Guyana Chronilce E-Paper 03-03-2026

–asGuyanaembracessharedidentity

THElawnsofStateHouse onMainStreetwere transformedintoakaleidoscopeofcoloursasthe FirstFamilyhostedavibrantafternoonofChow-

taal,SongsandColours inhonouroftheFestival ofColours(Phagwahalso knownasHoli).

Inhisremarksatthe eventonMonday,Presi-

dent,DrMohamedIrfaan AlisaidGuyanacontinues todemonstratewhat“true thecountrysimultaneously observesRamadan,Lent

andHoliinanatmosphere ofpeace,harmonyand sharedcelebration.

HedescribedGuyanaas fortunatetogather“insuch peace,suchharmony,and

notallnationsareableto celebrateinsimilarcircumstances.

“InthemonthofRamadan,inthemonthofLent, andintheholyseasonof Holi,weshowwhattrue stated,addingthatGuyana continuestobridgedivides thatoftenbreaksocieties elsewhere.

Usingthesymbolism ofcolourcentraltoHoli, howdiversitystrengthens nationalidentity.

Henotedthatwhencoloursmerge,theycreate somethingmorebeautiful.

“Imaginealifewithout colour,imagineaworld withoutcolour,imaginea said,drawingparallelsbetweenthevibrancyofHoli andtherichnessofGuyana’smulticulturalsociety.

Hepointedtothecountry’sforests,whichbloom instrikingcoloursatcertaintimesoftheyear,asa reminderthatbeautyoften emergesfromdiversity.

Thatdiversity,hesaid, isembeddedinthenation’s -

nicity,cultureandsocial divisions.

“Youareyourindividualidentity,butwhenyou representthebrandGuyanese,you’reacollectionof ourindividualidentityinto thatsingularbeingthatwe said.

Theheadofstatealso encouragedcitizenstofully embracetheculturaltraditionsassociatedwithHoli, includingtempleobservances,theHolikaburning andChautalsinging.

Hereferencedtraditionalcuisinesuchasseven curriesservedonaleaf, highlightingthecommunalbration.

“OnbehalfofArya Zayd,Ilanandallofus,we sayhappyHoli.EnjoythecouragingGuyanesetocontinuebeingapositiveforce, groundedinlove,peaceand unity,andtocarryforward thevaluessymbolisedby thefestivalofcolours.

Heunderscoredthat evenasGuyanacelebrates,itdoessowithan awarenessofglobalchallenges.

Gov’t,GGDMAadvancetalksondigital modernisationofminingsector

––PresidentAlilaunchesstructuredsupport,financial-literacyinitiativesforsmallminers

PRESIDENTDr.Irfaan

AlionMondaymetwith theexecutiveoftheGuyanaGoldandDiamond MinersAssociation(GGDMA)attheOfficeofthe President,wherediscussionscentredonstrengtheninggovernanceandadvancingthedigitaltransformationofthemining sector.

Duringtheengagement, theassociationcommendedthegovernment’sforward-lookingmanagement oftheindustry,describing recentmeasuresascritical topositioningthesectorfor long-termgrowthandsustainability.

PresidentAlihadpreviouslystressedthatsuccessin thesectormustbematched byfulladherencetoregulations,includingaccurate golddeclarationsandcompliancewithlegalchannels suchassalesthroughthe GuyanaGoldBoard.

TheGGDMAexecutive expresseditscommitment toworkingcloselywiththe administrationtoensurethat remaincentraltothesystem.Thebodyalsopledged supportforinitiativesaimed atmodernisingminingoperations,includingtheintegrationofdigitaltoolsto improvemonitoringand

reporting.

Accordingtotheassociation,suchinitiativesare expectedtobolsteraccountability,streamlineprocesses, andenhanceproductivity acrossthesectorwhilesafeguardingitsfuturedevelopment.

Heurgedallgoldminers tomakeafulldeclarationof goldproducedin2025,addingthatregistereddredges withnodeclarationswill bederegistered,whileillegalforeignminersmustbe identifiedforprosecution andexpulsion.

TheHeadofStatehad alsoannouncedasweeping packageofsupportmeasures

forsmallminers,framing thegovernment’sapproach asastructuredpartnership aimedatensuringlong-term prosperityforminerswhile strengtheningGuyana’s economy.

Tothisend,outreaches withcommercialbankswere conductedtobringminerstemandreducedependence oninformalcredit.

Thegovernmenthasalsonancialliteracyprogrammes inpartnershipwiththeDevelopmentBank,aimed athelpingminersbetter managesavings,understand credit,andbuildsustainable

economicfutures.

PresidentAlihadacknowledgedtheentrenched “culture”inminingcommunitieswherequickreturns oftengivewaytoexpenditurepatternsthatundermine long-termstability.Thenew approachpositionsbankaccounts,savingshabits,and loanaccessasfoundational tominers’economicgrowth.

Thedeploymentofbankingservicesmergeswith thegovernment’spushfor fullcompliancewithgold declarationandregistration requirements.

InDecember2025,PresidentAlihadsaidthathis governmentwouldpursue

andshutdowndelinquent operatorswhocontinueto exploitstateincentiveswhile failingtodeclaretheirgold.

ThePresidentaddedthat thegovernmentintendsto overhaulsystemsthathave enabledchronicunder-declarationandillegalexports. Alsoparticipatingin Monday’smeetingwere theseniorministerwithin withresponsibilityforFinance,DrAshniSingh; MinisterofNaturalResources,VickramBharrat; andMinisterofPublicSer-cyandImplementation,

FormerPonzischemeagentsgetfour yearseachformoneylaundering

THESpecialOrganised CrimeUnit(SOCU)reportedonMondaythat MagistrateRushelleLiverpoolattheSparendaam Magistrates’CourtsonFridaylast,convictedAubrey Nortonandhiswife,MartinaSeepersaud,ofmoney launderingandsentenced eachtofouryearsinprison.

SOCU’sreportstatedthat thecharges,firstinstituted in2021,stemmedfromthe couple’sroleasagentsof AcceleratedCapitalFirm Inc.,anunlicensedcompany engagedinillegalforexinvestmentschemes.

Thefirm’sprincipals hiredNortonandSeepersaud tosolicitclientstoinvestin forextradinginexchangefor commission,despitelacking

properlicensingtooperate

Theagencyfurtherrevealedthatthedefendants transferred$53.5millionas partpaymentforaproperty atLaBonneIntention,East CoastDemerara,inamanner intendedtodisguisetheillicit originofthefunds.

Evidencepresented duringthetrialincluded investortestimonies,cash transactionrecords,property purchasedocuments,and employmentrecords.

SOCUnotedthatthe coupleearnedacombined monthlysalaryof$175,000 andreceiveda10%commissiononinvestmentssecured forAcceleratedCapitalFirm Inc.TheypurchasedtheLa BonneIntentionpropertyfor

$70million,making$53.5 millionastheinitialdown payment.

Thereporthighlighted thatthedefencedeniedany employmentorinvolvement withthecompanyandcontestedthepropertypurchase.

illicitfundsintoseemingly legitimateassets.

AccordingtoSOCU,the magistrateconcludedthatall elementsofthemoneylaunbeyondreasonabledoubt.

SOCUreportedthat theprosecutionwasled byAttorney-at-LawDavid Brathwaite,alongsideSOCU prosecutorsAaronDaniels defencewasrepresentedby Attorney-at-LawLatchmie Rahamat.

SOCUstatedthatthe courtobservedthatthemovementsoflarge,unexplained cashintorealestateremain aclassicmethodtoconvert

MagistrateLiverpool, however,rejectedthese claims,citingtheconsistencyandcredibilityofmultiple independentwitnesses.The courtconsideredwhetherthe defendantsknowinglytransferredfundsthatwereproceedsofcrimeandwhether thetransferaimedtoconceal themoney’sillicitorigin.

Aftersentencing,the defencegavenoticeof appealandrequested bailundertheBailAct of2022,whichSOCU opposedandwassubsequentlydeniedbythe magistrate.

HousingMinistryterminatescontractors,re-tenders workstoprovideStewartvilleallotteesaccess

THEMinistryofHousing andtheCentralHousing andPlanningAuthority (CH&PA)haveterminatedunderperformingcontractorsandre-tendered infrastructuralworksin StewartvilleEastandWest, RegionThree,toensure thatGuyanesefamiliesgain timelyaccesstotheirhouse lots.

MinisterofHousing,CollinCroal;Ministerwithin theMinistry,VanessaBenn; PermanentSecretaryBish-

ramKuppenandtechnical Fridaytoassessprogress. Theirinspectionfollowsde100ofthenearly1,000house lotsinthearea.Impacted parcelsincludeLots254–266 433–472,662–680,and715–

Bennacknowledgedthat begunconstructinghomes ontheirlots,othersremain

hinderedbyunfinishedinfrastructure.Sheemphasised thattheministryhasbeen closelymonitoringcontractorsandrepeatedlyreminded themoftheirobligations. “Underperformingcontractheircommitmentswillface termination,”shestated.

assurancethatnewcontracts willbeissuedshortlytocompletetheworksandkeepthe housingprogrammeontrack. MinisterBennhighlighted

CARICOMbacksGuyana’s bidtohostCOP35in2030

HEADSofGovernmentof theCaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM)haveagreed tosupportGuyana’sbidto hosttheUnitedNationsClimateChangeConference, COP35,in2030.

Thisdecisionwastaken attherecentlyconcluded 50thRegularMeetingof theConferenceofHeadsof

headshelddiscussionson climateshocksamongother topics.

TheendorsementpositionsGuyanaatthecentreof regionalclimatediplomacy

therapidlyshiftingglobal atmosphere,whichisbeing rockedbyclimateshocks, geopoliticaluncertaintyand

TheUnitedNationsCli-

mateChangeConference, COP(ConferenceofParties) istheannualsummitwhere nationsnegotiateclimate theimplementationofthe onClimateChangewhile settingtargetstolimitglobal warming.

ThemostrecentCOP sessionwasCOP30,which washeldinBelem,Brazil,in

InCARICOM’sofficial Communiquéfollowingthe conclusionoftheheadsofmentagreedtosupportGuyana’sbidtohostCOP35in 2030.”

Guyana’sleadershipinronmentalstewardshipwere onshowatCOP28inDubai, withstrategiesforbalancing

andoilandgasresources throughtheLowCarbon (LCDS2030)andthemonetisationofstandingforest throughthesaleofcarbon creditstakingcentrestage.

Asuccessfulbidwould seeGuyanahostoneofthe world’smostinfluential climategatherings,which bringstogethergloballeaders,amongothers,toshape internationalclimatepolicy.

WhileleadersoftheregionalblocendorsedGuyana’sbid,theystressedthat climatechangeremains anexistentialthreattothe Caribbean,withrisingsea levelsandextremeweather eventsoccurring,which placepressureontheregion’seconomiesandinfrastructure.

onFridaytoassessprogress

theirfamilies.

conditions,notingtheeagernessofallotteestoaccess theirlotsandbuildhomesfor

TheMinistryofHous-menttothetimelydelivery ofservicedhouselotsna-

tionwideandstressedthat proactivemonitoringand decisiveactionagainstdelaysareessentialtoachieve thisgoal.

SocialandEconomicEmpowerment

THEannouncementthatover3,000 Guyanesewillbenefitfrommore than$38.5billioninland-titling investmentoverthecomingmonths bythePeople’sProgressiveParty/ Civic(PPP/C)governmentmarksa long-runningstruggletoexpandaccesstolandandhomeownershipfor ordinarycitizens.

HousingMinisterCollinCroal

Thisweek’sannouncementisa welcomestep,butitmustbethebeginningofasustainedmarchtowards land-governanceframeworkthat servesallcitizens.

KaieteurNewsanditscontradictorynarratives

DearEditor,

IWRITEtodrawattentiontoatroublingcontradictioninmediacoverage emergingfromKaieteurNewsthat raisesbroaderquestionsaboutpolitical framing,editorialconsistency,andthe constructionofpublicnarrativesaround climatediplomacy.

Readersdeserveclarityaboutwhere interpretationbeginsandreportingends.

Sincerely,

PRESIDENTAliannouncedthe symbolof“OneGuyana”toraiseour levelofconsciousnessinsupportof withrace.

Bysomeweird,psychiccontortion,themottowasrejectedbysome sectionsofthesociety.Thosesections wentfurtherandcondemnedtheslogan ontheGuyanapassport.AmanzaWalton-Desircameoutswingingagainst thepassportimprint.

Theladyforgotthatsheservedin Parliamentandasaseniorpoliticaldent(DavidGranger)thatrepainteda buildinglegallyrecognizedasaheritagesite–StateHouse.Heusedthe colourofhisparty-green.Whenthe StateHousewasorderedrepainted,I heldmybreath.Yousee,Grangerisan irrationaladmirerofForbesBurnham. Granger,inhisformerresidenceon D’UrbanBacklands,hasfourfoundationsinBurnham’sname.

IheldmybreathbecauseIknew PresidentBurnhamhadanobsession withthecolourpurple.Iwasagraduate studentattheUniversityofToronto whenBurnhamrepresentedCARICOMattheNorth-SouthDialogue in1992inCancun,Mexicowherehis high-topbootswerepurple,histrousers werepurple,andhisNehrushirt-jacket waspurple.Mygraduatefriendsyelled out,“Fred,Fredlookhowyourpresidentisdressed.”

Thenationwasinreliefwhen Burnhamchosegreenoverpurple.The deceasedlawyer,VicPuran,whowas ateenagedfriendofmine,servediner.IonceaskedVicwhyBurnhamwas soobsessedwiththecolourpurple.He saidBurnhamtookthecolourfromthecialcolour.Guesswhatmyfavourite coloursincemyteenagedays?Purple. Itisindeedanirresistiblehue.Buthad GrangerpickedpurpleforStateHouse, itwouldhaveendedupastheugliest buildingintheworld.

Tounderstandtheweaknessinthe rejectionists’argument,itisbestto quotewell-knownjournalist,Kiana Willburg,someoneIknewfrommy daysatKaieteurNews.InreadingMs. Willburg’sdisagreementwiththeOne Guyanastampinthepassport,then youseetheconfusionthatariseswhere peopledonotunderstandandmaybedo notwanttoacceptthatelectedpoliticiansbecomemembersofthecountry’s administrativeorgans,wheretheyact asadministrators,notpoliticians.

HereisMs.Wilburg:“WhetherOne Guyanaisapartysloganornot,itis thePresident’smantra,byhisadmission…however,thisauthorbelieves thatapassportshouldnotbeseenas takingasideindomesticpolitics;it

oughttobeneutralandfreefromany politicaltaglines,nomatterhownoble thecause…shouldn’tweusenational symbols,songs,mottos,andthelikein oursovereigndocuments?

Whatiswrongwiththatreasoning ofMs.Wilburg?Symbols,songs,mottosdonotdropfromtheskies.Theyare theinventionsofmenandwomenwho stampedthemonthevisageofthenationtheyareelectedtogovern.Ifyou takethatjurisdictionawayfromthem thenwhatpowerdotheyhavetoshape thethingsintheircountry?

TheCoatofArmsonourpassport covercamefromtheBurnhamGovernment.Themotto,“OnePeople,One Nation,OneDestiny”camefromthe BurnhamGovernment.Thenational wascomposedduringBurnham’s reign.Now,nowhereonthoseimages arethewords,Peoples’NationalCongress.Allaregovernmentalmotifsborn undertheaegisoftheGovernmentof Guyana.

Unfortunately,Ms.Wilbergwasnot bornwhenBurnhamusedapersonality culttostampGuyana’sfacewithmany personalpreferences.Herenamedthe Linden.AvillageuptheEastCoast boreshisdaughter’sname,Melanie Damishana.ASouthGeorgetowndistrictcarriestheappellation,Roxsann BurnhamGardens.

mustbeimpresseduponMs.Wilburgis thatmanyoftheimagesBurnhamimprintedonGuyanadidnotcomefrom anelectedpresident.Mr.Burnhamwon onlyonefreeandfairelectoralcompetition,andthatwasin1964.Fromthat yearuntilhisdeathin1985,Burnham’s presidencywasnotbasedonalegitimatevotingprocess.

Incontrast,Dr.MohamedIrfaan wastwiceelectedpresidentofGuyana. Therecanbenologicalinterpretation thatONEGUYANAisaPPPthing.I quoteMs.Wilburgagain:“Apassport shouldnotbeseenastakingasidein domesticpolitics.”

WhereisthepoliticsofaPresident usingamottotobringanethnically diversenationtogether?Andhowis theONEGUYANAstampinthepassthepassport’spages?Ibelievewhen Ms.Wilburgwroteherwords,inher Freudianmind,ONEGUYANAhas tobepoliticalbecauseitcomesfroma PPPpolitician.

Strangethinking!

DISCLAIMER:Theviewsand opinionsexpressedinthiscolumnare solelythoseoftheauthoranddonot

orpositionoftheGuyanaNational NewspapersLimited.

Healthvoucherdatadrivingshifttoevidence-basedcare

––sayshealthminister

DATAgeneratedthrough Guyana’snationalhealth voucherprogrammeisplayingacentralroleinshaping evidence-basedhealthcare planning.

ThisisaccordingtoMinisterofHealth,DrFrankAnthony,whorecentlystatedthat thisdataallowstheMinistryof Healthtoidentifydiseasetrends earlierandfurtherdesigntargetedinterventionsinthisregard.

“Thesevouchersarevery important,notjustbecause ofthetesting,butbecauseof whatweareabletodowiththe results,”hesaid

Henotedthatthehealth authoritiesareabletoanalyse whatisgoingonincertain areasandfurtherensurethe relevantcarereachesthem.

“Fromthedata,weareable toanalysewhatisgoingonin ourpopulationandreachoutto people,bringthemintocareand managetheproblemsthatthey have,”headded.

Againstthisbackdrop, theministeraddedthat,over thepasttwoyears,morethan 461,000vouchershavebeen processedacrosseyecare, laboratorytestingandcancer screening.

Thevolumeofresults,he added,nowallowstheministrytostratifydatabyregion, sex,localityanddiseasetype, providinginsightsthatwere previouslyunavailableata nationallevel.

Oneareawherethedatais alreadyinfluencingpolicyis chronicdiseasemanagement.

“Becausewehavethisinformation,wecannowbringthem intocareandworkwiththem beforethediseaseprogresses,” hestated.

Thedatahavealso highlightedlinksbetween long-standingdiabetesand kidneyfailure,promptingthe introductionofnewmedicationsaimedatdelayingthe onsetofrenaldiseaseinhighriskpatients.

Additionally,cancerdetectionhassimilarlybenefittedfromtheprogramme’s analyticalcapacity,evenaseyecarescreeningshaveledtothe

glaucoma,whilelaboratorydata havesupportedearlierdiagnosis ofprostatecancerthroughPSA testing.

THEGuyanaHinduDharmicSabha(GHDS)extends warmandfraternalPhagwahgreetingstotheHindu communityandallGuyanese. Asthevibrantcoloursof Holipreparetoblanketour theprofoundspiritualandcientfestival,whichremains acornerstoneofGuyana’s culturalidentity.

Phagwah,orHoli,marks thearrivalofspringandthe victoryofgoodoverevil, immortalisedbythestory ofyoungPrahladandhis unwaveringdevotiontorighteousness.Itisatimewhen thebarriersaredissolvedin aseaofcoloursmearedon eachother’sfacesremoving fraternityandlove.

PresidentoftheGuyanaHinduDharmicSabha, Dr.VindhyaVasiniPersaud, emphasisedthatPhagwahis morethanjustacelebration ofcolour;itisacatalystfor nationalharmony.

“Phagwahservesasa powerfulreminderthattruth andlightwillalwaysprevail overdarkness,”Dr.Persaud stated.“Aswesmeareach otherwiththevibranthues of‘abeer’andabrackmirroringthecoloursofSpring, weareessentiallywashing awayeverythingthatdivides us.InGuyana,Phagwahhas

“Thisisnotjustatransactionalrelationship,”DrAnthonytoldhealthcareservice providers.

Headded,“Theutilisation ofwhatwetestandhowweuse thatinformationiswhatishelpingustodoourworkbetter.”

Tothisend,hesaidthatthe

shapingthefuturedirectionof theprogrammeitself,including proposedadditionssuchasultrasoundservicesandexpanded diabeticeyescreening,basedon demonstratedpublicneed.

“Ifweareabletogetpeopleearlier,usingtheinformationthatwenowhave,we canpreventmanyofthese conditionsfromprogressing,” hesaid.

HPVscreeningresultshave informedtheexpansionofvaccinationstrategiesandfollow-upcareforwomenatrisk ofcervicalcancer.

PresidentoftheGuyanaHinduDharmic Sabha,Dr.Vindhya VasiniPersaud

evolvedintoabeautifulsocial tapestrywhereeverycitizen, regardlessofbackground,can participateinthespiritof‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’—the worldisonefamily.”

TheSabhahighlightsthat Phagwahisuniquelybotha spiritualandsocialfestival. Spiritually,itisaperiodof burningofHolika,whichsigviceslikeegoandhatred. Socially,itisatimeofintense joy,music,anddanceand smearingofvibrantcolours, fosteringasenseofcommunitybelongingthatisvitalfor ournationalfabric.Dharmic

Sabharemindsalltokeepthe festivaldevoidofalcoholand vulgarity.

TheGHDSencourages Guyanesetoobservethefestivalwithdignityandrespect. Whiletheatmosphereisone ofexuberance,theSabharemindsallthattheessenceof thedayisrootedinloveand thecelebrationofnature’s bounty.

Tocelebratethisauspiciousdayinanatmosphere ofmelodyandtraditional fervour,theGuyanaHindu DharmicSabhacordially invitesthegeneralpublicto itsHoliUtsav.Venue:EverestCricketClubGround, Georgetown.Date:PhagwahDay.Time:Startingat 4:00PM.Admissionisfree! Noalcoholisallowed.

Features:VishaleSamlall,SurajSingh,Sookrane andothersfromGuyanaand NevalChaitlallfromTrinidad andTobago,danceperformances,andaclean,family-friendlyenvironmentfor alltoenjoythe“Festivalof Colours.”

“Iinviteeveryoneto joinusatEverestGround,” Dr.Persaudadded.“Letus celebrategoodnessandour sharedhumanity,inlove, happinessandfraternity. LetthecoloursofPhagwah saturateourheartswith peaceandournationwith progress.ShubhHolitoall ofGuyana!”

PPPencouragesharmonyand togethernessonFestivalofColours

THEPeople’sProgressive Partyextendsheartfelt Phagwahgreetingstoall

Guyaneseathomeandin thediasporaaswecelebratethissacredandjoy-

ousfestivalofcolour.

Phagwah,alsoknown asHoli,commemoratesthe triumphofgoodoverevil anddrawsinspirationfrom thestoryofPrahlad,whose unwaveringdevotionand faithovercamethetyranny ofHolika.Thispowerful messageremindsusthatrighteousness,truth,andcourage willalwaysprevail.

Phagwahremindsusofunity, renewalanddivinelove

ONthesacredandjoyousoccasionofPhagwah, alsoknownasHoli,HumanitarianMissionGuyanaInc.(HMG)extends heartfeltgreetingstothe Governmentandpeopleof Guyana. Thisvibrantfestival iscelebratednotonlyin Guyanabutacrosstheworld byHindusandnon-Hindus messageoflove,unity,and renewal.

Phagwahisfarmorethan afestivalofcoloursandfestivity;itisadeeplyspiritual observancerichinmeaning andtradition.Itremindsus oftheeternaltriumphof goodoverevil,lightover darkness,andtruthover falsehood.Rootedinfaith anddevotion,thisholycelebrationcallsuponusto cleanseourheartsofnegativityandrenewourspirits withhope,compassion,and righteousness.

ThesacredfireofHolikaDahansymbolisesthe burningawayofego,anger, jealousy,andallthatdivides theystandasapowerful reminderthatthroughfaith, courage,andsteadfastness, goodnesswillalwaysprevail.Thevibrantcolours thatfollowarenotmerely powderssharedinjoy;they representthebeautyand diversityofcreationand whenweliveinunityand becomeourbrothers’and sisters’keepers.

Phagwainvitesusintoa seasonofrenewal—renewal ofmind,renewalofrelationships,andrenewalofpurpose.Itisatimetoforgive pasthurts,seekreconciliation,andembraceoneanotherasmembersofonehuman family.Thefestivalteaches humility,compassion,and theimportanceofstanding inthefaceofadversity.

AtHumanitarianMissionGuyanaInc.,weare profoundlyinspiredbythe spiritualmessageofthis sacredfestival.Justasthe manycoloursofPhagwah blendintooneradiantcelebration,sotoodoesourdiversecommunityunitewith shareddreamsandcommon

purpose.Weareremindedthateveryindividual, regardlessofbackground orcircumstance,possesses inherentworthandlimitless potential.Tolerance,understanding,andloveremain thefoundationuponwhich webuildstrongercommunities.

MaythisPhagwahfill ourheartswithdivinepeace andspiritualclarity.Mayit strengthenourfaith,deepen ourcompassion,andguide ustoserveoneanotherwith sincerityandgoodwill.Let ususethissacredtimeto recommitourselvestobuildingabetterGuyana—one rootedinrespect,inclusion, andunityforall.

Celebratingnational eventslikePhagwahisa renewalforthenewgeneration.Ithelpsustoplace importanceonwherewe comefromandtopreserve thevaluesthatshapeour identity.

SureshSugrim,stated thatonMarch8th,2026,InternationalWomen’sDay— withitsfocusonruralwomveryprinciplesthatHoli celebrates:empowerment, resilience,dignity,andhope forwomen.

“Phagwahisaseasonof hopeandatimetorenewour commitmenttosecuringour future,becausethechildren hereareourhopeandour future,”preachedSuresh Sugrim.Healsostressedthat religionandculturebringhumanityclosertoGodinthis multi-religious,multi-culturalsociety,remindingus“to keepourfeetontheground andrememberwherewe camefromandwhoweare.” songsofjoyechothroughout ourcommunities,maywe alsotaketimeforinwardreinthought,kindnessinaction,andgratitudeinspirit.

OnbehalfofHumanitarianMissionGuyana Inc.,wewishyouand yourfamiliesablessed, peaceful,andspiritually upliftingPhagwah.May yourlivesbecolouredwith faith,yourhomesfilled withharmony,andyour heartsanchoredindivine love.

Beyonditsreligioussig-ishedculturalcelebration thatbringstogetherpeople ofallbackgroundsinaspirit ofunityandjoy.Asabeer

soundsofchowtaalandtassa echoacrosscommunities,we areremindedoftherichness ofourheritageandthebeauty ofGuyana’sdiversity.

Thissacredoccasioncalls onustorenewourcommitmenttolove,compassion, andtogetherness.

InthetruespiritofPhagwah,letuscontinuetoembraceoneanotherwithrespectandworkcollectively tobuildamoreunited,inclusive,andprosperousnation.

ThePeople’sProgressivePartyremainscommit-

tedtofosteringharmony amongallGuyaneseand ensuringthattheblessings ofprogressanddevelopmentreacheveryfamily andcommunity.

MaythisPhagwahfill yourheartswithpeace,your homeswithhappiness,and yourliveswiththevibrant coloursofhopeandrenewal. HappyPhagwah!

Newstreetlightsaimtodeter crime,improveroadsafety -Governmentacceleratesinstallation

THEMinistryofPublic Workshasintensifiedthe nationwiderolloutofits streetlightinitiative,advancinggovernmentefforts tostrengthencommunity safety,improveroadvisibility,andexpandeconomic andsocialactivityafter dark.

Theprogramme,which formspartofabroadercommunityenhancementagenda, iscurrentlyadvancinginseveralareas,includingEnterpriseandAnnandaleNorthon theEastCoastofDemerara. Officialssaytheinstallation ofadditionallightingisaimed atfosteringagreatersense ofsecurityamongresidents whilediscouragingcriminal activityinpublicspaces.

InFebruary,theministrycommittedtoinstalling 192streetlightsacrossthe communityofEnterpriseto bolstersafety.Todate,60 lightshavebeensuccessfully erectedinSections‘C’and ‘D’,withworkscontinuing inothersections.Ministerof PublicWorks,JuanEdghill, hasalsopledgedthatAnnandaleNorthwillbefully illuminatedwithinweeksas

theinitiativeaccelerates.

Residentshavewelcomed thedevelopment,describing itasbothtimelyandnecessary.LavinaWilliamssaid thelightswouldbrightenthe communityandenhancesafety,callingit“agoodinitia-

tive.”WiziePrabhunotedthat improvedlightingisespeciallyneededinNorthandSouth Annandale,whereevening robberieshavebeenaconcern.Recallingarecentincident,Prabhusaidtheinitiative isparticularlyimportantfor personscommutinghome fromworkatnight.Another resident,RunellParsaram, expressedtheviewthatincreasedlightingwoulddeter loiteringandcriminalactivity invulnerableareas.

Thestreetlightprogramme alignswithcommitmentsfirst

outlinedbyPresidentIrfaan Aliin2023,whenhespoke ofplanstomoderniseand modifycommunitiesnationwidethroughenhancedinfrastructure.

TheadministrationsubsequentlyannouncedinSeptemberlastyearthatapproximately100,000streetlights wouldbeinstalledacross Guyanatoimproveroadsafetyandreduceaccidents,while alsodiscouragingcrime.

Accordingtotheministry, improvedlightingnotonly enhancespublicsafetybut alsosupportssmallbusinessesandcommunitylifeby enablingresidentstoengage inoutdooractivitieswith greaterconfidence.Theongoingworksarepartofawider infrastructuredriveaimedat upgradingpublicspacesand improvingqualityoflifeat thecommunitylevel.

Authoritieshaveindicatedthatinstallations willcontinueinphases acrossvariousregionsas thegovernmentadvances itsnationaltarget,underscoringitscommitmentto safer,brightercommunities throughoutGuyana.

THEUniversityofGuyana (UG)announcedplansto stageamemorialreading oftheliteraryworksofthe lateDrRupertRoopnarine, markingthepassingofone ofGuyana’smostdistinguishedscholars,poets, critics,andpublicintellectuals.

DrRoopnarine,who passedawayonFebruary23 attheageof83,isrememberedasaRenaissancefigure whoseintellectandactivism leftaprofoundmarkonGuyaneseacademia,literature, andculture.

ASeniorLecturerinthe DepartmentofEnglishand aformermemberofUG’s Council,DrRoopnarinealso servedasMinisterofEducationandMemberofParliament,shapingnationaldiscoursethroughscholarship andpublicservice.

EducatedatQueen’sCollegeonaGuyanaScholarshipandlateratCambridge University,whereheearned adegreeinComparative Literature,DrRoopnarine returnedtoGuyanaaftera tenureatCornellUniversity

tojoinUGin1977. Overthedecades,he combinedrigorousscholarshipwithacommitmentto socialactivism,drawingon Marxistandmodernpolitical thoughttoinformhisworkas bothaneducatorandcultural critic.

DrRoopnarine’scontributionstoliteratureand theartswerewide-ranging. Heauthoredacclaimedpoetrycollections,including

TheWebofOctober:On Re-ReadingMartinCarter (1989)andSuiteforSupriya (1993),andproducedseminal criticalstudiessuchasPrimacyoftheEye:TheArtof StanleyGreaves(2003).His essays,includingTheSky’s WildNoise(2013),reflected hisdeepengagementwith Guyaneseliteratureandvisualarts,andwontheOCM BocasPrizeforNon-Fiction.

Agiftedoratorandintellectual,DrRoopnarinewas equallyathomediscussing ContinentalandRomance literatureashewasinterpretingtheworksoflocal artistslikeMartinCarter andStanleyGreaves.He alsoexploredsocio-political themesthroughfilm,notably directingTheTerrorandthe Time(1979),whichdrewinspirationfromCarter’spoetry andhighlightedthestruggles oftheworkingclass.

Inadditiontohisscholarlypursuits,DrRoopnarine embodiedtheRenaissance spiritthroughsports,having representedQueen’sCollege andCambridgeUniversity TURNTOPAGE14

ERCwishesGuyaneseajoyousHoli,celebratingunityindiversity

THEEthnicRelations Commission(ERC)extends warmandheartfeltgreetingstoallGuyaneseonthe joyousoccasionofHoli, alsoknownasPhagwah. HoliisanannualHindu festivalofcolourscelebrating thearrivalofspring.Itsymbolizesthetriumphofgood overevil,aseasonofrenew-

al,reconciliation,andhope. Throughthejoyoussprinklingofwaterandcoloured powderandthesharingof sweetsandgoodwill,Holiremindsusoftheenduringvaluesofunity,forgiveness,and harmonyviathestrengtheningofrelationships.

WhileHoliisreligiouslyobservedbyourHindu

brothersandsisters,ithas longtranscendeditsreligious originstobecomeacherishednationalcelebration embracedbyGuyaneseofall ethnicitiesandfaiths.This sharedculturalandreligious acceptanceisapowerful reflectionofourcountry’s diversityandatestamentto ourcollectiveidentityasone

people.

Aswecelebratethis beautifulfestival,whichis observedasanationalholidayinGuyanatoday,the Commissioncallsuponall

citizenstocontinuefostering respect,tolerance,andappreciationfortheculturesthat

LetthecoloursofHoli serveasareminderthat, thoughwemaycomefrom traditions,weareunitedin ourshareddestinyandnationalpride.

Governmentpresses aheadwithnationalhome ownershipagenda

MOREthan3,000Guyaneseareexpected tomoveclosertohomeownershipwithin thenexttwomonthsastheMinistryof HousingandWateracceleratesthesigning ofAgreementsofSaleandtheprocessing ofCertificatesofTitleacrossseveralhousingschemes.

HousingMinisterCollinCroaldisclosed theupdateinarecentvideomessage,outliningthenextphaseofdocumentsignings inRegionsThree,FourandSix.Theareas identifiedincludeNumber75andNumber 76VillagesinBerbice,LusignanPhaseOne andPhaseTwo,GoodHopePhaseTwo,Vryheid’sLustandsectionsalongtheCorentyne.

Accordingtotheminister,beneficiariesin theselocationswillsoonbeinvitedinbatches toviewtheirallocatedlotsandproceedwith thesigningofAgreementsofSale,pavingthe wayfortheissuanceofCertificatesofTitle. Heindicatedthatwithintwototwoanda halfmonths,morethan3,000allotteesare expectedtocompletetheprocess.

“Soallofthesepersons,theseareasthat Imentioned,willbeabletoseetheirlot,and thenatthedatesthatIhaveidentified,from thosedatesandhenceforth,theycansign fortheiragreementsofsaleaswellastheir certificatesoftitle,”Croalstated.

TheministeremphasisedthattheMinistry,throughtheCentralHousingandPlanningAuthority,isworkingbeyondregular hourstomeetgrowingdemand.Heacknowledgedthatwhiletheprocessmaytaketime, beneficiariesarecalledinbatchestoensure efficientservicedeliveryandpersonalised attention.

“Sometimesittakesalittletime,and that’swhyweonlycallpersonsinbatches. Similarly,whenwehaveexercisesforshow-

ingofthelands,wecallpersonsinbatches becausewewanttoensurethatyouhavethe fullattentionwhenyou’recomingherefor service,”Croalexplained.

Hereiteratedthatthegovernment’s housingdriveextendsbeyondtheallocation ofhouselots.Theadministration’sfocus, hesaid,isonfullownershipandenabling citizenstoconstructtheirhomes,thereby strengtheninglong-termsecurityandstability forfamilies.

“Aswe’vesaid,homeownershipisnot justspeakingaboutallocationoflots…Itis toensurethatone,personsgetownership, andtwo,thattheycanbeabletohaveopportunitiestobuildtheirownhome,”the ministeradded.

Theupdateformspartofthegovernment’songoingnationalhousing programmeaimedatexpandingaccess toland,acceleratingtitling,andpromotingsustainablecommunitydevelopment acrossGuyana.

Prudentbudgetingfuellingdevelopment whilekeepingdebtlow--DrSinghsays

SENIORMinisterwithin theOfficeofthePresident withResponsibilityforFinance,DrAshniSingh, recentlystatedthatthegovernmenthasmaintaineda balancedapproachwhenit comestoensuringthatthe nation’sambitiousdevelopmentagendaisfinancially sustainable.

TheMinister,duringa recentinterview,highlightedthatbecauseofcareful budgeting,diverserevenue streams,anddisciplinedborrowing,thegovernmentis buildingoutthecountrywithoutjeopardisinglong-term financialstability.

TheMinistersaid:“A lotofpeopletheyseeroads happening,andtheydon’t reallythinkabouthowthese thingsarefinanced;it’svery importanttorememberthat thenationalbudgetisnotdramaticallydifferentfromeven ahouseholdbudget.”

TheMinisternotedthat governmentrevenuescome frommultiplesources,which includetraditionaltaxcollection,climaterevenues, andresource-basedfunds likeoilrevenues,explaining thatrevenuescovertransfer paymentssuchasold-age pensions,thegovernment wagebill,andthecapital investments.

Henotedthatthegovernmenthasborrowedvery prudently,and“we’vebeen abletobringourdebtdown tothelowestlevelcertainly inrecentmemory,withone

SeniorMinisterwithinthe OfficeofthePresident withResponsibilityfor Finance,DrAshniSingh

ofthelowestdebt-to-GDP ratiosintheentireWestern Hemisphereandtheentire world.”

Heemphasisedabalance hastobestruckbetween recurrentexpenditureorconsumptionandinvestments.

Whilenotingthatthe governmentmakesinvestmentssothatfuturegenerationscanbenefit,theministersaid:“Weinvestinthe thingsthatmatterforthenext generation-theroads,the bridgesthatwillgeneratethe economicgrowth,thatwill createthejobsandthatwill generatetheincomesforthe nextgeneration.”

Justrecently,DrSingh contrastedGuyana’scurrent debt-to-gross-domestic-product(GDP)ratiowiththoseof

countriesacrossthehemisphereandbeyond,manyof whichexceed80percentand insomecasessurpass100 percent.

HehadreportedthatGuyana’sdebt-to-GDPratiostood at28.6percentattheendof 2025,makingitthesecond lowestintheWesternHemisphere.Hefurtherhighlightedsharpimprovementsinthe country’sdebt-serviceobligations,notingthatin1993, Guyanahadbeenspending morethanitstotalrevenueto servicedebts.

Bycomparison,he said,in2025thedebtservice-to-revenueratiohadfallento5.53percent,meaning thatjustoverfivepercent ofgovernmentrevenuewas nowbeingusedtomeetdebt payments.

“Whencountriesaround thehemisphereandaround theworldhaveadebt-toGDPratiothatexceeds100 percent,andinevenmore casesthatexceed60,70,80 percent,Guyana’sdebtto-GDPratioattheendof 2025was28.6percent;like Isaid,thesecondlowestin thewesternhemisphere.Mr Speaker,andthesameapplies toourdebtservicetorevenue ratio,”DrSinghhadsaid.

Headded:“ItisthisPeople’sProgressiveParty/Civic governmentandourpredecessorsthatbroughtGuyana backfrombankruptcy.”

Theministerexplained thatthisfiscalspacehas allowedthegovernmentto

EverestCricketClubGroundto hostvibrantPhagwahfestivity ofcoloursandharmony

THEGuyanaHinduDharmicSabha(GHDS)has extendedwarmPhagwah greetingstotheHinducommunityandallGuyanese, emphasisingthefestival’s spiritualsignificanceand itsroleinfosteringnational unity. Asthevibrantcolours ofHolisweepacrossthe country,theGHDShighlightedthatPhagwah,also knownasHoli,commemoratesthetriumphofgoodover evil,inspiredbythestoryof youngPrahlad’sunwavering devotiontorighteousness. Beyonditsreligiousroots, thefestivaliscelebratedas atimetobreakdownsocial barriers,promotefraternity, andembracethespiritof sharedhumanity.Dr.Vindhya VasiniPersaud,Presidentof theSabha,stressedthatthe celebrationismorethana

displayofcolours.“Phagwah servesasapowerfulreminder thattruthandlightwillalwaysprevailoverdarkness,” shesaid.“Aswesmeareach otherwithvibranthues,we areessentiallywashingaway everythingthatdividesus. InGuyana,Phagwahhas evolvedintoabeautifulsocial tapestrywhereeverycitizen, regardlessofbackground,can participateinthespiritof‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’—the worldisonefamily.”

TheGHDSalsounderscoredPhagwah’sdualnatureasaspiritualandsocial festival.Spiritually,itbegins withtheburningofHolika, symbolisingthedestruction ofinnervicessuchasegoand hatred.Socially,itisacelebrationofjoy,music,dance, andcolour,strengthening communalbondsthatarevital forthenation’sfabric.The

pursueaggressiveinvestmentsaimedattransformingthecountry’slong-term economicprospects,while simultaneouslyexpanding andimprovingsocialservices forcitizens.

“…in2025,thedebt-service-to-revenueratioinGuyanawas5.53percent.Comingfromapositionwhere wewerespendingmorethan 100percentofourrevenue, wearenowspending5.5per centofgovernmentrevenue toserviceourdebt.Andatthe sametime,sir,weareinvestingaggressivelytotransform ourcountryforthelongterm. Andat[the]sametimesir,we areimprovingandexpanding

socialservices,”hetoldthe NationalAssembly.

Theratiooftotalpublicandpubliclyguaranteed (PPG)debttoGrossDomesticProducthadfallenfrom 47.4percentattheendof 2020to28.6percentbythe closeof2025.

ThetotalPPGdebtstood atUS$7.7billionattheend of2025,reflectingnetinflowsfrombothdomesticand externalfinancingsources. Domesticdebtaccountedfor thelargershareat62.3per cent,orUS$4.8billion,while externaldebtsmadeup37.7 percent,totallingUS$2.9 billion.

Further,thetotaldebt-ser-

vicepaymentsfor2025 amountedtoUS$264.6million,ofwhichUS$176.6 millionwaspaidtoexternal creditorsandUS$88million todomesticcreditors.

Notably,5.5percentof governmentrevenuewent towardsdebtservicein2025, downfrom8.5percentin 2020.

DrSinghhadmadethe assurancethenthatGuyana’sdebtpositionisprojectedtoremainstrongly sustainableoverthemediumterm,evenasthe governmentpressesahead withitswide-rangingdevelopmentandeconomic transformationagenda.

Sabhaurgedallparticipants toobservethefestivalwith dignity,keepingitfreefrom alcoholandvulgarity.

Tomarktheoccasion, theGHDSisinvitingthe publictoitsHoliUtsavatthe EverestCricketClubGround inGeorgetown,startingat 4:00PMonPhagwahDay. Theeventisfreeandfamily-friendly,featuringperformancesbylocalartists VishaleSamlall,SurajSingh, Sookrane,andNevalChaitlall fromTrinidadandTobago.

“Iinviteeveryoneto joinusatEverestGround,” Dr.Persaudadded.“Letus celebrategoodnessandour sharedhumanity,inlove, happiness,andfraternity. LetthecoloursofPhagwah saturateourheartswith peaceandournationwith progress.ShubhHolitoall ofGuyana!”

Technology,skillsexchangetoaccelerate Caribbean’sfood-securityefforts

--asGuyanaeyestappingintoregionaldiaspora, strengtheningpartnershipwithStKittsandNevis

HAVINGsetitssightson becomingtheCaribbean’s principalsupplieroffood, Guyanaislookingtotap intotheregionaldiaspora tostrengthenitsdrivefor regionalfoodsecurityand advancedtradeco-operation.

Speakingtomembersof theGuyanesediasporainSt. KittsandNevislastweek President,DrIrfaanAlioutlinedanambitiousstrategy todeveloparesilientagri-

culturalecosystemthatcan meetrisingdemandacross theCaribbeanCommunity (CARICOM).

Theplanincludesinvestmentinmodernfarmingtechniques,technology transferandskillsexchange toscaleupproductionand streamlinedistributionto neighbouringnations.

“Isaidveryclearlythat ourdevelopmentmustlead totheprosperityoftheregion,becauseweseeour-

selvesaspart,asaninstrumentthatcanallowour regiontogrowandprosper strongerandtogether,”PresidentAlisaid.

BypositioningGuyana asaregionalbreadbasket, policymakershopetoreduce importdependenceacross theCaribbeanandbolster resilienceagainstglobal shockssuchasextreme weatherandcommodity volatility.

Technologyandtraining

willformakeytothisinitiative.

Hehighlightedplansto includesharingbestpracticesinsustainableagriculture anddigitisation.

“We’realsogoingto workonacollaboration, co-operationagreementon foodsecurity,exchangeof technology,exchangeof skills.

Andwewanttocreatea frameworkthatwouldallow thesmoothmovementof goodsandservicesbetween St.KittsandNevisandGuyana.”

Tothisend,thetwoCaribbeannationsareexpected toinkseveralagreements cementingtheseplans.

SITUATIONROOM/ DATAHUB

Justlastweek,AgricultureMinisterZulfikarMustaphaannouncedthatGuyanaispreparingtodeepen itsleadershiproleinregional agriculturewiththecreation ofahigh-tech“Situation Room”datacentreanda newCentreofExcellencein agriculturaltraining.

Speakingatthelaunch oftheFarmersConnectapp, Mustaphasaidthatwithin thenexttwomonthsPresi-

asaspinbowlerincricket, earningaBlueforhisathletic achievements.

TheUniversityofGuyanaemphasisedthatDrRoopnarine’slegacyextends beyondhisliteraryandacademicaccomplishments.His criticalworkhelpeddefinea Guyaneseaestheticandcultivatedanationalconscious-

dentAliisexpectedtounveil aSituationRoom,acentral datahubforagriculturethat willservenotonlyGuyana butthewiderCaribbean.

Thefacility,beingdevelopedincollaborationwith internationalpartners,will bethefirstofitskindinthe Caribbean.

“Inanothermonthfrom now,orbetweenanothertwo monthsfromnow,you’llsee, andyou’llbeinvited,where thePresidentwilllaunch theSituationRoom,adata centrenotonlyforGuyana, butacrosstheCaribbean,” Mustaphasaid.

Thedatacentreisintendedtoconsolidatereal-timeinformationonproduction,weather,markets, pests,floodingandother criticalindicators,enabling fasterandmoreinformed decision-makingbygovernmentandsectoragencies.

ItwillcomplementGuyana’snewlylauncheddigital tools,includingtheFarmers ConnectappandtheAgricultureInformationSystem,whichalreadyintegrate farm-leveldata,extension servicesandmarketdata.

“That’sanewtransformationalsoforus.Weare nowbuildingadatacentre,

nessgroundedinhumanism, socialawareness,andartistic excellence.

“Aswemournthelossof DrRoopnarine,wealsocelebratehisunparalleledcontributionstoourintellectualand culturalheritage,”UGsaid inastatement.“Amemorial readingofhisworkisbeing curatedforlaterthismonth

aSituationRoom,sowe canbettermanagewhatis happeninginagriculture, notonlyhere,butacrossthe region.”

Mustaphaframedthe SituationRoomaspartofa broaderpushtomodernise agriculturethroughdataand technology,movingaway fromtraditionalfarming techniques.

Theaimistobetteranticipateshocks,manageresourcesandsupportfarmers acrossallregions,whilealso supplyingregionalpartners withreliable,up-to-date data.

MustapharemindedattendeesthatGuyanaisthe onlycountryintheworldcapableoffeedingitselfacross allsevenmajorfoodgroups, includingmeat,fish,fruits, vegetables,dairy,plantbasedprotein,andstarches. Hesaidthegovernment’sambitionnowextendsbeyondself-sufficiency,withGuyanapositioningitselfasthemain foodproducerinthehemisphereandadrivingforce intheCaribbeanCommunity’s(CARICOM)planto cuttheregionalfood-importbillby25percentby 2030.

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intributetohisacademicand literaryimpactbothathome andinternationally.”

TheUniversityextendedcondolencestoDrRoopnarine’sfamily,friends, andcolleagues,honouringa lifedevotedtoscholarship, creativity,andthepursuit ofknowledgeinserviceof humanity.

63sluices,40newpumpspartof massivedrainageupgrade

--AgricultureMinisterhighlightsplantoprotectvulnerablecommunities

WHILEdetailingtheplans toexpanddrainagenetworksnationwide,AgricultureMinisterZulfikar Mustaphastatedthatthis yearwillseetherollingout andrehabilitationofnew canals,sluicesandpumps.

Duringarecentairingof the‘StartingPoint’podcast, theministersaidthegovernmentisconstructingapproximatelyfivehigh-levelcanals inRegionsSixandFive.

tomodernisetheagricultural sector,whileprotectingcommunitiesfromtheimpactsof climatechange.

Additionally,almost63 sluicesacrossthecountry arebeingconstructedacross thecountryandtheminister saidtheywillbepurchasing 40newpumpsthisyearto ensurevulnerableareasare wellprotected.

drainagechallenges,revealingthatcomprehensive planswereinplaceforimprovementstothecountry’sdrainageandirrigation infrastructurestartingwith Georgetown.Followingextensiveconsultations,the governmenthadcompleted detailedmappingandafullscaleassessmentofexisting drainagefacilities,alongside

menttocleanercommunities,sustainablewaste-managementsolutionsandthe beautificationofthecountry, notingthattheplanspresentedarenotmerelyconceptual.

TheNationalDrainage TaskForceconcludedits publicconsultationsonthe GeorgetownDrainageImprovementProjectbackin November.

Theseengagements spannedatwo-weekperiod,withoutreachesinmore than50communitiesin15

constituencies,aswellas consultationswithseveral private-sectororganisations.

Thiswasakeycomponentofthe‘RescueGeorgetown,’initiative,acityrevivalplanforsustainableurban development.

Theinitiativewillincludethehighlightingofthe city’sarchitecturalhistory, constructingawalkingtrail alongthecity,whichwill leadtothehistorictransport buildingandtrainstation, transformingitintoamu-

seumandtrainingcentre,as wellasimmediateworkson theStabroekwaterfrontand improvementstomarketsand shoppingareas. Alongsidetheconsultationsondrainageandirrigation,thegovernmenthad alsocommissionedRailway CourtyardlocatedatLamahaandHighStreets, erectedacommunityhub attheStabroekmarket square,usheringinthefestiveseasonwithChristmas décorandfanfare.

Oncecompleted,themassivecanalsinRegionsSixandFivewillmirrorthatofthe HopeCanalinRegionFour

Thosecanalswilldrain thewaterdirectlyfromthe backlands,rightintotheAtlanticOcean.

Notably,theHope-like canalscurrentlyunderconstructioninBerbiceareon trackforcompletionin2026.

Thisprojectispartofthe government’sbroaderstrategytoenhancethecountry’s drainageandirrigationnetwork,particularlyinareas thatarevulnerabletofloodinganddrought.

Thecanalsaredesigned toreplicatethesuccessful HopeCanalmodelonthe EastCoastofDemerara, whichwasbuilttoprovidea reliableoutletforexcesswaterduringtherainyseason.

Onceoperational,the canalslocatedinRegions FiveandSixareexpected todirectlybenefitthousands offarmersandhouseholds inBerbicebysafeguarding farmlands,reducingcrop lossesandincreasingproductivity.

Thecompletionofthe Hope-likecanalswillmark anothermajormilestonein theadministration’sefforts

Hesaid:“Youknowfora factthatnowclimatechange isrealinthesepartsofthe hemisphere,andweareseeingseriousproblemswheneverwehaveheavyrainfall. We’llbedoinganumberof irrigationcanals.

Theseirrigationcanals willgivefreshwatertothe farmers.”

Recently,thegovernmentexpoundedonitswide rangingvisiontotransform Guyana’sagriculturalsector intoaresilient,highvalue engineofdevelopmentand economicgrowth,which entailsasuiteofinvestments andpolicyprioritiesthat spansugar,rice,livestock, coconut,andotheremerging valuechains.

Inthisyear’snational budget,$113.2billionwas allocatedtosupportfood security.Recognisingtheimportanceofcriticaldrainage andirrigationsystemsacross thecountry,thesumof$81.9 billionwasearmarkedto continueimprovementcountrywide.

Lastyear,President,Dr IrfaanAliannouncedamajorstepforwardinaddressingGuyana’slong-standing

animplementationplanthat includesdigitalmappingof allpumpstationsandthe identificationofnewsites.

“Afterconsultations,we nowhavedetailedmapping ofalldrainagefacilities,a full-scaleassessment,and animplementationplanfor Georgetownandeverysingleregion,includingdigitalmappingofallpump stations—wheretheyare andwherenewoneswillbe located—becausedrainage isanimportantaspectof development,especiallyfor acountrythatisbelowsea level,”thePresidentsaid lastweekduringanaddress inwhichheoutlinedthegovernment’seconomicplansfor thenextfiveyears.

Centraltothegovernment’splansforthebeautificationofthecountry tooistheimprovementof wastemanagementandsanitationcountrywide;upgradinglandfillsites;deploying morecriticalwaste-managementequipment;upgradingwaste-watertreatment andlaunchinganaggressive waste-recyclingprogramme.

ThePresidentreaffirmed hisadministration’scommit-

LandfilltransitiongainsurgencyfollowingRose Halldumpsitesmokeissue

ByBebiShafeahOosman

SMOKEemissionsfrom theRoseHallTowndumpsitethathadbeenseverelyaffectingnearbyresidentshaveceased,bringing much-neededrelieftothe surroundingcommunities andongoingmeasureshave beenimplementedtoensurethesituationremains undercontrolanddoesnot recur.

Residentshadearlier raisedconcernsaboutthick smokeemanatingfromthe dumpsite,whichtheysaid wascausingdiscomfortand posingpotentialhealthrisks. Thesmoke,believedtohave beencausedbyburning wastematerials,hadpromptedcomplaintsaboutrespiratoryirritationandreducedair qualityinthearea.

Respondingswiftlytothe reports,MemberofParliamentZamalHussain,accompaniedbyDeputyPermanent SecretaryattheMinistry ofLocalGovernmentand RegionalDevelopment,Josh Kanhai,visitedthesiteon Thursdaylasttoassessthe situationfirsthand.Thevisit followeddirectappealsfrom residentswhosoughturgent intervention.

Duringtheinspection, Hussainandthevisitingteam engagedwithlocalrepresentativestodeterminethe sourceofthesmokeand toevaluatethemeasures requiredtoaddressit.As such,immediatesystems wereputinplacetosuppress theemissions,includingthe containmentandcoveringof smoulderingwastematerials. Theseeffortssuccessfully

haltedthesmokethathad beenaffectinghouseholds incloseproximitytothe dumpsite.

MPHussainassuredresidentsthattheirconcernswere beingtreatedwithurgency andseriousness.Heemphasisedtheimportanceofmaintainingproperwaste-managementpracticestoprevent similaroccurrencesinthe future.Healsonotedthat collaborationbetweenthe regionalauthoritiesandthe MinistryofLocalGovernmentandRegionalDevelopmentwouldcontinueto strengthenmonitoringand responsemechanismsatthe facility.

Residentshavesince reportedasignificantimprovementinairqualityand havewelcomedtheprompt responsebyHussainand

TheimprovedsituationfollowingmeasuresputinplacebyMemberofParliament ZamalHussainandDeputyPermanentSecurity,JoshKanhaiandteam

team.Effortsremainongoing toensurethatthesituation remainsstable,withregular inspections.

Meanwhile,Ministerof LocalGovernmentandRegionalDevelopmentPriya Manickchand,followingan outreachwiththeleadershipoftheneighbourhood democraticcouncilswithin RegionSixonFridaylast revealedthatthecountryis

transitioningfromdumpsites toproperlymanagedlandfill sites.

Sheexplained,that“we aremovingawayfromdump sitescompletelyandmoving towardslandfills…Dumpsitesareliterallyjustdump stuffandmanageitalittle bit,landfillsarescientificallyenvironmentallyfriendly areaswheresolidwasteis disposedof.”

Accordingtoher,theyare workingtowards“modern landfills,”adding,“we’re lookingatacircularwayof disposalofgarbage,solid wasteparticularly,ratherthan alinearwayweusedtolook atusageanddisposal.We’re nowlookingatusage,disposalandre-usuage.”

Touchingontheprocess ofrecycling,shestatedthat TURNTOPAGE17

StabroekRotary,Nextech partnerforAnnualYouth PeaceCompetition

THERotaryClubofStabroek,inpartnershipwith NextechInc.,onSaturday,hostedits12thAnnual PeaceArtCompetition, bringingtogetheryoung studentstoexplorethemes ofunityandharmony throughcreativeexpression.

HeldonFebruary28,the initiativeengaged14students betweentheagesof12and 14fromSt.JosephHigh School,St.George’sSchool ofScience,NorthGeorgetownSecondarySchooland ChristChurchSecondary School.Participantswere challengedtointerpretthe theme,“Peaceis…”,using visualart,producingpieces thatreflectedcoexistence, culturalunderstandingand hopeforamoreharmonious future.

Theannualcompetitionformspartoftheclub’s broaderyouthdevelopment andpeacebuildingefforts, encouragingyoungpeople toexaminesocialvalues throughcreativitywhilepromotingtoleranceandmutual respect.

Organisersnotedthatthe activityalsoalignswithRotary’sglobalfocusonpeace asakeyareaofservice,particularlyduringWorldUnderstandingMonthobserved inFebruary.

TheperiodalsocommemoratesWorldUnderstandingandPeaceDay, markingthefirstRotary meetingheldin1905and theanniversaryofRotary

International.

Judgespraisedthestudentsfortheiroriginalityand artisticskill,highlightingthe depthofthoughtreflectedin theartworksandthematuritywithwhichparticipants approachedtheconceptof peacefromayouthperspective.

Attheawardsceremony,AngelSkeeteofSt.JosephHighSchoolsecured firstplaceandreceiveda $20,000cashvoucher.SecondplacewenttoThalia BestofNorthGeorgetown SecondarySchool,whoreceiveda$15,000voucher, whileMakaylaWilliams,also ofNorthGeorgetownSecondarySchool,earnedthird placeanda$10,000voucher. Allparticipantswerealso presentedwithgiftvouchers redeemableatNextechand FutureCarePharmacy.

PresidentoftheRotary ClubofStabroek,Karen GordonBoyle,saidtheorganisationremainscommittedtosustainingtheannual competitionasaplatformfor youthengagementandartisticgrowthwhilepromoting peacethroughoutGuyana. Shenotedthatnurturingcreativityamongyoungpeople buildsconfidence,encouragespositiveself-expression andhelpsshapefutureleadersdedicatedtostrengtheningcommunities. Representativesofthe clubalsoexpressedappreciationtoNextechInc.forits continuedsupport,describingthepartnershipasvital

Landfilltransition...

theywilllookatthatoptionfromthelevelofhouseholds,“youhaveplasticin oneplace,paperinoneplace andsoon.”

Withthreemajorlocationscurrentlybeingusedas dumpsitesinRegionSix,the ministersaidthosewillhave toeitherbeconvertedtolandfillsitesorclosed;however, sheassured,“totheresidents inandaroundthesecommunitiesthatwillbedoneinan environmentallyfriendlyway andinawaythatleastaffects residents.”

DuringFriday’sengagementcertainNDCsraisedthe needforgarbagetrucks,and theministerconfirmedthat everyNDCwillbeequipped withatleastonegarbage truck,whilethelargerNDCs willgettwo.“Wearegoingto begindoingthatshortly.

Weboughtsomelatelast yearthataregoingtobe inthecountryinaboutsix

toexpandingopportunities foryouththrougheducation, innovationandthearts.

Meanwhile,Nextech representative,Penny Francis,congratulatedthe participants,commending theirinnovativeinterpretationsofthethemeand encouragingthemtocontinueusingartasatool forexpressionandpositive change.

FROM PAGE 16

weeks’time,sothoseare thingswewanttojustnormalise.”Meanwhile,Minister Manickchandalsorevealed thatthreenewbuildingsfor NDCswithinRegionSixare currentlynearingcompletion andwillsoonbeofficially handedover.Sheexplained thattheseupgradedfacilities areintendedtoenhancethe councils’capacitytobetter deliverservicestoresidents, improveadministrativeefficiencyandprovideamore comfortableandaccessible environmentforbothstaff andmembersofthepublic. Nationally,shesaidthat theyareconstructingnew NDCbuildingsinsomeareas,whilerenovatingothers wheretheneedis,“soall70 NDCsacrossthecountry aregoingtoseesomekind ofphysicalchange;itmight beacomplete,newNDC oraseverelyrehabilitated NDC.”

Fromlefttoright:RafeekKassim,Rotary’sAssistantGovernorforGuyana;Jagdesh TooknauthofFutureCarePharmacy;2ndplaceThaliaBest,1stplaceAngelSkeete, 3rdplaceMakaylaWilliams;SorayaWarner-Gustave,Rotary’sDistrictGovernorfor District7030;PennyFrancis,SalesManagerofNextechInc;Dr.KarenGordon-Boyle, PresidentoftheRotaryClubofStabroek

Speedingtopslistas trafficpoliceissuedover 3,500ticketslastweek

THEGuyanaPoliceForce hasrecorded3,587traffic casesfortheperiodFebruary22to28,2026,with speedingandhelmet-relatedoffencesamongthe mostprevalentviolations detectedduringintensifiedenforcementexercises acrossthecountry.

Accordingtofiguresreleasedbytheforce’sTraf-

ficDepartment,speeding accountedforthehighest numberofoffences,with 1,371casesrecordedduring theone-weekperiod.This wasfollowedby149casesof failuretowearsafetyhelmets and96seatbeltviolations.

Thepolicealsorecorded63 instancesofriderscarrying pillionpassengerswithout helmets.

Drivingundertheinfluence(DUI)remainsasignificantconcern,with55 casesdocumentedforthe week.Trafficofficialsnoted thatDUIoffenceshaveincreased,describingthetrend asindicativeof“uncaringand irresponsibledecisions”by somemotorists.Thedepartmentfurtherhighlightedthat recentaccidentshavebeen

TheTrafficDepartmentemphasisedthatenforcement effortsarebeingconducteddailyandare complementedbytraffic-educationinitiatives aimedatpromotingsaferroaduse

linkedtoexcessivespeed, distraction,andotherreckless behaviours.

Additionaloffencesrecordedinclude71casesof unlightedmotorvehicles (rear);67unlightedmotorvehicles(front);62unlicensed drivers;57breachesofprescribedfitnessconditions and52casesofleavinga motorvehicleinadangerous position.

Fourteenmotoristswere citedforbreachingtraffic lightsignals,whilethree casesoffaultypackingwere alsodocumented.Nocases involvingtintedmotorvehicleswerereportedduring theperiod.

TheTrafficDepartment emphasisedthatenforcement effortsarebeingconducted dailyandarecomplemented bytraffic-educationinitiativesaimedatpromoting saferroaduse.

Aspartofitsoutreach programme,officersdeliveredlecturestodrivers,patrons,andcommunitymembersatseverallocations, includingtheGTBaron IndependenceBoulevard; SandyBabbStreet;ConversationTreeRoad;Sheriff StreetandWestCentralMall Compound.Sessionswere

alsoheldatpolicestation compoundsinareassuch asMahaica,Turkeyen,Alberttown,GoldenGrove, Leonora,Beterverwagting, VigilanceandRuimveldt, amongothers.Outreachengagementsextendedtobars andentertainmentspots,including21Club,Seventh AvenueBar,TenthAvenue Bar,RyRyBar,ExpressSky Lounge&Bar,ClubElevateandHighLevelBarand Lounge.Aradioprogramme wasalsoconductedon102.5 NCN.

Thedepartmentfurther engagedstudentsthrough schoollecturesconducted betweenFebruary24and27. SessionswereheldatYarakitaPrimaryandKamwatta SecondaryinRegionOne; WindsorForestPrimaryin RegionThree;ShieldsTown NurseryinRegionFive;Al MadinahIslamicAcademy inRegionTwoandTaymouth ManorPrimary. Policeofficialsreiteratedtheircallformotorists androaduserstoadhereto trafficlaws,warningthat enforcementoperationswill continueaspartofongoing effortstoreduceaccidents andimproveroadsafety nationwide.

GAWUurgesGuyanesetoembracehope andtogethernessthisPhagwah

THEGuyanaAgriculturalandGeneralWorkers Union(GAWU)extends warmgreetingsandbest wishestoallGuyanese,and particularlytoourHindu brothersandsisters,onthe joyousoccasionofPhagwah2026.

Phagwah,orHoli,is amongthemostcherished festivalsonournational calendar.Itcommemorates thetimelessandinspiring triumphofgoodoverevil, remindingusoftheenduring strengthoftruth,faith,and righteousnessinovercoming adversity.Itsobservancecarriesprofoundspiritualmeanthatbindourcommunities together.

Thefestivalalsosignifiesthecommencementof spring,aseasonassociated withrenewal,rebirth,and freshbeginnings.Inthis regard,Phagwahencouragesustoembracehope, optimism,andthepromiseof brighterdaysahead,evenas weconfrontchallengesand uncertainties.

InGuyana,Phagwahoccupiesaspecialplaceinour richculturaltapestry.Thevi-

joyandfestivitybutalsothe diversityandharmonythat characteriseournation.Over theyears,theobservance hasattractedGuyanesefrom allwalksoflifeandhas trulytranscendedreligious boundaries,evolvingintoa nationalcelebrationofunity, togetherness,andmutual respect.

ThemessageofPhagwah resonatesdeeplywithour country’sjourney.Justas thefestivalsymbolisesthe victoryofgoodovereviland therenewaloflife,sotoohas Guyanasteadilyrisen,over-

cultiesthroughtheresilience, determination,andcollective

Itremindsusthat,unitedinpurposeandguided bysharedvalues,wecan continuetobuildastrongerandmoreprosperous nation.

Farmers,residentsinCrownDam benefitfromimprovedroadaccess

FARMERSandresidents ofCrownDam,Parika, andsurroundingcommunitiesarenowbenefitting fromimprovedaccessand connectivityfollowingthe completionofthecommunity’smainaccessroad.

AccordingtotheMinistry ofPublicWorks,theproject isexpectedtosignificantly improvetransportationefficiency,reducetraveltimeand supportagriculturalproductivityinRegionThree.

Theworksinvolved theconstructionofaflexiblepavementspanninga 248-metreor814-feetstretch ofroad.Withthepavement nowcomplete,onlytheedge lanemarkingsremainoutstanding.Theproject,which cost$39,143,900,commencedon13October2025 andwascompletedon28 February2026.

Theupgradedroadway willimprovethemovement offarmproduceandprovide

safer,morereliableaccess forresidentstravellingtoand fromCrownDamandnearby areasofParika.

Theinitiativeformspart ofwidereffortstoimprove infrastructureacrossRegion Three.

Meanwhile,inBudget 2026,thePPP/Cgovernmentallocatedmorethan $106.6billiontostrengthen theinfrastructure,support farmers,andimproveclimateresilience.

Demeritpointssystem

TRAFFICChief,AssistantCommissionerofPoliceMahendraSingh,has confirmedthatGuyana’s demeritpointsystemwill soonberolledout,callingit akeymeasuretostrengthen roadsafetyandimprove drivercompliance.

Inarecentinterview,he explainedthatthesystem willlinkthecourtsoflaw,the GuyanaRevenueAuthority (GRA)andtheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF)througha digitalnetwork.

AccordingtoSingh,“the demeritpointsystemwould beoperationalisedvery,very soon.Onceoperationalised, thattiesrightbacktothe threeagencies,meaningthe citycourt,theGuyanaRevenueAuthority,andtheGuyanaPoliceForce.”

Thesystemwillalso connectwiththeSafeRoad IntelligenceSystemsothat offencesandfinesarecapturedelectronically.

Accordingtohim,the measureisintendedtoencouragedriverstocomply withtrafficlawsvoluntari-

TrafficChief,Assistant CommissionerofPolice MahendraSingh

ly,andwherethatfails,to ensurecompliancethrough strictenforcement.

Hesaidthatwhethera driverpaysafineorchallengesthematterincourt,the informationwillbeshared acrossagencies.“Eitherway, theclerkofcourtwillbe responsibletonotifytherevenueauthorityofeachsuch occasion,”hestated.

TheTrafficChiefnoted thatthelawalreadyprovides clearconsequencesforrepeatedoffences.“Forevery accumulationofthenumber offines,suchasnotlessthan 10butnotmorethan16,the specifiedtimeframeforsuspensionofone’slicenceisin thelaw,”hesaid.

Headdedthatcontinued violationscouldresultinpermanentpenalties,explaining that“itspeakstoafirstoccasion,secondoccasion,and thereafterwhatcanhappen whereyou’redisqualified permanently.”

Singhsaidthatthedemeritpointsystemisatool toensurefairnessandprofessionalismintrafficenforcement.“Ithasnobiases attached.Theintegrityofthe systemisguaranteedthrough safeguardsbuiltin,”hesaid.

Hefurtherstressedthat thecourtsandpolicewould operateindependently,noting,“thesesystemswould capturethemagistracyatits bestwhereitcannotbeinfluencedbyus.And TURNTOPAGE29

JoeVieiraParksetforpre-Easteropening

THEtransformationofthe JoeVieirapark,soonberenamedtheGuyana-China FriendshipPark,isnearing completionwithplansfor thefacilitytobeopentothe publicaheadoftheEaster holiday.

Thepark,locatedatMeer Zorgen,WestBankDemerara,isauniqueadditionto Guyana’srecreationallandscape.Itsdesignmirrors thatofatraditionalChinese garden,blendinggreenspace withcultural,sportingand leisureelements.

SpeakingtotheDepartmentofPublicInformation (DPI)onMonday,Project CoordinatorattheProtected AreasCommission(PAC), KenGulliver,saidheisready toreceivevisitorspending thecompletionofonefinal requirement.

“Whatthey[contractor] arewaitingonrightnowis apermanentelectricityconnectionfromGPL.Weare tryingtogetthatsortedout asfastaspossible,butinternallytheparkisatastateof readiness,”hestated.

Gulliverexplainedthat theredevelopmenthassignificantlyenhancedthe park’sappearanceandfunctionality,allowingittoserve

ProjectCoordinatorattheProtectedAreasCommission (PAC),KenGulliver

multiplepurposes.

Itnowfeaturesarangeof sportingandleisurefacilities, includingaprofessional-standardfootballfield,basketball andtabletenniscourts,areas forlawntennis,achildren’s activityzoneanddedicated joggingspaces.

Additionalamenitiesincludeanoutdoortrampoline, anopen-airtheatrespacefor potentialcommercialuse, andseveralmodernwashroomsdesignedtoaccommodatepersonswithdisabilities, aswellasinfantchanging facilities.

Safetyhasalsobeensig-

nificantlyimproved.

Hehighlightedthatmultiplesecuritycamerashave beeninstalledacrossthepark andarealreadyoperational.

Securitypersonnelare stationedatthemainentrancestoensurevisitorsfeelsafe whileusingthefacility.

Beforeitsupgrades,Joe VieiraParkwasagifttothe GovernmentofGuyanafrom itsformerowner,JosephRudolphVieira,in1982.

Overthedecades,the parkbecameapopularspace forrelaxationandrecreation, particularlyduringtheEaster seasonwhenthousandsgath-

eredtoflykites.

InJanuary2022,GuyanaandChinasignedan implementationagreement undertheChina–Guyana FriendshipInitiativetotransformtheparkintoamodern recreationalspaceaimedat improvingpublichealthand well-being,similarinfunctiontotheNationalPark.

Theprojectisestimated tocostbetweenUS$8millionandUS$12millionand standsasasymbolofmore than50yearsofdiplomatic relationsbetweenthetwo countries.(KenGulliver)

advancescommunityprojects

ByMichelOutridge

THEBoeraserie/DeKinderenCommunityDevelopmentCouncil(CDC)is spearheadingcommunity-basedprojectsaimed atimprovingthequality oflifeforresidents,with ChairmanColbertLeander attheforefrontofthese initiatives.

Leander,a76-year-old retiredex-soldier,former sugarworker,andre-migrant, hasservedasacouncillorfor 15yearsandassumedthe chairmanshipoftheCDC twoyearsago.

Afatherofsix,hehas livedinBoeraserieSelfHelp HousingScheme/DeKinderenforoverfourdecades andiscommittedtogiving backtothevillagehehas witnessedevolvesince1977.

“Iamretired,soIhave thetimetodothingsIalways wanted[todo]beforewhen Ihadtowork.Now,Ifind itfulfillingtodocommunity-basedprojectsforthe people,”Leandertoldthe GuyanaChronicle.

Currently,theCDCis focusedoncompletinga multi-purposelearningcentre

designedtoaccommodate youths,schoolchildren,and seniorcitizens.

Whiletwoteachershave volunteeredtoprovideafter-schoollessonsoncethe facilityisoperational,the projectremainsunfinished duetolimitedfunding.

TheMinistryofCulture, YouthandSportcontributed $1.5millionlastyear,which coveredthebuilding’sroof andframebutfellshortof completingtheinteriorand

furnishingthespacewith tables,chairs,computers, andbooks.

Leandersaidresidents havesupportedtheprojectthroughfundraising eventsanddirectcontributions.“Oncecompleted, thelearningcentrewillnot onlyprovideanenvironment conduciveforlearning,but alsoserveasasafespace forrecreationalactivitiesfor localsandtheelderly,”he explained.

TheCDCChairmanalso highlightedimprovements inthevillage,includingthe installationofstreetlights bytheMinistryofYouth, CultureandSport.Boeraserie/DeKinderen,hometo approximately600residents ofmixedethnicities,islargelypeacefulandreliesona workforceemployedacross bothpublicandprivatesectors.

However,Leandernoted arecentdisruptiontovillagetranquilityfollowingthe openingofaChinesesupermarketattheentranceofthe community,withloudmusic disturbingseniorcitizensand otherresidents.Additionally, thecommunityplayground, whichhousesthelearning centre,requiresmaintenance, includingclearingovergrown weedsandcleaninganearby trench.

Despitethesechallenges,Leanderremainsoptimisticaboutthevillage’s future.“Ourcommunity isresilient,andthrough co-operationandsupport, wecancontinuetodevelop projectsthatenhancethe livesofallresidents,”he said.

similarly,we’renotinfluencedbyanyone.”

Inadditiontothedemerit pointsystem,theTraffic Chiefspokeaboutplans fordedicatedtrafficcourts tohandleoffencesmore efficiently.

“Acourtthat’sdedicated towardsissuesoftraffic, specificallyoffencesrelated totraffic,thatisgood,”he said.Heexplainedthatsuch courtswouldallowforfaster prosecutionoftrafficmattersandcouldbereplicated acrossthecountry.

Addressingpubliccomplaintsaboutrecklessminibusoperators,hesaidpolice havebeenengagingdrivers,conductorsandowners throughenforcementand awarenesscampaigns.He acknowledgedthatserious overcrowdingremainsa problem.

Hesaidsomedriversand operatorshavealreadybeen chargedandtakenbefore thecourts,whileinextreme caseslicenceshavebeen revoked.

“Ihadcausetwicetosee thatlicenceandcertifying officersaretoengageina processtorevoketheRoad ServiceLicencewherethere isn’tcompliance,”heexplained.

TheTrafficChiefurged membersofthepublicto

reportmisconductsuchas loudmusic,speedingand overcharging.Heoutlined severalreportingoptions availabletocitizens.

“There’sRoadWatch,the application.Youdownloadit fromtheGooglePlayStore [andtheAppleAppStore],” hesaid.Healsoprovided hotlineoptions,stating,“we alsohave620-6713…You have911,whichisfree.”

However,hestressed thatcomplaintsmustbesupportedbyevidence.“What supportsourcaseincourt? Yourstatement,evidence,” hesaid.Withoutproperreports,henotedthatcasesare unlikelytosucceed.

Singhacknowledgedthat fearofvictimisationdiscouragessomepeoplefrom reportingoffencesbutencouragedthemtoapproach seniorpoliceofficialsif necessary.

Heexplainedthatwhile awarenessisimportant,it mustbebackedbydecisive enforcementtoensurecompliance.

TheTrafficChiefalso raisedconcernsabout staffingshortageswithin theTrafficDepartment. AsGuyanacontinuesto expanditsroadnetwork, hewarnedthatspeeding andunsafepracticesmust beaddressedfirmly.

ROSEAU,Dominica, (CMC0–TWOcoaches ofDominica’sUnder-20 nationalteamhavebeen temporarilysuspendedby theDominicaFootballAssociation(DFA)followinganincidentinvolvinga memberoftheteam.

Whilethenatureofthe incidenthasnotbeendisclosed,theallegedincident occurredduringtheongo-

counterpartsinternationally.

Wearegoingtosetupa120 ftby24ftelevatedbleacher, whichwillbecovered,for ourviewers,thefans,andthe familiesofthedriversand participantsoftheevent.

Wearealsogoingtoset upanelevatedVVIPdeck acrossMalteenoesground, whichwillgiveourVVIP patronssecureindoorparking,anelevatedviewanda ringsideviewofthetrack. Wealsoareprovidingaseparateaccessforthecarts,the crew,andmechanicsacross atMalteenoesaswell.”

Oneofthenewevents, theBriggsandStratton class,isexpectedtomake bigwaveswhenitdebuts withseveralcategoriesand -

ingCONCACAFUnder-20 championship.

TheallegedincidentoccurredbeforeDominica’s finalgroupmatchagainst AntiguaonSunday.Dominicasubsequentlylost1-0 ononepointfromtheirfour matches.

Inastatementissuedbeforethatmatch,theDFA saidthetwocoacheshad

lievesthatitwillrepresent thefutureofmotorsportat thatlevel.

“Itwasawaytorevitalise grassrootsmotorsport,being abudget-friendly,sealed engine,low-costwaytoget competitiveinthesportand bringthebarriertoentry lowerinthesport.Withthis class,it’sdesignedtogeta lotmorepeopleintosportby beingbudget-friendly.

Weareprettyexcitedto andit’sonethat’sbeenvery successfulinNorthAmerica beingoneofthebiggestkart classescurrentlycompeting. Someeventsseeupwards of600competitorsinthis classacrossthevariousage groups.” -

R&SCwaspivotalinrealisingthevisionofJumbo JetEventsandtheclubwas alltoothrilledtoseethere-

IRISHRACINGTIPS

LEOPARDSTOWN

09:55hrsGenerous Risk

10:25hrsTorpilleDagrostis

10:55hrsForceonmyown

11:25hrsMidnightOur Fred 11:55hrsKaroline Banbou

12:25hrsStrutter

12:55hrsJayPeeM 13:30hrsRoomFor OneMore

ENGLISHRACING TIPS NEWCASTLE 10:05hrsBigStorm Brewing

11:05hrsMinellaSupreme 11:35hrsBetterBe

beenrelievedoftheirduties followingthecompletionof athoroughinvestigation.

“TheDFAhasbeenmade awareofallegationscirculatinginrelationtoanincident involvingamemberofthe nationalteamdelegation.

“Atthistime,theDFA hasnotestablishedthefacts surroundingthematterand therefore,isnotinaposition -

mentregardingwhatmayor maynothaveoccurred,”the statementread.

“Theassociationtakes allmattersconcerningthe welfareofplayersseriously andremainscommittedto itsestablishedsafeguarding protocols.Asanadministrativemeasure,thetwocoaches referencedintheallegations havebeentemporarilyrelievedoftheirdutiesleading

(Frombackpage)

surgenceofthatfacetofthe sporthere,withPresident MohamedShairazRoshandin contending-

“Iliketheinitiativeand I’mveryinterestedtosee whatthiskartingeventwill bringtomotorracing.They [JumboJetEvents]have takentheinitiative,nowthey areintomotorracing,toentdirectionwhereweare goingtobringtalentfrom thekartinglevelwhichmost oftheinternationaldrivers aroundtheworldstartfrom. Thiscanmoveusintheright direction,wherewecanstart groomingouryoungdrivers.”

Andwiththedormancy ofkartingforaprolonged period,therewereassurances thatallmeasureswillbeput inplacetoensureasafeday ofracing,aschiefsteward PhillipParagtoldthemedia.

Thetwo-dayeventkicks

12:05hrsPassing Pleasure 12:35hrsPeaceBelle

WOLVERHAMPTON

13:25hrsShrimpShady 14:00hrsWelcome Retreat

14:30hrsInitialBlue 15:00hrsEspanita

15:30hrsTheDark Baron

16:00hrsFilleImbassee 16:30hrsSilkiesSib

AMERICANRACING TIPS

MAHONINGVALLEY

Race1SacredCause Race2Washington's Union Race3ThisOne'sFor Us

Race4FloridaGator Race5SgtYork Race6Baxley

Race7RedRoyalty Race8DrSpirito

offwithscrutineeringand qualifyingonMarch28, 2026,from10:00hrsand willbefollowedupracing from10:00hrsthefollowing day,withgatesopeningat 08:00hrs.

TheNitroKartingClash alsohasBanksDIH,AJMeralContractors,J’sSupermarket,555Speedway,SCI (SawhsConstructionInc) PrecisionServiceCentre andRamchandsAutobody onboardassponsors.

intothefinalgameofthe campaign.

“Thisdecisionisbased solelyonthepreliminaryinformationreceivedanddoes ordeterminationofresponsibility,”thestatementadded.

TheDFA,however,gave theassurancethatthematterwouldbeinvestigated“thoroughlyuponthe team’sreturn”.

Theracingclasseson thedayaretheBriggsand Stratton(Sealedengine) forbothHeavyandLight (weightclasses)forSeniors aswellastheJuniors(1315years)andCadet(612),200cHonda4Stroke Promotorsclassaswellas alightclass,125ccIAME 2StrokeHeavyandLight 2-stroke,U1260ccIAME, TimeattackOpen(5Laps), 555SpeedwayRentalKarts raceaswellasSuper-moto 250ccbikes.

(Frompage31) about.

“Ithoughtourbowling wasalotbetterthanpreviousseries,andthisisreally whenyouwantittostand out.ThebowlingespeciallyinthePowerplaywas reallygood.Ithinkwehad 38wicketsoutof40inthe groupstages,sothatwas amazinginT20cricket.

“There[are]alwayspositiveswecantakeaway,so let’sleaveonthepositives. Hettyplayedareallygood tournament,MatthewForde withthenewball,Akeal [Hosein]andMotietaking wickets,Sheppy[Romario Shepherd]withahat-trick

“Ithoughttheguys representedtheregionwell andIthinkweallcango homewithourheadsheld high,”theskipperadded.

“Andthenfromabatting standpoint,ShimronHetmyercominginatnumberthree anddoingwhathedoesbest, alotofthebatterscoming inandcontributingtothose biggertotalsthatwegotin thistournament.Ithought thefieldingwasokayin patches,butagainwestill havemanyareasthatwecan improve,”Hopesaid.

THEcurtaincamedown ononeofthemostcelebratedcareersinWomen's ODIsanditendedwitha thunderclap.AlyssaHealy

theBelleriveOvalrocking toitsfoundations.Itwas thekindoffarewellthat Healymaynothavebeen ifshehadbeengivenago.

Sospectacularwas Healy'sknockthatevena BethMooneyhundred(106* Australiapostedagargantu-

innings,andsherepaidthat

RampagingAlyssaHealyobliteratesIndiainfairytale ODIswansong

centrestageandshowed

chaseonceNicolaCareynaforaduckinthesec-

unfurlingthefullrangein

OnceHealydeparted,

honourasHealywalkedto

thatscuttledtothefenceandHealy'sgeniusfarout-

alongsideGeorgiaVoll,who

scored30pointstoleadthe OklahomaCityThunderto a100-87roadwinoverthe DallasMavericksonSunday.

Gilgeous-Alexanderdidenoftheirlastnineandswept

droppedthreeconsecutive than100pointsforthefirst

asacheckonAustralia's century,equallingthesecandthenwentintoahigher

ShaiGilgeous-Alexander breaksWiltChamberlain’s recordforconsecutive 20-pluspointgames

authorofthehighestever Australiansoilandthehigh-

sweeptoarankfulltoss

Alongsideher,Nicola

pushingAustralia'stally spinner'sfigurespast100

inthesecondhalfofher Butshelefttoastanding

BethMooneythentook

lypulledawaytostartthe fourthquarter,evenwith Gilgeous-Alexanderonthe

finalquarterthatextended threeassistsduringthatdecisivestretch,includingtwice

SRILanka'sSanathJayasuriyasaidhewillstep

Pakistan'sSalmanAgha saidhewilltaketimeto decidewhethertoremain captainafterbothteams' poorcampaignsatthe Twenty20WorldCup.

SanathJayasuriyasetto stepdownasheadcoach

don'thavehopesofstaying leaveascoachonagood

Dallas'KlayThompsonleftthegamelateinthe secondquarterwitharight adductorcontusionanddid notreturn.(Reuters)

-stanaswellthatincludeda

AshGardnercourtesyof Australiaappearedto behurtlingtoarapidwin whenAlanaKingtook overanddismissedRicha GhoshandKashveeGautambeforeDeeptiSharmaandSnehRanasaved India'sblushessomewhat witha63-runstandfor theeighthwicket.India for33.(Cricbuzz)

oftendidnotclick,while spin-friendlyconditionsin "Wehaveunderper-duetoourfailureindeAghasaidheandhead coachMikeHessontook

Hewasunhappywithhis inahurrytotakeacallon "Becauseatthispoint oftimesteppingdown wouldbeanemotionaldecision."(Reuters)

SOUTHAfricahashardly putafootwrongintheir marchtotheTwenty20 complacencycanhaveno placeagainstaNewZealandsidefamedforpunchtheteamsmeetatEden GardensonWednesday.

TheProteasarethetournament'sonlyunbeatenside andlookafarmorerounded T20unitthantheonethat fellatthelasthurdlein2024. TheybeatNewZealandinthe groupstageandhaveearned thefavourites'tagthatrested withdefendingchampions Indiabeforethestartofthe tournament.

IndiafaceEnglandinthe

"I'mgladthatwe'refavourites,becauseI'vealways feltthatasaSouthAfrican teamyouwanttobeableto playasafavourite,"head coachShukriConradsaid, suggestingtheywereenjoyingthespotlight.

Sincesurvivingadouble SuperOveragainstAfghanistan,AidenMarkram'sside thepedal.

InQuintondeKock, MarkramandRyanRickelt-pableofbankingapowerplay

head-start,withanexplosive middleorderofferinglittle respitewhentheopenersdo

KagisoRabada'shard, test-matchlengthsandMarco Jansen'sleft-armbouncehave crampedbatters,whileLungi Ngidi'schange-upshavebeen arevelationacrossphases.

Left-armspinnerKeshavMaharajprovidescontrolifconditionsgrip,with Markramholdinghimself backformatch-ups.

SouthAfricahaslooked ominoussofarbuttheknockoutstagebringsitsownchallenge.Besides,NewZealand canbeatrickyopponent.

NewZealandopenerFinn Allen'sultra-aggressionis oftenthepowerplaydisruptor alongsidearotatingpartner -DevonConwayorTim Seifert.

All-rounderRachin Ravindra'sabilitytochange gearssetsaplatformfor GlennPhillipsandDaryl Mitchelltoattacktheback end.

Theirpaceattackdoesnot haveasettledlookthough.

TheBlackCapsarelikely tomisstheservicesoffast bowlerMattHenry,whois backhomeonpaternityleave. couldreplacehim.

SouthAfrica’scoach,ShukriConrad

Theirspinunitlookswell coveredhowever.

CaptainMitchellSantner's stump-to-stumptrajectoryis akeymatch-upagainstde KockandMarkram,andIsh Sodhi'sleg-spincouldtroubleSouthAfrica'sright-hand middle.

"Wefacedthemin

Ahmedabad,whichIthink isavenuethatthey'vegrown prettyusedtogiventhat they'vespentafairbitof timethere,"NewZealand's headcoachRobWaltersaid.

provideadifferentchallenge."(Reuters)

BySeanDevers

THREEmatchesinthe GeorgetownCricketAssociation(GCA)Sherwin WilliamsT20SecondDivisioncrickettournament wereplayedonSunday

row.

Twoofthethreegames werecontestedatthe Malteenoesgroundwhile TransporthostedBelAir Rubisattheirgroundon WoolfordAvenue.

AttheTransportground, thehometeambeatBelAir Rubisbysevenwickets.

BelAirRubiswas bowledoutfor78in14 overswithIrfanAliand MahendraJeenarineboth scoring21runsasveteran

didthedamagewiththeball forTransportwhoracedto

Transportoncourseforan easyvictorywitha47-run openingstandbeforeTravis PersaudremovedHohenkirk.

Campbellwhostroked sevenfoursinhisunbeat-

Eldorado’sDeonarine Dindyalclobbereda

MalteenoesonSunday

ShamarApplehitafourand threesixesinhisundefeated 28.Persaudtook2-20for Rubis.

MSC,AgricolabeatSophia bysevenwickets. Sophiawasdismissedfor 67in15.1oversdespite15 fromTerrenceDecuna RickfordMohammedbetweenthemforAgricooversasonlyNasrudeen -

EldoradowhippedtheUni-

Eldoradoreached175-7 whentheir20oversexpired withtheinformDeonarine

Dindyalwhoclobbereda pugnacious68from26balls withsixfoursandfoursixestiesovertheweekend. Dindyaldominateda

hisskipperOwenAndrews whowasthesilentpartner, scoringjusteightruns. TuenHickssupported with27whileKamptaSeep-

YeshuaHutson,Shane SeodatandDilshanLatchmanhadtwowicketseach forUGwhowerebowled

Hutson(21)andAndy Ramgolan(11)weretheSamarootook4-6.Hicks had2-12.

thismonthwillnolonger includeaTestmatchwith thehostswantingtopriorioftheT20WorldCuplater thisyear.

Theinitialschedulefor thetripwastoincludeWest andonlytheirsecondsince comprisethreeT20IsinSt

“Ourplanningthisyear prioritisesmaximisingwhiteballreadinessaheadofthe ICCWomen’sT20World Cup,”MilesBascombe, CricketWestIndies’director ofcricket,said.“Thisseries formsacentralpartofthat preparation,allowingusto concentrateresourcesand buildcombinations.

“Weremaincommitted tothelong-termgrowthof women’sTestcricket,and discussionsarealreadyunderwayforafuturered-ball opportunity,includingahighlyanticipatedseriesagainst Englandin2027.”

CricketAustralia’shead ofschedulingandoperations, PeterRoach,saidthatboth boardshad“pursuedevery reasonablecourse”toretain theTest.

“However,itwasalso importantthatthisseriesbe playedinmorethanonevenueensuringthebestpossible

facilitiesandvaryingconditions,”Roachsaid.“We’re gratefulCricketWestIndies hasworkedwithintheirconstraintstomakethishappen.

“CAcontinuestosupport women’sTestcricketwhile circumstancesinsomemembernationsandtheirdesireto playandpromoteT20cricket astheygrowthewomen’s game.”

Thetourissettomark thefullneweraforAustralia underthecaptaincyofSophie Molineuxaftershetookover theT20IsideagainstIndia recentlybeforehandingback

partofherinternationalcareerwhichconcludeswith

aTestinPerth.However, Molineuxhasbeenruled outoftheremainderofthe Indiamulti-formatseries withabackinjurywhich couldleaveherindoubtfor thetour.

TheODIlegwillbeAusnewcycleoftheICCWomen’sChampionshipwhich thecurrentseriesagainst Indianotincluded.

rentlyhostingSriLanka inGrenadawheretheylost ano-result.(ESPNcricinfo)

INlittleover100days,the UnitedStateswillco-host afootballWorldCupthat

OnSaturday,theUSattackedIranaspartofajoint, ongoingoperationwithIsrael,sparkingretaliatory strikesacrosstheMiddle East.

Sowhatcouldtheconinvolved,forFIFA,andfor whatwasalreadysettobe ahighlypoliticisedWorld Cup?

BBCSporttakesacloser look.

WillIranstillplayatthe WorldCup?

whatwouldbetheirfourth consecutiveWorldCupare againstNewZealandand thenEgyptinSeattle.

Thecountrydidnotitiesinthecountry.Butin currentupheaval,thehead ofIran'sfootballfederation hasreportedlycastdoubton theirparticipation.

–DESPITEfailingintheir bidtoreachthesemifiWorldCup,WestIndies captainShaiHopebelieves histeamperformedadmirablythroughoutthe tournamentandcanleave

NeedingtodefeatIndia onSundaytoadvanceto theirfirstT20WorldCup theWestIndieswentdown contestatEdenGardensthat

Itwasadisappointing endfortheWindieswhovincingfashion,beforeconsecutivelossestoSouthesteverbyaWestIndies andthirdhighestinhistory.-

"Withwhathappened... andwiththatattackbythe UnitedStates,itisunlikely thatwecanlookforward totheWorldCup,butthe sportschiefsaretheones MehdiTajisreportedto havetoldIraniantelevision. ofthekillingofIran'sSuuncertaintyoverthefuture politicallandscapeinthe country,predictingsuch adecision-orevenwhosible.

"ForTehran,thisisnot ashort12-daywaroracontainedroundofescalation

thatcanbepausedandre-directoroftheMiddleEast

"Thisnewstageofconalsounlikelytoendquickly."

FIFA-football'sworld governingbody-hassaidit

IrantobeattheWorldCup. OnSaturday,FIFA'sgeneral secretary,MattiasGrafsthaveasafeWorldCupwith everybodyparticipating". Accordingtoitsrules,incan"takewhateveractionciationwithanotherassociation".BBCSporthasaskedgestionsthatIrancouldbe replacedwithanalternativeballConfederation(AFC). Onthatbasis,Iraq, whocouldqualifyanyway

attheendofthemonth,or theUAE,whomissedout Sport) Iran'smen'sfootballteamcelebratedqualifyingforthe2026WorldCupafteradraw withUzbekistaninMarch

beingthefourthhighestrun with248runsatanaverage of41.33asofSunday.

WorldCuphavingcleared

SherfaneRutherford’s183 runsinhisseveninnings of61. Inthebowlingdepart-

10wicketsapiecetobe10th and13thbestrespectively,whileMatthewForde’s

totakeahat-trickataT20 WorldCup.

wasdisappointednottohave progressedfurtherinthe

JoshuaBudhramGavinKristenJoshuaBollers

suffereda30-rundefeat toPositiveFoundation semi-finalencounterof theGCAFriendsandnament,despiteadeterminedeffortwithbatand Battingfirst,PFAAgritheirallottedovers.Gavin Kistenledthechargewith Kistensupportedwith32, andGilbertGriffithadded

41tostrengthenthetotal. Inresponsewiththeball, whileJoshuaBollers(2-34) forMalteenoes.

Chasing222forvictory, Malteenoeswasbowled outfor191.JoshuaBudh-posed36,anchoringtherityunderpressure.Joshua JulianCraigstruck36ina spiritedfightback,butthe reach.GilbertGriffithreturnedwiththeballtotake supportedwith2-25toseal thevictoryforAgricola.Craigreflectedthefight-FoundationAgricolanow advancestothefinal, prideinacompetitiveand hard-foughtsemi-final

FromL-R:OrganiserAndreRochford;BriggsandStratton

AHISTORICdayformotorsportcametofruition yesterdayasJumboJet EventslauncheditsNitro KartClassic,whereover $5Mincashandprizeswill beupforgrabsacrossvariousclasses.

InkeepingwiththeJumboJeteventstyle,theMarch 28and29eventattheGuyanaMotorRacingandSports Club(GMR&SC)Thomas landskartingtrackwillsee heftysumsforwinnersofthe variousclasses.

Alreadycreatingabuzz inracingcircles,theevent, accordingtoorganizer,AndreRochford,isaimedat bringingbackgrassrootsracingtoyouthsinthesport.

AccordingtoRochford, theideaistoensurethat

STJOHN’S,Antigua,(CMC)–Cricket WestIndies(CWI)president,DrKishore Shallow,haslaudedtheregionalteamfor itsperformanceatthe2026ICCMen’sT20 WorldCup.

TheWestIndiesshowedgritanddetermitobeeliminatedfromthetournament.

Despitetheresult,inastatementissued followingtheirlosstoIndia,DrShallowsaid theentireregionwasproudoftheteam’simpressiveshowing.

“OnbehalfofCricketWestIndies,Iextend warmcongratulationstoShaiHopeandour teamforacommendablecampaignattheICC Men’sT20WorldCup.

“WhilewearedisappointedthatourjouragainsttheIndianationalcricketteam,the

matchesandadvancingtotheSuper8sisatestamenttothepreparationandcommitmentof thisgroup,”DrShallowsaidinthestatement.

“Mostencouragingwasthespiritof competition,aspiritthatwasneededmore thanever.ThatdeterminationandprideinrepacrosstheCaribbeanandremindedusofthe characterofWestIndiescricket.

“Today,weareproudofourmeninmaroonandappreciativeofthededicationofthe backroomteamledbyheadcoachDarenSamfoundationfortheworkahead.

“Wewillregroup,wewillwork,andwe willcompeteagainwithevengreaterunity andpurpose,”thestatementfurtheradded.

youthswhoseparentsareracershaveanavenueintothe sportwhilealsogivingthem achancetodeveloptheir skillsinasafe,controlled environment.

announcinghugecashprizes fortheadultracestogiveita competitivespin,andwealso havevouchersfortheyouth driverstoensurethatwe keepthatcompetitivespirit,” hesaid.

STGEORGE’S,Grenada, (CMC)–WESTINDIES Women’sopener,Qiana Joseph,hascalledfora betterbattingperformance fromtheteamaheadof theirfinalT20Iagainst SriLankaWomenhereon Wednesday.

Thehomesidehasfailedmentsofarintheseriesand afterlosingbyfourwickets inthesecondgameofthe three-matchseriesonSunday.

Inthefirstmatchof theserieswhichendedin ano-resultattheNational CricketStadium,WestIndies Womenwereroutedfora secondlowesttotalinT20Is.

Andinthesecondmatch, intheir20overs,withcaptain HayleyMatthew’sknockof 28beingthetopscore.

Joseph,whohasalso struggledatthetopoftheorder,admittedthattheteam’s battershadnotsteppedupto theplate.

Onthebasisofevent management,thepromoter indicatedthattherewillbe morethanenoughroomto housewhattheyexpectto bealargefollowingforthis returningbrand.

“Wearegoingtotransformthisfacilitymuchtoour

Havinglostthepreceding shehadnodoubtthatonce thebattersplayedtotheirpotentialtheWestIndieswould emergevictorious.

“Ithinkthatourbatters shouldjuststepupandcome tothetable,scoresomeruns andthenwewillwinthe game.

“Wehavealotofbattingability;eachandevery onecanbat,andIthink thatoncewestepupasbatters,wecanwinthegame onWednesday,”Joseph said. (Turntopage32)