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Buzz Bee Dam Highway to unlock massive network links No.108043

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–– as extensive engineering works near advanced stages

President Dr Irfaan Ali, on Tuesday, inspected ongoing works at the modern four-lane highway from Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan. The project forms part of a broader East Bank to East Coast Road network and is expected to serve as a crucial interconnecting link for national transportation and development (Office of the President photos)

Judiciary faces staffing shortages as caseloads rise 09 PAGE

--Chancellor pledges strategic reforms, expanded recruitment to tackle operational challenges

New co-operation agreements between –– as President Ali perpares 02 Guyana, Belize imminent for State visit in February PAGE

Attorney General calls out 04 magistrates for ignoring legislation PAGE

–– urges return to in-person court hearings, highlights gaps in legal practice

Dr Singh: Preliminary 2022 census report data justify success of gov’t policies 02 PAGE

The Law Year 2026 opened on Tuesday, marking the start of a new judicial year

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

New co-operation agreements between Guyana, Belize imminent –– as President Ali prepares for State visit in February

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali will make a State Visit to Belize from February 1 to 3, 2026, as Guyana continues to deepen its diplomatic and economic engagement within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) of Belize, announced that a major highlight of the visit will be President Ali’s address at the opening of a new session of the Belizean Parliament, reflecting the strength of bilateral relations between the two CARICOM member states and Guyana’s expanding leadership role within the region.

As CARICOM’s Lead Head of Government with responsibility for agriculture, President Ali is also expected to engage Belize’s productive sector, with a focus on strengthening regional co-operation, investment, and trade. These engagements are aligned with advancing shared priorities in food security, agricultural development and economic resilience across the Caribbean. The visit is expected to culminate in the signing of several co-operation agreements, aimed at further formalising collaboration between Guyana and Belize in key areas of mutual interest. President Ali will also

hold high-level bilateral meetings with Governor-General of Belize, Dame Froyla T’zalam and Prime Minister John Briceño. Discussions are expected to cover a range of regional and international issues, including CARICOM integration, development priorities and the expansion of political and economic ties. Belize and Guyana have historically maintained strong and robust bilateral relations, grounded in a shared commitment to regional solidarity, sustainable development and Caribbean integration.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño

Preliminary 2022 Census Report data justify success of gov’t policies –– investment in housing resulting in average household size reduction ––– increased population indicating Guyana is a more attractive destination for persons to live and work

DURING his keynote remarks as he welcomed the official release of the Preliminary Report of the National 2022 Population and Housing Census yesterday, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh told reporters gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) that the preliminary report vindicates much of the successes in Guyana under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali’s government. Dr. Singh said that this is because government has been investing much effort to make the country a more hospitable one and a more attractive place for Guyanese nationals to live, work, invest, save, earn and retire through the creation of economic opportunities and the establishment of conditions that are conducive to these said objectives being realised. “We have also invested a lot of effort in ensuring that we have improved social services including an improved public health care system which ultimately has been contributing to improved medical and health outcomes and improved longevity of our citizens. And so the fact that we are seeing the kind of population growth that we are seeing comes really as no surprise to any of us because we are seeing more and more Guyanese people choosing to remain in Guyana and work for entrepreneurial opportunities,” the Finance Minister posited. He further pointed to the fact that the country is witnessing more and more Guyanese who might have in a previous era migrated out of Guyana now remigrating or exploring options for remigration back to their homeland. Minister Singh added that another significant observation is the growing presence of a foreign-born population and explained further that this should come as no surprise. “The expansion of foreign-born nationals in Guyana- some of them are people who

might be children of members of the diaspora or remigrated with their family but many of them are of course persons who may have migrated from neighbouring countries, and you know just as well as I do, the realities of cross border migration,” Dr. Singh reminded. Pointing to another occurrence being that many persons have been coming to Guyana either as investors or as workers or students. The finance minister added: “We have a situation now in Guyana that we did not have before, which is that foreign born students are coming to Guyana to study at universities in Guyana -a phenomenon that did not exist a generation ago or even perhaps a decade before.” “Today people are coming to Guyana from other countries to study and people are coming to Guyana from other countries to work and people are coming to Guyana from other countries to invest and we see that reflected in the expansion in the foreign-born population.” he underscored. Pointing to some of the other key findings of the preliminary report, Minister Singh said it has highlighted some other very interesting demographic trends including the regional distribution of the population with Region Three now being the second most populous region taking Region Six out of that position. “Here again I don’t believe that this is a finding that will take anybody by surprise because we are seeing the opening of new lands and the developing of new housing areas, the allocation of house lots in Region Three- entire housing areas that did not exist a generation ago and that did not exist even a decade ago that are heavily populated,” he said. The minister attributed this not only to the movement of people and government’s vast housing drive but also to the vast new infrastructure built out by the current administration including the new Demerara River Bridge, the new four lane road from Schoonord to Crane and new roads on the

West Coast and West Bank among other developments. He reminded journalists at the launch that work has already started on a brand-new road to Parika as the expansion in economic activity continues in Region Three. The continuous expansion of the Region’s population and the demand being made on the region’s transport infrastructure. BUILDING STOCK “We see other trends too, we saw and it is worthwhile to mention that during the period of 2012 to 2022 we saw a forty two percent increase in building stock, over a ten-year period with the number of buildings in our country increasing from 219,509 to 311,742,” Minister Singh posited as he pointed to the figures released from the preliminary Census. “We have seen the construction boom that has been taking place in our country, the build out of industrial and commercial buildings at a pace that has never before been seen in our country, more industrial buildings, more commercial buildings, more warehouses, more factories and more processing plants, more office buildings and the residential housing boom,” he said. Minister Singh then concluded that government’s vast housing programme over the years has resulted in the reduction in the average household size. “And we saw a slide that pointed to the fact that in 1991, the average household size was approaching five—it was in fact 4.7. In 2022 the average household size is 3.23 and here again this too coincides with what we know to be happening. It is consistent with the aggressive housing programme. “President Ali and indeed previous PPP/C governments have made it an express policy objective that we want every single Guyanese family to be able to own their own home, and we want more persons to become

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh homeowners thus, we have implemented specific policies to make home ownership more affordable,” he stated. Over the last years, under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration, more house lots have been allocated to thousands of citizens with more young professionals and turnkey homes allocated younger persons. The government also removed Value Added Tax (VAT) on basic building materials, implemented financial sector policies that have seen the reduction in interest rates on loans to boost home ownership, the country saw an increase in the ceiling on the low-income housing window and there have been successive increases in the ceiling for housing loans granted by the New Building Society (NBS) among other housing initiatives. These were all aimed at making home ownership more affordable countrywide. (Ministry of Finance)

Buzz Bee Dam Highway to unlock massive network links 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

–– as extensive engineering works near advanced stages

W H AT w e r e o n c e swamp lands are now being transformed into a modern four-lane highway, as construction of the Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan Road reaches advanced stages, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has said. During a site visit with engineers and technical personnel on Tuesday, President Ali reminded that the project forms part

we started from Mandela up to Buzz Bee Dam and then we have the interconnection from Buzz Bee Dam to the old highway at numerous locations. So, this is the continuation from Buzz Bee Dam and this will go all the way to Land of Canaan,” the President said. The project will connect the Mandela Highway, Heroes Highway, Ogle Highway, the old

dent Ali, extensive engineering works have been undertaken to prepare the former swamp lands for construction. These included the removal of soft materials, installation of vertical drainage systems, the use of geotextile fabric and successive layers of sand filling and compaction to stabilise the foundation. In several areas, the road base has been raised

put in place, and a lot of these secondary lines are already here to serve the new communities because of the massive expansion and speed of expansion in housing,” he said. Significant drainage infrastructure is also being installed, with massive concrete structures constructed on both sides of the highway to maintain and enhance water flow from the conservancy to

the sections, with some lots already more than halfway complete. A large roundabout is also under construction at Buzz Bee Dam, which will serve as a central junction connecting multiple highways and future road links. “So, this highway will take us, connect us directly into Georgetown from Mandela… it will be interconnected with the Aubrey Barker Road and then

including primary and secondary power transmission lines to support expanding housing schemes and new communities. The road network is expected to play a critical role in addressing the housing backlog in Region Four by opening up access to thousands of residential lots along the East Bank and Linden–Soesdyke corridors. “So outside of that,

Once completed, the new highway will connect the Mandela Highway, Heroes Highway, Ogle Highway, the old East Bank highway, and future links to Soesdyke, Timehri, Linden–Soesdyke Highway, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (Office of the President’s photos) of a broader East Bank Demerara (EBD) to East Coast Demerara (ECD) Road network, and is expected to serve as a crucial interconnecting link for national transportation and development. “What you see here is the massive four-lane development that continues from Buzz Bee Dam. As you know, in the last term,

East Bank highway, and future links to Soesdyke, Timehri, Linden–Soesdyke Highway, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Once completed, the roadway will provide a direct and efficient route between Georgetown, the East Coast, the East Bank and key inland areas. According to Presi-

by up to six feet to ensure long-term durability and safety. “So this here is the first instalment, the first understanding as to the magnitude and scale of work that is that is being carried out you will see also in addition to the massive primary transmission lines you will see also secondary lines being

outfall channels. A total of 28 major drainage structures is being built to protect surrounding communities and ensure the integrity of the road during periods of heavy rainfall. The project is divided into eight construction lots, all of which are now under active development. Progress varies across

interconnected with the Ogle four-lane highway going on the east coast connected to the additional four-lane going on the old railway embankment on the east coast then also interconnected with the Heroes Highway,” he said. The President noted too that utility infrastructure is being integrated alongside the highway,

we have a development, about five other major developments on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway that will see about close to 2,500 homes and all of those persons will have to move… the transportation link is important so all of those communities will be connected also to this old highway,” he said.

Gov't yet to receive official word on US visa revocation for senior cop – Minister Walrond says

M I N I ST E R of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond conf i rmed that Guyana's government has yet to receive formal notification from U.S. authorities regarding

the reported revocation of Senior Superintendent Mitchell Caesar’s U.S. visa. In an invited comment to reporters, Walrond said that the matter came to

light only through media reports, and the government will review any official details before responding “I lea r ned about it from the news article, but we haven’t received any official notification,” she

said. T he m i n ister a dded: “Should formal communication arrive, we’ll evaluate the reasons provided and address them appropriately. Nothing has come through so far.” Asked whether other police officers face U.S. sanctions,

Walrond noted she knows only of publicly reported cases. “Those we’re both aware of are already public,” she said, adding: “These matters typically surface publicly. I’m unaware of any additional sanctions beyond

what’s out there.” The reports emerged Tu e s d a y m o r n i n g , claiming Caesar’s visa revocat ion and t y ing him to allegations of corruption, bribery, and interference in criminal probes.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Attorney General calls out magistrates for ignoring legislation - urges return to in-person court hearings, highlights gaps in legal practice - stresses need for professional accountability, modernisation at Law Year 2026 opening

Scenes from the Opening of the Law Year 2026, marking the start of a new judicial year (Photo credit: Hon. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Home Affairs/Facebook)

AT the opening of Law Year 2026 at the High Court in Demerara, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, delivered a candid address that spotlighted concerns over the conduct of magistrates and the wider legal profession, urging a return to in-person hearings and greater adherence to existing legislation. Speaking to the gathering of mostly legal professionals, Nandlall highlighted that certain

laws, particularly those governing plea-bargaining, restorative justice, and paper committals, are being ignored in Magistrates’ Courts. He emphasised the mandatory nature of these provisions, stating: "The first section of the plea-bargaining legislation mandates a magistrate to put plea-bargaining as an option to the defendant.” Nandlall stressed that while the government and parliament have introduced inno-

vative laws reflecting global legal developments, these tools are underutilised. "We are churning out, at the level of the Executive and the Parliament, a tremendous amount of new, modern, and innovative legislation, capturing the developments that are taking place in the law. But I say this with the greatest of respect: I don't think that we are reading them. We are not reading the law," Nandlall stated. Beyond legislative compliance, he addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on legal training and professional development. He argued that the shift to virtual hearings has diminished the learning opportunities traditionally available to young lawyers through in-person observation of senior counsel. Nandlall said: "Madam Chancellor (ag) Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, I'm hoping that I can persuade the judiciary to resort to in-person hearings with greater

regularity. I do not underestimate the value of Zoom hearings. They have great utilitarian value in relation to certain applications. But trials, submissions, presentation of oral arguments, I believe should be done in person." The Attorney General reflected on his own experience, noting that the practical lessons learned from observing court proceedings in person are irreplaceable. "The amount of knowledge that I gathered on the corridors of the court alone can equal my learning of law in the law school. And we have lost that. And it is being reflected in the conduct of this new generation of lawyers. And you can't blame them because they have not seen anything better," he said. EROSION OF PROFESSIONAL CAMARADERIE Nandlall also highlighted the erosion of professional camaraderie among lawyers due to the lack of personal interaction in recent years. He observed that TURN TO PAGE 5

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Attorney General calls out magistrates for ignoring...

FROM PAGE 4

young lawyers, particularly those graduating in the last five years, remain largely unknown to their senior counterparts, a phenomenon he described as unprecedented. The Attorney General said: "Half of the lawyers here who graduated over the last five years are unknown to lawyers who graduated before. And I don't think we have had that degree of unfamiliarity at any stage of the legal profession before." Despite these challenges, the Attorney General acknowledged progress in judicial efficiency, particularly in estate matters and high court cases. He noted that backlogs have significantly decreased, though some pending appeals, including cases from as far back as 2016, still highlight areas needing improvement. "I had a brief conversation with the Honorable Chief Justice [Navindra Singh] last week, and I was pleased to note that the backlog in estate matters has almost been completely dissipated. There is hardly any backlog in the High Court. But, no doubt, with the addition—the increased complement of judges at the Court of Ap-

peal—will enhance and augment expediency in the hearing and disposal of cases," he said. Nandlall also drew attention to initiatives aimed at strengthening legal research and resources. He announced plans for the launch of the revised Laws of Guyana, updated from 2012 to 2022, as well as the Guyana Law Reports from 2008 to 2021. He emphasised the importance of law reporting in maintaining doctrine of precedent, consistency, and predictability in the legal system. AG Nandlall said: "Law reporting is important for the legal profession, it's important for the doctrine of precedent, it's important for the judges to have easy access to their decisions… I am hoping that the now regular publication of the law report would be an added incentive for us to

do research and for us to write." GRADUATE INDUCTION SYSTEM Addressing young lawyers directly, Nandlall highlighted the challenges of entering the profession and called for reforms to ease the transition. He advocated for a graduate induction system, continuing education, and mentorship programmes. "It is unreasonable to expect a lawyer just emerging out of law school, being shouldered with that magnitude of responsibility. I advocate for a graduate induction into the profession. And all these mechanisms exist in other jurisdictions far more advanced than ours. We need a system of rigid and accountable continuing education," he said. Concluding his remarks, the Attorney General urged the legal profession to embrace

responsibility and accountability to maintain its self-regulatory status, stressing the ongoing transformation within the judiciary and the

broader legal landscape. “You have a facility no other profession has. You are self-regulatory and don’t take that professional au-

tonomy for granted. To remain self-regulatory, you have to become responsible and you have to become accountable.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Regulatory Clarity FOR too long, Guyana’s vehicle tint regulations have created a frustrating legal contradiction. The ban existed only on paper, while the reality on our roads was quite different. With over 70 per cent of vehicles not following the law, our old system became a warning sign of policy failure. The newly introduced Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2026 is a positive change, but drivers need to act quickly during the amnesty period to avoid penalties in April. Guyana had outgrown an approach that effectively banned what many drivers wanted and already used. The new regulations tackle this

issue by making things clearer and more democratic. All vehicles can now use tint without exemptions, with front windows set at 25 per cent VLT, and rear windows at 20 per cent VLT. This change lifts the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy. The standards are based on science, the rules are clear, and enforcement will use calibrated tint meters from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards, thus removing the uncertainty that affected previous efforts. However, the success of this reform will depend on how well it is put into practice. The government has allowed for a three-month amnesty period, ending on March 31, 2026.

During this time, the Guyana Police Force will conduct voluntary compliance testing. This grace period shows good judgment; it understands that we cannot fix widespread non-compliance overnight without causing economic strain. The $30,000 fine for violations is set at a level that discourages wrongdoing, but isn’t overly harsh. That said, the amnesty period won’t last forever. Motorists who miss this deadline will only have themselves to blame. Full enforcement begins on April 1, 2026. Vehicle owners should quickly learn the new standards and take advantage of the testing sites to ensure they comply. The regulations include exemp-

tions for government officials, diplomatic missions, security services, medical cases, and high-risk security operations, acknowledging that some groups need more privacy. The last concern is whether enforcement will be consistent. Rules are only as effective as they are applied. The government needs to ensure that police officers are trained to use tint meters correctly, that testing sites are spread fairly across the country, and that enforcement does not become arbitrary. The regulations acknowledge reality, remove unnecessary bureaucracy, and set clear, enforceable standards. The amnesty period is both an opportunity and a deadline. Motorists must take advantage of it.

Public allegations, unanswered questions surrounding GHK Lall deserve similar attention, investigation Dear Editor, OVER the past weeks, I have cooperated fully and transparently in response to false and malicious allegations made by Azruddin Mohamed, a political party leader who has been indicted in the United States on charges including money laundering, mail fraud, and wire fraud, and whose name has been linked in international reporting to organised crime, including allegations of ties to the Russian mafia, Hezbollah, and Colombian cocaine trafficking, as published by Reuters. In response, I provided personal financial information, including documentary evidence of a mortgage, which clearly demonstrates that the acquisition of my assets was lawful, transparent, and above board. Like GHK Lall, I too, am a devout Catholic and therefore, I went above and beyond what was required of me in the interest of ac-

countability. Despite this, Demerara Waves continues to offer an unrestrained platform to GHK Lall, who relentlessly repeats these and other unsubstantiated allegations against me and other government officials. If Demerara Waves believes in scrutiny, transparency, and accountability, then the same standards should apply equally. In that spirit, I believe the following public allegations and unanswered questions surrounding GHK Lall also deserve similar attention and investigation, so that he, too, may have the opportunity to clear his name: - GHK Lall has long been dogged by allegations of paedophilia, which he has repeatedly refused to publicly address. - His tenure at the Guyana Gold Board was clouded by allegations of corruption and questionable practices, including the granting of a gold export licence to a dubious company, of which Travis Chase was a director at the time.

- GHK Lall publicly claimed that a dossier on gold smuggling in Guyana provided by the United States did not contain the names of Azruddin Mohamed or his father. This claim was publicly repudiated by former Minister Raphael Trotman, who stated that the document did in fact include both names. - It has been alleged that GHK Lall is a part-owner of Demerara Waves’ News Talk Radio, having paid a substantial sum to acquire an ownership stake. Can he state the source of his financing? - GHK Lall presented himself to officials at GECOM as an attorney-at-law while registering for an ID card. He has never publicly stated the year he graduated from law school, or the year he was admitted to the Bar. Can he provide this information? - He has also presented himself publicly as a “Wall Street analyst”, yet there is no verifiable public record of a Gabriel Hillary

Kincaid Lall having held employment of note at any Wall Street firm. The public deserves clarity on where and when such employment allegedly occurred. I welcome scrutiny. I have provided evidence. I stand by my record. What I do not accept is selective outrage, one-sided commentary, and the recycling of defamatory claims while serious questions surrounding the commentator himself are ignored. If Demerara Waves is committed to truth and accountability, then let it apply those principles fairly, consistently, and without fear or favour. I trust Demerara Waves will carry this letter in its entirety, and with the same prominence as it extends to GHK Lall. Yours sincerely, Susan Rodrigues, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

New biotechnology facility to produce one million plantlets by year-end - Mustapha says

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during his visit to the Ministry of Agriculture’s biotechnology plant tissue laboratory located at NAREI (Ministry of Agriculture photos) AGRICULTURE Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently visited the Ministry of Agriculture’s biotechnology plant tissue laboratory located within the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) compound at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. During the visit, the minister engaged with laboratory technicians, and observed the process

of dividing plant cuttings used in the development of plantlets. The facility, which was established at an estimated cost of $450 million, is designed to supply farmers and researchers with clean, disease-free and high-quality planting material. According to Minister Mustapha, the laboratory supports the government’s vision for the transformation and modernisa-

tion of the agriculture sector, and is projected to produce approximately one million plantlets by the end of the year. The laboratory was developed in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of India, and was financed through the Inter-American Development Bank under the Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme (SADP).

The facility will provide high-yielding, disease-free planting material for a range of crops, including pineapple, citrus, plantain, sweet potato, breadfruit, sugarcane and several exotic fruits such as strawberries and blackberries. Minister Mustapha was accompanied by Director-General Dhaneshwar Deonarine, NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer

Jagnarine Singh, and other technical officers during the visit. The facility, which officially opened back in October, is designed to produce over one million plantlets annually, a significant leap from the previous output of 15,000. These plantlets will be clean, high-yielding, and disease-free, supporting crops such as pineapple, citrus, plantain,

sweet potato, breadfruit, sugarcane, and even exotic fruits such as strawberries and blackberries. The biotechnology ‘lab’ marked a major milestone in Guyana’s efforts to enhance food security, agricultural innovation, and sustainable economic growth, laying the foundation for a more resilient and diversified agricultural future.

Full enforcement of new vehicle tint regulations begins April 1

MOTORISTS will face full enforcement of Guyana’s new vehicle tint regulations from April 1, 2026, following the official gazetting of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2026 earlier this month. The Guyana Police Force (GPF), on Tuesday, announced that the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2026 were officially gazetted on January 1, 2026, formally establishing the national standards for permissible vehicle tint and the framework for enforcement. However, motorists have been granted a three-month amnesty period, which runs until March 31, 2026, to allow sufficient time to regularise their vehicles. During this period, no penalties will be enforced for non-compliant tints.

permitted tinted windows only by exemption and required a minimum of 65 per cent VLT, but widespread non-compliance meant that more than 70 per cent of vehicles on the road were operating outside the law. Under the new regulations, no tint will be allowed on front windscreens except for a visor not exceeding six inches from the top. Front side windows Police said the amnesty is intended to give vehicle owners a fair opportunity to adjust tint levels in accordance with the new legal requirements, without facing fines or other sanctions. “Full enforcement of the regulations will commence on April 1, 2026,” the GPF said, warning that motorists found in breach after that date will be

subject to the fines and penalties prescribed under the law. The Police Force is urging all vehicle owners and operators to familiarise themselves with the new tint standards and take the necessary corrective action during the amnesty period to avoid inconvenience once enforcement begins. The previous legal position

must allow at least 25 per cent VLT, while rear side windows and rear windscreens must allow a minimum of 20 per cent VLT. Mirrored or reflective tint has been expressly prohibited. The regulations also outline specific exemptions for vehicles used by the President and Prime Minister, senior government officials, the disciplined services, emergency vehicles,

diplomatic missions, licensed private security agencies, businesses involved in high-risk cash handling, and individuals with certified medical conditions. Approved exemptions will be recorded in a digital national tint registry. Fines for non-compliance have been set at $30,000 for vehicle operators and businesses that install illegal tint.

The absurdities of the mind in 2025

THERE are things that happened in 2025 that if they weren’t serious would have made this country the most comical land in the world. Let’s start with Christopher Ram who compared Azruddin Mohamed with Walter Rodney. Ram said that Mohamed created the same reverberation that Walter Rodney did. This was elephantine stupidity for reasons if spelt out could take up this entire column. First, Mohamed did not excite people. What he did was that he feted them. And if you are giving away goodies then people will flock to you for commonsensical reason; if they need a “small piece” and they hear that they can get that small piece from a politician, then they will go to that politician’s rallies to collect. The Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall, said, on the Freddie Kissoon Show, that never in the history of the Commonwealth was there ever a political party that openly bribed people the way WIN did in the 2025 general contest in Guyana. It was either Ram did not look at the campaign videos where WIN had people sharing out money from a knapsack or Ram saw them but ignored them. Given the commercial banks’ refusal to continue a bank-customer relationship, Mohamed then had to withdraw his money. He probably had rooms with money stacked way up to the ceiling. He couldn’t do anything with those

billions, so he shared it out during the election campaign. People knew about the give-way and went to his meetings to collect. It is vulgar political theory to compare that type of politics with the national fervor Rodney created. Secondly, Rodney excited the Guyanese people who felt he was a good man. Mohamed excited people whom the political theorist refers to as the lumpen proletariat. I lived in Guyana in 2025 and I did not see the excitement that Mohamed created. In fact, there was no evidence of that. Rodney attracted large numbers at his public meetings because he had charisma, could galvanise a crowd, could arouse them with his intellect and inspire them to commit themselves to his liberation enterprise. Guyana did not see this from Mohamed who could not speak, therefore, was unable to move people much less inspire them. Again, it is just plain vulgarity to make a comparison with Rodney in the 1970s and Mohamed in 2025. One thought that given his political atrocity Ram sprouted last year and was embarrassed by them, one would have seen Ram hibernate in 2025 but after the election he did not stop. Ram attributed 217,920 votes that APNU+AFC got in 2020 to Aubrey Norton. This had to be the second comical emanations of 2025. Those votes went to a bandwagon in 2020 because of

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

who were standing on the platform and Norton was not one of them. Norton was not a name in the 2020 election so those votes did come not as a result of his presence. One would have thought that Ram would have taken a long break from politics after he said the following words in 2025: “The PNC has the capacity to organise, mobilise and galvanise its support base.” Ram made that opinion in an election year where the PNC was virtually stripped bare of its brains and talent through a massive exodus of top leaders. That support base disappeared in 2025 and has left the PNC in a comatose state. If this statement from Ram was the second most preposterous offering in 2025, what was the first? It came from the current de facto leader of the PNC and its current parliamentary leader, Terrence Campbell. In what may be the stupidest observation from a Caribbean politician, Campbell referred to state funds by the government in service of African people as the diabolical (his word) use of state resources. How could any politician be so moronic? How could the state in Guyana not spend money to create social elevation

where Africans live (South Georgetown), Indians (Corentyne) and the Indigenous Peoples (Lethem)? By what logic, the use of government funds becomes the diabolical use of state resources if Lodge High School, with 98 percent African students is invested with a computer for every child? In what ways government money becomes the diabolical use of state resources if the small business department of the government lends money to African company to create a dried salt-fish business? But the confusion becomes ugly and insane when you think of the irrationality in Campbell’s mind. If the government spends money on African-Guyanese and it is tantamount to the diabolical use of state resources, why isn’t the logic the same for money spent on Indian people and Amerindian villages? In 2025, Campbell became the PNC’s parliamentary leader and Ram still carried on. This was Guyana in 2025. 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.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Judiciary faces staffing shortages - Chancellor pledges strategic reforms, expanded as caseloads rise recruitment to tackle operational challenges THE Judiciary of Guyana is grappling with rising criminal and civil case volumes alongside critical staffing shortages, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC, revealed in her remarks at the official opening of the Law Year 2026. Addressing judges, members of the Bar, magistrates, justice sector stakeholders, and diplomatic representatives, Justice George-Wiltshire highlighted both the progress and the challenges facing the country’s court system. “In 2025, about 30,000 criminal cases and 700 civil cases were filed in the magistrates’ courts throughout the country,” she said. She related that magistrates’ courts handle approximately 90 per cent of the nation’s criminal caseload while also managing civil matters such as petty debt, landlord and tenant disputes, domestic violence, and family and maintenance cases. The magistrates preside over inquests, children’s courts, drug treatment courts, and are preparing to operationalise mental health courts.

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, SC

Despite these efforts, she noted that staffing shortages are a significant impediment to the efficient administration of justice. “The Supreme Court has been haemorrhaging in terms of staffing. In the last year we have lost over 100 staff mainly to the private sector, government ministries, public sector agencies, and emigration. The loss of staff is severely affecting court operations,” Justice George-Wiltshire said, emphasising that the attrition is largely due to staff seeking better pay and opportunities elsewhere. She added, “There

is grave difficulty in attracting and retaining staff to ensure that our courts function efficiently at all times. This very major challenge has to be addressed soonest even as we await proposed medium-to long-term solutions.” The Chancellor explained that vacancies are not limited to court staff, but also affect magistrates and judges. Currently, the magistrates’ courts have seven vacancies, resulting from promotions to the posts of Commissioner of Title and the High Court. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) aims to fill these positions be-

Region Two REO debunks ‘misleading’ claims on ‘Anna Regina Secondary Dormitory’ THE Regional Education Officer for Region Two, Shondelle Hercules has issued a firm rejection of a “misleading” social media post, dated January 13, 2026, about the Anna Regina Secondary School Dormitory. The post, which shared outdated images purporting to show poor conditions at the facility, has sparked unnec-

essary concern among parents, students, and the public, according to the official statement. Hercules emphasised that the circulated images do not reflect the dormitory's current state, which remains clean, safe, and fully suitable for occupancy. "The conditions shown in the referenced post are not indicative of the present environ-

ment within the facility," she stated, urging greater caution in sharing unverified content Online. In a call for responsible information-sharing, the Regional Education Officer encouraged the public to rely on official channels for accurate updates, helping to curb the spread of misinformation.

fore mid-year, she said. For the High Court, five puisne judge positions remain vacant, with appointments also anticipated before mid-year. The justice system’s staffing challenges have tangible consequences. Pending inquests and the preparation of records for appeals and committal proceedings are ongoing pressures, and the volume of trial matters takes precedence over these administrative responsibilities. “Staffing the court offices for the efficient management of cases dealt with by magistrates is a major challenge,” Justice George-Wiltshire said.

To a d d r e s s t h e s e shortages, she said the judiciary plans a comprehensive human resources review supported by a grant from Global Affairs Canada. The audit will assess staffing needs, qualifications, and compensation and is expected to lead to “a revised organisational structure, job classification, and remuneration framework,” the Chancellor said. She noted that several judicial research counsels have been appointed to support judicial officers in legal research, drafting opinions, committee responsibilities, and policy implementa-

tion, marking an initial measure to address staffing shortfalls.” The judiciary is also advocating for more centralised and standardised appointments of staff through the Judicial Service Commission. “Some staff are already appointed by the Judicial Service Commission on a much higher scale of pay than those appointed by the Public Service Commission and the Public Service Ministry. This has caused a bifurcated system of employment with attendant challenges, especially regarding morale,” Justice George-Wiltshire said. TURN TO PAGE 11

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Diaspora creatives explore orange economy investments in Guyana FOLLOWING President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s call to expand and diversify Guyana’s emerging industries, Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Peter Ramsaroop, on Tuesday, engaged a group of well-known Guyanese diaspora investors and creatives exploring long-term investment opportunities in Guyana. According to information from the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), the engagement highlights growing diaspora interest in investing capital, skills, and global networks into Guyana’s development—

Chief Investment Officer and Agency Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Peter Ramsaroop, on Tuesday, engaged a group of well-known Guyanese diaspora investors and creatives including actor, Jacob Scipio, who starred in Bad Boys

particularly in tourism, culture, media, and the

Orange Economy. The delegation includ-

ed Ronnie Madra, Jacob Scipio, who starred in

Bad Boys alongside Will Smith, and Zach Scipio,

accompanied by local partner Capt. Gerry Gouveia Jr.. Discussions focused on high-value tourism and lifestyle developments, film and music production infrastructure, creative talent development, and sports-linked entertainment, including the potential introduction of electric powerboat (E-boat) racing in Guyana. The engagement underscored the Government of Guyana’s view of the diaspora as a strategic partner in national development and in scaling the Orange Economy as a new pillar of growth, jobs, and global cultural presence.

Judiciary faces staffing...

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

FROM PAGE 9

She suggested that constitutional or legislative amendments may be required to outline the JSC’s authority and appointment processes. Beyond staffing, Justice George-Wiltshire underscored ongoing efforts to modernise court operations through technology. The development of an indigenous e-filing and case management system for magistrates’ courts is underway, in collaboration with the National Center for State Courts of the United States and regional partners. “It is hoped that the system which will permit e-filing in both the criminal and civil jurisdictions will be operational as soon as possible since testing has commenced,” she said. Similar digitalisation efforts have already transformed the High Court and the Full Court, allowing automatic case assignments and paperless file access 24 hours a day. While acknowledging the judiciary’s progress, Justice George-Wiltshire stressed that additional staff will be required as part of ongoing expansion. The Demerara High Court and Georgetown Magistrates’ Court buildings were originally designed for fewer judges/ magistrates and support staff than are now required. She noted, “The High Court building originally accommodated the Chief Justice and 10 judges. It is now meant to house the Chief Justice and 20 judges and the requisite support staff. The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was originally meant to house five or six courtrooms. It now has nine courtrooms with the attendant additional staff. Both buildings are in dire need of major repairs but as heritage sites they need specialist attention.”

JUSTICE SECTOR REFORMS The Chancellor also addressed broader justice sector reforms aimed at improving operational efficiency. These include implementing a Strategic Plan 2024-2031 under the theme “Pursuing Service Excellence through Investments in Human Resources, Management Systems and Technology,” aligning with international standards through membership in the International Framework for Court Excellence, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration through the Needham’s Point Declaration on Criminal Justice Reform. Justice George-Wiltshire expressed gratitude for partnerships with local and international stakeholders, including the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Bar Association of Guyana, the Guyana Police Force, and international partners such as United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). “We are grateful for their interest and collaborations that have inured to the benefit of the judiciary,” she said. Despite challenges, the Chancellor conveyed optimism about the judiciary’s future. She highlighted that a structured approach to staffing, coupled with technological enhancements and legislative reforms, would improve case management and accelerate the disposal of criminal and civil matters. “The implementation of the Strategic Plan requires the establishment of a Strategic Plan Implementation Unit which may necessitate additional human and financial resources. The Plan also speaks to the development of robust court administration,” she said. In closing, Justice

George-Wiltshire reflected on her appointment as acting Chancellor, and expressed appreciation for the support of colleagues, staff, and family. She expressed pride in following in the footsteps of her late father, former Chancellor Kenneth George, and noting the rarity and sig-

nificance of a daughter assuming such a distinguished role in the judiciary. “As I reflected on my appointment, I thought it must be rare that a child, more especially a girl child, would follow in her father’s footsteps to serve in this esteemed capacity as head of the judiciary.

“I thank my heavenly Father, and cherish the memory of my earthly father, former Chancellor Kenneth George, whose robes I now wear. I also express my gratitude to my husband, children, mother, siblings, other family members, and my few but very dear friends. Their love, care, and support over

the years allowed me to flourish in what we all know is an extremely demanding profession.” She reiterated her commitment to impartiality, integrity, and public trust, promising that the judiciary would continue to uphold the rule of law and provide timely and fair access to justice.

Guyanese agronomist assumes new role as IICA Director General from Thursday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

–– with the aim of promoting agriculture in the Americas as a guarantor of global food security

GUYANESE agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim will take over as Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) this Thursday, January 15, with plans to further strengthen the leading role that the Americas play in the planet’s food security. Ibrahim was elected in November by the ministers of Agriculture of 32 countries in the Americas, and will be sworn in as Argentine Manuel Otero’s successor in a ceremony at IICA Headquarters in San José, Costa Rica, that will be attended by ministers, deputy ministers and other high-ranking officials from a number of governments, as well as representatives of international organisations. Elected for the period 2026-2030, Ibrahim succeeds Otero, who served two con-

secutive terms as Director General of IICA, the specialised agency for agricultural development and rural well-being, and implemented a comprehensive process of transformation after he took office in January 2018. Those efforts put the promotion of science and technology at the center of technical co-operation projects, which have benefited some 10 million farmers and rural stakeholders across the region in recent years. The institution, the leading technical authority for agricultural and rural development in the Americas, also became a promoter of collective action by the countries, enabling governments and producer organisations to present common positions in the most important international forums, in defense of their interests and the role

of agriculture as part of the solution to global challenges. Ibrahim, who holds a PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Wageningen University (Netherlands), has pledged to work to strengthen agriculture in all the countries of the Americas by tapping the opportunities offered by the current context of research and new technologies. To that end, he intends to further expand IICA’s efforts to promote investment aimed at transforming agrifood systems and improving the economic and financial viability of agricultural enterprises and, in particular, small farmers. Ibrahim, who was nominated for the post by the Government of Guyana and garnered broad support from the countries, has an outstanding track record in building networks to in-

Guyanese agronomist Muhammad Ibrahim (left) will serve as IICA Director General for the period 2026-2030, succeeding Argentine veterinarian Manuel Otero, who held the position for two consecutive terms crease the productivity and resilience of the agriculture sector in the Americas. Having worked in dozens of countries over the last 35 years, he has developed strong links with governments, the private sector and international partners to find solutions to common problems in the agriculture sector. He has excelled in estab-

lishing partnerships, mobilising financial resources and working with decision-makers. He also demonstrated his abilities during his eight years as Director General of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE), a leading institution for innovation in agriculture and the management, conservation and use

of natural resources. The incoming IICA Director General holds a BSc. (with honors) in Agriculture from the University of Guyana and an MSc. in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources with emphasis on animal nutrition from CATIE, as well as a doctorate from one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. (IICA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Education delivery unhindered as dormitory construction continues at Paramakatoi, Monkey Mountain –– Ministry of Education says

THE Ministry of Education has reassured parents and communities in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) that Grade Seven students from Chenapou and surrounding villages continue to receive uninterrupted, high-quality secondary education despite ongoing dormitory construction at Paramakatoi and Monkey Mountain. According to information from the Education Ministry, while finalising these facilities, the ministry has rolled out a robust blended learning frame-

work, keeping instruction firmly rooted in students’ home villages. This innovative approach combines faceto-face teaching with cutting-edge digital tools across six key c o m m u n i t i e s : Ta r u ka, Tuseneng, Bamboo Creek, Chenapou, Monkey Mountain, and Micobie. Smart television sets now enable livestreamed lessons in Taruka, Tuseneng, Bamboo Creek, Chenapou, and Monkey Mountain, transforming primary school spaces and learning cen-

tres into dynamic classrooms. In Chenapou and Micobie, students have received personal tablets and laptops to support independent study. Tr a i n e d p r i m a r y school teachers oversee sessions at every site, providing hands-on guidance with the technology. Micobie stands out with four dedicated secondary teachers delivering core subjects faceto-face at the primary school, ensuring personalised support. The ministry emphasised its broader commitment to accelerating all educational infrastructur-

al projects, from schools to dormitories, through rigorous reviews. This initiative aligns

with Guyana’s national push to leverage technology for equitable education in remote indig-

enous areas, bridging geographical gaps and empowering every student.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Region Two agencies mobilise support for fire victims in Arpiaco

REGION Two authorities have moved swiftly to assist a family displaced by a devastating fire at Arpiaco, Upper Pomeroon, which left four persons homeless, including an elderly man and two young children. A team of regional officials, along with officers from the Ministry of Human

Services and Social Security, the Guyana Fire Service, the Charity Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), visited the affected household following the blaze, which completely destroyed the family’s wooden home. The fire left an 88-year-

old man, a 25-year-old mother, and her two children, aged four and two, without shelter. At the time of the incident, the young mother and her two-year-old daughter were hospitalised, while the elderly man was at home with his grandson when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire re-

Region Two officials and partner agencies assess the aftermath of a devastating fire at Arpiaco, Upper Pomeroon, as support is mobilised for a family of four left homeless, including an elderly man and two young children

mains under investigation. In response, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has begun providing immediate assistance to the affected family, while the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), led by the Deputy Regional Executive Officer, is coordinating support efforts at the regional

level. The Civil Defence Commission also provided swift emergency relief to help the family meet their immediate needs. The displaced family is currently being sheltered by a neighbour as arrangements are made for longer-term assistance and the eventual

rebuilding of their home. The affected residents expressed heartfelt gratitude to the RDC, CDC, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and all supporting agencies for their timely intervention, compassion, and support during this difficult time.

A Guyana Fire Service officer examines the scene of the fire as investigations continue into the blaze that destroyed a family’s home

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Local Gov’t Ministry to strengthen citizen engagement with new app

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand

THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development plans on launching an app before the end of January to strengthen communication between government officials and citizens. The app will help citizens get their concerns addressed within 24 hours. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, announced the launch of the app on Monday during an engagement with residents of Canal No. 1. She noted that though residents will receive a response within 24 hours, there is no guarantee that action will be taken immediately. Minister Manickchand stated that although she will have

access to every complaint, the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) will be tasked primarily with responding. Additionally, the app is part of a broader push to modernise the delivery of government services and align Guyana with first-world digital standards. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration is set to launch several apps, including the ‘AskGov‘, an AI chatbot designed to answer citizens’ questions, the Ministry of Housing’s Single Window System, and the Guyana Revenue Authority’s Padna app. These initiatives aim to promote digitalisation in Guyana, a vision of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. (DPI)

MoE implements ‘robust’ learning framework amid dormitory works in Region Eight

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

–– says no student is being left behind

THE Ministry of Education (MoE) has moved to reassure concerned parents and members of the public that no student is being left behind as construction works continue on the dormitory facilities at Paramakatoi and Monkey Mountain in Region Eight. In a recent statement, the ministry outlined a newly implemented framework designed to ensure educational continuity for Grade Seven students affected by the ongoing works. According to the ministry, while construction is being finalised, a robust blended learning system has been put in place to allow students from Chenapou and surrounding communities to continue receiving quality secondary education within their respective villages. The statement highlighted several innovative learning solutions introduced to bridge any potential learning gaps during this period. To this end, the ministry has deployed a combination of faceto-face instruction and

advanced digital learning across six key communities in the region. Among the measures introduced are technology-driven classrooms. Villages including Taruka, Tuseneng, Bamboo Creek, Chenapou and Monkey Mountain have been outfitted with smart television sets to facilitate the livestreaming of lessons directly to students. These tools, the ministry noted, are intended to replicate the classroom experience while ensuring consistent access to instruction. In addition to shared learning facilities, individual learning resources have also been distributed. As outlined in the statement, students in Chenapou and Micobie have been issued personal tablets and laptops to support their academic work and enable greater flexibility in learning. The ministry further emphasised that all students are benefitting from expert supervision. At each learning site, trained primary school teachers are assigned to oversee students and provide technical

support where needed. In Micobie, the ministry has gone a step further by appointing four dedicated secondary school teachers to deliver core subjects through full face-to-face instruction. A detailed breakdown of the current learning modalities revealed that students in Taruka and Tuseneng are participating in online livestreaming sessions hosted at their respective primary schools. In Monkey Mountain, a hybrid approach is being utilised, with both online and in-person sessions conducted at the Learning Resource Centre and the Multi-Purpose Building. Bamboo Creek students are engaged through online livestreaming sessions held at the Bamboo Creek Primary School, while Chenapou students benefit from a combination of online and face-to-face instruction at the Chenapou Primary School. Meanwhile, Micobie students are receiving full faceto-face instruction at the Micobie Primary School, supported by the newly appointed secondary de-

Construction works on dormitory facilities at Paramakatoi and Monkey Mountain in Region Eight are ongoing and the Ministry of Education has put measures in place to minimise learning loss and ensure no student is left behind (MoE photo)

partment teachers. The Ministry of Education also noted that it is currently reviewing all projects under its purview to ensure the swift and

competent completion of schools and dormitory facilities nationwide. Reaffirming its commitment, the ministry stated that it remains

steadfast in bridging educational gaps and leveraging technology to empower every student, regardless of geographic location.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

UG joins international collaboration to advance environmental genomics –– long-term biodiversity monitoring in the amazon

A MAJOR international scientific collaboration bringing together the University of Guyana and leading research institutions across South America is reshaping how biodiversity is monitored and conserved in one of the world’s most critical ecosystems—the Amazon rainforest. Through a shared commitment to innovation, capacity building, and longterm environmental stewardship, the partnership, which includes, the University of Guyana’s Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the Institut

time, conservation efforts remain incomplete.” This partnership also forms part of a wider international research network known as Bio-Track Amazonia, which spans five Amazonian countries: Brazil, Peru, Guyana, Colombia and French Guiana, and brings together experts in genomics, ecology and bioinformatics. The collaborators explained that the initiative was established to respond to the urgent need for scalable, reliable biodiversity monitoring in the Amazon, a hyperdiverse region experiencing unprecedented anthropogenic pressures. “The Amazon rainforest

Recent advances in third-generation, high-throughput sequencing technologies have further transformed this field. HIGHLY ACCURATE GENETIC DATA These tools make it possible to generate highly accurate genetic data in real time, allowing researchers to monitor ecosystems as changes occur. The team highlighted that such technologies are especially valuable in regions like Amazonia, where traditional monitoring methods can be logistically difficult and costly to sustain. Through Bio-Track Am-

An eDNA training session held at the University of Guyana, led by Dr Jerome Murienne, Dr Louise Brousseau and Dr Gyanpriya Maharaj, and attended by representatives from the natural resources management sectors, as well as graduate students and faculty of the University of Guyana de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), and a network of research stations and observatories across Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil, is harnessing cutting-edge environmental genomics to better understand, protect, and sustainably manage Amazonian biodiversity amid accelerating global change. At the heart of this collaboration is a shared recognition that genetic diversity is the foundation of all biodiversity. Genetic variation enables species and ecosystems to adapt to environmental pressures, resist disease, and remain resilient over time. As the project collaborators emphasised, “genetic diversity underpins the longterm survival and adaptability of individuals, populations, and ecosystems, and without understanding how this diversity changes over

requires innovative monitoring tools that can operate across vast and remote landscapes while delivering accurate, timely data to inform conservation policy,” the research team noted. Central to the project’s work is the use of environmental genomics, a rapidly expanding field that analyses genetic material obtained directly from environmental samples such as soil, water and air. This material, known as environmental DNA or eDNA, allows scientists to detect species and assess ecosystem health without the need for invasive sampling. According to the project partners, “environmental genomics has revolutionised biodiversity monitoring by enabling non-invasive, highly sensitive species detection, even in challenging or remote environments.”

azonia, the team is pursuing three core objectives. First, they aim to develop and refine cutting-edge sampling methods for both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including airborne DNA collection, spiderweb-trapped eDNA, and blood-meal analyses, all optimised for Amazonian conditions. Second, the collaboration is focused on building next-generation genomic reference databases by integrating natural history collections with novel sequencing approaches, such as targeted capture and nanopore adaptive sampling. This work is intended to overcome long-standing taxonomic gaps, particularly for non-model tropical species. Third, the project seeks to empirically validate the See page 19

UG joins international collaboration ...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

From page 18

power of eDNA detection across space and time by comparing genomic data with traditional biodiversity monitoring methods, including camera traps and forest inventories, at partner observatories such as Nouragues Station, the HYBAM network, Sophia Point Rainforest Station and the Rosario Experimental Station. By harmonising protocols and sharing expertise across borders, the team believe the project will lay the foundation for a future Pan-Amazonian eDNA Observatory. As the team stated, this would enable “real-time, cost-effective biodiversity assessments capable of guiding conservation decision-making across the Amazon basin in the context of global environmental change.” A critical focus of the initiative is shifting from shortterm, site-based studies to long-term biodiversity monitoring. While many eDNA studies have concentrated on comparing pristine and disturbed sites at a single point in time, Dr Gyanpriya Maharaj, Director of the University of Guyana’s Centre for the Study of Biological Diversity, stressed that this approach is insufficient for understanding long-term ecological trends. “Tracking biodiversity over time allows us to understand how populations and ecosystems are changing and the real impacts of conservation actions—insights that single-time-point studies simply cannot provide,” she explained. However, transitioning to long-term monitoring presents its own challenges. Environmental conditions such as temperature, water flow and microbial activity can influence how eDNA degrades and moves through ecosystems, affecting detection rates. METHODOLOGICAL STANDARDISATION Ensuring methodological standardisation across the Amazon’s vast and ecologically diverse landscapes is another major hurdle. Addressing these challenges, the collaborators noted, is

essential for building a robust and reliable monitoring framework. One of the flagship initiatives within this broader collaboration is the CNRS-funded project: The Guiana Shield in the Face of Global Change – Advancing Environmental Genomics for Biodiversity Monitoring in Amazonia. This project directly involves the University of Guyana and leverages recent advances in nanopore sequencing, a technology that enables real-time DNA sequencing in local laboratories or even directly in the field, without the need for large-scale infrastructure. The project team underscored the transformative potential of this approach for countries in the global South. “By enabling sequencing to be conducted locally, we reduce dependence on overseas facilities, accelerate data generation, and strengthen regional scientific capacity,” Dr Maharaj stated. “This is a significant step towards more equitable and responsive biodiversity research in Amazonia,” she added. A key component of the project is its strong emphasis on training and capacity building. In recent months, the team has launched eDNA training programmes involving local rangers, conservation practitioners, scientists and students across Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil. These sessions focus on practical skills, including how to collect environmental DNA samples, how to store them properly, and how the resulting data can be applied to biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning. EMPOWERING LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS “Empowering local stakeholders with these skills ensures that biodiversity monitoring is not only scientifically robust but also locally driven and sustainable,” Dr. Jerome Murienne a key member of the project team affirmed. As the year-long project progresses, additional training will be provided in data processing and bioinformatics.

This next phase will enable participants to analyse genomic data independently, contributing to education, the development of standardised monitoring procedures, and the formulation of evidence-based biodiversity policies. Although environmental DNA research is not new to the region, the collaborators emphasised that this initiative builds on previous projects and represents the first long-term eDNA monitoring programme of its kind across the Guiana Shield. From a scientific standpoint, it is expected to generate critical new knowledge about Amazonian biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and the impacts of climate change and resource exploitation. Beyond its scientific contributions, the project carries significant societal and socio-economic implications. Dr. Louise Brousseau, another key member of the project team highlighted that the project will support Amazonian countries in developing comprehensive genomic catalogues of their unique biodiversity while complementing traditional monitoring methods such as camera trapping. “Access to cutting-edge technologies enables countries to establish long-term monitoring systems that safeguard ecosystems while supporting sustainable development,” Dr. Brousseau noted. Looking ahead, the partners envision the evolution of the project into a fully integrated Amazonian biodiversity observatory that incorporates community-based conservation approaches. This future direction is expected to enhance local participation, improve resource management, and deliver tangible socio-economic benefits to communities dependent on fisheries, forestry and water resources. As the collaborators concluded, “this initiative marks a decisive shift towards an ‘in and for Amazonia’ approach, where local expertise, innovation and ownership drive the conservation of one of the planet’s most vital ecosystems.” (UG)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Suspected murder–suicide leaves two dead in Georgetown guest house

POLICE are investigating a suspected murder–suicide that occurred on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at a guest house on Lime Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown. The incident is believed to have taken place between 05:00 hours and 08:15 hours. The deceased have been identified as Loriann, a 31-year-old housekeeper whose address is currently unknown, and Cyril Saul, a 36-yearold security guard of Lime Street, Wortmanville. According to preliminary investigation, both individuals were employed at the guest house and were the only staff members on duty during the overnight period. Police have also established that the two were previously in an intimate relationship, which reportedly ended about two months ago. Police ranks who responded to the scene found the woman lying motionless in one of the rooms with visible injuries, while the man was found unresponsive in a separate room. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. During examinations at the location, investigators recovered several items, including a firearm, ammunition, a knife and a quantity of a substance suspected to be poisonous. These items were secured and taken in for forensic examination. CCTV footage from the premises has also been reviewed and is forming part of the ongoing investigation. Several persons have been contacted and questioned as inquiries continue. The bodies were transported to the Memorial Funeral Parlour Mortuary, where they are awaiting post-mortem examinations to determine the exact causes of death. Police said investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is continuing.

Gun, ammunition seized in East Bank operation, two held

POLICE have taken two men into custody following the discovery of a firearm and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation late Monday night along Heroes Highway, near the Anteater Roundabout at Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The seizure was made at about 23:40 hours on January 12, 2026, when ranks attached to Regional Division 4 ‘B’ intercepted a Toyota Axio that was travelling west along the roadway. The vehicle was occupied by two men. According to police, ranks became suspicious after

The firearm and ammunition seized by police observing the behaviour of the front-seat passenger and conducted a search of the car in the presence of both occupants. During the search, a 9mm Smith & Wesson pistol and a magazine containing 12 live matching rounds of ammunition were found concealed beneath the front passenger seat. The two occupants — a 42-year-old taxi driver of East La Penitence, Georgetown, and a 23-year-old labourer of Tucville, Georgetown — were arrested and escorted to the Regional Division 4 ‘B’ Headquarters. The firearm and ammunition were lodged as evidence pending further investigations. Both men remain in police custody as investigations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, January 14, 2026

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

ICC Cricket World Cup warm ups…

Apple, Francis score centuries as West Indies maul Japan

CMC – Shamar Apple and Tanez Francis scored contrasting centuries as West Indies Under-19s readied themselves for the ICC Cricket World Cup with a devastating 229-run win over minnows Japan in their final warmup match here on Tuesday. After being sent in at the United Cricket Club Ground, the West Indies piled up a massive 346 for six in their

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50 overs, with opener Francis hitting an unbeaten 122 off 148 balls, while Apple was in a destructive mood, smashing 124 off just 65 balls, inclusive of 10 fours and eight sixes. R’Jai Gittens and Vitel Lawes then shared seven wickets between them as Japan never threatened their target, being dismissed for 117 in 42.3 overs. The day, however, belonged to Apple and Francis, with the pair sharing a 194-run partnership for the fifth wicket that totally transformed the match. They came together with the Windies precariously poised at 125 for four in the 27th over, with Jewel Andrew (31), Joshua Dorne (24) and Zachary Carter (15), all getting starts but failing to push on. They then put Japan’s bowlers to the sword for the next 21 overs, while scoring at over nine runs an over. After taking 31 balls to reach his half century, Apple

brought up his 100 in 55 balls by smashing Hugo Kelly to the boundary ropes. Francis, however, was a bit more patient, requiring 140 balls before reaching three figures. Kai Wall was Japan’s best bowler, finishing with 2-36. Faced with a mammoth run chase, Japan found themselves on the backfoot from early on with Gittens accounting for the wickets of Nikhil Pol, Hugo Kelly and Kaisei Kobayashi to reduce them to 30 for four. Taylor Waugh provided some resistance during his pedestrian knock of 32 off 100 balls, while Chihaya Sekine contributed 28 from 36 balls, but it was never going to be enough. Lawes then ran through the lower order to secure a predictable victory for the Windies. Gittens ended with figures of 4-8 and Lawes took 3-28. The West Indies will play Tanzania in their opening match of the World Cup on Thursday.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday January 14, 2026)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Alex Carey-28 (27/1) (2) Jaime Smith-15 catches Today’s Quiz: (1) What were the best match figures by an AUST bowler in the recent Ashes Test? (2) What were the best match figures by an ENG bowler? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

BCB firm on Bangladesh...

or heightened threat to the Bangladesh cricket team in India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The assessment was shared with the BCB’s security team and concluded there was no overall threat to the side, but pointed to low to moderate risks in some venues and low to nil in others standard ICC categorisations around the world that do not ordinarily constitute sufficient reason to move games. The problem of Bangladesh playing in India arose

FROM PAGE 25

once the BCCI instructed Kolkata Knight Riders to remove Mustafizur from its IPL 2026 squad. No reason has been specified for that, though relations between the two countries have deteriorated of late. Following Mustafizur’s removal, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country, and the BCB sent a letter to the ICC refusing to play its T20 World Cup matches in India.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

NSC kicks off 2026 with strategic sport association engagements -- Archery, Sport Shooting share views

THE National Sports Commission (NSC) has begun a comprehensive series of meetings with all its sports-affiliated associations signaling a proactive start to the 2026 sporting calendar. The engagement process is being spearheaded by Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, who will be joined by other members of the commission as the NSC continues its mandate of sustained dialogue and collaboration with the national sporting bodies. According to the Ninvalle, the meetings form part of the NSC’s ongoing engagement strategy, with added significance as they mark the first structured interaction with associations for the new year. Ninvalle explained that the meetings are designed to provide a platform for as-

sociations to clearly outline their plans and objectives for 2026, both at the local and international levels. He noted that the Commission is particularly interested in understanding each association’s competition schedule, development programmes, and administrative goals, while also identifying areas where the NSC can provide meaningful support. “The intention is for associations to come prepared to discuss their plans for 2026, including their local activities and international engagements, and to outline how the National Sports Commission can assist them in achieving their goals,” Ninvalle said. He stressed that the series of meetings is imperative to the effective coordination and development of sport across the country, and un-

derscored the importance of full participation by all affiliated bodies. “It is critically important that associations not only make every effort to attend these meetings, but that they come with a clear plan,” Ninvalle emphasised. “These discussions will help shape how we move forward together in a structured and productive manner.” Ninvalle also confirmed that the NSC will be reaching out directly to all affiliated associations to confirm the dates and times for their respective meetings. He added that the Commission remains committed to fostering transparency, accountability, and strategic planning as it works alongside stakeholders to strengthen the national sports landscape in 2026 and beyond.

BCB firm on Bangladesh not travelling to India for T20 World Cup

Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play in Kolkata and Mumbai (BCB)

(ESPNCRICINFO) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has said it remains firm in its stance to not play their 2026 T20 World Cup matches in India due to security concerns. The BCB released a statement on Tuesday, following a video conference with the ICC, reiterating its request to move Bangladesh’s matches outside India. The 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on February 7. Bangladesh are currently scheduled to play their first three matches in Kolkata and their final group game in Mumbai. The country’s sports adviser Asif

Nazrul has been at the forefront of demands to move Bangladesh’s games out of India. “During the discussions, the BCB reaffirmed its position regarding the decision not to travel to India, citing security concerns,” the BCB said in a statement. “The board also reiterated its request for the ICC to consider relocating Bangladesh’s matches outside India. “While the ICC highlighted that the tournament itinerary has already been announced and requested the BCB to reconsider its stance, the board’s position remains unchanged. Both parties agreed that discus-

sions will continue to explore possible solutions. The BCB remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of its players, officials and staff while engaging constructively with the ICC to address the matter.” The BCB was represented on the call by the board president Aminul Islam, vice presidents Shakawath Hossain and Faruque Ahmed, director and chairman of the cricket operations committee Nazmul Abedeen, and chief executive officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury. On Monday, the ICC had shared a security assessment which indicated no specific TURN TO PAGE 24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Petra set to open 2026 with competition for technical colleges

GRASSROOTS football organiszer, the Petra Organisation, is set to kick off their year of football activities with the staging of the inaugural competition for Technical Colleges and University teams this month. The event, which is being sponsored by Modec, is set to capture a segment of the school population previously untouched by football organisers. As Petra Co-director, Troy Mendonca, told Chronicle Sports, the move is intended to help transition the target population at reference to the next level. “The tertiary education programme aims to track the players that would have completed high school and in the education pathway and continued their development in the sport and personal development. Back in the day, we had a strong GTI team, and we had players who want to continue playing the sport in the school or university they attend, so we give them that opportunity,” Mendonca said. The football administrator says the goal is to enable continuity in the sport of football, and bridge the gap between junior and seniors

as well as complete their objective of primary to tertiary schools’ football development through competitions. According to Mendonca, the organisation has received good feedback from the likes of Texila American University among others who sees it (the competition) as a chance for their large student population to get involved in organized sports. Mendonca added that the announced calendar will allow better planning for the schools that partake in their programs and allow Petra to deliver even higher quality competition to the football fraternity. “Our experience of our recently completed KFC tournament, [tells us] that starting early gives us a better opportunity to coordinate all the logistics involved and give an early indication to the teams that might be willing to participate in the tournaments, so that they can indicate early and we can come up with a list of teams who show indication that they want to be part of these tournaments and definitely aid in our planning,” he added. Meanwhile the organization also shared the slew of competitions for the rest of

the year. After the tertiary competition the 11th annual U-18 Massy Secondary School Round Robin/KO Football Tournament is set to run from March 15 to April 19. The third competition for the year will see the return of the ExxonMobil Boy/ Girls U-14 Football Tournament for its 7th staging from May 2 to June 20. Following that, the 9th Digicel Nationwide Secondary Schools Football Championship will take place from July 4 to August 15. The 13th edition is the Courts Optical Pee Wee U-11 Boys Primary School Football Tournament set to run off from September 12 to October 24 with the period of October 18 to November 29 featuring the annual Republic Bank U-18 School Football League. Then the 10th edition of the MVP Sports Girls U-11 Primary School Football Tournament is set for November 14 to December 5 with the year set to be closed off with its marquee regional tournament, The annual KFC Goodwill International Secondary school U-18 football from December 13 to 20.

2026 national u-12 rapid chess championships…

Tinnie and Persaud win titles

AIDEN Tinnie is the new U-12 Open Rapid Chess Champion, while Divya Persaud is the newly-crowned U-12 Girls Rapid Chess Champion for 2026. The eleven-year-olds delivered splendid per-

Divya Persaud receives her Championship trophy from Ms. Aaliyah Kendall (R), Brand Manager MOO!

formances in the MOO! Milk-sponsored U-12 Open Chess Championship last Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the ACADO Building on the East Bank of Demerara. Tinnie scored a perfect 7 points in the Open Category, while Persaud ended with 6.5 points in the Girls’ Category in the seven-round Swiss

Guyana women come from behind to beat Windward Islands CWI T20 Blaze...

CMC – Defending champions Guyana Women pulled off a sensational comefrom-behind victory over the Windward Islands Women in the opening match of the T20 Blaze here at Arnos Vale, Tobago, on Tuesday. Chasing Guyana’s modest total of 96 for five in their 20 overs, the Windward Islands seemed to be cruising to victory at 78-2 at the start of the 18th over, with set batters Jannillea Glasgow and Afy Fletcher at the crease. But in a stunning turn of events, the Windward Islands lost three wickets, while only adding a further 11 runs, to end their innings on 89 for five at the end of their 20 overs. Glasgow, who top-scored with 41 off 59 balls and Fletcher, who made 33 off 36 balls, shared a 59-run partnership for the third wicket to put the Windward Islands in control following the early losses of opener Ashlene Edward for five and Zaida James for one. And they looked to have secured a comfortable victory for their side, as they required 19 runs off 17 balls with

Shabika Gajnabi top-scored for Guyana Women in their win against the Windward Islands Women

eight wickets remaining. And even when Fletcher picked out Shabika Gajnabi at long on off the sec-

competition. The competition had a turnout of 42 children, including 28 boys and 14 girls. Ti n n i e , a p r o m i s i n g young player, has been marking his progress steadily up the ranks. His path to the U-12 Open title was marked

ond ball of Ashmini Munisar’s over, the Windward Islands were still in control at 83-3 with two overs left in the match. Glasgow and new batter Earnisha Fontaine then scraped five runs from the penultimate over bowled by Gajnabi, leaving them needing nine runs from the final six balls. However, off spinner Plaffiana Millington bowled Fontaine off the inside edge with her first delivery and without a run added, Glasgow was run out trying to get on strike two balls later to leave the Windwards in a spot of bother at 88 for five. Millington then bowled superbly to concede just one run in her last three balls to spark wild celebrations as Guyana registered an unlikely victory. Earlier, Gajnabi hit the topscore of 38 off 37 balls in Guyana’s paltry total after they were sent in to bat. Munisar, who scored an unbeaten 17 from 20 balls and Mandy Mangru, who made 16 off 26 balls, were the only other batters to score in double figures for Guyana.

In the U-10 Open Category, Mark Defreitas claimed the first-place prize, followed by Avery Munroe in second and Pranav Suman in third. In the U-10 Girls Category, Malia Thompson took first place, with Amiyah Ally and Isabella Shariff taking second

Aiden Tinne receives his Championship trophy from Ms. Aaliyah Kendall (L), Brand Manager MOO!

by critical victories over fellow talented contenders Vir Narine in the fifth round and Javier Davenand in the sixth. Ten-year-old up-andcoming talent Narine secured a commendable second place with 6 points. Fresh off a successful appearance at the CAC games in Puerto Rico, Narine’s only loss of the day was to the tournament champion in the fifth round. Arian Tinnie, another promising and determined young player, rounded out the top three with 5 points after losing to his brother, Aiden, and Narine. Securing the fourth and fifth place, respectively, were Rafael Cappell and Javier Davenand, who both finished on 5 points. In the Girls’ U12 competition, Persaud displayed her skill over the board, winning all her games and drawing her last game with Maya Alli. Eleven-year-old Amaya Sharma earned the second-place trophy with 6 points. Sharma’s strategic patience was on full display, with her only loss coming against the tournament champion in the third round. Third place was claimed by Saura Ruplall, one of the most experienced competitors in the field, who finished with 5 points. The competition highlighted the emerging talent in the younger age brackets with trophies and medals.

and third place, respectively. Additionally, the U-8 Boys Category saw Pranav Suman securing first place, while Roshan Ali finished second, and Tariq John rounded out the top three. All of the young players were forced to think and execute moves in a limited time during Seven Rounds of the One-Day championships. Prizes and certificates of participation were presented to the players during a simple prize-giving ceremony by Ms. Aaliyah Kendall, Brand Manager of the MOO! Brand at the conclusion of the tournament. The young participants were also treated to goodies from the company. Thanks to the Chief Arbiter, John Lee, and the assistant arbiters Kim Shing Chong, Ethan Lee, Italy TonChung, Kishan Puran, and Oluwadare Oyeyipo, who ensured that every move was played in strict accordance with international rules and regulations through their diligent supervision and hard work. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) expresses its sincere gratitude to ACADO Guyana and their MOO! Milk brand for their steadfast sponsorship. Their unwavering support for youth chess and the generous provision of the tournament venue have been instrumental in the success of this event.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

ICC Cricket World Cup warm ups… Petra set to open 2026

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Apple, Francis score centuries as West Indies maul Japan

with competition for technical colleges

SEE PAGE

Shamar Apple (right) celebrates his century against Japan, while Tanez Francis (left), who also scored a hundred looks on (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Petra organisation’s directors Dr. Marlan Cole and Troy Mendonca

NSC kicks off 2026 with strategic sport association engagements -- Archery, Sport Shooting share views

SEE PAGE

CWI T20 Blaze...

Guyana women come from behind to beat Windward Islands SEE PAGE

Archery and GSSF’s Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, second and third left, respectively, with Assistant Directors Frankie Wilson (left) and Melissa Dow-Richardson (fourth left)

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| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026