School cash grants set at $85,000 Old Age Pension move from $41,000 to $46,000 Public assistance move from $22,000 to $25,000 Annual transportation grant for Old Age Pensioners $20,000
Removal of VAT on locally made furniture, jewellery, security equipment
Removal of corporate taxes on companies providing child and elderly care services
$1.5 billion to support co-investment in child and elderly care facilities
Removal of VAT on Vehicles below 1500 cc Income tax threshold move from $130,000 to $140,000
Opposition Leader Mohamed elected
Finance Minister
Dr. Ashni Singh
…AS APNU STAGES WALKOUT
ByRenaySambach
Leader of We
I n v e s t i n
N a t i o n h o o d
(WIN) Azruddin Mohamed was on Monday elected as Guyana’s new Leader of the Opposition, securing 17 votesinaprocessthatlasted lessthanfiveminutes.
The meeting, summoned by Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, was held at the Parliament Building with opposition MembersofParliamentfrom WIN, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM). While APNU’s 12 MPs attended, they later walked out of the chamber, leaving WIN’s 16 MPs and FGM’s sole MP, Amanza Walton-Desir, to proceedwiththeelection.
The 13th Parliament of Guyana was convened on November 2, 2025. Under Guyana’s Constitution, the Leader of the Opposition is electedbyamajorityofnong o v e r n m e n t M P s According to a recording of
the proceedings shared with this publication, Mohamed was the only nominee WIN’s16MPsvoted,aswell asWalton-Desir “Itakethisopportunityto warmly congratulate, the honourable member Mr Azruddin Mohamed for being duly elected as leader of the opposition,” Speaker Nadir said at the end of the election Speaking with reporters outside the ParliamentBuildingafterhis election, Mohamed described the process as seamless.“Thismorningthe processwasverysmooth.No hiccups, no delay In less than five minutes I was elected leader of the oppositionreadytoservethe people of this country I would like to thank all my supporters…we had a long fight,wemakeittotheend,” hesaid.
On future relations with APNUdespitetheirwalkout, Mohamed said, “Yes once it’sfortheinterest,tobenefit the people ” “We will scrutinise the budget and then I will make my
pronouncements but I hope the budget is primarily to servethepeopleandnotjust a select few…We are going to press hard to stamp out corruption. Corruption is a major issue in this country and that is why the PPP government is afraid of me because they know that they cannotbuyme…”Mohamed saidinresponsetoaseriesof q u e s t i o n s o n h i s parliamentary agenda and hisrelationswithAPNU.
Mohamedalsoaddressed questions about whether his new role provides any insulation from ongoing extradition proceedings involving himself and his father, businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, following a 2024 United States sanction and their recent indictment. “No. I don’t have immunity for that,”Mohamedsaid.
Further, he thanked Walton-Desir for her vote and added, “We will ensure that we put her on some of the parliamentary committees since she didn’t gettheamountofvotestobe
Newly appointed leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed shaking hands with his supporters.
on the committee For instances PAC, the Public Accounts Committee, you’d needfivefromPPP,twofrom WIN, two from APNU so they would select their two. But Amanza she didn’t get any of the seats so we will name her in some of the parliamentarycommittees.”
Mohamedflankedbyhis MPs was welcomed with cheers from his party supporters who gathered in their numbers across from Parliament Building behind barricades.
For her part, WaltonDesir made similar sentiments that the process
went smoothly and only lastedafewminutes.“Itwas fiveminutes,andthatwasit. The process was smooth. Nominationswereopen.Mr Azruddin Mohamed was nominated.Thenominations were closed. APNU walked out before the vote, but the 17 remaining MPs voted,” shesaid. She explained that the process should not have attracted all the controversy that was seen over the past few months. “I keep saying, thisisaveryrudimentaryrun of the mill process, not deserving of a lot of the drama that we’ve seen,”
A 33-year-old chemist was on Sunday night killed in an accident along the Farm Public Road, East BankDemerara(EBD). Dead is Jason Bhojedat, Distillery Plant Manager of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). Up to press time, the GuyanaPoliceForcehasnotissued an official statement on the incident.
Kaieteur News understands that the accident occurred at approximately 23:00hrs. A video circulating on Facebook shows Bhojedatdrivingaminibuswhenit
Walton-Desirsaid. When asked why she voted, Walton-Desir noted that it is her constitutional duty She further stated, “Understand that for a candidate to enter into e l e c t i o n s , t h e i r requirements, if a candidate meets those requirements and they’re allowed to contestinanelectionandthe people vote in a particular way, then who are we to ignore how the people have voted.” The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received a total of 242,498 votes at the 2025 General Elections securing its
newcomer WIN received 109,066 votes ahead of APNU 77, 998, and FGM with4326.
AsitrelatestoAPNU,the party’sleadMPDr Terrence Campbell reiterated that the party walked out because there was only one nomination and, in their view, their vote was not required.
The party has contended thatgiventhatWINholdsthe majority of the opposition bloc, there was no need to vote “There was one nomination for the position of leader of the opposition. Nominationswereclosed, Continued on page 3
Mohamed elected Opposition Leader ChemistkilledinEastBankDemeraraaccident
was struck by a car The impact caused the minibus to topple severaltimesbeforecrashingintoa utilitypole.
News of the tragedy sent shockwaves, leaving friends, family, and loved ones devastated, withmanytakingtosocialmediato share memories and express their grief.
In a statement issued on Monday, DDL described Bhojedat as “a highly respected and valued memberoftheDDLfamily.”
The company noted that Bhojedat joined DDL in January
2014 and made meaningful contributions throughout his tenure. He advanced from trainee chemist to Distillery Plant Manager, a role he held with distinction until his passing. DDL saidhewillberememberedforhis dedication, professionalism, kindness,andstrongleadership.
“His loss is deeply felt by colleagues and all who had the privilegeofworkingwithhim,both locally and internationally,” the company said while expressing sympathy to Bhojedat’s family, friends,andcolleagues.
Reflectingonthetragedy,Chief Production Officer Shaun Caleb stated:
“On behalf of the management team, I wish to express our profound sorrow at the tragic passing of our colleague, Jason Bhojedat. The news came as a tremendousshocktoallofus,made even more devastating by the senseless and careless manner in whichhislifewastaken.Theentire DDL family has been deeply shaken, and words cannot fully capturethedisbeliefandsadness Continued on page 9
Dead: Jason Bhojedat
Supporters of We Invest in Nationhood outside of parliament building.
Budget set at $1.558 trillion
ByDavinaBagot
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday unveiled this year’s Budget, set at a staggering $1.558 trillion, emerging yet again as the largest to ever be presented.
The fiscal plan themed ‘Putting People First’marks the first budget to be
p r e s e n t e d b y t h e administration since its reelectiontoofficein2025.
Duringhisalmostsevenhourlongpresentationatthe Arthur Chung Conference Center at Lililendaal, Greater Georgetown, Dr
Singh explained that “Budget2026wascraftedto g i v e e ff e c t t o H i s Excellency’s vision for a modern,prosperousGuyana, that provides opportunities for every single Guyanese person.”Itwasfinancedwith no new taxes and is 12.7% larger compared with the 2025budget.
Notably, government intends to transfer $495B or approximately US$2.4B in oilrevenuefromtheNatural Resource Fund (NRF) to finance the budget This year’sfiscalplanwillalsobe supportedbysome$49.7Bin carboncreditinflows.
The extended budget presentation in the House was often met with fierce criticism from the
Opposition benches, particularly those occupied by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Members of Parliament (MPs), while the newcomer majority opposition party, We Invest In Nationhood (WIN) just quietly observed the process In fact, the party’s leader, Azruddin Mohamed even made a personal social media post criticizing some MPs for
…19.3% growth in GDP recorded in 2025 …16.2% growth expected this year
creating “chaos” and “drama” instead of focusing onthenationalagenda.
Despitetheinterruptions, Dr Singh reported another year of double-digit growth in the economy He said, “Mr Speaker, despite the challenging global context, our government’s robust policy framework has enabled us in Guyana to demonstrate consistently thateconomicgrowthcanbe strongandsteadyinthemost testing of circumstances Today,Ihavethepleasureof reporting that the Guyanese economy is estimated to have expanded by 19 3%
overall in 2025, with expansion of 14 3% observed in our non-oil real GDP.”
He was keen to note that the overall real economic growth continues to be supported by strong expansion in the petroleum sector, as well as sustained growth across the non-oil sectors According to him, growth in the non-oil economy for 2025 was
driven largely by the
agriculture, mining, construction, and services sectors.
This year, government expects continuous growth intheeconomy,withoverall growth projected at 16.2% andnon-oilgrowthat10.8%.
Sugar
In 2025, the sugar subsector expanded by an average 26 5%, recording 59,600tonnesofproduction.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCO) saidheavyrainfallhampered its harvesting and field
operations This was compounded by labour shortages, low employee
Notwithstanding the party’s decision to walk out, Campbell expressed hope for improved collaboration with WIN,goingforward.“WelookforwardtoworkingwithWIN and hope that there’ll be improvement in collaboration betweenusandWINgoingforward.Ithasnotbeenthebest roadsofar,butwetookthepositionnottonominateanyone, and we hope they see this as a signal, and we expect an improvement.” The election took place amid controversy overrestrictedmediaaccesstoParliamentBuilding.Onlythe technicalteamofthestate-ownedNationalCommunications Network (NCN) was allowed physical access to the parliamentcompoundandchambers.
In spite of lower global prices, the rice subsector recorded another year of growth,expandingby15.7% in2025.
The Guyana Rice Development Board ( G R D B ) r e p o r t e d production of 810,299 tonnes.
Similarly, the crops
subsector g
y an estimated 11 1% in 2025, with expansions observed across all major crop categories.According to the f i n a n c e m i n i s t e r,
“Significant growth was recordedintheproductionof root crops, vegetables, spices, and fruits. Output of thesecommoditiesexpanded by 18 percent, 5.8 percent, 11.2percent,and5.1percent, respectively Of note, the production of beans and cereals also expanded in 2025, with soyabean and cornoutputgrowingby72.1 percent and 10 3 percent, respectively.”
Also experiencing expansion in 2025 was the livestockindustryby12.5%.
Government said that the notable growth observed in poultry production was supported by an increase in the importation of eggs
following reduced prevalence of bird flu, as well as a significant reductionintheincidenceof theviraldiseaseaffectingthe industry
Fishandshrimp
While the fishing industry recorded a 6 6% expansion, shrimp production suffered a worrying 42% decline in 2025.
Thefinanceministersaid thatthegrowthinthefishing industry was due to the expansion in marine fish productionandaquaculture. He said, “Marine fish production expanded by 16 7% and aquaculture production by 52% In contrast, marine shrimp production declined by 42 percent,withcontractionsin prawns, and industrial and artisanal shrimp output. The marine shrimp industry continues to be affected by lower catch rates and a decline in the active industrialfleet.”
Forestry,gold, bauxite,diamond
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance,
A small 2.7% expansion in the forestry sector was recorded in 2025 Timber production totaled 495,226 cubicmetresin2025.
Meanwhile, the gold mining industry recorded 11.6% growth in 2025, with total gold declarations of 484,321ounces.
Dr Singh highlighted, “While declarations from licensed dealerships declined by 21.5 percent to 1 2 1 , 8 8 3 o u n c e s , declarations from the lone large operator grew by 15.5 percent to 167,005 ounces, and declarations to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) grew by 45 6 percent to 195,432ounces.”
He pointed out that the improved declarations were as a result of stronger enforcement in the sector, r e q u i r i n g g r e a t e r compliance Additionally, bauxiteminingalsorecorded 53.4% growth in 2025, with production reaching 3 9 milliontonnes.
On the other hand, diamond declarations suffered a major 24 2% decreasein2025.
Sand,stone,manganese Recording massive growthin2025wassandand stone declarationswhich are estimated to have grown by 20%and68.3%.
Manganeseproductionis also estimated to have expanded by 13 5% to 331,402tonnes.
TheSpeakeroftheNationalAssembly,ManzoorNadir, has now escalated an already volatile political situation by warning newly elected Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed on Monday that allegations of corruption he leveled against him could be referred to the Parliamentary CommitteeofPrivileges.Thismovecomesjusthoursafter Mohamed's election and follows weeks of controversy surrounding the Speaker's own role in the delayed election oftheoppositionLeader.
While the Speaker has expressed outrage over what he describedas“vilecomments”fromMohamedaccusinghim of corruption, it must be said plainly: the Speaker himself has not been an innocent bystander in this unfolding saga. Only days ago, Nadir used a national platform to publicly labelMohamedafugitive,whiledescribinghimselfasbeing in a “difficult position” for having to oversee the appointment of a fugitive as the nation's opposition leader He even sought to draw parallel between Mohamed's electionandthatofColombiandruglordPabloEscobar He said thusly: “If opposition members of Parliament feel it morallyrighttoelectaninternationalfugitive,thenthestain on our Parliament and our country rests solely with them. This likelihood is unprecedented in our Westminster parliamentarysystem.PabloEscobar,whilehemaybearole model for some, went down the route of becoming an Honourable Member of Parliament. Extortion, money laundering, terrorism, and trafficking were all associated with Pablo Escobar—just like the internationally indicted fugitive offender Pablo Escobar also had a darling in the press.”
Those remarks were reckless, inflammatory and unbecomingofthenation'stopparliamentaryreferee.Ifthe Speakerbelievesheisentitledtotakeoffenceataccusations levelled against him, then fairness demands that he acknowledges Mohamed's equal right to challenge statementsmadeabouthischaracterandeligibility Instead, what Guyanese witnessed on Monday was not calm institutional leadership but a thinly veiled threat, one that appears less about protecting parliamentary decorum and more about continuing an effort to politically box in the newlyelectedOppositionLeader
Therefore, Nadir's warning of a possible Privileges Committeereferralcannotbeviewedinisolation.Itcomes aftermonthsofproceduraldelaysthateffectivelyparalysed the Opposition Leader appointment. And it comes after sustained criticism of his own conduct. In this context, the Speaker's sudden zeal for discipline raises troubling questionsaboutselectiveenforcementandpoliticalbias.
TheSpeaker'sprimarydutyisnottopostureorlecture.It is to administer the rules of Parliament evenly, impartially and without fear or favour Anything less undermines the credibility of the legislature itself. While this newspaper doesnotcondonerecklessorunsubstantiatedallegationsby any public official, we cannot ignore the alarming speed withwhichtheSpeakermovedtoassertpunitiveauthority, especially when his own conduct remains the subject of widespreadpublicconcern.
Whatisequallydisturbingisthebroaderbackdroptothis controversy Fornearlythreemonths,Guyanesewereforced to endure deliberate delays in electing a Leader of the Opposition. Before that, Parliament itself was effectively frozen following the September 1, 2025 elections, an unprecedentedstagnationthatcrippledlegislativeoversight anddemocraticaccountability,somuchsothatonMondayit wasrevealedthatthegovernmentspentcloseto$19Bfrom the Contingency Fund without approval. These were not administrative mishaps. They were calculated acts of politicalobstructionthatviolatedboththespiritandletterof theConstitution.
Only after sustained pressure from international partners, civil society organisations and public outrage did
Cricket Ombudsman acted unfairly in north Essequibo vote
DearEditor, It was a sad day for cricket administration in region 2 following North Essequibo Cricket Committee's Biannual General Meeting that was held on Sunday, January 25th at Hampton Court From the inception the Cricket Ombudsman showed signs of biasness in favor of the incumbent; acting with contempt and disregard to pertinent questions posed by some delegates. Even days before theelection,thehierarchyof theEssequiboCricketBoard interfered through phone calls and text messages to candidates to sway the results in a particular direction.
Notwithstanding, there was silent resistance to such intimidation and even disrespect Several issues aroused from the inception including the absence of the minutesofthelastBGM;the reason being that is was misplaced In addition, Richmond United Sports Club, a legitimate and bonifiedmemberwasdenied votingrightseventhoughthe club played all the competitions under the tenureofthecommittee,one ofwhichtheywon,promptly paid their dues while two of theirmemberssatonthevery committee that denied their existence!
In fact, the club had a name change two years ago
asitwaspreviouslyreferred to Ravens Sports Club and existed for almost three decades.Among the players were Jaimini Singh, Latchmikant Narine, Elroy Stephney, Michael Singh, Mahendranauth Benneth, Dennis Benjamin, Orin and Owen Belfield; all of whom representedEssequiboatthe senior inter-county level. It was a stunning rejection by the Ombudsman whose primary role was to verify clubs and in this case the legitimacy of the club in question.
He bluntly and vociferously resisted all attempts by members for clarity and a resolution on the matter I recalled at the last election it was the same Ombudsman who allowed a club (Spartan Challengers) tovoteeventhoughtheclub was not approved by the committee then as a fullfledgedmember
The reason given was that the club had paid its affiliation fees and upon advicefromthePresidentof the Essequibo Cricket Board, the club should vote. Yet a club that is in sound financial standing and has received millions of dollars from the Government to developthegroundthatthey manage (New Pavilion, Washroom facilities, Lights, Fencing) could not have voted. Is this how an Ombudsman operates given how the sport was
movementfinallyoccur.Yetinsteadofacknowledgingthese failures, the Speaker last week chose to attack diplomats whomerelyinsistedthatGuyanaadheretoitsconstitutional obligations. That public outburst was diplomatically reckless and nationally embarrassing.The Speaker is not a prosecutor He is not a political combatant. He is not an extensionoftheexecutive.Heistheconstitutionalguardian ofparliamentaryorderandfairness.
Now, by threatening Mohamed with the Privileges Committee, the Speaker risks further eroding public confidence in the independence of the NationalAssembly TheCommitteeofPrivilegesexiststoprotecttheintegrityof Parliament,nottobedeployedasapoliticalcudgelagainst inconvenientvoices.
ItisalsoworthremindingtheSpeakerofhisownwords toMPsonMondayabouttheimportanceoftheConstitution, Standing Orders and parliamentary handbooks. These instrumentsexistpreciselytopreventabuseofauthorityand concentration of power They are not selective tools to be invoked only when criticism becomes uncomfortable. GuyanesedeserveaParliamentthatfunctions,notonemired in ego battles and political theatrics. They deserve leadership that prioritises national stability over personal vendettas.AndtheydeserveaSpeakerwhounderstandsthat impartialityisnotoptional,itisthefoundationoftheoffice.
If the Speaker truly wishes to restore credibility to Parliament, the path forward is simple: stop the public grandstanding, abandon partisan rhetoric, respect constitutional norms, and allow the Opposition Leader to operatewithoutintimidation.Anythinglesswilldeepenthe crisis of trust already gripping Guyana's democratic institutions.
administered in the past nationally?Wasitnotforthe very reason that legislation was passed to safeguard the sanctity of the game? Perhaps not since the Ombudsman is not legally trained.
The second issues stemmed from the denial of the President and Vice President of Devonshire Castle Sports Club to contest; instead the
Ombudsman accepted the names of the Secretary and anothermemberastheclub's representatives What hypocrisy and blatant attempt at denying the fundamentalrightofpersons to exercise their will. It was obvious from a layman's perspective why such an action was taken The Ombudsman disclosed that he is only accepting what was given to him by the Secretary and barred any further query from the aggrieved.
Thesetwocriticalissues meant that two clubs were denied their rights. At this point it was clear of the direction in which the meeting was heading, including the attempt by membersofthecommitteeto
stiflethedemocraticrightof personstopeacefullyprotest by calling the Police to remove persons from the meeting.
In fact, the meeting took placeaprivateresidenceand aprincipalofthepropertyin one instance threatened to e v i c t c a n d i d a t e s Surprisingly the Cricket Hostel which hosted previous elections was not used.Again, the motive was obvious There was a prolonged break during which matters were not resolved but when the meeting resumed nothing changed At this point candidates from Devonshire Castle, Walton Hall, Richmond United, Bacchus and Gunners Sports Club (MAJORITY) staged a walkout in protest The disenfranchised clubs are therefore appealing to the Ministers of Sport to intervene and administer justice; a fundamental right that was denied by the Ombudsman. Whether the B G M w a s l e g a l l y constituted and consisted of aquorumremainsindoubt. Yo u r s f a i t h f u l l y E l r o y S t e p h n e y Candidate
Why is Mr. Nadir wrongly criticizing Justin Trudeau?
DearEditor,
In a recent edition of the Stabroek News (January 23rd) newspaperentitled“NadirsayselectionofOppositionLeader required'carefulconsideration'”, Speaker Manzoor Nadir attacked some of the countries thatareusuallyfriendlytoGuyana,e.g.USA,Canada.Donot bite the hand that feeds is an old adage. While attacking Canada, he said “your country has the unique distinction of havingapersonwhowasneverelectedtoParliamentserveasa PrimeMinister,apersonimposedonthecitizensofCanadaby theformerPrimeMinisterJustinTrudeau.”
WhyisMr.NadirwronglycriticizingJustinTrudeau.Mr Nadir needs to learn how the Westminster system of Parliamentworks.AsSpeakerofaParliamentonewouldthink that he studied Civics or Political Science.Perhaps Mr Nadir onlyknowsonesystem,theProportionalRepresentation(PR) systemwhichisusedinveryfewcountries,Guyanabeingone of them. It was PR that brought his former party, the United Force,topowerinabotchedcoalitionwiththePNCin1964. The Westminster system has significantly influenced democratic governance worldwide, with countries like Canada,Australia,andIndiaadoptingvariationsofthismodel. TothinkthathejustreturnedfromIndia,andthattripdelayed the sitting of parliament and election of the Leader of the Opposition. Mr Nadir, you are a liability to the government. Butthenagain,someleadersfeelpowerfulwhensurrounded byweakpeople.Bytheway,itwasJustinTrudeau'sfather,the late, great Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who opened the Canadian Immigrationsystemin1967totheThirdWorld–asystemthat benefitted so many Guyanese fleeing the Burnham dictatorship. Are we ingrates? Prior to 1967 it was mostly European immigration to Canada. There are stories of GuyanesewhowouldflytoEngland,thentoCanadaasitwas somucheasiertogetinviaaEuropeancountry Theyuseda low-costairlinebythenameofWardair
Regards
ShamRahmanMohammed
Democracy in Darkness: NCN Alone at Opposition Election a Dangerous Precedent
DearEditor,
The decision to exclude all private media from covering the election of the L e a d e r o f t h e Opposition leaving only the state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) to report on the
transparency, fairness, and pressfreedominGuyana.
It confirms what many have feared: that state control of information has become the new normal
scrutiny
The National Assembly belongstothepeople,notto therulingpartyoritsagents.
To shut out independent journalists from a parliamentary event of national importance is a direct affront to democracy and to the constitutional principle that Parliament should function in the open, subject to the public eye. Nothing about this process requiressecrecy.
Yet, the Speaker's office haschosenopacity,achoice that will not be forgotten or forgivenlightly.
For months, the nation has endured the absence of an Opposition Leader a constitutional vacancy that weakened representation and eroded public trust Now,whenthepostisfinally to be filled, the process is shroudedincensorship.
Itisasthoughthepeople are invited to accept leadership without being allowed to witness democracyinaction.
Such conduct not only diminishes Parliament but betrays the notion of
accountability on which the Republicwasfounded.
Allowing only NCN to cover the proceedings is not a procedural quirk. It is a political message: that the ruling establishment will decide what the nation sees andhears.
Historyshowsthatwhen governments fence off the press, truth becomes a casualty and propaganda takes its place. Independent media have long served as the public's watchdog,
exposing abuse and amplifying the voices of the voiceless.
To exclude them from Parliament the symbolic heartofrepresentation—isa step backward into autocracy
Speaker Manzoor Nadir's decision will be judged harshly, both by contemporaries and by history It reflects a pattern of partisan management unbecomingoftheSpeaker's chair, which ought to stand above political favour The democratic ideal demands impartial stewardship, not selective access and state dominance.
To deny the media entry into the people's house is to desecrate the spirit of the Constitution.
The public deserves to see, hear, and judge for t h e m s e l v e s T h e Opposition'selectionisnota privatefunctionbutapublic act,centraltothebalanceof power that underpins our parliamentary democracy
Shielding it from independent coverage only fuels suspicion, deepens division, and casts doubt on the legitimacy of the outcome. We therefore call
on the Speaker and the p a r l i a m e n t a r y a d m
t r a t i o n t o immediately reverse this decision, accredit all reputablemediahouses,and reaffirm the right of journalists whether state or private to cover the affairs of the National Assembly No government outletshouldeverbethesole gatekeeperofinformationin ademocraticsociety
When the lights of the freepressaredimmed,truth retreats, and democracy suffers Guyana deserves b
transparency and staged accountability
The people's business must be conducted in the open, and their access to information must never dependonpoliticalfavour
The state's fear of scrutinyrevealsmorethanit conceals.Intheend,itisnot the media that stand on trial—it is the government's commitment to freedom itself
Sincerely HemduttKumar
Recent data revealed a marked increase in capital goods imports for Guyana
DearEditor,
It is budget time again, and I want to wish all the Members of Parliament great success in their 2026 budget debates especially Dr Ashni Singh. In my readings, there is a piece of analytics that jumped out at me that caused me to write this, my first letter for the year2026. Inthatregardsit wouldberemissofmenotto seizetheopportunitytowish youtheEditors,HappyNew Year's and to your staff, and yourreaders.
Recent data revealed a marked increase in capital goods imports for Guyana. This situation should be interpreted as a positive indicator of economic confidence in our economy, backed by a higher-thannormal level of productive investment, rather than a cause for concern (based on figuresreportedbytheBank ofGuyanaandnationaltrade statistics).
Capital goods—such as agricultural and industrial machinery, transport and construction equipment are
not bought to be consumed immediately They are used to increase productive capacity,improveefficiency, andsupporttheexpansionof future national output Economic research has shown that the importation of capital goods can contribute to long-term and sustained income growth by enabling access to advanced equipment and technology. Inmostcountriesaroundthe worldthatarefallingbehind, it is mainly because of inadequate research, low investment in, and usage of advancedtechnologies. The differentiator behind who will progress and who will fall behind during the next decade will be driven by which countries have the strategicplanandappetiteto e
d technology and train their nationalstouseiteffectively andefficiently
The graph above illustrates capital goods imports for Guyana from 2019 to 2024. The graph illuminates that all key categories have risen significantly, by more than
300% in many cases, since 2020. This quantum of capital goods imports reflects a trend that is directly associated with expanded business activity and greater public and private sector investment. Thisisaverypositivesign. Thistrendalignswiththe numbers that outlines our b r o a d e r e c o n o m i c performance. Guyana's nonoil economy has been expanding, with significant growth in sectors such as construction and services, supported by increased investment
Importing capital goods enables businesses to
(Continuedonpage6)
The Architecture of Empty Indignation:
ACritiqueofHemduttKumar'sPopulistRhetoric
DearEditor,
The recent exchange in the January 25 edition of Kaieteur News has laid bare the hollow core of Hemdutt Kumar's populist project. In his attempt to dismantle a principled defense of national sovereignty, Kumar has transitioned from a local contrarian to a voluntary spokesperson for diplomatic overreach.
His latest missive, which mocks the Vienna Conventionasa"muzzle,"is a masterclass in the very hypocrisy he purports to fight. He demands absolute transparency from his own government while pleading fortheinterferenceofforeign powers in national affairs.
Thisisthehallmarkofaman whoconfusesthenoiseofthe marketplace with the heavy liftingofstatecraft.
There is a distinct luxury in the position Kumar occupies.
It is the luxury of the perpetual outsider, the man who has never assumed a position of actual responsibility, never had to manage a complex budget, and never had to balance the competing interests of a
sovereign state. It is remarkably easy to "mouth off" from the sidelines when one has no skin in the game andnoprofessionallegacyto protect beyond a collection ofnewspaperclippings.
Kumar's rhetoric is a study in selective indignation He scoffs at established legalisms, framing them as relics of an archaic age, yet he offers no alternative to the internationalorderotherthan a chaotic free-for-all He accuses others of being condescending, yet he treats the citizenry as if they are incapable of understanding that a country without diplomatic boundaries is not anation,butaplayground.
The caricature of the modern"activist"isperfectly personified here: a figure who thrives on the noise of the moment but lacks the stamina for the intellectual rigor of the academy or the boardroom.
Kumar dismisses the defense of sovereignty as a distraction, failing to realize that sovereignty is the foundation upon which any meaningfulprogressmustbe built.To him, a tweet from a
foreign diplomat is a revolutionary act, while the maintenance of international lawisa"secret."
This is not just a disagreement on policy; it is a fundamental rejection of the seriousness required to govern a modern state Kumar does not seek solutions; he seeks an audienceforhiscynicism.
Heisthemanwhowould burn down the house just to complain about the lack of light, all while blaming the architectfortheheightofthe windows.
Ultimately, this assault onnationalprotocolrevealsa desperate need to stay relevantinadiscoursethatis rapidly outgrowing such emotive populism While serious minds speak to the long-term integrity of the state, Kumar remains tethered to the immediate gratification of the grievance.
Havingnevercarriedthe weight of real-world responsibility, he finds it quite easy to throw stones at the foundations others are tryingtobuild.
Sincerely
Dr.WalterH.Persaud
We must act now to ensure that no one continues to fall through the cracks of our mental health system
DearEditor,
A s a p u b l i c communicationsanalystand community advocate with over fifteen years of experience in volunteer counseling and supporting individuals affected by mental health challenges, I writewithdeepconcernover the alarming number of suicide-related cases being recorded in Guyana for 2026 This situation demands immediate and sustained national attention, as lives continue to be lost andfamiliesleftdevastated. Itmustbeacknowledged that in 2024, the Government of Guyana i n c r e a s e d t h e implementation of mental health programmes at the national level These initiatives demonstrate a growing recognition of mental health as a public health priority, and they represent an important step in the right direction. Such efforts deserve recognition andsupport.
However, despite these measures,thecontinuedrise insuicidecasessuggeststhat
existing systems are not reaching everyone who needs help Too many individuals struggling with depression, abuse, workplace discrimination, family conflict, and social isolation remain unseen, unheard, and unsupported. Thisgapbetweenpolicyand lived experience is deeply troubling.
Stigmaandfearcontinue to silence victims, preventing them from seeking assistance early In some cases, warning signs are overlooked by families, e m p l o y e r s , a n d communities until it is too late This highlights the urgent need for stronger community engagement, public education, and frontline intervention mechanisms that can identify risk before crisis occursIn addition, many of our elderly citizens are facing mental health
challenges as they grow older, and far too many are beingabandoned,neglected, or mistreated by relatives who should be protecting them Some elderly individuals have even expressed a desire to die rather than continue living under emotional abuse, disrespect, or humiliation. This is heartbreaking, and it must not be normalized in oursociety
Guyana is at a critical moment.Thefoundationhas been laid through national programs, but without urgent reinforcement, coordination, and community participation, more lives will be lost. We must act now—collectively and decisively—to ensure that no one, young or old, continuestofallthroughthe cracks of our mental health system.
Sincerely:
Mr.BlaneRBunbury
Recent data revealed a marked...
Frompage5 improve productivity, produce more with existing resources, and reduce their costofproductionovertime.
As equipment and technology are put to use, theyhelpraiseoutputlevels, support export-oriented industries, and enhance our globalcompetitiveness. The only missing link now is the completionoftheprojectsto supply lower-cost and more reliable electricity to the nationalgridandthemassive industrialisation required to permanently transform Guyana. Amajorpartofthat challenge is expected to be overcomelaterthisyearwith the coming online of the WalesGas-to-ShoreProject.
Moreover, higher capital goods imports can signal higher business and investor confidence.
Firms generally commit to importing machinery and equipment when they anticipatestabledemandand a supportive policy environment. Case in point, theCEOofExxonMobil,Mr. Darren Woods made these comments on Venezuela on January 9, 2026 in the presenceofPresidentDonald Trump “If we look at the legal and commercial constructs frameworks i n place today in Venezuela, today it's uninvestable” Juxtapose that against his comments on May 2, 2024 withregardstoGuyanawhen he said, “Guyana is heading
developmentinhistory”.
Some have expressed concern that higher imports could widen trade deficits. However, we must look “under the hood” of the economy to better understand what is happening. Capital goods imports are part of the broaderprocessofeconomic transformation and productive investment—and when these imports translate into increased production and exports, they strengthen the balance of payments in thelongerrun.
These investments often precede job creation in construction,manufacturing, logistics, and other sectors, as new projects ramp up and expand their requirements for more skilled labour Thus, the policy of the Government of Guyana to accelerate skills training across all fronts must be celebrated.
Inshort,theexpansionin capital goods imports reflects confidence, investment in productive capacity, and preparation for futureeconomicactivities.It is not merely increased spending on foreign goods but is a fundamental part of capital formation that is essentialinthesupportofthe sustainablegrowthpathover themediumterm.
Sincerely, SasenarineSingh
Agri. Sector gets $113.2 billion
ByAnasaWilliams
The government has budgeted $113 2 billion dollars for the agriculture sector with $81 9billion allocatedtothedrainageand irrigation department and $13.4 billion earmarked for thesugarsector
The 2026 budgetary allocation for the sugar sector represents a $100 million increase from 2025. In his presentation, Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh saidthatthegovernmentwill continue to restore the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to financial viability and long-term sustainability
“Inthelastfiveyears,we reopened the Rose Hall Estate, and upgraded the f i e l d a n d f a c t o r y infrastructure at Albion, Blairmont, Rose Hall and Uitvlugt,whichtogether,reenergised the previously devastated local rural economy We also remodeledthemarketingand salesmixfrombulksugarto higher value products and
provided direct economic support to over 5,200 severed workers Today, more than 8,300 persons are employed in the sector,” he said.
Further, the finance minister noted that in 2025, the Albion packaging plant commenced operations, and essential machinery and equipment were procured to improve factory operations acrossestates,includingtwo mechanicalharvesters.
“In addition, we rehabilitated over 100 cane punts, the Blairmont wharf, rotarysugardryerdrumsand billet cane yards, and over 5 kilometres (km) of access roads. Furthermore, works progressed on the conversion of lands at
Dr Singh sad that over the next five years, the objective is to: continue mechanisation of field operations through land conversion; improve mechanical planting and harvesting; modernise factories and improve factory operations; promote high-yielding and highvalue cane varieties; invest in value-added production includingwithprivatesector participation; improve worker, union, and management relations and transition workers to higher skilledroles.
“Ultimately, as outlined in the 2025 Manifesto, the
Teen quartet charged for beating student with cutlass at De Willem
Four teenagers were jointly charged on Mondayinconnectionwithassaultallegedly committed on a 16-year-old student at De Willem,WestCoastDemeraraonJanuary21, 2025.
The charge was laid under Section 21 of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act, Chapter8:02.
ThedefendantsappearedattheVreed-enHoop Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, where the charge was readtothemjointly Theyallpleadedguilty
The matter was postponed to February 25,2026,pendingaprobationreportpriorto sentencing.
Kaieteur News reported on January 23 that three males: ages 15, 16 and 19 were arrestedfollowingthebrutalassaultofamale studentatDeWillem,WestCoastDemerara. The incident sparked public outrage after a videooftheattackcirculatedwidelyonsocial media.
Thedisturbingfootageshowsthevictim, dressed in what appears to be his school uniform, standing helplessly as he is surrounded by the three suspects. The attackers are seen taking turns threatening, insulting and intimidating the student, with one demanding that he apologises while the otherslookedon.
MinisterofEducationSoniaParagvisited the Zeeburg Secondary School where the victim is attending and had a stern talk with teachersandstudents.
In a video clip posted to the ministry’s
strategy is to effectively transform and diversify GUYSUCO into an agroindustrial hub for rural economicdevelopment.
In 2026, over 3,000 hectares are targeted to be converted for mechanised harvesting. In addition, we will: replace three sugar boilers; procure five cane harvesters; construct a conveyor system for billet canes at Albion; procure additional sugar dryers for Rose Hall and Uitvlugt; install billet cane feeder tables; expand value-added production; and, improve all-weather road access to facilitatemovementofbillet canes.,”hesaid.
DrainageandIrrigation
The drain
e and irrig
n budgetary allocation of $$81.9 billion represents a $9 2billion increase from last year’s allocation.This allocation is the largest earmarked for a departmentwhichfallsunder theMinistryofAgriculture.
“ M r S p e a k e r , Government continues to investinthedevelopmentof critical drainage and
irrigation (D&I) structures across the country In 2025, we expanded D&I systems and networks, including the completion of structures in Adams Creek, Good Hope and Mabaruma and advanced civil works on the Hope-like structures in Regions 5 and 6. In 2026, works will continue to progress on the Hope-like structuresinRegions5and6, and commence in Region 3. Additionally, works will be completed on eight pump stationsinRegions2,3,4,5 and 6. To this end, $46.2 billion was spent in 2025, andthisyear,$81.9billionis
budgeted,”Dr Singhsaid. Rice
The government intends to invest in seed processing facilities, establish rice producing clusters, promote domestic fertiliser production, increase storage capacity through climatecontrolled silos, work diligentlytosecurelucrative markets for paddy and rice, and develop and market value-added rice-based products. An amount of $1 billionisbudgetedin2026to commence construction of thesilos.
“In2026,Governmentis
Continuedonpage17
Parika miner charged with possession of narcotics
Facebook page she said that there will be zero-toleranceforgangsunderhertenure.
“Are you supposed to be disrespecting a teacher? Are you supposed to be disrespecting fellow students? So, we know alltherightthingstodo,butwhydon’tyou? Why we don’t do them? Because we are influenced, and because we can be easily influenced. Let me say something to you. There is no way under my tenure that I am goingtotolerateanygroupofpersonscalling themselvesagang,”MinisterParagsaid.
She added that she will be working with the authorities to prevent any group of persons that infiltrates a school with the intentions to create either a gang, clique or group.
Noting that children cannot develop unless they are in a safe environment, the ministersaidthattheteacherswillnotbeable to do their jobs unless they too are in a safe space.
“Wearetakingazero-toleranceapproach toanykindofviolence,whetheritbestudent against student, student against teacher, student from one school to another school, school against school, and when I say zero tolerance, we are going to be working to drastically reduce bullying, violence, that is stemming from bullying and so on. It’s a situation where I definitely want this to become something that I will work wholeheartedlyonforthenextfiveyearsand that is the position of the Government as well,”sheadded.
A 49-year-old gold miner of Parika, East Bank Essequibo was on Monday charged in connectionwithpossessionofnarcoticsforthe purposeoftrafficking.
The accused Oscar Cornelius appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court where the charge, which was laid under Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control)Act,Chapter10:10,wasreadtohim.
He pleaded not guilty and was granted $80,000bail.Thematterhasbeenadjournedto March23,2026.
Parliament finally sets up key selection committee
Three months after the 13th Parliament was convened, the National Assembly on Mondayfinallymovedtoestablishthelongawaited Committee of Selection, a critical parliamentary body responsible for determining the membership of all other standingandsectoralcommittees.
Itensuresthecompositionofcommittees reflects the balance of parties in the Assembly
During Monday’s sitting Minister of ParliamentaryAffairs, Gail Teixeira who is also a member of the committee presented the government nominees namely: Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustafa, Minister of Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy and Junior
GovernmentMinister,
From We Invest in Nationhood
the members are: Opposition
From A Partnership for National Unity
the members
and
Thecommitteeischairedbythe Speaker and comprises nine members, with five from the government benches and four fromtheopposition. The selection committee nominates membersforvariousParliamentaryStanding Committees; elects chairpersons and vicechairpersons for Standing Committees and considers other matters referred to it by the NationalAssembly
Local
PaulineSukhai.
(WIN)
Chief Whip, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, Odessa Primus and Nandranie Singh.
(APNU)
are: Ganesh Mahipaul
Dr. Terrence Campbell.
Oscar Cornelius
Guyana's public debt jumps to US$7.7 billion
ByRenaySambach
Guyana'stotalPublicand Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt rose sharply to US$7.7 billionattheendof2025,up fromUS$5.993billionayear earlier, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, announced onMonday He was at the time presenting the PPP/C Government's $1.5 trillion national budget for 2026.
Delivering a more than sixhour budget presentation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Dr. Singh said the increase reflects continued fiscal discipline alongside the government's aggressive development drive “Our government continues to balance the financing of our transformation agenda with thepreservationoffiscaland debt sustainability,” Singh told the National Assembly “We remain committed to the responsible and transparent management of public debt within prudent costandriskparameters.”
He noted that the PPP g o v e r n m e n t h a s demonstrated a wellestablished track record since it resumed office in 2020. He reported that total PPG debt stood at US$7.7 billion at the end of 2025,
reflecting positive net inflows from both external and domestic financing sources.DomesticPPGdebt accounted for 62.3% of the total, amounting to US$4.8 billion, while external PPG debt comprised 37.7%, or US$2.9billion.
According to Minister Singh, multilateral creditors held the largest share of external PPG debt at 64%, followed by bilateral creditors at 30 1% and private creditors at 5.9%.
On the domestic side, treasury bills (T-Bills) dominated the debt profile, accounting for 82.5%, an increaseof6.2%fromayear
earlier Debentures accounted for the remaining 17.5%.
Moreover, the finance ministerstatedthatGuyana's debtsustainabilityindicators
have continued to improve. He outlined that since 2020, theratiooftotalPPGdebtto gross domestic product (GDP)declinedfrom47.4% to28.6%attheendof2025.
He further stated that total debt service payments for 2025 amounted to US$264 6 million, with US$176.6 million paid to external creditors and US$88 million to domestic creditors. Notably, Dr Singh stated that the share of external debt service expanded to 66.7%, mainly as a result of an increase in bilateral payments. Meanwhile, domestic debt servicecontractedto33.3%.
Itwasalsodisclosedthat 5 5%
revenue went towards debt service in 2025, a decrease from 8.5% in 2020. “This indicates a strong and
ChemistkilledinEastBankDemerara...
Frompage2 we are experiencing.” DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo also extended condolences, saying:
“I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Jason He will be rememberednotonlyforhis achievements, but also for the respect he earned from colleagues across the company.Wearecommitted to honouring his memory and will be providing full support to our staff and his family, loved ones, and colleagues during this difficulttime.”
D D L s a i d t h a t Bhojedat’s life, service, and legacy will always be honoured.
Meanwhile, Saint
Stanislaus College Assocaition,reflectedonhis life as a proud and active member of the institution.
“His love for Saint StanislausCollegerandeep, beginningfromhisdaysasa proud member of Galton House and continuing
throughout his life. From inter-house sports and domino matches to cricket, football, and basketball games, he was always present and gave selflessly to his school and the association, always leading with integrity, passion, and purpose,”thestatementsaid.
Bhojedat served as President of school’s association up until his death.Hewasdescribedasa respected mentor who made alastingimpactoneveryone heencountered.
“A great mentor and an even greater human being, he touched countless lives with his warmth, guidance, and unwavering dedication. He was admired, respected, and loved by all who knew him, and his loss will be deeply felt across the SSC familyandbeyond.”
Friends and family also took to social media to express shock and heartbreak Bhojedat’s brother, Ashley Palmer Jr., wrote:
…asGovt.increasesborrowing
improving capacity to meet our financial commitments as they come due, and implies a greater proportion of public funds being available for fiscal purposes other than debt service,” Dr Singhsaid. Notably, he also stated that Guyana's debt is
sustainableintothemediumterm, even as government advances its comprehensive d e v e l o p m e n t a n d transformationprogramme.
Thefigurespresentedby Dr Singh represents a sharp increase from the end of 2024 The latest figures
represent a sharp increase from the end of 2024, when Guyana's total PPG debt stoodatUS$5.993billion,as disclosed during the 2025 Budget presentation.At that time, external PPG debt reached US$2 2 billion, while domestic PPG debt wasUS$3.7billion.
“This is not the end you deserved, bro. RIP my little brother I’ll ensure you get thejusticeyoudeserve.”
Close friend Delon Moffettsharedanemotional tribute, recalling their friendship since meeting at Saintsin2003.
“You were my best friendsincewemetandwill forever remain in my heart as one of the most genuine people I know Atrue giant. Ahelpfulandkindsoul,”he said, recounting shared memories from school days tograduation.
Moffettalsoreflectedon their final conversation the daybeforetheaccident.
“We spoke yesterday (Saturday),andyousaidyou were on a work call. I came off the phone super proud, sayingmyfriendisworking on Sunday because he’s important. I would trade all my enemies to have you back with us. We have lost oneofthesmartestandmost humble people to ever walk thisearth.Flyhigh,Jason.”
H@RD TRUTHS
AnotherpictureofGuyana’staleoftwocountries
It could be rightly called Guyana’sversionofataleof two cities. Or, so that it is much easier to appreciate, I give Guyanese a new image ofthehavesandhavenots. It is stark. Just look at the waistline of those who have itgood.
Then study that of those scrambling to put together thenextbarebonesmeal. Ifa picture is worth a thousand words,thenthedividingline, the mark of distinction, in Guyana, is a good-sized encyclopedia.
Inthegrand,grimtaleof twoGuyana(s),thewaistline istheheadline. Therichand powerful have bellies that indicate the opulence of the harvests seized and enjoyed fromthisnation’soilwealth, with very few participating. This smart set is also about insidersandtheconnectedin the free-for-all in the penthouses of Guyanese society Government ministers. Senior public servants, those specially selected. Then, there is the overstuffed contractor class
alongside the private sector aristocracy
They are mostly bigbellied, potbellied, and exhibiting roly-poly beer bellies. Those who think that’stheendofthestory,the pictureendedthere,itisnow gettingstarted.
Takealookattheleaders’ faces, and those they have under the boot. In addition to distended bellies, their facesarefleshy,jowly,shiny, and sweaty Good living at thetaxpayers’expenseisthe best kept secret and ace that cannotbeout-trumped. Itis unexplained wealth of a substantial variety that’s neither mystery nor secret. The swollen bellies cannot be hidden, with nothing covert about that condition. Political incest has to be hidden. Imbibing to excess and overindulging to the point of obesity are not againstthelaw,constitution, or good governance Gorgingofftherichfatofthe land, and getting fat from it, isnotcrime. Ahealthissue, butnotamisdemeanorinthe
$5K more for pensioners, public assistance up by $3k in Budget 2026
This year’s Budget, themed ‘Putting People First’ includesa$5000increasetoOldAgePensionand$3000more forthoseinneedofpublicassistance.
Other measures to benefit the population include the promised $100,000 cash grant for every adult Guyanese, 18 years and over, as well as the rollout of several other new initiatives geared at realizing home and vehicle ownership, encouraging the startup of new businesses and diversify the economy
He noted that government plans to identify a number of areas as Special Development Zones that will benefit from fiscal incentives. This year, government will remove the corporatetaxesonagricultureandagro-processingbusinesses to increase retained earnings and enable greater investments toboostproductionandproductivity
This institution will provide Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), young entrepreneurs, women, and personslivingwithdisabilities,withaccessupto$3millionin micro-credit loans at zero interest, with zero collateral requirementfortargetedinvestmentsinspecifiedsectors.
The finance minister noted that this programme will not only provide financing, but will pair these startups with mentorship and training to support the growth and development.
Additionally, government will roll out a co-investment model,tosharefinancialrisks,providingsupportforSMEsto Continued on page 19
scrollsofthelaw
These are of elected and selected powers in Guyana with a king-size subway sandwich in one hand, a 32oz steak in the other, and a lobster firmly fastened between the teeth. Their well-filled, well-visited tumblers of beverages are nearby
These bulky grandees and the slightly less robust grand duchesses are exemplary with their lifestyles that glow with personal prosperity, while Guyanesegohungrypeople. Take note of them, those endless brigades and battalions of have nots in Guyana. Thefirstthingthat is noticeable about these citizens of one of the richest countriesintheworldishow meager(maagah)theyare. It isthat‘leanandhungrylook’ straight from William
Shakespeare’sJuliusCaesar
Tomyhorror,itisnotofone Roman working to get a rebellion going. It is of many cross-sections of citizens in the have nots quarters dotted throughout Guyana Countless Guyanese below the center of this nation’s economic ladder are without enough food daily, and it shows. Their thin to threadlike waistlines, and they are not intomodeling.
Their gaunt, hollowcheeked, and hollow-eyed look tells the tale of two radically different countries. it’s what is squeezed under the One Guyana umbrella. Whoget,getmorethantheir rightful share; probably as much as 10,000 times their due, if not more. On the downside,thosewhoareout are out in the cold without a rice bag for covering
Howzatforbeingamong theworld’srichest! Gritty is their ongoing condition. Hardscrabble is what lives on their table, before their children. Political leaders make a big show about inflation Down below, Guyanese live with depression.
Meanwhile, their trusted champions were selling poorer and harder hit Guyanesethatbetterisgoing tocome. Itdid. Exceptthat bus rushed past, didn’t stop for, reach crying and lamentingGuyanese.
This is the tale of two Guyana(s). One fattened, but small, segment celebrating on the mountaintop. Around the corners, the biggest fraction of Guyana’s population is l
onomic dungeons. No light. No vittles. They can’t breathe. They can’t even pray They hadbettergetmoving.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Their own brothers and sisters snatched what belongedtothemoutoftheir grasp, and now monopolize that for themselves. Who has a fleet of high-end vehicles,whilethepoorwait in line for a bus or a boat? Who struggles to find the rentormortgage,whiletheir tribal chiefs have luxury apartments to rent by the dozen? Who can import foreign delicacies for their daily banquets, but it is a dailygrindformanytogeta potgoing?
Health sector gets $161.1B in 2026 Budget
Some $161.1 billion has been allocated to the health sector in the 2026 national budget, with a significant portion earmarked for the supply and delivery of drugs, as well as major infrastructural and technologicalupgrades.
The allocation was announced by Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, during his budget presentation on Monday at the Arthur C
ConferenceCentre.
Of the total allocation, $34.9 billion has been set aside specifically for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies, making it the single largest expenditure within the sector The overall allocationrepresentsaslight adjustment from the $136.6 billion allocated to the health sector in the 2025 nationalbudget.
During his presentation, Dr.Singhsaidtheincreased investment is aimed at a d v a n c i n g t h e modernisation of Guyana’s healthcare system and strengthening technological capacity, with the goal of achieving a “world-class, science-driven, equitable and patient-centred health system.”
He outlined that construction and upgrades
…drug supply and delivery account for bulk of allocation
across several health facilities will continue in 2026, includingprogress on thepaediatricandmaternity hospitalandthesixregional hospitals at Moruca, West
D e m e r a r a , N e w Amsterdam, Bartica, Kato, andLethem.
Additionally, upgrades will be undertaken at the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation (GPHC), along with the completion of the polyclinicsatCampbellville and Industry, and other critical infrastructural improvements.
D r S i n g h a l s o announcedthatconstruction will commence this year on the National Neurological
Rehabilitation Centre, which he said will provide specialisedclinicalcareand long-term management for patients with brain injuries, including stroke, head and spinal cord injuries, and neuromuscular disorders
Plansarealsoinplaceforthe construction of a modern oncologycentre,designedto deliver comprehensive, patient-centredcancercare.
In terms of medical equipment and technology,
the government has budgeted $3.1 billion for expansion and upgrades.
This includes the installation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, an additional Computed Tomography (CT)scanner,andaCardiac Catheterisation Laboratory atGPHC.
Further investments includetheinstallationof50 additionaltelemedicinesites to improve access to specialised healthcare
services in remote communities, as well as the integration of AI-supported diagnostic systems to enhance clinical decisionmaking and overall quality ofcare.
Addressing the drug supply system, Dr Singh said the government continues to prioritise timely and adequate access tomedication.
“The timely and adequatedeliveryofdrugsis essentialtoensuringquality care to the people,” he stated.
To this end, the government has budgeted $34.9 billion for the supply and delivery of drugs and medical supplies, which includes the construction of five regional drug distribution centres in Mabaruma, Onderneeming, Williamsburg, Lethem, and B a m i a , a n d t h e modernisation of the drug supply chain through advanced warehousing, inventory tracking, and medication dispensing systems.
With respect to the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, Dr Singh disclosed that full implementation at GPHC is expectedwithinthefirsthalf of 2026, supported by a budgetary allocation of $764million.
He further revealed that preparations are underway for a major overhaul of the EmergencyMedicalSystem (EMS), including the operationalisation of a new G u y a n a M e d i c a l Emergency Authority (GEMA), for which more than $3.7 billion has been budgeted.
Minister of Health, Frank Anthony
$5Bforcameras, $3.6Bforpolicestations
— Govt. rolls out massive security spending plan
$36.2 billion is budgeted to support the activities of the Guyana Police Force in 2026.
Finance Minister
Dr AshniSinghon Monday unveiled billions of dollars in new security spending, outlining what the government says is
a sweeping push to modernise the Guyana Police Force (GPF), expand surveillance coverage, boost community policing, and strengthen crime-fighting capacitynationwide.
In total, $36.2 billion is budgeted to support the activities of the Guyana PoliceForcein2026.
Thetotalnationalbudget is set at $1.558T Speaking
during his budget presentation in the National Assembly, Singh said the administration has spent the past five years ramping up investments aimed at improving safety, deterring crime and strengthening national security According to the minister, government has upgraded security infrastructure, acquired
modern equipment,
expanded training programmes, improved forensic and investigative
c a p a b i l i t i e s , a n d strengthened intelligence operationsthroughadvanced ICTsystems.Healsopointed to deeper partnerships with regional and international crime-fighting agencies Singh said the government also honoured commitments tothedisciplinedservicesby improving salaries and restoringtheone-monthtaxfreeJointServicesbonus. Singh said steps were also taken to have a modern Guyana Police Force (GPF) capable of intelligencedriven, technology-based, citizen-friendly policing, in whichahighdegreeofpublic
confidence is earned and maintained, and which ensures safe communities andanenvironmentinwhich businesses and citizens can conduct their daily activities free of fear “In 2025, the sum of $4.7 billion was expended to advance construction, reconstruction and upgrades to critical securityinfrastructurewhich included the completion of 10 police stations, boat houses and living quarters, among other essential facilities In 2026, $3 6 billionisbudgetedtofurther enhance the infrastructural capacity of the GPF through the following initiatives: advancing the construction of the Brickdam Police Stationforwhich$1.2billion is budgeted; completing 11 additional police stations in Anna Regina, Bonasika, Leguan, Alberttown, Beterverwagting, East La Penitence, Sisters, Orealla, Ituni, Kwakwani and Mabura for which $475.7 million is budgeted and advancing works on a modern police training academycampusatDorafor which $139 8 million is allocated.
The minister noted that overthenextfiveyears,“we will substantially expand police presence within all communities and will commence the design of an automatedfleetmanagement system to improve responsiveness. To further expand the Force’s transport capabilities, an additional $900 million is budgeted in 2026.”
Singh said to take full advantage of some of the most advanced and
so
equipment and innovative technology, a total of $6.2 billion was spent in 2025 to expand investigative and surveillance expertise through the Safe Country Initiative.
To date, a total of 781 I n t e l l i g e n t Vi d e o Surveillance (IVS) sites were completed in priority areasinRegions2,3,4,5,6 and10.Thesehaveprovento be most useful in the detection of criminal acts as well as improve safety, and security In 2026, a sum of $5 billion is earmarked for the continuation of this initiative.
CommunityPolicing
Intheareaofcommunity policing, Dr Singh said this year government will continue to expand community policing networks to deepen public trust for safer communities.
“This will be supported by the development and implementation of digital platforms, institutional engagements, and multistakeholder partnerships. To this end, the sum of $245.8 millionisbudgeted.”
In 2026, Dr.s Singh said “we will continue to focus oureffortsonthecontinuous professional development of ranks with the allocation of $250 million towards training of 5,000 ranks Other initiatives include the strengtheningofsupervisory and accountability practices of the force to ensure the integrity and accountability ofpersonnelbytransitioning into a merit-based system of performance assessments that prioritises demonstrated c o m p e t e n c e a n d professionalism of ranks,” Singhsaid.
The government has allocated a sum of $183.6 billion to support the education sector this year, with a portion of $14.5 billion budgeted for the UniversityofGuyana(UG), and $5.8 billion for the GuyanaOnlineAcademyof Learning(GOAL).
This is according to the SeniorMinisterintheOffice of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh who presentedthisyear’s$1.558 trillion national budget on Monday at the ArthurChungConferenceCentre.
Speaking on the education sector, the Senior Minister noted since the government abolishedtuitionfeesforUGfrom2025,the number of applications to pursue higher education at the institution increased significantlytoover26,000fortheacademic year2025/2026,comparedwith17,800inthe 2024/2025period.
In recognition of the high demand for access to UG programmes, the minister said that this year some $14.5 billion has been allocatedtofinanceitsongoingandexpanded operations. As it relates to the GOAL programme, the Senior Minister said that with 10,805 scholarships awarded last year, thisyeartosupporttheprogrammetheyhave setasidea$5.8billionallocation.
In relation to the sector, an area which took a big portion of the allocations is the construction,rehabilitationandmaintenance of schools across the nursery, primary and secondarylevel.
According to Minister Singh, this year $24 3 billion is earmarked for school infrastructure. Further, in ensuring have resources needed in the classrooms, he disclosedthatallnurseryschoolshaveaccess to reading books and all students in primary
and secondary schools have all the required textbooksforeachsubjectarea.Tothisend,in 2026, $2.3 billion is budgeted to replenish textbooks, workbooks and reading materials across all levels.Additionally, school grants which is distributed to each school for the purchaseofclassroommaterials,thisyear,an allocation of $3.1 billion was made to continue the distribution of school grants. Another important initiative is the National SchoolFeedingProgramme,whichasumof $7 billion is allocated to continue the programme.
Notably, the flagship Guyana Digital School which the government launched in December 2025, the Senior Minister related that over 22,000 students have since registered The Digital School which revolutionise access to educational content by making the curriculum free for supplemental education, the minister announcedthat$176.1millionisallocatedto continueitsoperationsin2026.
OnthetopicofTechnicalandVocational Training (TVET), it was mentioned that a further $2.5 billion is allocated to expand accessin2026.“Speaker,in2025,thesumof $183.5billionwasspenttosupportallofour interventionsintheeducationsector.In2026, $183.6billionisbudgetedforthesector,”the ministerconcluded.
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is set to complete and commission seven new fire stations this year with the government allocating $6.8 billion toward strengthening and modernising the service in the 2026 NationalBudget.
TheannouncementwasmadebyMinister ofFinance,DrAshniSingh,duringhisbudget presentationonMondayattheArthurChung Conference Centre, where he outlined significant investments aimed at enhancing national firefighting capabilities and reducingemergencyresponsetimes.
“Mr Speaker, the Government has taken decisive steps to transform the Guyana Fire
Service through unprecedented investments in modern capital assets, fundamentally strengthening our national firefighting capabilitiestoaccelerateemergencyresponse timesandsignificantlyreducethehumanand economic losses associated with fires,” Dr Singhsaid.
Singh announced that as part of the government’spriorityinitiatives,$1.1billion has been allocated to complete and commission additional fire stations at Onderneeming, Campbellville, Ruimveldt, Timehri,Mahaicony,andTarlorgie,aswellas theconstructionofnewfirestationsat
Continued on page 17
Govt. pumps $159B into housing, billions more into water expansion
The Government has earmarked$159.1billionfor housing development and billionsmorefornationwide
water infrastructure upgradesaspartofits$1.558 trillion 2026 budget, signaling one of the largest combined investments in shelter and utilities in Guyana’shistory
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, in his budget presentation to the National Assembly on Monday, said thespendingpushisaimedat expanding housing communities, delivering thousands of new house lots andhomes,improvingliving conditions in existing settlements, and ensuring reliable access to safe, potable water across coastal andhinterlandregions.
According to Singh, the housing allocation will fund development works in dozens of areas including Moleson Creek, Hogstye, Providence, Overwinning, Experiment, De Endragt,
Chateau Margot, Le
A u r i c h , Onderneeming, Mabaruma, Bartica,SilicaCity,Wismar, KwakwaniandLethem.
Government has allocated billions to expand water infrastructure.
The administration also hopes to allocate 15,000 house lots across all income categories in areas such as MolesonCreek,Providence, Vryheid’sLust,Leonoraand Charity Facilitate the construction of a further 8,000homesinareassuchas M o l e s o n C r e e k , Overwinning, Providence, Better Hope, Montrose, Vryheid’s Lust, Groenveldt and Leonora are also on the cards.
It also intends to issue over 7,000 titles and transports, which will allow property owners access to collateralformortgageloans and provide security of tenure These were all mentioned by Finance Minister, DrAshni Singh as he unveiled government’s $1.558 Trillion budget on Monday in the National Assembly
“Mr Speaker, in the context of more persons owning their own homes, along with the growing expectation of more comfortable communities, wewillimplementanumber of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life enjoyed in existing housing communities.In2026,some of these will include: Constructing concrete interlock drains along the concrete roads already constructed in villages countrywide, for which a sum of $8 billion is budgeted; developing new and improved recreational facilities and green spaces; installing community street lighting in main access roads, major junctions, and heavy traffic areas, in the
first instance, and further rolling these out in the communities,”Singhnoted. He said too that the government will develop designated mini-industrial areas for certain categories of business to be located in order to reduce noise and dust pollution in heavily populated areas “Mr. Speaker, building on the sweeping transformation of thehousingsector,theSilica City project remains an important part of the Government’s vision In 2025, we completed over 200 residential units, including 100 young professional homes, along
$159.1 billion has been budgeted for housing development.
with the advancement of o t h e r s u p p o r t i n g infrastructure In 2026, Government will continue works to ensure that this flagship project progresses, reflecting our sustainable approachtomodernhousing development,”DrSinghtold theHouse.
Waterssector
Meanwhile, turning to the water sector, Dr Singh saidaccesstosafeandclean water is not only a basic human right but one of the mostessentialnecessitiesfor a healthy life. He said in Guyana, “we are blessed with an abundance of this resource However, the
processtoextractanddeliver quality, affordable, and reliable potable water services to all Guyanese requiressubstantialfinancial investments and technical expertise.Ourobjectiveisto provide access to a reliable supply of potable water nationwide by: drilling new wells and refurbishing existing ones where needed; expandingandupgradingthe T&D network; constructing new water treatment plants; applying leak detection technology to safeguard the integrity and quality of water; digitising the meteringandbillingsystem;
Continued on page 16
ByDavinaBagot
Just days after the 13th Parliamentwasconvenedon November 3, 2025, the Government of Guyana (GoG) quietly withdrew a staggering $18 8 billion from the Contingency Fund to finance additional infrastructure, education, housingandotherprojects.
Opposition Members of Parliament were left blindsidedonMondaywhen Finance Minister Dr Ashni SinghtabledFinancialPaper Number Two of 2025, covering the period November 18 to December 16,2025.
Notably, earlier in 2025, the GoG had sought an additional$57.5Btosupport the $1.382 trillion Budget. Thismeansthatgovernment
increaseditsspendingpower in the election year to a m a s s i v e
$1,458,313,838,911. The legislation provides for advances to be made from the Contingency Fund to meeturgent,unforeseen,and unbudgetedexpenses.
According to Financial Paper NumberTwo, seen by
government made two
$18,821,223,636with$7.4B for current and $11.4B for capitalexpenditure.
The advances, according togovernmentweremadeby the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for buildingsto facilitate an expanded work programme; the MinistryofHumanServices and Social Security for old
age pensions and social assistance, while the Ministry of Public Works also dipped into the treasury to fund Hinterland and
government buildings, the East Coast Demerara Road improvementprojectandsea and river defence works, to nameafew Additionally,the Ministry of Education, as well as the Ministry of Housing and Water also soughtmorefundstosupport its “expanded work programme”.
Advances were also madeforthevariousRegions whichwereusedforfueland lubriants, national and other
events,dietary,transportand otherneeds.
The 2025 Budget was approved and passed by the National Assembly on February 6, 2025 Mere monthslater,onMay23,the Committee of Supply approved$57.5billionmore to support four state agencies.
In an invited comment, shortly after the document was laid in the House, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Juretha Fernandes told Kaieteur News that government’s refusaltocallaSittingwhile withdrawing public funds
signals severe abuse of power and a direct attack on democraticaccountability
She argued, “While contingency funds exist for urgent, unforeseen needs, their use is not a license to bypass Parliament indefinitely By deploying this mechanism for this period, and for such a col
h
government has distorted an emergency provision into a routine tool for avoiding scrutiny.”
Furthermore, the Opposition MP noted that such action dangerously weakens democ
nullifying the legislature’s
overseeing public spending. Shepointedoutthatiterodes publictrustandcreates
“Governingwithoutconsent, even under the guise of contingency,underminesthe very institutions that ensure
responsibly Such conduct
everyone who wishes to
Fernandesurged. The House will meet over the next few weeks to scrutinizetheadvancesmade bythegovernment.
NadirtakesaimatMohamedovercorruptionclaim
ByRehanaRamsay
Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir has warned newly elected OppositionLeaderAzruddin Mohamedthatallegationsof corruptionmadeagainsthim could be referred to the ParliamentaryCommitteeof Privilegesforinvestigation.
The warning came just hours after Mohamed was elected Leader of the Opposition. In his opening remarks to the House on Monday, Nadir said he was disturbed by what he
described as “vile
comments” made by Mohamed, accusing the Speaker of corruption
outside of formal parliamentaryproceedings.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir has warned newly elected Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed that accusations of corruption levelledagainsthimisunder consideration to be addressed at the Committee of Privileges of the National Assembly
Nadir noted that while a lothasbeensaidinandoutof us being in a formal sitting, there were “vile comments emanating from the duly elected Leader of the
Oppositiontalkingaboutthe corruption of the Speaker.” Nadirasserted:“anyonewho wantstocriticisethespeaker candosoviaamotioninthe House.And so, while I have thickskinandmy45yearsof public life has tempered me well. I am not adverse to acting firmly...And so those comments leveled at me by the leader of the opposition are among the items which can possibly go before a privilegecommittee.” As such, he told the House that Members of Parliament(MP)sneedtobe familiarwiththreeimportant documents which will help guide and inform their actionsinsideandoutsideof the Assembly “There are
three documents that we needtobeveryfamiliarwith.
The constitution of Guyana, the standing orders and the handbook for members of the parliament While I raised the three of them, I want to draw attention to Article50oftheConstitution which outlines the supreme organs of state, one of those being the parliament ” Nadirasserted.
The House Speaker had publicly expressed his unease with Mohamed’s election, describing himself as being in a “difficult position” for having to overseetheappointmentofa fugitive as the nation’s opposition leader He nevertheless chaired
Monday’sbriefproceedings, andultimatelycongratulated Mohamed on his victory Nadir told the House in accordance to Constitution 184, he convened the m e e t i n g o f n o ngovernmental members of parliamentfortheelectionof theLeaderoftheOpposition. Accordingtohim,Mohamed was elected based on 16 WIN MPs and a single vote for the leader of Forward Guyana Movement party, Ms. Amanza Walton Desir
The Committee of
Privileges in Guyana is authorisedtoinvestigateany matter or complaint that appears to affect the powers and privileges of the House. Under Standing Order 91, this committee reviews actionsofmembersthatmay bring the House into disrepute.
Meanwhile, WIN had condemned the speaker’s remarks last week, describingthemasimproper and politically motivated The party said, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms the conduct and remarks of the Speaker of the National Assembly during his recent address to the nation on Tuesday, January20th2026,including his disparaging, abusive,
defamatory, false, and mal
nts directed at the presumptive leaderoftheopposition,Mr Azruddin Mohamed and his open contempt for the international diplomatic community.”
WIN said it was unacceptable that the speaker used a national address to personally attack and prejudge an elected MP and presumptive leader of the opposition. The party argued that Nadir’s remarks demonstrated bias incompatible with the neutralityoftheofficeofthe speaker WIN said, “The speakerisnotaprosecutor,a political combatant, or a mouthpiece for the ruling party His duty is to uphold the constitution, protect the integrity of Parliament, and act impartially By choosing insults over restraint and propaganda over principle, he has demeaned the National Assembly and further eroded public confidenceinitsleadership.”
Mohamedandhisfather, Nazar, are currently challenging an extradition request by the United States Government in the local courts The businessmen have been indicted in the U.S. on multiple charges,
including allegations of orchestrating a fraud and money-laundering scheme involving gold exports, customs fraud, bribery, and the evasion of millions of dollarsintaxesandroyalties allegedly owed to Guyana. The party also criticised comments made by the speaker toward United States Ambassador Nicole Theriot and Canadian High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin, who were among diplomats commenting on the issue. WIN argued that democratic processes in Guyana should not require diplomatic pressure to function and said the situation reflected poorly on theSpeaker’sconduct.
Cabinet Members
Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed
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Children,adolescentsand young people across Guyana faceaworryingrealityofviolence that mirrors troubling regional trends, according to keyfindingsfromanewjoint report by the Pan American HealthOrganization(PAHO) and UNICEF on the scourge of violence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
While the regional report focuses on broader patterns across LatinAmerica and the Caribbean, the data and relatedevidencemakeclearthat Guyanaisnotexemptfromthe multi-layered crisis of violence affecting young lives. Regional numbers show that between2015and2022,more than53,000childrenandadolescents were killed in the region and that different forms of violence begin early, often in the home, at school, and increasinglyonline.
Titled Violence against children and adolescents in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean:Newdataandsolutions, thereportnotedthatwhilethe homiciderateamongboysfell from17.63to10.68per100,000 between2021and2022,itremainsalarminglyhigh.
In contrast, the homicide rate among adolescent girls morethandoubledduringthe sameperiod,risingfrom2.13 to5.1per100,000.
According to a PAHO release, homicides occur in a context of rising armed violence in some areas of the region, associated with organised crime, easy access tofirearms,socialinequalities and harmful gender norms, which increasingly expose adolescents to situations of lethalviolence.
Different forms of violence are interconnected and, in many cases, intensify over
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time. The report highlights howviolenceispresentfrom a very early age.
In the region, 6 out of 10 children and adolescents under 14 years of age are subject to some type of violent disciplineathome,whileone in four adolescents aged 13 to 17 experiences bullying at school.
Nearlyoneinfivewomen inLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean report having experiencedsexualviolencebefore the age of 18. Increasingly, violence manifests itself in digital environments, although available data remainslimited.
"Every day, millions of childreninLatinAmericaand theCaribbeanareexposedto violence–athome,atschool and in communities with a gang presence.
Multipleplacesandsituations in the region present realrisksanddangersforchildren," said Roberto Benes, UNICEFRegionalDirectorfor LatinAmericaandtheCaribbean. "We know how to end
theviolence.InLatinAmerica and the Caribbean, strong and sustained public policies are required to prevent and respond to violence in all its forms so that every child can grow up in a safe environment.""Violencehasa profound and lasting impact on the physical and mental healthofchildrenandadolescents and violates their right to grow up in safe environments, at home, school and in the community," said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO."Healthservicesplay a key role in prevention and response: when health workers identify people and groups at risk early and provide timely, quality support, theycanmakearealdifference for survivors, their families andcommunities."
In addition to describing the scale of the problem, the report highlights evidencebased solutions that can preventviolenceandmitigateits costs. To advance this agenda and end violence in all its forms, PAHO and
UNICEFurgegovernmentsin the region to strengthen and enforcechildprotectionlaws, ensure effective control of firearms,trainpoliceofficers, teachers, and health and socialworkers,supportparents and caregivers in respectful parenting practices, invest in safe learning environments, and scale up responsive services to ensure that all children and adolescents grow up protected, have access to justice, and live healthy, violence-freelives.
The report was validated during a regional ministerial consultation held on 23-24 October2025,whichbrought together more than 300 participants from across the region,includingministersand senior officials from the health,education,justiceand child protection sectors, as wellascivilsocietyrepresentatives, youth leaders and international partners, with the aim of agreeing on concrete actionstobuildsaferenvironments for children and adolescents.
Govt. pumps $159B into housing...
From page 13 and making customer complaints fully automated.”
Dr Singh said mindful of theimperativetoprovideuniversal access to potable water,overthelastterm,ourgovernmentdrilled29deepwater new wells along the coastland and 230 mediumdepthwellsinhinterlandcommunities, and expanded and replacedT&Dmainscountrywide. In 2025 alone, he said sixdeepwaterwellsandover 170 km of T&D networks were completed in several coastal and urban areas such as De Groot, Annandale, Friendship and Sophia, benefitting over 143,000 residents.
“Going forward, in 2026, workswilladvanceonseveral new wells including Westminster, Yarrowkabra, andNo.56Villagebenefiting over81,000residents.Wewill also work on the laying of over 100 km of distribution mains, as well as on improvingleakdetectionusingmodern systems such as acoustic
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sensors and Supervisory ControlandDataAcquisition (SCADA) which allow field teamstopinpointhiddenleaks rapidly and accurately, therebyloweringoperational costs while improving the safetyandreliabilityofwater supply to customers.”
Singh said in the hinterland, in 2025, over 90 wells werecompletedalongwithimprovementstowaterdistribution systems in areas such as Kumaka,KatoandAishalton, benefitting over 25,000 residents. In 2026, “we will provide access to water to over 37,000 hinterland residents through key interventions such as: Construction of new wells and water distribution systems at areas including Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Bethany,SandHills,Batavia, Mora Camp, Campbelltown, Mahdia, Kumu and Shea.” Additionally,hesaidthegovernment will be deploying solar PV systems to enhance reliability and reduce operating costs at Baramita, Waramuri, Kwebenna and
Jawalla, among other areas. They will also procure and install electromechanical components and critical spares to ensure operational reliability and long-term sustainabilityofexistingsystems.
For these initiatives, a sum of $1.5 billion has been budgeted. Dr Singh told the Housethatin2026,workswill advance on the 24 million litres per day (mld) capacity surfacewatertreatmentplant atHopetobenefitover35,000 residents in the Cane Grove to Cove and John corridor Meanwhile, a second 26 mld surface water treatment plant at Diamond to service over 36,000 residents on the EBDcorridoriscurrentlybeing procured and construction is set to commence this year Additionally, the Shelterbelt will undergo upgrades to improve the water treatmentcapacityfrom45to 65 mld to serve the Greater Georgetowncommunity,benefiting over 60,000 residents uponcompletion.Tothisend, thesumof$8.2billionisbudgeted in 2026 to advance works on these and other interventions in coastal and urban communities. “Mr Speaker,toachieveourvision for the water sector, a sum of $19.7billionwasexpendedin 2025.Thisyear,anadditional sum of $21.6 billion is budgetedtoprogressonimprovements across the sector,” the financeministerdeclared.
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Teen among six charged for failing to report death of wanted man
Six persons, including a 17year-old,wereonMondaycharged with failing to report an unnatural death when they appeared at the LindenMagistrates'Court.
The six persons were arrested on January 20, 2026 in connection with the burnt remains of Jamal 'Skinny' Bourne who shot himself intheheadduringalivestreamon socialmedia.
Police in a statement identified
thosechargedas“ShilohNurse,26, of Church Street, Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara, Yashua Angoy, 20, of Second Street, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, a 17-year-old male of Yarrowkabra, LindenHighway,TyronGill,called “Ace,” 21, of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Latana Rambharrat, 18, of Belle West, West Bank Demerara and Sasha Lyken, 21, of Samatta Point Grove, East Bank
Demerara.”
Nursewasalsochargedwiththe “UnlawfulPossessionofaFirearm without Licence and Unlawful PossessionofAmmunitionwithout Licence, allegedly committed in relationtoamattercurrentlyunder investigation.”
He pleaded not guilty and was remandedtoprison.Thematterwas adjournedtoFebruary18,2026.
The defendants appeared
Agri. Sector gets $113.2 billion
Frompage8 already aggressively pursuing trade opportunities for rice to expandreliablemarketsinMexico and Europe. We will also work to strengthen production through improved tillage, and the use of nano fertiliser and certified seeds. In addition, we will work to commercialise biofortified rice, introduceanewvarietyofaromatic rice and expand value added production,” Dr Singh told the NationalAssembly He noted that last year, not including fertiliser and paddy subsidies, Government spent $430 9 million to support the development of the rice industry, and in 2026, an additional $430 millionisbudgeted.
“Mr Speaker, Government supports the rice subsector with production-focused initiatives that will expand acreage and improve yields. This support has increased production steadily over the last fiveyears.
Keyinterventionsimplemented by Government in recent years include the distribution of climate resilientandhighyieldingvarieties of rice to improve production and productivity, construction of drying floors, research on value added products, access to export markets, billions in direct support to farmers and millers, and the launch of a crop insurance facility atnocosttothefarmers,”Dr.Singh said.
FisheriesandAquaculture
The government has budgeted $1 5 billion to continue the developmentofthefisheriessector, thefinanceministerrevealed.This year’s allocation represents a
reductionof$200million.
“Mr Speaker, Government continues to facilitate the expansionofthefisheriesindustry, through support to our fisherfolk and to investors, and the improvement of infrastructure and services. In the last five years, we upgradedlandingsites,relaunched t
Organisation, promoted aquaculture development in producing prawns, brackish water shrimpandtambaquicagefarming, and commenced works on a feed mill and a shrimp hatchery,” he said.
Dr Singh noted that last year the government facilitated the construction of 236 acres of brackish water shrimp ponds; installed 37 fish cages and operationalised14inRegions2,4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10; installed 100 vessel monitoring devices; completed the infrastructure for a shrimphatchery;and,advancedthe civilworksforthefeedmill.
“ L o o k i n g f o r w a r d , Government will develop aquaculture hubs and expand cage culture in hinterland communities, upgrade marine landing sites, and strengthen management systems forindustrialfishingfleets.
In 2026, key interventions will include completing the feed mill and shrimp hatchery, installing an additional 200 tracking devices on fishing vessels, and launching a digital seafood market platform allowing fisherfolk to connect directly with local and internationalbuyers,”hedisclosed.
Agro-Processing
Some $745 million has been budgeted this year to begin works
before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool where the charges were read to them. While all of them pleaded guilty, five were fined $9,750 each and the 17-year-old wassentaway
on an agro-processing port facility atParika,andafruitpulpinghubat Lethem,representinga$55million decrease in allocations from last year Further, agro-processing facilitiesacrossthecountrywillbe upgraded“andwewillcontinueto train agro-processors and promote ourlocalproducts.”
“Mr Speaker,overthelastfive years, 15 agro-processing and 10 cold storage facilities were establishedcountrywide.
In the medium term, we will continue to invest in agroprocessing facilities such as fruit pulping hubs, and state-of-the-art cold storage and packaging facilities.
These interventions will result in the reduction of post-harvest losses, and improve our export readiness,”Dr Singhsaid.
In 2025, an agri-business hub was established in Bartica, 25 Guyana Shop corners were set up across Guyana and one in Barbados, 373 agro-processors were trained in packaging and labelling techniques, while works advanced on the Regional Food Hub at Yarrowkabra, which is slatedtobecompletedin2026.
To this end, the sum of $800 million was spent in 2025, and $745 million is budgeted to implementourplansfor2026.
Meanwhile, Dr. Singh said the agriculture sector is projected to growby7.6%.
Hesaidthatsugarisexpectedto growby67.9%,riceby1.8%,other crops are expected to grow by 9.8%, livestock will expand by 2.6%, fishing is expected to grow by2%whileforestryisprojectedto growby7.6%.
OnJanuary25,thispublication reported that the six suspects arrested last Tuesday at Three Miles,Wisroc,Linden,whereburnt materials were discovered, admittedtoburningBourne'sbody
Police confirmed that the
suspects admitted to burning Bourne'sbodyafterheshothimself intheheadduringalivestreamon January 18 The suspects reportedly told investigators that they burnt the man's body because theywereafraidtogotothepolice toreportwhattranspired.
Bourne was wanted in connection with the murder of Akeem Hamer at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara which occurredonSeptember12,2024.
GFStoget7newfirestations
Frompage12
RosignolandNo. 38Village,anda Marine Fire Station at Port Georgetown.
These facilities will add to fire stations constructed in 2025 at Charity, Parika, Diamond, Soesdyke, and Wisroc, along with targeted upgrades to existing stationsandlivingquarters.
The 2026 budget also provides for the acquisition of much-needed firefighting equipment. A sum of $1.6billionhasbeenearmarkedfor the procurement of additional assets, including two airport firefighting vehicles, four water tenders,andtwowaterbowsers.
“The acquisition of advanced equipment represents a fundamental component in the enhancement of core firefighting capabilities and overall operational
effectiveness,”DrSinghnoted.
He further disclosed that in 2025,$527.9millionwasexpended on the procurement of a crash tender,threeambulances,twowater tenders, five all-terrain water tenders, and a breathing apparatus refilling vehicle, among other equipment.
An additional $503.1 million was spent last year to advance the procurement of more than 430 fire hydrants, while a further $250 million has been budgeted in 2026 for the purchase of additional hydrants.
To complement these capital investments, $50 million has been allocated in 2026 for basic and advanced firefighting training, aimed at strengthening the skills and readiness of fire service personnelnationwide.
Shiloh Nurse
Yashua Angoya
Tyron Gill Latana Rambharrat
Five of the six persons charged.
Sasha Lyken
Venezuela's acting president says she has had 'enough' of U.S. orders
(CNN) Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez said Sunday she has had “enough” of Washington's orders, as she works to unite the country after the US capture of its former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Rodríguez has been walking a tight-rope since being backed by the US to lead the country in the interim; balancing keeping Maduroloyalistsonboardat home while trying to ensure theWhiteHouseishappy
Now, almost a month intohernewrole,Rodríguez has pushed back on the US, amid ongoing pressure including a series of demands for Venezuela to resumeoilproduction.
“Enough already of Washington's orders over politicians in Venezuela,” she told a group of oil workers in Puerto La Cruz city,ataneventbroadcastby s t a t e - r u n c h a n n e l VenezolanadeTelevisión.
The White House has maintained steady pressure on Venezuela since Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, wereseizedinaraidinearly JanuaryandtakentotheUS, where the former leader is facingcharges.
Rodríguez, Maduro's former deputy, has insisted in recent weeks that the US does not govern Venezuela but, equally, has not sought confrontation with Washington.
US President Donald Trump had claimed the US was “going to run” Venezuela in the immediate aftermath of Maduro's capture, but he later backed Rodríguez as the country's interim leader Earlier this month, Trump said he had spoken by phone with the acting Venezuelan leader andpraisedherasa“terrific person ” “I think we're
“Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and our internal conflicts. This Republic has paid a very high price for having to confront the consequences offascismandextremismin ourcountry.”
Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez
getting along very well with Venezuela,”headded.
CNN has contacted the White House for comment on Rodríguez's latest statement.
Seekingstability
Forthepast25years,oilrich socialist Venezuela has b e e n i n c o n s t a n t confrontation with the US. But after deposing Maduro, Washington is now seeking to secure a stable source of authorityinCaracas.
Internally, there are divisions among Maduro loyalists, left-wing fractures who have opposed the direction of the government
and “Chavistas NoMaduristas” – supporters of the late Hugo Chávez who rejectMaduro,accusinghim of betraying 21st-century socialistideals.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Venezuelan opposition continue to watch how things unfold in the country andtheirfutureinvolvement remainsunclear
Last week, Trump said that he would like to see Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado “involved” in the country'sleadershipinsome capacity. Machado had lunch with Trump at the
Lula,Trump discuss
agree to meet in
White House earlier this month, where she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize.
DaysaftertheUSstrikes on Caracas in early January, the Trump administration outlined a number of demands that Venezuela must agree to, including cuttingtieswithChina,Iran, Russia and Cuba, and agreeing to partner exclusively with the US on oil production, two senior White House officials told CNNatthetime.
Rodríguez was also expected to prioritize the Trump administration and US oil companies for future oilsales.
Venezuela's main economicdriverisoil.
The country has the world's largest reserves of extra-heavy crude, a variety thatrequiresamorecomplex and expensive refining process but which is also compatible with US refineries.
Prisonersreleased The US has also
demanded that Venezuela release the many political prisoners it has locked up acrossthecountry.
On Sunday, at least 104 peoplewerefreed,according to the rights group Foro Penal.
Thegroupsaiditmarked one of the highest daily figuressincethegovernment announcedonJanuary8that it would release “a significant number” of detainees as a “peace” gesturetotheUS.According to Foro Penal, the total number of releases since thenhasreachedatleast266.
CNN has reached out to the Venezuelan government formoreinformation.
RodríguezsaidonFriday that 626 people had been released from prison in recent weeks and that she would call the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to verifythelist,whichhasnot been made public despite demands from activists and oppositionmembers.
'Board of Peace',
Washington: Brazil
Brazil's President Lula criticises US actions in Venezuela, calling the capture of Maduro an unacceptable
( A L - J A Z E E R A )
Brazilian Luiz Inacio Lula daSilvahasheldaphonecall with his US counterpart DonaldTrumpandagreedto visit Washington soon, the Braziliangovernmentsaidin astatement.
The two leaders on Monday discussed several issues during the 50-minute call, including the situation in Venezuela, Trump's proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, and the fight againstorganisedcrime.
“Lula and Trump exchangedonthesituationin Venezuela,andthepresident stressed importance of preserving peace and stability in the region,” the statementsaid.
Regarding Venezuela,
the Brazilian president stressed the importance of “preserving peace and stability in the region”, the statementsaid.
Lula has criticised the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whowasdeposedearlierthis month and taken to New Yorktofacedrug-trafficking charges The Brazilian president had condemned the move as crossing “an unacceptableline”.
Lula emphasised to Trump on Monday the need toworkforthewelfareofthe Venezuelanpeople.
T h e B r a z i l i a n government's statement did not say whether Lula acceptedTrump's to join the initiative.BoardofPeace
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacts before a ceremony to launch a digital platform for tax reform in Brasilia, Brazil
January 13, 2026
[File: Adriano Machado/Reuters]
line against regional stability
Lula also that Trump's new proposal for a Board of Peace“belimitedtotheissue ofGazaandincludeaseatfor Palestine”, as global powers worrytheinitiativelaunched last could assume a wider role and rival the United Nations.
Lula also urged the “comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the expansion of the permanent members of theSecurityCouncil.”
On Friday, Lula, 80, accusedTrump,79,oftrying to create “a new UN where
only he is the owner”, with his proposed “Board of Peace” following the October 10 ceasefire in the Israel-Palestinewar
Although originally intended to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the board's charter does not appear to limit its role to the Palestinian territory and seems to aim to rival the UnitedNations.
Traditional US allies, including France and Britain, have also expressed doubts. 'Unacceptableline'
Lula and Trump have beenincontactseveraltimes since their first official meeting in October, which ushered in improved ties after months of animosity
between Washington and Brasilia.Asaresult,Trump's administrationhasexempted key Brazilian exports from 40 percent tariffs that had beenimposedonBrazil,and lifted sanctions on a top Brazilianjudge.
Earlier this month, Lula said the US attack on Venezuela to abduct President Maduro crossed “anunacceptableline”.
The presidency said the visit would take place after Lula's trips to India and South Korea in February, and that a date would be set “soon”.
The veteran leftist Lula hasheldphonecallsinrecent days with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese PresidentXiJinping.
Morethan1,100 ricefarmersin Region Five (Mahaica–Berbice) have received crop insurance certificates under the UPL Crop Insurance Scheme, marking another major step by the Government of Guyana to strengthen climate resilience and protect farmers from weather-relatedlosses.
A total of 1,139 farmers in the region will benefit fromtheprogrammeandare now insured for the current cropagainstnaturaldisasters such as flooding and drought,theministrysaidin a press release The certificates were distributed by Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, at the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary (MMA)officeatOnverwagt. While addressing the farmers, Minister Mustapha said the initiative represents a n o t h e r f u l f i l l e d commitment made by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to support the agriculturalsector
“Wearenowdistributing the certificates for the insurance product that you joined We should all recognise the role that President Ali played in gettingustothispoint.When w e l a u n c h e d t h i s programme, some people said we were only doing it
becauseelectionswereclose and that it would not materialise. But here we are today For the first time in our country's history—and for the first time in the Caribbean we are providing insurance for farmers,”theMinistersaid. He explained that rice farmers are not required to payanypremiumsunderthe scheme.
“As rice farmers, you do not have to pay any premium, which means you do not contribute to the cost of the insurance The PresidentengagedUPL,and we were able to convince them to invest in this product, ” Minister Mustaphaexplained.
Minister Mustapha further noted the strong uptake of the insurance programme across the rice sector.Headdedthatseveral criteria apply and encouraged farmers to familiarise themselves with theguidelines.
“In the rice industry, we have approximately 6,000 farmers To date, 5,688 farmers have registered for this programme Those farmers will be entitled to coverage for the 2026 crop. If their crops are destroyed bydroughtorflood,theywill be compensated by the company There are specific requirements,andIhopethe
Guyana Rice Development
Board (GRDB) has circulated the advisory so that farmers are fully aware of what is required,” he noted.
TheAgricultureMinister also addressed recent financialsupportprovidedto rice farmers, including the $300perbagpaddysubsidy He explained that the subsidy distribution followed a transparent and auditedprocess.
“ R e c e n t l y , w e distributed the $300 per bag subsidy that the President promised. Earlier last year, wealsocontributed$300per bag There are some naysayers people who never did anything for farmers questioning the process GRDB has a formula. Farmers' receipts were matched against millers' receipts. Based on that, we determined the number of bags sold to the mills and the corresponding payments. Before any money was paid, the informationwasauditedand verified. Once that process was completed, the names were submitted to the Ministry of Finance to prepare the cheques,” MinisterMustaphasaid.
Minister Mustapha also spoke about production levels and expansion within theMMAScheme,notingits
$5K more for pensioners, public...
Frompage10 be able to access up to an additional $7 million at preferential interest rates
from participating commercialbanks.
Government has also increased the low-income mortgage ceiling from $20 million to $30 million, which will make housing loans at commercial bank
more affordable to borrowers. Still on housing the 2026 Budget includes $7 5B to help families upgradetheirhomesthrough various initiatives such as thesteelandcementsubsidy
Meanwhile, to assist businesses and households, government will roll out a flat tax of$2 million on double-cab pick-ups less than2,000cc,irrespectiveof age and $3 million on
double-cab pick-ups between 2,000 cc and 2,500 ccirrespectiveofage.
significant contribution to nationaloutput.
“This scheme has the capacitytocultivate105,000 acres.Forthiscrop,wehave already planted 94,000 acres, and I am hopeful that within another two weeks, wewillsurpassthe100,000acre mark. Last year, for the first time in our country's history, we produced 725,000tonnesofrice.With this level of production, we must secure more markets. I am currently in discussions with the Ambassador of Mexico and also exploring opportunities in other Latin American countries,” the Ministerexplained.
At the same time, he e m p h a s i s e d t h e Government's focus on reducing production costs for farmers Minister Mustapha outlined several interventions aimed at easing the financial burden
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha presents one of the farmers with his certificate
onricefarmers.
“Overthelastfewyears, we have assisted farmers with fertiliser. Initially, farmers received half a bag peracre.Forthelastcrop,the Presidentinstructedthatthis be increased to one bag per acre.Manyfarmersreceived hundredsofbagsoffertiliser from the government Several farmers received seed paddy through GRDB. When we experienced the paddy bug infestation, I instructed GRDB to procure chemicals and pay laborers
tospraydamsandmears,”he added.
Between2024and2025, rice farmers in Region Five
approximately $1.8 billion ingovernmentinterventions. These included support for seed paddy, fertiliser, chemicals for paddy bug control,andthe$300perbag paddy subsidy, reinforcing
strengthening the rice industry and protecting farmers'livelihoods.
-IncreaseinBecausewe Care Cash Grant from $50,000to$60,000
- Introduction of annual $20,000transportationgrant forschoolchildren
- First eight CSEC and CAPEsubjectstobefree
Additionally, Dr Singh announced the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on newvehiclesbelow1500cclessthanfouryearsold. Meanwhile, $9B has been set aside in this year’s budget to address cost of living. Measures in this regardinclude:
- Introduction of annual $20,000transportationgrant foroldagepensioners
- increasing income tax threshold from $130,000 to $140,000
- Increasing stipend for Pa
, Community Enhancement
Service Officers, and C
Groups from $40,000 to $50,000permonth
propertytaxonindividuals.
‘Budgetofbrokenpromises’
- Opposition blasts 2026 spending plan as ‘cash grab’ for PPP elite
Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party
a n d n e w l y e l e c t e d
O ppos ition Leader, Azruddin Mohamed, has condemned the 2026 National Budget as “topheavy” and disconnected from the realities facing ordinaryGuyanese.
Speaking after the
budget presentation, Mohamed accused the government of prioritising massive infrastructure contracts over direct relief to citizens “The budget reflectsheavyinfrastructural
works which means hundreds of billions of dollars in contracts. This is the fastest way they can get their kickbacks. Right away the people of this country they are not benefiting from this budget This budget motto is putting people first butreflectsatotallydifferent theme.”
He stressed that the budget is the largest ever in thehistoryofthecountry,yet the measures only reflect plans that will benefit the PPP, their ministers, their friends , their family and their favourites. The leader of WIN party noted while budget stands at the GYD $1.558 billion, a large chunk will not directly go to the people. He estimates that 25 percent-30 percent of the budget will be going into the pockets of the PPP cronies.
“For example the NDIA$81 billionallocatedtotheNDIA and I know so many projects for example where they have to go and clean the canals the contractors wouldn’t even go and clean these canals and they are collecting the monies to give the ministers kick backs.”
Mohamed noted too that the government has failed to fulfill its promises to the people.“IrfaanAliliedtothe entire nation on his campaign trail. I can recall on the campaign trail I can recall in Lethem he told the gathering there that the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, he is going to give them a $100,000 and $100,000 for transportation totaling$200,000permonth. And now, I heard Ashni announce $85, 000 for 2 0 5 , 0 0 0 s t u d e n t s approximatelyintotal.”
“How can you lie to our children and to their parents, the mothers to 205,000 children [they] will now receive $85,000 and he promised $ 200,000.” The opposition leader noted that the Ali administration also duped pensioners He explained “Pensioners presently receive $41,000 a month Now they giving pensioner $5000 more and everything is on the rise in this country The pensioners will receive $46,000 per month we have a total of 96 000 pensioners. This doesn’t reflect the motto ‘Putting People First, ‘because if you truly care about people, you will give them what you promise them ” “He promised them $60,000 and we were expecting to hear that each pensioner will receive $60,000 per month a n d t h e $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 transportation grant, but Ashni announced $20,000, one-off transportation grant.”
Additionally, Mohamed noted that those differently able and single mothers on public assistance were also duped. “We have a total of about $50,000 persons
Newly elected Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed
receiving the public assistance. They used to get $22,000 per month and they only give them $3000 increase…so you tell me they don’t care about the people of this country All they care about is to siphon off hundreds of millions of dollarswhichisexactlywhat I said from the inception.” He explained too that government has no excuse for not delivering on their promise.“Sowhywouldyou promise it in the first place. We have enough money so that everyone can live a comfortable life in this country For example, from 2020 to now when the corruption with the Minister’s is exposed, their properties are worth billions of dollars. So, we have the moneywejustneedtoinvest the money back in the country,”Mohamedsaid.
APNU
A Partnership for
National Unity (APNU) lead Member of Parliament Dr Terrence Campbell also called out the government of reneging on a key campaign promise to deliver a total of $200,000 to each school-
aged child. Speaking on the sidelines to Kaieteur News followingthepresentationof the$1.5trillion2026Budget on Monday, Campbell described the budget as “underwhelming” and said it failed to live up to the government’s own theme of putting“peoplefirst”.
“Ithoughtthebudgetwas underwhelming. First of all, it said it was putting people first, but we didn’t get that when you have social assistance moving from $22,000 to $25,000 when you have old age pension, moving from $41,000 to $46,000 those increases are inconsequential It’s not going to help anybody,” Campbellsaid.
He argued that the governmentfellwellshortof the commitments made by President Ali during the 2025 election campaign, particularly on cash grants for children and students.
“I’m also concerned because the president’s promise that, Because We Care would have been $100,000 and that there will be a transportation grant of $100,000 and instead we got $60,000 and
$20,000 way below what the president promised, ” Campbelladded.
On the campaign trail in August 2025, President Ali had announced that a reelected PPP government would increase the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant from $50,000 annually to $100,000, along with a $100,000 transportation grant for students, amounting to $200,000 per childeachyear
Moreover, Campbell criticised the absence of any adjustment to the minimum wage in the 2026 Budget, particularly for private sector workers “Another thing that was not addressed is the minimum wage, nothing at all, especially private sector minimum wage,”hesaid.
Turning to revenue projections, Campbell questionedthegovernment’s oil price assumptions, warning that they may be overly optimistic. “Now on the revenue side, the projection was, I think $59 a barrel for oil and my expectation is that, you know, the average price for a
barrel of oil will be between $52 and $54 so we may be overestimatingtherevenue,” hestated.
Moreover, he also raised concerns about the billions more the government will be pumping into the Guyana S u g a r C o r p o r a t i o n (GuySuCo), noting the corporation’s persistent underperformance despite heavystatesupport.“Westill have issues with GuySuCo. There’sstillgoingtobea$13 billion subsidy for GuySuCo.There’satargetof 100,000 at GuySuCo. And they only, they barely did 59,600 tons this year,” Campbell said. “Just like a copy and paste budget, and notalotthatwasvisionaryin the budget at all,” he added. While acknowledging some positive elements, including measures related to the Development Bank and reduced taxes on four-wheel vehicles, Campbell said these did not outweigh what he sees as fundamental shortcomings.
For their part, Leader of the Forward Guyana Movement and Member of Parliament , Amanza Walton-Desir, described the budget as unimpressive “What we heard is the same old, some old. If you look at the budget for 2025 you will see that they are virtually the same. Look to see whether yourlifewasbetterattheend of 2025 Then you will understand how much of an eye pass this budget is.” She said she is deeply concerned about the rising food cost. “When I listen to the paltry increase given to public servants and old age pensioners and children we are going to have a problem withhungerinthiscountry.”
Almost $200B to develop roads & bridges in 2026
Continuing the upgrade of roads
a n d b r i d g e s across the country in 2026, the government has allocatedawhopping$196.1 billion out of its $1.558 trillion budget to improve theseinfrastructures.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh presenting this year’s budget on
M o n d a y , s a i d t h e “government is investing heavily in transport infrastructure, with the aim of facilitating closer integration and more trade
with our neighbours, improving connectivity between main population centres, easing congestion and improving commute,
productivelands.”
Revealing some key projects on which the $196 billion will be spent, Dr.
Singh said $40.2 billion is budgeted to continue the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of communityroadsanddrains.
Continuing the Railway Embankment Four Lane Highway from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, and onwards to the Mahaica River Bridge, $6.1 billion hasbeenbudgeted.Headded that the next phase of this project will extend the fourlane highway from Mahaica to D’Edward which is expected to commence in 2026.
Another huge road project he said is the Ogle to
Eccles Highway which continue to Providence, for which $13 billion is budgeted.
“Continuing the Heroes Highway from Buzz Bee Dam to Land of Canaan, for which $28 6 billion is budgeted. This highway will extend eventually to the Soesdyke to Linden Highway,” another key projecthesaid.
Noting bridge works, the seniorministerstatedthatthe government will construct new bridges at Berbice and Kurupukari, completing the Wismar bridge and will continue engagement with S u r i n a m e f
h e construction of the CorentyneRiverBridge.
“The sum of $12 2 billion is budgeted for these bridges,”henoted. Inrelationtootherpublic infrastructure, the senior minister announced that $11.3 billion is allocated for the reinforcement of the country’s sea and river defenses, while some $11.2 billion has been set aside for therivertransportsector.
The government has also allocated $3.2 billion towards the new terminal building at the Cheddi Jagan InternationalAirport.
APNU lead MP, Dr. Terrence Campbell
FGM’s MP Amanza Walton-Desir
Tuesday January 27, 2026
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19
Todayisoneofthosedaysin whichyoujustwanttolieon your back on the ground and lookupattheclouds,Aries.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
You'remostlikelygoingtobe very drawn to the things that you can't have, Taurus Instead of getting upset and frustratedbythefactthatyou aren'tgettingwhatyouwant,
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Youmayfindyourselfstaring at a blank page for what seems like hours on end whileyoutrytogetdownon paperwhatyoureallywantto say,Gemini.
CANCER(June21–July22)
If you find yourself needing to do something in order to escape your life for a while, Cancer,thenmaybeyouneed to examine your life more closely
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Keep your fun-loving spirit pure,Leo.Becarefulthatyou aren't making witty conversation or entertaining jokes at someone else's expense Thistypeofbehavior islikelytocomebackaround andhauntyoulater
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
Your emotions are likely to deceiveyoutoday,sobecareful aboutmakingajudgmentabout something, Virgo Make sure that you take your time and gatherallthenecessaryfacts.
Sport positioned as national priority with $6B allocation
Guyana's sports sector continues its upward trajectory, with Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh announcing in the National Assembly yesterday that $6 billion has been allocated to sport in the 2026 National B u d g e t u n d e r t h e administration of President IrfaanAli.
Of the 2026 allocation, $1 3 billion has been e
he maintenance and upgrade of groundsacrossthecountry
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Make your time spent with others much richer by contrasting it with time spent absolutelyalone,Libra
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)
Attendalectureorsomesort of intellectual discussion in which people are actively expressingtheirideasandstrong opinions,Scorpio It'simportant for you to feel the passion of anotherwhoisincrediblyfocused onhisorherdream
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)
Your imagination is in all likelihood drawing you to faraway places, Sagittarius, and you may find yourself daydreamingconstantly.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Remember that there is a spirit in everything around you, Capricorn. Just because we can't perceive something with our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or fingers doesn't meanthatitdoesn'texist.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
Share more of your passion, love, and happiness with the peoplearoundyou,Aquarius. Put your energy toward a groupprojectandworktococreatesomethingmuchmore magicalandmeaningful.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Drasticshiftsinyouremotions mightbecausingyoutodoubt certaininstinctsorfeelingsyou have,Pisces Insteadofgetting frustrated by your inability to makerationalsense.
Dr Singh said that construction of Guyana's first powerlifting and highperformance conditioning facility, along with a cricket academy at Albion, will commencethisyear
The hinterland region, Dr Singh highlighted, will also benefit from expanded coaching and training programmes designed to nurtureanddevelopathletes' talentsinamoveseenaspart ofawiderpushtoensurethat
opportunities in sport reach communities beyond the traditionalurbancentres.
He added, “This year we will complete the Palmyra International Stadium, Anna ReginaandMcKenziemultipurpose sports facilities, and the New Amsterdam SyntheticTrack.Wewillalso advance works on the Good Hope Cricket Academy, a boxing facility at Angoy's
Avenue, a chess facility at Providence Stadium, as well asmulti-purposehallsacross thecountry.”
Dr Singh noted that the Government of Guyana will continue to invest in developing world-class fa
professional coaching personnel, encouraging national and international ath
o
de mentorship, hosting and participating in national, regional and international sportingevents,andcreating a world-class market for sportstourism.
“Sports is big business and we are committed to providing the enabling environment for our young athletes to take advantage and grab these opportunities with both hands,” Dr Singh asserted.
Since President Ali assumed office in 2020, budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport have climbed steadily, reflecting what many stakeholders describe asthemostaggressiveperiod of investment in sport in the nation'shistory
In2020,theallocationto the Ministry stood at $805.3 million. One year later, that figure had nearly doubled to $1.5 billion, signalling the beginning of a sustained push toward infrastructural d
preparation,andinstitutional strengthening.
The upward trend continued in 2022, when $2.4billionwassetasidefor the sector By 2023, the allocation surged to $43
upgrades to major facilities, and increased support for national federations and associations.
In 2024, the figure rose againto$4.6billion,beforea landmark jump in 2025 delivered a remarkable $8 billiontotheMinistry
Collectively, those figures represent more than $27.6 billion invested in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under President Ali'sadministration.
As the 2026 fiscal year approaches, attention will now turn to how the new allocationwillbedistributed and which flagship projects and programmes will take centrestage.
Finance Minister
Dr Ashni Singh
West Indies name Sampson in T20 World Cup squad; Alzarri Joseph out injured
The same side will be playing South Africa in a three-match series starting on Tuesday
ESPNcricinfo- WestIndieshavenamed batter Quentin Sampson in their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, while fast bowler Alzarri Josephhasmissedoutduetoinjury Thesame side will be playing SouthAfrica in a threematchseriesstartinginPaarlonTuesday
From the squad that co-hosted the previous T20 World Cup, in 2024, Nicholas PooranandAndreRussellareamongthebig names who have retired from international cricket since. But West Indies still have the experience of Jason Holder and Johnson Charlestobankon.
While Holder has played 86 T20Is, the upcoming T20 World Cup will be Charles' fifthforWestIndies.
CharlesandthecurrentheadcoachDaren Sammy were part of West Indies' victorious campaigninIndiain2016.Holderwasalsoin the side that lifted the trophy ten years ago, butdidn'tgettoplay
ApartfromPooranandRussell'sabsence, WestIndies'squadforthe2026editionwears asimilarlooktothatfromtwoyearsago.The onlysurprisepickisSampson,whomadehis T20I debut in the series againstAfghanistan last week. He scored just 35 runs in three innings, but was selected on the back of a successfulCPLforGuyanaAmazonWarriors
(GAW)in2025.
The 25-year-old made his T20 debut in thatcompetition,duringwhichhescored241 runs at a strike rate of 151.57 for runners-up GAW
West Indies enter the T20I series against South Africa following a 2-1 loss against Afghanistan, during which several regulars likecaptainShaiHope,RostonChase,Akeal HoseinandSherfaneRutherfordwereabsent duetotheircommitmentsintheSA20.After the opener in Paarl, the series moves to CenturionandJohannesburg,whichwillhost the remaining two games on January 29 and 31,respectively
Seven days later, West Indies will be in action at the T20 World Cup. They play ScotlandintheirfirstgroupgameinKolkata ontheopeningdayofthetournament,before facing England (February 11), Nepal (February15),andItaly(February19).
West Indies squad forT20 World Cup 2026andT20IsvsSA Shai Hope (capt), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Jayden Seales,RomarioShepherd
2026 CWI CG United Women's Super50 Cup Round 1…Guyana vs. Jamaica
Former Blaze T20 champs Guyana, will be on a mission to capture some new gold after dropping their title in the recentlyconcludedtourney;withachange informatpossiblyworkinginfavorofthe localladieswhotackleJamaicaintoday's openingroundattheCumberlandPlaying Field.Super50 action continues across St. Vincent, picking up from the Blaze T20 Cup, which saw Leeward Island being crowned new T20 champs after a stellar performance. Now looking to shift their attention and carry their momentum as wellastheirformintothe50-overformat; Leewardswiththepossibilityofendingthe season with both titles will be in for a challenge.Barbadoswillhavethepleasure offacingthenewT20champsLeewardsat Park Hill, as part of Round 1's tripleheaderbout,whichalsofeaturesdefending champsTrinidad &Tobago locking horns with the Windward Island at Sion Hill
Guyana/Jamaicaclash.
With most teams knowing their strengths and weaknesses after a testing
Blazecompetition,morecouldbeexpectedonce the players look to settle in and adjust their tempoasitrelatestoplayingforanadditional30 overs.
Guyana will be looking to impose themselves today against the Jamaicans, with their front-line from players like Shabika Gajnabi, Shemaine Campbell, Ashmini Munisar, Plaffianna Millington and Sheneta Grimmond remaining the key for the team's success.Spinner Kaysia Schultz who clicked in thelastroundoftheT20,alongwithplayerslike the Williams' sisters and opener Realanna Grimmond, will need to quickly find their feet withmoreoversandtimeinthemiddleupforthe 50-Overseries.
Jamaica on the other hand will be keen on getting the most out of their stars like Chedean Nation, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Willams and others who have been good but not up to the marktheJamaicansareusuallyat,leavingabit of room for the Guyanese to draw a first-blood win and put themselves in a comfortable positionwithjust3roundsofactiononthecards. All matches will bowl off from 9:30h. (CliftonRoss)
Following an extended rainy season, cricketactionissettoresumewiththemuchanticipated Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Under-16Inter-AssociationTournament.
This exciting competition will showcase thefuturestarsofGuyanesecricket,bringing together five competitive teams, West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA), Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), EastCoastCricketBoard(ECCB),EastBank CricketAssociation(EBCA)andDCBSelect XI.
The tournament officially bowls off on January31,2026,withmatchesscheduledto be played at LBI and Lusignan Grounds on theEastCoastofDemerara.
The official list of players will be announced shortly, highlighting the young talent selected to represent their respective associations.
This Under-16 Inter-Association competition serves as a vital platform for nurturingyoungcricketersacrossDemerara. Itprovidesthemwiththeopportunitytogain competitive match experience, showcase their skills, and stake a claim for future selectionathigherlevelsofthegame.
TheDCBremainscommittedtofostering youthdevelopmentandensuringthatcricket continuestothriveacrosstheregion.Fansare encouraged to come out and support these risingstarsastheyembarkontheirjourneyin thesport.
TournamentFixtures:
January31,2026
GCAvsEBCA–Lusignan
ECCBvsWDCA–LBI
DCBSelectXI–Bye
February1,2026
GCAvsWDCA–Lusignan
DCBSelectXIvsECCB–LBI
EBCA–Bye
February3,2026
ECCBvsEBCA–Lusignan
WDCAvsDCBSelectXI–LBI
GCA–Bye
February4,2026
GCAvsECCB–Lusignan
EBCAvsDCBSelectXI–LBI
WDCA–Bye
February6,2026
DCBSelectXIvsGCA–Lusignan
WDCAvsEBCA–LBI
ECCB–Bye
Cricket action is set to resume with the much-anticipated DCB Under-16 Inter-Association Tournament.
Big Guns return, as Windies looks...
Frompage27
MarcoJansen.
The pacer who has one internationalT20fiftyunder his belt; grabbed 13 wickets intheSA20toend5thonthe list,afewspotsbehindfrontlinespeedsterAnrichNortje.
Nortje ended 2nd in the competitionwith18wickets and given the fast-bowling options which range from pack leader Kagiso Rabada to Jansen, Lungi Ngidi or even right-arm medium pacer Corbin Bosch, who sealed in 6th spot with 13 wickets; could form an easy 4-prongedpaceattack.
The focal point of the slow-bowling department willlikelybethepairofleftarm spinners Keshav Maharaj and George Linde, who could both play crucial rolesagainstaWindiesteam who have been struggling againstqualityspin.
WestIndies
Due to the momentum theft by the Afghans, West Indies are now in a position of regrouping, reassessing and reintegrating some of theirkeypieces,rightbefore the start of the Cup; a grey area of concern as it relates to players gelling as a unit with the South Africans as wellastherestofthecricket world soon to be on their heels.
The inclusion of Hope, Rutherford, Shepherd, Chase, Holder, Powell and Hosein will change the dynamics of the team, possibly by the end of this series and during the Cup; should the team look the samecomethen.
By far, Rutherford's presenceforthisseriescould
bethebiggestplus,giventhe lackoffire-powerinthelast series and the left-hander's recentformwiththebat.
The Guyanese was 4th ontherun-scorerslistforthe SA20, slamming 334 runs withtwofiftiesandastrikerateof165,whileaveraging 66.8from11matches,isthe idealshotinthearmneeded for a late surge or a tricky chase.
With Powell one of the leading 6-hitters in West Indiescricketandaroundthe world, his availability along with the class of Hope, the experience of Holder who has a decorated T20 career with ball and bat, as well as Chase, the Test skipper showinghiscapabilitiesona number of occasions as being match-winner in any formatandanother150-plus strike-rate hit
e
in Shepherd;itislikelythatthis series could prove to be a turnaround with just days left to get themselves organized before the Cup bowlsoff.
Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer, who had a good series against Afghanistan, retainshisplaceinthesquad along with countryman and top-scorer in the first T20 against the Afghans, QuentinSampson.
Opener and stand-in skipper for the last series Brandon King along with Johnson Charles will also havetonsofworktodoatthe topoftheorder
Another huge upside is thereturnofHosein,amuchneededpartnerforGuyanese left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie; who made his T20 return against Afghanistan
butenduredamixedseries.
The pair could form a lethal team, along with the veteran off-spinner Chase, with Motie having the chance to regain some confidence alongside two otherspinners.
The fast-bowling unit also has a new-look, with Holder and Jayden Seales backinthemixcoupledwith Shepherd, leaving Shamar Joseph to continue playing himself back into full form asMatthewFordecontinues to be that wickettaking/lower-order batting option needed by the Windies.
Both West Indies and SouthAfricahavenotplayed a T20 series since the summer of 2024, with the Caribbean boys winning 4 out of the last 5 matches played between these two teams.
ShouldtheWindieslook to make their workload lighteraheadoftheICCT20 World Cup, a series win against this star-studded team could be exactly what they need to get themselves back on track following the recentloss.
SouthAfrica too will be cautious despite the advantage and the form of their key player, having enduredamixedseriesback in December against the Indians;thusmakingtoday's starttothe3-matchseries,an importantoneforbothsides; with time winding down beforetheFebruary7startto this year's Cup hosted in Asia.
Game 1 bowls off from 12:00pm at Boland Park, Paarl,SouthAfrica.
2026 West Indies vs. South Africa T20I Series...
Big Guns return, as Windies looks to
fine-tune one last time ahead of
World Cup
- Game 1 bowls off today in South Africa
ByCliftonRoss
Ahead of today's start to the 3match T20 series against a dangerous South Africa squad, West Indies will prepare to welcomethereturnofafewfringe players who could likely change the dynamics of the team; as they seek to fine-tune their mechanics andcohesivenessforthefinaltime aheadoftheFebruary7starttothe ICCT20WorldCup.
With the Cup starting next month, the Caribbean side has managed to get off to the wrong start,losingthe3-matchT20series versus theAfghans 2-1; nullifying the possibility of gaining as much momentum and form prior to the startofnextmonth'sevent.
The Windies have made significant changes following the eye-opening series defeat, with a few of their key players returning fortheSouthAfricaseries.Captain Shai Hope returns to the mix following his absence due to his responsibilitiesinSouthAfricafor the recently concluded SA20 tournament.
Hope, all-rounders Roston Chase and Guyanese Sherfane Rutherford alongside left-arm spinnerAkeal Hosein, were also a part of the SA20, bringing the respective form and familiarity with the conditions; having spent
the last month or so in South Africa.
Senior players Jason Holder and Rovman Powell along with another Guyanese all-rounder in Romario Shepherd, were all afforded rest ahead of the World Cupbutgiventheoutcomeofthe Afghanistan battle; a need for as muchfire-powerandseniorityis desperately needed against a
highly-dangerous South Africa team.
SouthAfrica
The Proteas enter this series with a lopsided advantage, as the entire team either played or was at somepointinvolvedintherecently concludedSA20.SouthAfricawill back themselves with the bat
especially, given the tremendous performances from a number of their key batters during the SA20, providedtheidealplatformforthis West Indies series as well as the WorldCup.
Thebattingwillrevolvearound an un-retired Quinton de Kock, who will lead the charge at the top
With18T20Ihalf-centuriesand a ton, the left-hander could possiblypartneralongsidethelikes of Tristan Stubbs, skipper Aiden Markram, wicket-keeper Ryan Rickelton; all of whom were the
leadingtop-scoringintheSA20.
De Kock was the leading runscorer with 390 runs including 4 half-centuries,followedbymiddleorderbatsmanandoneofthetop5 T20 strikers in the world; Dewal Brevis with 370 runs including 1 centuryand2fifties.
The left-handed Rickleton, finished3rdinrunswith330buthit two hundreds, while Markram ended with 309 runs including 1 centuryandafifty;makingtoday's firstmatchatruetestoftheskilland class of the Caribbean side's bowling.
One player the Windies will need to look out for is left-arm pacer and pinch-hitter all-rounder (Continuedonpage26)
- As Cadogan and Wilkie pilot GCC Tigers to Women's Crown
The curtain came down on the firstoutdoorhockeytournamentof the2026seasonindramaticfashion as Old Fort Hockey Club (OFHC) TitansliftedtheBountyFarmOneDay Outdoor Hockey Tournament Men's title, edging Pepsi Hikers 1–0 in a tense, nerve-shredding final.
With the stands buzzing and defences locked in at the National Stadium, the decisive moment arrived just in time on Sunday. ShaquonFavouriteetchedhisname into the headlines, firing home the lonegoalofthematchtohandOld Fort a hard-fought victory and the ultimate seven-a-side Men's OutdoorHockeychampionship.
Emerging from Group B, OFHC Titans were ruthless early, steamrolling Hikers Cadets 5–0 beforegrindingouta2–2drawwith
SHC S'Team They regrouped emphatically, dispatching GCC Outlaws 4–1 to book a semifinal berth.Pepsi Hikers were equally impressive en route to the final. TheyobliteratedOFHCGladiators 7–0,sweptasideBountyGCC5–1, and survived their sternest test againstSHCScorpions,clinchinga tight 3–2 win. A crucial matchup with SHC S'Team sealed their semifinalticket.
Both finalists showed their classinthelastfour;OFHCTitans overcoming OFHC S'Team, while Pepsi Hikers powered past Bounty GCC, setting the stage for a blockbusterfinale.
The championship clash lived up to its billing. Chances were scarce,tackleswerecrunching,and goalkeepers stood tall. Just when penalties seemed inevitable,
GBTI GCC Tigers are Bounty Farm Outdoor Women's Hockey champions.
Favourite broke the deadlock, sparking celebrations in Old Fort colours as the final whistle confirmeda1–0triumph.
In the women's competition, GBTI GCC Tigers were simply dominant. They edged GCC Spice 3–2 in their first outing of the day, blankedOFHCInferno2–0,before squeezing past Saints 1–0. The
Tigers continued their excellent form by hammering Hikers 4–1 to set up an all-GCC final against GCCSpice. Thechampionshipmatchwasa tacticalbattle,butTheTigersfound their bite. Abosaide Cadogan and PrincessaWilkiestruckonseparate occasions,piercingSpice'sdefence to
championship victory, carting off with the coveted 2026 Women's Outdoorcrown. As the dust settled at the NationalStadium,themessagewas clear: the 2026 outdoor hockey seasonhasroaredtolife—andOld Fort Hockey Club and GBTI GCC Tigers have set the early benchmark.
Akeal Hosein
Sherfane Rutherford
Shai Hope
Quinton de Kock
Aiden Markram
Dewald
Brevis
The Triumphant OFHC Titans seal 2026 Men's Outdoor title at the recently concluded Bounty Farm One-Day Hockey Championship.
