AS Guyana advances the construction of its first Gas-to-energy (GtE) plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently conducted a site visit of the Jaguatirica II Thermoelectric Power Plant, a 141-megawatt
natural gas-powered facility in Boa Vista, Roraima.
The president toured the facility during his visit to the northern Brazilian State, where he was conferred with the highest honour for his role in strengthening economic ties between the two
countries.
According to a statement on the president’s official social media page, the tour allowed President Ali to examine Brazil’s use of natural gas for power generation.
The Brazilian plant has a total installed capacity of 140.8 MW and
conducted a site visit
is designed to meet approximately 70 per cent to 80 per cent of Roraima’s total electricity demand. Meanwhile, Guyana’s GTE project is on track for a year-end completion, with funds totalling over $10 billion approved by the parliamentary Committee of Supply on Mon-
day evening.
When completed, it is expected to reduce electricity costs by 50 per cent for thousands of Guyanese, helping to save at least US$100 million each year.
Electricity prices will drop from $0.22 to $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, halv-
ing the cost as part of the government’s efforts to tackle high living expenses.
President Ali met with Antonio Denarium, the Governor of Roraima, Brazil, to discuss investment opportunities and partnership enhancements. (DPI)
AGRICULTURE Minister
Zulfikar Mustapha has told the Committee of Supply that his ministry has formally flagged roughly 30 contractors as delinquent, and has referred their names to the National Procurement Board, signalling an intention to bar them from future drainage and irrigation works.
Speaking during consideration of the estimates and expenditure on the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Minister Mustapha said the list compiled in the last quarter of 2025 was submitted because the ministry no longer wishes to contract
with companies that have underperformed on NDIA projects.
“We listed approximately 30 contractors that we said that we don’t want to do business with them anymore,” he told committee members, adding that the ministry will object if any of those firms attempt to tender for new work.
Responding to questions from APNU Member of Parliament, particularly on the Belle Vue pump station, Mustapha noted that the original contractor, the Tepui Group Inc had completed some works before parts of that contract were subcontracted to GAICO Engineering.
He confirmed that while subcontracting is permitted under the original contract, the primary contractor, Tepui Group in this case, remains contractually accountable and subject to bond claims should obligations not be met.
Mustapha said: “We’ll hold him accountable all the time, although we help facilitate the subcontracting, and we are also speaking with the contractor now, he is eventually responsible. Always, the bonds are renewed, and we have a bond there so that we can recoup any cost that he doesn’t abide with.”
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues has confirmed that work is under way to operationalise the much-anticipated Guyana Development Bank, which will provide collateral-free, interest-free loans to small and medium - sized enterprises (SMEs).
We Invest in Nation hood (WIN) Member of Parliament, Tabitha Sara bo‑Halley, in the Com mittee of Supply on Tues day pressed the minister on whether legislation would be required before the bank becomes opera tional.
In response, Minister Rodrigues said the initia
tive stems from the gov ernment’s 2025 manifesto commitment to establish such an institution. She explained that the current budget makes provision for an initial US$100 mil lion, as part of a US$200 million capital pledge.
“For time immemo rial, small and medi um size enterprises have complained about one major challenge, and that is access to finance,” she said.
The minister stressed that the bank will be es tablished as a legal entity, with the Attorney Gener al’s Chambers currently working on the required legislation.
Once in place, the bank will offer collat
eral‑free, interest‑free loans of up to $3 million, with the possibility of an additional $7 million in financing from commer cial banking institutions at preferential rates.
Minister Rodrigues added that the bank’s mandate will go beyond simply disbursing funds.
According to her, it will also support entre preneurs in drafting pro posals and will provide training and upskilling to ensure that beneficiaries are better equipped to build sustainable busi nesses and move beyond
“the dream of just having a small business.”
She said what is in teresting and important to note is that the bank will also be helping en trepreneurs to draft their proposals. “There will be a training component and upskilling components so that we can help them to access that $3 million, potentially access the additional $7 million,” she said.
She noted that the ini tial $100 million alloca tion must be expended before the end of the year according to the govern
ment’s work plan, and said operationalisation would proceed “at the earliest opportunity”.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali back in 2025 had said a special incentive re gime will be introduced to encourage commercial banks to expand lend ing to small and medi um sized enterprises (SMEs), mirroring the in centives offered to banks in the housing sector.
In return, commercial banks will be required to lower interest rates to below four per cent and reduce collateral require ments for SME borrow ers.
Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo in ad dressing the initiative had previously said that the concept of a development bank emerged from years of surveys, consultations, and informal conversa tions with citizens across the country.
It was within this con
text, he explained, that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) gov ernment concluded that a good starting point was ensuring businesses have access to capital.
“We will ensure that the formal banking sys tem is reformed in a way that they can have easier access to capital and a greater margin,” Jagdeo said, adding that gov ernment is also working to modernise the wider financial sector.
The government will work with the banking system to develop a range of instruments such as discounting trade invoic es to ensure Guyanese can use the banking system to support their businesses.
For those who may not qualify through commercial banks, the new development bank will provide an alternative path to realise national economic opportunities.
FOR too long, Guyana’s sugar industry has been caught in political games, economic doubt, and early obituaries.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha’s strong defence of the government’s five-year plan for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) deserves recognition not just as a political move, but also as a solid plan for an industry that can and must recover.
The facts are clear. Sugar production rose to over 59,000 tonnes in 2025, up from just over 47,100 tonnes the year before, marking an increase of about 25 percent. This shows that production is on the rise, not falling.
Over 41 percent of GuySuCo’s cane cultivation is now mechanised, the highest level in the corporation’s
history, with 113,000 tonnes of cane harvested by machine. These achievements do not indicate an industry in decline; they show the early benefits of consistent investment.
The five-year plan aims for complete mechanisation of planting and harvesting. It includes buying billet cutters, planters, and more harvesters, as well as converting over 3,000 hectares of land for machine operations in 2026 alone.
Factory upgrades will include new sugar boilers at several estates, new conveyor systems at Albion, and improved dryers at Rose Hall and Uitvlugt. These improvements will address processing issues that have hurt efficiency for years. Backed by a $13.4 billion budget, this is a significant investment that will drive the industry forward.
Critics may highlight the cost. They will remind us that keeping workers at partly operating estates such as Enmore and Skeldon raises production costs.
Minister Mustapha has acknowledged this, but correctly views these as temporary expenses, not permanent burdens.
The painful lessons learned between 2016 and 2020 showed what happens with estate closures; thousands of workers lose their jobs, and entire communities suffer. The PPP/C government’s choice to reopen estates, keep workers, and prepare them for a mechanised future is an investment in people as much as it is in sugar.
What sets this plan apart from past promises is its clarity. It does not just demand more production. It specifies
procurement timelines, land-conversion goals, and a clear profit target by 2030. Involvement from Indian sugar investors and experts adds an international angle that could speed up Skeldon’s return to significant output.
Shifting from bulk exports to higher-value products and partnering with the private sector for added-value production gives GuySuCo multiple revenue sources instead of relying on one unstable option.
Guyana’s sugar industry has faced cycles of growth and decline for centuries. What it needs now is not more doubt but the patience to allow a well-funded and carefully structured plan to take effect. Minister Mustapha has put the plan on the table. It’s time to start the journey.
By Naomi Parris
MINISTER of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, on Tuesday defended a $66.2 billion electricity expansion programme as Opposition Members of Parliament probed several large allocations during the consideration of the 2026 budget estimates in the Committee of Supply.
The scrutiny centred around the electricity expansion programme, which includes both generation and extensive transmission and distribution upgrades.
Opposition members pressed the minister to explain how this major outlay aligns with an additional $10 billion in transmission upgrades being pursued under the Gas-to-Energy project
double-circuit transmission line and river crossing on the 69 kV network, including an underground transmission line between Vreed-en-Hoop to Kingston, budgeted at $2.8 billion.
“Let me explain, the line that moves power from Kingston to Vreeden-Hoop…brings it from Vreed-en-Hoop…over to Kingston [and] vice versa moves only seven megawatts of power. It is old,” he said.
He explained that the creation of a ring circuit capable of moving 180–200 megawatts of power, replaces an ageing line that currently carries only about 7 MW, which he described as old and vulnerable.
Substation expansions at Vreed-en-Hoop and George-
the distribution network including the construction of 193 kilometres of 13.8 kV feeder lines across various parts of the country on 28 separate feeders, at a cost of $2.2 billion and the purchase of two mobile 35 MVA, 69 kV substations to provide temporary capacity when equipment is damaged, for instance when vehicles impact poles and affect substations.
The minister explained that mobile substations already in use had proven their value in maintaining supplies during outages and that two additional units would be procured so they could be moved on trucks and connected while permanent infrastructure is repaired.
Further, the minister outlined construction of 42
system of around 30 MW / 60 MWh, budgeted at $3.3 billion, to stabilise voltage and address frequent over-current and under-current events that contribute to grid unreliability.
“I want to explain this one a little. This battery system is to deal with current fluctuation. Sometimes when you get shut down, it’s because of over current and under current. The grid is very unreliable. So, this battery system is to inject that voltage to make sure you have even voltage across the grid. Very important, very important to the grid,” he said.
Minister Indar emphasised that the battery system is designed to “inject” voltage and help maintain an even profile across the grid,
transmission lines, noting that lines often traverse private property and the state must compensate landowners.
Additional projects outlined include the construction of a 69 kV transmission line to increase capacity in key corridors, with an estimated cost of about $30 million, which is to be tendered; upgrades to the Sophia system to tie into the new configuration; smart grid preparation, including control and monitoring improvements and the upgrading of the 13.8 kV switchgear at Kingston, and further upgrades to switchgear at related power plants and substations.
the Essequibo corridor such as Leguan, Wakenaam, Tuschen, Westminster, and other housing and commercial areas.
A major 60-kilometre line from Supenaam to Charity on the Essequibo Coast is planned, where voltage will be upgraded from 13.8 kV to 69 kV to address voltage drop over long distances.
The minister noted that the government is also working with a financing company to help fund some of the electrification works, particularly in emerging industrial and residential areas where demand is expected to grow rapidly.
which falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, and how the two sets of works are related.
Minister Indar told the committee he had anticipated the line of questioning and came prepared with documentation from the Office of the Prime Minister to reconcile the figures.
He then delivered a detailed itemisation of the electricity expansion budget, stressing that the programme was designed to modernise the grid, increase reliability, and support wider economic development.
Key elements of the $66.2B allocation include an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC)
town will handle the increased load from the upgraded cable.
Minister Indar said the ring circuit and substation works were critical to ensuring that when the Gas-to-Energy project comes on stream, the system would not be left exposed if a single line were to fail, noting that power could otherwise become “strapped” on one side of the grid.
DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AND MOBILE
SUBSTATIONS
The programme also provides for major expansion and reinforcement of
kilometres of feeder lines at 6–9 kV, with 17 feeders, estimated at $9.8 billion.
Upgrading and expansion of step-down substations from 69 kV to 13.8 kV, alongside other reinforcement works are also catered for.
He noted that advanced metering, grid stability and system integration which makes up a significant portion of the allocation targets grid modernisation and control systems. These include the supply and installation of 20,000 advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters, allowing more accurate measurement and management of electricity use.
A battery energy storage
reducing the frequency of shutdowns and system trips.
On the control and integration side, the programme also covers project management and consultancy services totalling $816 million.
There will also be substation and power plant integration with the Guyana National Control Centre and the wider grid, including relay and protection system upgrades.
The minister confirmed that $194 million has been set aside for land acquisition associated with new
Minister Indar told the committee that the programme is not limited to technical upgrades but is also intended to extend power to communities and growth zones that currently lack adequate supply, this is budgeted at $612 million.
A dedicated $15 billion allocation in the 2026 budget will support electrification linked to industrialisation, new housing schemes, and wider land development. Projects will also be rolled out to extend power from Linden to Garden of Eden and to various new and existing schemes, including developments along
Opposition MPs had earlier questioned the scale of the expenditure and sought clarity on whether there was duplication between the electricity expansion programme and the Gas-to-Energy transmission upgrades under the Office of the Prime Minister.
The house later cleared these massive funds to be considered in the estimates and expenditure of this year’s fiscal package.
Minister Indar maintained that the projects are part of a coordinated national grid strategy, with the electricity expansion programme providing the backbone and flexibility needed to handle new generation sources and increased demand, while the Gas-to-Energy initiative focuses on bringing cheaper power into the system.
I DON’T believe that an interview should be done in the studio. Maybe that is understandable in cold climates but not in tropical lands.
Now and until the end of the Freddie Kissoon Show, I will give the programme an alfresco ambience where the background are the great rivers, the mighty Atlantic and the lush greenness of Guyana.
So, the Promenade Gardens (PG) is one of the venues we have been filming in. We brought Ravi Dev to the PG for an interview. Dev is an enduring Indian rights activist and the obvious choice of site was the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. But the enclosure was dirty. The entire statue has acquired
years of encrusted dirt and the ambience is uninviting.
We settled for an unused fountain as the backdrop. The Botanical Gardens has a similar fountain that is in use, and we used that as the backdrop for our interview with Elson Low of the PNC. The Botanical Gardens is well kept and is a lovely place to film an interview. The PG is a disgrace.
While waiting several times for the guests and technical team to arrive, I would walk the entire perimeter of the PG. This place is an embarrassment to Georgetown. It is not manicured at all. All the wooden benches in the PG are rotting and unfit to sit on. All the concrete benches are dirty. You cannot
enter the PG and just sit on one of those benches; your pants will be soiled. We had to clean the benches for Ravi Dev and Ubraj Narine on another occasion to sit on. The only nice thing I have seen in the PG the past six months filming there are the pigeons.
Can you blame the City Council? It owns the PG, but if it cannot preserve this historical site then sign a lease with the central government. If the government takes it over then the ambience will have the same pulchritude that the Botanical Gardens has. The PG is full of history.
That was where the colonial powers hung slaves. Back then it was one area running from New Mar-
ket Street and crossed over Middle Street where you now find the Parade Ground. A White woman was stabbed to death there at the beginning of the 1950s. The killer had mistaken her for Mrs Janet Jagan.
So, instead of leasing out the PG to government, City Council signed a maintenance agreement with Republic Bank. But the bank is not living up to its side of the covenant. The PG is in a terrible state.
This is a beautiful garden, but it is not used by the public because the public, including people from the 10 Regions of Guyana that visit Georgetown, go to the Botanical Gardens rather than PG because PG doesn’t appear to exist to them.
The PG has no washroom facilities. On one occasion, we were filming and saw a group of European tourists swarming the place. On another occasion, we saw a wedding party in the garden. Now you are not going to believe this, but a gentleman came up to me and cohost Leonard Craig and asked for directions to the urinal. We told him there was none. I insisted that to relieve his discomfort he should go behind the bush.
For more than five years, the PG has been without a functioning washroom and the disused washroom is very large?
So, reading this, you may ask where Leonard Craig and me, and our technical team go when we want to pee.
We haven’t had that urge as yet. Two reasons explain this sadness. One
is that the bank is not maintaining the place and secondly, City Council does not check on the PG, so it does not know how unkempt the place is.
So, why is the bank behaving like this? It cannot be for lack of funds. In this country, commercial banks and insurance companies have liquid cash to the tune of trillions of dollars. It takes a monthly pittance from Republic Bank to keep the PG clean. In any case, under the country’s tax laws, such expenditure by the bank would be written off through tax exemption.
The answer as to why the bank behaves like this lies in the hypocrisy of civil society and the private media. All civil society activists and the private media do in the night when they go to sleep is to look under the bed to see if Irfaan Ali and Bharrat Jagdeo are there.
Civil society and the private media accept that only the Guyana Government they must investigate. No other organisation or person does wrong things in Guyana.
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.
THE government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is gearing up to procure 40 hydroflo and mobile pumps to improve water flow in flood-prone and vulnerable areas across Guyana.
The announcement was made by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, during the consideration of estimates and expenditure of Budget 2026 on Tuesday.
He said the decision to acquire hydroflo and mobile pumps aims to address challenges associated with installing fixed pump stations.
“This will help us tremendously, and this will be more effective,” he said.
The agriculture minis-
ter explained that once the 2026 budget is approved, advertisements will be published for the procurement of these pumps, after which installation will begin.
Additionally, the minister reported that several pump stations have already been completed nationwide.
These include facilities at Barnwell, Adventure, Cozier, Andrew, Trafalgar, Montrose, Canal Number One, Liliendaal, Ogle, and Anna Regina.
However, several pump stations are still under construction at varying stages of completion. These include MetenMeer-Zorg which is 83 per cent complete, Belle Vue to Goed Fortuin which is 29 per cent complete, Pouderoyen sluice/ pump station which is 89 per cent complete, A-Line pump station which is 25 per cent completed, Jim-
SOME $5 billion has received parliamentary approval to empower Amerindian youth and sustainable income-generating projects in over 200 communities across the ten administrative regions, part of a $7.5 billion allocation for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
The sums were robustly defended by Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek during the consideration of estimates in the Committee of Supply on Tuesday evening.
Under the $5B allocation titled the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), monies have been approved to increase the stipends for Community Service Officers (CSOs) from $30,000 to $50,000.
The sum will also fund the education and training on the Amerindian Act, the first step in revising the law in keeping with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s commitment.
Additionally, Presidential Grants will be disbursed to 254 villages to fund income-generating projects,
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah BrowneShadeek, alongside Permanent Secretary, Ryan Toolsiram
such as poultry, sustainable farming, tourism, and many others.
“Of course, it’s at the request of the villages. We don’t basically dictate how they spend their money. We allocate the sums to them and they, at their general meeting, decide how they spend their presidential grants,” Minister Browne-Shadeek informed the Committee.
Training will also receive significant attention this year, having trained several CSOs in the previous years. According to the minister, sums are allocated for this specific initiative.
The government has received approval for $100 million in funding for the provision of buses, vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats and outboard engines. Meanwhile, $197 million was also approved for national events and to support the Upper Mazaruni District Games, Rupununi Rodeo and the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference.
While $7.5 billion is earmarked for the ministry, communities will also benefit from investments across various sectors.
(DPI)
bo/Grove, which is 78 per cent complete and Black Bush Polder pump station which is 87 per cent complete.
The minister noted that work at Meten-Meer-Zorg faced setbacks but is expected to be completed within the next two months.
He added that at Letter Kenny, the original contract was terminated due to performance issues. The project has since been retendered and a new contractor is expected to commence works shortly.
To ensure projects are delivered within stipulated
timelines, Minister Mustapha revealed that the ministry has taken firm action against underperforming contractors.
“In the last quarter of 2025, we wrote to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board and listed approximately 30 contractors that we don’t want to do business with anymore,” he said.
He added that these contractors were deemed delinquent in their engagements with the Ministry of Agriculture.
(DPI)
–– says no jobs will be lost as corporation advances
By Naomi Parris
AGRICULTURE Minister
Zulfikar Mustapha has defended the government’s five‑year strategic plan for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), insisting that the sugar industry can return to profitability by 2030 through aggressive mechanisation and factory recapitalisation.
Responding to questions during the Committee of Supply’s consideration of estimates and expenditure, Mustapha on Tuesday said the plan previously pre sented before Parliament is designed to “change the modus operandi” of the cor poration and put it back on a
sustainable footing.
He said: “The five‑year plan is a strategic plan that will work to ensure that GuySuCo goes back to profitability… and we are working towards that, and hopefully we can make a change from this year.”
The minister reported that over 41 per cent of GuySuCo’s cane cultiva tion is already mechanised, and that the plan envisages a significant step up in the coming months.
He said the corporation will acquire new machinery, including billet cutters and planters, with the ultimate objective of moving to fully mechanised planting and harvesting.
“In that plan, you will see new machinery being bought for the next five years… GuySuCo will go full mode. That’s the ob
jective of planting and har vesting mechanically,” the Agriculture Minister said. Mustapha added that the government remains com
mitted to reopening closed sugar estates and retaining employment in key sug ar‑growing communities.
He acknowledged that maintaining workforces at partially operating estates, such as Enmore and Skel don, is currently driving up the cost of production, but argued that these are necessary transitional costs while the modernisation programme takes effect.
On the topic of labour, Mustapha affirmed that no worker will lose his/her job, as the government presses ahead with a broader strat egy to modernise the sugar industry and boost produc tion and revenues.
Minister Mustapha moved to quell concerns that the introduction of more machinery in the sec tor would displace sugar workers.
He affirmed: “With mechanisation, no one will lose their job… this government don’t dismiss people and send home people.”
Responding to questions from A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU’s) Juretha Fernandes about how many workers would be affected, the minister explained that GuySuCo is already grappling with a serious labour shortage and that mechanisation is intended to fill existing gaps, not to send workers home.
Over the next five years, he said, the transi tion to more mechanised operations will be managed through attrition and other natural factors, ensuring that workers are not made redundant.
According to Mustapha, the measures will help guarantee adequate and regular labour for sugar production, stabilising output while supporting the industry’s turnaround efforts.
Pressed further on what would happen to current workers in a more mechanised environment, and whether they would be retrained, the minister pointed to what he described as a “robust training programme” already in place.
He highlighted the role of the GuySuCo Training School, which offers in struction in several disci plines, including: machin ing, agricultural mechanics, electrical engineering and other technical fields linked to modern agricultural and industrial operations.
In addition, Mustapha referenced initiatives under the Ministry of Labour, not ing that the Minister of La bour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme has trained hundreds of GuySuCo workers to oper ate heavy duty machinery.
The APNU+AFC gov ernment had placed over 7,000 persons on the bread line after shuttering several estates between 2015 and 2018.
During his contribution to the budget debate last week, Mustapha had told the House the industry is on a path back to profitability, driven by renewed govern ment investment, mechani sation efforts.
The minister said the blueprint will guide the cor poration back to profitability by 2030, supported by sus tained government funding.
The 2026 budget allocates $13.4 billion to the sugar indus try, alongside broader invest ments in other crops, livestock, and fisheries, as part of a wider “people centred” approach to agricultural development.
He noted, too, that sugar production had increased to more than 59,000 tonnes in 2025, compared to just over 47,100 tonnes in 2024.
Minister Sarah Browne has said that government will be investing $500 million to begin construction of a new Amerindian hostel in Georgetown, with three potential locations currently under consideration.
The minister was at the time responding to a series of questions from APNU Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes in the Committee of Supply, where the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was being examined.
Browne said that while there is no specific line item in the budget dedicated to hostels in the administrative
regions, funds have been set aside under a broader allocation to address upgrading works and new construction.
She clarified that the existing Amerindian hostel on Princes Street will benefit from upgrades such as commercial-grade cupboards in all wards, repairs to parts of the ceiling, and the construction of walls and shelves in storage areas.
In addition to these upgrades, the minister confirmed that $500 million has been earmarked as initial funding to commence construction of a new Amerindian hostel building. This sum will cover the public tendering process to hire a consultant, prepare de-
tailed architectural and engineering drawings, including pile data, window specifications and other technical details, and allow for mobilisation to start construction.
Responding to Fer -
nandes’ questions, Browne said the new facility is expected to accommodate at least 350 persons at any given time. The preliminary design envisages three wards including separate
areas for male and female occupants, and a two-storey structure.
On the question of location, the minister said that three possible sites in Georgetown have been identified. These are situated along major highways to ensure easy access to hospitals and other essential services.
She noted that the lands fall under different state agencies, and that the process of acquisition or transfer would depend on which site is ultimately selected. Once a final decision is made, she assured MPs, the public will be informed.
APNU’s MP Ganesh Mahipaul also pressed for details on safety and mod-
ern building standards, including fire escapes, water sprinklers, fire extinguishers and other hazard-mitigation systems. Browne stated that such provisions would be incorporated at the detailed design stage by the consultant engaged through the public tendering process.
Browne reiterated that the $500 million allocation is primarily intended to move the project from a preliminary concept to a fully designed and mobilised construction phase, positioning the new Amerindian hostel as a modern, safer and more accessible facility for hinterland residents travelling to the capital.
FOLLOWING extensive scrutiny by the parliamentary opposition, the Committee of Supply on Monday evening officially approved $1.9 billion to advance critical initiatives under the purview of the Ministry of Legal Affairs.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, robustly defended the allocations in the parliamentary committee, noting that it will be used to advance legal education, community outreaches and to provide legal land ownership to thousands of families.
The minister informed the Committee of Supply that some $100 million has been earmarked to pay fees for the architectural design for Guyana’s first law school; it is being developed in the compound of the University of Guyana.
Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul questioned if a contract was already awarded for the design, to which Minister Nandlall answered: “We have not finalised the drawings yet, but as part of our proposals to the Council of Legal Education, we had to do a sketch of what we are proposing as a building.”
He further explained that the government is funding the construction of the school, while the technical aspects of the project will be carried out in collaboration with the CLE. Bids will be advertised publicly for the construction of the building, he further affirmed.
On the other hand, over $448 million has been approved to conduct community-sensitisation initiatives and the payment of the consolidation of the revised
laws of Guyana for the period 2022 to 2025, among other initiatives.
“We will be launching as I said in my budget speech, law reports from 2008 to 2022 and we will immediately begin a compilation of judgements for the preparation of law reports from 2022 to 2025, and if
land regularisation in communities where families have been living on ancestral lands for decades.
He informed the committee the sums that land titles were already distributed in Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice and is moving to advance this process in four villages on the West Coast of Berbice.
The communities of Melanie Damishana and No 46 Village are among some of the villages that will be regularised this year.
possible, 2026,” Minister Nandlall explained.
Under this sum, additionally, the Legal Affairs Ministry will advance the
“The Government of Guyana pays all of the expenses in relation to these initiatives. We have also a
budgetary sum that would conclude payments, a rather good payment of expenditures incurred in relation to the tribunal arbitration for the parking metre project in Paris,” Minister Nandlall further explained when questioned about the sums.
The Attorney General’s Chambers received in total, $1.4 billion for capital and current expenditures, while policy development and administration received earmarked over $351 million and the State Solicitor was approved $56 million. (DPI)
A SUM of $269 million has been budgeted for advocacy services under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, prompting questions from the opposition during the 2026 Budget Consider-
ation of the Estimates and Expenditure, on Tuesday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, said the funding is meant to improve Guyana’s relationships with other countries by using lobbying
A DJ accused of inciting a brutal sexual assault at Raghoo’s Bar has been committed to stand trial, while his co-accused has been freed after the court upheld a no-case submission.
Leon De Freitas, a 36-year-old DJ of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was on Tuesday committed by Magistrate Tameika Clarke at the Friendship Magistrate’s Court to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
Meanwhile, Ryan Rajnarine, a 30-year-old office assistant of Soesdyke Back Road, was discharged after
the magistrate upheld a no-case submission made on his behalf by his attorney Bernard DaSilva.
The charges stem from the July 13, 2025 incident at Raghoo’s Bar along the Soesdyke Public Road, where it was alleged that individuals at the establishment encouraged the sexual assault of a woman.
Rajnarine and De Freitas had been jointly charged with inciting Barry Sullivan to commit rape. Sullivan, who is accused of carrying out the assault, was committed to stand trial at the High Court last December.
The case had sparked national outrage after a video of the assault was circulated widely on social media, prompting a wide-ranging police investigation.
Authorities had alleged that the accused were involved in the entertainment activities at the bar on the night in question and had encouraged the attack while patrons looked on.
Proceedings against De Freitas will now continue before the High Court.
firms.
“These are registered agencies that advocate on behalf of governments, and in our case, because of where we are in terms of our development trajectory, we have to also compete for the attention of big states,” he said
Minister Todd said that the lobbying firms are not engaged for Guyana’s foreign policy, but rather to assist the country in navigating international political environments.
He said the firms help
Guyana gain access to key offices and decision-makers in major states, noting that “Guyana does not have the manpower or scale to compete for attention on its own in highly competitive global settings.”
According to the minister, the firms are registered agencies that advocate on the government’s behalf and often employ seasoned former diplomats and individuals with government experience, who possess the access
and credibility needed to engage at high levels of diplomacy.
Minister Todd noted that while Guyana also works with members of the diaspora – many of whom offer assistance on a pro bono basis -- the use of lobbying firms is necessary when engaging at the political and governmental levels in industrialised economies with complex layers of governance.
He added that this engagement is a common practice among de -
veloping and developed countries. Minister Todd explained that it is intended to enhance Guyana’s reach, visibility and posture internationally.
“When we’re dealing with a very competitive global environment, and you as a country, in the protection of your people and the advancement of your country, you need outfits that have the reach and the capacity and the human capital to do that,” he outlined.
(DPI)
THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation has issued a statement to clarify reports published by Kaieteur News on February 10, 2026, under the headline, “Govt. denies new extradition requests from the U.S.”
According to the ministry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Todd’s response to a question from a Kaieteur News reporter on February 9 was misinterpreted.
The question had concerned whether another extradition request had been received from the United States in relation to the on-
going proceedings involving businessmen Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed.
The ministry explained that the minister had clarified to the reporter that what was received from the United States on November 26, 2025, was not a new extradition request, but rather supplemental documents linked to the formal request submitted on October 30, 2025. This fact, the ministry noted, was already confirmed by Permanent Secretary Sharon Roopchand-Edwards in the ongoing extradition proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court. Reaffirming its procedural role in handling extradition matters, the ministry
stated that such requests are received through official channels, accompanied by necessary supporting documentation, and then transmitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further processing.
The statement emphasised that, for security and confidentiality reasons, the ministry does not make public comments on extradition requests when they are received.
The ministry’s clarification aims to “avoid any confusion” arising from media reports and to outline the standard protocol governing extradition matters between Guyana and its international partners.
THE Sanitation Unit of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD), on Tuesday, officially launched the Recycling and Composting Centre at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, marking a significant milestone in the ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen sustainable solid-waste management practices nationwide.
According to a press release from the ministry, the launch also signalled the
environmentally responsible alternatives.
During the launch, participants took part in a ministry-led composting workshop at the Haags Bosch Landfill site, where they were actively engaged in the creation of compost piles, using organic and market waste.
This practical exercise allowed participants to gain first-hand experience in composting techniques, while reinforcing the principles of organic waste management.
The workshop was organised in collaboration
The Sanitation Unit of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD), on Tuesday officially launched the Recycling and Composting Centre
start of a series of structured composting training sessions, which will continue until Thursday, February 12.
These training sessions form part of a technical-co-operation initiative supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and implemented by the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP), in collaboration with ImplementaSur.
The programme is aimed at building national and local capacity in organic-waste diversion through practical, hands-on training, combined with technical instruction, with a focus on reducing the volume of organic waste sent to landfills and promoting
best practices.
In addition to pile building, the training will include sessions on pile monitoring, organics-collection systems, and ongoing feedstock assessment, ensuring partici-
with Recycle Organics and brought together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders from government agencies, local authorities, educational institutions, and the private sector.
The training programme is being led by composting consultant and expert, Matthew Cotton, who guided participants through detailed feedstock evaluation and compost-pile construction exercises.
Materials used during the training included wood chips, sawdust, fruit skins, vegetable peels, and chicken manure, all of which were selected to demonstrate effective composting ratios and
pants are equipped with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to implement composting initiatives within their respective organisations and communities.
In attendance at the launch were Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Miguel Choo-Kang; Deputy Permanent Secretary (Administration), Dr Josh Kanhai; and Director of Sanitation, Satrohan Nauth, along with representatives from the Eccles/Ramsburg
See page 16
MINISTER of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs
Gail Teixeira said the government will boost the ca-
pacity and effectiveness of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) this year by building its investigative capacity.
Minister Teixeira was speaking during the consideration of estimates for
the 2026 national budget on Monday.
She provided details on the planned training for the commission’s investigative unit which will strengthen the agency’s responsiveness to conflict resolution.
Minister Teixeira explained that officers “have Alternative Dispute Resolution certification online from St. Cloud State University” and “a new EU Investigator.”
Minister Teixeira added that investigators will receive “training for investigative file-case management online with the Justice Institute of British Columbia” and further instruction from the same institution for digitising case files and personnel.
The minister also highlighted that officers will participate in training in administrative customer relations through Suffolk and profes-
sional development, including public speaking.
She clarified that the training process, specifically for the investigative department will be conducted at both St. Cloud and the Justice Institute of British Columbia, with three personnel scheduled for digitised case-file management, while others will be enrolled in the remaining programmes.
Minister Teixeira emphasised that these initiatives are designed to equip ERC investigators with modern skills, international best practices and enhanced dispute-resolution capabilities.
She noted that the training forms part of the government’s broader commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring the effective resolution of ethnic-relations matters across Guyana. (DPI)
From page 15
Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Stewartville/Cornelia Ida NDC, Mon Repos/ La Reconnaissance NDC, Waste Solution Landfill Inc., the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Guyana School of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Puran’s Brothers Inc., Cevons Waste Management, and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The ministry anticipates that the Recycling and Composting Centre, along with the accompanying training programme, will serve as a
model for similar initiatives across the country. Plans are already in place for the programme to be replicated in other regions, supporting Guyana’s broader environmental and climate objectives, while fostering collaboration among key stakeholders in the wastemanagement sector. This initiative underscores the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s continued commitment to sustainable development, climate resilience, and innovative waste-management solutions through strategic partnerships, technical co-operation, and capacity building at all levels.
INTERNATIONAL and local partners on Monday hosted a one-day workshop aimed at strengthening Guyana’s fisheries cooperatives, and improving their access to markets and finance as part of wider efforts to support inclusive growth and job creation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The workshop, titled “Strengthening Guyana’s Agribusiness: From Fisheries Cooperatives to Seafood Markets”, was jointly organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Labour. It was held on February 9, 2026.
The forum brought together fisheries cooperatives, seafood and agrifood businesses, financial institutions, business support organisations and policymakers. Organisers said the main objective was to close gaps in Guyana’s seafood value chain by creating direct linkages between fisherfolk, buyers and sources of financing, thereby supporting more stable and profitable business relationships.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, in his keynote address, said the initiative was timely, as Guyana continues to undergo rapid economic transformation. He stressed the importance of ensuring that fisherfolk benefit from national development.
“The forum is timely as it ensures that Guyana’s fisherfolk are fully part of the country’s ongoing development and transformation,” Griffith said. He added that the government supports partnerships between international agencies, cooperatives and the private sector to build more resilient agricultural and fisheries systems capable of driving inclusive economic growth in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
Chief Fisheries Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Denzel Roberts also underscored government support for the development of fish
cooperatives. He said the workshop was expected to help create concrete linkages between fisherfolk and financial institutions and expand access to new markets, in keeping with the government’s policy objectives for the sector.
Business stakeholders, including national banks, regional partners and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also participated in the event. Their involvement shifted discussions beyond policy and concepts towards practical partnerships that could improve access to finance and markets. Organisers noted that, over time, such partnerships could enable cooperatives to invest in better equipment, improve product quality, expand production and generate higher incomes and more secure employment within the fisheries sector.
Several participants welcomed the opportunity for direct engagement. Rory Osborne, a fisherman from Wakenaam, said the workshop provided practical insights into cooperative management and networking. Victor Mangru, a fisher from Region Three, said the event allowed him to connect with business incubators, supermarkets and banks that could support the growth of his operations. A representative from Survival Supermarket also indicated interest in developing relationships with new local seafood suppliers.
Discussions during the workshop focused on strengthening supplier–buyer relationships, improving productivity and quality, and promoting responsible business practices across the fisheries and agrifood sectors. Special attention was given to the needs of cooperatives, small-scale producers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with the aim of ensuring that sector growth benefits a broad cross-section of stakeholders.
Labour standards and decent work were a central theme, with the ILO emphasising the importance of fair labour practices, safer working conditions, skills development and stable employment as market access
expands. Officials from the Ministries of Labour and Agriculture also engaged directly with private-sector actors to ensure that emerging business partnerships align with national priorities such as sustainability, inclusive growth and decent employment.
The workshop forms part of the FISH4ACP programme, which seeks to make fisheries and aquaculture value chains more sustainable, inclusive and resilient. FISH4ACP is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and is implemented by FAO with funding from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Head of Cooperation for Guyana and Suriname at the EU Delegation, Joan Nadal Sastre said the European Union supports initiatives that
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma
address, said the initiative was timely as Guyana
economic transformation
create local value, stimulate growth, generate decent jobs and promote social cohesion and sustainable development.
UN partners said they will now focus on translating the outcomes of the workshop into concrete business opportunities, with particu-
lar emphasis on sustaining commercial linkages between cooperatives, banks and supermarkets, improving competitiveness and increasing sales volumes.
FAO, ITC and ILO, together with national partners, reaffirmed their com-
mitment to continued support for the development of competitive, sustainable and inclusive fisheries and agribusiness value chains that deliver long-term benefits for Guyanese workers, communities and the national economy.
By Shaniya Harding
HUNDREDS of women currently serving in the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Women’s Army Corps (WAC) along with thousands who have retired, were honoured on Tuesday during a thanksgiving service marking the corps’ 59th anniversary.
The observance, held at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown, featured vibrant songs, dance performances, and military displays by members. Beyond the celebration, the event also served as a moment of reflection on the contribution and continued role of women within the GDF.
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, highlighted the impact and development of the WAC, while Commanding Officer of the Corps, Colonel Lorraine Foster, issued a call to action to female ranks, underscoring the importance of commitment, discipline, and maintaining standards, while being recognised for readiness rather than gender.
Describing the occasion as one he was pleased to be a part of, Brigadier Khan said the anniversary recognises not only women currently serving, but also those who first paved the way. “In January of 1967, when the first women entered the defence force, it was not simply the formation of a corps. It was the affirmation of a conviction that courage recognises no gender, and service belongs to those who are willing to stand. And when those very first women laced their boots,
equality within the force, Colonel Foster noted that while the GDF remains committed to providing an environment free of discrimination or exploitation, personnel are still expected to perform at the highest level.
they laced Guyana’s future. They paved the journey of distinguished service alongside our men, serving our country.”
Since then, he noted, the WAC has evolved beyond a historical milestone to become a major pillar of Guyana’s defence structure.
Brigadier Khan also challenged members of the Corps to continue striving to be recognised for excellence beyond gender, urging adherence to standards of discipline, competency, and integrity.
“The Women’s Army Corps is proof that the Defence Force is not sustained only by one. Because you, our female rank officers and other ranks, have served in every season; in routine and in response, in administration and in operations, in training institutions, in peer roles and in command, in quiet professionalism and adaptability,” he said. “In doing so, you have expanded the nation’s imagination of what is possible. We have taught young girls across
Guyana, from the coastline to the hinterland, that service is not reserved for some, but always appeals to those who are willing to rise,” Khan added. Commanding Officer of the Women’s Army Corps, Colonel Lorraine Foster, described the anniversary as both a time for reflection and direction-setting. In a spirited call to action, she emphasised the importance
of commitment and standards, noting that fitness, weight standards, and professional appearance are conditions of service, not personal preferences.
“Let me say this without ambiguity. We are officers and soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force. Our obligation to duty, discipline, and service is equal to that of our male counterparts,” she stated. She warned that ig -
noring standards compromises both individual credibility and the integrity of the force. “Career progression, leadership opportunities, and command confidence are directly tied to fitness and growth,” Foster said, adding that the aim is to produce confident, capable, and operationally relevant female soldiers who are viewed as assets to the success of missions.
“Protection does not equate to exemption from standards. The force must provide an environment where potential can be realised, where each soldier must decide to step forward,” she said. That step forward, she added, must be deliberate and focused. “Our presence must never be symbolic. It must be earned and sustained through competence. This has already been demonstrated on demanding courses and competitive training environments where women, often in the minority, have graduated as top performers.”
Advocating full integration, Colonel Foster urged women in the corps to step beyond traditional roles and comfort zones.
“It is not enough to excel on courses, but to be prepared to serve across the breadth of military roles and environments. This includes infantry, artillery, engineering, special forces, air and transport elements, and leadership appointments at platoon, company, and battalion levels.”
Capability, she stressed, determines appointment, not gender.
“Equality means equal opportunity, equal responsibility, and equal accountability. Opportunities will be afforded based on role, merit, and readiness,” she added.
THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday hosted its Annual Surgery Research Day, bringing together surgeons, residents, researchers and policymakers for a full day of academic exchange focused on surgical innovation and improved patient care in Guyana.
The event was held at the Atlantic Conference Room of the Pegasus Hotel, and chaired by
at the GPHC, noting that he joined the institution at the age of 18, and has witnessed its evolution through both challenges and achievements. He credited academic initiatives such as the Annual Surgery Research Day with fostering a culture of inquiry and professional growth, and expressed satisfaction with the steady increase in research output and participation from surgical trainees. With major regional
of practice, and clearly articulate their needs. Policies, he stressed, must be written before they can be implemented, and leadership can only address issues that are raised.
Despite administrative challenges, Rambarran emphasised that patient care remains the ultimate purpose of research and innovation. He highlighted significant infrastructural investments, including a new MRI suite, a second catheterisation laboratory,
Dr. Christopher Chung. Opening remarks were delivered by Deputy Medical Director of Professional Services Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran; GPHC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robbie Rambarran; and Presidential Adviser on Science and Healthcare Modernisation Dr. Mahendra Carpen.
Collectively, the speakers underscored the importance of continuous improvement, clinical excellence, and a people-centred national health system.
In his address, CEO Rambarran reflected on his more than 20 years
and international academic engagements on the horizon—including CAFOG, CARPHA and an upcoming national surgical roundtable, Rambarran encouraged staff to strengthen their academic footprint, and take full advantage of expanding training opportunities. He also spoke candidly about the need for stronger policy development and leadership at the departmental level. Recounting a recent instance where policies had not been prepared because they were not formally requested, the CEO urged departments to take initiative, define standards
additional CT scanning capacity, ESWL technology, and upgraded clinical spaces. However, he cautioned that advanced technology must be matched by a culture of communication, professionalism, and empathy.
Presidential Adviser Dr. Mahendra Carpen, delivering greetings on behalf of the Minister of Health and the President, commended the turnout, noting that the presence of busy clinicians at a Sunday academic forum demonstrated strong commitment to the profession. He reminded participants that behind every statistic is a
patient, whether a mother confronting a breast cancer diagnosis, a child with a congenital condition, or an elderly patient facing loss of independence.
Dr. Carpen described research as the engine of medical progress, acknowledging that while it is often demanding and methodical, it is essential for evidence-based and equitable healthcare. He highlighted Guyana’s expanding postgraduate programmes, internation-
presentations included the first Mitrofanoff procedures performed in Guyana, studies on gastric and colorectal cancers, and paediatric bowel management.
Urology sessions explored kidney stone prevalence, barriers to prostate cancer screening, the role of alternative medicine, and minimally invasive approaches such as prostatic artery embolisation. Additional sessions in anaesthesia, intensive care
and clinical performance.
Dr. Carlos Martin received an award for outstanding contributions to surgical education, while Dr. Rajendra Sukhraj was honoured for leadership. Kashif Khan was recognised for promoting unity within the surgical community.
Dr. Dianne Nadine was named Best Graduating Surgical Resident, Aneesa Henry earned Best Resident Presenter, and Akesha Murray of the Anaesthesia team won Best Research
al partnerships, and resident achievements, while paying tribute to earlier generations of clinicians who laid the foundation for modern medical education. He urged continued mentorship, investment in subspecialties, and balanced development of both human resources and technology.
The scientific programme featured a wide range of research presentations. Early sessions focused on breast cancer, examining five-year survival trends, staging at diagnosis, and patient satisfaction following reduction mammoplasty. Gastrointestinal
and thoracic surgery examined potential organ donor identification, anaesthetic trends, ventilator-associated pneumonia outcomes, and the management of complicated childhood pneumonias.
The final general surgery segment addressed abdominal flap reconstruction, necrotising soft tissue infections, arteriovenous fistula complications, and survival trends among patients awaiting renal transplantation.
The day concluded with a laparoscopic suturing competition, and an awards ceremony recognising excellence in education, leadership, research
Day Presenter. The laparoscopic suturing competition was won by Dr. George Jeffers.
GPHC’s Surgery Research Day 2026 highlighted the growing depth of expertise within the institution’s surgical departments, and the health system’s increasing capacity to critically assess and improve its own performance. Speakers and participants alike reaffirmed that Guyana’s surgical future is being shaped through research, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to patient-centred care.
THE University of Guyana (UG) has strengthened its global academic reach after signing new strategic partnerships with two North American institutions during the recently concluded Work Futures and Capacitation Conclave.
The high-level forum, which ended last Friday, brought together local and international futurists and policy thinkers to examine how Guyana and the wider Caribbean can prepare for rapid economic, technological, and social change.
The discussions culminated in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Saint Leo University and the New En-
Developing a shared global understanding of work futures at the global, regional and local levels; crafting actionable workforce planning guidelines capable of responding to rapid change; and strengthening cross-sector partnerships among government, industry, communities and academia.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of an MOU between UG and Saint Leo University. The agreement was signed by Dr. Bryan DePoy, Provost of Saint Leo University, on behalf of President Dr. James Burkee.
The partnership is expected to support academic exchange, collaborative re-
places emphasis on technical and vocational collaboration, particularly in engineering and applied technologies, areas considered critical to Guyana’s expanding infrastructure and energy sectors.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Professor Paloma MohamedMartin, whose office curated the conclave, said the partnerships are practical responses to specific needs of the Guyanese economy. She noted that the university is especially interested in strengthening linkages in business systems and complex engineering, which are expected to be key drivers of national GDP growth.
UG’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin and Dr. Bryan DePoy, Provost of Saint Leo University who signed the agreement on behalf of President Dr. James Burkee. Also in photo are Dr. Robert Robertson, Senior Research Fellow, Commonwealth Institute School of Advanced Studies, University of London [2nd left]; Prof Leyland Lucas, Dean, School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SEBI) [extreme left]; and Dr. Jacqueline Murray, Director of the Institute for Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE), both of the University of Guyana
gland Institute of Technology (NEIT).
The conclave was held against the backdrop of Guyana’s unprecedented economic expansion, with the country projected to be the world’s fastest-growing economy in 2026.
UG said the partnerships are part of a broader effort to ensure higher education remains aligned with labour market demands and national development priorities.
Held on February 5 and 6 at UG’s Turkeyen Campus, the conclave brought together approximately 30 specially selected local and international futurists.
Participants explored emerging tensions between skills and knowledge production, technology and humanity, traditional employment and new forms of work, as well as stability versus rapid disruption.
According to the university, the event focused on three main objectives:
search, and the development of innovative academic credentials.
Planned initiatives include formal student and faculty exchange programmes, joint research addressing regional challenges in sustainability, economics and technology, and consideration of a joint leadership graduate certificate aimed at equipping Guyanese professionals with advanced management skills.
“Guyana is identified as having the fastest national economic growth in the world in 2026, and the University of Guyana is a regional leader in higher education,” Dr. DePoy said. “We are delighted to complete this MOU as it reflects Saint Leo University’s interest in building a strong global brand and meaningful international partnerships.”
UG also signed an MOU with the New England Institute of Technology, represented by Vice-Provost Dr. Henry Young. This partnership
human capital development.
The conclave placed strong emphasis on “capacitation” — the rapid strengthening of national
“The University of Guyana appreciates the support from Saint Leo University during our two-day conclave, and we look forward to a productive and sustainable relationship,” Professor Mohamed-Martin said.
The signing ceremonies were witnessed by Dr. Robert Robertson, Senior Research Fellow at the Commonwealth Institute School of Advanced Studies, University of London; Professor Leyland Lucas, Dean of UG’s School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation; and Dr. Jacqueline Murray, Director of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education.
UG said the presence of international futurists at the Turkeyen Campus reflects Guyana’s growing role as a global focal point for strategic human development. As economic growth accelerates, the university believes the national challenge has shifted from attracting investment to sustaining prosperity through
skills and systems — with UG signalling its intention to expand flexible, industry-recognised and internationally ac -
cepted credentials that prepare graduates to keep pace with private sector needs and wider global shifts.
THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department recorded a total of 3,601 traffic-related offences across the country for the period February 1 to February 7, 2026, with speeding emerging as the most common violation.
According to official traffic data, a total of 1,391 cases of speeding were recorded during the week, which was followed by 160 cases of failure to wear safety helmets, 150 instances of motorists
leaving vehicles in dangerous positions, and 96 cases of failing to wear seatbelts.
Police also charged 29 motorists for driving under the influence, while 55 unlicensed drivers were taken before the courts. Other offences included 84 cases of unlighted rear motor vehicles, 67 cases of unlighted front motor vehicles, 74 breaches of prescribed fitness conditions, and 24 cases of faulty packing. Eleven motorists were cited for breach-
ing traffic light signals, while three cases involved tinted motor vehicles.
Additionally, police recorded 64 cases of carrying pillion riders without safety helmets, highlighting ongoing concerns about motorcycle safety nationwide.
Alongside enforcement activities, the Traffic Department continued its public education drive, conducting lectures and outreach sessions with drivers, patrons, bar operators and community members across several regions.
Between February 1 and 7, traffic ranks visited more than 40 locations, including Stabroek Market, Len Supermarket at Turkeyen, Kingston Seawall, Heroes Highway, Rupert Craig Highway, Mahdia Car Park, Bartica Fire Station, Supenaam Waterfront and several communities in the North West District, Rupununi and Upper Demerara River areas.
Educational sessions were also held at hire car parks, police stations, bars,
waterfronts and along major public roads, with additional outreach conducted via radio programming on NCN 102.5 FM.
As part of its road safety campaign, the Traffic Department also delivered lectures to schools during the week of February 2 to February 6. Schools engaged included Campbell Primary in Region Five, Annai Nursery and Quiko Primary in Region Nine, Windsor Forest Primary and Greenwich Park Primary in Region Three, Kamwatta Primary and Fall Top Primary in Region One, Muritaro and Malali Primary and New Silvercity Secondary in Region Ten, as well as Leonora Secondary on the West Coast Demerara.
The Guyana Police Force has reiterated its call for motorists and road users to comply with traffic laws, noting that enforcement and education efforts will continue as part of its strategy to reduce accidents and promote safer road use nationwide.
Alongside enforcement activities, the Traffic Department continued its public education drive, conducting lectures and outreach sessions with drivers, patrons, bar operators and community members across several regions
IN a continued effort to strengthen Guyana’s agricultural capacity, COLEAD (the Committee Linking Entrepreneurship-Agriculture-Development), in partnership with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), successfully concluded a six-day “Train the Trainers” workshop on February 7.
The intensive programme, held from February 2–7 at NAREI’s headquarters, marked a significant step in modernising agricultural extension services and reinforcing sustainable farming practices nationwide.
Funded primarily by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the initiative demonstrated the EU’s enduring commitment to boosting the resilience and productivity of the agricultural sector across Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
According to a press release from the EU, the programme’s focus on capacity building highlights its broader goal of promoting inclusive growth, improved livelihoods, and long-term food security through technical cooperation.
The workshop aimed to enhance the pedagogical skills of agricultural professionals, equipping them with tools to effectively transfer knowledge to horticultural businesses and local farmers. A core component of the training was the Field Training Workshop (FTW) methodology—an interactive, hands-on learning approach that links technical theory to real-world agricultural practices.
Participants were introduced to best practices in Integrated Crop Protection, emphasising sustainable pest management strategies; Safety and Hygiene, focusing on responsible pesticide use and adherence to traceability standards; and the SIOM Technique (Subject–Interest–Objective–Method), designed to improve the clarity and impact of field training sessions. The workshop also incorporated innovative, active-learning tools—such as puzzles, flipcharts, and group exercises—to foster engagement among adult learners.
The session brought together extension officers, regional training coordinators, and supervisors from a diverse cross-section of local institutions, including the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the University of Guyana (UG), and the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO). This collaborative setting created a platform for knowledge sharing and cross-institutional coordination across Guyana’s agricultural landscape.
As a private-sector, non-profit organisation, COLEAD remains dedicated to initiatives that strengthen the agricultural sector’s contribution to global sustainability. With support from the European Union and OACPS, COLEAD continues to help Caribbean nations develop robust horticultural value chains and align with evolving international food safety standards.
NAREI, Guyana’s leading agency for agricultural research and extension, plays a central role in advancing agricultural diversification and innovation. Its collaboration with COLEAD and international partners marks another milestone in Guyana’s evolving journey toward sustainable agri-development.
JUST days after its grand commissioning, the newly constructed Bayroc National Stadium is set to host its first competitive football match.
The Petra Organisation has officially announced that the inaugural Linden leg of the MODEC Tertiary Education Football Competition will take place at the facility today from 16:00h.
The landmark fixture, which features hometown favourites Linden Technical Institute (LTI) taking on the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), marks a new chapter for sports in Region Ten.
“This is a defining moment for football in Linden, and for Guyana as a whole,” said Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of the Petra Organisation. “The Bayroc National Stadium is more than just a venue; it is a symbol of opportunity and progress for our athletes and communi -
ties,” he said.
Mendonca expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for granting permission to use the facility, noting that the international-standard stadium enables sports associations to shift their focus to elite athletics and talent development.
The MODEC tournament, supported by MACORP and Powerade, is already living up to its billing as a high-scoring showcase. The competition kicked off last weekend at Queen’s College in Georgetown, where a staggering 13 goals were recorded in just two matches.
The University of Guyana (Turkeyen campus) opened with a clinical 5-0 win over the Guyana Industrial Training Centre, while the Government Technical Institute (GTI) dominated Texila American University with a 7-1 victory.
As the tournament prepares for its Linden debut, the Petra Organisation is calling on the public to take pride in and safeguard the billion-dollar facility. “This facility
will benefit all in Guyana,” Mendonca emphasised. “We encourage everyone to treat it with care and respect, thus ensuring that it remains a beacon of inspiration and excellence for years to come.”
The competition features 14 tertiary institutions, nationwide, providing a vital national platform for student-athletes to showcase their skills.
tions are: University of Guyana (Turkeyen & Tain), CPCE, GTI, Linden Technical Institute, Port Mourant Technical, New Amsterdam Technical, Mahaicony Technical, Essequibo Technical, Upper Corentyne, Texila American University, Guyana School of Agriculture, Leonora Technical, and Guyana Industrial Training Centre.
CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 1) India (2) South Africa
Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has scored most runs in Men’s T20 WC matches to date? (2) Who has claimed most wickets?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
ENGLISH RACING WETHERBY
10:21hrs Bobby’s Nelson
10:51hrs Merci Mam
11:21hrs Latenightrumble
11:51hrs Tormund Giantsbane
12:21hrs Natus Vincere
KEMPTON
12:28hrs Cynthia
13:05hrs Sorteo
13:40hrs Star Obsession
14:10hrs Menzies
14:40hrs Au Moonshine
15:10hrs El Bodon
15:40hrs Rajinoora
16:10hrs My Boy Harry
SOUTHWELL
09:44hrs Shalaa Asker
10:10hrs Himself
10:44hrs Dream Illusion
11:14hrs Si Grass
11:44hrs Hint Of The Jungle
12:14hrs State Of Madness
12:44hrs Marra Donna
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
DURBANVILLE
08:25hrs Louis Star
09:00hrs Phantom Man
09:35hrs Kamnichiwa
10:10hrs Heliotorpe
10:45hrs Song To The Moon
11:20hrs Winter Pearl
IRISH RACING TIPS
DUNDALK
09:38hrs Dusty Rock
10:08hrs Sovereign Banter
10:38hrs Tatateo
11:08hrs Electric Night
11:38hrs Iff In Doubt
12:08hrs Benlawers
12:30hrs Timandi 13:00hrs Take Heart
CMC – As the West Indies head into their crucial matchup against England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday, head coach Daren Sammy is banking on his team’s power hitting and a disciplined bowling effort to get them over the line.
The two rivals face off at Wankhede Stadium following contrasting victories in their openers.
While the West Indies brushed aside Scotland by 35 runs, England escaped with a narrow four-run victory over Nepal.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Sammy said he hopes the Windies shine with both bat and ball in what he believes will be a high-scoring contest.
“We play against each other in very high scoring games. The surface here at Wankhede tells you that you need to put some good runs on the board if you bat first.
“What I would say is that in 2016 we were known for our six hitting, but the world has caught up to that.
Everybody now hits sixes and they run really well between the wickets, they score off more balls, so we have a lot to do. But then again, we probably might just have to hit more sixes, something we were able to do when we dominated during that era,” Sammy said.
“Tomorrow we’re going to have to be smart. Both teams have that power. I think it will rely on which team executes better with the ball,
CMC - Cricket West Indies (CWI) has congratulated Vitel Lawes for his outstanding showing in the recently concluded ICC Men’s Under-17 World Cup, which led to his selection to the Team of the Tournament.
The 18-year-old left-arm spinner grabbed 10 wickets in five matches at an average of 22 and was the only West Indian named in the 12-member team.
Director of Cricket at CWI, Miles Bascombe said Lawes’ performance was a reflection of the abundance of talent in the region.
“Vitel’s selection to the ICC Under-19 World Cup Team of the Tournament is richly deserved and reflects both his individual quality and his growth as a cricketer.
“Throughout the tournament, he showed maturity beyond his years, tremendous skill, and an excellent understanding of his role. All culminating in the ability to strike at important times against quality opposition,” Bascombe said.
“Performances like these underline the value of our youth development pathways and give us great
confidence in the next generation of West Indies players.”
Lawes said being named to the team was a major achievement, describing it as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.
“It was an excellent tournament for me. Besides the team lifting the trophy, I couldn’t ask for anything better in a World Cup.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Before the tournament, I promised myself that I would give it 110 per cent every game and I think I did that as best as I could,” Lawes said.
“Being named in the Team of the Tournament is a very big achievement for me. In the Sri Lanka series last year, I only took one wicket and at one point I was questioning if I was going to make the World Cup team.
To come from such a low moment, this is a tremendous feeling and to be the only West Indian makes it even more special for me, the region and my country. I feel like I represented my region and country very well in the circumstances.”
because I think we could match each other when it comes to six hitting.”
While Sammy said the team was extremely focused, he said they were taking it “one game at a time”.
The two-time World Cup winner maintained that their goal was to ultimately lift the title for an unprecedented third time.
“When we left home, we’re in this tournament to win it. I’m pretty sure that’s the goal of every team.
Not only tomorrow’s game, I think every game is very important…The team right now is in a very good space mentally.
The way the guys have been preparing has been really good; the discussions going around the planning, I see a focused team.
“We’re not going to think too far ahead. Like I said, England is the challenge tomorrow, they’re a very good side, they’ve got so many match winners, and we have to plan really well and play
really well to beat them,” Sammy admitted.
“Is it impossible? No we don’t think so, but as you see, T20 is a game where the shorter the format it brings teams closer together and you’ve seen so many close games where one team looks like they are in a really good position, so again, I say it’s a battle versus execution of skills with both bat and ball and we want to have that all-around game against England tomorrow in order to win.”
THE National Sports Commission (NSC) will collaborate with the Epilepsy Foundation of Guyana (EFG) to take a major step toward inclusivity and athlete welfare when they host a oneday workshop titled “Epilepsy in Sport – Awareness and Management.”
The landmark event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, from 10:30 am at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, and will bring together sports administrators, coaches, and athletes from various national associations and federations.
This initiative forms part of the NSC’s ongoing developmental agenda and aligns closely with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ drive to promote inclusivity across all sporting disciplines.
It also serves as a key component of the Epilepsy Foundation’s week of activities aimed at raising awareness about epilepsy in Guyana.
This will be the first workshop of its kind in Guyana to specifically address the intersection of epilepsy and sport, a topic that experts say has long been overlooked despite its importance.
Organisers believe the session will significantly benefit the local sporting fraternity by addressing common misconceptions and equipping participants with practical knowledge.
Epilepsy remains widely misunderstood, and athletes living with the condition often face unique challenges, including stigma and uncertainty about participation in physical activity.
However, research consistently shows that individuals with epilepsy can safely engage in sports with proper medical management and informed support from those around them.
The workshop will therefore focus on empowering the sporting community with essential knowledge. Presentations and discussions will be led by EFG officials and several of Guyana’s leading neurologists.
Topics will include understanding the nature of epilepsy, identifying different seizure types and symptoms, administering immediate and appropriate first aid during a seizure, and managing the condition over the long term within a sporting environment.
By building awareness, organ-
isers hope to foster a safer and more supportive atmosphere for athletes with epilepsy.
Misunderstandings and fear can often lead to unnecessary discrimination, discouraging participation and limiting the athletic potential of those affected. Education, they say, is the key to breaking down these barriers.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, described the workshop as a watershed moment for sport in Guyana, noting that it marks the first time such targeted attention is being placed on epilepsy within the local sporting context.
He stressed, that inclusivity must go beyond simply opening doors, pointing out that stakeholders must also understand what to do if an athlete experiences a seizure.
Ninvalle added that it is equally important for the public to recognise that people living with epilepsy can lead normal, active lives and should never be discriminated against because of their health condition.
Organisers are confident the workshop will help pave the way for a more inclusive sporting culture, one that places equal value on performance, health, safety, and understanding.
FORMER Member of Parliament and community leader Jermaine Figueira has lauded the infrastructure development in his mining town of Linden, with the opening of the Bayroc National Stadium.
He said this will give elite athletes a place to better hone their skills and achieve even more success while birthing future stars.
According to the Linden leader, it was long in the making but worth the wait as it far outweighs his expectations.
“It is a facility that we
have long for because as we are aware linden has a lot of athletes and we would have won multiple interschool championships without an elite facility like this, so I’m very confident this facility provide enormous opportunity to advance the talent that exists within the community, to spot new talent and give our people an opportunity to prosper beyond what presently obtained at the moment. This facility holds a lot of promise towards the advancement of sport within the community. It will diffidently enhance the opportunities our
athletes have been longing for because if they excel without such a facility what more can be achieved for Guyana.”
He said that more development is on the cards for the venue in the coming months that will impact not just sports.
“I’ve spoken with the Director of sports (Steve Ninvalle) who has indicated to me they will be putting a (boxing) gym right at the bottom of the facility which is another sport that has tremendous potential in the community. Added to that
(Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport) Mr. (Steven) Jacobs indicated to me that they will be putting a music recording studio right here at the facility, It is already built but just has to be furnished with all the necessary equipment, which is more avenues for our people.”
Figueira said the realisation of the facility is beyond rhetoric and believes the announced 2026 budget will help further boost the facility and sector advancements of sport and youth in the community.
He also added that this, coupled with the Mackenzie facility set to come on stream soon, will equally add to the development of sports at a different level.
“Linden is in a much better place with regards to the advancement of sports,
advancement of talent and culture within the community, so this is indeed a welcome piece of infrastructure and the Mackenzie Sport Club that will soon be opened in April equally add to the development of sports at a different level”.
President of the Guyana Rugby Football union Ryan Dey has announced that they body will host their Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers on February 28th this year.
The AGM is schedule for National Racquet Center Woolford Avenue at 14 hours with all member clubs and their representative invited to select the next executives of the union.
Dey who has served two terms at the helm starting in 2020 says that he is not seeking re-election.
He says he took the union over at a difficult time for the sport when morale was low and the union in debt.
“We had Over 4 million dollars in debt, the union had a bank account of zero, I know it would have been a challenging two years, in that time, we were also in a rebuilding phase, and we had no youths team, no female team, the National Park which is our home was in a state as well, we tried to get alternative grounds, I cham-
pioned trying to get a MOU with Campton Football Club which we did and in time thanks to the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Charles Ramson he came in and help us to get the national park up to playing standard.”
Dey says that the Union has made strides and is in a better position because of hard work of persons within the body.
“I can say now in 2026 we have come a long way; we owe nobody that is most important thing. We have no debt, there is a substantive amount of money in our bank account, we have a growing presence when it comes to youth rugby and Under-19, we have a female team, we have a very good male national team that I know in years to come will be back at the top.”
The former player says his goal was to get the union into a better position and that has been achieved but he will offer any assistance needed to the new body.
He says he will focus on his Panther’s Rugby Club which need
his attention at the moment.
“My club which I hold dear to my heart has been falling apart; that is the Panther’s Rugby club and I want to try my best to not have that club die.
I will continue working with the union, one of the main things we need is budding and good clubs so I will revert to trying to get my club up to a standard and we will still continue to grow rugby,” He added.
He noted that ‘My time and the thing that I have help get done include the lights in the national park we never had lights before bring up back the under 19’s, bring back women rugby, the national park ground and facility is up to standard again’
The AGM agenda outlines opening remarks by the outgoing president, discussion of 2024 AGM minutes for correction and adaption, reports of president and treasurer followed by the election of executives for the next two-year term from 2026 to 2028.
THE Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) will host its U23 3x3 Club Championship on February 28 at the Campbellville Basketball Court, bringing together many of the country’s most promising young talents in the fast-paced, Olympic-recognised format of the game.
The one-day tournament is a key component of the Federation’s national development strategy for 3x3 basketball, the fastest-growing version of the sport globally.
Ten teams, including approximately 40 of Guyana’s top emerging U23 players, will compete, representing clubs and communities from across the country.
Participating teams include Ravens, Colts, Pacesetters, Eagles, Flames, Jets, Royals, Kwakwani Untouchables, Bartica, and Berbice.
According to the GBF, the championship is designed to strengthen structured club-level participation in 3x3 basketball, provide high-intensity competitive exposure, and assist in preparing players identified for Guyana’s participation at the South American
Youth Games 3x3 event.
Incentives are also on offer, with the winning club set to pocket $200,000, second place earning $100,000, and third place receiving $50,000.
President of the GBF, Michael Singh said the tournament marks the Federation’s second activity for the year, and signalled a packed calendar ahead in 2026.
He explained that staging the event at the recently commissioned Campbellville court forms part of the Federation’s initiative to take basketball back into communities.
“We’ve seen the Government investing in community sports facilities, and with that, a number of basketball courts were reopened and fitted with basic amenities to play. We intend to utilise those facilities to help develop the sport,” Singh said, adding that promoting 3x3 at the club level is intended to empower clubs to focus on both formats of basketball.
He also noted that senior players will soon be engaged as well, particularly with Guyana set to compete in 3x3 basketball at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
HEAD coach of the GCC’s women’s hockey team Phillip Fernandes says that while the report card of their recent participation in the Canadian Indoor Classic was not what they wanted, they represented themselves well.
Speaking following its exit from the tournament, Fernandes said, “Our GCC hockey ladies had a tremendous showing in the Canadian Indoor Classic for hockey this year, despite the fact that they only drew one game and lost the other three games.
The results don’t quite tell the story of a team coming from a small country like Guyana competing with teams from all over Canada and the USA. It was an excellent learning experience, and one where our girls showed great improvement; they showed they could compete at this level.”
The GCC team had a challenging outing in the ladies Super Division.
GCC opened their campaign with a hard-fought 3–3 draw against Dolphins Hockey Club after an intense contest. They then suffered a narrow 3–2 defeat to OKD.
GCC on its performance at the Canadian Indoor Classic
ical condition. Even though they didn’t appear tired, obviously, the concentration was lacking at the very end of the game.”
In their final matchup, GCC pushed Legacy Stars all the way, but conceded late to lose 2–1. Fernandes says more work needs to be done to help them compete at optimal for longer periods.
The Guyanese side also met tournament favourites and multiple defending champions Toros, going down 5–0.
“It taught us a lot; it taught us a little bit about having to remain calm under pressure, and to basically stay focused for the entire duration of the game,” he said, adding: “Our inexperience showed where we made some critical decisions towards the end that cost us the game
in some cases, and just the lack of experience showed in terms of the difference between teams. We had the quality to compete, but not the experience, and that put pressure on us.
And it also indicates we could have been better in terms of phys-
In closing, Fernandes said it was a worthwhile outing for the top club team, and a successful sojourn in terms of their objective, which was to expose their players to the highest quality competition possible in the Pan American region as they seek to take hockey to another level.
Several other local clubs are also making plans to visit several neighboring countries to compete this year, so as to give themselves vital exposure and practice on artificial surfaces, on which the game is played internationally.
