Monday 28th September, 2026 PRICE
$100 VAT INCLUSIVE
President Ali sets out four-year vision for a more connected, prosperous Guyana 03 No.1081921
PAGE
–– says investments will benefit generations
Major road and drainage upgrades are advancing in Annandale and Coldingen on the East Coast of Demerara, to improve access, connectivity and community development. In Annandale, the main access road is being widened to two lanes, paved with asphaltic concrete, and complemented by reinforced concrete drains. Three new bridges are also being constructed to connect residents with the developing housing scheme, and will interlink several community roads. At Coldingen, approximately 1,500 metres of roadway are being upgraded. The section from the Public Road to “Line Top” is being widened to four lanes, while the remaining section will feature a two-lane asphaltic concrete roadway. Reinforced concrete drains are also being built on both sides. The projects will strengthen the wider road networks, improve drainage, and provide residents with safer, more reliable access to their communities and new housing areas (Photos: Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo/Facebook).
Police seize more than $2M in illegal sirens 12 PAGE
–– Traffic Chief says only police, fire service, ambulances legally authorised to use them ‘MV Barima tragedy must inform a stronger culture of safety, infrastructure, leadership and responsibility’ PAGE
– President Ali
11
More traffic cameras to be operationalised before year’s end 17 PAGE
2
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
President Ali sets out four-year vision for a more connected, prosperous Guyana 3
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
–– says investments will benefit generations
PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali said his priority for the next four years is to build on the foundations laid during his first six years in office, bringing communities closer together while pursuing projects intended to transform Guyana’s economy. In a sit-down interview with Journalist Fareeza Haniff on Sunday, President Ali reflected on his tenure. He pointed to the fulfilment of his administration’s 2020 and 2025 election manifestos, major infrastructural development, expanded housing and the creation of new centres of economic opportunity as key elements of the progress achieved. “We went to the elections with a manifesto, both in 2020 and 2025. We’ve been able to fulfil those manifestos completely,” he stated. President Ali said the next four years will focus on building on that foundation while bringing greater unity among citizens, families and communities. He said the development
agenda must also extend beyond roads, bridges, ports, schools, health centres and hospitals to include transformative investments that are capable of delivering benefits for generations. “Those transformative investment projects, those economic projects that would last for generations, that would position Guyana as a food hub and food capital for the world, that would advance our biodiversity and climate services, that will position us as an energy hub, that will deliver the highest skilled human resource potential and capacity,” he noted. The President pointed to the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge as one of the visible infrastructural developments during his tenure. The Head of State also highlighted the Model Village Initiative as part of a broader approach to expanding access, opportunity and improved living conditions in communities. He said his own expe-
riences growing up in rural Guyana, including limited access to sporting facilities, and other opportunities available in Georgetown, helped shape his understanding of inequality and the importance of creating opportunities across communities. Those experiences were reinforced by his early work as a planner on community development projects, where he said investment in infrastructure helped transform communities into new centres of growth and economic opportunity. Using Diamond as an example, the President recalled how investment helped attract financial institutions and major industries, changing the character and economic potential of the community. He said the Model Village initiative is intended to build on that experience by creating communities that demonstrate the standard to which villages across Guyana can aspire. “A model village being what we want every village
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali speaks during the special interview
to be like in Guyana,” he underscored. The Guyanese leader said his experiences growing up in a rural community had made him aware of inequalities in access to facilities and opportunities recalling encountering sports such as badminton and squash only after leaving his village to attend school in Georgetown. His work on the Secondary Towns Improvement Project, he said, further shaped his views on how investment could help rural communities develop into centres of economic oppor-
tunity. President Ali also identified human-resource development as a central component of the next phase of national transformation, pointing to plans for a specialised STEM school involving ExxonMobil. He said the transformation of Guyana must ultimately combine modern infrastructure with a society that is caring and supportive, grounded in values including peace, understanding, dignity and honour. Reflecting on the demands of the presidency, President Ali acknowledged
the significant workload, challenges and setbacks experienced during the past six years. He said the results demonstrate the impact of the investments and efforts made. That preparation, he said, now provides the platform for the next phase of Guyana’s development, with greater emphasis on long-term economic transformation, human resource development, stronger communities and opportunities that can benefit generations to come.
Guyana, Grand Duchy sign Guyana, Malaysia discuss education, agriculture, energy collaboration Air Services Agreement
On September 24, 2026, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg signed an Air Services Agreement. The agreement was signed by Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Guyana and Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister for Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Affairs. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg established diplomatic relations on 17 June 2009 and relations remain cordial (Ministry of Foreign Affairs photo)
On September 25, 2026, Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of Guyana engaged in a bilateral meeting with Mohamad Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The ministers discussed areas for further co-operation between their countries, including in education, agriculture, and oil and gas. Guyana and Malaysia established formal diplomatic relations on April 26, 1976 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs photo)
4
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
BROCODE, Scotty’s partner to host fund-raiser fashion show for breast, prostate cancer survivors
BROCODE “Fashion of Hope” was held on Sunday at Scotty’s Smoke House, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, where an entire afternoon was dedicated to style, purpose and inspiration celebrating cancer survivors. The fashion designers, Derek Moore and Donna Ramsammy-James provided trendy outfits which were modeled by cancer survivors of both genders. The breast and prostate cancers survivors showcased their fashionable side on the runway. Following the fashion show, which lasted a few hours, a brunch was held by Scotty’s Smoke House,
to further honour the survivors. The event was organised by BROCODE and Scotty’s Smoke House in which their first-ever fund-raising fashion show in support of breast and prostate cancer was held titled “Fashion for Hope”. The event was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps including U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, and other prominent members of society. The programme included a musical rendition, contemporary dance, three survivors recapping, tribute to Karega Fordyce and the fashion show. The event was one of
united fashion, community and purpose in support of prostate and breast cancer awareness efforts. The fundraiser directly supports the organisation’s ongoing work in prostate cancer, education, outreach and early detection initiatives in Guyana. According to President of BROCODE, Frank Roman, in the spirt of solidarity, a portion of money garnered will be donated to The Giving Hope Foundation to help further breast cancer efforts, extending their impact to another cause that touches countless families. He thanked all the sponsors, partners and supporters.
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot greeting attendees at the event BROCODE is a Brotherhood, Community and Development in Men’s Health initiative intended to empower Guyanese
men through health awareness and screenings. The non-government organisation (NGO) was founded in March 2023
to address the health disparities and high mortality rates among Guyanese See page 5
5
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
BROCODE, Scotty’s partner to host fund-raiser ...
From page 4
men, with a focus on diseases such as prostate cancer, diabetes and hypertension.
The non-profit organisation promotes early detection, encourage honest conversations, and creates
relevant wellness campaigns that meet men where they are- in barbershops, community centres, sports field,
and homes. The work of BROCODE is grounded in the belief that health is not just
physical, but deeply emotional, social and generational. Its mission is to promote and advocate for the
physical and mental health of men through education, awareness and referrals to healthcare resources.
Scores of persons attended the fund-raising event held to support and honour breast and prostate cancer survivors
6
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
A More Integrated Digital State
GUYANA’S transition to an all-online appointment system for all passport applications from October 1 is a big and welcome step forward in the modernisation of public services. The reform may sound simple: applicants will no longer just turn up at a passport office with their forms filled in and await their turn. Instead, they must start the process online, choose a passport office and book an appointment before turning up in person. Yet, the implications are much wider. Done right, the change could replace one of the best-known frustrations of public administration – long queues, busy offices and uncertainty – with a more orderly, predictable and citizen-centred system. The new process follows the launch of Guyana’s online passport application and appointment system on June 15, which was designed to allow applicants to start their applications online and choose when and where to complete the in-person process. Officials have now taken the logical next step: turning the system into the default way to access the service. This is more than simply putting a form on a website. It is about changing the relationship between the citizen and the state. For years, too often the basic services of government have required citizens to invest large amounts of time just to get into a queue. A system that allows applicants to do preliminary steps at home, choose an available appointment and select a convenient service location can reduce unnecessary waiting and give citizens more control over their time. This model is particularly important in
a country where the distances and cost of travel can make even routine government transactions burdensome. The benefits don’t stop at Georgetown. The appointment system, available at passport offices and Government Service Centres across the country, enables applicants to select locations, dates and times to suit their own circumstances. This reform should also be seen as part of a much larger national effort. Guyana has been laying the foundations of a more integrated digital state. The government’s wider agenda includes the national electronic identification system, the proposed MyGuyana Citizen Portal, online appointment and queue-management services and other platforms meant to bring multiple government services closer to citizens. The stated goal is a single, more coordinated framework through which Guyanese can eventually access services such as passports, driver’s licences, registry documents, tax services and other official transactions without having to navigate disconnected agencies and repetitive procedures. The groundwork for this transition is also being reinforced. The e-ID system is a secure, nationally recognised system of identification, according to Guyana’s Digital Identity Card Registry. The Digital Identity Card Act came into full force in March 2026. Legislation on data protection and electronic communications and transactions has also supported the broader legal and institutional framework. But there is a crucial difference that must always be drawn between digitising government and moving bureaucracy online. Technology should make public services easier,
not just move the bottleneck from a busy office to a confusing website. Therefore, the October 1 transition will not be measured by the sophistication of the platform, but by citizens’ experiences. Is it user friendly for an older person? Can someone from a rural community with limited internet access complete the process? If the applicant makes a mistake, is help readily available? Are there enough appointment slots to meet the demand? Are there accessible accommodations for persons with disabilities or those who have difficulty travelling? These questions are not objections to digitalisation. They are arguments in favour of inclusive digitisation. Government has already made moves that are headed in the right direction such as mobile passport services for persons who are bedridden, living with disabilities or are otherwise unable to visit an office. And as more and more government services move online, public confidence will depend on the state’s ability to protect citizens from data breaches, fraud and identity theft. One should take heed of the warning by immigration officials about fake websites. Citizens should visit the official passport portal pp.gpf.gov.gy and should not use any links being shared on social media or any other unofficial source. Government, for its part, must continue to educate the public, publicise clearly official digital platforms and ensure that strong security measures keep pace with the expansion of online services. But Guyana is moving in the right way. The country’s growing population, economy and more mobile society require public institutions that can operate at a different
scale and speed. Much of the preliminary process can be done securely from home, yet a citizen should not be forced to give up an entire day to get information, fill out a form or stand in a line. That’s why the passport reform is important. It demonstrates that digital transformation is becoming a reality in the everyday lives of Guyanese. By 2025, immigration services were already being migrated to an online platform for several categories of visa and other immigration applications. Another important facet of this transformation is the online passport system. What is needed, going forward, is clear, Guyana must continue to build a government that is not only accessible through physical offices, but also through secure, integrated and user-friendly digital channels. But as the system scales up, the overarching principle must be simple: no citizen should be left behind because a public service has gone digital. The future has to be about marrying technology and access, security and convenience, efficiency and human support. A new era in the passport-application process begins October 1. It’s a good development, and a necessary one. But it must also be a benchmark for the broader Digital Guyana agenda. The real achievement will not be the removal of a paper form, or a queue you can walk into. It will be the establishment of a public service that respects the time of citizens, safeguards their information, reaches them wherever they live and delivers the same quality of service to every Guyanese. That is the direction in which Guyana’s digital transformation has to continue heading.
President Ali makes case for stronger, more co-operative world
Dear Editor,
SEVERAL days ago, President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly was, in my view, an important statement of Guyana’s growing confidence and engagement on the international stage.
Editor, at a time when our world is confronted by unwanted wars; increasing humanitarian crises; geopolitical rivalry; food insecurity; climate pressures; and growing questions about the effectiveness of international institutions, President Ali used the world’s largest international platform to articulate Guyana’s perspective on several of the defining issues confront-
ing humanity. What stood out to me was the breadth of the address and the central principle connecting its various themes: in an increasingly fractured world, international co-operation, respect for international law, and effective multilateralism remain indispensable. A strong defence of multilateralism
was one of the most consequential aspects of the president’s address to the gathering. The international system is undoubtedly under tremendous strain. Yet the shortcomings of institutions such as the United Nations cannot become an excuse for abandoning them. See page 7
7
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
President Ali makes case for ... From page 6
Rather, those shortcomings should strengthen the case for reform that is so desperately needed. President Ali’s call for a Security Council that better reflects 21st century geopolitical realities, including permanent representation for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, speaks to a long-standing concern of developing countries: institutions created for another era must evolve if they are to retain legitimacy and relevance in this one. For small developing states such as Guyana, this matters immensely. Multilateralism provides countries, regardless of their size or their military and economic power, with a forum in which their sovereignty, interests, and perspectives can be heard. Speaking on the issue of peace, the president also addressed some of the most difficult conflicts facing humanity. His reiteration of Guyana’s support for Palestinian self-determination and a two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine can exist in peace and security, placed Guyana within the continuing international search for a just and lasting settlement. Similarly, his call for an end to the Russia–Ukraine war emphasised an essential truth: wars ultimately require political and diplomatic solutions if sustainable peace is to be achieved. The attention he gave to Haiti and Cuba was equally significant from a Caribbean perspective. Haiti cannot be abandoned to instability and insecurity. Its people deserve sustained regional and international engagement. Cuba, likewise, remains an issue on which Caribbean states have consistently advocated dialogue and constructive engagement. These were not merely references to distant international issues. They demonstrated Guyana’s willingness to contribute its voice to questions affecting our Ca-
ribbean neighbourhoods and the wider international community. With respect to matters closer to home, the president addressed Venezuela, Guyana’s sovereignty, and the rule of law. For Guyanese, few issues could be more important than the Guyana–Venezuela border controversy. President Ali was firm and clear in presenting Guyana’s reliance on the International Court of Justice as part of a peaceful, rules-based approach to resolving the controversy. His declaration that Guyana will respect the court’s eventual judgment, and his expectation that Venezuela will do likewise, carries significance far beyond our borders. For small states such as ours, international law is not some abstract diplomatic concept: it is among our most important protections in a world where countries possess vastly different levels of military, economic, and geopolitical power and influence. Guyana must therefore continue to stand resolutely and firmly for its territorial integrity, while demonstrating that disputes between states should be resolved through law, diplomacy, and peaceful international mechanisms rather than coercion. Another notable element of President Ali’s address was his deliberate advocacy for Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations -- a potentially historic opportunity for our country, the Caribbean, and developing countries around the world. He highlighted her distinguished public-service record, which spans service as Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, alongside her wider international experience.
But her candidature carries symbolism beyond any single résumé. The prospect of an Indigenous woman from Guyana and the Caribbean being considered for leadership of the United Nations speaks directly to the wider conversation about representation within the international system. President Ali situated her candidature within his broader argument about the kind of leadership the United Nations requires: leadership capable of rebuilding trust, bridging divisions, and restoring greater unity of purpose to an institution operating in an increasingly divided world. Whatever ultimately emerges from the selection process, Guyana placing one of its own before the international community for consideration for one of the world’s most consequential diplomatic offices is itself a significant moment for our country. His Excellency presented to the world a more confident Guyana. There is a broader lesson that I believe all Guyanese should take from this address. The international influence of a country is not determined solely by its geographical size, population, or military strength. Influence can also come from diplomatic credibility, consistency, ideas, and the ability to connect national interests with principles that resonate internationally. That is where I believe President Ali’s address was particularly effective. Guyana’s territorial integrity was connected to international law. Caribbean concerns were connected to regional stability. The conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine were situated within a broader call for peace. United Nations reform was connected to the legitimate demand for greater representation for Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. And Am-
bassador Rodrigues-Birkett’s candidature was presented within the larger question of leadership and renewal within the multilateral system. Taken together, these positions presented a Guyana prepared to participate in international affairs not merely as an observer, but as a sovereign state willing to articulate its interests and contribute ideas to the wider international conversation. That is an important evolution for our country. Guyana today occupies an increasingly visible place internationally. With that visibility comes responsibility: to defend our sovereignty, maintain principled relationships, contribute constructively to international debates, and ensure that our diplomacy continues to reflect both our national interests and our commitment to peaceful international co-operation. President Ali’s address demonstrated that Guyana intends to have a voice in those conversations and a seat at those tables. Furthermore, it is fair to say that the central proposition emerging from his speech was both simple and consequential: a fractured world does not require less co-operation; it requires better co-operation. From the podium of the United Nations General Assembly, Guyana made that case. As a Guyanese, I believe there is value in seeing our country confidently contributing its voice to the difficult conversations shaping the future of our region and our world. In my view, President Ali delivered an excellent address, and it was a moment in which Guyanese can take pride. Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament
President Ali is genuinely dedicated to uniting Guyanese
Dear Editor,
MR. Aubrey Reteymer authored an utterly puerile letter to the Kaieteur News on 23rd September, 2026, captioned “The President’s One Guyana initiative is a sham.” Mr. Reteymer is of course entitled to his opinion but to express it in a letter to the press which, from the first to the last words of the letter, sought to damn the President, without a single sentence of evidence to support what he writes, is utterly disgraceful. Reteymer, for instance, accuses the President of attempting to change the National Motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” The President has done no such thing.
“One Guyana” reinforces the National Motto; it is not an alternative objective. He accuses the governing party of being “discriminatory, racist, corrupt”, without offering one single example to support this ugly claim. Mr. Reteymer accuses the President of hoodwinking (my term) the international community by presenting a false image of our country. If that is the case, why are international investors falling over themselves to invest in our country? If that is the case, why are Guyanese, who once fled a desperately divided and once struggling country, now anxious to return to and retire in the country of their birth?
If we have a government guilty of “exclusion of Afro and Amerindian Guyanese” as claimed by Reteymer, can he explain the fact that the 27-member Cabinet includes 10 Guyanese who are not of Indian descent, one of whom is the Prime Minister, another, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, another, the Minister of Home Affairs, another, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, all of which are the most critical and powerful positions in the Cabinet. How, too, does Reteymer explain the fact that Guyana has nominated an Indigenous Guyanese, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, to be the Secretary General of the United Nations. Reteymer pulls a statistic out of the air
and claims that “97 per cent of all government contracts is awarded to family and friends of the President, cabinet members and supporters of the PPP” without offering a scintilla of evidence to support this ridiculous accusation. I have had the privilege, over my life, of having worked directly with seven of our 10 Presidents and I can attest to the fact that, though all of them have been wedded, none of them have been more focused and genuinely dedicated to the imperative of uniting our country than President Irfaan Ali. Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento
The Mighty Sparrow is dead
8
I WOULD regret being a columnist after I have stopped writing, I looked over my work and found out that I would have ended my columnist career without pontificating on one of the great Caribbean icons whom I grew up with – the Mighty Sparrow. What do you tell Guyana about Sparrow when over 80 per cent of the nation belonged to an age beyond the 1960s? I think it is best to address the Guyanese people about Sparrow using the comparative methodology. I will use four Caribbean phenomena - West Indian cricket, reggae, Bob Marley and Brian Lara. The CARICOM family didn’t invent cricket, but the West Indian team was such a global magician that West Indian cricket became part of the psyche of Caribbean people. In the Caribbean from the 60s, when you talk about the West Indies, you were talking about a Caribbean achievement that the world respected us for – cricket.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
Veteran calypsonian The Mighty Sparrow died on September 27 at the age of 91 (Soca News photo) Jamaica gave us three musical genres from the 1960s that penetrated the CARICOM region – ska, rock-steady, and they merged into reggae. What cricket was to Caribbean sport, reggae was to music.
Reggae took hold of the Caribbean before Bob Marley made it a global phenomenon. What Marley did was to use music to teach Caribbean people the philosophical purpose for them being on Planet Earth and how human existence can be liberating. I don’t know if Marley read the existentialist text of the great philosopher, Martin Heidegger, but what Heidegger wrote about Marley sang about. In the 1970s, Bob Marley was the Caribbean and the Caribbean was Bob Marley. If cricket existed in the Caribbean psyche, then imagine how that psyche would react to a Caribbean man being Mr Cricket himself. That was Brian Lara. He did for batting what no human did before and it will take a long time for another human to surpass Lara. These four motifs were not just ordinary imprints of the CARICOM region. Put the Mighty Sparrow right in the middle of those four phenomena. What Bob Marley was, what Brian Lara was, what Garfield Sobers was, the Mighty Sparrow was. It is up to the imagination of Guyanese under 50 years of age to think about what the Caribbean looked like when Sparrow was dominating the cultural world of the Caribbean. It is my analytical take that Sparrow occupies the same unique, incomparable space that Marley, Sobers and Lara currently sit in. If the historian is going to do a holistic portrait of Caribbean heroes, it is doubtful Sparrow will be somewhere in the middle. Nah! Sparrow was too penetrating a voice in the Caribbean to be in the middle of that pantheon. Which West Indian person did not know who Sparrow was in the 1960s and early 70s? He was simply a household name in the Caribbean. It is interesting to note that there is an uncanny connection in the work of Marley and Sparrow. Marley appealed to the post-colonial Caribbean to look deep into their psyche and they will see that
they were Pavlovian children. He showed them how they can be agents of humane change. Sparrow’s public intellectualism came in a different shape. He used calypso to inform the Caribbean about what the Caribbean was like, what was the reality of the Caribbean and what we Caribbean people need to know about our societies. Yes, his calypsos were rhythmic and fascinating. They told us about Caribbean sub-cultures and all its attendant vices and comicalities. But the calypsos spread a message about the reality of life in the Caribbean. When I was a student at the University of Guyana, the calypsos of Sparrow were taught in many literature classes, especially the courses of Caribbean sociology. The reason being that Sparrow was a social commentator. To remind the young Guyanese population that just how they saw the dominance of Lara and Marley, Sparrow was equally dominating. There is a dimension of his music that I don’t think is appreciated. Now what I am about to write will make you smile and say that Freddie is pushing in one. Here is an interesting personal story about Sparrow that happened three days before his death (he died yesterday, Sunday). I had a CD playing in my car titled “Classic Oldies, Volume 25: The Soul Date.” The jacket is in red with a woman with Afro-hairstyle and large bangle earrings. The first cut on the CD was: “A girl like you” sung by the Might Sparrow. Listen to this soul rendition, and the voice comes within the tradition of any great soul singer. That was how talented Sparrow was. I would never believe he would have died three days after loving his soul voice in my car. 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.
Accepting those third-country nationals 9
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
THE scale of negative commentary and engineered political fuss given to thoroughly vetted deportees, of third countries, from the U.S., is disproportionate to the substantive national impact. Any such matter, of course, will arouse national interest and citizens have every right to demand a forthright explanation from their government. In return, the government is expected to provide a solid and detailed explanation to citizens without external prompting. The government has done a creditable job thus far. I take matters involving immigration and movement of people a bit more nonchalantly than the average person, because I am an immigration liberalist, one who believes borders should only exist for academic and administrative purposes, but not to bind or limit people. Except for controlling crime and criminal activities, people should be allowed to settle anywhere they want. So, in my world there are no visas, green cards or specific travel requirement outside of an agreed method of identification. There is therefore no such thing as an immigration crime. However, that’s not the way this world is ordered. There are so many cultural phobias, ethnic preferences, institutional and bureaucratic artifices set up to severely curtail immigration, generally, and to filter out those who are less desirable. Seventh-eights of the big dig I encounter about immigration, I usually ask, “what’s the fuss?” Talking about bureaucratic artifices, let me stitch this one in quickly: do you know that there is nowhere in the Caribbean, among CARICOM member states that you can travel on an open ticket? You won’t get pass the check-in counter without a definitive return ticket. Even travelling directly to Barbados from Guyana, which requires only your national identification card, the traveller must present a return ticket to get on the plane. That sounds counterintuitive to me. Guess which airline is most rigid in upholding and enforcing this requirement? Yes! the Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines, the regional bastion for free movement of people, wink, wink. Please allow me to stitch in one more thing: it hit the news this week that Justice Gino Persaud was prevented from attending an important legal conference in Jamaica because he had visa troubles transiting through the United States. My reaction was simple. Why in God’s name do we need to transit through the USA when travelling between the north and south Caribbean? To the governments of the Caribbean; what are we doing to ourselves? Moving on. I remember the days when Guyanese left these shores in droves for destinations all over the world. Some left using internationally recognised legal pathways, while others used all forms of “backtrack” methods; not markedly different from the methods being used by others to come to Guyana. The thing about that is, most Guyanese know of a friend, relative, neighbour, schoolmate or family member, who illegally migrated to other countries,
lived a good-enough life to send back remittances and otherwise contributed to bettering whole families and communities. Because of our history with migration, if there is no other nationality that should have an easygoing attitude to immigration, should be Guyanese. That said, the opposition attempted to create a storm with respect to the government’s decision to accept six citizens from other countries deported by the USA to Guyana. At a press conference last week, Dr Terrence Campbell said that he spoke to the Guyanese people and the Guyanese people do not want to have those people here. As simple as this point of view sounds on the surface, it is laden with points for the analysis. First, outside of his narrow partisan echo chamber, which group of Guyanese people did Campbell speak to and who is he speaking for? Campbell’s emanations are fruits of solid REM sleep, characterised by vivid dreaming. Second, Campbell’s statements suggest that he has no thought for geopolitical realities of the day and no appreciation for where the poles of power exist and how it is being wielded. There is a demonstrable lack of appreciation for bilateral quid pro quo. Third, Campbell also spoke of massive ill effects on national institutions and structures, but fail to identify one single institution that will be degraded or outline one negative impact. Fourth, Campbell spent considerable time belabouring the point that the persons accepted as part of the third-country migrant agreement are criminals and that any assertions that they did not commit any crime would be a falsity since, at least, immigration rules were breached. Campbell must be unaware of the preponderance of news on the exploits of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement aka ICE, where people from third countries who held legal court appointments for asylum hearings but were nevertheless seized from the streets of America, some even while waiting outside the courthouse on the very date of appointment. So, no Dr Campbell, many deportees may not have committed even immigration infractions under U.S. laws. Campbell is not alone: there is an entire echo chamber of parrots spewing the same bilge. Efforts at fearmongering and rank opportunism to eke out some form of political mileage and seek national relevance have not borne any fruits. The real people of Guyana, who Campbell claimed he spoke to, actually paid him no mind. The whole thing turned out to be a grand overreaction that is extremely disproportionate to the extant execution of the agreement. The principals of APNU continue to oppose for the sake of opposing. This rigid political MO will not win any new support and may very well lead the PNC to continual damnation. 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.
By Leonard craig
The Prosperity Branch, First Assemblies of God Church
10
IT was a bright and breezy Sunday, two weeks ago, when I visited the Assemblies of God Church in Mocha Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara. The church is housed under a shed extension alongside the home of Denise Bobb, who gave her permission for this. Intended to be a temporary arrangement, it soon became permanent - over ten years - as the householder
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
enjoyed the vigorous services and lively presence of the children, who gathered for Sunday School, prior to the main service. They came in steadily, sitting in the front rows of seats, while the adults sat in the rows behind them. The Sunday School lesson, about Joseph and his coat of many colours, was a treat, given by Sister Elize, who made it enjoyable, with explanations - some in Cre-
olese - that kept the children interested. It was the first time I witnessed a Sunday School class where the children paid such rapt attention, held in thrall by the teacher who clearly enjoyed her role. This being Education Month, three children were invited to make presentations on what education meant to them. They did so with a clarity that aptly displayed their youthfulness.
I, too, spoke on education, both in this country and abroad, where schoolchildren were now using AI (ARTIFICIAL Intelligence) to do their work for them, thus preventing them from thinking for themselves. There followed some gusty hymn-singing, led by Pastor Zoe Forde, who did not remain at the podium, but strode down the centre aisle, leading the congregation in a succession of hymns. Then the lead pastor, Pastor Bhoejadt, took over,
talking about South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who studied while incarcerated for over two decades and suffering the evils of the South African apartheid system. The Pastor pointed out that even in harsh conditions, a determined person could still seek to elevate
themselves. It was a pertinent and succinct lesson, which left the congregants with much ‘food for thought’. After the service, sweets, snacks and drinks were served as members mingled, discussing matters of interest to them. I thoroughly enjoyed the
service and my first visit to a church, paving the way in a low-income area and gaining the support and respect of residents. I volunteered to hold short classes on English language arts for the children after the main service, and I look forward to doing so in the coming month.
11
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
‘MV Barima tragedy must inform a stronger culture of safety, infrastructure, leadership and responsibility’
–– President Ali
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasised that the lessons of the MV Barima tragedy must inform a stronger culture of safety, infrastructure, leadership and responsibility, as Guyana continues to grapple with the pain left by the loss of dozens of lives. Speaking during a recently released interview, President Ali said the tragedy remains a source of sleepless nights and something he wishes had never occurred. He stressed that his responsibility as Head of State required him to remain present and lead through the difficult period. He said the tragedy must lead to lasting improvements in safety, infrastructure, leadership and responsibility. The country, he added, has a duty to learn from what had happened and build a stronger and more effective system. “Our task, therefore, is to navigate the future from the harsh lessons of that tragedy and every other tragedy, and to build in the memories of those who we lost, assist them in a new culture of safety, Infrastructure, leadership, and responsibility that would utilise the laws as a new beginning for a stronger, deeper, more efficient system, and that is what we’re doing,” he said. Reflecting on the response to the tragedy, he said he witnessed doctors and other personnel giving their best during what he described as a horrific and tragic period, while also seeing the strength and support of Guyanese. He acknowledged that navigating the national response while responsibilities of governing the country was not easy, but said he was able to rely on his Cabinet and wider team, some of whom were directly involved in supporting affected families. “I’m the president. I’m
the leader. And a leader must not only be a leader in the good times. You have to be a leader in every circumstance, in every season you have to be there.” President Ali said the country itself had been changed by the tragedy and that Guyana could not simply return to the way things were before it occurred. He said the pain experienced by the families who lost loved ones remains with him, including the grief endured by children, siblings, grandparents and parents. President Ali also stressed that support for the affected families must extend beyond the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. He said continued emotional, spiritual, physical, community and material assistance remains important, along with maintaining a connection with the families and reminding them that they remain part of the wider Guyanese family. He said the responsibility to those families is not temporary, but one that he views as extending throughout his lifetime. The president also acknowledged the political tensions that accompanied the tragedy, saying it was difficult to deal with attempts to use an emotionally charged and painful period to score political points. He said while the national focus was on dealing with the tragedy and supporting those affected, some political responses were driven by a different agenda. The MV Barima, an 87-year-old passenger and cargo vessel, was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima-Waini) when tragedy struck. The vessel departed the Kingston Goods Wharf in Georgetown at approximately 15:15hrs on July
18.
Later that night, the vessel encountered difficulties while travelling off the Essequibo Coast, near the mouth of the Pomeroon River, before eventually capsizing. Approximately 179 passengers and crew were believed to have been aboard. The disaster resulted in 73 deaths, while 76 people survived. Authorities have said approximately 30 people remain unaccounted for. According to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the vessel is presently lying as a wreck in approximate positions: Latitude 07° 28′.213 North, Longitude 058° 23′.443 West, in water depths of about 13-15 metres (42-49 feet). Three companies— two Guyanese-owned and one based in the Netherlands—have submitted bids to undertake salvaging of the MV Barima. The three bidders are Industrial Fabrication Inc. (InFab), BK International Inc., and KMS BV of the Netherlands. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) opened the bids earlier this month, with BK International Inc submitting the lowest bid. InFab, which was founded in 2003 by Jerry Max Goueia and Dyland Fields, submitted a bid of $1.895 billion to salvage the vessel. BK International, founded by Brian Tiwarie and involved in areas including sea defence, construction, marine transportation and aviation, submitted a bid of $1.034 billion. Meanwhile, Netherlands-based KMS BV, a registered commercial ship owner and manager headquartered in Vijfhuizen, submitted the highest bid at $2.0351 billion. Three Transport and Harbours Department employees have been charged with murder in connection with the MV Barima tragedy.
They are Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, and Goods Superintendent
Delon Granderson. The three were charged with several counts of murder and
remain on remand, with paper-committal proceedings set to begin on November 16.
12
Police seize more than $2M in illegal sirens
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
–– Traffic Chief says only police, fire service, ambulances legally authorised to use them
THE Traffic Department has seized four pieces of emergency warning equipment valued at more than $2 million from private vehicles over the past seven days, as the police intensify efforts to clamp down on the unauthorised use of sirens and emergency lights. Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh, said the equipment was removed from vehicles linked to a contractor, a private security company, a Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) staff member and another individual. During an episode of the Starting Point podcast, Singh stated that the seized
equipment has been lodged for production as evidence when the respective matters reach the courts. He said the Traffic Department has been using technology and information from members of the public to identify vehicles suspected of being fitted with unauthorised sirens. “We have utilised the technology, that is to say, the Safe City, Safe Country cameras, and the SRIS cameras,” Singh said. He explained that reports submitted by members of the public through the Road Watch application have also assisted police in identifying vehicles using the equipment. According to Singh, in-
formation gathered from the cameras and public reports allow the Traffic Department to build a list of vehicles under investigation, while the motor vehicle database is then used to identify their registered owners. “I know who I’m looking for,” Singh said, add-
ing that the recent seizures demonstrate that the enforcement approach is producing results. The Traffic Chief said the issue of unauthorised sirens remains contrary to the law and stressed that the equipment is not permitted simply because it is installed on a private vehicle
associated with a particular business or organisation. Asked who are legally permitted to use sirens, Singh pointed to the relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic legislation. He said the law recognises three categories of emergency vehicles for the use of a “siren, gong or bell.” “Those three classifications, until a regulation or there’s an amendment to the law, then those are the ones,” he said. The categories identified by Singh are police vehicles, fire service vehicles and ambulances. Recently there has been lots of public concern about
private vehicles being fitted with emergency warning devices, which can give motorists the appearance of having emergency privileges on the road. Singh said the Traffic Department’s enforcement efforts involve both technological detection and physical intervention, with the equipment removed from vehicles being preserved as evidence. He maintained that the combination of camera surveillance, public reporting and access to the national motor vehicle database has provided the Traffic Department with greater capacity to identify and act against offenders.
13
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
PAC backlog must be cleared to ensure timely scrutiny of public spending - Edghill says
MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, while emphasising the importance of timely scrutiny of public expenditure as Guyana continues its development programme. Edghill, in brief remarks during the presentation of the Auditor General’s Report, said the independent audit function remains an important mechanism through which Government ministries and agencies are examined, and public spending brought under scrutiny. He said the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government takes the issues of transparency and accountability seriously, noting that the
Auditor-General’s Office provides an important avenue for examining whether public funds are spent as intended, and whether proper accountability is provided. “When we have mechanisms like an independent Auditor-General’s Office that is adequately financed and staffed to interrogate all Government ministries and agencies and bring to public notice by way of its audit findings for public understanding and debate in the Public Accounts Committee, it is only healthy,” Edghill said. He explained that while appropriations are approved by the National Assembly through the budgetary process, the subsequent audit process allows for examination of how those funds were actually used.
According to the minister, under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, accounting officers are appointed across ministries, agencies and regions, with responsibility for ensuring that public resources are properly managed. He also highlighted the role of the Treasury Memorandum, which follows the presentation of the Auditor-General’s Report to the National Assembly, and outlines the Government’s intended response to issues identified through the audit process. Against this backdrop, Edghill addressed concerns surrounding the backlog of reports awaiting examination by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), saying steps are being considered to bring the process up to date. He said a proposal will be brought at the next
sitting of the PAC aimed at addressing the backlog, with the objective of ensuring that when the 2026 Auditor General’s Report is received in 2027, the committee would be in a position to examine the 2026 accounts. “We would like to make sure that the current accounting officers are sitting in the seat, answering the questions,” Edghill said. As such, he highlighted the importance of having those responsible for financial management available to respond to issues raised by the audit process. The Minister said timely examination of the reports would also help Guyana maintain the standards of transparency, accountability and good governance promised to citizens.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir (left) recently received the 2025 Auditor General’s report
14
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
Volunteerism, leadership, mentorship are part of Angelene Juman’s life By Michel Outridge
ANEGELENE Juman is a very passionate young woman who stands beside her own mother in many behind-the-scenes acts of volunteerism, assisting those in need. Juman comes from a patriotic family, so giving back to society is part of
their everyday lives and they simply love what they do for others. She is a final-year architecture student at the University of Guyana (UG) where she is also passionate about student leadership, mentorship, community service, and sustainable development. Juman believes these
interests are deeply connected. Architecture, at its heart, is about people, how they live, how they gather, and how the spaces around them can improve their quality of life. Service and leadership share that same purpose. She was raised in a Christian home, where values of service, compassion,
Angelene Juman
Angelene Juman and her family, which includes her parents and two siblings and generosity were part of everyday life. Juman told the Guyana Chronicle that it was there that she first developed an appreciation for creativity and communication. “My journey in public speaking began modestly, through reciting poems, performing in small skits, and delivering spoken-word pieces at church. Those early experiences, though simple, gave me the confidence to express myself before an audience, a skill that has served me well in every stage of my life since,” she said. Juman’s commitment to service also began early. As a child, she assisted her mother with her charity work, and at the age of nine she began volunteering at her church camp. She continued to volun-
teer throughout her school years, but it was at university that she truly stepped out of her shell. Juman began seeking out opportunities to serve the wider campus community: volunteering at university open days, guiding prospective and new students, representing the University of Guyana at its booth during Building Expo, and serving as an usher during orientation activities. She reported that each of these experiences taught her the value of showing up for others and helped her grow into a more confident and outgoing person. Juman stated that mentorship has since become one of the most rewarding parts of her university life. She added that through the UG Student Society
and the Engineering Society, she supports fellow students with Architectural graphics and design and other academic challenges. “I understand how demanding a professional degree can be, and I find great fulfilment in helping others overcome obstacles that I once faced myself,” she said. Juman explained that her leadership journey has grown alongside her academic one. She began as her class representative, advocating for her peers and serving as a link between students and faculty. Juman pointed out that she was later elected as the Faculty Representative for the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and she have also served as Chairwoman of the Board of Publications. In addition, she works as a laboratory demonstrator for a drawing course and as a teaching assistant for several architecture courses, roles that allow her to contribute directly to the education of the next generation of designers. Juman who is about to her bachelor’s degree in architecture, recently told Guyana Chronicle that her research focuses on a question she believes is vital to Guyana’s future. “My study, Integrating Vernacular and Sustainable Architectural Strategies for Affordable Housing Development in Parika, explores how traditional Guyanese building knowledge can be combined with modern sustainable design to create housing that is affordable, environmentally responsible, and culturally meaningful. As our nation continues to develop, I believe it is essential that growth reflects both our heritage and our responsibility to future generations,” she said. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue guiding and supporting students, helping to enrich their university experience, and using her training as a future architect to make a meaningful contribution to the development of her country. For Juman, leadership and service are not titles or positions, but a lifelong commitment to leaving every space, and every person, a little better than she found them.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
Aircraft ‘veers’ off runway after landing at Mahdia Airstrip
POLICE in Regional Division #8 are investigating an aircraft incident which occurred on Sunday September 27, 2026, at the
Mahdia Airstrip, Region Eight. According to a police press release, preliminary enquiries revealed that the
aircraft, which had five passengers and the pilot on board, had landed at the Mahdia Airstrip when it reportedly veered off the
runway and came to a halt on the eastern side of the airstrip. No injuries were reported among the pilot or
passengers. No cargo was reported lost or damaged, while the aircraft reportedly sustained minor damage to its wheels, the police said.
The aircraft after it veered off the Mahdia Airstrip shortly after landing (GPF photos)
15
Police ranks visited the scene and obtained statements from relevant persons. Further enquiries are ongoing.
16
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
Aagman Restaurant opens second location at Vreed-en-Hoop
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, on Saturday evening joined the Meena family for the official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Aagman Restaurant’s second location at Vreeden-Hoop, Region Three. Minister Rodrigues, while delivering the feature address, highlighted the continued growth of Guyana’s tourism and hospitality sector and the importance of local businesses investing and expanding to meet growing opportunities. She emphasised that
tourism growth must translate into tangible benefits for Guyanese through business development, employment, skills training and opportunities across the tourism value chain. “Tourism must benefit people. Tourism must create livelihoods.” The minister noted that restaurants form an important part of the visitor experience and contribute to the development of tourism circuits, while welcoming Aagman’s decision to reinvest in its business after 13 years of operation. “Every investment
like this creates economic activity beyond the establishment itself. It creates jobs, supports suppliers, generates demand for goods and services, and provides opportunities for people to develop skills and build careers,” Minister Rodrigues said. Meanwhile, Aagman’s co-owner, Neha Meena, reflected on the family’s journey and their confidence in Guyana’s continued development, particularly in Region Three. “For us, Aagman is more than a restaurant. It is a place where families celebrate, friends recon-
Tourism Minister Susan Rodrigues speaking at the official opening of Aagman Restaurant’s second location at Vreed-en-Hoop on Saturday nect, and memories are created around the table.” Mrs Meena also highlighted Guyana’s potential for wellness tourism, noting the country’s forests, rivers and natural environment as an opportunity to attract visitors seeking wellness and conscious retreats. The new location adds to the growing range of
dining and hospitality offerings in Region Three and further strengthens the connection between the tourism, culinary and business sectors. Also present were Social Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud; High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Manoj Kumar; Director of the Guyana Tourism Au-
thority, Kamrul Baksh; President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Mitra Ramkumar; President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Bhabita Alberts; members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the private sector and members of the Aagman team. (DPI)
The Aagman Restaurant at Vreed-en-Hoop
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
East Bank records highest number of fatal crashes – Traffic Chief
THE East Bank of Demerara has recorded the highest number of fatal road accidents among the three policing divisions in Region Four, with 19 fatal crashes resulting in a similar number of deaths, according to Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh. Singh made this known during an appearance on the Starting Point podcast, where he said the East Bank division was followed by Region Four A, covering Central Georgetown, and the East Coast, with each recording 14 fatal accidents and 14 deaths.
The figures form part of the Traffic Department’s ongoing assessment of road crashes as police seek to direct enforcement resources towards areas where accidents are most prevalent. Singh said the department relies on data-driven analysis and “black spot” management to determine where officers should be deployed, particularly given that road accidents do not occur in one fixed location. “Black spot management helps us now to know where to deploy,” he said, adding that data analysis allows the department to better understand where the
demand for traffic enforcement exists. According to Singh, this approach is intended to minimise wastage of limited manpower while ensuring that officers are positioned where they are most needed. The Traffic Chief’s remarks come against the backdrop of an overall reduction in road accidents, although fatal crashes remain a major concern. He said 83 fatal accidents have been recorded this year, resulting in 89 deaths, compared with 84 fatal accidents and 93 deaths during the corresponding period last year.
ational across 112 lanes in Regions Three and Four. Singh explained that the additional camera locations have already undergone the required road traffic engineering works, paving the way for the systems to be operationalised. The Traffic Chief noted that the technology will allow the police to monitor traffic offences across wider stretches of roadway. It would reduce the need for officers to be physically stationed along the road to detect offences such as speeding. “Those cameras when operationalised will lend to a greater effect in terms of deterring the commission” of
traffic offences, Singh said, adding that the technology is also expected to influence drivers’ behaviour. Meanwhile, pointing to evidence base, the Traffic Chief noted that the system also provides a reliable evidence trail for offences detected by the cameras, with the evidence captured and extracted through established procedures. “If it is contested, the evidence is there to be produced because it’s not something that we can just come up with. We can’t reproduce this evidence. It is captured,” Singh explained. He said the use of technology is expected to strengthen enforcement as
Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh The number of children killed in fatal accidents has also declined, from five last
17
year to two this year. Across all categories of road accidents, Singh said there has been a 19 per cent decrease nationally. Despite the overall reduction, speeding remains the leading contributor to fatal crashes. Singh said 65 fatal accidents this year were attributed to speeding, compared with 70 last year. Inattentiveness has also emerged as a growing contributor, accounting for 14 fatal accidents this year compared with nine last year. Fatal accidents involving pedestrians crossing the path of moving vehicles increased from four to five.
Singh said the Traffic Department has responded through consistent and visible enforcement, public awareness programmes and greater use of technology. Further to this, he said the department is preparing for the country’s expanding road network by establishing plans for police outposts and mobile patrols along new roads once they are commissioned. The Traffic Chief said the objective is to ensure that enforcement and deterrence are incorporated into the management of new road corridors from the outset.
the expansion reflects efforts to modernise traffic management and improve road safety, particularly through greater use of technology to deter speeding and other
traffic offences. The Traffic Chief made the remarks during an appearance on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday. (DPI)
More traffic cameras to be operationalised before year’s end
MORE traffic-enforcement cameras are expected to become operational before the end of the year as the Guyana Police Force continues to expand the use of technology to strengthen traffic enforcement and road safety. According to Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mahendra Singh, the expansion is progressing well, with an additional 48 lanes expected to come on stream after the necessary road traffic engineering works have been completed. The Safe Road Intelligence System (SRIS), which was fully rolled out on April 7, 2025, is currently oper-
Man in custody over fatal stabbing of Cuban at Land of Canaan
THE police are investigating an alleged murder which occurred on Saturday, September 26, 2026 about 23:00hrs at a shipyard at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, resulting in the death of Luis Angel Rodriguez Guillen, a 37-year-old Cuban man. Preliminary investigations have revealed that Guillen and a 32-year-old Cuban man, both employees at the shipyard, were involved in an argument which escalated into a physical
altercation, the police said in a press release issued on Sunday. “During the altercation, the 32-year-old allegedly armed himself with a knife and dealt Guillen a stab to his chest. Guillen subsequently collapsed in the hallway of the workers’ quarters at the shipyard. “Other workers at the location restrained the suspect and subsequently handed him over to the police. He was arrested and remains in police custody,” the release
said. A knife suspected to have been used during the incident was recovered and lodged as evidence. The police said Guillen was taken to the Diamond Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor. His body was subsequently taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, where it awaits a post-mortem examination. The suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue.
the system expands, while also allowing the police to respond more effectively to traffic violations across the road network. Singh emphasised that
18
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, September 28, 2026
19
20
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 28, 2026
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday September 28, 2026) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shimron Hetmyer-29 (GAW) (2) Dasun Shanaka-12 (Patriots vs SLK) Today’s Quiz (1) How many dismissals ABF wicketkeeper Amir Jangoo effected in CPL 2026? (2) What was the highest partnership for any wicket in CPL 2026? Answers in tomorrow’s issue ……………………………………………………..
ENGLISH RACING TIPS HAMILTON 08:44 hrs Annie Edson Taylor 09:19 hrs Cyberspace 09:54 hrs Fern Clyde 10:29 hrs El Matador 11:04 hrs City Captain 11:38 hrs Impressor 12:13 hrs Sunnysideofdstreet
NEWTON ABBOT 08:50 hrs Depalma 09:25 hrs Matiwo 10:00 hrs Gore Point 11:35 hrs Berry Edge 11:10 hrs Kilnew Supreme 11:43 hrs Final Entry WOLVERHAMPTON 11:22 hrs Baloo's Blues 11:55 hrs Najidi Storm 12:30 hrs Speed Nation 13:00 hrs Ridger 13:30 hrs Tilsworth Max 14:00 hrs Zafaan 14:30 hrs Ernie Mccrew 15:00 hrs Too Darn Good 15:30 hrs The Anthony Gover IRISH RACING TIPS DOWN ROYAL 08:24 hrs Invincible Irish 08:59 hrs Nellcote 09:34 hrs Star Glory 10:09 hrs Daring Heart 10:44 hrs Venetian Stsr 11:19 hrs Tassarolo 11:50 hrs Flagstone Lady 12:25 hrs Nod Of Approval AMERICAN RACING TIPS FINGER LAKES Race 1 Frostelle Race 2 Scarlett Queen Race 3 Tenacious Child Race 4 Seams Like Destiny Race 5 Beck's Dreamer Race 6 War Runner Race 7 Wild Runner
21
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 28, 2026
Kuldeep reels West Indies in, Gill and Kohli tons knock them out (ESPNCRICINFO) ODI cricket, especially the bilateral variety, is fighting for survival. One of the two competing sides has called off the domestic List A competition this year amid financial crisis. You wouldn't have guessed that, as Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill treated a festive full house in Thiruvananthapuram to centuries at the start of India's home international season. A major part of the win,
though, was set up by Kuldeep Yadav's 4 for 40 on ODI comeback to restrict West Indies to 295 despite a 135run opening stand between Justin Greaves and John Campbell. O n a n o t h e r d a y, Kuldeep would have been the main event, but few sights are more loved by India than their batters chasing down ODI targets around dinner time in the festival season. Especially when one of them is Kohli, who went past
15000 runs during the innings. While his 55th ODI hundred only extended his lead at the top, he did go level with Sachin Tendulkar on 60 List A hundreds. At 86 in all international cricket, is 100 hundreds too fantastical to think of? And what of Gill, India's captain who arguably gave up two hundreds in England with cramp or neck pain? He reached his 10th ODI hundred in just his 67th innings, the third-fastest
to the mark. His overall count reached 22. Not long ago, Greaves brought up his maiden hundred. For the first 20 overs or so, India looked like they had no answers for the fourth different opening combination West Indies had tried in the last five ODIs. The tall Greaves drove beautifully against the new ball even if he didn't always get the length to do so. As India experimented with Reddy with the new ball,
Greaves did get just the headstart you dream of as a batter, driving three full balls for four and shovelling a free hit for another, all in the second over. Since then, the run rate came down to under a run a ball only in the 29th over. Missing Jasprit Bumrah, who is in Japan to represent India in the Asian Games, and Mohammed Siraj, who is perhaps still looking for his best rhythm, India needed a point
of difference in the middle overs. Having warmed the bench for the entirety of India's last ODI series and having looked off colour in a Test in Sri Lanka, Kuldeep roared back to take four of the first five wickets to fall, engineering a collapse of 4 for 22 from 176 for 1. His career tally read 198 wickets at 31.6 balls per wicket, the third-best among spinners who have gone past 175 wickets.
Miller, Bavuma, spinners seal South Africa’s series win (ESPNCRICINFO) South Africa sealed a sixth successive bilateral series win over Australia and defended the fifth-highest total at the Wanderers in front of a festive pink-day crowd. The annual fixture, aimed at raising money for breast cancer awareness and treatment, is in its 14th edition and South Africa have now won 10 of those matches. This year's edition had
an added touch, with each player swapping out their own name for that of a fighter or survivor of the disease. David Miller's shirt bore his mother Jenny's name, and he fittingly struck a career-best 142 to set South Africa up for a winning total. Miller shared a 156run fourth-wicket partnership with Temba Bavuma, who brought up a hundred of his own, his first in ODIs at his
home venue. Australia's only consolation was that Jack Edwards, playing in his second ODI, bagged the first five-for of his List A career but they left with more problems that may eclipse that achievement. Nathan Ellis, who was Australia's leading bowler against Zimbabwe, bowled just four overs before leaving the field with a side strain. Then, in the chase, South Africa's three
spinners, left-armers Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin and offspinner Aiden Markram took five wickets between them and collectively conceded at under six runs an over to further underline Australia's issues against spin. Australia lost six wickets for 121 runs between the 17th and 40th over before a 61-run seventh wicket stand between Edwards and Xavier Bartlett got them close, but not close
enough. As they did in game one, Australia began the chase in commanding fashion. Mitch Marsh and Travis Head put on 130 for the first wicket, in 17 overs, and found a boundary an over. Between them, they scored 17 fours and Marsh hit five sixes as South Africa's seamers struggled to keep things quiet. Marco Jansen had a chance first up when
Marsh bottom-edged him short of de Kock, but then struggled with his lengths from either end and Marsh plundered 14 runs off his fourth over. Lizaad Williams and Duan Jansen were both too full and South Africa were forced to spin early. Maharaj was brought on in the ninth over and the batters used the feet well against him to take 13 runs off his first over.
22
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 28, 2026
PM’s $4M One Guyana T10 softball finals
Malali capture Male final; Wiruni are Female Champions
MALALI are the male champions, while Wiruni won the female championship, as the third annual Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips T10 Softball cricket wrapped up over the weekend at the Community Centre ground in Kwakwani. This year ’s $4M total prize pool, including trophies and medals, saw Malali defeat hosts Kwakwani in the championship game to pocket the $1M
first prize, with Kwakwani receiving $600,000, while Speightland took third with $400,000. Wiruni stopped Three Friends/ Coomacka in the final of the female competition to also capture the top prize of $1M, as Three Friends/Coomacka, as runners-up, collected $600,000, while third-placed Old England received $400,000. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips and his
wife, Mrs Mignon Bowen-Phillips, attended the finals along with scores of residents from the various communities of Sub-District Two of Region 10, showing up to support their various teams. This year’s tournament brought together 13 male and 13 female teams and was coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Region 10 Representative, Orin Wilson. (Joe Chapman)
Champions Wiruni pose after winning with PM Region 10 Representative Orin Wilson at left
Jamual John claims Alonzo Greaves Memorial Cycling Classic TOP cyclist Jamual John claimed the win in the first Alonzo Greaves Memorial Cycling Classic, which was staged on the inner circuit of the National Park on Saturday. John showed his strength and speed to outdo the likes of Alexander Leung, Alex Mendes, Aaron Newton, and Ajani Cutting, who finished in that order. He finished with overall wins in the elite and open categories on a sun-baked national park road. In the elite race, he
had to contend with stiff challenges from Aaron Newton and Paul DeNobrega. Earlier in the race Newton and DeNobrega took second and third places in the elite race as John maintained his top spot to take the win. The Juniors title was captured by Alexander Leung, who was pipped by Tristan Jaichan and Kevon Stephens. The women's category was won by Tandeia Noel, who outlasted Alicia Benjamin and Rebecca Damon. The Masters 35 and
older was clinched by Roy Mangru ahead of Robin Persaud and Segun Hubbard. The Masters over 50 event saw Mark Spencer emerge victorious with Ray Haliquin second and Deon David third. Category four was won by Tyrone Hamilton. The children's BMX winners were Cadeem Bascom and Arianna Johnson for the U8 winner; the 9-12 winners were Delisa Luke and Josiah Hoyte; and the BMX 13-15 winners were Joshua Holder and Shaniah Johnson.
Winners of the Alonzo Greaves Memorial Cycle Race: Jamual John – first; Alexander Leung – second; Alex Mendes – third; Aaron Newton – fourth and Ajani Cutting – fifth
Super Saturday set for Lusignan before Sunday’s...
FROM BACK PAGE SVC/AJM CC also cruised into the last eight with a dominant nine-wicket win in 4.2 overs, overhauling their 101-run target on the back of a rapid unbeaten 51 from Jonte Thomas and a brisk 30 not out from Quentin Sampson. Meanwhile, Diamond Gunners pulled off an explosive chase against FC ER Gladiators. Chasing Gladiators' 96 for 8—built around
Jaffar Ali's 27 and Alvin Mohabir's 25—Diamond Gunners charged to 102 for 2 in six overs behind firepower from Josiah Lim (36), Ricardo David (34), and Seon Allen (20*). Over at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground, the action was headlined by an extraordinary, record chase from Avinash AllStars. Stripling Warriors appeared to be in total control after posting 124 without
loss, driven by undefeated half-centuries from Brandon Jaikaran (61*) and Navindra Persaud (51*). However, Avinash AllStars launched an astonishing counter-attack, surging to 128 for 1 in eight overs, courtesy of a blistering 62run knock at the top, supported by Kadeem Alleyne (36) and Kevin Wickham (28*), to pull off a sensational nine-wicket win. Team Corruption proved
too strong for Team Upsetterz, overhauling a target of 106 in 8.2 overs to secure an eight-wicket win. Dejourn Charles anchored the chase with an unbeaten 59 alongside Treatlon Liverpool’s 32, after West Indies international Kevin Sinclair took 2 for 25 to restrict Upsetterz to 105 for 6. Housing Warriors were the only side at Lusignan to successfully defend a total, posting 122 for 4 on the back
of Sachin Singh's unbeaten 55 and Hiradeo Jailall’s 39, before limiting Dream 11 AllStars to 77 for 7 to complete a 45-run victory. Better Hope claimed the final quarter-final berth by navigating a tricky lower-scoring chase against VP XI, knocking off the required 72 runs in eight overs with four wickets in hand, led by Azad Mohamed's 30. The quarter-final, scheduledf or Lusignan on Sat-
urday, October 3 begins at 09:30hrs with Titans Rams taking on Pure Entertainment, before Diamond Gunners square off against SVC/AJM CC at 11:30hrs. The afternoon double-header will see Team Corruption battle Better Hope at 13:30hrs, followed by Avinash All-Stars clashing with Housing Warriors at 15:30hrs for the right to advance to the zone finals at Enmore on October 4.
23
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 28, 2026
Bart clinches inaugural Essequibo overall bodybuilding title
Bodybuilding classic: Champion Vijay Rahim (left of stage)
EMMERSON Bart is the first Mr Essequibo overall champion, overcoming a strong field of bodybuilders on Saturday at the auditorium of the Anna Regina Secondary School. Bart presented the most chiselled frame to an adoring audience and earned the
judges' nod as the county's top builder. While multi-discipline athlete Vajay Rahim continue to make his mark on the local sports fraternity with another first, this time capturing the Essequibo bodybuilding classic championship
Athletes on stage in the inaugural Essequibo Bodybuilding Show
The long-awaited event, hosted by the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation in the Cinderella County for the first time, saw the record-breaking powerlifter secure the title over the likes of Dwayne Massey and Akini Mars. Mars had earlier won
the Mr Essequibo physique open. Akella Koulan was crowned Miss Bikini Open Champion. The event saw 18 athletes hitting the stage for the inaugural event sponsored primarily by Avenue Cafe on Quamina Street and
Essequibo Overall Bodybuilding Champion Emmerson Bart
Fitness Express on Shariff Street. President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Videsh Sookram, said they wanted the person in that part of the country to have “An experience of a lifetime; it is the first time something like
this happens, and it’s with the aim of encouraging fitness and healthy lifestyles, building confidence, and educating the public about bodybuilding.” The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and Zoon Logistics also supported the showcase.
Courts Optical Pee Wee U11 Championship
St Gabriel, Tucville, and St Pius take impressive wins in round two
THE premier schools' pee wee competition sponsored by Courts Optical continued with intense action on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. St Gabriel’s Primary was in imperious form, defeating Soesdyke Primary 4-nil in the largest margin of victory of the day. Nathel Ion gave them the initial spark early in the contest, hitting the back of the net in the fifth minute before his teammate Simon Scott scored their second goal three minutes later to double the lead. Ion returned in the 27th minute to make it 3-nil before Xavier Montage capped the victory late in the clash
to see them finish 4-nil. Former champions St Pius Primary also pulled off an upset against prolific side St John the Baptist. St Pius Primary’s Leviticus Lynch and Steve Fiedtkou scored for them as they kept St John the Baptist at bay with strong defence to clinch the win. Tu c v i l l e P r i m a r y also pulled off a solid win over Potaro Primary 2-nil, with goals from the cleats of Devon Bapiste and Roger Jason. Goed Fortuin went down narrowly to Redeemer Primary 1-nil, with Elijah Naughton scoring the goal. We s t R u i m v e l d t Primary also scored
an important win over Georgetown International Academy(GIA) 3-nil, despite a valiant effort from GIA Malachi Murray recorded a brace, with Jahmiel Favorite accounting for the other goal. Plaisance Orphanage continued their winning ways with a 2-nil defeat of Genesis Primary. Keon St Hill and Antwone Scott were the boys on target for Plaisance Primary. Other winners were FE Pollard, GIA Second Team, and St Theresa’s Primary, who wiped out Ann’s Grove Primary 2-nil with a double from Brandon Henry. The action continues next Saturday at the MoE ground.
FE Pollard vs St Aloysius in action
Super Saturday set for Lusignan before Sunday’s Enmore showdown
24
THE stage is set for a blockbuster Super Saturday at the Lusignan Ground on October 3 as eight teams are locked in their spots for the quarter-finals of the Georgetown and East Coast Demerara zone in the Lotto/ Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast. With three regional champions already waiting in the national phase, local heavyweights fought through a heated Round of 16 across the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and
GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, September 28, 2026
Lusignan Community Centre grounds to keep their campaign alive for a place in Sunday's zonal finals at Enmore, all eyeing the ultimate $2 million national purse on offer at the Anna Regina National Stadium on October 11. At DCC, rapid run chases dominated the day's play. Titans Rams routed Phantom XI by nine wickets after bowling them out for a paltry 40 in 10 overs, thanks to clinical spells from Shacin Singh (2 for 2), Derwin Christian (2 for 5), and
Clinton Pestano (2 for 8). Pernell London made short work of the target, blasting an unbeaten 31 to seal victory in just 2.5 overs. Pure Entertainment produced a similarly ruthless display, flattening Intruders by nine wickets. Mark Cumberbatch's 4 for 20 and Travis Johnson's 3 for 11 skittled Intruders for 63 in 10 overs, before Raphel Frank unleashed a whirlwind 44 to carry Pure Entertainment home in 3.4 overs. TURN TO PAGE 22
The stage is set for a blockbuster Super Saturday at the Lusignan Ground on October 3 as eight teams are locked in their spots for the quarter-finals of the Georgetown and East Coast Demerara zone in the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast
Kuldeep reels West Malali capture Male final; Indies in, Gill and Kohli Wiruni are Female Champions tons knock them out
PM’s $4M One Guyana T10 softball finals
SEE PAGE
21
SEE PAGE
22
Malali are 2026 Male Prime Minister T10 champions of Region 10
Justin Greaves made a rollicking start in the powerplay•Sep 27, 2026•BCCI
Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208
| MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 , 2026