- President Ali highlights
Minister Parag pushes for timely delivery of first school for the deaf
- advances towards a cashless economy with ‘tech’ upgrades
FOLLOWING a series of rigorous load assessments done on the new Demerara River Bridge, findings have confirmed that the infrastructure exhibits satisfactory stiffness and adequate reserve load-carrying capacity.
The load testing was conducted on the new Demerara River Bridge on September 15, 16, and 25, 2025 and included both the east and west approach bridges as well as the main cable-stayed span.
Twenty 40-ton fully loaded trucks were utilised to complete eight distinct loading scenarios.
The testing programme was independently witnessed by the Ministry of Public Works of Guyana and Politecnica of Italy.
The procedures were carried out in accordance with established protocols, and the results are considered valid and reliable.
Findings demonstrate that the bridge meets the design requirements for stiffness, load-carrying capacity and cable performance.
The load testing followed strict international standards set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), he said.
Guyana’s transportation infrastructure will be further boosted when the bridge is officially opened to the public.
With the bridge now entering its final stages of preparation, the President reiterated confidence that the long-awaited structure will be opened to the public well before September ends.
The US$260 million bridge being constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited will have a lifespan of 100 years and will offer toll-free access.
It will operate around the clock and accommodate vehicles of all sizes and weights, with a maximum speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour.
The new bridge features four lanes and stretches 2.6 kilometres, linking Region Three to Region Four
More than 50,000 daily commuters are expected to benefit from the new tollfree bridge, resulting in an estimated $3.5 billion in annual savings.
The Sunday Chronicle had previously reported that the bridge had undergone a series of successful load tests and, according to Project Manager Patrick Thompson, the results “were better than design requirements.”
By Trina Williams
SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are set to become a driving force in the building out of Guyana’s agro-processing industry, with President Dr. Irfaan Ali pledging that they will be empowered through partnerships, technology, and financing.
The President threw the spotlight on SMEs during a recent press conference where he unveiled a strategy that links local businesses with global partners in a bid to accelerate Guyana’s position as a regional food hub.
The President said: “SMEs have an important role to play in agro-processing. That is why we are now working with those who have the technology, the investment, to work in a co-investment model with our local SMEs to ensure that we maximise the potential of our SMEs while giving them the fastest track in technology, in financing, in technical support, to build their businesses and be part of this transformation.”
The President highlighted the challenges that Guyana faces, such as technology, explaining that adopting a co-investment model with local farmers and SMEs, alongside international partners with advanced technology and expertise, will help in attaining the objective.
“So, we can either sit back and wait forever, or we can go and get those who have the technology; those who have done it and done it successfully, to come on board with us together, so that we reduce the lag time and advance the op-
portunity in a more rapid way.
“I think that is the best approach, and that is why the private sector is involved in this,” Dr. Ali stated.
Notably, Guyana’s agro-processing industry is rapidly growing, positioning the country as a food hub and prominent exporter of value-added products.
As a result, investors are expressing significant interest in the country’s manufacturing and agro-processing sectors, the President said during another engagement earlier this month.
Dr. Ali highlighted that investors from the Middle East and the United States are showing a strong interest in manufacturing and agro-processing.
The President highlighted Guyana’s competitive incentive regime, and the government’s ongoing work to establish special investment zones across several regions, including Regions Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“I think we have the best incentive regime for manufacturing; a very competitive regime, both on the fiscal side and look at the support on the infrastructure side; support that the government is giving, building out the infrastructure to support manufacturing. So, we are creating different hubs. Some of these hubs will be tax tax-free zones to encourage investment,” President Ali said.
These zones, which will offer special tax regimes and
infrastructure support, are expected to further stimulate growth in the manufacturing sector. The Enmore Development Zone in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and the Wales Development Zone in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the President said, are examples of these special zones that will be created to stimulate investments.
The President also highlighted the importance of bilateral trade agreements within the wider region, highlighting the ease of doing business in Guyana.
During the press conference, the President did not mince his words, explaining how Guyana is moving assiduously to cement its role as a regional food production and logistics powerhouse.
It is in this regard that he announced plans to establish a major agro-business development hub, emphasising his government’s commitment to food security, agricultural innovation, and regional integration.
Not only will the project capitalise on the broader commitment to food security and infrastructural development, but it will also provide a platform to strengthen Caribbean self-sufficiency.
The President explained that agro-business development is not a policy priority, but it stands as a growth pool that could drive international partnerships and spark investors’ interests.
President Ali then pointed to the project United States
(US) giant, Blumberg Grain and Logistics to develop a landmark regional food hub. Earlier this year, the Government of Guyana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the renowned US-based company, Blumberg Grain and Logistics.
The agreement paved the way for the establishment of a state-of-the-art regional food hub at Yarrowkabra, along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
The Yarrowkabra food hub, once completed, is expected to significantly boost Guyana’s export capabilities, reduce post-harvest losses to as low as 5 per cent, and provide new manufacturing and processing facilities.
It is also expected to serve as the base from which Guyana can strengthen trade across CARICOM and South America, while laying the foundation for entry into US and international markets.
The commencement of Phase One of the project took place in 2023, accompanied by an investment totalling $187 million.
Also essential to the plans to position Guyana as a major food exporter within the region is the acceleration of production.
So, how does the President envision supporting both food security and the growth of agro-processing industries that add value to raw products before export?
President Ali stated that the government is seeking to work with megafarms and co-invest with megafarms in the local agricultural sector.
“We’re looking at 100,000 hectares of land to be converted into large-scale mega
farms, looking at corn, soybean, coconut, spices and cocoa. All of this we have been able to advance,” he said.
The agriculture sector has experienced rapid transformations in recent years through expansion, diversification and modernisation to improve its resilience and competitiveness.
These developments are being bolstered by government support to farmers, especially to add value to crop, livestock, dairy and fisheries industries.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that Guyana has surpassed regional expectations for agricultural production, achieving approximately 88 per cent of production targets one year ahead of schedule.
In 2022, Guyana produced nearly 899,000 metric tonnes of food. By the end of 2024, that number climbed to 1.26 metric tonnes.
This increase was supported by the skyrocketing of rice yield, brackish water shrimp (which recorded a more than 1,000 per cent increase), corn and soya, and prawns.
Guyana’s ambitions are
closely tied to the Caribbean Community’s Agri-Food Systems Agenda through “Vision 2030”, a strategy aimed at boosting food production, ending hunger and strengthening food security across the region.
Out of 186 countries, only Guyana produces enough food to feed all its citizens without foreign imports, according to a recent study published in Nature Food.
Nature Food had investigated how well each country could feed its populations in seven food groups: fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, plant-based protein and starchy staples.
Worldwide, the study found that 65 per cent of countries were overproducing meat and dairy, compared to their own populations’ dietary needs.
It also found that Guyana was the only country that could boast total self-sufficiency, while China and Vietnam were close behind, being able to produce enough food in six out of seven food groups.
Just one in seven of the tested countries was judged self-sufficient in five or more categories.
YOUNG Guyanese entrepreneurs will be allowed to turn their bold ideas into reality as Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) launched its landmark $10 million innovation programme on Saturday. Guyana’s economic expansion is opening new doors, and DBL has committed itself to fuelling startups and sustainable innovation.
At its corporate office on Camp Street, Georgetown, DBL officially launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Revolving Programme, and it was introduced by the senior manager of Investment and Business Development, Imran Badruddin.
This landmark initiative sets
aside $10 million in funding to support Guyanese start-ups through an engaging Innovation Tank–style competition, where entrepreneurs will pitch their business ideas before a live judging panel.
The Dream Build Lead (DBL) Innovation Tank Programme is designed to break down barriers faced by startups in accessing financing. By providing non-repayable grants of up to $1million each, the programme empowers ten start-ups with the resources to innovate, create jobs, and contribute to Guyana’s economy.
As he spoke about Guyana’s impressive development, Badruddin noted that growth only becomes meaningful when
it creates opportunities for entrepreneurs with fresh ideas, and for businesses seeking to expand.
“As one of the leading financial institutions in Guyana, we at Demerara Bank recognise that our role goes beyond providing just traditional finance and banking services; our responsibility is also to help to provide a business environment where new ideas can take root, grow and flourish,” he said.
He also pointed to the unsecured credit lines for rice farmers, revolving facilities for the forestry sector, unsecured loans for poultry farmers, and residential mortgages with interest rates as low as 5 per cent that the bank has provided.
The senior manager said CSR means more than just giving back, but it is about creating programmes that strengthen businesses, explaining that Saturday’s launch is targeted support: “Designed not only to finance ideas, but also to nurture innovation, responsibility and sustainability.”
“This programme is not just about money,” Badruddin said as he explained that DBL has partnered with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), and the Center for Local Business Development to also provide mentorship and guidance.
This will be an annual initiative as he further said that
DBL is here to “support ideas, strengthen businesses and help entrepreneurs turn vision into reality”.
Through this initiative, he said, DBL aims to uncover bold thinkers, support risk takers, and nurture problem-solvers who can create businesses that uplift their communities.
Each cycle is expected to expand, with more entrepreneurs benefiting and larger grants being awarded.
“With this initiative, we’re saying to every young entrepreneur, your idea matters, your time is now,” he urged.
Beyond financing, the programme will also emphasise sustainability, ethical business practices, and mentorship, en-
suring that entrepreneurs are not just funded but supported in building long-term success.
The Centre for Local Business Development, American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association are also playing a key role in this programme as Badruddin said that it also aims to provide mentorship and guidance.
Representatives for the programme’s partners commended the initiative, and some noted that it provides a pathway for United States (US) firms to connect with local businesses, while facilitating knowledge and technology transfer.
MINISTER of Education, Sonia Parag, says students from Region Two who aspire to pursue engineering will soon be able to do so right in the Pomeroon-Supenaam district.
On Wednesday last, Minister Parag, along with Presidential Adviser on Education Dr Kofi Dalrymple, visited
Region Two and conducted a site visit to the Essequibo Technical Institute (ETI). The visit was done to examine and identify suitable spaces for both classroom instruction and the practical components of the University of Guyana’s (UG) engineering curriculum. According to Minister
Parag, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with UG, is rolling out this initiative to expand access to higher education, particularly for students who were unable to gain admission to the main campus due to space constraints. This move fulfils a commitment made by President Irfaan Ali, who
recognised the significant increase in applications since UG made tuition free.
As part of his directive, both engineering and medical programmes are being decentralised, with the rollout beginning in Regions Two, Three, and Five, where demand is especially high. Some classes will run
simultaneously with UG’s main campus, while others will be managed by lecturers based in Region Two. Notably, ETI already has physics and chemistry laboratories, which Minister Parag and Dr Dalrymple deemed well suited to accommodate the programme.
Minister Parag expressed optimism that the first set of classes can commence by mid-October, marking a major milestone in bringing higher education opportunities closer to students in
Region Two.
Chairman of the ETI board, Toolsie Narine, said that the move is a positive one that will provide Region Two youths with the most valuable opportunity. Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva said that the ETI is the most suited facility for such a programme. She said that the region is vastly transforming and, as such, educating the youths in various fields is the right direction.
MINISTER of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to plans for a deep-water port in Berbice, Region Six, which would support the country’s expanding maritime sector.
Indar made these remarks on Thursday when he attended the World Maritime Day exhibition at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara. The event was held under the theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity.”
In his address, the minister highlighted the indispensable role of the global
shipping industry, noting that, according to United Nations data, shipping accounts for approximately 80 per cent of world trade. He explained that Guyana’s own maritime sector has now become “the most important generator of wealth.
“It is coupled with the petroleum activities that we have, where you now have four FPSOs, about five drill ships, around 60 to 70 ocean-going vessels,” he said.
Indar pointed out that with Guyana’s oil production ramping up at breakneck speed since production commenced in 2019, the Maritime Ad-
ministration Department (MARAD) now interfaces with numerous international companies daily.
The minister reminded the audience that President, Dr Irfaan Ali has tasked MARAD and the wider sector with ensuring that Guyana becomes competitive and well positioned as a maritime hub. “We are mandated to make Guyana that place. That is why a deep-water port has been on the horizon. Steady work has been done on the deep-water port that we intend to put in the Berbice area,” Indar said.
He explained that the port will unlock a new
area of trade, driving the need for new infrastructure to connect Brazil to the facility. The minister also highlighted some projects that the government has already embarked on, including roads and bridges, aimed at ensuring the Berbice deep-water port is sustainable in both financial and operational terms.
Last year, President Ali unveiled plans for the development of the Berbice deepwater facility. The head of state had noted that the port will be designed to improve trade, reduce shipping costs and integrate trade with northern Brazil.
IN alignment with President Irfaan Ali’s vision for Guyana to become a major regional aviation hub, Ramesh Ghir, Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), is currently spearheading Air Service Development efforts at the prestigious Routes World Conference 2025 in Hong Kong.
Ghir's participation has included high-level meetings with representatives from major international carriers across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The response has been very positive,’’ stated Ghir. "The airlines were impressed by Guyana's rapid rate of development and are constantly assessing the market with a view to providing airlift in the future.”
Leveraging his dual role as Chairman of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Ghir also engaged with numerous tourism bodies and airport leaders. These crucial collaborations aim to forge a strategic, unified approach to enhance destination appeal, making Guyana and the wider Caribbean more attractive to international carriers. The current market analysis re-
veals that over six hundred (600) passengers fly daily from Asia and the Middle East to the Caribbean.
Guyana’s aggressive air-service development strategy since 2020 has already successfully attracted eleven (11) new airlines, including British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, United Airlines, and Avianca Airlines.
Over seven hundred (700) organisations are attending the Routes World Conference 2025, including 300+airports, 80+ tourism bodies and 200+airlines. Some of the major airlines in attendance are Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air India, China Eastern and Southern Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali's "Rescue Georgetown" initiative marks another attempt to address the capital city's long history of stagnation because of the PNC/RAPNU.
The plan outlines 15 projects that focus on green infrastructure, climate resilience, and cultural heritage. However, Guyanese citizens have every reason to greet this news with both cautious optimism and skepticism.
The timing of this initiative is clearly strategic. Georgetown's status as the once-celebrated "Garden City of the Caribbean" has declined to the point where even basic municipal services seem beyond the abil-
ities of current leaders.
The President's acknowledgement that "the mismanagement and inefficiency through which the city is managed can no longer be tolerated," reflects what residents have experienced for years. Yet, words alone won't bring back the city's former glory or fix the governance failures that led Georgetown to this unfortunate condition. The proposed projects, such as turning the historic transport building into a museum, creating walking trails, upgrading the Stabroek waterfront and enhancing shopping areas, are appealing. Residents like Katisha McIntosh are excited about the educational opportunities for younger
generations to learn about their city's rich history. Her idea to include the Georgetown Zoo in restoration efforts is insightful, given the facility's role in many Guyanese childhoods and its potential to attract local and international visitors.
Raymond Stephens' comments on drainage problems near the Stabroek Market highlight a major infrastructural issue that has troubled Georgetown for decades. The ongoing flooding forces market closures during high tides and harms vendors' livelihoods, representing more than just an inconvenience. It reflects the systemic neglect of municipal governance. The repeated loss of inventory to flood damage, while
authorities promise solutions "next year," illustrates the frustration that fuels public support for central government intervention.
Makeda Cornette's focus on tourism potential reveals economic opportunities that effective urban renewal could create. The Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana has already backed the initiative, understanding that Georgetown's appearance significantly affects first impressions for investors and visitors. With the country's economy growing rapidly, the capital city needs to present an image that aligns with Guyana's rising regional importance
Still, skepticism is jus-
tified. The government has already put billions into Georgetown's infrastructure over the past five years, including upgrades to drainage, roads, and the Demerara River Bridge. While these improvements are meaningful, a lot needs to be done to take the city forward, especially with the PNC/R still at the helm.
The partnership with the King's Foundation brings international expertise, but successful implementation will rely on continued political will and strong project management. The bigger question is whether this initiative will lead to real change or just be hindered by political operatives who seem to be against development.
Involving various stakeholders—private sector, municipal authorities, and civil society—raises hopes for real progress.
President Ali's statement that Georgetown should be repositioned "as one of the finest cities in the world," sets an extremely high bar. Achieving this will take more than spending on infrastructure; it will require deep changes in governance, public accountability, and citizen involvement. The residents who support this plan deserve more than just inspiring words -- they need real results that restore Georgetown's pride and functionality as Guyana's showcase capital.
Dear Editor,
I READ with concern a recent commentary attributed to a former minister, published on September 23, 2025, in the newspapers, in which he described subsidies to rice farmers as a “misuse of taxpayers’ money.” This perspective not only diminishes the realities faced by rice farmers, but also overlooks the broader economic and food-security implications of state support to the sector.
President Irfaan Ali has been unequivocal in his government’s policy stance: Guyana is committed to the continued growth and development of its rice industry. At a recent meeting held at Skeldon, the President reaffirmed
his administration’s pledge to support farmers through a comprehensive, multipronged strategy. This is the mark of a caring and responsible government— one that supports, rather than abandons, its farmers. To dismiss subsidies as wasteful is to misunderstand their purpose. Rice farmers are among the hardest-working citizens in our country. They rise before dawn, toil in mud and flood (Monday to Sunday), face pests, unpredictable weather, and now must contend with global price shocks completely outside their control. These families do not ask for handouts. They ask for fairness and a fighting chance to remain competitive, regionally. In such a context, state support is not
reckless—it is prudent and necessary.
Subsidies in the rice sector are not giveaways. They are targeted interventions—fertiliser support, technical assistance, concessions, and other mechanisms—that keep production viable. Without them, thousands of farmers would collapse under the weight of global oversupply and falling prices, in the short term. The consequences would not only devastate rural families, but also threaten national food security, rural employment and the wider economy. Failing to act on the part of the government of the day, in such circumstances, would be the true misuse of public resources.
The administration’s approach is not about writ-
ing blank cheques; it is about cushioning farmers against global shocks, stabilising the rice industry over the short term, and preserving Guyana’s competitive edge at a time when major producers such as India, Thailand and Vietnam are flooding the global rice market.
Strengthening local production also protects consumers, preventing food inflation and the importation of higher-priced rice (with the associated added shipping costs). It is worth noting that close to 7,000 families are directly involved in rice farming, and over 55,000 citizens benefit directly and indirectly financially from the sector.
Furthermore, the gov-
ernment has already committed to expanding storage capacity nationwide and exploring investments in facilities, including state-led initiatives, to help stabilise prices and protect both farmers and consumers from volatility. These are forward-looking measures designed to secure the industry’s resilience for the future. It is important to situate this debate in the reality of 2025 and beyond. The rice industry is facing global pressures, and without government intervention, Guyana risks losing not only its competitive advantage, but also the livelihoods of thousands of families.
President Ali’s policies represent a responsible, people-centred developmental approach aimed at prevent-
ing market failure while laying the groundwork for long-term competitiveness and profitability.
In conclusion, these interventions are not a misuse of taxpayers’ money. They are strategic investments in food security, rural livelihoods, and national economic stability. The rice industry is too important to be left exposed to the full force of international market shocks. Supporting farmers today ensures that Guyana remains a reliable producer and bigger exporter tomorrow. This secures the well-being of thousands of citizens whose lives depend on this critical industry.
Sincerely, Sasenarine Singh
FOR “donkey years” now, I have been doing a daily column. It is impossible for any fan or admirer to read you each day without missing some editions. It happens to me too; because of intervening circumstances, I would miss the letter pages of the newspapers.
So, I get these emails from time to time asking me for elaboration of things I had already explained in my columns.
Obviously, the person missed those editions. So, I got this email from someone who has been in touch with me for years now. He wanted an interpretation as to why Cathy Hughes did not give her AFC fellow executive, Trevor Williams, the cellphone number of then Minister Volda Lawrence.
I explained the attitude of Mrs Hughes based on class analysis. I will do so again, but first, a word about class analysis.
It was Karl Marx who popularised the importance of class conflict in understanding the nature of economic distribution in capitalist society. Marx was not the discoverer of the existence of social classes. Ancient Hindu scripts and philosophy in the
ancient Greek City States made mention of social classes and the conflicts inherent in the relations between classes.
No political theorist, historian, sociologist or economist will produce plausible scholarship if he/she does not attach profound importance to classes and how they stand in relation to each other and how they are inserted into the relations of production.
The written history of contemporary Guyana cannot be understood without class analysis.
The application of the methodology of class analysis will yield priceless explanations for the most seminal moments in Guyana’s social history. Here is a brief list of paramount events which cannot be understood without class analysis.
1-The fear of Cheddi Jagan and the PPP in the 1950s by the planter class and their Mulatto/Creole surrogates
2-The break-up of the PNC/UF coalition
3-The essential pillar on which rests the politics of the national poet, Martin Carter
4-The true nature of the existential politics of Rupert Roopnaraine
5-The quintessential dif-
ference in the temperament of PPP leaders as against PNC, WPA, and AFC leaders
6-The refusal of sections of the anti-Burnham platform to support Cheddi Jagan as the consensus candidate for the 1992 general elections
7-The reason for the birth of the WPA
8-The failure of the WPA to remove the Burnham government
9- Hoyte's rejection of the 1984 dialogue between the PNC and PPP after he became President
10-The reason for the birth of the Stabroek News
11- The retirement of Robert Corbin as PNC leader
12- The reason for the birth of the AFC
13 -The transformation of some crucial civil society actors into insane antagonists against the PPP
14- The reason civil society, the AFC and the Stabroek News do not want a relationship with Kaieteur News
15- The reason for Nigel Hughes wanting to become the AFC leader
16 -The pressure on Aubrey Norton to concede the consensus candidature to Nigel Hughes
This is just a brief sample
of seminal developments in contemporary Guyanese history that will not yield efficacious results if class analysis is not applied when studying them.
In fact, no scholarly interpretation can be achieved if class analysis is not used in studying these political phenomena. I will briefly touch on four of them before I answer the gentleman’s question on Cathy Hughes.
First, Robert Corbin’s leadership of the PNC failed because the Mulatto/Creole class (MCC) considered it inappropriate to have Corbin as their leader.
Secondly, the MCC refused even at the elementary level to have anything to do with Norton.
Thirdly, the MCC was deeply traumatised at the loss of state power by the
APNU+AFC in 2020. It spent the period after 2020 sponsoring the Guyana Human Rights Association; Red Thread; Transparency International- Guyana Chapter; Help and Shelter; SASOD; the Stabroek News and prominent ideologues in the MCC of which a few names stand out: Alissa Trotz, Nigel Westmaas, Vanda Radzik; Danuta Radzik, Melinda Janki; Percy Hintzen and Janet Bulkan.
Fourthly, even though the politics of the owner of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, shares a multiplicity of commonalities with the MCC and their surrogates, they consider Lall unfit to be part of their class world, thus they have absolutely nothing to do with him.
This column intended to explain why Cathy Hughes
snubbed Trevor Williams. Unfortunately, space has run out. I wrote before that it was class snobbery.
Hughes did not feel that she could share that information with someone outside her class circle. She would have willingly volunteered to give that information to her fellow MCC acolytes.
Leonard Craig told me that he met with the same attitude from Raphael Trotman when he asked Trotman for the cell number of a certain big one. Class analysis is part of life.
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.
AUBREY Norton failed miserably with his brand of coalition politics. His politics over the past three years were not the brand of politics practised by the former president and leader of the PNC, David Granger.
Norton failed to attract new, serious and old partners to form a broad-based coalition. He only struck a chord with the desperate, old, racist, and uninspiring WPA party, which did absolutely nothing of value to talk about during the last campaign, but somehow ended up with a parliamentary seat. He fumbled the bag with the AFC, which he courted away from the coalition party, and made many enemies within the APNU coalition.
This is not to say that Norton was to blame alone. Nigel Hughes, long considered as ‘the running man of Guyanese politics’, must face the heat for the failure of the opposition, and more so the AFC, at the last elections. Hughes and all the other ‘tall’ opposition politicians who ran scared of Norton’s
brand of politics caused the PNC and APNU not to be the main opposition in the 13th Parliament, which will be convened in October.
They never had an interest in the business of coalition politics, and were just in it to get the benefits they could accrue. The weak men and women of the opposition saw the ship sinking and did not try to save it. They were not men but mice in the game of politics.
Another kitchen cat, Amanza Walton-Desir, was exposed recently when the one seat the FGM managed to secure was claimed to be shared between her and Nigel London, leaving Dorwin Bess out in the cold. Desir then reversed the situation and used her gender as a weapon against V-PAC. The fallout of this coalition or alliance was inevitable, and the public grabbed their seats and popcorn to watch them air their dirty laundry.
The truth is, no real coalition contested the 2025 general and regional elections; no party understood
and preempted the challenges faced with a coalition. No party was serious about the lives of the people it claimed to represent at the 2025 polls. And, there was no real harmony, unity, synergy, or togetherness running through their collective or individual election campaign.
All the opposition was concerned about was power, and seeing the back of the PPP/C. They forgot that elections, in modern Guyana, are no longer based on racist ideologies and the usual discrimination banter but on plans and ideas. They forgot that unity is important, and the presence of technology and access to social media played a major part in the elections.
Firstly, coalition politics works best when there is unity, an unshakable bond and togetherness. Any attempt to allow the cracks to show, especially in the media, is going to do more harm than good. Norton and Amanza had their sparring in public. Hughes and Norton had been disagreeing in public from
the time they were leaders of their respective political groups. Norton and every MP, except for Coretta McDonald and Nima Flu-Bess, were constantly taking jabs at each other, then playing it down.
The rift between Walton-Desir and Bess started long before the elections, and grew significantly after. Both parties are guilty of bullying and disunity.
And, the PNC/APNU tried to show the public that it is making inroads in terms of the formation of a coalition with the paper parties that got no seats. Sherod Duncan and Juretha Fernandes tore into Hughes’ skin before leaving the AFC, which was busy preparing for the 2025 polls.
This was the state of the opposition pre-and post-election. If there is to be a coalition in the future, it must be based on unity, togetherness, agape love, healing and reconciliation. There must be mutual respect, and the conflicts must give way to mature politics.
No number of shortcuts or walking around the issue will work to heal the wrongs, scars, and feelings of hurt. The opposition needs dialogue and an elder intercessor to be able to hold the PPP/C Government accountable in Parliament. If this disunity and level of puerility continue, then the coalition will never work, and should be abandoned.
Secondly, the coalition did not win the 2025 election because of the lack of trust within the parties. The APNU did not trust the AFC, and vice versa. The FGM did not trust Simona Broomes’ ALP, and vice versa. There was an unusually high level of distrust even within the parties.
They are all to blame, and the downfall was that the public had front row seats to witness the plots, backbiting, tales of betrayal, and power drunkenness.
This must not continue in parliament. And, WIN, now the main opposition party, is facing its own share of problems surrounding persons who did not get a slice of the cake or seat, being upset or holding it to ransom quietly. This is threatening its existence outside of parliament and elections. They should know that parliament is serious business and no place for one-liner politicians.
Thirdly, the PPP/C is the only party that understands coalition and alliance politics in Guyana. The party has had its ‘Civic’ alliance functioning since 1992, and it could teach the PNC, AFC, APNU, WIN, ALP and FGM a thing or two about unity, building trust, cooperative politics and coalition politics.
The PPP has a long history with its ‘Civic’ component, and the party has many examples of how to rebound from scandals, disagreements, deflections and all sorts of internal rifts. It is tested and tried, and knows when a valuable and strong coalition emerges.
In a wider sense, efforts to build political trust in Guyana among the key stakeholders and between parties must be centred on tackling deep-seated ethnic and political divisions, promoting inclusive governance, and increasing the levels of transparency and accountability.
The 13th Parliament must be able to see through and address these long-standing issues, which are seen as critical for moving past partisan squabbles and building a more unified and stable society.
After all, President Irfaan Ali, during his re-election speech, spoke of the need for all parties, including his own, to see past the ethnic and political divisions that leave Guyana paralysed. He spoke about the work that he envisioned the ‘One Guyana’ Commission would do to
deal with all these complex and multi-racial issues that currently confront us.
And, despite calls for collaboration, political leaders from opposing parties, particularly the APNU and WIN, must not struggle to find common ground. The attempts at dialogue and shared governance must not be hampered by a lack of trust and unwillingness to move past political adversaries.
Finally, the opposition, as fractured as it is, must find a way to work with this PPP/C Government for all the citizens to benefit through the mechanisms provided in the legislative branch of government.
WIN and APNU must bring the political temperature down while they are seeking to provide good and wholesome representation of Guyanese inside the 13th Parliament. They must commit themselves to working on addressing the challenges that were evident at the last elections, while at the same time staying abreast with the daily politics.
They must provide the spirited type of representation that Guyana has been seeking in the parliament. Holding the government accountable does not mean opposing for opposing's sake. It means asking the right questions and getting the right answers to be better able to serve Guyanese interests.
They must prove that they are mature enough to talk and dialogue about achieving the president’s vision of ‘One Guyana’. It must be evident to all of the inhabitants of this rich and diverse land that it is not just a dream but a reality.
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.
APPROXIMATELY 14,000
Guyanese are now directly benefitting from jobs and opportunities created in the oil and gas sector as a result of the landmark Local Content Act, which came into force in December 2021. This was the central point emphasised by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, during his recent appearance on the Starting Point Podcast –The Oil and Gas Edition.
According to Minister Bharrat, the legislation has transformed the landscape of Guyana’s rapidly developing petroleum industry by ensuring that citizens are no longer bystanders but active participants in the sector.
“Today, because of the way in which we have managed the oil and gas sector, our local private sector is playing an integral part in the provision of goods and services to the oil and gas companies, because of that local content legislation,” he said.
He cautioned that without strong local content laws, international oil companies often dominate new petroleum economies to the exclusion
of citizens. He explained: “When international oil companies come to that country, they usually bring their suppliers with them. They build their own ecosystem around them to provide them with goods and services. In many countries, this is what happens, and the locals are left
on the outside as bystanders.”
Under the Local Content Act, oil companies and their subcontractors are obligated to give first preference to Guyanese goods, services, and human resources. Local employment has increased noticeably since its promulgation, and thousands of
citizens benefit from the opportunities opened to them in areas such as logistics, transportation, accommodation, catering, and technical support, among others.
Furthermore, the law has facilitated partnerships between international corporations and local businesses,
leading to technology transfer and increased skill sets for Guyanese workers.
He also pointed out that the figure of 14,000 does not only represent those employed offshore or in technical oilfield roles.
A significant portion of the jobs are in supporting industries such as hospitality, transportation, maintenance, and administrative services.
Minister Bharrat stated: “We have over 7,000 Guyanese who are trained and employed in the oil and gas sector. Another 7,000 Guyanese are employed indirectly through the oil and gas sector.”
Mandated by the Local Content Act, the Local Content Register in Guyana is a government-managed database maintained by the Local Content Secretariat, that lists Guyanese citizens and companies qualified to supply goods and services to the country's petroleum sector.
Its purpose is to prioritise Guyanese participation and ensure local capacity development in the oil and gas industry by facilitating connections between local businesses and international operators.
The government has pledged to continue reviewing and strengthening the Local Content Law to ensure its effectiveness.
Since its enactment, the law has been hailed for giving Guyanese businesses the leverage needed to negotiate fairer deals with multinational oil companies.
Plans are also underway to expand the number of categories under which local participation is mandated. The minister’s statements come at a time when Guyana is preparing for another major round of offshore development, with ExxonMobil and its partners continuing to expand production in the Stabroek Block.
Exxon Mobil is the operator of the Stabroek Block and holds a 45 per cent interest. Hess Guyana Exploration holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana holds a 25 percent interest.
The Stabroek Block has solidified Guyana’s position as a major player in the global oil industry and the fastest-growing economy in the world.
sioning another costly newbuild, Exxon is reverting to a converted very large crude carrier (VLCC), a design choice used only once before, with Liza 1.
At US$6.8 billion, it will produce 150,000 barrels a day, far less than Yellowtail, Uaru, or Whiptail. The reason is simple: The Hammerhead discovery and how it is situated do not justify another 250,000-bpd development. Exxon is tailoring the project to the field.
The FPSO design makes the point. Instead of commis-
WHEN ExxonMobil announced that it had taken a final investment decision on the Hammerhead project, its seventh offshore development in Guyana, the headlines looked familiar. Another multibillion-dollar project sanctioned, another Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to be added to the fleet, another building block in Exxon’s march towards 1.7 million barrels a day (bpd) by the end of the decade. But look closer, and you will see that Hammerhead is not more of the same. Every project after Liza 1 has followed the mega-project formula: A new-build hull, near or equal to a quarter-of-a-million bpd in oil production, and a price tag equal to or more than US$10 billion (except for Liza 2). Hammerhead is smaller by design.
It is a reminder that not every discovery needs to be paired with the industry’s largest and most expensive production units.
Another consequential difference lies in the plans to transport gas. Hammerhead is the first project offshore Guyana to incorporate, from the outset, a plan to send its bountiful natural gas to shore via pipeline, compared with the Liza field, where plans to transport its gas came after.
According to the environmental impact assessment, Hammerhead can produce up to 95 million cubic feet a day of gas. About 10 million will fuel the FPSO, and the rest can either be piped to shore through the Gas-to-Energy project or transferred to the Liza Unity FPSO for reinjection to support oil recovery.
That makes Hammerhead a potential bridge to Phase 2 of the Gas-to-Energy project, which the Guyana Government envisions. The first phase will lean on gas from the Liza field, but Hammerhead creates a clear opening for expansion, one that ties offshore
production more directly to Guyana’s domestic energy framework than any previous initial development plan has.
It is tempting to see Hammerhead as a modest addition next to the larger producing projects of the Stabroek Block, given that it will not rival Yellowtail or Uaru in sheer oil output, but that misses the point.
The project’s significance lies in its differences: A cheaper FPSO, and a direct gas link built into its blueprint. Together, these choices suggest that Exxon’s Guyana strategy is maturing. The company is no longer rolling out carbon copies of its big-
gest projects; it is adapting, diversifying, and showing that Guyana’s offshore basin can be developed with more than one template. It also signals another key early point in Exxon’s pivoting focus from oil to natural gas, and what that resource can achieve.
Come 2029, all will become clear.
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.
MINISTER of Education, Sonia Parag, on Saturday visited the construction site of Guyana’s first dedicated school for the deaf at Cummings Lodge on the East Coast of Demerara.
According to a press release from the ministry, in her exchange with the contractor, Minister Parag stressed that the project’s quality and timely completion is a matter of national priority, adding that the school must stand as a model of excellence for inclusive education in Guyana.
“She expressed confidence that the facility will be delivered as scheduled in November and affirmed the ministry’s continued com-
mitment to monitoring progress until its doors are opened,” the release noted.
The project, valued at G$194,472,570, is being executed by Superior Supplies and General Construction and is on
schedule for completion in November 2025.
The facility, once completed, will provide a modern learning environment for 30 deaf learners and serve as a resource hub for deaf youth, offering
programmes that foster inclusivity, personal development and community engagement.
With completion expected in just a few weeks, the new school represents a transformational milestone in
“MOTHER, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and greatgreat grandmother - a pillar of strength, now a guiding light.”
These were the words printed on the shirts worn by the extended family of Kate Joan Morris McFarlane, affectionately known as 'Joanie', whose wake I attended last Friday night. It was the biggest wake I have ever seen, held at Girl Guides Pavilion on Brickdam. When my good friend and 'sister', Patsy, told me that her mother-in-law had died and announced the venue for the wake, I knew it was
going to be big. But I never imagined that more than 400 people, spilling onto the compound of the Pavilion, would converge there that night.
Decked out with tables and chairs, a bar and a 15-foot-long table loaded with all types of food, it was a sight to behold. This was not so much a mourning as a celebration of life well-lived. There was a 60-foot television screen continuously showing pictures of the deceased and her family, situated on the stage behind a one-man band that delivered the usual religious songs, then
broke out into an up-tempo selection that covered a gamut of tunes, from Soca to Oldies.
The band singers could not only sing well but also managed to create a festive air, interacting with the attendees, and encouraging them to sing along with some of the more popular songs.
Before long, people, myself included, took to the floor between the tables and began to dance, hands in the air, enjoying the music, at an event that was well-planned and expertly organised.
The word 'wake' actually came from an old
English word for 'watch', where mourners would hold a vigil over the body, usually at the home of the deceased.
Originally, wakes served a practical purpose by ensuring the person was deceased, and also a spiritual one by helping the soul pass on. They are a means of showing that the person's death is a community concern, as family, friends and even strangers gather to exchange stories, many about the deceased.
Modern wakes are more informal than those held in the 17th Century in Ireland, where wakes were first held and are no longer
Guyana’s education sector, delivering on the government’s promise to create inclusive, equitable, and empowering spaces for all learners.
Minister Parag was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Ms.
cation Officer with responsibility for Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND); and Head of Buildings Mr Gerron Parker.
observed in the presence of the body.
Back in the day, people would literally stay awake with the dead from death until burial. And even now, wakes can last all night, with coffee and biscuits being served at daybreak.
As a man told me at a wake in the Corentyne, where I lived for several years, "Georgetown people doan know how fuh hold wake. Dey does go home, but we does stay till day clean.”
The recent wake ended around midnight, as family and friends, who mostly
hailed from Berbice, headed back home. However, while I did not know the deceased personally, it was clear to me that she was well-loved, as her family gathered from 'far and wide' to meet and greet, share food and drink and dance, all in celebration of a life well-lived.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
GUYANA and China
continue to strengthen their long-standing partnership, especially as the South American nation enters a new era of economic growth.
With collaboration spanning infrastructure, healthcare, technology, and sustainable development, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips spoke on these very developments and areas for future collaboration during his address at the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown on Friday.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang also delivered remarks at the event.
“This spirit of partnership and mutual cooperation has proven especially valuable as Guyana enters a new chapter of unprecedented growth and opportunities,” the Prime Minister said.
On infrastructure, the Demerara River Bridge is the most recent symbolic and literal project that summarises the deep and mutual relationship between the two nations.
The new US$260 million bridge, being constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, represents one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in Guyana’s modern history.
Spanning 2.6 kilometres, it will link Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) to Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), providing round-the-clock, toll-free access.
The four-lane, cable-stayed structure is designed to last 100 years, and accommodate vehicles of all sizes, travelling at up to 80 kilometres per hour.
Once operational, it is
expected to benefit over 50,000 commuters daily, and deliver an estimated $3.5 billion in annual savings by eliminating toll fees and reducing fuel consumption and travel time.
According to the Prime Minister, China's contribution to Guyana's infrastructural development is “visible and exemplified” in transformative projects.
Speaking on the collaboration within the health sector, the Prime Minister pointed to the construction of six regional hospitals by Chinese companies, and how they are revolutionising access to quality healthcare across Guyana.
“These institutions are bringing quality medical services to previously underserved communities,” he said.
Six regional hospitals have been commissioned this year already, including Lima, De Kinderen, Enmore, Diamond, Bath and the No. 75 Regional Hospitals in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three, Four, Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), respectively.
All of these institutions have 24-hour Accident and Emergency, 24hour ‘labs’, a suite of imaging services, including ultrasound, digital X-Ray, and CT scans, along with operating theatres and more, thereby eliminating long hours of travelling to access quality care.
Further, last week, the 21st Chinese Medical Team arrived in Guyana. This partnership began in the early 1990s when the first Chinese Medical Brigade supported Guyana by not only providing medical supplies, but also carrying out critical outreaches across the country.
Since then, several brigades have served in Guyana, thus contributing to various areas, such as at the GPHC, Linden Public Hospital, and other public healthcare facilities nationwide.
Today, the partnership continues to flourish, with recent donations such as US$50,000 worth of advanced ophthalmology equipment, and a 4K Fluorescence Laparoscopy Surgical System, which improves precision in minimally invasive surgeries at the institution.
This growth in co-operation was further solidified with the launch of the International Medical Training Partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Jiangsu Commission of Health.
Through this programme, seven doctors, five from GPHC and two from the West Demerara Regional Hospital, are in China undergoing training through the China-Guyana Specialist (Jiangsu) Training Programme, which aims to enhance their clinical skills while giving them exposure to advanced technologies.
The Prime Minister spoke about building upon the foundation of medical cooperation and shared commitment to public health.
“Guyana looks forward to working with China in research and development, a necessary
area to achieve the longterm development of our health sector,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure and health, the Prime Minister also highlighted how China is aiding in driving sustainable development in Guyana.
Joint initiatives in
renewable energy, smart agriculture, and digital technologies, which align with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) are advancing environmentally responsible growth, Phillips underscored.
By Trina Williams
IN Guyana, where most citizens still carry wads of cash for daily transactions, Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) aims to shift this culture towards a more cashless economy, which will see digital wallets, innovative technologies and even faster loan approvals.
Senior Manager of the VISA and Finance Department, Jerrett Morgan, expounded on these ideas on Saturday during the launch of the bank’s $10 million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Revolving Programme with a Dream Build Lead (DBL) Innovation TankStyle Event at its corporate office.
“As the country grows at an exponential rate, it is important for us to keep our innovative spirit, trotting forward. Oil, which we love, may last for a lifetime, but our innovative capacity will solve problems for generations to come,” he said,
explaining that within the past few years, DBL has made a massive push in its technology.
The bank is preparing for the launch of its first mobile app, a revamped e-banking platform, and cutting-edge digital services, according to Morgan. Notably, DBL has already adopted other ap-
plications to ensure more efficient and convenient service delivery.
Salesforce, the world's most popular cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, has been adopted by DBL to aid in managing customer interactions and service processes, particularly in the loan
sector, Morgan explained.
Adding to this, the senior manager emphasised that the bank is positioning technology as the new face of convenience, especially as Guyana rapidly expands.
“Guyana is still a heavy cash-based economy, but as we push forward to move this economy to a cashless one, Demerara Bank is incentivising electronic usage,” he said, while pointing to their recent launch of the Priority Pass programme.
Priority Pass is a globally recognised programme that provides travellers access to over 1,600 airport lounges and amenities across more than 650 cities in 145 countries. Beyond lounge access, the programme offers additional services, including airport transfers, duty-free shopping, and airport takeout, making travel seamless and enjoyable.
“Plastic cards are seen by some as a future, but globally, it is the past, and we need to keep on top of that trend. So, as we make advances in our card payments and technology, you're going to see much more coming
from the Demerara Bank, going forward. We're talking about adding tokens, which is adding your cards to wallets,” he said.
DBL is targeting the usage of digital wallets and tokenisation, transaction controls, strengthened security tools, along with other protections for safer e-banking and enhanced customer support.
Just recently, at a press conference, President Dr. Irfaan Ali spoke on the need to modernise Guyana’s financial sector, making banking more accessible and promoting digital payments.
He stated that a team was put together, comprising representatives from the banking sector, the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Guyana, to identify the gaps within the financial system.
“We will promote more electronic transactions by online banking, faster payment systems, and other electronic means, ensuring every Guyanese can have a bank account and ensuring that every Guyanese, at the end of this modernisation, can conduct a financial transaction
within minutes from wherever they are,” President Ali said.
This move is part of the government’s wider strategy to modernise the economy and enhance financial inclusion, while making financial services more accessible to citizens.
Further, Morgan had stated that soon, DBL will be the only bank in the Caribbean that will have end-to-end processing of forex transactions with their Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BNY) partner.
The senior manager explained that this significant step will reduce manual interventions and reduce operational burdens.
“We want to put more power in the hands of the consumer, allowing their banking experience to be versatile, flexible, and allowing them to bank as they need. Everybody banks differently. So, we cannot do the same thing for everybody, but at the end of the day, we want to give you, the consumer, the power in your hands,” Morgan said.
By Trina Williams
applications when it took office in August 2020.
However, this figure did not deter the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration from carrying out its ambitious housing plan to deliver 50,000 house lots during its first term in office.
AS Guyana continues to chart its course on a rapid development path, the government is eyeing Chinese expertise to drive large-scale affordable housing construction and urban planning.
These comments were made by Prime Minister Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips on Friday at the Marriott Hotel during the celebration of the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang and the Prime Minister delivered remarks at the event.
While speaking at the commemoration, the Prime Minister said: “Looking to the future, we see promising avenues for collaboration. One particularly attractive investment opportunity lies in Guyana's housing sector. We can significantly benefit from China's expertise in this sector by leveraging its extensive experience in large-scale, affordable housing construction and urban planning to comprehensively develop our infrastructure.”
Notably, past collaborations between the two countries in infrastructure and health, such as the construction of six regional hospitals and the new Demerara River Bridge, have demonstrated China’s ability to deliver complex projects efficiently.
The government has been persistent in its efforts to ensure every Guyanese citizen has the opportunity to become a homeowner.
The government inherited a backlog of 75,509 housing
to build the foundation of houses costing $6 million or less.
Through deliberate policies, the government exceeded its house-lot target in less than five years by delivering over 50,000 house lots to Guyanese from every income bracket, which stands in sharp contrast to just over 7,000 lots that were distributed by the previous administration during its entire tenure in office.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Housing, 47 per cent of the house lots that were allocated were given to women, while 90 per cent went to low-income families.
Having surpassed its target of delivering 50,000 house lots, the Ministry of Housing is now tasked with building 40,000 homes over the next five years, in keeping with the government’s 2025 Manifesto promise.
The government has also implemented a series of housing programmes to help Guyanese realise their dream of owning a home, such as low-interest rates at the local banks, and providing them with thousands of dollars in steel-and-cement vouchers.
Under the steel-and-cement subsidy programme, over 2,000 individuals across the country have received vouchers totalling over $500 million since 2022.
Homebuilders are provided with one sling of cement and the required steel
Those constructing homes valued between $6 million and $25 million are provided with two slings of cement and the necessary steel to complete the foundation.
Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), which targets vulnerable families and provides them with affordable core homes. The other components of this project are the housing subsidy and the construction of community grounds.
Another initiative by the government is the Core Home Support initiative that falls under the $5.8 billion Adequate Housing and
The Prime Minister also extended congratulations to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government, and the People of
China as he reflected on the long-standing diplomatic relations between the two nations, which took root in 1972.
Reflecting on the relationship between the two nations, he said: “The tangible impact of our current collaboration is evident in several sectors. As a consequence, we are working on projects in energy infrastructure, modernisation of agriculture, digital technologies, and in the promotion of sustainable development.”
Additionally, Ambassador Yang said that China remains committed to open development, and continues to be a major contributor to
global economic growth.
She also noted that this year marks the 53rd Anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Guyana, noting: “Our traditional friendship continues to strengthen, and exchanges and cooperation across many fields are deepening and producing real results.”
The Ambassador went on to state: “China looks forward to working with Guyana to share the opportunities of Chinese modernisation, to build a closer community with a shared future, and to create an even brighter future for China–Guyana relations.”
GUYANA’s agricultural sector is set for major transformation with the award of the Molsen Creek Road project, valued at just over $800 million. The 18-kilometre roadway will significantly enhance access to agricultural lands and support development initiatives outlined by President Irfaan Ali.
“That will enhance the development the President spoke about,” said Zulfikar
Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture, during an interview with the Sunday Chronicle in Region Six on Saturday, as he highlighted the critical role of infrastructure in facilitating agricultural growth in the region.
Mustapha also revealed a series of ongoing and upcoming initiatives aimed at revitalising and diversifying the sector. Key among them is a plan to resuscitate the cane farmers' cooperatives.
President Irfaan Ali recently met with cane farmers on the Corentyne. Noting that follow-up engagements have since taken place, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said, “I have met with the cane farmers, as well as the cooperatives and the Chief Cooperative Officer, who is working to revitalise and reorganise them.”
On the ground at the Skeldon Estate, efforts continue with sugar cultivation.
“We are continuing planting on the 5,000 hectares. I am hoping by the end of this year and the first quarter of next year, we can have enough cane here, plus the private cane farmers with about 12,000 acres of land, we are working with them aggressively to restart their cultivation,” he explained.
Mustapha also indicated that discussions are underway with private investors to reintroduce sugar processing
in the Upper Corentyne Area. “We are also working with two private developers to look at a small sugar factory,” he confirmed.
Additionally, interest is growing from investors as he stressed that two persons have already indicated their interest, while early next month, a group from the Dominican Republic will visit Guyana to look at the availability of land “so they will start the cultivation of coffee and cocoa and other crops,” Mustapha said.
Following instructions from President Ali during the recent engagement with cane farmers at Skeldon, Mustapha emphasised the ministry’s proactive stance. “We will be meeting very regularly; we have a committee with the ministry, the farmers group up here, and from time to time we will bring in different stakeholders who will help to ensure” the documentation and work is carried out.
Looking ahead, Mustapha outlined ambitious plans to open up 100,000 acres of new agricultural land. “We want to diversify rapidly, we have to expand the traditional crops, so we will see an increase in rice cultivation
this year. We might increase rice production from 725,000 tonnes last year to 825,000 tonnes this year, almost a hundred thousand tonnes increase.”
Aquaculture also continues to be a major focus of the government's strategy.
“We have the prawns project every effective, we have over 56 cages around the various interior locations, all those cages will be stocked with fingerlings shortly, they have already started to do it and within another two - three weeks, the fisheries department, all the cages will have fingerlings and the villages will be monitoring it and work with our fisheries department.”
On the crop side, Guyana is progressing towards self-sufficiency in key commodities as he revealed that corn has started to be loaded on ships to move to other Caribbean countries. “We are now producing corn and soya on a large scale, we are hoping by the mid of next year we can be self-sufficient…”
In conclusion, Mustapha said the government’s aggressive agricultural agenda is driving “massive transformation” across the country.
Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday pledged support to rebuild a house for a family of nine which lost everything in a suspected electrical fire on Thursday last.
The family, of Grant 1904, Crabwood Creek, was left with nothing but faith and resilience after their two-storey wooden-and-concrete house was destroyed by the fire.
Sheneza Yusuf, 41, who is currently battling cancer, was at home with her five children, including two other minors who are permanently in her care, when the fire broke out. The woman was on the lower floor when her eldest son got a strong smell of smoke coming from upstairs.
Yusuf rushed to the upper floor, only to find the bed-
room where the fuse box was located, already consumed by flames.
The woman said that she immediately grabbed her children and ran outside.
“We didn’t get to save a pin,” she said.
The fire consumed everything the family owned, including critical medical documents for Yusuf and her toddler son, who has Down’s Syndrome and a heart condition.
The loss is a crushing blow for Yusuf, who is already navigating the challenges of a serious illness and caring for a child with special needs. Yet, amid the devastation, she remains unwavering in her resolve. “I ain’t give up. Maybe God testing my faith to see if I would give up, but I’m not,” she said.
However, after learning
of the situation, and following the instructions of Vice- President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Mustapha, along with the Regional Vice- Chairman of Region Six Zamal Hussain, visited the family and pledged immediate support to rebuild.
According to Yussuf, her mother-in-law had promised to give her a plot of land, which the team will utilise to rebuild a house.
However, Minister Mustapha said if this does not pan out, he has already made contact with the Ministry of Housing to assist the woman with the allocation of land in the Molsen Creek area.
An emotional Yussuf expressed her gratitude to the government. Those willing to offer assistance can also make contact with the family on 625-3609.
TRAVIS “Cats” Alleyne, a 28-year-old gold miner of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is back in jail after facing fresh allegations of drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. He allegedly committed these offences while out on bail for the kidnapping of Joshua David,
better known as “Bricks,” who has yet to be found.
On Friday, Alleyne appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he denied both charges.
The police stated that on September 23, in Charlestown, Georgetown, Alleyne was found carrying 4.5 grammes of cannabis intended for trafficking. They also alleged that he was in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol and a magazine without a licence.
Authorities told the court that the drugs and firearm were discovered in a bag slung across Alleyne’s shoulder. Prosecutors emphasised the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that Alleyne is currently out on bail for the unresolved abduction of David, intensifying concerns about his risk to the public.
With ballistics tests already completed, prosecutors argued that the case is ready for trial and that bail should not be granted.
Alleyne’s attorney, Damien DaSilva, vigorously challenged the police account. He contended that Alleyne had
Travis Alleyne
merely collected a vehicle from a Russell Street car wash when three patrol units stopped him, searched the car and subsequently transported him to the Ruimveldt Police Station. There, he claims, Alleyne was presented with the narcotics and firearm, which he denies owning.
According to him, in a recorded interview, Alleyne also rejected the allegations.
DaSilva stressed that without clear video evidence linking his client to the items, the prosecution would face difficulties proving possession.
Magistrate Singh ultimately denied bail, ordering that body-camera footage from the arresting officers be produced when the matter returns to court
on October 10, 2025. Seven men—Wayne Barker, Dameion “Dangles” Barlow, Dwayne “Shiek” Griffith, Davantai “Sharkie” Mars, Alpha Poole, Osafo “Saddest” Peters, and Travis Alleyne—have been jointly charged with the abduction of David, who has been missing since September 2024.
Each was granted $500,000 bail with conditions, including surrendering passports and weekly police reporting. David was reportedly kidnapped from Main Street, Georgetown, and extensive searches have yet to locate him. Surveillance footage captured parts of the incident.
The case remains ongoing before the courts.
THE sentencing of Trevor Rajmangal has been delayed, with Justice Peter Hugh of the Berbice High Court ordering the submission of essential reports before the case proceeds.
Rajmangal, a construction worker, admitted causing the death of Mohamed Imran Ali.
The State has been directed to provide a probation report on Rajmangal’s background and a victim impact statement, while the defence must submit a statement in mitigation.
Rajmangal was originally indicted for murder but
pleaded not guilty. He later confessed to the lesser offence of manslaughter, a plea accepted by State Prosecutor Cicelia Corbin.
The case stems from an incident that occurred between March 18 and March 19, 2023, at West Canefield, East Canje, Berbice.
Ali was discovered lying motionless on Bissessar Street with an eye injury after reportedly consuming alcohol earlier in the evening. A post-mortem revealed that his death resulted from shock and cerebral haemorrhage caused by a fractured skull.
ATLETICO Madrid scored five goals against city rivals Real for the first time in nearly 75 years when they fought back from behind in a pulsating derby.
It was only the fourth time Atletico had scored at least five in a Madrid derby, the last occasion being a 6-3 victory in November 1950.
Real lost for the first time this season, having won all six of their six La Liga matches as well as their Champions League opener, a 2-1 victory over Marseille.
The last time that Real had conceded as many in La Liga was in a 5-1 defeat by Barcelona in October 2018.
Robin le Normand's header had given Diego Simeone's side an early lead that was overturned by superb goals from Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler.
But Alexander Sorloth levelled the game at 2-2 in stoppage time at the end of the first half. And the hosts took charge after the break when Julian Alvarez, who had hit the post in the first half, converted from the penalty spot before curling home a brilliant free-kick. Atletico went into their shell, but held their cross-city rivals at bay until Antoine Griezmann grabbed their fifth goal deep into stoppage time.
The result maintained an impressive record against Real in La Liga for Simeone's side, who have not lost in their past six league encounters with Los Blancos.
Atletico started the match strongly and deserved their early lead, taken when Le Normand headed in a Giuliano Simeone cross through goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' hands. But Real were level when Mbappe scored his
eighth goal of the season with his first chance of the game, sliding a shot across keeper Jan Oblak after Guler's defence-splitting pass.
Guler gave Real the lead in style when he swept Vinicius Junior's cross home on the half-volley, but Atletico were nearly level within a minute when Alvarez curled a shot on to the post.
with a fifth goal. Alex Baena latched on to a loose pass in midfield and released fellow substitute Griezmann, who glided into the penalty area before rolling the ball beyond Courtois. Real stayed on top of La Liga by two points, with second-placed Barcelona set to play Real Sociedad 24 hours later while Atletico, who have not lost since the
There was no let-up before the end of the first half, with Atletico having a goal from Clement Lenglet disallowed for handball before Sorloth headed Koke's superb cross beyond Courtois at the back post.
And the tide turned decisively in Atletico's favour early in the second half when Guler gave away a penalty, clumsily catching Nico Gonzalez on the forehead with a high boot at a corner.
Alvarez, whose hat-trick had helped Atletico to a 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano three days earlier, clinically dispatched the spot-kick and then extended the lead when he curled a free-kick over the wall and past Courtois' outstretched right hand.
Alonso made a string of substitutions, but Real failed to threaten Atletico until the hosts underlined their display
(Sunday September 28, 2025)
opening day of the league season, moved into fourth. Attention now turns to the Champions League, with both sides in action on Tuesday, 1 October. Real travel to Kazakhstan to take on Kairat Almaty, while Atletico host Eintracht Frankfur. (BBC Sport)
ARIEL Rodrigues ended her campaign at the South American Youth Swimming Championship with a 5th place in 100 metres freestyle on Saturday.
She stopped the clock in 1 minute 02.50 seconds after entering the race with a time of 1 minute 01.82 seconds.
Rodrigues swimming in her 50m Backstroke made some strides improving on her entry time of 33.12 but she was unable to lower her own 50 metres backstroke record of 32.45.
She finished marginally off the record, touch the wall in 32.89 seconds, the finish was good enough for 6th place in the event.
After the completion of her races her full time coach Sean Baksh says that they achieved what they set out to do.
“It was very creditable, it was according to the game plan that we set out, I wanted her to break the backstroke 100 record because she was just about 10 points away from the 500 FINA points with the 1.12 she set in Paraguay, that was the game plan we worked towards and she executed it flawlessly. She is now 510 FINA points on the back of the 100 metres backstroke and she is all set and the other events she stayed close to her best times.”
Coach Baksh says they will be targeting other records when Rodrigues competes in Trinidad later this year.
Earlier in the competition this week Rodrigues finished 5th in the women’s 50 metres freestyle. She entered the race with a blistering 27.83 seconds managed to stop the
clock in 27.88 seconds. She was the lone swimmer at the games and reset the national record in the women’s 100 metres backstroke and set a new personal best in the women’s 50 metres freestyle in 30.87 seconds.
Rodrigues was the lone swimmer for Guyana and was coached at the championship by Christol Thom.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – President of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), Kieron Edwards says head coach Dwight Yorke still has the organisation’s full support despite the national side’s slow start to their final phase of World Cup Qualifiers.
Competing in Group B, T&T have gained just one point from their opening two matches, after drawing with Curacao and losing to Jamaica and currently sit in third position.
Only the top two teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Yorke was hired by the TTFA in November 2024 and given a strict mandate to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking during an inter-
view on i95.5 FM’s 6 to 26 World Cup podcast, Edwards admitted he had hoped for a better start for the national team.
“I’m a bit disappointed from the first two games. I think every Trinbagonian is a bit disappointed from the first two games, we were expecting more.
“I think we played well enough to deserve more from the games, but football is that type of sport and unless you put the ball behind the net and win those games and see out 90 plus minutes in a game you have to understand and accept those realities,” Edwards said.
“But we are looking forward to the next window and the next window is a very crucial one for us. We knew going into the first window that we couldn’t qualify for the World Cup out of the first window.
Kieron Edwards
Even having a good first window we knew this second window is the real one in terms of setting up to get to that last window in November to qualify and the journey is still there.”
Edwards said despite the shaky start and some calls for Yorke to step down as head coach, he still had full
confidence in him to carry Trinidad and Tobago to their second ever World Cup.
“We are behind Dwight 100 per cent and I believe he has most of Trinbago’s support as well as the head coach.
“Persons would have seen in both games that we would have scored three offside goals in Jamaica, the first one is just in terms of leaning forward and a hairline fracture. It was the first time using VAR in qualifying as well and it was to our detriment for three goals,” Edwards said.
“But we move forward and coach Yorke, I truly believe that he has the plan and the vision in terms of what he wants to do. He’s clear about it and with the additional support with the third generation grandparent law, it does widen the pool.”
By Frederick Halley
THE inaugural One Guyana Unification softball extravaganza climaxes at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda today, a special day for Onkar Singh.
In2000, Singh started what became an illustrious career “behind the mike,” as he describes it, in the softball arena. Some 25 years later, Onkar is extremely proud of his legacy and is pleading for young commentators to emulate him.
Singh is a cricket commentator with a difference. He’s not heard on radio or television but his onthe-spot coverage of softball cricket has caught the attention of many over the years, prompting him to describe himself as “the pioneer of on-field coverage.”
According to Singh “it all started as a fun when his team, New York X1, were booted out of the 2000 World Cup softball tourna-
ment in Florida. According to the Guyana-born Singh, who now resides in Albany, New York, for the fun of it, he picked up a mike on the sidelines and started to describe the action on the field of play.
Singh explained that after a few minutes, he ceased the commentary but upon doing so was accosted by former Guyana and West Indies player Faoud Bacchus as to why he had stopped. This, according to Singh, inspired and prompted him to continue, signalling the start of what is still a rewarding part-time career. To date, Singh, who idolises fellow Guyanese Joseph “Reds” Perreira, has been a constant performer mostly at international softball games in New York and Florida and his homeland Guyana.
Singh is however not confined to softball and has also done some hard ball matches in North America, including the West Indies Legends versus New York Legends which featured former players like Alvin
Kallicharran, Gordon Greenidge, Gus Logie, Pedro Collins and Bacchus. Singh also featured in one of the Sir Garfield Sobers celebrity games, played in New York which saw Brian Lara participating.
Pointing out why he’s an ardent fan of Perreira and patterns himself after the legendary Guyanese commentator, Singh pointed out that his (Perreira) description of on-field plays is unmatched.
Prior to migrating to New York in 1996, Singh was no slouch in the cricket arena in Guyana, having represented Georgetown and subsequently Demerara in the Inter-county Under-19 tournament, playing alongside the likes of former West indies player Carl Hooper, former Guyana wicker-keeper Sheik Mohamed, fast bowler Linden Fraser, Shivnauth Seeram and Anil Solomon, among others. His role in the team was that of an off-spinning all-rounder. Singh also spent three years in Trinidad and Tobago, rep-
CRYSTAL Palace's rising stature spread to Selhurst Park's "Holmesdale Fanatics" as they watched the frailties Liverpool have shown this season being brutally exposed.
The Eagles had torn the visitors to shreds for 34 minutes, with somehow only an Ismaila Sarr goal to show for their superiority, when the club's famous section of support delivered their verdict.
"We're going to win the league" echoed around this great old atmospheric stadium - optimism taken to the extreme perhaps, but a clear signal of just how good this Palace side is. Liverpool have lived on the precipice all season, even when racking up five successive Premier League victories, an influx of new and expensive signings failing to disguise defensive flaws first uncovered at Wembley in August when Palace beat them to lift the Community Shield on penalties.
Oliver Glasner's side refused to let the Reds off the hook, as has happened on occasion with other opponents this term, although they did their best when only going in 1-0 up at half-time when it could have been 6-0.
Sarr's ninth-minute opener was scant reward for a pulsating Palace performance, Liverpool keeper Alisson - the one player in their side to emerge with credit - saving superbly from Yeremy Pino, Daniel Munoz and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who also struck the woodwork.
It looked like an outstanding performance would only yield
a point after Federico Chiesa's 87th-minute equaliser, only for Liverpool to become the biter bit when substitute Eddie Nketiah scored a deserved winner with virtually the last kick of the game in the 97th minute.
It was only their second league win over Liverpool in 17 meetings and first at home since 2014.
Selhurst Park went wild in celebration, but these are the sort of scenes Palace fans are becoming accustomed to under the superb leadership of Austrian Glasner.
Palace have now gone 18 games unbeaten in all competitions, which included the historic FA Cup win against Manchester City back in May, to equal a club record set back in 1969. This success sent them up
resenting Crampton Cricket Club in the first division competition where his teammates included former West Indies players Ian Bishop and Phil Simmons.
In 1989, Singh turned his attention fully to softball cricket, playing exclusively for Durban Cricket Club alongside Wayne Jones and the late Benegal Singh, two players he opined as the most complete batsmen in softball cricket. He rates a
to second place, three points behind reigning champions Liverpool after an impressive start.
Glasner's animated touchline energy transmits itself to a team with class in all areas, and one fully deserving of its current lofty position in the table.
Keeper Dean Henderson was outstanding when called upon, reacting to turn Ryan Gravenberch's shot on to the post in the first half, while captain and key defender Marc Guehi showed exactly why there was such disappointment at Liverpool when a proposed £35m move to Anfield collapsed on transfer deadline day.
What a contrast Guehi's composure was to the chaos in Liverpool's backline, where Ibrahima Konate struggled and captain Virgil van Dijk was so unsettled he was eventually booked for dissent.
To add insult to injury for the vulnerable visitors, Guehi even had an assist in the build-up to Nketiah's winner when a long throw-in caused defensive jitters - just like a corner did for Palace's first.
Adam Wharton is surely an England regular in the making, the loping socks-down style not disguising an elegant, competitive midfield operator of the highest order. Daichi Kamada was equally industrious and effective.
Sarr offers quality in attack and, while fellow forward Mateta can be hit and miss - more miss than hit here - the Frenchman is a tireless, constant menace. (BBC Sport)
nine-wicket haul and an innings of 49 not out among his best performances for Durban.
Work commitments have severely curtailed his ability to play softball cricket in New York but Singh nevertheless still competes in the Over-40 division occasionally. He previously played for Lords Cricket Club in Queens, New York, and he is credited with slamming two centuries and several half-centuries.He also skippered the Demerara (New York) Inter-county team to three consecutive championships.
Born and raised in Campbellville, Greater Georgetown, Singh attended Redeemer Lutheran School and Indian Education Trust College, which was subsequently renamed Richard Ishmael Secondary School.
In 2024, Singh was among media personnel honoured by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc, in conjunction with Regal Stationery & Computer Centre for their coverage of the grassroot game over the years.
To mark his 25 years “behind the mike,” Singh is all read to set Bourda alight today in his own inimitable way. Special kudos to him!
Nottinghamshire’s victory was their seventh in this season’s County Championship
A DAY after collecting enough bonus points to put themselves out of reach of Surrey, newly-crowned county champions Nottinghamshire finished their season in style by completing a 10-wicket victory over Warwickshire with a day to spare. With a first-innings lead of 116 giving their potent seam attack ample licence to attack in conditions still making batting difficult, Nottinghamshire dismissed Warwickshire for 133 in 54 overs. Rothesay County Championship Division One, Trent Bridge (day three) Nottinghamshire (21 pts) beat Warwickshire (4 pts) by 10 wickets) Brett Hutton finished with 3-30 and Mohammad Abbas, in what may or may not be his last appear-
ance for the county, took 3-18 to total 32 from nine matches, with Dillon Pennington lifting his tally to 28 with 3-52. It left Nottinghamshire needing just 18 runs to complete the victory, which they achieved in just 22 deliveries, time enough for Ben Slater to score the 15 runs he needed to total 1,000 for the season before Haseeb Hameed won the match with a glorious cover drive off Nathan Gilchrist for four. The home side were docked a point for slow bowling-rate but it mattered not one bit to a large gathering of supporters who stayed on for the trophy presentation - staged in front of the Hound Road stand with the pavilion currently hidden behind sheets and scaffolding. (BBC Sport)
ENGLAND produced a dominant performance to defeat Canada at Twickenham and win the Women's Rugby World Cup for a third time.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates,( CMC )– West Indies’ batsmen faltered once again, this time against minnows Nepal, on their way to a humiliating 19run defeat in their opening T20I here on Saturday.
Jason Holder and Navin Bidaisee shared seven wickets between them and were the main reason Nepal was limited to 148 for eight from 20 overs, after they were sent in to bat at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
But faced with a seemingly straightforward run chase, Bidaisee was the only batter to score more than 20, as the Windies were restricted to 129 for nine in their 20 overs to give Nepal their first-ever win against a Full Member.
It also propelled them to a 1-0 lead in the three-match Unity Cup series.
For captain and Playerof-the-Match, Rohit Paudel, the victory was not only historic, but also welcomed, as it capped off a difficult few weeks for the people of Nepal.
“I think it feels great, especially after a long wait to beat a Test-playing country. It finally came in a historic series where we hosted it in the UAE.
“…I want to dedicate this Man-of the Match award to the martyrs who lost their lives in the Gen-Z protest in Nepal.
The last month has not been great for us, so if we can give a little bit of happiness to the people of Nepal, I think that would be great,” Paudel said in a post-match interview.
For the umpteenth time, the West Indies’ top order batsmen failed to deliver, as their opponent – ranked 18th in the ICC T20I rankings –dominated them with their plethora of medium pacers and spinners.
Opener Kyle Mayers drove the first ball of the innings from pacer Dipendra Singh Airee through cover for four, but after adding just one more run he was spectacularly run out by a direct
throw from Kushal Bhurtel stationed at extra cover.
Ackeem Auguste, one of four debutants in the West Indies side, looked good during his brief knock of 15 off seven balls, and together with Amir Jangoo carried the score to 32 for one in the fifth over.
However, when Auguste mistimed his attempted drive off Nandan Yadav to be caught at the edge of the circle, it triggered a collapse that saw them spectacularly lose five wickets for just 44 runs.
Paudel had Jewel Andrew caught at long on for five, Jangoo was outfoxed by Lalit Rajbanshi and was caught at deep backward square for 19, Keacy Carty was needlessly run out for 16 attempting a suicide single and Holder made just five before being dismissed by Bhurtel to see them slump to 76 for six in the 15th over.
Bidaisee, who top scored with 22, Fabian Allen, who made 19 and captain Akeal Hosein who hit 18 from nine balls, tried their best to revive the innings but could not keep up with the required run rate and they eventually fell well short of their target.
Earlier, Holder grabbed four wickets and Bidaisee three, as West Indies did well to contain Nepal.
Nepal also found themselves in early trouble following the early loss of openers Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh that saw them slip to 12 for two, but Paudel, who topscored with 38 and Kushal Malla, who made 30, came to their rescue during a 58-run partnership for the third wicket.
And after Bidaisee removed both batsmen in quick succession to leave Nepal 89 for four in the 13th over, Gulshan Jha and Singh Airee made useful contributions of 22 and 17 respectively to help get them up to their eventual total.
Holder finished with figures of 4-20 from his four overs, while Bidaisee took 3-29. The second T20I will be played on Monday.
In front of a record women's rugby crowd of 81,885, the Red Roses, who had lost the previous two finals to New Zealand, laid that ghost to rest with an assured display built on their power up front and ferocious defence.
The defeat by the Black Ferns in the previous World Cup final three years ago remains England's last loss as they extended their record winning run to 33 games.
Having conceded an early score to flying Canada winger Asia Hogan-Rochester, the hosts and tournament favourites responded through a sensational solo score by Ellie Kildunne.
Hooker Amy Cokayne and number eight Alex Matthews then crossed as John Mitchell's side took control of the final, with Sophie de Goede kicking a penalty to keep Canada within two scores.
Abbie Ward grabbed the first try of the second half before Hogan-Rochester bagged her second score.
However, Matthews' second try from close range, soon after brave defence had repelled Canada, sealed the game for the Red Roses.
Canada, who came into the final 95 per cent of the way towards their million-dollar fundraising goal entitled 'Mission: Win Rugby World Cup'which was set up to help them compete with the world's best-funded teamscomfortably defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals and arguably had played the best rugby in the tournament.
However, on the biggest stage when
it mattered most, Mitchell's team outperformed the world's number two ranked side to become world champions for the first time since 2014 - when they also defeated Canada.
The result caps a memorable year for women's sport in England after football's Lionesses retained their European title at Euro 2025 in July.
In their semi-final Canada demolished New Zealand in the first half and another impressive start by head coach Kevin Rouet's side was rewarded when Hogan-Rochester went over in the corner after some slick handling.
However, Kildunne made sure the mood was instantly lifted as the dazzling full-back glided past defender after defender to add another wonder try to her collection.
England's star player and out-going World Rugby Player of the Year deliv-
ered a momentum shift that Mitchell's side refused to let go of.
Mitchell made clear this week that effective rugby is all that matters when going for a World Cup. Cokayne scoring off a driving maul was the opposite in terms of star quality to the first try, but was just as important.
With the home crowd willing England on, Matthews crossed after more scrum dominance as simple and effective rugby continued to bring success.
Equally effective in the opening half was the hosts' defence, which was typified by captain Zoe Aldcroft stealing the ball back on her own tryline.
A final first-half eruption from the crowd greeted a turnover from mighty prop Hannah Botterman. England were excellent, efficient and managed the emotion of a massive occasion. (BBC Sport)
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC)
– Mount Pleasant Academy secured its place in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup Semifinals with a commanding 2-0 victory over Central FC at Hasely Crawford Stadium last Tuesday night. The historic win guarantees the Jamaican club a top-two finish in Group A.
While the first half ended scoreless, the Jamaican side broke the deadlock six minutes after the restart.
Raheem Edwards finished a strong run into the box by smashing a shot from an Alex Marshall pass into the net in the 51st minute.
Chevaughn Walsh then put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute, pouncing on a rebound to seal the victory.
The clean sheet, expertly managed by goalkeeper Tafari Chambers, was his third consecutive shutout of the tournament. The result eliminates Central FC, who finish their campaign with four points. For Mount Pleasant coach Theodore Whitmore, the result was a moment of historic pride for the club,
even if the performance wasn’t perfect.
“Very pleased with the result, not so much the performance. I think it was a well-deserved game,” Whitmore stated.
“I think the club deserve this. I think we have created history. This is the first time in the club’s history that we’re qualifying for a semifinal spot.”
Whitmore was quick to share the
credit, praising the club’s ownership for their long-term vision. “Credit must be given to the owner, Peter Gould and Mrs Gould for the vision and for sticking with the plan. The fans deserve it. Jamaica at large deserve it.”
The coach highlighted the resilience of his squad after falling short last season. “We dropped the ball last season, not making it. This time, we licked our wounds, we stuck with the majority of the players and technical staff, and we came back, worked hard and created history.” Despite the achievement, Whitmore emphasised that the team’s focus remains forward.
“The feeling is great. This is something we worked hard on over the past couple of months to achieve, and the job is not yet done. This is just one step to where we want to reach, so we don’t wanna get carried away.”
Mount Pleasant will conclude its Group Stage campaign against Universidad O&M FC this Tuesday in Jamaica, playing for seeding in the knockout rounds.
By Sean Devers
JASON Ray Khalil captured the Men’s and Mixed Doubles on Saturday in the Doubles Finals of the One Guyana President’s Cup Squash 2025 matches at the National Racquet Centre (NRC) on Woolford Avenue.
Khalil and Nicholas Verway defeated the pair of Sunny Seth and Alex Arjoon 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 in a competitive Men’s Doubles final after teaming up with his sister to beat Seth and Kirsten Gomes 11-4, 11-6 in the Mixed Doubles Final.
In the penultimate match played before the largest turnout of the tournament so far, which included the Guyana Squash Association (GSA), David Fernandes and double World Masters Champion and NRC’s ‘Wall of Famer’ Nicolette Fernandes, Verwey and Khalil took on Alex Arjoon and Sunny Seth in an entertaining Men’s Final.
Verwey and Khalil made excellent use of the recently constructed Doubles Court and demonstrated good shot selection to take the game 11-7.
But Arjoon and Seth would rebound from the defeat in the opening game and, playing some great Squash, won 11-8 to take the contest into a third game.
However, Verwey and Khalil would close out the
game and the match, 11-9.
Results:
Women’s Doubles
Mary Fung-A-Fat / Ashley Khalil def. Kirsten Gomes / Avery Arjoon 11-8, 11-4
11-7, 8-11, 11-9
Boys Doubles
Ethan Bulkan / Egan Bulkan def. Justin Goberdan / Louis Da Silva 11-9, 11-5
Girls Doubles
Emily Fung A Fat / Kaylee Lowe def. Malia Maikoo / Rylee Rodrigues 7-11, 11-9, 11-8
Juniors Mixed Doubles
Louis Da Silva / Kaylee Lowe def. Ethan Bulkan / Emily Fung A Fat 8-11, 117, 11-5
[1] Ashley Khalil / Jason-Ray Khalil def. Sunny Seth (Barima- Waini) / Kirsten Gomes 11-4, 11-6
The tournament is scheduled to resume on Tuesday with the individual category.
Meanwhile, six outstanding contributors to the sport of Squash in Guyana were honoured with their names, photos and a short Bio of them being placed on the wall just above the stand. The unveiling ceremony was held yesterday at theNRC.
Men’s Doubles Nicholas Verwey / Jason-Ray Khalil def.
Sunny Seth (Barima-Waini) / Alex Arjoon
Those honoured are: Mandu Willinkar, Carl Ince, Josephine Whitehead, Mike Watkinson, Ron Hughes and Nicolette Fernandes.
Nepal players celebrate the fall of another West Indies wicket
