K
Sunday Edition
Attack on Saudi NEWS airport leaves 12 dead, dozens wounded AIETEUR
October 11, 2026
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Price $260
Online readership yesterday, 40,199
Close to US$1B flowed into oil account in September The canter bearing registration GAJ 7505 and driven by Mohan Deonarine of Kumaka, Mabaruma, Barima-Waini on Saturday afternoon crashed into GPL infrastructure at Mahaica.
Trafficking probes fell by nearly half ...as U.S. flags gaps in Guyana’s response ...cites falling protection funding, weak labour recruitment oversight
Eusi Kwayana, Sage of Buxton, dies at 101
Canter slams into GPL pole at Mahaica
IMF urges Govt. to tighten oversight of oil spending, resolve outstanding audits
‘Seeram in Camp St. jail’ - Prison authorities confirm
National Border Patrol Director, Daniel Seeram
Kaieteur News
PAGE 02
Sunday October 11, 2026
NIS SUED OVER $8,098 MONTHLY
PENSION SHORTFALL ...Ram, pensioner and three unions seek arrears of $510,300 each Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram, a pensioner and three trade unions have filed a High Court application against the National Insurance Board (NIB), seeking to compel the payment of minimum old-age pensions at the rate prescribed by law and recover arrears allegedly owed since 2021. The application for judicial review was filed on Friday by Ram, pensioner Kalicharan Heera, the Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers, the United Minibus Union and the Guyana Market Vendors Union. The applicants are asking the court to declare that the minimum National Insurance Scheme (NIS) pension must be no less than 50% of the Public Service minimum wage, as stipulated under Regulation 4(b) of the NIS Benefit Regulations. They are also seeking an order compelling the Board to pay the minimum pension at that rate, account for all outstanding payments since 2021 and settle the arrears with interest, including amounts owed to the estates of
deceased pensioners. According to the applicants, the lawful minimum pension currently stands at $51,173 monthly, but pensioners receiving the minimum benefit are being paid just $43,075, leaving a shortfall of $8,098 each month. They estimate that individuals who have received the minimum pension throughout the period since 2021 are owed approximately $510,300 each. Regulation 4(b) states that a pension shall “in no case” be less than 50% of the Public Service minimum wage. The applicants contend that the NIS broadly observed this requirement until 2020, but failed to adjust the minimum pension in line with annual increases in the Public Service minimum wage from 2021 onwards. They further argue that the Scheme has repeatedly acknowledged the 50% requirement through its website, annual reports and actuarial reports, making its continued failure to pay the prescribed rate
Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram particularly troubling. The dispute had also reached Parliament in 2024, when Annette Ferguson, MP, tabled a motion, seconded by Juretha Fernandes, MP, calling for retroactive payments to minimum pensioners for the period 2021 to 2023. The motion was disallowed, leaving pensioners without the payments
being sought. In their statement, the applicants also pointed to the role of Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who has responsibility for the NIS and oversees the Cooperative Finance Administration, which supervises the Board. They contend that, as the minister responsible for the regulations and the budgets that increased the Public Service minimum wage, Singh should have ensured that the minimum pension was adjusted accordingly. The application follows a September initiative led by Ram after he said he received repeated complaints from pensioners while in the United States. On October 1, Ram and the unions wrote the National Insurance Board demanding compliance with the statutory minimum pension and payment of arrears, giving the Board until October 9 to respond before court proceedings were initiated. Ram had indicated that he did not expect a satisfactory response, citing his experience with the
Scheme in disputed-benefit matters. The applicants are now seeking the court’s intervention to resolve the dispute, arguing that the law establishes a clear minimum payment that cannot simply be disregarded. They have also indicated that the Board and the Attorney General, the Government’s chief legal adviser, will be served with the proceedings. The applicants further rely on section 34(2) of the National Insurance and Social Security Act, which provides for Parliament to make up any shortfall in the National Insurance Fund. They argue that if the Scheme cannot meet its legal obligations, the Government must make up the difference. In their statement, the applicants urged the Board to assist the court in resolving the matter quickly and in the interests of the pensioners it serves. The applicants are represented by attorneys-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan and Christopher Ram.
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 03
Nine non-oil sectors record declines as crude oil earns US$15B - Bank of Guyana Report Guyana exported US$15 billion in crude oil during the first half of 2026, while earnings from non-oil exports totalled just US$1.146 billion, highlighting the vast disparity between t h e c o u n t r y ’s o i l revenues and its traditional export sectors, according to the Bank of Guyana (BoG). According to the report, bauxite export earnings amounted to US$69.5 million; gold exports were US$826.2 million; timber US$7.9 million; sugar exports US$10.1 million; rice US$97.8 million and ‘other exports’ which Tables showing the non-oil earnings for exports account for fish and during the first half of 2026 (Source: Bank of Guyana) shrimp, beverages, garments etcetera were US$134.5M. The country’s overall non-oil exports were valued at US$1.146 billion. Of the 18 non-oil sectors, a majority of the subsectors recorded lower earnings. Nine subsectors recorded lower earnings including rice and timber while higher revenues were received for sugar, bauxite and gold. A footnote in the report explained, “The non-oil primary balance was estimated at a deficit of 35.7 percent of non-oil Last month, President availability and security. GDP at end-June 2026.” According to Jordan’s Irfaan Ali declared Guyana’s The fall in revenue from analysis of the budget, $1.9 economy “healthy” after the these traditional sectors has billion is allocated to country recorded 33.3% real sparked concern among livestock, with only $200 GDP growth at the half-year analysts, who previously million to be invested in mark, with the non-oil warned about failing to capital expenditure which economy expanding by invest in these crucial areas caters for new projects, 10.1%. to avoid falling prey to the expansion and other such At a press conference at dreaded Dutch disease. initiatives. On the other the Office of the President, The Dutch disease is hand, $1.7 billion is directed Georgetown, the Head-ofdefined as an economic to operational costs such as State revealed that Guyana’s phenomenon where the salaries and other expenses. revised full year forecast for discovery of large natural T o t h i s e n d , h e real GDP growth is now resource reserves leads to a questioned the ability of this 20.8% while the country decline in other sectors. meagre $200M to transform expects a 10.2% growth in D u r i n g t h i s y e a r ’s the livestock industry in the non-oil sector by the end B u d g e t d e b a t e i n t h e Guyana. of the year. National Assembly, Shadow At the end of June, the oil Jordan questioned, Agriculture Minister for the “How many bulls, how many and gas sector recorded a A Partnership for National livestock farms, how many 41.3% expansion. The Unity (APNU) Vinceroy pens will they build or bauxite subsector also grew Jordan cautioned that the improve, what sort of by 7.3% while gold and fiscal plan will fail to reduce e q u i p m e n t c o u l d b e mining expanded by 11.3%. poverty and strengthen food purchased with $200 million The President said he security because it lacks when you still must pay was pleased with this growth vision and meaningful retentions from last year. in light of measures taken by investment in agriculture. This is incompetence not the government late 2025 to Jordan believes that any agricultural development.” tackle the low gold government serious about He continued, “Where declarations and improve decreasing the cost of living are the plans, where are the a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d would have ensured that programmes that would transparency. each region enacts a sound transform the agriculture Other mining, which plan for the development of sector, put food on our comprises sand, stone, sustainable agriculture to tables, and develop the lives manganese and diamonds is increase food production and and livelihoods of our estimated to have grown by contribute to reduction of the people?” 40% during the period. price of food, ensuring food At half year, the mining GDP GROWTH
and quarrying sector is estimated to have expanded by 40.7%. In the meantime, the President reported a “marginal contraction” in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector during the first six months of this year. On the other hand, he
said that the sugar industry grew by 19.3% at half year; rice also recorded growth of 4.4%. The other crops sectors however suffered a decline by 6.4%, due to weather conditions according to the President. Also recording growth
were the forestry sector by estimated 15.4%, and the fishing subsector by 4.1% in the first half of a year. Ali noted too that the manufacturing sector grew by 3%, services sector an estimated growth by 7.2% and the construction sector by 24.7%.
PAGE 04
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456 Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
October 5, 1992: ‘Jagan was not the Another project only architect of Guyana’s democracy’ another potential defect EDITORIAL
Will there ever be that day when the PPPC Government steers away from companies with question marks against their names to build expensive projects in this country? Will there ever come that day when citizens can say that the PPPC Government selected a company that inspires confidence to build a big project? That opportunity is here, and soon it will be known which way the government went. Another development riddled with a troubling history, or one where citizens can feel that they will get value for their millions? A project done expertly, on time, and without any cost overruns? The selection of the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project winning bidder should happen soon. Indian and Chinese firms are the low bidders. A US-linked company OEC USA, in partnership with US energy heavyweight GE Verona and Australia’s Worley Limited, has submitted the highest bid, and it has backing against which it is hard to compete. The US Export-Import Bank is ready to provide financing. It appears that an open-ended prefinancing package already has been finalised for OEC USA and partners for the Amaila Falls hydro project. The competition in the running may already be out of the race, barring the official award. The US has been very clear on its expectations relative to US companies and their prospects for more business in oil rich, cash flush Guyana. We at this paper would be surprised if the Amaila Falls winning bidder is from India or China. The US would neither be amused nor impressed with such an outcome, when those from its own stable of engineering companies are the losers. As a refresher, the first time around the Amaila Falls hydro project was mired in dispute, never got off the ground, despite millions spent or squandered. Is it heading in that same general direction? Except that this time, it is not PPPC Government cronies grabbing some easy millions, but a US-led consortium. This is worth a look. OEC USA is the offspring of a major Brazilian engineering conglomerate, Odebrecht. Odebrecht featured prominently in one of the biggest recent international corruption investigations. It had paid US$788M in bribes to officials in different countries and reaped in excess of US$3B in illicit profits. Its scheme collapsed, and an agreement for US$3.6B in penalties had to be worked out with US and other countries. Part of Odebrecht’s extensive corporate restructuring resulted in OEC USA coming into being and operating under that name in several countries. In view of its origins and the history of its parent, and there is nothing negligible about it, OEC USA may not be the best presence around the Amaila Falls project. In a country with a government as corruption prone as Guyana’s, it could be the equivalent of walking into a potentially dangerous trap with eyes wide open. Local taxpayers paid a price with Amaila Falls I. The same has happened with the US$2B Wales gasto-energy project, and Guyana’s US-based partner, Lindsayca Guyana. What the Guyana Government and the citizens of this country are faced with distils to one question. Does Guyana have the strength, the capacity, to pay more US millions (a third time), should there be slippage, and the progress anticipated does not go according to plan with Amaila Falls II? There is an old standard: a fool and his money are soon parted. What goes for an individual, also applies to governments and countries. We think that there is too much risk of Guyana getting burned again. This country has been through these situations too often, for no lesson to have been learned. It would be in the best interests of this country, if the Guyana Government uses its right to extend an invitation for new expressions of interest, with the objective of a company with no baggage being the winner. US companies are not excluded from bidding and favourable consideration. They just have to come to the table without any suspicious marks. Meanwhile, the PPPC Government has the US twisting its elbows. The US is very clear on how it expects US companies to be treated in Guyana. They must have the edge; they must gain the nod. In the instance of OEC USA, red lights flash.
DEAR EDITOR, I write to respectfully reject the position advanced by Mr. Clement Rohee in his recent letter, dated October 8, 2026, and captioned “Cheddi Jagan was the central figure in the October 5th story.” His account is neither complete nor balanced, and it cannot serve as an authoritative recollection of that critical period in our nation’s life. Mr. Rohee’s letter presents the story of October 5, 1992, as though it were almost exclusively the story of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP. This is furthest from the truth. It conveniently overlooks the many other Guyanese and international figures whose contributions, had they been absent, would have ensured that the PNC still be in office today. The evidence points to a combination of sustained regional pressure—which created the necessary
influence in Washington, D.C.—and the changing geopolitical landscape following the arrival of President Ronald Reagan and his deputy George Bush, alongside the weakening of the Soviet Union and the emergence of “glasnost and perestroika”, the two reform policies introduced in the mid1980s by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Were it not for the direct support of the USA, Mr. Rohee might still be holding a placard in front of the Office of the President today, and President Joseph Harmon would have been presiding over a full-fledged military dictatorship. There are also the Caribbean leaders, namely Dame Eugenia Charles (May 1919 – September 2005), who served as Prime Minister of Dominica until 1995, and Sir
James Mitchell (May 1931 – November 2021), who served as Prime Minister of St. Vincent until 2000. In 1983, Mrs. Charles was invited to Washington, D.C., to solidify the strong relationship between herself and Reagan around the Grenada issue. It was on that foundation that she and Mr. Mitchell were able to reopen doors in Washington at the highest levels to advocate for Guyana’s freedom in 1986. Very few will recall the message they shared with President Desmond Hoyte at that 1986 meeting on the island of Mustique—a meeting that bore the permanent imprimatur of Eugenia Charles. In a speech delivered in September 2008 at the UWI Open Campus in honour of Mrs. Charles, Sir Mitchell spoke from his private diaries. He revealed that she had personally advocated to Reagan that “it would become a contradiction in value should the election irregularities in Guyana remain unchallenged now that we have brought democracy to Grenada together.” It was on this foundation that the Heads of Government of Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines met in Mustique for the first time. Dame Charles led the charge in that candid but tense meeting, having the full backing of Reagan to resolve the Guyana issue within the CARICOM framework. According to Sir Mitchell, she opened with this statement: “We could not have our headquarters in the capital of a country with rigged elections, nor should we tolerate keeping Guyana in the Community and sully our democratic reputation with continued indifference to repeated flagrant irregularities in the electoral process.” Others expressed similar sentiments, though without the same firmness of position as Mrs. Charles. Sir Mitchell revealed in that speech that “Hoyte explained himself with a plethora of statistics on the elections, including references to the positive showing his party made with the IndoContinued on page 6
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 05
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox A PIPELINE SITTING IDLE, WHILE COSTING GUYANESE BILLIONS IS NOT DEVELOPMENT. IT IS WASTAGE! DEAR EDITOR, Y e s t e r d a y ’ s announcement by ExxonMobil that it will be undertaking maintenance on the gas pipeline offshore of Crane raises a much bigger concern than whether there is an anomaly on the pipeline. What Guyanese want to know is how did the Government of Guyana allow a major piece of a billion-dollar national energy project to be completed nearly two years ago, while the actual Gas-toEnergy facility at Wales is still not ready to operate? Let me make this easy for every Guyanese to understand. The pipeline was built. The pipeline was laid. The pipeline has been sitting there, filled with nitrogen, waiting for the plant at Wales. The plant has been delayed. The costs have continued to rise and now, before the system has even delivered its first commercial benefit to the people of Guyana, ExxonMobil is telling us that another round of maintenance will have to be carried out from October into December because an anomaly was identified
during inspection. Nobody should object to proper inspection or maintenance of critical infrastructure. That is not the issue. The issue is the quality of the planning behind the entire project. When you are spending billions of dollars of Guyanese money, you do not build one major component years ahead of another and then leave that infrastructure sitting idle, accumulating costs, while the rest of the project struggles to come together. That is the epitome of poor planning by the government and every day that poor planning and sequencing continues, somebody pays. Guyanese homes pay through higher electricity costs. Businesses pay through higher operating costs. The economy pays through lost productivity. Also, through the additional costs of maintaining, inspecting, repairing and managing infrastructure that should have been properly coordinated with the completion of the shore facility at Wales. So, I want the Government to tell
Guyanese plainly, how much has it cost to keep this pipeline sitting idle? How much has been spent on inspection? How much has been spent on mobilisation? How much will this current offshore intervention cost? What excavation and reinstatement works have already been undertaken? How many times has work had to be done around this pipeline? And what additional costs have been generated because the pipeline was completed long before the Wales facility was ready? These are not technical questions for engineers alone. These are questions about public money. There is also another question that the government cannot continue to avoid. Why Wales? The Government chose Wales as the location for this project. It therefore has an obligation to explain the technical, logistical and economic basis for that decision, because what Guyanese have witnessed is a project surrounded by delays, rising costs, technical challenges and an ever-moving completion
Arrogance impedes nation building DEAR EDITOR, It is widely accepted that the United States of America treats less powerful countries, including Guyana, as stooges for Americas’ interests. The lesser countries dare not stand up to what they know is blatantly unjust and unfair in a supposedly multilateral world. The lesser countries seem to have little choice but to allow powerabusing America’s domination and exploitation to prevail.
But why don’t the local politicians not endeavour to do the best inside their own country? Surely, there are things that elected representatives can do to benefit their country and safely avoid the wrath of the bully. America’s arrogance should not be the preferred way to run countries domestically. Arrogance is an impediment to true nation–building. Sincerely Faiyaz Alli
date. The Government cannot make the decision, announce the project, promise cheaper electricity and then, every time another problem emerges, point somewhere else and say that somebody else is responsible. ExxonMobil has responsibility for its part of the infrastructure. The Government has responsibility for the national project. The Government decided to proceed. The Government decided on the location. The Government established the arrangements. The Government gave the country the timelines. The Government told Guyanese what this project would deliver. So, the Government must also answer when the project is delayed, when costs increase and when the promised benefits remain out of reach and to be honest about what was promised. Guyanese were told that Gas-to-Energy would
transform the electricity sector. We were told it would significantly reduce the cost of electricity. We were told it would improve reliability and competitiveness. Notwithstanding all of that, Guyanese are still dealing with expensive electricity, businesses are still carrying high energy costs and the country is still waiting for the transformational benefit that was used to justify this enormous investment. This is where government planning matters. The Government cannot manage a country by announcing projects faster than it can plan them. The Government cannot build a pipeline and then wait years for the facility that is supposed to use it. The Government cannot allow billions of dollars to move through a project and then tell the public simply to be patient whenever the deadline moves and the cost goes up. Also, the government certainly cannot
use Guyana’s newfound oil wealth as an excuse for weak financial discipline. Oil money should make the government more accountable, not less accountable. The more money a government has, the greater its responsibility to spend that money wisely. This is why the Guyanese need a full accounting of Gas-toEnergy. What was the original cost? What is the cost today? What caused the increases? What has been spent on the pipeline while it has remained out of operation? What will this latest maintenance programme cost? What additional expenditure has resulted from delays? What was the original completion date? Why was the pipeline completed so far ahead of the shore facility? Also, why was Wales considered the best location for this project? These questions are not political tricks. They are Continued on page 6
PAGE 06
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
Christa Pike, who survived an I endorse the stance execution attempt, is discharged taken by this group from hospital, attorney says
Kaieteur M@ilbox
DEAR EDITOR, In an article published Friday October 9, 2026 in Kiskadee Watch titled “Meadowbrook Gardens residents demand suspension of GPL’s transmission line work”, this group of residents has expressed a concern which we the residents of Lodge Housing Scheme, share. The group making an appeal to GPL is clearly knowledgeable and we thank them for their expressed concern. For decades the reality is, Meadowbrook, Lodge Housing Scheme and D’Urban Back Lands constitute a single physical area. Recently, blackouts even though of shorter durations, left us to face blinking lights, due to “low voltage”. I therefore wish to compliment the group for speaking up and hope that our power brokers – no pun intended- would listen and take appropriate action. Sincerely, Elder Hamilton Green
Let us be true to history DEAR EDITOR, I have just read a letter by Vishnu Bisram titled “Mahatma Gandhi’s role in ending indentureship”, I have no difficulty with Mr. Bisram’s praise of Gandhi for the role he played in bringing indentureship in the colonies to an end. As is known I am half Indo-Guyanese and half Afro-Guyanese, and can find no evidence that in Southern Africa where Gandhi campaigned, did he on any occasion address the discrimination and plight of the black Africans who suffered much more than the Indians in Southern Africa. Let us be true to our history, even as I write this letter on the date that the British suspended our constitution – October 8, 1953, let the whole truth take us to new heights of understanding and finding the road to become one people, in one nation, with one destiny. Yours truly, Nigel Bacchus
A PIPELINE SITTING... From page 5 questions any responsible government should expect from citizens when billions of dollars of public resources are involved and this is the part that bothers me most. The ordinary man is not sitting around discussing projectmanagement theory. He is feeling the consequences. He is paying the electricity bill. The small business owner is paying for power. The manufacturer is paying for power. The family that is trying to make ends meet is paying for the rising cost of living. They were told that the oil would change their lives. They were told that Gas-to-Energy would bring relief. Instead, they are watching billions being spent while the project continues to encounter delays and additional costs. That is not what development is supposed to look like. Development cannot be the number of projects announced. Development is whether the project is properly planned, properly executed, delivered on time, delivered within a reasonable cost and whether the ordinary citizen actually feels the benefit. A pipeline sitting offshore for years before the plant it was built to serve is ready is not development, it is a warning sign and the Government needs to stop treating these warnings as inconveniences. Guyanese deserve to know where their money is going, why the project has taken this long, why costs continue to move upward and who is ultimately accountable for the decisions that brought us here. We have the resources. We have the money. What we need is better planning, stronger accountability and greater respect for the public purse because when the government gets the planning wrong, it is not the government that pays. Guyanese pay and have been paying for this poor planning for far too long. Sincerely, Hon. K. Sharma Solomon Member of Parliament
NashvilleAP — Christa Pike, who survived Tennessee’s attempt to execute her by lethal injection, has been moved back to prison, her attorneys said Saturday. Pike, 50, was discharged from the hospital and is back at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center, the women’s prison where she was housed for 30 years, her attorneys said in a written statement. “She is grateful to the first responders and her medical team for their care in these extraordinary circumstances. She is continuing to receive medical care at the prison, and we will continue to track her recovery,” the statement said. Pike had been hospitalized since surviving two doses of pentobarbital as the state attempted to execute her on Sept. 30 for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer. At one point she was on a ventilator
Christa Pike enters a Knox County Criminal Court in Knoxville, Tennessee, December 2007. J. Miles Cary/Knoxville News-Sentinel/USA Today Network/Reuters and her attorneys did not expect her to survive. However, they said Pike woke up and began talking and walking with assistance. The Death Penalty Information Center says Pike is the first person to survive after receiving lethal injection drugs during an execution. The Tennessee
Department of Correction has not said what went wrong in the execution. Medical and lethal injection experts have focused on whether a problem with the IV line caused the drug to pool in her tissue instead of entering her bloodstream. Pike’s attorneys wrote in a court filing that “apparently at no point did any member
of the execution team realize that the IV lines were not correctly placed.” The failed execution brought renewed scrutiny to how Tennessee carries out death sentences. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has since postponed the state’s only other scheduled execution this year and ordered a review of what went wrong. The state’s prison chief resigned in the wake of the failed execution. As the process got underway, Pike was asked if she had a final statement and she spoke of being at peace. About five minutes later, she raised her head and said her arm hurt. Later, she appeared to lose consciousness but could be heard breathing heavily until media witnesses were escorted from the witness room nearly 90 minutes into the execution. An ambulance took her to a hospital. Correction: An earlier version mispelled the name of the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center.
October 5, 1992: ‘Jagan was not the only architect of... From page 4 Guyanese section of the population, especially the business community.” After some two hours of discussion, the Caribbean leaders secured from Hoyte an undertaking that CARICOM would be entitled to monitor the electoral process in the future, culminating in observers being permitted to be present in Guyana to determine the fairness of elections. Jagan was nowhere on the scene at that meeting and could never have secured such a commitment from Hoyte. But Mr. Rohee appears confused because in a letter he wrote upon the passing of Dr. Yesu Persaud in January 2022, he alluded to the 1991 Washington, D.C., Mission. That Mission was led by Dr. Yesu Persaud (1928–2022) and Bishop Randolph George (1924–2016), as leading Guyanese civil society figures at the time. They successfully met with high-level U.S. State Department officials to make the case for international observers and electoral oversight, and they successfully influenced an outcome that added critical value to the process of free and fair elections in 1992.
Then there was Desmond Hoyte, who, as President, played a decisive role in the events that led to the 1992 election. Whatever one thinks of his politics, it was Hoyte who allowed the electoral process to proceed and who accepted the result. That was true statesmanship that was supported by a critical decision at a critical moment. To write about 1992 without acknowledging Hoyte’s role to democracy is to write fiction, not history. There was major support within Congress Place for the PNC to use whatever means necessary to stay in power, much like President Paul Biya of Cameroon (who has been in power from 1982 to the present). They even had a plan to institute a strategy that entailed a co m b i n a tio n o f undemocratic electoral controls, a carefully balanced security apparatus that preserved absolute loyalty to the party, and strategic management of the economic elites. Many would not know, but Major General (retd.) Joseph Singh can attest to what took place on that fateful day in 1992, when Hoyte called him and issued instructions. Those
instructions were never to suppress the will of the people or destroy their voice; they were to provide the safe space for the will of the people to be respected—to the angst of one particular former leader of the PNC, Mr. Hamilton Green, who, against the wishes of Hoyte, brought the people out onto the streets in front of the GECOM Building on Croal Street, which culminated in major burning and looting of stores on Regent Street. I listened carefully to then Senior Superintendent Paul Slowe’s programme last week, where he spoke of his personal action to contain the violence—despite his having personally voted for the PNC in 1992. What he was clear about was the support he had from Hoyte at the time to bring peace to the land. Beyond these few names, there were many others—politicians (including many PPP leaders, such as Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud), civil society leaders (including Clairmont Lyle a n d D r. M a k e p e a c e Richmond), religious figures (such as Sister Doreen Routie of the Catholic Church), diplomats (including President Jimmy
Carter and David Carroll), and ordinary citizens—who worked with the United States Government in particular to ensure that Guyana had free and fair elections, and elections free from fear. Their efforts mattered. They helped create the conditions in which October 5, 1992, became possible. Mr. Rohee’s letter also fails to engage honestly with the role of the United States Government in the 1992 election outcome. Wi t h o u t t h e a c t i v e involvement of the USA —and the solid work done by former Ambassador Theresa Tull, Officer in Charge Denis Hays, and Ambassador George Flemming Jones—our Guyanese story would not have been the same. Good history makes for good citizenry. But the history Mr. Rohee offers is not good history. It is a selective, self-serving narrative that elevates one man and one party while diminishing the contributions of others. It misleads people about the past and misinforms their debates about the present. The truth matters. Regards, Khemraj Harryram
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 07
Kaieteur News
PAGE 08
Sunday October 11, 2026 Anthony Paul
Article 7, Part I - When Gas Projects Fall Out of Step: Who Pays?
Wales shows why timing, contracts and Government-side programme management matter as much as engineering By Anthony E. Paul Senior Energy Governance, Policy & Strategy Advisor; formerly Director of Geology and Geophysics, Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy; Amoco Trinidad and BPTT Manager responsible for Exploration and Appraisal / Gas Field Development / Oil Production The previous article argued that, as Guyana’s gas system becomes more complex, Government will increasingly need an ownerside programmemanagement function capable of seeing across schedules, risks, commitments and
d e p e n d e n c i e s . Wa l e s provides an early opportunity to see why. ExxonMobil completed its Gas-to-Energy pipeline and riser connections in 2024. The Government-led Natural Gas Liquids and power facilities have taken longer, with the first approximately 57 MW gas turbine expected to begin supplying the grid by the end of 2026 and other facilities following. The issue is not simply that one component finished before another. Large projects are delayed for many reasons. The more important lesson is that individual projects can
satisfy their own technical or contractual requirements while the programme as a whole still fails to deliver its intended benefit on time. A pipeline without a receiving facility cannot fulfil its purpose; a completed power plant without gas faces the opposite problem. Once projects become interdependent, Government has to manage not only the projects, but the interfaces between them. There is more than one cost of waiting Public discussion around Wales has understandably focused on whether Guyana is paying for a pipeline that has not yet transported gas.
That question requires care because several different costs and commercial mechanisms can easily be confused. The completed pipeline has remained in preservation mode awaiting the downstream facilities. Government has previously said the pipeline would be funded through cost oil, while in 2023 the Head of the Gas-to-Energy Task Force said Government would pay ExxonMobil an annual fixed sum of approximately US$55 million over twenty years from the time the project came onstream. Those statements may describe different aspects of
the same commercial arrangement, but their relationship should be clear. Recovery through petroleum production is not the same as Government writing an immediate Treasury cheque, but neither is it economically neutral for the resource o w n e r. To t h e e x t e n t expenditure is recovered through cost oil, that petroleum is not available for profit sharing at that time. Cost recovery is not free money. There is also the cost of deferred benefits. Lower electricity costs, reduced imported-fuel requirements, NGL production and wider industrial opportunities begin only when the integrated system operates. Contracts as maps of risk Much of the complexity of gas and infrastructure contracts comes down to a basic question: who bears the consequences when something does not happen as expected? A producer may seek take-or-pay protection before committing capital. Pipeline or power infrastructure may require capacity or availability payments because investors and lenders need revenue certainty. Such provisions are not inherently unreasonable; in many cases they make infrastructure financeable. The public-policy issue is whether each risk has been assigned to the party best able to understand, control or absorb it, and whether the compensation for carrying that risk is reasonable. R e s e r v o i r underperformance, pipeline delay, unfinished receiving facilities and an industrial user failing to reach financial close are different risks arising in different parts of the system. Government should not try to transfer every risk to investors; they will price those risks into their returns or decline to invest. But neither should the State become the residual risktaker simply because each
private participant has protected its own project. Someone acting for the resource owner must see where risks accumulate when separate contracts are assembled into one national system. In that sense, programme management is also a risk-management discipline: it is where risks at the interfaces become visible before they become costs. A project can be on time while the programme is late Wales should therefore become a case study from which Guyana learns before the next generation of gas investments is committed. A Government-side programme-management view should be able to answer some very concrete questions: 1. What was the integrated critical path linking offshore gas a v a i l a b i l i t y, p i p e l i n e completion, NGL processing, power generation, transmission and operational readiness? 2. When did it first become clear that the major components would not be ready together, and who was responsible for escalating that information? 3. What contractual a n d f i n a n c i a l consequences were triggered as the schedules separated, including cost recovery, preservation costs, financing, liquidated damages or other obligations? 4. What national benefits were deferred by the mismatch, and how should those opportunity costs be measured? 5. Who owned each major interface between the projects? Were there points at which everybody managed his or her own scope but nobody managed the dependency between them? 6. What corrective decisions were available once the divergence became apparent, and were Continued on page 14
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 09
No more plundering, no more exploitation Rev. Jim Jones, who led more than 900 Americans to their deaths in a mass murder-suicide in Guyana in 1978, had a sign behind his throne that read: “Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.” That warning is particularly relevant to Guyana today. We seem determined to repeat the mistakes of the past, even as our natural resources promise to make us one of the wealthiest countries in the hemisphere. But this time, the warning is coming from an unexpected quarter. It is not merely a domestic critic sounding the alarm. It is António Guterres, the outgoing Secretary-General of the United Nations, who recently called for an end to the exploitation and plundering of natural resources that fail to deliver meaningful benefits to producing countries and their people. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council debate on July 22, 2026, Guterres warned against the age-old pattern in which resources are extracted, value is captured elsewhere, and impoverished communities are left to cope with the environmental and socioeconomic damage. His message was unmistakable: resource-rich countries must secure a fairer share of the wealth generated from their own resources. One wonders whether our leaders were listening. Guterres was speaking principally about critical minerals and the global
extractive industries, but his warning has a familiar ring for Guyana. We have been down this road before. We have watched our gold leave our shores, our resources generate fortunes for others, and our people continue to struggle with the cost of living. The question is whether we have learnt anything. When OMAI Gold Mines began operations, Guyanese were serenaded with promises of prosperity. We were told of jobs, economic activity, business opportunities and a brighter future. One might have imagined that El Dorado had finally been discovered and that the gold beneath our soil would turn every Guyanese into a millionaire. The reality was considerably less glittering. After approximately 3.7 million ounces of gold had been extracted, questions remained about what Guyana had received in return. The royalty payments were modest, while generous tax concessions limited the direct fiscal benefits. The company reported no profits on which corporation tax could be paid, according to the figures cited in earlier accounts of its operations. And then there was the environmental catastrophe of 1995, when the failure of O M A I ’s t a i l i n g s d a m released cyanide-laced effluent into the Omai and Essequibo River systems. The gold was extracted. The environmental risks remained. And the country was left to contemplate
whether the benefits had justified the bargain. Yet here we are again, being asked to celebrate foreign investment in our extractive industries as though the mere presence of multinational companies guarantees national prosperity. We are again hearing the familiar promises of thousands of jobs, booming businesses, increased demand for food and construction services, and economic opportunities for everyone. These benefits may materialise to some extent, but they do not automatically follow from the extraction of natural resources. Nor does the creation of wealth necessarily mean that the wealth will remain in Guyana. Guterres has identified precisely this problem. Countries may possess the resources, but others can capture the greater value through processing, refining, manufacturing, technology and distribution. His call is for producing countries to strengthen their negotiating capacity, develop domestic industries and ensure that their people receive meaningful benefits from the resources beneath their feet. That is the lesson Guyana must confront. We cannot measure the success of our extractive industries simply by the number of ounces of gold exported, the barrels of oil produced, the number of foreign companies operating here, or the impressive growth figures announced by the Government. We must
Dem Boys Seh...
We all living like jailbird While everybody asking where de man who get put pon remand deh, dem seem to fuhget that most of de nation living like jailbird, even though we never see inside a prison. Every man, woman and child deh pon remand inside dem own house. When yuh leff home, yuh does lock de gate, padlock de garage, and double-bolt de door like yuh hiding from bandits or vampires. De whole country turn security guard. De fence gat razor wire, and barbed wire. Dem CCTV cameras blinking red light like Christmas tree bulbs. Alarm system in every corner, motion sensor pon every wall, and still, people sleeping with one eye open and one hand pon de cell phone. Is like we waiting fuh somebody come break in before we even close we eyes. And when night come, we does lock we self in so tight, not even fresh breeze could pass through. Some people living in aircondition coffin. Imagine if fire ketch, half ah dem can’t even get out. Dem does burn before dem could even find de key. Remember that famous Indian dancer who used to live in Kitty? Poor lady get roast alive because she couldn’t open de grill. De same
grill she put up to protect she, end up killing she. We all talking bout freedom, but we living like caged parrot. Yuh can’t even walk down de road without watching over yuh shoulder. De same crime we trying to stop got we trapping we self. We build we own prison and call it “home sweet home.” And when yuh go to de market and see price climb like skyscraper, remember is crime causing dat too. Every businessman does add a “bandit fee.” Supermarket gat to pay for camera, alarm, and guard. Dem taxi driver gat to tint dem car and still trembling when night fall. De farmer plant, another man reap. So, he raise he price too—he seh he got to charge fuh de thiefman tax. So, when yuh see dem big iron grill pon yuh window, don’t laugh at de prisoners downtown. You just living in a fancier cell. De only difference is dem get three meals, and we got to pay VAT pon we own food. Dem boys seh, we ain’t free no more. We jail up we self to feel safe, but we ain’t safe, and we ain’t free. Talk half. Leff half.
also ask how much wealth remains in the country, how many decent jobs are created for Guyanese, how much local industry develops, what environmental liabilities are incurred, and whether ordinary citizens are enjoying a significantly better standard of living. A country can record spectacular economic growth while large sections of its population continue to struggle. It can become an important exporter of valuable commodities without becoming an economy that creates sufficient opportunities, skills and productive industries at home. That is why the terms of our a g r e e m e n t s m a t t e r. Royalties, taxes, environmental safeguards,
local-content requirements, transparency and the capacity to enforce the law are not technical details to be left to negotiators behind closed doors. They determine whether naturalresource wealth becomes a national inheritance or a missed opportunity. And this is not an argument against foreign investment. Guyana needs investment, technology and expertise. But welcoming investors does not require us to surrender our bargaining power. Nor should the fear of discouraging investment prevent us from demanding a fair return for resources that belong to the people of Guyana. For decades, Guyana has extracted gold. Now we have oil on a scale
that earlier generations could scarcely have imagined. We have another opportunity to transform our economy, diversify production, build skills and create lasting prosperity. But if we repeat the mistakes of the past, future generations may look back at this extraordinary period and ask how a country so richly endowed managed to squander so much potential. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Sunday October 11, 2026
MV Barima COI in ICU I want to give the MV Barima Commission of Inquiry (COI) the space of grace. How can I (any Guyanese)? Check its origins. Revisit some of its personnel. Chair Smith said that the COI will follow the evidence to hell and back. It’s hoped that he and his group have asbestos suits ready, make it back. Many of the people on the MV Barima had no such luxury.
The chair said that responsibility will be placed wherever it has to be. I caution this big man from a small place: that would be biting the hand that feeds him and team. The COI had a preview of how the people who lost family members think. Their reaction to the salvage award speaks volumes. Their level of trust in Guyana’s top leader is so nonexistent that
the COI members had to have wondered if there was ever any trust at all, and what happened for trust to deteriorate to such a low gutter. One COI member made some reference intended to appease about politics and about having nothing to do with Guyana’s embittering, biting, polarizing politics. A regular basket case is this country (and those who
exploit it). Outsiders should develop an appreciation of why trust is where it is, and who is responsible. Guyana is the stuff of comic books and horror stories. Look at how quickly the foreigners catch on and play the game. Those talking about G u y a n a ’s p o l i t i c s a r e p r o d u c t s o f G u y a n a ’s politics. If there’s that inconsistency, then what credibility in the Barima COI? In the absence of the dependable, there is this patchwork COI pitchforked into action. The COI itself is rather spotted, almost like a polka-dotted shirt that fades after the first washing. It took the longest while to get into first gear, and the volume of smoke spewed from its exhaust systems has left impacted and observant Guyana choking on the fumes. The COI limped its way to the salvage award announcement. What a process! What a production! What a powerful reaction! What’s the objective here? To bring up a boat, or to break apart a boat? It is said that dead men tell no tales
(something very familiar to PPP Govts). Until now, few Guyanese have said a word about what a death boat could reveal when its corpse is not treated to the most delicate handlings. People demanding truth and justice want the boat raised from the depths. Some people who never had any use for truth and justice want the boat to grow old with age, then sink deeper into the muck and mud. All that the unaccounted-for bodies of Guyanese made into sacrificial victims may be good for is DNA identification and tracking purposes. I hope that the COI members have copper-plated stomachs. Because if the boat and the bodies reach the surface in one piece, then the COI members may end up losing pieces of their own gastrointestinal track. Either coming upwards and forward, or going downwards and outward. For they will have to witness the next local circus: postmortems, another indignity on what’s left of their bodies, and the assaults on their grieving family
members. This is going on the assumption that there’s a wholly successful boat salvage. For the nitpickers in need of a definition: a successful MV Barima salvage incorporates the boat coming up as it went down, with all that was inside of its holds still inside. Finally, the president promised that there will be an international COI. There’s one, but with a difference. The sole differentiator in the COI’s membership is that all were born in countries other than Guyana. In other comparisons and extrapolations, it is as if they are Guyanese. Already, members are speaking the language. Already, they may know how matters like the MV Barima tragedy are conducted around here. Already, they talk like local pols. Now, they must walk the talk. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Guyana Lottery relaunches online gaming platform ...Players can now access LottoSupa6, Play4, Daily Millions and Lucky3 online The Guyana Lottery Company has relaunched its iLottery platform, allowing players to purchase tickets and play its lottery games online. In a press release dated October 9, 2026, the company said the platform was relaunched on Wednesday, October 7, as part of efforts to improve convenience, accessibility and the overall player experience. The upgraded platform is intended to meet growing demand for online lottery options, increase player engagement, improve operational efficiency and provide a secure and responsible gaming environment. Players can access the
p l a t f o r m a t https://letsbetgy.com/lotter y or select the “Play Online” option on the Guyana Lottery Company’s website, www.guyanalottery.com. Customers with existing accounts can log in and choose from a range of games, including LottoSupa6, Play4, Daily Millions and Lucky3. The company said persons must be at least 18 years old and complete the required identity verification process to register for an account. The platform also uses geolocation technology to verify players’ locations before allowing them to purchase tickets. Only persons located in Guyana are permitted to play.
Players can purchase credit for their accounts through the lottery c o m p a n y ’s a u t h o r i s e d agents countrywide. Director and General Manager Kalima Ali said the upgrades were in keeping with the company’s mission to deliver a seamless player experience while prioritising responsible gaming. Ali thanked players for their patience and understanding during the upgrades and said the company looked forward to providing more entertaining lottery options. The relaunch follows the company’s June 2026 relaunch of its Let’s Bet play site, which offers sports content and games.
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 01 EGA 11 P
Close to US$1B flowed into oil account in September Block - its eighth and ninth, which will add more expenses to the cost bank. Without implementing new systems like a ringfencing provision, Guyana’s profit share could again fall to allow the operator to finance these multibillion U.S-dollar projects. As such, President Irfaan Ali assured that the GoG will seek expert advice on the
G u y a n a ’s N a t u r a l Resource Fund (NRF) or its oil account in September received close to one billion US-dollars, resembling earnings from the previous month. According to the receipt published by the Bank of Guyana (BoG), the country received a whopping US$768 million last month in profit oil. The document does not specify how many barrels were produced and sold during the month. It however details a withdrawal from the account by the GoG amounting to US$200M or GYD$41.7B in September. C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e closing balance at the end of S e p t e m b e r w a s approximately US$5.5B. The country is now receiving 39.8% of profits generated in the Stabroek Block and an additional 2% royalty. Guyana’s share of profits finally grew in August when the country collected US$778M using an exchange rate of $208 for one USD. The revenue for August included profit oil and a signing bonus payment. It was reported that ExxonMobil has recovered its US$55B investments in Guyana, positioning the country to receive a higher share of profits from the oil produced in the Stabroek Block. Currently, four projects are producing about 900,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). The company is progressing development activities to bring the additional projects on stream by 2029. Guyana’s production will surpass one million barrels per day
before the end of 2026 as the fifth project, Uaru will add approximately 250,000 barrels. The Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for that project has already arrived in Guyana. But while the country enjoys increased revenues from the sector, its sudden bounty could be impacted by oil prices. While a sudden change in oil prices is beyond the control of the state, government can take steps to prevent the profits from falling again. If the GoG approves more projects for Exxon without changing the existing arrangements, Guyana’s share of profits could again slide from 39.8% to a meagre 12.5%. THE OIL CONTRACT AND COST RECOVERY In accordance with the terms of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Exxon was allowed to take out 75% of the oil produced in Guyana each month until a l l o f t h e c o m p a n y ’s investments were repaid. The remaining 25% of oil each month was split between Guyana and the contractors, with the country receiving half of the “profit oil” or 12.5%. The country’s profit share has now increased since the cost of all projects approved to date have been repaid; but this does not mean the cost bank is empty as operational, exploration and other expenses still exist. Consequently, the President said 20% of production has been set aside in the new formula for costs. In the meantime, ExxonMobil is currently pursuing at least two new projects in the Stabroek
financing of future developments. Kaieteur News specifically asked the Headof-State to explain how new projects would be governed, whether Guyana would allow its share of profits to be invested into upcoming developments and if government would then seek a greater share of revenue as an investor.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 12
Sunday October 11, 2026
Barima CoI Heads to Region One ...as questions mount over wharf upgrades, $1B salvage contract ...witness turnout remains low The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly sinking of the M/V Barima heads to Region One next week to meet affected families as questions mount over the v e s s e l ’s c o n d i t i o n , s u d d e n upgrades at its Georgetown departure point, and the Government’s award of a $1.034 billion contract to salvage the wreck. The commission, chaired by Godfrey Smith, SC, will meet families at the Mabaruma Waterfront on Monday,12th
October, at 10:00 hrs, and at the Port Kaituma Community Centre on Tuesday, 13th October, at the same time. The regional engagements come amid growing frustration among relatives of the dead and missing, who have questioned the pace of the investigation and insisted that the sunken ferry must be recovered to help establish what caused the disaster. The ferry sank on the night of 18th July, 2026, while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, resulting in more than 100 deaths, injuries and missing persons, according to figures cited during the ongoing public debate. The tragedy has triggered weekly protests outside the Office of the President, with families demanding the recovery of the vessel and accountability for any failures that contributed to the disaster. At the preliminary hearing last week, Smith pledged a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking, including the vessel’s seaworthiness, loading procedures, crew decisions, rescue operations and regulatory oversight. “Put in plain language, our task is to find out what happened to the BARIMA and why it happened,” Smith said, adding that the commission would examine whether warning signs were ignored, safety procedures
Commissioners of the COI, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Justice Godfrey Smith (centre) along with members of the Commissioners Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski (far left), Nyree Alfonso (left), Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden Pritchard (right), and Captain Hamada Fouda (far right) during their opening ceremony last Wednesday.
followed and regulations adequately enforced. The commission is expected to take approximately six months to complete its work, although President Irfaan Ali initially mandated a two-month timeframe. Commission Secretary Javed Shadick explained that the volume of evidence, the need to interview more than 100 potential contacts, cross-examinations and regional visits make the original deadline unrealistic. He also disclosed that only one person had formally approached the secretariat to indicate an intention to testify as the inquiry began its preliminary work. That limited response comes as grieving relatives continue to question whether the investigation can adequately establish what happened without examining the wreck. Families have argued that the ferry’s hull must be recovered to facilitate a proper assessment of its condition and structural integrity. FRESH UPGRADES AT KINGSTON WHARF RAISE QUESTIONS The commission has already begun inspecting key maritime facilities, including the Transport and Harbours Department’s Kingston Wharf, where the M/V Barima began its final voyage. During Thursday’s inspection, commissioners examined the cargo bond, passenger waiting area, weighing facilities and vessels
docked at the wharf, including the M/V Ma Lisha and the M/V Kimbia. H o w e v e r, t h e v i s i t w a s accompanied by questions from workers about the timing of recently installed equipment and infrastructural improvements. Employees told reporters that wall fans, paved surfaces, signage, cargo-handling equipment and other fixtures had been installed or upgraded in the weeks following the disaster. One worker said the changes had transformed a facility where staff had endured poor conditions for years. “All this you are seeing now is a ‘new’ THD… Soon as the vessel sank, we got a road and everything,” the worker remarked. Another source said several items inside the cargo bond had been installed only days earlier, adding that cargo measurements were previously conducted without the weighing scale that is now in place. The accounts raise questions about the state of the wharf before the disaster and whether its present condition accurately reflects the facilities and procedures in place
when the ferry departed on 18th July. Tr a n s p o r t a n d H a r b o u r s Manager Yerlander Hughes, who accompanied the commissioners during the walkthrough, declined to comment when reporters questioned the sudden appearance of new fixtures and equipment. The commission has not publicly indicated whether the upgrades will affect its assessment of the wharf’s historical safety standards. Asked about the observations made during the inspection, Smith said: “We are working and gathering evidence.” The commissioners also visited the Maritime Administration Department, the Transport and Harbours Department’s executive offices and dry-dock facilities as part of their preliminary investigations. BK SALVAGE CONTRACT Another major development is the award of a $1.034 billion contract to BK International Inc. to salvage the sunken ferry. Records published on the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s website on 7th October, 2026, show that the
Relatives and other stakeholders during a meeting with the MV Bariama CoI panel
company was awarded Contract ID 211/2026/34 for the recovery of the M/V Barima off Devonshire Castle Flats, Essequibo Coast, under National Competitive Bidding. The award has raised questions about the company’s experience in complex marine salvage operations and the transparency surrounding the selection process. The contract was not accompanied by a public announcement from the Government or the Maritime Administration Department. Media houses discovered the award through NPTAB’s published records. BK International’s selection has attracted scrutiny because one of its own barges, the Darren B, sank in the Demerara River in November 2014 and was subsequently removed by Dutch contractor Koole Contractors under a Government-funded arrangement. The company was selected over Netherlands-based KMS B.V., associated with Koole Contractors, which reportedly submitted a US$2.035 million bid, and Industrial Fabrication Inc., which Continued on page 46
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 01 EGA 13 P
Kaieteur News
PAGE 14
Sunday October 11, 2026
GWI defends water sector investments, says 98.6% of population has access ...says five-gallon purified water refills at $100 will provide relief to households T h e G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI) has defended the Government’s investments in the company, stating that approximately 98.6 per cent of the population now has access to p o t a b l e w a t e r, w h i l e maintaining that more work is needed to improve the quality and reliability of supplies. In a statement responding to recent public commentary by Gordon Moseley on the state of the water sector and initiatives to make drinking water more affordable, GWI said assessments that overlook investments and infrastructure developments undertaken over the past several years risk presenting an incomplete picture of the progress being made. The utility said that over the last five years, investments in water infrastructure, rehabilitation, network expansion and service improvements have been undertaken across all regions to improve access to
safe and reliable potable water. It noted that these interventions were intended to meet growing demand arising from the Government’s housing programme, while extending services to previously underserved communities. According to GWI, more than 200 wells have been drilled over the period, strengthening water production capacity and extending access to communities that previously experienced limited or inadequate supplies. Additionally, more than 200 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipelines have been installed to improve connectivity, extend services to developing communities and strengthen delivery to historically underserved areas. The utility also reported a significant increase in treated-water coverage, which has moved from
Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh approximately 52 per cent to around 80 per cent over the past five years. It attributed this progress to investments aimed at moving beyond simply providing water towards ensuring that more households receive treated supplies. Through the Coastal Wa t e r Tr e a t m e n t Infrastructure Programme
(CWTIP), GWI said eight new water treatment plants have been constructed across coastal and hinterland areas. More than 13 existing treatment plants have also been rehabilitated and upgraded to improve operational performance and treatment capacity. GWI said the investments have been particularly significant in the Hinterland,
Wales shows why timing, contracts and... From page 8 they taken early enough to reduce the consequences? 7. What lessons from Wales are now being incorporated into Longtail, Haimara, additional generation and the proposed second pipeline before those commitments become difficult or expensive to change? These are not questions designed simply to allocate blame retrospectively. They are questions a resource owner should be able to answer if it intends to manage the next programme better than the first. Project management is not programme management A project manager concentrates on delivering a defined asset within agreed scope, schedule, cost and quality. G o v e r n m e n t ’s p r o g r a m m e management function must ask how that asset interacts with every other project, contract and public-policy objective that depends upon it. For Wales, that means seeing one integrated programme across offshore s u p p l y, p i p e l i n e , p r o c e s s i n g , generation, transmission, commissioning and the commercial arrangements connecting them. It requires an integrated schedule, interface register, programme-wide risk and obligations map, decision logs and change-control arrangements capable of showing what a change in one component does to the others. Those tools are relatively easy to name. The harder task is designing the system around them: deciding who owns the integrated view, what information each participant must
provide, who can challenge assumptions, what deviations require escalation, and how unresolved risks reach senior decision-makers before contracts, expenditure or infrastructure make choices difficult to reverse. That is programme governance, not simply programme reporting. Guyana already has project-level oversight and management arrangements. The programmemanagement question is broader: what happens elsewhere in the value chain when one project’s schedule, cost or commercial position changes? That wider view will become more important as Longtail, Haimara, additional generation and a second pipeline add new sources, users and contractual interfaces. The issue is not whether Government needs another large bureaucracy. It is whether the resource owner has a continuous, independently informed line of sight across an increasingly complex programme. Ministries, regulators, utilities, operators and contractors can each perform their mandates competently and the national programme can still become misaligned at the interfaces. From transparency to institutional learning A programme-level risk and obligations map should extend beyond engineering schedules. Government should know what constitutes completion, what triggers payment, who carries schedule and volume risk, how capital is recovered, which facilities depend on one another, and what happens if expected supply or demand does not materialise. That information also has a
transparency value. Cost recovery, amortisation, take-or-pay and capacity payment are not interchangeable terms. They represent different commercial mechanisms and different allocations of risk. For Wales, clearer explanation of what triggers recovery or payment for the pipeline, how the stated twenty-year arrangement relates to cost recovery, and which costs belong to which part of the system would allow the country to move beyond speculation and turn its first major gas programme into a source of institutional learning. The resource owner’s problem is different from the problem facing any individual contractor, operator or agency: Government alone must ensure that the whole chain works in the national interest. The lesson is not that Guyana should slow its gas development. If the country intends to move quickly, stronger integration becomes more important because the cost of correcting misalignment rises as projects, contracts and investors multiply. Wales illustrates one form of misalignment: projects that do not arrive together. There is another. Sometimes infrastructure is being built, contracts have been signed and money has been committed, only for the national strategy connecting those investments to change before the value chain is complete. Trinidad and Tobago experienced exactly that with the proposed Alutrint aluminium smelter at La Brea. That is the subject of Part II: “When the Strategy Changes Midstream: Who Pays for What Is Left Behind?”
where geographical, logistical and operational challenges have historically affected access to reliable water supplies. Potable water access in the Hinterland has increased from approximately 46 per cent to 95 per cent as of 2026, the utility reported. However, GWI acknowledged that challenges remain in some communities, particularly concerns about elevated iron content in water supplied by groundwater wells. “These concerns are not being dismissed,” the agency said, adding that they form part of the ongoing work to modernise water systems and improve the quality and consistency of services. The utility said it continues to invest in treatment capacity and supporting infrastructure to address the remaining gaps and advance towards universal treated-water coverage. Under the second phase of the CWTIP, GWI plans to construct seven additional water treatment plants. These include two major surface-water treatment facilities at Diamond and Hope. The Diamond facility is expected to serve 36,000 residents from Craig to Little Diamond, while the Hope facility on the East Coast Demerara corridor is expected to serve 35,000 residents from Cane Grove to Cove and John. The five other planned plants are at Maria’s Delight, Leguan, Wakenaam, Bath and Adventure. GWI also said it has completed the installation of 16 small water treatment plants in several rural communities and is working towards rolling out another six. The smaller systems, it noted, are important for extending treated-water access to communities where large-scale infrastructure may not be the most immediate or practical solution. The utility said the investments form part of a structured development programme guided by its strategic plans and national development priorities. It maintained that the programme is intended to strengthen the country’s water infrastructure to accommodate population growth, new housing
developments and the needs of communities that have historically experienced limited access. REFILLING STATIONS GWI also addressed concerns about the introduction and expansion of Government-supported bottle-refilling stations and the possible implications for private water vendors. The utility described the facilities as a public-service initiative intended to make purified drinking water more affordable and accessible, particularly for low-income families and residents who regularly purchase drinking water. Under the initiative, fivegallon refills are offered for $100 at the stations, providing residents with what GWI described as an affordable alternative for obtaining purified drinking water. The agency said the initiative complements the wider national programme to improve access to potable water and reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that investments in the sector directly benefit citizens. GWI maintained that the initiative is consistent with its mandate to provide safe, adequate and affordable water services throughout Guyana. It said the expansion of the facilities would create additional opportunities for residents to access purified drinking water while complementing ongoing improvements to the country’s water infrastructure. In its response, GWI said public confidence in the water sector must be supported by measurable progress and a willingness to acknowledge areas requiring improvement. The agency said it would continue to communicate its achievements, respond to legitimate customer concerns and pursue the investments needed to strengthen water supply systems. As Guyana continues to develop and demand for reliable and affordable water services increases, GWI said it remains committed to working with the Government, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with national development and that no community is left behind.
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 15
Kaieteur News
‘Govt. breached environmental law with Wales gas project’— Former EPA Head ...says EIA procedures were not followed; insists study must be done The Government of Guyana has breached environmental law by proceeding with the Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director Dr. Vincent Adams has charged. While construction continues on Phase One, which includes a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and a 300-megawatt (MW) power plant, plans for a second phase are being advanced without adherence to the country’s Environmental Protection Act. In an interview with Kaieteur News, Dr. Adams described the decision to proceed without an EIA as reckless, given the project’s scale and potential consequences for public safety and the environment. “When you’re doing these types of projects, especially high hazards, high consequences, these major projects ... and for neither us to not do a feasibility study nor an EIA is absolutely reckless,” the former EPA head said. Dr. Adams argued that the Government frequently emphasises the sanctity of contracts but has failed to honour provisions in the same agreement that require a feasibility study for the use of natural gas. He said such a study would also examine environmental implications, costs, challenges and alternative options. He further contended that proper assessments could have saved millions of dollars, pointing to the dispute between the Government and the project contractor over soil conditions. The petroleum and environmental engineer also criticised what he described as poor planning for other major developments, including the new Demerara River crossing. He recalled that the EPA initially indicated that an EIA was required for that project before reversing its position. He also pointed to plans for uranium mining without adequate environmental studies. Turning to Wales, Dr.
Adams stressed that no EIA was conducted for the NGL facility and gas-fired power plant. ExxonMobil, through its consultant, completed an EIA for the pipeline component of the GTE project, but that study indicated that a separate assessment would be undertaken for the NGL facility and power plant. He warned that the handling of natural gas presents significant risks because of its explosive properties and the potential consequences for human life and the environment. Dr. Adams cited the Bhopal disaster in India in the 1980s, when a toxic gas leak killed thousands of people, as a reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of industrial accidents. IMPORTANCE OF EIAS Emphasising the importance of an EIA, Dr. Adams described the study as the “bible” for protecting health, safety and the environment. He explained that an EIA identifies hazards associated with a project during construction, operation and decommissioning, while outlining measures to prevent or mitigate risks and examining alternative approaches. “It identifies every single hazard before, during and after that project and then the EIA identifies how you will mitigate and prevent them, alternative actions,” he explained. Dr. Adams insisted that an EIA for the Wales NGL facility and power plant is essential, particularly as the Government advances Phase Two of the project, which is expected to include an additional power plant and NGL facility. “There is no question about it. This is normal. This here you wouldn’t even need a lot of thought to see that you need an EIA. Just by the magnitude of the project,” he said. He noted that the project involves high temperatures, high pressures, low temperatures and explosive gases, all of which could create conditions for a serious accident. Beyond identifying hazards, he said, the assessment should establish
Former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Vincent Adams appropriate emergencyresponse arrangements in the event of an explosion or chemical incident. According to Dr. Adams, different chemicals require different response methods, meaning emergency personnel must receive specialised training and have access to the appropriate equipment. He also questioned where
emergency teams would be stationed and whether adequate arrangements had been made to manage traffic and evacuations in the event of a major incident. BREACH OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT Dr. Adams said the Environmental Protection Act requires developers to submit an application to the
EPA before proceeding with projects that may significantly affect the environment. The agency must then assess the proposed development to determine whether an EIA is required. He accused the EPA of failing to follow that process in the case of the Wales project. According to the former agency head, the EPA should analyse the potential hazards and determine whether a full EIA is necessary. If the agency concludes that the risks do not warrant an EIA, it may instead require an Environmental Management Plan (EMP). However, he said the agency must publish its decision and the reasons behind it, allowing members of the public to scrutinise the decision and exercise their right to appeal. “The EPA is not even
doing that anymore,” Dr. Adams charged, adding that no project summary or decision regarding an EIA for the Wales NGL facility and power plant had been published. “That is the law. If you do not do that, they are violating the law,” he argued. Dr. Adams said the absence of a publicly available decision concerning both Phase One and the proposed second phase also undermines citizens’ ability to challenge regulatory decisions. He cited the proposed uranium project as another example of what he described as the EPA’s failure to follow established procedures. He said an EMP was published without giving the public an adequate opportunity to participate, prompting objections from an Continued on page 16
PAGE 16
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
‘Seeram in Camp St. jail’ — PRISON AUTHORITIES CONFIRM Following days of public scrutiny and silence from State officials, the Guyana Prison Service last night confirmed that National Border Patrol Director, Daniel Seeram was transferred to the Camp Street penitentiary Friday night. Seeram’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes also confirmed that the former Region Four Chairman is in jail. Speaking with Kaieteur News, Hughes addressed the controversy surrounding the execution of the judicial remand order, confirming that Seeram is serving his pre-sentencing detention within a prison facility in accordance with the rulings of both the Magistrate’s Court and the High
Court. The confirmation follows a week of speculation ignited when public commentators, media reports, and opposition figures highlighted delays and official silence surrounding Seeram’s transfer from police detention into the correctional system. Seeram was convicted by Magistrate Abigail Gibbs at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for assault causing actual bodily harm. The conviction stemmed from a September 11, 2023 domestic violence incident involving his former wife. Upon delivering the verdict, Magistrate Gibbs ordered Seeram remanded to prison pending
his sentencing, scheduled for November 2. In response to the magistrate’s order, Hughes immediately mounted an urgent High Court application for judicial review seeking presentencing bail. However, High Court Judge Joy Persaud Singh dismissed the motion, ruling that Magistrate Gibbs acted lawfully and within her jurisdiction. Justice Singh’s decision explicitly reinforced the lower court’s directive for Seeram to remain in prison custody. Despite the ruling, confusion escalated throughout the week after senior prison and police officials repeatedly declined to comment on when or if Seeram had been formally processed into a correctional facility. The lack of official clarity prompted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed to conduct physical checks at both the Lusignan and Camp Street facilities, where he reported that prison officers could not verify Seeram’s presence.
Daniel Seeram
Addressing the legal steps forward, Hughes indicated that the defence team intends to challenge High Court Judge Joy Persaud Singh’s refusal of bail by taking the matter to the Court of Appeal. Seeram’s formal sentencing hearing is on November 2.
National Border Patrol Director, Daniel Seeram is said to be in one of the cells in the Camp Street Prison.
‘Govt. breached environmental law... From page 15 Indigenous community and a subsequent letter to the agency. The EPA later published its decision on the EIA. Dr. Adams warned that a similar situation appeared to be unfolding with the GTE project. “This government has no respect for even their own rule of law. No EIAs seem to be their unwritten rule and policy,” he declared. He further accused the administration of prioritising financial returns over public welfare, arguing that projects were being advanced too quickly without sufficient consideration of safety and environmental consequences. “As long as it’s gonna provide money, they
want it as much as possible, as fast as possible and they don’t think about anything else,” he said. Dr. Adams attributed some of the shortcomings to what he described as a lack of technical understanding within the administration, arguing that officials could be swayed by financial projections presented by foreign companies. He also recalled Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s previous description of the GTE project as a “no-brainer” when questioned about the need for a feasibility study. Dr. Adams countered that conducting the necessary studies should have been the obvious course of action before proceeding with a project of such scale and potential risk.
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 17
PAGE 18
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
Brie Phardoman
This week's beauty, Brie Phardoman is a chef, college student and model. A native of Bartica, Region Seven, her chef dream is to take Guyanese cuisine around the world and learn new techniques along the way. In her leisure, Brie enjoys bike adventures, reading, spending time with her family and close friends. This week's belle who will be graduating college in November aims to take her career to new heights. Her words to the wise, is taken from Job 22:28 “You will succeed in whatever you choose to do and light will shine on the road ahead of you”. (PC: Reliable Graphic Designs)
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 19
Haiti: When the Promise of a Haitian-Led Solution Begins to Fade By Sir Ronald Sanders Who speaks for Haiti? It is a question the international community can no longer avoid. For years, governments and international organisations have insisted that the country’s deepening crisis must have a “Haitianled solution”. The principle is sound. Haitians must determine their country’s future. But the expression is wearing thin because there is little evidence of a sufficiently legitimate, representative and coherent political process capable of delivering such a solution. The issue is not whether the solution should be Haitian-led. It is who may legitimately claim to lead it, and by what mandate. UN experts have presented mounting evidence alleging that some persons who have exercised political influence in Haiti maintained relationships with the armed gangs responsible for much of the country’s destruction. A report by the United Nations Panel of Experts on Haiti describes connections between armed groups and political, economic and security actors. It identifies former legislators allegedly involved in supporting criminal organisations and warns that relationships between gangs and political figures could be used to influence elections. The report alleges that former parliamentarian Alfrédo Junior Antoine supplied weapons, ammunition and financial resources to armed groups. It also alleges that former Senator Nenel Cassy supported armed men to advance his political interests. Both have denied the allegations. The experts warn that political figures with historical connections to gangs may exploit those relationships to mobilise support, intimidate opponents and influence electoral outcomes. These allegations require investigation and due process. But their wider significance is unmistakable. Haiti’s criminal organisations do not operate in isolation from the country’s political and economic life. Gangs have been used to control territory, protect commercial interests, intimidate opponents and
acquire influence. The question, therefore, is not simply how Haiti can defeat its gangs. It is how the country can establish legitimate government when networks that have exercised political influence are implicated in sustaining criminal power. A Chatham House study published in August 2026 confronts this difficulty directly. Its authors observe that diplomats routinely call for Haitian leadership without adequately answering which Haitians are supposed to provide it. Based on interviews with 1,332 Haitian adults in May, the study reveals the wishes of ordinary Haitians and the conduct of their political class. More than 75 per cent of respondents expressed little or no trust in politicians. Only 2.9 per cent had a great deal of trust in them. Yet almost 90 per cent considered elections important to Haiti’s future, while 82.9 per cent wanted them held in 2026 or 2027. The survey also found that 83.4 per cent opposed allowing gang members or gang leaders to hold positions in government, while 66.9 per cent rejected amnesty for armed group members. These findings suggest that Haitians have not abandoned democracy, legitimate government or accountability. What they distrust is a political class that has failed to deliver them. The absence of agreement among politicians should not be mistaken for an absence of national aspirations. Nor can an arrangement among competing political interests automatically be described as “Haitian-led” simply because its participants are Haitian. The electoral timetable has now been thrown into uncertainty. Presidential and legislative elections had been scheduled for 13 December 2026, but the Provisional Electoral Council has extended candidate registration until 31 October, postponed the campaign timetable and indicated that a revised electoral calendar will be published. Even if another date is announced, the deeper questions remain: who will control the political process, and will criminal o rg a n i s a t i o n s o r t h e i r th
st
sponsors influence its outcome? International fatigue is another danger. Yet progress remains painfully limited. Other conflicts, economic pressures and security priorities compete for attention and resources. If international engagement weakens, ordinary Haitians will suffer. Those who profit from weapons and drug t r a ff i c k i n g , e x t o r t i o n , kidnapping, territorial control and diverted public resources will not. Political and economic actors who benefit from weakened institutions have little interest in independent courts, accountable policing o r t r a n s p a r e n t administration. Haiti must not be abandoned because its political actors cannot agree. That would leave the population to bear the consequences of failures for which ordinary citizens have little responsibility. Equally, international assistance cannot mean financing one transitional arrangement after another without clear obligations, measurable results and accountability. Haitian ownership must be preserved, but its meaning must be clarified. It should mean supporting institutions with lawful mandates, transparency and public accountability. Participation must extend beyond political factions to civil society, community organisations, women and young people, professional and religious bodies, and legitimate p r i v a t e - s e c t o r representatives. It should mean listening to the Haitian population, whose priorities the Chatham House study has helped to illuminate. It should also mean investigating the networks identified by the UN experts, enforcing sanctions, interrupting weapons supplies and ensuring that persons credibly implicated in serious crimes face independent judicial scrutiny. The Gang Suppression Force and the Haitian National Police must receive the resources necessary to protect communities, alongside the judicial and administrative institutions without which security gains cannot endure. The same Chatham
House survey revealed understandable caution. Although 49.5 per cent supported the Force’s presence, 54.2 per cent doubted that it could accomplish its mission. That scepticism strengthens the case for adequate resources, clear objectives, measurable performance and accountability. None of this requires foreign governments to choose Haiti’s leaders or dictate its constitutional future. That would undermine the sovereignty international assistance is supposed to protect. But sovereignty must not become an excuse, within Haiti, for ignoring criminal influence, institutional failure or the absence of accountable leadership. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of American States (OAS) have a particular responsibility to insist upon this distinction.
Their engagement should broaden Haitian participation and strengthen institutions capable of commanding public confidence. Haiti’s tragedy is not that its people lack the desire for democracy. It is that the institutions through which their wishes should be expressed have been weakened, while armed groups and their associates have acquired extraordinary influence. The expression “Haitianled solution” should never be abandoned as a principle. But it must not be invoked, whether by Haitian political actors or international partners, as a substitute for confronting the realities that have repeatedly prevented such a solution from becoming legitimate, meaningful and sustainable. A genuinely Haitian-led solution requires more than agreement among political factions. It requires an
inclusive national process, transparent and time-bound transitional arrangements, the exclusion of criminal influence, stronger public institutions and credible elections in which Haitians can freely choose their leaders. International partners should support that process with security, resources and technical assistance, while insisting upon accountability and measurable progress. The Haitian people have the right to determine their future. The task now is to ensure that this right belongs to them, and not to the gangs or those who sustain them. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also Chancellor of the University of Guyana. The views expressed are his own)
PAGE 20
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 21
Towards a better life with your psychologist:
ADHD and Guyanese Children: Recognising Ability, Supporting Learning A child may understand complex ideas, hold deep philosophical conversations, and think critically, yet struggle to finish an exercise, stay seated, or remember instructions. Read Part 1 of last week and all preceding parts for a comprehensive, clinical understanding of ADHD in children, women and perimenopause, men and relationships, professionals, and entrepreneurs. In Guyanese homes and classrooms, teachers remark on report cards, for example, that a named child “has the potential but is distractible, talks too much or makes careless mistakes,” “too troublesome,” or “always dreaming”. These remarks should prompt curiosity about a child’s needs. Based on provisional research results, which I am now widening, the Guyanese school-age population is between 15-20% neurodivergent, of a total of 5767,000 school children aged 5 to 18. 13-14% have ADHD. That’s about 5 children in a class of 25-30 who are neurodivergent, or 3 in the same class have ADHD. Around 51 48% of the top 1% at NGSA and C S E C , r e s p e c t i v e l y, a r e neurodivergent. Reference to neurodivergence, means ADHD, Autism, Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia. Difference in Learning and Behaviour As clinical psychologists, we refer to neurodivergent children as gifted children. Those still failing to evolve will say they are special needs children; how discriminatory. A gifted child, especially boys with predominantly hyperactive–impulsive ADHD, may grasp a mathematical or scientific concept quickly but interrupt explanations, leave his seat, answer before questions finish, or struggle to wait his turn during group activities. His understanding exceeds his ability to inhibit an immediate response. As a result, classroom participation and friendships may suffer despite exceptional reasoning skills. A gifted child, especially girls with predominantly inattentive ADHD, may contribute sophisticated ideas in conversation yet overlook instructions, lose exercise books, leave assignments unfinished, or struggle to organise written answers. Quiet behaviour may mask or conceal substantial difficulty with ADHD. Adults may interpret inconsistent performance as insufficient effort. Either presentation occurs in either sex. Boys can be quietly inattentive; girls can be visibly hyperactive. In Guyana and other countries, ADHD is underrecognised in girls and women.
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness in boys are quite visible, but inattentiveness goes under the radar. For a Guyanese child preparing for the National Grade Six Assessment and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, an important question is whether written performance accurately reflects understanding. Teachers should examine reasoning, work completion, organisation, and emotional strain separately instead of treating marks as a complete picture. Understanding giftedness in a child with ADHD Giftedness and ADHD are distinct characteristics that can coexist—often described as twiceexceptionality. Intellectually gifted children with ADHD have shown that strong reasoning coexisted with comparatively weaker working memory and processing speed. This illustrates how a child can have advanced ability and meaningful learning difficulties at the same time. Teachers will tell you this ADHD child is the smartest in the class. Their conversation is profound. They aren’t your normal neurotypicals. ADHD children operate under these four c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s : n o v e l t y, adventure, curiosity and complexity. If a task lacks any of those, their interest and involvement diminish. We get the best of an ADHD child when the
task has all four characteristics. Additionally, these children often have exceptional emotional intelligence, empathy, and spatial thinking. They also excel in storytelling, mathematics, music, drawing, practical construction, scientific curiosity, creativity, rich imagination, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, independent thinking, adventure, p h y s i c a l e n e rg y, a n d d e e p engagement in favourite activities, along with profound knowledge of special interests, resilience, adaptability, and leadership. At home and school, parents and teachers should explore each child’s strengths and provide opportunities to develop them. Teaching inattentive and hyperactive–impulsive presentations For inattentive difficulties, gain the child’s attention before speaking. Give brief instructions, pair spoken directions with a written or pictorial checklist, and ask the child to explain the first step. Divide longer assignments into manageable sections. Reduce unnecessary distractions and check progress discreetly. Subjects that an ADHD child has no interest in are likely to suffer compared to subjects that engage their five senses and curiosity. For hyperactive–impulsive difficulties, build planned movement into lessons, give transition warnings, and teach an explicit routine for waiting and
responding. Structured classroom responsibilities can provide purposeful movement. Adapt these approaches to the individual; no seating arrangement or movement By Dr. Telford Layne Jr. PsyD, MSc. Postgrad, BSc. aid benefits every child. For both presentations, teach Clinical and Developmental organisation directly and promptly Psychologist - Psychoanalyst reinforce specific behaviours: Unwrapping Gift -Clinic “You checked the instructions how to measure consequences. In before starting.” Evidence supports using behavioural classroom a d d i t i o n , t h e i r e m o t i o n a l management and organisational immaturity can make them see this training. A brief daily home–school behaviour as rejection or a report can track one or two challenge to your parenting approach or use of authority. achievable goals. ADHD children, especially those Dos and Don’ts ·Teachers—do: establish with the hyperactive-impulsive predictable routines, correct t y p e , c a n n o t m e a s u r e privately, offer appropriate ways to consequences. As a clinician, I am demonstrate understanding, and assessing a child for ADHD and review whether support improves other neurodivergent conditions. This process includes assessing the participation and learning. Don’t: label children lazy, child with the teacher in the school publicly shame them, interpret setting. I also assess family history, every movement as defiance, or pregnancy experiences, and the remove learning opportunities as child’s home environment. Then I punishment. This environment conduct my own assessment to destroys a child self-esteem and make a clinical diagnosis according pushes them to be oppositional to international standards. Once a diagnosis is made, I defiant · Parents—do: use clear develop a personalised treatment expectations, practice routines plan that considers diet, classroom together, praise specific progress, management, treatment, seating, and seek training in behavioural l i f e s t y l e m a n a g e m e n t , a n d parenting strategies. This training is parenting approach. Sorry, I do not recommend nor an evidence-based intervention, advocate medication for ADHD especially for younger children. Don’t rely on shouting, threats, or unless all professional avenues repeated criticism to teach skills the have failed to help the child manage their lifestyle. Supplements works child hasn’t mastered. ADHD children do not know just fine.
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 22
g tin s... s ere ture t n I ea Cr
Jonathan the 194-year-old tortoise could help humans live longer
CNN—Jonathan the giant tortoise, the oldest land animal at age 194, is seen on the island of St. Helena. A new genetic analysis has revealed potential clues to the longevity secrets of a giant tortoise named Jonathan, the world’s oldest land animal. Researchers say the findings could eventually inform treatments aimed at slowing age-related cellular decline in humans. Believed to be 194 years old, Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise — a species native to the islands of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean — and he has spent most of his life on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena, a British Overseas Territory. Giant tortoises are among the longest-lived land animals on Earth, with some records indicating they can regularly survive for more than a century. But Jonathan, approaching his 200th birthday, is an extreme example in this already special group. One explanation for these animals’ extended lifespan might be that they take life very slowly — even at the genetic level, according to a new study published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances. “The assumption has always been that their metabolic rate is very low compared to us,” said study coauthor Justin Gerlach, a fellow in biology at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. “That means that the processes that are going on inside the cells are slower, so there are fewer chemical reactions and therefore less damage to the cells and to the DNA.” Gerlach and his colleagues tested those assumptions by examining Jonathan’s genome — the complete DNA set — as well as his epigenome, the switches that turn genes on and off. The researchers found 287 gene variants associated with protecting the animal from the inevitable cellular damage that comes with time. “He does have some genes that are particularly good for DNA repair and reducing inflammation,” said Gerlach, referring to two key mechanisms that are known to slow down aging processes. More specifically, the analysis suggests that Jonathan can continue expressing the right genes at the right levels even in old age. This process typically starts to break down much earlier in most other animals, including humans, Gerlach said. “Our cells start doing the wrong things and we get cancers, for example. But Jonathan has still got the genetic controls of a much younger animal,” he added. “We don’t know whether that’s because he is exceptional, or whether actually that’s what giant tortoises
do. But it does mean that their bodies are much fitter than we would expect for their age, compared to what would happen with humans.” Other members of the animal kingdom, including species of whales, sharks and clams, are also known to reach older ages, but scientists know little about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive an animal’s lifespan to be long or short, said Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, chair of molecular biogerontology at the UK’s University of Birmingham, who was not involved with the study. “Understanding why some species live much longer than others would represent a major breakthrough in our understanding of ageing and longevity, with potential applications to human
animal’s arrival in St. Helena was likely because the public in the 1800s regarded giant tortoises as “curiosities,” and as such he would have made for an interesting gift for a colonial administrator. This fate spared him from a far more gruesome one that was common for the species at the time. Crews on exploration vessels often captured the giant creatures and kept them as food supplies. “The ships would collect tortoises from the Seychelles, the Galápagos or Mauritius, and they could keep them on board for months without bothering to feed them or give them water,” Gerlach explained. “They’d still be alive and edible. It was a grim practice that contributed to the extinction of the Mauritian species.” Weighing about 400 pounds (180 kilograms), Jonathan is still
Jonathan the giant tortoise, the oldest land animal at age 194, is seen on the island of St. Helena. St Helena Government addition, his mitochondria, the cell structures that produce energy, were in surprisingly optimal shape. “We don’t yet know if this is common to his species, but one of our next goals is to analyze other Aldabra tortoises to find out,” said senior study author Dr. Stephen Clark, the founder of Kallel Foundation, a Nashville-based nonprofit dedicated to increasing
Jonathan (left) with another giant tortoise named David. Joe Hollins
health,” he added via email. A BLUEPRINT FOR RESILIENCE Jonathan’s exact age is unknown. Scientists have estimated the great reptile is around age 194 based on a photograph from 1882 that depicts him in St. Helena already at adult size. Giant tortoises typically reach this size at about 50 years old, allowing researchers to deduce his current age from a photo taken 144 years ago. Based on this estimate, St. Helena’s governor in 2022 gave Jonathan an official birthday — 4th D e c e m b e r, 1 8 3 2 ; A b r a h a m Lincoln, Charles Darwin and Queen Victoria would have all been alive then and in their young age. However, Jonathan could be even older — 200 years old or more, according to Gerlach. The
active despite having lost his eyesight to cataracts. He is a popular tourist attraction, and earlier this year he was the subject of a viral April Fools’ Day joke that wrongly claimed he had died, prompting the government of St. Helena to confirm he was still alive and well. Due to the animal’s old age and to avoid any risk of infection, the study authors collected DNA samples by swabbing his mouth, rather than drawing blood. The team noted that the saliva samples prevented the use of more accurate DNA sequencing techniques. The researchers compared Jonathan’s DNA and epigenome with that of much younger members of his species found on the Aldabra Atoll of Seychelles and saw remarkable similarities. In
human longevity. “There is some data showing that mitochondrial health is important for long-lived species, and it has been shown that human supercentenarians have more efficient mitochondria, so our results in Jonathan fit with these findings,” Clark said in an email, referring to people who reach the age of 110 or more. Jonathan’s genome offers a map for cellular resilience that could translate into treatments for people, Clark added. “We are very interested in finding generic human drugs that improve mitochondrial health, and we want to bring these drugs into human clinical trials within the next year or two.” MORE SPECIMENS NEEDED With a single animal, the new findings cannot tell researchers exactly why Jonathan has lived so
long, and more giant tortoises and other long-lived species are needed to get a better picture of genetic drivers of longevity, according to Handan Melike Dönertaº, an assistant professor and genomics researcher at the Middle East Technical University in Turkey. She was not involved with the study. “By comparing such extreme individuals with others, not only among humans such as centenarians, but also in other species, we can start to learn what makes them special, and with advances in medical technology we may find ways to apply what we learn,” she said in an email. Jonathan is an ideal research subject for investigating genetic changes that may be linked to longer life, making the new study compelling, said Vincent J. Lynch, a professor in the department of biological sciences at the University at Buffalo in New York. However, some of the study’s methods are prone to give false negative and false positive results, said Lynch, who was not involved with the work. “We’ve developed computational methods to determine if mutations are adaptive, good or deleterious,” he wrote in an email. “But these methods are very sensitive to assumptions we make about how genes evolve. The model they used, while common, makes unrealistic assumptions that can lead to good mutations being called bad and bad mutations being called good.” Still, the study is a valuable complement to a growing body of research and further supports that giant tortoises are unique in their ability to defy expectations for lifespan and health, said Ylenia Chiari, an associate professor, faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, at the University of Nottingham in the UK. Chiari has also studied the longevity of giant tortoise species in the Galápagos but was not involved in the recent work. “These findings are beginning to unravel the complexity of the mechanisms that allow some organisms to achieve exceptional longevity,” Chiari said in an email. “Ultimately, one of the goals of studying these and other exceptionally long-lived animals is to gain insights that may be transferable to human ageing and cancer research.”
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 23
Advancing Education, Technology & Innovation in Guyana…
By Dr. Karen Abrams, MBA, AA I was recently confronted with an attendance problem in one of our educational programmes. Children who desperately needed academic support were failing to attend regularly. Concerned, I decided to take a deeper look. I spoke with teachers, parents, and students, hoping to understand why children who needed help were not taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. What I discovered reminded me of something I was at risk of forgetting, but which every teacher knows. Many of these parents were struggling simply to put food on the table. Some worked excessively long hours, leaving home early and returning exhausted. Others worked overnight shifts and were asleep during the hours when their children needed supervision. Some were juggling multiple responsibilities, trying to pay bills, provide meals, and keep their households functioning. For these parents, ensuring that homework is completed, checking whether a child has logged into an online learning programme, or making certain that a teenager attends after-school lessons can easily slip down the list of daily priorities. And who can blame them? When a parent is worrying about tomorrow’s breakfast, whether the electricity will be disconnected, or how to find transportation money for
When parents cannot provide the academic supervision for a child, who becomes the surrogate parent?
work, academic supervision can become another responsibility for which there is simply no time or energy. Yet the children still need that supervision. We sometimes forget that teenagers, left to their own devices, will not necessarily choose homework over entertainment, or mathematics lessons over social media. They may understand that education is important, but the rewards of studying are distant, while the attractions of their phones and friends are immediate. An adult needs to be present, to encourage, remind, insist, and sometimes simply sit nearby while the work is being done. But what happens when that adult is unavailable? Consider the challenges facing an ordinary primary school teacher. During a 50minute lesson, the teacher must explain a concept to children with vastly different levels of understanding. Some grasp it immediately. Others need more time and practice. Still others lack the foundational skills necessary to understand the lesson at all. When the period ends, the class moves forward, whether every child understands or not. The gaps accumulate, becoming visible in the Grade Two, Four, and Six assessments, CSEC examination results, and eventually in the number of young people leaving school without the qualifications needed to pursue further education or access better employment opportunities.
Some children are building on solid foundations. Others are building on sinking sand. We, ‘the village’, must work together to strengthen the foundation for every child in Guyana. These children are not incapable of learning. Many simply need additional instruction, individual attention, encouragement, and time to master concepts they previously struggled to understand. Research supports the effectiveness of this approach. The Education Endowment Foundation reports that one-to-one tuition produces an average of five additional months of academic progress, while small-group instruction produces an average of approximately four months. But the children who most need this support are often those whose families can least afford private lessons. Technology offers an important opportunity to reduce this inequality. Welldesigned learning programmes can identify weaknesses, provide explanations appropriate to a child’s level, and allow students to practise until they understand. But my recent experience reinforced an uncomfortable truth. For many of our struggling learners, the solution requires socioeconomic intervention, not simply technological intervention. We c a n p r o v i d e computers, internet access, lessons, and learning platforms. We can train
teachers, recruit coaches, and develop excellent curricula. But if a child is h u n g r y, e x h a u s t e d , emotionally distressed, or left unsupervised for much of the afternoon, access to technology alone may accomplish very little. A child cannot benefit from an online lesson they never open. And a parent cannot supervise a child from a
night shift at work. This raises a question that I believe deserves national attention: When parents cannot provide the academic supervision their children need, who in the community will become the surrogate parent? Could a retired teacher supervise a small group of children after school? Could churches, community
centres, businesses, and n e i g h b o u r h o o d organisations provide safe spaces where children complete homework and participate in structured learning? Could older students mentor younger ones? Could employers and corporate sponsors invest in local programmes that provide both academic Continued on page 25
PAGE 24
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 25
When parents cannot provide the academic supervision for a child, who becomes the surrogate parent? From page 23 reinforcement and the adult supervision necessary to make it effective? These interventions need not be expensive, but they require organisation, commitment, and an understanding that struggling children rarely exist in isolation from struggling households. We
must also recognise that no after-school programme can fully compensate for persistent hunger, financial i n s e c u r i t y, a n d f a m i l y exhaustion. Families need economic opportunities, reliable social support, and access to services that allow parents to care for their children without constantly choosing between
competing necessities. Government, schools, businesses, community organisations, parents, and volunteers all have roles to play. The entire chain of support surrounding the child must become stronger. Guyana is experiencing extraordinary economic expansion, and we speak
enthusiastically about the opportunities that oil wealth, technology, and foreign investment will create. But those opportunities will remain beyond the reach of many children if we fail to address the conditions preventing them from learning today. I began my investigation concerned about attendance
and academic performance. I came away reminded that behind an absent child may be an exhausted mother, a father working through the night, or a household struggling to survive. We cannot solve every educational problem by demanding that parents do more. Some are already doing everything they can. If
we are serious about bringing the vast majority of our nation’s struggling learners back into the academic fold, we must begin by supporting the families who are struggling to hold everything together. A child’s future may be decided after school, but that child should not have to face those hours alone.
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 26
National Quality Week 2026: Building a Better Guyana through Standards GNBS
I
t is that time of year again when the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) celebrates National Quality Week (NQW). The week of activities coincides with World Standards Day (WSD), observed annually on 14th October to promote the application of standards for improvements in product a n d s e r v i c e q u a l i t y, environmental preservation and more. This year’s theme is “A Shared Vision for a Better World – Spotlight on SDG 7: A ff o r d a b l e a n d C l e a n Energy.” The theme was jointly selected by members of the International Organisation for
Standardisation (ISO), the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Telecommunication Union (ITU), as part of a multi-year campaign focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs seek to address social imbalances, promote sustainable economic development and slow the rate of climate change by 2030. In their message marking WSD, the Standards organisations noted that achieving these ambitious goals requires greater collaboration. The joint 2026 message highlights the importance of
incorporating the SDGs into WSD as an inclusive way of strengthening cooperation among public and privatesector partners, while making use of available tools, including international standards and conformity assessment practices. The message further notes that “by working together, we are empowering people with real-world solutions to face sustainability challenges head-on.” This year ’s focus on SDG 7 draws attention to the role standards play in supporting safe, efficient and sustainable energy systems, while enabling these systems to work alongside the digital
and communication technologies that are increasingly shaping our lives and economies. For Guyana, the focus on affordable and clean energy comes at an important time as the country continues its economic transformation and expands its productive sectors. Ensuring that energyrelated products, systems and services are safe, efficient and reliable is critical to achieving sustainable development. I n c r e a s i n g l y, i t i s becoming obvious that development cannot happen in isolation of standards. Standards provide a common reference for organisations and industries, helping them address challenges, improve e f f i c i e n c y, e n c o u r a g e innovation and build confidence in the products
and services they provide. Through the promotion and implementation of national, regional and international standards, the GNBS helps to create greater awareness of quality and supports those who are desirous of achieving it. Therefore, NQW 2026 serves as a reminder to all stakeholders to consider what quality means in their respective spheres, and to act on what can be done to improve it. GNBS is always ready to support. T h i s y e a r, s e v e r a l activities are planned by GNBS for NQW. In keeping with the theme, the Bureau will launch a ‘Did You Know? Standards and Energy Campaign’ on social media to promote energy efficiency and renewable e n e rg y. M e a n w h i l e , a Sensitisation Session will be hosted to engage media
practitioners on the services offered by the Bureau. There will also be a free Root Cause Analysis Training in Region Ten, aimed at further improving the delivery of health services at the regional level. Finally, later in October, several GNBS employees will be recognised for their service from 5 to 25 years. Ensure you follow GNBS social media pages for updates on these activities as well as informative videos, radio programmes and newspaper articles promoting standards and quality. Happy National Quality Week and World Standards Day 2026! For more information on the standards and services offered by GNBS, call 219-0064-66, WhatsApp 692-4627, or visit www.gnbsgy.org.
Sunday Monday October May11, 02, 2026 2022
Kaieteur News
P 01 AGE EGA 27 P
Kaieteur News
PAGE 28
Sunday October 11, 2026
Survivorship at the Centre as Recover Guyana Launches 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Activities
F
or the fifth consecutive year, Recover Guyana has partnered with One Communications for Pinktober, continuing its commitment to breast cancer awareness, early detection and meaningful support for persons affected by cancer. The organisation officially commenced its 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities on 2nd October with a special event at Maharaja Palace celebrating the strength, courage and resilience of cancer survivors. The gathering reinforced a central message of this year's campaign: Breast Cancer Awareness Month must extend beyond wearing pink - it must translate awareness into meaningful action. Thirteen cancer survivors were honoured during the event: Deborah Johnson-Jones, Judy
Bayley, Zoreen Alli Outar, Hermanetta Andrews, Trudy Cummings, Roneta Williams, Lakshmin Narayan, Sarita Halim, Sremala Churaman, Chandrawattie Samaroo, Sylvia Dias, Chandrattie Singh and Nalini Boodanrine. As part of its commitment to supporting their continued health and wellbeing, Recover Guyana and its partners provided GY$100,000 to each survivor in direct financial support. Each survivor also received a GY$35,000 dental voucher from Flawless Dental GY and a GY$20,000 voucher from S&K Imports GY. Recover Guyana has continued to emphasise that the national conversation surrounding breast cancer must place greater focus on early detection, access to screening, survivor wellbeing and sustained
Recover Guyana and its partners provided GY$100,000 to each survivor in direct financial support
Each survivor also received a GY$35,000 dental voucher from Flawless Dental GY and a GY$20,000 voucher from S&K Imports GY
community support. As part of this effort, the organisation also provided financial support to The Lotus Cancer Initiative Inc. to assist with its screening activities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Recover Guyana believes that civil society and the private sector can play an important role in complementing national efforts by helping to expand awareness, mobilise resources and ensure that survivors and patients feel supported throughout their journeys. The 2nd October event represents the beginning of a wider programme of activities throughout
the month. Recover Guyana will participate in the Youths on the Rise Guyana Cancer Awareness Walk on 11th October, followed by World Food Day activities and a healthy basket drive for cancer patients on 16th October. The organisation will also participate in the One Pinktober Walk/Run on 25th October, before concluding its month of activities on 31 s t October with PINK Sunflower – The Conversation with Survivors, providing a platform for survivors to share their experiences, challenges and messages of hope while encouraging greater awareness and
early detection. As Recover Guyana marks five consecutive years of collaboration with One Communications for Pinktober, the organisation extends its appreciation to One Communications, Flawless Dental GY, S&K Imports GY and all supporters contributing to this year's activities. Behind every pink ribbon is a person, a family and a story. Recover Guyana's message this October is clear: celebrate those who have survived, stand with those still fighting, encourage early detection, and ensure that awareness is followed by action.
Sunday 2202 ,October 20 yaM y11, adn 2026 oM
Kaieteur News
PAGE 01 EGA 29 P
PAGE 30
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
Guyana-Led study uncovers deadly gaps in blood transfusion systems across the developing world An international team of researchers, led by Professor (Prof) Rajini Kurup, Dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Guyana, has completed one of the first studies to bring together global evidence on why lifesaving blood transfusions fail to reach patients in poorer countries in time. The study also holds up Guyana's own transfusion system as a rare example of what sustained reform can achieve. Prof Kurup was joined by Prof Jimmy Naipaul, affiliated with the Caribbean Center for Health and Wellness, along with Dr. Pedro Lewis, Director of the Guyana National Blood Transfusion Service, Prof Tejroi Naipaul of the International Executive School in Strasbourg and France, and Dr. Rita Persaud of Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada. Together, the
Professor Rajini Kurup team represents a rare instance of Guyanese-led research shaping the international conversation on health system reform. The findings are sobering. Drawing on studies from health systems across the developing world, the researchers found a repeated pattern of shortages, weak regulation,
Professor Jimmy Naipaul and almost no monitoring of what happens to patients when blood does not arrive in time. In one particularly striking case documented in the study, one in five children prescribed a blood transfusion in a series of hospitals died before receiving it, not because doctors made the wrong call, but because the system
Dr. Rita Persaud
beneath them could not deliver on it. “When you look at one country in isolation, it looks like a local problem,” said Prof Naipaul. “When you place several studies from different regions side by side, the same failure keeps repeating. That tells you this is structural, not incidental.” What makes the study
particularly relevant to a Guyanese audience is its detailed comparison between Guyana and Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o . Despite sharing similar histories, resources, and challenges, the two countries have followed sharply different paths. Guyana has achieved and sustained a stable, voluntary blood
Dr. Tejroi Naipau donation system, while Trinidad and Tobago's donor base collapsed after a change in policy and has struggled to recover since. “Guyana shows that this problem can be solved, and solved without wealth being the deciding factor,” said Prof Kurup. “What made the difference was sustained (Continued on page 46 )
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 31
PAGE 32
Sunday October 11, 2026
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 33
PAGE 34
Sunday October 11, 2026
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 35
PAGE 36
Sunday October 11, 2026
Emmy and the Haunted House Mystery Emmy loved a good mystery as much as she loved reading a good book. She had a great detective kit, which included a large magnifying glass, a notebook to record all clues, and a flashlight that she thought was brighter than the moon itself. Her bedroom wasn't just a place to sleep; it was half detective office, and half to hold her candy stash too. What was happening tonight? Tonight was going to be Halloween, which was the best night of the entire year to wear fabulous costumes, eat caramel apples, and help solve curious cases that were taking place. What could be inside? A hidden duckling is waiting✦ Emmy dressed as a vampire detective. Black cape, red bowtie, and a badge that said “Official Investigator of Spooky Stuff.” She joined her friends for trick-or-treating, but her eyes kept drifting toward the end of the street. There, past the pumpkin-lined sidewalks and glowing jack-o'lanterns, stood the old Waverly House. No one ever trick-ortreated there. It was dark, crooked, and whispered rumors of ghosts haunted the
GHOST FLOWER KEEPER Step 1 - Print the ghost template onto card and carefully cut it out. Step 2 - Add a line of glue around the outside edge of the ghost, then stick sequins all the way around to decorate it. Step 3 - Use a sharp pencil to gently poke four holes.
area. Some said you could hear piano music at midnight. Others claimed the curtains moved even when the windows were shut. Emmy was intrigued. “I'm going in,” she said, gripping her flashlight. Her best friend, Max, gulped. “You sure?” “I have a mystery to solve,” Emmy said. “And maybe they give out kingsize candy bars.” The gate creaked a bit as Emmy pushed it open. The porch let out a loud groan under her feet. She knocked once, then twice, but no answer came. She turned the knob on
Dave by Wendell George This a story about troublesome Dave, A boy who just loved to misbehave; He hid books at school to make others mad, Pulled girls' hair and made them sad; Dave tormented dogs to hear them howl, He didn't even spare the neighbours' fowl; He harassed cats by pulling their tails, The naughty boy delighted to hear their wails; Dave pelted cows with sticks and stones, And hit donkeys till he heard their groans; Animals were safe only when he was asleep, The twelve-year-old even hassled quiet sheep. Then one day Dave met old Billy, A bad-tempered goat as wicked as he; The boy struck Billy with a stick on his side, The goat became angry and really wild; The bearded animal moved fast as a hare, It butted the troublesome boy right in the rear; Dave fell down but was quickly on this feet, And Billy struck again right on his seat; Mr. Misbehave then knew it was time to run, With Billy in pursuit, and having real fun. Dave jumped a fence, looking for safety, But a Doberman sent him back hastily; He finally found refuge in an orange tree, But he had to bear the ants till Billy grew hungry; This episode served to change our hero much, But the sight of a goat now sends him off with a rush.
the door slowly and found that it wasn't locked. Inside the house, the air carried the scents of old books and cinnamon. A chandelier also flickered above. Cobwebs did a slow dance in the corners of the living room. “Hello, anyone here?” Emmy called out nervously. There came no reply at all. Emmy went tiptoeing throughout the hallway, her (Continued on page 37)
Step 4 - Draw a face on your ghost. Step 5 - Stick a piece of string to the back of the ghost so you can hang it up. Step 6 - Pick flowers and thread them through the holes to create a flower crown.
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 37
TEEN TIME Develop a Sense of Identity to be clear on your Unique Qualities A proper knowledge of self is the key to the development of a sense of i d e n t i t y. This selfknowledge implies a clear and realistic idea of what we are, including awareness of one's strengths, one's shortcomings and how one appears to others. Formation of this clear sense of identity is based on the ability to separate yourself from the influence of others – your parents, peers, what you see on the television and read in the press – and make up your mind as to who you really are, what are your goals in life, and what you will make of yourself as you plan honestly and successfully to
achieve these goals. Here is the first step you should purposefully take in the effort to form your identity:Accept your physical appearance for what it is. You should realise that you had no control over the way you look, and not even your parents, whose features you partly bear, had that control. Begin to take a purposeful attitude about acceptance of how you look, and feel good about it. Always remember that you are a unique person, and this combination of your features, your size, your height, your figure, your complexion, etc. is unique, and will never be duplicated, no matter how
When you realise that you are unique with the set of qualities you have, you will move forward with confidence.
TRAIN TRACKS Complete the railroad track that connects the entrance and exit pieces. The finished track can’t fork nor cross itself. The digits show the number of track pieces in each row or column. There is a unique solution that can be found without guessing.
many other people are born in this world. Stop the habit of comparing yourself with other people who may seem as perfect. You are someone without comparison, and that is your own identity. Think of these two questions and try to answer them in an honest and searching manner:(i) What are the things
that act against your forming your own identity? (ii) What would you advise a friend who is always depressed about how he/she looks? You will need to spend some time on the answers to these questions, and try to fulfil this before you deal with the other step in this process.
Emmy and the... From page 36 flashlight making sweeps across many faded paintings and dusty furniture gathered there.Then she saw it — there was a trail of visible candy wrappers leading straight up the stairs. “Clue number one,” she whispered, jotting it down. Upstairs, the wrappers stopped at a door with a sign: ? ﾸﾏ ♀️ “Solve the riddle to enter.” Below it was a note: “I have a face but no eyes, Hands but no fingers, I tell you time but never speak. What am I?” Emmy grinned. “Easy. A clock.” The door creaked open. Inside was a cozy room with glowing lanterns and… music. A piano played itself in the corner. A ghost floated by, wearing a bowler hat and sipping tea. “Welcome,” said the ghost. “You solved the riddle. You may ask one question.”Emmy stepped forward. “Are you real?”The ghost chuckled. “Real enough to play the piano and eat marshmallow ghosts.”“Why do people think this house is scary?” The ghost smiled. “Because they never came inside. Mystery fades when you're brave enough to look.” Then he handed Emmy a candy bar the size of her arm. “For your courage.”Emmy left the house with a grin, her notebook full of clues and her pockets full of candy. She didn't just solve the mystery—she made a new friend. And from that Halloween on, the Waverly House was the most popular stop on the block.
IF
by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim, If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:. If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!” If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much: If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son! ******************
Solutions to last week’s BENDS
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 38
Mind Your Business
“Everybody Moving Ahead Except Me” — Comparison, Timing, and the Fear of Falling Behind ...Why Someone Else’s Progress Can Make Us Question Our Own By Dr. Eon Andre George, PhD, EdD
S
ometimes nothing is wrong with your life until you see somebody else’s. You were perfectly comfortable with your little car until somebody you went to school with pulled up in something newer. You were proud of your job until you heard what somebody else was earning. Your apartment felt fine until a friend posted the keys to a new house. You were enjoying being single until three people you grew up with got married in the same year. Suddenly, a life that was perfectly acceptable yesterday begins feeling inadequate today. Nobody took anything from you. Nothing actually changed. Except your reference point. And somewhere between scrolling through photographs, hearing family updates, attending another wedding, and answering another auntie who wants to know, “So when is your turn?”, a dangerous thought begins creeping in:”Everybody moving ahead except me.” Life Has an Invisible Timetable Most societies create an unwritten schedule for adulthood. Finish school.
Get a job. Find somebody. Get married. Buy or build a house. Have children. Move upward. By a certain age, you are expected to have reached certain stations. The schedule is rarely written down, but everybody seems to know it. That is why a twentythree-year-old who is uncertain about a career may feel anxious. A thirty-fiveyear-old who is unmarried may constantly be asked questions. A couple without children may receive unsolicited advice. Someone who returns home after living abroad may feel embarrassed if the return does not look like success. We are not simply living. We are measuring whether our lives are happening on time. Psychologist Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory helps explain why. Human beings evaluate themselves partly by comparing themselves with others, particularly people they see as similar to themselves. That last part matters. A billionaire buying another mansion may not bother you. But when the person who sat next to you in school buys a house? Now the comparison becomes personal. “We start from the same place. So how they reach there
and I still here?” The School Reunion Effect Imagine two boys who graduated together. Years later, one returns for a community event. He parks his older car outside and walks in feeling perfectly comfortable. Then he sees his former classmate. Nice vehicle. Good job. House completed. Married. Children doing well. People gather around him. “Boy, you doing good!” The first man smiles and congratulates him. But driving home that night, something changes. His own accomplishments suddenly feel smaller. He begins mentally calculating everything he has not achieved. What he does not know is that his former classmate’s business is struggling, the vehicle is heavily financed, and the marriage everybody admired has been under strain for months. Both men compared themselves with incomplete information. That is one of c o m p a r i s o n ’s g r e a t e s t psychological tricks: We compare what we know about ourselves with what other people allow us to see about them. Social Media Made the Comparison Constant Previous generations compared themselves
mostly with relatives, coworkers, neighbours, and people they actually knew. Today, comparison travels in your pocket. Before breakfast, you c a n s e e s o m e b o d y ’s graduation, engagement, vacation, promotion, weight loss, new business, anniversary, house, baby, and birthday celebration. What you rarely see is the argument before the anniversary photograph, the rejection letters before the new job, the debt behind the vacation, or the loneliness behind the smile. Social media does not necessarily show false lives. It usually shows partial lives. Ye t o u r b r a i n s c a n compare those selected moments with the complete version of our own lives, including our worries, mistakes, debts, disappointments, and unfinished plans. That is hardly a fair competition. “When Is Your Turn?” Comparison is not always self-generated. Sometimes family and community keep score for us. “Your cousin finish university already. “”Look, she get married. “”He younger than you and already build. “”When you giving your mother grandchildren? “These statements may be intended as encouragement, humor, or ordinary conversation. But repeated often enough, they can create what psychology calls social evaluative threat, the stress produced when we believe our worth is being judged by others. The person stops asking: “What life do I want?” and begins asking: “What do I need to accomplish so people stop asking questions?” That is an important shift. A person may rush into marriage because being unmarried feels embarrassing. Choose a career for prestige rather than fit. Have children before feeling ready. Borrow excessively to create visible progress. The life begins to look successful from outside while becoming increasingly disconnected from the person living it. The Psychology of the “Should” Psychologist Albert Ellis, one of the pioneers of
Dr. Eon Andre George, PhD, EdD cognitive-behavioural approaches, wrote about rigid demands people place upon themselves, ideas sometimes described as “musts” and “shoulds.” By thirty, I should own a house. I must be married. I should be further ahead. My children must make me proud. These expectations can become psychologically punishing because life does not always cooperate with our timetable. A relationship ends. A parent becomes ill. Migration interrupts a career. Money disappears. A pregnancy does not happen. A business fails. Someone spends years caring for family while friends advance professionally. The problem is not having goals. Goals give direction. The problem begins when “I would like this” becomes “If I do not have this by now, something is wrong with me.” That turns disappointment into selfcondemnation. Different Roads Have Different Traffic Consider two sisters. One leaves school, attends university, establishes a career, marries, and buys a home. The other becomes pregnant young. She postpones school, works, raises her child, helps care for an aging parent, and eventually returns to university in her thirties. At forty, both women may be successful. But their timelines will look completely different. One travelled a relatively straight road. The other made detours. The mistake is assuming that a detour means somebody is lost. Development across adulthood is not a single staircase where everyone should reach the same step at the same age. Human lives are shaped by opportunities, choices, responsibilities, economics, h e a l t h , f a m i l y circumstances, and sometimes plain luck. Two
people can work equally hard and arrive at different places at different times. Comparison Can Still Be Useful Not all comparison is harmful. Seeing somebody succeed can expand our sense of what is possible. The friend who returned to school at forty can inspire us. The neighbour who started a small business can give us courage. The family member who finally bought a home after years of saving can demonstrate persistence. The question is what comparison produces. Does their success make me think: “Maybe I can do that too”? Or: “Their success proves I am failing”? One creates possibility. The other creates shame. Someone else’s progress is information. It is not a verdict on your life. Understanding Behaviour Through Context There is nothing wrong with wanting progress. Ambition matters. Planning matters. Education, financial s tab ility, h ealth y relationships, and meaningful goals matter. But life is not a synchronized race. The person who appears ahead today may struggle tomorrow. Someone who seems delayed may be quietly building something that takes longer. Another may eventually discover that the destination everybody encouraged them to reach was never where they wanted to go. The better questions are not simply: “Where should I be by now?” or “Why am I not where they are?” Perhaps they are: Am I moving? Am I learning? Am I building a life that actually belongs to me? Because sometimes you are not behind. You are simply looking sideways so often that you have stopped noticing how far you have travelled. Someone else’s timeline can tell you what is possible. It should not be allowed to tell you what your life is worth.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 40
Sunday October 11, 2026
Guyanese man reconnects with baby he found in Phone Booth three Decades Later: 'We Are Family' People - April Jones was rescued as a newborn by Joe Campbell in 1994. A woman abandoned as a baby is opening up about her close relationship with the man who found her more than 30 years ago. Joe Campbell rescued April Jones when she was just two hours old after finding her in a London phone booth in April 1994, according to the U.K.'s Good Morning Britain. They were reunited on the show in 2016 after Jones sent out an appeal to find Campbell and her mom. On Monday, 5th Oct, Jones, 32, and Campbell returned to GMB to discuss their bond over the ensuing decade. “I genuinely believed that he wouldn't remember me and wouldn't come forward, but he came forward within 24 hours,” Jones said. “And my [birth] mom still hasn't. [Joe] has been a consistent father ever since. He's been my rock … he's filled that whole void of not having parents.” Campbell, originally from Guyana, explained on the show that he found Jones as a baby while using a phone booth to call his
Joe Campbell reunited with April Jones as a baby in 1994. (Credit: SWNS)
April Jones and Joe Campbell. (Credit : Good Morning ritain/Youtube)
parents back home. “I saw what I thought was an empty chip wrapping, because the phone box was next to a community center … but as I got closer that's when I found [her],” he recalled, adding, “That particular morning it was very, very warm, so I take it as divine intervention of some sort that kept her alive.”
Campbell asked the authorities if he could keep the baby, but they did not allow it. He met Jones one more time after that, when she was still an infant, and hoped he'd be reunited with her again, even after having children of his own. “I never stopped thinking about her,” he said. “I always wondered where she was and
how she was doing.” Campbell learned about Jones' appeal to find him a decade ago from a colleague who found it in a newspaper article and the same baby photo he'd kept of her, according to GMB. “I ran home and [told] my daughter Rihanna on the phone, 'I think I found April,' ” he said. “I've always told her and her elder brother, 'You have a sister. She may not be biologically linked, but she is your sister.' ” Jones, who changed her name after Campbell referred to her as April, now proudly calls him “dad.”
“It's magical. The second we met and we hugged … it feels like we bonded … He is my dad, it's crazy I can't explain it,” she said. “It's like we know each other and when we first met, from then and [meeting] all the children, it just felt natural. We are family.” “It's meant to be,” she said. April Jones and Joe Campbell reunited in 2016. Since reuniting with Campbell, Jones said they “see each other all the time” and their connection is unbreakable. “He's very special. The way he treats me, like I'm his blood,” she said. “The bond that we have, it's like it's been [there] forever.” She added: "Three weeks ago Joe had knee surgery as
he'd been struggling at work with his knees for years. He put off the operation as he couldn't not work for his kids and stuff. He'd just had operation anyway and his kids had planned to come over to my house for dinner. Joe turned up limping after his operation – he wasn't even supposed to be there." April added: "I said 'what are you doing here?' Of course he brought me loads of shopping, gifts and perfume. He's the type of man you would call in the middle of the night and he would come straight away". April is now raising funds to help Joe enjoy an early retirement. You can contribute to her fundraising campaign on Gofundme h e r e : https://gofund.me/3e7f6e2ad
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 41
IMF urges Govt. to tighten oversight of oil spending, resolve outstanding audits ...warns against wasteful subsidies as oil revenues soar and economy expands The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Guyana to strengthen oversight of public spending, resolve outstanding costoil audits and improve transparency in the management of public finances as the country’s oil-driven economy continues to expand rapidly. In its latest assessment of Guyana’s economy, released on T h u r s d a y, t h e I M F a l s o recommended that the government improve the targeting of subsidies, strengthen compliance with public procurement rules and reinforce anti-corruption safeguards as billions of dollars in oil revenues flow into the economy. The Fund cautioned that if oil prices remain persistently high, a larger share of additional revenues should be saved, taking into account the country’s capacity to absorb increased spending. It further recommended that broad measures intended to cushion consumers from rising prices should gradually be replaced with targeted assistance for vulnerable groups. The recommendations form part of the IMF Executive Board’s 2026 Article IV consultation with Guyana, which examined the country’s economic performance, fiscal management and mediumterm outlook. While describing Guyana’s economic prospects as highly favourable, the Fund stressed the
importance of maintaining fiscal and financial stability, strengthening governance and ensuring that rapid growth translates into durable and inclusive development. OUTSTANDING OIL AUDITS Among the governance priorities identified by the IMF was the need to resolve outstanding costoil audits, improve the timely publication of accounts by public enterprises and government agencies, and strengthen audit capacity, particularly in the oil and gas sector. This newspaper reported last week that more than five years after a British consultant flagged the misuse of US$214 million of G u y a n a ’s o i l m o n e y b y ExxonMobil, the stalemate has landed before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). This was confirmed by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat in a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News on Tuesday. The minister told this publication, “Yes the ICC will make a decision on a sole expert.” The two sides were unable to agree to a sole expert to resolve the dispute on the first audit of US$1.6 billion in expenses racked up by Exxon during the period 1999 to 2017. As such, Bharrat said the procedure laid out in the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) has been followed where the
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh two parties are currently before the international body awaiting the appointment of a sole expert to determine the way forward on the US$214 million dispute. He was unable to state how soon a decision from the body is likely. “It’s already with the ICC. We have to wait on them. No fixed timeframe as yet,” Bharrat added. In June this year, Exxon’s vice president and business services manager, John Colling hinted that the dispute may land before the ICC. Colling said, “So we’re in discussion currently with the government of Guyana regarding the selection of the sole expert. We have not yet landed on a sole expert but have discussed a process to ultimately arrive at one.” As such, he noted, “If we’re
unable to arrive at a mutual selection, that can be referred to the ICC to make the selection, which very well may be the next step in the process.” While the first audit drags on, two other audits of the company still remain to be concluded as well. The second audit, for the period 2018 to 2020 was conducted by VHE consulting. The local audit team found that another US$65 million of the US$7.2 billion in expenses was incorrectly charged to Guyana. Questions still remain on whether the full report was published by the GoG for the US$7.2 billion audit. Meanwhile Exxon’s third and largest audit, on record to date, amounts to a whopping US$19.6 billion. It was conducted by the same local group, VHE. Although government received that report since May 2025, it has refused to make the document public. The administration is also not inclined to highlight the disputed costs flagged by the auditors. PUBLIC PROCUREMENT The Fund also called for consistent compliance with the public procurement framework as government expenditure expands. It said efforts to strengthen antimoney laundering and counterterrorism financing measures and anti-corruption frameworks should continue, including through improvements to the Integrity
Commission and the asset declaration regime. The recommendations come as Guyana continues to develop its petroleum sector and channel oil revenues into infrastructure and other public investments. DEFICIT EXPECTED TO WIDEN IN 2026 Despite strong oil revenues, the IMF projected that Guyana’s overall fiscal deficit would widen from 5.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 to 6.4 per cent in 2026, partly reflecting transfers and electricity subsidies. The deficit is expected to improve in 2027. The Fund said a comprehensive medium- and long-term fiscal strategy would help preserve sustainability and ensure that future generations also benefit from the country’s natural resource wealth. It recommended that Guyana strengthen its non-oil primary balance over the next decade, with a long-term objective that could include preserving the real per capita value of assets held in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). The IMF noted that the country’s existing budget frameworks provide a foundation for developing clearer fiscal targets. It also cautioned that public spending must remain aligned with development needs and the economy’s capacity to absorb Continued on page 45
GFS spends $156.5M on fire station upgrades ...as equipment procurement advances The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has spent $156.5 million on infrastructural upgrades so far this year, with work completed at the Campbellville Fire Station and ongoing at five other locations, according to the 2026 Mid-Year Report. The report said works have advanced at the Ruimveldt, Timehri, Mahaicony, Cumberland and Tarlogie fire stations. In addition to the infrastructural upgrades, $143.4 million was expended to advance the procurement of additional firefighting equipment. Contracts were also secured for three airport firefighting vehicles, seven water tenders and two water bowsers. Meanwhile, $47.3 million was spent on the procurement of 100 fire hydrants during the first half of the year, with another 110 expected to be procured by the end of 2026, the report stated. The GFS also invested in training to strengthen its operational effectiveness. During the first six months of the year, $17.4 million was spent on training
107 recruits through a four-month basic training programme. Additionally, 41 fire officers received intermediate-level fire investigation training in accordance with National Fire Protection Association standards. Advanced-level training is scheduled for the second half of the year, alongside training for another cohort of recruits. On January 27, Kaieteur News reported that the Government had allocated $6.8 billion to strengthen and modernise the GFS in the 2026 National Budget, including plans to complete and commission several new fire stations. During his budget presentation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said the investments were intended to strengthen the country’s firefighting capabilities, accelerate emergency response times and reduce the human and economic losses associated with fires. Singh announced that $1.1 billion had been allocated to complete and commission fire
Members of the Guyana Fire Service. stations at Onderneeming, Campbellville, Ruimveldt, Timehri, Mahaicony and Tarlogie. The programme also included the construction of new stations at Rosignol and No. 38 Village, as well as a Marine Fire Station at Port Georgetown. These facilities are expected to complement stations constructed in 2025 at Charity, Parika, Diamond, Soesdyke and Wisroc, along with targeted upgrades to existing
stations and living quarters. The 2026 Budget also earmarked $1.6 billion for additional firefighting assets, including two airport firefighting vehicles, four water tenders and two water bowsers. “The acquisition of advanced equipment represents a fundamental component in the enhancement of core firefighting capabilities and overall operational effectiveness,” Singh said. The
minister further disclosed that $527.9 million was spent in 2025 on a range of equipment, including a crash tender, three ambulances, two water tenders, five all-terrain water tenders and a breathing apparatus refilling vehicle. A further $503.1 million was spent last year to advance the procurement of more than 430 fire hydrants, while $250 million was budgeted for additional hydrants in 2026.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 42
Sunday October 11, 2026
Trafficking probes fell by nearly half ...as U.S. flags gaps in Guyana’s response ...cites falling protection funding, weak labour recruitment oversight United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio Guyana’s investigations into human trafficking nearly halved in 2025, while funding for victim protection and prevention fell sharply, according to the 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the United States Department of State. The report said Guyana initiated 16 trafficking investigations last year, down from 31 in 2024, even as it retained its Tier 1 ranking for meeting the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. It also raised concerns about the government’s failure to adequately regulate labour recruiters, prevent workers from being charged recruitment fees and sufficiently address trafficking risks at worksites linked to Chinese companies and state-affiliated projects. The assessment said that while the government continued to prosecute alleged traffickers, train officials and expand victim assistance, it identified and referred fewer victims to services and reduced funding for protection and prevention efforts. In 2025, the government allocated GYD $116.9 million for victim services, down from GYD $132.6 million in 2024. Funding for prevention fell from GYD $169.5 million to approximately GYD
$83.25 million over the same period. The report also cited concerns raised by non-governmental organisations that some shelters were closed during the reporting period, potentially resulting in some victims being re-victimised. The findings point to the need for more effective monitoring of foreignworker arrangements, particularly at major construction and mining operations, and stronger safeguards against exploitation. The report was also critical of Guyana’s failure to adequately regula t e l a b o u r recruiters, despite the influx of recruitment agencies targeting w o r k e r s f o r t h e c o u n t r y ’s expanding oil sector. It noted that, for the fourth consecutive year, the government reviewed legislation intended to regulate labour recruitment but did not finalise the proposed amendments during the reporting period. According to the report, the existing legal framework does not prohibit employers, recruiters or labour agents from charging workers recruitment and placement fees, switching contracts without workers’ consent or withholding wages as a means of keeping workers in compelled service. The government also lacked a formal mechanism to oversee recruitment a n d s c r e e n f o r t r a ff i c k i n g indicators throughout the hiring process. According to the report, the government identified 390
trafficking victims in 2025, comprising 304 females exploited in sex trafficking, 85 adult males exploited in forced labour and one boy exploited in an unspecified form of trafficking. The victims included 15 Guyanese nationals and 375 foreign nationals from Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, India and Colombia. However, the report said only 25 victims were referred to care during the year. The government provided shelter, healthcare, counselling, legal services and repatriation assistance directly and through civil society organisations. It also completed construction of a 30person transition home in July 2025 for victims participating in a voluntary 10-day reflection period. Nevertheless, the report identified difficulties in reaching victims in remote regions, where geographical distances delay social services. Language barriers also complicated assistance to foreign victims, while fear and trauma made some reluctant to accept support. It further noted that victims must be formally identified before accessing services and that some nongovernmental organisations expressed concerns about their ability to participate in the national referral mechanism once a suspected victim enters government care. PROSECUTIONS AND LENGTHY TRIALS Additionally, reported noted that
the government prosecuted four suspects in 2025 — two for sex trafficking and two for forced labour and secured one conviction for sex trafficking, resulting in a prison sentence of at least 48 months. This compared with three suspects prosecuted and one trafficker convicted in 2024. Authorities also detained a trafficker who had been convicted in absentia during the previous reporting period. In one suspected labour-trafficking case, however, the government settled the matter rather than pursuing a criminal conviction, the report stated. The defendant was ordered to pay the victim for unpaid wages and cover the cost of transportation to the victim’s home country. The report noted that trafficking and other major criminal trials take an average of two years to complete and can last as long as four years because of shortages of trained court personnel, postponements and delays in preparing cases. It also highlighted a provision in the anti-trafficking law requiring victims to testify in order for prosecutions to proceed. Officials reportedly dropped cases when victims declined to testify. The report said the law provides for restitution and asset forfeiture following convictions but lacks an effective mechanism to enforce those judgments when traffickers fail to pay. Restitution payments can also be deferred while a defendant’s appeal is pending.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindyha Persaud CUBAN WORKERS This year ’s report again addressed concerns involving Cuban workers employed in Guyana. It said the government sought to establish fair labour conditions for Cuban workers and address forced-labour concerns, prompting the Cuban regime to end its bilateral health cooperation agreement with Guyana in early 2026. At the beginning of the year, approximately 110 of the 370 Cuban regime-affiliated workers in Guyana remained in the country after authorities offered them direct employment and protection; the others returned to Cuba. However, observers reported that the government did not consistently ensure that workers who remained received their wages. The report said the government continued awareness campaigns targeting vulnerable populations, including miners, hotel operators, Indigenous community leaders and schools. It also operated three antitrafficking hotlines and introduced a QR-code reporting system in July 2025. Despite these measures, observers noted that poor mobile phone coverage in many mining areas limited the effectiveness of the hotlines among communities vulnerable to trafficking.
Texila welcomes new medical students, highlights AI-powered training Texila American University (TAU) welcomed a new cohort of aspiring physicians to its College of Medicine on Friday last, as the institution highlighted its investment in artificial intelligence (AI), medical simulation and modern clinical training. The university’s White Coat Ceremony marked the students’ entry into a new phase of their medical education, underscoring the importance of professionalism, ethical conduct, compassion and patient-centred care. TAU also used the occasion to showcase its Medical Simulation Laboratory (SIM Lab) and CyberPatient virtual patient platform, which allow students to practise clinical skills and develop diagnostic and decision-making abilities before entering real-world healthcare settings. Simulation lab prepares students for clinical practice According to a press release, the university’s SIM Lab is designed to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and practical medical training through hands-on exercises using simulation mannequins
New doctors and other officials at the ceremony capable of replicating human physiological functions, including cardiac and respiratory responses. The technology allows students to practise patient assessments, sharpen their clinical reasoning and respond to simulated medical situations in a supervised environment. According to the university, simulation-based
training helps students build clinical confidence, improve decisionmaking and strengthen patient safety practices before progressing to clinical settings. AI platform allows students to assess virtual patients TAU has also integrated artificial intelligence into its medical curriculum through its CyberPatient
virtual patient simulation platform. The system allows students to interact with virtual patients, obtain medical histories, assess clinical findings, select diagnostic investigations and make clinical decisions. It also provides feedback on their assessments, helping them identify weaknesses and improve their diagnostic reasoning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, Chief Academic Officer and Dean of the College of Medicine, highlighted the importance of incorporating emerging technologies into medical education. He said AI-assisted learning and simulation-based training give students additional opportunities to apply medical knowledge, develop practical competencies and prepare for increasingly complex healthcare environments. The university said the combination of AI-powered learning, simulation facilities and faculty guidance forms part of its approach to student-centred medical education. TAU highlights international accreditations The institution also pointed to its three international accreditations, which it said reflect its commitment to academic quality, institutional accountability and internationally benchmarked educational standards. TAU stated that its College of Medicine holds accreditation from two internationally recognised medical education accrediting Continued on page 46
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 43
Canter slams into GPL pole at Mahaica A canter truck crashed into electrical infrastructure belonging to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) along the Mahaica Public Road, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday, prompting renewed concerns about road safety and damage to the company’s network. The vehicle, bearing registration number GAJ 7505, was driven by Mohan Deonarine of Kumaka, Mabaruma, Region One (BarimaWaini). The collision occurred at approximately 13:00hrs while the truck was travelling east. In a statement posted on its Facebook page, GPL said it continues to be concerned about incidents involving vehicles damaging its electrical infrastructure. Deonarine was taken into custody at the Mahaica Police Station, and an investigation has been launched into the incident. GPL said its investigator visited the scene and photographs were taken as part of the investigation. The company added that the driver
had indicated his willingness to compensate for the damage caused. “The investigation remains ongoing,” GPL stated. The company warned that collisions involving its electrical infrastructure could result in serious injuries or loss of life, damage to critical network components, and electricity service interruptions affecting customers. GPL also cautioned that damaged electrical infrastructure could pose significant safety risks to members of the public and other road users. The company urged motorists to exercise caution and remain alert while using the nation’s roadways, reminding drivers that careless driving increases the risk of accidents. GPL said it remains committed to maintaining a safe and reliable electricity network and will continue to cooperate with the Guyana Police Force and other relevant authorities as the investigation progresses.
The canter af ter the collision .
sKaieteur weN ruetNews eiaK
9 PAGE 1 EGA44 P
2202Sunday ,42 rebmOctober evoN ya11, dsr2026 uhT
WEEK-IN-REVIEW SUNDAY Controversial U.S. company in running for Amaila hydro project …was linked to massive corruption scandals in Brazil A U.S.-linked company with a controversial corporate history in Brazil is among the international firms seeking to secure a major energy contract in Guyana, raising questions about the Government’s evaluation of bids for the longawaited Amaila Falls hydropower project. The company, OEC USA, has submitted a joint proposal with U.S. energy giant GE Vernova and Australian engineering firm Worley for the project, which is expected to generate at least 165 megawatts (MW) of electricity. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/04/controversial-u-scompany-in-running-for-amailahydro-project/ 40 citizens, 4 organisations appeal EPA’s no-EIA decision on Kurupung uranium project Four organisations and 40 individuals, including former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Dr. Vincent Adams, h a v e a p p e a l e d t h e a g e n c y ’s decision to exempt U92 Energy C o r p . ’s p r o p o s e d u r a n i u m exploration activities at the Kurupung project in Region Seven from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Canada-based firm owns the Kurupung Uranium Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, Lia (Guyana). The project area spans approximately 92.2 square kilometres and carries a historical resource estimate of 20.6 million pounds of uranium. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/04/40-citizens-4organisations-appeal-epas-no-eiadecision-on-kurupung-uraniumproject/
Convicted wife beater, Daniel Seeram
U.S. Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot with President Irfaan Ali. serving member, describing his death as an “irreplaceable loss.” R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/05/former-pncr-oppositionleader-robert-corbin-dies-at-78/ ‘Powerful’ officers cannot be above the law’ — Women’s Commission …questions why Karimbaksh remains on duty as concerns mount over police handling of sexual misconduct claims T h e Wo m e n a n d G e n d e r Equality Commission (WGEC) has broken its silence on the allegations of rape and sexual assault against Deputy Commissioner of Police Fazil Karimbaksh, questioning the apparent lack of action by the senior management of the Guyana Police Force and warning that the matter has become a test of whether powerful officials can be held accountable. In a statement issued on Monday, WGEC Chairperson Indranie Chandarpal said the commission was particularly concerned about the “deafening silence” from the executive
MONDAY Former PNCR, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin dies at 78 Robert Herman Orlando Corbin, CCH, former Leader of the Opposition, former Leader of the P e o p l e ’s N a t i o n a l C o n g r e s s Reform (PNCR), and former Deputy Prime Minister, has passed away, prompting widespread tributes across Guyana’s political spectrum. Corbin had been ailing for some time before his death. In an official statement published on its Facebook page, the PNCR and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) expressed sadness over the passing of its long-
Robert Herman Orlando Corbin, CCH
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh management of the police force, despite the allegations having reportedly been made months ago. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 2 6 / 1 0 / 0 6 / p o w e r f u l - o ff i c e r s cannot-be-above-the-lawwomens-commission/ TUESDAY Govt. launches $40B Guyana Development Bank, loans up to $10M available The Government of Guyana (GoG) has officially launched its flagship development bank, offering loans up to $10 million for Guyanese looking to co-invest. In the absence of a physical building, an online platform has been launched where applications can be made to support loans from as low as $50,000 to benefit small and medium-scale businesses looking to startup, sustain or grow operations. See link below: https://gdb.gov.gy/ R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/06/govt-launches-40bguyana-development-bank-loansup-to-10m-available/
‘No bail for Seeram’ …High Court refuses pre-sentence bail application, as prosecution sides with defence in challenging magistrate’s ruling High Court judge, Justice Joy Persaud has dismissed an application for judicial review brought on behalf of head of border patrol, Daniel Seeram, ruling that the decision of Magistrate Abigail Gibbs to refuse him bail following his conviction was neither unlawful nor irrational. The ruling comes six months after Seeram’s appointment to lead the national border patrol unit and follows his conviction for assault causing actual bodily harm under Section 49 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/06/no-bail-for-seeram/ WEDNESDAY US$214M audit dispute with Exxon now before ICC – Govt. confirms failure to agree on sole expert More than five years after a British consultant flagged the misuse of US$214 million of G u y a n a ’s o i l m o n e y b y ExxonMobil, the stalemate has landed before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). This was confirmed by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat in a brief telephone interview with Kaieteur News on Tuesday. The minister told this publication, “Yes the ICC will make a decision on a sole expert.” R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/07/guyanaus214m-auditdispute-with-exxon-now-beforeicc/ Suriname rejects 384.8 tonnes of Guyana rice over missing import approval Surinamese authorities have rejected a 384.8-tonne shipment of rice from Guyana and ordered that it be returned to the country of
origin after discovering that the importer had failed to obtain the required authorisation before taking the agricultural product into the country. S u r i n a m e ’s M i n i s t e r o f Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), Mike Noersalim, told Starnieuws that the shipment entered the country without the importer completing the mandatory authorisation procedure with his ministry. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/07/suriname-rejects-384-8t o n n e s - o f - g u y a n a - r i c e - o v e rmissing-import-approval/ THURSDAY BK wins $1.3B contract to salvage MV Barima The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has awarded GYD $1.034 billion contract to local infrastructure firm BK International Inc. to raise the wreck of the MV Barima. The selection raises sharp questions about technical capability and government transparency, BK International, a company that previously had to rely on state-funded intervention to clear its own sunken barge from the Demerara River bed, has been entrusted with a delicate, highstakes forensic salvage operation on a “No Cure, No Pay” basis. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/08/bk-wins-1-3b-contractto-salvage-mv-barima/ Exxon to repair gas-toenergy pipeline off Crane …but won’t disclose nature of defect ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) will be conducting maintenance activities on the 220kilometre subsea pipeline it built for the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project at Wales, West Bank Demerara. In a statement on Wednesday, the company said it will soon Continued on page 45
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
From page 44 undertake work to address “a finding” on a near-shore section of the pipeline, offshore of Crane, West Coast Demerara, as it maintains its commitment to the safety, integrity and reliability of the infrastructure. R e a d m o r e https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/08/exxon-to-repair-gas-toenergy-pipeline-off-crane/
PAGE 45
The body of Esan Rose leaves the supermarket
FRIDAY Karimbaksh sent on leave …as police open probe into rape, gun threats allegations Deputy Commissioner of Police, Fizal Karimbaksh has been sent on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of rape and threatening behaviour made against him by a woman who worked under him. In a press statement the Guyana Police Force said that following the receipt of the report, Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, established a team to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations. The Guyana Police Force said it wished to assure the public that the allegations are being treated with the seriousness they warrant and that the investigation will be c o n d u c t e d p r o f e s s i o n a l l y, impartially and in accordance with established procedures. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/09/karimbaksh-sent-onleave/ Security guard gunned down at supermarket …masked killer dropped off by motorcycle, flees on foot after shooting A 37-year-old security guard w as s h o t d ead o n Th u r s d ay afternoon while on duty at Lida Supermarket, located at Sussex Street, Georgetown. Dead is Esan Rose, of Laing Avenue, who was employed with CMC Security Service. According to police, the incident occurred at about 3:05 p.m. while Rose was inside the supermarket, approximately five feet from the southern entrance. He was armed with a 9mm service pistol and a magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/09/security-guard-gunneddown-at-supermarket/ SATURDAY Gas-to-Energy project under fire as Sharma, Jordan question costs and delays …say pipeline sits idle while costing Guyanese billions The announcement by ExxonMobil Guyana that it will be
Shot Dead: Esan Rose
undertaking maintenance on the gas pipeline offshore of Crane should be a source for concern. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) politician, Sharma Solomon has noted the billions of dollars that are being wasted as the oil giant steps in to maintain the infrastructure that is yet to yield benefits for the citizens. ExxonMobil Guyana announced on Thursday that it is set to begin maintenance work on an offshore pipeline near Crane, West Coast Demerara, on October 14, with the activities expected to continue until approximately December 1. According to Exxon, the maintenance is intended to address a finding identified during inspection of a near-shore section of the pipeline earlier this year and is part of measures to ensure the safety, integrity and reliability of the infrastructure. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/10/gas-to-energy-projectunder-fire-as-sharma-jordanquestion-costs-and-delays/ EU promises ‘tangible results soon’ on Schengen visa concerns – Ambassador Cognizant of the hurdles citizens face when attempting to access Schengen visas to travel to European countries, EU Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni said the EU has been working to achieve a smoother, hassle-free travel process. Ambassador Pierantoni said that the EU has been working intensively to facilitate people-topeople and business-to-business exchanges between the EU and Guyana, including by making travel to Europe easier for
Guyanese nationals. He said given the concerns raised recently, he believes tangible results could be achieved soon. “We have taken the concerns expressed by the Guyanese government and civil
society representatives very seriously, and we believe tangible results can be achieved soon. We will continue to build new political, economic and cultural bridges between the EU and Guyana,” Ambassador Pierantoni
said in a comment to this publication. R e a d m o r e : https://kaieteurnewsonline.com/20 26/10/10/eu-promises-tangibleresults-soon-on-schengen-visaconcerns-ambassador/
IMF urges Govt. to tighten oversight of oil spending... From page 41 investment effectively, while accounting for the high cost of delivering public services in a country with a relatively small and geographically dispersed population. ECONOMY GROWS BY 19.3 PER CENT The IMF reported that Guyana’s real GDP grew by 19.3 per cent in 2025, following average growth of nearly 40 per cent during 2023 and 2024. Oil GDP increased by 21.1 per cent last year, while non-oil GDP expanded by 14 per cent, driven largely by construction and supported by agriculture, mining and manufacturing. Oil production exceeded 900,000 barrels per day, while stronger labour market conditions and private-sector credit growth also supported economic activity. The Fund projected overall economic growth of 22.3 per cent in 2026, with oil GDP expected to grow by 26.1 per cent and non-oil GDP by 10.2 per cent. Non-oil growth is projected to average approximately seven per cent over the medium term. The economic expansion has also strengthened Guyana’s external position. Gross international reserves reached approximately US$1.4 billion in 2025, while the NRF accumulated about US$3.3 billion by the end of that year.
The IMF said the country’s economic fundamentals remain strong and noted that Guyana continues to maintain one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in the Western Hemisphere. However, inflation, which averaged 3.3 per cent in 2025, is projected to rise to 4.1 per cent in 2026, reflecting higher global energy and food prices. The Fund said available indicators did not point to clear overheating or competitiveness pressures, but warned that strong wage growth and wage-based real exchange rate measures warranted close monitoring. It also identified oil price volatility, potential overheating and climate-related shocks as risks to the otherwise favourable economic outlook. The banking system was assessed as well capitalised and liquid, with improving asset quality. Nevertheless, the IMF said rapid housing market growth warranted close monitoring and recommended the development of a real estate price index. It also called for stronger cybersecurity standards as financial services become increasingly digital, alongside a comprehensive framework to help authorities identify and manage risks across the financial system. On monetary policy, the Fund said liquidity management should remain consistent with Guyana’s
exchange rate arrangement and price stability. It added that further tightening could be necessary if demand, credit or exchange rate pressures intensified. DIVERSIFICATION REMAINS CRITICAL The IMF said Guyana should continue investing in human capital, expanding employment opportunities, addressing labour shortages and strengthening food security to support diversification beyond oil. It noted that the Gas-to-Energy project is expected to reduce reliance on fuel-based electricity generation, lower energy costs and improve competitiveness. The Fund also stressed the importance of investments in sea defences, drainage and climateresilient agriculture to protect the country against climate risks. It called for improvements in official statistics, including updated national accounts and price data, regular labour force surveys, more complete publication of census results and the introduction of a new household budget survey. The IMF concluded that while Guyana’s growth outlook remains highly favourable, stronger fiscal frameworks, sound governance and effective public spending will be essential to preserving stability and ensuring that the country’s oil wealth supports sustainable development.
PAGE 46
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
Barima CoI Heads to Region Ones
WANTED One cook preferable form the East Bank.Contact #616-5700 or 748-0359 Accounts Clerk-Must be Quickbooks literate and have accounting experience. Interested applicants please call #652-7444 Cashier/Supervisor-$200,000 monthly, Housekeeper/cook 3 days per week Ogle Area, English speaking male to pluck chickens knowledge of meatsaw. Call#769-6870/6174662 Live-in Handyman with small family to work on a Farm. Must know to use a b r u s h c u t t e r, L i v e s t o c k rearing #160,000 monthly, One live-in Groundsman $100,000 monthly.Call#7696870/617-4662
From page 12 submitted a G$1.895 billion bid. The salvage contract is being executed on a “No Cure, No Pay” basis, under which payment is tied to the successful recovery. The decision became public during questioning by Jasmin Cort, the daughter and niece of still-missing brothers Neil and Kenrick Cort, who pressed the commission’s maritime consultant, Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski, to identify the contractor selected to recover the wreck. “It is one of the three, BK,” Jasionowski disclosed. He stressed that the operation must be conducted carefully to preserve evidence that could help determine why the 87-year-old ferry capsized. “If you rush it, it’s very easy to break it, and once that happens, the recovery becomes a recovery of cut and scrub metal and whatever remains within,” he explained. Jasionowski said he had met the salvage masters and engineers to discuss the recovery plan and that the commission expected regular updates on the operation. The tender specifications require a non-destructive recovery, with the vessel to be raised intact and placed upright on a barge to allow in-
vestigators to examine the hull and internal structures. Families have strongly opposed earlier suggestions that the wreck could remain submerged as a memorial, arguing that recovery is essential both to retrieving missing loved ones and preserving forensic evidence. Neil Cort, 57, operated the ferry’s canteen for 37 years, while his brother Kenrick, 53, was aboard assisting him. Both remain unaccounted for. MP CALLS FOR SURVIVORS’ EXPENSES TO BE COVERED As the commission prepares to formally begin taking witness evidence, Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul has called on the panel to guarantee that survivors will not have to pay their own expenses to testify. Mahipaul said survivors who have already endured a traumatic experience should not be forced to choose between participating in the inquiry and meeting the costs of transportation, accommodation and meals. He called for reasonable travel expenses, accommodation and meals to be covered for survivors travelling from outside Georgetown, with transportation and meal assistance provided to those attending from within the capital where necessary.
“I therefore call on the Commission to make it clear, publicly and without ambiguity, that no survivor should be financially burdened because they have chosen to come forward and testify,” Mahipaul said. He noted that although consultations and support sessions had been announced for affected families across several regions, he had not seen sufficient public information specifically addressing the expenses associated with giving testimony. “Their voices must not be lost because someone cannot afford a plane ticket, transportation, a hotel room or meals while fulfilling their civic responsibility to testify,” he said. Mahipaul urged the commission to communicate directly with survivors about the assistance available, arguing that financial difficulties should not prevent witnesses from contributing evidence. “The survivors have already paid a price. They should not have to pay to be heard,” he declared. The commission has said it will invite evidence from survivors, first responders, maritime officials, technical experts and other relevant witnesses.
Texila welcomes new medical... SERVICES Visa Application:U.S.A, Canada & UK:Graphics design, advertisements, wedding arch rentals.Tel:6267040. PEN PAL 51 year old male of African decent looking for future partner of any race within the age group of 40-50yrs. Call #603-6400
FOR SALE TRUCK TIRES 295/75R22.5 $40K EACH. CALL/ WHATSAPP +592-688-3201. Whole chicken for sale Retail $360 per lb and wholesale $340 per lb. For Orders and enquires, Call #625-7634
FOR RENT Furnished Apartment for rent. Tele#621-5282
From page 42 bodies. However, the names of the accrediting bodies were not provided in the information supplied. The university said its accreditations, alongside its simulation facilities, AI-enabled teaching tools and clinical training opportunities, reinforce its standing as an international medical education institution in the Caribbean. Community outreach promotes compassionate care Beyond academic and technological training, the ceremony reinforced the importance of empathy, integrity, patience and professionalism in the medical field. Dr. Bansal encouraged the incoming students to recognise that becoming a successful physician requires
more than academic knowledge and technical competence, stressing the importance of compassion and a lifelong commitment to patient care. TAU also highlighted its health camps and community outreach initiatives across Guyana, including in remote communities, as an important part of medical training. Through these activities, students gain exposure to diverse healthcare needs while developing an understanding of their social responsibilities and the importance of community-oriented care. The university said these experiences complement classroom teaching and simulation exercises by exposing students to the human realities of healthcare delivery. University seeks to
strengthen Guyana’s medical education sector TAU said it continues to invest in academic infrastructure, advanced teaching technologies, simulation-based learning and clinical training opportunities to prepare future healthcare professionals. Its approach combines traditional medical instruction with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, as it seeks to equip students for the changing demands of healthcare locally and internationally. The White Coat Ceremony marked the beginning of the new students’ journey towards becoming physicians, while reminding them of the professional and ethical responsibilities associated with the medical profession.
Crew members and the captain, including those facing legal proceedings, may also testify, with constitutional protections against self-incrimination applying. The secretariat has indicated that translation services and counselling support are being arranged for participants who need them. ALI AWAITS COI FINDINGS BEFORE DECIDING ON MINISTERS President Ali has meanwhile said that decisions on calls for the removal or suspension of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar will depend on the commission’s findings and recommendations. The President made the position clear amid mounting public calls for political accountability over alleged maintenance failures and wider weaknesses in the oversight of the state-owned ferry. Ali said he would not engage in speculation or take action that could prejudice the independent inquiry, while maintaining that immediate measures to address maritime safety would continue. “The CoI, having been established, will conduct its work, make its determination, its recommendation, and then we’ll take it from there,” he said. He added that an independent team had been established to inspect vessels, identify safety gaps and ensure that urgent deficiencies were addressed. The position has done little to ease the frustration of relatives and demonstrators, who continue to demand accountability and a faster recovery of the wreck. During a recent protest outside the Office of the President, family spokesperson Collin Solomon condemned
what he described as the Government’s slow response. “We demand justice. We demand accountability,” Solomon said, arguing that the urgency of the situation had not been adequately reflected in the pace of the recovery effort. The demonstrations have drawn support from civil society groups, including representatives of the Amerindian People’s Association, with protesters carrying placards demanding that the vessel be raised and those responsible for any failures be held accountable. COMMISSION PROMISES THOROUGH INVESTIGATION Smith has maintained that the commission will not rush to conclusions and will examine the evidence before making recommendations. Although the inquiry is not a criminal trial and cannot determine criminal guilt or civil liability, the chairman said evidence of possible wrongdoing could be referred to the relevant authorities. The commission has also established procedures allowing individuals, organisations and affected families to apply for interested-party status, while ensuring that anyone facing adverse criticism has an opportunity to respond. Smith said the panel could submit interim safety recommendations to the President before completing its final r e p o r t i f u r g e n t r i s ks emerge. “We do not intend to take short cuts, jump to conclusions or deliver a rushed report,” he said. “Our allegiance is to the law, to our terms of reference, to procedural fairness and, above all, to the truth as established by credible, tested evidence.”
Guyana-Led study... From page 30 institutional commitment, not circumstance. That is a story other developing nations should be paying close attention to.” Dr. Persaud, who worked on the comparative analysis, said the divergence between the two countries was the clearest evidence in the study that outcomes are shaped by choices, not geography. “Two systems that looked almost identical on paper ended up in completely different places. The difference was leadership and follow-through.” Prof Naipaul, who examined the legal and regulatory dimensions of transfusion systems across the countries studied, said reform in many settings was being held back by outdated legislation rather than a lack of medical expertise. “You cannot train your way around a law that blocks modern practice. That has to change at the legislative level.” The research team is calling for two things going forward: long-term, sustained funding for voluntary blood donation programmes rather than short-term drives, and further studies that track outcomes for patients themselves, not only the state of hospital infrastructure. Without that evidence, they say, the true human cost of blood shortages across the developing world will remain unknown. For a research team built across Guyana, the wider Caribbean, Canada and Europe, the study’s most significant contribution may be placing Guyana’s own transfusion reforms on the international record, not as an isolated success story, but as proof of what is possible when governance and commitment are sustained over time.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 47
Eusi Kwayana, Sage of Buxton, dies at 101 — WPA founder leaves enduring legacy of political activism, scholarship and Pan-Africanism
Buxton Sage, Eusi Kwayana Eusi Kwayana, the veteran Guyanese political activist, educator, historian and founding member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), died on Saturday at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, aged 101. He has left behind a political and intellectual legacy that spans the struggle against colonial rule, the fight for social change and decades of political activism in independent Guyana, his party said. “Our elder, teacher, mentor, leader and inspiration has left us to go back to his ancestors. The Sage of Buxton has left this side of the river to return to the source of his spirit. His earthly duty is over. To the very end he kept the faith, cradled the civilization, protected the vulnerable, and empowered the powerless. His loss leaves an empty chair in the gallery of our Guyanese humanity. “It is with deep sadness that the WPA joins with the Kwayana family in announcing the death of Brother Eusi Kwayana. Although we know death is inevitable and that Bro Eusi would eventually leave us, we thought this day would never come. But it is finally here. We give thanks for his life, his wisdom, his guidance and above all, his example. Guyana has lost the last of its original independence visionaries—one of Guyana’s priceless gifts to itself,” the party said in a statement. According to the WPA, for 101 years and six months this rare and special spirit walked among us with a deliberate purpose that touched the core of Guyana. The Guyana of the last eight decades is incomplete without the fingerprints and footprints of Eusi Kwayana. Along with others and sometimes alone, he lived the Guyanese decolonization and independence narrative of freedom. WPA declares with certainty that our Eusi was a Founder-Pioneer of our postcolonial order. In him, shone the light of the full flowering of the Guyanese, Caribbean and African fusion. The WPA said in 1974, Kwayana co-founded the Working People’s Alliance and remained a committed member until his death. Within the WPA, he served as Executive member, Member of Parliament and de facto editor of the party’s organs, Open Word and Dayclean. We remember Eusi as an
excellent party organizer and mobilizer. Whenever the party was low on morale, we turned to him for confidence. We also remember him as a loyal party member who never compromised his integrity and independent praxis. It is for that reason that we label him the modern pioneer of the Independent Radical strand in modern Guyanese politics. “While he gave 52 years of service to the WPA, he also laboured in the valley for the original PPP and the PNC in which he served as Assistant General Secretary and General Secretary respectively. He served as a Member of Parliament and Cabinet Member in the 1953 PPP government. In addition to being General Secretary, he served as editor of the PNC’s newspaper, New Nation.” During the period 1964-71, Kwayana served as head of the National Land Settlement Committee; chairman of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC); chairman of the Cooperative Insurance Committee; and chairman of a committee charged with converting the Guyana Cooperative Credit Society into a Cooperative Bank. “As an Africanist leader, he co-founded in 1961 the African Society for Racial Equality (ASRE), which was dedicated primarily to raising cultural consciousness among African Guyanese. In 1964, he cofounded the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), which, like ASRE, committed itself to the promotion of African pride, dignity, and culture among African Guyanese. He served as Coordinating Elder of ASCRIA and changed his name from Sydney King to Eusi Kwayana, which, in Swahili, means Black Man of Guyana. He gave everything to his country and his people. Farewell African star, Guyanese treasure and Caribbean wise man. We end this initial statement by calling on Guyanese not to mourn Bro Eusi’s passing, but to celebrate his life and lived journey,” the party stated. Also in a statement, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/ A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), described Kwayana as a patriot, historian,
elder statesman, and a towering figure in the political and social life of our nation. “Brother Eusi entered the political arena as a youth, dedicating his life to the struggles and aspirations of the Guyanese people. He served the People’s National Congress under the leadership of its founder, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, contributing his intellect, energy, and convictions to the building of our Party and the advancement of an independent Guyana,” the party said. It noted that in the years that followed, he continued to serve the nation through the Working People’s Alliance, remaining a fearless and principled voice on matters of governance, justice, and national development. “As a historian, he dedicated himself to recording and preserving our country’s story, ensuring that future generations would know the journey of our people and the sacrifices made along the way.”
and a founding figure of the WPA. Kwayana was born Sydney Evanson King on April 4, 1925. “For more than half a century, Kwayana was involved in the country’s political development, moving from the early leadership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to the formation of grassroots African-centred organisations and eventually the WPA. He was also an educator, playwright, author and advocate for Pan-Africanism whose work extended beyond party politics,” Hinds wrote. Born in Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara, Kwayana moved with his family to Buxton when he was seven years old. It was in that village, which has played a significant role in Guyana’s political and cultural history, that he developed much of his connection to community life and grassroots organising. According to Dr. Hinds, Kwayana’s involvement in politics
A younger Eusia Kwayana during one of his many protests. According to the PNCR, Eusi Kwayana was more than a politician. “He was a teacher, a chronicler, and a conscience for our nation. His life spanned generations of our political evolution, and his counsel, i n t e g r i t y, a n d u n w a v e r i n g commitment to principle earned him the respect of friend and adversary alike. The PNCR and APNU extend our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his life and work. We join the nation in mourning the loss of an elder statesman, and we pray that his soul finds eternal rest. May his legacy of service, scholarship, and sacrifice continue to inspire us all.” Enduring politician In a lengthy tribute, Dr. David Hinds said Kwayana is one of Guyana’s most enduring political figures, a leading Pan-Africanist
began during the 1940s, when he became active in village affairs. Around 1947, while still known as Sydney King, he joined a group of political activists led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan in establishing the PPP, which emerged as a major force in the struggle for self-government. “The PPP’s victory in Guyana’s first election under universal adult suffrage in 1953 brought Kwayana into government as Minister of Communication and Works. That administration, however, was short-lived. The British government suspended the Constitution in October 1953 and removed the PPP from office amid concerns about the direction of the government and the growing political tensions in the colony. Kwayana was subsequently among those detained by the British authorities in 1954, as the colonial administration sought to suppress
what it viewed as a threat of civil unrest.” According to Hinds, Kwayana’s political journey would eventually take him away from the PPP and towards a different vision of grassroots political organisation, race relations and social transformation. From the PPP to the WPA Kwayana later became involved in the establishment of organisations dedicated to African identity, cultural awareness and political empowerment. He helped develop the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), a grassroots movement that sought to strengthen cultural and political connections with independent African countries. ASCRIA became an important part of the political organising that preceded the formation of the WPA. In 1974, the organisation merged into the WPA, bringing Kwayana into a political movement that challenged the established political order and called for broader participation by working people in the country’s affairs. The WPA developed as a multiracial political movement with a strong emphasis on democratic participation, social justice and the organisation of ordinary citizens. Kwayana became part of its collective leadership and worked closely with historian, academic and political activist Dr. Walter Rodney. Rodney’s political a c t i v i s m a n d t h e W PA’s mobilisation attracted considerable attention during the 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by intense political tensions and competing visions for Guyana’s future. Kwayana remained associated with the movement through years of political struggle. In 1985, he was elected to the National Assembly as the WPA’s sole parliamentary representative, taking his place in Parliament during a consequential period in the country’s political history. His involvement in politics was not confined to parliamentary work. He was part of a generation of activists who used community organising, public discussion, writing and cultural expression to advance their political ideas. An educator committed to Buxton Hinds said long before his later political prominence, Kwayana had entered the teaching profession. He became a primary school teacher at just 15 years old, an early indication of the role education would play throughout his life. In 1956, he founded County High School in Continued on page 48
sKaieteur weN ruetNews eiaK
9 PAGE 1 EGA48 P
220Sunday 2 ,42 reOctober bmevoN 11, yad2026 sruhT
Govt. building forensic capacity to Attack on process evidence locally - Walrond Saudi ...500 police officers to be trained in evidence processing The Government of Guyana is building the capacity of the country’s forensic laboratory to process evidence locally, including ballistics and toxicology samples that are currently sent overseas for analysis, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond has disclosed. Speaking on a recent episode of the Starting Point Podcast, Walrond said strengthening local forensic capabilities would reduce the need to send samples abroad, a process she noted could be problematic. “...our samples don’t have to be sent abroad, which can be problematic. So, to be able to do that processing right here, whether it’s ballistics and toxicology reports and have them. So, we’re building up the capacity of our lab to be able to do that,” the Minister said. Walrond also disclosed that significant financial resources are being spent on training 500 police officers in evidence processing, with the aim of strengthening the handling and preservation of evidence through the conclusion of trials. The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL), which carries a reported price tag of $1 billion, was commissioned in July 2014. It was established under the Citizens’ Security Programme (CSP), an initiative undertaken by the Government in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In September 2025, the Kaieteur News reported that the GFSL, in collaboration with the Government Analyst–Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), had officially opened a three-day inter-laboratory training programme on Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The training, held at the IAST boardroom at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus, was designed to strengthen technical capacity among laboratories in Guyana that currently use, or are preparing to adopt, Atomic Absorption systems. According to a Ministry of Home Affairs press release, participating institutions included the GFSL, GA-FDD, IAST, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), University of Guyana, Hydrometeorological Service, Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, National Agricultural
Research and Extension Institute, Guyana Sugar Corporation, IMEX, Rice Development Board, Guyana Power and Light, and Demerara Distillers Limited. The initiative was described as the first of its kind in Guyana, bringing together government and private-sector laboratories. The training was offered at no cost to participating institutions as part of efforts to improve scientific expertise and support sustainable development. More recently, in February 2026, the United States Embassy in Guyana announced that forensic laboratory professionals from the GFSL had participated in an intensive technical exchange at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Southeast Laboratory in Miami from February 9 to 13. The programme was hosted by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the DEA, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the United States and Guyana in synthetic drug detection and reporting. The Guyanese team joined forensic laboratory directors, chemists and quality assurance managers from the Saint Lucia Forensic Science Laboratory, the Jamaica Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Forensic Laboratory. The training combined theoretical instruction with practical exercises in Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). Participants also observed DEA laboratory personnel processing a 200kilogram bulk seizure of suspected cocaine, giving them practical insight into advanced forensic techniques. According to the embassy, the collaboration supports the U.S. Department of State’s implementation of Executive Order 14367, which designates fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. The initiative seeks to address gaps in regional capabilities by strengthening the detection of synthetic narcotics and fentanyl, as well as safe handling, evidence preservation and reporting in Guyana and across the Caribbean.
airport leaves 12 dead, dozens wounded
A plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage area at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after a Houthi attack last month. [File:Aljazeera]
Reuters — The third attack this week on Riyadh’s international airport left 12 people dead on Saturday and dozens wounded, according to three people familiar with the matter, with all flights diverted and Western governments telling citizens to avoid the area. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the incident but Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have been escalating their missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, and claimed responsibility for the two earlier attacks this week. The spate of deadly strikes have exposed vulnerabilities in the kingdom’s ability to defend itself as it wages an air campaign against the Houthis to support a ground war by the Yemeni government against the Iranbacked group. The Saudi government’s media office did not immediately respond to questions on the incident and the casualty toll. There has been no official toll given. The people briefed on the matter, who include two Western officials, warned that the number of dead and wounded was not a final toll. The strike occurred without warning, with no alert issued by Saudi Arabia’s threat warning system. The wounded were evacuated to hospitals by ambulance and helicopter, with some in critical condition, the people said. Operations at the kingdom’s busiest airport, servicing a city of around 8 million people, were temporarily suspended, the civil aviation authority said. After the attack occurred, the Houthi military spokesperson retweeted his own post from before the attack, saying only preapproved humanitarian flights were allowed to land at Riyadh airport, adding the words: “a reminder.” The Houthi strikes earlier in the
week left four people dead and heavily damaged a Saudi commercial airliner. US President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters outside the White House, was asked whether Washington planned to join Saudi strikes on the Houthis. “We may. We’re going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack, so we’ll make a decision. We move very quickly,” he said. One eyewitness at the airport on Saturday reported seeing an explosion and then multiple people lying injured on the ground inside. More than a dozen ambulances were seen rushing toward the facility. A video verified by Reuters showed ambulances at the airport. An injured traveler told Reuters they saw something fly across the sky outside the airport before part of the ceiling near a departure gate collapsed. The US Embassy in Riyadh said it was “aware of attacks” and “strongly recommends all US citizens avoid this airport and surrounding areas.” The UK and Irish embassies in Saudi Arabia said in statements on X that they were also aware of a “serious incident” at the airport. The Canadian Embassy said that “ongoing military activity” had impacted operations at the airport. Flight-tracking site flightradar24 showed all flights to Riyadh had either been diverted or canceled, with only a helicopter hovering over the airport at one point. Kuwait Airways said it had canceled flights to and from the Saudi capital due to what it described as the closure of Riyadh airport because of the “security situation” there. Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways earlier canceled multiple flights between their respective hubs and Riyadh, with some cancellations extending into Monday.
Eusi Kwayana, Sage of Buxton, dies at 101 From page 47 Buxton and became its principal. The institution was later renamed Republic Cooperative High School. “His work in education reflected a commitment to developing opportunities for young people and strengthening community institutions. His connection to Buxton remained an important part of his identity, and the village featured prominently in his writings and reflections on Guyana’s social and political development. Kwayana’s life also demonstrated how education, culture and political participation could intersect. He did not limit his contribution to the classroom or the political platform; he used literature and theatre to explore questions of identity, history and social change.” Dr. Hinds said Kwayana was a prolific author whose published
works addressed some of the most consequential questions in Guyana’s history, including race relations, labour struggles, colonialism and the development of political movements. His books include The Bauxite Strike and the Old Politics, Scars of Bondage, Guyana: No Guilty Race, Buxton in Print and Memory, Morning After and Genesis of a Nation: The Indo-Guyanese Contribution to Social Change in Guyana. He also documented the final period of Rodney’s life in Walter Rodney: His Last Days and Campaigns, preserving an account of the political activism and campaigns surrounding one of Guyana’s most influential and controversial political figures. His writing reflected a sustained interest in the forces that shaped Guyanese society and the
relationships between race, class, culture and political power. Kwayana also made a contribution to the performing arts. His play, The Promised Land, performed by a young cast from Buxton, won the Best Play prize in the Youth Category at the British Guiana Drama Festival in 1965. His involvement in theatre demonstrated another dimension of his public life, using creative expression to engage audiences with social questions and the experiences of ordinary people. In a distinctive contribution to the country’s political culture, Kwayana also wrote lyrics for party songs associated with Guyana’s three leading political parties — the PPP, the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the WPA. A life spanning a century of change Kwayana’s personal life was
also closely connected to his PanAfricanist outlook. In 1968, he met Tchaiko Kwayana, an American Pan-Africanist and civil rights activist formerly known as Ann Cook. The two married in Georgetown in 1971, incorporating Yoruba rites into their wedding ceremony. Tchaiko became involved in his organisational work and shared his interest in Pan-Africanism and political activism. She died in 2017. In 2002, Kwayana retired from active public life and moved to California in the United States. His life covered a remarkable period in Guyana’s history, from British colonial rule and the early movement for self-government to independence, the emergence of competing political parties and the struggles over democracy, race relations and economic
development that shaped the postindependence era. Kwayana’s political path crossed with some of the most consequential figures and movements in the country’s modern history. Yet his contribution extended beyond his association with political leaders and organisations. Through teaching, writing, theatre and community organising, he helped document and shape debates about the kind of society Guyana should become. His death at 101 marks the passing of a figure whose life was closely intertwined with the country’s political evolution. His writings, educational work and record of activism remain part of the historical record of Guyana’s long and complex journey from colonialism to independence and beyond.
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 49
PAGE 50
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 51
PAGE 52
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
Thursday November 24, 2022 Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 53 19
G Mining Ventures backs Deputy Mayor’s Cup as kickoff nears Tournament coordinator welcomes mining c o m p a n y ’s s u p p o r t a s preparations intensify for the 24-team championship One week before kickoff, the Deputy Mayor’s Cup has received a further boost, with G Mining Ventures throwing its support behind this year’s championship. The company’s Administrative Officer in the Country Management
Department, Roylyn Melville-James, formalised the agreement with tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur during a recent visit. The backing adds to the strong support the tournament has attracted ahead of its opening night. The Deputy Mayor’s Nine-a-side Inter-Ward Knockout Football Championship will kick off at the Den Amstel ground on
Sunday, October 18, with the final set for November 8 at the Plaisance ground. The tournament will be played over five nights of action. Twenty-four village teams will contest the straight knockout competition, played without t h e o f f s i d e p e n a l t y, organisers expect two things; plenty goals and competitive football. The champions will take home $500,000 in cash,
Sunday October 11, 2026 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You should be looking especially attractive today and glowing with robust health, Aries. You're apt to feel warm and loving, particularly toward small animals. If you've considered adopting a pet, this is a good day to do it. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you should be feeling especially warm and loving toward close friends and children, Taurus. You could also especially appreciate the arts. You might attend a play. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might decide to buy a plant for every room in your house or plant a garden, Gemini. If the weather is good, you might visit a nursery or botanical garden. CANCER (June 21–July 22) A warm and loving communication could come to you today from someone close. This could be an email, call, or even a gift of some kind. This could make your day, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A very welcome sum of extra money could come your way today, possibly out of the blue. You might want to put this money to work for you in some way, perhaps investing it or purchasing supplies or materials for personal projects. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you may feel especially warm and loving toward just about everybody in your circle, even those you usually find irritating. You could also be looking especially attractive and feeling more confident than usual.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Someone you care about but haven't seen for a long time could suddenly contact you. You'd usually love this, Libra, but today you could be too caught up in projects of your own to want to put them aside. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A goal that you've been working on could finally be reached, Scorpio. A group of friends you might not have seen for a long time could schedule a small get-together that you will be all too glad to attend, if possible. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today you could talk to some interesting new people, Sagittarius. Among them is at least one person who shares a lot of your interests and could become a close friend. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A book or movie about a foreign country could capture your imagination and make that country seem especially appealing, Capricorn. You might toy with the idea of taking a trip there in the future. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Someone close who owes you money might suddenly turn up and repay you, Aquarius. This might be a surprise, but you will be glad to get it. You may want to blow some of it by taking a friend out to lunch or buying someone a gift. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) To d a y y o u s h o u l d f e e l especially warm and loving toward everyone close to you, Pisces, particularly a love partner. You may want to spend some time with friends or family.
while the runners-up will collect $200,000. Each match will last 30 minutes. Excitement among the teams continues to build, with several villages carrying strong credentials expected to be among the leading contenders. Every night is set to bring a fresh challenge as teams battle for a place in the final. The tournament is also supported by a number of long-standing partners: Sari, Toolsie Persaud Limited, Gafoors, Beharry Concrete Readymix, Star Party Rental, Silvie’s Industrial Solution, Demerara Distillers Limited, China Trading, Eddie’s Bobcat, IPA, Patrick Barton, Edmond Vieira, Bjorn Juene and the Commissioner of Police’s Office.
Peter Lewis ACS powers... From page 59 were held in Regions 5 and 6; this year, the playoffs will be played in Region 3. The National Playoffs are expected to feature a spectacular programme of cultural entertainment and family activities, making the event more than just a cricket competition. The 3rd One Guyana Inter-Region Ten10 Softball Cricket Cup is expected to generate significant national attention and attract extensive participation from players and supporters throughout the country. With millions of dollars in prizes, regional pride at stake, new opportunities for interior players, and a strong focus on community unity, the stage is set for another major chapter in Guyana’s grassroots softball cricket. The tournament is being powered by Peter Lewis Associated Construction Services, Lindsayca Guyana, Alki’s Investments, 6 S Construction, GMINING, Bashier and Sons Construction Inc., Courts, Guyoil, Mohamed’s Excavation Construction Inc., Tourism Guyana, T&R Construction, Z’S Business Enterprise, A’S Concrete Business and Hoosein Security. “This is more than just a To u r n a m e n t . I t i s A Celebration of Talent. It is A Celebration of Togetherness. A Celebration of Sports & It is A Celebration of One Guyana.”
G Mining Ventures endorses the Deputy Mayor’s Cup. Roylyn Melville-James, Administrative Officer, Country Management Department, solidifies the agreement with tournament coordinator Lennox Arthur during a recent visit.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 54
Sunday October 11, 2026
Joseph pilots St. Joseph’s High to Deputy CoP tapeball Trophy ...Savir Narine named Player of the Tournament St. Joseph’s High School defeated Diamond Secondary to win the Deputy Commissioner of Police Secondary schools’ tapeball cricket trophy on Sunday last. The final was played on the National Culture Centre tarmac and was hosted by Uprising Promotion. Along with the trophy, the winning team received medals. The road to the final was one to remember, in the semi-finals, St. Joseph’s High defeated St. John’s College, while
Tournament organiser James Lewis handing over Deputy Commissioner Secondary Schools Tapeball trophy to last week winners St. Joseph High School Diamond Secondary got the better of B.V. Secondary School. That set up a final between St. Joseph’s High and Diamond Secondary. Batting first in the final, St. Joseph’s High posted 47 for 3. Savir Narine top-scored with a brisk 21. Shane Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 28.
Diamond Secondary could muster only 28 for 7 in reply. Kareem Joseph did most of the damage with figures of 4 for 19. Savir Narine was named Player of the Tournament. Next Competition The next competition is scheduled for Sunday, 18th October, 2026, at the National Park tarmac. All 5th and 6th Form students
are excluded from the competition. A number of senior executives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation are supporting the competition through sponsorship. They include Ambassador Ivan Evelyn, Ambassador Audrey Waddle, Ambassador Keith George and Hon. Carl Greenidge.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
PAGE 55
36-Member LGC contingent set for Suriname Showdown Former champions headline strong Guyanese challenge at 2026 DSB Suriname Invitational Golf Championship Guyana’s golfing strength will be on full display in Suriname this month when a formidable 36member contingent from the Lusignan Golf Club travels to Paramaribo for the 2026 DSB Suriname Invitational Golf Championship. The sizeable delegation brings together former champions, experienced campaigners, established tournament players and golfers looking to make their mark on the international stage, with Lusignan aiming to build on its history of success at the regional tournament. Leading the charge is Avinash Persaud, a 14-time Guyana Open champion who captured the overall title at the 2025 DSB Suriname Invitational. Persaud also won the 2026 SBM Offshore Championship and will return to Suriname determined to defend his crown against a competitive international field. He will be joined by fellow former champions Patanjilee “Pur” Persaud, Patrick Prashad and Brian Hackett, each bringing a proven record of success at the tournament. Patanjilee Persaud returns as the defending B Flight champion after winning the division at the 2025 DSB Suriname Invitational. His credentials have been further strengthened by his victory at the inaugural National Top Flight Golf League championship in 2026. Patrick Prashad, the 2024 DSB Suriname Invitational champion, also enters the tournament with strong momentum after winning Tour No. 2 of the National Top Flight Golf League in 2026. Hackett, meanwhile, captured the DSB Suriname Invitational B Flight title in 2023 and continued his success this year by winning Tour No. 1 of the National Top Flight Golf League. Chet Bowling is another player whose recent achievements make him one to watch. Bowling finished second in the B Flight at the 2025 DSB Suriname Invitational before going on to win Tour No. 3 of the
The likes of Avinash Persaud, Patanjilee Persaud, Patrick Prashad, Chet Bowling, Joaan Deo, Carlos Adams, Brian Hackett are expected to bring the heat when they touch down in Suriname
National Top Flight Golf League in 2026. He also claimed the inaugural President’s Cup title this year, adding another significant achievement to his growing list of honours. Adding further experience is Carlos Adams, who secured third place in the Senior Flight at the 2025 DSB Suriname Invitational.
Adams also finished third in the C Flight at the 2022 edition, demonstrating his ability to compete successfully across different divisions. The challenge will not be limited to the men, with multipletime ladies champion Dr. Joaan Deo also included in the Lusignan contingent. Her presence further
strengthens a team boasting championship experience across several categories. Beyond the established names, Lusignan’s strength lies in its depth. The contingent includes golfers such as Ian Gouveia, who returns to Suriname after several years away, alongside a broad cross-section of
t h e c l u b ’s c o m p e t i t i v e membership. For many, the tournament represents an opportunity to test their games against international opposition and translate their local form into success on foreign soil. The significance of the trip extends beyond individual competition. While golf remains an individual sport once the first tee is reached, travelling as a large group to represent Lusignan and Guyana creates a strong sense of collective pride. Each player will have personal ambitions, but together they will carry the colours and reputation of one of Guyana’s leading golf clubs. The tournament will also provide another opportunity for Guyanese golfers to measure themselves against Surinamese and other international competitors while strengthening the growing relationship between the golfing communities of the two neighbouring countries. For Persaud and his fellow former champions, the challenge will be to maintain their winning form. For the emerging players, it will be an opportunity to make their mark on the international stage. With 36 golfers making the journey, Lusignan will have strength in numbers as the club seeks to compete strongly across the various divisions, represent Guyana with distinction and bring championship silverware home from Suriname. LGC 36-member team: Carlos Adams, Rohan Albert, Kishan Bacchus, Feroze Barakat, Alista Bishop, Dusty Bledsoe, Chet Bowling, Troy Cadogan, Joaan Deo, Maurice Deo, Vishal Dhanai, Roy Dhori, Sabi Dhori, Mohanlall Dinanauth, Orson Ferguson, Marlon George, Paton George, Alan Glyn-Cuthbert, Ian Gouveia, Brian Hackett, Fazil Hanif, Rakesh Harry, Roy Harry, Dharmdat Heerlall, Oliver Kassam, Chandra Lakeraj, JJ Madud, Mike Mangal, Maxim Mangra, Avinash Persaud, Karamchand Persaud, Patanjilee Persaud, Avinash Prashad, Patrick Prashad, Maurice Solomon and Princessa Wilkie.
Classic Ball Blasters Overpower Vanguard VC in Four-Set Thriller The Classic Ball Blasters (CBB) staged a commanding comeback to defeat Vanguard VC 3-1 in a high-octane volleyball clash, proving their resilience after a rocky start. Vanguard VC drew first blood in the opening frame, capitalizing on early momentum to edge ahead 25–22. Refusing to back down, CBB recalibrated and struck back with authority in the second set, leveling the playing field with a 25–18
victory. The third set was a masterclass in domination. CBB found their rhythm, suffocating Vanguard’s defense and cruising to a lopsided 25–13 win. Smelling blood in the water, the Ball Blasters maintained their aggressive play into the fourth frame, holding off a late Vanguard surge to seal the match 25–21.
CBB Volleyball Club pulled off a big win over Vanguards While Vanguard VC fought valiantly throughout the contest, they ultimately crumbled under the
weight of a massive momentum shift. With this stellar bounce-back performance, CBB proved that they
have both the mental fortitude and the firepower to handle the pressure when the stakes are high.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 56
Sunday October 11, 2026
Rivas’ winner sends GIA into Quarters as Tucville, Leonora Primary maintain strong pursuit - Courts Pee Wee U11 Football tournament moves to quarterfinals phase Georgetown International Academy (GIA) and defending champions Leonora Primary continued their impressive runs in the 13th Annual Courts Pee Wee Under-11 Boys Football Tournament, securing victories to advance to the quarter-finals following Saturday’s Round of 16 action at the Ministry of Education ground. GIA ‘A’ edged St John the Baptist Primary 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter, with tournament top scorer Yoseph Rivas once again proving decisive. The winner eventually came as Rivas found the breakthrough in the 39th minute to settle the contest and maintain his scoring streak, having found the back of the net in every match leading up to the knockout stage. St John the Baptist Primary fought to find an equaliser but were unable to breach the GIA defence, bringing their title campaign to an end. Defending champions Leonora Primary also kept their title defence intact with a comfortable 2-0 victory over St Theresa Primary. Captain Johnathan Melvin and Nerson Persaud spearheaded the attack, with Persaud opening the scoring in the seventh minute before Melvin doubled the advantage in the 18th to seal Leonora’s passage into the last eight. Santa Rosa Primary booked their quarterfinal place after overcoming a determined St Gabriel’s Primary, with Ethan Richards
Roger Jason sends Tucville Primary into this year’s quarterfinals with a heroic hat-trick performance scoring both goals to secure the victory and ended St Gabriel’s hopes of advancing. Waramuri Primary, meanwhile, delivered a commanding performance against the Georgetown side, thrashing GIA ‘B’ 4-0 in their round of sixteen clash. Riyad Peters opened the scoring before Lemar Matthias and Dwayne Williams took charge, extending
a three-goal advantage with goals in the 36th and 39th minutes, respectively. Aaden Williams then capitalised on a defensive lapse to add the fourth in the 40th minute, completing a convincing victory for Waramuri. West Ruimveldt Primary, Tucville Primary and Marian Academy also secured their places in the quarter-finals. West Ruimveldt edged the Plaisance outfit 1-0, with Malachi Murray netting the decisive goal in a closely fought encounter. Tucville Primary produced a more emphatic display, defeating Pakuri Primary 3-0 through a hat-trick from Roger Jason. Jason struck in the sixth, 15th and 40th minutes to power his school into the next round. While Marian Academy advanced with a 2-0 victory over St Pius Primary, as Elijah Jodhan and Miel Parks scored one goal apiece to secure the win. Potaro Primary completed the list of quarter-finalists with a 3-0 triumph over Redeemer Primary. Lamon Telemaque led the charge with a brace in the 13th and 49th minutes, while Ramario Smith contributed the other goal to round off a convincing performance. With the Round of 16 completed, Potaro Primary, Georgetown International Academy, Leonora Primary, Santa Rosa Primary, Waramuri Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, Tucville Primary and Marian
Yoseph Rivas slams the winner for Georgetown International Academy to send them into this year’s quarterfinal’s stage. Academy will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, where victories will bring them one step closer to the championship. The tournament is sponsored by Courts Optical, with support from Demerara Mutual Life, MVP Sports, SkyTec Enterprise, Sterling Products Limited (Ice Cream) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
New One Guyana T10 Tapeball champion to be crowned tonight in Anna Regina The stage is set in Essequibo for what promises to be a landmark conclusion to the Lotto/Let’sBet One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast. After a gruelling nationwide trail featuring 80 teams, just four unbeaten contenders remain. On Sunday, October 11, the Anna Regina National Stadium will host a blockbuster finals day, with national supremacy and a staggering $2 million grand prize on the line for the last team standing. Berbice heavyweights GrillMaster Sip N Play All-Stars, three-time semi-finalists Mahdia (Movements Family), Lusignan Bulls DTP II, and SVC/AJM CC will put their unblemished records on the line in a tournament that has c a p t u r e d t h e c o u n t r y ’s imagination. “This has truly been a tournament to remember,” said tournament director John Ramsingh. “We are witnessing the
absolute pinnacle of local tapeball where the best collide on our biggest stage.” Beyond the $2 million crown, the runners-up will take home $1 million, while each losing semifinalist earns $500,000, adding to the $500,000 already secured as respective zone champions. Sunday’s action will also break with domestic convention as FL Sport pioneers umpire TV reviews in local tapeball. Utilizing a review system for critical run-out, stumping, and bowling-action calls—bolstered by the addition of international umpire Zahid Bassarath to the officiating panel—the tournament is aiming for professional precision. “This innovation represents a major step forward for local tapeball cricket, ensuring highstakes matches are officiated with professional precision,” Ramsingh added. Individual brilliance will
From left: Kwesi Mickle, Suresh Dhanai, Richie Looknauth and Kemol Savory command heavy rewards courtesy of Regal Super Centre. The tournament MVP drives away with a brand-new motorbike and $150,000, while the leading runscorer and wicket-taker each pocket $100,000 and a television set. The tournament also offers cash prizes for Player of the Final ($75,000), Super Strike Rate ($50,000), and Best Economy Rate ($50,000). Action bowls off at 13:00h with a five-over women’s clash between Tapakuma (Elite Warriors) and Capey United. Semi-final I follows at 14:00h as GrillMaster battle Mahdia, before Lusignan Bulls meet SVC/AJM CC at 16:00h.
After an 18:00h President’s Exhibition Match, the two semifinal victors will square off under the lights at 20:00h to crown the new One Guyana T10 champion. Squads: GrillMaster Sip N Play All-Stars: Kwesi Micke (c), Zeynul Ramsammy (vc), Seon Hetmyer, Ricardo Ramdehol, Martin Singh, Z a m e e r N a z e e r, D e v e n d r a Ramotar, Mark Jackman, Junior Sinclair, Malcom Mickle, Keith Fraser, Micah Amsterdam, Eon Hooper, Carl Gilgeous, Devon Wharton. Mahdia (Movements Family): Suresh Dhanai (c), Ershaad Ali, Andy Lall, Andrew Gibson, Yeudistir Persaud, Devendra Latchman, Sanjay Algoo, Gavin Moriah, Orin Gibson, Neiland
Cadogan, Nathan Persaud, Ryan Adams, Deonarine Seegobin. Lusignan Bulls DTP II: Richie Looknauth (c), Vishwanauth Ramlakhan (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Jason Anderson, Travis Kadir, Dequan Bamfield, Bruce Vincent, Beepaul Bandoo, Ricky Sergeant, Karmanchand Persaud, Malcom Hubbard, Mark Jeffers, Mahendra Persaud, Chaitram Balgobin, Joshua James. SVC/AJM CC: Kemol Savory (c), Safraz Esau (vc), Jonte Thomas, Kevon Boodie, Jonathan Fernandes, Leon Swamy, Ojay Shields, Miguel Cummins, Nial Smith, Keon Sinclair, David Williams, Jamar Ifill, Kalvin Markus, Travis Drakes, Reviera Cottle.
Sunday October 11, 2026
Kaieteur News
PAGE 57
SHC S’Team unstoppable GDF U17 maintain unbeaten run with in U21 division, Percival’s commanding win over Western Tigers hat-trick enough T for Phantom Troupe - as National Junior indoor hockey heads for thrilling finale SHC S’Team continued their impressive run at the Guyana Hockey Board’s National Junior Indoor Hockey Championships, recording another victory on the penultimate day to strengthen their push for championship honours as the tournament heads into yesterday’s finale. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall provided the stage for another absorbing day of competition, with teams battling to maintain their momentum, secure vital victories and build confidence ahead of the tournament’s climax. The stakes were high, with important semifinals tickets on the line. The remaining contenders had little room for error in their pursuit of national junior indoor hockey supremacy across the U17 and U21 divisions. In the lone Boys’ Under-21 division match on Thursday, SHC S’Team continued their relentless charge, overcoming OFHC Vipers 3-1 behind a commanding double from Ezekiel Moses. Moses broke the deadlock in the 12th minute before Jabari Lovell doubled S’Team’s advantage three minutes later, giving the side a firm grip on proceedings. OFHC Vipers responded through Yonick Norton to reduce the deficit, but S’Team remained composed under pressure. Moses struck again in the 23rd minute to complete his brace and seal another important victory for his team. The result underlined S’Team’s consistency heading into the final day, with Moses once again proving decisive when it mattered most. The Girls’ Under-17 division also produced an emphatic display, as OFHC Phantom Troupe overwhelmed Hikers Junior Jets 4-0 in their Group A encounter. Tinashe Henry and Keitanna Percival gave Phantom Troupe a commanding start, establishing a two-goal cushion before Percival took center stage with two further strikes in the 11th and 17th minutes to complete a hat-trick. Percival’s clinical performance proved the difference, as Phantom Troupe combined attacking efficiency with defensive discipline to register a convincing shutout. In Group B, SHC Sensations also kept their opponents at bay, defeating Multi Stars 3-0. Isabelle Grouper led the charge with a brace, continuing her influence in the competition as Sensations produced a composed performance to strengthen their position ahead of the decisive phase. The Boys’ Under-17 competition delivered its share of drama, with Hikers Hatchets edging Multi Alumni 1-0 in Group C. The tightly contested encounter appeared destined for a narrow finish, and Keyon Todd supplied the decisive moment in the 18th minute, finding the breakthrough to spark celebrations for Hikers Hatchets. However, it was GCC Outlaws who produced one of the most dominant attacking displays of the day, overwhelming SJHS Warriors in a goal-filled encounter. Eli Atwell set the tone with an early brace, while Kristen Viapree added a different dimension to the Outlaws’ attack with three goals of his own. Jaleel Bynoe also found the net in the 18th minute, but the Warriors were unable to contain the relentless pressure as the Outlaws maintained their attacking intensity. With the preliminary battles now complete and the semifinal line-up confirmed, attention turns to the championship-deciding day, when the best-performing teams across the various divisions will compete for a place in the finals before the ultimate showdown for honours. At press time, OHFC Vipers, GCC Cowboys moved ahead with wins in the U21 division, while OFHC Phantom Troupe, SHC Sensation SHC Sigmas had already booked spots into U17 final with crucial wins.
he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Under-17 team continued its impressive run in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Yo u t h E n s e m b l e competition for Elite League clubs, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Western Tigers FC at the Tucville ground. GDF produced another disciplined performance in the double-header fixture, with Daymotrien Budhan, Brandon Parks and Raven Vancooten each finding the back of the net to extend the team’s unbeaten run in the competition. After a cagey opening period, Budhan broke the deadlock in the 20th minute to give GDF a crucial 1-0 lead. Parks doubled the advantage five minutes later, capitalising on his side’s attacking momentum to put the soldiers firmly in control at 2-0. Vancooten added further gloss to the scoreline with a 42nd-minute strike, leaving Western Tigers with a
Aaron Vasconcellas stars with double as Santos FC topples Police FC in Elite League Youth Ensemble, also scoring in the 4-2 victory were Alex Bentick and Casmir Thomas. mountain to climb. GDF maintained its advantage until the final whistle, sealing a comfortable threegoal victory. Earlier in the doubleheader, Santos FC overcame Police FC 4-2, with junior jags player Aaron Vasconcellas netting twice in a productive attacking display. Santos made a blistering start, with Alex Bentick opening the scoring in the second minute before Vasconcellas extended the
lead in the 13th to put his side 2-0 ahead. Police responded through Tyrese Johnson, who pulled one back in the 22nd minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1. However, Santos restored its two-goal cushion when Vasconcellas struck again in the 31st minute, completing his brace. Thomas then found the net in the 36th minute to push Santos further ahead at 4-1, leaving Police with a difficult task in the closing
stages. Johnson added his second goal of the contest later in the second half, but it proved insufficient to spark a comeback as Santos held on for a 4-2 victory. G D F ’s c o n t i n u e d unbeaten run and Santos’ important win underscored the competitive nature of the G F F Yo u t h E n s e m b l e programme, which provides a platform for Elite League clubs to showcase their Under-17 talent while competing for national honours.
NSC takes ‘Learn to Swim’ programme to Mahdia Region 8 from Monday The National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will take its ‘Learn to Swim’ programme to Mahdia Region 8 (PotaroSiparuni) from Monday, October 12, providing more than 200 children with hands-on training from certified swimming coaches. The initiative represents an extension of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to expand access to sporting opportunities across Guyana, while promoting water safety and developing swimming skills among children in communities where the sport is an important part of everyday life. The programme’s arrival in Potaro-Siparuni also fulfils a commitment made by Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, during a previous visit to the region. Jacobs had promised to facilitate the deployment of NSC-attached swimming coaches following a request from residents, who
highlighted the importance of swimming in the area and the need for structured training to help children develop their abilities safely. With more than 300 children expected to benefit, the programme will provide participants with practical instruction and guidance from qualified coaches, helping them build confidence in the water while learning fundamental swimming techniques. Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle described the initiative as an important undertaking for the NSC, emphasising that the C o m m i s s i o n ’s b r o a d e r objective is to ensure that the b e n e f i t s o f o rg a n i s e d sporting programmes reach communities throughout the country. He stated that NSC coach Paul Mahaica has been dispatched to Region 8 to spearhead the programme which will conclude at the Roger Hinds Pool on Friday. “Our aim is to have the ‘Learn to Swim’ programme in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana, and taking it to Region Eight is
particularly important to us,” Ninvalle said. He noted that extending the programme beyond the more accessible coastal communities is essential to ensuring that children in hinterland regions are not left behind when it comes to accessing sporting opportunities and professional coaching. Ninvalle also underscored the wider significance of the initiative, pointing to swimming’s value not only as a competitive discipline but also as an essential life skill. “For us at the National Sports Commission, this programme is about more than just teaching children how to swim. It is about equipping them with a skill that can protect their lives, building confidence and creating opportunities for young people to develop an appreciation for sport,” he said. He added that bringing certified coaches to PotaroSiparuni demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to making sports development more inclusive
and responsive to the needs of communities across Guyana. The initiative is particularly relevant in Region 8, where swimming is a familiar activity for many residents. However, access to structured instruction can make a significant difference in helping children develop proper techniques, understand water safety and build the foundations necessary for further advancement in the sport. Through the programme, the NSC and the Ministry are seeking to bridge that gap by bringing professional expertise directly to the children, rather than limiting training opportunities to communities with established sporting facilities and resources. The ‘Learn to Swim’ initiative forms part of the wider national sports development agenda, which seeks to introduce children to different sporting disciplines, identify emerging talent and strengthen grassroots participation.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 58
Sunday October 11, 2026
India and West Indies head to Indore for potential run-fest with series level (Cricinfo) - Just when you think it can’t get worse for the West Indies and India bowlers, their next venue is Indore. After 501 runs were scored in Ranchi in 38.3 overs - 352 of them in boundaries - these two beleaguered bowling units get only one day to recover before they are put to the sword in the most notorious of batting paradises. There hasn’t been any T20 cricket in Indore for two years, but the last three ODIs have had scores of 399, 385 and 337. In the last completed IPL match there, eight years ago, 245 played 214. India have also scored 260 at the venue against Sri Lanka in 2017, in an era when they weren’t even as serious about T20 cricket. Indore usually turns out to be a true surface and has notoriously small boundaries, as most grounds in the middle of Indian cities tend to do. That few T20 records have occurred there just seems to be more happenstance, a lack of familiarity, than design. Another statistical oddity is that on this tour so far, all five matches - three ODIs and two T20Is - have been won by chasing sides. However in Indore, 200plus scores have been successfully defended in all the four matches that mark was breached. There have also been only two successful chases in eight ODIs there. The MO of the
Indore usually turns out to be a true surface and has notoriously small boundaries, as most grounds in the middle of Indian cities tend to do (Getty Images)
winning sides, in all instances, has been burying the opposition under a mountain of runs. On one occasion, Indore hosted Virender Sehwag’s doublecentury all the way back in 2011, as India scored 418 batting first. Now I know what you’re thinking, punk. Does it grip more in the night even though science says it shouldn’t? We need to keep
in mind these are sides that have chased down 405 and 351 in just this recent ODI series, then 249 in the previous T20I. So, you’ve got to ask yourself a question. “Do I feel lucky?” Well, do ya, punk? In the spotlight - Yadav and Rutherford In Ranchi, Kuldeep Yadav was the only one to take a wicket for India
outside the powerplay, but as the duration of matches has gone down on this tour, his effectiveness has been on the wane. His four overs went for 53 runs and yielded only S h e r f a n e R u t h e r f o r d ’s wicket, but not before Rutherford had taken him down for two sixes in 10 balls. This will remain the key middle-overs battle if West Indies lose Shimron Hetmyer early again.
CWI HP Batting Territorial Tour commences operations in Guyana
T
he Cricket West Indies (CWI) High Performance Batting Territorial Tour arrived at the Guyana National Stadium last week, bringing elite technical refinement to the country’s top cricketing talent while continuing the overall growth of West Indies cricket for the future. Led by veteran CWI Batting Consultant Bob Carter, the intensive camp at Providence focused on elevating the tactical and technical skills of Guyana’s premier batsmen ahead of the upcoming regional season. The training zeroed in on crucial mechanical adjustments, including grip alignment, backswing bat-lift, and crease management. “It’s about expanding individual skill sets and improving decision-making across different phases of an innings,” Carter noted during one of the recent sessions, praising the local players’ work ethic and hunger to adapt. The sessions also integrated local Guyanese coaches, ensuring the highperformance principles leave a lasting legacy. As the camp concludes, Guyana’s top order looks sharper and better equipped to handle the demands of modern international cricket.
CWI batting consultant Bob Carter having a chat with some of the coaches this week at Providence.
Team news: India won’t change much Since dew was a major factor in India’s defeat in the previous T20I, it is hard to expect them to question their policy of playing only three specialist bowlers. Yes, Axar Patel has had a surprisingly great year so far, especially with the new ball, but the last match was a perfect example of why you can’t pencil in Axar, or any fingerspinner,
for four overs every match. India, though, could look at introducing a right-hand batter in Nitish Kumar Reddy at the expense of Shivam Dube, who had an ordinary night with both bat and ball in Ranchi. India (probable XI): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Shreyas Iyer (capt.), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Naman Dhir, 7 Nitish Kumar Reddy/Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mayank Yadav, 11 Arshdeep Singh. After the win in Ranchi, West Indies might want to go in with the same XI. As things stand, they do not have too many other bowling options in their squad anyway. West Indies (probable XI): 1 Shai Hope (capt. & wk), 2 Kamil Pooran, 3 S h i m r o n H e t m y e r, 4 Rovman Powell, 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 Romario Shepherd, 7 Roston Chase, 8 Shamar Springer, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Gudakesh Motie. Pitch and conditions Rohit Sharma, Hashim Amla, Cheteshwar Pujara, Shreyas Iyer and Rilee Rossouw are the disparate players to have scored T20 centuries in Indore. Virender Sehewag scored his ODI double-hundred here. The weather for Sunday says that Indore will have a high of 34 and a low of 17 degrees Celsius, which could be ideal conditions for dew formation.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 11, 2026
All systems in place for Berbice Invasion drag race meet
A
ll systems are in place for today’s ( S u n d a y ) Berbice Invasion Drag Race Meet at the Rose Hall Canje Airstrip, with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) reporting encouraging fan interest ahead of the event. The club’s spokesman said preparations have been ongoing at the venue for the past three days, with the timing system scheduled to be installed on Friday and Saturday as organisers work with stakeholders to ensure a successful meet. “Our team has been at the venue for the last three days, preparing and ensuring all systems are in place. We have our timing system going in on Friday and
Saturday, and we are working with all stakeholders to ensure we deliver a great event,” he said. “All of our stakeholders, the Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Police Force, sponsors, and support staff, are being put in place. Some of those services we needed just reopen the channel of communication and we got those up and running. But fans and spectators can look forward to more than 200 races come Sunday.” Qualifying will take place from 10:00 hrs, with elimination rounds set to take place from 12:15. The spokesman also expressed optimism about spectator turnout, citing strong interest from
residents across Berbice. Organisers have established four designated parking areas for spectators, with clearly marked signs and directions. Ticket booths will be available in each area, allowing patrons to buy tickets before entering the venue. Shuttle buses will
transport spectators between the parking areas and the airstrip, with return services provided after the event. The GMR&SC has urged patrons to follow instructions from security personnel and parking attendants. The GMR&SC will designate general and
PAGE 59
The Guyana Fire Service washing down the surface before today (Sunday’s) event.
VIP parking areas and enforce no-parking zones. Spectators are reminded that firearms, weapons, outside food and drinks and unauthorized vending are prohibited. Reckless driving outside the drag strip and illegal parking will not be tolerated.
Patrons and vehicles may also be subject to security checks. The event is organised by the GMR&SC, w ith EN et, Tropical Shipping, Castrol, GuyOil and KFC among the sponsors. For VIP tickets and corporate suites, patrons can contact 632-4820.
Peter Lewis ACS powers One Guyana Inter Region Softball Cup Guyana’s Biggest Open Softball Cricket Tournament will take the country by storm in the 3rd edition of the “One Guyana InterRegion Ten10 Softball Cup” bowls off in Region 5 on Sunday 18th October at the Bath Community Centre Ground. Throwing its support towards the tournament is prominent businessman and an icon in the construction sector Peter Lewis Associated Construction Services of Region 6. CEO of the company Mr. Peter Lewis, who is an icon in the construction sector and a strong community minded person said his company is pleased to support the tournament which is a grassroot sports and being played in villages where it generated from. Mr. Lewis point out that, this type of cricket is where all cricketers starts their career and then move on. This is local cricket that gives young villagers the opportunity to get involved more in the game and the best part of it is that the game can play in any weather and that’s where the fun and action is. He spoke of years back when villagers will gathered on Sunday mornings at play grounds to see the game of softball that have involved village players and no matter if it’s sun or rain the game goes on to the finish. Mr. Lewis said, softball cricket brings joy to the communities because all are involved, young and old in all ages, people comes out to support no matter of race, religion or politics and that’s what make it a village sports. Mr. Lewis said that opportunities for female participation is ideal in this tournament because not always we see promoters caters for female cricketers in promotion but this is a fantastic opportunity for the female to step up also. Mr. Lewis extend his best wishes to all participating teams. Peter Lewis Associated construction is the title sponsor in the Male category of the tournament. Manager of RS Sports Mr. Abel Seetaram thank Peter Lewis Assocated Construction
...Bowls off October 18 in Region 5 Representative of Peter Lewis Associated Construction Ms. Rihana Jaikisson and Manager of RS Sports Mr. Abel Seetaram displays a replica of the sponsorship.
for being onboard with Guyana Biggest Softball competition and assure him that this 3rd edition of the tournament will be played within all rules and regulations that governs the game. Mr. Seetaram said that Peter Lewis Associated Construction Services have supported hundreds over the years not only in sports but in general and the company like to keep in quiet but when companies and community minded persons like Mr. Lewis take their social responsibilities seriously like this Guyanese must be made aware of their contributions towards development. The tournament gets into action on Sunday 18th October in Region 5 and will then move on to Regions 4, 6 and 10 on Sunday 25th October; while on Sunday 1st November teams in Regions 2 and 3 will take to the fields. The action then moves to Region 7 on Sunday 8th November.
According to RS Sports, the winner of each region in both categories will head to Region 3 for the National Playoffs on the 14th and 15th of November. In the regional playoffs, the winner of the male category will walk away with $100,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up, MVP, Player of the Final, Best Bowler in an innings, and Highest Score in an innings will walk away with trophies. In the female category, the winner will walk away with $50,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up, MVP, Player of the Final, Best Bowler in an innings, and Highest Score in an innings will walk away with trophies. The games will be played at 10 overs per innings and round-arm bowling. Extras will be in play, and a bowler can only bowl two overs maximum. The organisers said each region will have different closing dates for registration, and
Teams can get registered by sending their information via WhatsApp on 725-7829. The entrance fee per team is $20,000. The closing date for registration in Region 5 is on Friday, 16th October at 4 pm, and thereafter will be the drawing Supporting the tournament is not simply sponsoring cricket, it is investing in community development, national unity, and the continued growth of one of Guyana’s most popular grassroots sports. The 3rd One Guyana Inter-Region Ten10 Softball Cricket Cup is expected to generate significant national attention and attract extensive participation from players and supporters throughout the country. With millions of dollars in prizes, regional pride at stake, new opportunities for interior players, and a strong focus on unity, the stage is set for another major chapter in Guyana’s grassroots softball cricket. Teams are requested to submit the registration forms with all the information needed via WhatsApp at 725-7829. The entrance fee is $20,000 per team. In the national playoffs, the Winner in the men’s category will take home $1.3 million and the winning trophy; the runner-up $300,000 and trophy; the Player of the Tournament (MVP) $70,000 and trophy, along with other prizes: Player of the final $30,000 and trophy, Best bowling figure in an innings $20,000 and a trophy, Batsman with the highest individual score $20,000 and trophy. While in the women’s playoffs, the winner will take home $500,000 and the winning trophy; the runner-up $200,000 and trophy; the Player of the Tournament (MVP) with $50,000 and trophy, along with other prizes; Player of the Final $30,000 and trophy; Best bowling figure in an innings $20,000 and trophy; Batsman with the highest individual score $20,000 and trophy. The organisers said that it’s about taking the tournament to the people, and the playoffs Continued on page 53
Eight schools set to compete for semifinals spots as Courts Optical U11 Pee Wee Football wraps up Round of 16 action.
S
s t r po
Rivas’ winner sends GIA into Quarters as Tucville, Leonora Primary maintain strong pursuit - Courts Pee Wee U11 Football tournament moves to quarterfinals phase
GDF trio Daymotrien Budhan, Brandon Parks and Raven Vancooten seal 3-0 win in latest fixture.
GDF U17 maintain unbeaten run with commanding win over Western Tigers
SHC S’Team unstoppable in U21 division, Percival’s hat-trick enough for Phantom Troupe
Growth! The GHB introduced two brand new teams in the Under-17 girl’s division. Here’s is part of the action between St. Joseph’s and North Ruimveldt Multilateral on day three.
- as National Junior indoor hockey heads for thrilling finale Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.