unbeaten with three points from three rounds. Keron Sandiford also maintained a perfect re-

Mars beats Callender to remain perfect in Pegasus Chess League

cord after defeating Raymond Sookdeo. Mars and Sandiford are the only players yet to drop points and will meet in a major Round Four showdown. Playing with the white pieces on Board One, Callender began cautiously against Mars, a returning national player and mechanical engineer. The contest later developed into a complicated middlegame in which both players had chances. A deeper review of

the game showed that Callender missed a critical continuation around move 14 that could have given her an advantage of approximately +1. Despite that missed opportunity, she worked her way through the complications and emerged with an extra pawn, the bishop pair and the more favourable position. Mars, however, refused to defend passively. He launched a dangerous coun-

terattack and forced Callender to solve a series of difficult problems. With her remaining time eventually falling below one minute, Callender struggled to find the best defensive moves. Several inaccuracies followed as Mars increased the pressure, and she eventually ran out of time. The defeat was Callender’s first of the league, and caused her to slip to fourth place on two points.

Ryan McKay moved into third position, also on two points, after defeating Juliana Persaud. Further down the standings, Martin Poon climbed three places after drawing with Odinnie Reece to move on to 1.5 points. Sachin Beharry also advanced three positions and now has 1.5 points, while Jaden Taylor earned his first point of the season and moved up two places. With four rounds re-

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Keron Sandiford also maintained a perfect record after defeating Raymond Sookdeo

maining, several players are still within striking distance of the leaders as the inaugural season continues. The league is organised by Drayton’s Chess Club in partnership with the Pegasus Chess Club and the Guyana Chess Federation. Round-by-round results, standings and other league updates are available on the Drayton’s Chess Club Facebook page.

Bhagwandin, Persaud claim victory at corporate-backed LGC Greensome

orporate Guyana came out in strong support of the Lusignan Golf Club’s (LGC) Greensome Golf Tournament last Sunday, as 68 players took to the lush greens and sweeping fairways of the Lusignan Golf Course on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) for a day of exciting competition, teamwork, and family entertainment. The tournament, which brought together golfers in a spirited battle for the top positions, saw Mahendra Bhagwandin and Max Persaud emerge as the overall winners after recording a gross 34, handicap four and net

30.

Member of the victorious duo Mahendra Bhagwandin said the partnership with Max Persaud was key to their success, despite a slow start. “We complimented each other in the round. We started out slow, but in the end, it worked out,” Bhagwandin said. “We were pushed to our limits by the duo of Troy Cadogan and Avinash Persaud, who were in our group. All credit to them, as they brought out our best.” Bhagwandin further explained that the competition remained tight right down to the finish, with three groups requiring a countback to determine the even-

tual winners. “Three groups had to go on the countback to determine the winner. Fortunately, Max and I came out on top,” he added. The tight leader board made for an exciting finish, with the top three pairs all recording net scores of 30. In the end, Bhagwandin and Persaud secured the top spot to walk away as champions of the LGC Greensome Tournament. But the action was not limited to the golf course. The LGC ensured that the event was a celebration for the entire family, with attractions including a bouncy castle, face painting,

and mini golf adding to the lively atmosphere. Families and children were able to enjoy the day while golfers battled it out across the course. According to the LGC, the successful staging of the tournament was made possible in part through the strong support of Corporate Guyana, with the LGC expressing its sincere appreciation to its sponsors and supporters. Special thanks were extended to Bounty Farm Ltd, Edward B Beharry & Company Ltd, ANSA McAL Distribution Inc, Banks DIH Ltd, OMG Steak House, Froggy’s Grill, AMICI, and Crown

The top six pairs are as follows: 1. Mahendra Bhagwandin & Max Persaud – Gross 34, HC 4, Net 30 – Winners 2. Troy Cadogan & Avinash Persaud – Gross 32, HC 2, Net 30 3. Mike Mangal & Rohan Albert – Gross 34, HC 4, Net 30 4. Andre Cummings & Maxim Mangra – Gross 35, HC 4, Net 31 5. Vishal Dhanai & Jim Pecks – Gross 34, HC 2, Net 32 6. Nazim Khan & Royston Prince – Gross 37, HC 5, Net 32 Best Gross – Avinash Persaud & Troy Cadogan Beginner competition – O'Johanna Mining for backing the event. LGC has encouraged more businesses within Corporate Guyana to come on board and support sporting initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibil-

ity. Such partnerships play an important role in creating opportunities, promoting healthy lifestyles and strengthening the connection between businesses and the wider community.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

By Michelangelo Jacobus

t just 13 years old, Kataleya Sam has become the second-youngest chess player selected to represent Guyana at an Olympiad, marking a major milestone in her promising career. Only Anaya Lall was younger when called upon to compete for Guyana at the prestigious global event. Lall was 12 when she represented the country at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in India. Sam will make her Olympiad debut in Uzbekistan and has set ambitious goals, including securing the 75 rating points needed to convert her provisional Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title into the full title. She is also hoping to achieve a provisional Woman FIDE Master title. “Being selected to represent Guyana at the Chess Olympiad means a lot to me. It feels like a dream come true because this is a major stepping stone in my chess journey,” Sam said in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport. The young player has been preparing for approximately three hours each day. Her training includes online games, opening preparation, tactical exercises, and the study of endgame positions. Sessions with Serbian Grandmaster

irkel Distributors Inc has gone on board as a corporate supporter of the 2026 Archery Championships, bringing with it not only valuable corporate support but also a Taste of France through Elle & Vire yoghurt, Archery Guyana disclosed earlier this week. The partnership follows an encouraging meeting at Cirkel Distributors’ Head Office between Archery Guyana President, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, General Manager Shafeez Alli and Marketing Manager Rudy Jairam. Cirkel has committed financial support towards the Championships and is also exploring significant in-kind and promotional support. Through Elle & Vire, Cirkel will bring a taste of 100 per cent French-origin dairy excellence to the Championships, with plans for product giveaways and

Aleksa Striković have also helped her address one of the more difficult areas of her game. “He showed me various endgame positions which I had always found difficult until he explained them to me,” she related. Along with those sessions, Sam has been training independently, placing particular emphasis on openings and endgames. Once her opponents are confirmed, she intends to study their recent matches to understand their playing styles and decide on the best approach for each game. Sam has already represented Guyana internationally and won medals on two occasions. Those experiences have strengthened her determination and taught her to continue fighting despite difficult circumstances. At the 2025 Central American and Caribbean tournament, she missed a round because of flight complications. Although the setback placed her at a disadvantage, she recovered to secure a medal. Her first Olympiad will offer an opportunity to compete against players with much higher ratings and gain valuable experience. Sam expects the tournament

educational and promotional activities throughout the competition. Cirkel will also have a dedicated table and tent presence at the venue, allowing spectators and participants to engage directly with the brand. President Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon welcomed the partnership, stating, “We are excited to welcome Cirkel and Elle & Vire to the archery family. Their financial contribution is important, but what makes this partnership particularly exciting is the breadth of their support; from youth merchandise to athlete promotion, which will be rolled out shortly. And, of course, bringing a Taste of France to a Caribbean championship in Guyana gives us another wonderful reason to celebrate. Our athletes will be taking aim at the targets, while Elle & Vire give everyone something delicious to

to be diverse, exciting, and highly competitive, while also providing a chance to experience different cultures. She believes her biggest challenge will be maintaining concentration during games that could last several hours. The cold conditions in Uzbekistan and unfamiliar surroundings could also affect her comfort and focus. To address those concerns, Sam plans to wear warm clothing and become familiar with the playing venue and its surroundings before competition 13-year-old provisional WCM Kataleya Sam begins. where I am today, and I want to make “It would mean the world to me to perform well for Guyana on the world them proud,” she explained. The 13-year-old plans to approach stage,” she said. “I want to show that no matter where you come from, how young the tournament with confidence, you are or what gender you are, everyone perseverance, prayer and a strong belief in has the ability to succeed. However, you her ability. She also draws inspiration from must work hard and remain focused Michael Jackson’s 2001 message about repeating a task until it is done correctly, because talent can only take you so far.” Sam regularly visualises herself blocking out negativity and believing in succeeding at the Olympiad and winning a yourself regardless of doubt or criticism. With daily preparation and a prize. That ambition is driven partly by the sacrifices her family has made to support determined mindset, Sam is hoping her historic selection will be the start of her development. “I really want to win, because I know another successful chapter in her chess the sacrifices my family makes for me to be journey.

Cirkel will support the 2026 Archery Championships through the Elle & Vire brand

look forward to!” The partnership represents another example of corporate Guyana investing in sport, youth and national pride, while helping Archery Guyana deliver a championship that will showcase Guyana to the wider Caribbean. As the region's archers prepare to take their places on the shooting line, Cirkel and Elle & Vire will be helping to ensure that the Archery Championships 2026 is not only a championship to watch but an experience to remember. In addition, Archery Guyana has extended its sincere appreciation to Managing Director Shafeez Alli, Marketing Manager Rudy Jairam and the entire Cirkel Distributors team for coming on board and supporting the upcoming Archery Championships in 2026.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

fter being appointed as Head Coach of the senior men’s national football team back in July, Marco Bonofiglio will soon have his first assignment in the post as the Golden Jaguars gear up for the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League. The national team were drawn in Group C of League B, alongside Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands, and Dominica, against which they will play home and away matches in the September, October, and November international windows. Having assisted with the team before, Bonofiglio disclosed his excitement at assuming the gaffer’s spot. The new Head Coach divulged, “Obviously, I’m known to Guyana, so I thank them for having me and accepting me again. I was

The Golden Jaguars will have a busy September-October window in the Nations League

obviously the Head Coach of the U17s, part of the U20 staff as well, and now it’s an exciting time to be part of the Golden Jags as a Head

Coach. I had many camps as an Assistant Coach, first as Assistant to Coach Dover and Coach Dooley, and now this is my first camp as a Head Coach.

So, very excited, very eager to get started with the guys,” he added. Bonofiglio is currently in Guyana and has been taking in

some Elite League matches in order to have a closer look at the local players on offer. “Being here, being able to look at the domestic players in this domestic league, I think it’s very important; a very important piece of the puzzle as we close down on choosing our final roster. Right now, the roster is not completely set, but it should be set in another 10-14 days; in about two weeks we’ll have that roster, and that’s why I’m here taking a look at the domestic players,” the Head Coach revealed. While the national team are set for a long, back-to-back, four-game campaign across September and October, the Head Coach shared why there will be no friendlies. He explained, “Unfortunately not. Most of our players are in season right now. The international players as well, they’re in season. So, regarding matches and time,

Georgetown Campus dominates GPF Inter-Campus Sports

Athletes at the Inter-Campus Day of Sports with their medals

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) Academy’s Georgetown Campus emerged as champions when recruits from the Georgetown, Essequibo, and Berbice campuses competed in the Academy’s Inter-Campus Day of Sports on Saturday, August 29, at the GPF

Sports Club, Eve Leary. The event brought together recruits from the three campuses for a day of competitive sporting activities, while promoting physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and camaraderie among the ranks. The day’s activities

commenced with a colourful and wellcoordinated march-past, which tested the discipline and presentation of the recruits. The Essequibo Campus, led by Inspector McAlmont, captured first place, while the Georgetown Campus finished second. Senior Superintendent

Sonia Hubert, the Director of the GPF Academy, attended the event and encouraged the ranks to place greater emphasis on maintaining physical fitness as part of their professional development. Assistant Superintendent Gladwyn Handover, Commandant of the GPF Essequibo Campus, was also present. The sporting programme featured track and field events, along with football and other recreational activities. Georgetown Campus dominated both relay events, winning the 4×100-metre and 4×400-metre relays. In the 4×100-metre, Georgetown’s first team finished first, ahead of Essequibo in second and Georgetown’s second team in third. In the 4×400-metre relay, Essequibo placed second and Georgetown’s second team finished third. Constable Stewart emerged victorious in the men’s 100-metre race, with Constable Lovell taking second and

Constable Abrams third. In the women’s 100 metres, Constable Boston secured first place, followed by Constable Lamazon in second, and Constable Innis in third. The Georgetown Campus continued its strong showing on the football field, securing victory, while Essequibo finished as runners-up. Following a highlycompetitive day of activities, the Georgetown Campus was crowned overall champion among the three participating campuses. Constable Stewart was rewarded for an outstanding individual performance by being named Best Athlete of the Day. The Inter-Campus Day of Sports formed part of the GPF Academy’s continued efforts to promote physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and healthy competition among its recruits, while reinforcing the importance of maintaining high standards of fitness in the Police service.

we’re good with the players. Obviously, it’s the beginning of the season for most, so I think when we get to camp on the 20th of September in Dominica, we’ll be ready.” As such, the new gaffer went on to share expectations, not just for the competition but also for his players. He highlighted, “First of all, we want to set the standard high. It’s a high bar that we’ve placed; when you look at our opponents, all of them are very good teams. It’s not an easy affair at all, but when we look at our past and our pathway that we’ve been coming along, we’re on a pretty good trajectory right now.” “So, we want to keep that going, keep the positive mentality, have the right mindset, and I’m looking for all my players to come in with a proper attitude to camp,” he further stated. The Golden Jaguars will come up against Puerto Rico in their opening fixtures on Thursday, September 24, at 15:00h at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica, before facing the Cayman Islands on Sunday, September 27, also at 15:00h at Windsor Park. They will then jet off to Puerto Rico, where they take on Dominica on Thursday, October 1, at 17:00h at the Estadio José Antonio Figueroa Freyre in Mayagüez, before concluding the window against the same opponent on Sunday, October 4, at 15:00h, at the same venue.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Republic Bank CPL…

“Confident” Warriors looking to maximise home leg W

ith four wins on the trot and a healthy run rate, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) remain the only unbeaten team in the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Ahead of their first home leg contest on Friday, September 4, against the Jamaica Kingsmen, GAW sprang into action at their first training session on home soil this season on Wednesday. There, power-hitting batsman and local boy Quentin Sampson spoke

Quentin Sampson is enjoying his spot in the Amazon Warriors middle order

Scenes from the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ first training session on home soil this season

of their perfect start on the road. “It’s always a pleasure to come home after starting your campaign on a high note. As you can see, we’re at four out of four; it’s a good feeling, coming home without losing a game. It’s a great start for us,” Sampson told Guyana Times Sport. He went on to tell this publication about the team’s confidence, especially now, with the home crowd behind them. The batsman shared, “The confidence – the boys are pretty much pumped. Even now, being home, things would be much better. We have the home crowd, the advantage. So, I think we’re up for the challenge… it’s just another opportunity to continue playing good cricket. You know, we’ve been doing good as a team so far; with the crowd backing us, [it] gives us an additional driving force to go hard at the game,” he further noted. The Amazon Warriors are just two or three wins away from securing a playoff spot, which Sampson high-

lighted is important to secure while on their home leg. Sampson opined, “Before we leave home, we just want to secure those points, you know, so that we don’t have to do the hard work in the back end to catch up. So,

cricket, that’s the kind of spot I always be. So, it’s just simple for me; I feel more confident ‘cause opening batting is not as easy as people think it is. “So, I feel like it is my role, and I just want to grasp it.”

going with the good start that we already have, I think that would be great initiative for us.” On a personal note, Sampson divulged how much he is enjoying his new spot in the Warriors’ middle order. He told Guyana Times Sport, “Well, batting in the middle right now, that’s the kind of position I always bat in. Coming up from junior

Laughing as he recollected his recent banter with Shimron Hetmyer, Sampson added, “I just love to bat with Hetty. Hetty just makes everything so simple and gives you a lot of encouragement. So, yeah, it’s just a fun time with me and him at the crease.” Friday’s battle between GAW and Kingsmen is set to bowl off at 19:00h local time.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

“Confident” Warriors looking to maximise home leg Page 23

Bonofiglio begins scouting local players ahead of Nations League Page 22

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