Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 13-09-2025

among guiding principles as gov’t modernises gov’t services with fully digitised framework, President Ali tells senior officials –– announces new appointments of permanent secretaries

FROM LEFT: Dr. Erica Forte, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security; Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Roger Rogers, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; Duan Ellis, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture

New Demerara River Bridge to open before month-end

–– President Ali says after engaging contractors; highlights efforts underway to ensure efficient traffic management

New Demerara River Bridge to open before month-end

–– President Ali says after engaging contractors; highlights efforts underway to ensure efficient traffic management

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Friday inspected the final phases of work on the approach road and roundabout linking the Heroes Highway to the new Demerara River bridge, where he confirmed that the facility is expected to be opened to traffic before the end of September.

“I am being told that we are looking for opening before the end of this month (September)… opening fully for traffic,” the President said during his visit.

The Head of State said testing and final checks are currently ongoing, noting:

“So, the final phase of testing in relation to the roads and the load-testing on the bridge are ongoing. The full load-testing will be completed, ensuring the project is ready for use long before the end of this month.”

Dr. Ali expressed satisfaction with the pace of works on the approach road and roundabout.

“I am pleased to see the final phase of the approach road work and the roundabout. From what I have seen, that will be completed in the course of three days, maximum,” he stated.

The President further

pointed to ongoing plans to expand the Heroes Highway in order to improve connectivity and ease congestion.

He said: “What we are also looking at is the expansion of the Heroes Highway, adding two collector lanes to take the traffic that goes directly onto the Haags Bosch interconnection, going all the way back to Ogle. So, the engineers are looking at that, so that you can have greater efficiency in terms of traffic flow.”

On the western end of the bridge, he said, additional measures are also being put in place to better manage

traffic.

“On the west side of the bridge, there is a collector lane that has been added to take the traffic from the West Bank directly off the bridge and put it back onto the West Bank carriageway, instead of going around the roundabout on the west side of the bridge. These additional works are being completed, so that we can have a beautiful bridge, but also good traffic management,” President Ali said.

Looking ahead, Dr. Ali highlighted that more ambitious infrastructure upgrades are being contemplated.

“The greatest efficiency is to have two flyovers; one on the Heroes Highway and one on the West Bank. But those are projects we are looking at down in the future and not immediately. We will see how this design works…,” he said.

With the bridge now entering its final stages of preparation, the President reiterated confidence that the long-awaited structure will be opened to the public well before September ends.

The new bridge features four lanes, and stretches 2.6 kilometres, linking Nandy Park on the East Bank Demerara to La Grange on the West Bank Demerara.

More than 50,000 daily commuters are expected to benefit from the new tollfree bridge, resulting in an estimated $3.5 billion in annual savings.

The US$260 million bridge, being constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, will have a lifespan of 100 years, and offer toll-free access. It will operate aroundthe-clock, and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour.

Reliability, transparency, efficiency, timeliness

––– among guiding principles as gov’t modernises gov’t services with fully digitised framework, President Ali tells senior officials –– announces new appointments of permanent secretaries

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday, met with Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries to share his government’s vision and set clear expectations for their roles in advancing national development.

The President, according to a press release, emphasised that his administration will move swiftly to modernise the delivery of government services through a fully digitised framework, with a strong focus on customer service,

efficiency, transparency, and results-driven performance.

He underscored that this transformation must remain people-centred, with reliability, efficiency, and timely delivery as the guiding principles.

As part of the first phase of the transition in his second term, the following appointments have been made: Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Roger Rogers, Permanent Secre-

tary, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; Duan Ellis, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; and Dr. Erica Forte, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

The President noted that additional announcements regarding Permanent Secretaries and other senior government functionaries will be made in the coming days, the press release pointed out.

Forde, Jones, Ferguson absent as Norton announces new APNU MPs

–– Campbell to take lead for coalition in House; controversial Hinds in the line-up

THE A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s recent announcement of its 12 parliamentary picks has sparked debate, as controversial Working People’s Alliance (WPA) figure Dr. David Hinds made the cut, while key figures such as former Chief Whip Christopher Jones; Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde; former APNU+AFC minister, Annette Ferguson were left out.

There have also been criticisms about the absence of youth in the parliamentary list. While the list has left many raising questions regarding long-standing members being omitted and newcomer Terrence Campbell being the party’s lead Member of Parliament (MP) over APNU executives, APNU Chairman Aubrey Norton, on Friday, said it requires no public explanation.

During a virtual press conference, Norton publicly said he will not be heading to parliament nor seeking presidency in the future.

APNU’s lead MP businessman Campbell was the

Alliance For Change’s (AFC)’s pick for presidential candidate had there been a new coalition ahead of the 2025 election.

Campbell had said he would “break the hands” of

Norton [make him concede to the terms] during the negotiations on a possible APNU+AFC coalition.

by the time we arrive at the next elections, we are well structured, we will be ready and the new blood in the party will take over the party. I hope that is an indication that I have no intention of running for the presidency in the future.”

Norton, ran as the APNU’s presidential candidate in this year’s elections and was the former opposition leader.

The results of the September 1 2025 General and Regional Elections not only showed that APNU lost the election to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), but also lost a majority of its support base to political newcomer, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).

Just last year, Campbell publicly lambasted Norton’s leadership and declared the opposition coalition process “untenable.”

Aside from Campbell, the other APNU parliamentarians are Juretha Fernandes, Ganesh Mahipaul, Dr. Hinds, Sharma Solomon, Vinceroy

Jordan, Nima Flue-Bess, Saiku Andrews, Coretta McDonald, Riaz Rupnarain, Dexter Todd, and Sherod Duncan.

Dr Hinds, known for his provocative commentary on race and politics, has drawn ire for using terms like “lick bottom” to insult African Guyanese who support the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

Earlier this year, Hinds opened the programme by insulting the dignity of Afro-Guyanese. He hurled a series of grotesque insults such as referring to them as “lick bottoms” and “house slaves.”

With the list of parliamentarians announced, Norton, who has stepped aside, said: “I will preside over the party and ensure that I put the mechanism in place so that

The WIN party is set to become the main opposition. It will have 16 seats to fill based on the official results released by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

In the last parliament, the APNU and AFC held 31 seats in the National Assembly, forming the main parliamentary opposition, with 22 of those seats being held by APNU members.

Meanwhile, former APNU parliamentarian Amanza Walton-Desir’s party, Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), picked up one seat at the 2025 elections.

Six political parties contested the polls this year, but the PPP/C’s strong showing across the ten administrative regions has solidified its mandate to govern for an additional five years.

Based on the results, the PPP/C will be returning to office with a substantial parliamentary majority having secured 36 of the 65 seats.

Guyana makes historic debut at World Hip Hop Dance Championships

–– opening doors to new cultural and economic opportunities

FOR the first time in decades, Guyana has taken its place on the global stage of competitive hip hop dance, marking a historic milestone with its debut at the 2025 World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Phoenix, Arizona.

The event, held from July 26 to August 2, brought together the best dancers from across the globe, with Guyana proudly represented through the efforts of Hip Hop International Guyana, the official affiliate of the international governing body.

This landmark achievement follows a 13-year mission by Hip Hop International Guyana to connect local dancers with the global hip hop sports and dance industry. What began as a grassroots cultural movement has evolved into a highly competitive sport, creating new pathways for recognition, training, and economic growth for Guyanese performers.

“Hip hop dance is no longer just entertainment — it has become a structured, athletic discipline that fosters discipline, teamwork, and excellence,” said William Thijs, National Director for Guyana. “This is the start of a new chapter where dance

is recognised as both an art form and a sport with economic potential.”

The achievement was made possible through collaboration with the Ministry of Education, which has supported this initiative as part of its drive to integrate creative industries into national development. The partnership, organisers said, has “carved a new path for social and economic growth in Hip Hop Street dance.”

Beyond the thrill of competition, Guyana’s entry into the championships

represents what Hip Hop International Guyana calls a “bridge to new opportunities.” The move opens doors for: Professional training and certification – Establishing pathways for dancers to become internationally recognised coaches, instructors, judges, and choreographers; Tourism growth – Attracting visitors to Guyana through festivals, workshops, and international competitions; Business development – Spurring industries in dance apparel, footwear, media production, event manage-

ment, and merchandising; Youth empowerment –Creating alternatives for career growth, mentorship, and entrepreneurship; and Cultural exports – Showcasing Guyana’s creativity and unique style on the world stage, strengthening national identity.

The organisation emphasised that integrating hip hop as a sport could have significant economic impact, generating employment through dance schools, studios, and training academies, while national and international events would boost the

hospitality and service sectors.

With strategic investment, Guyana could even position itself as a Caribbean hub for hip hop sport tourism, attracting global brands, sponsors, and partnerships.

MORE THAN JUST A COMPETITION

For Guyanese danc-

ers, the championships were more than an international performance opportunity; they symbolised the beginning of a movement.

Hip Hop International Guyana envisions a future where hip hop dance is fully embraced as a competitive sport, offering pathways for career development, global exposure, and creative entrepreneurship.

“This is not just about winning medals,” the organisation noted in a press statement. “It is about inspiring generations, building industries, and contributing to the nation’s creative economy.”

As Guyana steps into this new era, its dancers are not only carrying their passion and skill onto the world stage, but also laying the foundation for a vibrant industry that blends art, sport, and economic growth—a fusion that could redefine the country’s cultural and creative landscape.

Global Partnerships

WHEN President Dr. Irfaan Ali took the Oath of Office following Guyana’s September 1 general and regional elections, he set a tone of quiet determination: Guyana’s sovereignty will be defended, its prosperity advanced, and its development secured through collaboration on the world stage.

His remarks, though brief, signal the contours of a foreign policy that balances pragmatism with principle.

For Guyana, the stakes could not be higher. The nation’s rise to global prominence, fueled by the explosive growth of its oiland-gas sector, coupled with its reputation as a climate and biodiversity leader, comes at a time when international scrutiny and geopolitical interest are intensifying.

At the same time, the border controversy with Venezuela remains an ever-present challenge, reminding us that sovereignty is

not a static achievement but a commitment to vigilance.

The President’s insistence on engaging partners “in ways that safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty and advance our national interests” is both timely and necessary.

Already, his meeting with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of War Joseph M. Humire reflects a renewed seriousness about defence and security collaboration. Yet Guyana has wisely avoided overreliance on any single partner.

Strong ties with the European Union on climate and sustainable forestry, deepened connections with Brazil and Mexico on trade and energy, and growing cooperation with India on renewable energy are evidence of a multipronged strategy. This diversification not only strengthens Guyana’s global hand, but also ensures resilience against external

shocks and shifting alliances.

What deserves equal attention is President Ali’s call for more structured engagement with the Guyanese Diaspora.

For decades, the Diaspora has sent remittances and skills home, often informally, and sometimes without official recognition of their potential role in nation-building.

Now, with Guyana on the cusp of becoming a regional economic powerhouse, tapping into Diaspora capital, expertise, and advocacy networks could unlock vast developmental dividends. The promise of worldclass healthcare and education accessible to Diaspora members further underscores the administration’s recognition that nationhood extends beyond geographic borders.

Still, the path ahead requires clarity and consistency. Engagement with powerful nations like the United States must be carefully

balanced against the need to maintain autonomy, and avoid entanglement in broader geopolitical rivalries. Similarly, Guyana must ensure that its oil wealth, while attracting investment, does not overshadow its equally valuable global reputation as a leader in environmental stewardship.

Ultimately, President Ali’s words reflect a larger truth: In today’s interconnected world, sovereignty is not about isolation, but about wisely-chosen partnerships.

The challenge for Guyana will be to maintain its independence of thought and action while leveraging global collaboration to fuel inclusive growth at home.

This strategy could transform Guyana from a small state once overlooked on the world stage into a respected leader in sustainable development, regional diplomacy, and economic resilience.

The GPA is still wrong in its statement

Dear Editor,

I NOTE with amusement Mr. Gordon Moseley’s response to a letter I wrote in which I noted the Guyana Press Association (GPA)’s biased statement in relation to an incident between the President and Mr. Travis Chase

Mr. Moseley indicated in his letter that I, as a Chartered Accountant, had “opted to move away from numbers and accounting to join the merry band of propagandists attacking the Guyana Press Association”, and herein lies the problem.

The almost generic response of labelling anyone as a ‘propagandist’ who shares a differing view or calls out the

GPA for a biased stance.

Firstly, I watched the interaction in full; my views were based on that and those views have not changed. Hiding under the notion that Mr. Chase asked the President a question in his personal capacity and referred to him previously as the President did not change the reality that it was disrespectful to refer to His Excellency on a name basis.

Additionally, Mr. Moseley posted the transcript of the interaction, which helped even more in highlighting the disdainful tone of the journalist during the interaction. When corrected by the President on how he addressed him, Mr. Chase responded, “hold on, did you observe”.

I might be a lowly Chartered Accountant not versed in the art of journalism, but I am quite sure that telling the President to “hold on” is disrespectful. Mr. Chase then goes on to tell the President that “this is not a confrontation”.

Do I need to go on and mention that after the President rightly told Mr. Chase that he should have respect, Mr. Chase felt it necessary to rudely reply that the President should show some respect.

Perhaps if this was a heated discussion between two friends at the side of the road, it might have been understandable, but are we saying that this is how journalists now address and speak to the Head of State?

After all of that, the GPA felt it neces-

sary to release a statement condemning what it labelled as the “President’s attack on Mr. Chase” without drawing any attention to Mr. Chase’s rude tone while speaking to the Head of State. We cannot be serious; that is complete bias by the GPA and perhaps if the GPA spent a little less time on defending such actions and just a little more time issuing independent statements, then the public might actually take the legitimacy of the GPA as an independent representative body for media workers seriously.

Warmest Regards, Terrence Jaskaran Chartered Accountant

Conclusion of the 2025 elections

Dear Editor,

THE 2025 General and Regional Elections are over and done. The results were predictable, though the voters did return some surprises and, to be expected, those who have lost continue to complain that the elections were neither free nor fair, this, in spite of the fact that all of the four international observers deemed the elections to be, using their language, “credible”.

International observers will always be conservative with the language they use, but there can be no doubt that, by comparison with any previous elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) administered the most efficient, the most professional and the most peaceful elections our country has ever experienced.

It was not a perfect election, but, then, I know of no country recognised as a democracy which has conducted an election free of challenges, nor which has escaped some form of criticism.

Not even the United States of America, often called the bastion of democracy, or, for that matter, the United Kingdom, from where we inherit governance by the rule of law, has held an election free of criticism. So much so that US President Donald Trump, still insists that he won an election which he clearly lost to Joe Biden.

Our election was most certainly free. Every registered voter was free to cast his or her vote without hinderance and there was not one single credible, evidential incident reported of a fraudulent vote being cast.

Knowing that they had lost, but refusing to believe it, both APNU and WIN requested recounts of District Four. WIN was refused for requesting a recount of all of District Four by having failed to adhere to the rules.

A recount of a Region Four Sub District and Region Five did take place and unnecessarily delayed the results of the election being announced by five days.

I personally, as an accredited local observer for the Private Sector Commission (PSC), participated in observing the recount.

While I witnessed some ballots being rejected for failures of being properly stamped or the voter not marking the ballot correctly, these were few and far between and had ab-

solutely no impact on the results. The recount, in fact, established, beyond a doubt, that we had a credible election.

The Carter Center, in their preelection statement, complained that the ruling party had “benefitted from biased state media coverage, undermining the equitable treatment of candidates”.

That’s true, but what the Carter Center neglected to observe is, that, of the three privately owned newspapers, two, Stabroek and Kaieteur News were almost wholly biased against the ruling party, particularly in their editorial opinions.

Professionally, I am not in favour of state owned and operated media, as, by their very nature, they will support the government of the day, except if they are governed by legislation and regulations, which require objectivity, for example, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

As for our broadcast media (television and radio), including online broadcasters who are ungoverned and generally irresponsible, also even licensed broadcasters, which, unfortunately, the Broadcasting Authority fail to regulate, it’s a wild west show in Guyana.

What the Carter Center did most importantly observe is that they could find nothing fraudulent with the voters list, and that they have “not received evidence of inflation of the voter roll”.

The apparent surprise of these elections is that APNU were soundly defeated in their traditional strong holds, such as District Six and District 10.

Apparent, because, it seems obvious to me, at least, that a political party, found to have deliberately attempted to rig the last election and whose minions are before the court, charged for their roles in this, who refused to acknowledge responsibility, never mind apologise, should expect anyone to vote for them.

All of the other aspirants suffered the same faith and for the same reason except for Amanza Walton-Desir, who moved too late to achieve so much and whom I am happy to see will take a seat in Parliament.

APNU was trounced in its strongholds, not only by the PPP/C, but by newcomers, WIN, resulting in Azruddin Mohamed being elected to become the Leader of the Opposi-

tion, once so constitutionally appointed by the President.

Mr. Mohamed is expected to enter our Parliament as the Leader of the Opposition, as a person sanctioned by the US Government accused of gross criminal activity and who has been charged in Guyana for further alleged criminal activity. Therein lies a potential threat to the future stability of our country.

The Stabroek News published a list of questions and answers sent to the US Embassy with regard to the sanctioning of Mr. Mohamed, asking, “what are the implications for a country’s investment from the United States if an OFAC sanctioned individual (GLOMAG program) is elected to government or win seats in Parliament?”

This was the answer from the US Embassy: “Guyana is not subject to OFAC’s broad jurisdiction-based sanctions. As a result, US persons are not generally prohibited from investing in Guyana, provided no sanctioned persons are involved in such transactions”.

The emphasis is mine.

The Embassy went on to say that “we cannot comment on the possibility of broader impacts to US investment in a country as a result of the election of a sanctioned individual to that country’s government or parliament.”

We can draw two conclusions from that exchange. The first is that, if Mr. Mohamed becomes directly involved in any investment transaction in Guyana from the US we have a problem, and, secondly, the US Embassy left the broader question of US investment in our country having a sanctioned individual (Mohamed) elected to our Parliament, wide open.

However, US Ambassador, Ms. Nicole Theriot, had previously said, when accosted by a journalist, that Mr. Mohamed’s participation in the government or in the opposition in an official capacity would be “concerning” and “problematic” for the US Government.

Up to now the US Government has taken no further action (such as an arrest warrant) or for him to be extradited to face specific charges in the US. Nevertheless, the people, however foolishly, have spoken and Mr. Mohamed is, therefore, entitled to be the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. Now, we shall see if there are consequences.

I cannot conclude without referring to

those prominent persons in our society who never once publicly confronted the attempt to rig our 2020 elections, but have been quick to mount personal political platforms critical of the governing party, especially with regard to its refusal to renegotiate the government’s contract with Exxon, even though it would have served little or no purpose.

Both Chris Ram and Melinda Janki are guilty and Kaieteur News owner, Glenn Lall, dedicated every day of his newspaper to this foolishness. Foolish because Exxon would simply have refused to enter any such negotiations, though the time for that may yet come.

Janki, with whom I have worked professionally and respect as a Lawyer, unfortunately, became a politician, seeking to urge voters to return a ‘hung parliament’, thoughtlessly to give us a government which could not govern, advancing much the same thing which Chis Ram insisted upon. Our electorate sensibly chose to ignore them.

Democracy demands scheduled elections so that contesting ideologies, policies and programmes embraced by political parties are regularly put before the public to judge and to choose.

Elections, however, and all too often, also can dangerously divide a nation’s people. Then, when the contest is over, an emotionally divided people refuse to overcome their differences to work together as a united nation dedicated to the future development of their country.

In Guyana, I have lived through, from the time of Independence and before, this division, mostly based on race, as the greatest enemy to our progress. This time, the results encourage me to look forward to it being different.

Of all of our political leaders, all with their own good intentions and all individually, genuinely dedicated to their country’s interest, Mohamed Irfaan Ali has shown that he is not only committed to our becoming “One Guyana”, but, that he has the personality, the capacity, the youth and the will to deliver on that promise.

It is good that the great majority of our people have so recognised and so voted.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Victim and hero: A semiotic electoral performance combined with philanthropic populism

Dear Editor,

HOW does a man with no prior political experience, no established organisational structure, and no brand-name staff or allies defeat the mighty PNC (APNU) that has been at the height of Guyana’s political scene since 1955?

The answers provided thus far, though partially accurate, are all inadequate. Let us begin by reviewing them.

The number one explanation thus far is that Azruddin Mohamed (AZM hereafter)

used his family wealth to underwrite the WIN campaign expenses. An associated argument is that he ‘financed’ the votes by dishing out cash at WIN events.

While the former is undoubtedly true, the latter needs more empirical evidence to substantiate how many of the 109,066 votes for WIN came through that path.

The second popular argument is that AZM was effective in listening and responding to the problems of the “poor and the marginalised”, so described. This explanation cannot stand a bare-minimum empirical test.

The PPP/C administration must have outdone AZM by the tens of thousands if one wants to focus on delivery of benefits (houses, water, schools, connectivity, agricultural inputs, small business grants etc.).

The PPP/C administration engaged in literally thousands of outreaches over the past five years. I went on at least 50 of these, where the complaints and requests of citizens were noted and effectively dealt with.

The third offering is that people wanted change. While true, the argument does not explain why the PPP/C not only held its base,

but increased its aggregate votes (by 4.62%), and its margin in the National Assembly. All of these arguments have a materialist component. By contrast, I think the rise of AZM/WIN can be better explained through semiotic analysis. Semiotics ‘is’ the study of the sign. A ‘sign’ is a highly technical concept. Let me explain. A sign is made up of a signified and a signifier. A signifier could be a word, a sound, an image, or any expression that

Where the PNC got this man from?

ONE of the things I heard about life but never saw it in front of my eyes until I became a member of the UG Council is how big names we think have formidable intellect in fact have mediocre minds.

You read and hear about these people and you spend a lifetime thinking that they are the crème de la crème of society. But when you interact with them or when they are in the public realm, then, you know people are not what you think they are.

I met huge names of prominence in Guyana when I was the union representative on the UG Council, and I can tell you that how they got their university degrees and how they rose to prominence were simply a mystery.

The name Bertrand Ramcharran immediately comes to mind. This man is a weekly columnist with the Stabroek News and under his byline he tells Guyanese he was a former Harvard lecturer.

He writes on international relations and I mean it very seriously when I say he hasn’t a clue what the contents of the international system are and how those contents take shape and lose shape over a period of time, and the subterranean currents responsible for those shapes.

In Guyana, the PNC has produced a lawyer named Dexter Todd. How did legal studies produce this man and where did the PNC find this man from? Since he became a PNC candidate, Mr. Todd has uttered more nonsense I have seen and heard from an election candidate than any other politician

in Guyanese history. And trust me when I say that because I am a dinosaur in Guyanese politics, meaning I have been around longer than donkey years.

Mr. Todd said this week that the PNC did not lose the election and was not defeated. According to him, what occurred with the election results was a delay. Now before we dissect this unprecedented foolishness from Todd, let us present you with more incredible evidence of mediocrity in Todd’s mind.

Mr. Todd told Kaieteur News that a team is in Guyana gathering evidence about the murder of Adriana Younge but the team’s identity has to remain a secret.

See my column of Tuesday, July 15, 2025, titled, “Dexter Todd’s investigators’ visas should be revoked.”

Can a politician get more comical than this? The answer is yes. There is a politician like that and it is the same Dexter Todd.

Here is what Todd did to then Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton. He wrote to Mr. Ameir Ahmad threatening libel because Mr. Ahmad merely said, “people don’t know but me and Aubrey Norton are alright.”

I don’t want to dwell on this stupidity because I did a column on it. See my article for Friday, August 15, 2025, captioned, “Aubrey Norton, Dexter Todd and Ameer Ahmad.”

So, let’s get to the latest outburst of comicality by Mr. Todd. The gentleman is reported as saying about the PNC’s showing in the recent general election: “I see this as a delay. I don’t see this as a loss. I see this as a delay. Just a delay. But I always say a delay

is not a denial.”

This is sheer mambo jumbo. I have never seen Mr. Todd argue a case before Guyana’s judges but the next time he is in court wild horses cannot stop me from going to see him.

The PNC lost 18 seats in the 2025 election, collected a mere 18 percent of the votes, did not win any of the Regional Councils, got dethroned as the major parliamentary opposition and was beaten in its genetic strongholds by a party that is just three months old and led by a political non-entity and Mr. Todd says this is not a defeat.

If those circumstances did not produce a defeat, then can Todd explore the meaning of electoral defeat and electoral victory?

Can Mr. Todd say if the PNC did not suffer loss in the election, who secured a gain? What is a loss and what is a gain in an election as defined by Todd? So, did the PPP

obtain a victory? If Todd says no, then what constitutes a victory when parties contest an election?

It is confusion galore when you listen to Todd. I quote him again: “But I always say a delay is not a denial.” What is not being denied? What is it that Todd says he is not denying?

Todd tragically cannot see that it is people like him, Aubrey Norton, David Hinds, Tacuma Ogunseye and their acolytes that African Guyanese have rejected because they come across as not presentable.

If Todd is in parliament, it will be comedy non-sop

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.

Victim and hero: A semiotic electoral performance ...

From page 8

indicates (points to) something else. A flag, for instance, is simply an image that refers to a country.

Deeper still, the flag is the signifier of a nation.

When you see three letters strung together (to make a word) – dog -, the word points to the animal we associate with the word, or the sound, when spoken. Another word or sound could have been used to indicate the same signified idea (in this case the animal).

A key component of the sign is that the relationship between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary. Another word, sound, or image, could have indicated the signified. A chain of signs constitutes a system of signification.

I am suggesting that AZM’s campaign was built on a simple but effective use of semiotic techniques. The strategy carefully constructed Azruddin in two ways, victim and hero. The victim part took the form of blaming the OFAC sanctions and the whole Lamborghini-GRA tax issue on the PPP/C.

The hero part took the form of AZM posing for countless pictures that affirmed his philanthropic prowess and care for the poor.

This is what I shall call philanthropic populism. In this instance, the poor are given things, and are then recruited into a political

movement. This political movement frames the world between good and evil, whereby the people (the poor) are mobilised to challenge the ‘establishment’, in this case the APNU and PPP/C.

The leader of the anti-establishment movement can be anyone, with no prior experience, no track record, or no policy ideas. All he has to do is to constitute himself as a fighter against those with power.

This can be done entirely through staged ground mobilisation, combined with image manipulation. Out of these two pillars, will emerge a discourse of challenge and change, a story of the weak fighting the strong. In the ‘act of movement’ (as Gramsci once characterised the Italian Resurgimento), the individual (AZM in this case) rises from man to leader.

We know that AZM hardly spoke even at the height of the campaign. There was no in-depth interview or press conference; the Manifesto was half-baked; there was no prime ministerial candidate up to the last days before the election; there were no policy analysts, no experts, no high-level endorsements.

Instead, you had Doggie, Fatta, and Primus – all loud, undisciplined, and warring. Most times the ‘Sanction-Man’ just stood there, arms crossed. The iconic representation of AZM was, of course, “shortly, very shortly,

very soon.”

I realise I am making two points simultaneously. Firstly, that a semiotic explanation is superior to those noted above in accounting for the dramatic rise of AZM and WIN. Secondly, that WIN employed many of the techniques associated with modern political techniques associated with the manipulation of the sign.

WIN’s performance is veritable proof that the politics of representation can equal the politics of providing information, and generally, more effective than the politics of authenticity and truth.

AZM is from a billionaire family, but managed to convince some of the poorer sections of the society that he has always been on their side. This, of course, is simply not the case. We must not forget also that while AZM was for posing with slick outfits and signature sunshades, Aubrey Norton, David Hinds, Vincent Alexander, Dexter Todd, Travis Chase, Dr. Henry Jeffery and others from the old guard were still beating the drums of race, oppression, marginalisation, a supposedly bloated OLE, biometrics, house-to-house registration, and the like.

In contrast to AZM’s Armani suits and Ray Ban sunshades, the nation saw Norton speaking in broken lines, stuttering incoherently, sometimes getting the date of the

elections wrong, at other times forgetting where he was. And still at other times, straggling upstairs to a podium, bereft of energy or conviction.

Azruddin Mohamed is where he is today not only because of money or because of discontent in some sections of the society. Rather, the combination of philanthropic populism and ‘semiotic performance’ must also be given serious attention.

This is more important now than before, because the method that got AZM where he is will likely be built out into a comprehensive system of continuous mobilisation through staged performances.

You may rightfully ask – what is AZM a signifier of? My answer is that he is an ambiguous sign, (symbol more accurately), somewhere between victim and hero, but also between an ‘outlaw’ and an incompetent buffoon. Stuart Hall might have called him a ‘floating signifier’.

AZM should be careful, however, because the fact that signs can be taken for wonders, (Bhabha, of course), can only last so long. The gold of the imagination could quickly dissolve into the lead of reality.

Yours truly, Dr. Randy Persaud

Between easy wins and serious whirlwinds!

GUYANESE eyes and ears are readying for the first parliamentary performance by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) leader, Azruddin Mohamed, when the 13th Parliament convenes.

Commentators speculate on what they expect he’ll say (or won’t say), who’ll be on his final list of parliamentarians and how he’ll wriggle around the US sanctions still hanging around his neck.

Having come second in the national electoral race with a three-month upstart outfit, the young billionaire has surrounded himself with political apparatchiks from other parties, but mainly from the opposition People’s National Congress (PNC).

Not having told Guyana what his party’s plans are for government or opposition, the rich-kid businessman-turned-politician and his party’s frequent online postings continue attracting local media attention and regional interest, most-of-all in how an Opposition Leader who can’t travel to the US will manage his way in parliament.

But a major matter of interest to those who read between the fine tea leaves of Guyana’s politics is how the WIN Leader will manage the wrath of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and it’s A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) alliance, from which WIN easily and quickly snatched its traditionally unchallenged Region 10 stronghold.

One area that will test the ties between the parliamentary opposition parties is the matter of appointment of commissioners to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), where the PPP/Civic and the PNC/APNU have each appointed three Commissioners.

The six commissioners firmly represent the PPP/C and PNC/APNU and it’s to be expected that the new major opposition party will expect to be able to appoint its own commissioners.

However, not-that-easy… GECOM Commissioners are appointed ‘For life’, so, unless one dies or resigns, each can serve for as long as he or she wants, each also having the personal option to decide if

to resign.

The PPP/C has had reasons to change commissioners since the 2020 presidential poll, but the PNC/APNU Commissioners have remained the same – and none has shown any preparedness to resign.

Nor has PNC Leader Aubrey Norton shown any inclination to want to request any to consider giving-up.

Having lost its parliamentary majority to WIN, the PNC/APNU alliance is not likely to want to vacate its three GECOM seats, in which case the Opposition Leader can remain handcuffed ad infinitum.

To date (since the election results were declared and reconfirmed by requested PNC/ APNU recount) the positions adopted by the three opposition commissioners -- opting to refuse to approve the final results and then accusing the Chair of being biased in favour of the winning party – reflected the usual post-election tactics whenever the PNC/ APNU is in opposition, finding belated faults with every mechanism that leads to a loss for its alliance.

Opposition Commissioners Alexander, Corbin and Trotman extremely-carefully selected choice words to offer inexplicable reasons why they refused to approve the results, in much the same way they (and predecessors) have always done, demonstrating their thorough understanding of the rules and regulations -- and an equal ability to dance with or around the legislation governing GECOM.

But if Mohamed is counting on dancing with Norton on the National Assembly floor, he may not have heard how the APNU Leader referred to him: as “A leopard (who) can’t change his spots!”

Add to this the weight of the US Treasury’s sanctions on the Opposition Leader’s head, the likelihood that the new government will seek to engage with the US about pursuing Mohamed and his dad (and their family business) regarding alleged non-declaration of US $50 million of gold they exported to the US from Guyana; plus the possible pursuit by Guyana’s revenue authorities for outstanding

GECOM to commence continuous registration on September 15

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has announced that it will commence the second cycle of continuous registration for 2025 on Monday, September 15, 2025, at all of its permanent Registration Offices in the ten Administrative Regions.

This registration exercise, according to a press release, will conclude on Friday, November 28, 2025.

“During this registration exercise, any person who will be 14 years and older by the 31st December, 2025, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, naturalisation, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, can apply for registration, providing he/she was never registered,” GECOM said.

Existing registrants who are desirous of updating their records such as a request to correct or change their names, date of birth, oc -

cupation and update their addresses were advised that those transactions would also be facilitated during this exercise.

Persons desirous of conducting any registration transaction whether new registration or changes/corrections to their particulars are required to visit the GECOM Registration Office responsible for their area of residence with the relevant source documents which are:

• Original Birth Certificate, valid Passport, Adoption Certificate, Naturalization Certificate or Certificate

sums allegedly owed for expensive top-class luxury vehicles.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has indicated his party may be more willing to work with its traditional political rivals in the PNC/APNU than cooperate with WIN, which opens the way for a possible parliamentary alliance by the nation’s two oldest parties against a smaller party with a bigger presence than expected.

Political analysts on both and all sides of Guyana’s political divides continue discussing why and how WIN won how it did, some claiming it simply benefitted from a mixture of political apathy and protest voting, others arguing the two major parties boosted its underdog popularity by treating a distraction as a threat – and still others saying Mohamed’s gold-plated campaign, costly as it was, yielded sufficient silver to matter.

But whatever the varying conclusions, it’s clear Guyana’s next Opposition Leader will need more than his lucrative business acumen to dance around and overcome the parliamentary and other obstacles and hurdles he’s sure to face, at least in securing representation on GECOM – and at most, should the US not raise its sanctions and the government pursues the PPP/Civic alliance’s campaign promise to pursue the outstanding US$50 million the US Treasury says The Mohameds knowingly deprived the Guyana Treasury.

The WIN Leader continues to wax in the warmth of free publicity associated with the charges, allegations and claims against him – including from insiders jockeying for parliamentary positions, some already going public about feeling side-lined.

The PPP/Civic and PNC/APNU alliances might also be thinking of, or being encouraged, to enter into their own parliamentary alliance against WIN – and it can’t be ruled out that Mohamed may also consider making or breaking some golden business rules to navigate the constraints of possibly not getting US support for any financial plans he may wish to propose or pursue on the parliamentary floor. There’s also deep interest among some commentators who speculate the US may simply raise the sanctions on the Mohameds, in return for their cooperation in tracing illegal gold exports from their competitors, some also speculating the freshman opposition leader may have his own deals to offer the US, to help lift its heavy load.

But, whatever happens, the WIN leader seems about to find out that easy wins can sometimes reap and yield serious whirlwinds. (ends)

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.

of Registration, and Deed Poll along with original Birth Certificate (if applicable) in the case of making applications for new registration.

• Original Marriage Certificate, Marriage Certificate with Decree Absolute for divorced women, Deed Poll with Birth Certificate, or a new original Birth Certificate reflecting the new name in the case of application for change/correction of name and other particulars.

Registration transactions can be done during the official working hours outlined: Mondays to Thursdays 08:00hrs – 12:00hrs/13:00hrs – 16:30hrs; and Friday 08:00hrs – 12:00hrs/13:00hrs – 15:30hrs.

“For further information, persons are advised to visit GECOM’s website at www.gecom.org.gy, follow us on Facebook at Guyana Elections Commission, or call 225-0277-9 or 2239653,” GECOM said.

PM Phillips pledges stronger partnership with Mexico –– during 215th Independence celebration

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips joined Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Guyana, Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo at a reception on Thursday evening to commemorate the 215th Anniversary of Mexico’s Independence.

He extended warm congratulations to the Government and people of Mexico, and expressed Guyana’s continued commitment to expanding its relationship with the country.

During his remarks, the Prime Minister recognised

the resilience, sacrifices, and achievements of the Mexican people in shaping a proud and enduring nation.

He offered greetings to the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, and shared best wishes for the country’s continued progress and prosperity.

He also commended Mexico’s cultural richness, and thanked Ambassador Vizcaíno Crespo for curating performances that reflected the vibrancy and diversity of Mexican arts and traditions.

Reflecting on 51 years of diplomatic engagement

between Guyana and Mexico, Prime Minister Phillips spoke of longstanding collaboration across bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms.

He highlighted shared values such as mutual respect, sustainable development, peace, stability, sovereignty, and a commitment to international law.

The Prime Minister noted that both countries are guided by the principles of the United Nations Charter, and continue to work together to promote democracy, human rights, fundamental free -

doms, and citizen security.

Their cooperation through the Organisation of American States and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States was described as vital to maintaining the region as a zone of peace.

The Prime Minister welcomed the forthcoming CARICOM–Mexico Summit, and emphasised Guyana’s priorities in food, energy, and climate security. These areas, he said, are central to the advancement of Guyanese society and to global development efforts.

He also spoke of Guyana’s ongoing transformation, noting that the Government had received a renewed mandate to improve the economy and enhance the well-being of all citizens.

Achieving these goals, he said, depends on strong partnerships, and Mexico’s support through technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes has played a valuable role.

–– Sukhai says

FORMER Minister of Amerindian Affairs,

Pauline Sukhai, has extended heartfelt congratulations to President Dr. Irfaan Ali on his re-election, securing a second term in office. She lauded his visionary leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing the welfare of Indigenous peoples across Guyana.

Sukhai underscored that Amerindians remain deeply aware of the President’s tireless efforts to uplift their communities, noting that his government has “paved the way

for a brighter, and more inclusive future for us all, as we forge ahead as One Guyana.”

Reflecting on the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C) longstanding partnership with Indigenous peoples, the former minister emphasised the administration’s role in safeguarding and advancing the rights and traditions of Amerindians.

“Recognising the foresight, role and priority the early PPP/C government played in not only honouring, but respecting, protecting and legislating the remarkable legacies of the

Indigenous Peoples has ensured they survived and thrived for generations yet to come,” she said.

Sukhai pointed to the “transitioning landscape of the hinterland” as clear evidence of progress made possible through collaboration between the PPP/C government and Amerindian communities. She highlighted that consistent dialogue between Amerindian leaders and the executive has resulted in “real benefits for every Amerindian village and local community.”

In its 2025 manifesto, themed “Forward Together For A Better Guyana,” the PPP/C outlined several key initiatives aimed at

The transitioning landscape of the Hinterland was achieved through a solid partnership between the PPP/C Government and the Amerindians

He described it as a meaningful step towards expanding trade, investment, and commercial opportunities.

Overall, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the relationship between Guyana and Mexico will continue to grow, supported by mutual respect and active cooperation. Mrs. Mignon Bowen-Phillips accompanied her husband to the event. (Office of the Prime Minister)

On economic collaboration, Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the launch of the Mexico–Guyana Chamber of Commerce during the Guyana Energy Conference & Supply Chain Expo earlier this year.

‘One Guyana’ vision delivering for hinterland communities

further advancing Amerindian development. Since August 2020, the government has made significant strides, including revitalising the Amerindian Land Titling Programme and reinstating the Community Support Officers (CSO) initiative.

Looking ahead, the administration has pledged to:advance land titling and demarcation for Amerindian villages; continue funding Amerindian participation in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS); expand and enhance the CSO programme with retraining and upskilling opportunities; guarantee universal access to secondary

education in hinterland regions; improve access to quality healthcare services; support local economic initiatives, including village-level tourism and community-based enterprises;create jobs through expanded training and entrepreneurial opportunities; strengthen agriculture and agro-processing to boost food security at the village level.

Sukhai said these commitments reinforce the government’s vision of inclusive growth, while ensuring Amerindian communities remain central to Guyana’s social and economic transformation.

CARICOM, Colombia explore avenues to expand South-South Co-operation

CARICOM and Colombia trade negotiators concluded the second round of negotiations to update the CARICOM-Colombia Trade and Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (TECA), in Bogota, Colombia on September 10, 2025.

The negotiations, which took place over two days, covered the expansion of preferential market access for agricultural and industrial products as well as institutional issues.

The CARICOM negotiating Co-Chair, Senior Director of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, Cherryl Gordon, and Director of Economic Integration, Ministry of Commerce and Tourism, Colombia, Manuel Chacon Pena, concluded the second-round negotiations with confirmation on

the procedures for including Haiti and Suriname in the agreement, and on progress in the treatment of products of interest to both sides.

CARICOM and Colombia agreed to conduct a third round of negotiations in November 2025. The CARICOM negotiating Co-Chair emphasised that the aim of the negotiations is to deepen the bilateral trade relationship with CARICOM’s third largest trading partner in Central and South America.

“The focus is to consolidate and update the Trade Agreement to become a mechanism to support trade in high-value goods, support export and market diversification; promote the development of regional supply chains; and expand SouthSouth Co-operation,” she said.

Assistant Secretary-Gen-

CARICOM and Colombia trade negotiators concluded the second round of negotiations to update the CARICOM-Colombia Trade and Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (TECA), in Bogota, Colombia

eral, CARICOM Single Market and Trade, Ambassador Wayne McCook, who led the CARICOM Secretariat delegation for the negotiations, also highlighted the importance of an updated

19-year-old charged with child pornography granted $300,000 bail

APPEARING in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday, a 19-year-old man from Cummings Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown, was granted bail on a child pornography charge.

Neo Glen appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty who read the charge to him.

He entered a not-guilty plea.

The allegation stated that, on September 8, 2025, at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, Glen had pornographic videos of children in his possession on a computer system.

Glen was represented by attorney-at-law Kiswana Jefford, who sought bail and noted that her client has a history of mental illness.

She further noted that, although he may experience periods of clear thinking, this does not negate the presence of the condition.

According to his lawyer, Glen, who has no previous convictions, resides with his mother at a permanent address on

Cummings Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown.

The prosecution opposed bail, pointing to the seriousness of the offence and the severe penalties it carries.

The police prosecutor told the court that investigators had taken the accused for a medical assessment, which found no mental illness.

The prosecutor told the court that several of the recovered videos showed the faces of multiple children.

The prosecutor stated that although Glen initially denied ownership of the phone containing the material, forensic analysis

linked the device to him, and further examination uncovered additional videos. The prosecutor also noted that while in custody, Glen requested that his mother not be contacted.

After considering the circumstances, Magistrate McGusty granted bail in the sum of $300,000. Under the conditions of his release,

Glen is required to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters on the second Friday of every month.

The case has been adjourned to October 17.

Child pornography is an offence under section 14 of Guyana’s Cyber Crime Act 2018.

Individuals convicted of possessing or distributing child pornography in a Magistrates’ Court, where cases are heard summarily, face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10 million fine.

If the case is tried indictably in the High Court, a guilty verdict can result in up to 10 years in prison and a $15 million fine.

CARICOM-Colombia trade agreement.

“This is part of the Community’s effort to implement the CARICOM Heads of Government’s mandate to update and consolidate exist-

ing bilateral trade agreements as part of the Community’s response to the significant changes in the regional and international trade and economic environment,” he noted

The CARICOM negotiating team, coordinated by the Barbados-based External Trade Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat, included representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with virtual participation by representatives from Dominica, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as representatives from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission and the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO).

Vice Minister of Foreign Trade of Colombia, Luis Felipe Qunitero Suarez led Colombia’s high-level team of trade, commerce, foreign affairs and agricultural officials in the negotiations.

(CARICOM)

Thousands of global delegates set to attend IBC Guyana 2025

THE countdown is on for the International Business Conference (IBC) 2025, where more than 800 delegates and 2,000 trade part-

ners from over 30 countries will gather in Georgetown from October 14 to 16, 2025. The IBC, hosted by the Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), is positioned to be the largest and most impactful edition yet, serving as the Caribbe-

an’s premier platform for high-level diplomacy, business-to-business engagement, and investment dealmaking, according to a press release.

This year’s theme, “Bridging Businesses for Regional Prosperity”, underscores how Guyana and Suriname are emerging as dual anchors of a new investment corridor, linking the Caribbean to Latin America and global markets.

The packed agenda brings the theme to life with sessions on cross -border projects such as the Corentyne River Bridge, alongside panels featuring Nicole D. Theriot, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana; Jane Caroline Miller OBE, UK High Commissioner; Sébastien Sigouin, Canadian High Commissioner; Dr. Amit Telang, Indian High Commissioner; and Liselle Blankendal, Ambassador of Suriname to Guyana, as speakers.

Speaking about the conference, Ambassador Theriot emphasised the importance of bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders in such a setting.

“Platforms like IBC Guyana 2025 provide an excellent opportunity that helps bring our shared vision for deeper U.S.–Caribbean trade and investment ties to life. The U.S. Embassy is

proud to support events like IBC because they strengthen economic co-operation, encourage responsible investment, and reinforce our shared goals of inclusive and sustainable growth,” Ambassador Theriot said.

She added, “My message is simple: come ready to connect, collaborate, and seize the opportunities IBC presents. It’s truly more than just a conference. It’s a onestop shop to forge partnerships that will help shape the future of regional trade and investment.”

For IBC 2025, the international exhibition has doubled in scale, featuring 50+ companies from more than 15 countries.

Over 700 one-to-one meetings were facilitated in the two earlier editions of the IBC, resulting in contracts, joint ventures, and new market entries.

The IBC 2025 will expand this with structured matchmaking, networking receptions, curated cultural exchanges, MOUs, joint ventures, and policy commitments to anchor the next phase of the Suriname-Guyana Investment Corridor.

Sector-focused panels will address pressing issues, including energy diversification, green value chains in agriculture, logistics, digital transformation, and cli-

mate-resilient infrastructure.

“At its heart, IBC is about turning ideas into opportunities,” said Rahul Lildhar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SGCC (cohost of IBC).

He added: “From practical workshops on scaling MSMEs to roundtables on infrastructure and technology, delegates will leave with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap to seize opportunities.”

Delegates and sponsors benefit from direct access to 75+ expert speakers, influential policymakers, and industry leaders in energy, infrastructure, finance, ICT, agriculture, and tourism.

“The biggest benefit is access,” Dr. Vishnu Doerga, Chairman of ACI (co-organiser) said, noting: “IBC puts your business in the same room with the people shaping the region’s future. For sponsors, it is premium brand positioning at the centre of regional growth.”

IBC 2025 is supported by Atlantic Hotel Inc., Go-Invest, and venue partner, Guyana Marriott Hotel. Registration and sponsorship opportunities remain open. Persons were urged to visit www.guyanabusinessconference.com for full details on the programme, confirmed speakers, and exhibitor listings.

Albouystown fire update: Government, CDC step in with relief efforts

A DEVASTATING mid-afternoon blaze on Thursday, at James Street, Albouystown, between Hill and Albouys Streets, has left more than 30 persons without homes and belongings.

According to the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), six fire tenders were deployed to battle the inferno, utilising hydrants, open water sources, and bowsers. To ensure the safety of emergency crews, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) was called in to disconnect electricity in the area.

In the aftermath of the disaster, several former government ministers—including Robeson Benn; Bishop Juan Edghill; and Dr. Vindhya Persaud—visited the community to coordinate immediate relief measures.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) swiftly operationalised a temporary shelter at the Six Head Lewis Gym, located at Callender and Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, to ac -

The Ministry’s team clearing debris after the fire

commodate the displaced families.

On Friday, Divisional Officer of the GFS, Andrew Holder, visited the site and provided an update on ongoing efforts. He explained that firefighters were still working to fully extinguish remnants of the blaze while clearing rubble to allow residents access to their properties.

“Aside from that, I’m trying to create a pathway so that persons can access whatever they want to access and then later on in the day we’ll try to remove these rubbles from the site,” Holder said. Supporting these efforts, a team from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Utility Section was also on the ground, assisting with the removal of debris from the roadway. In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, the Ministry emphasised that the clean-up initiative was aimed at helping the Albouystown community begin the process of recovery while ensuring safety and accessibility for residents.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

CPSO study identifies US$1.3B in potential savings through import diversification

–– amidst US tariffs

THE CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) has estimated that CARICOM Member States could achieve annual savings of US$1.3 billion by diversifying their import sources away from the United States, particularly as escalating reciprocal tariffs increase costs and expand the regional trade deficit.

According to a press release from the CPSO, the Region currently serves as the US’s third-largest import partner. Nearly 70% of final imported goods—valued at US$7.7 billion—originates from the US.

These findings were presented on September 10th during a hybrid forum titled “De-risking CSME Imports: Examining the Scope for Goods Market Fulfillment from Non-Traditional Sources.”

The event was hosted by the CPSO in collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) at the Bank’s Headquarters in St. Kitts and Nevis.

GROWING TRADE

DEFICIT PRESENTS

ECONOMIC RISKS

CPSO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Technical Director, Dr. Patrick Antoine, presented findings from a comprehensive study revealing troubling trends in the Region’s goods trade deficit with the United States.

The deficit increased by approximately US$200 million between 2022 and 2023, followed by an additional US$300 million increase from 2023 to 2024. Projections indicate a further US$500 million expansion between 2024 and 2025, even without considering the tariff impacts.

The new tariff regime, imposing 10% to 15% duties on previously duty-free goods, will drive costs upward by a significant degree. The study projects that with the implementation by the US of 15% reciprocal tariffs on Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana in July, the Region’s projected export revenue loss would increase to US$653.6 million.

“While trade openness supports economic activity and consumer welfare, over-dependence on a single source of imports clearly

does not benefit us,” Dr. Antoine emphasised

CARICOM’S HEAVY DEPENDENCE ON US IMPORTS

CPSO Chairman, Gervase Warner, in his remarks, also referred to the Region’s substantial reliance on US imports, noting, “CARICOM consistently ranks third in terms of import share from the US, positioned closely behind Mexico and Canada.”

He pointed to specific examples, including the Bahamas, which sources over 60% of its imports from the US and St. Kitts and Nevis, where 47% to 51% of import trade originates from the US.

CASCADING EFFECTS AND REGIONAL VULNERABILITIES

The CPSO warned that US tariffs will likely trigger additional cascading effects through duties imposed on goods entering the US before transshipment to the Caribbean. This secondary inflationary pressure, combined with rising domestic labour costs, threatens to increase living and business costs throughout the Region while also posing threats to the competitiveness of Caribbean tourism offerings.

The Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) faces particular vulnerability, with Member States collectively sourcing 44.4% of their imports from the US. Unlike some CARICOM States, which import raw materials for processing and re-export, ECCU Member States primarily import finished goods, offering limited opportunities for value-added production.

STRATEGIC DIVERSIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

To enhance economic resilience, the CPSO recommends strategic import market diversification, which could deliver substantial cost savings, protect consumers from price volatility and improve competitiveness in key sectors including manufacturing and tourism.

The comprehensive analysis undertaken by the CPSO examined 1,251 product lines worth over US$9.1 billion, identifying significant opportunities to

reduce US import dependence. The study found that 32% of non-fuel goods (including food products) and 23% of mineral fuels, could be sourced more cost-effectively from alternative markets. Remarkably, 94.7% of non-fuel imports and 85.8% of total imports (including fuel) could be competitively sourced from other suppliers

PROMISING ALTERNATIVE MARKETS

The study identified several alternative markets with substantial potential, including Malaysia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, South Africa, Estonia, Bulgaria, Portugal and Mexico.

Notably, certain markets such as South Africa and Turkey offer large volumes of goods at approximately half the US price.

The analysis projects that the CARICOM Single Mar-

ket and Economy (CSME) could realise annual savings of US$1.3 billion on US imports, representing 16.4% of total import value.

The largest opportunities exist in machinery and electrical equipment sectors, both critical to construction, foreign direct investment and broader economic development.

INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

To capitalise on these opportunities, the study emphasised the need for improved trade facilitation and port logistics.

An assessment of weekly liner connectivity from 17 potential supplier countries revealed that Jamaica’s Port Kingston maintains the highest regional connectivity, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Port of Spain ranking second.

Many Organizations of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) ports, however, in-

cluding in St. Kitts and Nevis, have limited or no direct liner connectivity, creating significant barriers to developing new trade relationships.

The CPSO stressed that Eastern Caribbean countries must also prioritise port infrastructure upgrades if they are to capture import diversification benefits.

VISION FOR REGIONAL TRADE HUB

ECCB Governor, Timothy Antoine, reinforced the urgency of movement toward these solutions.

He challenged the Region to leverage its strategic geographic position between the Americas, Africa and Europe to establish itself as a bidirectional trade logistics hub.

This transformation could create a new growth engine alongside energy security initiatives and digital transformation efforts.

MOVING AHEAD

The results of the research presented during the Forum can contribute to strategic responses by CARICOM targeting the diversification of import and export markets; leverages the locational advantages of CARICOM States; and introduces urgent policy changes to benefit from the shifts in regional and global supply chains.

Such a regional response must deliver on the inherent opportunities for alternative sources of imports, in addition to developing the significant opportunities for further expansion of production and trade within the CSME.

Increasing the competitiveness of CARICOM goods in the US markets, for the cohort of goods that have maintained their market positioning/appeal, must also continue as part of CARICOM’s strategic response, Dr. Antoine told the gathering.

Young people must carry the ‘torch’ forward

–– as ‘Multi’ celebrates 50th anniversary

PRIME Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Thursday, addressed the 50th Anniversary commemorative assembly of the Linden Multilateral School (Multi), where he reflected on its history, emphasised the importance of hard work and integrity, and outlined the government’s vision for Linden’s continued development.

In his address to a gathering of students, alumni,

and teachers, Prime Minister Phillips reflected on his formative years at the school, emphasising how the institution served as a place where teachers were more than educators, they were mentors who instilled lifelong values. He urged students to adopt the same discipline and focus, reminding them that “hard work, integrity, and seizing opportunities” remain vital for success.

The Prime Minister

highlighted the ongoing construction of the new Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School, which will replace the existing Multi School facility at a cost of $2.6 billion—making it the most significant educational investment in Linden’s history.

Once completed in 2026, the school will feature modern laboratories, learning spaces, and recreational facilities, representing a major investment

––– Prime Minister Phillips emphasises to students in Linden; urges them to position themselves to benefit from new developments in the town

in education infrastructure.

He also revealed plans to convert the current school grounds into stateof-the-art sports facilities once the new building is operational.

The Prime Minister encouraged the students to prepare for the opportunities ahead. Drawing from his personal journey and the “never refuse an assignment” principle learned at Multi, he emphasised, “Leaders are readers. Do all your reading now. Become the engineers, doctors, economists, teachers,

and nurses that Linden and Guyana will need.”

Prime Minister Phillips highlighted the potential for expanded bauxite operations and increased economic activity in Linden, Kwakwani, and Ituni.

He outlined major energy projects, including the construction of a 15-megawatt solar farm under the GUYSOL initiative. Once completed, Linden will have the largest solar facility in Guyana, positioning the town as a leader in sustainable energy.

He also referenced Lin-

den’s future connection to the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System and the transmission lines linked to the futuristic Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Power Station “Linden will become, once again, a premier industrial zone in Guyana,”

The Prime Minister concluded by reminding the gathering that Linden’s transformation depends not only on government’s investments, but on the determination of its young people to carry the torch forward.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Thursday, addressed the 50th Anniversary commemorative assembly of the Linden Multilateral School (Multi), where he reflected on its history, emphasised the importance of hard work and integrity, and outlined the government’s vision for Linden’s continued development (OPM photo)

Police probe alleged murder of 38-year-old gold miner at Puruni River backdam

POLICE in Region Seven are investigating the brutal killing of Mark Benn, a 38-year-old gold miner of Lot 218 Blueberry Hill, Linden, which occurred late Thursday night at Big Mara Mara Backdam, Puruni River. The incident reportedly unfolded around 23:00 hrs on September 11, 2025, following an altercation at a shop owned by 28-year-

old dredge operator, Floyd Paul.

According to police reports, Benn, who had earlier arrived at the backdam from Puruni Landing, was socialising at Paul’s shop with two Venezuelan women, including 35-yearold Fabiana Garcia. The suspect, Dexter Agrian, a 41-year-old excavator operator from Bartica, later joined the group around

19:00 hrs.

The men, along with the women, drank Guinness, played music, and danced. At one point, Benn reportedly requested sexual intercourse from Garcia, but she refused, citing that he was intoxicated. Benn then disconnected her cellphone, which had been playing music.

Agrian allegedly intervened, pulling Benn away

from Garcia. Benn rebuked the action, warning the suspect not to embrace him in such a manner, remarking, “We good, but never again you hug me like that, because thief men does hold people like that.”

Moments later, Agrian, who was armed with a 13-inch double-edged knife, is accused of attacking Benn. Police said the

suspect dealt the miner a chop to the back of the head, causing him to fall, before delivering another blow to the neck, almost severing it.

After the attack, Agrian reportedly walked away and returned to his camp. Paul, the shop owner, immediately contacted police.

Law enforcement officers later confronted the

suspect, who allegedly told investigators, “Sir, I drink couple well Guinness and I can’t remember exactly what happened.” He was cautioned, arrested, and remains in police custody.

The weapon, a 13-inch knife, was recovered by investigators.

Police said it has been lodged as evidence as their investigations continue.

Caribbean healthcare leaders converge in Miami for transformative training on HIV prevention, treatment

–– to fast-track 95-95-95 targets

THE Pan-Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), in collaboration with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and with support from the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and The Global Fund, will host a high-impact Strengthening HIV Prevention and Treatment Services Training Programme, from September 17–19, 2025, at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida.

Building on the groundbreaking PANCAP Learning Journey held earlier this year at Amsterdam’s renowned Public Health Service (GGD Amsterdam), this Miami training will further equip regional frontline healthcare providers with advanced

skills in motivational interviewing (MI) and other cutting-edge clinical strategies, the partnership said in a press release.

The Amsterdam session demonstrated remarkable success in enhancing providers’ ability to engage highrisk populations in PrEP programmes and re-engage people living with HIV who have fallen out of care.

The training will assemble clinical leaders from several Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Commonwealth of Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, The British Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic.

Participants will include physicians, nurses, and community health specialists representing both public health systems and civil society organisations, ensuring comprehensive knowledge transfer across all levels of care.

This intensive capacity-building initiative comes at a critical juncture as the region works assiduously to overcome persistent challenges in reaching UNAIDS’ ambitious 95-95-95 preven-

tion targets by 2030.

“This isn’t just another training, it’s a strategic intervention to change the trajectory of HIV in our region,” emphasised Dr. Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Director of the PANCAP Coordination Unit.

She said: “By mastering motivational interviewing techniques and applying the latest evidence-based approaches, our regional clinicians will become powerful change agents in their

Death of rice-farming

communities, particularly in reaching marginalised populations most in need of these services.”

Dr. Shanti Singh Anthony, Knowledge Management Coordinator at the PCU, underscored that, “The Amsterdam Learning Journey proved that when clinicians adopt patient-centred approaches, outcomes improve dramatically. This training on motivational interviewing will allow for a differentiated and client-centred approach to recruit, initiate and retain persons on HIV prevention and treatment services, helping us close gaps in the HIV care continuum and achieve the global targets.”

With Caribbean nations facing uneven progress toward HIV targets, this training addresses critical gaps in the regional HIV response.

The programme’s unique value lies in its “train-the-

trainer” approach, ensuring participants can share their new skills with their colleagues back home. This creates sustainable capacity that will continue benefitting health systems throughout the region long after the Miami session concludes.

This training programme is a critical step toward revitalising HIV prevention and treatment efforts in the Caribbean.

By empowering clinicians with evidence-based tools, PANCAP and its partners aim to reduce new infections, improve retention in care, and accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a regional public health threat by 2030.

PANCAP thanked The Global Fund, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and PAHO for making the pivotal training experience a reality.

couple in 2016:

Sanjay George acquitted of manslaughter

–– all four accused now freed

SANJAY George has been acquitted of the manslaughter of Mohamed Munir, 75, and his wife Jamilla Munir, 70, an elderly rice-farming couple from Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), who perished after bandits set fire to their home in 2016.

With George’s acquittal, all four persons charged in the notorious double murder case have now been freed.

The verdict was handed down recently, after a unanimous jury deliberation before Justice Simone Morris of the Demerara High Court.

George had initially faced murder charges in connection with the deaths of the Munirs, who perished when their heavily grilled two-storey home was set ablaze on April 17, 2016.

In May, a jury in the High Court in Demerara, presided over by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, had previously acquitted him of murder, returning a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on an alternative charge of

George, who had been in custody for nearly nine years, was formally cleared of all charges, bringing a long and protracted legal process to a close.

manslaughter, leading to his remand pending a fresh trial.

In 2023, George’s three co-accused—Jason Howard, Shamadeen Mohammed, and Joel Blair—were freed after the court directed jurors to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

The decision followed findings that there was no evidence linking them to the crime and that the accused had sustained unexplained injuries while in police custody.

The horrific incident occurred shortly after 23:00 hours when the couple became trapped in the raging fire. Their badly burnt bodies were retrieved from the debris after the blaze, which eyewitnesses reported spread rapidly from the upper flat throughout the house, was extinguished.

Investigators had suggested that a gang of six, which included a driver and a lookout, targeted the Munirs after reports indicated the couple kept millions of dollars in cash at home.

According to reports, upon breaking into the house, the assailants searched for valuables.

The Munirs woke during the robbery, prompting the

men to try to access the couple’s bedroom. They were thwarted by the building’s security features.

The perpetrators then set a sofa on fire and threw a gas bottle into the flames, causing a loud explosion minutes after fleeing the scene.

Neighbours reported hearing the couple’s desperate screams for help. The bandits escaped through a track that led to a church and cemetery behind the house.

George, represented by Attorney-at-Law Kiswana Jefford of the law firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby, maintained his innocence throughout the legal process.

Jefford told reporters that George had a history of mental health challenges and was coerced into leaving his home by the arresting police officer, who was familiar with George’s family and lived in the same community.

“The defence argued that George was beaten by police while in custody and forced to confess to the murders,” Jefford said.

She added that the caution statement presented by police was fabricated. She said that documents produced by the defence showed that George’s signatures before and after his arrest did not match those on the alleged statement.

Psychiatrist Dr. Meenawattie Rajkumar, called as a witness, also testified about George’s mental health condition.

George was first arrested in December 2016 and remained in custody until April 2025, when he was released on bail following an application by Jefford. The recent acquittal on manslaughter charges brings closure to a case that has spanned nearly a decade.

The landless cattle farmer

Agricola resident spearheads thriving backyard dairy operation

–– uses modern practices, GLDA guidance to keep cows healthy, produce ‘clean’ milk

By Michel Outridge

AMID the clattering trucks, the hum of oil rigs, and the relentless pace of Georgetown’s East Bank of Demerara, a small patch of green defies the industrial rhythm.

In the village of Agricola, 60-year-old Ricky Todd has carved out a thriving dairy operation in his own backyard—a verdant “island” of cattle, forage, and daily milk production surrounded by factories, warehouses, and oil service providers.

reduced costs and ensures high-quality genetics.

“For me, working with Mr. Lindon Stanley, Senior AI Technician from GLDA, has been invaluable. Our collaboration has strengthened my herd, which now includes primarily dairy breeds such as Brown Swiss and Holstein X,” Todd explained.

NUTRITION WITHOUT PASTURES

Unlike traditional cattle farms with sprawling pastures, Todd’s urban operation thrives on ingenuity.

standards become vital for regional trade.

Here, amidst steel and concrete, Todd tends to his cows with care, supplying fresh, wholesome milk to a growing base of loyal consumers.

“I take pride in ensuring the quality of the milk I sell is excellent. It is a real joy to rear cattle for me. This is my contribution to the country,” Todd said as he surveyed his herd.

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION

Todd’s journey began in 1991 with four cows, two Holsteins from the now-defunct Versailles Dairy Project and two Brown Swiss. Over the years, he has been able to expand his herd through artificial insemination (AI), a practice that

Today, Todd’s modest pen houses 13 cows, with five milking animals producing roughly six gallons of milk daily. Every drop is sold to repeat customers who value freshness, safety, and traceability.

MODERN BREEDING PRACTICES

Todd has embraced the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s (GLDA) embryo transfer programme, which uses advanced reproductive technology to improve livestock genetics rapidly.

He has already identified his two-year-old cow, Jasmine, as a surrogate.

“I feel comfortable participating in the embryo transfer programme because GLDA’s team guides me at every step. Their support ensures I understand and follow each procedure correctly, which is crucial for the success of my herd,” he said.

With no grazing land available, he practices cutand-carry feeding which means fresh grass must be brought in daily. This is complimented by silage and molasses–urea blocks he learned to make in GLDA workshops.

“This system keeps my animals healthy and productive all year round,” Todd explained. “Even during floods or dry spells, I know they have sufficient food. The knowledge I gained from GLDA has been essential; it allows me to feed my herd properly and efficiently.”

Todd’s method demonstrates that intensive, well-managed feeding can sustain a dairy operation in the heart of an industrial zone, turning limited space into a productive, green oasis.

CLEAN MILK FOR CUSTOMERS

Maintaining hygiene and food safety is central to Todd’s operation. As a participant in GLDA’s Clean Milk Initiative, he follows rigorous protocols for milking, handling, and storage, ensuring every drop meets strict safety standards.

His cows are tagged and monitored for traceability, a critical step increasingly required for local and international markets.

“I am grateful for GLDA’s support through the Clean Milk Initiative,” Todd said. “It equips me to provide consumers with wholesome, hygienically produced milk. I understand that safe milk is not just a product—it’s a responsibility.”

STANDARDS, TRAINING, MARKET ADVANTAGE

Through GLDA seminars and hands-on workshops, Todd has refined his farm management practices, learning everything from pasture management principles to meticulous record-keeping.

These skills not only enhance productivity but also give him a competitive edge, as traceability and quality

“It is a real joy to rear cattle for me,” Todd said. “This is my contribution to the country—we can become a powerhouse in exporting meat and milk. Knowledge, training, and proper standards are what make that possible, even for a small-scale farmer like me.”

EXPANSION ON THE HORIZON

Though confined to his backyard in Agricola for now, Todd’s ambitions extend beyond the urban pen.

He has access to land at Plantation Providence, East Bank Demerara, where he plans to establish pastures and expand his herd.

Open grazing will reduce the daily need to source cut grass and silage and increase milk production to meet the growing demand.

“I will be moving to Plantation Providence to create pasture for open grazing,” Todd told this publication adding, “It will ease the stress of bringing in feed daily and allow me to scale up production. Even with modest beginnings, there’s room to grow.”

Todd’s farm is a striking anomaly in Agricola. The hum of trucks and the noisy workshops contrast sharply with the quiet rhythm of his cows, the rustling of cut grass, and the measured flow of fresh milk.

In this small urban space, Todd proves that agriculture can coexist with

industry. His operation shows that even minimal land, when paired with knowledge, innovation, and careful management, can produce safe, nutritious milk and sustain livelihoods.

A MICROCOSM OF NATIONAL POTENTIAL

Todd sees his farm as more than a personal endeavour; it reflects the broader promise of Guyana’s livestock sector.

“Guyana is a sleeping giant in the livestock industry,” he said. “With modern technology, farmer training, and government support, we can meet domestic demand and tap export markets.”

Though landless, Todd demonstrates that smallscale farmers can contribute significantly to national food security.

His yard-based system embodies profitability, adaptability, and sustainability—qualities essential as Guyana scales up livestock production.

With every gallon of milk carefully recorded, Todd’s operation mirrors the potential of a nation ready to embrace innovation and growth.

“It is a real joy to rear cattle for me,” Todd reflected. “We can become a powerhouse in exporting meat and milk, but it starts with every farmer, big or small, doing their part the right way.”

Saturday, September 13th, 2025

England crush SA after Salt’s 39-ball ton

(ESPNCRICINFO) - England scored their highest T20I total and the third-highest in history; Phil Salt broke his own record as the holder of England's highest individual score in the format, and scored the fastest century by an English batter, off 39 balls as South Africa were whiplashed.

England levelled the series 1-1 with their biggest win in this format. The result means tomorrow’s match will decide the series.

On a belter of track, England hit 30 fours and 18 sixes for a total of 228 runs in boundaries. That made up 75% of their score of 304 for 2, headlined by Salt. He has four hundreds, the most by an England batter, and five of their top eight scores.

South Africa's bowlers have never conceded more in a T20I innings, and three of their attacks are in the top six of the most expensive returns in a match. Kagiso Rabada (0 for 70), Lizaad Williams (0 for 62) and Marco Jansen (0 for 60) were all returning from injuries, and though they each had a brief outing in the series opener in Cardiff, this game will be considered their comeback, proper. They won't be pleased with how they showed up.

Among the many things that went wrong for them was discipline, as South Africa conceded eight wides and five no-balls, and effectively bowled two extra overs at England. All told, South Africa have conceded 772 in the last 75 overs on this tour, across the third ODI, and first and second T20Is.

Though South Africa have the record for the highest successful chase in this format259 for 4 - this was a much tougher task. They needed to score at 15.25 runs per over, and, despite reaching 50 for 0 after 21 balls, were never really in the hunt.

Aiden Markram's 41 off 20 balls was his highest score in 18 innings, but he lacked support. Bjorn Fortuin's 16-ball 32 was the next highest score, and concerns over the middle order remain.

A CENTURY IN THE POWERPLAY

England were on it from ball one, when Salt sliced a full, wide ball from Jansen over point for four. And ball two, when Salt slammed Jansen through fine leg for four

more. And ball three, when he cut Jansen in half in his follow through for a third successive boundary.

You get the picture. Jansen's opening over cost 18; not his most expensive, but joint-third.

first over of the innings cost

before Jos Buttler took 22 off Williams.

spinner Fortuin conceded 20 firstup, and then Rabada changed ends and got pasted for 20.

Buttler reached his fastest fifty in the

Haris leads Pakistan to dominant win over Oman

MOHAMMAD Haris' fifty and a bowling performance far too good for an outmatched Oman side helped Pakistan cruise to a 93-run win in their Asia Cup opener. Haris smashed 66 off 43 deliveries in an innings where none of his team-mates were quite able to match his power or timing with the bat as he helped Pakistan get up to 160.

Oman received early encouragement when a ball that kept low trapped the dangerous Saim Ayub in front. Sahibzada Farhan's off-colour form persisted in a scratchy innings as Pakistan stumbled along to 31 in the first five overs, and it was up to Haris to inject impetus into the innings.

Sixteen came off the final powerplay over, and that was the start of the onslaught. Until then, Haris had 16 off 18. His next 25 balls produced 50 as Pakistan raced up close to eight runs per over, but once again, Oman

pegged them back. Aamir Kaleem, the leftarm spinner, was the pick of the Oman bowlers as he had Haris drag on, before Salman Agha lapped a full toss off his first delivery to deep midwicket.

It produced another barren spell for Pakistan and the boundaries dried up again. Fakhar Zaman struggled for timing and Hasan Nawaz, so often a hammer at the death, couldn't get himself in and holed out off his 15th ball for nine runs. But a cameo from Mohammad Nawaz, who arrived in the 17th over, ensured Pakistan got past the 150-mark.

But Kaleem's three wickets, and the overall assistance the Oman spinners got, suggested this might well end up being comfortably above par, especially in the face of Pakistan's more accomplished spin options.

And so it proved. A bright beginning for Oman's batters was waylaid by a double strike

from Saim Ayub in the powerplay. Nawaz and Pakistan's two wristspinners Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed dried up the batters' scoring options, and Oman began to bleed wickets. With the field spreading out and the asking rate rising, panic set in, and the innings began to capitulate. Oman slipped from 41 for 2 to 51 for 9 before being bowled out for 67; flashes of ability drowned under the gulf in quality Pakistan were able to bring to bear upon the contest.

It is knocks like these that keep Pakistan persisting with Haris through extended poor runs. He had scored just 54 runs in 11 innings before this game, but he was promoted up the order into the powerplay today. That is his strength, and having cut loose in the sixth over, he continued pumping the Oman bowlers, almost single-handedly maintaining Pakistan's imposing run rate.

Courts Optical Pee Wee school football launched

THE 12th Edition of the Courts Optical Pee Wee Schools Football Tournament was on Friday launched at Courts Maga Store at Main Street in Georgetown.

This is the flagship programme of the Petra Organisation will run from September 20th to December 1st 2025.

The competition will feature 40 teams with 17 drawn from Georgetown, four from the East Coast of Demerara, four from region three and two teams each from regions 10, seven, six, five and two.

Also set to compete will be 2 teams from East Bank and Santa Rosa primary the defending champions, the only team out of region 1.

The competition begins with elimination round featuring all 40 teams with 32 advancing to the tournament proper.

The 32 sides will then be placed in eight groups of four and will compete in a round robin format with the top two team advancing to the round of sixteen.

The round of sixteen is a straight knock-out format, leading to the quarter final, semi-final and final.

Co-Director of Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca says the Pee Wee competition was key to the organisation’s formation which in turn has led to development of youth footballers.

“Without this tournament, there won’t have been a Petra Organisation.

“We know the impact on players

going onto represent our country, we were able to create leaders in their own rights among a lot of youngsters that came through this programme,” he added.

Richard Simpson, Courts Optical Chain Manager says the company is elated to stand with the Petra Organisation and support the grass root competition for the 12th year.

“Courts Optical the brand has grown over the years. Our mission is to remain rooted and to give back to the community. Courts Unicomer itself will celebrate 32 years in Guyana going strong and of those 32 years, we would have given 12 to Pee Wee Football and I think it’s a lank mark….and Courts’ key focus is how do we develop the youths of Guyana, how do we develop the community and how do look for a brighter future for the kids,” Simpson said.

Nicholas Fraser, Head of the Unit of Allied Arts at the Ministry of Educations said the competition serves a purpose in molding youths.

“The competition itself has done quite a bit; we can talk about the development of soft skills, which is very important….these are things we develop easy in football, and it not something that you can teach on a black board, so we understand the importance of these competitions and what it does to teach our pupils these very important soft skills.”

He also alluded to the fact that competition serves to galvanize schools, adding, “We have seen schools develop around this com-

petition, a programme within their schools simply because they want to be the best or better than the other schools within their region and so as a spin off, we have seen reaching out and trying to see how they can better their programme.”

Assistant Director of Sports Melissa Dow-Richardson says the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports endorses the programme.

“There has been a mass proliferation of sports across three dozen disciplines in this country, we have sports associations and federations that are working and we have community sports active and a really important pillar is the sports in schools’ initiative.

“So, there are activities in schools in all 10 regions across gender, race and demographic lines and for the sports commission and the Ministry [of Sport] that means we are doing our part,” Dow-Richardson added.

Apart from the teams to advance, the remaining teams will play for placement,

This, the organiser says is key because of the developmental drive of the competition and the need to have players play as much as possible.

The games will be played at the Ministry of Education ground with awards for the top eight places which include trophies, medals, television, tablets etc.

There are also individual prizes for highest goal scorer, most valuable player, best goal keeper and most disciplined school.

Brilliant Holder keeps Patriots hopes alive

A BRILLIANT all-round display from Jason Holder against the Barbados Royals kept the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the hunt for a spot in the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League playoffs. Holder made his second half-century of the tournament before taking 2/32 with the ball as the Patriots won by one run in a thrilling encounter at Kensington Oval.

The Royals won the toss and chose to bowl, and the Patriots got off to a decent start, thanks to an opening stand of 46 between Mohammad Rizwan and Andre Fletcher. When Fletcher and Evin Lewis departed in the space of three balls, it pegged the Patriots back, and Rizwan found scoring more difficult. He attempted a number of dabs and sweeps before he was caught on the boundary looking to release the pressure.

Having been 46 without loss, the Patriots stumbled to 74/5 as Chris Green kept things tight for the Royals. It was from there that the Holder masterclass took hold of this match as he made an unbeaten 53 as he and Navin Bidaisee put on 74 for the sixth wicket to give the Patriots a defendable total.

It was a steady start from the Royals when their innings got

underway, with Quintin de Kock and Brandon King putting on 42 for the first wicket. Some very tidy bowling from the Patriots spinners kept the Royals from ever really getting on top in the chase, with both Waqar Salamkheil and Bidaisee both going at around a run a ball from their four overs.

With the two also sharing the wickets of the Royals openers, a topsy turvy game swung back towards the Patriots.

Sherfane Rutherford and Rassie van der Dussen both made decent starts, with the latter finishing undefeated on 37, but regular wickets meant the Royals were always fighting to stay in the game.

Come the final over, it was Holder who gave himself the responsibility of defending 14 to win the game. Van der Dussen smacked the first ball for six, but Holder held his nerve as the Patriots ran out winners by a single run.

The Royals are now eliminated from the tournament despite having one match left to play.

The Patriots can make it to the knockout stages, if Guyana Amazon Warriors lose both of their final two group stage matches by a wide enough margin for the Net Run Rate calculations to favour the Patriots.

Crawford, Alverez level on weight ahead of super-middleweight

(BBC) - A shredded Terence Crawford - jumping up two divisions - weighed the same as champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez for Saturday's super-middleweight showdown in Las Vegas.

Unbeaten Crawford, aiming to become the first male three-division undisputed champion in the modern era, came in just half a pound under the 12st (75kg) limit.

The 37-year-old American looked in incredible shape, with defined abs showing

despite the extra weight he has carried for this potential history-making fight.

Mexican Alvarez, 35, will defend his WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and WBO titles at the Allegiant Stadium.

The official weigh-in was held behind closed doors at the Fontainebleau on Friday morning.

A ceremonial public event is scheduled later at the T-Mobile Arena which will be the final face-off before fight night.

Crawford in shape, but legend Lewis fires warning

There appeared to be little difference in size or height. Crawford poked his tongue at his team, while Alvarez, looking expressionless as if he had just rolled out of bed, casually stepped off the scales.

Crawford first became world champion at lightweight before unifying the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions.

Thirteen months ago, he moved up to

bout

light-middleweight and beat Israil Madrimov in arguably his closest contest yet.

Alvarez, who turned professional at just 15 in 2005, boasts a record of 63 wins, two defeats, and two draws. Saturday marks his 21st fight in Las Vegas.

His experience at super-middleweight could prove decisive; neither fighter has been dropped as a professional, but Alvarez's natural power at 12st may push Crawford into uncharted territory.

GFF Elite League

Hat trick hero Macey cops MVP prize as GDF

thrash Ann’s Grove

The Guyana Defence Force’s Chris Macey put in a sublime effort to steer the defending Elite League champions to an imposing 8-1 victory over Ann’s Grove United at the National Training Centre at Providence.

Macey led the GDF strikers as he picked up a hat-trick in an emphatic win for the army.

It was Stephen McDonald that got the ball rolling for the GDF. His strike came in the 7th minute of play before Malcolm Miggings made it 2-nil on the cusp of the halftime whistle.

After the resumption, Macey scored the first of his goals, a powerful right footed strike to the back of the net in the 68th minute to make it 3-nil.

Thereafter Quancey Fraser in the 70th minute added to the soldiers’ advantage before Jeffrey Pereira stepped up with a double to put the game firmly in the GDF’s control at 6-nil.

Ann’s Grove pulled back the lead through the effort of Yohance

Douglas in the 85th minute.

Macey would record back-toback goals to answer the Ann’s grove strike and ensure an 8-1 victory for the defending champions.

In another encounter, Tywell Henry took control as Santos’ dominated Den Amstel for a commanding 4–0 victory.

Henry showed great pace, en-

ergy, and attacking drive to prove the difference maker for his side. It was Rondel Hutson that scored the opener in his own net to give Den Amstel the advantage.

Santos’ Henry then scored to make it 2-nil and Sigmund Cobena followed soon after to make it 3-nil in the 36th.

Andrew Simmons completed the 4-nil victory after giving his side an unassailable lead in the 76th minute.

The latest points table see Slingerz unchallenged to claim their second Elite League title after going unbeaten with 12 wins and a draw. They are on 37 points with two games in hand.

Second place is Western Tigers, with nine wins, four draws and two losses on 31 points after 15 games while the Guyana Police Force is third with eight wins, three draws and a loss.

GDF after their win remain fourth with eight wins with Monedderlust in fifth place with five wins.

Windies U19 Skipper leads side to three wicket win

CMC – WEST Indies Under-19 skipper Joshua Dorne led from the front with bat and ball as his side secured a tense three-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Under-19s in the sixth Youth ODI here on Friday.

Dorne, an off spinner, grabbed two wickets to be the pick of the bowlers, but Sri Lanka still posted a formidable 287 for six in their 50 overs after they were sent in at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

With the Windies languishing on 125 for five in their run chase, Dorne then hit a match winning 95 to stage a spectacular recovery that saw the home side reach 289 for seven with eight balls remaining in the contest.

The victory gave the West Indies an unassailable 4-2 lead in their best-ofseven series, with the final ODI to be played on Monday. Needing a win to level the series, Sri Lanka were given the perfect start by openers Viran Chamuditha and Dimantha Mahavithana, who put on 114 for the first wicket.

Dorne broke the stand when he had the latter stumped for 49 and he also accounted for the second wicket to fall, that of Senuja Wekunagoda for 12, to leave the score 142 for two.

Chamuditha looked set on reaching three figures before Brendan Boodoo bowled him for 88 off 85 balls, adorned with 10 fours.

The Windies then snared three wickets for just 10 runs as Sri Lanka stumbled to 197 for five, but an

unbeaten half century from Vimath Dinsara, who scored 58 off 57 balls with four sixes, propelled the visitors to a competitive total.

West Indies Under-19s found themselves under immediate pressure when opener Micah Greenidge was dismissed for a duck with the third ball of the innings.

Zachary Carter scored 31 in a partnership of 47 for the second wicket with Tyriek Bryan, but when he was dismissed by Sethmika Seneviratne for 31, Earshino Fontaine followed shortly after for just two, to see the Windies slip to 56 for three in the 14th over.

Bryan, who scored a patient 52 off 90 balls, then added 60 runs with Dorne before he became one of Vigneshwaran Akash’s three wickets and six runs later Boodoo was back in the pavilion after scoring six, to put Sri Lanka in control at 125 for five in the 30th over. But Dorne and Jonathan van Lange frustrated the visitors’ bowlers during a partnership of 115 runs for the sixth wicket that changed the complexion of the match.

Van Lange was eventually caught and bowled by Akash for an even 50 off 43 balls, and Dorne fell five runs short of a deserved century with the Windies still requiring 27 runs for victory. Shaquan Belle then put the finishing touches on an impressive fightback, scoring an unbeaten 21 off just 13 deliveries.

Officers to retain title

By Sean Devers

In sweltering heat at an immaculately manicured Police Sports Club ground at Eve Leary a raucous crowd watched as two-time defending champions Headquarters defeated the Officers by 28 runs yesterday to retain the Commissioner’s Birth Anniversary T20 cricket title.

Led by a match winning 73-run sixth wicket stand between Man-of-the-Match Kanakya Ramkarran who stroked three fours and six in 49 and Kapildeo Charandeen whose 41 included two fours and a six, Headquarters were restricted to 141-9 in 20 overs before dismissing Officers for 113 in 17.3 overs.

Only the Benn siblings; Troy, who top scored with 44 and Trevor who made 24 offered any fight as off-spinner Dwayne Dick captured 3-13.

Batting first on a track which kept the odd ball kept low, Trevor sunk Headquarters to 15-3 when he blew away the top order and took two wickets off consecutive balls in his second over to be on a hattrick as Headquarters were off to an inauspicious start.

The Headquarters’ position got increasingly worse when the slumped to 33-5.

Ramkarran and Charandeen joined forces with their in a precarious position and orchestrated ‘Operation rebuild’ with intelligent batting.

Ramkarran hit spinner Joshua Budram for a couple of sixes in 16th over to post the 100 in the 16th over.

But when one away from 50 he was bowled by Trevor Benn at 103 to former

Guyana Frist-Team selectee his fourth scalp.

He finished with 4-16 as only the Troy Leitch (16) and Hazil Willaims (15) reached double figures.

When the Offices began the reply, they slipped to 34-4 as Dick removed Ravindranath Budram (1), Stephon Harris (3) and Joshua Budram (0) while Ronald Ali was run out for four.

Troy Benn, who had struggled with the throughout the tournament in he was among the wickets, saved his best for last.

The right-hander played an array of enterprising shots to the delight of the noisy crowd with included members of Guyana Amazon Team including Quinten Sampson and Kelon Savory who both represent Police at First Division level.

When Ivor Trotz fell for six the Benn brothers joined forces before Troy departed 74-6.

Trevor tried to take on the bowlers as required run-rate kept climbing and although hit three fours and a six in a cameo 24 when fell at 108-9 it was all over bar the shouting.

Headquarters collected a beautiful trophy and $350,000, Officers received at trophy and $250,000.

TSU who beat 4A and 4B in the thirdplace play-off earlier in the day got a trophy and $150,000.

Man-of-the-Match Ramkarran collected $25,000 and another $25,000 for being the best batter in the final.

Trevor Benn had was awarded the prise for best bowler and best all-rounder in the final and took home $50,000.

Courts Optical Pee Wee school football launched