Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 25-02-2026

Chief Justice dismisses Mohameds substantive challenge to extradition law

–– Attorney-General says court decision removes major barrier to the matter

THE High Court on Tuesday dismissed the bulk of a constitutional challenge filed by businessmen Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, a ruling that Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, SC, says effectively reopens the way for extradition proceedings against the pair to continue.

Speaking outside of the court after the decision, Nandlall explained that Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh delivered a 26page judgment addressing claims by the Mohameds that several sections of Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Act were unconstitutional.

According to Nandlall, the court rejected almost all of the arguments raised by the father-and-son duo, and upheld the legality of the extradition framework.

“The Chief Justice essentially dismissed the claim and ruled that almost all the sections that they challenged were consistent with the Constitution of Guyana and therefore did not violate the Constitution,” Nandlall said.

He noted that only one minor subsection of the Act was struck down, but stressed that the ruling has no practical effect on the extradition process.

“That minor subsection has no impact whatsoever on extradition proceedings,” the Attorney-General explained. He said the provision related to implied protection against extradition to a third country, an issue already settled by previous court rulings.

Those earlier decisions, Nandlall pointed out, confirmed that extradited persons are protected from being sent onward to another jurisdiction without proper authorisation from Guyana’s authorities.

He further disclosed that the United States had already given a formal undertaking that if the Moha-

meds are extradited, they will not be transferred to a third country.

“So, by and large, the ruling has cleared the way again for the extradition process to continue,” he stated.

The Attorney-General also highlighted that this constitutional challenge was filed well after proceedings had already begun in the Magistrate’s Court.

He contrasted the pace at which the High Court matter was resolved with what he described as prolonged delays in the lower court.

Despite extensive pleadings, multiple lawyers, and lengthy submissions, Nandlall said the constitutional case was concluded with reasonable speed. However, he criticised what he called deliberate tactics to stall the extradition hearing in the Magistrate’s Court.

“You’re hearing fabricated medical explanations proffered,” he alleged. “You’re hearing explanations that one person was admitted to the hospital when, in fact, the hospital records were checked, the person was never admitted.”

He also referred to claims about tyres being slashed and vehicles being broken into, describing them as “hair-raising tales” intended to slow the process.

“All these are deliberate, concocted stories to dilate and delay the matter,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney-General further criticised the scope of questioning being allowed during proceedings in the Magistrate’s Courts before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

He argued that much of the cross-examination is irrelevant in extradition cases, which are largely determined by documentary evidence submitted by the requesting State.

He explained that the

bundle of documents used in extradition proceedings originates in the United States and contains indictments, charges and supporting evidence prepared by foreign authorities.

“No permanent secretary in Guyana has knowledge or ought to have knowledge of that bundle,” he said. “It was not prepared in Guyana. It consists of the charge, the indictment, and the evidence, all of which took place in the United States.”

Nandlall said witnesses are being asked questions they cannot reasonably answer, under the guise of cross-examination, and that this runs contrary to the purpose of extradition hearings.

He compared the Mohameds’ case with another recent extradition matter involving Ronley Floyd Bynoe, which, he said, followed the same legal process but concluded without controversy.

In that matter, he explained, documents were transmitted through the proper channels from the United States to Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The accused

was arrested, brought before the court, and remanded.

“This is how extraditions are done,” Nandlall said. “That entire process is going to be concluded in a matter of days.”

He noted that Bynoe was charged with what he described as a comparatively minor offence, yet was remanded and has reportedly signalled his intention to surrender to US authorities.

In contrast, he said the Mohameds are facing serious allegations involving international financial crimes and money laundering.

Despite this, Nandlall said the Mohameds’ case has attracted claims of political vendetta, persecution and international conspiracy, which he dismissed as attempts to undermine the legal process.

“They feel that they are special and therefore they must not be subject to any extradition process,” he said.

When asked whether the High Court ruling represented a victory for either side, Nandlall responded that the matter was not about winning or losing.

“It’s about the Rule of

Law and the extradition process,” he said. “What the judge has essentially done is clear the way once again for the extradition process to continue.”

He added that Guyana has abolished oral committal hearings and now relies on paper committals, meaning proceedings should be guided strictly by the documents received from the requesting state.

Nandlall warned that unnecessary and irrelevant questioning risks bringing the administration of justice into disrepute, especially in the eyes of the public.

“People are watching. They may not understand all the legal technicalities, but they know when questions ought not to be asked and cannot be answered,” he said.

He concluded by stating that the Mohameds’ case has drawn unusual public attention compared to most extradition matters, which he said are normally handled quietly and efficiently.

“99.9% of extraditions are done that way, not only in Guyana but worldwide,” Nandlall said. “All of this noise about persecution and vendetta is simply to defeat the legal process — and unfortunately, it seems to be gaining ground.”

On the morning of October 31, 2025, both father and son were taken into custody in Georgetown in connection with the extradition request from the United States of America.

The Mohameds—owners of Mohamed’s Enterprise—remain on $150,000 bail each as the matter progresses. The next hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2026 before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Conditions of their bail required them to surrender their passports and report weekly to the Ruimveldt Police Station, measures intended to ensure their availability for ongoing legal proceedings.

The father and son have been hit with an 11-count indictment in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The pair face 10 counts jointly, while Azruddin is charged with an additional count related to the importation of a 2020 Lamborghini Roadster SVJ into Guyana.

Court documents alleged that Azruddin and his father conspired to commit wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, aiding and abetting and customs-related violations connected to an alleged US$50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme.

The indictment was issued by a grand jury in October 2025.

According to the filings, Nazar owns 90 per cent of Mohamed’s Enterprise, with Azruddin holding the remaining 10 per cent. The two face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the most serious charge.

In June 2024, Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed, along with their business entities, were placed under sanctions by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) over allegations of gold smuggling and largescale corruption, including claims that more than US$50 million in taxes owed to the Guyanese state were evaded.

U.S. authorities are believed to have launched their investigation into the Mohameds in the mid2010s, supported by intelligence sharing and law enforcement co-operation between Guyana and the United States that dates back to around 2016–2017.

The probe involved several U.S. agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Govt sets record straight on ExxonMobil reserves reporting

THE Ministry of Natural Resources on Tuesday pushed back against claims published in a February 24, 2026, Kaieteur News article, asserting that information about Guyana’s oil reserves is being withheld from the public, and said the report misinterpreted ExxonMobil’s shareholder disclosures.

In a statement issued to clarify the matter, the ministry said Guyana’s current oil reserves estimate remains approximately 11 million barrels of oil (MMbbl), consistent with figures reported by the operator for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, and previously com-

municated through official government channels.

According to the ministry, the newspaper’s interpretation stemmed from a misunderstanding of how ExxonMobil reports reserves to shareholders under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) framework. The SEC system applies a strict definition of “proved reserves,” referring only to quantities that can be demonstrated with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable under specific economic and operational conditions.

Officials stressed that proved reserves differ from a country’s total discovered resource base, as they exclude

contingent and prospective resources that are still undergoing appraisal, investment decisions, or phased development.

The ministry further explained that SEC proved reserves figures are highly sensitive to factors such as oil price assumptions, project maturity, engineering revisions and development timelines. As a result, changes in reported reserves may occur due to technical or commercial adjustments and do not necessarily indicate the discovery of new oil or the concealment of information.

Addressing a consolidated ExxonMobil statement cited in the article, the ministry

noted that the reported addition of 2.1 billion oil-equivalent barrels from extensions and discoveries “primarily in the United States and Guyana” represents a global portfolio summary rather than a country-specific increase. Presenting that figure as a

definitive expansion of Guyana’s reserves, the ministry said, is inaccurate.

The statement also highlighted that ExxonMobil’s reporting includes volumes derived from production-sharing and other contractual arrangements, meaning reserve figures may fluctuate based on price movements, cost recovery and profit-sharing mechanisms tied to the company’s economic interest.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and responsible petroleum management, the ministry urged media organisations to exercise technical accuracy when reporting on oil sector matters, particularly by distinguishing between conservative SEC disclosure metrics and national-level resource reporting.

The Ministry of Natural Resources said it will continue providing timely and credible updates through official government channels in keeping with the national interest.

The ministry maintained that Guyana’s petroleum sector operates under a structured governance framework that mandates continuous oversight of exploration, appraisal, development and production activities. It rejected suggestions that reserves data are being deliberately withheld from the State or the public.

Data sovereignty, technology advancements integral to energy expansion

-President Ali says, highlights need to convert energy into higher-value commodities

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali has underscored the central role of technology in safeguarding and expanding Guyana’s energy gains, noting that the country’s continued success will depend on decisive investment and the adoption of advanced systems.

The Head of State was at the time, addressing the 2026 Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo last week, where he pointed to the Gas-to-Energy project at Wales, including the 300-megawatt power plant and Natural Gas Liquids facility, as clear proof of the government’s readiness to invest in transformative infrastructure.

The gas bottling plant, already out for expressions of interest, is being structured to ensure that it is owned by Guyanese investors, allowing citizens at home and in the diaspora to benefit from fixed and guaranteed returns.

“That is how we build prosperity at the level of community, at the level of families. Guyanese here and in

diaspora and then in the region, leveraging opportunities, working with Exxon and the consortium to bring more of the marine business to Guyanese to have more of the opportunities transferred to joint ventures to accelerate the speed of technology transfer and knowledge transfer,” the President told stakeholders.

The President stressed that the ownership model is designed to build prosperity at community and household level, ensuring that the benefits of offshore achievements are felt directly by citizens. Similar opportunities are being extended through the proposed fertiliser plant at Wales, which will also be opened to Guyanese investment so that more citizens can hold a tangible stake in the country’s expanding energy sector.

He noted that the global energy demand is now growing at a rate surpassing even the height of industrialisation, largely driven by technological advancement.

In that context, he contended that Guyana must move beyond simply producing energy and instead convert that

energy into higher-value commodities, supported by research and development.

“The world is consuming energy, and the demand for energy is growing at a faster rate today than during the highest point of industrialisation. And what is it driven by? It is driven by technology”, he added:

“We live in a region that is being reshaped, and we want this re -

gion to have our ownership on our security, on our technology, and we welcome the opportunity to participate in a region where we can now create our own technology.”

Plans are advancing for a large-scale data centre at Wales, aimed at positioning Guyana as a regional technology hub. The initiative will address issues such as data sovereignty and com -

puting capacity, while driving innovation and artificial intelligence development

“Sovereignty of data is a big topic today. Where data is stored is a big topic. So one of the things that we want to start with at Wales is to have a scale data centre that will prove the model of Guyana becoming a technology hub for the region, driving innovation, driving AI [Artifical Intelligence], because we have already understood a principle that energy producers will have to find ways of becoming energy consumers, because we have to leverage the energy to create as much value at home as possible.”

He also signalled the imminent launch of a major technology-focused initiative, describing it as a project that will embed digital capability from the earliest stages of life and equip the next generation with the tools required for a rapidly

evolving technological landscape.

Beyond digital infrastructure, Wales is being developed into a diversified industrial hub. Investment is being explored in battery technology, high-quality glass manufacturing using Guyana’s silica sand resources, and expanded agro-processing. While the full build-out of the Wales development is projected within the next two years, preparatory work is already under way for a second gas pipeline to Berbice, alongside plans to strengthen energy interconnectivity with Brazil and the wider region.

The President framed the strategy as one anchored in sovereignty, regional integration, and democratic values, positioning Guyana not merely as an energy exporter but as a technology-driven economy shaping its own security and long-term prosperity.

GPL Board inspects National Control Centre as power modernisation project advances

DIRECTORS of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL Inc.) on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of the Guyana National Control Centre (GNCC), signalling continued progress on a key infrastructure project expected to modernise electricity management across the country’s main power grid.

The visit formed part of the Board’s oversight of major strategic initiatives, and provided directors with a first-hand

assessment of construction works and systems integration underway at the facility, which will serve as the operational hub for advanced grid monitoring once completed.

The inspection was led by Executive Management Committee Team Leader Kesh Nandlall and members of GPL’s executive management team, who guided directors through the site, and delivered detailed briefings on project milestones and technical

implementation.

Board Chairman Maurice Gajadhar headed the delegation, accompanied by directors Dr. Mahender Sharma, Dr. Sixtus Edwards, Nicholas Deygoo, and Dr. Alfred King. Also participating were Corporate Secretary Laurian Bancroft, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Strategic Operations Bharat Harjohn, Divisional Director of Engineering Services Ryan Ross, Divisional Director Gary Hall, and

technical personnel from several departments.

Officials said the GNCC will house a stateof-the-art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system designed to monitor, control and optimise electricity distribution across the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System. The technology is expected to strengthen real-time grid management, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall reliability of power supply.

The facility represents a critical component of the government-backed Gas-to-Energy initiative, and is being funded by the

Government of Guyana at a cost of approximately US$18.65 million, covering both construction and the implementation of the SCADA platform.

GPL officials noted that the project is central to ongoing efforts to modernise Guyana’s electricity infrastructure, reduce outages, and improve system responsiveness as energy demand continues to grow.

The Board’s engagement, the company said, underscores the importance being placed on strengthening oversight and ensuring timely delivery of projects aimed at transforming the national power system.

Guyana is ‘one of the most compelling nature capitals in the world’

Country Representative says, underscores importance of balancing sustainable development and conservation of forests

highlights more than 30 women trained to operate solar farms

GUYANA is “one of the most compelling nature capitals in the world,” Country Representative of IDB in Guyana, Lorena Salazar, recently stated as she underscored the economic potential of its vast ecosystem.

During a panel discussion at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, she said the ecosystem services across the Amazon region, which includes Guyana that has more than 80 per cent of its territory covered by forests, are estimated to be worth more than USD $1 trillion per year.

Those services translate into flood regulations, carbon sequestration, water purification, coastal protections, but also the culture and economic foundation of communities and indige-

nous people, to name a few.

“Guyana is part of the Amazon, the relevance of the economic value of this ecosystem is immense,” she said.

Salazar had noted that preserving forests must go hand in hand with building sustainable economic infrastructure and a central example of this is Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and its partnership with the Government of Norway, which targets the expansion of Guyana’s renewable energy capacity through the construction of eight largescale solar farms.

For context, in 2022, Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed a US$83.3 million agreement to advance transformative solar power projects under

the Guyana Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL).

Just last month, GUYSOL held a community meeting at the Watooka Lodge to engage residents, local leaders, and community representatives on the plans for the upcoming implementation of solar farms at Retrieve, Block 37, and Dakoura.

Recently, the US$8.14 million, 3 MWp Charity Solar Farm was commissioned and is set to benefit over 3,000 residents of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Last November, a US$10.4M solar farm was commissioned at Onderneeming. This, together with the one at Charity, is expected to offset more than 9,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annu -

ally. Investments in remote-controlled substations and real-time monitoring systems are also expected to improve grid reliability and responsiveness. The two facilities contribute 8MWp of solar capacity and 12MWh of battery storage to the regional grid.

Under the GUYSOL programme, Berbice has also benefitted from the addition of 10MWp of solar capacity through the commissioning of solar farms at Hampshire, Prospect, and Trafalgar, strengthening energy security in Regions Five and Six.

Salazar stated: “20 per cent or 25 per cent of the population when we finish this project is going to be serviced by renewable energy, but it’s not just that. That means more schools, more hospitals.”

Interestingly, as highlighted by the IDB country representative, under these projects, more than 30 women have been trained.

“Today they are part of the labour force in these solar farms. People with disabilities are already a part,” she said, adding, “So it’s all these aggregates as a result of this agree -

ment, and the nature- how it translates into the economic infrastructure, that is, the solar and renewable energies on the other side, the IDB is also working in other countries.

How does it translate? because it’s not just keeping the forest, but also the biodiversity in the nature capital itself.”

Expanding healthcare

GUYANA’S healthcare system has long faced a fundamental challenge: How to deliver reliable, quality medical services to a population spread across vast coastland and hinterland communities.

The government’s recent expansion of training opportunities for healthcare workers, highlighted during the 2026 Budget debates, signals a deliberate attempt to confront that reality, not only by increasing numbers, but by reshaping how medical personnel are trained and deployed

Speaking in the National Assembly of Guyana, Deputy Speaker and Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo outlined what appears to be one of the most aggressive workforce expansion efforts undertaken in recent years.

His remarks underscored a central policy shift: Training healthcare workers closer to where they live and serve, rather than requiring relocation to Georgetown. This approach addresses a long-standing barrier. For decades, prospective nurses, technicians, and allied health workers often had to leave families and employment behind to pursue training in the capital, a requirement that discouraged many capable

candidates, particularly from hinterland and riverine regions.

By using blended learning through the Coursera platform, and expanding regional programmes, the ministry has effectively widened the entry point into the health sector. The results, if sustained, could be transformative. Training programmes are now operating across Regions One, Two, Three, Six, Seven and Nine, with additional specialised instruction for pharmacy assistants, laboratory technicians, and patient advocates.

Such decentralisation reflects a broader policy objective championed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, ensuring that development is not confined to the coast but reaches communities historically underserved by public services.

Perhaps the most significant component of this strategy is the renewed emphasis on the Medex programme.

Medical Extension Officers have been a quiet backbone of Guyana’s healthcare delivery since the 1970s, providing primary care in areas where doctors are scarce.

In many hinterland communities, the medex is not simply a healthcare provider but the first and often only point of medical contact.

Increasing the number of trainees, with more than 50 currently in training and 57 added to the system since 2020, is, therefore, more than a statistical achievement.

It represents a practical response to physician shortages and geographic inequality in healthcare access.

The government’s stated goal of staffing every health centre and post with either a doctor or a trained medex is ambitious, but it is also necessary if universal access is to move from aspiration to reality.

Equally notable is the scale of overall workforce expansion. According to figures presented in Parliament, more than 4,300 individuals have been trained, graduated, and employed within the public health system over the past several years.

At a time when many countries struggle with healthcare worker migration and shortages, such growth suggests a conscious effort to build domestic capacity rather than rely on temporary solutions. Still, expansion must be matched by quality assurance. Rapid increases in training numbers require strong oversight, adequate supervision, and continuous professional development to ensure standards are main-

tained.

Infrastructure, equipment, and working conditions must also keep pace; trained personnel alone cannot deliver improved outcomes without properly resourced facilities.

The broader context is equally important. Guyana’s economic transformation, driven largely by oil revenues, has raised public expectations for improved social services. Healthcare sits at the centre of those expectations. Investments in human resources, especially those that strengthen primary care, are among the most sustainable uses of national wealth.

Ultimately, the success of these initiatives will not be measured solely by graduation numbers, but by tangible improvements: Shorter travel times for patients seeking care, reduced strain on urban hospitals, and better health outcomes in remote communities. If sustained and carefully managed, the expansion of healthcare training may come to be viewed as one of the most consequential reforms of this period, a reminder that national development is not only about economic growth, but about building systems that serve every citizen, wherever they live.

Public confidence at stake amid prolonged extradition proceedings

Dear Editor,

I WRITE to express concern about the ongoing delays and procedural complexity in the extradition proceedings against Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed.

While the matter remains active before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, the High Court has already concluded five related challenges brought by the accused, raising important questions about the efficient administration of justice and the balance between due process and accountability.

Since January 2026, the Mohameds have pursued multiple High Court applications aimed at challenging or halting the extradition process. These included a constitutional challenge to amendments made to the Fugitive

Offenders Act in 2009, allegations of political bias, and judicial review proceedings targeting aspects of the extradition framework.

On February 24, 2026, Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh dismissed the substantive constitutional challenge.

Earlier rulings likewise rejected claims of bias, declined to grant stays of proceedings, and ultimately dismissed the judicial review action.

Despite these outcomes, the extradition matter has yet to reach a final resolution at the Magistrates’ Court level.

An appeal arising from one High Court decision is currently pending before the Court of Appeal, and it seems that this, too, will be completed before the case in the magistrate’s court, given the strict timeline announced.

The case carries international significance.

The Mohameds, who remain free on bail of $150,000 each, face an 11-count indictment unsealed by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida. The charges include wire fraud, mail fraud, money-laundering, conspiracy, customs violations, and allegations tied to a purported US$50 million gold export and tax-evasion scheme. It is public knowledge that the extradition request, formally transmitted to the Government of Guyana on October 30, 2025, was signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio himself. This, added to the recent comments by the US Ambassador, gives weight to the seriousness of the matter.

No one should be denied access to legal remedies, and the Rule of Law demands that courts carefully consider constitutional and

procedural claims. However, when successive applications fail, and proceedings continue to stall, the public is left questioning whether the extradition framework is functioning as intended.

Justice must be both fair and timely; excessive delay risks undermining confidence in judicial institutions at home and abroad. The handling of high-profile legal matters will inevitably attract global scrutiny. Transparency, consistency, and adherence to established legal timelines are essential—not only for the parties involved but also for preserving the credibility of Guyana’s justice system.

OP-ED Bad Bunny and agriculture: when the show began in the countryside

By Jorge Werthein

IN the American football final - one of the most powerful media showcases on the planet - the spectacle usually yields to the technological brilliance, consumption, and epic nature of the cultural industry.

However, the opening of Bad Bunny’s show chose another entry point: images of sugarcane fields, farm workers under the sun, cultivated land. In a matter of seconds, the biggest sporting stage of the year connected with a question that rarely enters global prime time: who ultimately sustains the economic stability and daily life of our societies?

It was not a neutral setting. It was a symbolic statement. In the dominant global culture, the agricultural sector rarely takes centre stage. Grand narratives are constructed from an urban perspective; agriculture ap-

pears as a silent backdrop, despite being an economic and social pillar. In a context of trade tensions, price shocks, and vulnerable supply chains, this invisibility is becoming increasingly unsustainable: food production is once again—as it should be—a

matter of security and stability.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, more than 40 million people work in agriculture, representing around 14% of total regional employment. This figure reveals the structural magnitude of the sector: it feeds, exports, generates foreign exchange, and sustains territories. And yet, culturally, it is rarely associated with prestige, innovation, or the future. The choice of sugarcane is no accident. In the Caribbean and much of Latin America, this crop encapsulates economic history, cultural identity, and social memory. Showcasing agricultural work on a global stage is equivalent to reclaiming deep roots: contemporary well-being continues to have a material, rural, and often invisible origin. There is also an unavoidable generational dimension. The region faces rapid rural aging and persistent youth

migration to cities. Rural youth, with unequal access to financing, innovation, and connectivity, are often left out of sustained public policies.

This absence is not insignificant: without generational renewal, productive continuity is compromised, territorial cohesion is weakened, and social gaps are widened.

That is why the cultural gesture takes on greater significance. When a global artist places the rural worker at the centre of their narrative, they expand the symbolic space of the countryside and challenge an entrenched cultural hierarchy: one that assumes that modernity is only written in urban terms.

It was not a technical discourse or an ideological proclamation. It was an image. And images, in a society saturated with stimuli, can be more eloquent than a report. From an international perspective, the message connects with a strategic reality.

Food security is no longer a sectoral issue, but a central component of the global debate on stability, trade, inflation, and economic resilience.

Agri-food systems have become critical pieces of the international balance. And those systems depend, first and foremost, on people: farmers, rural workers, entire communities.

Perhaps many viewers

saw only an aesthetic or poetic introduction. But that beginning brought to the forefront what usually remains outside the frame. The most powerful spectacle on the sporting calendar began, symbolically, in a sugarcane field. Modernity is not opposed to agriculture.

On the contrary, it depends on it. And when pop culture decides to start in the countryside, it not only changes an aesthetic: it opens a conversation about the dignity of work, territorial inequality, and a productive future.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, that conversation is not nostalgic. It is strategic.

Rupert Roopnaraine: His great historical legacy, part 2

THE story of the anti-colonial struggle is one of class collaboration between the colony’s privileged Mulatto/Creole class (MCC) and the proletariat, peasantry, and the lumpen proletariat. In Guyana and the West Indies, the political parties brought muscle power or strategic numbers in the anti-colonial arena; the MCC, which dreamt of taking over from the White man, brought strategic resources that the political parties could not do without.

In colonial British Guiana, Jagan brought the peasantry while Burnham and Critchlow brought the proletariat into the arena while the MCC, particularly in the form of the League of Coloured People, brought resources. It was a confluence of different class interests. In post-colonial Guyana, an identical situation arose. The historian has not been kind to Rupert Roopnaraine (RR) because they concentrated excessively on Walter Rodney (WR) for a simple reason – he was a global figure of liberation yearnings of the post-colonial masses, and secondly, he personified the struggle against Burnham.

But as I stressed in part one yesterday, there was an inherent class dualism in the WPA’s ramparts in the anti-Burnham struggle for which the historian has been silent so far. Here are my brief analytical notes about the class roles that WR and RR played in weakening the totalitarian fortress of President Forbes Burnham.

I stated yesterday that while WR had galvanised the proletariat, RR had facilitated in priceless strategic ways the assistance of the MCC. Both men held a charismatic sway over two distinct classes in post-colonial Burmhamite Guyana. The proletariat, especially the youths and the lumpen proletariat, saw Rodney as the liberator of the masses.

Although Cheddi Jagan was a virtual god to the rural proletariat and the peasantry, the rural world in Guyana had a profound adoration for Rodney. Unfortunately, RR could not penetrate the rural folks during the 1970s because he appeared too middle class in style, deportment, language, and grounding. In the countryside, WPA’s activism rested with Eusi Kwayana, Josh Ramsammy, and Moses Bhagwan.

I will come to the MCC blood in RR in part 3, which was his biggest, insolvable contradiction, but his unique contribution to Guyanese history lies in the way he harnessed the class to which he belonged and its cultural characteristics in service of the struggle for post-colonial liberation of whom - the masses to which he did not belong.

No one has ever done that in the history of the colonial and post-colonial West Indies. What John Carter did in British Guiana was that he made a demand on Burnham to join Burnham if the MCC would dominate the post-colonial state because eugenics entitled them to that destiny. Burnham agreed, but

Burnham had other plans for Carter, the League of Coloured People and the MCC in general.

In British Guiana, the PPP had a Rupert Roopnaraine personality in the form of Miles Fitzpatrick, but his achievements of bringing the MCC to serve the PPP and the interest of the masses did not come within a million miles of achieving the success of Rupert for four reasons. One is Fitzpatrick did not have the charisma of RR who will remain next to Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, Maurice Bishop and Michael Manley, and Rodney as the six most charismatic political leaders the West Indies produced. Funny, how three are from Guyana!

Secondly, Fitzpatrick was never exposed to the Bohemian, existentialistic campus life that RR had both at Cambridge University and Cornell University in the US. Thirdly, RR was a top leader of the WPA that had penetrating authority inside the WPA. Fitzpatrick had limited contacts inside the PPP, mostly with Janet and Cheddi Jagan. That was the choice of Fitzpatrick. He wanted a limited role for himself in the PPP because, as an MCC personality, he did not want to become submerged in an Indian, rural-supported PPP.

RR on the other hand, had no such qualms. Fourthly, Fitzpatrick was more of a business-oriented person, earning lucrative sums from his prestigious law practice. RR was an inherent academic where the attraction of money was never enticing. When you compare Carter, Fitzpatrick and RR, you see the historical legacy of RR. He did what no other MCC personality has done in the entire Caribbean, may, except, Maurice Bishop. RR brought the resources of the MCC into the service of the masses led by Cheddi Jagan and Walter Rodney. Did the MCC commit class suicide under RR? I think the jury is still out on that, but for RR he was contributing significantly to the struggle that Cheddi Jagan long started and to which Rodney made significant and strategic contributions. In part 3 I will look at the intrinsic faults of RR that has denied him a seat next to Cheddi Jagan.

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.

‘B’ Field Sophia vendors relocation exercise set for today

THE Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Tuesday met with vendors slated for relocation to facilitate the ongoing road widening project in ‘B’ Field, Sophia. The official relocation exercise is scheduled to take place tomorrow, February 25, 2026.

In this initial phase, ten vendors who currently ply their trade between Dennis Street and Pain Lane (the 9th corner) will be moved to a newly constructed tarmac within the community.

During Tuesday’s meeting, vendors voiced a number of concerns, the majority of which were directly addressed and resolved by Minister Edghill and his technical staff.

To ensure a smooth transition, the vendors were assured that the Ministry will assist with the physical relocation of their stalls to the tarmac. The new designated space offers a significantly upgraded environment, fully equipped with washroom facilities, paved walkways, and adequate lighting for enhanced security.

Addressing questions regarding the allocation of spaces, Minister Edghill outlined

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill meets with vendors on Tuesday to discuss their relocation as part of ongoing road widening works in ‘B’ Field, Sophia

a transparent approach: “The selection of who gets which spot will be done in the lottery manner which we always use. We will number the spots, you put your hand in the bag and pull out, and that will be your spot.”

Furthermore, the Minister took the opportunity to firmly address misconceptions regarding the occupation of government reserves. He stressed that a sense of entitlement from those occupying state reserves, particularly those intending to profit from the government, will not be tolerated.

“There are no prescriptive rights on state property. There is nothing like compensation in this situation, and I’ve been saying this over and over around the country,” Minister Edghill emphasised. “I cannot compensate people who are on state land. This is ad-hoc vending on the shoulders of the road. We don’t want to put you out of economic activity, so we built a tarmac; we will lift you and bring you here.” The relocation exercise will aid in the continuation of the ongoing road widening project in ‘B’ Field Sophia.

Guyana’s rapid development highlighted at Republic Day event in Paramaribo

FOREIGN Secretary

Robert Persaud joined the Guyana Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname to celebrate Guyana’s 56th Republic Anniversary.

The ceremony which was held on Friday 20th February was also attended by Head of the Diaspora Unit, Rosalinda Rasul and Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, His Excellency Virjinand Depoo.

Addressing the Guyanese diaspora in Paramaribo, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the significant strides Guyana made over the last five decades, and the even greater development taking place in Guyana from 2020 to present. These contributions and developments,

he noted, came through much struggle underpinned by visionary leadership of the government, and strong commitments to the economic development and welfare of the Guyanese people.

He highlighted for the diaspora transformative developments taking place in various sectors, noting that these developments, both physical and social, revealed how far the country has come from the very first year since Guyana gained its republican status. Reiterating greater plans ahead for the country and its people, Persaud remarked that Guyana is a country that every Guyanese in and out of Guyana can be proud of. Noting that the government’s inclusive agenda means that Guy-

anese abroad can play a role in the country’s transformation, he encouraged the diaspora to seize the opportunities available at home.

In his remarks, Ambassador Depoo said that Guyana is the fastest growing economy in the world and the diaspora can be assured of leadership that ensures benefits trickle down to everyone.

In addition to the republic day event, several diaspora engagements were held in Nickerie.

The meetings enabled Guyanese living in Nickerie to engage Guyanese officials, understand the developments and opportunities available, and address queries and concerns of the diaspora. (DPI)

Two small hydro plants in Region Nine saved 17,000 drums of diesel

—GEA Head reports; highlights Guyana to continue expanding renewable energy push

MORE than a year after commissioning two hydropower plants in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr. Mahender Sharma, is reporting significant fuel savings, noting that more than 17,000 drums of diesel were saved since they came into operation.

He made this disclosure during a panel discussion last week at the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo.

“Hydropower is extremely important to your energy matrix, simply because you have greater levels of hydrology, there’s a bit more pre-

dictability, the availability factors, and the plan factors are much higher than solar,” he said.

Pointing to the two hydropower plants, one 8.7 megawatts (MW) and 1.5 MW in region nine, Dr. Sharma said those have already saved more than 17,000 drums of diesel.

“They have already

of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) Dr. Mahender Sharma

avoided 17,000-plus drums of diesel based on the capex, the capital investment that we made for those two hydros; the value of that fuel is 27 per cent of the capex. So hydro power is going to be an important part of our energy matrix, and we have to scale these up,” he added.

The Kumu plant was part of a dual hydropower project executed under a US$12.85m Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract awarded in November 2022 to Vidullanka PLC of Sri Lanka.

The contract included construction of the 1.5 MW Kumu station (US$9.0625m) and rehabilitation of the 0.7 MW Moco Moco station (US$3.7875m).

Upgrades to the national grid are under way, alongside the rollout of solar farms at Onderneeming, Charity, Leguan, Wakenaam, Trafalgar, Prospect, Hampshire, Bartica, Mahdia, and Lethem. Another mini-hydropower plant was completed at Kato, 46 solar mini-grids installed, and more than 37,000 solar home systems distributed, resulting in over 37 megawatts of renewable energy now powering communities.

Hydropower will play a central role in Guyana’s long-term energy strategy because it is an attractive baseload ener-

re-engineered to take advantage of advancements in turbine technology, potentially allowing for greater power generation.

gy source.

In pursuing a diverse energy mix, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) remains high on the agenda.

Just last year, the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), issued a revised Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for development of the Amaila Falls hydro project under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.

The project, which is expected to deliver a minimum installed capacity of 165 MW, forms a key part of Guyana’s clean-energy transition.

The hydro facility will include a dam, powerhouse, substation, and a 23-square-kilometre storage reservoir, consistent with environmental studies and permits.

Under the revised RFPs, developers were required to assume all geotechnical risks associated with the project and must demonstrate proven capability and financial capacity to deliver large-scale hydro projects.

Only firms or consortia that have successfully built at least three hydro projects of 100 MW or more in the last ten years will be considered.

The government stated that while the transmission network will be developed separately, the size of the hydro may be

This project will be executed through a new Special Purpose Company (SPC), which will receive all relevant licenses and permits previously issued up to April 2015. Independent supervision of the project’s design and construction will also be engaged under agreed Terms of Reference (ToR).

The deadline for submissions was February 15, 2026.

In response to the country’s energy needs, the PPP/C government had conceptualised the Amaila Falls hydropower project, which was set to produce 165 MW of power. The initiative was launched in 2009, but in 2013, it was voted down by the APNU and AFC in the National Assembly, forcing its major investor, Sithe Global Incorporated to withdraw from the initiative.

The company’s president had reportedly said that the project was too large to continue without a national consensus or without the support of all three major parties in Parliament at the time.

In fact, a Reuters article, which was published in August 2013 as well, stated that Sithe Global pulled out of the $858 million hydroelectric generation project in Guyana, “citing political wrangling that prevented it from obtaining financing.”

While the programme was shelved following the APNU+AFC taking office in 2015, the PPP/C administration, since entering office in 2020, has sought to breathe new life into the project as the party strives to achieve energy security through an energy mix.

Caribbean leaders to meet U.S. Secretary of State at 50th CARICOM Summit

MORE than a month after U.S. forces removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power, and amid a tighter U.S. embargo on Cuba and heightened boat strikes in the region, Caribbean leaders are preparing to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week. Rubio is scheduled to attend the 50th Regular Meeting of

he focused on irregular migration and drug trafficking in the region and also met with the leader of Haiti’s transitional presidential council during his stop in Jamaica. His first official visit to the eastern Caribbean comes as the Trump administration steps up pressure in the region and seeks to find more third countries willing to take in migrants from the United States

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in Saint Kitts and Nevis, the State Department said. The conference runs from Tuesday to Friday, with the secretary of state scheduled to attend on Wednesday.

Chaired by Saint Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, the conference will bring together the heads of government from 15 Caribbean nations as well as the prime ministers and premiers from non-independent Caribbean territories. The State Department said Rubio, who was invited by Caribbean leaders, is expected to engage in discussions on regional security, combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking, and promoting economic growth, health and energy security across the Caribbean. This will be Rubio’s first meeting with the entire CARICOM bloc.

Shortly after becoming secretary of state, he travelled to Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname in March of last year. During the visit

joys broad support from most major political parties and coalitions. One political party, the Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats, raised concerns about the process, saying it was not the result of “genuine negotiations,” but more a “Take it or leave it” process. “The party considered

it essential to avoid a vacuum at the head of the state. Your continuation in office, along with the g overnment you lead, appeared to be the least detrimental solution to the political deadlock of February 7. It was a circumstantial choice, not a blanket political endorsement.,”

the group wrote in an open letter to Fils-Aimé. In a ceremony Monday, Fils-Aimé described the agreement as “a contract” designed to put the country on the road toward stability, elections and security. “The stability of a country doesn’t depend solely on security in the streets

and the neighbourhoods,” he said. The pact doesn’t provide an end date for the current governmental transition, the third since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moïse plunged the country deeper into instability. (Credit: Maimi Herald)

who cannot return to their home countries. Saint Kitts is among several Caribbean nations that have agreed to accept asylum seekers turned away from the United States. Drew was rebuked last month when he announced that his nation had signed a third-party agreement with the Trump administration but had asked for Haitian migrants to be excluded from those sent to his country. It’s unclear if Haitian officials will raise the matter with Drew.

On Monday, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced the signing of a document outlining a legal and political framework for establishing stability and security and organising elections. The pact is the result of weeks of negotiations with political parties and civil society groups with Fils-Aimé, who became Haiti’s sole leader earlier this month after the mandate of the ruling nine-member transitional presidential council ended without elections. The agreement focuses on effective governance and so far, en-

2020 electoral fraud trial adjourned after defence lawyer fails to appear

THE trial into alleged fraud surrounding Guyana’s 2020 General and Regional Elec-

tions was adjourned on Tuesday after defence attorney Eusi Anderson failed to

appear in court, preventing proceedings from moving forward.

Acting Chief Mag-

istrate Faith McGusty postponed the hearing to Wednesday, February 25, at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Several Criminal Investigation Department (CID) ranks were present and ready to testify, but Magistrate McGusty noted that witnesses available were only those related to the voir dire.

The court was unable to reach Anderson to determine whether it could proceed in his absence concerning the evidence in chief.

The matter, which has seen repeated delays due to defence absences, involves multiple high-profile defendants accused of conspiring to defraud voters during the March 2, 2020, elections.

Those charged include former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy

CEO Roxanne Myers; former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; former Health Minister Volda Lawrence; and People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member Carol Smith-Joseph.

The list also includes former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staffers Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller.

Defence attorney Anderson represents accused Babb-Cummings in the matter.

The defendants collectively face 19 charges, including conspiracy to defraud and misconduct in public office. Each has entered a plea of not guilty and was released on significant cash bail.

Since the allegations arise from the same set of events, the cases have been consolidated for trial, which is expected to continue throughout the week.

The prosecution, led by King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhanie, maintains that each accused played a “critical role” in attempting to inflate votes for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition and reduce votes for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Following the contentious March 2, 2020 vote, Guyana’s judi -

ciary was inundated with applications and appeals from various political actors over the electoral process.

The dispute lasted five months, culminating in a national recount overseen by GECOM and a Caribbean Community (CARICOM) delegation.

The recount confirmed the PPP/C’s victory, with 233,336 votes compared to 217,920 for the APNU+AFC, leading to the swearing-in of President Dr. Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020.

The initial results, announced by former CEO Lowenfield, had controversially declared an APNU+AFC victory, reporting 171,825 votes for the coalition and 166,343 for the PPP/C.

In the aftermath, criminal charges were filed against the defendants, and GECOM terminated the contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo in August 2021 after the allegations of fraud surfaced.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events of the 2020 General and Regional Elections have found that there was collusion and collaboration between senior GECOM officials to divert votes to the APNU +AFC instead of safeguarding and preserving the integrity of the electoral system.

Guyana strengthens synthetic drug detection through US-led DEA training

GUYANA’S capacity to detect and analyse dangerous synthetic drugs has received a significant boost following a high-level forensic training exchange hosted in the United States, as regional and international partners intensify efforts to combat the growing threat of fentanyl and other synthetic narcotics across the Caribbean.

The initiative, coordinated by the US Embassy in Georgetown, saw foren-

ed States and Caribbean partners in identifying and reporting emerging synthetic drug threats through the DEA’s Global Uniform Analysis and Reporting of Drug-Related Substances (GUARDS) system.

During the exchange, Guyanese participants trained alongside forensic laboratory directors, chemists, and quality assurance managers from Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and The Bahamas. The sessions combined classroom instruction

sic professionals from the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory participate in a specialised technical exchange held February 9–13 at the Southeast Laboratory of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Miami.

The programme was jointly organised by the DEA and the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to strengthen cooperation between the Unit-

with practical laboratory work, using advanced Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technology, a critical tool for detecting and identifying synthetic narcotics.

Participants also observed DEA personnel process a 200-kilogram bulk seizure of suspected cocaine, offering real-world exposure to large-scale evidence handling, preservation, and analytical procedures.

Officials said the train-

ing directly strengthens Guyana’s ability to safely detect synthetic substances, improve forensic reporting standards, and support law-enforcement investigations targeting transnational drug trafficking networks.

The initiative forms part of broader US efforts to counter the rapid global spread of synthetic opioids. The training aligns with Washington’s implementation of Executive Order 14367, which designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality and growing international impact.

By enhancing forensic capabilities, the programme aims to close critical gaps in detecting synthetic narcotics, improving safe handling procedures, and strengthening evidence management across Guyana and the wider Caribbean region.

Funding for Guyana’s participation was provided through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, a US-supported regional partnership involving Guyana and 12 other Caribbean nations focused on dismantling transnational criminal organisations, reducing illicit drug trafficking, and expanding regional security cooperation.

US officials emphasised that continued collaboration with Caribbean partners remains essential as criminal networks increasingly shift towards synthetic drugs that are easier to transport, conceal, and manufacture.

The training, they noted, represents a major step towards building the forensic expertise needed across the hemisphere to detect, interdict, and respond effectively to emerging narcotics threats while strengthening public safety and law-enforcement capacity in Guyana.

CSA officials visit Guyana to advance plans for historic maritime conference

The CSA delegation met with SAG Chairman Dr. Komal Singh and members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to review key logistical arrangements, venue preparedness and compliance with CSA conference standards

PREPARATIONS for one of the Caribbean’s most significant maritime gatherings advanced this week as senior officials from the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) visited Guyana to assess readiness for the organisation’s 56th Annual General Meeting, Conference and Exhibition, which the country will host for the first time later this year.

The Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) welcomed CSA General Manager Ms. Milaika Capella Ras and Operations Manager Ms. Dionne Mason-Gordon during a twoday visit from February 18–19, aimed at strengthening planning efforts for the conference scheduled for October 25–28, 2026. The flagship event is expected to attract more than 350 maritime stakeholders from across the Caribbean and around the world.

During their visit, the CSA delegation met

with SAG Chairman Dr. Komal Singh and members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to review key logistical arrangements, venue preparedness and compliance with CSA conference standards. Discussions focused on ensuring Guyana meets the requirements necessary to successfully stage the regional event.

Dr. Singh emphasised the significance of hosting the conference at a time of rapid economic expansion and infrastructure development in Guyana, noting that the local maritime sector is fully committed to delivering a seamless and productive gathering. He said the LOC has already begun comprehensive preparations to ensure all operational benchmarks are achieved.

“This event comes at a time when Guyana continues to experience exceptional economic and infrastructure transformation, creating expanded opportunities for Guya -

nese, investors and the shipping industry,” Dr. Singh stated.

CSA General Manager Ms. Capella Ras expressed confidence in Guyana’s preparations, highlighting the dedication demonstrated by the local organising team. She noted that the conference is expected to provide a valuable forum for regional and international maritime leaders to collaborate and exchange ideas.

“We are looking forward to an exceptional gathering that will bring together maritime leaders and stakeholders from across the Caribbean and around the world,” she said, adding that Guyana’s readiness promises a memorable and impactful conference.

As part of the visit, the CSA officials toured several hotels and conference facilities identified as potential venues for the event. They were accompanied by SAG Trustee Mr. Andrew Astwood and Secretary/ Manager Mr. Ian D’Anjou.

The upcoming conference is expected to strengthen professional networks, promote best practices and explore emerging opportunities within the Caribbean maritime industry. Organisers say the visit underscores the CSA’s commitment to regional collaboration and industry development, with Guyana poised to host a landmark event for the sector later this year.

US$100M to support new STEM initiative

EXXONMOBIL has announced its commitment of US$100 million to a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) initiative in Guyana.

infrastructure and investment we must make,” he added.

He noted that the new STEM centre, to be constructed on the University of Guyana campus, is expected to have its first physical

to the world a development in oil and gas that is strategic in every form, one that is balanced, one that takes the environment with it in its growth and development,” he said.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and ExxonMobil’s, Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Darren Woods

Describing it as a “transformational” investment in the country’s human capital and long term development, President Dr. Ali on Monday said the funding will support a central pillar of the government’s strategy to equip the next generation of Guyanese with the skills needed for 2050 and beyond.

“We have to ensure that the next generation of Guyanese, and this generation, are equipped with the necessary skills, training, and knowledge to take Guyana forward, to advance Guyana, and to ensure that we have the human capacity and capability to do this," the President told ExxonMobil’s board members and senior executives during an engagement at State House.

President Ali stressed that education and training were identified from the outset as critical to Guyana’s development pathway.

To this end, he pointed to the recently commissioned Guyana Technical Training College in Berbice. Which would serve not only Guyana, but the wider region, giving the country a world-class facility scarcely a decade into its oil and gas journey.

“This is how you transform society. This is how you leapfrog society. This is

building completed by 2028, with work to begin well before that date.

The location was deliberately chosen, he said, to elevate STEM education and place even younger children in a campus environment that nurtures curiosity and ambition.

While the physical infrastructure is being developed, President Ali said the government will move “almost instantaneously” to begin training teachers and facilitators through the Ministry of Education.

A key focus of this programme will be to dramatically improve outcomes in secondary level mathematics and strengthen STEM foundations across the education system.

“This is a really great moment for the education sector, a great moment for our country and for the innovators of tomorrow,” he said.

STRATEGIC PARTNER

The President emphasised that ExxonMobil is not viewed merely as an oil operator, but as a strategic partner in building a development model that is, strategic and balanced in its oil and gas expansion, environmentally conscious, with initiatives such as the Global Biodiversity Alliance.

“We want to showcase

Mobil’s role in Guyana since the Stabroek Block discovery, Woods said that in just ten years the find

had changed the country’s future. He added that he was confident the next decade would deliver even

more, powered by the people of Guyana and built on education.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to a stable investment climate, President Ali told ExxonMobil’s leadership that Guyana is a jurisdiction where “the rule of law applies” and where investments are “safe, sound and protected”.

He underscored that managing a sector of this magnitude requires strong leadership, focus and, above all, trust between the government and its partners.

"Exxon is our partner, and we have to confront the opportunities of the future as partners, there is no way we are separating ourselves from each other. This is a stable environment,” he said.

M eanwhile, Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Darren Woods said since ExxonMobil’s first offshore oil discovery just over a decade ago, the company had been committed not only to responsibly developing oil and gas resources, but also to ensuring that offshore production “creates opportunities for progress onshore.”

He said the company shared President Irfaan Ali’s ambition to use these resources to transform the economy and bring “enduring prosperity” to the Guyanese people.

Reflecting on Exxon -

UN and partners ramp up HIV, STI awareness efforts in ‘Month of Love’

UNITED Nations (UN) agencies, in collaboration with the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), have launched intensified public awareness campaigns on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during February, the so-called “Month of Love”. Recognising that the season often coincides with increased sexual activity, the coordinated initiative aims to promote safer sexu-

al practices, encourage testing, and reinforce prevention messaging in support of national health goals. The outreach combined school-based programs with community engagement to ensure that accurate information and essential ser-

vices reached both young people and the wider public.

At Campden Park Technical Institute, over 40 students participated in interactive sensitisation sessions, learning about STI risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies. Attendees also

accessed testing, treatment, and support services offered through the Ministry of Health’s Health Security Unit.

Community outreach was further strengthened

through the “Love Thine Self” Health Fair in Mesopotamia, held under the theme “Know. Act. Support.” Residents benefited from educational talks, branded messaging, informational materials, and condom distribution, receiving practical guidance on sexual and reproductive health.

Camille John, Nutritionist with the Marriaqua Health District, highlighted the importance of such initiatives in the context of rising communicable and non-communicable diseases. “While we have continued our education efforts, the numbers remain concerning. Programs like this, which focus on interactive learning and practical engagement, create meaningful opportunities for individuals to better understand their health and take proactive steps toward self-care,” she said.

La Fleur Quammie, UN Country Coordination Officer for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, emphasised the broader public health and social protection goals of the campaign. “During the month of love, we an-

ticipate heightened sexual activity, which increases risks of intimate partner and gender-based violence. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Health and civil society, we are raising awareness and promoting behaviors that reduce the rate of sexually transmitted infections,” she stated. The initiative is further supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), aligning local action with the global commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Philcol Jeffers, Gender and Youth Specialist with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), noted, “We aim to help create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Supporting government policies and public awareness is key to achieving this vision.”

Th rough strengthened collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and UN partners, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continues to expand access to sexual and reproductive health information, fostering healthier communities and advancing progress toward both national and global development goals.

Nova Ridge showroom promises onestop shopping for modern home finishes

GUYANESE consumers

and the local construction sector are expected to benefit from expanded access to modern interior building solutions following the official opening of a new showroom by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Tuesday morning.

The minister formally inaugurated the Nova Ridge Interiors & Concepts showroom, located within the Courts Guyana complex, describing the investment as a timely addition to Guyana’s rapidly expanding housing and infrastructure landscape.

The new facility offers a wide range of interior and finishing products, including premium paints, durable flooring solutions and a selection of curated household accessories, pro-

to contemporary building and design options locally.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Minister Edghill met with the company’s partners and highlighted the importance of private sector investment in supporting national development. He noted that as construction activity accelerates across the country, businesses that supply modern building materials and interior solutions play a key role in raising standards within both residential and commercial spaces.

buildings throughout Guyana, aligning with broader efforts to modernise communities amid ongoing development.

Co mpany representatives said the showroom is intended to meet growing market demand for high-quality interior products while offering customers a more comprehensive, one-stop experience for finishing and décor solutions.

viding consumers and contractors with greater access

According to the minister, such initiatives contribute not only to economic growth but also to improving the aesthetic quality and functionality of

The opening reflects continued confidence in Guyana’s expanding economy, with investments in retail and construction-related services increasing alongside the country’s infrastructure transformation.

FAO prepares to set agrifood priorities for Latin America, Caribbean at LARC39

THE Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will convene the 39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC39) in Brasília, Brazil, from 2 to 6 March, bringing together member states to define the organisation’s priorities for the 2026–2027 period.

The conference aims to chart a roadmap to advance “better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life” across the region, with a focus on food security, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient agrifood systems.

The event will open with the Senior Officers Meeting (SOM) on 2 March, a technical session for member state delegations to examine strategic challenges and set regional directions. Key discussion topics will include the impact of rising food prices on nutrition and food security, policy measures to mitigate these effects, and efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Participants will also explore the One Health approach, emphasising governance, surveillance, and biosecurity to address threats that affect human, animal, and plant health. The sustainable manage-

ment of water and soils will be another priority, with sessions examining climate change, unsustainable practices, and gaps in policy implementation. FAO will present integrated strategies to promote inclusive, efficient, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, while strengthening regional resilience against multiple risks amid climate variability.

The conference will highlight achievements from the 2024–2025 biennium, including advances in agricultural innovation, healthy diets, climate resilience, rural development, and partnerships that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The ministerial segment, scheduled for 4 to 6 March, will be inaugurated by high-level officials from Brazil and FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. This segment will feature high-level sessions for exchanging experiences, analysing progress and challenges, and discussing strategies to eradicate hun-

ger and poverty, reduce inequalities, and expand investment in agriculture and food systems.

M inisterial roundtables will examine pathways for agrifood system transformation, strategies to close productivity gaps through science and innovation, and public policy mea-

sures for sustainable agriculture and forest management aimed at climate-resilient development. Outcomes from these discussions will guide FAO and member states’ joint work over the next biennium, establishing regional priorities for sustainable agrifood development.

Government launches centralised procurement website to boost transparency, access

THE Government of Guyana has launched a centralis ed online platform for public procurement opportunities, a move officials say will significantly strengthen transparency, fairness, and equal access to government contracts nationwide.

The new Government Procurement Opportunities Website, developed by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) under the Ministry of Finance, was officially introduced on Feb-

sions of Interest (EOIs), and related procurement notices will now be publicly advertised and regularly updated through the portal.

Officials said centralising procurement information is intended to improve public access to opportunities, ensure timely and equal dissemination of notices, and maintain compliance with national procurement laws and regulations. The government also expects the system to strengthen public confidence in the country’s

ruary 24 as the country’s primary digital portal for publishing procurement notices issued by state agencies.

Accessible at https:// eprocure.gov.gy/, the platform consolidates procurement advertisements into a single online space, allowing contractors, suppliers and consultants to easily access information on available government projects and services.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the initiative marks a major step toward modernising Guyana’s public procurement system while reinforcing accountability and open competition. All Invitations to Tender (ITTs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Expres-

procurement framework by making processes more transparent and accessible.

Prospective bidders are being encouraged to visit the website frequently to stay informed about current and upcoming opportunities across government agencies.

The Ministry of Finance said the launch reflects the administration’s continued commitment to promoting equitable participation in public procurement while improving efficiency and transparency in state operations.

Persons requiring assistance or experiencing difficulties accessing the platform can contact the NPTAB at (592) 223-7042 for support.

Hands-on training boosts agricultural education in Region Five schools

Training sessions covered shade house management, budding, grafting, and air-layering, methods considered essential for improving crop propagation and productivity

AGRICULTURAL

science teachers and Heads of Department here from secondary schools across Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), have strengthened their technical skills following a specialised training programme aimed at improving school-based agricultural education and modern farming practices.

The initiative was conducted by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) in collaboration with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, with support from the Ministry of Education as part of ongoing efforts to enhance practical agriculture instruction in schools.

Facilitated by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Agriculture Officer Yonette Crandon, who oversees Regions Five and Six, the programme focused on strengthening educators’ competencies in key agricultural techniques.

Training sessions covered shade house management, budding, grafting, and air-layering, methods considered essential for improving crop propaga-

tion and productivity. Participants also received guidance on pest and disease management, alongside instruction on the safe and proper use and handling of agricultural chemicals, an area officials say is critical for both environmental protection and student safety within school farms.

The training began with classroom-based sessions at Fort Wellington Secondary School before moving to handson demonstrations at the Ministry of Agriculture Model Farm in Naarstigheid, where teachers practised the techniques under field conditions.

Officials noted that the collaboration is intended to ensure educators remain equipped with updated technical knowledge, enabling them to better guide students and strengthen agricultural programmes within secondary schools.

The initiative forms part of broader national efforts to promote agriculture education, encourage youth participation in farming, and support the development of practical skills aligned with Guyana’s expanding agricultural sector.

Republic Bank launches ‘Car Bonanza’ promotion with attractive financing options

REPUBLIC

Bank (Guyana) Limited is offering customers an exciting opportunity to finance vehicle purchases with the launch of its “Car Bonanza” promotion, running from Thursday, February 26, to Friday, March 6, 2026.

The initiative forms part of the bank’s ongoing “Cash Bonanza” campaign, which continues until May 29, 2026, and aims to provide accessible financing for a variety of personal needs, including purchasing a vehicle, funding education, securing a mortgage, or covering travel expenses.

Under the Car Bonanza promotion, customers can enjoy up to 100% financing for vehicle purchases, repayment terms of up to eight years, and interest rates starting as low as 6%. Notably, applicants do not need a driver’s license to benefit from the offer.

Customers can apply conveniently online via the Car Bonanza application portal, submitting required

documents including valid identification, a job letter with two recent pay slips, a TIN certificate, proof of address issued within the last eight months, and an income and expenditure statement for self-employed applicants. Once submitted, a Republic Bank representative will contact applicants to guide them through the next steps.

The bank highlighted that the promotion combines flexible repayment options with secure online applications and quick follow-up, making it easier than ever for customers to get behind the wheel.

Officials encouraged both first-time car buyers and those looking to upgrade their vehicles to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity and “drive into 2026 with confidence.” For more information, customers can visit their nearest Republic Bank branch, contact via WhatsApp at 600-0087, or access details online at www.republicguyana.com.

Hetmyer one of the most dangerous players at World Cup

CMC – Following his impressive performance against Zimbabwe on Monday, legendary Australian batsman Ricky Ponting has described Shimron Hetmyer as one of “the most dangerous players” at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Hetmyer recorded the fastest ever 50 by a West Indian at a T20 World Cup off just 19 balls, on his way

to bludgeoning 85 runs off 34 balls with seven sixes and seven fours, to lead West Indies to a convincing 107run victory in their opening Super Eights match at the Wankhede Stadium.

It was his second half-century in five innings at the tournament. He now has the second most runs (219) behind Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan, who has

scored 220 runs.

In an interview posted on the ICC’s social media pages, Ponting, who has scored over 27, 000 runs in all formats and is regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever batsmen, said while other players had exceled at the World Cup, Hetmyer stood out as one of the brightest stars.

He said the fact that Het-

myer was accustomed to playing on big stages such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), meant he was not phased in big moments.

“They’ve got a few playing well at the moment but I’m going to single Hetmyer out.

“I think when I talk about experience and guys who’ve played on big stages before, Hetmyer has played a lot of

IPL cricket now, so the stage and the enormity of Super Eights cricket and semi-final cricket for him shouldn’t be that big a deal,” Ponting said.

“I like the fact that he’s batting up the order now for the West Indies, so I think he’s one of the more dangerous players going forward in this tournament.”

Sam and Harrison win Jade’s Wok ...

a single defeat in round three.

In the female category, Harrison finished with a solid six points ahead of the 16 girls. Her only setback came in the third round, when she lost to second-place winner Angelina Yhap.

Yhap maintained a tactically sound and disciplined approach for most of the nine rounds. Her strong run included only two minor setbacks: a draw in the fifth and a loss in the final round, bringing her score to 5.5 points.

Third place went to Sana Sreebalakumar, who finished with 4.5 points. Sreebalakumar displayed her depth and knowledge of the game despite losses in the first and sixth rounds and a lone draw in the third round.

Finishing in fourth place on a tie-break was seasoned competitor Italy Ton-Chung, finishing with 4.5 points, with losses in the first and sixth rounds and a hardfought draw in the fifth round contributing to her final standing.

Parnita Kishun secured fifth place also with 4.5 points due to the tie-breakers.

She played calmly and consistently to win her final round, showing her resilience and experience. She drew her game in the second round and recorded two losses in the third and fifth rounds.

Notable players in the open category were Ethen Pompey, finishing with 5 points; Jacob McDonald, Mark Defreitas, Tejasvarun Kandavel, Sanjay Suman, Brian Clarke, Pranav Suman, and Viren Meghan, all finishing with four points. Other notable players in the female category were Axela Vieira and Divya Persaud, who both finished with four points. Bianca Jessimy, Rebha Lachhman, Varsha Pooran, and Madison Spencer each ended the tourna-

ment with 3.5 points.

The seven-round competition featured a rapid time control of 15 minutes plus a five-second increment per move and was overseen by Chief Arbiter John Lee and his assistant arbiters Ethan Lee and Kim Shing Chong. The U1400 Rapid Chess Tournament is in its second year of running, designed to attract only unrated players, giving them a chance to shine and compete among players with similar playing strength.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Yuvraj Samra-110 (CAN vs NZ, Chennai) (2) Romario Shepherd-5/20 (WI vs SCOT, Kolkata)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many hundreds were recorded in the Group stage of the current T20 Men’s World Cup? (2) How many five-wicket hauls were snared?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

In a simple prize-giving ceremony, trophies were presented by Mrs. Lucknauth, the proprietress of Jade’s Wok, Pinnacle Business Services, and Cubs in Action International, to the top five

finishers in both categories.

GCF would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Jade’s Wok, Pinnacle Business Services, and Cubs in Action International for their generous sponsorship.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

BANGOR-ON-DEE

10:00hrs Halfhheworldaway

10:30hrs Count Of Vendome

11:00hrs Mask Of Zorro

11:30hrs Mirabad

12:00hrs Jacks Parrot

12:30hrs Jlair Madrik

13:00hrs Ostend

WINCANTON

09:50hrs Aguellid

10:20hrs Shalfa

10:50hrs The Long Point

11:20hrs Laughing John 11:50hrs Hatos

12:20hrs Fan De Blues

12:50hrs Madam Speaker

KEMPTON

13:05hrs Hove Ranger

13:40hrs Marlborough

14:10hrs Popmaster

14:40hrs Top Of The Class

15:10hrs Hidden Force

15:40hrs Helga

16:10hrs Tyger Bay

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS

KENILWORTH

08:25hrs Miss Attitude

09:00hrs Beautiful One

09:35hrs Sommerstern

10:10hrs Hiawatha Goldberg

10:45hrs Given To Fly

AMERICAN RACING

Classy Brook century puts nervy England in the semi-final

(ESPNCRICINFO) - If you want a thing done well, do it yourself. Harry Brook, England’s captain, took matters into his own hands in Pallekele, promoting himself to No. 3 and blazing his maiden T20 international hundred to drag his team past Pakistan and into the semi-finals of the men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a game to spare, almost single-handedly.

Brook started the tournament, his first as captain, with 53 against Nepal but had been dismissed by spin for less than 20 for four innings in a row.

His response was to move up two spots from No. 5 in order to bat in the powerplay, and he found himself walking out to face the second ball after Shaheen Shah Afridi - recalled by Pakistan - struck with the first ball of England’s chase.

Afridi took three wickets

in the powerplay to check England’s progress, and Usman Tariq struck twice in the middle overs to reduce them to 58 for 4 and then 103 for 5.

But Brook continued to flay Pakistan’s attack to all parts, reaching a 50-ball hundred by launching Afridi over cover for six and then over mid-off for four.

He was cleaned up one ball later by Afridi’s pinpoint yorker, but walked off to a standing ovation with England needing only 10 to win.

They made hard work of it, gifting two wickets to Mohammad Nawaz to take the game into the 20th over, but Jofra Archer smeared Salman Mirza through midwicket as England’s dugout breathed a sigh of relief. England’s win sealed their qualification for the semi-finals with a match to spare, and they will top the group if they can beat New Zealand in Colombo

on Friday. They are yet to put a complete performance together and were shoddy in the field against Pakistan, but have now reached the semi-finals for a fifth men’s T20 World Cup in a row.

Pakistan, meanwhile, must beat Sri Lanka in their final group game and rely on other results falling their way. Despite Sahibzada Farhan’s impressive 63, they always look short on runs after they were bogged down by spin in the middle overs, with Liam Dawson’s 3 for 24 the outstanding performance among England’s attack.

Brook at his best

It has been a long, challenging winter on the road for Brook, punctuated by reminders of his devastating best. His tour to New Zealand, now associated with his altercation with a nightclub bouncer, featured a stunning 135; his underwhelming Ash-

es tour included a match-winning hand at the MCG; and in Sri Lanka, he crashed 136 not out to clinch an ODI series win.

He had not fired at the World Cup, struggling to get going against spin with the field spread, but looked as though he was playing on a different surface to his teammates in Pallekele.

He became the first England batter to score a men’s T20I hundred as captain and completed the set of centuries across formats; none of his team-mates made it to 30.

England’s openers struggled again: Phil Salt played

for swing which never arrived off Afridi’s first ball and edged behind, while Jos Buttler’s miserable form continued as he under-edged behind for just 2.

But Brook was in pristine touch, hauling Mirza over square leg for six then taking 17 runs off Nawaz’s first over, the last of the powerplay.

He used his feet brilliantly through the middle overs, skipping down to launch Shadab Khan back over his head for six before hauling him through the leg side for four, and was happy to see off the dangerous Tariq. He reached

his hundred with another one-two punch off Afridi, and earned a handshake from the fast bowler when he was yorked by his next ball. It will soon become clear whether Brook’s promotion to No. 3 - the first time he has batted above No. 4 in his T20I careerwill become a permanent shift, and he revealed that England coach Brendon McCullum had inspired the change. “That was all Baz,” he said. “He came to me this morning and said, ‘Look, we might change it up and put you up at No. 3 today.’”

Batters haven’t been at their best, says Taylor

(CMC) - Veteran player Stafanie Taylor has admitted that West Indies Women have underperformed with the bat in their ongoing One Day International series against Sri Lanka Women.

The visitors recorded two narrow victories in the first two matches and hold an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into Wednesday’s final match at the National Stadium.

In the opening match, West Indies were bowled out for 230 chasing Sri Lanka’s total of 240 for six, while in the second game they were

restricted to 194 in pursuit of 209 for victory.

Speaking after the final practice session on Tuesday, Taylor, who along with Jannillea Glasgow have been the team’s best batters in the series, conceded that the top order had been below par.

“We had starts from batters but just never really got to finish the game. I know coach always says that once you get a start, especially the top five batters, that if you do get a start, you should try and finish the game.

“I feel like in the first

game I should have stayed there until the end, however, I did try but it was just an unfortunate and misjudged run out. In the second game I wanted to actually stay there and bat because it wasn’t many runs, just 200 runs,” Taylor said.

“We lost the two openers quite early, so in the middle we knew that [Shemaine] Campbelle, myself, and Chin [Chinelle Henry] had to take the team as deep as possible. I thought [Jannillea] Glasgow did really well to try and get us over the line, but she just

ran out of partners.

“I think as a batting group we really need to regroup and come strong for tomorrow’s game,” she added.

Taylor said despite having lost the series, the West Indies were still intent on putting their best foot forward in Wednesday’s finale.

“We have a meeting tonight and as a group we’re going to discuss where we went wrong, where we need to improve and for tomorrow’s game we just have to come out and give it our all.

“I thought in the second

game the bowlers did really well to restrict them to that low total and the effort is going to be needed from all three aspects: bowling,

fielding and batting, so it’s just about putting all three together and hoping that we come out on top,” Taylor said.

Jamaican franchise owners targeting

Powell, King and Russell for upcoming CPL

CMC – The Jamaican trio of Rovman Powell, Andre Russell and Brandon King are among the key targets for Kingsmen Sports Enterprise, who are hoping to assemble a title contending franchise in this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

This year’s CPL, which is slated to run from August to September 20, will see the return of a Jamaican franchise after a two-year absence, following the successful takeover by United States-based Kingsmen, owned by Pakistan-born

East Bank Inter-Village

Football Competition coming

BALL-weavers residing in communities along the East Bank Demerara and Soesdyke-Linden Highway will have the opportunity to lock horns in the Sports Extra-organised Inter-Village Football Competition which kicks off next month. According to organiser Franklin Wilson, over $2million in prize money and trophies will be up for grabs in what is anticipated to produce keen rivalry among the sixteen teams.

Wilson in an invited comment said many spinoffs will be derived from the staging of the tournament.

According to Wilson, players’ talent will be on show thereby allowing scouts firsthand opportunity to spot them, while the social impact that will be created is another area that players can profit from. With the ‘One Guyana’ theme a persistent chant under the current administration, the tournament can serve as another occasion

to boost camaraderie among the participating communities and even beyond.

Then there is the prospect of improving the economic fortunes of those engaged in small businesses both inside and outside of participating communities, while also providing necessary exposure for contributors from the business sector.

Wilson, in summing up the timing and overall benefits of staging such a tournament, expressed confidence

in its success, adding that he sees it as a win for everyone.

“I personally envisage a successful tournament and one that will certainly benefit all involved,” he asserted.

He added that it will also provide much needed activity among the communities situated on the East Bank and Soesdyke Highway corridor that the sport is played in.

Among the village teams expected to participate are Agricola, Grove, Friendship, Soesdyke, Timehri, Kuru

businessman Fawad Sarwar.

The hard-hitting duo of Powell and King are currently in India with the West Indies team as part of their 15-member squad for the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while Russell announced his retirement from international cricket last year.

However, it is left to be seen if they will be able to acquire their targets.

Powell, who guided the Jamaica Tallawahs to the title in 2022, has captained the Barbados Royals for the last three seasons, while

King, who led the Tallawahs in 2023 before their hiatus, also played for the Royals in 2025, having joined the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in 2024. Meanwhile, Russell left the Tallawahs ahead of the 2022 season to join the Trinbago Knight Riders, where he won the title last season.

Last year 37-year-old Russell said he was interested in ending his CPL career with the Jamaican franchise, while Powell told the Jamaica Observer in 2023, he was hoping to come “back home”.

A meeting with the representatives from the villages will be convened shortly to go through the details of what is expected and other logistics pertaining to the staging of the tournament. Meanwhile, team managers or coaches can contact 682 3241 or 647 9173 for further details.

Sam and Harrison win Jade’s Wok U1400 Rapid Chess Tourney

DOMINIC Sam and Chelsea Harrison were the stars of the Jade’s Wok, Pinnacle Business Services, and Cubs in Action International joint sponsored U1400 Rapid Chess Tournament, which was held last Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the David Rose Special School. The two juniors won in their respective categories: Open and Female, claiming the first-place trophy after delivering stellar performances over the board of rapid chess.

Sam finished in first place ahead of the 25 competitors in the open category. Returning to competitive chess after a break from his studies, Sam made an impressive comeback. His perfect score was thwarted by draws against Tejasvarun Kandavel and Jeremy Cole in the second and seventh rounds.

Shurlan Sparman produced a calm and technically sound performance to finish with six points; however, due to tie-breakers, he was awarded the second-place trophy. His lone loss came in the fourth round against Sam.

Third place went to talented Arush Ramnarine, who scored five points after a resilient showing despite losses in rounds five and six.

Jeremiah Jacobs, a promising young talent, finished fourth with five points after fighting hard; tie-breakers placed him in fourth after losses in rounds one and six.

Rounding off the top five was Jeremy Cole, who scored 5 points.

His performance was highlighted by solid play and draws in rounds four and seven, respectively, with TURN TO PAGE 32

Persaud victorious at Romel Golf Tournament

THE Lusignan Golf Club

(LGC) staged a vibrant and competitive Romel Golf Tournament in celebration of Mashramani 2026, bringing together a diverse field of 55 players in a true display of unity, sportsmanship, and national pride. Leading the charge was Patanjilee Persaud, who secured Overall Best Gross with an outstanding 38. Persaud also topped the 10–18 Flight, finishing in first place with Gross 38, Net 6, Score 32, reinforcing his dominance on the course.

Competing in a strong group that included former Guyana Open Champions

Mike Mangal and veteran Patrick Prashad, along with Ian Gouveia and Danny Maxim Mangra, Persaud held his nerve in a highly competitive field. Persaud and Mohanlal Dindinath both completed the round with matching 38 gross scores. With no backnine separation, the winner was decided on a countback of the final six holes. On those crucial closing holes, Persaud produced a steady

–1, while Dindinath returned +2, giving Persaud the edge and securing the Overall Best Gross title.

In the 0-9 Flight Mohanlall Dindanauth bagged first place with a gross score of 38, net 3 and total 35. Rakesh Harry followed in second with a gross score of 40, net 4, total 36, while Kasim Khan placed third with gross 42,

net 4 and total 38.

The 10–18 Flight saw Persaud in first place with a gross score of 38, net 6, total 32, Davindra Parbu in second with gross 42, net 8, total 34, and Ramesh Anrud third with gross 43, net 8, and total 35.

In the 19–28 Flight, Basil Sewprakesh delivered an impressive round to secure first place with gross 45, net 14,

total score 31. Brian Prince took second place with gross 43, net 12, total score 31, and Orson Ferguson finished in third with gross 44, net 10, total score 34. Sewprakesh’s performance also earned him the Overall Best Net title.

The Amateur Category, introduced for the second time, continued to highlight inclusivity within the sport.

Karamchan Persaud finished in first place, Vishnu Ramjit second, and Wazim Khan third. Special prizes added further excitement to the Mashramani celebrations.

Anand Persaud captured Longest Drive, Deso Ramsundar won Nearest to Pin, Phillip Haynes was recognised as the Honest Player, while Basil Sewprakesh secured Overall

Best Net. Golf enthusiast Romel Bhagwandin praised the execution of the tournament and its broad participation.

“The tournament was well executed; we had a turnout of 55 players. For the second time we included an amateur flight for those that don’t have knowledge of the sport or who play a different sporting discipline. We had eight cricketers participating from the Lusignan Cricket Club. This is something I want to continue in the future, whereby people from various sporting disciplines can come out and experience the game of golf.”

He further noted his admiration for Basil Sewprakesh, a groundsman of more than 30 years, emphasising that the tournament demonstrated golf’s accessibility from the experienced competitor to the first-time participant.

In the spirit of Mashramani, the Romel Golf Tournament stood as a celebration of culture, community and competitive excellence on the fairways.

Classy Brook century puts