Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-05-2026

Dominican Republic exploring investment interest in Berbice Block

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s team and partners were on Thursday at the National Stadium, Providence, putting the final touches in place for the opening ceremony of the Guyana Festival, which begins at 17:00hrs today. The spectacular affair is expected to set the tone for what the public can expect on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to booths and entertainment events, the organisers have added an amusement park. All are invited to be part of this historic celebration (Delano Williams photos)

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Wales Gas-to-Energy project advancing rapidly

- Govt affirms 2026 first power target

THE 300 MW Wales Gas to Energy project, Guyana’s largest infrastructure initiative to date, is advancing. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips expressed the view that in

The 300 MW Wales Gas-to-Energy project, Guyana’s largest infrastructure initiative to date, is advancing [Lindsayca Guyana photos]

recent months the contractor has advanced works.

He noted the company’s commitment to deliver first power to the national grid by the end of 2026.

“The Wales Gas-to-Energy project represents a defining moment for Guyana and for the energy future of every citizen of this nation. We are satisfied with the progress being made and remain fully committed to ensuring that Guyanese households and businesses benefit. This project will cut electricity costs in half, and we are firmly on track to deliver on that promise.”

Through Guyana’s investment in the 300 MW Gas to Energy (GtE) project, now under accelerated construction, the adaptability of natural gas will be harnessed to transform the power sector. The project aims to reduce electricity costs by 50 per cent and support domestic production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cleaner household cooking. Beyond immediate energy benefits, the GtE project is expected to enhance industrial competitiveness and strengthen the national energy mix.

This is complemented by renewable energy ambitions to ensure electricity remains affordable, reliable, and sustainable for all citizens.

As the largest investment in electricity generation in Guyana’s history, the Wales GtE project is expected to double national generation capacity, improve reliability, reduce fuel imports, stabilise energy costs, and support a 50 per cent reduction in consumer electricity tariffs. Lower energy costs will provide financial relief for households while improving industrial and commercial competitiveness across the economy.

Underpinning this accelerated momentum is the de-

cisive resolution of all outstanding contractual matters to ensure that construction advances without delay, the Government and Lindsayca Guyana Inc. have reached a resolution on two matters decided by the Dispute Avoidance/ Adjudication Board (DAAB) in January of 2025 relating to soil stabilisation works required at the Wales site and to delay-related provisions. This amicable resolution removes the need for further proceedings such as arbitration, and ensures that construction continues under a fully aligned, forward-looking framework.

The resolution of costs associated with these matters reflects the realities of building Guyana’s most ambitious infrastructure project and the interest of expeditious project delivery with both parties forgoing the respective rights to historical liquidated damages, capped at 10 per cent of the contract price.

Importantly, the overall economics of the GtE project remain firmly on track. While the settlement represents a 12.8 per cent increase over the original contract sum of $759 M, the Government’s total expenditure for the wider project, comprising the 300 MW power plant, the Natural Gas Liquids facility, transmission works, substations, 230 kV and 69 kV lines, and the new National Control Centre, remains within the 10 per cent contingency of its budget of US$1 B.

As such, the GtE plant, the Transmission/Substation project undertaken by KPIL, the new National Control Center (NCC) at Goedverwagting, and all other project-related costs funded by the GoG, were all budgeted at $1 B based on the published contract price. The overall cost of the proj-

Dominican Republic exploring investment interest in Berbice Block

–– eyes regional energy security, future collaboration opportunities

THE Dominican Republic is exploring investment opportunities in Guyana’s Berbice Block as the two Caribbean nations continue to deepen cooperation in energy, agriculture and regional development.

According to a press statement issued by the Office of the President on Thursday, the Government of the Dominican Republic, through Refinería Dominicana de Petróleo S.A., is currently engaged in discussions aimed at expanding collaboration within Guyana’s oil and gas sector, including reported interest relating to the Berbice Block, previously held by On Energy.

“Guided by this framework and supported by growing private-sector collaboration in both countries, several initiatives have advanced steadily across a range of sectors,” the release said.

The engagements form part of ongoing efforts under a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Guyana and the Dominican Republic, which established co-operation in sectors such as energy, oil refining, agriculture, tourism and petrochemicals.

“Among the areas under consideration is investment interest relating to the Berbice Block, previously held by On Energy, as well as broader

discussions on regional energy security and future opportunities for collaboration.

These engagements align with the Government of Guyana’s long-term vision of enhancing national and regional energy security, while positioning Guyana as an important energy partner within the Caribbean,” the statement added.

Further, several initiatives have continued progressing steadily under the framework of the agreement, supported by increasing collaboration between private sector entities in both countries.

Guyana has been positioning itself as an important energy partner within the Caribbean, with the talks aligning with the government’s long-term vision of enhancing national and regional energy security.

The two governments also welcomed growing partnerships among private sector companies, including efforts to establish joint ventures and consortiums in agriculture, energy and petrochemicals.

Back in 2025, President Dr Irfaan Ali had said that the coastal regions of Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five) and East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) were being transformed into major economic hubs, underpinning Guyana’s rise as a gateway for continental trade and

investment.

Among the flagship projects driving this transformation are the establishment of a deep-water port, the new high-span Berbice River Bridge, and the Corentyne River Bridge, which will link Guyana and Suriname.

According to the government’s 2025 PPP/C Manifesto, Berbice is being earmarked as a future industrial capital, leveraging its strategic location and natural gas reserves.

Plans are in motion to attract private investment in oil refining, alumina processing, fertiliser production, and petrochemical manufacturing.

Supporting this vision, the government will construct a second natural gas pipeline in Berbice — mirroring ExxonMobil’s pipeline from the Liza field to Wales, West Bank Demerara. That project currently fuels the Gas-to-Energy initiative, designed to supply 125 million standard cubic feet of gas daily for domestic power generation and natural gas liquids (NGLs) extraction.

The upcoming Berbice pipeline will similarly anchor the development of a new industrial park, signalling what President Ali described as “the next phase of Guyana’s regional economic expansion.”

Digital ID system built with legal safeguards – Giddings

DATA Protection Commissioner Aneal Giddings has sought to reassure the public that safeguards are in place to protect citizens’ personal information under Guyana’s emerging digital identification system.

In a letter responding to concerns raised by a citizen in the May 13 edition of the Kaieteur News, Giddings said Guyana already has a Data Protection Act in force and that work is actively underway to formally establish the Data Protection Office.

According to the official, the legislation sets out clear rules governing how personal information may be collected, stored and shared, while also granting citizens’ rights

over their data, including the right to know what information is being held about them and to request corrections or deletions.

He noted that concerns surrounding the collection of sensitive information through digital systems, including medical, financial and identification records, are among the very issues the legislation was designed to address.

“The Digital Identity Card Act itself mandates several preconditions before the system could be launched, and among those preconditions is the appointment of a Data Protection Commissioner.

The Digital Identity Card Act did not sidestep data protection — it required it. A Data Protection Com-

missioner had to be appointed before the Act could come into force. That was not optional, and that condition has been met,” Giddings wrote.

Giddings further stressed that both government agencies and private contractors handling public data are legally bound by the Act’s provisions and cannot avoid accountability simply because they operate as third-party service providers.

Addressing concerns that the Digital Identity Card Act of 2023 became operational before the Data Protection Act was fully implemented, the Commissioner said the two laws were deliberately passed together as “companion laws” and were intended to function alongside each other.

He pointed out that the Digital Identity Card Act specifically required the appointment of a Data Protection Commissioner before the system could come into force, describ-

ing this as a built-in safeguard within the legislation.

The Commissioner also clarified that the Digital Identity Card Registry falls directly under the administration of his office, making the Data Protection Commissioner responsible for both issuing the cards and overseeing the protection of data collected through the system.

Giddings said only basic personal information already held by state agencies, including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), is currently being used as part of the enrolment process.

He added that no tax, health or financial records are presently stored on the digital ID cards themselves.

On the technical side, Giddings said the cards were designed to meet international ICAO bio -

metric security standards and contain anti-forgery protections, including laser-engraved polycarbonate material and PKI-enabled authentication features.

At the same time, the Commissioner acknowledged broader fears surrounding political profiling, surveillance and commercial misuse of personal data, saying such concerns were “not paranoid” given international examples of governments and corporations misusing data on a large scale.

He maintained, however, that protections against such abuses are built into the framework of the legislation through provisions including purpose limitation, data minimisation, and independent oversight mechanisms.

“What I would say to any citizen who has hesitated to apply for their digital ID card because of concerns about data protection, the system you are interacting with when you go to a regional enrolment office is one administered by this office, built to international security standards, limited in its current data collection to what the state already holds about you, and structured by two laws that Parliament passed with broad support precisely because they were designed to work together,” he said.

He added that Guyana’s digital future is ultimately being built on “trust, transparency, accountability and genuine institutional capacity”.

Top U.S. lawmaker says Venezuela’s Essequibo claim ‘unacceptable’

SENIOR United States Congressman Gregory Meeks has publicly urged the Trump administration to take a firm position in support of Guyana amid the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela.

Meeks, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the most senior Democrat on foreign policy in the U.S. House of Representatives, made the remarks in a post on X this week while referencing Venezuela’s latest actions concerning the border controversy before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“Any attempt by Venezuela’s interim government — whose party lost the 2024 elections — to unilaterally claim authority over Essequibo is unacceptable,” Meeks stated.

Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodriguez had told the ICJ that Venezuela would not accept an ICJ decision that favours Guyana.

During recent hearings before the ICJ in The Hague concerning the longstanding controversy over the Essequibo region, Guyana argued that Venezuela’s claims to the Essequibo region threaten the country’s territorial integrity, peace and development.

The ICJ had already issued provisional measures ordering Venezuela to refrain from actions that could alter the status quo in the territory while the case remains before the court.

Guyana has repeatedly maintained that it remains committed to a peaceful res-

He added: “The Trump administration should make it clear that the United States stands with our democratic partner, Guyana.”

olution of the controversy through the rule of law and the ICJ process.

As oral hearings concluded at the ICJ at the Peace Palace

in The Hague, Netherlands, earlier this week, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, described the completion

of proceedings as a triumph for international law and the rules-based global order, while warning that any refusal by Venezuela to comply with the

court’s eventual ruling would place Caracas in breach of fundamental international obligations.

Guyana argued the award conclusively settled the border more than a century ago, while Venezuela maintains its claim of invalidity.

Importantly, the ICJ has already ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter on its merits. In a December 2020 judgment, the court rejected Venezuela’s challenge to its authority and ruled it has the power to determine the validity of the 1899 award and the land boundary between the two neighbouring states.

According to Nandlall, Guyana entered the hearings confident in its legal position but emerged even more optimistic after presenting its case.

Wales Gas-to-Energy project advancing...

ect is not expected to exceed US$$1.1 B, including the 10 per cent contingency.

This means that delivery of power to the national grid through the Guyana Power and Light Inc. remains on track to reduce consumer electricity tariffs by 50 per cent, placing meaningful and lasting financial relief within reach of Guyanese households and businesses.

Meanwhile, substantial progress has also been recorded in works at the site thus far, with stringent milestones set moving forward following the agreement with Lindsayca Guyana Inc., committed to bringing the first power turbine online by the end of 2026 to be followed by all gas turbines fully commissioned by the first quarter of 2027 and the Combined Cycle operation to be completed by June 2027. Failure to meet these milestones will allow the government to re-instate liquidated damages against the contractor. This arrangement reflects prudent project management practice, ensuring that the resources necessary to complete construction are in place.

The project is also generating significant employment opportunities, with the workforce expected to rise to 1,100 in the second quarter of 2026 and peak between 1,400 and 1,600 workers as construction reaches its most

intensive stage.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that employment benefits are felt broadly and equitably, with local hiring prioritised at every stage of development and subsequent operation.

Beyond the construction

site, the project is creating a widening circle of economic opportunity across the local economy. As activities continue to scale, demand is increasing across transportation, logistics, construction, supply, and other supporting industries. Guyanese busi-

nesses and entrepreneurs in Region Three and nationwide are well positioned to benefit directly from this sustained and expanding activity.

The GtE project is not simply about a pipeline and power generation; it is about

building the foundation for a diversified, production driven economy. The Wales Development Zone is emerging as one of the most significant centres of industrial activity in the country’s modern history.

The integration of complementary facilities within the Zone — including the proposed ammonia and urea plant, a gas bottling and logistics facility to deliver affordable LPG directly to households, and a marine storage and offloading facility for natural gas liquids — will collectively create thousands of additional jobs,

reduce operational costs, and boost competitiveness across multiple sectors.

These industrial anchors, powered by affordable gas-generated electricity, will support Guyana’s agriculture sector, reduce dependence on imported fertilisers and fuel products, and create durable, skillsbased employment for the next generation of Guyanese workers.

The project represents a major leap toward industrialisation and the nation’s energy security agenda.

Drier, hotter, and not unprepared

THE latest advisory that a developing El Niño threatens a drier and hotter 2026, should not read as a surprise; it should read as a deadline.

The World Meteorological Organization now expresses high confidence that El Niño conditions will emerge between mid-2026 and persist into 2027, with at least a 50 per cent chance of a “super” event rivalling 1997–98 and 2015–16.

The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology and the UWI Climate Studies Group have already urged regional governments, businesses and farmers to brace for a “multi-hazard regime” in which heat, drought and marine impacts compound one another.

For a low-lying, agriculture-dependent country such as ours, the question is no longer whether to prepare, but how seriously.

Guyana’s vulnerability is structural. The Civil Defence Commission notes that our economy still leans heavily on agriculture, that we depend on two rainy seasons, and that national water storage and management are being developed. The government must move ahead of the curve. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority should publish, now, a conservancy-by-conservancy water budget for the rest of 2026, with public triggers for pump activation, salinity testing, and rationing.

Guyana Water Inc. should accelerate its hinterland well-drilling programme and pre-position tanks in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, where Indigenous communities feel droughts first and hardest.

The Guyana Rice Development Board and farmers’ associations need an early planting calendar that hedges the second crop against an October–November rainfall deficit. And the Ministries of Health and Local Government must dust off heat-stress and bush-fire protocols before, not after, the first hospital admission or cane-field blaze.

There is also a communications duty. As a nation increasingly fluent in

oil revenues, we cannot afford climate illiteracy. Hydromet bulletins should be translated into plain language and pushed through radio, WhatsApp and village councils, not buried on websites. Citizens, in turn, must treat water as the strategic asset it is; fix the leaking standpipe, harvest the rain that still falls, and challenge the neighbour hosing down a yard.

El Niño is a forecast, not a fate.

Guyana has the conservancies, the data, the revenues and the regional partners to meet 2026 on its own terms. What it needs is to act on a warning while the skies are still, deceptively blue.

Guyana’s digital future being built on trust, transparency, and accountability

Dear Editor,

I READ with interest the letter published in the May 13, 2026 edition of Kaieteur News authored by Mr Rawle A Small. His concerns are timely, well-articulated, and frankly, are representative of questions this office has been hearing from many quarters

I therefore take this opportunity to respond to Mr Small directly, while also addressing the broader public concerns that his letter so clearly reflects.

Guyana does, in fact, have a Data Protection Act. This legislation is not a proposal or a future ambition — it is the law of the land. My mandate as Data Protection Commissioner flows directly from that Act, and at this very moment, we are actively engaged in the process of formally establishing the Data Protection Office, the institutional body responsible for enforcing its provisions, educating the public, and holding both government agencies and private entities accountable for how they handle personal information.

Mr Small raises several specific concerns that I want to speak to directly. He is right that when citizens register for digital services, a great deal of sensitive information — medical records, financial data, family details, identification numbers — can be collected, stored, and potentially shared.

The Data Protection Act addresses precisely this. It establishes principles governing the lawful basis for collecting data, places obligations on data controllers to ensure information is stored securely, limits the purposes for which data can be used, and grants citizens rights over their own information — including the right to know what is being held about them and to request corrections or deletions.

His concern about third-party access is equally well founded. Whether it is a private contractor supporting a government health system or a technology vendor managing police records, the Act does not permit organisations to sidestep their obligations simply because they are not government entities. Data processors operating on behalf of public bodies carry legal responsibilities

of their own.

On the question of cybersecurity and encryption, I agree entirely that technical safeguards must accompany legal ones. No piece of legislation, however well-drafted, substitutes for properly secured systems.

This is why the work of establishing the Data Protection Office includes developing guidance and standards that agencies must meet before deploying systems that handle personal information.

We are not simply building a complaints desk — we are building a framework of accountability that begins before systems go live, not after breaches occur.

I also want to address directly the concern that has been raised in various quarters about the Digital Identity Card Act of 2023 being in force while the Data Protection Act has not yet been fully operationalised. This is a fair observation and one I take seriously.

But I want Guyanese citizens to understand what the Digital Identity Card Act actually says — and what is built in from the outset.

The two pieces of legislation — Act No. 18 and Act No. 19 of 2023 — were passed together by the National Assembly on the same day and assented to by His Excellency the President on the same date. They were always designed to function as companion laws.

This is not accidental. The Digital Identity Card Act itself mandates several preconditions before the system could be launched, and among those preconditions is the appointment of a Data Protection Commissioner.

The Digital Identity Card Act did not sidestep data protection — it required it. A Data Protection Commissioner had to be appointed before the Act could come into force. That was not optional, and that condition has been met.

Furthermore, the Act stipulates that the Digital Identity Card Registry shall be administered by the Data Protection Commissioner, who is exclusively authorised to issue the cards.

As Commissioner, I am not a bystander

A vicious example of lack of accountability

IN my piece for last Wednesday, I mentioned that I wanted to look at two personalities on the issue of accountability –former editor of the now defunct Stabroek News, Anand Persaud and PNC leader, Aubrey Norton. Wednesday’s commentary was on Persaud so today, I look at Norton.

Mr. Norton, at a press conference last week, called on the government to be accountable. I should have titled this column, “Aubrey Norton is the luckiest man among global opposition politicians.”

How Norton survived the pre-2025 hemorrhage within his party, the devastation of the PNC in the 2025 general elections and the bizarre selection of PNC parliamentarians is simply beyond description and imagination.

No one in Mr. Norton’s shoes survives those ordeals. Thus, he is perhaps the luckiest politician in the world. The 2025 rout of the PNC has seen only one voice calling for the removal of Norton, and that is former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. He made one utterance and then went silent.

Mr. Norton remains leader of the PNC and talks about accountability when that value is missing in Norton himself. While still serving on the executive committee of the PNC, and while still the Economic Adviser to Norton and the Treasurer of the PNC, Mr. Elson Low went public on the Freddie Kissoon Show and told the nation that there was no consultation within the leadership of the PNC on the 12 parliamentary choices.

But the worst was to come. Mr. Norton’s deputy, the PNC’s chairman, Shurwayne Holder, also went public and informed Guy-

anese that, he as Deputy Leader, was not consulted on the selection of the 12. Both men indicted Norton for lack of accountability. It is unheard of in modern politics where a leader selects his/her parliamentarian all by him/ herself without any input from those who sit at the apex of the organisation.

The consultation takes one of two forms – a meeting of party leaders or round-robin method. Messrs. Lowe and Holder said none of these two directions were used. Then another charge of lack accountability came up with the selection of the head of the PNC parliamentary group, Mr. Terrance Campbell. This was also the decision of Mr. Norton.

Not only has Mr. Norton endured these moments of self-destruction, he rides on and talks about the need for accountability. If you dislike, Mr. Norton, you have to give him credit for being a phenomenal survivor. How many men and women in world politics could enter deep waters of abomination and ignominious defeats as Norton has and not one party official has called for his resignation?

On Wednesday, former Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Naraine insisted that Norton should be removed. But Narine like Winston Jordan does not function within the physiology of the PNC. That means no one in the hierarchy of the PNC has either discreetly or diplomatically or overtly has asked Mr. Norton to resign.

The ineligibility of Norton to continue as PNC leader was heightened this week when seven PNC officials echoed support for the PPP Government. Some of these persons have political assets that in a multi-racial country

are priceless. One is a former AFC parliamentarian, Ricky Ramsaroop that left the AFC for the PNC during the 2025 election campaign. He is Indian and thus was an asset to the PNC.

Another is a Berbician who represented the PNC in Parliament and is a Hindu pandit, Dinesh Jaiprashad. The pandit about a year ago said on the Freddie Kissoon Show that the PNC was the only party he was familiar with since he grew up seeing his father being a PNC activist.

Mr. Jaiprashad has three characteristics that the PNC needs – Berbician, Indian and practising Hindu priest. How in a multi-racial country in which the PNC is seen as an African party that practises overt racial politics such a valuable politician the PNC could afford to lose? The PNC has now lost its former deputy leader Holder to the PPP.

What should be nightmarish for Norton

is that the cross-over personalities are not obscure individuals Guyanese have never heard about. These are national figures that have people who respect them. So, this week, it was seven. What will the number be next month and next year?

As the madness inside the PNC continues what sets the PNC apart from any other political party in the world is that not one human that loves the PNC has seen the PNC become a historic entity and whose life has been positively shaped by the PNC has the moral commitment to the PNC to stand up and demand that Norton goes. The PNC is surely dying. What a pity!

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’s digital future being built ...

to the Registry — I am its administrator.

The protection of the data collected through that system is a responsibility that sits directly with this office, not in some other ministry or department.

That is a meaningful structural safeguard, and it is written into the law itself.

Regarding what data is actually being collected at this stage: both the Prime Minister and Attorney General have confirmed that only basic personal information already held by state agencies is being collected — the same type of data currently held by GECOM, the Guyana Revenue Authority, and the National Insurance Scheme.

The government has been unambiguous on this point: more sensitive personal information will only be collected once the country’s data-protection framework is fully in place. I have further clarified publicly that no tax records, health data, or financial information is stored on or within the card itself. The card carries what is necessary to establish identity — nothing more at this stage. On the technical side, the system is not

built on good intentions alone. The cards meet international ICAO biometric security standards — the same standards governing passports and identity documents worldwide. They are laser-engraved in polycarbonate material to resist forgery or alteration, and PKI-enabled for secure digital signatures and authentication. There is structured coordination between the Registry and the public bodies responsible for issuing official documents — including the General Register Office, the Commissioner of Registration, and the Immigration Support Service — for the purpose of authenticating documents and validating data in the central databases.

Are these safeguards identical to the full framework of the Data Protection Act? No — and I will not pretend otherwise. The DPA, once fully operational, will add a comprehensive layer of rights, enforcement powers, and oversight mechanisms that go significantly beyond what the DICA provides on its own. That work is underway and it is my office’s primary mandate to see it through.

The government has stated that it is work-

ing to establish the necessary mechanisms to bring the Data Protection Act into full effect. I can tell you that this is not a distant aspiration — it is an active operational effort.

What I would say to any citizen who has hesitated to apply for their digital ID card because of concerns about data protection: the system you are interacting with when you go to a regional enrolment office is one administered by this office, built to international security standards, limited in its current data collection to what the state already holds about you, and structured by two laws that Parliament passed with broad support precisely because they were designed to work together.

Beyond the mechanics of the card itself, Mr Small raises a broader concern that deserves a direct answer — the risk of data being used for political profiling, commercial targeting, or surveillance. These are not paranoid concerns. The international record is clear: governments and corporations have misused data at enormous scale, and smaller

nations are not immune. The protections against these abuses are built into the architecture of the Act — purpose limitation, data minimisation, restrictions on automated decision-making, and independent oversight.

Where I must respectfully take issue is on the suggestion that legal protections are not yet part of this process. They are. What I acknowledge, honestly, is that public awareness of these protections remains limited — and that is a gap we take seriously. A law that citizens do not know about cannot protect them the way it should. Public education is very much a part of what the Data Protection Office is being built to deliver. Guyana’s digital future should be built on trust, and trust has to be earned through transparency, accountability, and genuine institutional capacity. That is exactly what we are working towards.

U.S. sees Guyana as AI-powered logistics hub linking global markets

–– Economic Affairs Under Secretary says, highlights country’s unique position to shrink shipping delays

THE United States (U.S.) has identified logistics and transport infrastructure as a major pillar of its emerging economic partnership with Guyana, with Washington backing plans to position the country as a regional hub linking global markets.

Speaking during a media engagement at the United States (U.S) Embassy here in Georgetown, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said improved roads and new technologies could allow Guyana to unlock its own natural resources, while also serving as a gateway for trade out of northern Brazil and the wider Caribbean.

“We talked about ways

that infrastructure investments, especially in roads and potentially autonomous trucking technology, can actually be catalytic to get more Guyanese bauxite on the global market,” Helberg said.

He noted that while Guyana has significant reserves of bauxite and other natural resources, it requires efficient transport links to convert those reserves into offtake agreements and export revenue.

“Guyana can have a lot of natural reserves, but Guyana needs a way to get those reserves into offtake agreements and to market,” he told reporters.

Helberg said earlier discussions with President Dr Irfaan Ali also focused on Guyana’s potential role as

a logistics hub for northern Brazil, particularly for cargo destined for the Panama Canal.

“And so that led to a discussion on logistics and ways that Guyana can actually be a logistics hub for northern Brazil, which densely populated into the northern part of South America in order to allow ships to go to Panama, much more efficiently than the current rep today, that currently forces that trade in northern Brazil to go through a really substantial, multi-week detour.”

According to Helberg, enhanced connectivity through Guyana could shrink time delays “by several orders of magnitude” making exports from the interior of South America more competitive

and boosting throughput at Guyanese ports.

He later broadened the vision, describing Guyana as a prospective “22nd century logistics corridor” powered by artificial intelligence and automation.

“We talked about logistics, which we really view as a very promising sector, connecting South

America to the Caribbean Ocean through Guyana, and making Guyana a logistical corridor, using AI technology to make it a 22nd century logistics corridor through AI and automation,” Helberg said.

Just last week, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr.

Ashni Singh, held talks with senior officials of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as the government continues to pursue expanded international support for major national infrastructure and energy projects.

The meeting took place on the margins of the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland, United States, where Singh engaged the DFC’s Chief Policy Officer, Caroline Vik, and her delegation on areas of potential collaboration to support Guyana’s development agenda.

During the engagement, Singh outlined the government’s priority investment projects, which he said are aimed at transforming Guyana into a regional logistics and industrial hub.

Among the flagship initiatives highlighted were the proposed deep-water port along the Berbice River, a major road link connecting northern Brazil to Guyana’s Atlantic coast, and the development of an industrial complex powered by the ongoing Gas-to-Energy project.

GPHC hosts Appreciation and Awards Ceremony to honour its nurses

HONOURING the outstanding contributions of nurses across the institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) earlier this week hosted an Appreciation and Award Ceremony in observance of Nursing Week and in celebration of International Nurses Day. A total of 58 nurses received awards in various categories for their dedicated service and commitment to patient care.

A press release from the Ministry of Health indicated that the event recognised the unwavering dedication, compassion, and profes -

sionalism of nursing staff, who continue to serve on the frontlines of patient care. It brought together nurses from a number of departments, hospital administrators, and special guests, who gathered to acknowledge the outstanding service and commitment shown by

these healthcare heroes. Awards were presented to persons who demonstrated excellence in patient care, leadership, innovation, and team work.

Minister of Health Dr Frank AnthAnthony, was present at the ceremony, where he delivered an address, emphasising the vital

role in delivering quality healthcare.

Minister Anthony stated, “Without nurses and their sacrifices, we would not be able to provide the services our people need,” He commended the GPHC for hosting an event that recognised and celebrated the invaluable con-

tributions of nurses. It was emphasised that the hospital remains committed to supporting and uplifting its nursing staff, recognising that their dedication is critical to improving health outcomes and maintaining a strong and responsive healthcare system.

Security officer admits to killing man during 2022 Kaneville confrontation

A KANEVILLE, East Bank Demerara (EBD) security officer who was facing a murder charge over the 2022 killing of Devon Small, has pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter in the Demerara High Court.

Marlon Hunte, 39, admitted to unlawfully killing Small during a violent confrontation at an area known as “Wrong Turn” in Kaneville on September 18, 2022.

The guilty plea was entered before Justice Joy Persaud-Singh.

Hunte had initially been indicted for the murder of Small, also 35, of Lot 383 Matthew Street, Kaneville,

Alleya Haywood are representing the prosecution. According to the facts presented to the court, Hunte and Small had been socialising and consuming alcohol at a shop in Kaneville on the night of the incident when an argument erupted between them. The disagreement reportedly intensified and escalated into a physical fight.

Investigators said the men later went their separate ways, with Hunte leaving on a bicycle and Small departing in his motor vehicle.

However, the confrontation allegedly reignited shortly afterwards when the vehicle reportedly collided with Hunte.

It is alleged that during

following the fatal altercation which prosecutors said stemmed from an argument between two men who knew each other.

Attorney Dexter Todd appeared on behalf of Hunte, while attorneys Padma Dubraj, Nelissa Peterkin and

Justice Joy Persaud-Singh

police investigation.

Authorities also said Hunte participated in a recorded interview with investigators and later revisited the scene, where he reportedly demonstrated and explained the sequence of events.

A post-mortem examination conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary by forensic pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh found that Small sustained three stab wounds — two to the left side of the chest and one to the right arm — in addition to abrasions to the shoulder and forehead, and a superficial injury to the neck.

the ensuing encounter, Hunte armed himself with a sharp instrument, approached the driver’s side of Small’s vehicle and stabbed him several times.

The incident was reportedly captured on video, which formed part of the

Medical findings revealed that one wound penetrated the chest and pierced the heart, while another punctured the left lung, causing severe internal bleeding and collapse of the lung. The stab wound to the arm also severed blood vessels.

Dr Singh concluded that Small died as a result of stab wounds to the heart and lung, which caused fatal haemorrhaging. Following the killing,

Hunte was charged with murder and appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/ Grove Magistrates’ Courts, where he was remanded to prison after being denied bail. Having now admitted to manslaughter, Hunte is expected to return to court for sentencing on June 2.

All set for three-day Guyana Festival

THE curtain is set to rise at the highly anticipated Guyana Festival later today, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

This publication visited the location on Thursday and observed that the final preparations were underway for the premier Independence celebration that is set to showcase Guyana’s ethnic and cultural history, telling the story of the nation’s unprecedented transformation.

The Guyana Festival is being held from today until May 17, 2026, under the

theme ‘Sound, Soul, and Taste,’ and is part of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, commemorating 60 years as an independent nation.

Sharing insights into the progress being made, a member of the organising committee, Cordell McClure, shared that the entire team participated in a grand rehearsal and certain aspects of the festival were already in place at the time of this publication’s visit.

“We have the tents, people are setting up the tents; And we have the BYD prize,

which is the main prize, already on the ground. We have the classic car set up, and we have Coney Island that is setting up tonight. So, we anticipate by tomorrow morning everything…in fact, we’re hoping for tonight, but by tomorrow morning, everything should be in place. We are expecting a fantastic festival,” he said.

The Guyana Festival was first envisioned by the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali in 2014 during his tenure as Minister of Housing and Water. After 12 years, the festival makes a grand re-

turn, and targets Guyanese from across the country, as well as the diaspora and other international visitors who will be in Guyana for the month of May.

McClure said that for many Guyanese, they are still reacquainting themselves or are not acquainting themselves with the concept of the Guyana Festival. It is not GuyExpo or Building Expo, but a culmination of Guyanese culture, history and culinary delights.

The committee member encouraged persons to visit the National Stadium on any

day this weekend, and learn about our culture, learn our history, and participate in the various activities slated for the entirety of the festival. Today, there will be an opening ceremony followed by the ‘Taste of Guyana’ set up featuring various delicacies, while day two allows patrons to experience the ‘Culture and Food Extravaganza Showcase’, and in the evening, Night of Legends, featuring local artists and music. On the final day, there will be a National Cookout Competition, followed by a One Guyana

Concert.

It has been said that the festival marks the powerful rebirth of a visionary concept, reimagined for a new era of national pride, and cultural confidence; and calls on us to celebrate 60 years of nationhood with pride, passion, and purpose. It also calls for us to honour the strength of Guyanese people, as well as the richness of our heritage, and the vibrant spirit that has shaped Guyana into one of the world’s most dynamic and compelling emerging destinations.

CANU issues wanted bulletins for Guyanese, Trinidadian

THE Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Yuen Godfrey Thorne and Trinidadian Ricardo Ramesh Chanarbhan.

According to CANU, Thorne, whose last known address was Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, is wanted for questioning in relation to an ongoing investigation into suspected narcotics importation, possession and trafficking. That matter is currently under investigation, and Thorne is urged to turn himself in at the nearest police station, or at the CANU Headquarters on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. Chanarbhan, a resident of Providence, East Bank Demerara, is wanted in relation to matters of a similar nature. That matter is also under investigation, and Chanarbhan is also being

urged to turn himself in at the nearest police station or at CANU’s Headquarters.

If any member of the public sees the two individuals, they can contact the authorities immediately on 226-0431 or email TIPS@ CANU GOV GY

CANU’s goal is simple: to gather intelligence, boost operational strategy, maintain close collaboration with sister agencies, including the Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Special, Organised Crime Unit and

the Financial Intelligence Unit, sharing intelligence and establishing strong networks with regional and international partners, and strengthening ties with local health and education systems, and improve collaborative efforts with the Ministries of Education and Health by sensitising children at all levels, as well as their parents and guardians to the dangers posed by illegal drugs.

CANU was established through a Cabinet decision in 1994 and was implemented in August 1995. The unit as mandated by the Government of Guyana, combats the narcotics trade by detecting, and seizing narcotic drugs, detaining narcotics traffickers, and seizing narcotics drug-trafficking proceeds by maintaining an effective presence at each port of entry and exit.

FITT programme to equip Guyanese with international trade skills

- as Canadian firms signal increasing investment, partnership interest

By Shaniya Harding

GUYANA is continuing to attract growing interest from Canadian companies seeking investment and partnership opportunities, according to Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, who revealed that approximately 40 Canadian companies have visited Guyana within the last year.

Speaking on Wednesday evening at the launch of the internationally recognised FITT skills Programme, Sigouin noted that many companies are actively seeking partnerships with local businesses as Guyana expands its presence in the global economy. Moreover, the new trade training initiative, done in collaboration with Action INVEST and the Office of the Canadia High Commissioner, the Forum for International Trade Training (FITTskills) programme aims to equip Guyanese professionals with the skills needed to compete at international standards.

In his address, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, noted that interest in Guyana continues to grow on the international landscape.

Sharing insight into the recent Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce business forum, which saw the participation of more than 150 Canadian business representatives and investors, Sigouin noted that building partnerships with Guyana was among the questions he was asked.

“One of the questions that they kept asking me is really about how do they build partner-

ships, how do they build partnerships with local people, with local companies, so that those companies can help them navigate the meanders, the labyrinth, and some of the challenges of the Guyanese business environment,” he said, adding, “They are worldclass companies. Many of them work all around the world, and they are more and more interested in the Guyanese market."

This comes as the high commissioner noted that more Canadian companies continue to come to Guyana.

Sigouin noted that in the last year, some 40 Canadian-based companies have come to Guyana.

He added, “Just in the last year, we had about 40 Canadian companies come to Guyana. These companies are from a number of sectors,” he said noting, “World-class companies bringing expertise in a whole range of sectors: digitalisation, clean technology, waste management, water sanitation, you name it. So many companies are coming here to explore the opportunities in Guyana, and more and more are also looking into Suriname." Furthermore, he noted that this is why the FITT skills programme is so integral.

Also delivering an address at the event was Vishnu Doerga, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Action INVEST Caribbean Inc., who noted that the programme is not just another training programme, but rather a strategic capacity-building platform for Guyana and Suriname.

He noted that the step is vital, as both countries continue to grow and

FITT programme to equip...

FROM PAGE 11

diversify in global trade. This programme, he added, will help bridge the gap between international trade and local skills and capacity.

"This is not only about helping local businesses

export. It's also about ensuring that when international companies enter Guyana and Suriname, our CEOs, our business development managers, our procurement officers, logistics professionals, entrepreneurs, and young

professionals can engage with them on the same level,” he said adding, "FITTskills helps build the bridge from local potential to global competence, so that our organisations and our countries can capture more value

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, speaking at the launch of the internationally recognised FITTskills programme. He revealed that approximately 40 Canadian companies visited Guyana within the last year (Elton John photos)

Vishnu Doerga, CEO of Action INVEST Caribbean Inc. noted that the Forum for International Trade Training (FITTskills) programme is a strategic capacity-building platform for Guyana

from the opportunities before us."

The internationally recognised training is based in Canada and is respected globally for setting the standard for international trade education.

Sharing insight into exactly what the programme offers, Doerga noted that, “FITTskills is a practical international trade training programme. It is designed by business for business, with emphasis on real-world applications rather than theory alone. It is country-neutral, and the principles apply whether a company is exporting, importing, supplying international companies locally, entering a new market, or working inside the global economy."

He emphasised that FITTskills is accessible, allowing participants to move towards a diploma in international trade and eventually towards the Certified International Trade Professional designation (CITP).

The programme will use two main learning pathways, the first being a full-course format in Guyana that would run for twelve months, and the second being an annual sprint which takes a workshop format.

Doerga noted, “The curriculum is built around the six pillars of international trade. These include feasibility and risk analysis, market entry strategies, global value chains, product and service adaptation, international sales and marketing, and trade finance. Together, these pillars form a practical framework.”

He later added the

workshops are designed as short, focused sessions that will address very specific challenges.

“The modular structure allows capability to be built where it is most importantly needed, for example, having just your finance team trained in trade finance, your operations team trained in documentation and logistics, or your leadership team trained in market expansion."

Meanwhile, Caroline Tompkins, President & CEO of the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) delivered a video address during which she noted that the partnership is not about one country adopting another, but rather about Guyana, Action INVEST, FITT, and Canada choosing to strengthen a wider international business community together.

"Action INVEST brings deep local insight and trusted relationships in Guyana. FITT brings global standards and reach." Further noting the importance of the partnership, she noted that, "Wanting to trade internationally is a start, and ambition will open doors. But competence, skills, systems, and insight are what carry companies through to growth,” she said.

The step comes at an opportune time, as Guyana today is home to some 30,000 incorporated companies and over 30,000 sole proprietors.

While the programme was officially launched in Guyana, Suriname will see its launch in June, with the first cohort starting training in July.

Xi holds talks with Trump in Beijing

CHINESE President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday.

Transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent, said Xi.

"Can China and the United States overcome the Thucydides Trap and create a new paradigm of major-country relations? Can we meet global challenges together and provide greater stability for the world? Can we build a bright future together for our bilateral relations in the interest of the well-being of the two peoples and the future of humanity? These are the questions vital to history, to the world and to the people," said Xi.

They are the questions of the times that the leaders of major countries need to answer together, he added.

"I look forward to working together with you to set the course and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations, so as to make 2026 a historic,

landmark year that opens up a new chapter in China-U.S. relations," he said.

"I have agreed with President Trump on a new vision of building a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability," Xi said. The new vision will provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond and should be welcomed by

the people of both countries as well as the international community, he said.

The "constructive strategic stability" should be a positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay, a sound stability with moderate competition, a constant stability with manageable differences, and an enduring stability with promises of peace, Xi said.

The building of a construc-

tive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability should not be a mere slogan, but concrete action taken by both sides toward the same goal, he added.

China-U.S. economic ties are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, said Xi. "Where disagreements and frictions exist, equal-footed consultation is the only right choice," he said.

Xi revealed that the economic and trade teams of the two countries produced "generally balanced and positive outcomes" in the latest round of bilateral trade talks on Wednesday.

"This is good news for the people of the two countries and the world," he said, calling on the two sides to sustain the good momentum that they have worked hard to create.

Noting that China will only open its door wider, Xi said American companies are deeply involved in China's reform and opening up, and the U.S. side is welcome to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation.

"The two sides should implement the important consen-

sus we have reached, and make better use of communication channels in the political, diplomatic and military-to-military fields," Xi said.

The two countries should also expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as the economy and trade, health, agriculture, tourism, people-to-people ties and law enforcement, he added.

Regarding the Taiwan question, Xi stressed that it is the most important issue in China-U.S. relations.

If it is handled properly, the bilateral relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, the two countries will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy, Xi said, urging the U.S. side to exercise extra caution in handling the Taiwan question.

Safeguarding cross-Strait peace and stability is the biggest common denominator between China and the United States, Xi said, emphasizing that "Taiwan independence" and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water.

Trump said it was a great

honour to pay a state visit to China, calling Xi a great leader and China a great country. "I have tremendous respect for President Xi and the Chinese people," Trump said.

Trump expressed his willingness to work with Xi to strengthen communication and cooperation, properly handle differences, make bilateral relations better than ever before and embrace a fantastic future.

The United States and China are the most important and most powerful countries in the world, and the two presidents can "do a lot of big and good things for the two countries and the world," he said.

Trump encouraged representatives of the U.S. business community to expand cooperation with China.

The two presidents exchanged views on major international and regional issues, such as the Middle East situation, the Ukraine crisis, and the Korean Peninsula.

They also agreed to support each other in hosting a successful APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and G20 Summit this year.

Xi holds welcome banquet for Trump

CHINESE President Xi Jinping on Thursday held a banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump on his state visit to China.

Addressing the banquet, Xi said the China-U.S. relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the current world.

“We must make it work, and never mess it up,” Xi said, adding that both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.

“Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals,” he added.

Xi also said that the two sides agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability to promote the steady, sound, and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world.

“Looking back at the

course of China-U.S. relations, whether or not we could have mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation is the key to whether the relationship can advance steadily,” Xi said.

Noting that China-U.S. relations concern the well-being of the over 1.7 billion people of

both countries and affect the interests of the over 8 billion people of the world, Xi said both sides should rise up to this historical responsibility and steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations forward steadily and in the right direction.

In his remarks at the banquet, Trump said the two sides

Xi, Trump visit Temple of Heaven

President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump visited the Temple of Heaven on Thursday in Beijing.

Xi greeted Trump outside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The leaders had a photo taken in front of the Hall and took a tour of the Hall.

During their visit, Xi explained to Trump that in ancient times, state rituals were held at the Temple of Heaven, where then Chinese rulers prayed for national pros-

perity, social harmony, and favourable weather for good harvests.

“It reflects the traditional Chinese concept that the people are the foundation of a state and only when the foundation is solid will the state be stable,” Xi said.

The Communist Party of China has inherited and carried forward this people-centred philosophy rooted in the Chinese civilization, Xi said.

By upholding its fundamental commitment to serving the people

wholeheartedly, the Party has earned the firm support of the Chinese people, he added.

Trump said he was impressed by the more than 600-year-old Temple of Heaven. He said the United States and China are both great countries, and that both peoples are wise and great.

He added that the two countries should deepen mutual understanding and strengthen friendship between their peoples.

had positive and constructive conversations.

Noting that the U.S.-China relationship is the most consequential bilateral relationship in the world, Trump said the two countries should strengthen cooperation to create a better future for the world.

Government expands night care services to support shift-working parents

PARENTS working late-night shifts can now do so with greater peace of mind as the government’s pioneering Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development initiative expands its services to include full night care for children.

Persaud.

The announcement was made at the Anna Catherina Early Childhood Development Centre, Region Three, by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya

The ministry continues to strengthen childcare support systems for families working non-traditional hours, ensuring children are cared for in safe, nurturing and development-focused environ-

ments.

The minister noted that while the day-care component has been progressing successfully, the introduction of the night service now allows parents working evening and overnight shifts to leave their children in a secure environment staffed by trained caregivers.

“So now parents, bring your children, it’s time for night care. We are ready…you can go to work on your shift and know that your children are safe in this beautiful environment,” she stated.

Beyond childcare services, the facility also focuses on early childhood development, ensuring children achieve key developmental milestones through structured learning and care programmes.

The Day and Night Care initiative was first announced by the government in July 2022 as part of the People’s

Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration’s commitment to empowering women, supporting working families, and creating safer spaces for children.

Guyana’s first-ever Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Centre was commissioned at Anna Catherina, Region Three, in August 2025, marking a major milestone in childcare services not only in Guyana but across the Caribbean and Latin America.

Since then, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has been working tirelessly to expand the programme nationwide, with additional centres already opened and more planned across several regions to support working parents and promote holistic child development. (DPI)

Routes 40, 44 minibus passengers forced to pay higher fares

ROUTE 44 minibus drivers have taken it upon themselves to increase fares yet again, this time from $160 to $300 per passenger one-way.

During peak hours, this publication was told that passengers are being made to pay as much as $400 to get to the Melanie-Victoria corridor, which is deemed very unfair for commuters utilising public transportation for daily activities, including work.

One daily commuter, who wished not to be named told the Guyana Chronicle that the minibus operators and bus park touts are demanding that fare even before passengers enter the minibus and their attitude and demeanor are far from reasonable.

The woman said she was afraid to speak up and opted to pay $300 to get home from work after paying $140 for a short drop in the Route 40 Kitty/Campbellville minibus. The usual fare for Kitty/Campbellville is $100.

“These men are very aggressive. They tell you straight up you have to pay $300 and $400 to get up the East

Coast and there is nothing you can do because after a long day of work you have to get home,” she said.

Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department wishes to remind operators that in accordance with the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, fares must not be unreasonable and that copies of the approved fare-table must be c arried and displayed in the vehicle for inspection at all times.

Passengers are urged to acquaint themselves with the official fares for their route and to report any incidents of overcharging to the nearest police station or police along the route without delay or hesitation. Necessary actions will be taken against non-compliant minibus operators.

All across the country, minibus operators have increased bus fares without consulting the authorities or the United Minibus Union on a practical fare structure for all minibus routes in Guyana.

Even more alarm -

ing, the taxis operators have also increased fares, even some of those registered in taxi services.

Meanwhile, President of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews could not be reached via telephone.

However, he told another section of the media that the union is not aware of any official adjustment to fares and would not support unilateral action on pricing.

He said any responsible public transpor-

tation body would be unwilling to approve such changes, citing the pressure on low-income passengers, who utilise public transportation daily.

Andrews explained that the union has asked for a meeting

with the current administration on public transport-related issues and is cognisant of apprehensions at all the minibus parks, to urgently resolve the matter on unjust minibus fare increases.

HIV prevention and treatment services faltering - UNAIDS warns

DECADES of gains in the fight against AIDS are under growing threat as donor funding declines and community-based health services collapse in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries, the head of the joint UN programme on HIV/ AIDS warned on Thursday.

The sudden funding decline is hitting the HIV response “like a shock

scale back or close entirely.

In Uganda, uptake of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), which can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through sexual transmission by up to 99 per cent, fell by 31 per cent between December 2024 and September 2025.

In Burundi, uptake fell by 64 per cent over the same period.

Even basic prevention

MOST VULNERABLE CAUGHT UP IN ‘PROXY WARS’

“It is proxy wars for critical minerals, for energy, for influence that are being fought, instrumentalising the rights of the most marginalised people,” Ms Byanyima said.

In Kenya, most drop-in centres serving key populations, including LGBTQ communities, have closed. Nigeria has lost at least

wave,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, adding that “the world is pulling back just when we need to push forward.”

Many countries are unprepared to sustain programmes previously supported by international funding, Ms Byanyima told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, noting that prevention and support services are already collapsing in several countries.

Today, 9.3 million people living with HIV are still waiting to begin treatment, while there were 1.3 million new infections worldwide in 2024.

‘REAL

CONSEQUENCES’

Ms Byanyima warned that the funding crisis is having “real consequences” across developing countries as treatment expansion stalls and community organisations – often the backbone of the HIV response – are forced to

tools are becoming less accessible. In Nigeria, condom distribution dropped by 55 per cent between December 2024 and March 2025.

FUNDING SHOCKS

Charities and groups working on HIV/AIDS are increasingly strained by funding cuts, with many reducing operations or shutting down altogether.

In eight countries where UNAIDS operates, 99.9 per cent of HIV-prevention services are funded externally, with only 0.1 per cent financed domestically, leaving programmes highly vulnerable to aid reductions.

“The fiscal constraints of the most heavily burdened countries are huge,” Ms Byanyima said.

In 2024, around 570 girls and young women were infected with HIV every day. Yet 60 per cent of women-led HIV organisations have either lost funding or have shut down completely.

five similar clinics.

In Uganda, 45 per cent of programmes supporting key populations have partially or fully shut down. In Zimbabwe, services for sex workers – including access to prevention, testing and treatment – have collapsed entirely in 2025.

SCIENCE OFFERING SOLUTIONS

Despite the setbacks, Ms Byanyima stressed that scientific advances still offer a pathway to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“Science is offering us solutions that could end this epidemic by 2030; long-acting PrEP, long-acting prevention, long-acting treatments, medicines that we would not have thought about 10 years ago. All these are there,” she said.

But she warned that abrupt funding cuts, combined with growing pushback against human rights, are pulling the world further away from that goal. (UN News)

Carter Center: 2025 polls were ‘calm, orderly, and well administered’

–– highlights improvements in tabulation process, urges more

THE Carter Center has said that Guyana’s September 2025 election-day procedures were found to be ‘calm, orderly, and well administered.’

In its final report, the observer mission noted too that there were no significant irregularities reported and pointed to the revised tabulation process being more transparent and verifiable than in 2020, contributing to greater confidence in the announced results.

“Legal and electoral reforms adopted in 2022— particularly to improve voter registration and tabulation transparency—addressed some international recommendations,” the report said.

However, the Carter Center noted that despite improvements, significant challenges remain. It highlighted concerns surrounding the Guyana Election Commission’s (GECOM)’s indepen -

dence, the complexity and representativeness of the electoral system, and outdated constituency boundaries, among other issues.

“Guyana’s rapid economic transformation presents both opportunity and risk, underscoring the need for inclusive constitutional and electoral reforms to strengthen democratic institutions ahead of future elections,” the report added.

The Carter Center also acknowledged and welcomed the establishment of the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) in 2024.

It urged Guyanese officials to ensure that the commission is fully supported in undertaking its mandate.

Offering more recommendations, the Carter Center urged the CRC to develop and implement a nationwide review process that integrates civic education and participatory

Flashback: Jason Carter

Head of the Carter Center’s 2025, General and Regional Elections Observer Mission speaking to reporters outside a Georgetown polling station (Delano Williams photos)

dialogue, enabling Guyanese from all regions and communities to contribute to discussions on constitutional priorities and potential reforms.

“It is critically important that constitutional amendments are finalised with sufficient time to allow for subsequent adjustments to the electoral legal

framework and to ensure that new provisions can be effectively implemented before the next general and regional elections.”

The report further stressed that constitutional reform effort must be grounded in transparency, broad political participation, and meaningful engagement with the public.

TABULATION – SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS

According to the report, the Carter Center observers found that the tabulation process in 2025 was conducted in ‘a reasonable or very good manner ‘across all 17 of the tabulation centres.

Notable was the increased transparency through the public posting of Statements of Poll (SoPs) and the timely uploading of these to GECOM’s website.

“While new procedures—particularly the

electoral reforms

requirement to upload all SoPs before tabulation— caused delays, the system functioned efficiently with few technical issues and allowed close public and observer scrutiny,” the report said.

The report added that the post-2020 reforms contributed to a more efficient and transparent tabulation process and was marked by a significant improvement over the 2020 electoral process, strengthening confidence in the official electoral results.

“Overall, the legislative changes made to the tabulation process were positive and contributed to a more efficient and transparent tabulation process that better ensures that the announced results reflect the will of the people as expressed on election day,” the report said, while highlighting the transparent recount procedures.

“The 2025 elections

built positively on recom

mendations from past elections, but more needs to be done to enhance Guyana’s democracy, ensure its representativeness, and increase its ability to serve all its people.”

In 2022, Guyana had amended the legal and electoral framework governing general and regional elections.

These reforms according to the Carter Center, addressed several recommendations from international observers, including measures to improve the transparency of the vote-tabulation process and significant changes to voter- registration procedures.

“The 2025 election was the first since the traumatic experiences of 2020, and the nation faced important choices about its future and the use of its newfound economic wealth,” the Carter Center said.

Tilak Varma, Shardul Thakur hand

PBKS fifth successive defeat

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) playoff chances took a serious beating after they lost their fifth game in a row, this time going down to Mumbai Indians (MI) by six wickets in Dharamsala. They remain fourth on the table with 13 points from 12 games, while the two teams just below them, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, have 12 points each with a game in hand.

MI were without their regular captain Hardik Pandya, who is still recovering from back spasms, and

stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav, who missed out due to personal reasons. In their absence, Jasprit Bumrah led them for the first time in the IPL and put PBKS in after winning the toss.

The hosts rode on Prabhsimran Singh’s chancy 57 off 32 to reach 100 in 11 overs before Shardul Thakur’s fourfor derailed them. They were 140 for 7 in the 17th over but Azmatullah Omarzai, Xavier Bartlett and Impact Player Vishnu Vinod ransacked 60 in the last 22 balls to lift them to 200 for 8.

Ryan Rickelton set up the

chase for MI with his 23-ball 48. But it was Tilak Varma who played the pivotal role with his unbeaten 75 off 33. With 50 needed from three overs, he, with the help of Will Jacks, took MI over the line on the penultimate ball of the match.

A six-less powerplay

Priyansh Arya opened his account with a second-ball four off Deepak Chahar and Prabhsimran picked up two fours off Bumrah in the following over. In all, the two combined to hit ten fours in the powerplay but there were

plenty of dot balls and not a single six. To make things worse for PBKS, Chahar bowled Arya with a knuckleball in the final over of the powerplay, after which PBKS were 55 for 1.

Prabhsimran steps up Prabhsimran was on 10 off 11 balls at one point. He was dropped on 5 by Naman Dhir off Bumrah and then on 28 by Corbin Bosch off his own bowling. He made full use of those reprieves and slog-swept Raghu Sharma for back-to-back sixes. He brought up his fifty off 29

Youth chess training...

School, Cornelia Ida Primary School, and Modern Foundation Academy.

The workshop welcomed a mix of new faces and returning players, including several young women and teachers who had attended the previous week’s Girls’ Chess Workshop.

This continuity allowed students to transition seamlessly from theory to practice.

On Sunday, forty eager participants put their new skills to the test in a competitive mini-tournament. For many, this was their first experience playing with chess clocks under formal

tournament conditions.

After six rounds of intense play, trophies and chess sets were awarded to the top six finishers and the best female performer, while other participants received prizes to commemorate their progress.

The top six performers of the tournament were Deandre Mohammed from Qayyim Academy, Kemari Peters from West Demerara Secondary, Jaquan Browne from Stewartville Secondary, Christian Campbell from Qayyim Academy, Jairam Thackurdeen from West Demerara Secondary, and Samuel George from Qayyim

Academy.

The Best Female prize went to Zafirah Bremner from Qayyim Academy.

The GCF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Unit of Allied Arts, spearheaded the training to foster awareness among primary and secondary level students.

GCF chess coaches CM Taffin Khan, Nellisha Johnson and Marcia Lee headed the training sessions, while John Lee assisted with the tournament.

GCF President Anand Raghunauth noted the significance of the turnout, emphasising that chess is now

FROM PAGE 27

a reality for several schools across the West Coast of Demerara.

He reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to supporting these institutions, noting that the GCF will maintain active engagement with school administrations to ensure chess becomes a permanent fixture in their extra-curricular development.

The GCF thanked the National Sports Commission for providing a comfortable venue for the training and expressed gratitude to International Import and Supplies for their commitment and continuous support to the GCF.

President Ali aims to make Guyana ‘motor racing...

“economic injection” into the local economy.

“When there is a major motorsport event, restaurants fill up, taxi drivers smile, mechanics work overtime, and food vendors do brisk business,” Ali noted. “This is a national product that is going to have tremendous economic value.”

The ambitions for the South Dakota Circuit do not

stop at GT3 racing. The President revealed a roadmap to elevate the venue to FIA Grade 3 status, with the ultimate goal of attracting Formula E—the pinnacle of electric open-wheel racing— to Guyanese soil.

The transformation of the track has already stunned international observers. After initial inspections suggested the circuit would need

two years of upgrades, local teams completed the work in just six months.

Described by the President as the “Caribbean Premier League (CPL) of motor racing,” the GT Challenge is expected to draw a massive influx of international visitors.

Shairaz Roshandin, President of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sport Club

FROM BACK PAGE

(GMRSC), confirmed that hotels are already filling up rapidly.

“This is something Guyanese have never experienced before,” he said.

As the GT Challenge de las Américas celebrates its sixth year, having already visited Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico, its arrival in Georgetown marks a new era for Guyanese sport.

balls and took PBKS past 100.

Shardul triggers a collapse

Shardul turned the tide in the 12th over. Bowling crossseam into the pitch, he had Prabhsimran miscue an aerial hit to deep third. Two balls later, he got another crossseam delivery to straighten and ping Shreyas Iyer’s off stump. From the other end, Raj Bawa bowled Cooper Connolly for 21 off 22 in the next over. A little later, Shardul removed Suryansh Shedge and Marco Jansen, leaving PBKS on 140 for 7 in 16.2 overs.

Vinod, Omarzai, Bartlett wrest back momentum PBKS were so down and out that they decided to bring in Vinod as Impact Player, and the move seemed to have paid off.

First, Omarzai struck four sixes and two fours in a 17ball 38. Then Vinod (15 not out off eight) and Bartlett (18 not out off seven) added 34 off just 12 in an unbroken

stand for the ninth wicket to take the side to 200.

Rickelton gives MI flying start

Arshdeep Singh started the chase with a two-run over, after which Rickelton took over. He showed a preference for the leg side; 34 of his 48 runs and all four sixes came on that side of the wicket. Of the 59 runs MI scored in the powerplay, 47 came from Rickelton’s bat, while Rohit Sharma was struggling on 12 off 15.

PBKS bounce back PBKS made a comeback after the powerplay. Omarzai removed Rickelton, Dhir fell to Jansen, and Yuzvendra Chahal bowled Rohit to leave them 89 for 3 after ten overs. While Tilak kept finding boundaries and moved to 22 off 11 balls, PBKS kept Sherfane Rutherford quiet. Jansen conceded just five singles in the 14th over and Arshdeep gave away only eight in the 15th, leaving MI with 72 to get from the last five.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

NEWMARKET

08:22hrs Mrair

08:57hrs Queen’s Companion

09:32hrs Marnier

10:07hrs Mirzimaan

10:42hrs Crazee Icon

11:18hrs Beach Point

11:53hrs We’re Goosers

12:25hrs Southern Warrior

YORK

08:45hrs Spirit Genie

09:20hrs Synchronicity

09:55hrs Warrant Holder

10:30hrs Princesse D’orange

11:05hrs Rahiebb

11:40hrs Schrodinger’s Cat

12:15hrs Portcullis

NEWBURY

09:08hrs Hone Rogue

09:40hrs Oursin

10:18hrs Pure Grit

10:53hrs Extremely Zain

11:25hrs Point Of Law

12:00hrs Tropbien

12:35hrs Extraterrestrial

13:10hrs Patrol

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS FAIRVIEW

08:15hrs Garden Sun 08:50hrs Family Power 09:25hrs Star In Motion

10:00hrs Tintamarre 10:35hrs Ayuwi Yuwi

IRISH RACING TIPS

LEOPARDSTOWN

12:05hrs West Of Eden

12:40hrs Daring Heart

13:12hrs Land Of The Giants

13:47hrs Chica Guerrera

14:22hrs Scandinavia

14:57hrs Tassarolo

Harpy Eagles dominates GBA Development Tournament

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Developmental Tournament delivered an action-packed afternoon of emerging talent and competitive bouts last Saturday at the Andrew “Sting” Lewis Gym, with Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym emerging as the standout force last Saturday.

Featuring boxers across multiple age and weight divisions, the event showcased the depth of grassroots boxing talent currently being nurtured across Guyana’s leading gyms, including Har-

IISB/G.O.A.P.C Independence schools tape ball cricket set for May 23

THE International Import and Supplies-sponsored G.O.A.P.C. 2026 60th

Golden Jubilee Independence Celebration Secondary School Boys’ Tape-Ball Cricket Competition is set for May 23.

The eight-a-side, 30-ball knockout tournament will continue on May 24.

Games are being played at the National Cultural Centre tarmac and the National Park tarmac respectfully.

It will be two days of exciting tape-ball cricket for schoolboys across Guyana,

primarily second, third and fourth form students, as fifth and sixth formers are currently sitting CXC examinations.

Owner of the company, Mr Joe Jagmohan, has pledged that the event will become an annual feature, noting that he enjoys watching youngsters enjoy themselves playing the game they love.

Apart from the Independence Cup and medals for the winners, there will be other attractive prizes up for grabs.

py Eagles, Pace and Power, New Amsterdam Boxing Academy (NABA), and the Andrew Lewis Gym (ALG). Harpy Eagles, under coach James ‘Sack’ Walcott, and just months after returning from six-year hiatus, was crowned champion gym.

The opening bout in the 23–26kg category saw Abu Barker of Harpy Eagles produce a clinical performance, stopping teammate Delroy Thomas, when the referee stopped the contest one minute, 20 seconds into the third round.

Barker’s composed finish set an early tone for his gym’s dominance.

Momentum continued in the 27–30kg division, where Omar Barker of Harpy Eagles secured a points victory over Nathan Sugrim in an evenly contested bout that highlighted the technical growth within the gym’s youth ranks.

In the 29–32kg matchup, Omarion Williams of Harpy Eagles impressed with a rapid stoppage of Tyrese De Younge out of Pace and Power gym, forcing the referee to stop the fight after just over one minute of action in round one.

Harpy Eagles’ dominance in the early card was further reinforced when Teroy Mullin defeated Terrel Matherson (Pace and Power) in just two rounds, after the referee stepped in.

FROM PAGE 27

Guyana takes centre stage with safeguarding...

were Technical Director Bryan Joseph and Youth Development Officer Andrew Nestor.

The duo joined delegates from across the Concacaf map to deliberate under the ambitious theme: “Concacaf Grassroots Charter: Developing Players, Inspiring People, Transforming Communities.”

The primary objective of the two-day summit was the formal unveiling of the Concacaf Grassroots Charter.

This new framework serves as a comprehensive blueprint for member associations, providing the

tools needed to ensure that grassroots football is not only delivered effectively, but that it also remains sustainable for generations to come.

It aims to bridge the gap between casual play and structured youth development, ensuring that the smallest clubs in the region operate with the same long-term vision as the largest.

Guyana’s contribution to the conference was particularly notable during the sessions focused on “Creating Safe Spaces of Play.” Technical Director Bryan Joseph delivered a presentation on the

GFF’s pioneering approach to safeguarding within the sport.

He detailed the federation’s ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rights of the Child Commission and UNICEF.

This partnership has facilitated a nationwide rollout of safeguard training and certification, placing Guyana at the forefront of player protection in the region.

Joseph emphasised that for football to truly transform communities, the environment must be inherently safe for every child who picks up a ball.

Pace and Power and ALG fought back in the middle segment of the card.

Ukesh Persaud of NABA edged Imhotep Vanderstoop out of ALG via split decision in a tightly contested 30–33kg bout, while Denzil Thomas (Harpy Eagles) responded with a second-round win over Kevin Klass (Pace and Power).

One of the more unusual results came in the 39–42kg division, where Delon Andrews (Harpy Eagles) was awarded a walkover victory over Kelon Mullin, adding another win to the Harpy Eagles’ tally.

Donovon Choy then delivered one of the quickest stoppages of the day, forcing a first-round stoppage against Marcus Vanderstoop in just 55 seconds.

The female bout in the 43–46kg category saw Makayla Ross (Pace and Power) secure a well-earned points victory over Kenisha Klass in a competitive display that highlighted the growing participation and

quality in women’s boxing locally.

In the 47–50kg bout, Rommel George (Pace and Power) edged Josh Chester (ALG) on points, maintaining the competitive balance between the gyms.

Dyreck Springer (Pace and Power) earned a win by abandonment over Curtis McDonald (NABA) in the 61–64kg category, while Emmanuel Sandiford (Pace and Power) narrowly defeated Hotham Vancooten (NABA) via split decision in a closely fought contest.

Akeem Ross (Pace and Power) delivered another stoppage victory, this time in round two against Itavius Vanderstoop (ALG) in the 48–51kg division.

In the final bout of the main card, Emmanuel Campbell (Pace and Power) recorded a swift win over Jofes Jackson (NABA) after Jackson was forced to abandon in the opening round at 1:02.

At the conclusion of the tournament, several standout performers were recognised

for their excellence:

They were the best school-age boxer, Abu Barker (Harpy Eagles); best junior boxer: Itavius Vanderstoop; best youth boxer, Jofes Jackson, and best gym, Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym.

In a separate set of bouts, ALG also enjoyed success, including Lennox Lawrence picking up a victory over Cort Mahase (NABA), while Ken Harvey (ALG) stood out with a strong performance against Isiah Nurse (RHJ), earning recognition as best boxer of the tournament segment.

Other notable results included victories for Josiah Thambaran (RHJ), Ronaldo Hunte (ALG), Simeon Haymer (ALG), and Jofes Jackson (NABA), rounding out a competitive and balanced showing across participating clubs.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle presented food hampers to the best boxers and announced that the next tournament will be held on May 16th.

Cricket West Indies to Host High-Performance ODI Preparation Camp in Antigua

CRICKET West Indies (CWI) will host a 10-day high performance training camp for a group of senior men’s players in Antigua from May 21–31, as preparations begin for a critical stretch of OneDay International (ODI) cricket for the “Men in Maroon”.

The 10-day camp, which will be held at Coolidge Cricket Ground, will serve as the launchpad for the West Indies’ upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in Jamaica and form a key part of the team’s wider strategy to strengthen performance in the format over the next 18 months.

Focused on elevating performance standards across all areas, the camp will feature full-day sessions centred on technical development, tactical execution, match-simulation scenarios, physical conditioning, and strengthening team cohesion. Players will also work closely with CWI’s high-performance unit, including coaching, medical, sports science, and strength and conditioning personnel.

Head Coach Daren Sammy will

lead the programme alongside his support staff, while newly appointed fast-bowling consultant Ottis Gibson will officially begin his tenure during the camp.

A section of the last West Indies Camp

Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, underscored the significance of the initiative as the West Indies intensify preparations for a demanding international schedule and their

pursuit of automatic qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

“This camp represents far more than preparation for a single series,”

“It is a strategic investment in the identity, culture, and consistency we want this team to build over the next 18 months.

Every session is designed to strengthen our white-ball systems, sharpen execution under pressure, and help position the West Indies for automatic qualification to the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”

One notable inclusion is emerging West Indies Under-19 talent Vitel Lawes, who has been invited as part of CWI’s continued commitment to developing the next generation of regional players. Pathway coach Nikita Miller will also participate in the camp, continuing his work with the young spinner while supporting the senior team’s spin-bowling programme.

Players currently involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be unavailable for the camp due to ongoing franchise commitments. The final squad for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka commencing June 3rd will be announced at a later date.

Beharry, 90, spurs Caribbean Cricket Club to Over-40 final

CARIBBEAN Cricket Club

Number 2 became the first team to qualify for Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary softball tournament after inflicting a huge 143-run victory over Hibernia Strikers at the Reliance ground, Essequibo last Sunday.

Led by a blistering 90 from Ravi Beharry, who blasted nine fours and five sixes and supporting knocks of 50 from Eshwar Singh

(four fours and four sixes) and 34 from former Guyana Under-19 player Rohit Latchman, Caribbean Cricket Club Number 2 reached a challenging 227 for five in their allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Hibernia Strikers were never up to the challenge as they were restricted to a paltry 84 for four when their 20 overs expired.

The win ensured Caribbean Cricket Club’s qualification for the Over-40 final of the tournament and they now await the winners of today’s other semi-final, featuring Regal Masters and Lusignan Sports Club at the latter’s ground on the East Coast Demerara. The action is set to bowl off at 14:00 hrs. Tomorrow, it’s the turn of the Over-50s with Regal Legends taking on Essequibo Legends and Parika Legends confronting Berbi-

…Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary softball continues today

ce’s Jai Hind, the former on pitch one and the latter on pitch two at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary from 10:00 hrs.

The four women teams will join the action on Sunday morning, prior to the staging of all three finals later in the day at the Police Sports Club ground. 4R Lioness and Number 64 Knight Riders clash on pitch two while Linden’s Supreme Stars come to grips with Uprising on pitch three. The two winners will meet in the final.

The winners in the Over50 category will take home $250,000 and the winners’ trophy while the runners-up are guaranteed $100,000 and a trophy.

The Over-40 winners will receive $200,000 and a trophy and the runners-up $50,000 while the winners of the women’s category will

walk away with $100,000 and the runners-up $50,000.

All three ‘players of the match’ in each category will collect $5,000 and a trophy.

The Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc organised tournament is being held as part of Guyana’s 60th Independence Diamond Jubilee Sports Tournaments, which saw its launching recently at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr and Minister within the Ministry, Steven Jacobs.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, all finals for all the tournaments will be livestreamed on the Ministry’s platforms, “reinforcing its commitment to advancing sport and ensuring it remains central to Guyana’s national development.”

YBG Regional Basketball Conferences…

St. Rose’s, Tutorial edge closer to a place in NSBF

ST ROSE’S and Tutorial High Schools comfortably overcame their opponents when the Georgetown Regional Basketball Conference series continued on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

St Rose’s High ended the day with a 45-18-point victory over Chase’s Academic Foundation.

St Rose’s High had several playmakers, but it was Shaquan Callendar that led the way with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

Jeremy Chung also had a

good outing on the day with 11 points, with 8 buckets each for Christian Williams and Juyen Paul.

Chase’s top scorer was Sirr Sampson, who led them with 15 points and a gamehigh 10 rebounds.

The day’s opening contest pitted Tutorial High against St. Joseph High School. Tutorial would execute a thrashing on their counterparts to finish with a 57-7 victory. Tutorial High’s player of the match was Keon Lynch, he played well on both ends of the court to re-

Guyana takes centre stage with safeguarding focus at CONCACAF grassroots conference

Representing the

THE landscape of Caribbean football development underwent a significant shift this week as Sint Maarten hosted the inaugural Concacaf Grassroots Conference.

Held at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort on May 12–13,

the event marked a pivotal moment for the region’s sporting future, bringing together a high-profile assembly of technical leaders and stakeholders. Representing the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)

TURN TO PAGE 25

cord 23 points, 18 rebounds, 9 steals and 4 assists in a superb outing where he exhibited his basketball IQ and athleticism in every way.

The tutorial was, however, no one-man show, as Julian Charles was outstanding for his 20 points to go with six steals.

While Xavier Scott also contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds in an outstanding showing Also coming out victorious was St Stanislaus College over North Georgetown Secondary 36-15.

Saints’ Josiah Lee was in a no-nonsense mood with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 steals. He partnered well with Omari White, who added 11 points and 5 rebounds.

their scoresheet with 9 points and 4 rebounds.

North GEORGETOWN’S best player was Breanne Ritchie, who led

This week’s regional conference series in Berbice, Linden, East Coast, and East Bank was postponed due to the inclement weather countrywide.

The Regionals are sponsored by Edward B. Beharry Ltd, G-Boats Inc., National Sports Commission, Ministry of Education and Banks DIH Ltd.

Youth chess training successful in Region Three

MORE than 50 young players gathered at the National Track and Field Centre in Region Three last weekend, May 9–10, for a comprehensive two-day youth chess workshop.

Sponsored by International Import and Supplies and the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), the workshop successfully initiated the federation’s expansion programme within the region.

The programme drew a diverse crowd of students and teachers from nine local schools, offering tailored instruction for every skill level.

Absolute beginners learnt the fundamentals—from piece movement to essential checkmating patterns—while intermediate players sharpened their tactics through complex puzzles and opening theory.

The five-hour sessions saw high engagement from all participants, including a strong showing of 23 female players.

Beyond the board, the initiative provided complimentary meals and refreshments, ensuring students could focus entirely on developing their critical thinking skills. To sustain this momentum, the GCF awarded

A section of the training camp

chess sets to the schools with the most attendance to help launch their internal chess clubs. The Leonora Secondary School, West Demerara Secondary School, Qayyim Academy, and the De Willem Secondary School recorded the highest attendance. Other

participating schools were the Leonora Primary School, Stewartville Secondary School, Zeeburg Secondary TURN TO PAGE 24

President Ali aims to make Guyana ‘motor racing capital’ of the Caribbean

GUYANA is shifting into high gear as President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali unveiled a bold vision to transform the nation into the “undisputed motor racing capital” of the Caribbean.

Speaking at a gala dinner at State House on Wednesday, the

President launched the Guyana Grand Prix—the third leg of the prestigious GT Challenge de las Américas—signalling a definitive move to put the South Dakota Circuit on the global map.

The event, scheduled for July 11-12, will see Guyana become the

Tilak Varma, Shardul Thakur hand

successive defeat

first English-speaking nation to host the series, welcoming elite GT3spec machinery from iconic manufacturers including Porsche, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

For the Guyanese government, the investment in the South Dakota Circuit is less about the chequered flag and more about the bottom line.

“We are spending a lot of money, and we are not spending this money without understanding the linkage to the economic spinoff it brings,” President Ali told an audience of diplomats, private sector

partners, and racing officials. The strategy is built on the booming sports tourism market, valued globally at over US$660 billion. By positioning motorsport as a legitimate industrial sector, the government expects a massive TURN TO PAGE 24

going•May 14,