Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 05-08-2026

Green spaces, improved infrastructure, community care to enhance EBD communities

–– President Ali, officials outline during engagement with residents on Model Village Initiative

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali is pressing ahead with a nationwide push to modernise Guyana’s villages, holding a string of community consultations along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) yesterday that will see Kaneville, Diamond and Grove transformed under the government’s Model Village Initiative.

The engagements are set to continue on Thursday with residents along the East Coast of Demerara, as the administration widens a programme it says will bring the pace of development seen in Georgetown into villages across the country.

Speaking at a consultation in Kaneville on Tuesday, President Ali said the initiative goes beyond roads, bridges and drainage, placing people, the environment, culture and community life at the centre of development planning.

He told residents that the transformation visible in the capital must be mirrored in the villages where Guyanese actually live.

“We believe that the transformation you see in Georgetown must be the transformation you live and experience in your own villages,” the President said, adding that a community is defined not by its infrastructure alone but also by its people, values, character, culture, tradition and economy.

President Ali noted that Kaneville’s history as a community shaped by people from different parts of Guyana positions it well to embrace the initiative.

He called for improved recreational facilities, green spaces, beautification, drainage and stronger community networks, while stressing that residents also carry responsibility for maintaining public infrastructure, re -

specting regulations and ensuring their activities do not disrupt neighbours.

Spaces used by small businesses such as mechanic shops and workshops, he said, must be managed so they can keep operating without compromising safety or the quality of life of other residents.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn, outlined the specific interventions planned for Kaneville, based on assessments carried out by government agencies over recent weeks.

She said the plan centres on three priorities: safer movement throughout the community, upgraded drainage systems and beautification to improve the village’s overall appearance.

The assessment covered Kaneville’s roads, drainage network, utility poles, public spaces, businesses, places of worship and other facilities.

The community spans

approximately 219 acres, with 18 roads covering about 7,600 metres, more than 500 households, eight businesses, one government office and five places of worship.

Minister Benn said the review identified a need for fire hydrants, with plans to install 20 throughout the village to strengthen emergency preparedness.

Other priorities include replacing utility poles, rehabilitating roads and creating safer public spaces.

She also flagged the need for better management of public reserves, cautioning residents against parking heavy vehicles, dumping construction materials or extending private property boundaries into these areas.

“Government cannot do it alone. Government is going to help you to beautify and improve this community, but after that it is for you to maintain it,” Benn told residents, adding that the project will also tackle clogged drains,

damaged bridges, unsafe walkways and derelict vehicles, while creating designated spaces for certain businesses.

Kaneville is not the only East Bank Demerara community being folded into the programme. In Diamond, residents have already been presented with plans for upgraded roads, drainage, walkways, street lighting, fire hydrants and enhanced recreational

spaces, with government again stressing that community involvement will be key to protecting the new infrastructure once it is built.

In neighbouring Grove, residents took part in a separate public consultation led by President Ali and regional government representatives at Grove Primary School, continuing the village-by-village rollout along the corridor.

Yesterday’s engagement followed the rollout of the programme in communities along the Region Three corridor on Monday.

The government has also confirmed that the community-by-community consultation drive will continue on Thursday, when President Ali is scheduled to engage residents in villages along the East Coast of Demerara.

The move extends the Model Village process beyond the East Bank corridor, reinforcing the administration’s position that no region will be left out of the initiative.

As with Kaneville, Diamond and Grove, the East Coast sessions are expected to follow the now-familiar format: government agencies presenting findings from on-theground assessments, followed by direct dialogue with residents on priorities such as roads, drainage, lighting, fire safety, recreational space and support for local businesses.

The Model Village Initiative is expected to expand to additional communities in the coming weeks as assessments are completed and consultations continue across Guyana’s regions.

Search and recovery operations conclude

–– Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational

SEARCH and recovery operations following the sinking of the MV Barima were concluded, bringing an end to more than two weeks of intensive efforts following the maritime disaster.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that the search and recovery phase has ended but noted that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) remains operational.

“The search and recovery operations have concluded. However, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational,” the statement said.

The Office of the Prime Minister also confirmed that there has been no change in the status of the identification of the recovered bodies.

The conclusion of the operation comes after authorities mounted what has been described as the largest maritime search and recovery effort in the country’s history, deploying aircraft, maritime vessels, specialist divers and emergency response teams in an attempt to locate victims trapped inside or around the wreck.

French military divers involved in the operation had

earlier reported extremely challenging conditions at the wreck site, including zero visibility, strong currents and a maze of ropes and hammocks inside the submerged vessel.

Authorities have determined that approximately 179 people were aboard the vessel when it sank on the night of July 18, while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima-Waini). Although only 133 names appeared on the official passenger manifest, the disaster claimed 73 lives, 76 people were rescued, and 30 remain missing. While the search and recovery phase has now concluded, efforts are continuing to address the aftermath of the tragedy.

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has already invited qualified marine salvage contractors to submit Expressions of Interest for the recovery of the wreck, which remains submerged about 28 nautical miles off the Guyana coast in approximately 15 metres of water.

According to the tender notice, the vessel is lying on its side in soft mud under difficult operating conditions, with poor visibility, strong currents and tidal streams.

Prospective contractors will be required to demonstrate their ability to safely recover the vessel while preserving evidence for investigators, including the international Commission of Inquiry (CoI), which formally began

its work last week.

The five-member commission, chaired by former Belizean Justice of Appeal, Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith, has been tasked with establishing the facts surrounding the sinking, determining its causes and contributing factors, assessing compliance with maritime laws and operational standards, evaluating the effectiveness of the search,

rescue and recovery operations, and recommending reforms to strengthen Guyana’s maritime transportation system.

Expressions of Interest for the salvage operation must be submitted to MARAD by August 14, after which shortlisted firms will be invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals before a contractor is selected.

Man dies after head-on collision on West Coast Berbice Public Road

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident that occurred on Sunday, August 2, 2026, around 11:00 hrs on the No. 22 Public Road, West Coast Berbice, involving motorcars PJJ 94 and PAP 2877.

The victim was identified as 42-year-old Carlton Pluck, of No. 8 Village, West Coast Berbice, who died on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, around 16:30 hrs while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to preliminary investigations, Pluck was driving motorcar PJJ 94 east along the northern drive lane of the public road at an alleged fast rate of speed.

While negotiating a right bend, he reportedly attempted to overtake a line of traffic and collided head-on with motorcar PAP 2877, which was travelling west along the southern drive lane.

Motorcar PAP 2877 was being driven by 33-yearold Andre Stephen, of Bermine Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Two passengers were also in the vehicle at the time — 37-year-old Sean Cobagan of Glasgow Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, and 33-year-old Delon Codogan, also of New Amsterdam.

Both vehicles sustained extensive damage in the collision, and the driver and occupants of PAP 2877 suffered injuries about their bodies.

Pluck was initially taken to the Bath Regional Hospital before being transferred to the GPHC, where he remained unconscious and was treated for severe head injuries until his death on Tuesday.

Stephen was taken to the Bath Regional Hospital by public-spirited citizens, where he was treated and subsequently discharged.

Cobagan was later transferred to the GPHC for further medical attention, while Codogan, who sustained multiple injuries, remained under observation.

A breathalyzer test conducted on Stephen recorded a reading of 17 micrograms.

The body of the deceased is presently at the GPHC Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination. Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

Modern Pouderoyen market to create new economic opportunities – Pres. Ali

RESIDENTS of Pouderoyen were, on Monday, presented with plans for a modern two-storey market that President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said will serve as a major economic hub while creating new opportunities for businesses and vendors.

The market will feature more than 140 commercial spaces, a food court, farmers’ market, dedicated vending areas, parking, modern sanitation facilities and waste management systems.

“This market had to be different because this market is an everyday market, and this market must present additional economic opportunities,” President Ali said.

The Head of State explained that the facility is

being designed to attract visitors beyond traditional market days by hosting cultural activities.

It will provide a space where residents can shop, dine and conduct business throughout the week.

“We want people to come to this market because this market will have the best local food in all of Guyana,” he said, noting that the project will stimulate business growth and strengthen the local economy.

The President said the new market complements the wider transformation taking place in Region Three, with major investments in housing, roads and other infrastructure aimed at supporting long-term development. (DPI)

Theatrics Over Genuine Interest

THE MV Barima disaster is one of the darkest chapters in Guyana’s recent history. The July 18 tragedy left dozens dead and others missing, presumed dead, in what has been described as the country’s worst-ever maritime disaster.

In moments like these, a nation looks to its political class for unity, clarity, and shared resolve. Instead, what Guyanese have witnessed from the Joint Opposition is a masterclass in political opportunism dressed up as accountability.

Consider the record. As search and rescue operations were still underway, claims circulated suggesting that boats deployed by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed were somehow outpacing the government’s official response; a narrative Prime Minister Mark Phillips rightly condemned as an exploitation of a tragedy for political attention and social media engagement.

This was not accountability. This was theatre, staged while families were still waiting for news of their loved ones.

The pattern continued into Parliament. When the government pressed ahead with its legislative agenda, opposition MPs disrupted the sitting, and Opposition Leader Mohamed refused even the Speaker’s offer to address the House, instead joining his colleagues in the pit of the chamber.

Opposition parliamentarians stood chanting and pounding their desks over the tragedy while $54.89 billion in supplementary expenditure, funding that touches every sector of national life, was being considered, and they declined to ask a single oral question on this and the MV Barima matter.

That is not scrutiny. That is spectacle. If the Opposition genuinely wanted answers, the floor was theirs. They chose

noise instead.

Then came the calls for resignations.

The Opposition demanded that Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar step aside, even though neither man has been found responsible for the disaster, and the Commission of Inquiry, the very body meant to establish facts, had not yet done its work.

This is the politicisation of grief: Demanding punishment before truth, verdicts before evidence.

It tells Guyanese that the Opposition is less interested in what happened on that vessel than in who they can remove from office because of it.

Guyana has civil, constitutional, and parliamentary avenues for raising concerns, question time, motions, committees, direct engagement with ministries, the Commission of Inquiry itself. These channels exist precisely so that concerns

can be heard and addressed without disorder.

To bypass them in favour of street protest is not principled dissent; it is a deliberate choice to manufacture confrontation rather than pursue resolution.

This is, frankly, diabolical. To tell grieving families that the government cannot be trusted to investigate the tragedy, that Parliament is a dead end, that only the street will deliver justice, this is to strip citizens of faith in the very institutions built to serve them. It manufactures despair where patience and process are needed, and it does so for electoral advantage.

The government, meanwhile, has kept its focus on the work which entails recovery operations, support for affected families, and a Commission of Inquiry meant to establish facts and prevent recurrence.

Rise and fall of the political minnows

Dear Editor,

GUYANESE have witnessed the rise and fall of many political parties which would have promised so much in the beginning and delivered little or nothing in the end.

Many have slipped away into oblivion after having their names printed on the ballot papers, and some of these names are not even recalled today. Then there were those who looked promising and indeed promised many things under the sun, and then simply faded or vanished into the sunset.

Many Guyanese can recall the United Force Party (UF), founded in 1960 and headed by the late Peter D’Aguiar, which played a major role in facilitating the People’s National Congress (PNC) headed by the late Forbes Burnham to oust the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) from government in 1964.

Thus began the perilous 28-year journey of the PNC dictatorship rule which saw

Guyana being relegated to the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, only second to Haiti.

Those Guyanese who lived during this dark era experienced the worst period in their lives. However, volumes have been written about this dark period so I will not delve any further. But as karma would dictate, the UF Leader, having found his conscience, was unceremoniously kicked out of the coalition which was formed in 1964. Today, the UF just sits on the ballot paper at elections time but never again in parliament.

Next was the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) which was formed in 1974 by the late Dr Walter Rodney and which gave a glimmer of hope to struggling Guyanese. However, after his assassination, this party lost its way and found its way into the arms of the same political party it fought against.

It must be noted that the WPA and its founding leader had persistently fought the PNC which was solely responsible for Dr

Rodney’s assassination. The COI concluded that Dr. Rodney’s death was a State-engineered assassination. Dr. Rodney paid the ultimate price and today the WPA is indistinguishable from the PNC.

Similar to the UF, the WPA joined the PNC and together with the Alliance for Change (AFC) formed a coalition government in 2015 which lost no time in once again advancing its dictatorship agenda.

There was no coalition in the real sense, it was the PNC which ruled supreme and the little parties were consumed willingly to foster the PNC’s tyrannical policies. At the last General Election in 2025, the WPA had to piggy-back on the PNC to be gifted a seat in Parliament.

If it had gone solo, the WPA would never have been able to garner a seat in Parliament. It would have suffered the same fate as the AFC which went solo and was soundly thrashed by the electorate.

The AFC was formed in 2005 by trio

Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman and the late Shiela Holder, and in its first outing in 2006 won six seats and in 2011 it won seven seats. It was at this point a de facto coalition unfolded against the PPP/C Government and which gave birth to a coalition inn 2015.

The AFC went against its founding principles and coalesce with the PNC. In its Action Plan the AFC had vowed and promised its supporters and member never to coalesce with the PNC. But it did not only coalesce, it became one with the PNC and fully supported all its dictatorial policies, hook line and sinker.

Then in vain it tried to reinvent itself and went solo in the 2025 General Election and it was soundly kicked by the electorate. Then the new kid on the block arrived lately.

The WIN Party was formed by fugitive

David Hinds put a jumbie lash ‘pon’ Aubrey Norton

I HAVE written often on this page that growing up on D’urban Street in Wortmanville, people would say that when you get a jumbie lash, you don’t normally survive. I cannot see how PNC leader, Aubrey Norton, could survive the jumbie lash David Hinds inflicted upon him.

In common Guyanese parlance, they say that “mouth open, story jump out.” Hinds opened his mouth and what he had to say about Norton means either Norton goes or Hinds goes. A year before the general election of 2025, the talk in political society was that Norton’s time was up and he should give way to another leader who should take the PNC into the 2025 election.

As the pre-election hemorrhage continued, the anti-Norton crescendo was reached when Nigel Hughes as leader of the AFC frowned on Norton being the presidential candidate in an APNU- AFC coalition.

The 2025 election result was the most damaging in the history of the PNC. The devastation was incredible. Four insufferable moments permeated the PNC. One was that there was a loss of over 100,000 votes; a loss of 20 seats, the loss of every regional government the PNC controlled pre-2025 and the loss of the Leader of the Opposition position.

It was unheard of in modern politics that the leader of such a crushed party would stay on. There is no one sitting in the PNC’s general council or in the PNC’s parliamentary group that have cited Norton as the reason for the election decapitation. All those in the

PNC leadership that cited the Norton factor have exited the PNC.

Enter David Hinds. Last week in one of his podcasts titled, “Politics 101” his topic was “How to Analyse Politics.” Please follow carefully the point, the main point, the essential point, the decisive reason given by Hinds as to why the PNC lost in 2025.

Hinds said that history shows that each time the PNC won government in an election, it adopted the same tried and tested methodology. It secures its African traditional base and the votes to send the PNC over the 50 percent mark came from small parties. He said the smaller parties in each victory, gave the PNC cross over votes (CVs).

He argued that in 1964, the United Force brought the Portuguese, Amerindian and urban Indian votes to the PNC’s victory while the PNC topped the votes with its African base. Hinds argued that in 2015, the PNC won the general election because the AFC did for the PNC was the United Force did for the PNC in 1964.

He argued that the PNC won the 2015 election because the PNC held its African base and the AFC brought CVs. He intoned that the PPP rigged the 2020 poll but the PNC and AFC actually won it.

Hinds went on to cite the reason the PNC is not in power after the 2025 election. He offers three factors. One is the rigging and vote-buying by the PPP. The other is that the PNC did not organise and secure its African base. He repeatedly uttered that phrase. In

several instances, he said: “In 2025, the PNC did not “run up” its African base” By “run up” he obviously meant, “organise its African base.”

The third reason for the PNC’s 2025 defeats is that it failed to secure a partner that would bring in the CVs. Two discussions will await another column. One is what votes then did the coalition partners in APNU bring to the PNC in the 2025 election, and why it is possible for the PNC to continue winning and the PPP continue losing?

So, there you have it. Hinds gave three reasons for the PNC’s defeat in 2025. Let’s leave out the vulgarity of Hinds’ mentality about the PPP rigging. If as Hinds is claiming that the PNC did not “run up” its base and failed to get a partner to bring in CVs, then that has to be an indictment of Norton’s leadership.

Aubrey Norton led the PNC into the 2025 election as its presidential candidate having possessed 40 years of experience with the PNC. If the PNC did not organise, galvanise and stimulate its African base then how could that not be a gargantuan accusation against Norton?

After 40 years on expedience inside the PNC, Norton could not find a partner to give the CVs to the PNC in 2025, then how could there not be condemnation of Norton? Can Norton defend himself against Hinds? Is Hinds willing to stick with his outline? One will have to go? Who do you think it will be? Ask me.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.

Rise and fall of the political ...

offender (definition as per Cap 10:04) Azruddin Mohamed in June 2025 and contested the General Elections, the same year.

Many believed that this move was to evade extradition to the USA to face charges ranging from money laundering and wire fraud to tax evasion schemes and to get back at his nemesis, the PPP whom he mistakenly felt is responsible for his present predicament.

He ignored the fact that the evidence in the U.S. federal indictment and extradition case against he and his father Nazar Mohamed was compiled and investigated by U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration

(DEA), and the Department of Homeland Security.

His main political argument is selling to the electorate that the PPP/C is ‘corrupted’ and that he can offer to the ‘poor and unfortunate’ a better way of life, not unlike the Coalition’s ‘Good Life’ mantra and this attracted 16 seats.

He claims to represent the poor people but this is far from the truth. These seats were drawn from the former opposition Party, the PNC and to a lesser extent the AFC. It is one thing to throw cash at people and entice them to cast their votes in your favour but then it is a completely different kettle of fish when running a country is at stake.

You simply cannot bandage every social

and economic sore with money plasters. This will present an appeal especially to those people who are always reluctant to work and intend to live on handouts.

If the Opposition Leader is honestly committed to national development, then his approach will be entirely different-it will comprise sound socioeconomic policies not chanting the corruption mantra like his predecessors-the APNU and the AFC and promise every goody under the sun. We know only too well how that ended— they promised the heaven but delivered hell. According to him, the PPP/C Government never did anything good.

I had predicted the demise of the PNC and the AFC and now I will predict the fall of Azruddin’s WIN party. Everyone in the

From page 6

WIN Party, including the leader is cognizant of the fact that when he is extradited his party will collapse since there will be an insane rush to fill the vacancy since everyone feels that they are eligible and can do a better job and moreover the flow of funds will dry up.

There is no party structure to keep the party alive and sustain its longevity since it was built around one man and his money. It is gradually dawning on the public that the WIN’s leader is more concerned about his own survival.

Maybe the PNC will then have a second coming as the opposition party.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Agencies meet to review coordinated response to MV Barima Tragedy

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d)

Mark Phillips, on Tuesday, attended an inter-agency meeting convened at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) headquarters on Thomas Road, as part of the ongoing After-Action Review of the multi-agency response to the MV Barima incident.

The session brought together senior rep -

resentatives from the principal agencies that formed the backbone of the emergency response, including the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Civil Defence Commission, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the Maritime Administration Department, regional authorities, and other government agencies involved in the operation.

The meeting served two central purposes: to conduct a thorough, inter-agency review of how the coordinated response to the MV Barima disaster was executed, and to identify concrete measures for strengthening the country’s national emergency preparedness framework going forward.

After-action reviews of this nature are a standard element of

emergency management practice, allowing agencies that operated together in a crisis to jointly examine what worked well, where coordination gaps emerged, and how communication, resource deployment, and command structures can be improved for future incidents.

The Prime Minister’s continued personal involvement in

this review process underscores the priority the government has placed on drawing lessons from the tragedy, both to support ongoing accountability efforts and to ensure Guyana’s emergency response systems are better equipped to handle similar incidents in the future.

The review comes as separate processes continue to run in

parallel, including an international Commission of Inquiry into the disaster and criminal proceedings against individuals connected to the vessel’s operation, with authorities noting that this after-action process is focused specifically on strengthening institutional and operational preparedness rather than matters of individual culpability.

President Ali leads outreach to Region One today

PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will lead a “Presidential Outreach” comprising ministers and senior officials and technical officers to Region One (Barima-Waini) today. The President is expected to be in the Moruca, Matarkai and Mabaruma sub-regions.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with the Barima-Waini Regional Democratic Council, is open to all residents. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. in Moruca, where the President will meet residents at the Santa Rosa Secondary School.

From there, the out -

reach moves to Matarkai, where residents of Pakera, Minab, Heaven Hill, Hell Hill and Flats will gather at the Skill Training Centre in Matthews Ridge.

The final engagement takes place on the lawns of the Regional Democratic Council building in Mabaruma, where residents of Hosororo, Kamaka, Broomes Estate, and the Mabaruma Compound and Township are expected to turn out.

The visit comes as the government points to a wide-ranging development push in Barima-Waini over the past five years, spanning infrastructure, energy, ed -

ucation, water and agriculture.

On infrastructure, the Ministry of Public Works’ Hinterland Roads Programme has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into road rehabilitation across the region.

Energy access has also seen significant gains, with two new generators installed one in Mabaruma and one in Matthews Ridge extending 24-hour electricity to those communities.

Every village in the region is now connected to the internet, and residents can pursue certificates, diplomas and degrees remotely through

the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), bringing tertiary education within reach of communities that once had none.

Efforts are also under way to improve water access and agricultural capacity, with plans for 17 new wells aimed at achieving universal access to potable water, along with support for farmers through equipment, drainage improvements and efforts to revitalise the region’s cocoa and coffee industries.

These are among the many other economic and social welfare projects ongoing across the region.

Special housing programme imminent for country’s most vulnerable citizens

-VP Jagdeo announces

THE government will soon roll out a special housing programme targeting the country’s most vulnerable citizens, as it moves to eliminate housing backlogs in several regions by the end of next year, and regularise land ownership for hundreds of long-standing residents.

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo made this announcement during a Public Day event in Linden on Tuesday.

He revealed that one-bedroom homes will be constructed for elderly persons, people living with disabilities, abandoned individuals, and other truly destitute citi-

zens who are unable to build homes on their own.

He said the initiative forms part of the government’s wider housing agenda, which seeks to ensure that vulnerable Guyanese are not left behind in the country’s development.

Outside of housing, the government, through the

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, continues to administer a broad range of programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens, including old-age pensions, public assistance for persons with disabilities, and individuals facing financial hardship, as well as child protection and other social

services.

Recognising the country’s growing elderly population, the government has also committed to expanding home-based care services, and improving access to healthcare through telemedicine, mobile health units, and virtual clinics, particularly for seniors living in rural and hinterland communities.

The government will soon roll out a special housing programme targeting the country’s most vulnerable citizens

Plans outlined in Budget 2026 also include co-investment in elderly care facilities, the construction of a new senior citizens’ home and improvements to services and living conditions at the Palms Geriatric Home.

Hundreds raise concerns, get immediate response in Region 10

–– as VP leads successful Public Day in Linden despite Opposition’s attempts to disrupt exercise

AFTER a marathon day of engagements with residents at Watooka Guest House in Linden, Vice‑President Dr. Bhar rat Jagdeo disclosed that on the ground technical teams and other gov ernment officials were able to offer immediate relief to residents, and respond adequately to concerns while also out lining plans for sustained investment in health care, housing, and major infrastructure.

Dr. Jagdeo spent the day meeting residents and community leaders to hear first‑hand about challeng

es ranging from land‑lease disputes and housing con cerns, to access to social assistance.

He emphasised the ad ministration’s focus on enduring solutions rather than short‑term fixes.

“We have encountered similar issues across the country, and the govern ment is committed to working to resolve all of these issues for people everywhere in our coun try, regardless of where they live, and the people of Region 10 are no ex ception,” he said, adding, “So we will just continue doing what we are doing,

which is keeping a focus on what matters most to our country and our peo ple.”

He pointed to recent rises in public‑sector wag es, and increases in pen sions and cash grants as examples of steady meas ures already underway to support households.

Dr. Jagdeo also ad dressed local concerns about housing and land leases directly, promising follow‑up from technical teams and ministers.

He reiterated that the administration remains accessible, noting: “From the president leading from

his level to almost all the ministers, we kept that es sential feature of our party open.”

Dr. Jagdeo contrasted his approach with what he described as past adminis trations’ “aloofness.”

He added: “We have always been accessible to people on the ground, and we continue to do so, from the president leading from his level to almost all the ministers.”

Further, on housing, Dr. Jagdeo said State owned National Industrial and Commercial Invest ments Limited (NICIL) has confirmed plans to

regularise those areas which will see almost 1,000 residents receiving their formal documents.

He indicated that the move would bring long awaited certainty to fami lies who have built homes on lands not yet titled.

The day’s proceedings continued, uninterrupted, even as the Opposition pushed past the barricades at the entrance of the Wa tooka Guest House and attempted to disrupt the exercise with constant chanting.

Dr. Jagdeo criticised those attempts, describing them as distractions that

failed to deter residents from engaging.

“It didn’t deter the large number of people who showed up here to day. They were hoping that people would boycott coming to this activity; they failed miserably,” Dr. Jadeo said.

He thanked the com munity for turning out, and reaffirmed the govern ment’s intent to focus on practical outcomes rather than partisan noise.

“It shows that peo ple don’t care too much for the politics when it concerns their lives,” he added.

Region 10 housing backlog to be cleared by next year

VICE-PRESIDENT

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said the government is accelerating efforts to regularise land ownership for nearly 1,000 residents in Linden

tional Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and are being transferred to facilitate the issuance of land titles.

“We’re going to try

house lots to eliminate the waiting list by the end of next year.

The vice president also highlighted the government’s housing strategy, noting that

who have been living on lands formerly owned by the bauxite company, while advancing measures to clear the region’s housing backlog.

Speaking during his public day outreach in Linden on Tuesday, the Vice President said the lands fall under the management of the Na-

to accelerate the titling for those people who live on those NICIL lands, and they’re going to work on a special project,” Dr Jagdeo stated.

He explained that Region Ten’s housing backlog stands at just over 3,000 applicants, but the government is preparing enough

hom eowners, he highlighted that the government will soon undertake projects such as constructing one-bedroom homes for the most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, persons with disabilities and those unable to build on their own.

Additionally, families who already own house lots but lack the resources to begin construction will benefit from a new programme that will connect them with certified contractors and financing through the banking system.

The vice president

said the initiative is expected to assist about 20,000 landowners who have received government house lots but have not yet been able to build, ensuring more families can access safe and affordable housing.

while Region Four continues to have the largest backlog due to high demand.

The administration is aiming to clear housing allocation backlogs in the other nine regions by the end of 2027.

Touching on new initiatives to help more Guyanese become

Tuschen residents praise years of transformation, embrace Model Village vision

RESIDENTS of Tuschen, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, say years of sustained government investment have reshaped their community, improving access to education, strengthening infrastructure, expanding opportunities for farmers and enhancing overall living standards.

The residents shared their experiences with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday during President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s consultation on the government’s Model Village Initiative, where community members outlined their priorities for the village’s continued development.

One of the most sig-

nificant changes pointed out by residents is the construction of the new secondary school, which has brought quality education closer to home, and eased the burden on families.

Long-time resident Godfrey Haywood said the facility has benefitted not only Tuschen but neighbouring communities by providing children with a safe and accessible learning environment.

He said, “This is one of the greatest achievements. There are a lot of residents who have benefitted from this facility. The water system has developed a little bit more, and we look forward to seeing a lot more benefits for us.”

Haywood added that

the steady pace of development over the past decade has transformed the community, and expressed confidence that continued investments will deliver even greater benefits.

Another resident,

Wendy Calendar Savory, also pointed to education as one of Tuschen’s greatest successes, noting that families now have access to nursery, primary, and secondary schooling within their own community.

She said road upgrades have further improved daily life, making travel easier, and creating a more welcoming environment for residents.

Looking ahead, Savory believes the Model Village Initiative will build on those gains and

create a better future for generations to come.

“That would be great for us; at least for our future children and grandchildren. If we continue to get more development like that, that would be nice.”

Farmer Noel Marcus reflected on the progress made in the agricultural sector, explaining that the issuance of long-awaited land leases has allowed more farmers to invest with greater confidence.

While welcoming improvements to hous-

ing, water services, and community security, he said better access roads to farming areas would further strengthen agricultural production.

“The work of the president is excellent,” he stated.

For many in Tuschen, the initiative represents an opportunity to build on years of progress and ensure that development continues to create lasting opportunities for current and future generations.

Small businesses ready to access funding from Guyana Development Bank

SMALL business owners have welcomed the Guyana Development Bank and what it means for their businesses’ growth.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) recently spoke to a few small business owners who have been working hard to grow their businesses.

Now, with the Guyana Development Bank, they are looking toward the possibilities.

Owner of 592 Wines, Antwaun Austin, said the bank is another way that the government will support small businesses.

“I’m excited. It’s a good initiative for small businesses, especially like mine, so that we could get access

to finance, because that’s the most important and the scarcest commodity, for example, my juice business. I want to compete with most of the giants but to do that we need machines to blow our own bottles and labels and stuff like that.” Austin said.

He noted that with the bank on board, small businesses will be able to purchase the machine, so we can have our packaging done at a lower cost, which means they can compete in the market and even export.

He said a loan from the bank will help his business boost the supply for both the export and local markets

“So, I’m very excited for it, I’m waiting patiently,

and I think it’s a very good thing,” he said.

Additionally, Owner of Proppa Wines and Teas, Abigale John, told DPI that she is very excited about the Guyana Development Bank as it will help her grow her business.

“Having the Development Bank now on stream will help me reach not only local markets, but regional exports and allow me to invest more to expand to reach a greater number of people that are in demand of our proper local teas brand,” she said.

She explained that small businesses have never had access to loans because of the number of hurdles. She said they are fully compliant.

“We are NIS Compliant and GRA compliant. All the compliance steps that are required, we are set, just waiting to take it to the next level,” she said.

She stated that her family members living outside of Guyana are also considering returning home so they too can take advantage of the opportunities the new bank provides for small businesses.

“So, me who is here, it’s all about excitement for me, and it has also empowered me to employ more people in anticipation for this…I’m thankful for the Development Bank, and I hope to be one of the first ten that would be issued out,” John said.

Meanwhile, Fay Gilgious Greaves, who owns Jofa

Products, also applauded the initiative.

She stated that it is important since she is also interested in accessing a loan from the bank.

She explained that she has prepared herself.

“You need to register and all the rest of it. So, I trust that when it is fully on board, all who are really interested will be fully equipped with all the necessary documentation,“ she told the DPI.

According to Greaves, there are so many other things you can do with the money to improve your business.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, assented to the Guyana Development Bank Act 2026,

officially bringing into force the legislation that establishes the country’s newest financial institution and paving the way for thousands of small and medium-sized businesses to access financing, mentorship and technical support.

The Act was passed in the National Assembly last Monday. It establishes the legal, institutional and administrative framework for the Guyana Development Bank to begin operations as a key pillar of the government’s strategy to expand entrepreneurship, stimulate investment and strengthen the productive sectors. (DPI)

Misinformation fuels seafood sales drop

- Fisheries Dept. assures fish is safe for consumption

By Indrawattie Natram

IN an effort to support the fishing community during one of its most challenging periods, the Fisheries Department, on Tuesday, met with fisherfolk and seafood vendors in Region Two to hear their concerns and discuss ways to address the sharp decline in seafood sales following the MV Barima tragedy.

The meeting, held at

the Regional State House Boardroom, brought together scores of fishermen and vendors, who shared the financial and emotional hardships they have been experiencing since demand for fish dropped

In an effort to support the fishing community during one of its most challenging periods, the Fisheries Department, on Tuesday, met with fisherfolk and seafood vendors in Region Two

significantly after the July 19 maritime disaster.

Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer, Jagnarine Narine; Fisheries Officer, Sophia Raghunandan and Regional Democratic Councillor, Melrose Henry, attended the engagement, which formed part of the department’s ongoing outreach to the fishing community.

During the meeting, officials listened attentively as fishermen explained that misinformation circulating on social media has contributed to public fear, resulting in reduced seafood sales and significant financial losses.

Many fishermen spoke about the mounting costs of preserving unsold fish, particularly the increasing price of ice, while others highlighted the burden of loan repayments and maintaining their boats and equipment despite

having little or no income.

The Fisheries Department also used the opportunity to provide information on seafood safety, assuring fisherfolk that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that fish harvested from Guyana’s waters are unsafe for consumption.

Officials encouraged the public to rely on verified information and not be influenced by misleading or AI-generated content circulating online.

Fishermen, in turn, called for stronger public awareness campaigns to restore consumer confidence, as well as temporary financial support to help them recover until market demand improves.

“We work hard, we want our catch to sell, this is affecting fishermen and also vendors who is selling the fish” a fisherman Chaitram Narine said.

Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Narine assured those gathered that the department recognises the challenges confronting the sector and remains committed to working alongside fisherfolk.

He emphasised that the meeting was intended to provide an open forum where fishermen could voice their concerns, offer suggestions, and engage directly with fisheries officials on issues affecting their livelihoods.

The Fisheries Department reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining open communication with the fishing community, and pledged to continue listening to their concerns while working with relevant stakeholders to provide reliable information and support the recovery of the industry.

Former APNU+AFC Minister praises Region Ten transformation under PPP/C

FORMER Minister of Communities Valerie Patterson-Yearwood has publicly acknowledged the significant transformation taking place across Region Ten, praising the extensive infrastructure and social development that has occurred in the region in recent years.

Patterson-Yearwood, who served in the APNU+AFC administration between 2015 and 2020, made the remarks during an interview on the sidelines of a public engagement hosted by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo at the Watooka Guest House in Linden, on Tuesday.

Reflecting on the changes she has observed, Patterson said the region has experienced widespread improvements that are evident throughout communities.

“We have seen much development and infrastructure; we have seen in every nook and cranny there is a new road, even where they didn’t even believe there would be a road there is and we have improvement in our water. We have so many persons now both young and adults who are able to improve their education and they proudly so, some have already graduated and I think we’re on the right foot,” she said.

Her comments come amid a series of major government investments that are transforming the economic and transportation landscape of Region Ten.

Among the flagship projects is the Linden-to-Mabura Hill road, the first phase of which is nearing completion. The highway is expected

to serve as a critical link in Guyana’s road connection with Brazil, paving the way for expanded trade and transportation between the two countries.

Further, plans are also advancing for the continuation of the road from Mabura Hill to Kurupukari, alongside the construction of bridges and additional road networks connecting Kurupukari to Annai and Annai to Lethem.

Together, these projects are expected to strengthen Guyana’s integration with South America while reducing transportation costs and improving the movement of goods and services.

Another transformative project nearing completion is the new Wismar-Mackenzie bridge, which will replace the existing ferry crossing across the Demerara River.

That bridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity within Linden and provide more reliable transportation for residents, businesses and commuters.

Meanwhile, preparations are also progressing for the construction of a new bridge across the Berbice River, with the process for appointing supervisory consultants already completed under the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) framework.

The government’s longterm vision also includes linking these transport corridors to the planned deep-water harbour at Palmyra, creating an integrated logistics network to support trade, investment and economic diversification.

FAO presents new strategic model to tackle transboundary animal diseases

- proposed global partnership programme responds to members’ request for a broader, country-led platform

THE Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today presented a blueprint for a new global approach to tackle transboundary animal diseases. Left unchecked, these diseases can rapidly undermine livelihoods and trade, hit lowand middle-income countries the hardest, and spill over into

human populations with devastating consequences.

The FAO Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD) is a country

driven, country-led initiative, in which the prevention and control of prioritised diseases are strengthened through National Partnership Platforms that bring together governments, the private sector, producers, foundations, farmers’ organisations, and financial institutions under one national framework.

“We must ensure that the next chapter of global animal health is not defined by crisis, but by co-operation, responsibility and shared success,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said at a high-level event attended by ministers and high-level government representatives. He noted that transboundary animal diseases (TADs) remain one of the most urgent threats to global food security, livelihoods and health.

Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, footand-mouth disease, African swine fever, and New World screwworm, among others, demonstrate that TADs “are spreading faster, further, and with greater impact on economies and livelihoods than ever before,” Qu added.

The Director-General stressed that prevention costs far less than inaction, noting that the recent introduction of the SAT1 serotype of footand-mouth disease into Asia could lead to $2 billion in annual losses, according to FAO’s impact assessment, and that investing upstream in prevention through a One Health approach is the only way to avert crises downstream.

“We can no longer speak only of zoonotic diseases. We need a right interpretation of a One Health holistic approach which encompasses soil health, animal health, plant health, human health and environmental health,” he added.

At the 44th Session of FAO Conference in July 2025, members recognised the critical importance of preventing, detecting and responding to the spread of TADs and sent a strong message to ensure that FAO’s work is adequately resourced. Since, extensive consultations have been organised with Members, at regional conferences and at FAO headquarters, to bring forth a renewed model of financing, partnership, and solidarity to tackle high impact animal

diseases. These are ongoing to gather feedback and refine the evolving plan.

Currently, 110 countries have submitted official letters to the FAO Director-General expressing their interest in joining the GPP-TAD, demonstrating a depth of political and financial commitment to a sustainable way of managing the most persistent and costly threats.

The High-Level event included statements from the agriculture ministers of Italy, Cameroon, Jordan, Mali, Mongolia, Nepal, Burkina Faso, Serbia, Kenya, Brazil, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Egypt, and Papua New Guinea, underscoring strong global support for a more coordinated and sustainable response to diseases that rapidly spread across borders.

A

NEW WAY

OF WORKING

The goal of GPP-TAD is to reinforce and sustain the critical capacity built over more than 20 years through FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD). GPP-TAD brings forth a new way of funding and financing collective action on transboundary animal diseases, representing a fundamental paradigm shift in how FAO supports Members.

Previous efforts relied primarily on donor-funded projects, with FAO serving primarily as an implementing force. GPP-TAD introduces a new global governance architecture and a shift to diversified financing models. In the new architecture, the Director-General highlighted the transition away from a traditional project-by-project approach to an integrated platform conceived as a global public good, where countries lead implementation, with additional technical support from FAO calibrated to local needs and context. Regional hubs will coordinate cross-border action — the space where animal diseases cause their greatest damage and where no single country can act alone.

Through its EMPRES programme, FAO will continue to provide disease intelligence, early warning alerts,

and normative guidance, and serve as a provider of last resort and surge assistance. National platforms are central, regional hubs coordinate technical assistance and promote collaboration, and FAO will host global coordination to support sustained prevention, preparedness, and collective action from the bottom up.

FAO will act as a global platform and facilitator, as well as a provider of normative guidance and support at global, regional, and national levels, and provide technical support to countries in establishing and operationalising their own national plans.

GPP-TAD will work across five mutually reinforcing areas: prevention and progressive disease control; digital surveillance, early warning, and animal health innovation; preparedness and risk-informed early action and anticipatory action; coordinated and rapid emergency response; and legislation, partnerships and financing models.

A defining feature of the Programme is its financing model. The Programme introduces a diversified, solidarity-based model in which all participating countries will contribute according to their capacity, complemented by voluntary contributions from development partners, along with co-financing international financial institutions and the private sector.

At the global level, a Steering Committee will be established to provide strategic guidance, with participation and representation balanced across the world’s regions, and a technical advisory group, which will include key technical partners, including FAO’s Governing Bodies, will retain overall strategic oversight of the GPP-TAD.

GPP-TAD is “a strong global platform for solidarity, shared responsibility, and sustainable, predictable investment,” Qu said, and concluded by emphasising that “healthy foods come from healthy soils, healthy plants and healthy animals for a healthy environment and a healthy life”. (FAO)

SOCA Heart 2026 set to launch third national heart health campaign

STRIDE592 has announced the return of SOCA Heart 2026

Strengthening Our Cardiovascular Advocacy its third annual national campaign promoting heart health, physical activity, and healthier communities

across Guyana. According to a press release, the three-month campaign will feature free walk-run training, heart health education, community fitness activities, and the SOCA Heart 5K|10K Run Walk, Kids Fun Run, and

wellness festival on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, in observance of World Heart Day.

“Cardiovascular disease is Guyana’s leading cause of death, and most of those deaths are preventable. The SOCA Heart Project exists because we believe every person deserves access to information, opportunities to be active, and a community that supports them. This is not just a race—it is about

building a sustainable ecosystem for healthier lives,” said Onika Jervis, Founder and Managing Director of STRIDE592.

Companies, organisations, and individuals are invited to come on board as sponsors or partners of SOCA Heart 2026.

“Their support will help expand the campaign’s reach, strengthen heart health education initiatives, and contribute to the success of activities that pro -

mote healthier communities across Guyana. Together, Guyanese can take meaningful steps toward preventing heart disease and creating a healthier future,”

STRIDE592 said.

STRIDE592, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Woodlands Hospital, and the Heart Foundation Guyana, will officially launch the campaign during a media launch on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Starbucks, MovieTowne

Guyana.

The campaign will also raise funds for the SOCA Heart Health Research Grant, which supports cardiovascular health research and innovation through Woodlands Hospital, STRIDE592, and the University of Guyana Medical and Pharmacy Departments.

STRIDE592 encouraged everyone to join the movement and help create a healthier Guyana-one step at a time.

Green spaces, improved infrastructure, community

P RESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali is pressing ahead with a nationwide push to modernise Guyana’s villages,

holding a string of community consultations along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) yesterday that

will see Kaneville, Diamond and Grove transformed under the government’s Model Village Initiative.

community care to enhance EBD communities

IMF says LCDS is strengthening climate resilience, energy transition

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Guyana remains at the forefront of market-based forest conservation while advancing its transition to a cleaner and more cost-effective energy mix through its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

In its concluding statement following an Article IV mission, the Fund welcomed the government's commitment to strengthening resilience to climate-related risks and protecting biodiversity – all key ele-

ments of the national development strategy.

The IMF also highlighted the Gas-to-Energy project, saying it is expected

to significantly reduce reliance on fuel-based electricity generation by 2027. As electricity demand expands, the project

is expected to lower energy costs and support Guyana's long-term competitiveness.

The mission statement highlighted initiatives to increase agricultural production and reduce dependence on imported food, which are expected to support export diversification and improve food security.

According to a press release, the LCDS identifies climate-resilient agriculture as a priority for adaptation, linking investments in drainage, irrigation, sea defences and water management to efforts to protect food production from flooding, drought and other climate-related risks.

Notably, Guyana’s broader energy transition also includes an expansion of renewable energy, as the country is on track to install 50 megawatts of solar generation capacity by the end of the year.

Renewable energy deployment has also accelerated in hinterland communities. Lethem is now served by two hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 2.2 megawatts, along with a 1-megawatt solar system.

Currently, more than 60 percent of the town's electricity is powered from renewable sources, while hydropower generation has displaced the use of more than 20,000 drums of diesel.

Separately, Indigenous communities are expected to receive GY$2.5 billion in LCDS funding this year under the programme that allocates 15 percent of Guyana's forest earnings to Indigenous villages.

The disbursement will bring total LCDS funding

provided to Indigenous and forested communities to nearly GY$17 billion, supporting a range of sustainable development initiatives. Importantly, decisions on how LCDS funds are spent are made by Village Councils, which identify, approve and implement their own development priorities.

The approach is intended to ensure Indigenous communities remain directly involved in planning and executing projects that support their long-term development.

Senior Director - Climate and REDD+, Ministry of Natural Resources, Pradeepa Bholanath, says that taken together, the developments reflect a broader pattern in which macroeconomic stability, climate and disaster resilience, clean energy expansion, and community-led development financing are being pursued as interlocking components of Guyana's long-term growth strategy.

Police urge minibus operators to put passenger safety before profits

THE Guyana Police Force's Traffic Education Department is urging minibus operators to put passenger safety ahead of profits, warning that overloading vehicles and other unsafe practices continue to place thousands of commuters at risk every day.

Appearing recently on the Road Safety & You programme, Inspector Richard Trotz of the Traffic Education Department said complaints about the conduct of minibus operators remain among the most common concerns raised by members of the public.

Inspector Richard Trotz

"As we move to public transportation, minibus operators are always a concern for most Guyanese," Trotz said.

He related that during

engagements with commuters at busy parks and transport hubs, the department consistently hears reports of operators playing excessively loud music,

overcrowding vehicles and disregarding passenger safety.

He said, "When we interact with members of the public at congested areas, say the park areas, persons travelling to and from work, they will always have a concern that minibus operators are in the habit of having excessive music, overloaded minibuses that carry above the permitted number of passengers.”

The inspector warned that overloading a minibus significantly increases the danger to passengers in the event of a crash.

"We have to be reminded as road users that when a minibus operator overloads his or her minibus, they put you at risk, and they put everyone in the vehicle at risk," Trotz said.

"And in the event of an accident, the space that is provided to you in the vehicle might not be enough to protect you."

To underscore the consequences of unsafe driving, Trotz referenced a recent incident on the West Coast Demerara in which a minibus ended up in a trench at Leonora.

The Traffic Education Department official appealed directly to drivers of public transportation vehicles to recognise the responsibility they bear for the lives of their passengers.

He stressed, "So, I am pleading to operators of minibuses and even hire car operators that you are not only responsible for yourself, but you are responsible for every

"For example, on the West Demerara, we had a minibus operator ended up in a trench at Leonora. He put himself and all the passengers in the vehicle at risk," he said.

TURN TO PAGE 25

Bush Lot man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2022 killing

Bhola Jaipersaud

A MURDER trial

in the Berbice High Court ended before evidence could be heard after the accused changed his plea and admitted to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

Bhola Jaipersaud, called "Joey," of Bush Lot Village, Corentyne, had previously pleaded not guilty to the 2022 murder of Rameshwar Sydney.

However, when he appeared before Justice Gino Persaud on Monday, he changed his plea to guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The plea was entered after a 12-member jury had already been empanelled to hear the case.

Following the change of plea, Justice Persaud ordered that probation, prison and psychiatric reports be prepared ahead of sentencing.

The matter was adjourned to September 3, 2026, for sentencing. Jaipersaud is represented by Attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat.

Jaipersaud had been charged with the murder of Sydney, 47, of Bush Lot Village, Corentyne, over an incident on July 8, 2022.

According to the prosecution's case, Sydney had returned home from his farm and was having lunch when Jaipersaud reportedly invited him to continue a conversation at his nearby home.

Shortly afterwards, Sydney was seen running back towards his residence with a knife lodged in his neck. A security guard who witnessed him collapse raised an alarm, and relatives rushed to his aid. Sydney was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Jaipersaud was initially charged with murder before the Whim Magistrate's Court in 2022, where he was remanded to prison and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He was later committed to stand trial after the magistrate ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him. He had pleaded not guilty when arraigned in the High Court on July 28, 2026, and his trial was scheduled to begin on August 3 before a judge and jury. However, before the prosecution could open its case, Jaipersaud changed his plea, bringing the case to an early end.

State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards had planned to call approximately 15 witnesses, including 10 police ranks and a medical doctor, before Jaipersaud changed his plea. Following Jaipersaud's guilty plea to manslaughter, the 12-member jury empanelled to hear the case was discharged.

R3PSInc head welcomes Region Three forum as boost for businesses, jobs

– Khan says engagement can strengthen investment, local content and workforce development

HEAD of the Region

Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc), Halim Khan, has welcomed the upcoming Region Three Engagement Forum as a timely opportunity to strengthen local business participation, expand workforce development and create greater economic opportunities for communities across the region.

The forum, which is being hosted by ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) in collaboration with ACE Consulting Group, is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at the TVET Building in Leonora, West Coast Demerara, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The engagement is expected to bring together regional stakeholders, government officials, representatives of ExxonMobil Guyana, business leaders and private-sector organisations from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Khan said the initiative provides an important platform for businesses and other stakeholders to engage directly with major industry players, identify opportunities and better position themselves to benefit from Guyana’s expanding economy.

He noted that Region Three has significant potential for further growth, supported by its strategic location, expanding infrastructure, productive agricultural sector, growing population and increasing commercial activity.

The R3PSInc head said forums of this nature can help ensure that local businesses are better informed about industry requirements and are able to develop the capacity needed to participate more effectively in emerging supply chains.

The event will focus on shared economic goals, regional investment priorities, local business development and workforce growth.

Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Presentations will also be made by ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge; Senior Petroleum Adviser at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bobby Gossai; and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kathy Smith.

The forum will provide opportunities for participating companies and sector leaders to engage directly with local enterprises and Business Support Organisations (BSOs), outline their procurement needs and operational capabilities, and explore potential partnerships.

Participants will also be able to discuss corporate social responsibility initiatives that align with the development priorities of communities in Regions Two and Three.

Khan said meaningful engagement between the private sector, government, major investors and local communities is essential to ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for businesses, workers and residents.

He added that R3PSInc remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, investment, skills development and greater participation by local businesses in Guyana’s rapidly expanding economy.

The forum is expected to provide a valuable avenue for enterprises to build relationships, gain insight into available opportunities and explore avenues for collaboration with industry leaders.

Members of the business community in Regions Two and Three can register for the forum through ACE Consulting Group’s registration portal. Additional information is available from ACE Consulting Group.

Three Cuban nationals remanded on murder charge

THREE Cuban nationals were, on Tuesday, remanded to prison after they were jointly charged with the murder of a fellow Cuban national at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

The accused are Alejandro Igalza Rios, called “Papote”, 26, a barber; Juan Pablo Ferrer Perez, 29, a construction worker; and Mairely Felicita Medinas

Alvarez, 24, a labourer. All three reside at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

They are accused of murdering Yudivian Cardenas Amador Almagro on July 22, 2026, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

The trio was arrested on July 29 and July 30, 2026, and subsequently charged jointly with murder, contrary to common law.

They appeared on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, before Magistrate D. Bess at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate’s Court, where the indictable charge was read to them.

The accused were not required to plead and were remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026.

Police urge minibus...

FROM

PAGE 21

single individual in your vehicle.”

While highlighting concerns about public transportation, Trotz also pointed to the continuing loss of life among motorcyclists, stating the department has recorded numerous fatalities involving riders, pillion passengers and e-bike users this year.

He attributed many of those deaths to the failure of riders and passengers to wear protective helmets.

"The concern within the department is that these persons who utilise this mode of transportation are failing to protect themselves by simply not wearing a safety helmet," he said.

Trotz reminded motorists that anyone operating a motorcycle on a public road must ensure both the motorcycle and the rider are properly licensed and that an approved safety helmet is worn.

"A helmet is your responsibility. It affords you the protection that, in the event of an accident, you will not receive serious

head injuries," he added.

The inspector also addressed the operation of heavy-duty commercial vehicles, particularly articulated lorries, stressing the importance of employing porters to assist drivers when manoeuvring.

According to Trotz, porters play a critical role in helping drivers navigate blind spots, particularly when making turns or reversing in areas where pedestrians or other road users may be present.

He said that a porter should leave the vehicle and guide the driver through difficult manoeuvres rather than remain seated inside the cab.

Beyond enforcement, Trotz said the Traffic Education Department has significantly expanded its public awareness campaign by embracing technology and digital platforms.

He noted that the department has moved beyond traditional print and broadcast messaging to utilise social media and other electronic platforms

to reach road users more effectively.

The department is also encouraging motorists to make use of the Road Watch application, developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to support safer road use.

In addition, Trotz highlighted the continued rollout of the Safe Road Intelligence System, which uses technology to detect speeding and seat belt violations and automatically issue electronic tickets to offending motorists.

He said these initiatives form part of the Guyana Police Force's broader strategy to improve compliance with traffic laws, reduce dangerous driving practices and ultimately save lives on the country's roads.

The enhanced use of technology, coupled with continued enforcement and public awareness campaigns, is expected to play a key role in improving compliance with traffic laws and curbing dangerous driving practices.

Shafique, Sajid star on see-sawing day as Pakistan seize control

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Pakistan pulled clear on an absorbing day of Test cricket that see-sawed one way and then the other. While West Indies had improved upon their position from 24 hours ago in the first half, a disastrous last session saw Pakistan rip through six batters with the hosts leading by a precarious 60 runs. It means they face an uphill battle on a wearing pitch to set a target anywhere near the one that won them the first Test.

The final session had the potential to be make-or-break for either side. For large parts, it appeared as if both sides were just about holding their ground, but Pakistan blew the

house down in the final hour.

An errant new-ball spell from Mohammad Ali had seen West Indies wipe out Pakistan’s 43 run lead with their opening partnership, but the game changed when Sajid Khan and Ali Usman were introduced, and the pitch sprang to life.

Sajid caught Tagenarine Chanderpaul betwixt and between with his footwork and trapped him deep enough in his crease for Hawk-Eye to show the ball clipping the top of the stumps. With Brandon King picking up a back spasm in the field, and Kavem Hodge pushed up to open, Amir Jangoo was next man in - but he was castled by an unplayable offspinner that landed on length and ripped

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

away to clip the top of off.

West Indies battled through the final hour, but it did not stop them continuing to haemorrhage wickets. Hodge was the most enterprising of the batters early on, putting away length through the offside, but an arm ball from Usman deceived him when he tried to flick it away and couldn’t get bat on it.

The dagger came late in the day. Shai Hope and Roston Chase had grafted hard, but a Sajid delivery plugged into the ground, hitting Hope halfway up the shin and sending him on his way. A doomed attempt from the hosts to send Jayden Seales as a night watcher went nowhere, with Sajid taking just two balls to cut through his defences, leaving Chase and Justin Greaves to try scrap through to the finish.

And there was one final flesh wound to inflict. Off

the day’s final ball, Chase lost his concentration briefly, chipping Usman right back to him to rubberstamp Pakistan’s dominance.

West Indies had enjoyed the first two sessions rather more. Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique’s monumental third-wicket stand had suggested Pakistan were putting their batting woes behind them, but it turned out the visitors’ dreaded collapse was merely delayed, not actually thwarted. In a self-destructive session, compounded by West Indies’ vastly improved discipline with the new ball, Pakistan chucked away much of the good work done the previous day.

The first half hour saw Seales and Warrican starve Pakistan of runs by consistently landing their lines. Babar, so positive on day two, was suddenly reticent, adding just two runs in 21 deliveries

before inexplicably heading off for a single to a packed cover field. Shafique wisely turned him away, but King picked up sharply and effected a direct hit to catch the Pakistan captain out. It injured King in the process, and he required a stretcher to wheel him away, but there was a spring in his team-mates’ step.

Warrican continued to stifle Pakistan and got his rewards when debutant Awais Zafar showed every inch of his inexperience as he danced wildly down the pitch, failed to get to the ball and swung anyway. It rattled his leg stump, but West Indies were only halfway through. Shamar Joseph set Salman Agha up beautifully, moving one out before nipping the next one into his pads square in front; Pakistan had lost three wickets for five runs.

Mohammad Rizwan, alongside the unflappable

Shafique, offered resistance for a while, but without a sense that momentum could actually turn. West Indies took the new ball but trusted Warrican with it, and he deceived Rizwan with an arm ball that kept low and crashed into his stumps.

Pakistan’s tail has not contributed much of late, but in Sajid, they have one of their most adept lower-order batters. Alongside Shafique, who grew in confidence and looked impregnable for much of the day, Sajid held his end of the bargain, frustrating West Indies has Pakistan got up to, and past, the hosts’ first-innings score. He was at the other end when Shafique pranced down the track and regally lofted Hodge over his head for the six that brought up his 150, and at that stage West Indies looked out of ideas.

24th Albion Cricket Academy bowls off with over 70 youngsters

- Mangru urges participants to seize opportunity to learn

IRISH RACING TIPS SLIGO

12:30hrs Glittering Gem

09:45hrs Star

10:15hrs Rock Steady Beat 10:45hrs Garden Oasis 11:15hrs The Tunguska Event 11:45hrs Uppercase 12:15hrs Division Day

BRIGHTON

09:30hrs Havana Jag

10:00hrs Rivinia

10:30hrs Silca Bay

11:00hrs Buckland Belle

11:30hrs Havana Mojito

12:00hrs Kento

KEMPTON

12:20hrs Tallahassee Lassie

12:50hrs Chymbulak

13:20hrs Dover Street

13:50hrs Kaindy

14:20hrs Dialstone

14:50hrs Cloud Forest

15:20hrs Quadrillion

15:50hrs Desert Belle

13:00hrs Chica Guerrea

13:30hrs Lady Patrona

14:00hrs Tatianna

14:30hrs Glen Breeze

15:00hrs Chicago Moon

15:30hrs Reflectionist

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS

TURFFONTEIN

08:20hrs Zanfan Moris

08:55hrs Odds And Evens

09:29hrs Hampstead Heath

10:05hrs Master Coiner

10:40hrs Vercicat

11:13hrs Catwalk King

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

SARATOGA

Race 1 Mctigue

Race 2 Quiddity

Race 3 Wedelia

Race 4 Serendipity

Race 5 Ramajay

Race 6 Rockabye

THE 24th edition of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club’s Cricket Academy got underway on Monday at the Albion Community Centre, with over 70 young cricketers participating in the six-day programme.

The academy, which caters to youngsters between the ages of eight and 18, is being sponsored by Connecticut, USA-based businessman Nizul Hussain of Northeast Connecticut Renovation and Retailers Property Management. Morning sessions feature lectures and interactive discussions on a wide range of topics, including the importance of education, discipline, public speaking, avoiding substance abuse, health and safety, motivation and the laws of cricket.

The afternoon sessions are dedicated

to practical coaching aimed at developing participants’ technical and tactical skills. Heading the coaching staff is former West Indies opening batsman Sewnarine Chattergoon.

Former West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, former Guyana wicketkeeper-batsman Anthony Bramble and former Berbice under-19 all-rounder Zameer Khan joined him. Several prominent national coaches are also expected to conduct specialised coaching sessions during the academy.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, former Berbice senior inter-county off-spinner Orvin Mangru encouraged the young cricketers to make the most of the opportunity to learn from the academy’s experienced coaches and resource

personnel.

He emphasised the importance of the academy, noting that it has played a significant role in the development of numerous cricketers over the past two decades.

Mangru, one of Albion’s most successful captains who guided the club to several national first-division titles and still holds the record for the best bowling figures in an innings at the Regional Under-19 level (nine for 116 for Guyana against Barbados in 1999), also expressed appreciation to the sponsor Nizul Hussain, for his continued sponsorship.

The daily sessions are held from 8:30a.m. to 3:00p.m.

The academy concludes on Saturday, August 8.

Guyana Cup collaborates with Lotto...

victors squaring off in Match 6 at 15:00h.

Over at the Albion Sports Complex, Match 7 sees Ethan XI contend with Royal Warriors at 10:00h, leading into Match 8 between Meera Warriors and Lusignan Bulls DTP at 12:00h, setting up a quarter-final Match 9 clash at 15:00h.

Meanwhile, at the Welfare Ground in Canje, host team Welfare XI battle Blairmont Blazers in Match 10 at 10:00h, followed by Match 11 between The Mavericks and Cotton Tree Die Hard at 12:00h, before Match 12 decides the fourth semi-finalist at 15:00h.

The drama culminates on Sunday,

August 9, as action shifts exclusively under the lights at the Albion Sports Complex.

Semi-Final 1 ignites at 14:00h between the winners of Match 3 and Match 6, followed immediately by Semi-Final 2 at 16:00h between the winners of Match 9 and Match 12. The two surviving titans will then clash in the grand Berbice Zonal Final at 19:30h to decide who claims the regional crown.

Following the Berbice curtain-raiser, the tournament caravan heads to East Bank/West Demerara on August 15–16, followed by the Essequibo Zone on Au-

FROM PAGE 34

gust 22–23. The competition will take a brief pause to accommodate the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) before returning for the Georgetown/East Coast Demerara leg on September 26–27 and October 3–4. Organisers have urged remaining teams to complete registration via official social media channels or WhatsApp (+592 635-2235) before remaining slots are filled.

Adding to the historic nature of this edition, the national grand finale on October 11, 2026, will be hosted at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two.

Guyana Cup collaborates with Lotto/

Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

IN a landmark convergence of Guyana’s most passionate sporting cultures, horse racing and grassroots cricket have officially joined forces.

The organisers of the marquee Guyana Cup, powered by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and AJM brand, have thrown their formidable weight behind the fourth Lotto/Let’sBet

One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, establishing a crosssport alliance designed to elevate community engagement and reward local talent across the country.

The collaboration brings immediate tangible benefits to the tournament’s competitive framework.

Jumbo Jet and AJM have

stepped in to directly sponsor the zonal rewards structure, funding the G$200,000 prize for zonal runners-up along with G$50,000 payouts for each losing semi-finalist in the Berbice zone.

The first-place prize$500,000 – is sponsored by Sawa Investment Inc, and four losing quarter-finalists’ prizes of $25,000 each are sponsored by Scoop Ride.

Beyond the action on the pitch, spectators attending the tapeball fixtures stand a chance to drive away in a brand-new 4x4 pickup truck by participating in the official Guyana Cup raffle, with complimentary ticket giveaways available at match venues

throughout the tournament.

Speaking on the strategic tie-up, Andre Rochford, Operations Manager for the Guyana Cup, emphasised that AJM and Jumbo Jet have long served as champions for local sports and cultural development.

Rochford noted that with the One Guyana T10 Tapeball widely regarded as the premier tapeball spectacle in the Caribbean, aligning it with the nation’s biggest horse racing event creates a powerful nationwide synergy, adding that Jumbo Jet is already looking toward expanding the partnership into 2027.

On behalf of the tapeball organising committee, Yusuf

Ali expressed deep appreciation for the boost, highlighting the transformational impact of corporate support on grassroots sport.

Ali praised the partnership as a massive win for local athletes and fans alike, stating that the commitment from Jumbo Jet and AJM not only validates the dedication of the competing teams but also injects fresh energy into community sports, setting a new benchmark for corporate collaboration in Guyanese sport. The high-stakes alliance comes at a crucial moment, as the throne stands vacant and sixteen hungry teams prepare to battle for regional supremacy in the Berbice Zone leg

starting Saturday, August 8.

The blockbuster straight-knockout tournament features last year’s runners-up Corriverton Spartan alongside proven zonal contenders Grillmasters, Sip N Play All Stars, and Cotton Tree Die Hard.

Action bowls off at 10:00h with free public admission across four simultaneous venues: the Albion Sports Complex, No. 70 Ground, Port Mourant Ground, and the Welfare Ground in Canje.

The uncompromising single-elimination format guarantees intense competition from the very first delivery as teams target the G$500,000 zonal crown and a coveted place in the G$2,000,000

national grand finale.

Opening day features a packed schedule across the county. At the No. 70 Ground, Match 1 pits No. 70 Village Spartans against Grillmaster Avengers CWC at 10:00h, followed by Match 2 between Champ XI and No. 73 Young Warriors at 12:00h, before the respective winners clash in Match 3 at 15:00h for a semi-final spot.

Down at Port Mourant, 35 Xplosion face Grillmaster Sip N Play All Stars in Match 4 at 10:00h, preceding a heavy-hitting Match 5 encounter between Line Path Raptors and Corriverton Spartan at 12:00h, with the TURN TO PAGE 33

Republic Bank CPL to offer free health testing for fans across eight host venues

THE Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will partner with regional health authorities and non-governmental organisations to provide free health testing for fans at all eight of its host venues this season, as part of the tournament’s ongoing support for the fight against non-communicable diseases.

The programme will see CPL use its reach to signpost fans toward appropriate health services, with organisers planning for the initiative to become a permanent fixture of the

tournament calendar.

The initiative will run across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, with health professionals stationed at CPL venues throughout the tournament, offering fans the opportunity to check in on their wellbeing while they take in the cricket. Services will include vital signs screening covering blood pressure, blood glucose testing, Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment, urinalysis,

Andre

AFTER an agonising five-week interruption caused by the weather, the Promotech & Danny Auto Sales National Top Flight Golf League (NTFGL) Tour No. 2 resumed on Sunday at the Lusignan Golf Club with an exciting Round Five that featured outstanding performances and a dramatic shake-up in the championship standings.

Following weeks of persistent rainfall, recent drainage improvements and desilting works by the Lusignan Golf Club grounds staff, the course has been restored to excellent playing condition. Players were greeted with firmer fairways and improving greens as they eagerly returned to competitive action after the lengthy layoff.

Andre Cummings emerged as the standout performer of the day, producing a composed and consistent

round to capture both the Back Nine title and the Overall Championship.

After a scoring correction, Videsh Persaud officially secured the Front Nine title with an impressive net 34, while Cummings matched that score on the back nine before finishing with an outstanding net 70 to claim the overall victory and the maximum 10 championship points.

Adding to the excitement, Brian Hackett delivered one of golf’s rarest feats, a spectacular hole-in-one on the 19th hole. A moment that electrified the field and underscored the day’s competitive spirit.

Following his victory, Cummings humorously remarked, “I won on the course... but lost on the 19th hole,” drawing laughter from fellow competitors and highlighting the camaraderie that continues to define the league.

and PSA testing.

Non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers remain a significant public health concern across the Caribbean.

By bringing testing directly into stadiums, CPL and its health partners aim to reach fans who might not otherwise access screening, using the reach of the region’s premier T20 league to support early detection and awareness.

The programme reflects CPL’s broader commitment to the commu-

nities that host the tournament each year, extending the CPL family’s engagement beyond the boundary to matters of everyday wellbeing.

Pete Russell, CEO, said, “Non-communicable diseases have touched almost every one of us in some way, whether as patients ourselves or through a loved one.

Being a good corporate citizen means using the platform we’ve built for something bigger than the game itself.

Early detection is key to combating non-communicable diseases

– this programme puts that principle into practice. CPL reaches fans across eight territories every season, and we believe that reach carries a responsibility to give back. Bringing health screening into our stadiums is a simple, practical way to put that responsibility into action.”

As Republic Bank CPL continues to grow and expand its footprint across the region, the league remains focused on using its platform to support health and wellness initiatives that benefit fans and host communities alike.

Patrick Prashad finished second overall with a solid net 73 to earn five championship points. Joseph Szeplaki continued his consistent campaign by placing third with a net 74, while Bala Vijimoor secured fourth place with a net 75. Videsh Persaud rounded out the points positions with a net 76, adding another valuable point to his tally.

Following round five, Anand Persaud continues to lead the Promotech & Danny Auto Sales NTFGL Tour No. 2 standings with 18 points, but his advantage remains slim as Maxim Mangra sits just one point behind on 17.

Joseph Szeplaki has strengthened his hold on third place with 14 points, while Videsh Persaud occupies fourth on 11 points. Fresh off his round five victory, Andre Cummings has surged into fifth place with 10 points.

Bala Vijimoor is sixth on seven points, followed by Patrick Prashad and Santo Dinanauth, who are tied on six points each. Arnol Deo and Spencer Hutchings share ninth place with five points apiece, while Fazil Hanif has four points. Mike Mangal sits on three points. Brian Hackett and Patanjilee Persaud each have two points, and Chet Bowling rounds out the standings with one point. With only a few rounds remaining, the race for the Promotech & Danny Auto Sales NTFGL Tour No. 2 Championship remains wide open. Every stroke and every point will become increasingly important as the league heads into its decisive stages, setting the scene for an exciting finish to what has been another highly competitive season.

Round Five Results: - Overall Champion: Andre Cum-

mings–Net

70 (10 points) - Second Place: Patrick Prashad–Net 73 (5 points)

- Third Place: Joseph Szeplaki–Net

The

ciation

Edghill advances in CAC games singles

OLYMPIAN Chelsea

Edghill delivered a complete performance to capture a round of 64 win and advance to the round of 32 at this year’s Central American and Caribbean Games in Santa Domingo.

Edghill came up against Samirah Munoz of El Salvador on Tuesday, winning the first set 11-6 and the second set 11-7. Munoz stepped on the gas in the third set but could not overcome Edghill, who extended the lead to 3-0 after winning 11-9.

She went on to close out the best of seven games in the fourth set, 11-2, to win in

straight sets.

Edghill told the Guyana Chronicle after her opening win that it was a strong start to her CAC outing, adding, “It was a good way to start off the campaign, starting off the first set it was 11-7 just to get my bearing in the game and continue playing. Coming down to the end I started to get my rhythm and the results came as it did and I’m really happy and I’m excited for the next round.”

The country’s men’s national champion, Shemar Britton, suffered a heartbreaking 4-1 loss in the round of 64 to be knocked out of

the singles category. Britton, coming up against Dario Arce of Mexico, won the first set 11-5 but was beaten in the second set 11-3.

Arce then won the next three sets straight, 11-7, 11-3, and 11-6, to take the match and advance to the round of 32.

Jasmine Billingy put in a spirted performance before losing 4-0 in her round of 64 clash against Kristal Melendez from Puerto Rico.

Melendez won the first set 11-4, and Billingy put in a more determined fight in the set, but it made little difference as she lost 11-8.

Guyana’s women’s team bows out of CAC games

GUYANA’S 3x3 women’s team had to walk away with a sixth-place finish after losing to Cuba on Monday at the Central America and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.

The local women’s squad, made up of Ruth Adams, Anaya Clemons, Jamaicy Ogle,

and De Angelique Waite, lost their final contest 15-7 in the classification clash played at Sports Malecon Park in the Dominican Republic. In their first classification contest on Monday, they overcame Guatemala 15-11 to book a game against Cuba for fifth place.

She was sorely beaten 11-2 in the third set before her best showing in the fourth set, 14-12, to lose 4-0.

In the men’s category, Guyana went winless, losing to Puerto and Haiti.

The local men’s team, made up of Travis Burnett, Akil Hughes, Nikki Smith, and Christian Hinckson, was dominated 21-9 by Puerto Rico, then was edged by Haiti 15-10.

Rene Mendez then beat Malachi Moore in their contest 4-0. Moore was handsomely beaten in a straight set 11-2, 11-6, 11-7, and 11-8.

Next up was Niran Bissu, who was swept by Jaiji Wu of the Dominican Republic 4-0.

Elishaba Johnson went down in his round 64 matchup against Costa Rican Jeison Martinez; it was a hard challenge with the Guyanese losing 4-0.

The CAC continues with doubles action on Wednesday.

Amsterdam gets stopped in CAC quarter-final

GUYANESE middleweight boxer Desmond Amsterdam lost his 80 kg quarter-final bout at the Central America and Caribbean Games on Tuesday.

Amsterdam lost to Venezuela’s Diego Pereyra four rounds to one. He lost the first round on the judges’ scorecards 30-27 but won the second round 29-28.

He went on to lose the remaining rounds, 29-28, 3027, and 29-28, to bow out at the quarter-final stage.

Amsterdam began his campaign with a round-two knockout of Dominica’s Daniel Shillingford.

Terron Wintz and Colin Lewis will also compete in the quarter-final bouts in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

On Monday, Terron Wintz, fighting in the round of 16, dominated Kyghan Mortley in the men’s 70 kg division, earning a unanimous points decision.

Colin Lewis also took a unanimous points decision to win over Barbados’ Peter Murray in the men’s 65 kg category.

Guyana Cup collaborates with Lotto/ Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast