Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05-05-2026

‘Energybalancekeyto globalfuture’–PresidentAlitells

industryleaders

PRESIDENTDrMohamed IrfaanAliusedtheworld’s premieroffshoreenergy forumonMondaytooutlineacasethattheglobal conversationmustshift from“energytransitionto energybalance.”

Deliveringthefeature addressattheopeningofthe TechnologyConference (OTC)inHouston,Texas, PresidentAlisaidthatGuyana’sdistinctiveapproachis livingproofthatthemodel works.

Guyana’sheadofstate

Tobackuphisargument, henotedthatglobalinvest-

toldthegatheringofglobal industryleaders,investors andpolicymakersfrommore than100countriesthatthe worldisnotsimplyswitchingfromoneenergysystem toanother.Itistryingto closeagrowinggapbetween supplyanddemandthatcontinuestorise.

abletechnologycarriesits ownenvironmentalprice, frommassdeforestationto toxicwastetowaterconsumptioninalreadywater-stressedcommunities.

PresidentDrIrfaanAlideliveredthefeatureaddress TechnologyConference(OTC)inHouston,Texas, onMonday

mentincleanenergyreached arecordUS$3.3trillionin 2025,yetitremainsheavilyconcentratedinChina, theUnitedStates,andthe EuropeanUnion,leaving theregionswiththefastest-growingenergyneedsthe leastfunded.

Thepresidentwarned thatthepushtowardcritical mineralsneededforrenew-

Tothisend,heasked, “areweaddressingone environmentalcrisiswhile creatinganother?”That tension,thepresidentsaid, isexactlywhytheframing needstochange.“Instead ofenergytransition…how doweachieveenergybalancetocreateawin-win

GuyanadismantlesVenezuela’sclaims, defendsvalidityof1899ArbitralAward

HetoldtheInternational CourtofJustice(ICJ)that thehistoricalrecordinstead confirmsthelegitimacyof the1897TreatyofWashingtonandtheOctober3,1899, ArbitralAwarditproduced.

Presentingsubmissions intheongoingbordercontroversycase,Reichlersaid Venezuela’sargumentthat thetreatywastaintedby fraudorconspiracycannot withstandscrutiny.

“Mr.President,neither Venezuela’scontentionof fraudnoritscontentionof errorwithstandsscrutinyor isevenplausible,”heargued.

Reichlerdescribedthe allegationofcollusionas illogical,notingthatitwould requirethecourttoaccept thattheUnitedStatesabruptlyabandoneditslongstanding supportforVenezuelaand insteadsidedwithBritain.

Hecontended:“They straincredulity,requiringyou toconcludethattheUnited States…madeacomplete volte-face…byswitching sidesandsupportingBritain’sinterestinthedisputed territorytotheprejudiceof Venezuela’s.”

Theattorneymaintained thatdocumentaryevidence tellsaverydifferentsto-

AttorneyPaulReichler

ry—oneinwhichVenezuela activelysoughtarbitration andreliedonU.S.supportto secureit.

“ItisafactthatVenezuela requestedtheprotectionof theUnitedStatesinorderto resistGreatBritain’sconduct andreachapeacefulsolution totheterritorialdispute,”he toldthecourt.

Reichleraddedthatarbitrationwouldnothavematerialisedwithoutthatsupport.

“Itwasclearthatthepossibilityofsubmittingthe disputetoarbitrationcould havematerialisedonlywith thesupportoftheUnited States,”hestated.

Reichlerfurtherargued thatVenezuelawasnotexcludedfromthetreatyprocess,asitnowclaims,but

wasinsteadactivelyinvolved andrepresentedthroughout.

HetoldtheWorldCourt thattheevidenceindicates VenezuelareliedonthenU.S. SecretaryofStateRichard OlneyandPresidentGrover Clevelandtoprotectitsinterests.

ReichlerpointedtocontemporaneousrecordsshowingVenezuelanrepresentativeswereconsultedandtheir positionsincorporatedinto negotiations.

“Thisisentirelyfallacious.Itiscompletelyrefuted bythedocumentaryevidence,asyouwillnowsee,” Reichlerasserted,dismissing Venezuela’sclaims.

Healsohighlightedthat Venezuelaacceptedandcompliedwiththe1899Arbitral

TheArbitralTribunalandCounsel,Paris1899

Awardfordecadesafterthe processithadchampioned concluded.

“Asthecourtiswell aware,Venezuelaaccepted,respected,andcomplied withthe1899ArbitralAward formorethan60years,”he noted.

The1897TreatyofWashington,heexplained,wasthe lawfulbasisforarbitrationbetweenVenezuelaandGreatBritain,culminatingintheaward GuyanaandVenezuela.

“Iwilladdressyouon the1897TreatyofWashingtonbywhichtheyagreedto arbitratetheirterritorialdispute…resultingintheaward ofOctober3,1899,”Reichler submitted.

HestressedthatVenezuelaonlybeganchallengingthe treatydecadeslater.

ReichlertoldtheICJ:“It wasnotuntil1963,66years

faultwithit.”

Thevalidityofthe1897 Treatyremainsacentralpillarinthebroadercaseconcerningthelegitimacyof the1899ArbitralAward, whichlegallyestablishedthe boundarybetweenGuyana andVenezuela.

Reichler’ssubmissions soughttoreinforceGuyana’s positionthatthetreaty—and byextensiontheaward—was lawfullyconcludedandremainsbindingunderinternationallaw.

Ashearingscontinue, theICJisexpectedtoweigh thesehistoricalandlegalargumentsindeterminingthe meritsofGuyana’scase.

Inaccordancewiththe

1966GenevaAgreement, GuyanaandVenezuelaengagedindecadesofGoodpicesoftheUnitedNations Secretary-Generalinanattempttoreachapeaceful resolution.

However,onJanuary30, 2018,aftertheprocessfailed toyieldmeaningfulprogress, theSecretary-Generaldeterprocesshadrunitscourseand selectedjudicialsettlement bytheICJasthenextmeans ofresolvingthecontroversy.

ContinuingGuyana’spresentationbeforethecourton Monday,Greenidgetraced thehistoricalevolutionofthe controversy,placingparticularemphasisonVenezuela’s roleininitiatingthearbitra-

tionprocessthatultimately culminatedintheOctober3, 1899ArbitralAwardissued inParis.

“Thehistoryisclear,and establishedbytheevidence beforethecourt,”hesaid, adding:“ItwasVenezuela thatinsistedonarbitration.”

Greenidgerelatedthat afteryearsofunsuccessful diplomaticnegotiationswith GreatBritain,Venezuelaproposedin1883thatthecontroversybesettledthrough arbitration.

Atthetime,henoted, Venezuelasoughtabinding

decisionfromanarbitrator jointlyselectedbybothparties.

However,Britainrejectedtheproposalinitsinitial form,particularlyoverdisagreementsregardingthe scopeoftheterritorytobe includedinthearbitration.

Facedwiththissetback, Venezuelaescalateditsefforts,severingdiplomatic relationswithBritainin1887 andseekingexternalsupport toadvanceitsposition.

AccordingtoGreenidge, itwasatthisstagethatVenezuelaturnedtotheUnited

StatesofAmericaforassistance.

“ItwasVenezuelathat broughttheUnitedStatesinto thepicturetohelpitobtain thearbitrationagreement withGreatBritainthatitwas unabletoobtainonitsown,” hetoldthecourt.

PresidentAlihonouredin HoustonwithVisionary LeadershipAward

PRESIDENTDrIrfaan Aliwas,onSundayevening,conferredwiththe VisionaryLeadership AwardbytheBilateral ChamberinHouston, Texas,inrecognitionof hissteadfastleadership andtransformativevisionforGuyana’seconomicdevelopment.

Theaccolade,accordingtoinformationfrom theOfficeofthePresident,highlightshisrole

inadvancingresponsible energygrowth,deepening regionalpartnerships,and steeringpoliciesaimedat long-term,sustainablenationalprogressatatime whenGuyanaisassuming greaterprominenceonthe globalenergystage.

Theceremonywas heldinHoustonontheshoreTechnologyConference(OTC),where PresidentAlidelivered

thehistoricopeningkeynoteaddressasGuyana takescentrestageatthe majoroffshoreenergy forum.

Organisersnotedthat thehonourpaidtothe GuyaneseHeadofState internationalpartnersin Guyana’strajectoryasa rapidlygrowingenergy producer,committedto balancingoilandgasdevelopmentwithclimate

resilienceandwidereco-

TheBilateralChamber,whichpresented theaward,servesasa trustedplatformlinkinggloballeadersand institutionsacrossthe energy,infrastructure, education,finance, healthcare,andtechnologysectorstodrive strategicpartnerships andmeaningfuleconomiccollaboration.

PresidentDrIrfaanAliwas,onSundayevening, conferredwiththeVisionaryLeadershipAwardby theBilateralChamberinHouston

‘Energybalancekey...

scenarioforinvestors,the planet,andhumanity?”

Guyana,hesaid,has chosenthatbalancedpath,

extractingfullvaluefrom itshydrocarbonresources whilesimultaneouslybuild-

energysystemacrossallten administrativeregions.

TheGas-to-Energy (GTE)projectinWales, WestBankDemerara (WBD),isacornerstoneofingthecarbonintensityof thenationalgrid,improving reliability,andsupporting industrialdevelopment.Solarfarmshavebeendeployednationwide,withthe

energymixtailoredtoeach regionbasedongeography andneed.

Hydropowerdevelopmentisadvancing,andinvestmentinwindenergy isunderwaytofurtherdiversifytherenewablemix. Thegovernmentisalso upgradingtransmissionand distributionnetworks,investinginsmartgridtechnology,andscalingupener-

gystoragesothatrenewable energycandeliveronits potential.

PresidentAlisaidGuyanaisalsolookingbeyond itsborders,activelydevelopingprojectsinpartnership withSuriname,Brazil,and FrenchGuianatobuildregionalpowerinfrastructure andinterconnectionsystems thatwoulddelivergreater energysecurityandeconomicco-operationacross theregion.

“Guyana’sroleinthe globalenergyandclimate landscapeisdistinctive,” thepresidentsaid.“Weare oneofthefastest-growing oilproducersintheworld. Atthesametime,weare netcarbonsinks.Ourforests coverapproximately85%of ourlandmass.”

Guyana’sforestssequestermorethan150million tonnesofcarbonannually,makingitoneofthe world’smostsignificant netcarbonsinks.Through theLowCarbonDevelopmentStrategy(LCDS) 2030,Guyanabecameone carboncreditsunderthe ART-TREESstandard,securinganagreementvalued atapproximatelyUS$750 million.Thefundshave beenchannelledbackinto renewableenergy,climate

resilience,andnationaldevelopment.

“Guyanademonstrates thatenergyproduction,climateleadership,andbiodiversityprotectionarenot mutuallyexclusive,”the presidentsaid.“Theyare mutuallyreinforcing.”

Toconcludehisaddress, thepresidentappealedto

institutionandprivatesector actorintheroomtoinvest inGuyana,notingthatany energyinvestmentisan investmentinasustainable futureandabalancedframeworkthattheworldneeds.

“Thefutureofenergy weabandon.Itwillbedefinedbyhowwiselywe managewhattheworldstill requires,howresponsibly webuildwhatthefuture demands,andhowfairly weensurethatnocountry andnocommunityisleft behind,”heunderscored.

TheconferencerunsuntilMay7atHouston’sNRG Centre.

Followinghisfeature address,thepresident openedGuyana’sbooth, whichwillpromotethe country’sinvestmentopportunitieswithintheenergysectorandstrengthen partnershipsanddiscussionswithkeyinternationalstakeholders.(DPI)

Essequibocase‘existential’ forGuyana–ToddtellsICJ

GUYANA’SMinisterof ForeignAffairsandInternationalCo-operation, HughTodd,toldtheInternationalCourtofJustice(ICJ)thattheongoing bordercontroversywith itswesternneighbour,Venezuela,carriesprofound nationalimplications,describingitasacasethat goestotheverysurvivalof thecountry.

Guyanese,asitwouldmean tornapart.

Accordingtohim,it wouldmeanlosingnotonly avastportionofitsterritory, butalsomorethan313,000 people,alongwithitsheritage,culturaltraditions,naturalresourcesandunique environment,fundamentally alteringthenation’sidentity.

Toddemphasisedthat groundedininternationallaw, arguingthattheOctober3,itivelysettledtheboundary betweenGuyanaandVenezuela.

Accordingtohim,thear-

actionsbystagingareferendumin2023aimedatrejectingthecourt’sauthority andassertingsovereignty overtheEssequiboregion.

Despiteprovisional measuresissuedbythe courttopreventsuchsteps, hesaidVenezuelaproceededwithactionsthatdirectly contravenedthoseorders.

toolittleinvestmenthasbeen theconsequence,”herelated.

ReiteratingGuyana’sposition,Toddstressedthatthe 1899ArbitralAwardandthe 1905boundaryagreement remainvalidandbinding,and thatVenezuelaisobligatedto respectthem.

PresentingopeningsubmissionsonMondayas Guyana’sleadrepresentative beforetheWorldCourtat thecourt’sseatatthePeace PalaceinTheHague,Netherlands,Toddsaidtheissues atstakegowellbeyondquestionsofterritory.

“ThiscasehasanexistentialqualityforGuyana,” hedeclared,notingthatmore than70percentofthecountry’ssovereignterritoryisat issue.

“Atstakeismorethan 70%ofoursovereignterritory,whichhasbeenrecognised tobeanintegralpartofthe countryformorethan126 years,includingthepast60 yearssinceindependence. TheEssequibo,asthislandis knowninGuyana,isnamed fortheEssequiboRiver,the largestandmostremarkable riverthatrunsthroughit,”he explained.

ToddrelatedthattheEssequiboregion,longrecognisedaspartofGuyana, representsnotonlylandbut alsotheidentityofthenation.

“Guyanawouldnolonger beGuyanawithoutit,”he said,referencingthecounty’s people,culture,resourcesand ecologicalimportance.

Hesaidtheprospectof losingtheEssequiboregion wouldbedevastatingfor

bitralawardfollowedanextensivelegalprocessinvolving thousandsofpagesofevidence andmonthsofhearingsbefore aneminenttribunal.

Hefurtherpointedout thatVenezuelaacceptedand respectedtheawardfordecades,includingthrougha 1905agreementthatdemarcatedtheboundary.

“Forsixdecades,Venezuelafullyrespectedand compliedwiththataward,” hetoldthecourt.

Guyanamaintainsthatthe awardandsubsequentagreementremainlegallybinding andthatVenezuela’scurrent challengelacksmerit.

“Noneofthearguments Venezuelahasraised,priorto andduringtheseproceedings, againsttheawardandtheagreementhasanymeritwhatsoever,” Toddasserted,addingthatsuch claimsare“acenturytoolate” underinternationallaw.

Describingthehearings asapivotaljuncture,Todd said:“Thisisahistoricmoment.Thisisamomentof truthforGuyanaandfor

Venezuela.”

Healsoremindedthe courtthatGuyanahasconsistentlypursuedpeacefulresolutionthroughlegalmeans, culminatinginthepresent proceedings.

Toddalsousedtheopportunitytotracethelonglegal anddiplomaticjourneythathas broughtGuyanatothisstage, notingthatthecountryhasexhaustedallavenuesunderthe 1966GenevaAgreementbefore turningtothecourt.

Hesaidthatthedecision toapproachtheICJfollowed adeterminationbytheUnited NationsSecretary-Generalin 2018thatjudicialsettlement wastheappropriatemeans ofresolvingthecontroversy.

ToddstressedthatGuyana’spursuitofalegalresocommitmenttoapeaceful settlement.

Hereiteratedthatthe thatinternationallawsupportsitspositionandwill ultimatelyupholdthevalidityofthe1899Arbitral Award.

KEYFIGURES

Theministerpaidtributetokeyfigureswho playedinstrumentalroles inadvancingGuyana’s case,includingthelate formerCommonwealth Secretary-Generaland distinguishedGuyanese statesman,SirShridath Ramphal.

Healsohonouredthelate AmbassadorElisabethHarper,whomhedescribedas“the heartandsoul”ofGuyana’s earlierappearancesbefore thecourt.

Moreover,MinisterToddmenttoabidebytheruling oftheICJ,whileexpressing hopethatVenezuelawill adoptasimilarposition.

Toddtoldthecourtthatthedenceininternationallawand thejudicialprocesstoresolve thelong-standingcontroversy.

ToddunderscoredGuyana’srespectforthecourt’s authority,notingitsappreciationforpreviousrulingsthat upheldthecourt’sjurisdiction andtheadmissibilityofGuyana’sclaims.

Hedescribedthesedecisionsasgroundedin“the court’sfaithfulapplicationof internationallaw.”

However,hecontrastedGuyana’sapproachwith Venezuela’sactions,accusing itsneighbourofrepeatedly attemptingtoderailtheproceedings.

Herecalledobjectionsto jurisdictionandadmissibilitythatwererejectedbythe courtin2020and2023.

VENEZUELA’S ESCALATION

AccordingtoTodd,Venezuelalaterescalatedits

Theseincludedexecutive decrees,legislation,andplans tointegratetheterritoryinto itsadministrativeframework.

Toddwarnedthatthese developmentshavehadseriousimplicationsforGuyana’ssecurityanddevelopment.

Hepointedtoincreased militaryactivitynearthe border,includingtheconstructionofbasesanddeploymentoftroops,describingthe situationasagrowingthreat.

“Thishasbeenablighton ourexistenceasasovereign statefromtheverybeginning ofourexistence.Ithasbeena threattoourpeaceandsecurity,exacerbatedinrecentyears bytheominousgrowthof Venezuela’smilitaryactivities, includingtheconstructionof thedeploymentofaircraft, heavyweapons,andtroopsto theborderarea,”Toddsaid.

Theministersaidthecontroversyhasalsohindered economicprogress,noting thatuncertaintyhasdiscouragedforeigninvestment.

“Foreigninvestors,in particular,havebeenreluctanttorisktheircapitalin suchcircumstances,andfar

Hesubmitted:“ItisGuyana’ssubmissionthatthe 1899Awardiswithoutquestionlegallyvalidandbinding ontheparties,andthatthe 1905boundaryagreementis legallyvalidandbindingon theparties.”

Theministerwentonto note:“Venezuelaisobligated underinternationallawto acceptandrespectthatborder,andtorefrainfromany activitiesthatinfringeonthe territoryacrossthatborder.” phase,heexpressedhope foradefinitiveresolution groundedinlaw.

Guyana,MinisterTodd said,remainssteadfastinits commitmenttothejudicial processandtoupholdingthe ruleofinternationallaw.

Thecountrynowawaits afinalandbindingruling onthevalidityofthe1899 Awardandtheestablished boundaryfromtheworld’s highestcourt.

TheICJistheprincipal judicialorganoftheUnited Nations,taskedwithresolvinglegaldisputesbetween statesandissuingadvisory opinionsoninternational law,withitsjudgments bindingonthepartiesinvolved.

EVERYyearonMay5,Guyanapauses.Welightincense,drum,dance,and sharemealswithneighbourswhose ancestrymaycomefromdifferent shores.WecallitArrivalDay.Ifwe arehonest,itisoneofthemostquietlypowerfuldaysonournational calendar.Itisalsooneofthedayswe underuse.

May5,1838,twoships,theSSWhitby

liesasharedterritorialidentityanda

thrive. Theleastweowethem,andeach other,isaGuyanaofapeopleunited asone.

TheGuyanaTradesUnionCongress:Acritical gap,structuralfailuresaffectingworkers

DearEditor,

THEGuyanaTradesUnionCongress (GTUC)doesnothaveanadequate answertothecurrentchallengesfacing workers.

Thisisnotmerelyaminoroversight oranadministrativelapse.Rather,it andoverallwell-being.

Theothertypeofthe GuyaneseEastIndianmind

TODAYisIndianArrivalDay,andalDay,today’sdateisthedaywhenthe indenturedlabourerswereshippedfrom IndiatoGuyana.

DISCLAIMER:Theviewsandopinions expressedinthiscolumnaresolelythose NationalNewspapersLimited.

TheGuyanaTradesUnionCongress...

thelabourmovementandreviewingits thelabourmovement.

ThatiswhyJamesAllensuggested that“dreamersarethesavioursofthe world.”

EducationMinistrypushingstrongeryouth involvementinenvironmentalprotection

--clubs,greenspacescentraltonational sustainabilitypush,MinisterParagemphasises

ByShaniyaHarding

THEGovernmentofGuyanaismovingtostrengthenpublicengagementin environmentalprotection, withaparticularfocuson gettingyoungpeoplemore involvedinpreservingGuyana’snaturalresources, accordingtoMinisterof EducationSoniaParag,on Monday.

Theministeremphasised thispointduringheraddress ataProtectedAreasCommission(PAC)exhibition heldattheGuyana-China FriendshipPark,WestBank Demerara,wherestudents, agenciesandenvironmental groupsgatheredtoshowcase conservationeffortsandpromotegreaterawareness.

Theevent,whichformed partofactivitiessurrounding EarthDay,highlightedthe importanceofreconnecting peoplewithnatureandencouragingeverydayactions thatsupportsustainability.

MinisterParagstressed thatwhileGuyanaisgainingglobalattentionforits economicgrowth,continued emphasismustbeplacedon protectingthecountry’srich naturalenvironment,noting thatinitiativessuchasenvironmentalclubsinschools andexpandedgreenspaces areaimedatbuildingthat connectionfromanearlyage.

Addressingthehundreds ofstudentsandparticipants attheevent,MinisterParag notedthatitisimportantto sustainGuyana’senvironmentalongsidethenation’s economicsuccess,adding thatbothareasareequally importantintheholisticdevelopmentofthecountry.

Shesharedthatwhile Guyanahasgainedinternationalattentionforitssuccess inoilandgas,thenation’s naturalresourcediversity shouldreceiveequalrecognition.

“Today,Guyanaison

themapforseveralreasons, oneofitbeingoil,andthe secondoneisthatitisthe fastest-growingeconomy intheworld.ButGuyana shouldhavebeenknowna verylongtimeago,notfor oilornotbecauseitwasthe fastest-growingeconomy, butbecauseofitsbeauty,” shesaid.

MinisterParagadded thatthisiswhythegovernmenthasworkedtomakethe mostofthisnaturaldiversity throughstepssuchasthe LowCarbonDevelopment Strategy.

Reinforcingtheimpact andgrowingroleofthese policies,MinisterParag notedthatthesestepshave translatedintoprogressand growth,notjustforthesectorbutalsoforthelivesof Guyanese.

Guyana’spolicies,she added,aremakinganimpact incommunitiesacrossthe country.

ForeignSecretaryandPACBoard ChairmanRobertPersaudaddressesthe PACEarthDayexhibition,notingthat theGuyana-ChinaFriendshipParkand othergreenspacesrepresenta“bridge betweenpeopleandnature”

Paragsaid:“Itisnot somethingthatisjustaconceptinabook.Itissomething thatislived;itissomething thatisaworkinprogress,and itissomethingthatGuyana earnsfrom.”

Theministeradded:“A percentageofthatisgiven toeverysingleAmerindian communityacrossGuyana. Andthevillage,andthevillagecouncil,withoutthe interferenceofgovernment, getstosit,theygettodiscuss, theygettoconsult,andthey decideonwhatprojectsthey implementintheircommunityusingthemoneythat wasearnedfromthecarbon credits.Andtheyareallowed tobuildbuildingsthatare climateresilient.”

MinisterofEducationSoniaParag addressesstudentsandparticipantsat thePACEarthDayexhibitionatthe Guyana-ChinaFriendshipPark,whereshe highlightedtheimportanceofstrengtheningyouthinvolvementinenvironmental protection(DelanoWilliamsphotos)

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUBS

Inadditiontocommunity-basedinitiatives,theministryisworkingtobolsterthis successbyimplementingenvironmentalclubsinschools acrossthecountry.

MinisterParagnotedthat clubsalreadyexistinanumberofschools,withsteps alreadybeingtakentoexpand thepresenceofthesecritical spaces.

“Rightnow,theMinistry ofEducationisworkingto ensurethatweplaceenvironmentalclubsinschools acrossthecountry,topromoteanawarenessofyour environment,andalsohow youcanplayapartinconnectingwithnature,pre-

servingyourenvironment, andprotectingyourenvironment,”shesaid. Amajoraspectofthis pushisyouthinvolvement. MinisterParagfurther urgedyoungpeopleandstudentstobetterconnectwith naturethroughthenumber ofgreenspacespresentin Guyana.

Shealsoencouragedstudentstoconsidercareersin environmentalstudiesand sustainability,notingthat asclimatechangeandGuyana’ssustainabilityefforts continue,theycouldbecome leadingvoices.

Paragsaid,“Wearelosingourbiodiversitybecause ofclimatechange.Weare TURNTOPAGE10

AMEMBERoftheGuyana DefenceForce(GDF)was injuredonMondayaftera patroloperationcameunderfirealongthecountry’s westernborder,according toanofficialstatement fromtheForce.

Theincidentoccurred atapproximately11:30hrs duringaboatpatrolinRegionSeven,asrankswere escortingthreecivilianvesselstransportingpersonnel andcargofromMakapato Eteringbang.

AccordingtotheGDF, thepatrolcameunderattackinthevicinityofBlack Water,promptingaswift response.

“Preliminaryreportsindicatethatatapproximately 11:30hours,aGDFBoat

Patrolescortingthreecivilian boatstransportingpersonnelandcargofromMakapa toEteringbangcameunder

fireinthevicinityofBlack Water. Thepatrolreturnedfire andmanoeuvredtheconvoy outofthearea,”therelease stated.Onesoldiersustained

twogunshotwoundstothe rightlegduringtheexchange.

TheGDFconfirmedthat theinjuredrankreceived immediatefirstaidonsite beforebeingevacuatedto Georgetownforfurthermedicalattention.

Despitetheincident,the Forceemphasisedthatitcontinuestomaintainastrong operationalposturealongthe westernfrontier.

“TheGuyanaDefence Forcecontinuestomaintain anactiveoperationalpresencealongthewesternborder.TheForceremainsfully committedtotheprotection ofitspersonnelandthesafeguardingofGuyana’sterritorialintegrity,”theGDFsaid. Investigationsintothe incidentareongoing.

Guyanademandsundoingofmaps,actions

BRITISHKing’sCounselEdwardCravenhas urgedtheInternational CourtofJustice(ICJ)to imposeremedialmeasures onVenezuela,including orderingthewithdrawal mapsdepictingGuyana’s oil-richEssequiboregion asVenezuelanterritory.

Makingsubmissionson Guyana’sbehalf,Craven arguedthatVenezuelahas provisionalmeasuresand

“Thoseordersareof obligationsforVenezuela,”

Cravenstressedthatstratesapatternofdeliberatemadeitsfirstprovisional measuresorder…Venezuela deliberately,repeatedlyand -

HEtoldtheICJthat Venezuelahasrepeatedlysionalmeasuresbyopenlyatedanew“Guayana-EsehenotedthatVenezuelaitary,andadministrative stepsthatsoughttoalterthe

AttheheartofGuyana’s requestforremedialmeasures,hesaid,istheneedto restorethestatusquoprior CravenoutlinedtwokeyrequiresVenezuelatoundo

inviolationofthoseprovisionalmeasuresorders,”he legislationpurportingtoin-

Cravenwentfurther, theterritoryfromVenezueorderthatVenezuelamust withdrawanddestroythe aspartofVenezuela,”the ensurefullreparationunder internationallawandto

“Thesemeasuresarereisundertheobligation… tore-establishthesituation

Drawingonpastrulsimilarordershavebeen andrestorethepriorlegal Cravenmaintainedthat “Anorderintheseterms

Guyanahasaskedthe

Duringsubmissions, Craventoldthecourtthat thedeclarationssought arecriticalgiventhescale ofVenezuela’sclaimsand theirimplicationsforGuyana.

ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL

“Headded:“Venezuela’s awardisvoid…[is]entirely HetoldtheWorldCourt

thevalidityoftheawardand

inglessandnothingmore thananattempttoprovide ofGuyana’ssovereignterformedanintegralpartofformallyaffirmthatthe 1899ArbitralAwardisvalidandbinding,andthatthe boundaryestablishedbythatmentisthelawfulfrontier

1899awardisvalidand bindinguponGuyanaand Venezuela,andthatthe boundaryestablishedbythearyagreementistheboundarybetweentheparties,”he Guyanaisalsoseeking sovereigntyovertheterri-

“Asthecourtwillappreciate…thecourt’sdeclarationsinthiscaseareof absolutelycrucialimportancetoGuyana,”hesaid. CravenarguedthatVen-ingthe1899ArbitralAward andtheboundaryitestab-

TheKing’sCounselem-internationallawandthe “Wesubmitthatthoseelementsarerequiredinorderto sovereignrightsofGuyana,oftheUnitedNationswhen meansforresolvingthedis-

Hefurthernotedthata

enjoysfullsovereigntyover alltheterritorybetweenthat boundaryandtheEssequibo HestressedthatVensovereigntyandterritorial

“Ajudgementinthe termssoughtbyGuyanawilllaythefoundationforlasting providethefoundationforsovereigntybeyonddoubtandtothelegalstatusofthe-

Thesecondroundof oralargumentsisscheduledforFriday,May8, whenGuyanawillpresentfurthersubmissions, whileVenezuelaissetto concludethehearingson Monday,May11.

EducationMinistry pushingstronger...

losingourfloraandfauna.ThatiswhytheGlobal BiodiversityAlliancewas formedwithsomanycountriescomingonboard.But youcanplayaroleinthat becauseyouarethenext generationofleaders.

“Youarethenextgenerationthatwillbeleadingyour countryandwillbeensuring thatyourcountryisplacedon themapforadifferentreason thanthepositivereason.”

Guyanaisalsopartnering withtheKing’sFoundation tocreatemoreurbangreen spaces.

GREENSPACES

ForeignSecretaryand ChairmanofthePACBoard ofDirectors,RobertPersaud, inhisaddress,emphasised theroleofgreenspacesbeyondbeingsimplyrecreationalareas.

Persaudnotedthatthe Guyana-ChinaFriendship Parkandothergreenspaces aredesignedtoserveasa metaphoricalbridgebetween peopleandnature.

Hefurtheremphasised thevitalroleofsuchspaces inthenationalconservation strategyandhowitaligns withthegovernment’saim.

“Forourgovernment, theideaofbridgingpeople

FROM PAGE 8

andnatureiscentraltohow wearebuildingGuyana.A globalmodelofdevelopmentthatgrowswithnature, notapartfromit,”hesaid, adding:“Thatiswherethe ProtectedAreasCommission comesin.Ourworkisabout connection,notonlyprotectingforestsandriversfar away,butalsomakingsure natureispresentinpeople’s everydaylives,especiallyfor you,ouryoungpeople.That iswhatspaceslikethispark areabout.”

Persaudnotedthatthe exhibitionservedasmore thanasymbolicobservance, butalsoasacalltointegrate

conservationintoeveryday lifeandstrengthentherelationshipbetweenpeopleand theenvironment.

“Todayismorethanan EarthDayexhibition.Itisa reminderthatconservation mustbeclosetopeople,part ofdailylife,andnotdistant fromit.Spaceswherechildrenlearn,familiesgather, andcommunitiesreconnect,”

hesaid,addingthatthegovernmentwillcontinueto strengthenthisconnection throughpoliciesandinitiativesaimedatbringing natureclosertocommunities.

Theeventalsofeatured arangeofactivitiesincluding“TreeTalks”presentationsandinteractive exhibitsfromagenciessuch asthePAC;theEnviron-

mentalProtectionAgency (EPA);theWorldWildlife Fund(WWF);theNationalAgriculturalResearch andExtensionInstitute (NAREI);theUniversity ofGuyana(UG),andother partners,allaimedatpromotingawareness,educationandgreaterpublicparticipationinenvironmental stewardship.

GreenidgetellsICJVenezuelasecured,celebrated...

championed. Hedismissedthese claimsasunfoundedand belated,arguingthatthey lacklegalmerit.

“And,ultimately… Venezuelasecuredthearbitrationagreementon whichithadbeeninsisting formorethanadecade,” hesaid.

HeaddedthatVenezuelanotonlysupportedthe treatyatthetimebutalso celebrateditasamajor diplomaticachievement.

Accordingtohim,Venezuelaexpressedgratitude totheUnitedStatesfor itsroleinfacilitatingthe agreementandaccepted theprocesswithoutobjection.

“Venezuelaheralded andcelebratedthetreaty astheaccomplishmentof itslong-soughtobjective,” henoted.

Greenidgefurther pointedoutthatVenezuela maintainedthisposition fordecades,neitherquestioningnorcriticisingthe treatyoritsimplementation.

“Itneitherquestioned, challenged,norcriticised thetreaty,”hesaid,referringtotheperiodfollowingthearbitration.

Incontrast,hetoldthe court,Venezuela’scurrentargumentsrepresent acompletereversalofits earlierstance.

“Intheseproceedings, Venezuelatakesexactly theoppositeposition,” Greenidgesaid,noting thatthecountryisnow attemptingtodiscreditthe veryagreementitonce

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

boundary,includingsurveysconductedbyGerman-bornexplorerandsurveyorRobertSchomburgk, basisofBritain’sterritorial claims.

TheSchomburgkLine, heexplained,laterbecame centraltothearbitration proceedingsthatresulted inthe1899award.

GreenidgesaidVenezuelaobjectedtothelineat thetimebutfailedtopresoccupationoradministrationoftheterritory.

Greenidgealsochal-

Herelatedthatthe Dutchestablishedsettlementsandadministrative controlintheregionas earlyasthe17thcentury,withevidenceoftheir namesthatremaininuse today.

Incontrast,hesaid therewasnocomparableSpanishpresencein theterritory,undermining Venezuela’sclaimtohistoricalownership.

“WhatVenezueladoes notsay,andwhatitcannotsay,isthattherewas anySpanishsettlement oradministrationinthis territory,”heargued.

Greenidgealsodetailed howBritainlaterassumed controloftheterritory followingthecessionof Dutchcoloniesintheearly 19thcentury,eventually formingthecolonyofBritishGuiana.

Hedescribedsubse-

lengedVenezuela’shistoricalclaimstotheterritory, arguingthattheywerenot groundedinevidenceof occupationoradministration.

Hetoldthecourtthat Venezuelafailedtodemonstrateanymeaningfulpresenceinthearea.Instead, hesaid,itreliedonabstract andoutdatedassertions ratherthanconcreteproof.

“Inassertingthisclaim, Venezueladidnotpointto anymilitarybasesorto settlementsithadbuilt, taxesithadcollected.It pointedtotheheavens,

quiteliterally,”Greenidge submitted.

Accordingtohim,Venezuelabaseditsposition oncolonial-eraarguments, invokingapapaldecreeto justifyitsclaim.

“Venezuelainvokedthe PapalBullof1493,issued byPopeAlexanderVI,a Spaniard,anddeclaredon thatbasisthattherightof Spaintotheterritoryof Americahasalwaysbeen indisputableintheeyesof allnationsoftheworld,” hetoldtheICJ.

Greenidgecontrasted thiswithBritain’sactions atthetime,notingthat

despiteVenezuela’sobjections,Britishauthorities continuedtoadminister andsettletheterritory withintheSchomburgk Linewhilepursuingdiploboundaryissue. Greenidgereiterated Guyana’spositionthat Venezuela’scurrentchallengetothearbitration processisinconsistentwith itshistoricalconduct.

YakusariGroundtogetlights

THEYakusariCommunity Groundissettoreceive asignificantupgrade,as resourcesarebeingmobilisedtoinstalllightingatthe facility. Thisannouncementwas madebytheMinisterof Culture,YouthandSport, CharlesRamsonJr.,duringa

visittothesiteonSaturday.

Theadditionoflights, whichissettocommenceon Tuesday,isexpectedtogreatlyenhancetheusabilityofthe

TheYakusariCommunityGroundissettoreceiveasignificantupgradeas plansareunderwaytoinstalllightsatthefacility

ground,allowingforevening activities,communityevents, andexpandedopportunities forsportsandrecreation.

Residents,duringapreviousmeeting,hadsaidthat duringamajorfloodingsome monthsago,alltheanimals werestoredintheground whichcausedsomeamount ofdamage.However,since thenworkshavebeencarried outontheground.

MinisterRamsonsaid, “sincethen,wehadalotof developnmenthappenon thisgroundandwelifted theground…maybeagood 12inchesorso,wedidthe fence,webuiltthisvery pavillion,wedidanotherentrancealongwiththetwoside screens,andwegaveyou guysadrivinglawnmower tractor.”

Additionally,hesaidthat VicePresident,BharratJagdeo,hadpromisedthatlights wouldbeinstalledonthe ground,noting:“lastyearhe hadmadeacommitmentthat wewouldhavelightsinallof

thepolders.”

Ramsonpointedoutthat thereweresomechallenges lastyear“withtherain,severelychallenging.”

Hesaidthattheproject wasstartedwithlightsbeing installedatLesbeholdenand thisisnottheonlyvillage whichisbenefitting.

“Iwantedtocomeand explainthatitisnotLesbeholdenalone.Iknowthatthis areaisveryaggressiveabout itsdevelopnmentandinterestedinseeingcommunity grounddevelopintheway thatyouwouldliketoseeit andusingitinthewaythat youwouldhavebeenusingit becauseyougotpooloftalent comingoutofhere…and cricketisaveryimportant partofyourpasttime.”

Theministercontinued, “sowhatIamheretoannouceandfinaliseisthatyou aregoingtobegettingyour lightsstartingonTuesday… thatprocessisgoingtostart onTuesday.”

OnSaturday,thespots

wereidentifiedtohavethe polesplacedsoastohave theprocesstoinstallthesix lightscommence.

Ramsonsaidthatthey havelitover145community grounds,noting:“andwe arenowgoingtoaddthat whichishereinYakusariand thenobviouslywhenwe’re finishedwearegoingtogo downtoMibicuri,godown toJohannajusttocomplete whatwearedoing…We havealreadyinstalledpoles atZambiaaswell,andthen onceweplacethem,theother contractorsaregoingtocome torunallthewiresandputin allthelights.”

Hesaidthat24highpoweredlightsintotalwillbe installedwithfouroneach ofthesixpoles,addingthat thedesignismademodularin ordertoallowforexpansion. Ramsonsaidthereis moreinstoreforYakusari, ashewillbelobbyingfor anotherpavillionwitha dressingroom,aswasrequestedbyresidents.

Anti-bullyingpolicytoberolledoutin schoolswithinmonths

GUYANA’Sschoolscould soonseeamorestructured nationalapproachtotacklingbullying,astheMinistryofEducationmoves todevelopananti-bullying policy,withthefirststepbeingacomprehensiveoutline thatMinisterofEducation SoniaParagsayswillcome onstreaminthecoming months.

MinisterParagnotedthat schoolsacrossGuyanawill seethedistributionofastandarddocumentaimedatbeing thefirststepindeveloping anti-bullyingpolicies,and ideallylaws,inthefuture. Speakingtoreportersonthe sidelinesofaneventonMonday,MinisterParagsaidthat themovetoimplementstricterguidelinessurrounding bullyingcomesafterconsultationwithstudents,parents, teachersandotherstakeholders.“WhenIthoughtofthe anti-bullying,launchingthe anti-bullying,orhavingthat consultationwiththepublic, itwastogetfromthepublic anddifferentstakeholders theirrecommendationson solutions,”shesaid.

Shefurthernotedthatthe aimnowistocreatestandardoperatingprocedures forschoolsregardingbullying,adding,“Butatthe veryleast,Iwantedtocreate standardoperatingpolicies thatwouldbecomestandard

operatingproceduresinthe schools,”shesaid,notingthat theseproceduresaimtobe comprehensiveandholistic.

“Proceduresintheschools thatshouldbefromanassemblypointintotheclassroom. Also,dailyrepetition,butnot onlyrepetition.”Themove isaimedatensuringthat bullyinginschoolsistackled inamorehands-onandpracticalway.AsMinisterParag shared,theministrywillseek toestablishproceduresthat couldbeimplementedpracticallyinschools.

Citingtheimportance ofmoraleducationintacklingbullying,sheshared,“I believemoraleducationis teachingyouhowtohavea goodorbetterbehavioural pattern.Therefore,itshould notjustbetheory.Itshould beinpracticeaswell.”

Whilethesestandardprocedureswillbecomingon streamwithinthecoming months,theministerwas keentonotethatmoving forwardshewouldliketosee anti-bullyingpoliciesbecome law,adding,“Andatthevery highest,Iwouldliketohave legislationinrelationtothe anti-bullyingandanti-violencepolicies.Wewouldlike thattobecodifiedintolaw.”

Whilelegislationremains thelong-termgoal,Minister Paragnotedthattheministry willcontinuetoworkalong-

-MinisterParageyes legislationaslong-termgoal

sideschoolsintheinterim, stressingthatbroadnational supportisneededforthatvisiontobecomeareality.

Assheadded,“Butfor rightnow,whenweformulate thesepolicies,ithastobe anationaleffort.Italsohas tobevariousstakeholders whoareinvolvedincreating thesepolicies,andvarious agencies.”Lookingahead, MinisterParagaddedthat stakeholderconversations willaidinthecreationofa comprehensivedocument outliningtheanti-bullying

procedureinschoolsacross Guyana,noting,“Whenwe dothat,wewillputitallinto aparticulardocument,and everyschoolwillhavethatas astandarddocument.Butthat weareworkingon,tohave thatwithinschoolsinthenext coupleofmonths.”Theinitiativealignswiththeministry’s broaderaimsandcomesamid ongoingeffortstostrengthen schoolsafetyandstudentbehaviourframeworks.

Recentmonthshaveseen theministrymakestridesin thebroaderpushtoimprove

MinisterofEducation,SoniaParag,speaksto reportersonthesidelinesofaneventonMonday (DelanoWilliamsphoto)

moraleducationandenhance classroommanagement.

Theanti-bullyingframeworkisexpectedtobedevelopedwithcontinuedengagementfromeducation

stakeholdersandagencies tobettershapethesteps, policiesandpotentiallaws thatwouldprotectagainst theglobalchallengeofbullying.

GuyanagetsaccoladeatOTCfor leadershipinenergy,investment

GUYANA’Sexceptional leadershipinadvancingits positionasaleadingglobal energyeconomyandpremierdestinationforinvestment,underthestewardshipofPresidentMohamed IrfaanAli,wasMonday recognisedattheOffshore TechnologyConference (OTC)2026,beingheldin Houston,Texas,OTC.

MemberofParliament andGuyana’sChiefInvestmentOfficer,Officeofthe President,PeterR.Ramsaroop,acceptedtheinternationalawardonbehalfofthe GovernmentoftheCooperativeRepublicofGuyana, accordingtoinformation fromtheGuyanaOfficefor

Investment(GO-Invest).

Theawardalsoacknowledgedtheinstrumentalrole ofGO-InvestandtheHonouraryConsulGeneralin strengtheningglobalinvestmentoutreachandforging strategicinternationalpartnerships.

Duringthepresentation oftheaward,Guyanawas laudedforitsrapidtransformationoverthepastsix yearsintooneoftheworld’s mostcompellinginvestment frontiers.

Thisprogresshasbeen drivenbystrongpolicydirectionandaclearnationalvision,attractingmajorinternationalenergycompaniessuch asExxonMobilandChevron,

alongsideleadingservice providersincludingSLB. Withover11billionbarrels ofdiscoveredoilresources andproductionsteadilyadvancingtowardonemillion barrelsperday,Guyanacontinuestodistinguishitself asahigh-growtheconomy withexpansiveopportunities acrossenergy,infrastructure, andemergingnon-oilsectors.

Therecognitionfurther highlightedGuyana’sgrowingprominenceontheglobalstage,includingitsstrong presenceatplatformssuch asOTC,whereitcontinues toengagenewinvestorsand deepenpartnershipswithinadynamicandrapidly evolvingmarket.

MemberofParliamentandGuyana’sChiefInvestmentOfficer,Officeofthe President,PeterR.Ramsaroop,acceptedtheinternationalawardon behalfoftheGovernmentoftheCooperativeRepublicofGuyana

Love,legacy,elegance toshineat33rdMother andDaughterPageant

ASGuyanaproudlycommemoratesitsDiamond JubileeofIndependence, SupaStylistics,incollaborationwiththeMinistryof Culture,YouthandSport andtheGovernmentof Guyana,issettohostthe highlyanticipated33rd MotherandDaughterPageantunderthetheme“The EnduringSparkleofLove; ShiningThroughGenerations.”

Thisbelovedannual event,whichhasbeena cherishedtraditionformany years,continuestohighlight theuniquebondbetween mothersanddaughters,while showcasingelegance,creativity,andculturalpride,a pressreleasefromtheSupa Stylisticsteamsaid.

Overthedecades,the pageanthasgrownintoone ofGuyana’smostcelebrated family-centredshowcasesof fashion,talent,andgenerationalconnection.

Motheranddaughter pairsaresettocompete acrossthreeexcitingdivisions:theKFCSeniorCategory,theSABProperties MiddleCategory,andthe IglooJuniorCategory,each promisingtobedeckedout intheverybestoffashion andstyle.

Theeventtakesplaceon Saturday,May9,2026,at theNationalCulturalCentre,withredcarpetarrivals beginningat18:00hrsand showtimeat20:00hrs.

Thisyear’sChung’s GlobalandThermopinRed Carpetaddsanextralayer ofexcitementandglamour totheevening.Patronsare encouragedtoarriveearly tofullyenjoythepre-show atmosphere.

NCNwillbroadcastthe red-carpetsegmentlive,offeringattendeestheopportunitytobeinterviewed, showcasetheirfashion,and bepartofanationallyrec-

ognisedmomentofstyleand celebration.

Earlyarrivalishighly recommendedastheauditoriumlobbywillbetransformedintoavibrantshowcasespacefeaturingbooths fromavarietyofsponsors.

Patronscanexplorean arrayofproductsandservices,engagewithbrands, andenjoycomplimentary samplesandinteractiveexperiencesbeforetheshow begins.

Ticketsarepricedat $5,000,$5,500,and$6,000 andareavailablenowatthe NationalCulturalCentre.

TheSupaStylistics teaminvitesthepublicto bepartofthisextraordinaryeveningthatcelebratesnotonlybeauty andfashion,butalsothe enduringstrengthoffamily bondsandnationalunity. “Comeexperience…love thatendures,”therelease added.

Iwokramanamedamongworld’s topeco-tourismdestinations

Guyana’sIwokramaInternationalCentreforRainforestConservationand DevelopmenthasbeennamedoneofTravelandTourWorld’s50BestEco-Tourism DestinationsintheWorldfor2026(MarceanoNarine,DavidDiGregorio,Ministry ofTourism,Industry&Commercephotos)

GUYANA’SIwokrama InternationalCentrefor RainforestConservation andDevelopmenthasbeen namedoneofTraveland TourWorld’s“50Best Eco-TourismDestinations intheWorldfor2026,” reinforcingthecountry’s growingreputationasa leaderinsustainabletourismandrainforestconservation.

Accordingtoinformation fromtheGuyanaTourism Authority(GTA),theglobalrecognitionunderscores Iwokrama’smodelofbalanc-

ingbiodiversityprotection withlow-impacttourism, whileprovidinglivelihood opportunitiesforsurrounding Indigenousandlocalcommunities.

Furthercementingits greencredentials,Iwokramawasfirstawardedthe GreenDestinationsGood TravelSealCertificatein 2023foratwo-yearperiod andsuccessfullyrenewed thecertificationin2026, signallingongoing,measurableprogressinkeysustainabilityindicatorssuchas environmentalmanagement,

culturalpreservation,and communitybenefit.These achievementsalignclosely withnationalpriorities,as theMinistryofTourism,Industry&Commerceandthe GuyanaTourismAuthority continuetochampionresponsibletourismdevelopment, conservation,andcommunity engagementacrossGuyana.

Together,theseefforts positionthecountry’stourismsectorasavitalpartner insafeguardingitsrainforestheritagewhileattracting discerningeco-travellers fromaroundtheworld.

CCJdelegationengagesinsuccessful knowledgeexchangewithEUinstitutions

ADELEGATIONfromthe CaribbeanCourtofJustice (CCJ),from27to30April, 2026,undertookanofficial knowledgeexchangevisit tokeyEuropeanjudicial andregionalinstitutions, includingtheCourtofJusticeoftheEuropeanUnion (CJEU)inLuxembourg andtheEuropeanCourt ofHumanRightsandthe CouncilofEuropeinStrasbourg,France.

AccordingtoapressreleasefromtheCCJ,thevisit facilitatedhighleveljudicial dialogueandtheexchange ofbestpracticesaimedat strengtheningcourtadministrationandjurisprudence.

Duringthevisit,theCCJ delegationengagedinsubstantiveexchangesoncourt governance,judicialadministration,casemanagement, andjurisprudentialdevelopment,drawingontheexperiencesofpeersupranational andregionalinstitutions.

Thedelegationwasled byPresidentoftheCCJ, JusticeWinstonAnderson, andcomprisedmembersof theCourt’sBenchandother seniorofficersoftheCourt.

InLuxembourg,theprogrammefeaturedmeaningful meetingswithJusticeKoen Lenaerts,Presidentofthe CJEU,andJusticeMarcvan derWoude,Presidentofthe

TheCCJdelegationwasreceivedbyPresidentLenaertsoftheCourtofJusticeofEuropean Union(CJEU)inLuxembourg(CJEUphoto)

GeneralCourt.

Thedelegationalsobenefittedfromopportunities toobservetheCourt’sproceedingsandadministrative operations,includingengage-

mentswiththeDirectorates ofCommunications,Library, andInformationTechnology, providingpracticalinsights intoinstitutionalefficiency andinnovation.

Tofurtherstrengthenthe strategicimpactofthevisit, theCCJundertookhighlevel engagementsinStrasbourg, France,aglobalcentrefor TURNTOPAGE23

MinisterRamrajurgesGuyanese inCanadiandiasporatoreturn homeandshareexpertise

ByFrederickHalley

MINISTERwithinthe MinistryofPublicWorks, MadanlallRamraj,has urgedGuyaneseinthediasporatoreturnhometo sharetheirexpertisein supportofnationbuildingefforts,pointingout thattheircontributions, throughinvestment,knowledge,culture,andadvocacy,continuetoshapethe nation’sdevelopment.

“YouarethetrueambassadorsofGuyana’sexcellenceandyourachievements bringusallgreatpride.Guyanaisnotjustgrowing,it istransforming.Andinthat transformation,wehavea placeforyou.”

Deliveringremarksatthe 60thIndependencegala,organisedbytheGuyanaIndependenceCelebrationsCommittee,undertheauspicesof theGuyanaConsulateinToronto,onSaturdaynight,and heldattheGrandCinnamon BanquetHallinScarborough, Toronto,MinisterRamraj toldtheappreciativeaudiencethat“thegovernment ofGuyanarecognisesthe importanceandmagnitudeof thesupportthatthediaspora bringstothedevelopmentof ourcountryandourpeople backhome.

Werecogniseevenfurther howeverthattherecontinues tobescopeandopportunities foryoutoplayanevengreaterroleinourburgeoningna-

tionaldevelopmentefforts.”

Accordingtotheminister, “aswereflectonthe60years ofIndependence,wehonour thejourney,butwealsolook ahead.Ifwehaveachieved thismuchinsixtyyears, imaginewhatliesahead. ImagineaGuyanathatis fullymodernised;aGuyana thatisgloballycompetitive;a Guyanathatisinnovativeand inclusive;aGuyanawhere everycitizenhastheopportunitytosucceed.Thatfuture iswithinreach,thatfutureis beingbuiltrightnow.

“Anditwillbelongto thenextgeneration.Because nomatterwheretheyare born,yourchildrencarry somethingpowerfulwithin them.Theyhavetheblood ofGuyanarunningthrough theirveins.Theyhavealegacyofstrength.Alegacyof resilience.”

MinisterRamrajurged theoverseas-basedGuyanese tocontinuetopartnerwith thegovernment“toinvest,to innovate,andtohelpbuild astronger,moreprosperous andresilientGuyanaforfuturegenerations.Iamhereto remindyouthattheDiaspora UnitattheMinistryofForeignAffairsandInternational Co-operationremainsatyour disposalinhelpingyounavigatethisprocess.”

MinisterRamrajpointed outthatsinceIndependence, Guyanahasdemonstrated remarkableresilienceand haspursuedtherevitalisation

ofitseconomythroughthe promotionofinvestmentand trade.“Morerecentlyfollowingthediscoveryoffshore ofmassiveoilreserves,and withtheattendantincreased interestfrominvestorsall acrosstheglobe,Guyana hasestablishedaveryviable frameworkforattractinginvestmenttotheoilandgas sectorofouremerging

TURNTOPAGE24

MinisterwithintheMinistryofPublicWorks,MadanlallRamraj,fourthfromright,with, amongothers,ShivPersaud,ChairmanoftheGuyanaIndependenceCelebrations Committee(extremeleft),ConsulManiSinghoftheGuyanaConsulateinToronto, secondfromright,actingHighCommissioner,CindySauers,thirdfromright, andMsBibiSharimanAli,motherofGuyana’sPresident,DrIrfaanAli.

KariakoVillage gainsfirst communitybus

--boostingaccess,mobilityforresidents

KARIAKOVillageinRegionOne(Barima-Waini) hasachievedasignificant milestonewiththearrival ofitsfirst-evercommunity transportservice,marking amajorstepforwardin improvingaccessibilityand dailylifeforresidents.

Theintroductionofthe busisexpectedtodeliverimmediatebenefits,particularly forschoolchildrenwhowill nowhaveaccesstosaferand morereliabletransportation toandfromschool.

Foryears,transportation challengeshaveposedbarrierstoconsistentschoolattendanceandbroadermobility withinthecommunity.

Beyondeducation,the newserviceissettoenhance overallconnectivityforresidents,makingiteasierto

accessessentialservicesand strengtheninglinkswithin thewiderregion.Theinitiativefulfilsacommitment madebyMinisterofAmerindianAffairs,SarahBrowneShadesk,duringapriorvisit toKariakoVillage.

Duringthatengagement, theministermetwithresidents,listenedtotheirconcerns,andidentifiedtransportationasapressingneed requiringurgentattention.

Thedeliveryofthebus representsnotonlythe fulfilmentofthatpromise butalsoameaningfulinvestmentinthewell-being andfuturedevelopment ofKariakoVillage,reinforcingthegovernment’s commitmenttosupporting hinterlandcommunities, theministrysaid. FROM PAGE18 Thebuswillgreatlyenhancetransportationforvillagers

CCJdelegationengages insuccessfulknowledge exchangewithEU... judicialdialogueandhuman rightsjurisprudence. Thedelegationpaidcourtesy callsonVicePresidentArnfinnBårdsenoftheEuropeanCourtofHumanRights andAlainBerset,Secretary GeneraloftheCouncilof Europe.Theseengagements enabledavaluableexchange ofperspectivesonjudicial independence,regionalintegration,andtheroleof supranationalcourtsinpromotingdemocracy,therule

oflaw,andfundamental rights,reinforcingtheCCJ’s commitmenttocontinued collaborationandinstitutionallearning.

Thisvisitwasfunded byagrantfromtheEuropeanUnionunderthe11th EuropeanDevelopment Fund,underscoringthe EU’scontinuedsupportfor initiativesthatstrengthen theruleoflawandjudicial co-operationintheCaribbean.

RegionNineLiteracy

Officerengagesstudents, parents,teachers

EDUCATIONOfficer

(Literacy)inRegionNine, JeaneLaRose,recently hostedanengagingtrainingsessionwithparents andteachersoftheRupunauPrimaryandNurseryschools,andstudents andparentsofSandCreek SecondaryinRegionNine.

Speakingbrieflywith theGuyanaChronicleon Monday,LaRosesaidthat, overall,literacyhasbeen improvinginthatregion,as theyworktocollaboratewith theVillageCouncil,andother leadersinthecommunityto raiseliteracyawareness.

AccordingtotheDepartmentofEducation,Region Nine,LaRose,alongwith NaomiYamochi,conducteda trainingsessionwithparents andteachersofRupunau PrimaryandNurserywitha focusonstrengtheningfoundationalliteracyskills,particularlyunderstandingthe alphabetthroughlettersand soundsaswellasidentifying andapplyinglongandshort vowelsounds.

Bothparentsandteacherswereactivelyinvolved inanumberofpractical, hands-onactivitiesdesigned tosupportchildren’slearning

intheclassroomandathome. Theseinteractivestrategies demonstratedsimpleyeteffectivewaystobuildreading skills,reinforcepronunciation,andencourageearly literacydevelopment,the departmentsaid.

Thesessionemphasised theimportanceofcollaborationbetweenhomeand school.

Whenparentsare equippedwiththerighttools andtechniques,theycan confidentlyprovidesupport fortheirchildren’sreading journey.

Itishopedthattogether,

TheMinistryofEducation’sDepartmentofEducation,RegionNine,hostedengaging sessionswithseveralparents,students,andteacherslastweekend,enforcingthe needforparent/studentrelationships(Photo:Department ofEducationRegion#9/Facebook)

theycancreateastrongfoundationforlifelonglearning andensurethateverychild becomesaconfidentand capablereader.

LaRosefurthersaidthat inLumidpau,literacyactivitieswereheld.Thiswas foundationalfornurserychildrenandthoseinGradesOne toSix.This,sheexplained, isbecausethereareGrade Sixpupilswhocannotread. Therewereactivitiesprovidedforparentstoworkon withtheirchildrenathome.

Atthesametimedormitorystudentsandparents ofSandCreekSecondary

School,werealsoengaged bytheLiteracyOfficer,focusingonthevitalrolesand responsibilitiesofparents inshapingthelivesoftheir children,particularlyduring theirteenageyears.

Duringthediscussion,it washighlightedthatanumberofadolescentsaremakingdecisionsthatcanlead tonegativeconsequences. Becauseofthis,parentswere encouragedtobeintentionalinguiding,supporting, andmodellingpositivebehaviours.

Childrenoftenlearnby example,andwhenpar-

entsdemonstraterespect, discipline,andgooddecision-making,thesevaluesare morelikelytobereflectedin theirchildren,thedepartment underscored.

Dormitorystudents wereremindedoftheimportanceofmakingwise choices,stayingfocusedon theireducation,andupholdingthevaluestaughtat homeandschool.Together, parents,teachers,andstudentsmustworkcollaborativelytocreateasupportive environmentthatfosters growth,responsibility,and success.

MinisterRamrajurgesGuyanese...

petroleumState.

“Theseopportunitiesare howevernotlimitedtothe oilandgasindustrysolely, asourcountryhasalsobeen activelypursuinggrowthin ournon-oilsectorsincluding renewableenergy,natural gas,agriculture(insupportof foodsecurity),andtourism. Ourgovernmenthasinthis regardfocuseditseffortson creatinganenablingenvironmentforbothlocaland foreigninvestment.

“Thisisnotabstractprogress.Thisisdevelopmentyou cansee.Developmentyou canfeel.Developmentthat istransforminglivesevery singleday.”

MinisterRamrajremindedtheaudiencethat“the Governmenthasbeenpursuinganupwardnational developmenttrajectoryby guaranteeingtheeconomic andsocialadvancementofall Guyanese.Ournationalmottoof‘onepeople,onenation, onedestinycontinuestobea reflectivechargeacrossthe diverseculturalmilieuofour

sixethnicgroups,allstriving inunison,likeaquiltof manyfabrics,forthenational prosperityofGuyana.

“Itisthisdiversitythat strengthensus.Itisthisunity thatdefinesus.Letususe thisopportunitytorecommit ourselvestotheidealsthat haveinspiredourindependence;theidealsofFreedom, Equality,Nationalprideand Collectiveprogress.

“Ibringyouwarmest greetingsfromH.E.DrMohamedIrfaanAli,theGovernment,andpeopleofGuyana,aswetakethistime,as Guyanesebothathomeand inthediaspora,torecognise andcommemoratethismomentousoccasion.”

Accordingtotheminister,theDiamondJubilee celebrationsinGuyanawill includeagrandflagraising ceremonyandwillbefurtherdistinguishedthrough anationwideprogramme ofactivities,includinginter-faithservices,cultural,culinary,andcommunity-basedevents,scheduled

FROM PAGE 19

forMay2026. AmongthoseinattendanceatSaturdaynight’s galawereGuyana’sHigh Commissioner(ag)atthe HighCommissioninOttawa,CindySauers,Consul ManiSinghoftheGuyana ConsulateinToronto,Ms BibiSharimanAli,mother ofGuyana’sPresident,Dr IrfaanAliandShivPersaud, ChairmanoftheGuyana IndependenceFestivalCommittee.Thelatteralsochaired thenight’sproceedings. Alsoinattendancewere CouncillorNeethanShan, CouncillorforScarborough–RougeParkinthe CityofToronto;Hon.RaymondCho,Memberof ProvincialParliamentfor ScarboroughNorthand MinisterforSeniorsand Accessibility;Hon.Vijay Thanigasalam,Memberof ProvincialParliamentfor Scarborough–RougePark andAssociateMinisterof MentalHealthandAddictions;Grenada’sConsul GeneralGerryHopkin.

Heavy-dutyvehiclesdestroynewly constructedsidewalks

THEPublicWorksMinistryhasattributedthe recentstructuraldamage tonewlyconstructedsidewalksanddrainagecovers alongAubreyBarkerRoad andDiamondBackRoad toimproperuserather thanengineeringdefectsor poor-qualitymaterials.

Followingaseriesof technicalinvestigations,the ministry,inapressrelease, clarifiedthattheinfrastructurewasbuilttostandard specificationsandremains structurallysoundunderits intendeduse.

Accordingtotheministry,thewalkwaysaredesignedasreinforceddrain coverscapableofsupporting pedestriantrafficandlight residentialvehicles.

Theseincludesmallcars andSUVsaccessingprivate properties,aswellasshorttermparkingforlightweight vehicles.However,officials haveobservedagrowing trendofheavy-dutytrucks, industrialvehicles,andother

overweightmachineryusing thesesurfaces,oftenparkingonthemforextended periods.

Theministrystressedthat suchusageexceedsthestructuralload-bearingcapacity oftheinfrastructure,resultingincrackingandeventualcollapseofthedrainage covers.Itemphasisedthat thesewalkwayswerenever intendedtofunctionasheavy haulageroutesorindustrial parkingareas.

Officialswarnedthatthe continuedmisuseofthese publicassetsnotonlyacceleratestheirdeteriorationbut alsocreatessafetyhazards forresidents.

Theresultingneedforrepairsleadstoavoidablepublicexpenditureandtriggers furtherdisruptions,including roadclosuresandrestricted access,whichsignificantly affectdailycommunitylife.

Toaddresstheissue,the ministryurgedheavy-duty vehicleownerstoseekalternativeparkingarrangements

inareasdesignedtoaccommodatesuchloads.

Additionally,contractors deliveringconstructionmaterialssuchassand,stone, ortimberareadvisedtokeep theirvehiclesonthemain roadwayandavoidmounting sidewalks.

Insituationswhereheavy accessisunavoidable,the ministryrecommendedthe useoftemporaryprotectivemeasures,suchassteel plating,topreventstructural damage.

Reaffirmingitscommitmenttomodernising Guyana’sinfrastructure,the ministryhighlightedtheimportanceofpublicco-operationinmaintainingthese developments.

--atAubreyBarker,Diamondback road,PublicWorksMinistrylaments

ThePublicWorksMinistryhasattributed therecentstructuraldamagetonewly constructedsidewalksanddrainagecovers alongAubreyBarkerRoadandDiamond BackRoadtoimproperuseratherthan engineeringdefectsorpoor-qualitymaterials

Morethan2,700traffic offencesrecordedlastweek

Theministryalso warnedthatmonitoring effortswillbeintensified intheaffectedareas,and individualsfounddeliberatelydamagingpublic infrastructuremaybeheld financiallyresponsiblefor repairs. -asspeedingcontinuestodominate

THEGuyanaPoliceForce, throughitsTrafficDepartment,recorded2,764traffic offencesacrossthecountry betweenApril26andMay 2,2026,withspeedingaccountingfornearlyhalfof allcases.

Accordingtothedepartment’slatestweeklyenforcementfigures,1,151motorists werechargedforspeeding, byfarthehighestcategoryof violationduringtheperiod.

Othermajoroffencesincludedleavingamotorvehicleinadangerousposition (104),tintedmotorvehicles (103),failuretowearsafety helmets(99)andseatbelt violations(79).

Thepolicealsorecorded 44unlightedmotorvehicles (rear),41unlightedmotorve-

hicles(front),41unlicensed drivers,34casesofcarrying apillionriderwithoutasafetyhelmet,and30motorists chargedwithdrivingunder theinfluenceofalcohol.

Additionaloffencesincluded18breachesofprescribedfitnessconditions, ninebreachesoftraffic-light signals,andfourcasesof faultyparking.

Thelatestfigurescomeas roadsafetyremainsamajor nationalconcern,withauthoritiescontinuingtointensifyenforcementcampaigns aimedatreducingcollisions, dangerousdrivingandfatalitiesonGuyana’sroadways.

Inrecentmonths,traffic enforcementhasincreasinglyfocusedonspeeding, impaireddrivingandhelmet

compliance,categorieswhich policehaverepeatedlyidentifiedasamongthemostpersistentcontributorstounsafe roaduse.Thedominanceof speedinginthelatestweekly reportislikelytoreinforce concernsamongroad-safety advocates,particularlyasthe countrycontinuestoexperienceheaviertrafficvolumes linkedtoexpandingeconomicactivityandincreased vehicleownership.

TheTrafficDepartment hasrepeatedlyurgedmotoriststoobeypostedspeed limits,wearseatbeltsand helmets,ensurevehiclesare roadworthy,andexercise greatercaution,notingthat trafficlawsareintended notonlytoregulatemovementbutalsotosavelives.

ArrivalDayMessages

PEOPLE’SProgressiveParty/Civic:ArrivalDayremindsusoftherichhistory ofsacrifice,perseverance,determination, andenterprisebroughtbythemanypeopleswhocametotheseshoresandhelped shapetheGuyanesenation.

Aswecommemoratethisimportant occasion,allGuyaneseareencouragedto reflectonthegruellingjourneysenduredby ourforeparents,theharshconditionsthey faced,andthesacrificestheymadetobuild families,communities,andlivelihoods.

Despiteimmensehardship,theyperseveredandcontributedsignificantlytothe developmentofGuyanathroughagricul-

ALLIANCEForChange:OnthisArrivalDay,wepausetohonourthecourage, endurance,andhopeofthosewhoarrivedontheseshoresfromAfrica,India, Portugal,China,andelsewhere,shapingthefoundationofmodernGuyana. Indoingso,werecognisetheoriginal presenceofourindigenousbrothersand sisters,whowerethefirsttomakethis landhabitable.

Thejourneyofourancestorstothese shoreswasnoteasy.Itwasmarkedby struggle,resilience,anddetermination.Yet fromthathardshipemergedarich,diverse nation—onepeopleforgedfrommanyorigins,boundtogetherbysharedhistoryand commondestiny.

TheAllianceForChange(AFC)reflects thisveryspiritofunityindiversity.Arrival DayremindsusthatGuyana’sgreatest strengthhasalwaysbeenitspeople—work-

ETHNICRelationsCommission:The EthnicRelationsCommission(ERC) extendswarmgreetingstoallGuyanese ontheobservanceofArrivalDay2026,a significantnationaloccasionthatinvites reflectiononthejourneys,sacrifices,and enduringlegacyofthemanypeopleswho cametoGuyana’sshoresandshapedour nation’srichanddiverseidentity.

ObservedonMay5,thisoccasionalso markstheanniversaryofthearrivalofthe firstEastIndianindenturedlabourersto Guyanain1838,followingEmancipation andtheendofslavery.

ArrivalDay,however,speakstothe widerhistoricaljourneyofthemanypeopleswhosepresenceandcontributionshave shapedournation,includingourAfrican

ture,business,publicservice,education, religion,culture,andnationallife.

Theireffortslaidthefoundationforthe multi-culturalandmulti-religioussociety weproudlycelebratetoday.

Throughtheirresilienceandhardwork, theyinstilledinsucceedinggenerations thevaluesofsacrifice,unity,brotherhood, andrespectforoneanother.Thesevalues continuetodefineusasapeopleandare reflectedinthesharedcelebrations,traditions,andcustomsthatenrichournational identity.

ArrivalDayalsoremindsusofthe importanceofpreservingtheunityandharmonythathaveallowedGuyanatoprogress asonenation.

Thesacrificesmadebyourancestors createdopportunitiesforfuturegenerations andcontributedtotheadvancementand transformationofourcountry.

AsGuyanacontinuesalongitspathof growthanddevelopment,maywehonour thelegacyofourforeparentsbyworking togethertobuildapeaceful,prosperous, andunitednationforallGuyanese.

ingtogetheracrossdifferencestobuilda betterfuture.

Aswecommemoratethisimportant day,letusrecommitourselvestoaGuyana whereopportunityisshared,dignityis protected,andeverycitizen—regardless ofheritage—canthriveinpeaceandprosperity.

HappyArrivalDay,Guyana.

brothersandsisters,whoseresilience,labour,andsacrificeduringthepainfulperiod ofenslavementhelpedlaythefoundations ofGuyana,aswellasthePortuguese,who arrivedin1835,theChinesein1853,and otherethnicgroupingswhocameinthe yearsthereafter.

Equallysignificantaretheenduring contributionsofourFirstPeoples,our Indigenousbrothersandsisters,whowere herelongbeforeandremainanintegralpart ofGuyana’sidentity,heritage,andnational story.

ArrivalDaythereforestandsasatribute totheresilience,perseverance,andsacrificesofourforeparents,whosecultures, traditions,faiths,andvaluescontinueto enrichGuyanaandstrengthenourcollective identity.

ArrivalDayalsoreaffirmsthestrength ofGuyana’splurality.

Theconvergenceofcultures,faiths,and traditionshascreatedauniqueGuyanese identityrootedinmutualrespect,shared heritageandtolerance.

TheCommissionencouragesallcitizens tocontinueembracingthisdiversityasa foundationforunity,understanding,and peacefulcoexistence,whilehonouringthe contributionsofthosewhocamebeforeus. HappyArrivalDay!

(ESPNCRICINFO)THEREweresmilesat lastforMumbaiIndians (MI)onanightthathadn't lookedpromisingwhen NicholasPooran'sfire-enedtorunthemdown.

Fromlookingsettoconcede250,MIlimitedthe damage,concedingjustone boundaryinthelastthree overs-torestrictLucknow SuperGiants(LSG)to228. Then,RyanRickeltonand thereturningRohitSharmathesidelinesduetoaham-

stringinjury-turnedinan exhilaratingbattingdisplay tohelpMIrazetheirtarget downinjust18.4overs.

Thiswasthehighestsuc-hedeStadium,betteringthe 220MIhadchaseddown againstKolkataKnightRiderstowintheirseason-opener.

Rickelton,whostruck 123notoutinhisprevious lastweekagainstSunrisers 32ina143-runopening stand.Rohit,whoraised hewasoutmistimingan attemptedpick-upshotover

Intheend,MIoverstraightlosses;LSG,meanwhile,slumpedtotheirsixth

RohitSharmaandRyan vsLucknowSuperGiants,

Rohitmagic astreakyslashovertheleapMohsinKhandeliveries

getanyeasierwhenhejust

PrinceYadavinanexcellent

opened.

then,Rohitwasimperiously awayanddispatchinglength ballsovercoverandslicingpactsub,thencameunder deliveriesintohisswinging theseoverlong-ontobring balls.Thelandmarkwas merelyincidentalbecause, bynow,Rohitwasinhis zone.

EvenMohammedShamiwasn'tspared;atone pointhewasleftstaring atthepitch,wondering whathe'ddonewrong. Awell-executedbumper wasmercilesslypulledto thebackwardsquareleg boundary.Andthenhe wentfullandstraightand endedupbowlingalowfull toss-almostyorker-length -thatwasshovelledfora leg-sidesix.Rohit'sknock endedwhenhesweptSiddharthstraighttoshort

BySeanDevers

ACTIONintheGeorgetownCricketAssociation’s ElineSecurityLogistics50-mentcontinuedoverthe weekendinthecapitalcity, withShaneShivbarran scoringamasterfulcenturyforMalteenoesand VineshKalpooproducing anoutstandingall-round performanceforEverest onSunday.

AttheMalteenoesSports Club(MSC)ground,thehost 50oversandbowlingout

GTXIinvitedMalteenoestobatinsunnyconditionsonagoodbattingtrack

ShaneShivbarranscoredturypartnerships. Shivbarrandominateda ShaneKissoon,whoscoredbyZahidTalkudar. Shivbarrandeposited thenextoverandreached over.

ElijaMohamedtrapped

Ramkallawanasthepair tookMalteenoesto150be-

Shivbarranreturned whenAjayKissoonbowledceededtoshareinanother competentpartnerinKyle Gibson.

112ballsandcelebratedthe landmarkwithascorching TalkudarhadGibsonlbw

Shivbarranlbwat240-5. MSClostthreemore 22runs.uels(14)reacheddouble

Malteenoestovictory.

including40wideswasthe secondtopscore.

3-51andShivPiterhous

25.2overs. EmiloSingh(10)wasthe onlybattertoreachdouble withtheballtocapture3-31. HewassupportedbyRavinandAnekHaimnarinewho hadtwowicketseach. AndonSaturdayatthe QCgroundGTXImauled their50oversexpired. TyrellKingstrokedahighesttotalinthetournament.

thanielSukhnandan(13)and EmiloSingh(11)reached

Ground,Everestonthebackreachedtheropesthriceand cleareditonceinanenter-

ZahidTalkudartooktwo wicketseach.

FLSporthasindicatedthat registrationforthefourth seasonoftheOneGuyana T10TapeballTournament 8forallfourzones.

Registrationforthe80team,straight-knockout tournamentisscheduledto goliveonFriday,May8.

Organisershavesetthe entryfeeatG$35,000per team,withformsavailableonthetournament’s socialmediaplatformsor byWhatsAppat+592635 2235.

TournamentDirector JohnRamsinghemphasised theurgencyofteamsformalisingtheirentries.While squadlistsarenotrequired attheinitialsign-upstage, spotsarestrictlyreserved basisuponpaymentofthe registrationfee.

"Alotofteamshave beencallingtoreservespots, butyoucanonlyfullybein theBlastifyoupayyour registrationfee,"Ramsingh stated."Thereisnoneedto haveyoursquadssubmitted asyet,butsignupearlyto secureyourspot."

Thetournamentissched-

endofAugust8-9inBerbice,witha16-teamcapfor itsopeningleg.Theaction thenmovestotheEastBank/ WestDemerarazoneonAugust15-16,followedbythe EssequibozoneonAugust 22-23.

Thetournamentwill pausetoprepareforthe CaribbeanPremierLeague (CPL)inGuyana.Once theCPLconcludes,the Blastwillresumewitha revamped,extendedformat fortheGeorgetown/East CoastDemerarazone.

Movingawayfromthe traditionaltwo-daycompact schedule,thisfinalzonal legwillspanfourplaying dates:theRound-of-32and Round-of-16onSeptember 26-27,followedbythequarOctober3-4.

Thisstructuredbuild-up leadstothenationalgrand

timeatthebrand-newAnna ReginaNationalStadiumin RegionTwo.

Ramsinghnotedthat whilematchvenuesarebe-

premierfacilities,admission forallfanswillremainfree

ofcharge.

$100,000plusatelevision. Additionalcashincentivesareslatedforthe Player-of-the-Final,the besteconomyrate,andthe higheststrikerate. (Reuters)-FIFA'sindependentEthics CommitteehasbannedformerGuyana FootballFederation(GFF)General Secretary,IanAlves,fromallfootmembers. hehadbreachedprovisionsoftheFIFA ofphysicalandmentalintegrity,abuse ofpositionandgeneralduties.

SeasonIVhavereached unprecedentedlevels,with FLSportintroducingatiered payoutstructure.Eachzone winnerwillpocket$500,000 andearnanautomaticqualifyingspotintheupcoming GlobalT10TapeballTournament.

Thosewinnerswillthennalstocompetefora$2 milliontopprize.Underthis revampedmath,thenational championwillwalkaway with$2.5million,whilethe runner-upwillearn$1.5 million.

Inanefforttoremain player-centred,rewardshave beenexpandedtoinclude teamsthatfallshortofthe

receive$25,000,whilelos-istsatthezonallevelwill earn$50,000and$200,000, respectively.

Individualbrilliancewill alsobehandsomelycompensated.ThetournamentMVP issettoreceive$150,000 andamotorbike,while theleadingrun-scorerand wicket-takerwilleachearn

GUYANAwillcompetein

GroupAoftheupcoming FIBAMen’sCaribbean Championship,setforJuly

SportsHall,astheregionaltournamentmakesa aseven-yearhiatus.

Thetournament,organisedunderFIBA,willfollow around-robinformat,with eachteamplayingevery opponentinitsgrouponce.

Attheconclusionof

ThedrawplacesGuyana alongsideDominica,Turks andCaicosIslands,Antigua &Barbuda,andBermuda inwhatisexpectedtobea competitivegroup. Meanwhile,GroupBfeaturesHaiti,Grenada,CaymanIslands,Barbados,and St.VincentandtheGrenadines,completingthe10teamlineupforthechampionship.

groupplay,onlythetop teamfromeachgroupwill advancetothenextstageof theFIBAAmeriCup2029 Pre-Qualifiers,raisingthe stakesforallparticipating nations.

ForGuyana,hostingthe championshiprepresentsa significantmomentinthe country’sbasketballhistory.

since1994thatGuyanahas hostedtheprestigiousre-

gionalcompetition,while alsorekindlingmemoriesof 1981whenGuyanahosted theinauguraleditionofthe tournament.

Thereturnofthechampionshipsignalsrenewedmomentumforthesportlocally, withstakeholderseagerto capitaliseontheopportunity toshowcaseGuyanaonthe regionalstage.

GuyanaBasketballFederation(GBF)President MichaelSinghexpressed confidenceinthefederation’sreadinesstodeliver ahigh-qualityevent.He notedthatpreparationsare

welladvanced,withsystems beingputinplacetoensure asmoothandprofessionally executedtournament.

Singhalsodescribedthe drawasfavourableforthe homesidebutstressedthat expectationsextendbeyond merelyadvancing.

AccordingtotheGBF president,Guyana’sambition toprogressintheAmeriCup pathwaywhilesimultaneouslycontendingforthechampionshiptitleonhomesoil.

Beyondthecompetition itself,Singhunderscoredthe

event,callingoncorporate Guyanatosupporttheinitiative.

Hehighlightedthat strongprivatesectorbackingwillbevital,notonly forthesuccessfulstagingof thetournamentbutalsofor maximisingitseconomicand promotionalimpact.

Onthegovernmentingcollaborationwiththe MinistryofCulture,YouthtiveengagementwithSport MinistersCharlesRamson

theinauguralMCYS/East BankInterVillageFootball withtworivetingclashes.

Agricolaonceagainhad torelyonalltheirexperience tostaveoffavaliantfight fromtheSoesdyke-Linden HighwayvillageofSwan, asextratimewasneeded toseparatethetwovillages withAgricolaprevailing5-3 intheend.

sawKuruKururumaintainingtheirunbeatenrunwith ahard-fought2-1triumph overUpperSoesdykeasthey

spotwiththeirever-reliable veteran,Marvin‘Munro’Josephsteppinguptotheplate forthethirdtimeinsuccessiontoseethemthrough.

Butthestoryofthenight wasthefeatureshowdown; Agricolapickedupfrom wheretheyleftoffafew weeksagoagainstMocha,as theycanteredtowhatseemed likeacomfortableandeven match-winning3-0leadby the17thminute.

GoalsfromShemar Sampson(5th),Solomon inthe13thminuteandSam-

uelGarnettplacedAgricola inaverystrongpositionand manyfeltitwouldhavebeen easygoingforthemthereafter.

But,itwasn’toveras yet;whilstSwanislessexperienced,theyonceagain showedwhytheywontheir groupastheyagaindisplayed ahighleveloffitnessthat almostsawthemtoppling Agricola.

They(Swan)reducedthe advantageinthe40thminute

thebackofthenetsatthe halftimewhistle.Astheminuteswentbyinthesecond half,Agricolafoundoutthat theSwanteamneverquits comingtothefore.

ofthematch,Swanfounda waytoadddiscomforttothe Agricolacamptwice,with unansweredgoals.Inthe 86th,itwastheirleadinggoal scorer,AbrahamWebb,now jointhighestwithGrove’s CaptainDominiGarnette (foureach)whorockedthe nets.

Twominuteslater,the scorewaslevelledwhenAndersonWebberfoundthe backofthenetswithmomentumnowontheirside.Inthe ensuing20minutesofextra time,itwasAgricolawhich foundtheirrangeonceagain

andsealedthedealwithgoals eithersideoftheperiod, DennisAlexander(90+5), andAustinwithhissecond (90+18)thatledAgricolainto thesemis.

KuruKururuwassent intotheleadbytheirmost dependableplayerinthe tournamentsofar,Marvin ‘Munro’Josephwithawellstruckfreekickintheeighth minute.But,inlikemanner, UpperSoesdykeresponded inthe15thminutethrough TevinMarshall.

Thegamewasvirtually settledinthe24thminute whenSeithAdams’well takenheaderatthelastpost fromaleftwasdrilledpast UpperSoesdyke’scustodian, JuniorAdams.

ThefocuswillnowbeonnalmatchupsonTuesday evening.Grovewillmatch skillswithKanevilleinthe mainmatchfrom21:00hrs withthecurtainraiserbetweenTimehriandHerstellingat19:00hrs.

KuruKururuwillplay thewinneroftheTimehri vsHerstellingmatchwith Agricolasettotakeonthe winneroftheGrovevs Kanevilleencounterinthe

THEGuyanaOlympic Association(GOA)has announcedthatthatMrs KenishaHeadley—sports administrator,Headteacher,Athleticscoach,and AssistantSecretaryofthe AthleticsAssociationof Guyana(AAG)—hassuccessfullycompletedthe InternationalCoaching EnrichmentCertification Programme(ICECP)atthe UniversityofDelaware.

NominatedbytheAAG throughtheGOAandsupportedbyOlympicSolidartheGOA’sstrategicfocuson strengtheningcoachingexpertiseandtechnicalcapacity acrossnationalfederations.

Thescholarship-based programme,heldfromApril 2025toApril22,2026, broughttogetheraselected groupofnationalcoaches theirrespectivedisciplines worldwideandwasdeliveredincollaborationwith theInternationalOlympic CommitteeandtheUnited StatesOlympic&ParalympicCommittee.

Itequipsparticipants withadvancedtrainingand competenciesinsportscienceandsystems,athlete development,talentidentiandmanagement,andsport management,whilefoster-

ingleadershipandethical practice.

Aspartoftheprogramme,whichincluded classessessionexposureto highperformancesystems Mrs.Headleycompleted athesistitled“AStrategic FrameworkforTransitioning YouthandJuniorinAthletics SuccessandTalentintoElite Performance,”whichwas highlycommendedforits practicalrelevancetoathleticsdevelopmentinGuyana.

GraduatesoftheICECPareexpectedtoserveas thoughtleadersandchange agentsenhancingtheirnationalcoachingsystemsand implementingsustainable developmentprogrammes, contributingtothegrowth ofsport.Inthisregard,the GOAlooksforwardtoworkingwithMrsHeadleyand theAAGtoimplementher projectandfurtherstrengthenathleticsdevelopment pathwaysinGuyana.

MrsHeadleydescribed herICECPexperienceasa highlyenrichingandtransformativejourney,highlightingthevalueoflearningfromworld-classmentorsandgainingadvanced knowledgeinsport.She emphasisedtheimportance oftheLausannemodulein deepeningherexpertiseand buildinglastingprofessional networks.Astand-outmo-

mentforherwasreceiving herdiplomafromKirsty Coventry,thefirstFemale PresidentoftheIOC.She alsoexpressedsinceregratitudetotheUniversityof Delaware,theU.S.Olympic &ParalympicCommittee, hertutorRandyWilbur,the AthleticAssociationofGuyana,theGuyanaOlympic Association,herfamily,and allsupporterswhocontributedtohersuccess.

MrsHeadleynowjoins aglobalnetworkofICECP alumniandreceivedcertificationjointlyissuedby theUniversityofDelaware

andtheU.S.Olympic& ParalympicCommittee.

“MrsHeadley’s achievementrepresents exactlythetypeofstrategic investmentwecontinue toprioritiseattheGuyanaOlympicAssociation, buildinghumancapacitytodriveperformance, sustainability,andexcellenceacrossoursporting landscape.Hersuccessful completionofthisglobally respectedprogrammepositionsherasakeyresource inadvancingathleticsdevelopmentinGuyana,particularlyinstrengthening thetransitionofouryoung talenttoeliteperformance pathways.”GodfreyMunroe,President,Guyana OlympicAssociation.

Whilesquadlistsarenotrequiredattheinitialsign-upstage,